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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Story of the Mormons + From the Date of their Origin to the Year 1901 + +Author: William Alexander Linn + +Release Date: December 2000 [EBook #2443] +Last Updated: November 17, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE MORMONS *** + + + + +Produced by Several Anonymous Volunteers, Dianne Bean, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE STORY OF THE MORMONS + </h1> + <h2> + FROM THE DATE OF THEIR ORIGIN TO THE YEAR 1901 + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By William Alexander Linn + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img alt="titlepage (26K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> DETAILED CONTENTS </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> <big><b>THE STORY OF THE MORMONS</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> <big><b>BOOK I. — THE MORMON ORIGIN</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. — FACILITY OF HUMAN BELIEF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. — THE SMITH FAMILY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. — HOW JOSEPH SMITH BECAME A + MONEY-DIGGER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. — FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE + GOLDEN BIBLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. — THE DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS OF THE + REVELATION OF THE BIBLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. — TRANSLATION AND PUBLICATION + OF THE BIBLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. — THE SPAULDING MANUSCRIPT + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. — SIDNEY RIGDON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. — "THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. — THE WITNESSES TO THE PLATES + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. — THE MORMON BIBLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. — ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. — THE MORMONS' BELIEFS AND + DOCTRINES—CHURCH GOVERNMENT </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> <big><b>BOOK II. — IN OHIO</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER I. — THE FIRST CONVERTS AT KIRTLAND + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER II. — WILD VAGARIES OF THE CONVERTS + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER III. — GROWTH OF THE CHURCH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER IV. — GIFTS OF TONGUES AND MIRACLES + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER V. — SMITH'S OHIO BUSINESS + ENTERPRISES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER VI. — LAST DAYS AT KIRTLAND </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> <big><b>BOOK III. — IN MISSOURI</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER I. — THE DIRECTIONS TO THE SAINTS + ABOUT THEIR ZION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER II. — SMITH'S FIRST VISITS TO + MISSOURI—FOUNDING THE CITY AND THE TEMPLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER III. — THE EXPULSION FROM JACKSON + COUNTY—THE ARMY OF ZION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER IV. — FRUITLESS NEGOTIATIONS WITH + THE JACKSON COUNTY PEOPLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER V. — IN CLAY, CALDWELL, AND DAVIESS + COUNTIES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER VI. — RADICAL DISSENSIONS IN THE + CHURCH—ORIGIN OF THE DANITES—TITHING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER VII. — BEGINNING OF ACTIVE + HOSTILITIES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER VIII. — A STATE OF CIVIL WAR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER IX. — THE FINAL EXPULSION FROM THE + STATE </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> <big><b>BOOK IV. — IN ILLINOIS</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER I. — THE RECEPTION OF THE MORMONS + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER II. — THE SETTLEMENT OF NAUVOO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER III. — THE BUILDING UP OF THE CITY—FOREIGN + PROSELYTING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER IV. — THE NAUVOO CITY GOVERNMENT—TEMPLE + AND OTHER BUILDINGS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER V. — THE MORMONS IN POLITICS—MISSOURI + REQUISITIONS FOR SMITH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER VI. — SMITH A CANDIDATE FOR + PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER VII. — SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN NAUVOO + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER VIII. — SMITH'S PICTURE OF HIMSELF + AS AUTOCRAT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER IX. — SMITH'S FALLING OUT WITH + BENNETT AND HIGBEE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0038"> CHAPTER X. — THE INSTITUTION OF POLYGAMY + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0039"> CHAPTER XI. — PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE + DOCTRINE OF POLYGAMY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0040"> CHAPTER XII. — THE SUPPRESSION OF THE + EXPOSITOR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0041"> CHAPTER XIII. — UPRISING OF THE NON-MORMONS—SMITH'S + ARREST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0042"> CHAPTER XIV. — THE MURDER OF THE PROPHET—HIS + CHARACTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0043"> CHAPTER XV. — AFTER SMITH'S DEATH—RIGDON'S + LAST DAYS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0044"> CHAPTER XVI. — RIVALRIES OVER THE + SUCCESSION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0045"> CHAPTER XVII. — BRIGHAM YOUNG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0046"> CHAPTER XVIII. — RENEWED TROUBLE FOR THE + MORMONS—"THE BURNINGS" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0047"> CHAPTER XIX. — THE EXPULSION OF THE MORMONS + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0048"> CHAPTER XX. — THE EVACUATION OF NAUVOO—"THE + LAST MORMON WAR" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0049"> CHAPTER XXI. — NAUVOO AFTER THE EXODUS </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0057"> <big><b>BOOK V. — THE MIGRATION TO UTAH</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0050"> CHAPTER I. — PREPARATIONS FOR THE LONG + MARCH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0051"> CHAPTER II. — FROM THE MISSISSIPPI TO THE + MISSOURI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0052"> CHAPTER III. — THE MORMON BATTALION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0053"> CHAPTER IV. — THE CAMPS ON THE MISSOURI + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0054"> CHAPTER V. — THE PIONEER TRIP ACROSS THE + PLAINS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0055"> CHAPTER VI. — FROM THE ROCKIES TO SALT LAKE + VALLEY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0056"> CHAPTER VII. — THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES—LAST + DAYS ON THE MISSOURI </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0065"> <big><b>BOOK VI. — IN UTAH</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0057"> CHAPTER I. — THE FOUNDING OF SALT LAKE CITY + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0058"> CHAPTER II. — PROGRESS OF THE SETTLEMENT + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0059"> CHAPTER III. — THE FOREIGN IMMIGRATION TO + UTAH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0060"> CHAPTER IV. — THE HAND-CART TRAGEDY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0061"> CHAPTER V. — EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0062"> CHAPTER VI. — BRIGHAM YOUNG'S DESPOTISM + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0063"> CHAPTER VII. — THE "REFORMATION" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0064"> CHAPTER VIII. — SOME CHURCH-INSPIRED + MURDERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0065"> CHAPTER IX. — BLOOD ATONEMENT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0066"> CHAPTER X. — THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT—JUDGE + BROCCHUS'S EXPERIENCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0067"> CHAPTER XI. — MORMON TREATMENT OF FEDERAL + OFFICERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0068"> CHAPTER XII. — THE MORMON "WAR" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0069"> CHAPTER XIII. — THE MORMON PURPOSE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0070"> CHAPTER XIV. — COLONEL KANE'S MISSION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0071"> CHAPTER XV. — THE PEACE COMMISSION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0072"> CHAPTER XVI. — THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS + MASSACRE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0073"> CHAPTER XVII. — AFTER THE "WAR" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0074"> CHAPTER XVIII. — ATTITUDE OF THE MORMONS + DURING THE SOUTHERN REBELLION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0075"> CHAPTER XIX. — EASTERN VISITORS TO SALT + LAKE CITY—UNPUNISHED MURDERERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0076"> CHAPTER XX. — GENTILE IRRUPTION AND MORMON + SCHISM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0077"> CHAPTER XXI. — THE LAST YEARS OF BRIGHAM + YOUNG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0078"> CHAPTER XXII. — BRIGHAM YOUNG'S DEATH—HIS + CHARACTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0079"> CHAPTER XXIII. — SOCIAL ASPECTS OF POLYGAMY + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0080"> CHAPTER XXIV. — THE FIGHT AGAINST POLYGAMY—STATEHOOD + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0081"> CHAPTER XXV. — THE MORMONISM OF TO-DAY </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>ILLUSTRATIONS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0001"> Facsimile of the Characters Of The Book Of + Mormon </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0002"> Stenhouse Plates </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0003"> "Scripture" Chapter Headings </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0005"> Order and Unity of the Kingdom Of God </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0006"> Seal </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0007"> Egyptian Papyri </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0008"> Bank-note </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0009"> List of Wives </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + No chapter of American history has remained so long unwritten as that + which tells the story of the Mormons. There are many books on the subject, + histories written under the auspices of the Mormon church, which are + hopelessly biased as well as incomplete; more trustworthy works which + cover only certain periods; and books in the nature of "exposures" by + former members of the church, which the Mormons attack as untruthful, and + which rest, in the minds of the general reader, under a suspicion of + personal bias. Mormonism, therefore, to-day suggests to most persons only + one doctrine—polygamy—and only one leader—Brigham Young, + who made his name familiar to the present generations. Joseph Smith, Jr., + is known, where known at all, only in the most general way as the founder + of the sect, while the real originator of the whole scheme for a new + church and of its doctrines and government, Sidney Rigdon, is known to few + persons even by name. + </p> + <p> + The object of the present work is to present a consecutive history of the + Mormons, from the day of their origin to the present writing, and as a + secular, not as a religious, narrative. The search has been for facts, not + for moral deductions, except as these present themselves in the course of + the story. Since the usual weapon which the heads of the Mormon church use + to meet anything unfavorable regarding their organization or leaders is a + general denial, this narrative has been made to rest largely on Mormon + sources of information. It has been possible to follow this plan a long + way because many of the original Mormons left sketches that have been + preserved. Thus we have Mother Smith's picture of her family and of the + early days of the church; the Prophet's own account of the revelation to + him of the golden plates, of his followers' early experiences, and of his + own doings, almost day by day, to the date of his death, written with an + egotist's appreciation of his own part in the play; other autobiographies, + like Parley P. Pratt's and Lorenzo Snow's; and, finally, the periodicals + which the church issued in Ohio, in Missouri, in Illinois, and in England, + and the official reports of the discourses preached in Utah,—all + showing up, as in a mirror, the character of the persons who gave this + Church of Latter Day Saints its being and its growth. + </p> + <p> + In regard to no period of Mormon history is there such a lack of accurate + information as concerning that which covers their moves to Ohio, thence to + Missouri, thence to Illinois, and thence to Utah. Their own excuse for all + these moves is covered by the one word "persecution" (meaning persecution + on account of their religious belief), and so little has the non-Mormon + world known about the subject that this explanation has scarcely been + challenged. Much space is given to these early migrations, as in this way + alone can a knowledge be acquired of the real character of the + constituency built up by Smith in Ohio, and led by him from place to place + until his death, and then to Utah by Brigham Young. + </p> + <p> + Any study of the aims and objects of the Mormon leaders must rest on the + Mormon Bible ("Book of Mormon") and on the "Doctrine and Covenants," the + latter consisting principally of the "revelations" which directed the + organization of the church and its secular movements. In these alone are + spread out the original purpose of the migration to Missouri and the + instructions of Smith to his followers regarding their assumed rights to + the territory they were to occupy; and without a knowledge of these + "revelations" no fair judgment can be formed of the justness of the + objections of the people of Missouri and Illinois to their new neighbors. + If the fraudulent character of the alleged revelation to Smith of golden + plates can be established, the foundation of the whole church scheme + crumbles. If Rigdon's connection with Smith in the preparation of the + Bible by the use of the "Spaulding manuscript" can be proved, the fraud + itself is established. Considerable of the evidence on this point herein + brought together is presented at least in new shape, and an adequate + sketch of Sidney Rigdon is given for the first time. The probable service + of Joachim's "Everlasting Gospel," as suggesting the story of the + revelation of the plates, has been hitherto overlooked. + </p> + <p> + A few words with regard to some of the sources of information quoted: + </p> + <p> + "Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith and his Progenitors for Many + Generations" ("Mother Smith's History," as this book has been generally + called) was first published in 1853 by the Mormon press in Liverpool, with + a preface by Orson Pratt recommending it; and the Millennial Star (Vol. + XV, p. 682) said of it: "Being written by Lucy Smith, the mother of the + Prophet, and mostly under his inspiration, will be ample guarantee for the + authenticity of the narrative.... Altogether the work is one of the most + interesting that has appeared in this latter dispensation." Brigham Young, + however, saw how many of its statements told against the church, and in a + letter to the Millennial Star (Vol. XVII, p. 298), dated January 31, 1858, + he declared that it contained "many mistakes," and said that "should it + ever be deemed best to publish these sketches, it will not be done until + after they are carefully corrected." The preface to the edition of 1890, + published by the Reorganized Church at Plano, Illinois, says that Young + ordered the suppression of the first edition, and that under this order + large numbers were destroyed, few being preserved, some of which fell into + the hands of those now with the Reorganized Church. For this destruction + we see no adequate reason. James J. Strang, in a note to his pamphlet, + "Prophetic Controversy," says that Mrs. Corey (to whom the pamphlet is + addressed) "wrote the history of the Smiths called 'Mother Smith's + History.'" Mrs. Smith was herself quite incapable of putting her + recollections into literary shape. + </p> + <p> + The autobiography of Joseph Smith, Jr., under the title "History of Joseph + Smith," began as a supplement to Volume XIV of the Millennial Star, and + ran through successive volumes to Volume XXIV. The matter in the + supplement and in the earlier numbers was revised and largely written by + Rigdon. The preparation of the work began after he and Smith settled in + Nauvoo, Illinois. In his last years Smith rid himself almost entirely of + Rigdon's counsel, and the part of the autobiography then written takes the + form of a diary which unmasks Smith's character as no one else could do. + Most of the correspondence and official documents relating to the troubles + in Missouri and Illinois are incorporated in this work. + </p> + <p> + Of the greatest value to the historian are the volumes of the Mormon + publications issued at Kirtland, Ohio; Independence, Missouri; Nauvoo, + Illinois; and Liverpool, England. The first of these, Evening and Morning + Star (a monthly, twenty-four numbers), started at Independence and + transferred to Kirtland, covers the period from June, 1832, to September, + 1834; its successor, the Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate, was + issued at Kirtland from 1834 to 1837. This was followed by the Elders' + journal, which was transferred from Kirtland to Far West, Missouri, and + was discontinued when the Saints were compelled to leave that state. Times + and Seasons was published at Nauvoo from 1839 to 1845. Files of these + publications are very scarce, the volumes of the Times and Seasons having + been suppressed, so far as possible, by Brigham Young's order. The + publication of the Millennial Star was begun in Liverpool in May, 1840, + and is still continued. The early volumes contain the official epistles of + the heads of the church to their followers, Smith's autobiography, + correspondence describing the early migrations and the experiences in + Utah, and much other valuable material, the authenticity of which cannot + be disputed by the Mormons. In the Journal of Discourses (issued primarily + for circulation in Europe) are found official reports of the principal + discourses (or sermons) delivered in Salt Lake City during Young's regime. + Without this official sponsor for the correctness of these reports, many + of them would doubtless be disputed by the Mormons of to-day. + </p> + <p> + The earliest non-Mormon source of original information quoted is + "Mormonism Unveiled," by E. D. Howe (Painesville, Ohio, 1834). Mr. Howe, + after a newspaper experience in New York State, founded the Cleveland + (Ohio) Herald in 1819, and later the Painesville (Ohio) Telegraph. Living + near the scene of the Mormon activity in Ohio when they moved to that + state, and desiring to ascertain the character of the men who were + proclaiming a new Bible and a new church, he sent agents to secure such + information among the Smiths' old acquaintances in New York and + Pennsylvania, and made inquiries on kindred subjects, like the "Spaulding + manuscript." His book was the first serious blow that Smith and his + associates encountered, and their wrath against it and its author was + fierce. + </p> + <p> + Pomeroy Tucker, the author of "Origin and Progress of the Mormons" (New + York, 1867), was personally acquainted with the Smiths and with Harris and + Cowdery before and after the appearance of the Mormon Bible. He read a + good deal of the proof of the original edition of that book as it was + going through the press, and was present during many of the negotiations + with Grandin about its publication. His testimony in regard to early + matters connected with the church is important. + </p> + <p> + Two non-Mormons who had an early view of the church in Utah and who put + their observations in book form were B. G. Ferris ("Utah and the Mormons," + New York, 1854 and 1856) and Lieutenant J. W. Gunnison of the United + States Topographical Engineers ("The Mormons," Philadelphia, 1856). Both + of these works contain interesting pictures of life in Utah in those early + days. + </p> + <p> + There are three comprehensive histories of Utah,—H. H. Bancroft's + "History of Utah" (p. 889), Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City" (p. + 886), and Orson F. Whitney's "History of Utah," in four volumes, three of + which, dated respectively March, 1892, April, 1893, and January, 1898, + have been issued. The Reorganized Church has also published a "History of + the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" in three volumes. While + Bancroft's work professes to be written from a secular standpoint, it is + really a church production, the preparation of the text having been + confided to Mormon hands. "We furnished Mr. Bancroft with his material," + said a prominent Mormon church officer to me. Its plan is to give the + Mormon view in the text, and to refer the reader for the other side to a + mass of undigested notes, and its principal value to the student consists + in its references to other authorities. Its general tone may be seen in + its declaration that those who have joined the church to expose its + secrets are "the most contemptible of all"; that those who have joined it + honestly and, discovering what company they have got into, have given the + information to the world, would far better have gone their way and said + nothing about it; and, as to polygamy, that "those who waxed the hottest + against" the practice "are not as a rule the purest of our people" (p. + 361); and that the Edmunds Law of 1882 "capped the climax of absurdity" + (p. 683). + </p> + <p> + Tullidge wrote his history after he had taken part in the "New Movement." + In it he brought together a great deal of information, including the text + of important papers, which is necessary to an understanding of the growth + and struggles of the church. The work was censored by a committee + appointed by the Mormon authorities. + </p> + <p> + Bishop Whitney's history presents the pro-Mormon view of the church + throughout. It is therefore wholly untrustworthy as a guide to opinion on + the subjects treated, but, like Tullidge's, it supplies a good deal of + material which is useful to the student who is prepared to estimate its + statements at their true value. + </p> + <p> + The acquisition by the New York Public Library of the Berrian collection + of books, early newspapers, and pamphlets on Mormonism, with the additions + constantly made to this collection, places within the reach of the student + all the material that is necessary for the formation of the fairest + judgment on the subject. + </p> + <p> + W. A. L. HACKENSACK, N. J., 1901. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS + </h2> + <h3> + BOOK I. THE MORMON ORIGIN + </h3> + <p> + I. FACILITY OF HUMAN BELIEF: The Real Miracle of Mormon Success—Effrontery + of the Leaders' Professions—Attractiveness of Religious Beliefs to + Man—Wherein the World does not make Progress—The Anglo-Saxon + Appetite for Religious Novelties + </p> + <p> + II. THE SMITH FAMILY: Solomon Mack and his Autobiography —Religious + Characteristics of the Prophet's Mother—The Family Life in Vermont—Early + Occupations in New York State—Pictures of the Prophet as a Youth—Recollections + of the Smiths by their New York Neighbors + </p> + <p> + III. HOW JOSEPH SMITH BECAME A MONEY-DIGGER: His Use of a Divining Rod—His + First Introduction to Crystal-gazing—Peeping after Hidden Treasure—How + Joseph obtained his own "Peek-stone"—Methods of Midnight + Money-digging + </p> + <p> + IV. FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GOLDEN BIBLE: Variations in the Early + Descriptions—Joseph's Acquaintance with the Hales—His + Elopement and Marriage—What he told a Neighbor about the Origin of + his Bible Discovery—Early Anecdotes about the Book + </p> + <p> + V. THE DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS OF THE REVELATION OF THE BIBLE: The Versions + about the Spanish Guardian—Important Statement by the Prophet's + Father—The Later Account in the Prophet's Autobiography—The + Angel Visitor and the Acquisition of the Plates—Mother Smith's + Version + </p> + <p> + VI. TRANSLATION AND PUBLICATION OF THE BIBLE: Martin Harris's Connection + with the Work—Smith's Removal to Pennsylvania—How the + Translation was carried on—Harris's Visit to Professor Anthon—The + Professor's Account of his Visit—The Lost Pages—The Prophet's + Predicament and his Method of Escape—Oliver Cowdery as an Assistant + Translator—Introduction of the Whitmers—The Printing and Proof—reading + of the New Bible—Recollections of Survivors + </p> + <p> + VII. THE SPAULDING MANUSCRIPT: Solomon Spaulding's Career—History of + "The Manuscript Found"—Statements by Members of the Author's Family—Testimony + of Spaulding's Ohio Neighbors about the Resemblance of his Story to the + Book of Mormon—The Manuscript found in the Sandwich Islands + </p> + <p> + VIII. SIDNEY RIGDON: His Biography—Connection with the Campbells—Efficient + Church Work in Ohio—His Jealousy of his Church Leaders—Disciples' + Beliefs and Mormon Doctrines—Intimations about a New Bible—Rigdon's + First Connection with Smith—The Rigdon-Smith Translation of the + Scriptures—Rigdon's Conversion to Mormonism + </p> + <p> + IX. "THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL": Probable Origin of the Idea of a Bible on + Plates—Cyril's Gift from an Angel and Joachim's Use of it—Where + Rigdon could have obtained the Idea Prominence of the "Everlasting Gospel" + in Mormon Writings + </p> + <p> + X. THE WITNESSES TO THE PLATES: Text of the Two "Testimonies"—The + Prophet's Explanation of the First—Early Reputation and Subsequent + History of the Signers—The Truth about the Kinderhook Plates and + Rafinesque's Glyphs + </p> + <p> + XI. THE MORMON BIBLE: Some of its Errors and Absurdities—Facsimile + of the First Edition Title-page—The Historical Narrative of the Book—Its + Lack of Literary Style—Appropriated Chapters of the Scriptures—Specimen + Anachronisms + </p> + <p> + XII. ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH: Smith's Ordination by John the Baptist—The + First Baptisms—Early Branches of the Church—The Revelation + about Church Officers—Cowdery's Ambition and How it was Repressed—Smith's + Title as Seer, Translator, and Prophet—His Arrest and Release—Arrival + of Parley P. Platt and Rigdon in Palmyra—The Command to remove to + Ohio + </p> + <p> + XIII. THE MORMONS' BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES—CHURCH GOVERNMENT: Long + Years of Apostasy—Origin of the Name "Mormon"—Original Titles + of the Church—Belief in a Speedy Millennium—The Future + Possession of the Earth—Smith's Revelations and how they were + obtained—The First Published Editions—Counterfeit Revealers—What + is Taught of God—Brigham Young's Adam Sermon—Baptism for the + Dead—The Church Officers + </p> + <p> + BOOK II. IN OHIO + </p> + <p> + I. THE FIRST CONVERTS AT KIRTLAND: Original Missionaries sent out to the + Lamanites—Organization of a Church in Ohio—Effect of Rigdon's + Conversion—General Interest in the New Bible and Prophet—How + Men of Education came to believe in Mormonism—Result of the + Upturning of Religious Belief + </p> + <p> + II. WILD VAGARIES OF THE CONVERTS: Convulsions and Commissions—Common + Religious Excitements of those Days—Description of the "Jerks"—Smith's + Repressing Influence + </p> + <p> + III. GROWTH OF THE CHURCH: The Appointment of Elders—Beginning of + the Proselyting System—Smith's Power Entrenched—His Temporal + Provision—Repression of Rigdon—The Tarring and Feathering of + Smith and Rigdon—Treatment of the Mormons and of Other New + Denominations compared—Rigdon's Punishment + </p> + <p> + IV. GIFTS OF TONGUES AND MIRACLES: How Persons "Spoke in Tongues"—Seeing + the Lord Face to Face—Early Use of Miracles—The Story of the + "Book of Abraham"—The Prophet as a Translator of Greek and Egyptian. + </p> + <p> + V. SMITH'S OHIO BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: Young's Picture of the Prophet's + Experience as a Retail Merchant—The Land Speculation—Laying + out of the City—Building of the Temple—Consecration of + Property—How the Leaders looked out for themselves—Amusing + Explanation of Section III of the "Doctrine and Covenants"—The Story + of the Kirtland Bank—The Church View of its Responsibility for the + Currency—The Business Crash and Smith's Flight to Missouri + </p> + <p> + VI. LAST DAYS AT KIRTLAND: Pictures of the Prophet—Accusations + against Church Leaders in Missouri—Serious Charge against the + Prophet—W. W, Phelps's Rebellion—Smith's Description of + Leading Lights of the Church—Charges concerning Smith's Morality—The + Church accused of practising Polygamy—A Lively Fight at a Church + Service—Smith's and Rigdon's Defence of their Conduct—The + Later History of Kirtland + </p> + <p> + BOOK III. IN MISSOURI + </p> + <p> + I. THE DIRECTIONS TO THE SAINTS ABOUT THEIR ZION: Western Missouri in the + Early Days—Pioneer Farming and Home-making—The Trip of the + Four Mormon Missionaries—Direction about the Gathering of the Elect—How + they were to possess the Land of Promise—Their Appropriation of the + Good Things purchased of their Enemies + </p> + <p> + II. SMITH'S FIRST VISITS TO MISSOURI: Founding the City of Zion and the + Temple—Marvellous Stories that were told—Dissatisfaction of + Some of the Prophet's Companions + </p> + <p> + III. THE EXPULSION FROM JACKSON COUNTY: Rapid Influx of Mormons—Result + of the Publication of the Revelations—First Friction with their + Non-Mormon Neighbors—Manifesto of the Mormons' Opponents—Their + Big Mass Meeting—Demands on the Mormons—Destruction of the + Star Printing-office—The Mormons' Agreement to leave—Smith's + Advice to his Flock—Repudiation of the Mormon Agreement and Renewal + of Hostilities—The Battle at Big Blue—Evacuation of the County—March + of the Army of Zion—An Inglorious Finale + </p> + <p> + IV. FRUITLESS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE JACKSON COUNTY PEOPLE: A Fair Offer + Rejected—The Mormon Counter Propositions—Governor Dunklin on + the Situation + </p> + <p> + V. IN CLAY, CALDWELL, AND DAVIESS COUNTIES: Welcome of the Mormons by New + Neighbors—Effect of their Claims about Possessing the Land—Ordered + out of Clay County—Founding of Far West—A Welcome to Smith and + Rigdon + </p> + <p> + VI. RADICAL DISSENSIONS IN THE CHURCH: Trial of Phelps and Whitmer—Conviction + of Oliver Cowdery on Serious Charges—Expulsion of Leading Members—Origin + of the Danites—Suggested by the Prophet at Kirtland—The Danite + Constitution and Oath—Origin of the Tithing System + </p> + <p> + VII. BEGINNING OF ACTIVE HOSTILITIES: Result of Smith's Domineering Course—Jealousy + caused by the Scattering of the Saints—Founding of Adam-ondi-Ahman—Rigdon's + Famous Salt Sermon—Open Defiance of the Non-Mormons—The + Mormons in Politics—An Election Day Row—Arrests and Threats + </p> + <p> + VIII. A STATE OF CIVIL WAR: Calling out of the Militia—Proposed + Expulsion of the Mormons from Carroll County—The Siege of De Witt—The + Prophet's Defiance—Work of his "Fur Company"—Gentile + Retaliation—The Battle of Crooked River—The Massacre at Hawn's + Mills—Governor Boggs's "Order of Extermination" + </p> + <p> + IX. THE FINAL EXPULSION FROM THE STATE: General Lucas's Terms to the + Mormons—Surrender of Far West and Arrest of Mormon Leaders—General + Clark's Address to the Mormons—His Report to the Governor—General + Wilson's Picture of Adam-ondi-Ahman—Fate of the Mormon Prisoners—Testimony + at their Trial—Smith's Escape—Migration to Illinois + </p> + <p> + BOOK IV. IN ILLINOIS + </p> + <p> + I. THE RECEPTION OF THE MORMONS: Incidents in the Early History of the + State—Defiant Lawlessness—Politicians the First to Welcome the + Newcomers—Landowners Among their First Friends + </p> + <p> + II. THE SETTLEMENT OF NAUVOO: Smith's Leadership Illustrated—The + Land Purchases—A Reconciliation of Conflicting Revelations—Smith's + Financiering—Shameful Misrepresentation to Immigrants + </p> + <p> + III. THE BUILDING UP OF THE CITY: Unhealthfulness of its Site—Rapid + Growth of the Place—Early Pictures of it—Foreign Proselyting—Why + England was a Good Field—Method of Work there—The Employment + of Miracles—How the Converts were Sent Over + </p> + <p> + IV. THE NAUVOO CITY GOVERNMENT: Dr. Galland's Suggestions—An + Important Revelation—Church Buildings Ordered—Subserviency of + the Legislature—Dr. John C. Bennett's Efficient Aid—Authority + granted to the City Government—The Nauvoo Legion—Bennett's + Welcome—The Temple and How it was Constructed + </p> + <p> + V. THE MORMONS IN POLITICS: Smith's Decree against Van Buren—How the + Prophet swung the Mormon Vote back to the Democrats—The Attempted + Assassination of Governor Boggs—Smith's Arrest and What Resulted + from it—Defeat of a Whig Candidate by a Revelation + </p> + <p> + VI. SMITH A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: His Letter to + Clay and Calhoun—Their Replies and Smith's Abusive Wrath—The + Prophet's Views on National Politics—Reform Measures that He + Proposed—His Nomination by the Church Paper—Experiences of + Missionaries sent out to Work Up his Campaign + </p> + <p> + VII. SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN NAUVOO: Character of its Population—Treatment + of Immigrant Converts—Some Disreputable Gentile Neighbors—The + Complaints of Mormon Stealings—Significant Admissions—Mormon + Protection against Outsiders—The Whittlers + </p> + <p> + VIII. SMITH'S PICTURE OF HIMSELF AS AUTOCRAT: Glances at his Autobiography—Difficulties + Connected with the Building Enterprises—A Plain Warning to + Discontented Workmen—Trouble with Rigdon—Pressed by his + Creditors—Transaction with Remick—Currency Law passed by his + City Council—How Smith regarded himself as a Prophet—His + Latest Prophecies + </p> + <p> + IX. SMITH'S FALLING OUT WITH BENNETT AND HIGBEE: Bennett's Expulsion and + the Explanations concerning it—His Attacks on his Late Companions—Charges + against Nauvoo Morality—The Case of Nancy Rigdon—The Higbee + Incident + </p> + <p> + X. THE INSTITUTION OF POLYGAMY: An Examination of its Origin—Its + Conflict with the Teachings of the Mormon Bible and Revelations—Early + Loosening of the Marriage View under Smith—Proof of the Practice of + Polygamy in Nauvoo—Testimony of Eliza R. Snow—How her Brother + Lorenzo shook off his Bachelorhood—John B. Lee as a Polygamist—Ebenezer + Robinson's Statement—Objects of "The Holy Order"—The Writing + of the Revelation about Polygamy—Its First Public Announcement—Sidney + Rigdon's Innocence in the Matter + </p> + <p> + XI. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DOCTRINE OF POLYGAMY: Text of the + Revelation—Orson Pratt's Presentation of it—The Doctrine of + Sealing—Necessity of Sealing as a Means of Salvation—Attempt + to show that Christ was a Polygamist + </p> + <p> + XII. THE SUPPRESSION OF THE EXPOSITOR: Dr. Foster and the Laws—Rebellion + against Smith's Teachings—Leading Features of the Expositor—Trial + of the Paper and its Editors before the City Council—Destruction of + the Press and Type—Smith's Proclamation + </p> + <p> + XIII. UPRISING OF THE NON-MORMONS: Resolutions Adopted at Warsaw—Organizing + and Arming of the People—Action of Governor Ford—Smith's + Arrest—Departure of the Prisoners for Carthage + </p> + <p> + XIV. THE MURDER OF THE PROPHET: Legal Proceedings after his Arrival in + Carthage—The Governor and the Militia—The Carthage Jail and + its Guards—Action of the Warsaw Regiment—The Attack on the + Jail and the Killing of the Prophet and his Brother—Funeral Services + in Nauvoo—Final Resting-place of the Bodies—Result of + Indictments of the Alleged Murderers—Review of the Prophet's + Character + </p> + <p> + XV. AFTER SMITH'S DEATH: The People in a Panic—The Mormon Leaders + for Peace—The Future Government of the Church—Brigham Young's + Victory—Rigdon's Trial before the High Council—Verdict Against + Him—His Church in Pennsylvania—His Ambition to be the Head of + a Distinct Church—A Visit from Heavenly Messengers—His Last + Days + </p> + <p> + XVI. RIVALRIES OVER THE SUCCESSION: The Claim of the Prophet's Eldest Son—Trouble + caused by the Prophet's Widow—The Reorganized Church—Strang's + Church in Wisconsin—Lyman Wight's Colony in Texas + </p> + <p> + XVII. BRIGHAM YOUNG: His Early Years—His Initiation into the Mormon + Church—Fidelity to the Prophet—Embarrassments of his Position + as Head of the Church—His View about Revelations—Plan for Home + Mission Work—His Election as President + </p> + <p> + XVIII. RENEWED TROUBLE FOR THE MORMONS: More Charges of Stealing—Significant + Admission by Young—Business Plight of Nauvoo—More Politics—Defiant + Attitude of Mormon Leaders—An Editor's View of Legal Rights—Stories + about the Danites—Brother William on Brigham Young—The + "Burnings"—Sheriff Backenstos's Proclamations—Lieutenant + Worrell's Murder—Mormon Retaliation—Appointment of the + Douglas-Hardin Commission + </p> + <p> + XIX. THE EXPULSION OF THE MORMONS: General Hardin's Proclamation—County + Meetings of Non-Mormons—Their Ultimatum—The Commission's + Negotiations—Non-Mormon Convention at Carthage—The Agreement + for the Mormon Evacuation + </p> + <p> + XX. THE EVACUATION OF NAUVOO: Major Warren as a Peace Preserver—The + Mormons' Disposition of their Property—Departure of the Leaders + hastened by Indictments—Arrival of New Citizens—Continued + Hostility of the Non-Mormons—"The Last Mormon War"—Panic in + Nauvoo—Plan for a March on the Mormon City—Fruitless + Negotiations for a Compromise—The Advance against the City—The + Battle and its Results—Terms of Peace—The Final Evacuation + XXI. NAUVOO AFTER THE EXODUS: Arrival of Governor Ford—The Final + Work on the Temple—The "Endowment" Ceremony and Oath—Futile + Efforts to sell the Temple—Its Destruction by Fire and Wind—The + Nauvoo of To-day + </p> + <p> + BOOK V. THE MIGRATION TO UTAH + </p> + <p> + I. PREPARATIONS FOR THE LONG MARCH: Uncertainty of their Destination—Explanations + to the People—Disposition of Real and Personal Property—Collection + of Draft Animals—Activity in Wagon and Tent Making—The Old + Charge of Counterfeiting—Pecuniary Sacrifices of the Mormons in + Illinois + </p> + <p> + II. FROM THE MISSISSIPPI TO THE MISSOURI: The First Crossings of the River—Camp + Arrangements—Sufferings from the Cold—The Story of the + Westward March—Motley Make-up of the Procession—Expedients for + obtaining Supplies—Terrible Sufferings of the Expelled Remnant—Privations + at Mt. Pisgah + </p> + <p> + III. THE MORMON BATTALION: Extravagant Claims Regarding it Disproved—General + Kearney's Invitation—Source of the Initial Suggestion—How the + Mormons profited by the Organization—The March to California—Colonel + Thomas L. Kane's Visit to the Missouri—His Intimate Relations with + the Mormon Church + </p> + <p> + IV. THE CAMPS ON THE MISSOURI: Friendly Welcome of the Mormons by the + Indians—The Site of Winter Quarters—Busy Scenes on the River + Bank—Sickness and Death—The Building of a Temporary City + </p> + <p> + V. THE PIONEER TRIP ACROSS THE PLAINS: Early Views of the Unexplored West—The + First White Visitors to that Country—Organization of the Pioneer + Mormon Band—Rules observed on the March—Successful Buffalo + Hunting—An Indian Alarm—Dearth of Forage—Post-offices of + the Plains—A Profitable Ferry + </p> + <p> + VI. FROM THE ROCKIES TO SALT LAKE VALLEY: No Definite Stopping-place in + View—Advice received on the Way—The Mormon Expedition to + California by Way of Cape Horn—Brannan's Fall from Grace—Westward + from Green River—Advance Explorers through a Canon—First View + of Great Salt Lake Valley—Irrigation and Crop Planting begun + </p> + <p> + VII. THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES: Their Leaders and Make-up —Young's + Return Trip—Last Days on the Missouri—Scheme for a Permanent + Settlement in Iowa—Westward March of Large Companies + </p> + <p> + BOOK VI. IN UTAH + </p> + <p> + I. THE FOUNDING OF SALT LAKE CITY: Utah's First White Explorers—First + Mormon Services in the Valley—Young's View of the Right to the Land—The + First Buildings—Laying out the City—Early Crop Disappointment—Discomforts + of the First Winter—Primitive Dwelling-places—The Visitation + of Crickets—Glowing Accounts sent to England + </p> + <p> + II. PROGRESS OF THE SETTLEMENT: Schools and Manufactures —How the + City appeared in 1849—Sufferings during the Winter of 1908—Immigration + checked by the Lack of Food—Aid supplied by the California + Goldseekers—Danger of a Mormon Exodus—Young's Rebuke to his + Gold-seeking Followers—The Crop Failure of 1855 and the Famine of + the Following Winter—The Tabernacle and Temple + </p> + <p> + III. THE FOREIGN IMMIGRATION TO UTAH: The Commercial joint Stock Company + Scandal—Deceptive Statements made to Foreign Converts—John + Taylor's Address to the Saints in Great Britain—Petition to Queen + Victoria—Mormon Duplicity illustrated—Young's Advice to + Emigrants—Glowing Pictures of Salt Lake Valley—The Perpetual + Emigrating Fund—Details of the Emigration System + </p> + <p> + IV. THE HAND-CART TRAGEDY: Young's Scheme for Economy—His + Responsibility for the Hand-cart Experiment—Details of the + Arrangement—Delays at Iowa City—Unheeded Warnings—Privations + by the Way—Early Lack of Provisions—Suffering caused by + Insufficient Clothing—Deaths of the Old and Infirm—Horrors of + the Camps in the Mountains—Frozen Corpses found at Daybreak—Sufferings + of a Party at Devil's Gate—Young's Attempt to shift the + Responsibility + </p> + <p> + V. EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY: The Aim at Independence—First Local + Government—Adoption of a Constitution for the State of Deseret—Babbitt's + Application for Admission as a Delegate—Memorial opposing his Claim—His + Rejection—The Territorial Government + </p> + <p> + VI. BRIGHAM YOUNG'S DESPOTISM: Causes that contributed to its Success—Helplessness + of the New-comers from Europe—Influence of Superstition—Young's + Treatment of the Gladdenites—His Appropriation of Property Laws + passed by the Mormon Legislature—Bishops as Ward Magistrates—A + Mormon Currency and Alphabet—What Emigrants to California learned + about Mormon Justice + </p> + <p> + VII. THE "REFORMATION": Young's Disclosures about the Character of his + Flock—The Stealing from One Another—The Threat about "Laying + Judgment to the Line"—Plain Declarations about the taking of Human + Lives—First Steps of the "Reformation"—An Inquisition and + Catechism—An Embarrassing Confession—Warning to those who + would leave the Valley + </p> + <p> + VIII. SOME CHURCH-INSPIRED MURDERS: The Story of the Parrishes—Carrying + out of a Cold-blooded Plot—Judge Cradlebaugh's Effort to convict the + Murderers—The Tragedy of the Aikin Party—The Story of + Frederick Loba's Escape + </p> + <p> + IX. BLOOD ATONEMENT: Early Intimations concerning it—Jedediah M. + Grant's Explanation of Human Sacrifices—Brigham Young's Definition + of "Laying Judgment to the Line"—Two of the Sacrifices described—"The + Affair at San Pete" + </p> + <p> + X. TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT: Brigham Young the First Governor—Colonel + Kane's Part in his Appointment—Kane's False Statements to President + Fillmore—Welcome to the Non-Mormon Officers—Their Early + Information about Young's Influence—Pioneer Anniversary Speeches—Judge + Brocchus's Offence to the Mormons—Young's Threatening and Abusive + Reply—The Judge's Alarm about his Personal Safety—Return of + the Non-Mormon Federal Officers to Washington—Young's Defence + </p> + <p> + XI. MORMON TREATMENT OF FEDERAL OFFICERS: A Territorial Election Law—Why + Colonel Steptoe declined the Governorship—Young's Assertion of his + Authority—His Reappointment—Two Bad Judicial Appointments—Judge + Stiles's Trouble about the Marshals—Burning of his Books and Papers—How + Judge Drummond's Attempt at Independence was foiled—The Mormon View + of Land Titles—Hostile Attitude toward the Government Surveyors—Reports + of the Indian Agents + </p> + <p> + XII. THE MORMON "WAR": What the Federal Authorities had learned about + Mormonism—Declaration of the Republican National Convention of 1856—Striking + Speech by Stephen A. Douglas—Alfred Cumming appointed Governor with + a New Set of Judges—Statement in the President's Message—Employment + of a Military Force—The Kimball Mail Contract—Organization of + the Troops—General Harney's Letter of Instruction—Threats + against the Advancing Foe—Mobilization of the Nauvoo Legion—Captain + Van Vliet's Mission to Salt Lake City—Young's Defiance of the + Government—His Proclamation to the Citizens of Utah—"General" + Wells's Order to his Officers—Capture and Burning of a Government + Train—Colonel Alexander's Futile March—Colonel Johnston's + Advance from Fort Laramie—Harrowing Experience of Lieutenant Colonel + Cooke's Command + </p> + <p> + XIII. THE MORMON PURPOSE: Correspondence between Colonel Alexander and + Brigham Young—Illustration of Young's Vituperative Powers—John + Taylor's Threat—Incendiary Teachings in Salt Lake City—A + Warning to Saints who would Desert—The Army's Winter Camp—Proclamation + by Governor Cumming—Judge Eckles's Court—Futile Preparations + at Washington + </p> + <p> + XIV. COLONEL KANE'S MISSION: His Wily Proposition to President Buchanan—His + Credentials from the President—Arrival in California under an + Assumed Name—Visit to Camp Scott—General Johnston ignored—Reasons + why both the Government and the Mormons desired Peace—Kane's Success + with Governor Cumming—The Governor's Departure for Salt Lake City—Deceptions + practiced on him in Echo Canon—His Reception in the City—Playing + into Mormon Hands—The Governor's Introduction to the People—Exodus + of Mormons begun + </p> + <p> + XV. THE PEACE COMMISSION: President Buchanan's Volte-face—A + Proclamation of Pardon—Instructions to Two Peace Commissioners—Chagrin + of the Military—Governor Cumming's Misrepresentations—Conferences + between the Commissioners and Young—Brother Dunbar's Singing of + "Zion"—Young's Method of Surrender—Judge Eckles on Plural + Marriages—The Terms made with the Mormons—March of the Federal + Troops to the Deserted City—Return of the Mormons to their Homes + </p> + <p> + XVI. THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE: Circumstances Indicative of Mormon + Official Responsibility—The Make-up of the Arkansas Party—Motives + for Mormon Hostility to them—Parley P. Pratt's Shooting in Arkansas—Refusal + of Food Supplies to the Party after leaving Salt Lake City—Their + Plight before they were attacked—Successful Measures for Defence—Disarrangement + of the Mormon Plans—John D. Lee's Treacherous Mission—Pitiless + Slaughter of Men, Women, and Children—Testimony given at Lee's Trial—The + Plundering of the Dead—Lee's Account of the Planning of the Massacre—Responsibility + of High Church Officers—Lee's Report to Brigham Young and Brigham's + Instructions to him—The Disclosures by "Argus"—Lee's Execution + and Last Words + </p> + <p> + XVII. AFTER THE "WAR": Judge Cradlebaugh's Attempts to enforce the Law—Investigation + of the Mountain Meadows Massacre—Governor Cumming's Objections to + the Use of Troops to assist the Court—A Washington Decision in Favor + of Young's Authority—The Story of a Counterfeit Plate—Five + Thousand Men under Arms to protect Young from Arrest—Sudden + Departure of Cumming—Governor Dawson's Brief Term—His Shocking + Treatment at Mormon Hands—Governor Harding's Administration—The + Morrisite Tragedy + </p> + <p> + XVIII. ATTITUDE OF THE MORMONS DURING THE SOUTHERN REBELLION: Press and + Pulpit Utterances—Arrival of Colonel Connor's Force—His March + through Salt Lake City to Camp Douglas—Governor Harding's Plain + Message to the Legislature—Mormon Retaliation—The Governor and + Two Judges requested to leave the Territory—Their Spirited Replies—How + Young escaped Arrest by Colonel Connor's Force—Another Yielding to + Mormon Power at Washington + </p> + <p> + XIX. EASTERN VISITORS To SALT LAKE CITY: Schuyler Colfax's Interviews with + Young—Samuel Bowles's Praise of the Mormons and his Speedy + Correction of his Views—Repudiation of Colfax's Plan to drop + Polygamy—Two more Utah Murders—Colfax's Second Visit + </p> + <p> + XX. GENTILE IRRUPTION AND MORMON SCHISM: Young's Jealousy of Gentile + Merchants—Organization of the Zion Cooperative Mercantile + Institution—Inception of the "New Movement"—Its Leaders and + Objects—The Peep o' Day and the Utah Magazine—Articles that + aroused Young's Hostility—Visit of the Prophet's Sons to Salt Lake + City—Trial and Excommunication of Godbe and Harrison—Results + of the "New Movement". + </p> + <p> + XXI. THE LAST YEARS OF BRIGHAM YOUNG: New Governors—Shaffer's Rebuke + to the Nauvoo Legion—Conflict with the New Judges—Brigham + Young and Others indicted—Young's Temporary Imprisonment—A + Supreme Court Decision in Favor of the Mormon Marshal and Attorney—Outside + Influences affecting Utah Affairs—Grant's Special Message to + Congress—Failure of the Frelinghuysen Bill in the House—Signing + of the Poland Bill—Ann Eliza Young's Suit for Divorce—The + Later Governors + </p> + <p> + XXII. BRIGHAM YOUNG'S DEATH: His Character—Explanation of his + Dictatorial Power—Exaggerated Views of his Executive Ability—Overestimations + by Contemporaries—Young's Wealth and how he acquired it—His + Revenue from Divorces—Unrestrained Control of the Church Property—His + Will—Suit against his Executors—List of his Wives—His + Houses in Salt Lake City + </p> + <p> + XXIII. SOCIAL ASPECTS OF POLYGAMY: Varied Provisions for Plural Wives—Home + Accommodations of the Leaders—Horace Greeley's Observation about + Woman's Place in Utah—Means of overcoming Female Jealousy—Young + and Grant on the Unhappiness of Mormon Wives—Acceptance of Fanatical + Teachings by Women—Kimball on a Fair Division of the Converts—Church + Influence in Behalf of Plural Marriages—A Prussian Convert's Dilemma—President + Cleveland on the Evils of Polygamy + </p> + <p> + XXIV. THE FIGHT AGAINST POLYGAMY: First Measures introduced in Congress—The + Act of 1862—The Cullom Bill of 1869—Its Failure in the Senate—The + United States Supreme Court Decision regarding Polygamy—Conviction + of John Miles—Appeal of Women of Salt Lake City to Mrs. Hayes and + the Women of the United States—President Hayes's Drastic + Recommendation to Congress—Recommendations of Presidents Garfield + and Arthur—Passage of the Edmunds Bill—Its Provisions—The + Edmunds-Tucker Amendment—Appointment of the Utah Commission—Determined + Opposition of the Mormon Church—Placing their Flags at Half Mast—Convictions + under the New Law—Leaders in Hiding or in Exile—Mormon Honors + for those who took their Punishment—Congress asked to disfranchise + All Polygamists—The Mormon Church brought to Bay—Woodruff's + Famous Proclamation—How it was explained to the Church—The + Roberts Case and the Vetoed Act of 1901—How Statehood came + </p> + <p> + XXV. THE MORMONISM OF TO-DAY: Future Place of the Church in American + History—Main Points of the Mormon Political Policy—Unbroken + Power of the Priesthood—Fidelity of the Younger Members—Extension + of the Membership over Adjoining States—Mission Work at Home and + Abroad—Decreased Foreign Membership—Effect of False Promises + to Converts—The Settlements in Canada and Mexico—Polygamy + still a Living Doctrine—Reasons for its Hold on the Church—Its + Appeal to the Female Members—Importance of a Federal Constitutional + Amendment forbidding Polygamous Marriages—Scope of the Mormon + Political Ambition + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE STORY OF THE MORMONS + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK I. — THE MORMON ORIGIN + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — FACILITY OF HUMAN BELIEF + </h2> + <p> + Summing up his observations of the Mormons as he found them in Utah while + secretary of the territory, five years after their removal to the Great + Salt Lake valley, B. G. Ferris wrote, "The real miracle [of their success] + consists in so large a body of men and women, in a civilized land, and in + the nineteenth century, being brought under, governed, and controlled by + such gross religious imposture." This statement presents, in concise form, + the general view of the surprising features of the success of the Mormon + leaders, in forming, augmenting, and keeping together their flock; but it + is a mistaken view. To accept it would be to concede that, in a highly + civilized nation like ours, and in so late a century, the acceptance of + religious beliefs which, to the nonbelievers, seem gross superstitions, is + so unusual that it may be classed with the miraculous. Investigation + easily disproves this. + </p> + <p> + It is true that the effrontery which has characterized Mormonism from the + start has been most daring. Its founder, a lad of low birth, very limited + education, and uncertain morals; its beginnings so near burlesque that + they drew down upon its originators the scoff of their neighbors,—the + organization increased its membership as it was driven from one state to + another, building up at last in an untried wilderness a population that + has steadily augmented its wealth and numbers; doggedly defending its + right to practise its peculiar beliefs and obey only the officers of the + church, even when its course in this respect has brought it in conflict + with the government of the United States. Professing only a desire to be + let alone, it promulgated in polygamy a doctrine that was in conflict with + the moral sentiment of the Christian world, making its practice not only a + privilege, but a part of the religious duty of its members. When, in + recent years, Congress legislated against this practice, the church fought + for its peculiar institution to the last, its leading members accepting + exile and imprisonment; and only the certainty of continued exclusion from + the rights of citizenship, and the hopelessness of securing the + long-desired prize of statehood for Utah, finally induced the church to + bow to the inevitable, and to announce a form of release for its members + from the duty of marrying more wives than one. Aside from this concession, + the Mormon church is to-day as autocratic in its hold on its members, as + aggressive in its proselyting, and as earnest in maintaining its + individual religious and political power, as it has been in any previous + time in its history. + </p> + <p> + In its material aspects we must concede to the Mormon church organization + a remarkable success; to Joseph Smith, Jr., a leadership which would brook + no rival; to Brigham Young the maintenance of an autocratic authority + which enabled him to hold together and enlarge his church far beyond the + limits that would have been deemed possible when they set out across the + plains with all their possessions in their wagons. But it is no more + surprising that the Mormons succeeded in establishing their church in the + United States than it would have been if they had been equally successful + in South America; no more surprising that this success should have been + won in the nineteenth century than it would have been to record it in the + twelfth. + </p> + <p> + In studying questions of this kind, we are, in the first place, entirely + too apt to ignore the fact that man, while comparatively a "superior + being," is in simple fact one species of the animals that are found upon + the earth; and that, as a species, he has traits which distinguish him + characteristically just as certain well-known traits characterize those + animals that we designate as "lower." If a traveller from the Sun should + print his observations of the inhabitants of the different planets, he + would have to say of those of the Earth something like this: "One of Man's + leading traits is what is known as belief. He is a credulous creature, and + is especially susceptible to appeals to his credulity in regard to matters + affecting his existence after death." Whatever explanation we may accept + of the origin of the conception by this animal of his soul-existence, and + of the evolution of shadowy beliefs into religious systems, we must + concede that Man is possessed of a tendency to worship something,—a + recognition, at least, of a higher power with which it behooves him to be + on friendly terms,—and so long as the absolute correctness of any + one belief or doctrine cannot be actually proved to him, he is constantly + ready to inquire into, and perhaps give credence to, new doctrines that + are presented for his consideration. The acceptance by Man of novelties in + the way of religions is a characteristic that has marked his species ever + since its record has been preserved. According to Max Matter, "every + religion began simply as a matter of reason, and from this drifted into a + superstition"; that is, into what non-believers in the new doctrine + characterize as a superstition. Whenever one of these driftings has found + a lodgement, there has been planted a new sect. There has never been a + year in the Christian era when there have not been believers ready to + accept any doctrine offered to them in the name of religion. As + Shakespeare expresses it, in the words of Bassanio:— + </p> + <p> + "In religion, What damned error but some sober brow Will bless it, and + approve it with a text, Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?" + </p> + <p> + In glancing at the cause of this unchanged susceptibility to religious + credulity—unchanged while the world has been making such strides in + the acquisition of exact information—we may find a summing up of the + situation in Macaulay's blunt declaration that "natural theology is not a + progressive science; a Christian of the fifth century with a Bible is on a + par with a Christian of the nineteenth century with a Bible." The + "orthodox" believer in that Bible can only seek a better understanding of + it by studying it himself and accepting the deductions of other students. + Nothing, as the centuries have passed, has been added to his definite + knowledge of his God or his own future existence. When, therefore, some + one, like a Swedenborg or a Joseph Smith, appears with an announcement of + an addition to the information on this subject, obtained by direct + revelation from on high, he supplies one of the greatest desiderata that + man is conscious of, and we ought, perhaps, to wonder that his followers + are not so numerous, but so few. Progress in medical science would no + longer permit any body like the College of the Physicians of London to + recognize curative value in the skull of a person who had met with a + violent death, as it did in the seventeenth century; but the physician of + the seventeenth century with a pharmacopoeia was not "on a par with" a + physician of the nineteenth century with a pharmacopoeia. + </p> + <p> + Nor has man changed in his mental susceptibilities as the centuries have + advanced. It is a failure to recognize this fact which leads observers + like Ferris to find it so marvellous that a belief like Mormonism should + succeed in the nineteenth century. Draper's studies of man's intellectual + development led him to declare that "man has ever been the same in his + modes of thought and motives of action, and to assert his purpose to judge + past occurrences in the same way as those of our own time."* So Macaulay + refused to accept the doctrine that "the world is constantly becoming more + and more enlightened," asserting that "the human mind, instead of + marching, merely marks time." Nothing offers stronger confirmation of the + correctness of these views than the history of religious beliefs, and the + teachings connected therewith since the death of Christ. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Intellectual Development of Europe," Vol. II, Chap. 3. +</pre> + <p> + The chain of these beliefs and teachings—including in the list only + those which offer the boldest challenge to a sane man's credulity—is + uninterrupted down to our own day. A few of them may be mentioned by way + of illustration. In one century we find Spanish priests demanding the + suppression of the opera on the ground that this form of entertainment + caused a drought, and a Pope issuing a bull against men and women having + sexual intercourse with fiends. In another, we find an English tailor, + unsuccessfully, allotting endless torments to all who would not accept his + declaration that God was only six feet in height, at the same time that + George Fox, who was successful in establishing the Quaker sect, denounced + as unchristian adoration of Janus and Woden, any mention of a month as + January or a day as Wednesday. Luther, the Protestant pioneer, believed + that he had personal conferences with the devil; Wesley, the founder of + Methodism, declared that "the giving up of (belief) in witchcraft is, in + effect, giving up the Bible." Education and mental training have had no + influence in shaping the declarations of the leaders of new religious + sects.* The learned scientist, Swedenborg, told of seeing the Virgin Mary + dressed in blue satin, and of spirits wearing hats, just as confidently as + the ignorant Joseph Smith, Jr., described his angel as "a tall, slim, + well-built, handsome man, with a bright pillar upon his head." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The splendid gifts which make a seer are usually found among +those whom society calls 'common or unclean.' These brutish beings +are the chosen vessels in whom God has poured the elixirs which amaze +humanity. Such beings have furnished the prophets, the St. Peters, the +hermits of history." BALZAC, in "Cousin Pons." +</pre> + <p> + The readiness with which even believers so strictly taught as are the Jews + can be led astray by the announcement of a new teacher divinely inspired, + is illustrated in the stories of their many false Messiahs. One + illustration of this—from the pen of Zangwill—may be given:— + </p> + <p> + "From all the lands of the Exile, crowds of the devout came to do him + homage and tender allegiance—Turkish Jews with red fez or + saffron-yellow turban; Jerusalem Jews in striped cotton gowns and soft + felt hats; Polish Jews with foxskin caps and long caftans; sallow German + Jews, gigantic Russian Jews, highbred Spanish Jews; and with them often + their wives and daughters—Jerusalem Jewesses with blue shirts and + head-veils, Egyptian Jewesses with sweeping robes and black head-shawls, + Jewesses from Ashdod and Gaza, with white visors fringed with gold coins; + Polish Jewesses with glossy wigs; Syrian Jewesses with eyelashes black as + though lined with kohl; fat Jewesses from Tunis, with clinging breeches + interwoven with gold and silver." + </p> + <p> + This homage to a man who turned Turk, and became a doorkeeper of the + Sultan, to save himself from torture and death! + </p> + <p> + Savagery and civilization meet on this plane of religious credulity. The + Indians of Canada believed not more implicitly in the demons who howled + all over the Isles of Demons, than did the early French sailors and the + priests whose protection the latter asked. The Jesuit priests of the + seventeenth century accepted, and impressed upon their white followers in + New France, belief in miracles which made a greater demand on credulity + than did any of the exactions of the Indian medicine man. That the head of + a white man, which the Iroquois carried to their village, spoke to them + and scolded them for their perfidy, "found believers among the most + intelligent men of the colony," just as did the story of the conversion of + a sick Huguenot immigrant, with whose gruel a Mother secretly mixed a + little of the powdered bone of a Jesuit martyr.* And French Canada is + to-day as "orthodox" in its belief in miracles as was the Canada of the + seventeenth century. The church of St. Anne de Beaupre, below Quebec, + attracts thousands annually, and is piled with the crutches which the + miraculously cured have cast aside. Masses were said in 1899 in the church + of Notre Dame de Bonsecours at Montreal, at the expense of a pilots' + association, to ward off wrecks in the treacherous St. Lawrence; and in + the near-by provinces there were religious processions to check the + attacks of caterpillars in the orchards. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Parkman's "Old Regime in Canada." +</pre> + <p> + Nor need we go to Catholic Quebec for modern illustrations of this kind of + faith. "Bareheaded people stood out upon the corner in East 113th Street + yesterday afternoon," said a New York City newspaper of December 18, 1898, + "because they were unable to get into the church of Our Lady Queen of + Angels, where a relic of St. Anthony of Padua was exposed for veneration." + Describing a service in the church of St. Jean Baptiste in East 77th + Street, New York, where a relic alleged to be a piece of a bone of the + mother of the Virgin was exposed, a newspaper of that city, on July 24th, + 1901, said: "There were five hundred persons, by actual count, in and + around the crypt chapel of St. Anne when afternoon service stopped the + rush of the sick and crippled at 4.30 o'clock yesterday. There were many + more at the 8 o'clock evening Mass." What did these people seek at the + shrine? Only the favor of St. Anne and a kiss and touch of the casket + that, by church authority, contains bone of her body. "France has to-day + its Grotto of Lourdes, Wales its St. Winefride's Well, Mexico its + wonder-working doll" that makes the sick well and the childless mothers, + and Moscow its "wonder-working picture of the Mother of God," before which + the Czar prostrates himself." + </p> + <p> + Not in recent years has the appetite for some novelty on which to fasten + belief been more manifest in the United States than it was at the close of + the nineteenth century. Old beliefs found new teachers, and promulgators + of new ideas found followers. Instructors in Brahminism attracted + considerable attention. A "Chapter of the College of Divine Sciences and + Realization" instituted a revival of Druid sun-adoration on the shores of + Lake Michigan. An organization has been formed of believers in the + One-Over-At-Acre, a Persian who claimed to be the forerunner of the + Millennium, and in whom, as Christ, it is said that more than three + thousand persons in this country believe. We have among us also + Jaorelites, who believe in the near date of the end of the world, and that + they must make their ascent to heaven from a mountain in Scotland. The + hold which the form of belief called Christian Science has obtained upon + people of education and culture needs only be referred to. Along with this + have come the "divine healers," gaining patients in circles where it would + be thought impossible for them to obtain even consideration, and one of + them securing a clientage in a Western city which has enabled him to + establish there a church of his own. + </p> + <p> + In fact, instead of finding in enlightened countries like the United + States and England a poor field for the dissemination of new beliefs, the + whole school of revealers find there their best opportunities. Discussing + this susceptibility, Aliene Gorren, in her "Anglo-Saxons and Others," + reaches this conclusion: "Nowhere are so many persons of sound + intelligence in all practical affairs so easily led to follow after crazy + seers and seeresses as in England and the United States. The truth is that + the mind of man refuses to be shut out absolutely from the world of the + higher abstractions, and that, if it may not make its way thither under + proper guidance, it will set off even at the tail of the first ragged + street procession that passes." + </p> + <p> + The "real miracle" in Mormonism, then,—the wonderful feature of its + success,—is to be sought, not in the fact that it has been able to + attract believers in a new prophet, and to find them at this date and in + this country, but in its success in establishing and keeping together in a + republic like ours a membership who acknowledge its supreme authority in + politics as well as in religion, and who form a distinct organization + which does not conceal its purpose to rule over the whole nation. Had + Mormonism confined itself to its religious teachings, and been preached + only to those who sought its instruction, instead of beating up the world + for recruits and conveying them to its home, the Mormon church would + probably to-day be attracting as little attention as do the Harmonists of + Pennsylvania. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — THE SMITH FAMILY + </h2> + <p> + Among the families who settled in Ontario County, New York, in 1816, was + that of one Joseph Smith. It consisted of himself, his wife, and nine + children. The fourth of these children, Joseph Smith, Jr., became the + Mormon prophet. + </p> + <p> + The Smiths are said to have been of Scotch ancestry. It was the mother, + however, who exercised the larger influence on her son's life, and she has + left very minute details of her own and her father's family.* Her father, + Solomon Mack, was a native of Lyme, Connecticut. The daughter Lucy, who + became Mrs. Joseph Smith, Sr., was born in Gilsum, Cheshire County, New + Hampshire, on July 8, 1776. Mr. Mack was remembered as a feeble old man, + who rode around the country on horseback, using a woman's saddle, and + selling his own autobiography. The "tramp" of those early days often + offered an autobiography, or what passed for one, and, as books were then + rare, if he could say that it contained an account of actual adventures in + the recent wars, he was certain to find purchasers. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith and his Progenitors for +Many Generations," Lucy Smith. +</pre> + <p> + One of the few copies of this book in existence lies before me. It was + printed at the author's expense about the year 1810. It is wholly without + interest as a narrative, telling of the poverty of his parents, how he was + bound, when four years old, to a farmer who gave him no education and + worked him like a slave; gives some of his experiences in the campaigns + against the French and Indians in northern New York and in the war of the + Revolution, when he was in turn teamster, sutler, and privateer; describes + with minute detail many ordinary illnesses and accidents that befell him; + and closes with a recital of his religious awakening, which was deferred + until his seventy-sixth year, while he was suffering with rheumatism. At + that time it seemed to him that he several times "saw a bright light in a + dark night," and thought he heard a voice calling to him. Twenty-two of + the forty-eight duodecimo pages that the book contains are devoted to + hymns "composed," the title-page says, "on the death of several of his + relatives," not all by himself. One of these may be quoted entire:— + </p> + <p> + "My friends, I am on the ocean, So sweetly do I sail; Jesus is my portion, + He's given me a pleasant gale. + </p> + <p> + "The bruises sore, In harbor soon I'll be, And see my redeemer there That + died for you and me." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Smith's family seem to have had a natural tendency to belief in + revelations. Her eldest brother, Jason, became a "Seeker"; the "Seekers" + of that day believed that the devout of their times could, through prayer + and faith, secure the "gifts" of the Gospel which were granted to the + ancient apostles.* He was one of the early believers in faith-cure, and + was, we are told, himself cured by that means in 1835. One of Lucy's + sisters had a miraculous recovery from illness. After being an invalid for + two years she was "borne away to the world of spirits," where she saw the + Saviour and received a message from Him for her earthly friends. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A sect called "Seekers," who arose in 1645, taught, like the +Mormons, that the Scriptures are defective, the true church lost, and +miracles necessary to faith. +</pre> + <p> + Lucy herself came very exactly under the description given by Ruth McEnery + Stuart of one of her negro characters: "Duke's mother was of the slighter + intelligences, and hence much given to convictions. Knowing few things, + she 'believed in' a great many." Lucy Smith had neither education nor + natural intelligence that would interfere with such "beliefs" as came to + her from family tradition, from her own literal interpretations of the + Bible, or from the workings of her imagination. She tells us that after + her marriage, when very ill, she made a covenant with God that she would + serve him if her recovery was granted; thereupon she heard a voice giving + her assurance that her prayer would be answered, and she was better the + next morning. Later, when anxious for the safety of her husband's soul, + she prayed in a grove (most of the early Mormons' prayers were made in the + woods), and saw a vision indicating his coming conversion; later still, in + Vermont, a daughter was restored to health by her parent's prayers. + </p> + <p> + According to Mrs. Smith's account of their life in Vermont, they were + married on January 24, 1796, at Tunbridge, but soon moved to Randolph, + where Smith was engaged in "merchandise," keeping a store. Learning of the + demand for crystallized ginseng in China, he invested money in that + product and made a shipment, but it proved unprofitable, and, having in + this way lost most of his money, they moved back to a farm at Tunbridge. + Thence they moved to Royalton, and in a few months to Sharon, where, on + December 23, 1805, Joseph Smith, Jr., their fourth child, was born.* Again + they moved to Tunbridge, and then back to Royalton (all these places in + Vermont). From there they went to Lebanon, New Hampshire, thence to + Norwich, Vermont, still "farming" without success, until, after three + years of crop failure, they decided to move to New York State, arriving + there in the summer of 1816. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** There is equally good authority for placing the house in which +Smith was born across the line in Royalton. +</pre> + <p> + Less prejudiced testimony gives an even less favorable view than this of + the elder Smith's business career in Vermont. Judge Daniel Woodward, of + the county court of Windsor, Vermont, near whose father's farm the Smiths + lived, says that the elder Smith while living there was a hunter for + Captain Kidd's treasure, and that he also "became implicated with one Jack + Downing in counterfeiting money, but turned state's evidence and escaped + the penalty."* He had in earlier life been a Universalist, but afterward + became a Methodist. His spiritual welfare gave his wife much concern, but + although he had "two visions" while living in Vermont, she did not accept + his change of heart. She admits, however, that after their removal to New + York her husband obeyed the scriptural injunction, "your old men shall + dream dreams," and she mentions several of these dreams, the latest in + 1819, giving the particulars of some of them. One sample of these will + suffice. The dreamer found himself in a beautiful garden, with wide walks + and a main walk running through the centre. "On each side of this was a + richly carved seat, and on each seat were placed six wooden images, each + of which was the size of a very large man. When I came to the first image + on the right side it arose, bowed to me with much deference. I then turned + to the one which sat opposite to me, on the left side, and it arose and + bowed to me in the same manner as the first. I continued turning first to + the right and then to the left until the whole twelve had made the + obeisance, after which I was entirely healed (of a lameness from which he + then was suffering). I then asked my guide the meaning of all this, but I + awoke before I received an answer." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Historical Magazine, 1870. +</pre> + <p> + A similar wakefulness always manifested itself at the critical moment in + these dreams. What the world lost by this insomnia of the dreamer the + world will never know. + </p> + <p> + The Smiths' first residence in New York State was in the village of + Palmyra. There the father displayed a sign, "Cake and Beer Shop, "selling" + gingerbread, pies, boiled eggs, root beer, and other like notions," and he + and his sons did odd jobs, gardening, harvesting, and well-digging, when + they could get them.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tucker's "Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism," p. 12. +</pre> + <p> + They were very poor, and Mrs. Smith added to their income by painting + oilcloth table covers. After a residence of three years and a half in + Palmyra, the family took possession of a piece of land two miles south of + that place, on the border of Manchester. They had no title to it, but as + the owners were nonresident minors they were not disturbed. There they put + up a little log house, with two rooms on the ground floor and two in the + attic, which sheltered them all. Later, the elder Smith contracted to buy + the property and erected a farmhouse on it; but he never completed his + title to it. + </p> + <p> + While classing themselves as farmers, the Smiths were regarded by their + neighbors as shiftless and untrustworthy. They sold cordwood, vegetables, + brooms of their own manufacture, and maple sugar, continuing to vend cakes + in the village when any special occasion attracted a crowd. It may be + remarked here that, while Ontario County, New York, was regarded as "out + West" by seaboard and New England people in 1830, its population was then + almost as large as it is to-day (having 40,288 inhabitants according to + the census of 1830 and 48,453 according to the census of 1890). The father + and several of the boys could not read, and a good deal of the time of the + younger sons was spent in hunting, fishing, and lounging around the + village. + </p> + <p> + The son Joseph did not rise above the social standing of his brothers. The + best that a Mormon biographer, Orson Pratt, could say of him as a youth + was that "He could read without much difficulty, and write a very + imperfect hand, and had a very limited understanding of the elementary + rules of arithmetic. These were his highest and only attainments, while + the rest of those branches so universally taught in the common schools + throughout the United States were entirely unknown to him."* He was "Joe + Smith" to every one. Among the younger people he served as a butt for + jokes, and we are told that the boys who bought the cakes that he peddled + used to pay him in pewter twoshilling pieces, and that when he called at + the Palmyra Register office for his father's weekly paper, the youngsters + in the press room thought it fun to blacken his face with the ink balls. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism," p. 16. +</pre> + <p> + Here are two pictures of the young man drawn by persons who saw him + constantly in the days of his vagabondage. The first is from Mr. Tucker's + book:— + </p> + <p> + "At this period in the life and career of Joseph Smith, Jr., or 'Joe + Smith,' as he was universally named, and the Smith family, they were + popularly regarded as an illiterate, whiskey-drinking, shiftless, + irreligious race of people—the first named, the chief subject of + this biography, being unanimously voted the laziest and most worthless of + the generation. From the age of twelve to twenty years he is distinctly + remembered as a dull-eyed, flaxen-haired, prevaricating boy noted only for + his indolent and vagabondish character, and his habits of exaggeration and + untruthfulness. Taciturnity was among his characteristic idiosyncrasies, + and he seldom spoke to any one outside of his intimate associates, except + when first addressed by another; and then, by reason of his extravagancies + of statement, his word was received with the least confidence by those who + knew him best. He could utter the most palpable exaggeration or marvellous + absurdity with the utmost apparent gravity. He nevertheless evidenced the + rapid development of a thinking, plodding, evil-brewing mental composition—largely + given to inventions of low cunning, schemes of mischief and deception, and + false and mysterious pretensions. In his moral phrenology the professor + might have marked the organ of secretiveness as very large, and that of + conscientiousness omitted. He was, however, proverbially good natured, + very rarely, if ever, indulging in any combative spirit toward any one, + whatever might be the provocation, and yet was never known to laugh. + Albeit, he seemed to be the pride of his indulgent father, who has been + heard to boast of him as the 'genus of the family,' quoting his own + expression."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Remarkable Visions." +</pre> + <p> + The second (drawn a little later) is by Daniel Hendrix, a resident of + Palmyra, New York, at the time of which he speaks, and an assistant in + setting the type and reading the proof of the Mormon Bible:— + </p> + <p> + "Every one knew him as Joe Smith. He had lived in Palmyra a few years + previous to my going there from Rochester. Joe was the most ragged, lazy + fellow in the place, and that is saying a good deal. He was about + twenty-five years old. I can see him now in my mind's eye, with his torn + and patched trousers held to his form by a pair of suspenders made out of + sheeting, with his calico shirt as dirty and black as the earth, and his + uncombed hair sticking through the holes in his old battered hat. In + winter I used to pity him, for his shoes were so old and worn out that he + must have suffered in the snow and slush; yet Joe had a jovial, easy, + don't-care way about him that made him a lot of warm friends. He was a + good talker, and would have made a fine stump speaker if he had had the + training. He was known among the young men I associated with as a romancer + of the first water. I never knew so ignorant a man as Joe was to have such + a fertile imagination. He never could tell a common occurrence in his + daily life without embellishing the story with his imagination; yet I + remember that he was grieved one day when old Parson Reed told Joe that he + was going to hell for his lying habits."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * San Jacinto, California, letter of February 2, 1897, to the St. +Louis Globe-Democrat. +</pre> + <p> + To this testimony may be added the following declarations, published in + 1833, the year in which a mob drove the Mormons out of Jackson County, + Missouri. The first was signed by eleven of the most prominent citizens of + Manchester, New York, and the second by sixty-two residents of Palmyra:— + </p> + <p> + "We, the undersigned, being personally acquainted with the family of + Joseph Smith, Sr., with whom the Gold Bible, so called, originated, state: + That they were not only a lazy, indolent set of men, but also intemperate, + and their word was not to be depended upon; and that we are truly glad to + dispense with their society." + </p> + <p> + "We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family for a + number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no + hesitation in saying that we consider them destitute of that moral + character which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. + They were particularly famous for visionary projects; spent much of their + time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth, and + to this day large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their + residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden + treasures. Joseph Smith, Sr., and his son Joseph were, in particular, + considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious + habits."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 261. +</pre> + <p> + Finally may be quoted the following affidavit of Parley Chase:— + </p> + <p> + "Manchester, New York, December 2, 1833. I was acquainted with the family + of Joseph Smith, Sr., both before and since they became Mormons, and feel + free to state that not one of the male members of the Smith family were + entitled to any credit whatsoever. They were lazy, intemperate, and + worthless men, very much addicted to lying. In this they frequently + boasted their skill. Digging for money was their principal employment. In + regard to their Gold Bible speculation, they scarcely ever told two + stories alike. The Mormon Bible is said to be a revelation from God, + through Joseph Smith, Jr., his Prophet, and this same Joseph Smith, Jr., + to my knowledge, bore the reputation among his neighbors of being a + liar."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 248. +</pre> + <p> + The preposterousness of the claims of such a fellow as Smith to prophetic + powers and divinely revealed information were so apparent to his local + acquaintances that they gave them little attention. One of these has + remarked to me in recent years that if they had had any idea of the + acceptance of Joe's professions by a permanent church, they would have put + on record a much fuller description of him and his family. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — HOW JOSEPH SMITH BECAME A MONEY-DIGGER + </h2> + <p> + The elder Smith, as we have seen, was known as a money-digger while a + resident of Vermont. Of course that subject as a matter of conversation in + his family, and his sons were a character to share in his belief in the + existence of hidden treasure. The territory around Palmyra was as good + ground for their explorations as any in Vermont, and they soon let their + neighbors know of a possibility of riches that lay within their reach. + </p> + <p> + The father, while a resident of Vermont, also claimed ability to locate an + underground stream of water over which would be a good site for a well, by + means of a forked hazel switch,* and in this way doubtless increased the + demand for his services as a well-digger, but we have no testimonials to + his success. The son Joseph, while still a young lad, professed to have + his father's gift in this respect, and he soon added to his + accomplishments the power to locate hidden riches, and in this way began + his career as a money-digger, which was so intimately connected with his + professions as a prophet. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The so-called "divining rod" has received a good deal of +attention from persons engaged in psychical research. Vol. XIII, Part +II, of the "Proceedings of the Society Of Psychical Research" is devoted +to a discussion of the subject by Professor W. F. Barrett of the +Royal College of Science for Ireland, in Dublin, and in March, 1890, a +commission was appointed in France to study the matter. +</pre> + <p> + Writers on the origin of the Mormon Bible, and the gradual development of + Smith the Prophet from Smith the village loafer and money-seeker, have + left their readers unsatisfied on many points. Many of these obscurities + will be removed by a very careful examination of Joseph's occupations and + declarations during the years immediately preceding the announcement of + the revelation and delivery to him of the golden plates. + </p> + <p> + The deciding event in Joe's career was a trip to Susquehanna County, + Pennsylvania, when he was a lad. It can be shown that it was there that he + obtained an idea of vision-seeing nearly ten years before the date he + gives in his autobiography as that of the delivery to him of the golden + plates containing the Book of Mormon, and it was there probably that, in + some way, he later formed the acquaintance of Sidney Rigdon. It can also + be shown that the original version of his vision differed radically from + the one presented, after the lapse of another ten years spent under + Rigdon's tutelage, in his autobiography. Each of these points is of great + incidental value in establishing Rigdon's connection with the conception + of a new Bible, and the manner of its presentation to the public. Later + Mormon authorities have shown a dislike to concede that Joe was a + money-digger, but the fact is admitted both in his mother's history of him + and by himself. His own statement about it is as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "In the month of October, 1825, I hired with an old gentleman by the name + of Josiah Stoal, who lived in Chenango County, State of New York. He had + heard something of a silver mine having been opened by the Spaniards in + Harmony, Susquehanna County, State of Pennsylvania, and had, previous to + my hiring with him, been digging in order, if possible, to discover the + mine. After I went to live with him he took me, among the rest of his + hands, to dig for the silver mine, at which I continued to work for nearly + a month, without success in our undertaking, and finally I prevailed with + the old gentleman to cease digging for it. Hence arose the very prevalent + story of my having been a moneydigger."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, Supt., p. 6. +</pre> + <p> + Mother Smith's account says, however, that Stoal "came for Joseph on + account of having heard that he possessed certain keys by which he could + discern things invisible to the natural eye"; thus showing that he had a + reputation as a "gazer" before that date. It was such discrepancies as + these which led Brigham Young to endeavor to suppress the mother's + narrative. + </p> + <p> + The "gazing" which Joe took up is one of the oldest—perhaps the + oldest—form of alleged human divination, and has been called + "mirror-gazing," "crystal-gazing," "crystal vision," and the like. Its + practice dates back certainly three thousand years, having been noted in + all ages, and among nations uncivilized as well as civilized. Some + students of the subject connect with such divination Joseph's silver cup + "whereby indeed he divineth" (Genesis xliv. 5). Others, long before the + days of Smith and Rigdon, advanced the theory that the Urim and Thummim + were clear crystals intended for "gazing" purposes. One writer remarks of + the practice, "Aeschylus refers it to Prometheus, Cicero to the Assyrians + and Etruscans, Zoroaster to Ahriman, Varro to the Persian Magi, and a very + large class of authors, from the Christian Fathers and Schoolmen downward, + to the devil."* An act of James I (1736), against witchcraft in England, + made it a crime to pretend to discover property "by any occult or crafty + science." As indicating the universal knowledge of "gazing," it may be + further noted that Varro mentions its practice among the Romans and + Pausanias among the Greeks. It was known to the ancient Peruvians. It is + practised to-day by East Indians, Africans (including Egyptians), Maoris, + Siberians, by Australian, Polynesian, and Zulu savages, by many of the + tribes of American Indians, and by persons of the highest culture in + Europe and America.** Andrew Lang's collection of testimony about visions + seen in crystals by English women in 1897 might seem convincing to any one + who has not had experience in weighing testimony in regard to + spiritualistic manifestations, or brought this testimony alongside of that + in behalf of the "occult phenomena" of Adept Brothers presented by + Sinnett.*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Recent Experiments in "Crystal Vision," Vol. V, "Proceedings of +the Society for Psychical Research." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Lang's "The Making of Religion," Chap. V. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** "The Occult World." +</pre> + <p> + "Gazers" use different methods. Some look into water contained in a + vessel, some into a drop of blood, some into ink, some into a round opaque + stone, some into mirrors, and many into some form of crystal or a glass + ball. Indeed, the "gazer" seems to be quite independent as to the medium + of his sight-seeing, so long as he has the "power." This "power" is put + also to a great variety of uses. Australian savages depend on it to + foretell the outcome of an attack on their enemies; Apaches resort to it + to discover the whereabouts of things lost or stolen; and Malagasies, + Zulus, and Siberians to see what will happen. Perhaps its most general use + has been to discover lost objects, and in this practice the seers have + very often been children, as we shall see was the case in the exhibition + which gave Joe Smith his first idea on the subject. In the experiments + cited by Lang, the seers usually saw distant persons or scenes, and he + records his belief that "experiments have proved beyond doubt that a fair + percentage of people, sane and healthy, can see vivid landscapes, and + figures of persons in motion, in glass balls and other vehicles." + </p> + <p> + It can easily be imagined how interested any member of the Smith family + would have been in an exhibition like that of a "crystal-gazer," and we + are able to trace very consecutively Joe's first introduction to the + practice, and the use he made of the hint thus given. + </p> + <p> + Emily C. Blackman, in the appendix to her "History of Susquehanna County, + Pennsylvania" (1873), supplies the needed important information about + Joe's visits to Pennsylvania in the years preceding the announcement of + his Bible. She says that it is uncertain when he arrived at Harmony (now + Oakland), "but it is certain he was here in 1825 and later." A very + circumstantial account of Joe's first introduction to a "peep-stone" is + given in a statement by J. B. Buck in this appendix. He says:— + </p> + <p> + "Joe Smith was here lumbering soon after my marriage, which was in 1818, + some years before he took to 'peeping', and before diggings were commenced + under his direction. These were ideas he gained later. The stone which he + afterward used was in the possession of Jack Belcher of Gibson, who + obtained it while at Salina, N. Y., engaged in drawing salt. Belcher + bought it because it was said to be a 'seeing-stone.' I have often seen + it. It was a green stone, with brown irregular spots on it. It was a + little longer than a goose's egg, and about the same thickness. When he + brought it home and covered it with a hat, Belcher's little boy was one of + the first to look into the hat, and as he did so, he said he saw a candle. + The second time he looked in he exclaimed, 'I've found my hatchet' (it had + been lost two years), and immediately ran for it to the spot shown him + through the stone, and it was there. The boy was soon beset by neighbors + far and near to reveal to them hidden things, and he succeeded + marvellously. Joe Smith, conceiving the idea of making a fortune through a + similar process of 'seeing,' bought the stone of Belcher, and then began + his operations in directing where hidden treasures could be found. His + first diggings were near Capt. Buck's sawmill, at Red Rock; but because + the followers broke the rule of silence, 'the enchantment removed the + deposit.'" + </p> + <p> + One of many stories of Joe's treasure-digging, current in that + neighborhood, Miss Blackman narrates. Learning from a strolling Indian of + a place where treasure was said to be buried, Joe induced a farmer named + Harper to join him in digging for it and to spend a considerable sum of + money in the enterprise. "After digging a great hole, that is still to be + seen," the story continues, "Harper got discouraged, and was about + abandoning the enterprise. Joe now declared to Harper that there was an + 'enchantment' about the place that was removing the treasure farther off; + that Harper must get a perfectly white dog (some said a black one), and + sprinkle his blood over the ground, and that would prevent the + 'enchantment' from removing the treasure. Search was made all over the + country, but no perfectly white dog could be found. Then Joe said a white + sheep would do as well; but when this was sacrificed and failed, he said + The Almighty was displeased with him for attempting to palm off on Him a + white sheep for a white dog." This informant describes Joe at that time as + "an imaginative enthusiast, constitutionally opposed to work, and a + general favorite with the ladies." + </p> + <p> + In confirmation of this, R. C. Doud asserted that "in 1822 he was + employed, with thirteen others, by Oliver Harper to dig for gold under + Joe's direction on Joseph McKune's land, and that Joe had begun operations + the year previous." + </p> + <p> + F. G. Mather obtained substantially the same particulars of Joe's digging + in connection with Harper from the widow of Joseph McKune about the year + 1879, and he said that the owner of the farm at that time "for a number of + years had been engaged in filling the holes with stone to protect his + cattle, but the boys still use the northeast hole as a swimming pond in + the summer."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lippincott's Magazine, August, 1880. +</pre> + <p> + Confirmation of the important parts of these statements has been furnished + by Joseph's father. When the reports of the discovery of a new Bible first + gained local currency (in 1830), Fayette Lapham decided to visit the Smith + family, and learn what he could on the subject. He found the elder Smith + very communicative, and he wrote out a report of his conversation with + him, "as near as I can repeat his words," he says, and it was printed in + the Historical Magazine for May, 1870. Father Smith made no concealment of + his belief in witchcraft and other things supernatural, as well as in the + existence of a vast amount of buried treasure. What he said of Joe's + initiation into "crystal-gazing" Mr. Lapham thus records:— + </p> + <p> + "His son Joseph, whom he called the illiterate,* when he was about + fourteen years of age, happened to be where a man was looking into a dark + stone, and telling people therefrom where to dig for money and other + things. Joseph requested the privilege of looking into the stone, which he + did by putting his face into the hat where the stone was. It proved to be + not the right stone for him; but he could see some things, and among them + he saw the stone, and where it was, in which he could see whatever he + wished to see.... The place where he saw the stone was not far from their + house, and under pretence of digging a well, they found water and the + stone at a depth of twenty or twenty-two feet. After this, Joseph spent + about two years looking into this stone, telling fortunes, where to find + lost things, and where to dig for money and other hidden treasures." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Joe's mother, describing Joe's descriptions to the family, at +their evening fireside, of the angel's revelations concerning the golden +plates, says (p. 84): "All giving the most profound attention to a boy +eighteen years of age, who had never read the Bible through in his life; +he seemed much less inclined to the perusal of books than any of the +rest of our children." +</pre> + <p> + If further confirmation of Joe's early knowledge on this subject is + required, we may cite the Rev. John A. Clark, D.D., who, writing in 1840 + after careful local research, said: "Long before the idea of a golden + Bible entered their [the Smiths'] minds, in their excursions for + money-digging.... Joe used to be usually their guide, putting into a hat a + peculiar stone he had, through which he looked to decide where they should + begin to dig."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Gleanings by the Way" (1842), p. 225. +</pre> + <p> + We come now to the history of Joe's own "peek-stone" (as the family + generally called it), that which his father says he discovered by using + the one that he first saw. Willard Chase, of Manchester, New York, near + Palmyra, employed Joe and his brother Alvin some time in the year 1822 (as + he fixed the date in his affidavit)* to assist him in digging a well. + "After digging about twenty feet below the surface of the earth," he says, + "we discovered a singularly appearing stone which excited my curiosity. I + brought it to the top of the well, and as we were examining it, Joseph put + it into his hat and then his face into the top of the hat. It has been + said by Smith that he brought the stone from the well, but this is false. + There was no one in the well but myself. The next morning he came to me + and wished to obtain the stone, alleging that he could see in it; but I + told him I did not wish to part with it on account of its being a + curiosity, but would lend it. After obtaining the stone, he began to + publish abroad what wonders he could discover by looking in it, and made + so much disturbance among the credulous part of the community that I + ordered the stone to be returned to me again. He had it in his possession + about two years." Joseph's brother Hyrum borrowed the stone some time in + 1825, and Mr. Chase was unable to recover it afterward. Tucker describes + it as resembling a child's foot in shape, and "of a whitish, glassy + appearance, though opaque."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 240. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Tucker closes his chapter about this stone with the +declaration "that the origin [of Mormonism] is traceable to the +insignificant little stone found in the digging of Mr. Chase's well in +1822." Tucker was evidently ignorant both of Joe's previous experience +with "crystal-gazing" in Pennsylvania and of "crystal-gazing" itself. +</pre> + <p> + The Smiths at once began turning Chase's stone to their own financial + account, but no one at the time heard that it was giving them any + information about revealed religion. For pay they offered to disclose by + means of it the location of stolen property and of buried money. There + seemed to be no limit to the exaggeration of their professions. They would + point out the precise spot beneath which lay kegs, barrels, and even + hogsheads of gold and silver in the shape of coin, bars, images, + candlesticks, etc., and they even asserted that all the hills thereabout + were the work of human bands, and that Joe, by using his "peek-stone," + could see the caverns beneath them.* Persons can always be found to give + at least enough credence to such professions to desire to test them. It + was so in this case. Joe not only secured small sums on the promise of + discovering lost articles, but he raised money to enable him to dig for + larger treasure which he was to locate by means of the stone. A Palmyra + man, for instance, paid seventy-five cents to be sent by him on a fool's + errand to look for some stolen cloth. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * William Stafford's affidavit, Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. +237. +</pre> + <p> + Certain ceremonies were always connected with these money-digging + operations. Midnight was the favorite hour, a full moon was helpful, and + Good Friday was the best date. Joe would sometimes stand by, directing the + digging with a wand. The utmost silence was necessary to success. More + than once, when the digging proved a failure, Joe explained to his + associates that, just as the deposit was about to be reached, some one, + tempted by the devil, spoke, causing the wished-for riches to disappear. + Such an explanation of his failures was by no means original with Smith, + the serious results of an untimely spoken word having been long associated + with divers magic performances. Joe even tried on his New York victims the + Pennsylvania device of requiring the sacrifice of a black sheep to + overcome the evil spirit that guarded the treasure. William Stafford + opportunely owned such an animal, and, as he puts it, "to gratify my + curiosity," he let the Smiths have it. But some new "mistake in the + process" again resulted in disappointment. "This, I believe," remarks the + contributor of the sheep, "is the only time they ever made money-digging a + profitable business." The Smiths ate the sheep. + </p> + <p> + These money-seeking enterprises were continued from 1820 to 1827 (the year + of the delivery to Smith of the golden plates). This period covers the + years in which Joe, in his autobiography, confesses that he "displayed the + corruption of human nature." He explains that his father's family were + poor, and that they worked where they could find employment to their + taste; "sometimes we were at home and sometimes abroad." Some of these + trips took them to Pennsylvania, and the stories of Joe's "gazing" + accomplishment may have reached Sidney Rigdon, and brought about their + first interview. Susquehanna County was more thinly settled than the + region around Palmyra, and Joe found persons who were ready to credit him + with various "gifts"; and stories are still current there of his professed + ability to perform miracles, to pray the frost away from a cornfield, and + the like.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lippincott's Magazine, August, 1880. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GOLDEN BIBLE + </h2> + <p> + Just when Smith's attention was originally diverted from the discovery of + buried money to the discovery of a buried Bible engraved on gold plates + remains one of the unexplained points in his history. He was so much of a + romancer that his own statements at the time, which were carefully + collected by Howe, are contradictory. The description given of the buried + volume itself changed from time to time, giving strength in this way to + the theory that Rigdon was attracted to Smith by the rumor of his + discovery, and afterward gave it shape. First the book was announced to be + a secular history, says Dr. Clark; then a gold Bible; then golden plates + engraved; and later metallic plates, stereotyped or embossed with golden + letters.* Daniel Hendrix's recollection was that for the first few months + Joe did not claim the plates any new revelation or religious significance, + but simply that they were a historical record of an ancient people. This + would indicate that he had possession of the "Spaulding Manuscript" before + it received any theological additions. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Gleanings by the Way," p. 229. +</pre> + <p> + The account of the revelation of the book by an angel, which is accepted + by the Mormons, is the one elaborated in Smith's autobiography, and was + not written until 1838, when it was prepared under the direction of Rigdon + (or by him). Before examining this later version of the story, we may + follow a little farther Joe's local history at the time. + </p> + <p> + While the Smiths were conducting their operations in Pennsylvania, and + Joseph was "displaying the corruption of human nature," they boarded for a + time in the family of Isaac Hale, who is described as a "distinguished + hunter, a zealous member of the Methodist church," and (as later testified + to by two judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Susquehanna County)" a + man of excellent moral character and of undoubted veracity."* Mr. Hale had + three daughters, and Joe received enough encouragement to his addresses to + Emma to induce him to ask her father's consent to their marriage. This + consent was flatly refused. Mr. Hale made a statement in 1834, covering + his knowledge of Smith and the origin of the Mormon Bible.** When he + became acquainted with the future prophet, in 1825, Joe was employed by + the so-called "money-diggers," using his "peek-stone." Among the reasons + which Mr. Hale gave for refusing consent to the marriage was that Smith + was a stranger and followed a business which he could not approve. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 266. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., p. 262. +</pre> + <p> + Joe thereupon induced Emma to consent to an elopement, and they were + married on January 18, 1827, by a justice of the peace, just across the + line in New York State. Not daring to return to the house of his + father-in-law, Joe took his wife to his own home, near Palmyra, New York, + where for some months he worked again with his father. + </p> + <p> + In the following August Joe hired a neighbor named Peter Ingersol to go + with him to Pennsylvania to bring from there some household effects + belonging to Emma. Of this trip Ingersol said, in an affidavit made in + 1833:— + </p> + <p> + "When we arrived at Mr. Hale's in Harmony, Pa., from which place he had + taken his wife, a scene presented itself truly affecting. His + father-in-law addressed Joseph in a flood of tears: 'You have stolen my + daughter and married her. I had much rather have followed her to her + grave. You spend your time in digging for money—pretend to see in a + stone, and thus try to deceive people.' Joseph wept and acknowledged that + he could not see in a stone now nor never could, and that his former + pretensions in that respect were false. He then promised to give up his + old habits of digging for money and looking into stones. Mr. Hale told + Joseph, if he would move to Pennsylvania and work for a living, he would + assist him in getting into business. Joseph acceded to this proposition, + then returned with Joseph and his wife to Manchester.... + </p> + <p> + "Joseph told me on his return that he intended to keep the promise which + he had made to his father-in-law; 'but,' said he, it will be hard for me, + for they [his family] will all oppose, as they want me to look in the + stone for them to dig money'; and in fact it was as he predicted. They + urged him day after day to resume his old practice of looking in the + stone. He seemed much perplexed as to the course he should pursue. In this + dilemma he made me his confidant, and told me what daily transpired in the + family of Smiths. + </p> + <p> + "One day he came and greeted me with joyful countenance. Upon asking the + cause of his unusual happiness, he replied in the following language: 'As + I was passing yesterday across the woods, after a heavy shower of rain, I + found in a hollow some beautiful white sand that had been washed up by the + water. I took off my frock and tied up several quarts of it, and then went + home. On entering the house I found the family at the table eating dinner. + They were all anxious to know the contents of my frock. At that moment I + happened to think about a history found in Canada, called a Golden Bible;* + so I very gravely told them it was the Golden Bible. To my surprise they + were credulous enough to believe what I said. Accordingly I told them I + had received a commandment to let no one see it, for, says I, no man can + see it with the natural eye and live. However, I offered to take out the + book and show it to them, but they refused to see it and left the room. + 'Now,' said Joe, 'I have got the d—d fools fixed and will carry out + the fun.' Notwithstanding he told me he had no such book and believed + there never was such book, he told me he actually went to Willard Chase, + to get him to make a chest in which he might deposit the Golden Bible. But + as Chase would not do it, he made the box himself of clapboards, and put + it into a pillow-case, and allowed people only to lift it and feel of it + through the case."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The most careful inquiries bring no information that any such +story was ever current in Canada. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 234. +</pre> + <p> + In line with this statement of Joe to Ingersol is a statement which + somewhat later he made to his brother-in-law, Alva Hale, that "this + 'peeking' was all d—d nonsense; that he intended to quit the + business and labor for a livelihood."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., p. 268. +</pre> + <p> + Joe's family were quite ready to accept his statement of his discovery of + golden plates for more reasons than one. They saw in it, in the first + place, a means of pecuniary gain. Abigail Harris in a statement (dated + "11th mo., 28th, 1833") of a talk she had with Joe's father and mother at + Martin Harris's house, said:— + </p> + <p> + "They [the Smiths] said the plates Joe then had in possession were but an + introduction to the Gold Bible; that all of them upon which the Bible was + written were so heavy that it would take four stout men to load them into + a cart; that Joseph had also discerned by looking through his stone the + vessel in which the gold was melted from which the plates were made, and + also the machine with which they were rolled; he also discovered in the + bottom of the vessel three balls of gold, each as large as his fist. The + old lady said also that after the book was translated, the plates were to + be publicly exhibited, admission 25 cts."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid, p. 253. +</pre> + <p> + But aside from this pecuniary view, the idea of a new Bible would have + been eagerly accepted by a woman like Mrs. Smith, and a mere intimation by + Joe of such a discovery would have given him, in her, an instigator to the + carrying out of the plot. It is said that she had predicted that she was + to be the mother of a prophet. She tells us that although, in Vermont, she + was a diligent church attendant, she found all preachers unsatisfactory, + and that she reached the conclusion that "there was not on earth the + religion she sought." Joe, in his description of his state of mind just + before the first visit of the angel who told him about the plates, + describes himself as distracted by the "war and tumult of opinions." He + doubtless heard this subject talked of by his mother in the home circle, + but none of his acquaintances at the time had any reason to think that he + was laboring under such mental distress. + </p> + <p> + The second person in the neighborhood whom Joe approached about his + discovery was Willard Chase, in whose well the "peek-stone" was found. Mr. + Chase in his statement (given at length by Howe) says that Joe applied to + him, soon after the above quoted conversation with Ingersol, to make a + chest in which to lock up his Gold Book, offering Chase an interest in it + as compensation. He told Chase that the discovery of the book was due to + the "peek-stone," making no allusion whatever to an angel's visit. He and + Chase could not come to terms, and Joe accordingly made a box in which + what he asserted were the plates were placed. + </p> + <p> + Reports of Joe's discovery soon gained currency in the neighborhood + through the family's account of it, and neighbors who had accompanied them + on the money-seeking expeditions came to hear about the new Bible, and to + request permission to see it. Joe warded off these requests by reiterating + that no man but him could look upon it and live. "Conflicting stories were + afterward told," says Tucker, "in regard to the manner of keeping the book + in concealment and safety, which are not worth repeating, further than to + mention that the first place of secretion was said to be under a heavy + hearthstone in the Smith family mansion." + </p> + <p> + Joe's mother and Parley P. Pratt tell of determined efforts of mobs and + individuals to secure possession of the plates; but their statements + cannot be taken seriously, and are contradicted by Tucker from personal + knowledge. Tucker relates that two local wags, William T. Hussey and Azel + Vandruver, intimate acquaintances of Smith, on asking for a sight of the + book and hearing Joe's usual excuse, declared their readiness to risk + their lives if that were the price of the privilege. Smith was not to be + persuaded, but, the story continues, "they were permitted to go to the + chest with its owner, and see WHERE the thing was, and observe its shape + and size, concealed under a piece of thick canvas. Smith, with his + accustomed solemnity of demeanor, positively persisting in his refusal to + uncover it, Hussey became impetuous, and (suiting his action to his word) + ejaculated, 'Egad, I'll see the critter, live or die,' and stripping off + the canvas, a large tile brick was exhibited. But Smith's fertile + imagination was equal to the emergency. He claimed that his friends had + been sold by a trick of his."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism," p. 31. +</pre> + <p> + Mother Smith, in her book, gives an account of proceedings in court + brought by the wife of Martin Harris to protect her husband's property + from Smith, on the plea that Smith was deceiving him in alleging the + existence of golden plates; and she relates how one witness testified that + Joe told him that "the box which he had contained nothing but sand," that + a second witness swore that Joe told him, "it was nothing but a box of + lead," and that a third witness declared that Joe had told him "there was + nothing at all in the box." When Joe had once started the story of his + discovery, he elaborated it in his usual way. "I distinctly remember," + says Daniel Hendrix, "his sitting on some boxes in the store and telling a + knot of men, who did not believe a word they heard, all about his vision + and his find. But Joe went into such minute and careful details about the + size, weight, and beauty of the carvings on the golden tablets, and + strange characters and the ancient adornments, that I confess he made some + of the smartest men in Palmyra rub their eyes in wonder." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — THE DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS OF THE REVELATION OF THE BIBLE + </h2> + <p> + The precise date when Joe's attention was first called to the possibility + of changing the story about his alleged golden plates so that they would + serve as the basis for a new Bible such as was finally produced, and as a + means of making him a prophet, cannot be ascertained. That some directing + mind gave the final shape to the scheme is shown by the difference between + the first accounts of his discovery by means of the stone, and the one + provided in his autobiography. We have also evidence that the story of a + direct revelation by an angel came some time later than the version which + Joe gave first to his acquaintances in Pennsylvania. + </p> + <p> + James T. Cobb of Salt Lake City, who has given much time to investigating + matters connected with early Mormon history, received a letter under date + of April 23, 1879, from Hiel and Joseph Lewis, sons of the Rev. Nathaniel + Lewis, of Harmony, Pennsylvania, and relatives of Joseph's father-in-law, + in which they gave the story of the finding of the plates as told in their + hearing by Joe to their father, when he was translating them. This + statement, in effect, was that he dreamed of an iron box containing gold + plates curiously engraved, which he must translate into a book; that twice + when he attempted to secure the plates he was knocked down, and when he + asked why he could not have them, "he saw a man standing over the spot + who, to him, appeared like a Spaniard, having a long beard down over his + breast, with his throat cut from ear to ear and the blood streaming down, + who told him that he could not get it alone." (He then narrated how he got + the box in company with Emma.) In all this narrative there was not one + word about visions of God, or of angels, or heavenly revelations; all his + information was by that dream and that bleeding ghost. The heavenly + visions and messages of angels, etc., contained in the Mormon books were + afterthoughts, revised to order. + </p> + <p> + In direct confirmation of this we have the following account of the + disclosure of the buried articles as given by Joe's father to Fayette + Lapham when the Bible was first published:— + </p> + <p> + "Soon after joining the church he [Joseph] had a very singular dream.... A + very large, tall man appeared to him dressed in an ancient suit of + clothes, and the clothes were bloody. This man told him of a buried + treasure, and gave him directions by means of which he could find the + place. In the course of a year Smith did find it, and, visiting it by + night, "I by some supernatural power" was enabled to overturn a huge + boulder under which was a square block of masonry, in the centre of which + were the articles as described. Taking up the first article, he saw others + below; laying down the first, he endeavored to secure the others; but, + before he could get hold of them, the one he had taken up slid back to the + place he had taken it from, and, to his great surprise and terror, the + rock immediately fell back to its former place, nearly crushing him + [Joseph] in its descent. While trying in vain to raise the rock again with + levers, Joseph felt something strike him on the breast, a third blow + knocking him down; and as he lay on the ground he saw the tall man, who + told him that the delivery of the articles would be deferred a year + because Joseph had not strictly followed the directions given to him. The + heedless Joseph allowed himself to forget the date fixed for his next + visit, and when he went to the place again, the tall man appeared and told + him that, because of his lack of punctuality, he would have to wait still + another year before the hidden articles would be confided to him. "Come in + one year from this time, and bring your oldest brother with you," said the + guardian of the treasures, "then you may have them." Before the date named + arrived, the elder brother had died, and Joseph decided that his wife was + the proper person to accompany him. Mr. Lapham's report proceeds as + follows:— + </p> + <p> + "At the expiration of the year he [Joseph] procured a horse and light + wagon, with a chest and pillowcase, and proceeded punctually with his wife + to find the hidden treasure. When they had gone as far as they could with + the wagon, Joseph took the pillow-case and started for the rock. Upon + passing a fence a host of devils began to screech and to scream, and make + all sorts of hideous yells, for the purpose of terrifying him and + preventing the attainment of his object; but Joseph was courageous and + pursued his way in spite of them. Arriving at the stone, he again lifted + it with the aid of superhuman power, as at first, and secured the first or + uppermost article, this time putting it carefully into the pillow-case + before laying it down. He now attempted to secure the remainder; but just + then the same old man appeared, and said to him that the time had not yet + arrived for their exhibition to the world, but that when the proper time + came he should have them and exhibit them, with the one he had now + secured; until that time arrived, no one must be allowed to touch the one + he had in his possession; for if they did, they would be knocked down by + some superhuman power. Joseph ascertained that the remaining articles were + a gold hilt and chain, and a gold ball with two pointers. The hilt and + chain had once been part of a sword of unusual size; but the blade had + rusted away and become useless. Joseph then turned the rock back, took the + article in the pillow-case, and returned to the wagon. The devils, with + more hideous yells than before, followed him to the fence; as he was + getting over the fence, one of the devils struck him a blow on the side, + where a black and blue spot remained three or four days; but Joseph + persevered and brought the article safely home. "I weighed it," said Mr. + Smith, Sr., "and it weighed 30 pounds." In answer to our question as to + what it was that Joseph had thus obtained, he said it consisted of a set + of gold plates, about six inches wide and nine or ten inches long. They + were in the form of a book."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Historical Magazine, May, 1870. +</pre> + <p> + We may now contrast these early accounts of the disclosure with the + version given in the Prophet's autobiography (written, be it remembered, + in Nauvoo in 1838), the one accepted by all orthodox Mormons. One of its + striking features will be found to be the transformation of the + Spaniard-with-his-throat-cut into a messenger from Heaven.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, Supt. +</pre> + <p> + It was, according to this later account, when he was in his fifteenth + year, and when his father's family were "proselyted to the Presbyterian + church," that he became puzzled by the divergent opinions he heard from + different pulpits. One day, while reading the epistle of James (not a + common habit of his, as his mother would testify), Joseph was struck by + the words, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." Reflecting on + this injunction, he retired to the woods on the morning of a beautiful + clear day early in the spring of 1820, and there he for the first time + uttered a spoken prayer. As soon as he began praying he was overcome by + some power, and "thick darkness" gathered around him. Just when he was + ready to give himself up as lost, he managed to call on God for + deliverance, whereupon he saw a pillar of light descending upon him, and + two personages of indescribable glory standing in the air above him, one + of whom, calling him by name, said to the other, "This is my beloved Son, + hear him." Straightway Joseph, not forgetting the main object of his going + to the woods, asked the two personages: "which of all the sects was + right." He was told that all were wrong, and that he must join none of + them; that all creeds were an abomination, and that all professors were + corrupt. He came to himself lying on his back. + </p> + <p> + The effect on the boy of this startling manifestation was not radically + beneficial, as he himself concedes. "Forbidden to join any other religious + sects of the day, of tender years," and badly treated by persons who + should have been his friends, he admits that in the next three years he + "frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of + youth and the corruption of human nature, which, I am sorry to say, led me + into diverse temptations, to the gratification of many appetites offensive + in the sight of God." It was during this period that he was most active in + the use of his "peek-stone." + </p> + <p> + On the night of September 21, 1823, to proceed with his own account, when + again praying to God for the forgiveness of his sins, the room became + light, and a person clothed in a robe of exquisite whiteness, and having + "a countenance truly like lightning," called him by name, and said that + his visitor was a messenger sent from God, and that his name was Nephi. + This was a mistake on the part of somebody, because the visitor's real + name was Moroni, who hid the plates where they were deposited. Smith + continues:— + </p> + <p> + "He said there was a book deposited, written upon golden plates, giving an + account of the former inhabitants of this continent and the source from + whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the Everlasting + Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Saviour to the ancient + inhabitants. Also, there were two stones in silver bows (and these stones, + fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and + Thummim) deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these + stones was what constituted seers in ancient or former times, and that God + had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book." + </p> + <p> + The messenger then made some liberal quotations from the prophecies of the + Old Testament (changing them to suit his purpose), and ended by commanding + Smith, when he got the plates, at a future date, to show them only to + those as commanded, lest he be destroyed. Then he ascended into heaven. + The next day the messenger appeared again, and directed Joseph to tell his + father of the commandment which he had received. When he had done so, his + father told him to go as directed. He knew the place (ever since known + locally as "Mormon Hill") as soon as he arrived there, and his narrative + proceeds as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "Convenient to the village of Manchester, Ontario Co., N. Y., stands a + hill of considerable size, and the most elevated of any in the + neighborhood. On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a + stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box; this + stone was thick and rounded in the middle on the upper side, and thinner + toward the edges, so that the middle part of it was visible above the + ground, but the edge all round was covered with earth. Having removed the + earth and obtained a lever, which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, + and with a little exertion raised it up, I looked in, and there, indeed, + did I behold the plates, the Urim and Thummim and breastplate, as stated + by the messenger. The box in which they lay was formed by laying stones + together in a kind of cement. In the bottom of the box were laid two + stones crosswise of the box, and on these stones lay the plates and the + other things with them. I made an attempt to take them out, but was + forbidden by the messenger. I was again informed that the time for + bringing them out had not yet arrived, neither would till four years from + that time; but he told me that I should come to that place precisely one + year from that time, and that he would there meet with me, and that I + should continue to do so until the time should come for obtaining the + plates". + </p> + <p> + Mother Smith gives an explanation of Joe's failure to secure the plates on + this occasion, which he omits: "As he was taking them, the unhappy thought + darted through his mind that probably there was something else in the box + besides the plates, which would be of pecuniary advantage to him.... + Joseph was overcome by the power of darkness, and forgot the injunction + that was laid upon him." The mistakes which the Deity made in Joe's + character constantly suggest to the lay reader the query why the Urim and + Thummim were not turned on Joe. + </p> + <p> + On September 22, 1827, when Joe visited the hill (following his own story + again), the same messenger delivered to him the plates, the Urim and + Thummim and the breastplate, with the warning that if he "let them go + carelessly" he would be "cut off", and a charge to keep them until the + messenger called for them. + </p> + <p> + Mother Smith's story of the securing of the plates is to the effect that + about midnight of September 21 Joseph and his wife drove away from his + father's house with a horse and wagon belonging to a Mr. Knight. He + returned after breakfast the next morning, bringing with him the Urim and + Thummim, which he showed to her, and which she describes as "two smooth, + three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver + bows that were connected with each other in much the same way as + old-fashioned spectacles." She says that she also saw the breastplate + through a handkerchief, and that it "was concave on one side and convex on + the other, and extended from the neck downward as far as the stomach of a + man of extraordinary size. It had four straps of the same material for the + purpose of fastening it to the breast.... The whole plate was worth at + least $500." The spectacles and breastplate seem to have been more + familiar to Mother Smith than to any other of Joseph's contemporaries and + witnesses. + </p> + <p> + The substitution of the spectacles called Urim and Thummim for the + "peek-stone" was doubtless an idea of the associate in the plot, who + supplied the theological material found in the Golden Bible. Tucker + considers the "spectacle pretension" an afterthought of some one when the + scheme of translating the plates into a Bible was evolved, as "it was not + heard of outside of the Smith family for a considerable period subsequent + to the first story."* This is confirmed by the elder Smith's early account + of the discovery. It would be very natural that Rigdon, with his Bible + knowledge, should substitute the more respectable Urim and Thummim for the + "peek-stone" of ill-repute, as the medium of translation. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism," p. 33. +</pre> + <p> + The Urim and Thummim were the articles named by the Lord to Moses in His + description of the priestly garments of Aaron. The Bible leaves them + without description;* and the following verses contain all that is said of + them: Exodus xxviii. 30; Leviticus viii. 8; Numbers xxvii. 21; Deuteronomy + xxxiii. 8; Samuel xxviii. 6; Ezra ii. 63; Nehemiah vii. 65. Only a + pretence of using spectacles in the work of translating was kept up, later + descriptions of the process by Joe's associates referring constantly to + the employment of the stone. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The Hebrew words are generally considered to be plurales +excellentoe, denoting light (that is, revelation) and truth.... There +are two principal opinions respecting the Urim and Thummim. One is +that these words simply denote the four rows of precious stones in the +breastplate of the high priest, and are so called from their brilliancy +and perfection; which stones, in answer to an appeal to God in difficult +cases, indicated His mind and will by some supernatural appearance.... +The other principal opinion is that the Urim and Thummim were two small +oracular images similar to the Teraphim, personifying revelation and +truth, which were placed in the cavity or pouch formed by the folds of +the breastplate, and which uttered oracles by a voice.... We incline to +Mr. Mede's opinion that the Urim and Thummim were 'things well known to +the patriarchs' as divinely appointed means of inquiries of the Lord, +suited to an infantile state of religion. 'Cyclopedia of Biblical +Literature.'" Kitto and Alexander, editors. +</pre> + <p> + Joe says that while the plates were in his possession "multitudes" tried + to get them away from him, but that he succeeded in keeping them until + they were translated, and then delivered them again to the messenger, who + still retains them. Mother Smith tells a graphic story of attempts to get + the plates away from her son, and says that when he first received them he + hid them until the next day in a rotten birch log, bringing them home + wrapped in his linen frock under his arm.* Later, she says, he hid them in + a hole dug in the hearth of their house, and again in a pile of flax in a + cooper shop; Willard Chase's daughter almost found them once by means of a + peek-stone of her own. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Elder Hyde in his "Mormonism" estimates that "from the +description given of them the plates must have weighed nearly two +hundred pounds." +</pre> + <p> + Mother Smith says that Joseph told all the family of his vision the + evening of the day he told his father, charging them to keep it secret, + and she adds:— + </p> + <p> + "From that time forth Joseph continued to receive instructions from the + Lord, and we continued to get the children together every evening for the + purpose of listening while he gave us a relation of the same. I presume + our family presented an aspect as singular as any that ever lived upon the + face of the earth—all seated in a circle, father, mother, sons, and + daughters, and giving the most profound attention to a boy eighteen years + old, who had never read the Bible through in his life.... We were now + confirmed in the opinion that God was about to bring to light something + upon which we could stay our mind, or that would give us a more perfect + knowledge of the plan of salvation and the redemption of the human + family." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — TRANSLATION AND PUBLICATION OF THE BIBLE + </h2> + <p> + The only one of his New York neighbors who seems to have taken a practical + interest in Joe's alleged discovery was a farmer named Martin Harris, who + lived a little north of Palmyra. Harris was a religious enthusiast, who + had been a Quaker (as his wife was still), a Universalist, a Baptist, and + a Presbyterian, and whose sanity it would have been difficult to establish + in a surrogate's court. The Rev. Dr. Clark, who knew him intimately, says, + "He had always been a firm believer in dreams, visions, and ghosts." + </p> + <p> + Howe describes him as often declaring that he had talked with Jesus + Christ, angels, and the devil, and saying that "Christ was the handsomest + man he ever saw, and the devil looked like a jackass, with very short, + smooth hair similar to that of a mouse." Daniel Hendrix relates that as he + and Harris were riding to the village one evening, and he remarked on the + beauty of the moon, Harris replied that if his companion could only see it + as he had, he might well call it beautiful, explaining that he had + actually visited the moon, and adding that it "was only the faithful who + were permitted to visit the celestial regions." Jesse Townsend, a resident + of Palmyra, in a letter written in 1833, describes him as a visionary + fanatic, unhappily married, who "is considered here to this day a brute in + his domestic relations, a fool and a dupe to Smith in religion, and an + unlearned, conceited hypocrite generally." His wife, in an affidavit + printed in Howe's book (p. 255), says: "He has whipped, kicked, and turned + me out of the house." Harris, like Joe's mother, was a constant reader of + and a literal believer in the Bible. Tucker says that he "could probably + repeat from memory every text from the Bible, giving the chapter and verse + in each case." This seems to be an exaggeration.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Gleanings by the Way." +</pre> + <p> + Mother Smith's account of Harris's early connection with the Bible + enterprise says that her husband told Harris of the existence of the + plates two or three years before Joe got possession of them; that when Joe + secured them he asked her to go and tell Harris that he wanted to see him + on the subject, an errand not to her liking, because "Mr. Harris's wife + was a very peculiar woman," that is, she did not share in her husband's + superstition. Mrs. Smith did not succeed in seeing Harris, but he soon + afterward voluntarily offered Joe fifty dollars "for the purpose of + helping Mr. Smith do the Lord's work." As Harris was very "close" in money + matters, it is probable that Joe offered him a partnership in the scheme + at the start. Harris seems to have placed much faith in the selling + quality of the new Bible. He is said to have replied to his wife's early + declaration of disbelief in it: "What if it is a lie. If you will let me + alone I will make money out of it."* The Rev. Ezra Booth said: "Harris + informed me [after his removal to Ohio] that he went to the place where + Joseph resided [in Pennsylvania], and Joseph had given it [the + translation] up on account of the opposition of his wife and others; and + he told Joseph, 'I have not come down here for nothing, and we will go on + with it.'"** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 254. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., p. 182. +</pre> + <p> + Just at this time Joe was preparing to move to the neighborhood of + Harmony, Pennsylvania, having made a trip there after his marriage, during + which, Mr. Hale's affidavit says, "Smith stated to me that he had given up + what he called 'glass-looking,' and that he expected to work hard for a + living and was willing to do so." Smith's brother-in-law Alva, in + accordance with arrangements then made, went to Palmyra and helped move + his effects to a house near Mr. Hale's. Joe acknowledges that Harris's + gift or loan of fifty dollars enabled him to meet the expenses of moving. + </p> + <p> + Parley P. Pratt, in a statement published by him in London in 1854, set + forth that Smith was driven to Pennsylvania from Palmyra through fear of + his life, and that he took the plates with him concealed in a barrel of + beans, thus eluding the efforts of persons who tried to secure them by + means of a search warrant. Tucker says that this story rests only on the + sending of a constable after Smith by a man to whom he owed a small debt. + The great interest manifested in the plates in the neighborhood of Palmyra + existed only in Mormon imagination developed in later years. + </p> + <p> + According to some accounts, all the work of what was called "translating" + the writing on the plates into what became the "Book of Mormon" was done + at Joe's home in New York State, and most of it in a cave, but this was + not the case. Smith himself says: "Immediately after my arrival [in + Pennsylvania] I commenced copying the characters off the plates. I copied + a considerable number of them, and by means of the Urim and Thummim I + translated some of them, which I did between the time I arrived, at the + house of my wife's father in the month of December (1827) and the February + following." + </p> + <p> + A clear description of the work of translating as carried on in + Pennsylvania is given in the affidavit made by Smith's father-in-law, + Isaac Hale, in 1834.* He says that soon after Joe's removal to his + neighborhood with his wife, he (Hale) was shown a box such as is used for + the shipment of window glass, and was told that it contained the "book of + plates"; he was allowed to lift it, but not to look into it. Joe told him + that the first person who would be allowed to see the plates would be a + young child.** The affidavit continues:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 264. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Joe's early announcement was that his first-born child was to +have this power, but the child was born dead. This was one of the +earliest of Joe's mistakes in prophesying. +</pre> + <p> + "About this time Martin Harris made his appearance upon the stage, and + Smith began to interpret the characters, or hieroglyphics, which he said + were engraven upon the plates, while Harris wrote down the interpretation. + It was said that Harris wrote down 116 pages and lost them. Soon after + this happened, Martin Harris informed me that he must have a GREATER + WITNESS, and said that he had talked with Joseph about it. Joseph informed + him that he could not, or durst not, show him the plates, but that he + [Joseph] would go into the woods where the book of plates was, and that + after he came back Harris should follow his track in the snow, and find + the book and examine it for himself. Harris informed me that he followed + Smith's directions, and could not find the plates and was still + dissatisfied. + </p> + <p> + "The next day after this happened I went to the house where Joseph Smith, + Jr., lived, and where he and Harris were engaged in their translation of + the book. Each of them had a written piece of paper which they were + comparing, and some of the words were, I my servant seeketh a greater + witness, but no greater witness can be given him.... I inquired whose + words they were, and was informed by Joseph or Emma (I rather think it was + the former), that they were the words of Jesus Christ. I told them that I + considered the whole of it a delusion, and advised them to abandon it. The + manner in which he pretended to read and interpret was the same as when he + looked for the moneydiggers, with the stone in his hat and his hat over + his face, while the book of plates was at the same time hid in the woods. + </p> + <p> + "After this, Martin Harris went away, and Oliver Cowdery came and wrote + for Smith, while he interpreted as above described. + </p> + <p> + "Joseph Smith, Jr., resided near me for some time after this, and I had a + good opportunity of becoming acquainted with him, and somewhat acquainted + with his associates; and I conscientiously believe, from the facts I have + detailed, and from many other circumstances which I do not deem it + necessary to relate, that the whole Book of Mormon (so-called) is a silly + fabrication of falsehood and wickedness, got up for speculation, and with + a design to dupe the credulous and unwary." + </p> + <p> + Harris's natural shrewdness in a measure overcame his fanaticism, and he + continued to press Smith for a sight of the plates. Smith thereupon made + one of the first uses of those "revelations" which played so important a + part in his future career, and he announced one (Section 5, "Doctrine and + Covenants"*), in which "I, the Lord" declared to Smith that the latter had + entered into a covenant with Him not to show the plates to any one except + as the Lord commanded him. Harris finally demanded of Smith at least a + specimen of the writing on the plates for submission to experts in such + subjects. As Harris was the only man of means interested in this scheme of + publication, Joe supplied him with a paper containing some characters + which he said were copied from one of the plates. This paper increased + Harris's belief in the reality of Joe's discovery, but he sought further + advice before opening his purse. Dr. Clark describes a call Harris made on + him early one morning, greatly excited, requesting a private interview. On + hearing his story, Dr. Clark advised him that the scheme was a hoax, + devised to extort money from him, but Harris showed the slip of paper + containing the mysterious characters, and was not to be persuaded. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * All references to the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" refer to +the sections and verses of the Salt Lake city edition of 1890. +</pre> + <p> + Seeking confirmation, however, Harris made a trip to New York City in + order to submit the characters to experts there. Among others, he called + on Professor Charles Anthon. His interview with Professor Anthon has been + a cause of many and conflicting statements, some Mormons misrepresenting + it for their own purposes and others explaining away the professor's + accounts of it. The following statement was written by Professor Anthon in + reply to an inquiry by E. D. Howe:— + </p> + <p> + "NEW YORK, February 17, 1834. + </p> + <p> + "DEAR SIR: I received your favor of the 9th, and lose no time in making a + reply. The whole story about my pronouncing the Mormon inscription to be + 'reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics' is perfectly false. Some years ago a + plain, apparently simple-hearted farmer called on me with a note from Dr. + Mitchell, of our city, now dead, requesting me to decypher, if possible, + the paper which the farmer would hand me, and which Dr. M. confessed he + had been unable to understand. Upon examining the paper in question, I + soon came to the conclusion that it was all a trick—perhaps a hoax. + When I asked the person who brought it how he obtained the writing, he + gave me, as far as I can recollect, the following account: A 'gold book' + consisting of a number of plates fastened together in the shape of a book + by wires of the same metal, had been dug up in the northern part of the + state of New York, and along with the book an enormous pair of + 'spectacles'! These spectacles were so large that, if a person attempted + to look through them, his two eyes would have to be turned toward one of + the glasses merely, the spectacles in question being altogether too large + for the breadth of the human face. Whoever examined the plates through the + spectacles, was enabled, not only to read them, but fully to understand + their meaning. All this knowledge, however, was confined to a young man + who had the trunk containing the book and spectacles in his sole + possession. This young man was placed behind a curtain in the garret of a + farmhouse, and being thus concealed from view, put on the spectacles + occasionally, or rather, looked through one of the glasses, decyphered the + characters in the book, and, having committed some of them to paper, + handed copies from behind the curtain to those who stood on the outside. + Not a word, however, was said about the plates being decyphered 'by the + gift of God.' Everything in this way was effected by the large pair of + spectacles. The farmer added that he had been requested to contribute a + sum of money toward the publication of the 'golden book,' the contents of + which would, as he had been assured, produce an entire change in the + world, and save it from ruin. So urgent had been these solicitations, that + he intended selling his farm, and handing over the amount received to + those who wished to publish the plates. As a last precautionary step, + however, he had resolved to come to New York, and obtain the opinion of + the learned about the meaning of the paper which he had brought with him, + and which had been given him as part of the contents of the book, although + no translation had been furnished at the time by the young man with the + spectacles. On hearing this odd story, I changed my opinion about the + paper, and, instead of viewing it any longer as a hoax upon the learned, I + began to regard it as a part of a scheme to cheat the farmer of his money, + and I communicated my suspicions to him, warning him to beware of rogues. + He requested an opinion from me in writing, which, of course, I declined + giving, and he then took his leave, carrying his paper with him. + </p> + <p> + "This paper was in fact a singular scrawl. It consisted of all kinds of + crooked characters, disposed in columns, and had evidently been prepared + by some person who had before him at the time a book containing various + alphabets. Greek and Hebrew letters, crosses and flourishes, Roman letters + inverted, or placed sideways, were arranged and placed in perpendicular + columns; and the whole ended in a rude delineation of a circle, divided + into various compartments, decked with various strange marks, and + evidently copied after the Mexican Calendar, given by Humbolt, but copied + in such a way as not to betray the source whence it was, derived. I am + thus particular as to the contents of the paper, inasmuch as I have + frequently conversed with my friends on the subject since the Mormonite + excitement began, and well remember that the paper contained anything else + but 'Egyptian Hieroglyphics.' + </p> + <p> + "Some time after, the farmer paid me a second visit. He brought with him + the golden book in print, and offered it to me for sale. I declined + purchasing. He then asked permission to leave the book with me for + examination. I declined receiving it, although his manner was strangely + urgent. I adverted once more to the roguery which had been, in my opinion, + practised upon him, and asked him what had become of the gold plates. He + informed me that they were in a trunk with the large pair of spectacles. I + advised him to go to a magistrate, and have the trunk examined. He said + 'the curse of God' would come upon him should he do this. On my pressing + him, however, to pursue the course which I had recommended, he told me he + would open the trunk if I would take 'the curse of God' upon myself. I + replied I would do so with the greatest willingness, and would incur every + risk of that nature provided I could only extricate him from the grasp of + the rogues. He then left me. + </p> + <p> + "I have thus given you a full statement of all that I know respecting the + origin of Mormonism, and must beg you, as a personal favor, to publish + this letter immediately, should you find my name mentioned again by these + wretched fanatics. Yours respectfully, + </p> + <p> + "CHARLES ANTHON."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," pp. 270-272. A letter from Professor +Anthon to the Rev. Dr. Coit, rector of Trinity Church, New Rochelle, New +York, dated April 3, 1841, containing practically the same statement, +will be found in Clark's "Gleanings by the Way," pp. 233-238. +</pre> + <p> + While Mormon speakers quoted Anthon as vouching for the mysterious + writing, their writers were more cautious. P. P. Pratt, in his "Voice of + Warning" (1837), said that Professor Anthon was unable to decipher the + characters, but he presumed that if the original records could be brought, + he could assist in translating them. Orson Pratt, in his "Remarkable + Visions" (1848), saw in the Professor's failure only a verification of + Isaiah xxix. 11 and 12:— + </p> + <p> + "And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is + sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I + pray thee: and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed: and the book is + delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and + he saith, I am not learned." + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0001" id="linkimage-0001"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/0072.jpg" height="64%" width="90%" + alt=" Facsimile of the Characters Of The Book Of Mormon 072 " /><br /> + </div> + <p> + John D. Lee, in his "Mormonism Unveiled," mentions the generally used + excuse of the Mormons for the professor's failure to translate the + writing, namely, that Anthon told Harris that "they were written in a + sealed language, unknown to the present age." Smith, in his autobiography, + quotes Harris's account of his interview as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "I went to New York City and presented the characters which had been + translated, with the translation thereof, to Prof. Anthon, a man quite + celebrated for his literary attainments. Prof. Anthon stated that the + translation was correct, more so than any he had before seen translated + from the Egyptian. I then showed him those which were not yet translated, + and he said they were Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyriac, and Arabic, and he + said they were the true characters." + </p> + <p> + Harris declared that the professor gave him a certificate to this effect, + but took it back and tore it up when told that an angel of God had + revealed the plates to Joe, saying that "there were no such things as + ministering angels." This account by Harris of his interview with + Professor Anthon will assist the reader in estimating the value of + Harris's future testimony as to the existence of the plates. + </p> + <p> + Harris's trip to New York City was not entirely satisfactory to him, and, + as Smith himself relates, "He began to tease me to give him liberty to + carry the writings home and show them, and desired of me that I would + enquire of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim if he might not do so." + Smith complied with this request, but the permission was twice refused; + the third time it was granted, but on condition that Harris would show the + manuscript translation to only five persons, who were named, one of them + being his wife. + </p> + <p> + In including Mrs. Harris in this list, the Lord made one of the greatest + mistakes into which he ever fell in using Joe as a mouthpiece. Mrs. + Harris's Quaker belief had led her from the start to protest against the + Bible scheme, and to warn her husband against the Smith family, and she + vigorously opposed his investment of any money in the publication of the + book. On the occasion of his first visit to Joe in Pennsylvania, according + to Mother Smith, Mrs. Harris was determined to accompany him, and he had + to depart without her knowledge; and when he went the second time, she did + accompany him, and she ransacked the house to find the "record" (as the + plates are often called in the Smiths' writings). + </p> + <p> + When Harris returned home with the translated pages which Joe intrusted to + him (in July, 1828), he showed them to his family and to others, who tried + in vain to convince him that he was a dupe. Mrs. Harris decided on a more + practical course. Getting possession of the papers, where Harris had + deposited them for safe keeping, she refused to restore them to him. What + eventually became of them is uncertain, one report being that she + afterward burned them. + </p> + <p> + This should have caused nothing more serious in the way of delay than the + time required to retranslate these pages; for certainly a well-equipped + Divinity, who was revealing a new Bible to mankind, and supplying so + powerful a means of translation as the Urim and Thummim, could empower the + translator to repeat the words first written. Indeed, the descriptions of + the method of translation given afterward by Smith's confederates would + seem to prove that there could have been but one version of any + translation of the plates, no matter how many times repeated. Thus, Harris + described the translating as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "By aid of the seer stone [no mention of the magic spectacles] sentences + would appear and were read by the prophet and written by Martin, and, when + finished, he would say 'written'; and if correctly written, that sentence + would disappear, and another appear in its place; but if not written + correctly, it remained until corrected, so that the translation was just + as it was engraven on the plates, precisely in the language then used."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Elder Edward Stevenson in the Deseret News (quoted in Reynold's +"Mystery of the Manuscript Fund," p. 91). +</pre> + <p> + David Whitmer, in an account of this process written in his later years, + said:— + </p> + <p> + "Joseph would put the seer stone into a hat [more testimony against the + use of the spectacles] and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely + around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual + light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, + and on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear, + and under it was the translation in English. Brother Joseph would read off + the English to O. Cowdery, who was his principal scribe, and when it was + written down and repeated to brother Joseph to see if it were correct, + then it would disappear and another character with the interpretation + would appear."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Address to Believers in the Book of Mormon." +</pre> + <p> + But to Joseph the matter of reproducing the lost pages of the translation + did not seem simple. When Harris's return to Pennsylvania was delayed, Joe + became anxious and went to Palmyra to learn what delayed him, and there he + heard of Mrs. Harris's theft of the pages. His mother reports him as + saying in announcing it, "my God, all is lost! all is lost!" Why the + situation was as serious to a sham translator as it would have been simple + to an honest one is easily understood. Whenever Smith offered a second + translation of the missing pages which differed from the first, a + comparison of them with the latter would furnish proof positive of the + fraudulent character of his pretensions. + </p> + <p> + All the partners in the business had to share in the punishment for what + had occurred. The Smiths lost all faith in Harris. Joe says that Harris + broke his pledge about showing the translation only to five persons, and + Mother Smith says that because of this offence "a dense fog spread itself + over his fields and blighted his wheat." When Joe returned to Pennsylvania + an angel appeared to him, his mother says, and ordered him to give up the + Urim and Thummim, promising, however, to restore them if he was humble and + penitent, and "if so, it will be on the 22d of September."* Here may be + noted one of those failures of mother and son to agree in their narratives + which was excuse enough for Brigham Young to try to suppress the mother's + book. Joe mentions a "revelation" dated July, 1828 (Sec. 3, "Doctrine and + Covenants"), in which Harris was called "a wicked man," and which told + Smith that he had lost his privileges for a season, and he adds, "After I + had obtained the above revelation, both the plates and the Urim and + Thummim were taken from me again, BUT IN A FEW DAYS they were returned to + me."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biographical Sketches," by Lucy Smith, p. 125. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 8. +</pre> + <p> + For some ten months after this the work of translation was discontinued, + although Mother Smith says that when she and his father visited the + prophet in Pennsylvania two months after his return, the first thing they + saw was "a red morocco trunk lying on Emma's bureau which, Joseph shortly + informed me, contained the Urim and Thummim and the plates." Mrs. Harris's + act had evidently thrown the whole machinery of translation out of gear, + and Joe had to await instructions from his human adviser before a plan of + procedure could be announced. During this period (in which Joe says he + worked on his father's farm), says Tucker, "the stranger [supposed to be + Rigdon] had again been at Smith's, and the prophet had been away from + home, maybe to repay the former's visits."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism," p. 48. +</pre> + <p> + Two matters were decided on in these consultations, viz., that no attempt + would be made to retranslate the lost pages, and that a second copy of all + the rest of the manuscript should be prepared, to guard against a similar + perplexity in case of the loss of later pages. The proof of the latter + statement I find in the fact that a second copy did exist. Ebenezer + Robinson, who was a leading man in the church from the time of its + establishment in Ohio until Smith's death, says in his recollections that, + when the people assembled on October 2, 1841, to lay the corner-stone of + Nauvoo House, Smith said he had a document to put into the corner-stone, + and Robinson went with him to his house to procure it. Robinson's story + proceeds as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "He got a manuscript copy of the Book of Mormon, and brought it into the + room where we were standing, and said, 'I will examine to see if it is all + here'; and as he did so I stood near him, at his left side, and saw + distinctly the writing as he turned up the pages until he hastily went + through the book and satisfied himself that it was all there, when he + said, 'I have had trouble enough with this thing'; which remark struck me + with amazement, as I looked upon it as a sacred treasure." + </p> + <p> + Robinson says that the manuscript was written on foolscap paper and most + of it in Oliver Cowdery's handwriting. He explains that two copies were + necessary, "as the printer who printed the first edition of the book had + to have a copy, as they would not put the original copy into his hands for + fear of its being altered. This accounts for David Whitmer having a copy + and Joseph Smith having one."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Return, Vol. II, p. 314. Ebenezer Robinson, a printer, +joined the Mormons at Kirtland, followed Smith to Missouri, and went +with the flock to Nauvoo, where he and the prophet's brother, Don +Carlos, established the Times and Seasons. When the doctrine of polygamy +was announced to him and his wife, they rejected it, and he followed +Rigdon to Pennsylvania when Rigdon was turned out by Young. In later +years he was engaged in business enterprises in Iowa, and was a resident +of Davis City when David Whitmer announced the organization of +his church in Missouri, and, not accepting the view of the prophet +entertained by his descendants in the Reorganized Church, Robinson +accepted baptism from Whitmer. The Return was started by him in +January, 1889, and continued until his death, in its second year. His +reminiscences of early Mormon experiences, which were a feature of the +publication, are of value. +</pre> + <p> + Major Bideman, who married the prophet's widow, partly completed and + occupied Nauvoo House after the departure of the Mormons for Utah, and + some years later he took out the cornerstone and opened it, but found the + manuscript so ruined by moisture that only a little was legible. + </p> + <p> + In regard to the missing pages, it was decided to announce a revelation, + which is dated May, 1829 (Sec. 10, "Doctrine and Covenants"), stating that + the lost pages had got into the hands of wicked men, that "Satan has put + it into their hearts to alter the words which you have caused to be + written, or which you have translated," in accordance with a plan of the + devil to destroy Smith's work. He was directed therefore to translate from + the plates of Nephi, which contained a "more particular account" than the + Book of Lehi from which the original translation was made. + </p> + <p> + When Smith began translating again, Harris was not reemployed, but Emma, + the prophet's wife, acted as his scribe until April 15, 1829, when a new + personage appeared upon the scene. This was Oliver Cowdery. + </p> + <p> + Cowdery was a blacksmith by trade, but gave up that occupation, and, while + Joe was translating in Pennsylvania, secured the place of teacher in the + district where the Smiths lived, and boarded with them. They told him of + the new Bible, and, according to Joe's later account, Cowdery for himself + received a revelation of its divine character, went to Pennsylvania, and + from that time was intimately connected with Joe in the translation and + publication of the book. + </p> + <p> + In explanation of the change of plan necessarily adopted in the + translation, the following preface appeared in the first edition of the + book, but was dropped later:— + </p> + <p> + "TO THE READER. + </p> + <p> + "As many false reports have been circulated respecting the following work, + and also many unlawful measures taken by evil designing persons to destroy + me, and also the work, I would inform you that I translated, by the gift + and power of God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages, + the which I took from the book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from + the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon; which said account, some person + or persons have stolen and kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost efforts + to recover it again—and being commanded of the Lord that I should + not translate the same over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts + to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the words; that they did read + contrary from that which I translated and caused to be written; and if I + should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words, if I should + translate the same over again, they would publish that which they had + stolen, and Satan would stir up the hearts of this generation, that they + might not receive this work, but behold, the Lord said unto me, I will not + suffer that Satan shall accomplish his evil design in this thing; + therefore thou shalt translate from the plates of Nephi until ye come to + that which ye have translated, which ye have retained; and behold, ye + shall publish it as the record of Nephi; and thus I will confound those + who have altered my words. I will not suffer that they shall destroy my + work; yea, I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the + cunning of the Devil. Wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of + God, I have, through His grace and mercy, accomplished that which He hath + commanded me respecting this thing. I would also inform you that the + plates of which hath been spoken, were found in the township of + Manchester, Ontario County, New York.—THE AUTHOR." + </p> + <p> + In June, 1829, Smith accepted an invitation to change his residence to the + house of Peter Whitmer, who, with his sons, David, John, and Peter, Jr., + lived at Fayette, Seneca County, New York, the Whitmers promising his + board free and their assistance in the work of translation. There, Smith + says, they resided "until the translation was finished and the copyright + secured." + </p> + <p> + As five of the Whitmers were "witnesses" to the existence of the plates, + and David continued to be a person of influence in Mormon circles + throughout his long life, information about them is of value. The + prophet's mother again comes to our aid, although her account conflicts + with her son's. The prophet says that David Whitmer brought the invitation + to take up quarters at his father's, and volunteered the offer of free + board and assistance. Mother Smith says that one day, as Joe was + translating the plates, he came, in the midst of the words of the Holy + Writ, to a commandment to write at once to David Whitmer, requesting him + to come immediately and take the prophet and Cowdery to his house, "as an + evil-designing people were seeking to take away his [Joseph's] life in + order to prevent the work of God from going forth to the world." When the + letter arrived, David's father told him that, as they had wheat sown that + would require two days' harrowing, and a quantity of plaster to spread, he + could not go "unless he could get a witness from God that it was + absolutely necessary." In answer to his inquiry of the Lord on the + subject, David was told to go as soon as his wheat was harrowed in. + Setting to work, he found that at the end of the first day the two days' + harrowing had been completed, and, on going out the next morning to spread + the plaster, he found that work done also, and his sister told him she had + seen three unknown men at work in the field the day before: so that the + task had been accomplished by "an exhibition of supernatural power."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biographical Sketches," Lucy Smith, p. 135. +</pre> + <p> + The translation being ready for the press, in June, 1829 (I follow + Tucker's account of the printing of the work), Joseph, his brother Hyrum, + Cowdery, and Harris asked Egbert B. Grandin, publisher of the Wayne + Sentinel at Palmyra, to give them an estimate of the cost of printing an + edition of three thousand copies, with Harris as security for the payment. + Grandin told them he did not want to undertake the job at any price, and + he tried to persuade Harris not to invest his money in the scheme, + assuring him that it was fraudulent. Application was next made to Thurlow + Weed, then the publisher of the Anti-Masonic Inquirer, at Rochester, New + York. "After reading a few chapters," says Mr. Weed, "it seemed such a + jumble of unintelligent absurdities that we refused the work, advising + Harris not to mortgage his farm and beggar his family." Finally, Smith and + his associates obtained from Elihu F. Marshall, a Rochester publisher, a + definite bid for the work, and with this they applied again to Grandin, + explaining that it would be much more convenient for them to have the + printing done at home, and pointing out to him that he might as well take + the job, as his refusal would not prevent the publication of the book. + This argument had weight with him, and he made a definite contract to + print and bind five thousand copies for the sum of $3000, a mortgage on + Harris's farm to be given him as security. Mrs. Harris had persisted in + her refusal to be in any way a party to the scheme, and she and her + husband had finally made a legal separation, with a division of the + property, after she had entered a complaint against Joe, charging him with + getting money from her husband on fraudulent representation. At the + hearing on this complaint, Harris denied that he had ever contributed a + dollar to Joe at the latter's persuasion. + </p> + <p> + Tucker, who did much of the proof-reading of the new Bible, comparing it + with the manuscript copy, says that, when the printing began, Smith and + his associates watched the manuscript with the greatest vigilance, + bringing to the office every morning as much as the printers could set up + during the day, and taking it away in the evening, forbidding also any + alteration. The foreman, John H. Gilbert, found the manuscript so poorly + prepared as regards grammatical construction, spelling, punctuation, etc., + that he told them that some corrections must be made, and to this they + finally consented. + </p> + <p> + Daniel Hendrix, in his recollections, says in confirmation of this:— + </p> + <p> + "I helped to read proof on many pages of the book, and at odd times set + some type.... The penmanship of the copy furnished was good, but the + grammar, spelling and punctuation were done by John H. Gilbert, who was + chief compositor in the office. I have heard him swear many a time at the + syntax and orthography of Cowdery, and declare that he would not set + another line of the type. There were no paragraphs, no punctuation and no + capitals. All that was done in the printing office, and what a time there + used to be in straightening sentences out, too. During the printing of the + book I remember that Joe Smith kept in the background." + </p> + <p> + The following letter is in reply to an inquiry addressed by me to Albert + Chandler, the only survivor, I think, of the men who helped issue the + first edition of Smith's book:— + </p> + <p> + "COLDWATER, MICH., Dec. 22, 1898. + </p> + <p> + "My recollections of Joseph Smith, Jr. and of the first steps taken in + regard to his Bible have never been printed. At the time of the printing + of the Mormon Bible by Egbert B. Grandin of the Sentinel I was an + apprentice in the bookbindery connected with the Sentinel office. I helped + to collate and stitch the Gold Bible, and soon after this was completed, I + changed from book-binding to printing. I learned my trade in the Sentinel + office. + </p> + <p> + "My recollections of the early history of the Mormon Bible are vivid + to-day. I knew personally Oliver Cowdery, who translated the Bible, Martin + Harris, who mortgaged his farm to procure the printing, and Joseph Smith + Jr., but slightly. What I knew of him was from hearsay, principally from + Martin Harris, who believed fully in him. Mr. Tucker's 'Origin, Rise, and + Progress of Mormonism' is the fullest account I have ever seen. I doubt if + I can add anything to that history. + </p> + <p> + "The whole history is shrouded in the deepest mystery. Joseph Smith Jr., + who read through the wonderful spectacles, pretended to give the scribe + the exact reading of the plates, even to spelling, in which Smith was + woefully deficient. Martin Harris was permitted to be in the room with the + scribe, and would try the knowledge of Smith, as he told me, saying that + Smith could not spell the word February, when his eyes were off the + spectacles through which he pretended to work. This ignorance of Smith was + proof positive to him that Smith was dependent on the spectacles for the + contents of the Bible. Smith and the plates containing the original of the + Mormon Bible were hid from view of the scribe and Martin Harris by a + screen. + </p> + <p> + "I should think that Martin Harris, after becoming a convert, gave up his + entire time to advertising the Bible to his neighbors and the public + generally in the vicinity of Palmyra. He would call public meetings and + address them himself. He was enthusiastic, and went so far as to say that + God, through the Latter Day Saints, was to rule the world. I heard him + make this statement, that there would never be another President of the + United States elected; that soon all temporal and spiritual power would be + given over to the prophet Joseph Smith and the Latter Day Saints. His + extravagant statements were the laughing stock of the people of Palmyra. + His stories were hissed at, universally. To give you an idea of Mr. + Harris's superstitions, he told me that he saw the devil, in all his + hideousness, on the road, just before dark, near his farm, a little north + of Palmyra. You can see that Harris was a fit subject to carry out the + scheme of organizing a new religion. + </p> + <p> + "The absolute secrecy of the whole inception and publication of the Mormon + Bible stopped positive knowledge. We only knew what Joseph Smith would + permit Martin Harris to publish, in reference to the whole thing. + </p> + <p> + "The issuing of the Book of Mormon scarcely made a ripple of excitement in + Palmyra. + </p> + <p> + "ALBERT CHANDLER."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Mr. Chandler moved to Michigan in 1835, and has been connected +with several newspapers in that state, editing the Kalamazoo Gazette, +and founding and publishing the Coldwater Sentinel. He was elected +the first mayor of Coldwater, serving several terms. He was in his +eighty-fifth year when the above letter was written. +</pre> + <p> + The book was published early in 1830. On paper the sale of the first + edition showed a profit of $3250 at $1.25 a volume, that being the lowest + price to be asked on pain of death, according to a "special revelation" + received by Smith. By the original agreement Harris was to have the + exclusive control of the sale of the book. But it did not sell. The local + community took it no more seriously than they did Joe himself and his + family. The printer demanded his pay as the work progressed, and it became + necessary for Smith to spur Harris on by announcing a revelation (Sec. 19, + "Doctrine and Covenants"), saying, "I command thee that thou shalt not + covet thine own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book + of Mormon." Harris accordingly disposed of his share of the farm and paid + Grandin. + </p> + <p> + To make the book "go," Smith now received a revelation which permitted his + father, soon to be elevated to the title of Patriarch, to sell it on + commission, and Smith, Sr., made expeditions through the country, taking + in pay for any copies sold such farm produce or "store goods" as he could + use in his own family. How much he "cut" the revealed price of the book in + these trades is not known, but in one instance, when arrested in Palmyra + for a debt of $5.63, he, under pledge of secrecy, offered seven of the + Bibles in settlement, and the creditor, knowing that the old man had no + better assets, accepted the offer as a joke.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism," Tucker, p. 63. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. — THE SPAULDING MANUSCRIPT + </h2> + <p> + The history of the Mormon Bible has been brought uninterruptedly to this + point in order that the reader may be able to follow clearly each step + that had led up to its publication. It is now necessary to give attention + to two subjects intimately connected with the origin of this book, viz., + the use made of what is known as the "Spaulding manuscript," in supplying + the historical part of the work, and Sidney Rigdon's share in its + production. + </p> + <p> + The most careful student of the career of Joseph Smith, Jr., and of his + family and his associates, up to the year 1827, will fail to find any + ground for the belief that he alone, or simply with their assistance, was + capable of composing the Book of Mormon, crude in every sense as that work + is. We must therefore accept, as do the Mormons, the statement that the + text was divinely revealed to Smith, or must look for some directing hand + behind the scene, which supplied the historical part and applied the + theological. The "Spaulding manuscript" is believed to have furnished the + basis of the historical part of the work. + </p> + <p> + Solomon Spaulding, born in Ashford, Connecticut, in 1761, was graduated + from Dartmouth College in 1785, studied divinity, and for some years had + charge of a church. His own family described him as a peculiar man, given + to historical researches, and evidently of rather unstable disposition. He + gave up preaching, conducted an academy at Cherry Valley, New York, and + later moved to Conneaut, Ohio, where in 1812 he had an interest in an iron + foundry. His attention was there attracted to the ancient mounds in that + vicinity, and he set some of his men to work exploring one of them. "I + vividly remember how excited he became," says his daughter, when he heard + that they had exhumed some human bones, portions of gigantic skeletons, + and various relics. From these discoveries he got the idea of writing a + fanciful history of the ancient races of this country. + </p> + <p> + The title he chose for his book was "The Manuscript Found." He considered + this work a great literary production, counted on being able to pay his + debts from the proceeds of its sale, and was accustomed to read selections + from the manuscript to his neighbors with evident pride. The impression + that such a production would be likely to make on the author's neighbors + in that frontier region and in those early days, when books were scarce + and authors almost unknown, can with difficulty be realized now. Barrett + Wendell, speaking of the days of Bryant's early work, says:— + </p> + <p> + "Ours was a new country...deeply and sensitively aware that it lacked a + literature. Whoever produced writings which could be pronounced adorable + was accordingly regarded by his fellow citizens as a public benefactor, a + great public figure, a personage of whom the nation could be proud."* This + feeling lends weight to the testimony of Mr. Spaulding's neighbors, who in + later years gave outlines of his work. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Literary History of America." +</pre> + <p> + In order to find a publisher Mr. Spaulding moved with his family to + Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. A printer named Patterson spoke well of the + manuscript to its author, but no one was found willing to publish it. The + Spauldings afterward moved to Amity, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Spaulding + died in 1816. His widow and only child went to live with Mrs. Spaulding's + brother, W. H. Sabine, at Onondaga Valley, New York, taking their effects + with them. These included an old trunk containing Mr. Spaulding's papers. + "There were sermons and other papers," says his daughter, "and I saw a + manuscript about an inch thick, closely written, tied up with some stories + my father had written for me, one of which he called 'The Frogs of + Windham.' On the outside of this manuscript were written the words + 'Manuscript Found.' I did not read it, but looked through it, and had it + in my hands many times, and saw the names I had heard at Conneaut, when my + father read it to his friends." Mrs. Spaulding next went to her father's + house in Connecticut, leaving her personal property at her brother's. She + married a Mr. Davison in 1820, and the old trunk was sent to her at her + new home in Hartwick, Otsego County, New York. The daughter was married to + a Mr. McKinstry in 1828, and her mother afterward made her home with her + at Monson, Massachusetts, most of the time until her death in 1844. + </p> + <p> + When the newly announced Mormon Bible began to be talked about in Ohio, + there were immediate declarations in Spaulding's old neighborhood of a + striking similarity between the Bible story and the story that Spaulding + used to read to his acquaintances there, and these became positive + assertions after the Mormons had held a meeting at Conneaut. The opinion + was confidently expressed there that, if the manuscript could be found and + published, it would put an end to the Mormon pretence. + </p> + <p> + About the year 1834 Mrs. Davison received a visit at Monson from D. P. + Hurlbut, a man who had gone over to the Mormons from the Methodist church, + and had apostatized and been expelled. He represented that he had been + sent by a committee to secure "The Manuscript Found" in order that it + might be compared with the Mormon Bible. As he brought a letter from her + brother, Mrs. Davison, with considerable reluctance, gave him an + introduction to George Clark, in whose house at Hartwick she had left the + old trunk, directing Mr. Clark to let Hurlbut have the manuscript, + receiving his verbal pledge to return it. He obtained a manuscript from + this trunk, but did not keep his pledge.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Condensed from an affidavit by Mrs. McKinstry, dated April 3, +1880, in Scribner's Magazine for August, 1880. +</pre> + <p> + The Boston Recorder published in May, 1839, a detailed statement by Mrs. + Davison concerning her knowledge of "The Manuscript Found." After giving + an account of the writing of the story, her statement continued as + follows:— + </p> + <p> + "Here [in Pittsburg] Mr. Spaulding found a friend and acquaintance in the + person of Mr. Patterson, who was very much pleased with it, and borrowed + it for perusal. He retained it for a long time, and informed Mr. Spaulding + that, if he would make out a title-page and preface, he would publish it, + as it might be a source of profit. This Mr. Spaulding refused to do. + Sidney Rigdon, who has figured so largely in the history of the Mormons, + was at that time connected with the printing office of Mr. Patterson, as + is well known in that region, and, as Rigdon himself has frequently + stated, became acquainted with Mr. Spaulding's manuscript and copied it. + It was a matter of notoriety and interest to all connected with the + printing establishment. At length the manuscript was returned to its + author, and soon after we removed to Amity where Mr. Spaulding deceased in + 1816. The manuscript then fell into my hands, and was carefully + preserved." + </p> + <p> + This statement stirred up the Mormons greatly, and they at once pronounced + the letter a forgery, securing from Mrs. Davison a statement in which she + said that she did not write it. This was met with a counter statement by + the Rev. D. R. Austin that it was made up from notes of a conversation + with her, and was correct. In confirmation of this the Quincy + [Massachusetts] Whig printed a letter from John Haven of Holliston, + Massachusetts, giving a report of a conversation between his son Jesse and + Mrs. Davison concerning this letter, in which she stated that the letter + was substantially correct, and that some of the names used in the Mormon + Bible were like those in her husband's story. Rigdon himself, in a letter + addressed to the Boston Journal, under date of May 27, 1839, denied all + knowledge of Spaulding, and declared that there was no printer named + Patterson in Pittsburg during his residence there, although he knew a + Robert Patterson who had owned a printing-office in that city. The larger + part of his letter is a coarse attack on Hurlbut and also on E. D. Howe, + the author of "Mormonism Unveiled," whose whole family he charged with + scandalous immoralities. If the use of Spaulding's story in the + preparation of the Mormon Bible could be proved by nothing but this letter + of Mrs. Davison, the demonstration would be weak; but this is only one + link in the chain. + </p> + <p> + Howe, in his painstaking efforts to obtain all probable information about + the Mormon origin from original sources, secured the affidavits of eight + of Spaulding's acquaintances in Ohio, giving their recollections of the + "Manuscript Found."* Spaulding's brother, John, testified that he heard + many passages of the manuscript read and, describing it, he said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," pp. 278-287. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "It was an historical romance of the first settlers of America, +endeavoring to show that the American Indians are the descendants of +the Jews, or the lost tribe. It gave a detailed account of their journey +from Jerusalem, by land and sea, till they arrived in America, under the +command of Nephi and Lehi. They afterwards had quarrels and contentions, +and separated into two distinct nations, one of which he denominated +Nephites, and the other Lamanites. Cruel and bloody Wars ensued, in +which great multitudes were slain.... I have recently read the "Book +of Mormon," and to my great surprise I find nearly the same historical +matter, names, etc., as they were in my brother's writings. I well +remember that he wrote in the old style, and commenced about every +sentence with 'and it came to pass,' or 'now it came to pass,' the +same as in the 'Book of Mormon,' and, according to the best of my +recollection and belief, it is the same as my brother Solomon wrote, +with the exception of the religious matter." +</pre> + <p> + John Spaulding's wife testified that she had no doubt that the historical + part of the Bible and the manuscript were the same, and she well recalled + such phrases as "it came to pass." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Spaulding's business partner at Conneaut, Henry Lake, testified that + Spaulding read the manuscript to him many hours, that the story running + through it and the Bible was the same, and he recalls this circumstance: + "One time, when he was reading to me the tragic account of Laban, I + pointed out to him what I considered an inconsistency, which he promised + to correct, but by referring to the 'Book of Mormon,' I find that it + stands there just as he read it to me then.... I well recollect telling + Mr. Spaulding that the so frequent use of the words 'and it came to pass,' + 'now it came to pass,' rendered it ridiculous." + </p> + <p> + John N. Miller, an employee of Spaulding in Ohio, and a boarder in his + family for several months, testified that Spaulding had written more than + one book or pamphlet, that he had heard the author read from the + "Manuscript Found," that he recalled the story running through it, and + added: "I have recently examined the 'Book of Mormon,' and find in it the + writings of Solomon Spaulding, from beginning to end, but mixed up with + Scripture and other religious matter which I did not meet with in the + 'Manuscript Found'.... The names of Nephi, Lehi, Moroni, and in fact all + the principal names, are brought fresh to my recollection by the 'Gold + Bible.'" + </p> + <p> + Practically identical testimony was given by the four other neighbors. + Important additions to this testimony have been made in later years. A + statement by Joseph Miller of Amity, Pennsylvania, a man of standing in + that community, was published in the Pittsburg Telegraph of February 6, + 1879. Mr. Miller said that he was well acquainted with Spaulding when he + lived at Amity, and heard him read most of the "Manuscript Found," and had + read the Mormon Bible in late years to compare the two. On hearing read, + "he says," the account from the book of the battle between the Amlicites + (Book of Alma), in which the soldiers of one army had placed a red mark on + their foreheads to distinguish them from their enemies, it seemed to + reproduce in my mind, not only the narration, but the very words as they + had been impressed on my mind by the reading of Spaulding's manuscript.... + The longer I live, the more firmly I am convinced that Spaulding's + manuscript was appropriated and largely used in getting up the "Book of + Mormon." + </p> + <p> + Redick McKee, a resident of Amity, Pennsylvania, when Spaulding lived + there, and later a resident of Washington, D. C., in a letter to the + Washington [Pennsylvania] Reporter, of April 21, 1869, stated that he + heard Spaulding read from his manuscript, and added: "I have an indistinct + recollection of the passage referred to by Mr. Miller about the Amlicites + making a cross with red paint on their foreheads to distinguish them from + enemies in battle." + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Abner Judson, of Canton, Ohio, wrote for the Washington County, + Pennsylvania, Historical Society, under date of December 20, 1880, an + account of his recollections of the Spaulding manuscript, and it was + printed in the Washington [Pennsylvania] Reporter of January 7, 1881. + Spaulding read a large part of his manuscript to Mr. Judson's father + before the author moved to Pittsburg, and the son, confined to the house + with a lameness, heard the reading and the accompanying conversations. He + says: "He wrote it in the Bible style. 'And it came to pass,' occurred so + often that some called him 'Old Come-to-pass.' The 'Book of Mormons' + follows the romance too closely to be a stranger.... When it was brought + to Conneaut and read there in public, old Esquire Wright heard it and + exclaimed, 'Old Come-to-pass' has come to life again."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Fuller extracts from the testimony of these later witnesses +will be found in Robert Patterson's pamphlet, "Who wrote the Book of +Mormon," reprinted from the "History of Washington County, Pa." +</pre> + <p> + The testimony of so many witnesses, so specific in its details, seems to + prove the identity of Spaulding's story and the story running through the + Mormon Bible. The late President James H. Fairchild of Oberlin, Ohio, + whose pamphlet on the subject we shall next examine, admits that "if we + could accept without misgiving the testimony of the eight witnesses + brought forward in Howe's book, we should be obliged to accept the fact of + another manuscript" (than the one which President Fairchild secured); but + he thinks there is some doubt about the effect on the memory of these + witnesses of the lapse of years and the reading of the new Bible before + they recalled the original story. It must be remembered, however, that + this resemblance was recalled as soon as they heard the story of the new + Bible, and there seems no ground on which to trace a theory that it was + the Bible which originated in their minds the story ascribed to the + manuscript. + </p> + <p> + The defenders of the Mormon Bible as an original work received great + comfort some fifteen years ago by the announcement that the original + manuscript of Spaulding's "Manuscript Found" had been discovered in the + Sandwich Islands and brought to this country, and that its narrative bore + no resemblance to the Bible story. The history of this second manuscript + is as follows: E. D. Howe sold his printing establishment at Painesville, + Ohio, to L. L. Rice, who was an antislavery editor there for many years. + Mr. Rice afterward moved to the Sandwich Islands, and there he was + requested by President Fairchild to look over his old papers to see if he + could not find some antislavery matter that would be of value to the + Oberlin College library. One result of his search was an old manuscript + bearing the following certificate: 'The writings of Solomon Spaulding,' + proved by Aaron Wright, Oliver Smith, John N. Miller and others. The + testimonies of the above gentlemen are now in my possession. + </p> + <p> + "D. P. HURLBUT." + </p> + <p> + President Fairchild in a paper on this subject which has been published* + gives a description of this manuscript (it has been printed by the + Reorganized Church at Lamoni, Iowa), which shows that it bears no + resemblance to the Bible story. But the assumption that this proves that + the Bible story is original fails immediately in view of the fact that Mr. + Howe made no concealment of his possession of this second manuscript. + Hurlbut was in Howe's service when he asked Mrs. Davison for an order for + the manuscript, and he gave to Howe, as the result of his visit, the + manuscript which Rice gave to President Fairchild. Howe in his book (p. + 288) describes this manuscript substantially as does President Fairchild, + saying:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Manuscript of Solomon Spaulding and the 'Book of Mormon,'" +Tract No. 77, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio. +</pre> + <p> + "This is a romance, purporting to have been translated from the Latin, + found on twenty-four rolls of parchment in a cave on the banks of Conneaut + Creek, but written in a modern style, and giving a fabulous account of a + ship's being driven upon the American coast, while proceeding from Rome to + Britain, a short time pious to the Christian era, this country then being + inhabited by the Indians."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe says in his book, "The fact that Spaulding in the latter +part of his life inclined to infidelity is established by a letter in +his handwriting now in our possession." This letter was given by Rice +with the other manuscript to President Fairchild (who reproduces it), +thus adding to the proof that the Rice manuscript is the one Hurlbut +delivered to Howe. +</pre> + <p> + Mr. Howe adds this important statement:— + </p> + <p> + "This old manuscript has been shown to several of the foregoing witnesses, + who recognize it as Spaulding's, he having told them that he had altered + his first plan of writing, by going further back with dates, and writing + in the old scripture style, in order that it might appear more ancient. + They say that it bears no resemblance to the 'Manuscript Found.'" + </p> + <p> + If Howe had considered this manuscript of the least importance as + invalidating the testimony showing the resemblance between the "Manuscript + Found" and the Mormon Bible, he would have destroyed it (if he was the + malignant falsifier the Mormons represented him to be), and not have first + described it in his book; and then left it to be found by any future owner + of his effects. Its rediscovery has been accepted, however, even by some + non-Mormons, as proof that the Mormon Bible is an original production.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Preface to "The Mormon Prophet," Lily Dugall. +</pre> + <p> + Mrs. Ellen E. Dickenson, a great-niece of Spaulding, who has painstakingly + investigated the history of the much-discussed manuscript, visited D. P. + Hurlbut at his home near Gibsonburg, Ohio, in 1880 (he died in 1882), + taking with her Oscar Kellogg, a lawyer, as a witness to the interview.* + She says that her visit excited him greatly. He told of getting a + manuscript for Mr. Howe at Hartwick, and said he thought it was burned + with other of Mr. Howe's papers. When asked, "Was it Spaulding's + manuscript that was burned?" he replied: "Mrs. Davison thought it was; but + when I just peeked into it, here and there, and saw the names Mormon, + Moroni, Lamanite, Lephi, I thought it was all nonsense. Why, if it had + been the real one, I could have sold it for $3000;** but I just gave it to + Howe because it was of no account." During the interview his wife was + present, and when Mrs. Dickenson pressed him with the question, "Do you + know where the 'Manuscript Found' is at the present time?" Mrs. Hurlbut + went up to him and said, "Tell her what you know." She got no satisfactory + answer, but he afterward forwarded to her an affidavit saying that he had + obtained of Mrs. Davison a manuscript supposing it to be Spaulding's + "Manuscript Found," adding: "I did not examine the manuscript until after + I got home, when upon examination I found it to contain nothing of the + kind, but being a manuscript upon an entirely different subject. This + manuscript I left with E. D. Howe." + </p> + <p> + With this presentation of the evidence showing the similarity between + Spaulding's story and the Mormon Bible narrative, we may next examine the + grounds for believing that Sidney Rigdon was connected with the production + of the Bible. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A full account of this interview is given in her book, "New +Light on Mormonism" (1885). +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** There have been surmises that Hurlbut also found the +"Manuscript Found" in the trunk and sold this to the Mormons. He sent a +specific denial of this charge to Robert Patterson in 1879. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. — SIDNEY RIGDON + </h2> + <p> + The man who had more to do with founding the Mormon church than Joseph + Smith, Jr., even if we exclude any share in the production of the Mormon + Bible, and yet who is unknown even by name to most persons to whom the + names of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young are familiar, was Sidney Rigdon. + Elder John Hyde, Jr., was well within the truth when he wrote: "The + compiling genius of Mormonism was Sidney Rigdon. Smith had boisterous + impetuosity but no foresight. Polygamy was not the result of his policy + but of his passions. Sidney gave point, direction, and apparent + consistency to the Mormon system of theology. He invented its forms and + the manner of its arguments.... Had it not been for the accession of these + two men [Rigdon and Parley P. Pratt] Smith would have been lost, and his + schemes frustrated and abandoned."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism: Its Leaders and Designs" (1857). Hyde, an +Englishman, joined the Mormons in that country when a lad and began to +preach almost at once. He sailed for this country in 1853 and joined the +brethren in Salt Lake City. Brigham Young's rule upset his faith, and he +abandoned the belief in 1854. Even H. H. Bancroft concedes him to have +been "an able and honest man, sober and sincere." +</pre> + <p> + Rigdon (according to the sketch of him presented in Smith's + autobiography,* which he doubtless wrote) was born in St. Clair township, + Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on February 19, 1793. His father was a + farmer, and he lived on the farm, receiving only a limited education, + until he was twenty-six years old. He then connected himself with the + Baptist church, and received a license to preach. Selecting Ohio as his + field, he continued his work in rural districts in that state until 1821, + when he accepted a call to a small Baptist church in Pittsburg. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, Supt. +</pre> + <p> + Twenty years before the publication of the Mormon Bible, Thomas and + Alexander Campbell, Scotchmen, had founded a congregation in Washington + County, Pennsylvania, out of which grew the religious denomination known + as Disciples of Christ, or Campbellites, whose communicants in the United + States numbered 871,017 in the year 1890. The fundamental principle of + their teaching was that every doctrine of belief, or maxim of duty, must + rest upon the authority of Scripture, expressed or implied, all human + creeds being rejected. The Campbells (who had been first Presbyterians and + then Baptists) were wonderful orators and convincing debaters out of the + pulpit, and they drew to themselves many of the most eloquent exhorters in + what was then the western border of the United States. Among their allies + was another Scotchman, Walter Scott, a musician and schoolteacher by + profession, who assisted them in their newspaper work and became a noted + evangelist in their denomination. During a visit to Pittsburg in 1823, + Scott made Rigdon's acquaintance, and a little later the flocks to which + each preached were united. In August, 1824, Rigdon announced his + withdrawal from his church. Regarding his withdrawal the sketch in Smith's + autobiography says:— + </p> + <p> + "After he had been in that place [Pittsburg] some time, his mind was + troubled and much perplexed with the idea that the doctrines maintained by + that society were not altogether in accordance with the Scriptures. This + thing continued to agitate his mind more and more, and his reflections on + these occasions were particularly trying; for, according to his view of + the word of God, no other church with whom he could associate, or that he + was acquainted with, was right; consequently, if he was to disavow the + doctrine of the church with whom he was then associated, he knew of no + other way of obtaining a living, except by manual labor, and at that time + he had a wife and three children to support." + </p> + <p> + For two years after he gave up his church connection he worked as a + journeyman tanner. This is all the information obtainable about this part + of his life. We next find him preaching at Bainbridge, Ohio, as an + undenominational exhorter, but following the general views of the + Campbells, advising his hearers to reject their creeds and rest their + belief solely on the Bible. + </p> + <p> + In June, 1826, Rigdon received a call to a Baptist church at Mentor, Ohio, + whose congregation he had pleased when he preached the funeral sermon of + his predecessor. His labors were not confined, however, to this + congregation. We find him acting as the "stated" minister of a Disciples' + church organized at Mantua, Ohio, in 1827, preaching with Thomas Campbell + at Shalersville, Ohio, in 1828, and thus extending the influence he had + acquired as early as 1820, when Alexander Campbell called him "the great + orator of the Mahoning Association". In 1828 he visited his old associate + Scott, was further confirmed in his faith in the Disciples' belief, and, + taking his brother-in-law Bentley back with him, they began revival work + at Mentor, which led to the conversion of more than fifty of their + hearers. They held services at Kirtland, Ohio, with equal success, and the + story of this awakening was the main subject of discussion in all the + neighborhood round about. The sketch of Rigdon in Smith's autobiography + closes with this tribute to his power as a preacher: "The churches where + he preached were no longer large enough to contain the vast assemblies. No + longer did he follow the old beaten track,... but dared to enter on new + grounds,... threw new light on the sacred volume,... proved to a + demonstration the literal fulfilment of prophecy...and the reign of Christ + with his Saints on the earth in the Millennium." + </p> + <p> + In tracing Rigdon's connection with Smith's enterprise, attention must be + carefully paid both to Rigdon's personal characteristics, and to the + resemblance between the doctrines he had taught in the pulpit and those + that appear in the Mormon Bible. + </p> + <p> + Rigdon's mental and religious temperament was just of the character to be + attracted by a novelty in religious belief. He, with his brother-in-law, + Adamson Bentley, visited Alexander Campbell in 1821, and spent a whole + night in religious discussion. When they parted the next day, Rigdon + declared that "if he had within the last year promulgated one error, he + had a thousand," and Mr. Campbell, in his account of the interview, + remarked, "I found it expedient to caution them not to begin to pull down + anything they had builded until they had reviewed, again and again, what + they had heard; not even then rashly and without much consideration."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Harbinger, 1848, p. 523. +</pre> + <p> + A leading member of the church at Mantua has written, "Sidney Rigdon + preached for us, and, notwithstanding his extravagantly wild freaks, he + was held in high repute by many."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Early History of the Disciples' Church in the Western +Reserve," by A: S. Hayden (1876), p. 239. +</pre> + <p> + An important church discussion occurred at Warren, Ohio, in 1828. + Following out the idea of the literal interpretation of the Scriptures + taught in the Disciples' church, Rigdon sprung on the meeting an argument + in favor of a community of goods, holding that the apostles established + this system at Jerusalem, and that the modern church, which rested on + their example, must follow them. Alexander Campbell, who was present, at + once controverted this position, showing that the apostles, as narrated in + Acts, "sold their possessions" instead of combining them for a profit, and + citing Bible texts to prove that no "community system" existed in the + early church. This argument carried the meeting, and Rigdon left the + assemblage, embittered against Campbell beyond forgiveness. To a brother + in Warren, on his way home, he declared, "I have done as much in this + reformation as Campbell or Scott, and yet they get all the honor of it." + This claim is set forth specifically in the sketch of Rigdon in Smith's + autobiography. Referring to Rigdon and Alexander Campbell, this statement + is there made:— + </p> + <p> + "After they had separated from the different churches, these gentlemen + were on terms of the greatest friendship, and frequently met together to + discuss the subject of religion, being yet undetermined respecting the + principles of the doctrine of Christ or what course to pursue. However, + from this connection sprung up a new church in the world, known by the + name of 'Campbellites'; they call themselves 'Disciples.' The reason why + they were called Campbellites was in consequence of Mr. Campbell's + periodical, above mentioned [the Christian Baptist], and it being the + means through which they communicated their sentiments to the world; other + than this, Mr. Campbell was no more the originator of the sect than Elder + Rigdon." + </p> + <p> + Rigdon's bitterness against the Campbells and his old church more than + once manifested itself in his later writings. For instance, in an article + in the Messenger and Advocate (Kirtland), of June, 1837, he said: "One + thing has been done by the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. It has + puked the Campbellites effectually; no emetic could have done so half as + well.... The Book of Mormon has revealed the secrets of Campbellism and + unfolded the end of the system." In this jealousy of the Campbells, and + the discomfiture as a leader which he received at their hands, we find a + sufficient object for Rigdon's desertion of his old church associations + and desire to build up something, the discovery of which he could claim, + and the government of which he could control. + </p> + <p> + To understand the strength of the argument that the doctrinal teachings of + the Mormon Bible were the work of a Disciples' preacher rather than of the + ne'er-do-well Smith, it is only necessary to examine the teachings of the + Disciples' church in Ohio at that time. The investigator will be startled + by the resemblance between what was then taught to and believed by + Disciples' congregations and the leading beliefs of the Mormon Bible. In + the following examples of this the illustrations of Disciples' beliefs and + teachings are taken from Hayden's "Early History of the Disciples' Church + in the Western Reserve." + </p> + <p> + The literal interpretation of the Scriptures, on which the Mormon + defenders of their faith so largely depend,—as for explanations of + modern revelations, miracles, and signs,—was preached to so extreme + a point by Ohio Disciples that Alexander Campbell had to combat them in + his Millennial Harbinger. An outcome of this literal interpretation was a + belief in a speedy millennium, another fundamental belief of the early + Mormon church. "The hope of the millennial glory," says Hayden, "was based + on many passages of the Holy Scriptures.... Millennial hymns were learned + and sung with a joyful fervor.... It is surprising even now, as memory + returns to gather up these interesting remains of that mighty work, to + recall the thorough and extensive knowledge which the convert quickly + obtained. Nebuchadnezzar's vision... many portions of the Revelation were + so thoroughly studied that they became the staple of the common talk." + Rigdon's old Pittsburg friend, Scott, in his report as evangelist to the + church association at Warren in 1828, said: "Individuals eminently skilled + in the word of God, the history of the world, and the progress of human + improvements see reasons to expect great changes, much greater than have + yet occurred, and which shall give to political society and to the church + a different, a very different, complexion from what many anticipate. The + millennium—the millennium described in the Scriptures—will + doubtless be a wonder, a terrible wonder, to all." + </p> + <p> + Disciples' preachers understood that they spoke directly for God, just as + Smith assumed to do in his "revelations." Referring to the preaching of + Rigdon and Bentley, after a visit to Scott in March, 1828, Hayden says, + "They spoke with authority, for the word which they delivered was not + theirs, but that of Jesus Christ." The Disciples, like the Mormons, at + that time looked for the return of the Jews to Jerusalem. Scott* was an + enthusiastic preacher of this. "The fourteenth chapter of Zechariah," says + Hayden, "was brought forward in proof—all considered as literal—that + the most marvellous and stupendous physical and climatic changes were to + be wrought in Palestine; and that Jesus Christ the Messiah was to reign + literally in Jerusalem, and in Mount Zion, and before his ancients, + gloriously." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "In a letter to Dr. Richardson, written in 1830, he [Scott] +says the book of Elias Smith on the prophecies is the only sensible +work on that subject he had seen. He thinks this and Crowley on the +Apocalypse all the student of the Bible wants. He strongly commends +Smith's book to the doctor. This seems to be the origin of millennial +views among us. Rigdon, who always caught and proclaimed the last word +that fell from the lips of Scott or Campbell, seized these views (about +the millennium and the Jews) and, with the wildness of his extravagant +nature, heralded them everywhere."—"Early History of the Disciples' +Church in the Western Reserve," p. 186. +</pre> + <p> + Campbell taught that "creeds are but statements, with few exceptions, of + doctrinal opinion or speculators' views of philosophical or dogmatic + subjects, and tended to confusion, disunion, and weakness." Orson Pratt, + in his "Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon," thus stated the early + Mormon view on the same subject: "If any man or council, without the aid + of immediate revelation, shall undertake to decide upon such subjects, and + prescribe 'articles of faith' or 'creeds' to govern the belief or views of + others, there will be thousands of well-meaning people who will not have + confidence in the productions of these fallible men, and, therefore, frame + creeds of their own.... In this way contentions arise." + </p> + <p> + Finally, attention may be directed to the emphatic declarations of the + Disciples' doctrine of baptism in the Mormon Bible:— + </p> + <p> + "Ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize + them.... And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again + out of the water."—3 Nephi Xi. 23, 26. + </p> + <p> + "I know that it is solemn mockery before God that ye should baptize little + children.... He that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the + gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, + hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, + he must go down to hell. For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God + saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he + hath no baptism."—Moroni viii. 9, xc, 15. + </p> + <p> + There are but three conclusions possible from all this: that the Mormon + Bible was a work of inspiration, and that the agreement of its doctrines + with Disciples' belief only proves the correctness of the latter; that + Smith, in writing his doctrinal views, hit on the Disciples' tenets by + chance (he had had no opportunity whatever to study them); or, finally, + that some Disciple, learned in the church, supplied these doctrines to + him. + </p> + <p> + Advancing another step in the examination of Rigdon's connection with the + scheme, we find that even the idea of a new Bible was common belief among + the Ohio Disciples who listened to Scott's teaching. Describing Scott's + preaching in the winter of 1827-1828, Hayden says:— + </p> + <p> + "He contended ably for the restoration of the true, original apostolic + order which would restore to the church the ancient gospel as preached by + the apostles. The interest became an excitement;... the air was thick with + rumors of a 'new religion,' a 'new Bible.'" + </p> + <p> + Next we may cite two witnesses to show that Rigdon had a knowledge of + Smith's Bible in advance of its publication. His brother-in-law, Bentley, + in a letter to Walter Scott dated January 22, 1841, said, "I know that + Sidney Rigdon told me there was a book coming out, the manuscript of which + had been found engraved on gold plates, as much as two years before the + Mormon book made its appearance or had been heard of by me."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Harbinger, 1844, p. 39. The Rev. Alexander Campbell +testified that this conversation took place in his presence. +</pre> + <p> + One of the elders of the Disciples' church was Darwin Atwater, a farmer, + who afterward occupied the pulpit, and of whom Hayden says, "The + uniformity of his life, his undeviating devotion, his high and consistent + manliness and superiority of judgment, gave him an undisputed preeminence + in the church." In a letter to Hayden, dated April 26, 1873, Mr. Atwater + said of Rigdon: "For a few months before his professed conversion to + Mormonism it was noticed that his wild extravagant propensities had been + more marked. That he knew before the coming of the Book of Mormon is to me + certain from what he said during the first of his visits at my father's, + some years before. He gave a wonderful description of the mounds and other + antiquities found in some parts of America, and said that they must have + been made by the aborigines. He said there was a book to be published + containing an account of those things. He spoke of these in his eloquent, + enthusiastic style, as being a thing most extraordinary. Though a youth + then, I took him to task for expending so much enthusiasm on such a + subject instead of things of the Gospel. In all my intercourse with him + afterward he never spoke of antiquities, or of the wonderful book that + should give account of them, till the Book of Mormon really was published. + He must have thought I was not the man to reveal that to."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Early History of the Disciples' Church in the Western +Reserve," p. 239. +</pre> + <p> + Dr. Storm Rosa, a leading physician of Ohio, in, a letter to the Rev. John + Hall of Ashtabula, written in 1841, said: "In the early part of the year + 1830 I was in company with Sidney Rigdon, and rode with him on horseback + for a few miles.... He remarked to me that it was time for a new religion + to spring up; that mankind were all right and ready for it."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Gleanings by the Way," p. 315. +</pre> + <p> + Having thus established the identity of the story running through the + Spaulding manuscript and the historical part of the Mormon Bible, the + agreement of the doctrinal part of the latter with what was taught at the + time by Rigdon and his fellow-workers in Ohio, and Rigdon's previous + knowledge of the coming book, we are brought to the query: How did the + Spaulding manuscript become incorporated in the Mormon Bible? + </p> + <p> + It could have been so incorporated in two ways: either by coming into the + possession of Rigdon and being by him copied and placed in Smith's hands + for "translation," with the theological parts added;* or by coming into + possession of Smith in his wanderings around the neighborhood of Hartwick, + and being shown by him to Rigdon. Every aspect of this matter has been + discussed by Mormon and non-Mormon writers, and it can only be said that + definite proof is lacking. Mormon disputants set forth that Spaulding + moved from Pittsburg to Amity in 1814, and that Rigdon's first visit to + Pittsburg occurred in 1822. On the other hand, evidence is offered that + Rigdon was a "hanger around" Patterson's printing-office, where Spaulding + offered his manuscript, before the year 1816, and the Rev. John Winter, + M.D., who taught school in Pittsburg when Rigdon preached there, and knew + him well, recalled that Rigdon showed him a large manuscript which he said + a Presbyterian minister named Spaulding had brought to the city for + publication. Dr. Winter's daughter wrote to Robert Patterson on April 5, + 1881: "I have frequently heard my father speak of Rigdon having + Spaulding's manuscript, and that he had gotten it from the printers to + read it as a curiosity; as such he showed it to father, and at that time + Rigdon had no intention of making the use of it that he afterward did." + Mrs. Ellen E. Dickenson, in a report of a talk with General and Mrs. + Garfield on the subject at Mentor, Ohio, in 1880, reports Mrs. Garfield as + saying "that her father told her that Rigdon in his youth lived in that + neighborhood, and made mysterious journeys to Pittsburg."*** She also + quotes a statement by Mrs. Garfield's** father, Z. Rudolph, "that during + the winter previous to the appearance of the Book of Mormon, Rigdon was in + the habit of spending weeks away from his home, going no one knew + where."**** Tucker says that in the summer of 1827 "a mysterious stranger + appears at Smith's residence, and holds private interviews with the + far-famed money-digger.... It was observed by some of Smith's nearest + neighbors that his visits were frequently repeated." Again, when the + persons interested in the publication of the Bible were so alarmed by the + abstraction of pages of the translation by Mrs. Harris, "the reappearance + of the mysterious stranger at Smith's was," he says, "the subject of + inquiry and conjecture by observers from whom was withheld all explanation + of his identity or purpose."***** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Rigdon has not been in full fellowship with Smith for more +than a year. He has been in his turn cast aside by Joe to make room for +some new dupe or knave who, perhaps, has come with more money. He +has never been deceived by Joe. I have no doubt that Rigdon was the +originator of the system, and, fearing for its success, put Joe forward +as a sort of fool in the play."—Letter from a resident near Nauvoo, +quoted in the postscript to Caswall's "City of the Mormons". (1843) +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For a collection of evidence on this subject, see Patterson's +"Who Wrote the Mormon Bible?" +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Scribner's Magazine," October, 1881. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** "New Light on Mormonism," p. 252. +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + In a historical inquiry of this kind, it is more important to establish + the fact that a certain thing WAS DONE than to prove just HOW or WHEN it + was done. The entire narrative of the steps leading up to the announcement + of a new Bible, including Smith's first introduction to the use of a + "peek-stone" and his original employment of it, the changes made in the + original version of the announcement to him of buried plates, and the + final production of a book, partly historical and partly theological, + shows that there was behind Smith some directing mind, and the only one of + his associates in the first few years of the church's history who could + have done the work required was Sidney Rigdon. + </p> + <p> + President Fairchild, in his paper on the Spaulding manuscript already + referred to, while admitting that "it is perhaps impossible at this day to + prove or disprove the Spaulding theory," finds any argument against the + assumption that Rigdon supplied the doctrinal part of the new Bible, in + the view that "a man as self-reliant and smart as Rigdon, with a + superabundant gift of tongue and every form of utterance, would never have + accepted the servile task of mere interpolation; there could have been no + motive to it." This only shows that President Fairchild wrote without + knowledge of the whole subject, with ignorance of the motives which did + exist for Rigdon's conduct, and without means of acquainting himself with + Rigdon's history during his association with Smith. Some of his motives we + have already ascertained: We shall find that, almost from the beginning of + their removal to Ohio, Smith held him in a subjection which can be + explained only on the theory that Rigdon, the prominent churchman, had + placed himself completely in the power of the unprincipled Smith, and + that, instead of exhibiting self-reliance, he accepted insult after insult + until, just before Smith's death, he was practically without influence in + the church; and when the time came to elect Smith's successor, he was + turned out-of-doors by Brigham Young with the taunting words, "Brother + Sidney says he will tell our secrets, but I would say, 'O don't, Brother + Sidney! Don't tell our secrets—O don't.' But if he tells our secrets + we will tell his. Tit for tat!" President Fairchild's argument that + several of the original leaders of the fanaticism must have been "adequate + to the task" of supplying the doctrinal part of the book, only furnishes + additional proof of his ignorance of early Mormon history, and his further + assumption that "it is difficult—almost impossible—to believe + that the religious sentiments of the Book of Mormon were wrought into + interpolation" brings him into direct conflict, as we shall see, with + Professor Whitsitt,* a much better equipped student of the subject. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Post, pp. 92. 93. +</pre> + <p> + If it should be questioned whether a man of Rigdon's church connection + would deliberately plan such a fraudulent scheme as the production of the + Mormon Bible, the inquiry may be easily satisfied. One of the first tasks + which Smith and Rigdon undertook, as soon as Rigdon openly joined Smith in + New York State, was the preparation of what they called a new translation + of the Scriptures. This work was undertaken in conformity with a + "revelation" to Smith and Rigdon, dated December, 1830 (Sec. 35, "Doctrine + and Covenants") in which Sidney was told, "And a commandment I give unto + thee, that thou shalt write for him; and the Scriptures shall be given, + even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect." + The "translating" was completed in Ohio, and the manuscript, according to + Smith, "was sealed up, no more to be opened till it arrived in Zion."* + This work was at first kept as a great secret, and Smith and Rigdon moved + to the house of a resident of Hiram township, Portage County, Ohio, thirty + miles from Kirtland, in September, 1831, to carry it on; but the secret + soon got out. The preface to the edition of the book published at Plano, + Illinois, in 1867, under the title, "The Holy Scriptures translated and + corrected by the Spirit of Revelation, by Joseph Smith, Jr., the Seer," + says that the manuscript remained in the hands of the prophet's widow from + the time of his death until 1866, when it was delivered to a committee of + the Reorganized Mormon conference for publication. Some of its chapters + were known to Mormon readers earlier, since Corrill gives the + twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew in his historical sketch, which was dated + 1839. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millenial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 361. +</pre> + <p> + The professed object of the translation was to restore the Scriptures to + their original purity and beauty, the Mormon Bible declaring that "many + plain and precious parts" had been taken from them. The real object, + however, was to add to the sacred writings a prediction of Joseph Smith's + coming as a prophet, which would increase his authority and support the + pretensions of the new Bible. That this was Rigdon's scheme is apparent + from the fact that it was announced as soon as he visited Smith, and was + carried on under his direction, and that the manuscript translation was + all in his handwriting.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Wyl's "Mormon Portraits," p.124. +</pre> + <p> + Extended parts of the translation do not differ at all from the King James + version, and many of the changes are verbal and inconsequential. Rigdon's + object appears in the changes made in the fiftieth chapter of Genesis, and + the twenty-ninth chapter of Isaiah. In the King James version the fiftieth + chapter of Genesis contains twenty-six verses, and ends with the words, + "So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed + him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt." In the Smith-Rigdon version + this chapter contains thirty-eight verses, the addition representing + Joseph as telling his brethren that a branch of his people shall be + carried into a far country and that a seer shall be given to them, "and + that seer will I bless, and they that seek to destroy him shall be + confounded; for this promise I give unto you; for I will remember you from + generation to generation; and his name shall be called Joseph. And he + shall have judgment, and shall write the word of the Lord." + </p> + <p> + The twenty-ninth chapter of Isaiah is similarly expanded from twenty-four + short to thirty-two long verses. Verses eleven and twelve of the King + James version read:— + </p> + <p> + "And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is + sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I + pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed. + </p> + <p> + "And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, + I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned." + </p> + <p> + The Smith-Rigdon version expands this as follows:—"11. And it shall + come to pass, that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a + book; and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered. + </p> + <p> + "12. And behold, the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a + revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending + thereof. + </p> + <p> + "13. Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things + which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and + abominations of the people. Wherefore, the book shall be kept from them. + </p> + <p> + "14. But the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall deliver the + words of the book, which are the words of those who have slumbered in the + dust; and he shall deliver these words unto another, but the words that + are sealed he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book. + </p> + <p> + "15. For the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation + which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the + Lord, that they may come forth; for, behold, they reveal all things from + the foundation of the world unto the end thereof." + </p> + <p> + No one will question that a Rigdon who would palm off such a fraudulent + work as this upon the men who looked to him as a religious teacher would + hesitate to suggest to Smith the scheme for a new Bible. During the work + of translation, as we learn from Smith's autobiography, the translators + saw a wonderful vision, in which they "beheld the glory of the Son on the + right hand of the Father," and holy angels, and the glory of the worlds, + terrestrial and celestial. Soon after this they received an explanation + from heaven of some obscure texts in Revelation. Thus, the sea of glass + (iv. 6) "is the earth in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state"; by + the little book which was eaten by John (chapter x) "we are to understand + that it was a mission and an ordinance for him to gather the tribes of + Israel." + </p> + <p> + It may be added that this translation is discarded by the modern Mormon + church in Utah. The Deseret Evening News, the church organ at Salt Lake + City, said on February 21, 1900:— + </p> + <p> + "The translation of the Bible, referred to by our correspondents, has not + been adopted by this church as authoritative. It is understood that the + Prophet Joseph intended before its publication to subject the manuscript + to an entire examination, for such revision as might be deemed necessary. + Be that as it may, the work has not been published under the auspices of + this church, and is, therefore, not held out as a guide. For the present, + the version of the scriptures commonly known as King James's translation + is used, and the living oracles are the expounders of the written word." + </p> + <p> + We may anticipate the course of our narrative in order to show how much + confirmation of Rigdon's connection with the whole Mormon scheme is + furnished by the circumstances attending the first open announcement of + his acceptance of the Mormon literature and faith. We are first introduced + to Parley P. Pratt, sometime tin peddler, and a lay preacher to rural + congregations in Ohio when occasion offered. Pratt in his autobiography + tells of the joy with which he heard Rigdon preach, at his home in Ohio, + doctrines of repentance and baptism which were the "ancient gospel" that + he (Pratt) had "discovered years before, but could find no one to minister + in"; of a society for worship which he and others organized; of his + decision, acting under the influence of the Gospel and prophecies "as they + had been opened to him," to abandon the home he had built up, and to set + out on a mission "for the Gospel's sake"; and of a trip to New York State, + where he was shown the Mormon Bible. "As I read," he says, "the spirit of + the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true." + </p> + <p> + Pratt was at once commissioned, "by revelation and the laying on of + hands," to preach the new Gospel, and was sent, also by "revelation" (Sec. + 32, "Doctrine and Covenants"), along with Cowdery, Z. Peterson, and Peter + Whitmer, Jr., "into the wilderness among the Lamanites." Pratt and Cowdery + went direct to Rigdon's house in Mentor, where they stayed a week. Pratt's + own account says: "We called on Mr. Rigdon, my former friend and + instructor in the Reformed Baptist Society. He received us cordially, and + entertained us with hospitality."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Autobiography of P. P. Pratt," p. 49. +</pre> + <p> + In Smith's autobiography it is stated that Rigdon's visitors presented the + Mormon Bible to him as a revelation from God, and what followed is thus + described:— + </p> + <p> + "This being the first time he had ever heard of or seen the Book of + Mormon, he felt very much prejudiced at the assertion, and replied that + 'he had one Bible which he believed was a revelation from God, and with + which he pretended to have some acquaintance; but with respect to the book + they had presented him, he must say HE HAD SOME CONSIDERABLE DOUBT' Upon + which they expressed a desire to investigate the subject and argue the + matter; but he replied, 'No, young gentlemen, you must not argue with me + on the subject. But I will read your book, and see what claim it has upon + my faith, and will endeavor to ascertain whether it be a revelation from + God or not'. After some further conversation on the subject, they + expressed a desire to lay the subject before the people, and requested the + privilege of preaching in Elder Rigdon's church, TO WHICH HE READILY + CONSENTED. The appointment was accordingly published, and a large and + respectable congregation assembled. Oliver Cowdery and Parley P. Pratt + severally addressed the meeting. At the conclusion Elder Rigdon arose and + stated to the congregation that the information they that evening had + received was of an extraordinary character, and certainly demanded their + most serious consideration; and, as the apostle advised his brethren 'to + prove all things and hold fast that which is good,' so he would exhort his + brethren to do likewise, and give the matter a careful investigation, and + NOT TURN AGAINST IT, WITHOUT BEING FULLY CONVINCED OF ITS BEING AN + IMPOSITION, LEST THEY SHOULD POSSIBLY RESIST THE TRUTH." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 47. +</pre> + <p> + Accepting this as a correct report of what occurred (and we may consider + it from Rigdon's pen), we find a clergyman who was a fellow-worker with + men like Campbell and Scott expressing only "considerable doubt" of the + inspiration of a book presented to him as a new Bible, "readily + consenting" to the use of his church by the sponsors for this book, and, + at the close of their arguments, warning his people against rejecting it + too readily "lest they resist the truth"! Unless all these are + misstatements, there seems to be little necessity of further proof that + Rigdon was prepared in advance for the reception of the Mormon Bible. + </p> + <p> + After this came the announcement of the conversion and baptism by the + Mormon missionaries of a "family" of seventeen persons living in some sort + of a "community" system, between Mentor and Kirtland. Rigdon, who had + merely explained to his neighbors that his visitors were "on a curious + mission," expressed disapproval of this at first, and took Cowdery to task + for asserting that his own conversion to the new belief was due to a visit + from an angel. But, two days later, Rigdon himself received an angel's + visit, and the next Sunday, with his wife, was baptized into the new + faith. + </p> + <p> + Rigdon, of course, had to answer many inquiries on his return to Ohio from + a visit to Smith which soon followed his conversion, but his policy was + indignant reticence whenever pressed to any decisive point. To an old + acquaintance who, after talking the matter over with him at his house, + remarked that the Koran of Mohammed stood on as good evidence as the Bible + of Smith, Rigdon replied: "Sir, you have insulted me in my own house. I + command silence. If people come to see us and cannot treat us civilly, + they can walk out of the door as soon as they please."* Thomas Campbell + sent a long letter to Rigdon under date of February 4, 1831, in which he + addressed him as "for many years not only a courteous and benevolent + friend, but a beloved brother and fellow-laborer in the Gospel—but + alas! how changed, how fallen." Accepting a recent offer of Rigdon in one + of his sermons to give his reasons for his new belief, Mr. Campbell + offered to meet him in public discussion, even outlining the argument he + would offer, under nine headings, that Rigdon might be prepared to refute + it, proposing to take his stand on the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures, + Smith's bad character, the absurdities of the Mormon Bible and of the + alleged miraculous "gifts," and the objections to the "common property" + plan and the rebaptizing of believers. Rigdon, after glancing over a few + lines of this letter, threw it into the fire unanswered.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 112. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., p. 116-123. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. — "THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL" + </h2> + <p> + Having presented the evidence which shows that the historical part of the + Mormon Bible was supplied by the Spaulding manuscript, we may now pay + attention to other evidence, which indicates that the entire conception of + a revelation of golden plates by an angel was not even original, and also + that its suggestor was Rigdon. This is a subject which has been overlooked + by investigators of the Mormon Bible. + </p> + <p> + That the idea of the revelation as described by Smith in his autobiography + was not original is shown by the fact that a similar divine message, + engraved on plates, was announced to have been received from an angel + nearly six hundred years before the alleged visit of an angel to Smith. + These original plates were described as of copper, and the recipient was a + monk named Cyril, from whom their contents passed into the possession of + the Abbot Joachim, whose "Everlasting Gospel," founded thereon, was + offered to the church as supplanting the New Testament, just as the New + Testament had supplanted the Old, and caused so serious a schism that Pope + Alexander IV took the severest measures against it.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Draper's "Intellectual Development of Europe," Vol. II, Chap. +III. For an exhaustive essay on the "Everlasting Gospel," by Renan, +see Revue des Deux Mondes, June, 1866. For John of Parma's part in the +Gospel, see "Histoire Litteraire de la France" (1842), Vol. XX, p. 24. +</pre> + <p> + The evidence that the history of the "Everlasting Gospel" of the + thirteenth century supplied the idea of the Mormon Bible lies not only in + the resemblance between the celestial announcement of both, but in the + fact that both were declared to have the same important purport—as a + forerunner of the end of the world—and that the name "Everlasting + Gospel" was adopted and constantly used in connection with their message + by the original leaders in the Mormon church. + </p> + <p> + If it is asked, How could Rigdon become acquainted with the story of the + original "Everlasting Gospel," the answer is that it was just such + subjects that would most attract his attention, and that his studies had + led him into directions where the story of Cyril's plates would probably + have been mentioned. He was a student of every subject out of which he + could evolve a sect, from the time of his Pittsburg pastorate. Hepworth + Dixon said, "He knew the writings of Maham, Gates, and Boyle, writings in + which love and marriage are considered in relation to Gospel liberty and + the future life."* H. H. Bancroft, noting his appointment as Professor of + Church History in Nauvoo University, speaks of him as "versed in history, + belles-lettres, and oratory."** Mrs. James A. Garfield told Mrs. Dickenson + that Rigdon taught her father Latin and Greek.*** David Whitmer, who was + so intimately acquainted with the early history of the church, testified: + "Rigdon was a thorough biblical scholar, a man of fine education and a + powerful orator."**** A writer, describing Rigdon while the church was at + Nauvoo, said, "There is no divine in the West more learned in biblical + literature and the history of the world than he."***** All this indicates + that a knowledge of the earlier "Everlasting Gospel" was easily within + Rigdon's reach. We may even surmise the exact source of this knowledge. + Mosheim's "Ecclesiastical History, Ancient and Modern" was at his + disposal. Editions of it had appeared in London in 1765, 1768, 1774, 1782, + 1790, 1806, 1810, and 1826, and among the abridgments was one published in + Philadelphia in 1812. In this work he could have read as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "About the commencement of this [the thirteenth] century there were handed + about in Italy several pretended prophecies of the famous Joachim, abbot + of Sora in Calabria, whom the multitude revered as a person divinely + inspired, and equal to the most illustrious prophets of ancient times. The + greatest part of these predictions were contained in a certain book + entitled, 'The Everlasting Gospel,' and which was also commonly called the + Book of Joachim. This Joachim, whether a real or fictitious person we + shall not pretend to determine, among many other future events, foretold + the destruction of the Church of Rome, whose corruptions he censured with + the greatest severity, and the promulgation of a new and more perfect + gospel in the age of the Holy Ghost, by a set of poor and austere + ministers, whom God was to raise up and employ for that purpose." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Spiritual Wives," p. 62. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Utah," p. 146. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Scribner's Magazine, October, 1881. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + **** "Address to All Believers in Christ;" p. 35. +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + Here is a perfect outline of the scheme presented by the original Mormons, + with Joseph as the divinely inspired prophet, and an "Everlasting Gospel," + the gift of an angel, promulgated by poor men like the travelling Mormon + elders. + </p> + <p> + The original suggestion of an "Everlasting Gospel" is found in Revelation + xiv. 6 and 7:— + </p> + <p> + "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the + everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to + every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud + voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is + come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the + fountains of water."** "Bisping (after Gerlach) takes Rev. xiv. 6-11 to + foretell that three great events at the end of the last world-week are + immediately to precede Christ's second advent (1) the announcement of the + 'eternal' Gospel to the whole world (Matt. xxiv. 14); (2)the Fall of + Babylon; (3)a warning to all who worship the beast.... Burger says this + vision can denote nothing but a last admonition and summons to conversion + shortly before the end."—Note in "Commentary by Bishops and Other + Clergy of the Anglican Church." + </p> + <p> + This was the angel of Cyril; this the announcement of those "latter days" + from which the Mormon church, on Rigdon's motion, soon took its name. + </p> + <p> + That Rigdon's attention had been attracted to an "Everlasting Gospel" is + proved by the constant references made to it in writings of which he had + at least the supervision, from the very beginning of the church. Thus, + when he preached his first sermon before a Mormon audience—on the + occasion of his visit to Smith at Palmyra in 1830—he took as his + text a part of the version of Revelation xiv. which he had put into the + Mormon Bible (1 Nephi xiii. 40), and in his sermon, as reported by Tucker, + who heard it, holding the Scriptures in one hand and the Mormon Bible in + the other, he said, "that they were inseparably necessary to complete the + everlasting gospel of the Saviour Jesus Christ." In the account, in + Smith's autobiography, of the first description of the buried book given + to Smith by the angel, its two features are named separately, first, "an + account of the former inhabitants of this continent," and then "the + fulness of the Everlasting Gospel." That Rigdon never lost sight of the + importance, in his view, of an "Everlasting Gospel" may be seen from the + following quotation from one of his articles in his Pittsburg organ, the + Messenger and Advocate, of June 15, 1845, after his expulsion from Nauvoo: + "It is a strict observance of the principles of the fulness of the + Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, as contained in the Bible, Book of + Mormon, and Book of Covenants, which alone will insure a man an + inheritance in the kingdom of our God." + </p> + <p> + The importance attached to the "Everlasting Gospel" by the founders of the + church is seen further in the references to it in the "Book of Doctrine + and Covenants," which it is not necessary to cite,* and further in a + pamphlet by Elder Moses of New York (1842), entitled "A Treatise on the + Fulness of the Everlasting Gospel, setting forth its First Principles, + Promises, and Blessings," in which he argued that the appearance of the + angel to Smith was in direct line with the Scriptural teaching, and that + the last days were near. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For examples see Sec. 68, 1; Sec. 101, 22; Sec. 124, 88. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. — THE WITNESSES TO THE PLATES + </h2> + <p> + In his accounts to his neighbors of the revelation to him of the golden + plates on which the "record" was written, Smith always declared that no + person but him could look on those plates and live. But when the printed + book came out, it, like all subsequent editions to this day, was preceded + by the following "testimonies":— + </p> + <p> + "THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES + </p> + <p> + "Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom + this work shall come, that we through the grace of God the Father, and our + Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which + is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their + brethren, and also the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which + hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the + gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore + we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we + have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been + shewn unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with + words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he + brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and + the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the + Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that + these things are true; and it is marvellous in our eyes, nevertheless the + voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; + wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony + of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall + rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the + judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the + heavens. And the honour be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy + Ghost, which is one God. Amen. + </p> + <p> + "OLIVER COWDERY, DAVID WHITMER, MARTIN HARRIS. "AND ALSO THE TESTIMONY OF + THE EIGHT WITNESSES + </p> + <p> + "Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom + this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this + work, has shewn unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have + the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has + translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings + thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious + workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the + said Smith has shewn unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a + surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And + we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we + have seen; and we lie not, God bearing witness of it. + </p> + <p> + "CHRISTIAN WHITMER, HIRAM PAGE, JACOB WHITMER, JOSEPH SMITH, SEN., PETER + WHITMER, JUN., HYRUM SMITH, JOHN WHITMER, SAMUEL H. SMITH." + </p> + <p> + In judging of the value of this testimony, we may first inquire, what the + prophet has to say about it, and may then look into the character and + qualification of the witnesses. + </p> + <p> + We find a sufficiently full explanation of Testimony No. 1 in Smith's + autobiography and in his "revelations." Nothing could be more natural than + that such men as the prophet was dealing with should demand a sight of any + plates from which he might be translating. Others besides Harris made such + a demand, and Smith repeated the warning that to look on them was death. + This might satisfy members of his own family, but it did not quiet his + scribes, and he tells us that Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Harris "teased + me so much" (these are his own words) that he gave out a "revelation" in + March, 1829 (Sec. 5, "Doctrine and Covenants"), in which the Lord was + represented as saying that the prophet had no power over the plates except + as He granted it, but that to his testimony would be added "the testimony + of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will + show these things, "adding," and to none else will I grant this power, to + receive this same testimony among this generation." The Lord was + distrustful of Harris, and commanded him not to be talkative on the + subject, but to say nothing about it except, "I have seen them, and they + have been shown unto me by the power of God." + </p> + <p> + Smith's own account of the showing of the plates to these three witnesses + is so luminous that it may be quoted. After going out into the woods, they + had to stand Harris off by himself because of his evil influence. Then:— + </p> + <p> + "We knelt down again, and had not been many minutes engaged in prayer when + presently we beheld a light above us in the air of exceeding brightness; + and behold an angel stood before us. In his hands he held the plates which + we had been praying for these to have a view of; he turned over the leaves + one by one, so that we could see them and discover the engravings thereon + distinctly. He then addressed himself to David Whitmer and said, 'David, + blessed is the Lord and he that keeps his commandments'; when immediately + afterward we heard a voice from out of the bright light above us saying, + 'These plates have been revealed by the power of God, and they have been + translated by the power of God. The translation of them is correct, and I + command you to bear record of what you now see and hear.' + </p> + <p> + "I now left David and Oliver, and went into pursuit of Martin Harris, whom + I found at a considerable distance, fervently engaged in prayer. He soon + told me, however, that he had not yet prevailed with the Lord, and + earnestly requested me to join him in prayer, that he might also realize + the same blessings which we had just received. We accordingly joined in + prayer, and immediately obtained our desires; for before we had yet + finished, the same vision was opened to our view, AT LEAST IT WAS AGAIN TO + ME [Joe thus refuses to vouch for Harris's declaration on the subject]; + and I once more beheld and heard the same things; whilst, at the same + moment, Martin Harris cried out, apparently in ecstasy of joy, 'Tis + enough, mine eyes hath beheld,' and, jumping up, he shouted 'Hosannah,' + blessing God, and otherwise rejoiced exceedingly."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, Supt., p. 19. +</pre> + <p> + If this story taxes the credulity of the reader, his doubts about the + value of this "testimony" will increase when he traces the history of the + three witnesses. Surely, if any three men in the church should remain + steadfast, mighty pillars of support for the prophet in his future + troubles, it should be these chosen witnesses to the actual existence of + the golden plates. Yet every one of them became an apostate, and every one + of them was loaded with all the opprobrium that the church could pile upon + him. + </p> + <p> + Cowdery's reputation was locally bad at the time. "I was personally + acquainted with Oliver Cowdery," said Danforth Booth, an old resident of + Palmyra, in 1880. "He was a pettifogger; their (the Smiths') cat-paw to do + their dirty work."* Smith's trouble with him, which began during the work + of translating, continued, and Smith found it necessary to say openly in a + "revelation" given out in Ohio in 1831 (Sec. 69), when preparations were + making for a trip of some of the brethren to Missouri, "It is not wisdom + in me that he should be intrusted with the commandments and the monies + which he shall carry unto the land of Zion, except one go with him who + will be true and faithful." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Among affidavits on file in the county clerk's office at +Canandaigua, New York. +</pre> + <p> + By the time Smith took his final departure to Missouri, Cowdery and David + and John Whitmer had lost caste entirely, and in June, 1838, they fled to + escape the Danites at Far West. The letter of warning addressed to them + and signed by more than eighty Mormons, giving them three days in which to + depart, contained the following accusations:— + </p> + <p> + "After Oliver Cowdery had been taken by a state warrant for stealing, and + the stolen property found in the house of William W. Phelps; in which + nefarious transaction John Whitmer had also participated. Oliver Cowdery + stole the property, conveyed it to John Whitmer, and John Whitmer to + William W. Phelps; and then the officers of law found it. While in the + hands of an officer, and under an arrest for this vile transaction, and, + if possible, to hide your shame from the world like criminals (which, + indeed, you were), you appealed to our beloved brethren, President Joseph + Smith Jr. and Sidney Rigdon, men whose characters you had endeavored to + destroy by every artifice you could invent, not even the basest lying + excepted.... + </p> + <p> + "The Saints in Kirtland having elected Oliver Cowdery to a justice of the + peace, he used the power of that office to take their most sacred rights + from them, and that contrary to law. He supported a parcel of blacklegs, + and in disturbing the worship of the Saints; and when the men whom the + church had chosen to preside over their meetings endeavored to put the + house to order, he helped (and by the authority of his justice's office + too) these wretches to continue their confusion; and threatened the church + with a prosecution for trying to put them out of the house; and issued + writs against the Saints for endeavoring to sustain their rights; and + bound themselves under heavy bonds to appear before his honor; and + required bonds which were both inhuman and unlawful; and one of these was + the venerable father, who had been appointed by the church to preside—a + man of upwards of seventy years of age, and notorious for his peaceable + habits. + </p> + <p> + "Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Lyman E. Johnson, united with a gang of + counterfeiters, thieves, liars and blacklegs of the deepest dye, to + deceive, cheat and defraud the Saints out of their property, by every art + and stratagem which wickedness could invent; using the influence of the + vilest persecutions to bring vexatious lawsuits, villainous prosecutions, + and even stealing not excepted.... During the full career of Oliver + Cowdery and David Whitmer's bogus money business, it got abroad into the + world that they were engaged in it, and several gentlemen were preparing + to commence a prosecution against Cowdery; he finding it out, took with + him Lyman E. Johnson, and fled to Far West with their families; Cowdery + stealing property and bringing it with him, which has been, within a few + weeks past, obtained by the owner by means of a search warrant, and he was + saved from the penitentiary by the influence of two influential men of the + place. He also brought notes with him upon which he had received pay, and + made an attempt to sell them to Mr. Arthur of Clay County."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Documents in Relation to the Disturbances with the Mormons," +Missouri Legislature (1841), p. 103. +</pre> + <p> + Rigdon, who was the author of this arraignment, realizing that the enemies + of the church would not fail to make use of this aspersion of the + character of the witnesses, attempted to "hedge" by saying, in the same + document, "We wish to remind you that Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer + were among the principal of those who were the means of gathering us to + this place by their testimony which they gave concerning the plates of the + Book of Mormon, that they were shown to them by an angel; which testimony + we believe now as much as before you had so scandalously disgraced it." + Could affrontery go to greater lengths? + </p> + <p> + Cowdery and David Whitmer fled to Richmond, Missouri, where Whitmer lived + until his death in January, 1888. Cowdery went to Tiffin, Ohio, where, + after failing to obtain a position as an editor because of his Mormon + reputation, he practised law. While living there he renounced his Mormon + views, joined the Methodist church, and became superintendent of a + Sunday-school. Later he moved to Wisconsin, but, after being defeated for + the legislature there, he recanted his Methodist belief, and rejoined the + Saints while they were at Council Bluffs, in October, 1848, after the main + body had left for Salt Lake Valley. He addressed a meeting there by + invitation, testifying to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and the mission + of Smith as a prophet, and saying that he wanted to be rebaptized into the + church, not as a leader, but simply as a member.* He did not, however, go + to Utah with the Saints, but returned to his old friend Whitmer in + Missouri, and died there in 1850. It has been stated that he offered to + give a full renunciation of the Mormon faith when he united with the + Methodists at Tiffin, if required, but asked to be excused from doing so + on the ground that it would invite criticism and bring him into + contempt.** One of his Tiffin acquaintances afterward testified that + Cowdery confessed to him that, when he signed the "testimony," he "was not + one of the best men in the world," using his own expression.*** The + Mormons were always grateful to him for his silence under their + persecutions, and the Millennial Star, in a notice of his death, expressed + satisfaction that in the days of his apostasy "he never, in a single + instance, cast the least doubt on his former testimony," adding, "May he + rest in peace, to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection into + eternal life, is the earnest desire of all Saints." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XI, p.14. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Naked Truths about Mormonism," A. B. Demming, Oakland, +California, 1888. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** "Gregg's History of Hancock County, Illinois," p. 257. +</pre> + <p> + The Whitmers were a Dutch family, known among their neighbors as believers + in witches and in the miraculous generally, as has been shown in Mother + Smith's account of their sending for Joseph. A "revelation" to the three + witnesses which first promised them a view of the plates (Sec. 17) told + them, "It is BY YOUR FAITH you shall obtain a view of them," and directed + them to testify concerning the plates, "that my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., + may not be destroyed." One of the converts who joined the Mormons at + Kirtland, Ohio, testified in later years that David Whitmer confessed to + her that he never actually saw the plates, explaining his testimony thus: + "Suppose that you had a friend whose character was such that you knew it + impossible that he could lie; then, if he described a city to you which + you had never seen, could you not, by the eye of faith, see the city just + as he described it?"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Mrs. Dickenson's "New Light on Mormonism." +</pre> + <p> + The Mormons have found consolation in the fact that Whitmer continued to + affirm his belief in the authenticity of the Mormon Bible to the day of + his death. He declared, however, that Smith and Young had led the flock + astray, and, after the open announcement of polygamy in Utah, he announced + a church of his own, called "The Church of Christ," refusing to affiliate + even with the Reorganized Church because of the latter's adherence to + Smith. In his "Address to Believers in the Book of Mormon," a pamphlet + issued in his eighty-second year, he said, "Now, in 1849 the Lord saw fit + to manifest unto John Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery and myself nearly all the + remaining errors of doctrine into which we had been led by the heads of + the church." The reader from all this can form an estimate of the + trustworthiness of the second witness on such a subject. + </p> + <p> + We have already learned a great deal about Martin Harris's mental + equipment. A lawyer of standing in Palmyra told Dr. Clark that, after + Harris had signed the "testimony," he pressed him with the question: "Did + you see the plates with your natural eyes, just as you see this pencil + case in my hand? Now say yes or no." Harris replied (in corroboration of + Joe's misgiving at the time): "Why, I did not see them as I do that pencil + case, yet I saw them with the eye of faith. I saw them just as distinctly + as I see anything around me—though at the time they were covered + over with a cloth."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Gleanings by the Way." +</pre> + <p> + Harris followed Smith to Ohio and then to Missouri, but was ever a trouble + to him, although Smith always found his money useful. In 1831, in + Missouri, it required a "revelation" (Sec. 58) to spur him to "lay his + monies before the Bishop." As his money grew scarcer, he received less and + less recognition from the Mormon leaders, and was finally expelled from + the church. Smith thus referred to him in the Elders' Journal, July, 1837, + one of his publications in Ohio: "There are negroes who wear white skins + as well as black ones, granny Parish, and others who acted as lackeys, + such as Martin Harris." + </p> + <p> + Harris did not appear on the scene during the stay of the Mormons in + Illinois, having joined the Shakers and lived with them a year or two. + When Strang claimed the leadership of the church after Smith's death, + Harris gave him his support, and was sent by him with others to England in + 1846 to do missionary work. His arrival there was made the occasion of an + attack on him by the Millennial Star, which, among other things, said:— + </p> + <p> + "We do not feel to warn the Saints against him, for his own unbridled + tongue will soon show out specimens of folly enough to give any person a + true index to the character of the man; but if the Saints wish to know + what the Lord hath said of him, they may turn to the 178th page of the + Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and the person there called a WICKED MAN + is no other than Martin Harris, and he owned to it then, but probably + might not now. It is not the first time the Lord chose a wicked man as a + witness. Also on page 193, read the whole revelation given to him, and ask + yourselves if the Lord ever talked in that way to a good man. Every one + can see that he must have been a wicked man."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Vol. VIII, p. 123. +</pre> + <p> + Harris visited Palmyra in 1858. He then said that his property was all + gone, that he had declined a restoration to the Mormon church, but that he + continued to believe in Mormonism. He thought better of his declination, + however, and sought a reunion with the church in Utah in 1870. His + backslidings had carried him so far that the church authorities told him + it would be necessary for him to be rebaptized. This he consented to with + some reluctance, after, as he said, "he had seen his father seeking his + aid. He saw his father at the foot of a ladder, striving to get up to him, + and he went down to him, taking him by the hand, and helped him up."* He + settled in Cache County, Utah, where he died on July 10, 1875, in his + ninety-third year. "He bore his testimony to the truth and divinity of the + Book of Mormon a short time before he departed," wrote his son to an + inquirer, "and the last words he uttered, when he could not speak the + sentence, were 'Book,' 'Book,' 'Book.'" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For an account of Harris's Utah experience, see Millennial +Star, Vol. XLVIII, pp.357-389. +</pre> + <p> + The precarious character of Smith's original partners in the Bible + business is further illustrated by his statement that, in the summer of + 1830, Cowdery sent him word that he had discovered an error in one of + Smith's "revelations,"* and that the Whitmer family agreed with him on the + subject. Smith was as determined in opposing this questioning of his + divine authority as he always was in stemming any opposition to his + leadership, and he made them all acknowledge their error. Again, when + Smith returned to Fayette from Harmony, in August, 1830 (more than a year + after the plates were shown to the witnesses), he found that "Satan had + been lying in wait," and that Hiram Page, of the second list of witnesses, + had been obtaining revelations through a "peek-stone" of his own, and + that, what was more serious, Cowdery and the Whitmer family believed in + them. The result of this was an immediate "revelation" (Sec. 28) directing + Cowdery to go and preach the Gospel to the Lamanites (Indians) on the + western border, and to take along with him Hiram Page, and tell him that + the things he had written by means of the "peek-stone" were not of the + Lord. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 36. +</pre> + <p> + Neither Smith's autobiography nor the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" + contains any explanation of the second "testimony." The list of persons + who signed it, however, leaves little doubt that the prophet yielded to + their "teasing" as he did to that of the original three. The first four + signers were members of the Whitmer family. Hiram Page was a root-doctor + by calling, and a son-in-law of Peter Whitmer, Sr. The three Smiths were + the prophet's father and two of his brothers.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Christian Whitmer died in Clay County, Missouri, November 27, +1835; Jacob died in Richmond County, April 21, 1866; Peter died in Clay +County, September 22, 1836; Hiram Page died on a farm in Ray County, +August 12, 1852. +</pre> + <p> + The favorite Mormon reply to any question as to the value of these + "testimonies" is the challenge, "Is there a person on the earth who can + prove that these eleven witnesses did not see the plates?" Curiously, the + prophet himself can be cited to prove this, in the words of the revelation + granting a sight of the plates to the first three, which said, "And to + none else will I grant this power, to receive this same testimony among + this generation." A footnote to this declaration in the "Doctrine and + Covenants" offers, as an explanation of Testimony No. 2; the statement + that others "may receive a knowledge by other manifestations." This is + well meant but transparent. + </p> + <p> + Mother Smith in later years added herself to these witnesses. She said to + the Rev. Henry Caswall, in Nauvoo, in 1842, "I have myself seen and + handled the golden plates." Mr. Caswall adds:— + </p> + <p> + "While the old woman was thus delivering herself, I fixed my eyes steadily + upon her. She faltered and seemed unwilling to meet my glances, but + gradually recovered her self-possession. The melancholy thought entered my + mind that this poor old creature was not simply a dupe of her son's + knavery, but that she had taken an active part in the deception." + </p> + <p> + Two matters have been cited by Mormon authorities to show that there was + nothing so very unusual in the discovery of buried plates containing + engraved letters. Announcement was made in 1843 of the discovery near + Kinderhook, Illinois, of six plates similar to those described by Smith. + The story, as published in the Times and Seasons, with a certificate + signed by nine local residents, set forth that a merchant of the place, + named Robert Wiley, while digging in a mound, after finding ashes and + human bones, came to "a bundle that consisted of six plates of brass, of a + bell shape, each having a hole near the small end, and a ring through them + all"; and that, when cleared of rust, they were found to be "completely + covered with characters that none as yet have been able to read." Hyde, + accepting this story, printed a facsimile of one of these plates on the + cover of his book, and seems to rest on Wiley's statement his belief that + "Smith did have plates of some kind." Stenhouse,* who believed that Smith + and his witnesses did not perpetrate in the new Bible an intentional + fraud, but thought they had visions and "revelations," referring to the + Kinderhook plates, says that they were "actually and unquestionably + discovered by one Mr. R. Wiley." Smith himself, after no one else could + read the writing on them, declared that he had translated them, and found + them to be a history of a descendant of Ham.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * T. B. H. Stenhouse, a Scotchman, was converted to the Mormon +belief in 1846, performed diligent missionary work in Europe, and was +for three years president of the Swiss and Italian missions. Joining the +brethren in Utah with his wife, he was persuaded to take a second wife. +Not long afterward he joined in the protest against Young's dictatorial +course which was known as the "New Movement," and was expelled from the +church. His "Rocky Mountain Saints" (1873) contains so much valuable +information connected with the history of the church that it has been +largely drawn on by E. W. Tullidge in his "History of Salt Lake City and +Its Founders," which is accepted by the church. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + **Millennial Star, January 15, 1859, where cuts of the plates +(here produced) are given. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0002" id="linkimage-0002"> + <!-- IMG --></a> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img alt="0120 (37K)" src="images/0120.jpg" height="60%" width="40%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/0124.jpg" height="60%" width="40%" + alt=" Stenhouse Plates 124 " /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img alt="0128 (45K)" src="images/0128.jpg" height="60%" width="40%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + But the true story of the Kinderhook plates was disclosed by an affidavit + made by W. Fulgate of Mound Station, Brown County, Illinois, before Jay + Brown, Justice of the Peace, on June 30, 1879. In this he stated that the + plates were "a humbug, gotten up by Robert Wiley, Bridge Whitton, and + myself. Whitton (who was a blacksmith) cut the plates out of some pieces + of copper Wiley and I made the hieroglyphics by making impressions on + beeswax and filling them with acid, and putting it on the plates. When + they were finished, we put them together with rust made of nitric acid, + old iron and lead, and bound them with a piece of hoop iron, covering them + completely with the rust." He describes the burial of the plates and their + digging up, among the spectators of the latter being two Mormon elders, + Marsh and Sharp. Sharp declared that the Lord had directed them to witness + the digging. The plates were borrowed and shown to Smith, and were finally + given to one "Professor" McDowell of St. Louis, for his museum.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Wyl's "Mormon Portraits," p. 207. The secretary of the Missouri +Historical Society writes me that McDowell's museum disappeared some +years ago, most of its contents being lost or stolen, and the fate of +the Kinderhook plates cannot be ascertained. +</pre> + <p> + In attacking Professor Anthon's statement concerning the alleged + hieroglyphics shown to him by Harris, Orson Pratt, in his "Divine + Authenticity of the Book of Mormon," thought that he found substantial + support for Smith's hieroglyphics in the fact that "Two years after the + Book of Mormon appeared in print, Professor Rafinesque, in his Atlantic + journal for 1832, gave to the public a facsimile of American glyphs,* + found in Mexico. They are arranged in columns.... By an inspection of the + facsimile of these forty-six elementary glyphs, we find all the + particulars which Professor Anthon ascribes to the characters which he + says 'a plain-looking countryman' presented to him. "These" elementary + glyphs of Rafinesque are some of the characters found on the famous + "Tablet of the Cross" in the ruins of Palenque, Mexico, since so fully + described by Stevens. A facsimile of the entire Tablet may be found on + page 355, Vol. IV, Bancroft's "Native Races of the Pacific States." + Rafinesque selected these characters from the Tablet, and arranged them in + columns alongside of other ancient writings, in order to sustain his + argument that they resembled an old Libyan alphabet. Rafinesque was a + voluminous writer both on archaeological and botanical subjects, but + wholly untrustworthy. Of his Atlantic Journal (of which only eight numbers + appeared) his biographer, R. E. Call, says that it had "absolutely no + scientific value." Professor Asa Gray, in a review of his botanical + writings in Silliman's Journal, Vol. XL, No. 2, 1841, said, "He assumes + thirty to one hundred years as the average time required for the + production of a new species, and five hundred to one thousand for a new + genus." Professor Gray refers to a paper which Rafinesque sent to the + editor of a scientific journal describing twelve new species of thunder + and lightning. He was very fond of inventing names, and his designation of + Palenque as Otolum was only an illustration of this. So much for the + 'elementary glyphs.'" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Glyph: A pictograph or word carved in a compact distinct +figure."—Standard Dictionary. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. — THE MORMON BIBLE + </h2> + <p> + The Mormon Bible,* both in a literary and a theological sense, is just + such a production as would be expected to result from handing over to + Smith and his fellow-"translators" a mass of Spaulding's material and new + doctrinal matter for collation and copying. Not one of these men possessed + any literary skill or accurate acquaintance with the Scriptures. David + Whitmer, in an interview in Missouri in his later years, said, "So + illiterate was Joseph at that time that he didn't know that Jerusalem was + a walled city, and he was utterly unable to pronounce many of the names + that the magic power of the Urim and Thummim revealed." Chronology, + grammar, geography, and Bible history were alike ignored in the work. An + effort was made to correct some of these errors in the early days of the + church, and Smith speaks of doing some of this work himself at Nauvoo. An + edition issued there in 1842 contains on the title-page the words, + "Carefully revised by the translator." Such corrections have continued to + the present day, and a comparison of the latest Salt Lake edition with the + first has shown more than three thousand changes. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The title of this Bible is "The Book of Mormon"; but as one of +its subdivisions is a Book of Mormon, I use the title "Mormon Bible," +both to avoid confusion and for convenience. +</pre> + <p> + The person who for any reason undertakes the reading of this book sets + before himself a tedious task. Even the orthodox Mormons have found this + to be true, and their Bible has played a very much less considerable part + in the church worship than Smith's "revelations" and the discourses of + their preachers. Referring to Orson Pratt's* labored writings on this + Bible, Stenhouse says, "Of the hundreds of thousands of witnesses to whom + God has revealed the truth of the 'Book of Mormon,' Pratt knows full well + that comparatively few indeed have ever read that book, know little or + nothing intelligently of its contents, and take little interest in it."** + An examination of its contents is useful, therefore, rather as a means of + proving the fraudulent character of its pretension to divine revelation + than as a means of ascertaining what the members of the Mormon church are + taught. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Orson Pratt was a clerk in a store in Hiram, Ohio, when he was +converted to Mormonism. He seems to have been a natural student, and he +rose to prominence in the church, being one of the first to expound and +defend the Mormon Bible and doctrines, holding a professorship in Nauvoo +University, publishing works on the higher mathematics, and becoming one +of the Twelve Apostles. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 553. +</pre> + <p> + The following page presents a facsimile of the title-page of the first + edition of this Bible. The editions of to-day substitute "Translated by + Joseph Smith, Jun.," for "By Joseph Smith, junior, author and proprietor." + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img alt="0134 (94K)" src="images/0134.jpg" height="86%" width="51%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The first edition contains 588 duodecimo pages, and is divided into 15 + books which are named as follows: "First Book of Nephi, his reign and + ministry," 7 chapters; "Second Book of Nephi," 15 chapters; "Book of + Jacob, the Brother of Nephi," 5 chapters; "Book of Enos," 1 chapter; "Book + of Jarom," 1 chapter; "Book of Omni," 1 chapter; "Words of Mormon," 1 + chapter; "Book of Mosiah," 13 chapters; "Book of Alma, a Son of Alma," 30 + chapters; "Book of Helaman," 5 chapters; "Third Book of Nephi, the Son of + Nephi, which was the son of Helaman," 14 chapters; "Fourth Book of Nephi, + which is the Son of Nephi, one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ," 1 + chapter; "Book of Mormon," 4 chapters; "Book of Ether," 6 chapters; "Book + of Moroni," 10 chapters. The chapters in the first edition were not + divided into verses, that work, with the preparation of the very complete + footnote references in the later editions, having been performed by Orson + Pratt. + </p> + <p> + The historical narrative that runs through the book is so disjointedly + arranged, mixed up with doctrinal parts, and repeated, that it is not easy + to unravel it. The following summary of it is contained in a letter to + Colonel John Wentworth of Chicago, signed by Joseph Smith, Jr., which was + printed in Wentworth's Chicago newspaper and also in the Mormon Times and + Seasons of March 1, 1842:— + </p> + <p> + "The history of America is unfolded from its first settlement by a colony + that came from the Tower of Babel at the confusion of languages, to the + beginning of the 5th century of the Christian era. We are informed by + these records that America in ancient times has been inhabited by two + distinct races of people. The first were called Jaredites, and came + directly from the Tower of Babel. The second race came directly from the + city of Jerusalem about 600 years before Christ. They were principally + Israelites of the descendants of Joseph. The Jaredites were destroyed + about the time that the Israelites came from Jerusalem, who succeeded them + in the inhabitance of the country. The principal nation of the second race + fell in battle toward the close of the fourth century. The remnant are the + Indians that now inhabit this country." + </p> + <p> + This history purports to have been handed down, on metallic plates, from + one historian to another, beginning with Nephi, from the time of the + departure from Jerusalem. Finally (4 Nephi i. 48, 49*), the people being + wicked, Ammaron, by direction of the Holy Ghost, hid these sacred records + "that they might come again unto the remnant of the house of Jacob." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * All references to the Mormon Bible by chapter and verse refer +to Salt Lake City edition of 1888. +</pre> + <p> + To bring the story down to a comparatively recent date, and account for + the finding of the plates by Smith, the Book of Mormon was written by the + "author." This subdivision is an abridgment of the previous records. It + relates that Mormon, a descendant of Nephi, when ten years old, was told + by Ammaron that, when about twenty-four years old, he should go to the + place where the records were hidden, take only the plates of Nephi, and + engrave on them all the things he had observed concerning the people. The + next year Mormon was taken by his father, whose name also was Mormon, to + the land of Zarahemla, which had become covered with buildings and very + populous, but the people were warlike and wicked. Mormon in time, "seeing + that the Lamanites were about to overthrow the land," took the records + from their hiding place. He himself accepted the command of the armies of + the Nephites, but they were defeated with great slaughter, the Lamanites + laying waste their cities and driving them northward. + </p> + <p> + Finally Mormon sent a letter to the king of the Lamanites, asking that the + Nephites might gather their people "unto the land of Cumorah, by a hill + which was called Cumorah, and there we would give them battle." There, in + the year 384 A.D., Mormon "made this record out of the plates of Nephi, + and hid up in the hill Cumorah all the records which have been entrusted + to me by the hand of the Lord, save it were those few plates which I gave + unto my son Moroni."* This hill, according to the Mormon teaching, is the + hill near Palmyra, New York, where Smith found the plates, just as Mormon + had deposited them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Hyde gives a list of twenty-four additional plates mentioned in +this Bible which must still await digging up in the hill near Palmyra. +</pre> + <p> + In the battle which took place there the Nephites were practically + annihilated, and all the fugitives were killed except Moroni, the son of + Mormon, who undertook the completion of the "record." Moroni excuses the + briefness of his narrative by explaining that he had not room in the + plates, "and ore have I none" (to make others). What he adds is in the + nature of a defence of the revealed character of the Mormon Bible and of + Smith's character as a prophet. Those, for instance, who say that there + are no longer "revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor + speaking with tongues," are told that they know not the Gospel of Christ + and do not understand the Scriptures. An effort is made to forestall + criticism of the "mistakes" that are conceded in the title-page dedication + by saying, "Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my + father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before + him" (Book of Mormon ix. 31). + </p> + <p> + Evidently foreseeing that it would be asked why these "records," written + by Jews and their descendants, were not in Hebrew, Mormon adds (chap. ix. + 32, 33):— + </p> + <p> + "And now behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, + in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being + handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech. + </p> + <p> + "And if our plates had been sufficiently large, we should have written in + Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have + written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our + record." + </p> + <p> + Few parts of this mythical Bible approached nearer to the burlesque than + this excuse for having descendants of the Jews write in "reformed + Egyptian." + </p> + <p> + The secular story of the ancient races running through this Bible is so + confused by the introduction of new matter by the "author"* and by + repetitions that it is puzzling to pick it out. The Book of Ether was + somewhat puzzling even to the early Mormons, and we find Parley P. Pratt, + in his analysis of it, printed in London in 1854, saying, "Ether SEEMS to + have been a lineal descendant of Jared." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Professor Whitsitt, of the Southern Baptist Theological +Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, in his article on Mormonism in "The +Concise Dictionary of Religious Knowledge, and Gazetteer" (New York, +1891), divides the Mormon Bible into three sections, viz.: the first +thirteen books, presented as the works of Mormon; the Book of Ether, +with which Mormon had no connection; and the fifteenth book, which was +sent forth by the editor under the name of Moroni. He thus explains his +view of the "editing" that was done in the preparation of the work for +publication:— +</pre> + <p> + "The editor undertook to rewrite and recast the whole of the abridgment + (of Nephi's previous history), but his industry failed him at the close of + the Book of Omni. The first six books that he had rewritten were given the + names of the small plates.... The book called the 'Words of Mormon' in the + original work stood at the beginning, as a sort of preface to the entire + abridgment of Mormon; but when the editor had rewritten the first six + books, he felt that these were properly his own performance, and the + 'Words of Mormon' were assigned a position just in front of the Book of + Mosiah, when the abstract of Mormon took its real commencement.... + </p> + <p> + "The question may now be raised as to who was the editor of the Book of + Mormon.... In its theological positions and coloring the Book of Mormon is + a volume of Disciple theology (this does not include the later polygamous + doctrine and other gross Mormon errors). This conclusion is capable of + demonstration beyond any reasonable question. Let notice also be taken of + the fact that the Book of Mormon bears traces of two several redactions. + It contains, in the first redaction, that type of doctrine which the + Disciples held and proclaimed prior to November 18, 1827, when they had + not yet formally embraced what is commonly considered to be the tenet of + baptismal remission. It also contains the type of doctrine which the + Disciples have been defending since November 18, 1827, under the name of + the ancient Gospel, of which the tenet of socalled baptismal remission is + a leading feature. All authorities agree that Mr. Smith obtained + possession of the work on September 22, 1827, a period of nearly two + months before the Disciples concluded to embrace this tenet. The editor + felt that the Book of Mormon would be sadly incomplete if this notion were + not included. Accordingly, he found means to communicate with Mr. Smith, + and, regaining possession of certain portions of the manuscript, to insert + the new item.... Rigdon was the only Disciple minister who vigorously and + continuously demanded that his brethren should adopt the additional points + that have been indicated." + </p> + <p> + Very concisely, this Bible story of the most ancient race that came to + America, the Jaredites, may be thus stated:— + </p> + <p> + This race, being righteous, were not punished by the Lord at Babel, but + were led to the ocean, where they constructed a vessel by direction of the + Lord, in which they sailed to North America. According to the Book of + Ether, there were eight of these vessels, and that they were remarkable + craft needs only the description given of them to show: "They were built + after a manner that they were exceeding tight, even that they would hold + water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; + and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof + were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the + length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was + shut, was tight like unto a dish" (Book of Ether ii. 17). This description + certainly establishes the general resemblance of these barges to some kind + of a dish, but the rather careless comparison of their length simply to + that of a "tree" leaves this detail of construction uncertain. + </p> + <p> + Just before they embarked in these vessels, a brother of Jared went up on + Mount Shelem, where the Lord touched sixteen small stones that he had + taken up with him, two of which were the Urim and Thummim, by means of + which Smith translated the plates. These stones lighted up the vessels on + their trip across the ocean. Jared's brother was told by the spirit on the + mount, "Behold, I am Jesus Christ." A footnote in the modern edition of + this Bible kindly explains that Jared's brother "saw the preexistent + spirit of Jesus." + </p> + <p> + When they landed (somewhere on the Isthmus of Darien), the Lord commanded + Nephi to make "plates of ore," on which should be engraved the record of + the people. This was the origin of Smith's plates. In time this people + divided themselves, under the leadership of two of Lehi's sons—Nephi + and Laman—into Nephites and Lamanites (with subdivisions). The + Lamanites, in the course of two hundred years, had become dark in color + and "wild and ferocious, and a bloodthirsty people; full of idolatry and + filthiness; feeding upon beasts of prey; dwelling in tents and wandering + about in the wilderness, with a short skin girdle about their loins, and + their heads shaven; and their skill was in the bow and the cimeter and the + ax" (Enos i, 20). The Nephites, on the other hand, tilled the land and + raised flocks. Between the two tribes wars waged, the Nephites became + wicked, and in the course of 320 years the worst of them were destroyed + (Book of Alma). + </p> + <p> + Then the Lord commanded those who would hearken to his voice to depart + with him to the wilderness, and they journeyed until they came to the land + of Zarahemla, which a footnote to the modern edition explains "is supposed + to have been north of the head waters of the river Magdalena, its northern + boundary being a few days' journey south of the Isthmus" (of Darien). + There they found the people of Zarahemla, who had left Jerusalem when + Zedekiah was carried captive into Babylon. New teachers arose who taught + the people righteousness, and one of them, named Alma, led a company to a + place which was called Mormon, "where was a fountain of pure water, and + there Alma baptized the people." The Book of Alma, the longest in this + Bible, is largely an account of the secular affairs of the inhabitants, + with stories of great battles, a prediction of the coming of Christ, and + an account of a great migration northward, and the building of ships that + sailed in the same direction. + </p> + <p> + Nephi describes the appearance of Christ to the people of the western + continent, preceded by a star, earthquakes, etc. On the day of His + appearance they heard "a small voice" out of heaven, saying, "Behold my + beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name; + hear ye him." Then Christ appeared and spoke to them, generally in the + language of the New Testament (repeating, for instance, the Sermon on the + Mount*), and afterward ascended into heaven in a cloud. The expulsion of + the Nephites northward, and their final destruction, in what is now New + York State, followed in the course of the next 384 years. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * In the Mormon version of this sermon the words, "If thy right +eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee," and "If thy right +hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee," are lacking. The +Deseret Evening News of February 21, 1900, in explaining this omission, +says that the report by Mormon of the "discourse delivered by Jesus +Christ to the Nephites on this continent after his resurrection from the +dead... may not be full and complete." +</pre> + <p> + There is throughout the book an imitation of the style of the Holy + Scriptures. Verse after verse begins with the words "and it came to pass," + as Spaulding's Ohio neighbors recalled that his story did. The following + extract, from 1 Nephi, chap. viii, will give an illustration of the + literary style of a large part of the work:— + </p> + <p> + "1.. And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds + of every kind, both of grain of every kind, and also of the seeds of fruit + of every kind. + </p> + <p> + "2. And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness, he + spake unto us, saying, Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or in other words, + I have seen a vision. + </p> + <p> + "3. And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to + rejoice in the Lord, because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason + to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved. + </p> + <p> + "4. But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you; for + behold, methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness. + </p> + <p> + "5. And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white + robe; and he came and stood before me. + </p> + <p> + "6. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him. + </p> + <p> + "7. And it came to pass that as I followed him, I beheld myself that I was + in a dark and dreary waste. + </p> + <p> + "8. And after I had travelled for the space of many hours in darkness, I + began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to + the multitude of his tender mercies. + </p> + <p> + "9. And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord, I beheld a large + and spacious field. + </p> + <p> + "10. And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable + to make one happy. + </p> + <p> + "11. And it came to pass that I did go forth, and partake of the fruit + thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before + tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all + the whiteness that I had ever seen." + </p> + <p> + Whole chapters of the Scriptures are incorporated word for word. In the + first edition some of these were appropriated without any credit; in the + Utah editions they are credited. Beside these, Hyde counted 298 direct + quotations from the New Testament, verses or sentences, between pages 2 to + 428, covering the years from 600 B.C. to Christ's birth. Thus, Nephi + relates that his father, more than two thousand years before the King + James edition of the Bible was translated, in announcing the coming of + John the Baptist, used these words, "Yea, even he should go forth and cry + in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths + straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is + mightier than I, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose" (1 Nephi + x. 8). In Mosiah v. 8, King Benjamin is represented as saying, 124 years + before Christ was born, "I would that you should take upon you the name of + Christ as there is no other name given whereby salvation cometh." + </p> + <p> + The first Nephi represents John as baptizing in Bethabara (the spelling is + Beathabry in the Utah edition), and Alma announces (vii. 10) that "the Son + of God shall be born of Mary AT JERUSALEM." Shakespeare is proved a + plagiarist by comparing his words with those of the second Nephi, who, + speaking twenty-two hundred years before Shakespeare was born, said (2 + Nephi i. 14), "Hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs you must + soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no traveller can + return." + </p> + <p> + The chapters of the Scriptures appropriated bodily, and the places where + they may be found, are as follows:— + </p> + <p> + First Edition Utah Edition + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0003" id="linkimage-0003"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/0142.jpg" height="33%" width="90%" + alt=" 'scripture' Chapter Headings 142 " /><br /> + </div> + <p> + Among the many anachronisms to be found in the book may be mentioned the + giving to Laban of a sword with a blade "of the most precious steel" (1 + Nephi iv. 9), centuries before the use of steel is elsewhere recorded. and + the possession of a compass by the Jaredites when they sailed across the + ocean (Alma xxxvii. 38), long before the invention of such an instrument. + The ease with which such an error could be explained is shown in the + anecdote related of a Utah Mormon who, when told that the compass was not + known in Bible times, responded by quoting Acts xxviii. 13, where Paul + says, "And from thence we fetched a compass." When Nephi and his family + landed in Central America "there were beasts in the forest of every kind, + both the cow, and the ox, and the ass, and the horse" (ix Nephi xviii. + 25). If Nephi does not prevaricate, there must have been a fatal plague + among these animals in later years, for horses, cows, and asses were + unknown in America until after its discovery by Europeans. Moroni, in the + Book of Ether (ix. 18, 19), is still more generous, adding to the + possessions of the Jaredites sheep and swine* and elephants and "cureloms + and cumoms." Neither sheep nor swine are indigenous to America; but the + prophet is safe as regards the "cureloms and cumoms," which are animals of + his own creation. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "And," it is added, "many other kinds of animals which were +useful for the use of man," thus ignoring the Hebrew antipathy to pork. +</pre> + <p> + The book is full of incidental proofs of the fraudulent profession that it + is an original translation. For instance, in incorporating 1 Corinthians + iii. 4, in the Book of Moroni, the phrase "is not easily provoked" is + retained, as in the King James edition. But the word "easily" is not found + in any Greek manuscript of this verse, and it is dropped in the Revised + Version of 1881. + </p> + <p> + Stenhouse calls attention to many phrases in this Bible which were + peculiar to the revival preachers of those days, like Rigdon, such as + "Have ye spiritually been born of God?" "If ye have experienced a change + of heart." + </p> + <p> + The first edition was full of grammatical errors and amusing phrases. Thus + we are told, in Ether xv. 31, that when Coriantumr smote off the head of + Shiz, the latter "raised upon his hands and fell." Among other examples + from the first edition may be quoted: "and I sayeth"; "all things which + are good cometh of God"; "neither doth his angels"; and "hath miracles + ceased." We find in Helaman ix. 6, "He being stabbed by his brother by a + garb of secrecy." This remains uncorrected. + </p> + <p> + Alexander Campbell, noting the mixture of doctrines in the book, says, "He + [the author] decides all the great controversies discussed in New York in + the last ten years, infant baptism, the Trinity, regeneration, repentance, + justification, the fall of man, the atonement, transubstantiation, + fasting, penance, church government, the call to the ministry, the general + resurrection, eternal punishment, who may baptize, and even the questions + of Freemasonry, republican government and the rights of man."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Delusions: an Analysis of the Book of Mormon" (1832). An +exhaustive examination of this Bible will be found in the "Braden and +Kelley Public Discussion." +</pre> + <p> + Such is the book which is accepted to this day as an inspired work by the + thousands of persons who constitute the Mormon church. This acceptance has + always been rightfully recognized as fundamentally necessary to the Mormon + faith. Orson Pratt declared, "The nature of the message in the Book of + Mormon is such that, if true, none can be saved who reject it, and, if + false, none can be saved who receive it." Brigham Young told the + Conference at Nauvoo in October, 1844, that "Every spirit that confesses + that Joseph Smith is a prophet, that he lived and died a prophet, and that + the Book of Mormon is true, is of God, and every spirit that does not is + of Anti-Christ." There is no modification of this view in the Mormon + church of to-day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. — ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH + </h2> + <p> + The director of the steps taken to announce to the world a new Bible and a + new church realized, of course, that there must be priests, under some + name, to receive members and to dispense its blessing. No person openly + connected with Smith in the work of translation had been a clergyman. + Accordingly, on May 15, 1829 (still following the prophet's own account), + while Smith and Cowdery were yet busy with the work of translation, they + went into the woods to ask the Lord for fuller information about the + baptism mentioned in the plates. There a messenger from heaven, who, it + was learned, was John the Baptist, appeared to them in a cloud of light, + "and having laid his hands on us, he ordained us, saying unto us, 'Upon + you, my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the priesthood + of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering angels, and of the + Gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of + sins.'" The messenger also informed them that "the power of laying on of + hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost" would be conferred on them later, + through Peter, James, and John, "who held the keys of the priesthood of + Melchisedec"; but he directed Smith to baptize Cowdery, and Cowdery then + to perform the same office for Smith. This they did at once, and as soon + as Cowdery came out of the water he "stood up and prophesied many things" + (which the prophet prudently omitted to record). The divine authority thus + conferred, according to Orson Pratt, exceeds that of the bishops of the + Roman church, because it came direct from heaven, and not through a + succession of popes and bishops.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Orson Pratt, in his "Questions and Answers on Doctrine" in his +Washington newspaper, the Seer (p. 205), thus defined the Mormon view of +the Roman Catholic church:— +</pre> + <p> + Q."Is the Roman Catholic Church the Church of Christ?" A."No, for she has + no inspired priesthood or officers." + </p> + <p> + Q."After the Church of Christ fled from earth to heaven what was left?" + A."A set of wicked apostates, murderers and idolaters," etc. + </p> + <p> + Q."Who founded the Roman Catholic Church?" A."The devil, through the + medium of the apostates, who subverted the whole order of God by denying + immediate revelation, and substituting in place thereof tradition and + ancient revelations as a sufficient rule of faith and practice." + </p> + <p> + Smith and Cowdery at once began telling of the power conferred upon them, + and giving their relatives and friends an opportunity to become members of + the new church. Smith's brother Samuel was the first convert won over, + Cowdery baptizing him. His brother Hyrum came next,* and then one J. + Knight, Sr., of Colesville, New York.** Each new convert was made the + subject of a "revelation," each of which began, "A great and marvelous + work is about to come forth among the children of men." Hyrum Smith, and + David and Peter Whitmer, Jr., were baptized in Seneca Lake in June, and + "from this time forth," says Smith, "many became believers and were + baptized, while we continued to instruct and persuade as many as applied + for information." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Hyrum wanted to start in to preach at once, and a "revelation" +was necessary to inform him: "You need not suppose you are called to +preach until you are called.... Keep my commandments; hold your peace" +(Sec.11). +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Colesville is the township in Broome County of which +Harpursville is the voting place. Smith organized his converts there +about two miles north of Harpursville. +</pre> + <p> + By April 6, 1830, branches of the new church had been established at + Fayette, Manchester, and Colesville, New York, with some seventy members + in all, it has been stated. Section 20 of the "Doctrine and Covenants" + names April 6, 1830, as the date on which the church was "regularly + organized and established, agreeable to the laws of our country." This + date has been incorrectly given as that on which the first step was taken + to form a church organization. What was done then was to organize in a + form which, they hoped, would give the church a standing as a legal body.* + The meeting was held at the house of Peter Whitmer. Smith, who, it was + revealed, should be the first elder, ordained Cowdery, and Cowdery + subsequently ordained Smith. The sacrament was then administered, and the + new elders laid their hands on the others present. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Whitmer's "Address to Believers in the Book of Mormon." +</pre> + <p> + "The revelation" (Sec. 20) on the form of church government is dated + April, 1830, at least six months before Rigdon's name was first associated + with the scheme by the visit of Cowdery and his companions to Ohio. If the + date is correct, it shows that Rigdon had forwarded this "revelation" to + Smith for promulgation, for Rigdon was unquestionably the originator of + the system of church government. David Whitmer has explained, "Rigdon + would expound the Old Testament Scriptures of the Bible and Book of + Mormon, in his way, to Joseph, concerning the priesthood, high priests, + etc., and would persuade Brother Joseph to inquire of the Lord about this + doctrine and about that doctrine, and of course a revelation would always + come just as they desired it."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Whitmer's "Address to Believers in the Book of Mormon." +</pre> + <p> + The "revelation" now announced defined the duty of elders, priests, + teachers, deacons, and members of the Church of Christ. An apostle was an + elder, and it was his calling to baptize, ordain, administer the + sacrament, confirm, preach, and take the lead in all meetings. A priest's + duty was to preach, baptize, administer the sacrament, and visit members + at their houses. Teachers and deacons could not baptize, administer the + sacrament, or lay on hands, but were to preach and invite all to join the + church. The elders were directed to meet in conference once in three + months, and there was to be a High Council, or general conference of the + church, by which should be ordained every President of the high + priesthood, bishop, high counsellor, and high priest. + </p> + <p> + Smith's leadership had, before this, begun to manifest itself. He had, in + a generous mood, originally intended to share with others the honor of + receiving "revelations," the first of these in the "Book of Doctrine and + Covenants," saying, "I the Lord also gave commandments to others, that + they should proclaim these things to the world." In the original + publication of these "revelations," under the title "Book of + Commandments," we find such headings as, "A revelation given to Oliver," + "A revelation given to Hyrum," etc. These headings are all changed in the + modern edition to read, "Given through Joseph the Seer," etc. + </p> + <p> + Cowdery was the first of his associates to seek an open share in the + divine work. Smith was so pleased with his new scribe when they first met + at Harmony, Pennsylvania, that he at once received a "revelation" which + incited Cowdery to ask for a division of power. Cowdery was told (Sec. 6), + "And behold, I grant unto you a gift, if you desire of me, to translate + even as my servant Joseph." Cowdery's desire manifested itself + immediately, and Joseph almost as quickly became conscious that he had + committed himself too soon. Accordingly, in another "revelation," dated + the same month of April, 1829 (Sec. 8), he attempted to cajole Oliver by + telling him about a "gift of Aaron" which he possessed, and which was a + remarkable gift in itself, adding, "Do not ask for that which you ought + not." But Cowdery naturally clung to his promised gift, and kept on + asking, and he had to be told right away in still another "revelation" + (Sec. 9), that he had not understood, but that he must not murmur, since + his work was to write for Joseph. If he was in doubt about a subject, he + was advised to "study it out in your mind"; and if it was right, the Lord + promised, "I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you"; but if it + was not right, "you shall have a stupor of thought, that shall cause you + to forget the thing which is wrong." To assist him until he became + accustomed to discriminate between this burning feeling and this stupor, + the Lord told him very plainly, "It is not expedient that you should + translate now." That all this rankled in Cowdery's heart was shown by his + attempt to revise one of Smith's "revelations," and the support he gave to + Hiram Page's "gazing." + </p> + <p> + Cowdery continued to annoy the prophet, and Smith decided to get rid of + him. Accordingly in July, 1830, came a "revelation," originally announced + as given direct to Joseph's wife Emma, instructing her to act as her + husband's scribe, "that I may send my servant Oliver Cowdery whithersoever + I will." This occurred on a trip the Smiths had made to Harmony. On their + return to Fayette, Smith found Cowdery still persistent, and he + accordingly gave out a "revelation" to him, telling him again that he must + not "write by way of commandment," inasmuch as Smith was at the head of + the church, and directing him to "go unto the Lamanites (Indians) and + preach my Gospel unto them." This was the first mention of the westward + movement of the church which shaped all its later history. + </p> + <p> + A "revelation" in June, 1829 (Sec. 18), had directed the appointment of + the twelve apostles, whom Cowdery and David Whitmer were to select. The + organized members now began to inquire who was their leader, and Smith, in + a "revelation" dated April 6, 1830 (Sec. 21), addressed to himself, + announced: "Behold there shall be a record kept among you, and in it thou + shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus + Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the + grace of your Lord Jesus Christ"; and the church was directed in these + words, "For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all + patience and faith." Thus was established an authority which Smith + defended until the day of his death, and before which all who questioned + it went down. + </p> + <p> + Some of the few persons who at this time expressed a willingness to join + the new church showed a repugnance to being baptized at his hands, and + pleaded previous baptism as an excuse for evading it. But Smith's + tyrannical power manifested itself at once, and he straightway announced a + "revelation" (Sec. 22), in which the Lord declared, "All old covenants + have I caused to be done away in this thing, and this is a new and + everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning." + </p> + <p> + Five days after the formal organization, the first sermon to the Mormon + church was preached in the Whitmer house by Oliver Cowdery, Smith probably + concluding that it would be wiser to confine himself to the receipt of + "revelations" rather than to essay pulpit oratory too soon. Six additional + persons were then baptized. Soon after this the first Mormon miracle was + performed—the casting out of a devil from a young man named, Newel + Knight. + </p> + <p> + The first conference of the organized church was held at Fayette, New + York, in June, 1830, with about thirty members present. In recent + "revelations" the prophet had informed his father and his brothers Hyrum + and Samuel that their calling was "to exhortation and to strengthen the + church," so that they were provided for in the new fold. + </p> + <p> + The region in New York State where the Smiths had lived and were well + known was not favorable ground for their labors as church officers, + conducting baptisms and administering the sacrament. When they dammed a + small stream in order to secure a pool for an announced baptism, the dam + was destroyed during the night. A Presbyterian sister-in-law of Knight, + from whom a devil had been cast, announced her conversion to Smith's + church, and, when she would not listen to the persuasions of her pastor, + the latter obtained legal authority from her parents and carried her away + by force. She succeeded, however, in securing the wished-for baptism. All + this stirred up public feeling against Smith, and he was arrested on a + charge of disorderly conduct. + </p> + <p> + At the trial testimony was offered to show that he had obtained a horse + and a yoke of oxen from his dupes, on the statement that a "revelation" + had informed him that he was to have them, and that he had behaved + improperly toward the daughters of one of these men. But the parties + interested all testified in his favor, and the prosecution failed. He was + immediately rearrested on a warrant and removed to Colesville, amid the + jeers of the people in attendance. Knight was subpoenaed to tell about the + miracle performed on him, and Smith's old character of a money-digger was + ventilated; but the court found nothing on which to hold him. Mormon + writers have dilated on these "persecutions", but the outcome of the + hearings indicated fair treatment of the accused by the arbiters of the + law, and the indignation shown toward him and his associates by their + neighbors was not greater than the conduct of such men in assuming + priestly rights might evoke in any similar community. + </p> + <p> + Smith returned to his home in Pennsylvania after this, and endeavored to + secure the cooperation of his father-in-law in his church plans, but + without avail. It was four years later that Mr. Hale put on record his + opinion of his son-in-law already quoted. Failing to find other support in + Harmony, and perceiving much public feeling against him, Smith prepared + for his return to New York by receiving a "revelation" (Sec.20) which + directed him to return to the churches organized in that state after he + had sold his crops. "They shall support thee", declared the "revelation"; + "but if they receive thee not I shall send upon them a cursing instead of + a blessing". For Smith's protection the Lord further declared: "Whosoever + shall lay their hand upon you by violence ye shall command to be smitten + in my name, and behold, I will smite them according to your words, IN MINE + OWN DUE TIME. And whosoever shall go to law with thee shall be cursed by + the law." This threat, it will be noted, was safeguarded by not requiring + immediate fulfillment. + </p> + <p> + Smith returned to Fayette in September, and continued church work + thereabouts in company with his brothers and John and David Whitmer. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Parley P. Pratt had made his visit to Palmyra and returned to + Ohio, and in the early winter Rigdon set out to make his first open visit + to Smith, arriving in December. Martin Harris, on the ground that Rigdon + was a regularly authorized clergyman, tried to obtain the use of one of + the churches of the town for him, but had to content himself with the + third-story hall of the Young Men's Association. There Rigdon preached a + sermon to a small audience, principally of non-Mormons, announcing himself + as a "messenger of God". The audience regarded the sermon as blasphemous, + and no further attempt was made to secure this room for Mormon meetings. + Rigdon, however, while in conference with Smith, preached and baptized the + neighborhood, and Smith and Harris tried their powers as preachers in + barns and under a tree in the open air. + </p> + <p> + A well-authenticated story of the manner in which one of the Palmyra + Mormons received his call to preach is told by Tucker* and verified by the + principal actor. Among the first baptized in New York State were Calvin + Stoddard and his wife (Smith's sister) of Macedon. Stoddard told his + neighbors of wonderful things he had seen in the sky, and about his duty + to preach. One night, Steven S. Harding, a young man who was visiting the + place, went with a companion to Stoddard's house, and awakening him with + knocks on the door, proclaimed in measured tones that the angel of the + Lord commanded him to "go forth among the people and preach the Gospel of + Nephi." Then they ran home and went to bed. Stoddard took the call in all + earnestness, and went about the next day repeating to his neighbors the + words of the "celestial messenger," describing the roaring thunder and the + musical sounds of the angel's wings that accompanied the words. Young + Harding, who participated in this joke, became Governor of Utah in 1862, + and incurred the bitter enmity of Brigham Young and the church by + denouncing polygamy, and asserting his own civil authority.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism," pp. 80, 285 +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + **Stoddard and Smith had a quarrel over a lot in Kirtland in +1835, and Smith knocked down his brother-in-law and was indicted for +assault and battery, but was acquitted on the ground of self-defence. +</pre> + <p> + AS a result of Smith's and Rigdon's conferences came a "revelation" to + them both (Sec. 35), delivered as in the name of Jesus Christ, defining + somewhat Rigdon's position. How nearly it met his demands cannot be + learned, but it certainly granted him no more authority than Smith was + willing to concede. It told him that he should do great things, conferring + the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, as did the apostles of old, and + promising to show miracles, signs, and wonders unto all believers. He was + told that Joseph had received the "keys of the mysteries of those things + that have been sealed," and was directed to "watch over him that his faith + fail not." This "revelation" ordered the retranslation of the Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + The most important result of Rigdon's visit to Smith was a decision to + move the church to Ohio. This decision was promulgated in the form of + "revelations" dated December, 1830, and January, 1831, which set forth + (Secs. 37, 38):— + </p> + <p> + "And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me + a righteous people, without spot and blameless: + </p> + <p> + "Wherefore, for this cause I give unto you the commandment that ye should + go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall + be endowed with power from on high; and from thence whomsoever I will + shall go forth among all nations, and it shall be told them what they + shall do; for I have a great work laid up in store, for Israel shall be + saved.... And they that have farms that cannot be sold, let them be left + or rented as seemeth them good." + </p> + <p> + A sufficient reason for the removal was the failure to secure converts + where Smith was known, and the ready acceptance of the new belief among + Rigdon's Ohio people. The Rev. Dr. Clark says, "You might as well go down + in the crater of Vesuvius and attempt to build an icehouse amid its molten + and boiling lava, as to convince any inhabitant in either of these towns + [Palmyra or Manchester] that Joe Smith's pretensions are not the most + gross and egregious falsehood."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Gleanings by the Way." +</pre> + <p> + The Rev. Jesse Townsend of Palmyra, in a reply to a letter of inquiry + about the Mormons, dated December 24, 1833 (quoted in full by Tucker), + says: "All the Mormons have left this part of the state, and so palpable + is their imposture that nothing is here said or thought of the subject, + except when inquiries from abroad are occasionally made concerning them. I + know of no one now living in this section of the country that ever gave + them credence." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. — THE MORMONS' BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES—CHURCH + GOVERNMENT + </h2> + <p> + The Mormons teach that, for fourteen hundred years to the time of Smith's + "revelations," there had been "a general and awful apostasy from the + religion of the New Testament, so that all the known world have been left + for centuries without the Church of Christ among them; without a + priesthood authorized of God to administer ordinances; that every one of + the churches has perverted the Gospel."* As illustrations of this + perversion are cited the doing away of immersion for the remission of sins + by most churches, of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy + Ghost, and of the miraculous gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit. The new + church presented a modern prophet, who was in direct communication with + God and possessed power to work miracles, and who taught from a Golden + Bible which says that whoever asserts that there are no longer + "revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with + tongues and the interpretation of tongues,... knoweth not the Gospel of + Christ" (Book of Mormon ix. 7, 8). + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Orson Pratt's "Remarkable Visions," No. 6. +</pre> + <p> + It is impossible to decide whether the name "Mormon" was used by Spaulding + in his "Manuscript Found," or was introduced by Rigdon. It is first + encountered in the Mormon Bible in the Book of Mosiah xviii. 4, as the + name of a place where there was a fountain in which Alma baptized those + whom his admonition led to repentance. Next it occurs in 3 Nephi v. 20: "I + am Mormon, and a pure descendant of Lehi." This Mormon was selected by the + "author" of the Bible to stand sponsor for the condensation of the + "records" of his ancestors which Smith unearthed. It was discovered very + soon after the organization of the Mormon church was announced that the + word was of Greek derivation, <img alt="0153 (2K)" src="images/0153.jpg" + height="3%" width="28%" /> meaning bugbear, hobgoblin. In the form of + "mormo" it is Anglicized with the same meaning, and is used by Jeremy + Collier and Warburton.* The word "Mormon" in zoology is the generic name + of certain animals, including the mandril baboon. The discovery of the + Greek origin and meaning of the word was not pleasing to the early Mormon + leaders, and they printed in the Times and Seasons a letter over Smith's + signature, in which he solemnly declared that "there was no Greek or Latin + upon the plates from which I, through the grace of God, translated the + Book of Mormon," and gave the following explanation of the derivation of + the word: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See "Century Dictionary." +</pre> + <p> + "Before I give a definition to the word, let me say that the Bible, in its + widest sense, means good; for the Saviour says, according to the Gospel of + St. John, 'I am the Good Shepherd'; and it will not be beyond the common + use of terms to say that good is amongst the most important in use, and, + though known by various names in different languages, still its meaning is + the same, and is ever in opposition to bad. We say from the Saxon, good; + the Dane, god; the Goth, gods; the German, gut; the Dutch, goed; the + Latin, bonus; the Greek, kalos; the Hebrew, tob; the Egyptian, mo. Hence, + with the addition of more, or the contraction mor, we have the word + Mormon, which means literally more good." + </p> + <p> + This lucid explanation was doubtless entirely satisfactory to the persons + to whom it was addressed. + </p> + <p> + In the early "revelations" collected in the "Book of Commandments" the new + church was not styled anything more definite than "My Church," and the + title-page of that book, as printed in 1833, says that these instructions + are "for the government of the Church of Christ." The name "Mormons" was + not acceptable to the early followers of Smith, who looked on it as a term + of reproach, claiming the designation "Saints." This objection to the + title continues to the present day. It was not until May 4, 1834, that a + council of the church, on motion of Sidney Rigdon, decided on its present + official title, "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." + </p> + <p> + The belief in the speedy ending of the world, on which the title + "Latter-Day Saints" was founded, has played so unimportant a part in + modern Mormon belief that its prominence as an early tenet of the church + is generally overlooked. At no time was there more widespread interest in + the speedy second coming of Christ and the Day of Judgment than during the + years when the organization of the Mormon church was taking place. We have + seen how much attention was given to a speedy millennium by the Disciples + preachers. It was in 1833 that William Miller began his sermons in which + he fixed on the year 1843 as the end of the world, and his views not only + found acceptance among his personal followers, but attracted the liveliest + interest in other sects. + </p> + <p> + The Mormon leaders made this belief a part of their early doctrine. Thus, + in one of the first "revelations" given out by Smith, dated Fayette, New + York, September, 1830, Christ is represented as saying that "the hour is + nigh" when He would reveal Himself, and "dwell in righteousness with men + on earth a thousand years." In the November following, another + "revelation" declared that "the time is soon at hand that I shall come in + a cloud, with power and great glory." Soon after Smith arrived in Kirtland + a "revelation," dated February, 1831, announced that "the great day of the + Lord is nigh at hand." In January, 1833, Smith predicted that "there are + those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death + until they shall see all these things of which I have spoken" (the + sweeping of the wicked from the United States, and the return of the lost + tribes to it). Smith declared in 1843 that the Lord had promised that he + should see the Son of Man if he lived to be eighty-five (Sec. 130).* When + Ferris was Secretary of Utah Territory, in 1852-1853, he found that the + Mormons were still expecting the speedy coming of Christ, but had moved + the date forward to 1870. All through Smith's autobiography and the + Millennial Star will be found mention of every portent that might be + construed as an indication of the coming disruption of this world. As late + as December 6, 1856, an editorial in the Millennial Star said, "The signs + of the times clearly indicate to every observing mind that the great day + of the second advent of Messiah is at hand." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Speaking of W. W. Phelps's last years in Utah, Stenhouse says: +"Often did the old man, in public and in private, regale the Saints with +the assurance that he had the promise by revelation that he should not +taste of death until Jesus came." Phelps died on March 7, 1872. +</pre> + <p> + As the devout Mohammedan* passes from earth to a heaven of material bliss, + so the Mormons are taught that the Saints, the sole survivors of the day + of judgment, will, with resurrected bodies, possess the purified earth. + The lengths to which Mormon preachers have dared to go in illustrating + this view find a good illustration in a sermon by arson Pratt, printed in + the Deseret News, Salt Lake City, of August 21, 1852. Having promised that + "farmers will have great farms upon the earth when it is so changed," and + foreseeing that some one might suggest a difficulty in providing land + enough to go round, he met that in this way:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The similarity between Smith's early life and visions and +Mohammed's has been mentioned by more than one writer. Stenhouse +observes that Smith's mother "was to him what Cadijah was to Mohammed," +and that "a Mohammedan writer, in a series of essays recently published +in London, treats of the prophecies concerning the Arabian Prophet, to +be found in the Old and New Testaments, precisely as Orson Pratt applied +them to the American Prophet." +</pre> + <p> + "But don't be so fast, says one; don't you know that there are only about + 197,000,000 of square miles, or about 126,000,000,000 of acres upon the + surface of the globe? Will these accommodate all the inhabitants after the + resurrection? Yes; for if the earth should stand 8000 years, or 80 + centuries, and the population should be a thousand millions in every + century, that would be 80,000,000,000 of inhabitants, and we know that + many centuries have passed that would not give the tenth part of this; but + supposing this to be the number, there would then be over an acre and a + half for each person upon the surface of the globe." + </p> + <p> + By eliminating the wicked, so that only one out of a hundred would share + this real estate, he calculated that every Saint "would receive over 150 + acres, which would be quite enough to raise manna, flax to make robes of, + and to have beautiful orchards of fruit trees." + </p> + <p> + The Mormon belief is stated by the church leaders to rest on the Holy + Bible, the Mormon Bible, and the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants," + together with the teachings of the Mormon instructors from Smith's time to + the present day. Although the Holy Bible is named first in this list, it + has, as we have seen, played a secondary part in the church ritual, its + principal use by the Mormon preachers having been to furnish quotations on + which to rest their claims for the inspiration of their own Bible and for + their peculiar teachings. Mormon sermons (usually styled discourses) + rarely, if ever, begin with a text. The "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" + "containing," as the title-page declares, "the revelations given to Joseph + Smith, Jr., for the building up of the Kingdom of God in the last days," + was the directing authority in the church during Smith's life, and still + occupies a large place in the church history. An examination of the origin + and character of this work will therefore shed much light on the claims of + the church to special direction from on high. + </p> + <p> + There is little doubt that this system of "revelation" was an idea of + Rigdon. Smith was not, at that time, an inventor; his forte was making use + of ideas conveyed to him. Thus, he did not originate the idea of using a + "peek-stone," but used one freely as soon as he heard of it. He did not + conceive the idea of receiving a Bible from an angel, but readily + transformed the Spaniard-with-his-throat-cut to an angel when the + perfected scheme was presented to him. We can imagine how attractive + "revelations" would have been to him, and how soon he would concentrate in + himself the power to receive them, and would adapt them to his personal + use. + </p> + <p> + David Whitmer says, "The revelations, or the Book of Commandments, up to + June, 1829, were given through the stone through which the Book of Mormon + was translated"; but that after that time "they came through Joseph as a + mouthpiece; that is, he would inquire of the Lord, pray and ask concerning + a matter, and speak out the revelation, which he thought to be a + revelation from the Lord; but sometimes he was mistaken about its being + from the Lord."* Who drew the line between truth and error has never been + explained, but Smith would certainly have resented any such scepticism. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Address to Believers in the Book of Mormon." +</pre> + <p> + Parley P. Pratt thus describes Smith's manner of receiving "revelations" + in Ohio, "Each sentence was uttered slowly and very distinctly, and with a + pause between each sufficiently long for it to be recorded by an ordinary + writer in long hand."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Pratt's "Autobiography," p. 65. +</pre> + <p> + These "revelations" made the greatest impression on Smith's followers, and + no other of his pretensions seems to have so convinced them of his divine + credentials. The story of Vienna Jaques well illustrates this. A Yankee + descendant of John Rodgers, living in Boston, she was convinced by a + Mormon elder, and joined the church members while they were in Kirtland, + taking with her her entire possession, $1500 in cash. This money, like + that of many other devoted members, found its way into Smith's hands—and + stayed there. But he had taken her into his family, and her support became + burdensome to him. So, when the Saints were "gathering" in Missouri, he + announced a "revelation" in these words (Sec. 90):— + </p> + <p> + "And again, verily, I [the Lord] say unto you, it is my will that my + handmaid, Vienna Jaques, should receive money to bear her expenses, and go + up unto the land of Zion; and the residue of the money may be consecrated + unto me, and she be rewarded in mine own due time. Verily, I say unto you, + that it is meet in mine eyes that she should go up unto the land of Zion, + and receive an inheritance from the hand of the Bishop, that she may + settle down in peace, inasmuch as she is faithful, and not to be idle in + her days from thenceforth." + </p> + <p> + The confiding woman obeyed without a murmur this thinly concealed scheme + to get rid of her, migrated with the church from Missouri to Illinois and + to Utah, and was in Salt Lake City in 1833, supporting herself as a nurse, + and "doubly proud that she has been made the subject of a revelation from + heaven."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Utah and the Mormons," p. 182. +</pre> + <p> + These "revelations" have been published under two titles. The first + edition was printed in Jackson, Missouri, in 1833, in the Mormon printing + establishment, under the title, "Book of Commandments for the Government + of the Church of Christ, organized according to Law on the 6th of April, + 1830." This edition contained nothing but "revelations," divided into + sixty-five "chapters," and ending with the one dated Kirtland, September, + 1831, which forms Section 64 of the Utah edition of "Doctrine and + Covenants." David Whitmer says that when, in the spring of 1832, it was + proposed by Smith, Rigdon, and others to publish these revelations, they + were earnestly advised by other members of the church not to do so, as it + would be dangerous to let the world get hold of them; and so it proved. + But Smith declared that any objector should "have his part taken out of + the Tree of Life."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * It has been stated that the "Book of Commandments" was never +really published, the mob destroying the sheets before it got out. But +David Whitmer is a very positive witness to the contrary, saying, "I say +it was printed complete (and copyrighted) and many copies distributed +among the members of the church before the printing press was +destroyed." +</pre> + <p> + Two years later, while the church was still in Kirtland, the "revelations" + were again prepared for publication, this time under the title, "Doctrine + and Covenants of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, carefully selected + from the revelations of God, and compiled by Joseph Smith, Jr.; Oliver + Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, F. G. Williams, proprietors." On August 17, 1835, + a general assembly of the church held in the Kirtland Temple voted to + accept his book as the doctrine and covenants of their faith. Ebenezer + Robinson, who attended the meeting, says that the majority of those so + voting "had neither time nor opportunity to examine the book for + themselves; they had no means of knowing whether any alterations had been + made in any of the revelations or not."* In fact, many important + alterations were so made, as will be pointed out in the course of this + story. One method of attempting to account for these changes has been by + making the plea that parts were omitted in the Missouri editions. On this + point, however, Whitmer is very positive, as quoted. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * In his reminiscences in The Return. +</pre> + <p> + At the very start Smith's revelations failed to "come true." An amusing + instance of this occurred before the Mormon Bible was published. While the + "copy" was in the hands of the printer, Grandin, Joe's brother Hyrum and + others who had become interested in the enterprise became impatient over + Harris's delay in raising the money required for bringing out the book. + Hyrum finally proposed that some of them attempt to sell the copyright in + Canada, and he urged Joe to ask the Lord about doing so. Joe complied, and + announced that the mission to Canada would be a success. Accordingly, + Oliver Cowdery and Hiram Page made a trip to Toronto to secure a + publisher, but their mission failed absolutely. This was a critical test + of the faith of Joe's followers. "We were all in great trouble," says + David Whitmer,* "and we asked Joseph how it was that he received a + 'revelation' from the Lord for some brethren to go to Toronto and sell the + copyright, and the brethren had utterly failed in their undertaking. + Joseph did not know how it was, so he inquired of the Lord about it, and + behold, the following 'revelation' came; through the stone: 'Some + revelations are from God, some revelations are of man, and some + revelations are of the Devil.'" No rule for distinguishing and separating + these revelations was given; but Whitmer, whose faith in Smith's divine + mission never cooled, thus disposes of the matter, "So we see that the + revelation to go to Toronto and sell the copyright was not of God." Of + course, a prophet whose followers would accept such an excuse was certain + of his hold upon them. This incident well illustrates the kind of material + which formed the nucleus of the church. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Address to All Believers in Christ," p. 30. +</pre> + <p> + Smith never let the previously revealed word of the Lord protect any of + his flock who afterward came in conflict with his own plans. For example: + On March 8, 1831, he announced a "revelation" (Sec. 47), saying, "Behold, + it is expedient in me that my servant John [Whitmer] should write and keep + a regular history" of the church. John fell into disfavor in later years, + and, when he refused to give up his records, Smith and Rigdon addressed a + letter to him,* in connection with his dismissal, which said that his + notes required correction by them before publication, "knowing your + incompetency as a historian, that writings coming from your pen could not + be put to press without our correcting them, or else the church must + suffer reproach. Indeed, sir, we never supposed you capable of writing a + history." Why the Lord did not consult Smith and Rigdon before making this + appointment is one of the unexplained mysteries. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XVI, p. 133. +</pre> + <p> + These "revelations," which increased in number from 16 in 1829 to 19 in + 1830, numbered 35 in 1831, and then decreased to 16 in 1832, 13 in 1833, 5 + in 1834, 2 in 1835, 3 in 1836, 1 in 1837, 8 in 1838 (in the trying times + in Missouri), 1 in 1839, none in 1840, 3 in 1841, none in 1842, and 2, + including the one on polygamy, in 1843. We shall see that in his latter + days, in Nauvoo, Smith was allowed to issue revelations only after they + had been censored by a council. He himself testified to the reckless use + which he made of them, and which perhaps brought about this action. The + following is a quotation from his diary:— + </p> + <p> + "May 19, 1842.—While the election [of Smith as mayor by the city + council] was going forward, I received and wrote the following revelation: + 'I Verily thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, by the voice of + the Spirit, Hiram Kimball has been insinuating evil and forming evil + opinions against you with others; and if he continue in them, he and they + shall be accursed, for I am the Lord thy God, and will stand by thee and + bless thee.' Which I threw across the room to Hiram Kimball, one of the + counsellors." + </p> + <p> + Thus it seems that there was some limit to the extent of Joe's effrontery + which could be submitted to. + </p> + <p> + We shall see that Brigham Young in Utah successfully resisted constant + pressure that was put upon him by his flock to continue the reception of + "revelations." While he was prudent enough to avoid the pitfalls that + would have surrounded him as a revealer, he was crafty enough not to + belittle his own authority in so doing. In his discourse on the occasion + of the open announcement of polygamy, he said, "If an apostle magnifies + his calling, his words are the words of eternal life and salvation to + those who hearken to them, just as much so as any written revelations + contained in these books" (the two Bibles and the "Doctrine and + Covenants"). + </p> + <p> + Hiram Page was not the only person who tried to imitate Smith's + "revelations." A boy named Isaac Russell gave out such messages at + Kirtland; Gladdin Bishop caused much trouble in the same way at Nauvoo; + the High Council withdrew the hand of fellowship from Oliver Olney for + setting himself up as a prophet; and in the same year the Times and + Seasons announced a pamphlet by J. C. Brewster, purporting to be one of + the lost books of Esdras, "written by the power of God." + </p> + <p> + In the Times and Seasons (p. 309) will be found a report of a conference + held in New York City on December 4, 1840, at which Elder Sydney Roberts + was arraigned, charged with "having a revelation that a certain brother + must give him a suit of clothes and a gold watch, the best that could be + had; also saluting the sisters with what he calls a holy kiss." He was + told that he could retain his membership if he would confess, but he + declared that "he knew the revelations which he had spoken were from God." + So he was thereupon "cut off." + </p> + <p> + The other source of Mormon belief—the teachings of their leading men—has + been no more consistent nor infallible than Smith's "revelations." Mormon + preachers have been generally uneducated men, most of them ambitious of + power, and ready to use the pulpit to strengthen their own positions. Many + an individual elder, firm in his faith, has travelled and toiled as + faithfully as any Christian missionary; but these men, while they have + added to the church membership, have not made its beliefs. + </p> + <p> + Smith probably originated very little of the church polity, except the + doctrine of polygamy, and what is published over his name is generally the + production of some of his counsellors. Section 130 of the "Book of + Doctrine and Covenants," headed "Important Items of Instruction, given by + Joseph the Prophet, April 2, 1843," contains the following:— + </p> + <p> + "When the Saviour shall appear, we shall see him as he is. We shall see + that he is a man like ourselves.... + </p> + <p> + "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son + also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a + personage of spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in + us." + </p> + <p> + An article in the Millennial Star, Vol. VI, for which the prophet vouched, + contains the following:— + </p> + <p> + "The weakest child of God which now exists upon the earth will possess + more dominion, more property, more subjects, and more power in glory than + is possessed by Jesus Christ or by his Father; while, at the same time, + Jesus Christ and his Father will have their dominion, kingdom and subjects + increased in proportion." + </p> + <p> + One more illustration of Smith's doctrinal views will suffice. In a + funeral sermon preached in Nauvoo, March 20, 1842, he said: "As concerning + the resurrection, I will merely say that all men will come from the grave + as they lie down, whether old or young; there will not be 'added unto + their stature one cubit,' neither taken from it. All will be raised by the + power of God, having spirit in their bodies but not blood."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIX, p. 213. +</pre> + <p> + In "The Latter-Day Saints' Catechism or Child's Ladder," by Elder David + Moffat, Genesis v. 1, and Exodus xxxiii. 22, 23, and xxiv. 10 are cited to + prove that God has the form and parts of a man. + </p> + <p> + The greatest vagaries of doctrinal teachings are found during Brigham + Young's reign in Utah. In the way of a curiosity the following diagram and + its explanation, by Orson Hyde, may be reproduced from the Millennial + Star, Vol. IX, p. 23:— + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0005" id="linkimage-0005"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/162.jpg" height="80%" width="80%" + alt="Order and Unity of the Kingdom Of God 162 " /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "The above diagram (not included in this etext) shows the order and unity + of the Kingdom of God. The eternal Father sits at the head, crowned King + of Kings and Lord of Lords. Wherever the other lines meet there sits a + king and priest under God, bearing rule, authority and dominion under the + Father. He is one with the Father because his Kingdom is joined to his + Father's and becomes part of it.... It will be seen by the above diagram + that there are kingdoms of all sizes, an infinite variety to suit all + grades of merit and ability. The chosen vessels of God are the kings and + priests that are placed at the heads of their kingdoms. They have received + their washings and anointings in the Temple of God on earth." + </p> + <p> + Young's ambition was not to be satisfied until his name was connected with + some doctrine peculiarly his own. Accordingly, in a long sermon preached + in the Tabernacle on April 9, 1852, he made this announcement (the italics + and capitals follow the official report):— + </p> + <p> + "Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, saint and + sinner. When our father Adam came into the Garden of Eden, he came into it + with a CELESTIAL BODY, and brought Eve, ONE OF HIS WIVES, with him. He + helped to make and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the ARCHANGEL, the + ANCIENT OF DAYS, about whom holy men have written and spoken.* HE is our + FATHER and our GOD, AND THE ONLY GOD WITH WHOM 'WE' HAVE TO DO... Every + man upon the earth, professing Christians or non-professing, must hear it + and WILL KNOW IT SOONER OR LATER.... I could tell you much more about + this; but were I to tell you the whole truth, blasphemy would be nothing + to it, in the estimation of the superstitious and over righteous of + mankind.... Jesus, our Elder Brother, was begotten in the flesh by the + same character that was in the Garden of Eden, and who is our Father in + heaven."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Young, in a public discourse on October 23, 1853, declared that +he rejected the story of Adam's creation as "baby stories my mother +taught me when I was a child." But the Mormon Bible (2 Nephi ii. 18-22) +tells the story of Adam's fall. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Journal of Discourses, VOL I, pp. 50, 51. +</pre> + <p> + This doctrine was made a leading point of difference between the Utah + church and the Reorganized Church, when the latter was organized, but it + is no longer defended even in Utah. The Deseret Evening News of March 21, + 1900, said on this point, "That which President Young set forth in the + discourse referred to is not preached either to the Latter-Day Saints or + to the world as a part of the creed of the church." + </p> + <p> + Young never hesitated to rebuke an associate whose preaching did not suit + him. In a discourse in Salt Lake City, on March 8, 1857, he rebuked Orson + Pratt, one of the ablest of the church writers, declaring that Pratt did + not "know enough to keep his foot out of it, but drowns himself in his + philosophy." He ridiculed his doctrine that "the devils in hell are + composed of and filled with the Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost, and possess + all the knowledge, wisdom, and power of the gods," and said, "When I read + some of the writings of such philosophers they make me think, 'O dear, + granny, what a long tail our puss has got.'"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 297. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon church still holds that an existing head of that organization + can always interpret the divine will regarding any question. This was + never more strikingly illustrated than when Woodruff, by a mere dictum, + did away with the obligatory character of polygamy. + </p> + <p> + When the Mormons were under a cloud in Illinois, in 1842, John Wentworth, + editor of the Chicago Democrat, applied to Smith for a statement of their + belief, and received in reply a list of 13 "Articles of Faith" over + Smith's signature. This statement was intended to win for them sympathy as + martyrs to a simple religious belief, and it has been cited in Congress as + proof of their soul purity. But as illustrating the polity of the church + it is quite valueless. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of polygamy and the ceremonies of the Endowment House will be + considered in their proper place. One distinctive doctrine of the church + must be explained before this subject is dismissed, namely, that which + calls for "baptism for the dead." This doctrine is founded on an + interpretation of Corinthians xv. 29: "Else what shall they do which are + baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then + baptized for the dead?" + </p> + <p> + An explanation of this doctrine in the Times and Seasons of May 1, 1841, + says:—"This text teaches us the important and cheering truth that + the departed spirit is in a probationary state, and capable of being + affected by the proclamation of the Gospel.... Christ offers pardon, + peace, holiness, and eternal life to the quick and the dead, the living, + on condition of faith and baptism for remission of sins; the departed, on + the same condition of faith in person and baptism by a living kinsman in + his behalf. It may be asked, will this baptism by proxy necessarily save + the dead? We answer, no; neither will the same necessarily save the + living." + </p> + <p> + This doctrine was first taught to the church in Ohio. In later years, in + Nauvoo, Smith seemed willing to accept its paternity, and in an article in + the Times and Seasons of April 15, x 842, signed "Ed.," when he was its + editor, he said that he was the first to point it out. The article shows, + however, that it was doubtless written by Rigdon, as it indicates a + knowledge of the practice of such baptism by the Marcionites in the second + century, and of Chrysostom's explanation of it. A note on Corinthians xv. + 29, in "The New Testament Commentary for English Readers," edited by Lord + Bishop Ellicott of Gloucester and Bristol (London, 1878), gives the + following historical sketch of the practice:— + </p> + <p> + "There have been numerous and ingenious conjectures as to the meaning of + this passage. The only tenable interpretation is that there existed + amongst some of the Christians at Corinth a practice of baptizing a living + person in the stead of some convert who had died before that sacrament had + been administered to him. Such a practice existed amongst the Marcionites + in the second century, and still earlier amongst a sect called the + Cerinthians. The idea evidently was that, whatever benefit flowed from + baptism, might be thus vicariously secured for the deceased Christian. St. + Chrysostom gives the following description of it:— + </p> + <p> + "After a catechumen (one prepared for baptism but not actually baptized) + was dead, they hid a living man under the bed of the deceased; then, + coming to the bed of the dead man, they spoke to him, and asked whether he + would receive baptism; and, he making no answer, the other replied in his + stead, and so they baptized the living for the dead: Does St. Paul then, + by what he here says, sanction the superstitious practice? Certainly not. + He carefully separated himself and the Corinthians, to whom he immediately + addresses himself, from those who adopted this custom .... Those who do + that, and disbelieve a resurrection, refute themselves. This custom + possibly sprang up among the Jewish converts, who had been accustomed to + something similar in their faith. If a Jew died without having been + purified from some ceremonial uncleanness, some living person had the + necessary ablution performed on him, and the dead were so accounted + clean." + </p> + <p> + Other commentators have found means to explain this text without giving it + reference to a baptism for dead persons, as, for instance, that it means, + "with an interest in the resurrection of the dead."* Another explanation + is that by "the dead" is meant the dead Christ, as referred to in Romans + vi. 3, "Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ + were baptized into his death?" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Commentary by Bishops and Other Clergy of the Anglican +Church." +</pre> + <p> + This doctrine was a very taking one with the uneducated Mormon converts + who crowded into Nauvoo, and the church officers saw in it a means to + hasten the work on the Temple. At first families would meet on the bank of + the Mississippi River, and some one, of the order of the Melchisedec + Priesthood, would baptize them wholesale for all their dead relatives + whose names they could remember, each sex for relatives of the same. But + as soon as the font in the Temple was ready for use, these baptisms were + restricted to that edifice, and it was required that all the baptized + should have paid their tithings. At a conference at Nauvoo in October, + 1841, Smith said that those who neglected the baptism of their dead "did + it at the peril of their own salvation."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. II, p. 578. +</pre> + <p> + The form of church government, as worked out in the early days, is set + forth in the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants." The first officers provided + for were the twelve apostles,* and the next the elders, priests, teachers, + and deacons, Edward Partridge being announced as the first bishop in 1831. + The church was loosely governed for the first years after its + establishment at Kirtland. A guiding power was provided for in a + revelation of March 8, 1833 (Sec. 90), when Smith was told by the Lord + that Rigdon and F. G. Williams were accounted as equal with him "in + holding the keys of this last kingdom." These three first held the famous + office of the First Presidency, representing the Trinity. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * (Sec. 18, June, 1829.) +</pre> + <p> + On February 17, 1834 (Sec. 102), a General High Council of twenty-four + High Priests assembled at Smith's house in Kirtland and organized the High + Council of the church, consisting of Twelve High Priests, with one or + three Presidents, as the case might require. The office of High Priest, + and the organization of a High Council were apparently an afterthought, + and were added to the "revelation" after its publication in the "Book of + Commandments." Other forms of organization that were from time to time + decided on were announced in a revelation dated March 28, 1835 (Sec. 107), + which defined the two priesthoods, Melchisedec and Aaronic, and their + powers. There were to be three Presiding High Priests to form a Quorum of + the Presidency of the church; a Seventy, called to preach the Gospel, who + would form a Quorum equal in authority to the Quorum of the Twelve, and be + presided over by seven of their number. Smith soon organized two of these + Quorums of Seventies. At the time of the dedications of the Temple at + Nauvoo, in 1844, there were fifteen of them, and to-day they number more + than 120. + </p> + <p> + Each separate church organization, as formed, was called a Stake, and each + Stake had over it a Presidency, High Priests, and Council of Twelve. We + find the meaning of the word "Stake" in some of Smith's earlier + "revelations." Thus, in the one dated June 4, 1833, regarding the + organization of the church at Kirtland, it was said, "It is expedient in + me that this Stake that I have set for the strength of Zion be made + strong." Again, in one dated December 16, 1839, on the gathering of the + Saints, it is stated, "I have other places which I will appoint unto them, + and they shall be called Stakes for the curtains, or the strength of + Zion." In Utah, to-day, the Stakes form groups of settlements, and are + generally organized on county lines. + </p> + <p> + The prophet made a substantial provision for his father, founding for him + the office of Patriarch, in accordance with an unpublished "revelation." + The principal business of the Patriarch was to dispense "blessings," which + were regarded by the faithful as a sort of charm, to ward off misfortune. + Joseph, Sr., awarded these blessings without charge when he began + dispensing them at Kirtland, but a High Council held there in 1835 allowed + him $10 a week while blessing the church. After his formal anointing in + 1836 he was known as Father Smith, and the next year his salary was made + $1.50 a day.* Hyrum became Patriarch when his father died in 1840, his + brother William succeeded him, his Uncle John came next, and his Uncle + Joseph after John. Patriarchal blessings were advertised in the Mormon + newspaper in Nauvoo like other merchandise. They could be obtained in + writing, and contained promises of almost anything that a man could wish, + such as freedom from poverty and disease, life prolonged until the coming + of Christ, etc.** In 1875 the price of a blessing in Utah had risen to $2. + The office of Patriarch is still continued, with one chief Patriarch, + known as Patriarch of the Church, and subordinate Patriarchs in the + different Stakes. The position of Patriarch of the church has always been + regarded as a hereditary one, and bestowed on some member of the Smith + family, as it is to-day. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The departure of the Patriarch from Ohio was somewhat dramatic. +As his wife tells the story in her book, the old man was taken by a +constable before a justice of the peace on a charge of performing +the marriage service without any authority, and was fined $3000, +and sentenced to the penitentiary in default of payment. Through the +connivance of the constable, who had been a Mormon, the prisoner was +allowed to leap out of a window, and he remained in hiding at New +Portage until his family were ready to start for Missouri. The +revelation of January 19, 1841, announced that he was then sitting "with +Abraham at his right hand." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ferris's "Utah and the Mormons," p. 314, and "Wife No. 19," p. +581. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK II. — IN OHIO + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — THE FIRST CONVERTS AT KIRTLAND + </h2> + <p> + The four missionaries who had been sent to Ohio under Cowdery's leadership + arrived there in October, 1830. Rigdon left Kirtland on his visit to Smith + in New York State in the December following, and in January, 1831, he + returned to Ohio, taking Smith with him. + </p> + <p> + The party who set out for Ohio, ostensibly to preach to the Lamanites, + consisted of Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Peter Whitmer, Jr., and Ziba + Peterson, the latter one of Smith's original converts, who, it may be + noted, was deprived of his land and made to work for others a year later + in Missouri, because of offences against the church authorities. These men + preached as they journeyed, making a brief stop at Buffalo to instruct the + Indians there. On reaching Ohio, Pratt's acquaintance with Rigdon's + Disciples gave him an opportunity to bring the new Bible to the attention + of many people. The character of the Smiths was quite unknown to the + pioneer settlers, and the story of the miraculously delivered Bible filled + many of them with wonder rather than with unbelief. + </p> + <p> + The missionaries began the work of organizing a church at once. Some + members of Rigdon's congregation had already formed a "common stock + society," and were believers in a speedy millennium, and to these the word + brought by the new-comers was especially welcome. Cowdery baptized + seventeen persons into the new church. Rigdon at the start denied his + right to do this, and, in a debate between him and the missionaries which + followed at Rigdon's house, Rigdon quoted Scripture to prove that, even if + they had seen an angel, as they declared, it might have been Satan + transformed. Cowdery asked if he thought that, in response to a prayer + that God would show him an angel, the Heavenly Father would suffer Satan + to deceive him. Rigdon replied that if Cowdery made such a request of the + Heavenly Father "when He has never promised you such a thing, if the devil + never had an opportunity of deceiving you before, you give him one now."* + But after a brief study of the new book, Rigdon announced that he, too, + had had a "revelation," declaring to him that Mormonism was to be + believed. He saw in a vision all the orders of professing Christians pass + before him, and all were "as corrupt as corruption itself," while the + heart of the man who brought him the book was "as pure as an angel." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "It seemed to be a part of Rigdon's plan to make such a fight +that, when he did surrender, the triumph of the cause that had +defeated him would be all the more complete."—Kennedy, "Early Days of +Mormonism." +</pre> + <p> + The announcement of Rigdon's conversation gave Mormonism an advertisement + and a support that had a wide effect, and it alarmed the orthodox of that + part of the country as they had never been alarmed before. Referring to + it, Hayden says, "The force of this shock was like an earthquake when + Symonds Ryder, Ezra Booth, and many others submitted to the 'New + Dispensation.'" Largely through his influence, the Mormon church at + Kirtland soon numbered more than one hundred members. + </p> + <p> + During all that autumn and early winter crowds went to Kirtland to learn + about the new religion. On Sundays the roads would be thronged with + people, some in whatever vehicles they owned, some on horseback, and some + on foot, all pressing forward to hear the expounders of the new Gospel and + to learn the particulars of the new Bible. Pioneers in a country where + there was little to give variety to their lives, they were easily + influenced by any religious excitement, and the announcement of a new + Bible and prophet was certain to arouse their liveliest interest. They + had, indeed, inherited a tendency to religious enthusiasm, so recently had + their parents gone through the excitements of the early days of Methodism, + or of the great revivals of the new West at the beginning of the century, + when (to quote one of the descriptions given by Henry Howe) more than + twenty thousand persons assembled in one vast encampment, "hundreds of + immortal beings moving to and fro, some preaching, some praying for mercy, + others praising God. Such was the eagerness of the people to attend, that + entire neighborhoods were forsaken, and the roads literally crowded by + those pressing forward on their way to the groves."* Any new religious + leader could then make his influence felt on the Western border: Dylkes, + the "Leatherwood God," had found it necessary only to announce himself as + the real Messiah at an Ohio campmeeting, in 1828, to build up a sect on + that assumption. Freewill Baptists, Winebrennerians, Disciples, Shakers, + and Universalists were urging their doctrines and confusing the minds of + even the thoughtful with their conflicting views. We have seen to what + beliefs the preaching of the Disciples' evangelists had led the people of + the Western Reserve, and it did not really require a much broader exercise + of faith (or credulity) to accept the appearance of a new prophet with a + new Bible. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Historical Collections of the Great West." +</pre> + <p> + While the main body of converts was made up of persons easily susceptible + to religious excitement, and accustomed to have their opinions on such + subjects formed for them, men of education and more or less training in + theology were found among the early adherents to the new belief. It is + interesting to see how the minds of such men were influenced, and this we + are enabled to do from personal experiences related by some of them. + </p> + <p> + One of these, John Corrill, a man of intelligence, who stayed with the + church until it was driven out of Missouri, then became a member of the + Missouri Legislature, and wrote a brief history of the church to the year + 1839, in this pamphlet answered very clearly the question often asked by + his friends, "How did you come to join the Mormons?" A copy of the new + Bible was given to him by Cowdery when the missionaries, on their Western + trip, passed through Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he lived. A brief + reading convinced him that it was a mere money-making scheme, and when he + learned that they had stopped at Kirtland, he did not entertain a doubt, + that, under Rigdon's criticism, the pretensions of the missionaries would + be at once laid bare. When, on the contrary, word came that Rigdon and the + majority of his society had accepted the new faith, Corrill asked himself: + "What does this mean? Are Elder Rigdon and these men such fools as to be + duped by these impostors?" After talking the matter over with a neighbor, + he decided to visit Kirtland, hoping to bring Rigdon home with him, with + the idea that he might be saved from the imposition if he could be taken + from the influence of the impostors. But before he reached Kirtland, + Corrill heard of Rigdon's baptism into the new church. Finding Kirtland in + a state of great religious excitement, he sought discussions with the + leaders of the new movement, but not always successfully. + </p> + <p> + Corrill started home with a "heart full of serious reflections." Were not + the people of Berea nobler than the people of Thessalonica because "they + searched the Scriptures daily; whether these things were so?" Might he not + be fighting against God in his disbelief? He spent two or three weeks + reading the Mormon Bible; investigated the bad reports of the new sect + that reached him and found them without foundation; went back to Kirtland, + and there convinced himself that the laying on of hands and "speaking with + tongues" were inspired by some supernatural agency; admitted to himself + that, accepting the words of Peter (Acts ii. 17-20), it was "just as + consistent to look for prophets in this age as in any other." Smith seemed + to have been a bad man, but was not Moses a fugitive from justice, as the + murderer of a man whose body he had hidden in the sand, when God called + him as a prophet? The story of the long hiding and final delivery of the + golden plates to Smith taxed his credulity; but on rereading the + Scriptures he found that books are referred to therein which they do not + contain—Book of Nathan the Prophet, Book of Gad the Seer, Book of + Shemaiah the Prophet, and Book of Iddo the Seer (1 Chron. xxix. 29; 2 + Chron. ix. 29 and xii. 15). This convinced him that the Scriptures were + not complete. Daniel and John were commanded to seal the Book. David + declared (Psalms xxxv.) "that truth shall spring out of the earth," and + from the earth Smith took the plates; and Ezekiel (xxxvii. 15-21) foretold + the existence of two records, by means of which there shall be a gathering + together of the children of Israel. It finally seemed to Corrill that the + Mormon Bible corresponded with the record of Joseph referred to by + Ezekiel, the Holy Bible being the record of Judah. + </p> + <p> + Not fully satisfied, he finally decided, however, to join the new church, + with a mental reservation that he would leave it if he ever found it to be + a deception. Explaining his reasons for leaving it when he did, he says, + "I can see nothing that convinces me that God has been our leader; + calculation after calculation has failed, and plan after plan has been + overthrown, and our prophet seemed not to know the event till too late." + </p> + <p> + The two other most prominent converts to the new church in Ohio were the + Rev. Ezra Booth, a Methodist preacher of more than ordinary culture, of + Mantua, and Symonds Ryder, a native of Vermont, whom Alexander Campbell + had converted to the Disciples' belief in 1828, and who occupied the + pulpit at Hiram when called on. Booth visited Smith in 1831, with some + members of his own congregation, and was so impressed by the miraculous + curing of the lame arm of a woman of his party by Smith, that he soon gave + in his allegiance. Ryder had always found one thing lacking in the + Disciples' theology—he looked for some actual "gift of the Holy + Spirit" in the way of "signs" that were to follow them that believed. He + was eventually induced to announce his conversion to the new church after + "he read in a newspaper, an account of the destruction of Pekin in China, + and remembered that, six weeks before, a young Mormon girl had predicted + the destruction of that city." This statement was made in the sermon + preached at his funeral. Both of these men confessed their mistake four + months later, after Booth had returned from a trip to Missouri with Smith. + </p> + <p> + Among the ignorant, even the most extravagant of the claims of the Mormon + leaders had influence. One man, when he heard an elder in the midst of a + sermon "speak with tongues," in a language he had never heard before, + "felt a sudden thrill from the back of his head down his backbone," and + was converted on the spot. John D. Lee, of Catholic education, was + convinced by an elder that the end of the world was near, and sold his + property in Illinois for what it would bring, and moved to Far West, in + order to be in the right place when the last day dawned. Lorenzo Snow, the + recent President of the church, says that he was "thoroughly convinced + that obedience to those [the Mormon] prophets would impart miraculous + powers, manifestations, and revelations," the first manifestation of which + occurred some weeks later, when he heard a sound over his head "like the + rustling of silken robes, and the spirit of God descended upon me."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Biography of Snow, by his sister Eliza. +</pre> + <p> + The arguments that control men's religious opinions are too varied even + for classification. In a case like Mormonism they range from the really + conscientious study of a Corrill to the whim of the Paumotuan, of whom + Stevenson heard in the South Seas, who turned Mormon when his wife died, + after being a pillar of the Catholic church for fifteen years, on the + ground that "that must be a poor religion that could not save a man his + wife." Any person who will examine those early defences of the Mormon + faith, Parley P. Pratt's "A Voice of Warning," and Orson Pratt's "Divine + Authenticity of the Book of Mormon," will find what use can be made of an + insistence on the literal acceptance of the Scriptures in defending such a + sect as theirs, especially with persons whose knowledge of the Scriptures + is much less than their reverence for them. + </p> + <p> + Professor J. B. Turner,* writing in 1842, when the early teachings of + Mormonism had just had their effect in what is now styled the middle West, + observed that these teachings had made more infidels than Mormon converts. + This is accounted for by the fact that persons who attempted to follow the + Mormon argument by studying the Scriptures, found their previous + interpretation of parts of the Holy Bible overturned, and the whole book + placed under a cloud. W. J. Stillman mentions a similar effect in the case + of Ruskin. When they were in Switzerland, Ruskin would do no painting on + Sunday, while Stillman regarded the sanctity of the first day of the week + as a "theological fiction." In a discussion of the subject between them, + Stillman established to Ruskin's satisfaction that there was no Scriptural + authority for transferring the day of rest from the seventh to the first + day of the week. "The creed had so bound him to the letter," says + Stillman, "that the least enlargement of the stricture broke it, and he + rejected, not only the tradition of the Sunday Sabbath, but the whole of + the ecclesiastical interpretation of the texts. He said, 'If they have + deceived me in this, they have probably deceived me in all.'" The Mormons + soon learned that it was more profitable for them to seek converts among + those who would accept without reasoning. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism in all Ages." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — WILD VAGARIES OF THE CONVERTS + </h2> + <p> + The scenes at Kirtland during the first winter of the church there reached + the limit of religious enthusiasm. The younger members outdid the elder in + manifesting their belief. They saw wonderful lights in the air, and + constantly received visions. Mounting stumps in the field, they preached + to imaginary congregations, and, picking up stones, they would read on + them words which they said disappeared as soon as known. At the evening + prayer-meetings the laying on of hands would be followed by a sort of fit, + in which the enthusiasts would fall apparently lifeless on the floor, or + contort their faces, creep on their hands or knees, imitate the Indian + process of killing and scalping, and chase balls of fire through the + fields.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Corrill's "Brief History of the Church," p. 16; Howe's +"Mormonism Unveiled," p. 104. +</pre> + <p> + Some of the young men announced that they had received "commissions" to + teach and preach, written on parchment, which came to them from the sky, + and which they reached by jumping into the air. Howe reproduces one of + these, the conclusion of which, with the seal, follows:— + </p> + <p> + "That you had a messenger tell you to go and get the other night, you must + not show to any son of Adam. Obey this, and I will stand by you in all + cases. My servants, obey my commandments in all cases, and I will provide. + </p> + <p> + "Be ye always ready, Be ye always ready, Whenever I shall call, Be ye + always ready, My seal. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0006" id="linkimage-0006"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/0175.jpg" height="15%" width="22%" alt=" Seal 175 " /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "There shall be something of great importance revealed when I shall call + you to go: My servants, be faithful over a few things, and I will make you + a ruler over many. Amen, Amen, Amen." + </p> + <p> + Foolishly extravagant as these manifestations appear (Corrill says that + comparatively few members indulged in them), there was nothing in them + peculiar to the Mormon belief. The meetings of the Disciples, in the year + of Smith's arrival in Ohio and later, when men like Campbell and Scott + spoke, were swayed with the most intense religious enthusiasm. A + description of the effect of Campbell's preaching at a grove meeting in + the Cuyahoga Valley in 1831 says:— + </p> + <p> + "The woods were full of horses and carriages, and the hundreds already + there were rapidly swelled to many thousands; all were of one race—the + Yankee; all of one calling, or nearly, the farmer.... When Campbell + closed, low murmurs broke and ran through the awed crowd; men and women + from all parts of the vast assembly with streaming eyes came forward; + young men who had climbed into small trees from curiosity, came down from + conviction, and went forward for baptism."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Riddle's "The Portrait." +</pre> + <p> + It is easy to cite very "orthodox" precedents for such manifestations. One + of these we find in the accounts of what were called "the jerks," which + accompanied a great revival in 1803, brought about by the preaching of the + Rev. Joseph Badger, a Yale graduate and a Congregationalist, who was the + first missionary to the Western Reserve. J. S. C. Abbott, in his history + of Ohio, describing the "jerks," says:— + </p> + <p> + "The subject was instantaneously seized with spasms in every muscle, nerve + and tendon. His head was thrown backward and forward, and from side to + side, with inconceivable rapidity. So swift was the motion that the + features could no more be discerned than the spokes of a wheel can be seen + when revolving with the greatest velocity.... All were impressed with a + conviction that there was something supernatural in these convulsions, and + that it was opposing the spirit of God to resist them." + </p> + <p> + The most extravagant enthusiasm of the Kirtland converts, and the most + extravagant claims of the Mormon leaders at that time, were exceeded by + the manifestations of converts in the early days of Methodism, and the + miraculous occurrences testified to by Wesley himself,*—a cloud + tempering the sun in answer to his prayer; his horse cured of lameness by + faith; the case of a blind Catholic girl who saw plainly when her eyes + rested on the New Testament, but became blind again when she took up the + Mass Book. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For examples see Lecky's "England in the Nineteenth Century," +Vol. III, Chap. VIII, and Wesley's "Journal." +</pre> + <p> + These Mormon enthusiasts were only suffering from a manifestation to which + man is subject; and we can agree with a Mormon elder who, although he left + the church disgusted with its extravagances, afterward remarked, "The man + of religious feeling will know how to pity rather than upbraid that zeal + without knowledge which leads a man to fancy that he has found the ladder + of Jacob, and that he sees the angel of the Lord ascending and descending + before his eyes." + </p> + <p> + When Smith and Rigdon reached Kirtland they found the new church in a + state of chaos because of these wild excitements, and of an attempt to + establish a community of possessions, growing out of Rigdon's previous + teachings. These communists held that what belonged to one belonged to + all, and that they could even use any one's clothes or other personal + property without asking permission. Many of the flock resented this, and + anything but a condition of brotherly love resulted. Smith, in his account + of the situation as they found it, says that the members were striving to + do the will of God, "though some had strange notions, and false spirits + had crept in among them. With a little caution and some wisdom, I soon + assisted the brothers and sisters to overcome them. The plan of 'common + stock,' which had existed in what was called 'the family,' whose members + generally had embraced the Everlasting Gospel, was readily abandoned for + the more perfect law of the Lord,"*—which the prophet at once + expounded. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, Supt., p. 56. +</pre> + <p> + Smith announced that the Lord had informed him that the ravings of the + converts were of the devil, and this had a deterring effect; but at an + important meeting of elders to receive an endowment, some three months + later, conducted by Smith himself, the spirits got hold of some of the + elders. "It threw one from his seat to the floor," says Corrill. "It bound + another so that for some time he could not use his limbs or speak; and + some other curious effects were experienced. But by a mighty exertion, in + the name of the Lord, it was exposed and shown to be of an evil source." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — GROWTH OF THE CHURCH + </h2> + <p> + In order not to interrupt the story of the Mormons' experiences in Ohio, + leaving the first steps taken in Missouri to be treated in connection with + the regular course of events in that state, it will be sufficient to say + here that Cowdery, Pratt, and their two companions continued their journey + as far as the western border of Missouri, in the winter of 1830 and 1831, + making their headquarters at Independence, Jackson County; that, on + receipt of their reports about that country, Smith and Rigdon, with + others, made a trip there in June, 1831, during which the corner-stones of + the City of Zion and the Temple were laid, and officers were appointed to + receive money for the purchase of the land for the Saints, its division; + etc. Smith and Rigdon returned to Kirtland on August 27, 1831. + </p> + <p> + The growth of the church in Ohio was rapid. In two or three weeks after + the arrival of the four pioneer missionaries, 127 persons had been + baptized, and by the spring of 1831 the number of converts had increased + to 1000. Almost all the male converts were honored with the title of + elder. By a "revelation" dated February 9, 1831 (Sec. 42), all of these + elders, except Smith and Rigdon, were directed to "go forth in the power + of my spirit, preaching my Gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your + voices as with the voice of a trump." This was the beginning of that + extensive system of proselyting which was soon extended to Europe, which + was so instrumental in augmenting the membership of the church in its + earlier days, and which is still carried on with the utmost zeal and + persistence. The early missionaries travelled north into Canada and + through almost all the states, causing alarm even in New England by the + success of their work. One man there, in 1832, reprinted at his own + expense Alexander Campbell's pamphlet exposing the ridiculous features of + the Mormon Bible, for distribution as an offset to the arguments of the + elders. Women of means were among those who moved to Kirtland from + Massachusetts. In three years after Smith and Rigdon met in Palmyra, + Mormon congregations had been established in nearly all the Northern and + Middle states and in some of the Southern, with baptisms of from 30 to 130 + in a place.* + </p> + <p> + Smith had relaxed none of his determination to be the one head of the + church. As soon as he arrived in Kirtland he put forth a long "revelation" + (Sec. 43) which left Rigdon no doubt of the prophet's intentions. It + declared to the elders that "there is none other but Smith appointed unto + you to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken," and that + "none else shall be appointed unto his gift except it be through him." Not + only was Smith's spiritual power thus intrenched, but his temporal welfare + was looked after. "And again I say unto you," continues this mouthpiece of + the Lord, "if ye desire the mysteries of the Kingdom, provide for him food + and raiment and whatsoever he needeth to accomplish the work wherewith I + have commanded him." In the same month came another declaration, saying + (Sec. 41) "is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., should have a house + built, in which to live and translate" (the Scriptures). With a streak of + generosity it was added, "It is meet that my servant Sidney Rigdon should + live as seemeth him good." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Turner's "Mormonism in all Ages," p. 38. +</pre> + <p> + The iron hand with which Smith repressed Rigdon from the date of their + arrival in Ohio affords strong proof of Rigdon's complicity in the Bible + plot, and of Smith's realization of the fact that he stood to his + accomplice in the relation of a burglar to his mate, where the burglar has + both the boodle and the secret in his possession. An illustration of this + occurred during their first trip to Missouri. Rigdon and Smith did not + agree about the desirability of western Missouri as a permanent + abiding-place for the church. The Rev. Ezra Booth, after leaving the + Mormons, contributed a series of letters on his experience with Smith to + the Ohio Star of Ravenna.* In the first of these he said: "On our arrival + in the western part of the state of Missouri we discovered that prophecy + and visions had failed, or rather had proved false. This fact was so + notorious that Mr. Rigdon himself says that 'Joseph's vision was a bad + thing.'" Smith nevertheless directed Rigdon to write a description of that + promised land, and, when the production did not suit him, he represented + the Lord as censuring Rigdon in a "revelation" (Sec. 63):— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Copied in Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled." +</pre> + <p> + "And now behold, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, am not pleased with + my servant Sidney Rigdon; he exalteth himself in his heart, and receiveth + not counsel, but grieveth the spirit. Wherefore his writing is not + acceptable unto the Lord; and he shall make another, and if the Lord + receiveth it not, behold he standeth no longer in the office which I have + appointed him." + </p> + <p> + That the proud-minded, educated preacher, who refused to allow Campbell to + claim the foundership of the Disciples' church, should take such a rebuke + and threat of dismissal in silence from Joe Smith of Palmyra, and continue + under his leadership, certainly indicates some wonderful hold that the + prophet had upon him. + </p> + <p> + While the travelling elders were doing successful work in adding new + converts to the fold, there was beginning to manifest itself at Kirtland + that "apostasy" which lost the church so many members of influence, and + was continued in Missouri so far that Mayor Grant said, in Salt Lake City, + in 1856, that "one-half at least of the Yankee members of this church have + apostatized."* The secession of men like Booth and Ryder, and their public + exposure of Smith's methods, coupled with rumors of immoral practices in + the fold, were followed by the tarring and feathering of Smith and Rigdon + on the night of Saturday, March 25, 1832. The story of this outrage is + told in Smith's autobiography, and the details there given may be in the + main accepted. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, p. 201. +</pre> + <p> + Smith and his wife were living at the house of a farmer named Johnson in + Hiram township, while he and Rigdon were translating the Scriptures. Mrs. + Smith had taken two infant twins to bring up, and on the night in question + she and her husband were taking turns sitting up with these babies, who + were just recovering from the measles. While Smith was sleeping, his wife + heard a tapping on the window, but gave it no attention. The mob, + believing that all within were asleep, then burst in the door, seized + Smith as he lay partly dressed on a trundle bed, and rushed him out of + doors, his wife crying "murder." Smith struggled as best he could, but + they carried him around the house, choking him until he became + unconscious. Some thirty yards from the house he saw Rigdon, "stretched + out on the ground, whither they had dragged him by the heels." When they + had carried Smith some thirty yards farther, some of the mob meantime + asking, "Ain't ye going to kill him?" a council was held and some one + asked, "Simmons, where's the tarbucket?" When the bucket was brought up + they tried to force the "tarpaddle" into Smith's mouth, and also, he says, + to force a phial between his teeth. He adds: + </p> + <p> + "All my clothes were torn off me except my shirt collar, and one man fell + on me and scratched my body with his nails like a mad cat. They then left + me, and I attempted to rise, but fell again. I pulled the tar away from my + lips, etc., so that I could breathe more freely, and after a while I began + to recover, and raised myself up, when I saw two lights. I made my way + toward one of them, and found it was father Johnson's. When I had come to + the door I was naked, and the tar made me look as though I had been + covered with blood; and when my wife saw me she thought I was all smashed + to pieces, and fainted. During the affray abroad, the sisters of the + neighborhood collected at my room. I called for a blanket; they threw me + one and shut the door; I wrapped it around me and went in.... My friends + spent the night in scraping and removing the tar and washing and cleansing + my body, so that by morning I was ready to be clothed again.... With my + flesh all scarified and defaced, I preached [that morning] to the + congregation as usual, and in the afternoon of the same day baptized three + individuals." + </p> + <p> + Rigdon's treatment is described as still more severe. He was not only + dragged over the ground by the heels, but was well covered with tar and + feathers; and when Smith called on him the next day he found him + delirious, and calling for a razor with which to kill his wife. + </p> + <p> + All Mormon accounts of this, as well as later persecutions, attempt to + make the ground of attack hostility to the Mormon religious beliefs, + presenting them entirely in the light of outrages on liberty of opinion. + Symonds Ryder (whom Smith accuses of being one of the mob), says that the + attack had this origin: The people of Hiram had the reputation of being + very receptive and liberal in their religious views. The Mormons therefore + preached to them, and seemed in a fair way to win a decided success, when + the leaders made their first trip to Missouri. Papers which they left + behind outlining the internal system of the new church fell into the hands + of some of the converts, and revealed to them the horrid fact that a plot + was laid to take their property from them and place it under the control + of Smith, the Prophet.... Some who had been the dupes of this deception + determined not to let it pass with impunity; and, accordingly, a company + was formed of citizens from Shalersville, Garretsville, and Hiram, and + took Smith and Rigdon from their beds and tarred and feathered them.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Hayden's "Early History of the Disciples' Church in the Western +Reserve," p. 221. +</pre> + <p> + This manifestation of hostility to the leaders of the new church was only + a more pronounced form of that which showed itself against Smith before he + left New York State. When a man of his character and previous history + assumes the right to baptize and administer the sacrament, he is certain + to arouse the animosity, not only of orthodox church members, but of + members of the community who are lax in their church duties. Goldsmith + illustrates this kind of feeling when, in "She Stoops to Conquer," he + makes one of the "several shabby fellows with punch and tobacco" in the + alehouse say, "I loves to hear him, the squire sing, bekeays he never + gives us nothing that's low," and another responds, "O, damn anything + that's low." The Anti-Mormon feeling was intensified and broadened by the + aggressiveness with which the Mormons sought for converts in the orthodox + flocks. + </p> + <p> + Beliefs radically different from those accepted by any of the orthodox + denominations have escaped hostile opposition in this country, even when + they have outraged generally accepted social customs. The Harmonists, in a + body of 600, emigrated to Pennsylvania to escape the persecution to which + they were subjected in Germany, purchased 5000 acres of land and organized + a town; moved later to Indiana, where they purchased 25,000 acres; and ten + years afterward returned to Pennsylvania, and bought 5000 acres in another + place,—all the time holding to their belief in a community of goods + and a speedy coming of Christ, as well as the duty of practicing celibacy,—without + exciting their neighbors or arousing their enmity. The Wallingford + Community in Connecticut, and the Oneida Community in New York State, + practised free love among themselves without persecution, until their + organizations died from natural causes. The leaders in these and other + independent sects were clean men within their own rules, honest in their + dealings with their neighbors, never seeking political power, and never + pressing their opinions upon outsiders. An old resident of Wallingford + writes to me, "The Community were, in a way, very generally respected for + their high standard of integrity in all their business transactions." + </p> + <p> + As we follow the career of the Mormons from Ohio to Missouri, and thence + to Illinois, we shall read their own testimony about the character of + their leading men, and about their view of the rights of others in each of + their neighborhoods. When Horace Greeley asked Brigham Young in Salt Lake + City for an explanation of the "persecutions" of the Mormons, his reply + was that there was "no other explanation than is afforded by the + crucifixion of Christ and the kindred treatment of God's ministers, + prophets, and saints in all ages"; which led Greeley to observe that, + while a new sect is always decried and traduced,—naming the + Baptists, Quakers, Methodists, and Universalists,—he could not + remember "that either of them was ever generally represented and regarded + by the other sects of their early days as thieves, robbers, and + murderers."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Overland Journey," p. 214. +</pre> + <p> + Another attempt by Rigdon to assert his independence of Smith occurred + while the latter was still at Mr. Johnson's house and Rigdon was in + Kirtland. The fullest account of this is found in Mother Smith's + "History," pp. 204-206. She says that Rigdon came in late to a + prayer-meeting, much agitated, and, instead of taking the platform, paced + backward and forward on the floor. Joseph's father told him they would + like to hear a discourse from him, but he replied, "The keys of the + Kingdom are rent from the church, and there shall not be a prayer put up + in this house this day." This caused considerable excitement, and Smith's + brother Hyrum left the house, saying, "I'll put a stop to this fuss pretty + quick," and, mounting a horse, set out for Johnson's and brought the + prophet back with him. On his arrival, a meeting of the brethren was held, + and Joseph declared to them, "I myself hold the keys of this Last + Dispensation, and will forever hold them, both in time and eternity, so + set your hearts at rest upon that point. All is right." The next day + Rigdon was tried before a council for having "lied in the name of the + Lord," and was "delivered over to the buffetings of Satan," and deprived + of his license, Smith telling him that "the less priesthood he had, the + better it would be for him." Rigdon, Mrs. Smith says, according to his own + account, "was dragged out of bed by the devil three times in one night by + the heels," and, while she does not accept this literally, she declares + that "his contrition was as great as a man could well live through." After + awhile he got another license. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — GIFTS OF TONGUES AND MIRACLES + </h2> + <p> + In January, 1833, Smith announced a revival of the "gift of tongues," and + instituted the ceremony of washing the feet.* Under the new system, Smith + or Rigdon, during a meeting, would call on some brother, or sister, + saying, "Father A., if you will rise in the name of Jesus Christ you can + speak in tongues." The rule which persons thus called on were to follow + was thus explained, "Arise upon your feet, speak or make some sound, + continue to make sounds of some kind, and the Lord will make a language of + it." It was not necessary that the words should be understood by the + congregation; some other Mormon would undertake their interpretation. Much + ridicule was incurred by the church because of this kind of revelation. + Gunnison relates that when a woman "speaking in tongues" pronounced + "meliar, meli, melee," it was at once translated by a young wag, "my leg, + my thigh, my knee," and, when he was called before the Council charged + with irreverence, he persisted in his translation, but got off with an + admonition.** At a meeting in Nauvoo in later years a doubting convert + delivered an address in real Choctaw, whereupon a woman jumped up and + offered as a translation an account of the glories of the new Temple. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This ceremony has fallen into disuse in Utah. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "The Mormons." p. 74. +</pre> + <p> + At the conference of June 4, 1831, Smith ordained Elder Wright to the high + priesthood for service among the Indians, with the gift of tongues, + healing the sick, etc. Wright at once declared that he saw the Saviour. At + one of the sessions at Kirtland at this time, as described by an + eye-witness, Smith announced that the day would come when no man would be + permitted to preach unless he had seen the Lord face to face. Then, + addressing Rigdon, he asked, "Sidney, have you seen the Lord?" The + obedient Sidney made reply, "I saw the image of a man pass before my face, + whose locks were white, and whose countenance was exceedingly fair, even + surpassing all beauty that I ever beheld." Smith at once rebuked him by + telling him that he would have seen more but for his unbelief. + </p> + <p> + Almost simultaneously with Smith's first announcement of his prophetic + powers, while working his "peek-stone" in Pennsylvania and New York, he, + as we have seen, claimed ability to perform miracles, and he announced + that he had cast out a devil at Colesville in 1830.* The performance of + miracles became an essential part of the church work at Kirtland, and had + a great effect on the superstitious converts. The elders, who in the early + days labored in England, laid great stress on their miraculous power, and + there were some amusing exposures of their pretences. The Millennial Star + printed a long list of successful miracles dating from 1839 to 1850, + including the deaf made to hear, the blind to see, dislocated bones put in + place, leprosy and cholera cured, and fevers rebuked. Smith, Rigdon, and + Cowdery took a leading part in this work at Kirtland.** To a man nearly + dead with consumption Rigdon gave assurance that he would recover "as sure + as there is a God in heaven." The man's death soon followed. When a child, + whose parents had been persuaded to trust its case to Mormon prayers + instead of calling a physician,*** died, Smith and Rigdon promised that it + would rise from the dead, and they went through certain ceremonies to + accomplish that object.**** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For particulars of this miracle, see Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, +pp. 28, 32. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** While Smith was in Washington in 1840, pressing on the federal +authorities the claims of the Mormons for redress for their losses in +Missouri, he preached on the church doctrines. A member of Congress +who heard him sent a synopsis of the discourse to his wife, and Smith +printed this entire in his autobiography (Millennial Star, Vol. XVII, p. +583). Here is one passage: "He [Smith] performed no miracles. He did +not pretend to possess any such power." This is an illustration of +the facility with which Smith could lie, when to do so would serve his +purpose. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** The Saints were early believers in faith cure. Smith, in a +sermon preached in 1841, urged them "to trust in God when sick, and live +by faith and not by medicine or poison" (Millennial Star, Vol. XVIII, +p. 663). A coroner's jury, in an inquest over a victim of this faith in +London, England, cautioned the sect against continuing this method of +curing (Times and Seasons, 1842, p. 813). +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + **** For further illustrations of miracle working, in Ohio, see +Kennedy's "Early Days of Mormonism," Chap. V. +</pre> + <p> + The lengths to which Smith dared go in his pretensions are well + illustrated in an incident of these days. Among the curiosities of a + travelling showman who passed through Kirtland were some Egyptian mummies. + As the golden plates from which the Mormon Bible was translated were + written in "reformed Egyptian," the translator of those plates was + interested in all things coming from Egypt, and at his suggestion the + mummies were purchased by and for the church. On them were found some + papyri which Joseph, with the assistance of Phelps and Cowdery, set about + "translating." Their success was great, and Smith was able to announce: + "We found that one of these rolls contained the writings of Abraham, + another the writings of Joseph.* Truly we could see that the Lord is + beginning to reveal the abundance of truth." That there might be no + question about the accuracy of Smith's translation, he exhibited a + certificate signed by the proprietor of the show, saying that he had + exhibited the "hieroglyphic characters" to the most learned men in many + cities, "and from all the information that I could ever learn or meet + with, I find that of Joseph Smith, Jr., to correspond in the most minute + matters." * When the papyri were shown to Josiah Quincy and Charles + Francis Adams, on the occasion of their visit to Nauvoo in 1844, Joseph + Smith, pointing out the inscriptions, said: "That is the handwriting of + Abraham, the Father of the Faithful. This is the autograph of Moses, and + these lines were written by his brother Aaron. Here we have the earliest + account of the creation, from which Moses composed the first Book of + Genesis."—"Figures of the Past," p. 386. + </p> + <p> + Smith's autobiography contains this memorandum: "October 1, 1835. This + afternoon I labored on the Egyptian alphabet in company with Brother O. + Cowdery and W. W. Phelps, and during the research the principals of + astronomy, as understood by Father Abraham and the Ancients, unfolded to + our understanding." When he was in the height of his power in Nauvoo, + Smith printed in the Times and Seasons a reproduction of these + hieroglyphics accompanied by this alleged translation, of what he called + "the Book of Abraham," and they were also printed in the Millennial Star.* + The translation was a meaningless jumble of words after this fashion:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See Vol. XIX, p. 100, etc., from which the accompanying +facsimile is taken. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0007" id="linkimage-0007"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/188.jpg" height="80%" width="77%" + alt="Egyptian Papyri 188 " /><br /> + </div> + <p> + "In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I, Abraham, + saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence, and + finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought + for the blessings of the Fathers, and the right whereunto I should be + ordained to administer the same, having been myself a follower of + righteousness, desiring to be one also who possessed great knowledge, and + to possess greater knowledge, and to be a greater follower of + righteousness." + </p> + <p> + Remy submitted a reproduction of these hieroglyphics to Theodule Deveria, + of the Museum of the Louvre, in Paris, who found, of course, that Smith's + purported translation was wholly fraudulent. For instance, his Abraham + fastened on an altar was a representation of Osiris coming to life on his + funeral couch, his officiating priest was the god Anubis, and what Smith + represents to indicate an angel of the Lord is "the soul of Osiris, under + the form of a hawk."* Smith's whole career offered no more brazen + illustration of his impostures than this. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See "A Journey to Great Salt Lake City", by Jules Remy (1861), +Note XVII. +</pre> + <p> + A visitor to the Kirtland Temple some years later paid Joseph's father + half a dollar in order to see the Egyptian curios, which were kept in the + attic of that structure. + </p> + <p> + A well-authenticated anecdote, giving another illustration of Smith's + professed knowledge of the Egyptian language is told by the Rev. Henry + Caswall, M.A., who, after holding the Professorship of Divinity in Kemper + College, in Missouri, became vicar of a church in England. Mr. Caswall, on + the occasion of a visit to Nauvoo in 1842, having heard of Smith's + Egyptian lore, took with him an ancient Greek manuscript of the Psalter, + on parchment, with which to test the prophet's scholarship. The belief of + Smith's followers in his powers was shown by their eagerness to have him + see this manuscript, and their persistence in urging Mr. Caswall to wait a + day for Smith's return from Carthage that he might submit it to the + prophet. Mr. Caswall the next day handed the manuscript to Smith and asked + him to explain its contents. After a brief examination, Smith explained: + "It ain't Greek at all, except perhaps a few words. What ain't Greek is + Egyptian, and what ain't Egyptian is Greek. This book is very valuable. It + is a dictionary of Egyptian hieroglyphics. These figures (pointing to the + capitals) is Egyptian hieroglyphics written in the reformed Egyptian. + These characters are like the letters that were engraved on the golden + plates."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The City of the Mormons," p. 36 (1842). +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — SMITH'S OHIO BUSINESS ENTERPRISES + </h2> + <p> + When Rigdon returned to Ohio with Smith in January, 1831, it seems to have + been his intention to make Kirtland the permanent headquarters of the new + church. He had written to his people from Palmyra, "Be it known to you, + brethren, that you are dwelling on your eternal inheritance." When Cowdery + and his associates arrived in Ohio on their first trip, they announced as + the boundaries of the Promised Land the township of Kirtland on the east + and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Within two months of his arrival at + Kirtland Smith gave out a "revelation" (Sec. 45), in which the Lord + commanded the elders to go forth into the western countries and buildup + churches, and they were told of a City of Refuge for the church, to be + called the New Jerusalem. No definite location of this city was given, and + the faithful were warned to "keep these things from going abroad unto the + world." Another "revelation" of the same month (Sec. 48) announced that it + was necessary for all to remain for the present in their places of abode, + and directed those who had lands "to impart to the eastern brethren," and + the others to buy lands, and all to save money "to purchase lands for an + inheritance, even the city." + </p> + <p> + The reports of those who first went to Missouri induced Smith and Rigdon, + before they made their first trip to that state, to announce that the + Saints would pass one more winter in Ohio. But when they had visited the + Missouri frontier and realized its distance from even the Ohio border + line, and the actual privations to which settlers there must submit, their + zeal weakened, and they declared, "It will be many years before we come + here, for the Lord has a great work for us to do in Ohio." The building of + the Temple at Kirtland, and the investments in lots and in business + enterprises there showed that a permanent settlement in Ohio was then + decided on. + </p> + <p> + Smith's first business enterprise for the church in Ohio was a general + store which he opened in Hiram. This establishment has been described as + "a poorly furnished country store where commerce looks starvation in the + face."* The difficulty of combining the positions of prophet, head of the + church, and retail merchant was naturally great. The result of the + combination has been graphically pictured by no less an authority than + Brigham Young. In a discourse in Salt Lake City, explaining why the church + did not maintain a store there, Young said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Salt Lake Herald, November 17, 1877. +</pre> + <p> + "You that have lived in Nauvoo, in Missouri, in Kirtland, Ohio, can you + assign a reason why Joseph could not keep a store and be a merchant? Let + me just give you a few reasons; and there are men here who know just how + matters went in those days. Joseph goes to New York and buys $20,000 worth + of goods, comes into Kirtland and commences to trade. In comes one of the + brethren. Brother Joseph, let me have a frock pattern for my wife: What if + Joseph says, 'No, I cannot without money.' The consequence would be, 'He + is no Prophet,' says James. Pretty soon Thomas walks in. 'Brother Joseph, + will you trust me for a pair of boots?' 'No, I cannot let them go without + money.' 'Well,' says Thomas, 'Brother Joseph is no Prophet; I have found + THAT out and I am glad of it.' After a while in comes Bill and Sister + Susan. Says Bill, 'Brother Joseph, I want a shawl. I have not got any + money, but I wish you to trust me a week or a fortnight.' Well, Brother + Joseph thinks the others have gone and apostatized, and he don't know but + these goods will make the whole church do the same, so he lets Bill have a + shawl. Bill walks of with it and meets a brother. 'Well,' says he, 'what + do you think of Brother Joseph?' 'O, he is a first rate man, and I fully + believe he is a Prophet. He has trusted me with this shawl.' Richard says, + 'I think I will go down and see if he won't trust me some.' In walks + Richard. Brother Joseph, I want to trade about $20.' 'Well,'says Joseph, + 'these goods will make the people apostatize, so over they go; they are of + less value than the people.' Richard gets his goods. Another comes in the + same way to make a trade of $25, and so it goes. Joseph was a first rate + fellow with them all the time, provided he never would ask them to pay + him. And so you may trace it down through the history of this people."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, p. 215. +</pre> + <p> + If this analysis of the flock which Smith gathered in Ohio, and which + formed the nucleus of the settlements in Missouri, was not permanently + recorded in an official church record, its authenticity would be + vigorously assailed. + </p> + <p> + Later enterprises at Kirtland, undertaken under the auspices of the + church, included a steam sawmill and a tannery, both of which were losing + concerns. But the speculation to which later Mormon authorities attributed + the principal financial disasters of the church at Kirtland was the + purchase of land and its sale as town lots.* The craze for land + speculation in those days was not confined, however, to the Mormons. That + was the period when the purchase of public lands of the United States + seemed likely to reach no limit. These sales, which amounted to $2,300,000 + in 1830, and to $4,800,000 in 1834, lumped to $14,757,600 in 1835, and to + $24,877,179 in 1836. The government deposits (then made in the state + banks) increased from $10,000,000 on January 1, 1835, to $41,500,000 on + June 1, 1836, the increase coming from receipts from land sales. This led + to that bank expansion which was measured by the growth of bank capital in + this country from $61,000,000 to $200,000,000 between 1830 and 1834, with + a further advance to $251,000,000. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Real estate rose from 100 to 800 per cent and in many cases +more. Men who were not thought worth $50 or $100 became purchasers +of thousands. Notes (sometimes cash), deeds and mortgages passed and +repassed, till all, or nearly all, supposed they had become wealthy, +or at least had acquired a competence."—Messenger and Advocate, June, +1837. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon leaders and their people were peculiarly liable to be led into + disaster when sharing in this speculators' fever. They were, however, + quick to take advantage of the spirit of the times. The Zion of Missouri + lost its attractiveness to them, and on February 23, 1833, the Presidency + decided to purchase land at Kirtland, and to establish there on a + permanent Stake of Zion. The land purchases of the church began at once, + and we find a record of one Council meeting, on March 23, 1833, at which + it was decided to buy three farms costing respectively $4000, $2100, and + $5000. Kirtland was laid out (on paper) with 32 streets, cutting one + another at right angles, each four rods wide. This provided for 225 blocks + of 20 lots each. Twenty-nine of the streets were named after Mormons. + Joseph and his family appear many times in the list of conveyors of these + lots. The original map of the city, as described in Smith's autobiography, + provided for 24 public buildings temples, schools, etc.; no lot to contain + more than one house, and that not to be nearer than 25 feet from the + street, with a prohibition against erecting a stable on a house lot.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, pp. 438-439. +</pre> + <p> + Of course this Mormon capital must have a grand church edifice, to meet + Smith's views, and he called a council to decide about the character of + the new meeting-house. A few of the speakers favored a modest frame + building, but a majority thought a log one better suited to their means. + Joseph rebuked the latter, asking, "Shall we, brethren, build a house for + our God of logs?" and he straightway led them to the corner of a wheat + field, where the trench for the foundation was at once begun.* No greater + exhibition of business folly could have been given than the undertaking of + the costly building then planned on so slender a financial foundation. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Mother Smith's "Biographical Sketches" p. 213. +</pre> + <p> + The corner-stone was laid on July 23, 1833, and the Temple was not + dedicated until March 27, 1836. Mormon devotion certainly showed itself + while this work was going on. Every male member was expected to give + one-seventh of his time to the building without pay, and those who worked + on it at day's wages had, in most instances, no other income, and often + lived on nothing but corn meal. The women, as their share, knit and wove + garments for the workmen. + </p> + <p> + The Temple, which is of stone covered with a cement stucco (it is still in + use), measures 60 by 80 feet on the ground, is 123 feet in height to the + top of the spire, and contains two stories and an attic. + </p> + <p> + The cost of this Temple was $40,000, and, notwithstanding the sacrifices + made by the Saints in assisting its construction, and the schemes of the + church officers to secure funds, a debt of from $15,000 to $20,000 + remained upon it. That the church was financially embarrassed at the very + beginning of the work is shown by a letter addressed to the brethren in + Zion, Missouri, by Smith, Rigdon, and Williams, dated June 25, 1833, in + which they said, "Say to Brother Gilbert that we have no power to assist + him in a pecuniary point, as we know not the hour when we shall be sued + for debts which we have contracted ourselves in New York."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 450. +</pre> + <p> + To understand the business crash and scandals which compelled Smith and + his associates to flee from Ohio, it is necessary to explain the business + system adopted by the church under them. This system began with a rule + about the consecration of property. As originally published in the Evening + and Morning Star, and in chapter xliv of the "Book of Commandments," this + rule declared, "Thou shalt consecrate all thy properties, that which thou + hast, unto me, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken," with a + provision that the Bishop, after he had received such an irrevocable deed, + should appoint every man a steward over so much of his property as would + be sufficient for himself and family. In the later edition of the + "Doctrine and Covenants" this was changed to read, "And behold, thou wilt + remember the poor, and consecrate thy properties for their support," etc. + </p> + <p> + By a "revelation" given out while the heads of the church were in Jackson + County, Missouri, in April, 1832 (Sec. 82), a sort of firm was appointed, + including Smith, Rigdon, Cowdery, Harris, and N. K. Whitney, "to manage + the affairs of the poor, and all things pertaining to the bishopric," both + in Ohio and Missouri. This firm thus assumed control of the property which + "revelation" had placed in the hands of the Bishop. This arrangement was + known as The Order of Enoch. Next came a "revelation" dated April 23, + 1834. (Sec. 104), by which the properties of the Order were divided, + Rigdon getting the place in which he was living in Kirtland, and the + tannery; Harris a lot, with a command to "devote his monies for the + proclaiming of my words"; Cowdery and Williams, the printing-office, with + some extra lots to Cowdery; and Smith, the lot designed for the Temple, + and "the inheritance on which his father resides." The building of the + Temple having brought the Mormon leaders into debt, this "revelation," was + designed to help them out, and it contained these further directions, in + the voice of the Lord, be it remembered: "The covenants being broken + through transgression, by covetousness and feigned words, therefore you + are dissolved as a United Order with your brethren, that you are not bound + only up to this hour unto them, only on this wise, as I said, by loan as + shall be agreed by this Order in council, as your circumstances will + admit, and the voice of the council direct..... + </p> + <p> + "And again verily I say unto you, concerning your debts, behold it is my + will that you should pay all your debts; and it is my will that you should + humble yourselves before me, and obtain this blessing by your diligence + and humility and the prayer of faith; and inasmuch as you are diligent and + humble, and exercise the prayer of faith, behold, I will soften the hearts + of those to whom you are in debt, until I shall send means unto you for + your deliverance.... I give you a promise that you shall be delivered this + once out of your bondage; inasmuch as you obtained a chance to loan money + by hundreds, or thousands even until you shall loan enough [meaning + borrow] to deliver yourselves from bondage, it is your privilege; and + pledge the properties which I have put into your hands this once.... The + master will not suffer his house to be broken up. Even so. Amen." + </p> + <p> + It does not appear that the Mormon leaders took advantage of this + authorization to borrow money on Kirtland real estate, if they could; but + in 1835 they set up several mercantile establishments, finding firms in + Cleveland, Buffalo, and farther east who would take their notes on six + months' time. "A great part of the goods of these houses," says William + Harris, "went to pay the workmen on the Temple, and many were sold on + credit, so that when the notes became due the houses were not able to meet + them." + </p> + <p> + Smith's autobiography relates part of one story of an effort of his to + secure money at this trying time, the complete details of which have been + since supplied. He simply says that on July 25, 1836, in company with his + brother Hyrum, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery, he started on a trip + which brought them to Salem, Massachusetts, where "we hired a house and + occupied the same during the month, teaching the people from house to + house."* The Mormon of to-day, in reading his "Doctrine and Covenants," + finds Section 111 very perplexing. No place of its reception is given, but + it goes on to say:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XV, p. 281. +</pre> + <p> + "I, the Lord your God, am not displeased with your coming this journey, + notwithstanding your follies; I have much treasure in this city for you, + for the benefit of Zion;... and it shall come to pass in due time, that I + will give this city into your hands, that you shall have power over it, + insomuch that they shall not discover your secret parts; and its wealth + pertaining to gold and silver shall be yours. Concern not yourself about + your debts, for I will give you power to pay them.... And inquire + diligently concerning the more ancient inhabitants and founders of this + city; for there are more treasures than one for you in this city." + </p> + <p> + "This city" was Salem, Massachusetts, and the "revelation" was put forth + to brace up the spirits of Smith's fellow-travellers. A Mormon named + Burgess had gone to Kirtland with a story about a large amount of money + that was buried in the cellar of a house in Salem which had belonged to a + widow, and the location of which he alone knew. Smith credited this + report, and looked to the treasure to assist him in his financial + difficulties, and he took the persons named with him on the trip. But when + they got there Burgess said that time had so changed the appearance of the + houses that he could not be sure which was the widow's, and he cleared + out. Smith then hired a house which he thought might be the right one,—it + proved not to be,—and it was when his associates were—becoming + discouraged that the ex-money-digger uttered the words quoted, to + strengthen their courage. "We speak of these things with regret," says + Ebenezer Robinson, who believed in the prophet's divine calling to the + last.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Return, July, 1889. +</pre> + <p> + Brought face to face with apparent financial disaster, the next step taken + to prevent this was the establishment of a bank. Smith told of a + "revelation" concerning a bank "which would swallow up all other banks." + An application for a charter was made to the Ohio legislature, but it was + refused. The law of Ohio at that time provided that "all notes and bills, + bonds and other securities [of an unchartered bank] shall be held and + taken in all courts as absolutely void." This, however, did not deter a + man of Smith's audacity, and soon came the announcement of the + organization of the "Kirtland Safety Society Bank," with an alleged + capital of $4,000,000. The articles of agreement had been drawn up on + November 2, 1836, and Oliver Cowdery had been sent to Philadelphia to get + the plates for the notes at the same time that Orson Hyde set out to the + state capital to secure a charter. Cowdery took no chances of failure, and + he came back not only with a plate, but with $200,000 in printed bills. To + avoid the inconvenience of having no charter, the members of the Safety + Society met on January 2, 1837, and reorganized under the name of the + "Kirtland Society Anti-banking Company," and, in the hope of placing the + bills within the law (or at least beyond its reach), the word "Bank" was + changed with a stamp so that it read "Anti-BANK-ing Co.," as in the + facsimile here presented. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0008" id="linkimage-0008"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/198.jpg" height="50%" width="90%" alt="Bank-note 198 " /><br /> + </div> + <p> + W. Harris thus describes the banking scheme:— + </p> + <p> + "Subscribers for stock were allowed to pay the amount of their + subscriptions in town lots at five or six times their real value; others + paid in personal property at a high valuation, and some were paid in cash. + When the notes were first issued they were current in the vicinity, and + Smith took advantage of their credit to pay off with them the debts he and + his brethren had contracted in the neighborhood for land, etc. The Eastern + creditors, however, refused to take them. This led to the expedient of + exchanging them for the notes of other banks. Accordingly, the Elders were + sent into the country to barter off Kirtland money, which they did with + great zeal, and continued the operation until the notes were not worth + twelve and a half cents to the dollar."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Portrayed," p. 31 +</pre> + <p> + Just how much of this currency was issued the records do not show. Hall + says that Brigham Young, who had joined the flock at Kirtland, disposed of + $10,000 worth of it in the States, and that Smith and other church + officers reaped a rich harvest with it in Canada, explaining, "The credit + of the bank here was good, even high."* Kidder quotes a gentleman living + near Kirtland who said that the cash capital paid in was only about $5000, + and that they succeeded in floating from $50,000 to $100,000. Ann Eliza, + Brigham's "wife No. 19," says that her father invested everything he had + but his house and shop in the bank, and lost it all. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Abominations of Mormonism Exposed" (1852), pp. 19, 20. +</pre> + <p> + Cyrus Smalling, one of the Seventy at Kirtland, wrote an account of + Kirtland banking operations under date of March 10, 1841, in which he said + that Smith and his associates collected about $6000 in specie, and that + when people in the neighborhood went to the bank to inquire about its + specie reserve, "Smith had some one or two hundred boxes made, and + gathered all the lead and shot the village had, or that part of it that he + controlled, and filled the boxes with lead, shot, etc., and marked them + $1000 each. Then, when they went to examine the vault, he had one box on a + table partly filled for them to see; and when they proceeded to the vault, + Smith told them that the church had $200,000 in specie; and he opened one + box and they saw that it was silver; and they were seemingly satisfied, + and went away for a few days until the elders were packed off in every + direction to pass their paper money."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormons; or Knavery Exposed" (1841). +</pre> + <p> + Smith believed in specie payments to his bank, whatever might be his + intentions as regards the redemption of his notes, for, in the Messenger + and Advocate (pp. 441-443), following the by-laws of the Anti-banking + Company, was printed a statement signed by him, saying:— + </p> + <p> + "We want the brethren from abroad to call on us and take stock in the + Safety Society, and we would remind them of the sayings of the Prophet + Isaiah contained in the 60th chapter, and more particularly in the 9th and + 17th verses which are as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to + bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the + name of the Lord thy God. + </p> + <p> + "For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, etc." + </p> + <p> + The Messenger and Advocate (edited by W. A. Cowdery), of July, 1837, + contained a long article on the bank and its troubles, pointing out, + first, that the bank was opened without a charter, being "considered a + kind of joint stock association," and that "the private property of the + stockholders was holden in proportion to the amount of their subscriptions + for the redemption of the paper," and also that its notes were absolutely + void under the state law. The editor goes on to say:— + </p> + <p> + "Previously to the commencement of discounting by the bank, large debts + had been contracted for merchandise in New York and other cities, and + large contracts entered into for real estate in this and adjoining towns; + some of them had fallen due and must be met, or incur forfeitures of large + sums. These causes, we are bound to believe, operated to induce the + officers of the bank to let out larger sums than their better judgments + dictated, which almost invariably fell into or passed through the hands of + those who sought our ruin.... Hundreds who were enemies either came or + sent their agents and demanded specie, till the officers thought best to + refuse payment." + </p> + <p> + This subtle explanation of the suspension of specie payments is followed + with a discussion of monopolies, etc., leading up to a statement of the + obligations of the Mormons in regard to the discredited bank-notes, most + of which were in circulation elsewhere. To the question; "Shall we unite + as one man, say it is good, and make it good by taking it on a par with + gold?" he replies, "No," explaining that, owing to the fewness of the + church members as compared with the world at large, "it must be confined + in its circulation and par value to the limits of our own society." To the + question, "Shall we then take it at its marked price for our property," he + again replies, "No," explaining that their enemies had received the paper + at a discount, and that, to receive it at par from them, would "give them + voluntarily and with one eye open just that advantage over us to oppress, + degrade and depress us." This combined financial and spiritual adviser + closes his article by urging the brethren to set apart a portion of their + time to the service of God, and a portion to "the study of the science of + our government and the news of the day." + </p> + <p> + A card which appeared in the Messenger and Advocate of August, 1837, + signed by Smith, warned "the brethren and friends of the church to beware + of speculators, renegades, and gamblers who are duping the unwary and + unsuspecting by palming upon them those bills, which are of no worth + here." + </p> + <p> + The actual test of the bank's soundness had come when a request was made + for the redemption of the notes. The notes seem to have been accepted + freely in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where it was taken for granted that a + cashier and president who professed to be prophets of the Lord would not + give countenance to bank paper of doubtful value.* When stories about the + concern reached the Pittsburg banks, they sent an agent to Kirtland with a + package of the notes for redemption. Rigdon loudly asserted the stability + of the institution; but when a request for coin was repeated, it was + promptly refused by him on the ground that the bills were a circulating + medium "for the accommodation of the public," and that to call any of them + in would defeat their object.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 71. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Early Days of Mormonism," p. 163. +</pre> + <p> + Other creditors of the Mormons were now becoming active in their demands. + For failing to meet a note given to the bank at Painesville, Smith, + Rigdon, and N. K. Whitney were put under $8000 bonds. Smith, Rigdon, and + Cowdery were called into court as indorsers of paper for one of the Mormon + firms, and judgment was given against them. To satisfy a firm of New York + merchants the heads of the church gave a note for $4500 secured by a + mortgage on their interest in the new Temple and its contents.* The + Egyptian mummies were especially excepted from this mortgage. Mother Smith + describes how these relics were saved by "various stratagems" under an + execution of $50 issued against the prophet. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., pp. 159-160. +</pre> + <p> + The scheme of calling the bank corporation an "anti-banking" society did + not save the officers from prosecution under the state law. Informers + against violators of the banking law received in Ohio a share of the fine + imposed, and this led to the filing of an information against Rigdon and + Smith in March, 1837, by one S. D. Rounds, in the Caeuga County Court, + charging them with violating the law, and demanding a penalty of $1000 + They were at once arrested and held in bail, and were convicted the + following October. They appealed on the ground that the institution was an + association and not a bank; but this plea was never ruled upon by the + court, as the bank suspended payments and closed its doors in November, + 1837, and, before the appeal could be argued, Smith and Rigdon had fled + from the state to Missouri. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — LAST DAYS AT KIRTLAND + </h2> + <p> + It is easy to understand that a church whose leaders had such views of + financial responsibility as Smith's and Rigdon's, and whose members were + ready to apostatize when they could not obtain credit at the prophet's + store, was anything but a harmonious body. Smith was not a man to maintain + his own dignity or to spare the feelings of his associates. Wilford + Woodruff, describing his first sight of the prophet, at Kirtland, in 1834, + said he found him with his brother Hyrum, wearing a very old hat and + engaged in the sport of shooting at a mark. Woodruff accompanied him to + his house, where Smith at once brought out a wolfskin, and said, "Brother + Woodruff, I want you to help me tan this," and the two took off their + coats and went to work at the skin.* Smith's contempt for Rigdon was never + concealed. Writing of the situation at Kirtland in 1833, he spoke of + Rigdon as possessing "a selfishness and independence of mind which too + often manifestly destroys the confidence of those who would lay down their + lives for him."** Smith was in the habit of announcing, from his lofty + pulpit in the Temple, "The truth is good enough without dressing up, but + brother Rigdon will now proceed to dress it up."*** Some of the new + converts backed out as soon as they got a close view of the church. Elder + G. A. Smith, a cousin of Joseph, in a sermon in Salt Lake City, in 1855, + mentioned some incidents of this kind. One family, who had journeyed a + long distance to join the church in Kirtland, changed their minds because + Joseph's wife invited them to have a cup of tea "after the word of wisdom + was given." Another family withdrew after seeing Joseph begin playing with + his children as soon as he rested from the work of translating the + Scriptures for the day. A Canadian ex-Methodist prayed so long at family + worship at Father Johnson's that Joseph told him flatly "not to bray so + much like a jackass." The prayer thereupon returned to Canada. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, p. 101. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, pp. 584-585. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Lippincott's Magazine, August, 1880. +</pre> + <p> + But the discontented were not confined to new-comers. Jealousy and + dissatisfaction were constantly manifesting themselves among Smith's old + standbys. Written charges made against Cowdery and David Whitmer, when + they were driven out of Far West, Missouri, told them: "You commenced your + wickedness by heading a party to disturb the worship of the Saints in the + first day of the week, and made the house of the Lord in Kirtland to be a + scene of abuse and slander, to destroy the reputation of those whom the + church had appointed to be their teachers, and for no other cause only + that you were not the persons." In more exact terms, their offence was + opposition to the course pursued by Smith. During the winter and spring of + 1837, these rebels included in their list F. G. Williams, of the First + Presidency, Martin Harris, D. Whitmer, Lyman E. Johnson, P. P. Pratt, and + W. E. McLellin. In May, 1837, a High Council was held in Kirtland to try + these men. Pratt at once objected to being tried by a body of which Smith + and Rigdon were members, as they had expressed opinions against him. + Rigdon confessed that he could not conscientiously try the case, Cowdery + did likewise, Williams very properly withdrew, and "the Council dispersed + in confusion."* It was never reassembled, but the offenders were not + forgotten, and their punishment came later. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XVI, p. 10. +</pre> + <p> + Mother Smith attributes much of the discord among the members at this time + to "a certain young woman," an inmate of David Whitmer's house, who began + prophesying with the assistance of a black stone. This seer predicted + Smith's fall from office because of his transgressions, and that David + Whitmer or Martin Harris would succeed him. Her proselytes became so + numerous that a written list of them showed that "a great proportion of + the church were decidedly in favor with the new party."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biographical Sketches," p. 221. +</pre> + <p> + While Smith was thus fighting leading members of his own church, he was + called upon to defend himself against a serious charge in court. A farmer + near Kirtland, named Grandison Newell, received information from a + seceding Mormon that Smith had directed the latter and another Mormon + named Davis to kill Newell because he was a particularly open opponent of + the new sect. The affidavit of this man set forth that he and Davis had + twice gone to Newell's house to carry out Smith's order, and were only + prevented by the absence of the intended victim. Smith was placed under + $500 bonds on this charge, but on the formal hearing he was discharged on + the ground of insufficient evidence.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Fanny Brewer of Boston, in an affidavit published in 1842, +declared, "I am personally acquainted with one of the employees, Davis +by name, and he frankly acknowledged to me that he was prepared to do +the deed under the direction of the prophet, and was only prevented by +the entreaties of his wife." +</pre> + <p> + A rebellious spirit had manifested itself among the brethren in Missouri + soon after Smith returned from his first visit to that state. W. W. Phelps + questioned the prophet's "monarchical power and authority," and an + unpleasant correspondence sprung up between them. As Smith did not succeed + by his own pen in silencing his accusers, a conference of twelve high + priests was called by him in Kirtland in January, 1833, which appointed + Orson Hyde and Smith's brother Hyrum to write to the Missouri brethren. In + this letter they were told plainly that, unless the rebellious spirit + ceased, the Lord would seek another Zion. To Phelps the message was sent, + "If you have fat beef and potatoes, eat them in singleness of heart, and + not boast yourself in these things." It was, however, as a concession to + this spirit of complaint, according to Ferris, that Smith announced the + "revelation" which placed the church in the hands of a supreme governing + body of three. + </p> + <p> + Smith himself furnishes a very complete picture of the disrupted condition + of the Mormons in 1838, in an editorial in the Elders' journal, dated + August, of that year. The tone of the article, too, sheds further light on + Smith's character. Referring to the course of "a set of creatures" whom + the church had excluded from fellowship, he says they "had recourse to the + foulest lying to hide their iniquity;... and this gang of horse thieves + and drunkards were called upon immediately to write their lives on paper." + Smith then goes on to pay his respects to various officers of the church, + all of whom, it should be remembered, held their positions through + "revelation" and were therefore professedly chosen directly by God. + </p> + <p> + Of a statement by Warren Parish, one of the Seventy and an officer of the + bank, Smith says: "Granny Parish made such an awful fuss about what was + conceived in him that, night after night and day after day, he poured + forth his agony before all living, as they saw proper to assemble. For a + rational being to have looked at him and heard him groan and grunt, and + saw him sweat and struggle, would have supposed that his womb was as much + swollen as was Rebecca's when the angel told her there were two nations + there." He also accuses Parish of immorality and stealing money. + </p> + <p> + Here is a part of Smith's picture of Dr. W. A. Cowdery, a presiding high + priest: "This poor pitiful beggar came to Kirtland a few years since with + a large family, nearly naked and destitute. It was really painful to see + this pious Doctor's (for such he professed to be) rags flying when he + walked upon the streets. He was taken in by us in this pitiful condition, + and we put him into the printing-office and gave him enormous wages, not + because he could earn it, but merely out of pity.... A truly niggardly + spirit manifested itself in all his meanness." + </p> + <p> + Smith's old friend Martin Harris, now a high priest, and Cyrus Smalling, + one of the Seventy, are lumped among Parish's "lackeys,", of whom Smith + says: "They are so far beneath contempt that a notice of them would be too + great a sacrifice for a gentleman to make." Of Leonard Rich, one of the + seven presidents of the seventy elders, Smith says that he "was generally + so drunk that he had to support himself by something to keep from falling + down." J. F. Boynton and Luke Johnson, two of the Twelve, are called "a + pair of young blacklegs," and Stephen Burnett, an elder, is styled "a + little ignorant blockhead, whose heart was so set on money that he would + at any time sell his soul for $50, and then think he had made an excellent + bargain." + </p> + <p> + Smith's own personal character was freely attacked, and the subject became + so public that it received notice in the Elders' Journal. One charge was + improper conduct toward an orphan girl whom Mrs. Smith had taken into her + family. Smith's autobiography contains an account of a council held in New + Portage, Ohio, in 1834, at which Rigdon accused Martin Harris of telling + A. C. Russel that "Joseph drank too much liquor when he was translating + the Book of Mormon," and Harris set up as a defence that "this thing + occurred previous to the translating of the Book."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XV, p. 12. +</pre> + <p> + There was a good deal of talk concerning a confession "about a girl," + which Oliver Cowdery was reported to have said that Smith made to him. + Denials of this for Cowdery appeared in the Elders' Journal of July, 1838, + one man's statement ending thus, "Joseph asked if he ever said to him + (Oliver) that he (Joseph) confessed to any one that he was guilty of the + above crime; and Oliver, after some hesitation, answered no." + </p> + <p> + The Elders' Journal of August, 1838, contains a retraction by Parley P. + Pratt of a letter he had written, in which he censured both Smith and + Rigdon, "using great severity and harshness in regard to certain business + transactions." In that letter Pratt confessed that "the whole scheme of + speculation" in which the Mormon leaders were engaged was of the "devil," + and he begged Smith to make restitution for having sold him, for $2000, + three lots of land that did not cost Smith over $200. + </p> + <p> + Not only was the moral character of Smith and other individual members of + the church successfully attacked at this time, but the charge was openly + made that polygamy was practised and sanctioned. In the "Book of Doctrine + and Covenants," published in Kirtland in 1835, Section 101 was devoted to + the marriage rite. It contained this declaration: "Inasmuch as this Church + of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy, + we declare that we believe that one man should have one wife, and one + woman one husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to + marry again." The value of such a denial is seen in the ease with which + this section was blotted out by Smith's later "revelation" establishing + polygamy. + </p> + <p> + An admission that even elders did practise polygamy at that time is found + in a minute of a meeting of the Presidents of the Seventies, held on April + 29, 1837, which made this declaration: "First, that we will have no + fellowship whatever with any elder belonging to the Quorum of the + Seventies, who is guilty of polygamy."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Messenger and Advocate, p. 511. +</pre> + <p> + Again: The Elders' journal dated Far West, Missouri, 1838, contained a + list of answers by Smith to certain questions which, in an earlier number, + he had said were daily and hourly asked by all classes of people. Among + these was the following: "Q. Do the Mormons believe in having more wives + than one? A. No, not at the same time." (He condemns the plan of marrying + within a few weeks or months of the death of the first wife.) The + statement has been made that polygamy first suggested itself to Smith in + Ohio, while he was translating the so-called "Book of Abraham" from the + papyri found on the Egyptian mummies. This so-called translation required + some study of the Old Testament, and it is not at all improbable that + Smith's natural inclination toward such a doctrine as polygamy secured a + foundation in his reading of the Old Testament license to have a plurality + of wives. + </p> + <p> + For the business troubles hanging over the community, Smith and Rigdon + were held especially accountable. The flock had seen the funds confided by + them to the Bishop invested partly in land that was divided among some of + the Mormon leaders. Smith and Rigdon were provided with a house near the + Temple, and a printing-office was established there, which was under + Smith's management. Naturally, when the stock and notes of the bank became + valueless, its local victims held its organizers responsible for the + disaster. Mother Smith gives us an illustration of the depth of this + feeling. One Sunday evening, while her husband was preaching at Kirtland, + when Joseph was in Cleveland "on business pertaining to the bank," the + elder Smith reflected sharply upon Warren Parish, on whom the Smiths tried + to place the responsibility for the bank failure. Parish, who was present, + leaped forward and tried to drag the old man out of the pulpit. Smith, + Sr., appealed to Oliver Cowdery for help, but Oliver retained his seat. + Then the prophet's brother William sprang to his father's assistance, and + carried Parish bodily out of the church. Thereupon John Boynton, who was + provided with a sword cane, drew his weapon and threatened to run it + through the younger Smith. "At this juncture," says Mrs. Smith, "I left + the house, not only terrified at the scene, but likewise sick at heart to + see the apostasy of which Joseph had prophesied was so near at hand."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biographical Sketches," p. 221. +</pre> + <p> + Eliza Snow gives a slightly different version of the same outbreak, + describing its wind-up as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "John Boynton and others drew their pistols and bowie knives and rushed + down from the stand into a congregation, Boynton saying he would blow out + the brains of the first man who dared lay hands on him.... Amid screams + and shrieks, the policemen in ejecting the belligerents knocked down a + stove pipe, which fell helter-skelter among the people; but, although + bowie knives and pistols were wrested from their owners and thrown hither + and thither to prevent disastrous results, no one was hurt, and after a + short but terrible scene to be enacted in a Temple of God, order was + restored and the services of the day proceeded as usual."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biography of Lorenzo Snow," p. 20. +</pre> + <p> + Smith made a stubborn defence of his business conduct. He attributed the + disaster to the bank to Parish's peculation, and the general troubles of + the church to "the spirit of speculation in lands and property of all + kinds," as he puts it in his autobiography, wherein he alleges that "the + evils were actually brought about by the brethren not giving heed to my + counsel." If Smith gave any such counsel, it is unfortunate for his + reputation that neither the church records nor his "revelations" contain + any mention of it. + </p> + <p> + The final struggle came in December, 1837, when Smith and Rigdon made + their last public appearance in the Kirtland Temple. Smith was as bold and + aggressive as ever, but Rigdon, weak from illness, had to be supported to + his seat. An eye-witness of the day's proceedings says* that "the pathos + of Rigdon's plea, and the power of his denunciation, swayed the feelings + and shook the judgments of his hearers as never in the old days of peace, + and, when he had finished and was led out, a perfect silence reigned in + the Temple until its door had closed upon him forever. Smith made a + resolute and determined battle; false reports had been circulated, and + those by whom the offence had come must repent and acknowledge their sin + or be cut off from fellowship in this world, and from honor and power in + that to come." He not only maintained his right to speak as the head of + the church, but, after the accused had partly presented their case, and + one of them had given him the lie openly, he proposed a vote on their + excommunication at once and a hearing of their further pleas at a later + date. This extraordinary proposal led one of the accused to cry out, "You + would cut a man's head off and hear him afterward." Finally it was voted + to postpone the whole subject for a few days. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Early Days of Mormonism," Kennedy, p. 169. +</pre> + <p> + But the two leaders of the church did not attend this adjourned session. + Alarmed by rumors that Grandison Newell had secured a warrant for their + arrest on a charge of fraud in connection with the affairs of the bank + (unfounded rumors, as it later appeared), they fled from Kirtland on + horseback on the evening of January 12, 1838, and Smith never revisited + that town. In his description of their flight, Smith explained that they + merely followed the direction of Jesus, who said, "When they persecute you + in one city, flee ye to another." He describes the weather as extremely + cold, and says, "We were obliged to secrete ourselves sometimes to elude + the grasp of our pursuers, who continued their race more than two hundred + miles from Kirtland, armed with pistols, etc., seeking our lives." There + is no other authority for this story of an armed pursuit, and the fact + seems to be that the non-Mormon community were perfectly satisfied with + the removal of the mock prophet from their neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + Although Kirtland continued to remain a Stake of the church, the real + estate scheme of making it a big city vanished with the prophet. + Foreclosures of mortgages now began; the church printing-office was first + sold out by the sheriff and then destroyed by fire, and the so-called + reform element took possession of the Temple. Rigdon had placed his + property out of his own hands, one acre of land in Kirtland being deeded + by him and his wife to their daughter. + </p> + <p> + The Temple with about two acres of land adjoining was deeded by the + prophet to William Marks in 1837, and in 1841 was redeeded to Smith as + trustee in trust for the church. In 1862 it was sold under an order of the + probate court by Joseph Smith's administrator, and conveyed the same day + to one Russel Huntley, who, in 1873, conveyed it to the prophet's + grandson, Joseph Smith, and another representative of the Reorganized + Church (nonpolygamist). The title of the latter organization was sustained + in 1880 by judge L. S. Sherman, of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, + who held that, "The church in Utah has materially and largely departed + from the faith, doctrines, laws, ordinances and usages of said original + Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and has incorporated into its + system of faith the doctrines of celestial marriage and a plurality of + wives, and the doctrine of Adam-God worship, contrary to the laws and + constitution of said original church," and that the Reorganized Church was + the true and lawful successor to the original organization. At the general + conference of the Reorganized Church, held at Lamoni, Iowa, in April, + 1901, the Kirtland district reported a membership of 423 members. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK III. — IN MISSOURI + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — THE DIRECTIONS TO THE SAINTS ABOUT THEIR ZION + </h2> + <p> + The state of Missouri, to which the story of the Mormons is now + transferred, was, at the time of its admission to the Union, in 1821, + called "a promontory of civilization into an ocean of savagery." Wild + Indian tribes occupied the practically unexplored region beyond its + western boundary, and its own western counties were thinly settled. + Jackson County, which in 1900 had 195,193 inhabitants, had a population of + 2823 by the census of 1830, and neighboring counties not so many. It was + not until 1830 that the first cabin of a white man was built in Daviess + County. All this territory had been released from Indian ownership by + treaty only a few years when the first Mormons arrived there. + </p> + <p> + The white settler's house was a log hut, generally with a dirt floor, a + mudplastered chimney, and a window without glass, a board or quilt serving + to close it in time of storm or severe cold. A fireplace, with a skillet + and kettle, supplied the place of a well-equipped stove. Corn was the + principal grain food, and wild game supplied most of the meat. The wild + animals furnished clothing as well as food; for the pioneers could not + afford to pay from 15 to 25 cents a yard for calico, and from 25 to 75 + cents for gingham.* Some persons indulged in homespun cloth for Sunday and + festal occasions, but the common outside garments were made of dressed + deerskins. Parley P. Pratt, in his autobiography, speaks of passing + through a settlement where "some families were entirely dressed in skins, + without any other clothing, including ladies young and old." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "When the merchants sold a calico or gingham dress pattern they +threw in their profit by giving a spool of thread (two hundred yards), +hooks and eyes and lining. In the thread business, however, it was only +a few years after that thirty and fifty yard spools took the place of +the two hundred yards."—"History of Daviess County", p. 161. +</pre> + <p> + The pioneer agriculturist of those days not only lacked the transportation + facilities and improved agricultural appliances which have assisted the + developers of the Northwest, but they did not even understand the nature + and capability of the soil. The newcomers in western Missouri looked on + the rich prairie land as worthless, and they almost invariably directed + their course to the timber, where the soil was more easily broken up, and + material for buildings was available. The first attempts to plough the + prairie sod were very primitive. David Dailey made the first trial in + Jackson County with what was called a "barshear plough" (drawn by from + four to eight yokes of oxen), the "shear" of which was fastened to the + beam. This cut the sod in one direction pretty well, but when he began to + cross-furrow, the sod piled up in front of the plough and stopped his + progress. Determined to see what the soil would grow, he cut holes in the + sod with an axe, and in these dropped his seed. The first sod was broken + in Daviess County in 1834, with a plough made to order, "to see what the + prairies amounted to in the way of raising a crop." Such was the country + toward which the first Mormon missionaries turned their faces. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that the first intimation in the Mormon records of a movement + to the West was found in Smith's order to Oliver Cowdery in 1830 to go and + establish the church among the Lamanites (Indians), and that Rigdon + expected that the church would remain in Ohio, when he wrote to his flock + from Palmyra. The four original missionaries—Cowdery, P. P. Pratt, + Peter Whitmer, and Peterson—did not stop long in Kirtland, but, + taking with them Frederick G. Williams, they pushed on westward to + Sandusky, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, preaching to some Indians on the way, + until they reached Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, early in 1831. + That county forms a part of the western border of the state, and from + 1832, until the railroad took the place of wagon trains, Independence was + the eastern terminus of the famous Santa Fe trail, and the point of + departure for many companies destined both for Oregon and California. + Pratt, describing their journey west of St. Louis, says: "We travelled on + foot some three hundred miles, through vast prairies and through trackless + wilds of snow; no beaten road, houses few and far between. We travelled + for whole days, from morning till night, without a house or fire. We + carried on our backs our changes of clothing, several books, and corn + bread and raw pork."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Autobiography of P. P. Pratt," p. 54. +</pre> + <p> + The sole idea of these pioneers seemed to be to preach to the Indians. + Arriving at Independence, Whitmer and Peterson went to work to support + themselves as tailors, while Cowdery and Pratt crossed the border into the + Indian country. The latter, however, were at once pronounced by the + federal officers there to be violators of the law which forbade the + settlement of white men among the Indians, and they returned to + Independence, and preached thereabout during the winter. Early in February + the four decided that Pratt should return to Kirtland and make a report, + and he did so, travelling partly on foot, partly on horseback, and partly + by steamer. + </p> + <p> + As early as March, 1830, Smith had conceived the idea (or some one else + for him) of a gathering of the elect "unto one place" to prepare for the + day of desolation (Sec. 29). In October, 1830, the four pioneers were + commanded to start "into the wilderness among the Lamanites," and on + January 2, 1831, while Rigdon was visiting Smith in New York State, + another "revelation" (Sec. 38) described the land of promise as "a land + flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the + Lord cometh." This land they and their children were to possess, both + "while the earth shall stand, and again in eternity." A "revelation" (Sec. + 45), dated March 7, 1831, at Kirtland, called on the faithful to assemble + and visit the Western countries, where they were promised an inheritance, + to be called "the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a + place of safety for the saints of most High God." These things they were + to "keep from going abroad into the world" for the present. + </p> + <p> + The manner in which the elect were told by "revelation" that they should + possess their land of promise has a most important bearing on the + justification of the opposition which the Missourians soon manifested + toward their new neighbors. In one of these "revelations," dated Kirtland, + February, 1831 (Sec. 42), Christ is represented as saying, "I will + consecrate the riches of the Gentiles unto my people which are of the + house of Israel." Another, in the following June (Sec. 52), which directed + Smith's and Rigdon's trip, promised the elect, "If ye are faithful ye + shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land in Missouri, + which is the land of your inheritance, WHICH IS NOW THE LAND OF YOUR + ENEMIES." Another, given while Smith was in Missouri, in August, 1831 + (Sec. 59), promised to those "who have come up into this land with an eye + single to My glory," that "they shall inherit the earth," and "shall + receive for their reward the good things of the earth." On the same date + the Saints were told that they should "open their hearts even to purchase + the whole region of country as soon as time will permit,... lest they + receive none inheritance save it be by the shedding of blood." It seems to + have been thought wise to add to this last statement, after the return of + the party to Ohio, and a "revelation" dated August, 1831 (Sec. 63), was + given out, stating that the land of Zion could be obtained only "by + purchase or by blood," and "as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your + enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge, in his "History of Salt Lake City" (1886), defining +the early Mormon view of their land rights, after quoting Brigham +Young's declaration to the first arrivals in Salt Lake Valley, that he +(or the church) had "no land to sell," but "every man should have his +land measured out to him for city and family purposes," says: "Young +could with absolute propriety give the above utterances on the land +question. In the early days of the church they applied to land not only +owned by the United States, but within the boundaries of states of the +Union." After quoting from the above-cited "revelation" the words "save +they be by the shedding of blood," he explains, "The latter clause of +the quotation signifies that the Mormon prophet foresaw that, unless his +disciples purchased 'this whole region of country' of the unpopulated +Far West of that period, the land question held between them and +anti-Mormons would lead to the shedding of blood, and that they would be +in jeopardy of losing their inheritance; and this was realized." +</pre> + <p> + As to their obligation to pay for any of the "good things" purchased of + their enemies, a "revelation" dated September 11, 1831 (the month after + the return from Missouri), gave this advice:— + </p> + <p> + "Behold it is said in my laws, or forbidden, to get in debt to thine + enemies; + </p> + <p> + "But behold it is not said at any time, that the Lord should not take when + he pleased, and pay as seemeth him good. + </p> + <p> + "Wherefore as ye are agents, and ye are on the Lord's errand; and whatever + ye do according to the will of the Lord, it is the Lord's business, and it + is the Lord's business to provide for his Saints in these last days, that + they may obtain an inheritance in the land of Zion."—"Book of + Commandments," Chap. 65. + </p> + <p> + In the modern version of this "revelation" to be found in Sec. 64 of the + "Doctrine and Covenants," the latter part of this declaration is changed + to read, "And he hath set you to provide for his saints in these last + days," etc. + </p> + <p> + So eager were the Saints to occupy their land of Zion, when the movement + started, that the word of "revelation" was employed to give warning + against a hasty rush to the new possessions, and to establish a certain + supervision of the emigration by the Bishop and other agents of the + church. Notwithstanding this, the rush soon became embarrassing to the + church authorities in Missouri, and a modified view of the Lord's promise + was thus stated in the Evening and Morning Star of July, 1832, "Although + the Lord has said that it is his business to provide for the Saints in + these last days, he is not BOUND to do so unless we observe his sayings + and keep them." Saints in the East were warned against giving away their + property before moving, and urged not to come to Missouri without some + means, and to bring with them cattle and improved breeds of sheep and + hogs, with necessary seeds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — SMITH'S FIRST VISITS TO MISSOURI—FOUNDING THE + CITY AND THE TEMPLE + </h2> + <p> + On June 7, 1831, a "revelation" was given out (Sec. 52) announcing that + the next conference would be held in the promised land in Missouri, and + directing Smith and Rigdon to go thither, and naming some thirty elders, + including John Corrill, David Whitmer, P. P. and Orson Pratt, Martin + Harris, and Edward Partridge, who should also make the trip, two by two, + preaching by the way. Booth says: "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 the crops + upon the ground."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled." +</pre> + <p> + Smith's party left Kirtland on June 19, and arrived at Independence in the + following month, journeying on foot after reaching St. Louis, a distance + of about three hundred miles. Smith was delighted with the new country, + with "its beautiful rolling prairies, spread out like real meadows; the + varied timber of the bottoms; the plums and grapes and persimmons and the + flowers; the rich soil, the horses, cattle, and hogs, and the wild + game.... The season is mild and delightful nearly three quarters of the + year, and as the land of Zion is situated at about equal distances from + the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as from the Alleghany and Rocky + Mountains, it bids fair to become one of the most blessed places on the + earth."* The town of Independence then consisted of a brick courthouse, + two or three stores, and fifteen or twenty houses, mostly of logs. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Smith's "Autobiography," Millennial Star, Vol. XIV. +</pre> + <p> + The usual "revelation" came first (Sec. 57), announcing that "this is the + land of promise and the place for the City of Zion," with Independence as + its centre, and the site of the Temple a lot near the courthouse. It was + also declared that the land should be purchased by the Saints, "and also + every tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly between + Jew and Gentile" (whatever that might mean), "and also every tract + bordering by the prairies." Sidney Gilbert was ordered to "plant himself" + there, and establish a store, "that he might sell goods without fraud," to + obtain money for the purchase of land. Edward Partridge was "to divide the + Saints their inheritance," and W. W. Phelps* and Cowdery were to be + printers to the church. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Phelps came from Canandaigua, New York, where, Howe says, he +was an avowed infidel. He had been prominent in politics and had edited +a party newspaper. Disappointed in his political ambition, he threw in +his lot with the new church. +</pre> + <p> + Marvellous stories were at once circulated of the grandeur that was to + characterize the new city, of the wealth that would be gathered there by + the faithful who would survive the speedy destruction of the wicked, and + of the coming of the lost tribes of Israel, who had been located near the + north pole, where they had become very rich. While not tracing these + declarations to Smith himself, Booth, who was one of the party, says that + they were told by persons in daily intercourse with him. It is doing the + prophet no injustice to say that they bear his imprint. + </p> + <p> + The laying of the foundation of the City of Zion was next in order. Rigdon + delivered an address in consecrating the ground, in which he enjoined them + to obey all of Smith's commands. A small scrub oak tree was then cut down + and trimmed, and twelve men, representing the Apostles, conveyed it to a + designated place. Cowdery sought out the best stone he could find for a + corner-stone, removed a little earth, and placed the stone in the + excavation, delivering an address. One end of the oak tree was laid on + this stone, "and there," says Booth, "was laid down the first stone and + stick which are to form an essential part of the splendid City of Zion." + </p> + <p> + The next day the site of the Temple was consecrated, Smith laying the + cornerstone. When the ceremonies were over, the spot was merely marked by + a sapling, from two sides of which the bark was stripped, one side being + marked with a "T" for Temple, and the other with "ZOM," which Smith stated + stood for "Zomas," the original of Zion. At the foot of this sapling lay + the corner-stone—"a small stone, covered over with bushes." + </p> + <p> + Such ceremonies might have been viewed with indulgence if conducted in + some suburb of Kirtland. But when men had travelled hundreds of miles at + Smith's command, suffering personal privations as well as submitting to + pecuniary sacrifices, it was a severe test of their faith to have two + small trees and t wo round stones in the wilderness offered to them as the + only tangible indications of a land of plenty. Rigdon expressed + dissatisfaction with the outcome, as we have seen; Booth left the church + as soon as he got back to Ohio; members of the party called Cowdery and + Smith imperious, and the prophet and Rigdon incurred the charge of + "excessive cowardice" on the way. + </p> + <p> + Smith made a second trip to Independence, leaving Ohio on April 2, 1832, + and arriving there on his return the following June. His stay in Missouri + this time was marked by nothing more important than his acknowledgment as + President of the high priesthood by a council of the church there, and a + "revelation" which declared that Zion's "borders must be enlarged, her + Stakes must be strengthened." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — THE EXPULSION FROM JACKSON COUNTY—THE ARMY OF + ZION + </h2> + <p> + The efforts of the church leaders to check too precipitate an emigration + to the new Zion were not entirely successful, and, according to the + Evening and Morning Star of July, 1833, the Mormons with their families + then numbered more than twelve hundred, or about one-third of the total + population of the county. The elders had been pushing their proselyting + work throughout the States and in Canada, and the idea of a land of plenty + appealed powerfully to the new believers, and especially to those of + little means. The branch of the church established at Colesville, New + York, numbering about sixty members, emigrated in a body and settled + twelve miles from Independence. Other settlements were made in the rural + districts, and the non-Mormons began to be seriously exercised over the + situation. The Saints boasted openly of their future possession of the + land, without making clear their idea of the means by which they would + obtain title to it. An open defiance in the name of the church appeared in + an article in the Evening and Morning Star for July, 1833, which contained + this declaration:— + </p> + <p> + "No matter what our ideas or notions may be on the subject; no matter what + foolish report the wicked may circulate to gratify an evil disposition; + the Lord will continue to gather the righteous and destroy the wicked, + till the sound goes forth, IT IS FINISHED." + </p> + <p> + With even greater fatuity came the determination to publish the prophet's + "revelations" in the form of the "Book of Commandments." Of the effect of + this publication David Whitmer says, "The main reason why the printing + press [at Independence] was destroyed, was because they published the + 'Book of Commandments.' It fell into the hands of the world, and the + people of Jackson County saw from the revelations that they were + considered intruders upon the Land of Zion, as enemies of the church, and + that they should be cut off out of the Land of Zion and sent away."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Address to All Believers in Christ," p. 54. +</pre> + <p> + Corrill says of the causes of friction between the Mormons and their + neighbors:—* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Corrill's" Brief History of the Church," p. 19. +</pre> + <p> + "The church got crazy to go up to Zion, as it was then called. The rich + were afraid to send up their money to purchase lands, and the poor crowded + up in numbers, without having any places provided, contrary to the advice + of the Bishop and others, until the old citizens began to be highly + displeased. They saw their country filling up with emigrants, principally + poor. They disliked their religion, and saw also that, if let alone, they + would in a short time become a majority, and of course rule the county. + The church kept increasing, and the old citizens became more and more + dissatisfied, and from time to time offered to sell their farms and + possessions, but the Mormons, though desirous, were too poor to purchase + them."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * After the survey of Jackson County, Congress granted to the +state of Missouri a large tract of land, the sale of which should be +made for educational purposes, and the Mormons took title to several +thousand acres of this, west of Independence. +</pre> + <p> + The active manifestation of hostility toward the new-comers by the + residents of Jackson County first took shape in the spring of 1832, in the + stoning of Mormon houses at night and the breaking of windows. Soon + afterward a county meeting was called to take measures to secure the + removal of the Mormons from that county, but nothing definite was done. + The burning of haystacks, shooting into houses, etc., continued until + July, 1833, when the Mormon opponents circulated a statement of their + complaints, closing with a call for a meeting in the courthouse at + Independence, on Saturday, July 20. The text of this manifesto, which is + important as showing the spirit as well as the precise grounds of the + opposition, is as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "We, the undersigned, citizens of Jackson County, believing that an + important crisis is at hand, as regards our civil society, in consequence + of a pretended religious sect of people that have settled, and are still + settling, in our county, styling themselves Mormons, and intending, as we + do, to rid our society, peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must; and + believing as we do, that the arm of the civil law does not afford us a + guarantee, or at least, a sufficient one, against the evils which are now + inflicted upon us, and seem to be increasing, by the said religious sect, + we deem it expedient and of the highest importance to form ourselves into + a company for the better and easier accomplishment of our purpose—a + purpose, which we deem it almost superfluous to say, is justified as well + by the law of nature, as by the law of self preservation. + </p> + <p> + "It is more than two years since the first of these fanatics, or knaves, + (for one or the other they undoubtedly are,) made their first appearance + amongst us, and, pretending as they did, and now do, to hold personal + communication and converse face to face with the Most High God; to receive + communications and revelations direct from heaven; to heal the sick by + laying on hands; and, in short, to perform all the wonder-working miracles + wrought by the inspired Apostles and Prophets of old. + </p> + <p> + "We believed them deluded fanatics, or weak and designing knaves, and that + they and their pretensions would soon pass away; but in this we were + deceived. The arts of a few designing leaders amongst them have thus far + succeeded in holding them together as a society; and, since the arrival of + the first of them, they have been daily increasing in numbers; and if they + had been respectable citizens in society, and thus deluded, they would + have been entitled to our pity rather than our contempt and hatred; but + from their appearance, from their manners, and from their conduct since + their coming among us, we have every reason to fear that, with but few + exceptions, they were of the very dregs of that society from which they + came, lazy, idle, and vicious. This we conceive is not idle assertion, but + a fact susceptible of proof, for with these few exceptions above named, + they brought into our county little or no property with them, and left + less behind them, and we infer that those only yoked themselves to the + Mormon car who had nothing earthly or heavenly to lose by the change; and + we fear that if some of the leaders amongst them had paid the forfeit due + to crime, instead of being chosen ambassadors of the Most High, they would + have been inmates of solitary cells. + </p> + <p> + "But their conduct here stamps their characters in their true colors. More + than a year since, it was ascertained that they had been tampering with + our slaves, and endeavoring to rouse dissension and raise seditions + amongst them. Of this their Mormon leaders were informed, and they said + they would deal with any of their members who should again in like case + offend. But how specious are appearances. In a late number of the Star, + published in Independence by the leaders of the sect, there is an article + inviting free negroes and mulattoes from other states to become Mormons, + and remove and settle among us. This exhibits them in still more odious + colors. It manifests a desire on the part of their society to inflict on + our society an injury, that they knew would be to us entirely + insupportable, and one of the surest means of driving us from the county; + for it would require none of the supernatural gifts that they pretend to, + to see that the introduction of such a caste amongst us would corrupt our + blacks, and instigate them to bloodshed. + </p> + <p> + "They openly blaspheme the Most High God, and cast contempt on His holy + religion, by pretending to receive revelations direct from heaven, by + pretending to speak unknown tongues by direct inspirations, and by divers + pretences derogatory of God and religion, and to the utter subversion of + human reason. + </p> + <p> + "They declare openly that their God hath given them this county of land, + and that sooner or later they must and will have the possession of our + lands for an inheritance; and, in fine, they have conducted themselves on + many other occasions in such a manner that we believe it a duty we owe to + ourselves, our wives, and children, to the cause of public morals, to + remove them from among us, as we are not prepared to give up our pleasant + places and goodly possessions to them, or to receive into the bosom of our + families, as fit companions for our wives and daughters, the degraded and + corrupted free negroes and mulattoes that are now invited to settle among + us. + </p> + <p> + "Under such a state of things, even our beautiful county would cease to be + a desirable residence, and our situation intolerable! We, therefore, agree + that, if after timely warning, and receiving an adequate compensation for + what little property they cannot take with them, they refuse to leave us + in peace, as they found us—we agree to use such means as may be + sufficient to remove them, and to that end we each pledge to each other + our bodily powers, our lives, fortunes, and sacred honors. + </p> + <p> + "We will meet at the court-house, at the Town of Independence, on Saturday + next, the 20th inst., to consult ulterior movements."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Evening and Morning Star, p. 227; Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. +516. +</pre> + <p> + Some hundreds of names were signed to this call, and the meeting of July + 20 was attended by nearly five hundred persons. There is no doubt that it + was a representative county gathering. P. P. Pratt says that the + anti-Mormon organization, which he calls "outlaws," was "composed of + lawyers, magistrates, county officers, civil and military, religious + ministers, and a great number of the ignorant and uninformed portion of + the population."* The language of the address adopted shows that skilled + pens were not wanting in its preparation. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Pratt's "Autobiography," p. 103. +</pre> + <p> + The first business of the meeting was the appointment of a committee to + prepare an address stating the grievances of the people with somewhat + greater fulness than the manifesto above quoted. Like the latter, it + conceded at the start that there was no law under which the object in view + could be obtained. It characterized the Mormons as but little above the + negroes as regards property or education; charged them with having exerted + a "corrupting influence" on the slaves;* asserted that even the more + intelligent boasted daily to the Gentiles that the Mormons would + appropriate their lands for an inheritance, and that their newspaper organ + taught them that the lands were to be taken by the sword. Noting the rapid + increase in the immigration of members of the new church, the address, + looking to a near day when they would be in a majority in the county, + asked: "What would be the state of our lives and property in the hands of + jurors and witnesses who do not blush to declare, and would not upon + occasion hesitate to swear, that they have wrought miracles, and have been + the subjects of miraculous and supernatural cures, have conversed with God + and his angels, and possess and exercise the gifts of divination and of + unknown tongues, and are fired with the prospect of obtaining inheritances + without money and without price, may be better imagined than described." + That this apprehension was not without grounds will be seen when we come + to the administration of justice in Nauvoo and in Salt Lake City. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Mormons never hesitated to change their position on the +slavery question. An elder's address, published in the Evening and +Morning Star of July, 1833, said: "As to slaves, we have nothing to +say. In connection with the wonderful events of this age, much is doing +toward abolishing slavery and colonizing the blacks in Africa." Three +years later, in April, 1836 the Messenger and Advocate published a +strong proslavery article, denying the right of the people of the North +to interfere with the institution, and picturing the happy condition of +the slaves. Orson Hyde, in the Frontier Guardian in 1850 (quoted in the +Millennial Star, Vol. XIII, p. 63), said: "When a man in the Southern +states embraces our faith and is the owner of slaves, the church says +to him, 'If your slaves wish to remain with you, and to go with you, put +them not away; but if they choose to leave you, and are not satisfied to +remain with you, it is for you to sell them or to let them go free, as +your own conscience may direct you. The church on this point assumes not +the responsibility to direct.'" Horace Greeley quoted Brigham Young +as saying to him in Salt Lake City, "We consider slavery of divine +institution and not to be abolished until the curse pronounced on Ham +shall have been removed from his descendants" ("Overland journey," p. +211). +</pre> + <p> + The address closed with these demands:— + </p> + <p> + "That no Mormon shall in future move and settle in this county. + </p> + <p> + "That those now here, who shall give a definite pledge of their intention + within a reasonable time to remove out of the county, shall be allowed to + remain unmolested until they have sufficient time to sell their property + and close their business without any material sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + "That the editor of the Star (W. W. Phelps) be required forthwith to close + his office and discontinue the business of printing in this county; and, + as to all other stores and shops belonging to the sect, their owners must + in every case strictly comply with the terms of the second article of this + declaration; and, upon failure, prompt and efficient measures will be + taken to close the same. + </p> + <p> + "That the Mormon leaders here are required to use their influence in + preventing any further emigration of their distant brethren to this + county, and to counsel and advise their brethren here to comply with the + above regulations. + </p> + <p> + "That those who fail to comply with the requisitions be referred to those + of their brethren who have the gifts of divination and of unknown tongues, + to inform them of the lot that awaits them"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, pp. 487-489. +</pre> + <p> + A recess of two hours was taken in which to permit a committee of twelve + to call on Bishop Partridge, Phelps, and Gilbert, and present these terms. + This committee reported that these men "declined giving any direct answer + to the requisitions made of them, and wished an unreasonable time for + consultation, not only with their brethren here, but in Ohio." The meeting + thereupon voted unanimously that the Star printing-office should be razed + to the ground, and the type and press be "secured." + </p> + <p> + A report of the action of this meeting and its result was prepared by the + chairman and two secretaries, and printed over their signatures in the + Western Monitor of Fayette, Missouri, on August 2, 1833, and it is + transferred to Smith's autobiography. It agrees with the Mormon account + set forth in their later petition to Governor Dunklin. It particularized, + however, that the Mormon leaders asked the committee first for three + months, and then for ten days, in which to consider the demands, and were + told that they could have only fifteen minutes. + </p> + <p> + What happened next is thus set forth in the chairman's report:— + </p> + <p> + "Which resolution (for the razing of the Star office) was with the utmost + order and the least noise and disturbance possible, forthwith carried into + execution, AS ALSO SOME OTHER STEPS OF A SIMILAR TENDENCY; but no blood + was spilled nor any blows inflicted." + </p> + <p> + Mobs do not generally act with the "utmost order," and this one was not an + exception to the rule, as an explanation of the "other steps" will make + clear. The first object of attack was the printing office, a two-story + brick building. This was demolished, causing a loss of $6000, according to + the Mormon claims. The mob next visited the store kept by Gilbert, but + refrained from attacking it on receiving a pledge that the goods would be + packed for removal by the following Tuesday. They then called at the + houses of some of the leading Mormons, and conducted Bishop Partridge and + a man named Allen to the public square. Partridge told his captors that + the saints had been subjected to persecution in all ages; that he was + willing to suffer for Christ's sake, but that he would not consent to + leave the country. Allen refused either to agree to depart or to deny the + inspiration of the Mormon Bible. Both men were then relieved of their + hats, coats, and vests, daubed with tar, and decorated with feathers. This + ended the proceedings of that day, and an adjournment as announced until + the following Tuesday. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, July 23 (the date of the laying of the corner-stone of the + Kirtland Temple), the Missourians gathered again in the town, carrying a + red flag and bearing arms. The Mormon statement to Governor Dunklin says, + "They proceeded to take some of the leading elders by force, declaring it + to be their intention to whip them from fifty to five hundred lashes + apiece, to demolish their dwelling houses, and let their negroes loose to + go through our plantations and lay open our fields for the destruction of + our crops."* The official report of the officers of the meeting** says + that, when the chairman had taken his seat, a committee was appointed to + wait on the Mormons at the request of the latter. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Greene, in his "Facts Relative to the Expulsion of the Mormons +from the State of Missouri" (1839), says that the mob seized a number of +Mormons and, at the muzzle of their guns, compelled them to confess that +the Mormon Bible was a fraud. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Millennial Star Vol. XIV, p. 500. +</pre> + <p> + As a result of a conference with this committee, a written agreement was + entered into, signed by the committee and the Mormons named in it, to this + effect: That Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, W. E. McLellin, Edward + Partridge, John Wright, Simeon Carter, Peter and John Whitmer, and Harvey + Whitlock, with their families, should move from the county by January 1 + next, and use their influence to induce their fellow-Mormons in the county + to do likewise—one half by January 1 and all by April 1—and to + prevent further immigration of the brethren; John Corrill and A. S. + Gilbert to remain as agents to wind up the business of the society, + Gilbert to be allowed to sell out his goods on hand; no Mormon paper to be + published in the county; Partridge and Phelps to be allowed to go and come + after January 1, in winding up their business, if their families were + removed by that time; the committee pledging themselves to use their + influence to prevent further violence, and assuring Phelps that "whenever + he was ready to move, the amount of all his losses in the printing house + should be paid to him by the citizens." In view of this arrangement there + was no further trouble for more than two months. + </p> + <p> + The Mormon leaders had, however, no intention of carrying out their part + of this undertaking. Corrill, in a letter to Oliver Cowdery written in + December, 1833, said that the agreement was made, "supposing that before + the time arrived the mob would see their error and stop the violence, or + that some means might be employed so that we could stay in peace."* Oliver + Cowdery was sent at once to Kirtland to advise with the church officers + there. On his arrival, early in August, a council was convened, and it was + decided that legal measures should be taken to establish the rights of the + Saints in Missouri. Smith directed that they should neither sell their + lands nor move out of Jackson County, save those who had signed the + agreement.** It was also decided to send Orson Hyde and John Gould to + Missouri "with advice to the Saints in their unfortunate situation through + the late outrage of the mob."*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Evening and Morning Star, January, 1834 +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Elder Williams's Letter, Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 519. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 504. +</pre> + <p> + To strengthen the courage of the flock in Missouri, Smith gave forth at + Kirtland, under date of August 2, 1833, a "revelation" (Sec. 97), "in + answer to our correspondence with the prophet," says P. P. Pratt,* in + which the Lord was represented as saying, "Surely, Zion is the city of our + God, and surely Zion cannot fail, NEITHER BE MOVED OUT OF HER PLACE; for + God is there, and the hand of God is there, and he has sworn by the power + of his might to be her salvation and her high tower." The same + "revelation" directed that the Temple should be built speedily by means of + tithing, and threatened Zion with pestilence, plague, sword, vengeance, + and devouring fire unless she obeyed the Lord's commands. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Pratt's "Autobiography," p. 100, +</pre> + <p> + The outcome of all the deliberations at Kirtland was the sending of W. W. + Phelps and Orson Hyde to Jefferson City with a long petition to Governor + Dunklin, setting forth the charges of the Missourians against the Mormons, + and the action of the two meetings at Independence, and making a direct + appeal to him for assistance, asking him to employ troops in their + defence, in order that they might sue for damages, "and, if advisable, try + for treason against the government." + </p> + <p> + The governor sent them a written reply under date of October 19, in which, + after expressing sympathy with them in their troubles, he said: "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.... No citizen, or 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." He advised the Mormons to invoke the laws in their + behalf; to secure a warrant from a justice of the peace, and so test the + question "whether the law can be peaceably executed or not"; if not, it + would be his duty to take steps to execute it. + </p> + <p> + The Mormons and their neighbors were thus brought face to face in a manner + which admitted of no compromise. The situation naturally seemed rather a + simple one to the governor, who was probably ignorant of the intentions + and ambition of the Mormons. If he had understood the nature and weight of + the objections to them, he would have understood also that he could + protect them in their possessions only by maintaining a military force. + </p> + <p> + His letter gave the Mormons of Jackson County new courage. They had been + maintaining a waiting attitude since the meeting of July 23, but now they + resumed their occupations, and began to erect more houses, and to improve + their places as if for a permanent stay, and meanwhile there was no + cessation of the immigration of new members from the East. Their leaders + consulted four lawyers in Clay County, and arranged with them to look + after their legal interests. + </p> + <p> + This evident repudiation by the Mormons of their part of their agreement + with the committee incensed the Jackson County people, and hostilities + were resumed. On the night of October 31, a mob attacked a Mormon + settlement called Big Blue, some ten miles west of Independence, damaged a + number of houses, whipped some of the men, and frightened women and + children so badly that they fled to the outlying country for + hiding-places. On the night of November 1, Mormon houses were stoned in + Independence, and the church store was broken into and its goods scattered + in the street. The Mormons thereupon showed the governor's letter to a + justice of the peace, and asked him for a warrant, but their accounts say + that he refused one. When they took before the same officer a man whom + they caught in the act of destroying their property, the justice not only + refused to hold him, but granted a warrant in his behalf against Gilbert, + Corrill, and two other Mormons for false imprisonment, and they were + locked up.* Thrown on their own resources for defence, the Mormons now + armed themselves as well as they could, and established a night picket + service throughout their part of the county. On Saturday night, November + 2, a second attack was made by the mob on Big Blue and, the Mormons + resisting, the first "battle" of this campaign took place. A sick woman + received a pistolshot wound in the head, and one of the Mormons a wound in + the thigh. Parley P. Pratt and others were then sent to Lexington to + procure a warrant from Circuit Judge Ryland, but, according to Pratt, he + refused to grant one, and "advised us to fight and kill the outlaws + whenever they came upon us."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Corrill's letter, Evening and Morning Star, January, 1834. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Pratt's "Autobiography," p. 105. +</pre> + <p> + On Monday evening, November 4, a body of Missourians who had been visiting + some of the Mormon settlements came in contact with a company of Mormons + who had assembled for defence, and an exchange of shots ensued, by which a + number on both sides were wounded, one of the Mormons dying the next day. + </p> + <p> + These conflicts increased the excitement, and the Mormons, knowing how + they were outnumbered, now realized that they could not stay in Jackson + County any longer, and they arranged to move. At first they decided to + make their new settlement only fifty miles south of Independence, in Van + Buren County, but to this the Jackson County people would not consent. + They therefore agreed to move north into Clay County, between which and + Jackson County the Missouri River, which there runs east, formed the + boundary. Most of them went to Clay County, but others scattered + throughout the other nearby counties, whose inhabitants soon let them know + that their presence was not agreeable. + </p> + <p> + The hasty removal of these people so late in the season was accompanied by + great personal hardships and considerable pecuniary loss. The Mormons have + stated the number of persons driven out at fifteen hundred, and the number + of houses burned; before and after their departure, at from two hundred to + three hundred. Cattle and household effects that could not be moved were + sold for what they would bring, and those who took with them sufficient + provisions for their immediate wants considered themselves fortunate. One + party of six men and about one hundred and fifty women and children, + panic-stricken by the action of the mob, wandered for several days over + the prairie without even sufficient food. The banks of the Missouri River + where the fugitives were ferried across presented a strange spectacle. In + a pouring rain the big company were encamped there on November 7, some + with tents and some without any cover, their household goods piled up + around them. Children were born in this camp, and the sick had to put up + with such protection as could be provided. So determined were the Jackson + County people that not a Mormon should remain among them, that on November + 23 they drove out a little settlement of some twenty families living about + fifteen miles from Independence, compelling women and children to depart + on immediate notice. + </p> + <p> + The Mormons made further efforts through legal proceedings to assert their + rights in Jackson County, but unsuccessfully. The governor declared that + the situation did not warrant him in calling out the militia, and referred + them to the courts for redress for civil injuries. In later years they + appealed more than once to the federal authorities at Washington for + assistance in reestablishing themselves in Jackson County,* but were + informed that the matter rested with the state of Missouri. Their future + bitterness toward the federal government was explained on the ground of + this refusal to come to their aid. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * James Hutchins, a resident of Wisconsin, addressed a long +appeal "for justice" to President Grant in 1876, asking him to reinstate +the Mormons in the homes from which they had been driven. +</pre> + <p> + Meanwhile Smith had been preparing to use the authority at his command to + make good his predictions about the permanency of the church in the + Missouri Zion. On December 6, 1833, he gave out a long "revelation" at + Kirtland (Sec. 101), which created a great sensation among his followers. + Beginning with the declaration that "I, the Lord," have suffered + affliction to come on the brethren in Missouri "in consequence of their + transgressions, envyings and stripes, and lustful and covetous desires," + it went on to promise them as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children + are scattered.... And, behold, there is none other place appointed than + that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place + appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering + of my saints, until the day cometh when there is found no more room for + them." + </p> + <p> + The "revelation" then stated the Lord's will "concerning the redemption of + Zion" in the form of a long parable which contained these instructions:— + </p> + <p> + "And go ye straightway into the land of my vineyard, and redeem my + vineyard, for it is mine, I have bought it with money. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore get ye straightway unto my land; break down the walls of mine + enemies; throw down their tower and scatter their watchmen; + </p> + <p> + "And inasmuch as they gather together against you, avenge me of mine + enemies, that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and + possess the land." + </p> + <p> + This "revelation" was industriously circulated in printed form among the + churches of Ohio and the East, and so great was the demand for copies that + they sold for one dollar each. The only construction to be placed upon it + was that Smith proposed to make good his predictions by means of an armed + force led against the people of Missouri. This view soon had confirmation. + </p> + <p> + The arrival of P. P. Pratt and Lyman Wight in Kirtland in February, 1834, + was followed by a "revelation" (Sec. 103) promising an outpouring of God's + wrath on those who had expelled the brethren from their Missouri + possessions, and declaring that "the redemption of Zion must needs come by + power," and that Smith was to lead them, as Moses led the children of + Israel. + </p> + <p> + In obedience to this direction there was assembled a military + organization, known in church history as "The Army of Zion." Recruiters, + led by Smith and Rigdon, visited the Eastern states, and by May 1 some two + hundred men had assembled at Kirtland ready to march to Missouri to aid + their brethren.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * There are three detailed accounts of this expedition, one in +Smith's autobiography, another in H. C. Kimball's journal in Times and +Seasons, Vol. 6, and another in Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," procured +from one of the accompanying sharpshooters. +</pre> + <p> + The Army of Zion, as it called itself, was not an impressive one in + appearance. Military experience was not required of the recruits; but no + one seems to have been accepted who was not in possession of a weapon and + at least $5 in cash. The weapons ranged from butcher knives and rusty + swords to pistols, muskets, and rifles. Smith himself carried a fine + sword, a brace of pistols (purchased on six months' credit), and a rifle, + and had four horses allotted to him. He had himself elected treasurer of + the expedition, and to him was intrusted all the money of the men, to be + disbursed as his judgment dictated. + </p> + <p> + According to his own account, they were constantly threatened by enemies + during their march; but they paid no attention to them, knowing that + angels accompanied them as protectors, "for we saw them." + </p> + <p> + As they approached Clay County a committee from Ray County called on them + to inquire about their intention, and, when a few miles from Liberty, in + Clay County, General Atchison and other Missourians met them and warned + them not to defy popular feeling by entering that town. Accepting this + advice, they took a circuitous route and camped on Rush Creek, whence + Smith on June 25 sent a letter to General Atchison's committee saying + that, in the interest of peace, "we have concluded that our company shall + be immediately dispersed." + </p> + <p> + The night before this letter was sent, cholera broke out in the camp. + Smith at once attempted to perform miraculous cures of the victims, but he + found actual cholera patients very different to deal with from old women + with imaginary ailments, or, as he puts it, "I quickly learned by painful + experience that, when the great Jehovah decrees destruction upon any + people, and makes known his determination, man must not attempt to stay + his hand."* There were thirteen deaths in camp, among the victims being + Sidney Gilbert. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Millennial Star, Vol. XV, p. 86. +</pre> + <p> + Of course, some explanation was necessary to reconcile the prophet's + surrender without a battle with the "revelation" which directed the army + to march and promised a victory. This came in the shape of another + "revelation" (Sec. 105) which declared that the immediate redemption of + the people must be delayed because of their disobedience and lack of union + (especially excepting himself from this censure); that the Lord did not + "require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion"; that a large enough + force had not assembled at the Lord's command, and that those who had made + the journey were "brought thus far for a trial of their faith." The + brethren were directed not to make boasts of the judgment to come on the + Missourians, but to keep quiet, and "gather together, as much in one + region as can be, consistently with the feelings of the people"; to + purchase all the lands in Jackson County they could, and then "I will hold + the armies of Israel guiltless in taking possession of their own lands, + which they have previously purchased with their monies, and of throwing + down the powers of mine enemies." But first the Lord's army was to become + very great. + </p> + <p> + It seems incredible that any set of followers could retain faith in + "revelations" at once so conflicting and so nonsensical. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — FRUITLESS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE JACKSON COUNTY PEOPLE + </h2> + <p> + Meanwhile, the Mormons in Clay County, with the assent of the natives + there, had opened a factory for the manufacture of arms "to pay the + Jackson mob in their own way,"* and it was rumored that both sides were + supplying themselves with cannon, to make the coming contest the more + determined. Governor Dunklin, fearing a further injury to the good name of + the state, wrote to Colonel J. Thornton urging a compromise, and on June + 10 Judge Ryland sent a communication to A. S. Gilbert, asking him to call + a meeting of Mormons in Liberty for a discussion of the situation. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XV, p. 68. +</pre> + <p> + This meeting was held on June 16, and a committee from Jackson County + presented the following proposition: "That the value of the lands, and the + improvements thereon, of the Mormons in Jackson County, be ascertained by + three disinterested appraisers, representatives of the Mormons to be + allowed freely to point out the lands claimed and the improvements; that + the people of Jackson County would agree to pay the Mormons the valuation + fixed by the appraisers, WITH ONE HUNDRED PER CENT ADDED, within thirty + days of the award; or, the Jackson County citizens would agree to sell out + their lands in that county to the Mormons on the same terms." The Mormon + leaders agreed to call a meeting of their people to consider this + proposition. + </p> + <p> + The fifteen Jackson County committeemen, it may be mentioned, in crossing + the river on their way home, were upset, and seven of them were drowned, + including their chairman, J. Campbell, who was reported to have made + threats against Smith. The latter thus reports the accident in his + autobiography, "The angel of God saw fit to sink the boat about the middle + of the river, and seven, out of the twelve that attempted to cross were + drowned, thus suddenly and justly went they to their own place by water." + </p> + <p> + On June 21 the Mormons gave written notice to the Jackson County people + that the terms proposed were rejected, and that they were framing + "honorable propositions" on their own part, which they would soon submit, + adding a denial of a rumor that they intended a hostile invasion. Their + objection to the terms proposed was thus stated in an editorial in the + Evening and Morning Star of July, 1834, "When it is understood that the + mob hold possession of a large quantity of land more than our friends, and + that they only offer thirty days for the payment of the same, it will be + seen that they are only making a sham to cover their past unlawful + conduct." This explanation ignores entirely the offer of the Missourians + to buy out the Mormons at a valuation double that fixed by the appraisers, + and simply shows that they intended to hold to the idea that their + promised Zion was in Jackson County, and that they would not give it up.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The idea of returning to a Zion in Jackson County has never +been abandoned by the Mormon church. Bishop Partridge took title to the +Temple lot in Independence in his own name. In 1839, when the Mormons +were expelled from the state, still believing that this was to be +the site of the New Jerusalem, he deeded sixty-three acres of land in +Jackson County, including this lot, to three small children of Oliver +Cowdery. In 1848, seven years after Partridge's death, and when all the +Cowdery grantees were dead, a man named Poole got a deed for this land +from the heirs of the grantees, and subsequent conveyances were made +under Poole's deed. In 1851 a branch of the church, under a title +Church of Christ, known as Hendrickites, from Grandville Hendrick, its +originator, was organized in Illinois, with a basis of belief which +rejects most of the innovations introduced since 1835. Hendrick in 1864 +was favored with a "revelation" which ordered the removal of his church +to Jackson County. On arriving there different members quietly bought +parts of the old Temple lot. In 1887 the sole surviving sister and heir +of the Cowdery children executed a quit claim deed of the lot to Bishop +Blakeslee of the Reorganized Church in Iowa, and that church at once +began legal proceedings to establish their title. Judge Philips, of +the United States Circuit Court for the Western Division of Missouri, +decided the case in March, 1894, in favor of the Reorganized Church, but +the United States Court of Appeals reversed this decision on the ground +that the respondents had title through undisputed possession ("United +States Court of Appeals Reports," Vol. XVII, p. 387). The Hendrickites +in this suit were actively aided by the Utah Mormons, President Woodruff +being among their witnesses. This Church of Christ has now a membership +of less than two hundred. +</pre> + <p> + Two Mormon elders, describing their visit to Independence in 1888, said + that they went to the Temple lot and prayed as follows: "O Lord, remember + thy words, and let not Zion suffer forever. Hasten her redemption, and let + thy name be glorified in the victory of truth and righteousness over sin + and iniquity. Confound the enemies of the people and let Zion be free:"—"Infancy + of the Church," Salt Lake City, 1889. + </p> + <p> + On June 23 (the date of Smith's last quoted "revelation"), the Mormons + presented their counter proposition in writing. It was that a board of six + Mormons and six Jackson County non-Mormons should decide on the value of + lands in that county belonging to "those men who cannot consent to live + with us," and that they should receive this sum within a year, less the + amount of damage suffered by the Mormons, the latter to be determined by + the same persons. The Jackson County people replied that they would "do + nothing like according to their last proposition," and expressed a hope + that the Mormons "would cast an eye back of Clinton, to see if that is not + a county calculated for them." Clinton was the county next north of Clay. + </p> + <p> + Governor Dunklin, in his annual message to the legislature that year, + expressed the opinion that "conviction for any violence committed against + a Mormon cannot be had in Jackson County," and told the lawmakers it was + for them to determine what amendments were necessary "to guard against + such acts of violence for the future." The Mormons sent a petition in + their own behalf to the legislature, which was presented by Corrill, but + no action was taken. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — IN CLAY, CALDWELL, AND DAVIESS COUNTIES + </h2> + <p> + The counties in which the Mormons settled after leaving Jackson County + were thinly populated at that time, Clay County having only 5338 + inhabitants, according to the census of 1830, and Caldwell, Carroll, and + Daviess counties together having only 6617 inhabitants by the census of + 1840. County rivalry is always a characteristic of our newly settled + states and territories, and the Clay County people welcomed the Mormons as + an addition to their number, notwithstanding the ill favor in which they + stood with their southern neighbors. The new-comers at first occupied what + vacant cabins they could find in the southern part of the county, until + they could erect houses of their own, while the men obtained such + employment as was offered, and many of the women sought places as domestic + servants and school-teachers. The Jackson County people were not pleased + with this friendly spirit, and they not only tried to excite trouble + between the new neighbors, but styled the Clay County residents "Jack + Mormons," a name applied in later years in other places to non-Mormons who + were supposed to have Mormon sympathies. + </p> + <p> + Peace was maintained, however, for about three years. But the Mormons grew + in numbers, and, as the natives realized their growth, they showed no more + disposition to be in the minority than did their southern neighbors. The + Mormons, too, were without tact, and they did not conceal the intention of + the church to possess the land. Proof of their responsibility for what + followed is found in a remark of W. W. Phelps, in a letter from Clay + County to Ohio in December, 1833, that "our people fare very well, and, + when they are discreet, little or no persecution is felt."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 646. +</pre> + <p> + The irritation kept on increasing, and by the spring of 1836 Clay County + had become as hostile to the Mormons as Jackson County had ever been. In + June, the course adopted in Jackson County to get rid of the new-comers + was imitated, and a public meeting in the court house at Liberty adopted + resolutions* setting forth that civil war was threatened by the rapid + immigration of Mormons; that when the latter were received, in pity and + kindness, after their expulsion across the river, it was understood that + they would leave "whenever a respectable portion of the citizens of this + county should require it," and that that time had now come. The reasons + for this demand included Mormon declarations that the county was destined + by Heaven to be theirs, opposition to slavery, teaching the Indians that + they were to possess the land with the Saints, and their religious tenets, + which, it was said, "always will excite deep prejudices against them in + any populous country where they may locate." In explanations of the + anti-Mormon feeling in Missouri frequent allusion is made to polygamous + practices. This was not charged in any of the formal statements against + them, and Corrill declares that they had done nothing there that would + incriminate them under the law. The Mormons were urged to seek a new + abiding-place, the territory of Wisconsin being recommended for their + investigation. The resolutions confessed that "we do not contend that we + have the least right, under the constitution and laws of the country, to + expel them by force"; but gave as an excuse for the action taken the + certainty of an armed conflict if the Mormons remained. Newly arrived + immigrants were advised to leave immediately, non-landowners to follow as + soon as they could gather their crops and settle up their business, and + owners of forty acres to remain indefinitely, until they could dispose of + their real estate without loss. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XV, p. 763. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormons, on July 1, adopted resolutions denying the charges against + them, but agreeing to leave the county. The Missourians then appointed a + committee to raise money to assist the needy Saints to move. Smith and his + associates in Ohio had not at that time the same interest in a Zion in + Missouri that they had three years earlier, and they only expressed sorrow + over the new troubles, and advised the fugitives to stop short of + Wisconsin if they could. An appeal was again made by the Missouri Mormons + to the governor of that state, but he now replied that if they could not + convince their neighbors of their innocence, "all I can say to you is that + in this republic the vox populi is the vox dei." + </p> + <p> + The Mormons selected that part of Ray County from which Caldwell County + was formed (just northeast of Clay County) for their new abode, and on + their petition the legislature framed the new county for their occupancy. + This was then almost unsettled territory, and the few inhabitants made no + objection to the coming of their new neighbors. They secured a good deal + of land, some by purchase, and some by entry on government sections, and + began its improvement. Many of them were so poor that they had to seek + work in the neighboring counties for the support of their families. Some + of their most intelligent members afterward attributed their future + troubles in that state to their failure to keep within their own county + boundaries. + </p> + <p> + As the county seat they founded a town which they named Far West, and + which soon presented quite a collection of houses, both log and frame, + schools, and shops. Phelps wrote in the summer of 1837, "Land cannot be + had around town now much less than $10 per acre."* There were practically + no inhabitants but Mormons within fifteen or twenty miles of the town,** + and the Saints were allowed entire political freedom. Of the county + officers, two judges, thirteen magistrates, the county clerk, and all the + militia officers were of their sect. They had credit enough to make + necessary loans, and, says Corrill, "friendship began to be restored + between them and their neighbors, the old prejudices were fast dying away, + and they were doing well, until the summer of 1838." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Messenger and Advocate, July, 1837. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Lee's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 53. +</pre> + <p> + It was in January, 1838, that Smith fled from Kirtland. He arrived in Far + West in the following March; Rigdon was detained in Illinois a short time + by the illness of a daughter. Smith's family went with him, and they were + followed by many devoted adherents of the church, who, in order to pay + church debts in Ohio and the East, had given up their property in exchange + for orders on the Bishop at Far West. In other words, they were penniless. + </p> + <p> + The business scandals in Ohio had not affected the reputation of the + church leaders with their followers in Missouri (where the bank bills had + not circulated) and Smith and Rigdon received a hearty welcome, their + coming being accepted as a big step forward in the realization of their + prophesied Zion. It proved, however, to be the cause of the expulsion of + their followers from the state. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — RADICAL DISSENSIONS IN THE CHURCH—ORIGIN OF THE + DANITES—TITHING + </h2> + <p> + While the church, in a material sense, might have been as prosperous as + Corrill pictured, Smith, on his arrival, found it in the throes of serious + internal discord. The month before he reached Far West, W. W. Phelps and + John Whitmer, of the Presidency there, had been tried before a general + assembly of the church,* and almost unanimously deposed on several + charges, the principal one being a claim on their part to $2000 of the + church funds which they had bound the Bishop to pay to them. Whitmer was + also accused of persisting in the use of tea, coffee, and tobacco. T. B. + Marsh, one of the Presidents pro tem. selected in their places, in a + letter to the prophet on this subject, said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For the minutes of this General Assembly, and text of Marsh's +letter, see Elders' Journal, July, 1838. +</pre> + <p> + "Had we not taken the above measures, we think that nothing could have + prevented a rebellion against the whole High Council and Bishop; so great + was the disaffection against the Presidents that the people began to be + jealous that the whole authorities were inclined to uphold these men in + wickedness, and in a little time the church undoubtedly would have gone + every man his own way, like sheep without a shepherd." + </p> + <p> + On April 11, Elder Bronson presented nine charges against Oliver Cowdery + to the High Council, which promptly found him guilty of six of them, viz. + urging vexatious lawsuits against the brethren, accusing the prophet of + adultery, not attending meeting, returning to the practice of law "for the + sake of filthy lucre," "disgracing the church by being connected with the + bogus [counterfeiting] business, retaining notes after they had been + paid," and generally "forsaking the cause of God." On this finding he was + expelled from the church. Two days later David Whitmer was found guilty of + unchristianlike conduct and defaming the prophet, and was expelled, and + Lyman E. Johnson met the same fate.* Smith soon announced a "revelation" + (Sec. 114), directing the places of the expelled to be filled by others. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For minutes of these councils, see Millennial Star, Vol. XVI, +pp. 130-134. +</pre> + <p> + It was in the June following that the paper drawn up by Rigdon and signed + by eighty-three prominent members of the church was presented to the + recalcitrants, ordering them to leave the county, and painting their + characters in the blackest hues.* This radical action did not meet the + approval of the more conservative element, which included men like + Corrill, and he soon announced that he was no longer a Mormon. Not long + afterward Thomas B. Marsh, one of the original members of the High Council + of Twelve in Missouri, and now President of the Twelve, and Orson Hyde, + one of the original Apostles, also seceded, and both gave testimony about + the Mormon schemes in Caldwell and Daviess Counties. Cowdery and Whitmer + considered their lives in such danger that they fled on horseback at + night, leaving their families, and after riding till daylight in a storm, + reached the house of a friend, where they found refuge until their + families could join them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See p. 81 ante. For the full text of Rigdon's paper, see the +"Correspondence, Orders, etc., in Relation to the Mormon Disturbances in +Missouri," published by order of the Missouri legislature (1841). +</pre> + <p> + The most important event that followed the expulsion of leading members + from the church by the High Council was the formation of that organization + which has been almost ever since known as the Danites, whose dark deeds in + Nauvoo were scarcely more than hinted at,* but which, under Brigham + Young's authority in Utah, became a band of murderers, ready to carry out + the most radical suggestion which might be made by any higher authority of + the church. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lee's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 158. +</pre> + <p> + Corrill, an active member of the church in Missouri, writing in 1839 with + the events fresh in his memory, said* that the members of the Danite + society entered into solemn covenants to stand by one another when in + difficulty, whether right or wrong, and to correct each other's wrongs + among themselves, accepting strictly the mandates of the Presidency as + standing next to God. He explains that "many were opposed to this society, + but such was their determination and also their threatenings, that those + opposed dare not speak their minds on the subject.... It began to be + taught that the church, instead of God, or, rather, the church in the + hands of God, was to bring about these things (judgments on the wicked), + and I was told, but I cannot vouch for the truth of it, that some of them + went so far as to contrive plans how they might scatter poison, + pestilence, and disease among the inhabitants, and make them think it was + judgments sent from God. I accused Smith and Rigdon of it, but they both + denied it promptly." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Brief History of the Church," pp. 31, 32. +</pre> + <p> + Robinson, in his reminiscences in the Return in later years, gave the same + date of the organization of the Danites, and said that their first + manifesto was the one directed against Cowdery, Whitmer, and others. + </p> + <p> + We must look for the actual origin of this organization, however, to some + of the prophet's instructions while still at Kirtland. In his "revelation" + of August 6, 1833 (Sec. 98), he thus defined the treatment that the Saints + might bestow upon their enemies: "I have delivered thine enemy into thine + hands, and then if thou wilt spare him, thou shalt be rewarded for thy + righteousness;... nevertheless thine enemy is in thine hands, and if thou + reward him according to his works thou art justified, if he has sought thy + life, and thy life is endangered by him, thine enemy is in thine hands and + thou art justified." + </p> + <p> + What such a license would mean to a following like Smith's can easily be + understood. + </p> + <p> + The next step in the same direction was taken during the exercises which + accompanied the opening of the Kirtland Temple. Three days after the + dedicatory services, all the high officers of the church, and the official + members of the stake, to the number of about three hundred, met in the + Temple by appointment to perform the washing of feet. While this was going + on (following Smith's own account),* "the brethren began to prophesy + blessings upon each other's heads, and cursings upon the enemies of Christ + who inhabit Jackson County, Missouri, and continued prophesying and + blessing and sealing them, with hosannah and amen, until nearly seven + o'clock P. M. The bread and wine were then brought in. While waiting, I + made the following remarks, 'I want to enter into the following covenant, + that if any more of our brethren are slain or driven from their lands in + Missouri by the mob, we will give ourselves no rest until we are avenged + of our enemies to the uttermost.' This covenant was sealed unanimously, + with a hosannah and an amen." ** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XV, pp. 727-728. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The spirit of that covenant evidently bore fruit in the Fourth +of July oration of 1838 and the Mountain Meadow Massacre."—The Return, +Vol. II, p. 271. +</pre> + <p> + The original name chosen for the Danites was "Daughters of Zion," + suggested by the text Micah iv. 13: "Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; + for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thine hoofs brass; and + thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate thy gain unto + the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth." + "Daughters" of anybody was soon decided to be an inappropriate designation + for such a band, and they were next called "Destroying (or Flying) + Angels," a title still in use in Utah days; then the "Big Fan," suggested + by Jeremiah xv. 7, or Luke iii. 17; then "Brothers of Gideon," and finally + "Sons of Dan" (whence the name Danites,) from Genesis xlix. 17: "Dan shall + be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse's + heels, so that his rider shall fall backward."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Hyde's "Mormonism Exposed," pp. 104-105. +</pre> + <p> + Avard presented the text of the constitution to the court at Richmond, + Missouri, during the inquiry before Judge King in November, 1838* It + begins with a preamble setting forth the agreement of the members "to + regulate ourselves under such laws as in righteousness shall be deemed + necessary for the preservation of our holy religion, and of our most + sacred rights, and the rights of our wives and children," and declaring + that, "not having the privileges of others allowed to us, we have + determined, like unto our fathers, to resist tyranny, whether it be in + kings or in the people. It is all alike to us. Our rights we must have, + and our rights we shall have, in the name of Israel's God." The President + of the church and his counsellors were to hold the "executive power," and + also, along with the generals and colonels of the society, to hold the + "legislative powers"; this legislature to "have power to make all laws + regulating the society, and regulating punishments to be administered to + the guilty in accordance with the offence." Thus was furnished machinery + for carrying out any decree of the officers of the church against either + life or property. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Missouri "Correspondence, Orders, etc.," pp. 101-102. +</pre> + <p> + The Danite oath as it was administered in Nauvoo was as follows:—"In + the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I do solemnly obligate myself + ever to regard the Prophet and the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus + Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the supreme head of the church on earth, + and to obey them in all things, the same as the supreme God; that I will + stand by my brethren in danger or difficulty, and will uphold the + Presidency, right or wrong; and that I will ever conceal, and never + reveal, the secret purposes of this society, called Daughters of Zion. + Should I ever do the same, I hold my life as the forfeiture, in a caldron + of boiling oil."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Bennett's "History of the Saints," p. 267. +</pre> + <p> + John D. Lee, who was a member of the organization, explaining their secret + signs, says,* "The sign or token of distress is made by placing the right + hand on the right side of the face, with the points of the fingers upward, + shoving the hand upward until the ear is snug up between the thumb and + forefinger." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Lee's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 57. +</pre> + <p> + It has always been the policy of the Mormon church to deny to the outside + world that any such organization as the Danites existed, or at least that + it received the countenance of the authorities. Smith's City Council in + Nauvoo made an affidavit that there was no such society there, and Utah + Mormons have professed similar ignorance. Brigham Young, himself, however, + gave testimony to the contrary in the days when he was supreme in Salt + Lake City. In one of his discourses which will be found reported in the + Deseret News (Vol. VII, p. 143) he said: "If men come here and do not + behave themselves, they will not only find the Danites, whom they talk so + much about, biting the horses' heels, but the scoundrels will find + something biting THEIR heels. In my plain remarks I merely call things by + their own names." It need only be added that the church authority has been + powerful enough at any time in the history of the church to crush out such + an organization if it so desired. + </p> + <p> + A second organization formed about the same time, at a fully attended + meeting of the Mormons of Daviess County, was called "The Host of Israel." + It was presided over by captains of tens, of fifties, and of hundreds, + and, according to Lee, "God commanded Joseph Smith to place the Host of + Israel in a situation for defence against the enemies of God and the + Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." + </p> + <p> + Another important feature of the church rule that was established at this + time was the tithing system, announced in a "revelation" (Sec. 119), which + is dated July 8, 1838. This required the flock to put all their "surplus + property" into the hands of the Bishop for the building of the Temple and + the payment of the debts of the Presidency, and that, after that, "those + who have thus been tithed, shall pay one-tenth of all their interest + annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever." + </p> + <p> + Ebenezer Robinson gives an interesting explanation of the origin of + tithing. *In May, 1838, the High Council at Far West, after hearing a + statement by Rigdon that it was absolutely necessary for the church to + make some provision for the support of the families of all those who gave + their entire time to church affairs, instructed the Bishop to deed to + Smith and Rigdon an eighty-acre lot belonging to the church, and appointed + a committee of three to confer with the Presidency concerning their salary + for that year. Smith and Rigdon thought that $1100 would be a proper sum, + and the committee reported in favor of a salary, but left the amount + blank. The council voted the salaries, but this action caused such a + protest from the church members that at the next meeting the resolution + was rescinded. Only a few days later came this "revelation" requiring the + payment of tithes, in which there was no mention of using any of the money + for the poor, as was directed in the Ohio "revelation" about the + consecration of property to the Bishop. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Return, Vol. 1, p. 136. +</pre> + <p> + This tithing system has provided ever since the principal revenue of the + church. By means of it the Temple was built at Nauvoo, and under it vast + sums have been contributed in Utah. By 1878 the income of the church by + this source was placed at $1,000,000 a year,* and during Brigham Young's + administration the total receipts were estimated at $13,000,000. We shall + see that Young made practically no report of the expenditure of this vast + sum that passed into his control. To Horace Greeley's question, "What is + done with the proceeds of this tithing?" Young replied, "Part of it is + devoted to building temples and other places of worship, part to helping + the poor and needy converts on their way to this country, and the largest + portion to the support of the poor among the Saints." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Salt Lake Tribune, June 25, 1879. +</pre> + <p> + As the authority of the church over its members increased, the regulation + about the payment of tithes was made plainer and more severe. Parley P. + Pratt, in addressing the General Conference in Salt Lake City in October, + 1849, said, "To fulfil the law of tithing, a man should make out and lay + before the Bishop a schedule of all his property, and pay him one-tenth of + it. When he hath tithed his principal once, he has no occasion to tithe + again; but the next year he must pay one-tenth of his increase, and + one-tenth of his time, of his cattle, money, goods, and trade; and, + whatever use we put it to, it is still our own, for the Lord does not + carry it away with him to heaven."* Millennial Star, Vol. XII, p. 134. + </p> + <p> + The Seventh General Epistle to the church (September, 1851) made this + statement, "It is time that the Saints understood that the paying of their + tithing is a prominent portion of the labor which is allotted to them, by + which they are to secure a future residence in the heaven they are seeking + after."* This view was constantly presented to the converts abroad. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. XIV, p. 18. +</pre> + <p> + At the General Conference in Salt Lake City on September 8, 1850, Brigham + Young made clear his radical view of tithing—a duty, he declared, + that few had lived up to. Taking the case of a supposed Mr. A, engaged in + various pursuits (to represent the community), starting with a capital of + $100,000 he must surrender $10,000 of this as tithing. With his remaining + $90,000 he gains $410,000; $41,000 of this gain must be given into the + storehouse of the Lord. Next he works nine days with his team; the tenth + day's work is for the church, as is one-tenth of the wheat he raises, + one-tenth of his sheep, and one-tenth of his eggs.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. XIII, p. 21. +</pre> + <p> + Under date of July 18, came another "revelation" (Sec. 120), declaring + that the tithings "shall be disposed of by a Council, composed of the + First Presidency of my church, and of the Bishop and his council, and by + my High Council." The first meeting of this body decided "that the First + Presidency should keep all their property that they could dispose of to + advantage for their support, and the remainder be put into the hands of + the Bishop, according to the commandments."* The coolness of this + proceeding in excepting Smith and Rigdon from the obligation to pay a + tithe is worthy of admiration. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. XVI, p. 204. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. — BEGINNING OF ACTIVE HOSTILITIES + </h2> + <p> + Smith had shown his dominating spirit as soon as he arrived at Far West. + In April, 1838, he announced a "revelation" (Sec. 115), commanding the + building of a house of worship there, the work to begin on July 4, the + speedy building up of that city, and the establishment of Stakes in the + regions round about. This last requirement showed once more Smith's lack + of judgment, and it became a source of irritation to the non-Mormons, as + it was thought to foreshadow a design to control the neighboring counties. + Hyde says that Smith and Rigdon deliberately planned the scattering of the + Saints beyond the borders of Clay County with a view to political power.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Hyde's "Mormonism," p. 203. +</pre> + <p> + In accordance with this scheme, a "revelation" of May 19 (Sec. 116), + directed the founding of a town on Grand River in Daviess County, + twenty-five miles northwest of Far West. This settlement was to be called + "Adam-ondi-Ahman," "because it is the place where Adam shall come to visit + his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the + Prophet." The "revelation" further explains that, three years before his + death, Adam called a number of high priests and all of his posterity who + were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there blessed + them. Lee (who, following the common pronunciation, writes the name + "Adam-on-Diamond") expresses the belief, which Smith instilled into his + followers, that it "was at the point where Adam came and settled and + blessed his posterity, after being driven from the Garden of Eden. There + Adam and Eve tarried for several years, and engaged in tilling the soil." + By order of the Presidency, another town was started in Carroll County, + where the Saints had been living in peace. Immediately the new settlement + was looked upon as a possible rival of Gallatin, the county seat, and the + non-Mormons made known their objections. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 91. +</pre> + <p> + With Smith and Rigdon on the ground, if these men had had any tact, or any + purpose except to enforce Mormon supremacy in whatever part of Missouri + they chose to call Zion, the troubles now foreshadowed might easily have + been prevented. Every step they took, however, was in the nature of a + defiance. The sermons preached to the Mormons that summer taught them that + they would be able to withstand, not only the opposition of the + Missourians, but of the United States, if this should be put to the test.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Corrill's "Brief History of the Church," p. 29. +</pre> + <p> + The flock in and around Far West were under the influence of such advice + when they met on July 4 to lay the corner-stone of the third Temple, whose + building Smith had revealed, and to celebrate the day. There was a + procession, with a flagpole raising, and Smith embraced the occasion to + make public announcement of the tithing "revelation" (although it bears a + later date). + </p> + <p> + The chief feature of the day, and the one that had most influence on the + fortunes of the church, was a sermon by Sidney Rigdon, known ever since as + the "salt sermon," from the text Matt. v. 13: "If the salt have lost its + savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, + but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." He first applied + these words to the men who had made trouble in the church, declaring that + they ought to be trodden under foot until their bowels gushed out, citing + as a precedent that "the apostles threw Judas Iscariot down and trampled + out his bowels, and that Peter stabbed Ananias and Sapphira." It was what + followed, however, which made the serious trouble, a defiance to their + Missouri opponents in these words: "It is not because we cannot, if we + were so disposed, enjoy both the honors and flatteries of the world, but + we have voluntarily offered them in sacrifice, and the riches of the world + also, for a more durable substance. Our God has promised a reward of + eternal inheritance, and we have believed his promise, and, though we wade + through great tribulations, we are in nothing discouraged, for we know he + that has promised is faithful. The promise is sure, and the reward is + certain. It is because of this that we have taken the spoiling of our + goods. Our cheeks have been given to the smiters, and our heads to those + who have plucked off the hair. We have not only, when smitten on one + cheek, turned the other, but we have done it again and again, until we are + weary of being smitten, and tired of being trampled upon. We have proved + the world with kindness; we have suffered their abuse, without cause, with + patience, and have endured without resentment, until this day, and still + their persecution and violence does not cease. But from this day and this + hour, we will suffer it no more. + </p> + <p> + "We take God and all the holy angels to witness this day, that we warn all + men, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come on us no more for ever, for, + from this hour, we will bear it no more. Our rights shall no more be + trampled on with impunity. The man, or set of men, who attempt it, DOES IT + AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR LIVES. And that mob that comes on us to disturb + us, it shall be between us and them A WAR OF EXTERMINATION, FOR WE WILL + FOLLOW THEM TO THE LAST DROP OF THEIR BLOOD IS SPILLED, OR ELSE THEY WILL + HAVE TO EXTERMINATE US; for we will carry the seat of war to their own + houses, and their own families, and one party or the other SHALL BE + UTTERLY DESTROYED. Remember it then, all men. + </p> + <p> + "We will never be aggressors; we will infringe on rights of no people; but + shall stand for our own until death. We claim our own rights, and are + willing that all shall enjoy theirs. + </p> + <p> + "No man shall be at liberty to come in our streets, to threaten us with + mobs, for if he does, he shall atone for it before he leaves the place; + neither shall he be at liberty to vilify or slander any of us, for suffer + it we will not in this place. + </p> + <p> + "We therefore take all men to record this day, as did our fathers. And we + pledge this day to one another, our fortunes, our lives, and our sacred + honors, to be delivered from the persecutions which we have had to endure + for the last nine years, or nearly that. Neither will we indulge any man, + or set of men, in instituting vexatious lawsuits against us to cheat us + out of our just rights. If they attempt it we say, woe be unto them. We + this day then proclaim ourselves free, with a purpose and a determination + that never can be broken, no never, NO NEVER, NO NEVER." + </p> + <p> + Ebenezer Robinson in The Return (Vol I, p. 170) says:— + </p> + <p> + "Let it be distinctly understood that President Rigdon was not alone + responsible for the sentiment expressed in his oration, as that was a + carefully prepared document previously written, and well understood by the + First Presidency; but Elder Rigdon was the mouthpiece to deliver it, as he + was a natural orator, and his delivery was powerful and effective. + </p> + <p> + "Several Missouri gentlemen of note, from other counties, were present on + the speaker's stand at its delivery, with Joseph Smith, Jr., President, + and Hyrum Smith, Vice President of the day; and at the conclusion of the + oration, when the president of the day led off with a shout of 'Hosannah, + Hosannah, Hosannah,' and joined in the shout by the vast multitude, these + Missouri gentlemen began to shout 'hurrah,' but they soon saw that did not + time with the other, and they ceased shouting. A copy of the oration was + furnished the editor, and printed in the Far West, a weekly newspaper + printed in Liberty, the county seat of Clay county. It was also printed in + pamphlet form, by the writer of this, in the printing office of the + Elders' Journal, in the city of Far West, a copy of which we have + preserved. + </p> + <p> + "This oration, and the stand taken by the church in endorsing it, and its + publication, undoubtedly exerted a powerful influence in arousing the + people of the whole upper Missouri country." + </p> + <p> + At the trial of Rigdon, when he was cast out at Nauvoo, Young and others + held him alone responsible for this sermon, and declared that it was + principally instrumental in stirring up the hostilities that ensued. + </p> + <p> + A state election was to be held in Missouri early in August, and there was + a good deal of political feeling. Daviess County was pretty equally + divided between Whigs and Democrats, and the vote of the Mormons was + sought by the leaders of both parties. In Caldwell County the Saints were + classed as almost solidly Democratic. When election day came, the Danites + in the latter county distributed tickets on which the Presidency had + agreed, but this resulted in nothing more serious than some criticism of + this interference of the church in politics. But in Daviess County trouble + occurred. + </p> + <p> + The Mormons there were warned by the Democrats that the Whigs would + attempt to prevent their voting at Gallatin. Of the ten houses in that + town at the time, three were saloons, and the material for an election-day + row was at hand. It began with an attack on a Mormon preacher, and ended + in a general fight, in which there were many broken heads, but no loss of + life; after which, says Lee, who took part in it, "the Mormons all + voted."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Smith's autobiography says, "Very few of the brethren voted." +</pre> + <p> + Exaggerated reports of this melee reached Far West, and Dr. Avard, + collecting a force of 150 volunteers, and accompanied by Smith and Rigdon, + started for Daviess County for the support of their brethren. They came + across no mob, but they made a tactical mistake. Instead of disbanding and + returning to their homes, they, the next morning (following Smith's own + account)* "rode out to view the situation." Their ride took them to the + house of a justice of the peace, named Adam Black, who had joined a band + whose object was the expulsion of the Mormons. Smith could not neglect the + opportunity to remind the justice of his violation of his oath, and to + require of him some satisfaction, "so that we might know whether he was + our friend or enemy." With this view they compelled him to sign what they + called "an agreement of peace," which the justice drew up in this shape:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XVI, p. 229. +</pre> + <p> + "I, Adam Black, A Justice of the Peace of Davies County, do hereby Sertify + to the people called Mormin that he is bound to suport the constitution of + this state and of the United States, and he is not attached to any mob, + nor will not attach himself to any such people, and so long as they will + not molest me I will not molest them. This the 8th day of August, 1838. + </p> + <p> + "ADAM BLACK, J.P." + </p> + <p> + When the Mormon force returned to Far West, the Daviess people secured + warrants for the arrest of Smith, L. Wight, and others, charging them with + violating the law by entering another county armed, and compelling a + justice of the peace to obey their mandate, Black having made an affidavit + that he was compelled to sign the paper in order to save his life. Wight + threatened to resist arrest, and this caused such a gathering of + Missourians that Smith became alarmed and sent for two lawyers, General D. + R. Atchison and General Doniphan, to come to Far West as his legal + advisers.* Acting on their advice, the accused surrendered themselves, and + were bound over to court in $500 bail for a hearing on September 7. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * General Atchison was the major general in command of that +division of the state militia. His early reports to the governor must +be read in the light of his association with Smith as counsel. General +Douiphan afterward won fame at Chihuahua in the Mexican War. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. — A STATE OF CIVIL WAR + </h2> + <p> + All peaceable occupations were now at an end in Daviess County. General + Atchison reported to the governor that, on arriving there on September 17, + he found the county practically deserted, the Gentiles being gathered in + one camp and the Mormons in another. A justice of the peace, in a + statement to the governor, declared, "The Mormons are so numerous and so + well armed [in Daviess and Caldwell counties] that the judicial power of + the counties is wholly unable to execute any civil or criminal process + within the limits of either of the said counties against a Mormon or + Mormons, as they each and every one of them act in concert and outnumber + the other citizens." Lee says that an order had been issued by the church + authorities, commanding all the Mormons to gather in two fortified camps, + at Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman. The men were poorly armed, but demanded + to be led against their foes, being "confident that God was going to + deliver the enemy into our hands."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 78. +</pre> + <p> + Both parties now stood on the defensive, posting sentinels, and making + other preparations for a fight. Actual hostilities soon ensued. The + Mormons captured some arms which their opponents had obtained, and took + them, with three prisoners, to Far West. "This was a glorious day, + indeed," says Smith.* Citizens of Daviess and Livingston counties sent a + petition to Governor Boggs (who had succeeded Dunklin), dated September + 12, declaring that they believed their lives, liberty, and property to be + "in the most imminent danger of being sacrificed by the hands of those + impostorous rebels," and asking for protection. The governor had already + directed General Atchison to "raise immediately four hundred mounted men + in view of indications of Indian disturbances on our immediate frontier, + and the recent civil disturbances in the counties of Caldwell, Daviess, + and Carroll." The calling out of the militia followed, and General + Doniphan found himself in command of about one thousand militiamen. He + seems to have used tact, and to have employed his force only as peace + preservers. On September 20 he reported to Governor Boggs that he had + discharged all his troops but two companies, and that he did not think the + services of these would be required more than twenty days. He estimated + the Mormon forces in the disturbed counties at from thirteen hundred to + fifteen hundred men, most of them carrying a rifle, a brace of pistols, + and a broadsword; "so that," he added, "from their position, and their + fanaticism, and their unalterable determination not to be driven, much + blood will be spilt and much suffering endured if a blow is at once + struck, without the interposition of your excellency." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Smith's autobiography, at this point, says: "President Rigdon +and I commenced this day the study of law under the instruction of +Generals Atchison and Doniphan. They think by diligent application we +can be admitted to the bar in twelve months." Millennial Star, Vol. XVI, +p. 246. +</pre> + <p> + The people of Carroll County began now to hold meetings whose object was + the expulsion of the Mormons from their boundaries, and some hundreds of + them assembled in hostile attitude around the little settlement of Dewitt. + The Mormons there prepared for defence, and sent an appeal to Far West for + aid. Accordingly, one hundred Mormons, including Smith and Rigdon, started + to assist them, and two companies of militia, under General Parks, were + hurried to the spot. General Parks reported to General Atchison on October + 7 that, on arriving there the day before, he found the place besieged by + two hundred or three hundred Missourians, under a Dr. Austin, with a + field-piece, and defended by two hundred or three hundred Mormons under G. + M. Hinckle, "who says he will die before he is driven from thence." Austin + expected speedy reenforcements that would enable him to take the place by + assault. A petition addressed by the Mormons of Dewitt to the governor, as + early as September 22, having been ignored, and finding themselves + outnumbered, they agreed to abandon their settlement on receiving pay for + their improvements, and some fifty wagons conveyed them and their effects + to Far West. + </p> + <p> + A period of absolute lawlessness in all that section of the state + followed. Smith declared that civil war existed, and that, as the state + would not protect them, they must look out for themselves. He and his + associates made no concealment of their purpose to "make clean work of it" + in driving the non-Mormons from both Daviess and Caldwell counties. When + warned that this course would array the whole state against them, Smith + replied that the "mob" (as the opponents of the Mormons were always + styled) were a small minority of the state, and would yield to armed + opposition; the Mormons would defeat one band after another, and so + proceed across the state, until they reached St. Louis, where the Mormon + army would spend the winter. This calculation is a fair illustration of + Smith's judgment. + </p> + <p> + Armed bands of both parties now rode over the country, paying absolutely + no respect to property rights, and ready for a "brush" with any opponents. + At Smith's suggestion, a band of men, under the name of the "Fur Company," + was formed to "commandeer" food, teams, and men for the Mormon campaign. + This practical license to steal let loose the worst element in the church + organization, glad of any method of revenge on those whom they considered + their persecutors. "Men of former quiet," says Lee, who was among the + active raiders, "became perfect demons in their efforts to spoil and waste + away the enemies of the church."* Cattle and hogs that could not be driven + off were killed.** Houses were burned, not only in the outlying country, + but in the towns. A night attack by a band of eighty men was made on + Gallatin, where some of the houses were set on fire, and two stores as + well as private houses were robbed. The house of one McBride, who, Lee + says, had been a good friend to him and to other Mormons, did not escape: + "Every article of moveable property was taken by the troops; he was + utterly ruined." "It appeared to me," says Corrill, "that the love of + pillage grew upon them very fast, for they plundered every kind of + property they could get hold of, and burnt many cabins in Daviess, some + say 80, and some say 150." *** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lee naively remarks, "In justice to Joseph Smith I cannot say +that I ever heard him teach, or even encourage, men to pilfer or steal +little things."—"Mormonism Unveiled," p. 90. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** W. Harris's "Mormonism Portrayed," p. 30. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** "Brief History of the Church," p. 38. +</pre> + <p> + The Missourians retaliated in kind. Mormons were seized and whipped, and + their houses were burned. A lawless company (Pratt calls them banditti), + led by one Gilliam, embraced the opportunity to make raids in the Mormon + territory. It was soon found necessary to collect the outlying Mormons at + Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman, where they were used for purposes both of + offence and defence. The movements of the Missourians were closely + watched, and preparations were made to burn any place from which a force + set out to attack the Saints. + </p> + <p> + One of the Missouri officers, Captain Bogart, on October 23, warned some + Mormons to leave the county, and, with his company of thirty or forty men, + announced his intention to "give Far West thunder and lightning." When + this news reached Far West, Judge Higbee, of the county court, ordered + Lieutenant Colonel Hinckle to go out with a company, disperse the "mob," + and retake some prisoners. The Mormons assembled at midnight, and about + seventy-five volunteers started at once, under command of Captain Patton, + the Danite leader, whose nickname was "Fear Not," all on horseback. When + they approached Crooked River, on which Bogart's force was encamped, + fifteen men were sent in advance on foot to locate the enemy. Just at dawn + a rifle shot sounded, and a young Mormon, named O'Barrion, fell mortally + wounded. Captain Patton ordered a charge, and led his men at a gallop down + a hill to the river, under the bank of which the Missourians were drawn + up. The latter had an advantage, as they were in the shade, and the + Mormons were between them and the east, which the dawn was just lighting. + Exchanges of volleys occurred, and then Captain Patton ordered his men to + rush on with drawn swords—they had no bayonets. This put the + Missourians to flight, but just as they fled Captain Patton received a + mortal wound. Three Mormons in all were killed as a result of this battle, + and seven wounded, while Captain Bogart reported the death of one man.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ebenezer Robinson's account in The Return, p. 191. +</pre> + <p> + The death of "Fear Not" was considered by the Mormons a great loss. He was + buried with the honors of war, says Robinson, "and at his grave a solemn + convention was made to avenge his death." Smith, in the funeral sermon, + reverted to his old tactics, attributing the Mormon losses to the Lord's + anger against his people, because of their unbelief and their + unwillingness to devote their worldly treasures to the church. + </p> + <p> + The rout of Captain Bogart's force, which was a part of the state militia, + increased the animosity against the Mormons, and the wiser of the latter + believed that they would suffer a dire vengeance.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Corrill's "Brief History of the Church," p. 38. +</pre> + <p> + This vengeance first made itself felt at a settlement called Hawn's Mill + (of which there are various spellings), some miles from Far West, where + there were a flour mill, blacksmith shop, and other buildings. The Mormons + there were advised, the day after the fight on Crooked River, to move into + Far West for protection, but the owners of the buildings, knowing that + these would be burned as soon as deserted, decided to remain and defend + their property. + </p> + <p> + On October 30 a mounted force of Missourians appeared before the place. + The Mormons ran into the log blacksmith shop, which they thought would + serve them as a blockhouse, but it proved to be a slaughter-pen. The + Missourians surrounded it, and, sticking their rifles into every hole and + crack, poured in a deadly fire, killing, some reports say eighteen, and + some thirty-one, of the Mormons. The only persons in the town who escaped + found shelter in the woods. The Missourians did not lose a man. When the + firing ceased, they still showed no mercy, shooting a small boy in the leg + after dragging him out from under the bellows, and hacking to death with a + corn cutter an old man while he begged for his life. Dead and wounded were + thrown into a well, and some of the wounded, taken out by rescuers from + Far West, recovered. "I heard one of the militia tell General Clark," says + Corrill, "that a well twenty or thirty feet deep was filled with their + dead bodies to within three feet of the top."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Details of this massacre will be found in Lee's "Mormonism +Unveiled," pp. 78-80; in the Missouri "Correspondence, Orders, etc.," +p. 82; the Millennial Star, Vol. XVI, p. 507, and in Greene's "Facts +Relative to the Expulsion of the Mormons from Missouri," pp. 21-24. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormons have always considered this "massacre," as they called it, the + crowning outrage of their treatment in Missouri, and for many years were + especially bitter toward all participants in it. A letter from two Mormons + in the Frontier Guardian, dated October, 1849, describing the disinterred + human bones seen on their journey across the plains, said that they + recognized on the rude tombstone the names of some of their Missouri + persecutors: "Among others, we noted at the South Pass of the Rocky + Mountains the grave of one E. Dodd of Gallatin, Missouri. The wolves had + completely disinterred him. It is believed that he was the same Dodd that + took an active part as a prominent mobocrat in the murder of the Saints at + Hawn's Mill, Missouri; if so, it is a righteous retribution." Two Mormon + elders, describing a visit in 1889 to the scenes of the Mormon troubles in + Missouri, said, "The notorious Colonel W. O. Jennings, who commanded the + mob at the [Hawn's Mill] massacre, was assaulted in Chillicothe, Missouri, + on the evening of January 20, 1862, by an unknown person, who shot him on + the street with a revolver or musket, as the Colonel was going home after + dark." * They are silent as to the avenger. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Infancy of the Church" (pamphlet). +</pre> + <p> + Governor Boggs now began to realize the seriousness of the situation that + he was called to meet, and on October 26 he directed General John B. Clark + (who was not the ranking general) to raise, for the protection of the + citizens of Daviess County, four hundred mounted men. This order he + followed the next day with the following, which has become the most famous + of the orders issued during this campaign, under the designation "the + order of extermination":— + </p> + <p> + "HEADQUARTERS OF THE MILITIA, + </p> + <p> + "CITY OF JEFFERSON, Oct. 27, 1838. + </p> + <p> + "GEN. JOHN B. CLARK, + </p> + <p> + "Sir:—Since the order of this morning to you, directing you to cause + four hundred mounted men to be raised within your Division, I have + received by Amos Rees, Esq., of Ray County and Wiley C. Williams, Esq., + one of my aids, information of the most appalling character, which + entirely changes the face of things, and places the Mormons in the + attitude of an open and avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made + war upon the people of this state. Your orders are, therefore, to hasten + your operations with all possible speed. + </p> + <p> + "The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or + driven from the State if necessary for the public peace—their + outrages are beyond all description. If you can increase your force, you + are authorized to do so to any extent you may consider necessary. I have + just issued orders to Maj. Gen. Willock, of Marion County, to raise five + hundred men, and to march them to the northern part of Daviess, and there + unite with Gen. Doniphan, of Clay, who has been ordered with five hundred + men to proceed to the same point for the purpose of intercepting the + retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have been directed to + communicate with you by express; you can also communicate with them if you + find it necessary. + </p> + <p> + "Instead therefore of proceeding, as at first directed, to reinstate the + citizens of Daviess in their homes, you will proceed immediately to + Richmond and then operate against the Mormons. Brig. Gen. Parks, of Ray, + has been ordered to have four hundred of his brigade in readiness to join + you at Richmond. The whole force will be placed under your command. + </p> + <p> + "I am very respectfully, + </p> + <p> + "Your ob't serv't, + </p> + <p> + "L. W. Boggs, Commander-in-chief." + </p> + <p> + The "appalling information" received by the governor from his aids was + contained in a letter dated October 25, which stated that the Mormons were + "destroying all before them"; that they had burned Gallatin and Mill Pond, + and almost every house between these places, plundered the whole country, + and defeated Captain Bogart's company, and had determined to burn Richmond + that night. "These creatures," said the letter, "will never stop until + they are stopped by the strong hand of force, and something must be done, + and that speedily."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For text of letter, see "Correspondence, Orders, etc.," p. 59. +</pre> + <p> + The language of Governor Boggs's letter to General Clark cannot be + defended. The Mormons have always made great capital of his declaration + that the Mormons "must be exterminated," and a man of judicial temperament + would have selected other words, no matter how necessary he deemed it, for + political reasons, to show his sympathy with the popular cause. But, on + the other hand, the governor was only accepting the challenge given by + Rigdon in his recent Fourth of July address, when the latter declared that + if a mob disturbed the Mormons, "it shall be between us and them a war of + extermination, for we will follow them till the last drop of their blood + is spilled, or else they will have to exterminate us." What compromise + there could have been between a band of fanatics obeying men like Smith + and Rigdon, and the class of settlers who made up the early Missouri + population, it is impossible to conceive. The Mormons were simply + impossible as neighbors, and it had become evident that they could no more + remain peaceably in the state than they could a few years previously in + Jackson County. + </p> + <p> + General Atchison, of Smith's counsel, was not called on by the governor in + these latest movements, because, as the governor explained in a letter to + General Clark, "there was much dissatisfaction manifested toward him by + the people opposed to the Mormons." But he had seen his mistake, and he + united with General Lucas in a letter to the governor under date of + October 28, in which they said, "from late outrages committed by the + Mormons, civil war is inevitable," and urged the governor's presence in + the disturbed district. Governor Boggs excused himself from complying with + this request because of the near approach of the meeting of the + legislature. + </p> + <p> + General Lucas, acting under his interpretation of the governor's order, + had set out on October 28 for Far West from near Richmond, with a force + large enough to alarm the Mormon leaders. Robinson, speaking of the + outlook from their standpoint at this time, says, "We looked for warm + work, as there were large numbers of armed men gathering in Daviess + County, with avowed determination of driving the Mormons from the county, + and we began to feel as determined that the Missourians should be expelled + from the county."* The Mormons did not hear of the approach of General + Lucas's force until it was near the town. Then the southern boundary was + hastily protected with a barricade of wagons and logs, and the night of + October 30-31 was employed by all the inhabitants in securing their + possessions for flight, in anticipation of a battle the next day. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Return, Vol. I, p. 189. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. — THE FINAL EXPULSION FROM THE STATE + </h2> + <p> + At eight o'clock the next morning the commander of the militia sent a flag + of truce to the Mormons which Colonel Hinckle, for the Mormons, met. + General Lucas submitted the following terms, as necessary to carry out the + governor's orders: + </p> + <p> + 1. To give up their leaders to be tried and punished. + </p> + <p> + 2. To make an appropriation of their property, all who have taken up arms, + to the payment of their debts and indemnity for damage done by them. + </p> + <p> + 3. That the balance should leave the State, and be protected out by the + militia, but be permitted to remain under protection until further orders + were received by the commander-in-chief. + </p> + <p> + 4. To give up the arms of every description, to be receipted for. + </p> + <p> + While these propositions were under consideration, General Lucas asked + that Smith, Rigdon, Lyman Wight, P. P. Pratt, and G. W. Robinson be given + up as hostages, and this was done. Contemporary Mormon accounts imputed + treachery to Colonel Hinckle in this matter, and said that Smith and his + associates were lured into the militia camp by a ruse. General Lucas's + report to the governor says that the proposition for a conference came + from Hinckle. Hyrum Smith, in an account of the trial of the prisoners, + printed some years later in the Times and Seasons, said that all the men + who surrendered were that night condemned by a court-martial to be shot, + but were saved by General Doniphan's interference. Lee's account agrees + with this, but says that Smith surrendered voluntarily, to save the lives + of his followers. + </p> + <p> + General Lucas received the surrender of Far West, on the terms named, in + advance of the arrival of General Clark, who was making forced marches. + After the surrender, General Lucas disbanded the main body of his force, + and set out with his prisoners for Independence, the original site of + Zion. General Clark, learning of this, ordered him to transfer the + prisoners to Richmond, which was done. + </p> + <p> + Hearing that the guard left by General Lucas at Far West were committing + outrages, General Clark rode to that place accompanied by his field + officers. He found no disorder,* but instituted a military court of + inquiry, which resulted in the arrest of forty-six additional Mormons, who + were sent to Richmond for trial. The facts on which these arrests were + made were obtained principally from Dr. Avard, the Danite, who was + captured by a militia officer. "No one," General Clark says, "disclosed + any useful matter until he was captured." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Much property was destroyed by the troops in town during their +stay there, such as burning house logs, rails, corn cribs, boards, etc., +the using of corn and hay, the plundering of houses, the killing +of cattle, sheep, and hogs, and also the taking of horses not their +own."—"Mormon Memorial to Missouri Legislature," December 10, 1838. +</pre> + <p> + After these arrests had been made, General Clark called the other Mormons + at Far West together, and addressed them, telling them that they could now + go to their fields for corn, wood, etc., but that the terms of the + surrender must be strictly lived up to. Their leading men had been given + up, their arms surrendered, and their property assigned as stipulated, but + it now remained for them to leave the state forthwith. On that subject the + general said:— + </p> + <p> + "The character of this state has suffered almost beyond redemption, from + the character, conduct, and influence that you have exerted; and we deem + it an act of justice to restore her character to its former standing among + the states by every proper means. The orders of the governor to me were + that you should be exterminated and not allowed to remain in the state. + And had not your leaders been given up, and the terms of the treaty + complied with, before this time you and your families would have been + destroyed, and your houses in ashes. There is a discretionary power vested + in my hands, which, considering your circumstances, I shall exercise for a + season. You are indebted to me for this clemency. + </p> + <p> + "I do not say that you shall go now, but you must not think of staying + here another season, or of putting in crops, for the moment you do this + the citizens will be upon you; and if I am called here again, in a case of + a non-compliance of a treaty made, do not think that I shall do as I have + done now. You need not expect any mercy, but extermination, for I am + determined the governor's orders shall be executed. As for your leaders, + do not think, do not imagine for a moment, do not let it enter into your + mind, that they will be delivered and restored to you again, for their + fate is fixed, their die is cast, their doom is sealed. + </p> + <p> + "I am sorry, gentlemen, to see so many apparently intelligent men found in + the situation you are; and O! if I could invoke the great spirit, the + unknown God, to rest upon and deliver you from that awful chain of + superstition, and liberate you from those fetters of fanaticism with which + you are bound, that you no longer do homage to a man. I would advise you + to scatter abroad, and never organize yourselves with bishops, presidents, + etc., lest you excite the jealousies of the people, and subject yourselves + to the same calamities that have now come upon you. You have always been + the aggressors: you have brought upon yourselves these difficulties by + being disaffected, and not being subject to rule. And my advice is that + you become as other citizens, lest by a recurrence of these events you + bring upon yourselves irretrievable ruin." + </p> + <p> + General Clark then marched with his prisoners to Richmond, where the trial + of all the accused began on November 12, before Judge A. A. King. By + November 29 the called-out militia had been disbanded, and on that date + General Clark made his final report to the governor. In this he asserted + that the militia under him had conducted themselves as honorable citizen + soldiers, and enclosed a certificate signed by five Mormons, including W. + W. Phelps, Colonel Hinckle, and John Corrill, confirming this statement, + and saying, "We have no hesitation in saying that the course taken by + General Clark with the Mormons was necessary for the public peace, and + that the Mormons are generally satisfied with his course." + </p> + <p> + In his summing up of the results of the campaign, General Clark said: + </p> + <p> + "It [the Mormon insurrection] had for its object Dominion, the ultimate + subjugation of this State and the Union to the laws of a few men called + the Presidency. Their church was to be built up at any rate, peaceably if + they could, forcibly if necessary. These people had banded themselves + together in societies, the object of which was to first drive from their + society such as refused to join them in their unholy purposes, and then to + plunder the surrounding country, and ultimately to subject the state to + their rule." + </p> + <p> + "The whole number of the Mormons killed through the whole difficulty, so + far as I can ascertain, are about forty, and several wounded. There has + been one citizen killed, and about fifteen badly wounded."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Correspondence, Orders, etc.," p. 92. +</pre> + <p> + Brigadier General R. Wilson was sent with his command to settle the Mormon + question in Daviess County. Finding the town of Adamondi-Ahman unguarded, + he placed guards around it, and gathered in the Mormons of the + neighborhood, to the number of about two hundred. Most of these, he + explained in his report, were late comers from Canada and the northern + border of the United States, and were living mostly in tents, without any + adequate provision for the winter. Those against whom criminal charges had + been made were placed under arrest, and the others were informed that + General Wilson would protect them for ten days, and would guarantee their + safety to Caldwell County or out of the state. "This appeared to me," said + General Wilson, in his report to General Clark, "to be the only course to + prevent a general massacre." In this report General Wilson presented the + following picture of the situation there as he found it: "It is perfectly + impossible for me to convey to you anything like the awful state of things + which exists here—language is inadequate to the task. The citizens + of a whole county first plundered, and then their houses and other + buildings burnt to ashes; without houses, beds, furniture, or even + clothing in many instances, to meet the inclemency of the weather. I + confess that my feelings have been shocked with the gross brutality of + these Mormons, who have acted more like demons from the infernal regions + than human beings. Under these circumstances, you will readily perceive + that it would be perfectly impossible for me to protect the Mormons + against the just indignation of the citizens.... The Mormons themselves + appeared pleased with the idea of getting away from their enemies and a + justly insulted people, and I believe all have applied and received + permits to leave the county; and I suppose about fifty families have left, + and others are hourly leaving, and at the end of ten days Mormonism will + not be known in Daviess county. This appeared to me to be the only course + left to prevent a general massacre."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Correspondence, Orders, etc.," p. 78. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormons began to depart at once, and in ten days nearly all had left. + Lee, who acted as guide to General Wilson, and whose wife and babe were at + Adamondi-Ahman, says: + </p> + <p> + "Every house in Adamondi-Ahman was searched by the troops for stolen + property. They succeeded in finding very much of the Gentile property that + had been captured by the Saints in the various raids they made through the + country. Bedding of every kind and in large quantities was found and + reclaimed by the owners. Even spinning wheels, soap barrels, and other + articles were recovered. Each house where stolen property was found was + certain to receive a Missouri blessing from the troops. The men who had + been most active in gathering plunder had fled to Illinois to escape the + vengeance of the people, leaving their families to suffer for the sins of + the believing Saints."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 89. +</pre> + <p> + We may now follow the fortunes of the Mormon prisoners. On arriving at + Richmond, they were confined in the unfinished brick court-house. The only + inside work on this building that was completed was a partly laid floor, + and to this the prisoners were restricted by a railing, with a guard + inside and out. "Two three-pail iron kettles for boiling our meat, and two + or more iron bake kettles, or Dutch ovens, were furnished us," says + Robinson, "together with sacks of corn meal and meat in bulk. We did our + own cooking. This arrangement suited us very well, and we enjoyed + ourselves as well as men could under such circumstances."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Return, Vol. I, p. 234. +</pre> + <p> + Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, and A. McRea + were soon transferred to the jail at Liberty. The others were then put + into the debtor's room of Richmond jail, a two-story log structure which + was not well warmed, but they were released on light bail in a few days. + </p> + <p> + A report of the testimony given at the hearing of the Mormon prisoners + before judge King will be found in the "Correspondence, Orders, etc.," + published by order of the Missouri legislature, pp. 97-149. Among the + Mormons who gave evidence against the prisoners were Avard, the Danite, + John Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, John Corrill, and Colonel Hinckle. There were + thirty-seven witnesses for the state and seven for the defence. As showing + the character of the testimony, the following selections will suffice. + </p> + <p> + Avard told the story of the origin of the Danites, and said that he + considered Joseph Smith their organizer; that the constitution was + approved by Smith and his counsellors at Rigdon's house, and that the + members felt themselves as much bound to obey the heads of the church as + to obey God. Just previous to the arrival of General Lucas at Far West, + Smith had assembled his force, and told them that, for every one they + lacked in numbers as compared with their opponents, the Lord would send + angels to fight for them. He presented the text of the indictment against + Cowdery, Whitmer, and others, drawn up by Rigdon. + </p> + <p> + John Corrill testified about the effect of Rigdon's "salt sermon," and + also that he had attended meetings of the Danites, and had expressed + disapproval of the doctrine that, if one brother got into difficulty, it + was the duty of the others to help him out, right or wrong; that Smith and + Rigdon attended one of these meetings, and that he had heard Smith declare + at a meeting, "if the people would let us alone, we would preach the + Gospel to them in peace, but if they came on us to molest us, we would + establish our religion by the sword, and that he would become to this + generation a second Mohammed"; just after the expulsion of the Mormons + from Dewitt, Smith declared hostilities against their opponents in + Caldwell and Daviess counties, and had a resolution passed, looking to the + confiscation of the property of the brethren who would not join him in the + march; and on a Sunday he advised the people that they might at times take + property which at other times it would be wrong to take, citing David's + eating of the shew bread, and the Saviour's plucking ears of corn.* Reed + Peck testified to the same effect. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Corrill, Avard, Hinckle, Marsh, and others were formally +excommunicated at a council held at Quincy, Illinois, on March 17, 1839, +over which Brigham Young presided. +</pre> + <p> + John Clemison testified to the presence of Smith at the early meetings of + the Danites; that Rigdon and Smith had advised that those who were + backward in joining his fighting force should be placed in the front ranks + at the point of pitchforks; that a great deal of Gentile property was + brought into Mormon camps, and that "it was frequently observed among the + troops that the time had come when the riches of the Gentiles should be + consecrated to the state." + </p> + <p> + W. W. Phelps testified that in the previous April he had heard Rigdon say, + at a meeting in Far West, that they had borne persecution and lawsuits + long enough, and that, if a sheriff came with writs against them, they + would kill him, and that Smith approved his words. Phelps said that the + character of Rigdon's "salt sermon" was known and discussed in advance of + its delivery. + </p> + <p> + John Whitmer testified that, soon after the preaching of the "salt + sermon," a leading Mormon told him that they did not intend to regard any + longer "the niceties of the law of the land," as "the kingdom spoken of by + the Prophet Daniel had been set up." + </p> + <p> + The testimony concerning the Danite organization and Smith's threats + against the Missourians received confirmation in an affidavit by no less a + person than Thomas B. Marsh, the First President of the twelve Apostles, + before a justice of the peace in Ray County, in October, 1838. In this + Marsh said:— + </p> + <p> + "The plan of said Smith, the Prophet, is to take this state; and he + professes to his people to intend taking the United States and ultimately + the whole world. The Prophet inculcates the notion, and it is believed by + every true Mormon, that Smith's prophecies are superior to the law of the + land. I have heard the Prophet say that he would yet tread down his + enemies, and walk over their dead bodies; that, if he was not let alone, + he would be a second Mohammed to this generation, and that he would make + it one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean." + </p> + <p> + This affidavit was accompanied by an affidavit by Orson Hyde, who was + afterward so prominent in the councils of the church, stating that he knew + most of Marsh's statements to be true, and believed the others to be true + also. + </p> + <p> + Of the witnesses for the defence, two women and one man gave testimony to + establish an alibi for Lyman Wight at the time of the last Mormon + expedition to Daviess County; Rigdon's daughter Nancy testified that she + had heard Avard say that he would swear to a lie to accomplish an object; + and J. W. Barlow gave testimony to show that Smith and Rigdon were not + with the men who took part in the battle on Crooked Creek. + </p> + <p> + Rigdon, in an "Appeal to the American People," which he wrote soon after, + declared that this trial was a compound between an inquisition and a + criminal court, and that the testimony of Avard was given to save his own + life. "A part of an armed body of men," he says, "stood in the presence of + the court to see that the witnesses swore right, and another part was + scouring the country to drive out of it every witness they could hear of + whose testimony would be favorable to the defendants. If a witness did not + swear to please the court, he or she would be threatened to be cast into + prison.... A man by the name of Allen began to tell the story of Bogart's + burning houses in the south part of Caldwell; he was kicked out of the + house, and three men put after him with loaded guns, and he hardly escaped + with his life. Finally, our lawyers, General Doniphan and Amos Rees, told + us not to bring our witnesses there at all, for if we did, there would not + be one of them left for the final trial.... As to making any impression on + King, if a cohort of angels were to come down and declare we were clear, + Doniphan said it would be all the same, for he had determined from the + beginning to cast us into prison." Smith alleged that judge King was + biased against them because his brother-in-law had been killed during the + early conflicts in Jackson County. + </p> + <p> + Several of the defendants were discharged during or after the close of the + hearing. Smith, Rigdon, Lyman Wight, and three others were ordered + committed to the Clay County jail at Liberty on a charge of treason; + Parley P. Pratt and four others to the Ray County jail on a charge of + murder; and twenty-three others were ordered to give bail on a charge of + arson, burglary, robbery, and larceny, and all but eight of these were + locked up in default of bail. The prisoners confined at Liberty secured a + writ of habeas corpus soon after, but only Rigdon was ordered released, + and he thought it best for his safety to go back to the jail. He + afterward, with the connivance of the sheriff and jailer, made his escape + at night, and reached Quincy, Illinois, in February, 1839. + </p> + <p> + P. P. Pratt, in his "Late Persecution," says that the prisoners were kept + in chains most of the time, and that Riodon, although ill, "was compelled + to sleep on the floor, with a chain and padlock round his ankle, and + fastened to six others." Hyrum Smith, in a "Communication to the Saints" + printed a year later, says; "We suffered much from want of proper food, + and from the nauseous cell in which I was confined." + </p> + <p> + Joseph Smith remained in the Liberty jail until April, 1839. At one time + all the prisoners nearly made their escape, "but unfortunately for us, the + timber of the wall being very hard, our augur handles gave out, which + hindered us longer than we expected," and the plan was discovered. + </p> + <p> + The prophet employed a good deal of his time in jail in writing long + epistles to the church. He gave out from there also three "revelations," + the chief direction of which was that the brethren should gather up all + possible information about their persecutions, and make out a careful + statement of their property losses. His letters reveal the character of + the man as it had already been exhibited—headlong in his purposes, + vindictive toward any enemy. He says in his biography that he paid his + lawyers about $50,000 "in cash, lands, etc." (a pretty good sum for the + refugee from Ohio to amass so soon), but got little practical assistance + from them, "for sometimes they were afraid to act on account of the mob, + and sometimes they were so drunk as to incapacitate them for business." In + one of his letters to the church he thus speaks of some of his recent + allies, "This poor man [W. W. Phelps] who professes to be much of a + prophet, has no other dumb ass to ride but David Whitmer, or to forbid his + madness when he goes up to curse Israel; but this not being of the same + kind as Balaam's, therefore, notwithstanding the angel appeared unto him, + yet he could not sufficiently penetrate his understanding but that he + brays out cursings instead of blessings."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. I, p. 82. +</pre> + <p> + On April 6, Smith and his fellow-prisoners were taken to Daviess County + for trial. The judge and jury before whom their cases came were, according + to his account, all drunk. Smith and four others were promptly indicted + for "murder, treason, burglary, arson, larceny, theft, and stealing." They + at once secured a change of venue to Boone County, 120 miles east, and set + out for that place on April 15, but they never reached there. Smith says + they were enabled to escape because their guard got drunk. In a newspaper + interview printed many years later, General Doniphan is quoted as saying + that he had it on good authority that Smith paid the sheriff and his + guards $1100 to allow the prisoners to escape. Ebenezer Robinson says that + Joseph and Hyrum were allowed to ride away on two fine horses, and that, a + few Weeks later, he saw the sheriff at Quincy making Joseph a friendly + visit, at which time he received pay for the animals.* The party arrived + at Quincy, Illinois, on April 22, and were warmly welcomed by the brethren + who had preceded them. Among these was Brigham Young, who was among those + who had found it necessary to flee the state before the final surrender + was arranged. The Missouri authorities, as we shall see, for a long time + continued their efforts to secure the extradition of Smith, but he never + returned to Missouri. + </p> + <p> + As the Mormons had tried to set aside their original agreement with the + Jackson County people, so, while their leaders were in jail, they + endeavored to find means to break their treaty with General Lucas. Their + counsel, General Atchison, was a member of the legislature, and he warmly + espoused their cause. They sent in a petition,* which John Corrill + presented, giving a statement in detail of the opposition they had + encountered in the state, and asking for the enactment of a law + "rescinding the order of the governor to drive us from the state, and also + giving us the sanction of the legislature to inherit our lands in peace"; + as well as disapproving of the "deed of trust," as they called the second + section of the Lucas treaty. The petition was laid on the table. An effort + for an investigation of the whole trouble by a legislative committee was + made, and an act to that effect was passed in 1839, but nothing practical + came of it. When the Mormon memorial was called up, its further + consideration was postponed until July, and then the Mormons knew that + they had no alternative except to leave the state. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For full text, see Millennial Star, Vol. XVI, pp. 586-589. +</pre> + <p> + While the prisoners were in jail, things had not quieted down in the + Mormon counties. The decisive action of the state authorities had given + the local Missourians to understand that the law of the land was on their + side, and when the militia withdrew they took advantage of their + opportunity. Mormon property was not respected, and what was left to those + people in the way of horses, cattle, hogs, and even household belongings + was taken by the bands of men who rode at pleasure,* and who claimed that + they were only regaining what the Mormons had stolen from them. The + legislature appropriated $2000 for the relief of such sufferers. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See M. Arthur's letter, "Correspondence, Orders, etc.," p. 94. +</pre> + <p> + Facing the necessity of moving entirely out of the state, the Mormons, as + they had reached the western border line of civilization, now turned their + face eastward to Quincy, Illinois, where some of their members were + already established. Not until April 20 did the last of them leave Far + West. The migration was attended with much suffering, as could not in such + circumstances be avoided. The people of the counties through which they + passed were, however, not hostile, and Mormon writers have testified that + they received invitations to stop and settle. These were declined, and + they pressed on to the banks of the Mississippi, where, in February and + March, there were at one time more than 130 families, waiting for the + moving ice to enable them to cross, many of them without food, and the + best sheltered depending on tents made of their bedclothing.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Green's "Facts Relative to the Expulsion." +</pre> + <p> + What the total of the pecuniary losses of the Mormons in Missouri was + cannot be accurately estimated. They asserted that in Jackson County + alone, $120,000 worth of their property was destroyed, and that fifteen + thousand of their number fled from the state. Smith, in a statement of his + losses made after his arrival in Illinois, placed them at $1,000,000. In a + memorial presented to Congress at this time the losses in Jackson County + were placed at $175,000, and in the state of Missouri at $2,000,000. The + efforts of the Mormons to secure redress were long continued. Not only was + Congress appealed to, but legislatures of other states were urged to + petition in their behalf. The Senate committee at Washington reported that + the matter was entirely within the jurisdiction of the state of Missouri. + One of the latest appeals was addressed by Smith at Nauvoo in December, + 1843, to his native state, Vermont, calling on the Green Mountain boys, + not only to assist him in attaining justice in Missouri, "but also to + humble and chastise or abase her for the disgraces she has brought upon + constitutional liberty, until she atones for her sin." + </p> + <p> + The final act of the Mormon authorities in Missouri was somewhat dramatic. + Smith in his "revelation" of April 8, 1838, directing the building of a + Temple at Far West, had (the Lord speaking) ordered the beginning to be + made on the following Fourth of July, adding, "in one year from this day + let them recommence laying the foundation of my house." The anniversary + found the latest Missouri Zion deserted, and its occupants fugitives; but + the command of the Lord must be obeyed. Accordingly, the twelve Apostles + journeyed secretly to Far West, arriving there about midnight of April 26, + 1839. A conference was at once held, and, after transacting some + miscellaneous business, including the expulsion of certain seceding + members, all adjourned to the selected site of the Temple, where, after + the singing of a hymn, the foundation was relaid by rolling a large stone + to one corner.* The Apostles then returned to Illinois as quietly as + possible. The leader of this expedition was Brigham Young, who had + succeeded T. B. Marsh as President of the Twelve. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The modern post-office name of Far West is Kerr. All the Mormon +houses there have disappeared. Traces of the foundation of the Temple, +which in places was built to a height of three or four feet, are still +discernible. +</pre> + <p> + Thus ended the early history of the Mormon church in Missouri. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK IV. — IN ILLINOIS + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — THE RECEPTION OF THE MORMONS + </h2> + <p> + The state of Illinois, when the Mormons crossed the Missouri River to + settle in it, might still be considered a pioneer country. Iowa, to the + west of it, was a territory, and only recently organized as such. The + population of the whole state was only 467,183 in 1840, as compared with + 4,821,550 in 1900. Young as it was, however, the state had had some severe + financial experiences, which might have served as warnings to the + new-comers. A debt of more than $14,000,000 had been contracted for state + improvements, and not a railroad or a canal had been completed. "The + people," says Ford, "looked one way and another with surprise, and were + astonished at their own folly." The payment of interest on the state debt + ceased after July, 1841, and "in a short time Illinois became a stench in + the nostrils of the civilized world.... The impossibility of selling kept + us from losing population; the fear of disgrace or high taxes prevented us + from gaining materially."* The State Bank and the Shawneetown Bank failed + in 1842, and when Ford became governor in that year he estimated that the + good money in the state in the hands of the people did not exceed one + year's interest on the public debt. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ford's "History of Illinois," Chap. VII. +</pre> + <p> + The lawless conditions in many parts of the state in those days can + scarcely be realized now. It was in 1847 that the Rev. Owen Lovejoy + (handwritten comment in the book says "Elijah P. Lovejoy." Transcriber) + was killed at Alton in maintaining his right to print there an abolition + newspaper. All over the state, settlers who had occupied lands as + "squatters" defended their claims by force, and serious mobs often + resulted. Large areas of military lands were owned by non-residents, who + were in very bad favor with the actual settlers. These settlers made free + use of the timber on such lands, and the non-residents, failing to secure + justice at law, finally hired preachers, who were paid by the sermon to + preach against the sin of "hooking" timber.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ford's "History of Illinois," Chap. VI. +</pre> + <p> + Bands of desperadoes in the northern counties openly defied the officers + of the law, and, in one instance, burned down the courthouse (in Ogle + County in 1841) in order to release some of their fellows who were + awaiting trial. One of these gangs ten years earlier had actually built, + in Pope County, a fort in which they defied the authorities, and against + which a piece of artillery had to be brought before it could be taken. + Even while the conflict between the Mormons was going on, in 1846, there + was vitality enough in this old organization, in Pope and Massac counties, + to call for the interposition of a band of "regulators," who made many + arrests, not hesitating to employ torture to secure from one prisoner + information about his associates. Governor Ford sent General J. T. Davies + there, to try to effect a peaceable arrangement of the difficulties, but + he failed to do so, and the "regulators," who found the county officers + opposed to them, drove out of the county the sheriff, the county clerk, + and the representative elect to the legislature. When the judge of the + Massac Circuit Court charged the grand jury strongly against the + "regulators," they, with sympathizers from Kentucky, threatened to lynch + him, and actually marched in such force to the county seat that the + sheriff's posse surrendered, and the mob let their friends out of jail, + and drowned some members of the posse in the Ohio River. + </p> + <p> + The reception and treatment of the Mormons in Illinois, and the success of + the new-comers in carrying out their business and political schemes, must + be viewed in connection with these incidents in the early history of the + state. + </p> + <p> + The greeting of the Mormons in Illinois, in its practical shape, had both + a political and a business reason.* Party feeling ran very high throughout + the country in those days. The House of Representatives at Washington, + after very great excitement, organized early in December, 1839, by + choosing a Whig Speaker, and at the same time the Whig National + Convention, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, nominated General W. H. Harrison + for President. Thus the expulsion from Missouri occurred on the eve of one + of our most exciting presidential campaigns, and the Illinois politicians + were quick to appraise the value of the voting strength of the immigrants. + As a residence of six months in the state gave a man the right to vote, + the Mormon vote would count in the presidential election. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The first great error committed by the people of Hancock +County was in accepting too readily the Mormon story of persecution. +It was continually rung in their ears, and believed as often as +asserted."—Gregg, "History of Hancock County," p. 270. +</pre> + <p> + Accordingly, we find that in February, 1839, the Democratic Association of + Quincy, at a public meeting in the court-house, received a report from a + committee previously appointed, strongly in favor of the refugees, and + adopted resolutions condemning the treatment of the Mormons by the people + and officers of Missouri. The Quincy Argus declared that, because of this + treatment, Missouri was "now so fallen that we could wish her star + stricken out from the bright constellation of the Union." In April, 1839, + Rigdon wrote to the "Saints in prison" that Governor Carlin of Illinois + and his wife "enter with all the enthusiasm of their nature" into his plan + to have the governor of each state present to Congress the + unconstitutional course of Missouri toward the Mormons, with a view to + federal relief. Governor Lucas of Iowa Territory, in the same year (Iowa + had only been organized as a territory the year before, and was not + admitted as a state until 1845), replying to a query about the reception + the Mormons would receive in his domain, said: "Their religious opinions I + consider have nothing to do with our political transactions. They are + citizens of the United States, and are entitled to the same political + rights and legal protection that other citizens are entitled to." He gave + Rigdon at the same time cordial letters of introduction to President Van + Buren and Governor Shannon of Ohio, and Rigdon received a similar letter + to the President, recommending him "as a man of piety and a valuable + citizen," signed by Governor Carlin, United States Senator Young, County + Clerk Wren, and leading business men of Quincy. Thus began that + recognition of the Mormons as a political power in Illinois which led to + concessions to them that had so much to do with finally driving them into + the wilderness. + </p> + <p> + The business reason for the welcome of the Mormons in Illinois and Iowa + was the natural ambition to secure an increase of population. In all of + Hancock County there were in 1830 only 483 inhabitants as compared with + 32,215 in 1900. Along with this public view of the matter was a private + one. A Dr. Isaac Galland owned (or claimed title to) a large tract of land + on both sides of the border line between Illinois and Iowa, that in Iowa + being included in what was known as "the half-breed tract," an area of + some 119,000 acres which, by a treaty between the United States government + and the Sacs and Foxes, was reserved to descendants of Indian women of + those tribes by white fathers, and the title to much of which was in + dispute. As soon as the Mormons began to cross into Illinois, Galland + approached them with an offer of about 20,000 acres between the + Mississippi and Des Moines rivers at $2 per acre, to be paid in twenty + annual instalments, without interest. A meeting of the refugees was held + in Quincy in February, 1839, to consider this offer, but the vote was + against it. The failure of the efforts in Ohio and Missouri to establish + the Mormons as a distinct community had made many of Smith's followers + sceptical about the success of any new scheme with this end in view, and + at this conference several members, including so influential a man as + Bishop Partridge, openly expressed their doubt about the wisdom of another + gathering of the Saints. Galland, however, pursued the subject in a letter + to D. W. Rodgers, inviting Rigdon and others to inspect the tract with + him, and assuring the Mormons of his sympathy in their sufferings, and + "deep solicitude for your future triumphant conquest over every enemy." + Rigdon, Partridge, and others accepted Galland's invitation, but reported + against purchasing his land, and the refugees began scattering over the + country around Quincy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — THE SETTLEMENT OF NAUVOO + </h2> + <p> + Smith's leadership was now to have another illustration. Others might be + discouraged by past persecutions and business failures, and be ready to + abandon the great scheme which the prophet had so often laid before them + in the language of "revelation"; but it was no part of Smith's character + to abandon that scheme, and remain simply an object of lessened respect, + with a scattered congregation. He had been kept advised of Galland's + proposal, and, two days after his arrival in Quincy, we find him, on April + 24, presiding at a church council which voted to instruct him with two + associates to visit Iowa and select there a location for a church + settlement, and which advised all the brethren who could do so to move to + the town of Commerce, Illinois. Thus were the doubters defeated, and the + proposal to scatter the flock brought to a sudden end. Smith and his two + associates set out at once to make their inspection. + </p> + <p> + The town of Commerce had been laid out (on paper) in 1834 by two Eastern + owners of the property, A. White and J. B. Teas, and adjoining its + northern border H. R. Hotchkiss of New Haven, Connecticut, had mapped out + Commerce City. Neither enterprise had proved a success, and when the + Mormon agents arrived there the place had scarcely attained the dignity of + a settlement, the only buildings being one storehouse, two frame dwellings + and two blockhouses. The Mormon agents, on May 1, bought two farms there, + one for $5000 and one for $9000 (known afterward as the White purchase), + and on August 9 they bought of Hotchkiss five hundred acres for the sum of + $53,500. Bishop Knight, for the church, soon afterward purchased part of + the town of Keokuk, Iowa, a town called Nashville six miles above, a part + of the town of Montrose, four miles above Nashville, and thirty thousand + acres in the "half-breed tract," which included Galland's original offer, + and ten thousand acres additional. + </p> + <p> + Thus was Smith prepared to make another attempt to establish his followers + in a permanent abiding-place. But how, it may be asked, could the prophet + reconcile this abandonment of the Missouri Zion and this new site for a + church settlement with previous revelations? By further "revelation," of + course. Such a mouthpiece of God can always enlighten his followers + provided he can find speech, and Smith was not slow of utterance. While in + jail in Liberty he had advised a committee which was sent to him from + Illinois to sell all the lands in Missouri, and in a letter to the Saints, + written while a prisoner, he spoke favorably of Galland's offer, saying, + "The Saints ought to lay hold of every door that shall seem to be opened + unto them to obtain foothold on the earth." In order to make perfectly + clear the new purpose of the Lord in regard to Zion he gave out a long + "revelation" (Sec. 124), which is dated Nauvoo, January 19, 1841, and + which contains the following declarations:— + </p> + <p> + "Verily, verily I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of + the sons of men to do a work under my name, and those sons of men go with + all their might and with all they have, to perform that work and cease not + their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from + performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more + at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept their offerings. + </p> + <p> + "And the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments I + will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third + and fourth generation, so long as they repent not and hate me, saith the + Lord God. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore for this cause have I accepted the offerings of those whom I + commanded to build up a city and house unto my name in Jackson County, + Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God." + </p> + <p> + This announcement seems to have been accepted without question by the + faithful, as reconciling the failure in Missouri with the new + establishment farther east. + </p> + <p> + The financiering of the new land purchases did credit to Smith's genius in + that line. For some of the smaller tracts a part payment in cash was made. + Hotchkiss accepted for his land two notes signed by Smith and his brother + Hyrum and Rigdon, one payable in ten, and the other in twenty years. + Galland took notes, and, some time later, as explained in a letter to the + Saints abroad, the Mormon lands in Missouri, "in payment for the whole + amount, and in addition to the first purchase we have exchanged lands with + him in Missouri to the amount of $80,000."* Galland's title to the Iowa + tract was vigorously assailed by Iowa newspapers some years later. What + cash he eventually realized from the transaction does not appear.** Smith + had influence enough over him to secure his conversion to the Mormon + belief, and he will be found associated with the leaders in Nauvoo + enterprises. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. II, p. 275. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Galland died a pauper in Iowa."—"Mormon Portraits," p. 253. +</pre> + <p> + The Hotchkiss notes gave Smith a great deal of trouble. Notwithstanding + the influx of immigrants to Nauvoo and the growth of the place, which + ought to have brought in large profits from the sale of lots, the accrued + interest due to Hotchkiss in two years amounted to about $6000. Hotchkiss + earnestly urged its payment, and Smith was in dire straits to meet his + demands. In a correspondence between them, in 1841, Smith told Hotchkiss + that he had agreed to forego interest for five years, and not to "force + payment" even then. Smith assured Hotchkiss that the part of the city + bought from him was "a deathly sickly hole" on which they had been able to + realize nothing, "although," he added, with unblushing affrontery for the + head of a church, "we have been keeping up appearances and holding out + inducements to encourage immigration that we scarcely think justifiable in + consequence of the mortality that almost invariably awaits those who come + from far distant parts."* In pursuance of this same policy (in a letter + dated October 12, 1841), the Eastern brethren were urged to transfer their + lands there to Hotchkiss in payment of the notes, and to accept lots in + Nauvoo from the church in exchange. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XVIII, p. 631. +</pre> + <p> + The name of the town was changed to Nauvoo in April, 1840, with the + announcement that this name was of Hebrew origin, signifying "a beautiful + place."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * In answer to a query about this alleged derivation of the name +of the city, a competent Hebrew scholar writes to me: "The nearest +approach to Nauvoo in Hebrew is an adjective which would be +transliterated Naveh, meaning pleasant, a rather rare word. The letter +correctly represented by v could not possibly do the double duty of uv, +nor could a of the Hebrew ever be au in English, nor eh of the Hebrew be +oo in English. Students of theology at Middletown, Connecticut, used +to have a saying that that name was derived from Moses by dropping +'iddletown' and adding 'mass.'" +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — THE BUILDING UP OF THE CITY—FOREIGN PROSELYTING + </h2> + <p> + The geographical situation of Nauvoo had something in its favor. Lying on + the east bank of the Mississippi, which is there two miles wide, it had a + water frontage on three sides, because of a bend in the stream, and the + land was somewhat rising back from the river. But its water front was the + only thing in its favor. "The place was literally a wilderness," says + Smith. "The land was mostly covered with trees and bushes, and much of it + so wet that it was with the utmost difficulty a foot man could get + through, and totally impossible for teams. Commerce was so unhealthy very + few could live there, but, believing it might become a healthy place by + the blessing of heaven to the Saints, and no more eligible place + presenting itself, I considered it wisdom to make an attempt to build up a + city." + </p> + <p> + Contemporary accounts say that most of the refugees from Missouri suffered + from chills and fevers during their first year in the new settlement. + Smith, in his autobiography, laments the mortality among the settlers. The + Rev. Henry Caswall, in his description of three days at Nauvoo in 1842, + says:— + </p> + <p> + "I was informed again and again in Montrose, Iowa, that nearly half of the + English who emigrated to Nauvoo in 1841 died soon after their arrival... + In his sermon at Montrose in May 9, 1841, the following words of most + Christian consolation were delivered by the Prophet to the poor deluded + English: 'Many of the English who have lately come here have expressed + great disappointment on their arrival. Such persons have every reason to + be satisfied in this beautiful and fertile country. If they choose to + complain, they may; but I don't want to be troubled with their complaints. + If they are not satisfied here, I have only this to say to them, "Don't + stay whining about me, but go back to England, and go to h—l and be + d—d."'"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *"City of the Mormons," p. 55. +</pre> + <p> + Brigham Young, in after years, thus spoke of Smith's exhibition of + miraculous healing during the year after their arrival in Illinois: + "Joseph commenced in his own house and dooryard, commanding the sick, in + the name of Jesus Christ, to arise and be made whole, and they were healed + according to his word. He then continued to travel from house to house, + healing the sick as he went."* Any attempt to reconcile this statement by + Young with the previously cited testimony about the mortality of the place + would be futile. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Life of Brigham Young" (Cannon & Son, publishers), p. 32. +</pre> + <p> + The growth of the town, however, was more rapid than that of any of the + former Mormon settlements. The United States census shows that the + population of Hancock County, Illinois, increased from 483 in 1830 to 9946 + in 1840. Statements regarding the population of Nauvoo during the Mormon + occupancy are conflicting and often exaggerated. In a letter to the elders + in England, printed in the Times and Seasons of January, 1841, Smith said, + "There are at present about 3000 inhabitants in Nauvoo." The same + periodical, in an article on the city, on December 15, 1841, said that it + was "a densely populated city of near 10,000 inhabitants." A visitor, + describing the place in a letter in the Columbus (Ohio) Advocate of March, + 1842, said that it contained about 7000 persons, and that the buildings + were small and much scattered, log cabins predominating. The Times and + Seasons of October, 1842, said, "It will be no more than probably correct + if we allow the city to contain between 7000 and 8000 houses, with a + population of 14,000 or 15,000," with two steam mills and other + manufacturing concerns in operation. W. W. Phelps estimated the population + in 1844 at 14,000, almost all professed Mormons. The Times and Seasons in + 1845 said that a census just taken showed a population of 11,057 in the + city and one third more outside the city limits. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Mormons arrived, Nauvoo was laid out in blocks measuring + about 180 by 200 feet, with a river frontage of more than three miles. An + English visitor to the place in 1843 wrote "The city is of great + dimensions, laid out in beautiful order; the streets are wide and cross + each other at right angles, which will add greatly to its order and + magnificence when finished. The city rises on a quick incline from the + rolling Mississippi, and as you stand near the Temple you may gaze on the + picturesque scenery round. At your side is the Temple, the wonder of the + world; round about and beneath you may behold handsome stores, large + mansions, and fine cottages, interspersed with varied scenery."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Mackay's "The Mormons," p. 128. +</pre> + <p> + Whatever the exact population of the place may have been, its rapid growth + is indisputable. The cause of this must be sought, not in natural business + reasons, such as have given a permanent increase of population to so many + of our Western cities, but chiefly in active and aggressive proselyting + work both in this country and in Europe. This work was assisted by the + sympathy which the treatment of the Mormons had very generally secured for + them. Copies of Mormon Bibles were rare outside of the hands of the + brethren, and the text of Smith's "revelations" bearing on his property + designs in Missouri was known to comparatively few even in the church. + While the Nauvoo edition of the "Doctrine and Covenants" was in course of + publication, the Times and Seasons, on January 1, 1842, said that it would + be published in the spring, "but, many of our readers being deprived of + the privilege of perusing its valuable pages, we insert the first + section." Mormon emissaries took advantage of this situation to tell their + story in their own way at all points of the compass. Meetings were held in + the large cities of the Eastern states to express sympathy with these + victims of the opponents of "freedom of religious opinion," and to raise + money for their relief, and the voice of the press, from the Mississippi + to the Atlantic, was, without a discovered exception, on the side of the + refugees. + </p> + <p> + This paved the way for a vast extension of that mission work which began + with the trip of Cowdery and his associates in 1830, was expanded + throughout this country while the Saints were at Kirtland, and was + extended to foreign lands in 1837. The missionaries sent out in the early + days of the church represented various degrees of experience and + qualification. There were among them men like Orson Hyde and Willard + Richards, who, although they gave up secular callings on entering the + church, were close students of the Scriptures and debaters who could hold + their own, when it came to an interpretation of the Scriptures, before any + average audience. Many were sent out without any especial equipment for + their task. John D. Lee, describing his first trip, says:— + </p> + <p> + "I started forth an illiterate, inexperienced person, without purse or + scrip. I could hardly quote a passage of Scripture. Yet I went forth to + say to the world that I was a minister of the Gospel." He was among the + successful proselyters, and rose to influence in the church.* Of the + requirement that the missionaries should be beggars, Lorenzo Snow, who was + sent out on a mission from Kirtland in 1837, says, "It was a severe trial + to my natural feelings of independence to go without purse or scrip + especially the purse; for, from the time I was old enough to work, the + feeling that 'I paid my way' always seemed a necessary adjunct to self + respect." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For an account of his travels and successes, see "Mormonism +Unveiled." +</pre> + <p> + Parley P. Pratt, in a letter to Smith from New York in November, 1839, + describing the success of the work in the United States, says, "You would + now find churches of the Saints in Philadelphia, in Albany, in Brooklyn, + in New York, in Sing Sing, in Jersey, in Pennsylvania, on Long Island, and + in various other places all around us," and he speaks of the "spread of + the work" in Michigan and Maine. + </p> + <p> + The importance of England as a field from which to draw emigrants to the + new settlement was early recognized at Nauvoo, and in 1840 such lights of + the church as Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, P. P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, + John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and George A. Smith, of the Quorum of the + Twelve Apostles, were sent to cultivate that field. There they ordained + Willard Richards an Apostle, preached and labored for over a year, + established a printing-office which turned out a vast amount of Mormon + literature, including their Bible and "Doctrine and Covenants," and began + the publication of the Millennial Star. + </p> + <p> + In 1840 Orson Hyde was sent on a mission to the Jews in London, Amsterdam, + Constantinople, and Jerusalem, and the same year missionaries were sent to + Australia, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the East Indies. In 1844 a + missionary was sent to the Sandwich Islands; in 1849 others were sent to + France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Iceland, Italy, and Switzerland; in + 1850 ten more elders were sent to the Sandwich Islands; in 1851 four + converts were baptized in Hindostan; in 1852 a branch of the church was + organized at Malta; in 1853 three elders reached the Cape of Good Hope; + and in 1861 two began work in Holland, but with poor success. We shall see + that this proselyting labor has continued with undiminished industry to + the present day, in all parts of the United States as well as in foreign + lands. + </p> + <p> + England provided an especially promising field for Mormon missionary work. + The great manufacturing towns contained hundreds of people, densely + ignorant,* superstitious, and so poor that the ownership of a piece of + land in their own country was practically beyond the limit of their + ambition. These people were naturally susceptible to the Mormon teachings, + easily imposed upon by stories of alleged miracles, and ready to migrate + to any part of the earth where a building lot or a farm was promised them. + The letters from the first missionaries in England gave glowing reports of + the results of their labors. Thus Wilford Woodruff, writing from + Manchester in 1840, said, "The work has been so rapid it was impossible to + ascertain the exact number belonging to each branch, but the whole number + is 33 churches, 534 members, 75 officers, all of which had embraced the + work in less than four months." Lorenzo Snow, in a letter from London in + April, 1841, said: "Throughout all England, in almost every town and city + of any considerable importance, we have chapels or public halls in which + we meet for public worship. All over this vast kingdom the laws of Zion + are rolling onward with the most astonishing rapidity." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "It has been calculated that there are in England and Wales six +million persons who can neither read nor write, that is to say, about +one-third of the population, including, of course, infants; but of +all the children more than one-half attend no place of public +instruction."—Dickens, "Household Words." +</pre> + <p> + The visiting missionaries began their work in England at Preston, + Lancashire, in 1836 or 1837, and soon secured there some five hundred + converts. Then they worked on each side of the Ribble, making converts in + all the villages, and gaining over a few farm owners and mechanics of some + means. Their method was first to drop hints to the villagers that the Holy + Bible is defective in translation and incomplete, and that the Mormon + Bible corrects all these defects. Not able to hold his own in any + theological discussion, the rustic was invited to a meeting. At that + meeting the missionary would announce that he would speak simply as the + Lord directed him, and he would then present the Mormon view of their + Bible and prophet. As soon as converts were won over, they were immersed, + at night, and given the sacrament. Then they were initiated into the + secret "church meeting," to which only the faithful were admitted, and + where the flock were told of visions and "gifts," and exhorted to stand + firm (along with their earthly goods) for the church, and warned against + apostasy. + </p> + <p> + One way in which the prophetic gift of the missionaries was proved in the + early days in England was as follows: "Whenever a candidate was immersed, + some of the brethren was given a letter signed by Hyde and Kimball, + setting forth that 'brother will not abide in the spirit of the Lord, but + will reject the truth, and become the enemy of the people of God, etc., + etc.' If the brother did not apostatize, this letter remained unopened; if + he did, it was read as a striking verification of prophecy."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Caswall's "City of the Mormons," appendix. +</pre> + <p> + Miracles exerted a most potent influence among the people in England with + whom the early missionaries labored, and the Millennial Star contains a + long list of reported successes in this line. There are accounts of very + clumsy tricks that were attempted to carry out the deception. Thus, at + Newport, Wales, three Mormon elders announced that they would raise a dead + man to life. The "corpse" was laid out and surrounded by weeping friends, + and the elders were about to begin their incantations, when a doubting + Thomas in the audience attacked the "corpse" with a whip, and soon had him + fleeing for dear life.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tract by Rev. F. B. Ashley, p. 22. +</pre> + <p> + Thomas Webster, who was baptized in England in 1837 by Orson Hyde and + became an elder, saw the falsity of the Mormon professions through the + failure of their miracles and other pretensions, and, after renouncing + their faith, published a pamphlet exposing their methods. He relates many + of the declarations made by the first missionaries in Preston to their + ignorant hearers. Hyde declared that the apostles Peter, James, and John + were still alive. He and Kimball asserted that neither of them would + "taste death" before Christ's second coming. At one meeting Kimball + predicted that in ten or fifteen years the sea would be dried up between + Liverpool and America. "One of the most glaring things they ever brought + before the public," says Webster, "was stated in a letter written by Orson + Hyde to the brethren in Preston, saying they were on the way to the + promised land in Missouri by hundreds, and the wagons reached a mile in + length. They fell in with some of their brethren in Canada, who told him + the Lord had been raining down manna in rich profusion, which covered from + seven to ten acres of land. It was like wafers dipped in honey, and both + Saints and sinners partook of it. I was present in the pulpit when this + letter was read." + </p> + <p> + However ridiculous such methods may appear, their success in Great Britain + was great.* In three years after the arrival of the first missionaries, + the General Conference reported a membership of 4019 in England alone; in + 1850 the General Conference reported that the Mormons in England and + Scotland numbered 27,863, and in Wales 4342. The report for June, 1851, + showed a total of 30,747 in the United Kingdom, and said, "During the last + fourteen years more than 50,000 have been baptized in England, of which + nearly 17,000 have migrated from her shores to Zion." In the years between + 1840 and 1843 it was estimated that 3758 foreign converts settled in and + around Nauvoo.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "There is no page of religious history which more proudly tells +its story than that which relates this peculiar phase of Mormon +experience. The excitement was contagious, even affecting persons in the +higher ranks of social life, and the result was a grand outpouring +of spiritual and miraculous healing power of the most astonishing +description. Miracles were heard of everywhere, and numerous +competent and most reliable witnesses bore testimony to their +genuineness."—"Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 10. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Two of the most intelligent English converts, who did +proselyting work for the church and in later years saw their error, have +given testimony concerning this work in Great Britain. John Hyde, Jr., +summing up in 1857 the proselyting system, said: "Enthusiasm is the +secret of the great success of Mormon proselyting; it is the universal +characteristic of the people when proselyted; it is the hidden and +strong cord that leads them to Utah, and the iron clamp that keeps them +there."—"Mormonism," p. 171. +</pre> + <p> + Stenhouse says: "Mormonism in England, Scotland and Wales was a grand + triumph, and was fast ripening for a vigorous campaign in Continental + Europe" (when polygamy was pronounced). The emigration of Mormon converts + from Great Britain to the United States, in its earlier stages, was + thoroughly systemized by the church authorities in this country. The first + record of the movement of any considerable body tells of a company of + about two hundred who sailed for New York from Liverpool in August, 1840, + on the ship North American, in charge of two elders. A second vessel with + emigrants, the Shefeld, sailed from Bristol to New York in February, 1841. + The expense of the trip from New York to Nauvoo proved in excess of the + means of many of these immigrants, some of whom were obliged to stop at + Kirtland and other places in Ohio. This led to a change of route, by which + vessels sailed from British ports direct to New Orleans, the immigrants + ascending the Mississippi to Nauvoo. + </p> + <p> + The extent of this movement to the time of the departure of the Saints + from Nauvoo is thus given by James Linforth, who says the figures are "as + complete and correct as it is possible now to make them*":— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Route from Liverpool to Great Salt Lake Valley," 1855. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Year *** No. of Vessels *** No. of Emigrants +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1840 + 1 + 200 + + 1841 + 6 + 1177 + + 1842 + 8 + 1614 + + 1843 + 5 + 769 + + 1844 + 5 + 644 + + 1845-46 + 3 + 346 +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Total + 3750 +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon agents in England would charter a vessel at an English port* + when a sufficient company had assembled and announce their intention to + embark. The emigrants would be notified of the date of sailing, and an + agent would accompany them all the way to Nauvoo. Men with money were + especially desired, as were mechanics of all kinds, since the one sound + business view that seems to have been taken by the leaders at Nauvoo was + that it would be necessary to establish manufactures there if the people + were to be able to earn a living. In some instances the passage money was + advanced to the converts. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For Dickens's description of one of these vessels ready to +sail, see "The Uncommercial Traveller," Chap. XXII +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — THE NAUVOO CITY GOVERNMENT—TEMPLE AND OTHER + BUILDINGS + </h2> + <p> + A tide of immigration having been turned toward the new settlement, the + next thing in order was to procure for the city a legal organization. + Several circumstances combined to place in the hands of the Mormon leaders + a scheme of municipal government, along with an extensive plan for + buildings, which gave them vast power without incurring the kind of + financial rocks on which they were wrecked in Ohio. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Galland* should probably be considered the inventor of the general + scheme adopted at Nauvoo. He was at that time a resident of Cincinnati, + but his intercourse with the Mormons had interested him in their beliefs, + and some time in 1840 he addressed a letter to Elder R. B. Thompson, which + gave the church leaders some important advice.** First warning them that + to promulgate new doctrinal tenets will require not only tact and energy, + but moral conduct and industry among their people, he confessed that he + had not been able to discover why their religious views were not based on + truth. "The project of establishing extraordinary religious doctrines + being magnificent in its character," he went on to say, would require + "preparations commensurate with the plan." Nauvoo being a suitable + rallying-place, they would "want a temple that for size, proportions and + style shall attract, surprise and dazzle all beholders"; something "unique + externally, and in the interior peculiar, imposing and grand." The + "clergymen" must be of the best as regards mental and vocal equipment, and + there should be a choir such as "was never before organized." A college, + too, would be of great value if funds for it could be collected. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "In the year 1834 one Dr. Galland was a candidate for the +legislature in a district composed of Hancock, Adams, and Pike Counties. +He resided in the county of Hancock, and, as he had in the early part +of his life been a notorious horse thief and counterfeiter, belonging to +the Massac gang, and was then no pretender to integrity, it was +useless to deny the charge. In all his speeches he freely admitted the +fact."—"FORD's History of Illinois," p. 406. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Times and Seasons, Vol. II, pp. 277-278. The letter is signed +with eight asterisks Galland's usual signature to such communications. +</pre> + <p> + These suggestions were accepted by Smith, with some important additional + details, and they found place in the longest of the "revelations" given + out by him in Illinois (Sec. I 24), the one, previously quoted from, in + which the Lord excused the failure to set up a Zion in Missouri. There + seemed to be some hesitation about giving out this "revelation." It is + dated after the meeting of the General Conference at Nauvoo which ordered + the building of a church there, and it was not published in the Times and + Seasons until the following June, and then not entire. The "revelation" + shows how little effect adversity had had in modifying the prophet's + egotism, his arrogance, or his aggressiveness. + </p> + <p> + Starting out with, "Verily, thus with the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph + Smith, I am well pleased with your offerings and acknowledgments," it + calls on him to make proclamation to the kings of the world, the President + of the United States, and the governors of the states concerning the + Lord's will, "fearing them not, for they are as grass," and warning them + of "a day of visitation if they reject my servants and my testimony." + Various direct commands to leading members of the church follow. Galland + here found himself in Smith's clutches, being directed to "put stock" into + the boardinghouse to be built. + </p> + <p> + The principal commands in this "revelation" directed the building of + another "holy house," or Temple, and a boardinghouse. With regard to the + Temple it was explained that the Lord would show Smith everything about + it, including its site. All the Saints from afar were ordered to come to + Nauvoo, "with all your gold, and your silver, and your precious stones, + and with all your antiquities,... and bring the box tree, and the fir + tree, and the pine tree, together with all the precious trees of the + earth, and with iron, with copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and with + all your most precious things of the earth." + </p> + <p> + The boarding-house ordered built was to be called Nauvoo House, and was to + be "a house that strangers may come from afar to lodge therein... a + resting place for the weary traveler, that he may contemplate the glory of + Zion." It was explained that a company must be formed, the members of + which should pay not less than $50 a share for the stock, no subscriber to + be allotted more than $1500 worth. + </p> + <p> + This "revelation" further announced once more that Joseph was to be "a + presiding elder over all my church, to be a translator, a revelator, a + seer and a prophet," with Sidney Rigdon and William Law his counsellors, + to constitute with him the First Presidency, and Brigham Young to be + president over the twelve travelling council. + </p> + <p> + Legislation was, of course, necessary to carry out the large schemes that + the Mormon leaders had in mind; but this was secured at the state capital + with a liberality that now seems amazing. This was due to the desire of + the politicians of all parties to conciliate the Mormon vote, and to the + good fortune of the Mormons in finding at the capital a very practical + lobbyist to engineer their cause. This was a Dr. John C. Bennett, a man + who seems to have been without any moral character, but who had filled + positions of importance. Born in Massachusetts in 1804, he practised as a + physician in Ohio, and later in Illinois, holding a professorship in + Willoughby University, Ohio, and taking with him to Illinois testimonials + as to his professional skill. In the latter state he showed a taste for + military affairs, and after being elected brigadier general of the + Invincible Dragoons, he was appointed quartermaster general of the state + in 1840, and held that position at the state capital when the Mormons + applied to the legislature for a charter for Nauvoo. + </p> + <p> + With his assistance there was secured from the legislature an act + incorporating the city of Nauvoo, the Nauvoo Legion, and the University of + the City of Nauvoo. The powers granted to the city government thus + established were extraordinary. A City Council was authorized, consisting + of the mayor, four aldermen, and nine councillors, which was empowered to + pass any ordinances, not in conflict with the federal and state + constitutions, which it deemed necessary for the peace and order of the + city. The mayor and aldermen were given all the power of justices of the + peace, and they were to constitute the Municipal Court. The charter gave + the mayor sole jurisdiction in all cases arising under the city + ordinances, with a right of appeal to the Municipal Court. Further than + this, the charter granted to the Municipal Court the right to issue writs + of habeas corpus in all cases arising under the city ordinances. + Thirty-six sections were required to define the legislative powers of the + City Council. + </p> + <p> + A more remarkable scheme of independent local government could not have + been devised even by the leaders of this Mormon church, and the + shortsightedness of the law makers in consenting to it seems nothing short + of marvellous. Under it the mayor, who helped to make the local laws (as a + member of the City Council), was intrusted with their enforcement, and he + could, as the head of the Municipal Court, give them legal interpretation. + Governor Ford afterward defined the system as "a government within a + government; a legislature to pass ordinances at war with the laws of the + state; courts to execute them with but little dependence upon the + constitutional judiciary, and a military force at their own command." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A bill repealing this charter was passed by the Illinois House +on February 3, 1843, by a vote of fifty-eight to thirty-three, but +failed in the Senate by a vote of sixteen ayes to seventeen nays. +</pre> + <p> + This military force, called the Nauvoo Legion, the City Council was + authorized to organize from the inhabitants of the city who were subject + to military duty. It was to be at the disposal of the mayor in executing + city laws and ordinances, and of the governor of the state for the public + defence. When organized, it embraced three classes of troops—flying + artillery, lancers, and riflemen. Its independence of state control was + provided for by a provision of law which allowed it to be governed by a + court martial of its own officers. The view of its independence taken by + the Mormons may be seen in the following general order signed by Smith and + Bennett in May, 1841, founded on an opinion by judge Stephen A. Douglas:—"The + officers and privates belonging to the Legion are exempt from all military + duty not required by the legally constituted authorities thereof; they are + therefore expressly inhibited from performing any military service not + ordered by the general officers, or directed by the court martial."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. II, p. 417. Governor Ford commissioned +Brigham Young to succeed Smith as lieutenant general of the Legion from +August 31, 1844. To show the Mormon idea of authority, the following is +quoted from Tullidge's "Life of Brigham Young," p. 30: "It is a singular +fact that, after Washington, Joseph Smith was the first man in America +who held the rank of lieutenant general, and that Brigham Young was the +next. In reply to a comment by the author upon this fact Brigham Young +said: 'I was never much of a military man. The commission has since been +abrogated by the state of Illinois; but if Joseph had lived when the +(Mexican) war broke out he would have become commander-in chief of the +United States Armies.'" +</pre> + <p> + In other words, this city military company was entirely independent of + even the governor of the state. Little wonder that the Presidency, writing + about the new law to the Saints abroad, said, "'Tis all we ever claimed." + In view of the experience of the Missourians with the Mormons as directed + by Smith and Rigdon, it would be rash to say that they would have been + tolerated as neighbors in Illinois under any circumstances, after their + actual acquaintance had been made; but if the state of Illinois had + deliberately intended to incite the Mormons to a reckless assertion of + independence, nothing could have been planned that would have accomplished + this more effectively than the passage of the charter of Nauvoo. + </p> + <p> + What next followed remains an unexplained incident in Joseph Smith's + career. Instead of taking the mayoralty himself, he allowed that office to + be bestowed upon Bennett, Smith and Rigdon accepting places among the + councillors, Bennett having taken up his residence in Nauvoo in September, + 1840. His election as mayor took place in February, 1841. Bennet was also + chosen major general of the Legion when that force was organized, was + selected as the first chancellor of the new university, and was elected to + the First Presidency of the church in the following April, to take the + place of Sidney Rigdon during the incapacity of the latter from illness. + Judge Stephen A. Douglas also appointed him a master in chancery. + </p> + <p> + Bennett was introduced to the Mormon church at large in a letter signed by + Smith, Rigdon, and brother Hyrum, dated January 15, 1841, as the first of + the new acquisitions of influence. They stated that his sympathies with + the Saints were aroused while they were still in Missouri, and that he + then addressed them a letter offering them his assistance, and the church + was assured that "he is a man of enterprise, extensive acquirements, and + of independent mind, and is calculated to be a great blessing to our + community." When his appointment as a master in chancery was criticised by + some Illinois newspapers, the Mormons defended him earnestly, Sidney + Rigdon (then attorney-at-law and postmaster at Nauvoo), in a letter dated + April 23, 1842, said, "He is a physician of great celebrity, of great + versatility of talent, of refined education and accomplished manners; + discharges the duties of his respective offices with honor to himself and + credit to the people." All this becomes of interest in the light of the + abuse which the Mormons soon after poured out upon this man when he + "betrayed" them. + </p> + <p> + Bennett's inaugural address as mayor was radical in tone. He advised the + Council to prohibit all dram shops, allowing no liquor to be sold in a + quantity less than a quart. This suggestion was carried out in a city + ordinance. He condemned the existing system of education, which gave + children merely a smattering of everything, and made "every boarding + school miss a Plato in petticoats, without an ounce of genuine knowledge," + pleading for education "of a purely practical character." The Legion he + considered a matter of immediate necessity, and he added, "The winged + warrior of the air perches upon the pole of American liberty, and the + beast that has the temerity to ruffle her feathers should be made to feel + the power of her talons." + </p> + <p> + Smith was commissioned lieutenant general of this Legion by Governor + Carlin on February 3, 1841, and he and Bennett blossomed out at once as + gorgeous commanders. An order was issued requiring all persons in the + city, of military obligation, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, + to join the Legion, and on the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone + of the Temple, on April 6, 1841, it comprised fourteen companies. An army + officer passing through Nauvoo in September, 1842, expressed the opinion + that the evolutions of the Legion would do honor to any militia in the + United States, but he queried: "Why this exact discipline of the Mormon + corps? Do they intend to conquer Missouri, Illinois, Mexico? Before many + years this Legion will be twenty, perhaps fifty, thousand strong and still + augmenting. A fearful host, filled with religious enthusiasm, and led on + by ambitious and talented officers, what may not be effected by them? + Perhaps the subversion of the constitution of the United States." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Mackay's "The Mormons," p. 121. +</pre> + <p> + Contemporary accounts of the appearance of the Legion on the occasion of + the laying of the Temple corner-stone indicate that the display was a big + one for a frontier settlement. Smith says in his autobiography, "The + appearance, order, and movements of the Legion were chaste, grand, + imposing." The Times and Seasons, in its report of the day's doings, says + that General Smith had a staff of four aides-de-camp and twelve guards, + "nearly all in splendid uniforms. The several companies presented a + beautiful and interesting spectacle, several of them being uniformed and + equipped, while the rich and costly dresses of the officers would have + become a Bonaparte or a Washington." Ladies on horseback were an added + feature of the procession. The ceremonies attending the cornerstone laying + attracted the people from all the outlying districts, and marked an epoch + in the church's history in Illinois. + </p> + <p> + The Temple at Nauvoo measured 83 by 128 feet on the ground, and was nearly + 60 feet high, surmounted by a steeple which was planned to be more than + 100 feet in height. The material was white limestone, which was found + underlying the site of the city. The work of construction continued + throughout the occupation of Nauvoo by the Mormons, the laying of the + capstone not being accomplished until May 24, 1845, and the dedication + taking place on May 1, 1846. The cost of the completed structure was + estimated by the Mormons at $1,000,000.* Among the costly features were + thirty stone pilasters, which cost $3000 each. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The Temple is said to have cost, in labor and money, a million +dollars. It may be possible, and it is very probable, that contributions +to that amount were made to it, but that it cost that much to build +it few will believe. Half that sum would be ample to build a much more +costly edifice to-day, and in the three or four years in which it +was being erected, labor was cheap and all the necessaries of life +remarkably low."—GREGG'S "History of Hancock County," p. 367. +</pre> + <p> + The portico of the Temple was surrounded by these pilasters of polished + stone, on the base of which was carved a new moon, the capital of each + being a representation of the rising sun coming from under a cloud, + supported by two hands holding a trumpet. Under the tower were the words, + in golden letters: "The House of the Lord, built by the Church of + Latter-Day Saints. Commenced April 6, 1841. Holiness to the Lord." The + baptismal font measured twelve by sixteen feet, with a basin four feet + deep. It was supported by twelve oxen "carved out of fine plank glued + together," says Smith, "and copied after the most beautiful five-year-old + steer that could be found." From the basement two stairways led to the + main floor, around the sides of which were small rooms designed for + various uses. In the large room on this floor were three pulpits and a + place for the choir. The upper floor contained a large hall, and around + this were twelve smaller rooms. + </p> + <p> + The erection of this Temple was carried on without incurring such debts or + entering upon such money-making schemes as caused disaster at Kirtland. + Labor and material were secured by successful appeals to the Saints on the + ground and throughout the world. Here the tithing system inaugurated in + Missouri played an efficient part. A man from the neighboring country who + took produce to Nauvoo for sale or barter said, "In the committee rooms + they had almost every conceivable thing, from all kinds of implements and + men and women's clothing, down to baby clothes and trinkets, which had + been deposited by the owners as tithing or for the benefit of the Temple." + * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Gregg's "History of Hancock County," p. 374 +</pre> + <p> + Nauvoo House, as planned, was to have a frontage of two hundred feet and a + depth of forty feet, and to be three stories in height, with a basement. + Its estimated cost was $100,000.* A detailed explanation of the uses of + this house was thus given in a letter from the Twelve to the Saints + abroad, dated November 15, 1841:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. II, p. 369. +</pre> + <p> + "The time set to favor the Stakes of Zion is at hand, and soon the kings + and the queens, the princes and the nobles, the rich and the honorable of + the earth, will come up hither to visit the Temple of our God, and to + inquire concerning this strange work; and as kings are to become nursing + fathers, and queens nursing mothers in the habitation of the righteous, it + is right to render honor to whom honor is due; and therefore expedient + that such, as well as the Saints, should have a comfortable house for + boarding and lodging when they come hither, and it is according to the + revelations that such a house should be built... All are under equal + obligations to do all in their power to complete the buildings by their + faith and their prayers; with their thousands and their mites, their gold + and their silver, their copper and their zinc, their goods and their + labors." + </p> + <p> + Nauvoo House was not finished during the Prophet's life, the appeals in + its behalf failing to secure liberal contributions. It was completed in + later years, and used as a hotel. + </p> + <p> + Smith's residence in Nauvoo was a frame building called the Mansion House, + not far from the r*iver side. It was opened as a hotel on October 3, 1843, + with considerable ceremony, one of the toasts responded to being as + follows, "Resolved, that General Joseph Smith, whether we view him as a + prophet at the head of the church, a general at the head of the Legion, a + mayor at the head of the City Council, or a landlord at the head of the + table, has few equals and no superiors." + </p> + <p> + Another church building was the Hall of the Seventies, the upper story of + which was used for the priesthood and the Council of Fifty. Galland's + suggestion about a college received practical shape in the incorporation + of a university, in whose board of regents the leading men of the church, + including Galland himself, found places. The faculty consisted of James + Keeley, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, as president; Orson Pratt + as professor of mathematics and English literature; Orson Spencer, a + graduate of Union College and the Baptist Theological Seminary in New + York, as professor of languages; and Sidney Rigdon as professor of church + history. The tuition fee was $5 per quarter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — THE MORMONS IN POLITICS—MISSOURI REQUISITIONS FOR + SMITH + </h2> + <p> + The Mormons were now equipped in their new home with large landed + possessions, a capital city that exhibited a phenomenal growth, and a form + of local government which made Nauvoo a little independency of itself; + their prophet wielding as much authority and receiving as much submission + as ever; a Temple under way which would excel anything that had been + designed in Ohio or Missouri, and a stream of immigration pouring in which + gave assurance of continued numerical increase. What were the causes of + the complete overthrow of this apparent prosperity which so speedily + followed? These causes were of a twofold character, political and social. + The two were interwoven in many ways, but we can best trace them + separately. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that a Democratic organization gave the first welcome to the + Mormon refugees at Quincy. In the presidential campaign of 1836 the vote + of Illinois had been: Democratic, 17,275, Whig, 14,292; that of Hancock + County, Democratic, 260, Whig, 340. The closeness of this vote explained + the welcome that was extended to the new-comers. + </p> + <p> + It does not appear that Smith had any original party predilections. But he + was not pleased with questions which President Van Buren asked him when he + was in Washington (from November, 1839, to February, 1840) seeking federal + aid to secure redress from Missouri, and he wrote to the High Council from + that city, "We do not say the Saints shall not vote for him, but we do say + boldly (though it need not be published in the streets of Nauvoo, neither + among the daughters of the Gentiles), that we do not intend he shall have + our votes."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XVII, p.452. +</pre> + <p> + On his return to Illinois Smith was toadied to by the workers of both + parties. He candidly told them that he had no faith in either; but the + Whigs secured his influence, and, by an intimation that there was divine + authority for their course, the Mormon vote was cast for Harrison, giving + him a majority of 752 in Hancock County. In order to keep the Democrats in + good humor, the Mormons scratched the last name on the Whig electoral + ticket (Abraham Lincoln)* and substituted that of a Democrat. This + demonstration of their political weight made the Mormons an object of + consideration at the state capital, and was the direct cause of the + success of the petition which they sent there, signed by some thousands of + names, asking for a charter for Nauvoo. The representatives of both + parties were eager to show them favor. Bennett, in a letter to the Times + and Seasons from Springfield, spoke of the readiness of all the members to + vote for what the Mormons wanted, adding that "Lincoln had the magnanimity + to vote for our act, and came forward after the final vote and + congratulated me on its passage." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *This is mentioned in "Joab's" (Bermett's) letter, Times and +Seasons, Vol, II, p. 267. +</pre> + <p> + In the gubernatorial campaign of 1841-1842 Smith swung the Mormon vote + back to the Democrats, giving them a majority of more than one thousand in + the county. This was done publicly, in a letter addressed "To my friends + in Illinois,"* dated December 20, 1841, in which the prophet, after + pointing out that no persons at the state capital were more efficient in + securing the passage of the Nauvoo charter than the heads of the present + Democratic ticket, made this declaration:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. III, p. 651. +</pre> + <p> + "The partisans in this county who expect to divide the friends of humanity + and equal rights will find themselves mistaken. We care not a fig for Whig + or Democrat; they are both alike to us; but we shall go for our friends, + OUR TRIED FRIENDS, and the cause of human liberty which is the cause of + God.... Snyder and Moore are known to be our friends.... We will never be + justly charged with the sin of ingratitude,—they have served us, and + we will serve them." + </p> + <p> + If Smith had been a man possessing any judgment, he would have realized + that the political course which he was pursuing, instead of making friends + in either party, would certainly soon arraign both parties against him and + his followers. The Mormons announced themselves distinctly to be a church, + and they were now exhibiting themselves as a religious body already + numerically strong and increasing in numbers, which stood ready to obey + the political mandate of one man, or at least of one controlling + authority. The natural consequence of this soon manifested itself. + </p> + <p> + A congressional and a county election were approaching, and a mass + meeting, made up of both Whigs and Democrats of Hancock County, was held + to place in the field a non-Mormon county ticket. The fusion was not + accomplished without heart-burnings on the part of some unsuccessful + aspirants for nominations. A few of these went over to Smith, and the + election resulted in the success of the state Democratic and the Mormon + local ticket, legislative and county, Smith's brother William being + elected to the House. It is easy to realize that this victory did not + lessen Smith's aggressive egotism. + </p> + <p> + Some important matters were involved in the next political contest, the + congressional election of August, 1843. The Whigs nominated Cyrus Walker, + a lawyer of reputation living in McDonough County, and the Democrats J. P. + Hoge, also a lawyer, but a weaker candidate at the polls. Every one + conceded that Smith's dictum would decide the contest. + </p> + <p> + On May 6, 1842, Governor Boggs of Missouri, while sitting near a window in + his house in Independence, was fired at, and wounded so severely that his + recovery was for some days in doubt. The crime was naturally charged to + his Mormon enemies,* and was finally narrowed down to O. P. Rockwell,** a + Mormon living in Nauvoo, as the agent, and Joseph Smith, Jr., as the + instigator. Indictments were found against both of them in Missouri, and a + requisition for Smith's surrender was made by the governor of that state + on the governor of Illinois. Smith was arrested under the governor's + warrant. Now came an illustration of the value to him of the form of + government provided by the Nauvoo charter. Taken before his own municipal + court, he was released at once on a writ of habeas corpus. This assumption + of power by a local court aroused the indignation of non-Mormons + throughout the state. Governor Carlin characterized it somewhat later, in + a letter to Smith's wife, as "most absurd and ridiculous; to attempt to + exercise it is a gross usurpation of power that cannot be tolerated."*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The hatred felt toward Governor Boggs by the Mormon leaders was +not concealed. Thus, an editorial in the Times and Seasons of January 1, +1841, headed "Lilburn W. Boggs," began, "The THING whose name stands at +the head of this article," etc. Referring to the ending of his term of +office, the article said, "Lilburn has gone down to the dark and dreary +abode of his brother and prototype, Nero, there to associate with +kindred spirits and partake of the dainties of his father's, the +devil's, table." +</pre> + <p> + Bennett afterward stated that he heard Joseph Smith say, on July 10, 1842, + that Governor Boggs, "the exterminator, should be exterminated," and that + the Destroying Angels (Danites) should do it; also that in the spring of + that year he heard Smith, at a meeting of Danites, offer to pay any man + $500 who would secretly assassinate the governor. Bennett's statement is + only cited for what it may be worth; that some Mormon fired the shot is + within the limit of strict probability. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Rockwell, who, in his latter days, was employed by General +Connor to guard stock in California, told the general that he fired +the shot at Governor Boggs, and was sorry it did not kill him.—"Mormon +Portraits," p. 255. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Millennial Star, Vol. XX, p. 23. +</pre> + <p> + Notwithstanding his release, Smith thought it best to remain in hiding for + some time to escape another arrest, for which the governor ordered a + reward of $200. About the middle of August his associates in Nauvoo + concluded that the outlook for him was so bad, notwithstanding the + protection which his city court was ready to afford, that it might be best + for him to flee to the pine woods of the North country. Smith incorporates + in his autobiography a long letter which he wrote to his wife at this + time,* giving her directions about this flight if it should become + necessary. Their goods were to be loaded on a boat manned by twenty of the + best men who could be selected, and who would meet them at Prairie du + Chien: "And from thence we will wend our way like larks up the + Mississippi, until the towering mountains and rocks shall remind us of the + places of our nativity, and shall look like safety and home; and there we + will bid defiance to Carlin, Boggs, Bennett, and all their whorish whores + and motley clan, that follow in their wake, Missouri not excepted, and + until the damnation of Hell rolls upon them by the voice and dread + thunders and trump of the eternal God." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., pp. 693-695. +</pre> + <p> + In October Rigdon obtained from Justin Butterfield, United States attorney + for Illinois, an opinion that Smith could not be held on a Missouri + requisition for a crime committed in that state when he was in Illinois. + In December, 1842, Smith was placed under arrest and taken before the + United States District Court at Springfield, Illinois, under a writ of + habeas corpus issued by Judge Roger B. Taney of the State Supreme Court. + Butterfield, as his counsel, secured his discharge by Judge Pope (a Whig) + who held that Smith was not a fugitive from Missouri. + </p> + <p> + While these proceedings were pending, the Nauvoo City Council (Smith was + then mayor), passed two ordinances in regard to the habeas corpus powers + of the Municipal Court, one giving that court jurisdiction in any case + where a person "shall be or stand committed or detained for any criminal, + or supposed criminal, matter."* This was intended to make Smith secure + from the clutches of any Missouri officer so long as he was in his own + city. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For text of these ordinances, see millennial Star, Vol. XX, p. +165. +</pre> + <p> + But Smith's enemy, General Bennett (who before this date had been cast out + of the fold), was now very active, and through his efforts another + indictment against Smith on the old charges of treason, murder, etc., was + found in Missouri, in June, 1843, and under it another demand was made on + the governor of Illinois for Smith's extradition. Governor Ford, a + Democrat, who had succeeded Carlin, issued a warrant on June 17, 1843, and + it was served on Smith while he was visiting his wife's sister in Lee + County, Illinois. An attempt to start with him at once for Missouri was + prevented by his Mormon friends, who rallied in considerable numbers to + his aid. Smith secured counsel, who began proceedings against the Missouri + agent and obtained a writ in Smith's behalf returnable, the account in the + Times and Seasons says, before the nearest competent tribunal, which "it + was ascertained was at Nauvoo"—Smith's own Municipal Court. The + prophet had a sort of triumphal entry into Nauvoo, and the question of the + jurisdiction of the Municipal Court in his case came up at once. Both of + the candidates for Congress, Walker (who was employed as his counsel) and + Hoge, gave opinions in favor of such jurisdiction, and, after a three + hours' plea by Walker, the court ordered Smith's release. Smith addressed + the people of Nauvoo in the grove after his return. From the report of his + remarks in the journal of Discourses (Vol. II, p. 163) the following is + taken: + </p> + <p> + "Before I will bear this unhallowed persecution any longer, before I will + be dragged away again among my enemies for trial, I will spill the last + drop of blood in my veins, and will see all my enemies in hell.... Deny me + the writ of habeas corpus, and I will fight with gun, sword, cannon, + whirlwind, thunder, until they are used up like the Kilkenny cats.... If + these [charter] powers are dangerous, then the constitutions of the United + States and of this state are dangerous. If the Legislature has granted + Nauvoo the right of determining cases of habeas corpus, it is no more than + they ought to have done, or more than our fathers fought for." + </p> + <p> + Smith expressed his gratitude to Walker for what the latter had + accomplished in his behalf, and the Whig candidate now had no doubt that + the Mormon vote was his. + </p> + <p> + But the Missouri agent, indignant that a governor's writ should be set + aside by a city court, hurried to Springfield and demanded that Governor + Ford should call out enough state militia to secure Smith's arrest and + delivery at the Missouri boundary. The governor, who was not a man of the + firmest purpose, had no intention of being mixed up in the pending + congressional fight and struggle for the Mormon vote; so he asked for + delay and finally decided not to call out any troops. + </p> + <p> + The Hancock County Democrats were quick to see an opportunity in this + situation, and they sent to Springfield a man named Backenstos (who took + an active part in the violent scenes connected with the subsequent history + of the Mormons in the state) to ascertain for the Mormons just what the + governor's intentions were. Backenstos reported that the prophet need have + no fear of the Democratic governor so long as the Mormons voted the + Democratic ticket.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Governor Ford, in his "History of Illinois," says that such a +pledge was given by a prominent Democrat, but without his own knowledge. +</pre> + <p> + When this news was brought back to Nauvoo, a few days before the election, + a mass meeting of the Mormons was called, and Hyrum Smith (then Patriarch, + succeeding the prophet's father, who was dead) announced the receipt of a + "revelation" directing the Mormons to vote for Hoge. William Law, an + influential business man in the Mormon circle, immediately denied the + existence of any such "revelation." The prophet alone could decide the + matter. He was brought in and made a statement to the effect that he + himself proposed to vote for Walker; that he considered it a "mean + business" to influence any man's vote by dictation, and that he had no + great faith in revelations about elections; "but brother Hyrum was a man + of truth; he had known brother Hyrum intimately ever since he was a boy, + and he had never known him to tell a lie. If brother Hyrum said he had + received such a revelation, he had no doubt it was a fact. When the Lord + speaks, let all the earth be silent." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ford's"History of Illinois," p. 318. +</pre> + <p> + The election resulted in the choice of Hoge by a majority of 455! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — SMITH A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES + </h2> + <p> + Smith's latest triumph over his Missouri enemies, with the feeling that he + had the governor of his state back of him, increased his own and his + followers' audacity. The Nauvoo Council continued to pass ordinances to + protect its inhabitants from outside legal processes, civil and criminal. + One of these provided that no writ issued outside of Nauvoo for the arrest + of a person in that city should be executed until it had received the + mayor's approval, anyone violating this ordinance to be liable to + imprisonment for life, with no power of pardon in the governor without the + mayor's consent! The acquittal of O. P. Rockwell on the charge of the + attempted assassination of Governor Boggs caused great delight among the + Mormons, and their organ declared on January 1, 1844, that "throughout the + whole region of country around us those bitter and acrimonious feelings, + which have so long been engendered by many, are dying away." + </p> + <p> + Smith's political ideas now began to broaden. "Who shall be our next + President?" was the title of an editorial in the Times and Seasons of + October 1, 1843, which urged the selection of a man who would be most + likely to give the Mormons help in securing redress for their grievances. + </p> + <p> + The next month Smith addressed a letter to Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, + who were the leading candidates for the presidential nomination, citing + the Mormons' losses and sufferings in Missouri, and their failure to + obtain redress in the courts or from Congress, and asking, "What will be + your rule of action relative to us as a people should fortune favor your + ascendancy to the chief magistracy? "Clay replied that, if nominated, he + could "enter into no engagements, make no promises, give no pledges to any + particular portion of the people of the United States," adding, "If I ever + enter into that high office, I must go into it free and unfettered, with + no guarantees but such as are to be drawn from my whole life, character + and conduct." He closed with an expression of sympathy with the Mormons + "in their sufferings under injustice." Calhoun replied that, if elected + President, he would try to administer the government according to the + constitution and the laws, and that, as these made no distinction between + citizens of different religious creeds, he should make none. He repeated + an opinion which he had given Smith in Washington that the Mormon case + against the state of Missouri did not come within the jurisdiction of the + federal government. + </p> + <p> + These replies excited Smith to wrath and he answered them at length, and + in language characteristic of himself. A single quotation from his letter + to Clay (dated May 13, 1844) will suffice:— + </p> + <p> + "In your answer to my question, last fall, that peculiar trait of the + modern politician, declaring 'if you ever enter into that high office, you + must go into it unfettered, with no guarantees but such as are to be drawn + from your whole life, character and conduct,' so much resembles a lottery + vender's sign, with the goddess of good luck sitting on the car of + fortune, astraddle of the horn of plenty, and driving the merry steeds of + beatitude, without reins or bridle, that I cannot help exclaiming, 'O, + frail man, what have you done that will exalt you? Can anything be drawn + from your LIFE, CHARACTER OR CONDUCT that is worthy of being held up to + the gaze of this nation as a model of VIRTUE, CHARACTER AND WISDOM?'... + 'Your whole life, character and conduct' have been spotted with deeds that + causes a blush upon the face of a virtuous patriot; so you must be + contented with your lot, while crime, cowardice, cupidity or low cunning + have handed you down from the high tower of a statesman to the black hole + of a gambler.... Crape the heavens with weeds of woe; gird the earth with + sackcloth, and let hell mutter one melody in commemoration of fallen + splendor! For the glory of America has departed, and God will set a + flaming sword to guard the tree of liberty, while such mint-tithing Herods + as Van Buren, Boggs, Benton, Calhoun, and Clay are thrust out of the + realms of virtue as fit subjects for the kingdom of fallen greatness—vox + reprobi, vox Diaboli." + </p> + <p> + Calhoun was admonished to read the eighth section of article one of the + federal constitution, after which "God, who cooled the heat of a + Nebuchadnezzar's furnace, or shut the mouths of lions for the honor of a + Daniel, will raise your mind above the narrow notion that the general + government has no power, to the sublime idea that Congress, with the + President as executor, is as almighty in its sphere as Jehovah is in his." + 1 + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *For this correspondence in full, see Times and Seasons, January +1, and June 1, 1844, or Mackay's "The Mormons," p. 143. +</pre> + <p> + Smith's next step was to have judge Phelps read to a public meeting in + Nauvoo on February 7, 1844, a very long address by the prophet, setting + forth his views on national politics.* He declared that "no honest man can + doubt for a moment but the glory of American liberty is on the wane, and + that calamity and confusion will sooner or later destroy the peace of the + people," while "the motto hangs on the nation's escutcheon, `every man has + his price.'" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For its text, see Times and Seasons, May 15,1844, or Mackay's +"The Mormons," p.133. +</pre> + <p> + Smith proposed an abundance of remedies for these evils: Reduce the + members of Congress at least one-half; pay them $2 a day and board; + petition the legislature to pardon every convict, and make the punishment + for any felony working on the roads or some other place where the culprit + can be taught wisdom and virtue, murder alone to be cause for confinement + or death; petition for the abolition of slavery by the year 1850, the + slaves to be paid for out of the surplus from the sale of public lands, + and the money saved by reducing the pay of Congress; establish a national + bank, with branches in every state and territory, "whose officers shall be + elected yearly by the people, with wages of $2 a day for services," the + currency to be limited to "the amount of capital stock in her vaults, and + interest"; "and the bills shall be par throughout the nation, which will + mercifully cure that fatal disorder known in cities as brokery, and leave + the people's money in their own pockets"; give the President full power to + send an army to suppress mobs; "send every lawyer, as soon as he repents + and obeys the ordinances of heaven, to preach the Gospel to the destitute, + without purse or scrip"; "spread the federal jurisdiction to the west sea, + when the red men give their consent"; and give the right hand of + fellowship to Texas, Canada, and Mexico. He closed with this declaration: + "I would, as the universal friend of man, open the prisons, open the eyes, + open the ears, and open the hearts of all people to behold and enjoy + freedom, unadulterated freedom; and God, who once cleansed the violence of + the earth with a flood, whose Son laid down his life for the salvation of + all his father gave him out of the world, and who has promised that he + will come and purify the world again with fire in the last days, should be + supplicated by me for the good of all people. With the highest esteem, I + am a friend of virtue and of the people." + </p> + <p> + It seems almost incomprehensible that the promulgator of such political + views should have taken himself seriously. But Smith was in deadly + earnest, and not only was he satisfied of his political power, but, in the + church conference of 1844, he declared, "I feel that I am in more + immediate communication with God, and on a better footing with Him, than I + have ever been in my life." + </p> + <p> + The announcement of Smith's political "principles" was followed + immediately by an article in the Times and Seasons, which answered the + question, "Whom shall the Mormons support for President?" with the reply, + "General Joseph Smith. A man of sterling worth and integrity, and of + enlarged views; a man who has raised himself from the humblest walks in + life to stand at the head of a large, intelligent, respectable, and + increasing society;... and whose experience has rendered him every way + adequate to the onerous duty." The formal announcement that Smith was the + Mormon candidate was made in the Times and Seasons of February 15, 1844, + and the ticket— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + FOR PRESIDENT, +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + GENERAL JOSEPH SMITH, +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Nauvoo, Illinois. +</pre> + <p> + was kept at the head of its editorial page from March 1, until his death. + </p> + <p> + A weekly newspaper called the Wasp, issued at Nauvoo under Mormon + editorship, had been succeeded by a larger one called the Neighbor, edited + by John Taylor (afterward President of the church), who also had charge of + the Times and Seasons. The Neighbor likewise placed Smith's name, as the + presidential candidate, at the head of its columns, and on March 6 + completed its ticket with "General James A. Bennett of New York, for + Vice-President."* Three weeks later Bennett's name was taken down, and on + June 19, Sidney Rigdon's was substituted for it. There was nothing modest + in the Mormon political ambition. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This General Bennett was not the first mayor of Nauvoo, as some +writers like Smucker have supposed, but a lawyer who gave his address as +"Arlington House," on Long Island, New York, and who in 1843 had offered +himself to Smith as "a most undeviating friend," etc. +</pre> + <p> + Proof of Smith's serious view of his candidacy is furnished in his next + step, which was to send out a large body of missionaries (two or three + thousand, according to Governor Ford) to work-up his campaign in the + Eastern and Southern states. These emissaries were selected from among the + ablest of Smith's allies, including Brigham Young, Lorenzo Snow, and John + D. Lee. Their absence from Nauvoo was a great misfortune to Smith at the + time of his subsequent arrest and imprisonment at Carthage. + </p> + <p> + The campaigners began work at once. Lorenzo Snow, to whom the state of + Ohio was allotted, went to Kirtland, where he had several thousand + pamphlets printed, setting forth the prophet's views and plans, and he + then travelled around in a buggy, distributing the pamphlets and making + addresses in Smith's behalf. "To many persons," he confesses, "who knew + nothing of Joseph but through the ludicrous reports in circulation, the + movement seemed a species of insanity."* John D. Lee was a most devout + Mormon, but his judgment revolted against this movement. "I would a + thousand times rather have been shut up in jail," he says. He began his + canvassing while on the boat bound for, St. Louis. "I told them," he + relates, "the prophet would lead both candidates. There was a large crowd + on the boat, and an election was proposed. The prophet received a majority + of 75 out of 125 votes polled. This created a tremendous laugh."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biography of Lorenzo Snow." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Mormonism Unveiled," p.149. +</pre> + <p> + We have an account of one state convention called to consider Smith's + candidacy, and this was held in the Melodeon in Boston, Massachusetts, on + July 1, 1844, the news of Smith's death not yet having reached that city. + A party of young rowdies practically took possession of the hall as soon + as the business of the convention began, and so disturbed the proceedings + that the police were sent for, and they were able to clear the galleries + only after a determined fight. The convention then adjourned to Bunker + Hill, but nothing further is heard of its proceedings. The press of the + city condemned the action of the disturbers as a disgrace. Mention is made + in the Times and Seasons of July 1, 1844, of a conference of elders held + in Dresden, Tennessee, on the 25th of May previous, at which Smith's name + was presented as a presidential candidate. The meeting was broken up by a + mob, which the sheriff confessed himself powerless to overcome, but it met + later and voted to print three thousand copies of Smith's views. + </p> + <p> + The prophet's death, which occurred so soon after the announcement of his + candidacy, rendered it impossible to learn how serious a cause of + political disturbance that candidacy might have been in neighborhoods + where the Mormons had a following. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. — SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN NAUVOO + </h2> + <p> + Having followed Smith's political operations to their close, it is now + necessary to retrace our steps, and examine the social conditions which + prevailed in and around Nauvoo during the years of his reign—conditions + which had quite as much to do in causing the expulsion of the Mormons from + the state as did his political mistakes. + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered that Nauvoo was a pioneer town, on the borders of a + thinly settled country. Its population and that of its suburbs consisted + of the refugees from Missouri, of whose character we have had proof; of + the converts brought in from the Eastern states and from Europe, not a + very intelligent body; and of those pioneer settlers, without sympathy + with the Mormon beliefs, who were attracted to the place from various + motives. While active work was continued by the missionaries throughout + the United States, their labors in this country seem to have been more + efficient in establishing local congregations than in securing large + additions to the population of Nauvoo, although some "branches" moved + bodily to the Mormon centre.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lee's "Mormonism Unveiled;" p. 135. +</pre> + <p> + Of the class of people reached by the early missionaries in England we + have this description, in a letter from Orson Hyde to his wife, dated + September 14,1837:—"Those who have been baptized are mostly + manufacturers and some other mechanics. They know how to do but little + else than to spin and weave cloth, and make cambric, mull and lace; and + what they would do in Kirtland or the city of Far West, I cannot say. They + are extremely poor, most of them not having a change of clothes decent to + be baptized in."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Elders' Journal, Vol. I, No. 2. +</pre> + <p> + In a letter of instructions from Smith to the travelling elders in Great + Britain, dated October, 1840, he warned them that the gathering of the + Saints must be "attended to in the order that the Lord intends it should"; + and he explains that, as "great numbers of the Saints in England are + extremely poor,... to prevent confusion and disappointment when they + arrive here, let those men who are accustomed to making machinery, and + those who can command a capital, though it be small, come here as soon as + convenient and put up machinery, and make such other preparations as may + be necessary, so that when the poor come on they may have employment to + come to." + </p> + <p> + The invitation to all converts having means was so urgent that it took the + form of a command. A letter to the Saints abroad, signed by Joseph and + Hyrum Smith, dated January 15, 1841, directed those "blessed of heaven + with the possession of this world's goods" to sell out as soon as possible + and move to Nauvoo, adding in italics: "This is agreeable to the order of + heaven, and the only principal (sic) on which the gathering can be + effected."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The following is a quotation from a letter written by an +American living near Nauvoo, dated October 20, 1842, printed in the +postscript to Caswall's "The City of the Mormons":— +</pre> + <p> + "If an English Mormon arrives, the first effort of Joe is to get his + money. This in most cases is easily accomplished, under a pledge that he + can have it at any time on giving ten days' notice. The man after some + time calls for his money; he is treated kindly, and told that it is not + convenient to pay. He calls a second time; the Prophet cannot pay, but + offers a town lot in Nauvoo for $1000 (which cost perhaps as many cents), + or land on the 'half-breed tract' at $10 or $15 per acre.... Finally some + of the irresponsible Bishops or Elders execute a deed for land to which + they have no valid title, and the poor fellow dares not complain. This is + the history of hundreds of cases.... The history of every dupe reaches + Nauvoo in advance. When an Elder abroad wins one over to the faith, he + makes himself perfectly acquainted with all his family arrangements, his + standing in society, his ability, and (what is of most importance) the + amount of ready money and other property which he will take to Nauvoo.... + They make no converts in Nauvoo, and it appears to me that they would + never make another if all could witness their conduct at Nauvoo for one + month... . In regard to this communication, I prefer, on account of my own + safety, that you should not make known the author publicly. You cannot + appreciate these fears [in England]. You have no idea what it is to be + surrounded by a community of Mormons, guided by a leader the most + unprincipled." We have seen how hard-pressed Smith was for money with + which to meet his obligations for the payment of land purchased. It was + not necessary that a newcomer should be a Mormon in order to buy a lot, + special emphasis being laid on the freedom of religious opinion in the + city; but it was early made known that purchasers were expected to buy + their lots of the church, and not of private speculators. The + determination with which this rule was enforced, as well as its + unpopularity in some quarters, may be seen in the following extract from + Smith's autobiography, under date of February 13, 1843: "I spent the + evening at Elder O. Hyde's. In the course of conversation I remarked that + those brethren who came here having money, and purchased without the + church and without counsel, must be cut off. This, with other + observations, aroused the feelings of Brother Dixon, from Salem, Mass., + and he appeared in great wrath." + </p> + <p> + The Nauvoo Neighbor of December 27, 1843, contained an advertisement + signed by the clerk of the church, calling the attention of immigrants to + the church lands, and saying, "Let all the brethren, therefore, when they + move into Nauvoo, consult President Joseph Smith, the trustee in trust, + and purchase their land from him, and I am bold to say that God will bless + them, and they will hereafter be glad they did so." + </p> + <p> + A good many immigrants of more or less means took warning as soon as they + discovered the conditions prevailing there, and returned home. A letter on + this subject from the officers of the church said:— + </p> + <p> + "We have seen so many who have been disappointed and discouraged when they + visited this place, that we would have imagined they had never been + instructed in the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, and thought + that, instead of coming into a society of men and women, subject to all + the frailties of mortality, they were about to enjoy the society of the + spirits of just men made perfect, the holy angels, and that this place + should be as pure as the third heaven. But when they found that this + people were but flesh and blood... they have been desirous to choose them + a captain to lead them back." + </p> + <p> + The additions to the Mormon population from the settlers whom they found + in the outlying country in Illinois and Iowa were not likely to be of a + desirable class. The banks of the Mississippi River had long been + hiding-places for pirate bands, whose exploits were notorious, and the + "half-breed tract" was a known place of refuge for the horse thief, the + counterfeiter, and the desperado of any calling. The settlement of the + Mormons in such a region, with an invitation to the world at large to join + them and be saved, was a piece of good luck for this lawless class, who + found a covering cloak in the new baptism, and a shield in the fidelity + with which the Mormon authorities, under their charter, defended their + flock. In this way Nauvoo became a great receptacle for stolen goods, and + the river banks up and down the stream concealed many more, the takers of + which walked boldly through the streets of the Mormon city. The + retaliatory measures which Smith encouraged his followers to practise on + their neighbors in Missouri had inculcated a disregard for the property + rights of non-Mormons, which became an inciting cause of hostilities with + their neighbors in Illinois. + </p> + <p> + The complaints of thefts by Mormons became so frequent that the church + authorities deemed it necessary to recognize and rebuke the practice. Lee + quotes from an address by Smith at the conference of April, 1840, in + Nauvoo, in which the prophet said: "We are no longer at war, and you must + stop stealing. When the right time comes, we will go in force and take the + whole state of Missouri. It belongs to us as our inheritance; but I want + no more petty stealing. A man that will steal petty articles from his + enemies will, when occasion offers, steal from his brethren too. Now I + command you that have stolen must steal no more."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lee's "Mormonism Unveiled;" p. 111. +</pre> + <p> + The case of Elder O. Walker bears on this subject. On October 11, 1840, he + was brought before a High Council and accused of discourtesy to the + prophet, and "suggesting (at different places) that in the church at + Nauvoo there did exist a set of pilferers who were actually thieving, + robbing and plundering, taking and unlawfully carrying away from Missouri + certain goods and chattels, wares and property; and that the act and acts + of such supposed thieving, etc., was fostered and conducted by the + knowledge and approval of the heads and leaders of the church, viz., by + the Presidency and High Council."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XVIII, p. 185. +</pre> + <p> + The action of the church authorities themselves shows how serious they + considered the reports about thieving. As early as December 1, 1841, Hyrum + Smith, then one of the First Presidency, published in the Times and + Seasons an affidavit denying that the heads of the church "sanction and + approbate the members of said church in stealing property from those + persons who do not belong to said church," etc. This was followed by a + long denial of a similar character, signed by the Twelve, and later by an + affidavit by the prophet himself, denying that he ever "directly or + indirectly encouraged the purloining of property, or taught the doctrine + of stealing." On March 25, 1843, Smith, as mayor, issued a proclamation + beginning with the declaration, "I have not altered my views on the + subject of stealing," reciting rumors of a secret band of desperadoes + bound by oath to self-protection, and pledging pardon to any one who would + give him any information about "such abominable characters." This + exhibition of the heads of a church solemnly protesting that they were + opposed to thieving is unique in religious history. + </p> + <p> + The Patriarch, Hyrum Smith, made an announcement to the conference of + 1843, which further confirms the charges of organized thieving made by the + non-mormons. While denouncing the thieves as hypocrites, he said he had + learned of the existence of a band held together by secret oaths and + penalties, "who hold it right to steal from anyone who does not belong to + the church, provided they consecrate one-third of it to the building of + the Temple. They are also making bogus money.... The man who told me this + said, 'This secret band referred to the Bible, Book of Doctrine and + Covenants, and Book of Mormon to substantiate their doctrines; and if any + of them did not remain steadfast, they ripped open their bowels and gave + them to the catfish.'" He named two men, inmates of his own house, who, he + had discovered, were such thieves. The prophet followed this statement + with some remarks, declaring, "Thieving must be stopped."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XX, pp. 757-758. +</pre> + <p> + The Rev. Henry Caswall, in a description of a Sunday service in Nauvoo in + April, 1842 "City of the Mormons," (p. 15) says:— + </p> + <p> + "The elder who had delivered the first discourse now rose and said a + certain brother whom he named had taken a keg of white lead. 'Now,' said + he, 'if any of the brethren present has taken it by mistake, thinking it + was his own, he ought to restore it; but if any of the brethren present + have stolen a keg, much more ought he to restore it, or else maybe he will + get catched.'... Another person rose and stated that he had lost a ten + dollar bill. If any of the brethren had found it or taken it, he hoped it + would be restored." This introduction of calls for the restoration of + stolen property as a feature of a Sunday church service is probably unique + with the Mormons. + </p> + <p> + That the Mormons did not do all the thieving in the counties around Nauvoo + while they were there would be sufficiently proved by the character of + many of the persons whom they found there on their arrival, and also by + the fact that their expulsion did not make those counties a paradise.* The + trouble with them was that, as soon as a man joined them, no matter what + his previous character might have been, they gave him that protection + which came with their system of "standing together." An early and + significant proof of this protection is found in the action of the + conference held in Nauvoo on October 3, 1840, two months before the + charter had given the city government its extended powers, which voted + that "no person be considered guilty of crime unless proved by the + testimony of two or three witnesses."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Long afterward, while the writer was travelling through +Hancock, Pike and Adams Counties, no family thought of retiring at night +without barring and doublelocking every ingress."—Beadle, "Life in +Utah," p. 65. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Millennial Star, Vol. XVIII, p. 153. +</pre> + <p> + It became notorious in all the country round that it was practically + useless for a non-Mormon to attempt the recovery of stolen property in + Nauvoo, no matter how strong the proof in his possession might be. S. J. + Clarke* says that a great deal of stolen stock was traced into Nauvoo, but + that, "when found, it was extremely difficult to gain possession of it." + He cites as an illustration the case of a resident of that county who + traced a stolen horse into Nauvoo, and took with him sixty witnesses to + identify the animal before a Mormon justice of the peace. He found + himself, however, confronted with seventy witnesses who swore that the + horse belonged to some Mormon, and the justice decided that the "weight of + evidence," numerically calculated, was against the non-Mormon. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "History of McDonough County," p. 83. +</pre> + <p> + A form of protection against outside inquirers for property, which is well + authenticated, was given by what were known as "whittlers." When a + non-Mormon came into the city, and by his questions let it be known that + he was looking for something stolen, he would soon find himself approached + by a Mormon who carried a long knife and a stick, and who would follow + him, silently whittling. Soon a companion would join this whittler, and + then another, until the stranger would find himself fairly surrounded by + these armed but silent observers. Unless he was a man of more than + ordinary grit, an hour or more of this companionship would convince him + that it would be well for him to start for home.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lee's "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 168. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. — SMITH'S PICTURE OF HIMSELF AS AUTOCRAT + </h2> + <p> + Smith's autobiography gives incidentally many interesting glimpses of the + prophet as he exercised his authority of dictator during the height of his + power at Nauvoo. It is fortunate for the impartial student that these + records are at his disposal, because many of the statements, if made on + any other authority, would be met by the customary Mormon denials, and be + considered generally incredible. + </p> + <p> + That Smith's life, aside from the constant danger of extradition which the + Missouri authorities held over him, was not an easy one at this time may + readily be imagined. He had his position to maintain as sole oracle of the + church. He was also mayor, judge, councillor, and lieutenant-general. + There were individual jealousies to be disposed of among his associates, + rivalries of different parts of the city over wished-for improvements to + be considered, demands of the sellers of church lands for payment to be + met, and the claims of politicians to be attended to. But Smith rarely + showed any indication of compromise, apparently convinced that his + position at all points was now more secure than it had ever been. + </p> + <p> + The big building enterprises in which the church was engaged were a heavy + tax on the people, and constant urging was necessary to keep them up to + the requirements. Thus we find an advertisement in the Wasp dated June 25, + 1842, and signed by the "Temple Recorder," saying, "Brethren, remember + that your contracts with your God are sacred; the labor is wanted + immediately." Smith referred to the discontent of the laborers, and to + some other matters, in a sermon on February 21, 1843. The following + quotations are from his own report of it. "If any man working on the + Nauvoo House is hungry, let him come to me and I will feed him at my + table... and then if the man is not satisfied I will kick his backside.... + This meeting was got up by the Nauvoo House committee. The Pagans, Roman + Catholics, Methodists and Baptists shall have place in Nauvoo—only + they must be ground in Joe Smith's mill. I have been in their mill... and + those who come here must go through my smut machine, and that is my + tongue."* The difficulty of carrying on these building enterprises at this + time was increased by the financial disturbance that was convulsing the + whole country. It was in these years that Congress was wrestling with the + questions of the deposits of the public funds, the United States Bank, the + subtreasury scheme, and the falling off of customs and land-sale revenues, + with a threatened deficit in the federal treasury. The break-down of the + Bank of the United States caused a general failure of the banks of the + Western and Southern states, and money was so scarce at Nauvoo that one + Mormon writer records the fact that "when corn was brought to my door at + ten cents a bushel, and sadly needed, the money could not be raised." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XX, p. 583. +</pre> + <p> + The relations between Smith and Rigdon had been strained ever since the + departure of the Mormons from Missouri. The trouble between them was + finally brought before a special conference at Nauvoo, on October 7, 1843, + at which Smith stated that he had received no material benefits from + Rigdon's labors or counsel since they had left Missouri. He presented + complaints against Rigdon's management of the post-office, brought up a + charge that Rigdon had been in correspondence with General Bennett and + Governor Carlin, and offered "indirect testimony" that Rigdon had given + the Missourians information of Smith's whereabouts at the time of his last + arrest. Rigdon met these accusations, some with denials and some with + explanations, closing with a pitiful appeal to the all-powerful head of + the church, whose nod would decide the verdict, reciting their long + associations and sufferings, and signifying his willingness to resign his + position as councillor to the First Presidency, but not concealing the + pain and humiliation that such a step would cause him. Smith became + magnanimous. "He expressed entire willingness to have Elder Rigdon retain + his station, provided he would magnify his office, and walk and conduct + himself in all honesty, righteousness and integrity; but signified his + lack of confidence in his integrity and steadfastness."* This incident + once more furnishes proof of some great power which Smith held over Rigdon + that induced the latter to associate with the prophet on these terms. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. IV, p. 330. H. C. Kimball stated +afterward at Rigdon's church trial that Smith did not accept him as an +adviser after this, but took Amasa Lyman in his place, and that it was +Hyrum Smith who induced his brother to show some apparent magnanimity. +</pre> + <p> + Smith's creditors finally pressed him so hard that he attempted to secure + aid from the bankruptcy act. In this he did not succeed,* and he was very + bitter in his denunciation of the law because it was interpreted against + him. It was about this time that Smith, replying to reports of his wealth, + declared that his assets consisted of one old horse, two pet deer, ten + turkeys, an old cow, one old dog, a wife and child, and a little household + furniture. On March 1, 1843, the Council of the Twelve wrote to the + outlying branches of the church, calling on them "to bring to our + President as many loads of wheat, corn, beef, pork, lard, tallow, eggs, + poultry, venison, and everything eatable, at your command," in order that + he might be relieved of business cares and have time to attend to their + spiritual interests. It was characteristic of Smith to find him, at a + conference held the following month, lecturing the Twelve on their own + idleness, telling them it was not necessary for them to be abroad all the + time preaching and gathering funds, but that they should spend a part of + their time at home earning a living. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See chapter on this subject in Bennett's "History of the +Saints." +</pre> + <p> + At this same conference Smith was compelled to go into the details of a + transaction which showed of how little practical use to him were his + divining and prophetic powers. A man named Remick had come to him the + previous summer and succeeded in getting from him a loan of $200 by + misrepresentation. Afterward Remick offered to give him a quit-claim deed + for all the land bought of Galland, as well as the notes which Smith had + given to Galland, and one-half of all the land that Remick owned in + Illinois and Iowa, if Smith would use his influence to build up the city + of Keokuk, Iowa. Smith actually agreed to this in writing. At the + conference he had to explain this whole affair. After alleging that Remick + was a swindler, he said: "I am not so much of a 'Christian' as many + suppose I am. When a man undertakes to ride me for a horse I feel disposed + to kick up, and throw him off and ride him. David did so, and so did + Joshua." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XX, pp. 758-759. +</pre> + <p> + The old Kirtland business troubles came up to annoy Smith from time to + time, but he always found a way to meet them. While his writ of habeas + corpus was under argument out of the city in 1841, a man presented to him + a five-dollar bill of the Kirtland Bank, and threatened to sue him on it. + As the easiest way to dispose of this matter, Smith handed the man $5. + </p> + <p> + Smith's Ohio experience did not lessen his estimation of himself as an + authority on finance. We find him, at the meeting of the Nauvoo City + Council on February 25, 1843, denouncing the state law of Illinois making + property a legal tender for the payment of debts; asserting that their + city charter gave them authority to enact such local currency laws as did + not conflict with the federal and state constitutions, and continuing:— + </p> + <p> + "Shall we be such fools as to be governed by their [Illinois] laws which + are unconstitutional? No. We will make a law for gold and silver; then + their law ceases, and we can collect our debts. Powers not delegated to + the states, or reserved from the states, are constitutional. The + constitution acknowledges that the people have all power not reserved to + itself. I am a lawyer. I am a big lawyer, and comprehend heaven, earth and + hell, to bring forth knowledge that shall cover up all lawyers, doctors + and other big bodies."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Ibid., p. 616. +</pre> + <p> + Smith had his way, as usual, and on March 4, the Council passed + unanimously an ordinance making gold and silver the only legal tender in + payment of debts and fines in Nauvoo, and fixing a punishment for the + circulation of counterfeit money. Perhaps this Council never took a + broader view of its legislative authority than in this instance. + </p> + <p> + Smith never laid aside his natural inclination for good fellowship, nor + took himself too seriously while posing as a mouthpiece of the Lord. Along + with the entries recording his predictions he notes such matters as these: + "Played ball with the brethren." "Cut wood all day." A visitor at Nauvoo, + in 1843, describes him as "a jolly fellow, and one of the last persons + whom he would have supposed God would have raised up as a Prophet."* + Josiah Quincy said that Smith seemed to him to have a keen sense of the + humorous aspects of his position. "It seems to me, General," Quincy said + to him, "that you have too much power to be safely trusted in one man." + "In your hands or that of any other person," was his reply, "so much power + would no doubt be dangerous. I am the only man in the world whom it would + be safe to trust with it. Remember, I am a prophet." "The last five + words," says Quincy, "were spoken in a rich comical aside, as if in hearty + recognition of the ridiculous sound they might have in the ears of a + Gentile."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This same idea is presented by a writer in the Millennial Star, +Vol. XVII, p. 820: "When the fact of Smith's divine character shall +burst upon the nations, they will be struck dumb with wonder and +astonishment at the Lord's choice,—the last individual in the whole +world whom they would have chosen." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Figures of the Past;" p. 397. +</pre> + <p> + Smith makes this entry on February 20, 1843: "While the [Municipal] Court + was in session, I saw two boys fighting in the street. I left the business + of the court, ran over immediately, caught one of the boys and then the + other, and after giving them proper instruction, I gave the bystanders a + lecture for not interfering in such cases. I returned to the court, and + told them nobody was allowed to fight in Nauvoo but myself." + </p> + <p> + In January, 1842, Smith once more became a "storekeeper." Writing to an + absent brother on January 5, 1842, he described his building, with a + salesroom fitted up with shelves and drawers, a private office, etc. He + added that he had a fair stock, "although some individuals have succeeded + in detaining goods to a considerable amount. I have stood behind the + counter all day," he continued, "dealing out goods as steadily as any + clerk you ever saw."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIX, p. 21. +</pre> + <p> + The following entry is found under date of June 1, 1842: "Sent Dr. + Richards to Carthage on business. On his return, old Charley, while on a + gallop, struck his knees and breast instead of his feet, fell in the + street and rolled over in an instant, and the doctor narrowly escaped with + his life. It was a trick of the devil to kill my clerk. Similar attacks + have been made upon myself of late, and Satan is seeking our destruction + on every hand." + </p> + <p> + Smith practically gave up "revealing" during his life in Nauvoo. At + Rigdon's church trial, after Smith's death, President Marks said, "Brother + Joseph told us that he, for the future, whenever there was a revelation to + be presented to the church, would first present it to the Quorum, and + then, if it passed the Quorum, it should be presented to the church." + Strong pressure must have been exerted upon the prophet to persuade him to + consent to such a restriction, and it is the only instance of the kind + that is recorded during his career. But if he did not "reveal," he could + not be prevented from uttering oral prophecies and giving his + interpretation of the Scriptures. That he had become possessed with the + idea of a speedy ending of this world seems altogether probable. All + through his autobiography he notes reports of earthquakes, tornadoes, + floods, etc., and he gives special emphasis to accounts that reached him + of "showers of flesh and blood." Under date of February 18, 1843, he + notes, "While at dinner I remarked to my family and friends present that, + when the earth was sanctified and became like a sea of glass, it would be + one great Urim and Thummim, and the Saints could look in it and see as + they are seen." Another of his wise sayings is thus recorded, "The battle + of Gog and Magog will be after the Millennial." + </p> + <p> + In some remarks, on April 2, 1843, Smith made the one prediction that came + true, and one which has always given the greatest satisfaction to the + Saints. This was: "I prophesy in the name of the Lord God that the + commencement of the difficulties which will cause much bloodshed previous + to the coming of the Son of man will be in South Carolina. It may probably + arise through the slave trade." This prediction was afterward amplified so + as to declare that the war between the Northern and Southern states would + involve other nations in Europe, and that the slaves would rise up against + their masters. It would have been better for his fame had he left the + announcement in its original shape. + </p> + <p> + Such is the picture of Smith the prophet as drawn by himself. Of the + rumors about the Mormons, current in all the counties near Nauvoo, which + cannot be proved by Mormon testimony there were hundreds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. — SMITH'S FALLING OUT WITH BENNETT AND HIGBEE + </h2> + <p> + Surprise has been expressed that Smith would permit the newcomer, General + John C. Bennett, to be elected the first mayor of Nauvoo under the new + charter. Much less surprising is the fact that a falling-out soon occurred + between them which led to the withdrawal of Bennett from the church on May + 17, 1842, and made for the prophet an enemy who pursued him with a method + and vindictiveness that he had not before encountered from any of those + who had withdrawn, or been driven, from the church fellowship. + </p> + <p> + The exact nature of the dispute between the two men has never been + explained. That personal jealousy entered into it there is little doubt. + Smith never had submitted to any real division of his supreme authority, + and when Bennett entered the fold as political lobbyist, mayor, major + general, etc., a clash seemed unavoidable. It was stated, during Rigdon's + church trial after Smith's death, that Bennett declared, at the first + conference he attended at Nauvoo, that he sustained the same position in + the First Presidency that the Holy Ghost does to the Father and the Son; + and that, after Smith's death, Bennett visited Nauvoo, and proposed to + Rigdon that the latter assume Smith's place in the church, and let Bennett + assume that which had been occupied by Rigdon.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. V, p. 655. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon explanation given at the time of Bennett's expulsion was that + some of their travelling elders in the Eastern states discovered that the + general had a wife and family there while he was paying attention to young + ladies in Nauvoo; but a very slight acquaintance with Smith's ideas on the + question of morality at that time is needed to indicate that this was an + afterthought. The course of the church authorities showed that they were + ready to every way qualified to be a useful citizen. Smith directed the + clerk of the church to permit Bennett to withdraw "if he desires to do so, + and this with the best of feelings toward you and General Bennett." But as + soon as Bennett began his attacks on Smith the church made haste to + withdraw the hand of fellowship from him, and framed a formal writ of + excommunication, and Smith could not find enough phials of wrath to pour + upon him. Thus, in a statement published in the Times and Seasons of July + 1, 1842, he called Bennett "an impostor and a base adulterer," brought up + the story of his having a wife in Ohio, and charged that he taught women + that it was proper to have promiscuous intercourse with men. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Bennett left Nauvoo he began the publication of a series of + letters in the Sangamon (Illinois) Journal, which purported to give an + inside view of the Mormon designs, and the personal character and + practices of the church leaders. These were widely copied, and seem to + have given people in the East their first information that Smith was + anything worse than a religious pretender. Bennett also started East + lecturing on the same subject, and he published in Boston in the same year + a little book called "History of the Saints; or an Expose of Joe Smith and + Mormonism," containing, besides material which he had collected, copious + extracts from the books of Howe and W. Harris. + </p> + <p> + Bennett declared that he had never believed in any of the Mormon + doctrines, but that, forming the opinion that their leaders were planning + to set up "a despotic and religious empire" over the territory included in + Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri, he decided to join them, + learn their secrets, and expose them. Bennett's personal rascality admits + of no doubt, and not the least faith need be placed in this explanation of + his course, which, indeed, is disproved by his later efforts to regain + power in the church. It does seem remarkable, however, that neither the + Lord nor his prophet knew anything about Bennett's rascality, and that + they should select him, among others, for special mention in the long + revelation of January 19, 1841, wherein the Lord calls him "my servant," + and directs him to help Smith "in sending my word to the kings of the + people of the earth." There is no doubt that Bennett obtained an inside + view of Smith's moral, political, and religious schemes, and that, while + his testimony un-corroborated might be questioned, much that he wrote was + amply confirmed. + </p> + <p> + According to Bennett's statements, Mormon society at Nauvoo was organized + licentiousness. There were "Cyprian Saints," "Chartered Sisters of + Charity," and "Cloistered Saints," or spiritual wives, all designed to + pander to the passions of church members. Of the system of "spiritual + wives" (which was set forth in the revelation concerning polygamy), + Bennett says in his book: + </p> + <p> + "When an Apostle, High Priest, Elder or Scribe conceives an affection for + a female, and he has satisfactorily ascertained that she experiences a + mutual claim, he communicates confidentially to the Prophet his affaire du + coeur, and requests him to inquire of the Lord whether or not it would be + right and proper for him to take unto himself the said woman for his + spiritual wife. It is no obstacle whatever to this spiritual marriage if + one or both of the parties should happen to have a husband or wife already + united to them according to the laws of the land." + </p> + <p> + Bennett alleged that Smith forced him, at the point of a pistol, to sign + an affidavit stating that Smith had no part in the practice of the + spiritual wife doctrine; but Bennett's later disclosures went into minute + particulars of alleged attempts of Smith to secure "spiritual wives," a + charge which the commandments to the prophet's wife in the "revelation" on + polygamy amply sustain. A leading illustration cited concerned the wife of + Orson Pratt.* According to the story as told (largely in Mrs. Pratt's + words), Pratt was sent to England on a mission to get him out of the way, + and then Smith used every means in his power to secure Mrs. Pratt's + consent to his plan, but in vain. Nancy Rigdon, the eldest unmarried + daughter of Sidney Rigdon, was another alleged intended victim of the + prophet, and Bennett said that Smith offered him $500 in cash, or a choice + lot, if he would assist in the plot. One day, when Smith was alone with + her, he pressed his request so hard that she threatened to cry for help. + The continuation of the story is not by General Bennett, but is taken from + a letter to James A. Bennett, he of "Arlington House," dated Nauvoo, July + 27, 1842, by George W. Robinson, one of Smith's fellow prisoners in + Independence jail, and one of the generals of the Nauvoo Legion:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ebenezer Robinson says that when Orson Pratt returned from his +mission to England, and learned of the teaching of the spiritual wife +doctrine, his mind gave way. One day he disappeared, and a search party +found him five miles below Nauvoo, hatless, seated on the bank of the +river.—The Return, Vol. II, p. 363. +</pre> + <p> + "She left him with disgust, and came home and told her father of the + transaction; upon which Smith was sent for. He came. She told the tale in + the presence of all the family, and to Smith's face. I was present. Smith + attempted to deny at first, and face her down with a lie; but she told the + facts with so much earnestness, and the fact of a letter being proved + which he had caused to be written to her on the same subject, the day + after the attempt made on her virtue, breathing the same spirit, and which + he had fondly hoped was destroyed, all came with such force that he could + not withstand the testimony; and he then and there acknowledged that every + word of Miss Rigdon's testimony was true. Now for his excuse. He wished to + ascertain if she was virtuous or not!" + </p> + <p> + To offset this damaging attack on Smith, a man named Markham was induced + to make an affidavit assailing Miss Rigdon's character, which was + published in the Wasp. But Markham's own character was so bad, and the + charge caused so much indignation, that the editor was induced to say that + the affidavit was not published by the prophet's direction. + </p> + <p> + Bennett's charges aroused great interest among the non-Mormons in all the + counties around Nauvoo, and increased the growing enmity against Smith's + flock which was already aroused by their political course and their + alleged propensity to steal. + </p> + <p> + A minor incident among those leading up to Smith's final catastrophe was a + quarrel, some time later, between the prophet and Francis M. Higbee. This + resulted in a suit for libel against Smith, tried in May, 1844, in which + much testimony disclosing the rotten condition of affairs in Nauvoo was + given, and in the arrest of Smith in a suit for $5000 damages. The + hearing, on a writ of habeas corpus, in Smith's behalf, is reported in + Times and Seasons, Vol. V, No. 10. The court (Smith's Municipal Court) + ordered Smith discharged, and pronounced Higbee's character proved + "infamous." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. — THE INSTITUTION OF POLYGAMY + </h2> + <p> + The student of the history of the Mormon church to this date, who seeks an + answer to the question, Who originated the idea of plural marriages among + the Mormons? will naturally credit that idea to Joseph Smith, Jr. The + Reorganized Church (non-polygamist), whose membership includes Smith's + direct descendants, defend the prophet's memory by alleging that "in the + brain of J. C. Bennett was conceived the idea, and in his practice was the + principle first introduced into the church." In maintaining this ground, + however, they contend that "the official character of President Joseph + Smith should be judged by his official ministrations as set forth in the + well authenticated accepted official documents of the church up to June + 27, 1844. His personal, private conduct should not enter into this + discussion."* The secular investigator finds it necessary to disregard + this warning, and in studying the question he discovers an + incontrovertible mass of testimony to prove that the "revelation" + concerning polygamy was a production of Smith,** was familiar to the + church leaders in Nauvoo, and was lived up to by them before their + expulsion from Illinois. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Pamphlets Nos. 16 and 46 published by the Reorganized Church. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Elder W. W. Phelps said in Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1862 that +while Joseph was translating the Book of Abraham in Kirtland, Ohio, +in 1835, from the papyrus found with the Egyptian mummies, the Prophet +became impressed with the idea that polygamy would yet become an +institution of the Mormon Church. Brigham Young was present, and was +much annoyed at the statement made by Phelps; but it is highly probable +that it was the real secret that the latter then divulged."—"Rocky +Mountain Saints," p. 182. +</pre> + <p> + The Book of Mormon furnishes ample proof that the idea of plural marriages + was as far from any thought of the real "author" of the doctrinal part of + that book as it was from the mind of Rigdon's fellow-Disciples in Ohio at + the time. The declarations on the subject in the Mormon Bible are so + worded that they distinctly forbid any following of the example of Old + Testament leaders like David and Solomon. In the Book of Jacob ii. 24-28, + we find these commands: "Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives + and concubines, which thing was abominable before me saith the Lord; + wherefore, thus with the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the + land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me + a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. + </p> + <p> + "Wherefore, I, the Lord God, will not suffer that this people shall do + like unto them of old. Wherefore my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the + word of the Lord; for there shall not any man among you hath save it be + one wife; and concubines he shall have none; for I, the Lord God, + delighteth in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination + before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts." + </p> + <p> + The same view is expressed in the Book of Mosiah, where, among the sins of + King Noah, it is mentioned that "he spent his time in riotous living with + his wives and concubines," and in the Book of Ether x. 5, where it is said + that "Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, + for he did have many wives and concubines." + </p> + <p> + Smith, at the beginning of his career as a prophet, inculcated the same + views on this subject in his "revelations." Thus, in the one dated at + Kirtland, February 9, 1831, it was commanded (Sec. 42), "Thou shalt love + thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else; and + he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and + shall not have the spirit, and if he repents not he shall be cast out." In + another "revelation," dated the following month (Sec. 49), it was + declared, "Wherefore it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they + twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end + of its creation."* These teachings may be with justness attributed to + Rigdon, and we shall see on how little ground rests a carelessly made + charge that he was the originator of the "spiritual wife" notion. + </p> + <p> + "It is the strongest proof of the firm hold of a party, whether religious + or political, upon the public mind, when it may offend with impunity + against its own primary principles." MILMAN, "History of Christianity." + </p> + <p> + That there was a loosening of the views regarding the marriage tie almost + as soon as Smith began his reign at Kirtland can be shown on abundant + proof. Booth in one of his letters said, "it has been made known to one + who has left his wife in New York State, that he is entirely free from his + wife, and he is at pleasure to take him a wife from among the Lamanites" + (Indians).* That reports of polygamous practices among the Mormons while + they were in Ohio were current was conceded in the section on marriage, + inserted in the Kirtland edition of the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants"—"Inasmuch + as this Church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication + and polygamy," etc.; and is further proved by Smith's denial in the + Elders' Journal,** and by the declaration of the Presidents of the + Seventies, withholding fellowship with any elder "who is guilty of + polygamy." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** p. 157, ante. +</pre> + <p> + Of the enmity of the higher powers toward transgressors of the law of + morality of this time, we find an amusing (some will say shocking) mention + in Smith's "revelation" of October 25, 1831 (Sec. 66). This "revelation" + (announced as the words of "the Lord your Redeemer, the Saviour of the + world") was addressed to W. E. McLellin (who was soon after "rebuked" by + the prophet for attempting to have a "revelation" on his own account). It + declared that McLellin was "blessed for receiving mine everlasting + covenant," directed him to go forth and preach, gave him power to heal the + sick, and then added, "Commit no adultery, a temptation with which thou + hast been troubled." Could religious bouffe go to greater lengths? + </p> + <p> + Testimony as to the liberal Mormon view of the marriage relation while the + church was in Missouri is found in the case of one Lyon, reported by Smith + on page 148 of Vol. XVI of the Millennial Star. Lyon was the presiding + high priest of one of the outlying branches of the church. Desiring to + marry a Mrs. Jackson, whose husband was absent in the East, Lyon announced + a "revelation," ordering the marriage to take place, telling her that he + knew by revelation that her husband was dead. He gained her consent in + this way, but, before the ceremony was performed, Jackson returned home, + and, learning of Lyon's conduct, he had him brought before the authorities + for trial. The high priest was found guilty enough to be deposed from his + office, but not from his church membership. + </p> + <p> + There is abundant testimony from Mormon sources to show that the doctrine + of polygamy, with the "spiritual wife" adjunct, was practised in Nauvoo + for some time before Joseph Smith's death. A very orthodox Mormon witness + on this point is Eliza R. Snow. In her biography of her brother, Lorenzo + Snow,* the recent head of the church, she gives this account of her + connection with polygamy: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "This biography and autobiography of my brother Lorenzo Snow +has been written as a tribute of sisterly affection for him, and as a +token of sincere respect to his family. It is designed to be handed down +in lineal descent, from generation to generation,—to be preserved as a +family memorial."—Extract from the preface. +</pre> + <p> + "While my brother was absent on this [his first] mission to Europe + [1840-1843], changes had taken place with me, one of eternal import, of + which I supposed him to be entirely ignorant. The Prophet Joseph had + taught me the principle of plural or celestial marriage, and I was married + to him for time and eternity. In consequence of the ignorance of most of + the Saints, as well as people of the world, on this subject, it was not + mentioned, only privately between the few whose minds were enlightened on + the subject. Not knowing how my brother [he returned on April 12, 1843] + would receive it, I did not feel at liberty, and did not wish to assume + the responsibility, of instructing him in the principle of plural + marriage.... I informed my husband [the prophet] of the situation, and + requested him to open the subject to my brother. A favorable opportunity + soon presented, and, seated together on the bank of the Mississippi River, + they had a most interesting conversation. The prophet afterward told me he + found that my brother's mind had been previously enlightened on the + subject in question. That Comforter which Jesus says shall I lead unto all + truth had penetrated his understanding, and, while in England, had given + him an intimation of what at that time was to many a secret. This was the + result of living near the Lord. + </p> + <p> + "It was at the private interview referred to above that the Prophet Joseph + unbosomed his heart, and described the trying ordeal he experienced in + overcoming the repugnance of his feelings, the natural result of the force + of education and social custom, relative to the introduction of plural + marriage. He knew the voice of God—he knew the command of the + Almighty to him was to go forward—to set the example and establish + celestial plural marriage.... Yet the prophet hesitated and deferred from + time to time, until an angel of God stood by him with a drawn sword, and + told him that, unless he moved forward and established plural marriage, + his priesthood would be taken from him and he should be destroyed. This + testimony he not only bore to my brother, but also to others."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biography of Lorenzo Snow" (1884), pp. 68-70. Young married +some of Smith's spiritual widows after the prophet's death, and four +of them, including Eliza Snow, appear in Crockwell's illustrated +"Biographies of Young's Wives," published in Utah. +</pre> + <p> + Catherine Lewis, who, after passing two years with the Mormons, escaped + from Nauvoo, after taking the preliminary degrees of the endowment, says: + "The Twelve took Joseph's wives after his death. Kimball and Young took + most of them; the daughter of Kimball was one of Joseph's wives. I heard + her say to her mother: 'I will never be sealed to my father [meaning as a + wife], and I would never have been sealed [married] to Joseph had I known + it was anything more than ceremony. I was young, and they deceived me by + saying the salvation of our whole family depended on it.' The Apostles + said they only took Joseph's wives to raise up children, carry them + through to the next world, and there deliver them up to him; by so doing + they would gain his approbation."—"Narrative of Some of the + Proceedings of the Mormons." Smith's versatility as a fabricator seems to + give him a leading place in that respect in the record of mankind. Snow + says that he asked the prophet to set him right if he should see him + indulging in any practice that might lead him astray, and the prophet + assured him that he would never be guilty of any serious error. "It was + one of Snow's peculiarities," observes his sister, "to do nothing by + halves"; and he exemplified this in this instance by having two wives + "sealed" to him at the same time in 1845, adding two more very soon + afterward, and another in 1848. "It was distinctly understood," says his + sister, "and agreed between them, that their marriage relations should + not, for the time being, be divulged to the world." + </p> + <p> + The testimony of John D. Lee in regard to the practice of polygamy in + Illinois is very circumstantial, and Lee was a conscientious polygamist to + the day of his death. He says* that he was directed in this matter by + principle and not by passion, and goes on to explain:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 200 +</pre> + <p> + "In those days I did not always make due allowance for the failings of the + weaker vessels. I then expected perfection in all women. I know now that I + was foolish in looking for that in anything human. I have, for slight + offences, turned away good-meaning young women that had been sealed to me, + and refused to hear their excuses, but sent them away brokenhearted. In + this I did wrong. I have regretted the same in sorrow for many years .... + Should my history ever fall into the hands of Emeline Woolsey or Polly Ann + Workman, I wish them to know that, with my last breath, I asked God to + pardon me the wrong I did them, when I drove them from me, poor young + girls as they were" + </p> + <p> + Lee says that in the winter of 1843-1844 Smith set one Sidney Hay Jacobs + to writing a pamphlet giving selections from the Scriptures bearing on the + practice of polygamy and advocating that doctrine. The appearance of this + pamphlet created so much unfavorable comment (even Hyrum Smith denouncing + it "as from beneath") that Joseph deemed it best to condemn it in the + Wasp, although men in his confidence were busy advocating its teachings. + </p> + <p> + The "revelation" sanctioning plural marriages is dated July 12, 1843, and + Lee says that Smith "dared not proclaim it publicly," but taught it + "confidentially," urging his followers "to surrender themselves to God" + for their salvation; and "in the winter of 1845, meetings were held all + over the city of Nauvoo, and the spirit of Elijah was taught in the + different families, as a foundation to the order of celestial marriage, as + well as the law of adoption."* The Saints were also taught that Gentiles + had no right to perform the marriage ceremony, and that their former + marriage relations were invalid, and that they could be "sealed" to new + wives under the authority of the church. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *"Mormonism Unveiled," p. 165. +</pre> + <p> + Lee gives a complete record of his plural marriages, which is interesting, + showing how the business was conducted at the start. His second wife, the + daughter of a wealthy farmer near Quincy, Illinois, was "sealed" to him in + Nauvoo in 1845, after she had been an inmate of his house for three + months. His third and fourth wives were "sealed" to him soon after, but + Young took a fancy to wife No. 3 (who had borne Lee a son), and, after + much persuasion, she was "sealed" to Young. At this same "sealing" Lee + took wife No. 4, a girl whom he had baptized in Tennessee. In the spring + of 1845 two sisters of his first wife AND THEIR MOTHER were "sealed" to + him; he married the mother, he says, "for the salvation of her eternal + state." At the completion of the Nauvoo Temple he took three more wives. + At Council Bluffs, in 1847, Brigham Young "sealed" him to three more, two + of them sisters, in one night, and he secured the fourteenth soon after, + the fifteenth in 1851, the sixteenth in 1856, the seventeenth in 1858 ("a + dashing young bride"), the eighteenth in 1859, and the nineteenth and last + in Salt Lake City. He says he claimed "only eighteen true wives," as he + married Mrs. Woolsey "for her soul's sake, and she was nearly sixty years + old." By these wives he had sixty-four children, of whom fifty-four were + living when his book was written. + </p> + <p> + Ebenezer Robinson, explaining in the Return a statement signed by him and + his wife in October, 1842, to offset Bennett's charges, in which they + declared that they "knew of no other form of marriage ceremony" except the + one in the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants," said that this statement was + then true, as the heads of the church had not yet taught the new system to + others. But they had heard it talked of, and the prophet's brother, Don + Carlos, in June, 1841, had said to Robinson, "Any man who will teach and + practise spiritual wifery will go to hell, no matter if it is my brother + Joseph." Hyrum Smith, who first opposed the doctrine, went to Robinson's + house in December, 1843, and taught the system to him and his wife. + Robinson was told of the "revelation" to Joseph a few days after its date, + and just as he was leaving Nauvoo on a mission to New York. He, Law, and + William Marks opposed the innovation. He continues: "We returned home from + that mission the latter part of November, 1843. Soon after our return, I + was told that when we were gone the 'revelation' was presented to and read + in the High Council in Nauvoo, three of the members of which refused to + accept it as from the Lord, President Marks, Cowles, and Counsellor + Leonard Soby." Cowles at once resigned from the High Council and the + Presidency of the church at Nauvoo, and was looked on as a seceder. + </p> + <p> + Robinson gives convincing testimony that, as early as 1843, the ceremonies + of the Endowment House were performed in Nauvoo by a secret organization + called "The Holy Order," and says that in June, 1844, he saw John Taylor + clad in an endowment robe. He quotes a letter to himself from Orson Hyde, + dated September 19, 1844, in which Hyde refers guardedly to the new + revelation and the "Holy Order" as "the charge which the prophet gave us," + adding, "and we know that Elder Rigdon does not know what it was." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Return, Vol. II, p. 252. +</pre> + <p> + We may find the following references to this subject in Smith's diary: + "April 29, 1842. The Lord makes manifest to me many things which it is not + wisdom for me to make public until others can witness the proof of them." + </p> + <p> + "May 1. I preached in the grove on the Keys of the Kingdom, etc. The Keys + are certain signs and words by which the false spirits and personages can + be detected from true, and which cannot be revealed to the Elders till the + Temple is completed." + </p> + <p> + "May 4. I spent the day in the upper part of my store... in council with + (Hyrum, Brigham Young and others) instructing them in the principles and + order of the Priesthood, attending to washings, anointings, endowments.... + The communications I made to this Council were of things spiritual, and to + be received only by the spiritually minded; and there was nothing made + known to these men but what will be made known to all the Saints of the + last days as soon as they are prepared to receive, and a proper place is + prepared to communicate them." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIX, pp. 390-393. +</pre> + <p> + In one of Smith's dissertations, which are inserted here and there in his + diary, is the following under date of August, 1842:— + </p> + <p> + "If we seek first the kingdom of God, all good things will be added. So + with Solomon. First he asked wisdom and God gave it to him, and with it + every desire of his heart, even things which might be considered + abominable to all who understand the order of heaven only in part, but + which in reality were right, because God gave and sanctioned them by + special revelation." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XIX, p. 774. +</pre> + <p> + While the Mormon leaders, Lorenzo Snow and others, were in the Utah + penitentiary after conviction under the Edmunds antipolygamy law, refusing + pardons on condition that they would give up the practice of polygamy, the + Deseret News of May 20, 1886, printed an affidavit made on February 16, + 1874, at the request of Joseph F. Smith, by William Clayton, who was a + clerk in the prophet's office in Nauvoo and temple recorder, to show the + world that "the martyred prophet is responsible to God and the world for + this doctrine." The affidavit recites that while Clayton and the prophet + were taking a walk, in February, 1843, Smith first broached to him the + subject of plural marriages, and told him that the doctrine was right in + the sight of God, adding, "It is your privilege to have all the wives you + want." He gives the names of a number of the wives whom Smith married at + this time, adding that his wife Emma "was cognizant of the fact of some, + if not all, of these being his wives, and she generally treated them very + kindly." He says that on July 12, 1843, Hyrum offered to read the + "revelation" to Emma if the prophet would write it out, saying, "I believe + I can convince her of its truth, and you will hereafter have peace." + Joseph smiled, and remarked, "You do not know Emma as well as I do," but + he thereupon dictated the "revelation" and Clayton wrote it down. An + examination of its text will show how largely it was devoted to Emma's + subjugation. When Hyrum returned from reading it to the prophet's lawful + wife, he said that "he had never received a more severe talking to in his + life; that Emma was very bitter and full of resentment and anger." Joseph + repeated his remark that his brother did not know Emma as well as he did, + and, putting the "revelation" into his pocket, they went out. * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Jepson's "Historical Record," Vol. VI, pp. 233-234, gives the +names of twenty-seven women who, "besides a few others about whom we +have been unable to get all the necessary information, were sealed to +the Prophet Joseph during the last three years of his life." +</pre> + <p> + "At the present time," says Stenhouse ("Rocky Mountain Saints"), p. 185, + "there are probably about a dozen sisters in Utah who proudly acknowledge + themselves to be the `wives of Joseph, 'and how many others there may be + who held that relationship no man knoweth.'" At the conference in Salt + Lake City on August 28, 1852, at which the first public announcement of + the revelation was made, Brigham Young said in the course of his remarks: + "Though that doctrine has not been preached by the Elders, this people + have believed in it for many years.* The original copy of this revelation + was burned up. William Clayton was the man who wrote it from the mouth of + the Prophet. In the meantime it was in Bishop Whitney's possession. He + wished the privilege to copy it, which brother Joseph granted. Sister Emma + burnt the original." The "revelation," he added, had been locked up for + years in his desk, on which he had a patent lock.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * As evidence that polygamy was not countenanced by Smith and his +associates in Nauvoo, there has been cited a notice in the Times and +Seasons of February, 1844, signed by Joseph and Hyrum Smith, cutting off +an elder named Brown for preaching "polygamy and other false and corrupt +doctrines," and a letter of Hyrum, dated March 15, 1844, threatening to +deprive of his license and membership any elder who preached "that a man +having a certain priesthood may have as many wives as he pleases." The +Deseret News of May 20, 1886, noticing these and other early denials, +justifies the falsehoods, saying that "Jesus enjoined his Disciples on +several occasions to keep to themselves principles that he made known +to them," that the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" gave the same +instruction, and that the elders, as the "revelation" was not yet +promulgated, "were justified in denying those imputations, and at the +same time avoiding the avowal of such doctrines as were not yet intended +for this world." P. P. Pratt flatly denied, in England, in 1846, that +any such doctrine was known or practised by the Saints, and John Taylor +(afterward the head of the church), in a discussion in France in +July, 1850, declared that "these things are too outrageous to admit of +belief." The latter false statements would be covered by the excuse of +the Deseret News. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Deseret News, extra, September 14, 1852. Young declared in a +sermon in Salt Lake City in July, 1855, that he was among the doubters +when the prophet revealed the new doctrine, saying: "It was the first +time in my life that I desired the grave, and I could hardly get over +it for a long time.... And I have had to examine myself from that day to +this, and watch my faith and carefully meditate, lest I should be +found desiring the grave more than I ought to." His examinations proved +eminently successful. +</pre> + <p> + Further proof is not needed to show that this doctrine was the offspring + of Joseph Smith, and that its original object was to grant him + unrestricted indulgence of his passions. + </p> + <p> + Justice to Sidney Rigdon requires that his memory should be cleared of the + charge, which has been made by more than one writer, that the spiritual + wife doctrine was of his invention. There is the strongest evidence to + show that it was Smith's knowledge that he could not win Rigdon over to + polygamy which made the prophet so bitter against his old counsellor, and + that it was Rigdon's opposition to the new doctrine that made Young so + determined to drive him out of church after the prophet's death. + </p> + <p> + When Rigdon returned to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to establish his own + Mormon church there, he began in October, 1844, the publication of a + revived Latter-Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate. Stating "the greater + cause" of the opposition of the leaders of Nauvoo to him, in an editorial, + he said:— + </p> + <p> + "Know then that the so-called Twelve Apostles at Nauvoo are now teaching + the doctrine of what is called Spiritual Wives; that a man may have more + wives than one; and they are not only teaching it, but practising it, and + this doctrine is spreading alarmingly through that apostate branch of the + church of Latter-Day Saints. Their greatest objection to us was our + opposition to this doctrine, knowing, as they did, that we had got the + fact in possession. It created alarm, great alarm; every effort was made + while we were there to effect something that might screen them from the + consequence of exposure.... + </p> + <p> + "This doctrine of a man having more wives than one is the cause which has + induced these men to put at defiance the ecclesiastical arrangements of + the church, and, what is equally criminal, to do despite unto the moral + excellence of the doctrine and covenants of the church, setting up an + order of things of their own, in violation of all the rules and + regulations known to the Saints." + </p> + <p> + In the same editorial Rigdon prints a statement by a gentleman who was at + Nauvoo at the time, and for whose veracity he vouches, which said, "It was + said to me by many that they had no objection to Elder Rigdon but his + opposition to the spiritual wife system." + </p> + <p> + Benjamin Winchester, who was one of the earliest missionaries sent out + from Kirtland, adds this testimony in a letter to Elder John Hardy of + Boston, Massachusetts, whose trial in 1844 for opposing the spiritual wife + doctrine occasioned wide comment: + </p> + <p> + "As regards the trial of Elder Rigdon at Nauvoo, it was a forced affair, + got up by the Twelve to get him out of their way, that they might the + better arrogate to themselves higher authority than they ever had, or + anybody ever dreamed they would have; and also (as they perhaps hope) to + prevent a complete expose of the spiritual wife system, which they knew + would deeply implicate themselves." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. — PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DOCTRINE OF POLYGAMY + </h2> + <p> + Although there was practically no concealment of the practice of polygamy + by the Mormons resident in Utah after their arrival there, it was not + until five years from that date that open announcement was made by the + church of the important "revelation." This "revelation" constitutes Sec. + 132 of the modern edition of the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants," and + bears this heading: "Revelation on the Eternity of the Marriage Covenant, + including Plurality of Wives. Given through Joseph, the Seer, in Nauvoo, + Hancock County, Illinois, July 12, 1843." All its essential parts are as + follows: + </p> + <p> + "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as + you have inquired of my hand, to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, + justified my servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; as also Moses, David and + Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their + having many wives and concubines: + </p> + <p> + "Behold! and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching + this matter: + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I + am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto + them must obey the same; + </p> + <p> + "For behold! I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if + ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this + covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory; + </p> + <p> + "For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which + was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were + instituted from before the foundation of the world: + </p> + <p> + "And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted + for the fullness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fullness thereof, + must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God. + </p> + <p> + "And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All + covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, + connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made, and entered + into, and sealed, by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, + both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by + revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I + have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto + my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never + but one on the earth at a time, on whom this power and the keys of this + Priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force, in and + after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made + unto this end, have an end when men are dead.... + </p> + <p> + "I am the Lord thy God, and I give unto you this commandment, that no man + shall come unto the Father but by me, or by my word, which is my law, + saith the Lord;... + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not + by me, nor by my word; and he covenant with her so long as he is in the + world, and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when + they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not + bound by any law when they are out of the world; + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, when they are out of the world, they neither marry, nor are + given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are + ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, + and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory; + </p> + <p> + "For these angels did not abide my law, therefore they cannot be enlarged, + but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved + condition, to all eternity, and from henceforth are not Gods, but are + angels of God, for ever and ever. + </p> + <p> + "And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a + covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant is not + by me, or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy + Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed, and appointed unto + this power—then it is not valid, neither of force when they are out + of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither + by my word; when they are out of the world, it cannot be received there, + because the angels and the Gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot + pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory, for my house is a house of + order, saith the Lord God. + </p> + <p> + "And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which + is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto + them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I + have appointed this power, and the keys of this Priesthood; and it shall + be said unto them, ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if + it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall + inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all + heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb's Book of + Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and + if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent + blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath + put upon them, in time, and through all eternity, and shall be of full + force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, + and the Gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all + things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a + fullness and a continuation of the seeds for ever and ever. + </p> + <p> + "Then shall they be Gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they + be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they + be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be + Gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. + </p> + <p> + "Verily, verily I say unto you, except ye abide my law, ye cannot attain + to this glory;... + </p> + <p> + "And verily, verily I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth, + shall be sealed in Heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name, + and by my word, with the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; + and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the + heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth, shall be retained in + heaven. + </p> + <p> + "And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless, I will bless, and + whomsoever you curse, I will curse, with the Lord; for I, the Lord, am thy + God.... + </p> + <p> + "Verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma + Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself, and + partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, + saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I did Abraham; and that I might + require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + "And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given + unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those + who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, with + the Lord God; + </p> + <p> + "For I am the Lord, thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto + my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things, for he + hath been faithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will + strengthen him. + </p> + <p> + "And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my + servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this + commandment, she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy + God, and will destroy her, if she abide not in my law; + </p> + <p> + "But if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant Joseph + do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him and + multiply him, and give unto him an hundred fold in this world, of fathers + and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives and children, + and crowns of eternal lives in the eternal worlds. + </p> + <p> + "And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid forgive my servant Joseph his + trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has + trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and + multiply her, and make her heart to rejoice.... + </p> + <p> + "And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood, if any man espouse + a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent; + and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no + other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery, for they are + given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth + unto him and to no one else. + </p> + <p> + "And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit + adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him, therefore + is he justified. + </p> + <p> + "But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be + with another man; she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for + they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to + my commandment, and to fulfill the promise which was given by my Father + before the foundation of the world; and for their exaltation in the + eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the + work of my Father continued, that he may be glorified. + </p> + <p> + "And again, verily, verily I say unto you, if any man have a wife who + holds the keys of this power, and he teacheth unto her the law of my + priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe, and + administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God, + for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who + receive and abide in my law. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him + to receive all things, whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, + because she did not administer unto him according to my word; and she then + becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt from the law of Sarah; who + administered unto Abraham according to the law, when I commanded Abraham + to take Hagar to wife. + </p> + <p> + "And now, as pertaining to this law, verily, verily I say unto you, I will + reveal more unto you, hereafter; therefore, let this suffice for the + present. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega. Amen." + </p> + <p> + This jumble of doctrinal and family commands bears internal evidence of + the truth of Clayton's account of its offhand dictation with a view to its + immediate submission to the prophet's wife, who was already in a state of + rebellion because of his infidelities. + </p> + <p> + The publication of the "revelation" was made at a Church Conference which + opened in Salt Lake City on August 28, 1852, and was called especially to + select elders for missionary work.* At the beginning of the second day's + session Orson Pratt announced that, unexpectedly, he had been called on to + address the conference on the subject of a plurality of wives. "We shall + endeavor," he said, "to set forth before this enlightened assembly some of + the causes why the Almighty has revealed such a doctrine, and why it is + considered a part and portion of our religious faith." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *For text of the addresses at this conference, see Deseret News, +extra, September 14, 1852. +</pre> + <p> + He then took up the attitude of the church, as a practiser of this + doctrine, toward the United States government, saying:— + </p> + <p> + "I believe that they will not, under our present form of government (I + mean the government of the United States), try us for treason for + believing and practising our religious notions and ideas. I think, if I am + not mistaken, that the constitution gives the privilege to all of the + inhabitants of this country, of the free exercise of their religious + notions, and the freedom of their faith and the practice of it. Then, if + it can be proved to a demonstration that the Latter-Day Saints have + actually embraced, as a part and portion of their religion, the doctrine + of a plurality of wives, it is constitutional. And should there ever be + laws enacted by this government to restrict them from the free exercise of + their religion, such laws must be unconstitutional." + </p> + <p> + Thus, at this early date in the history of Utah, was stated the Mormon + doctrine of the constitutional foundation of this belief, and, in the + views then stated, may be discovered the reason for the bitter opposition + which the Mormon church is still making to a constitutional amendment + specifically declaring that polygamy is a violation of the fundamental law + of the United States. + </p> + <p> + Pratt then spoke at great length on the necessity and rightfulness of + polygamy. Taking up the doctrine of a previous existence of all souls and + a kind of nobility among the spirits, he said that the most likely place + for the noblest spirits to take their tabernacles was among the Saints, + and he continued:—"Now let us inquire what will become of those + individuals who have this law taught unto them in plainness, if they + reject it." (A voice in the stand "They will be damned.") "I will tell + you. They will be damned, saith the Lord, in the revelation he hath given. + Why? Because, where much is given, much is required. Where there is great + knowledge unfolded for the exaltation, glory and happiness of the sons and + daughters of God, if they close up their hearts, if they reject the + testimony of his word and will, and do not give heed to the principles he + has ordained for their good, they are worthy of damnation, and the Lord + has said they shall be damned." + </p> + <p> + After Brigham Young had made a statement concerning the history of the + "revelation," already referred to, the "revelation" itself was read. + </p> + <p> + The Millennial Star (Liverpool) published the proceedings of this + conference in a supplement to its Volume XV, and the text of the + "revelation" in its issue of January 1, 1853, saying editorially in the + next number:— + </p> + <p> + "None [of the revelations] seem to penetrate so deep, or be so well + calculated to shake to its very center the social structure which has been + reared and vainly nurtured by this professedly wise and Christian + generation; none more conclusively exhibit how surely an end must come to + all the works, institutions, ordinances and covenants of men; none more + portray the eternity of God's purpose—and, we may say, none have + carried so mighty an influence, or had the power to stamp their divinity + upon the mind by absorbing every feeling of the soul, to the extent of the + one which has appeared in our last." + </p> + <p> + With the Mormon church in England, however, the publication of the new + doctrine proved a bombshell, as is shown by the fact that 2164 + excommunications in the British Isles were reported to the semi-annual + conference of December 31, 1852, and 1776 to the conference of the + following June. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of "sealing" has been variously stated. According to one + early definition, the man and the woman who are to be properly mated are + selected in heaven in a pre-existent state; if, through a mistake in an + earthly marriage, A has got the spouse intended for B, the latter may + consider himself a husband to Mrs. A. Another early explanation which may + be cited was thus stated by Henry Rowe in the Boston Investigator of, + February 3, 1845:— + </p> + <p> + "The spiritual wife doctrine I will explain, as taught me by Elder W—e, + as taught by Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Elder Adams, William Smith, and + the rest of the Quorum, etc., etc. Joseph had a revelation from God that + there were a number of spirits to be born into the world before their + exaltation in the next; that Christ would not come until all these spirits + received or entered their 'tabernacles of clay'; that these spirits were + hovering around the world, and at the door of bad houses, watching a + chance of getting into their tabernacles; that God had provided an + honorable way for them to come forth—that was, by the Elders in + Israel sealing up virtuous women; and as there was no provision made for + woman in the Scriptures, their only chance of heaven was to be sealed up + to some Elder for time and eternity, and be a star in his crown forever; + that those who were the cause of bringing forth these spirits would + receive a reward, the ratio of which reward should be the greater or less + according to the number they were the means of bringing forth." + </p> + <p> + Brigham Young's definition of "spiritual wifeism" was thus expressed: "And + I would say, as no man can be perfect without the woman, so no woman can + be perfect without a man to lead her. I tell you the truth as it is in the + bosom of eternity; and I say to every man upon the face of the earth, if + he wishes to be saved, he cannot be saved without a woman by his side. + This is spiritual wifeism, that is, the doctrine of spiritual wives."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. VI, p. 955. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon, under polygamy, was taught that he "married" for time, but was + "sealed" for eternity. The "sealing" was therefore the more important + ceremony, and was performed in the Endowment House, with the accompaniment + of secret oaths and mystic ceremonies. If a wife disliked her husband, and + wished to be "sealed" to a man of her choice, the Mormon church would + marry her to the latter*—a marriage made actual in every sense—if + he was acceptable as a Mormon; and, if the first husband also wanted to be + "sealed" to her, the church would perform a mock ceremony to satisfy this + husband. "It is impossible," says Hyde, "to state all the licentiousness, + under the name of religion, that these sealing ordinances have + occasioned." ** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * One of Stenhouse's informants about the "reformation" of 1856 +in Utah writes: "It was hinted, and secretly taught by authority, that +women should form relations with more than one man." On this Stenhouse +says: "The author has no personal knowledge, from the present leaders +of the church, of this teaching; but he has often heard that something +would then be taught which 'would test the brethren as much as polygamy +had tried the sisters."'—"Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 301. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Mormonism," p. 84. +</pre> + <p> + A Mormon preacher never hesitated to go to any lengths in justifying the + doctrine of plural marriages. One illustration of this may suffice. Orson + Hyde, in a discourse in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in March, 1857, made the + following argument to support a claim that Jesus Christ was a polygamist:— + </p> + <p> + "It will be borne in mind that, once on a time, there was a marriage in + Cana of Galilee; and on a careful reading of that transaction it will be + discovered that no less a person than Jesus Christ was married on that + occasion. If he was never married, his intimacy with Mary and Martha, and + the other Mary also, whom Jesus loved, must have been highly unbecoming + and improper, to say the best of it. I will venture to say that, if Jesus + Christ was now to pass through the most pious countries in Christendom, + with a train of women such as used to follow him, fondling about him, + combing his hair, anointing him with precious ointments, washing his feet + with tears and wiping them with the hair of their heads, and unmarried, or + even married, he would be mobbed, tarred and feathered, and rode, not on + an ass, but on a rail.... Did he multiply, and did he see his seed? Did he + honor his Father's law by complying with it, or did he not? Others may do + as they like, but I will not charge our Saviour with neglect or + transgression in this or any other duty."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. IV, p. 259. +</pre> + <p> + The doctrine of "adoption," referred to, taught that the direct line of + the true priesthood was broken with the death of Christ's apostles, and + that the rights of the lineage of Abraham could be secured only by being + "adopted" by a modern apostle, all of whom were recognized as lineal + descendants of Abraham. Recourse was here had to the Scriptures, and + Romans iv. 16 was quoted to sustain this doctrine. The first "adoptions" + took place in the Nauvoo Temple. Lee was "adopted to" Brigham Young, and + Young's and Lee's children were then "adopted" to their own fathers. + </p> + <p> + With this necessary explanation of the introduction of polygamy, we may + take up the narrative of events at Nauvoo. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. — THE SUPPRESSION OF THE EXPOSITOR + </h2> + <p> + Smith was now to encounter a kind of resistance within the church that he + had never met. In all previous apostasies, where members had dared to + attack his character or question his authority, they had been summarily + silenced, and in most cases driven at once out of the Mormon community. + But there were men at Nauvoo above the average of the Mormon convert as + regards intelligence and wealth, who refused to follow the prophet in his + new doctrine regarding marriage, and whose opposition took the very + practical shape of the establishment of a newspaper in the Mormon city to + expose him and to defend themselves. + </p> + <p> + In his testimony in the Higbee trial Smith had accused a prominent Mormon, + Dr. R. D. Foster, of stealing and of gross insults to women. Dr. Foster, + according to current report, had found Smith at his house, and had + received from his wife a confession that Smith had been persuading her to + become one of his spiritual wives.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "At the May, 1844, term of the Hancock Circuit Court two +indictments were found against Smith by the grand jury—one for adultery +and one for perjury. To the surprise of all, on the Monday following, +the Prophet appeared in court and demanded that he be tried on the +last-named indictment. The prosecutor not being ready, a continuance was +entered to the next term."—GREGG, "History of Hancock County," p. 301. +</pre> + <p> + Among the leading members of the church at Nauvoo at this time were two + brothers, William and Wilson Law. They were Canadians, and had brought + considerable property with them, and in the "revelation" of January 19, + 1841, William Law was among those who were directed to take stock in + Nauvoo House, and was named as one of the First Presidency, and was made + registrar of the University. Wilson Law was a regent of the University and + a major general of the Legion. General Law had been an especial favorite + of Smith. In writing to him while in hiding from the Missouri authorities + in 1842, Smith says, "I love that soul that is so nobly established in + that clay of yours." * At the conference of April, 1844, Hyrum Smith said: + "I wish to speak about Messrs. Law's steam mill. There has been a great + deal of bickering about it. The mill has been a great benefit to the city. + It has brought in thousands who would not have come here. The Messrs. Law + have sunk their capital and done a great deal of good. It is out of + character to cast any aspersions on the Messrs. Law." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XX, p. 695. +</pre> + <p> + Dr. Foster, the Laws, and Counsellor Sylvester Emmons became greatly + stirred up about the spiritual wife doctrine, and the effort of Smith and + those in his confidence to teach and enforce the doctrine of plural wives; + and they finally decided to establish in Nauvoo a newspaper that would + openly attack the new order of things. The name chosen for this newspaper + was the Expositor, and Emmons was its editor.* Its motto was: "The Truth, + the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth," and its prospectus announced + as its purpose, "Unconditional repeal of the city charter—to correct + the abuses of the unit power—to advocate disobedience to political + revelations." Only one number of this newspaper was ever issued, but that + number was almost directly the cause of the prophet's death. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Emmons went direct to Beardstown, Illinois, after the +destruction of the paper, and lived there till the day of his death, +a leading citizen. He established the first newspaper published in +Beardstown, and was for sixteen years the mayor of the city. +</pre> + <p> + The most important feature of the Expositor (which bore date of June 7, + 1844) was a "preamble" and resolutions of "seceders from the church at + Nauvoo," and affidavits by Mr. and Mrs. William Law and Austin Cowles + setting forth that Hyrum Smith had read the "revelation" concerning + polygamy to William Law and to the High Council, and that Mrs. Law had + read it.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * These were the only affidavits printed in the Expositor. More +than one description of the paper has stated that it contained many +more. Thus, Appleton's "American Encyclopedia," under "Mormons," says, +"In the first number (there was only one) they printed the affidavits +of sixteen women to the effect that Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon and +others had endeavored to convert them to the spiritual wife doctrine." +</pre> + <p> + The "preamble" affirmed the belief of the seceders in the Mormon Bible and + the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants," but declared their intention to + "explode the vicious principles of Joseph Smith," adding, "We are aware, + however, that we are hazarding every earthly blessing, particularly + property, and probably life itself, in striking this blow at tyranny and + oppression." Many of them, it was explained, had sought a reformation of + the church without any public exposure, but they had been spurned, + "particularly by Joseph, who would state that, if he had been or was + guilty of the charges we would charge him with, he would not make + acknowledgment, but would rather be damned, for it would detract from his + dignity and would consequently prove the overthrow of the church. We would + ask him, on the other hand, if the overthrow of the church were not + inevitable; to which he often replied that we would all go to hell + together and convert it into a heaven by casting the devil out; and, says + he, hell is by no means the place this world of fools supposes it to be, + but, on the contrary, it is quite an agreeable place." + </p> + <p> + The "preamble" further set forth the methods employed by Smith to induce + women from other countries, who had joined the Mormons in Nauvoo, to + become his spiritual wives, reciting the arguments advanced, and thus + summing up the general result: "She is thunderstruck, faints, recovers and + refuses. The prophet damns her if she rejects. She thinks of the great + sacrifice, and of the many thousand miles she has travelled over sea and + land that she might save her soul from pending ruin, and replies, 'God's + will be done and not mine.' The prophet and his devotees in this way are + gratified." Smith's political aspirations were condemned as preposterous, + and the false "doctrine of many gods" was called blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + Fifteen resolutions followed. They declared against the evils named, and + also condemned the order to the Saints to gather in haste at Nauvoo, + explaining that the purpose of this command was to enable the men in + control of the church to sell property at exorbitant prices, "and thus the + wealth that is brought into the place is swallowed up by the one great + throat, from whence there is no return." The seceders asserted that, + although they had an intimate acquaintance with the affairs of the church, + they did not know of any property belonging to it except the Temple. + Finally, as speaking for the true church, they ordered all preachers to + cease to teach the doctrine of plural gods, a plurality of wives, sealing, + etc., and directed offenders in this respect to report and have their + licenses renewed. Another feature of the issue was a column address signed + by Francis M. Higbee, advising the citizens of Hancock County not to send + Hyrum Smith to the legislature, since to support him was to support + Joseph, "a man who contends all governments are to be put down, and one + established upon its ruins." + </p> + <p> + The appearance of this sheet created the greatest excitement among the + Mormon leaders that they had experienced since leaving Missouri. They + recognized in it immediately a mouthpiece of men who were better informed + than Bennett, and who were ready to address an audience composed both of + their own flock and of their outlying non-Mormon neighbors, whose + antipathy to them was already manifesting itself aggressively. To permit + the continued publication of this sheet meant one of those surrenders + which Smith had never made. + </p> + <p> + The prophet therefore took just such action as would have been expected of + him in the circumstances. Calling a meeting of the City Council, he + proceeded to put the Expositor and its editors on trial, as if that body + was of a judicial instead of a legislative character. The minutes of this + trial, which lasted all of Saturday, June 8, and a part of Monday, June + l0, 1844, can be found in the Neighbor of June 19, of that year, filling + six columns. The prophet-mayor occupied the chair, and the defendants were + absent. + </p> + <p> + The testimony introduced aimed at the start to break down the characters + of Dr. Foster, Higbee, and the Laws. A mechanic testified that the Laws + had bought "bogus"—(counterfeit) dies of him. The prophet told how + William Law had "pursued" him to recover $40,000 that Smith owed him. + Hyrum Smith alleged that William Law had offered to give a man $500 if he + would kill Hyrum, and had confessed adultery to him, making a still more + heinous charge against Higbee. Hyrum referred "to the revelation of the + High Council of the church, which has caused so much talk about a + multiplicity of wives," and declared that it "concerned things which + transpired in former days, and had no reference to the present time." + Testimony was also given to show that the Laws were not liberal to the + poor, and that William's motto with his fellow-churchmen who owed him was, + "Punctuality, punctuality."* This was naturally a serious offence in the + eyes of the Smiths. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Expositor contained this advertisement: "The subscribers +wish to inform all those who, through sickness or other misfortunes, are +much limited is their means of procuring bread for their families, that +we have allotted Thursday of every week to grind toll free for them, +till grain becomes plentiful after harvest.—W. & W. Law." +</pre> + <p> + The prophet declared that the conduct of such men, and of such papers as + the Expositor, was calculated to destroy the peace of the city. He + unblushingly asserted that what he had preached about marriage only showed + the order in ancient days, having nothing to do with the present time. In + regard to the alleged revelation about polygamy he explained that, on + inquiring of the Lord concerning the Scriptural teaching that "they + neither marry nor are given in marriage in heaven," he received a reply to + the effect that men in this life must marry in one of eternity, otherwise + they must remain as angels, or be single in heaven. + </p> + <p> + Smith then proposed that the Council make some provision for putting down + the Expositor, declaring its allegations to be "treasonable against all + chartered rights and privileges." He read from the federal and state + constitutions to define his idea of the rights of the press, and quoted + Blackstone on private wrongs. Hyrum openly advocated smashing the press + and pieing the type. One councillor alone raised his voice for moderation, + proposing to give the offenders a few days' notice, and to assess a fine + of $300 for every libel. W. W. Phelps (who was back in the fold again) + held that the city charter gave them power to declare the newspaper a + nuisance, and cited the spilling of the tea in Boston harbor as a + precedent for an attack on the Expositor office. Finally, on June 10, this + resolution was passed unanimously:— + </p> + <p> + "Resolved by the City Council of the City of Nauvoo that the printing + office from whence issues the Nauvoo Expositor is a public nuisance, and + also all of said Nauvoo Expositors which may be or exist in said + establishment; and the mayor is instructed to cause said printing + establishment and papers to be removed without delay, in such manner as he + shall direct." + </p> + <p> + Smith, of course, made very prompt use of this authority, issuing the + following order to the city marshal:— + </p> + <p> + "You are hereby commanded to destroy the printing press from whence issues + the Nauvoo Expositor, and pi the type of said printing establishment in + the street, and burn all the Expositors and libellous hand bills found in + said establishment; and if resistance be offered to the execution of this + order, by the owners or others, destroy the house; and if any one + threatens you or the Mayor or the officers of the city, arrest those who + threaten you; and fail not to execute this order without delay, and make + due return thereon. + </p> + <p> + "JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor." + </p> + <p> + To meet any armed opposition which might arise, the acting major general + of the Legion was thus directed:— + </p> + <p> + "You are hereby commanded to hold the Nauvoo Legion in readiness forthwith + to execute the city ordinances, and especially to remove the printing + establishment of the Nauvoo Expositor; and this you are required to do at + sight, under the penalty of the laws, provided the marshal shall require + it and need your services." + </p> + <p> + JOSEPH SMITH, + </p> + <p> + "Lieutenant General Nauvoo Legion." + </p> + <p> + The story of the compliance with the mayor's order is thus concisely told + in the "marshal's return," "The within-named press and type is destroyed + and pied according to order on this loth day of June, 1844, at about eight + o'clock P.M." The work was accomplished without any serious opposition. + The marshal appeared at the newspaper office, accompanied by an escort + from the Legion, and forced his way into the building. The press and type + were carried into the street, where the press was broken up with hammers, + and all that was combustible was burned. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Foster and the Laws fled at once to Carthage, Illinois, under the + belief that their lives were in danger. The story of their flight and of + the destruction of their newspaper plant by order of the Nauvoo + authorities spread quickly all over the state, and in the neighboring + counties the anti-Mormon feeling, that had for some time been growing more + intense, was now fanned to fury. This feeling the Mormon leaders seemed + determined to increase still further. + </p> + <p> + The owners of the Expositor sued out at Carthage a writ for the removal to + that place of Joseph Smith and the Nauvoo counsellors on a charge of a + riot in connection with the destruction of their plant. This writ, when + presented, was at once set aside by a writ of habeas corpus issued by the + Nauvoo Municipal Court, but the case was heard before a Mormon justice of + the peace on June 17, and he discharged the accused. As if this was not a + sufficient defiance of public opinion, Smith, as mayor, published a + "proclamation" in the Neighbor of June 19, reciting the events in + connection with the attack on the Expositor, and closing thus: + </p> + <p> + "Our city is infested with a set of blacklegs, counterfeiters and + debauchees, and that the proprietors of this press were of that class, the + minutes of the Municipal Court fully testify, and in ridding our young and + flourishing city of such characters, we are abused by not only villanous + demagogues, but by some who, from their station and influence in society, + ought rather to raise than depress the standard of human excellence. We + have no disturbance or excitement among us, save what is made by the + thousand and one idle rumors afloat in the country. Every one is protected + in his person and property, and but few cities of a population of twenty + thousand people, in the United States, hath less of dissipation or vice of + any kind than the city of Nauvoo. + </p> + <p> + "Of the correctness of our conduct in this affair, we appeal to every high + court in the state, and to its ordeal we are willing to appear at any time + that His Excellency, Governor Ford, shall please to call us before it. I, + therefore, in behalf of the Municipal Court of Nauvoo, warn the lawless + not to be precipitate in any interference in our affairs, for as sure as + there is a God in Israel we shall ride triumphant over all oppression." + </p> + <p> + JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. — UPRISING OF THE NON-MORMONS—SMITH'S ARREST + </h2> + <p> + The gauntlet thus thrown down by Smith was promptly taken up by his + non-Mormon neighbors, and public meetings were held in various places to + give expression to the popular indignation. At such a meeting in Warsaw, + Hancock County, eighteen miles down the river, the following was among the + resolutions adopted: + </p> + <p> + "Resolved, that the time, in our opinion, has arrived when the adherents + of Smith, as a body, should be driven from the surrounding settlements + into Nauvoo; that the Prophet and his miscreant adherents should then be + demanded at their hands, and, if not surrendered, a war of extermination + should be waged, to the entire destruction, if necessary for our + protection, of his adherents." + </p> + <p> + Warsaw was considered the most violent anti-Mormon neighborhood, the + Signal newspaper there being especially bitter in its attacks; but the + people in all the surrounding country began to prepare for "war" in + earnest. At Warsaw 150 men were mustered in under General Knox, and $1000 + was voted for supplies. In Carthage, Rushville, Green Plains, and many + other towns in Illinois men began organizing themselves into military + companies, cannon were ordered from St. Louis, and the near-by places in + Iowa, as well as some in Missouri, sent word that their aid could be + counted on. Rumors of all sorts of Mormon outrages were circulated, and + calls were made for militia, here to protect the people against armed + Mormon bands, there against Mormon thieves. Many farmhouses were deserted + by their owners through fear, and the steamboats on the river were crowded + with women and children, who were sent to some safe settlement while the + men were doing duty in the militia ranks. Many of the alarming reports + were doubtless started by non-Mormons to inflame the public feeling + against their opponents, others were the natural outgrowth of the existing + excitement. + </p> + <p> + On June 17 a committee from Carthage made to Governor Ford so urgent a + request for the calling out of the militia, that he decided to visit the + disturbed district and make an investigation on his own account.* On + arriving at Carthage he found a considerable militia force already + assembled as a posse comitatus, at the call of the constables. This force, + and similar ones in McDonough and Schuyler counties, he placed under + command of their own officers. Next, the governor directed the mayor and + council of Nauvoo to send a committee to state to him their story of the + recent doings. This they did, convincing him, by their own account, of the + outrageous character of the proceedings against the Expositor. He + therefore arrived at two conclusions: first, that no authority at his + command should be spared in bringing the Mormon leaders to justice; and, + second, that this must be done without putting the Mormons in danger of an + attack by any kind of a mob. He therefore addressed the militia force from + each county separately, urging on them the necessity of acting only within + the law; and securing from them all a vote pledging their aid to the + governor in following a strictly legal course, and protecting from + violence the Mormon leaders when they should be arrested. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The story of the events just preceding Joseph Smith's death are +taken from Governor Ford's report to the Illinois legislature, and from +his "History of Illinois." +</pre> + <p> + The governor then sent word to Smith that he and his associates would be + protected if they would surrender, but that arrested they should be, even + if it took the whole militia force of the state to accomplish this. The + constable and guards who carried the governor's mandate to Nauvoo found + the city a military camp. Smith had placed it under martial law, assembled + the Legion, called in all the outlying Mormons, and ordered that no one + should enter or leave the place without submitting to the strictest + inquiry. The governor's messengers had no difficulty, however, in gaining + admission to Smith, who promised that he and the members of the Council + would accompany the officers to Carthage the next morning (June 23) at + eight o'clock. But at that time the accused did not appear, and, without + any delay or any effort to arrest the men who were wanted, the officers + returned to Carthage and reported that all the accused had fled. + </p> + <p> + Whatever had been the intention of Smith when the constable first + appeared, he and his associates did surrender, as the governor had + expressed a belief that they would do.. Statements of the circumstances of + the surrender were written at the time by H. P. Reid and James W. Woods of + Iowa, who were employed by the Mormons as counsel, and were printed in the + Times and Seasons, Vol. V, No. 12. Mr. Woods, according to these accounts, + arrived in Nauvoo on Friday, June 21, and, after an interview with Smith + and his friends, went to Carthage the next evening to assure Governor Ford + that the Nauvoo officers were ready to obey the law. There he learned that + the constable and his assistants had gone to Nauvoo to demand his clients' + surrender; but he does not mention their return without the prisoners. He + must have known, however, that the first intention of Smith and the + Council was to flee from the wrath of their neighbors. The "Life of + Brigham Young," published by Cannon & Sons, Salt Lake City, 1893, + contains this statement:— + </p> + <p> + "The Prophet hesitated about giving himself up, and started, on the night + of June 22, with his brother Hyrum, W. Richards, John Taylor, and a few + others for the Rocky Mountains. He was, however, intercepted by his + friends, and induced to abandon his project, being chided with cowardice + and with deserting his people. This was more than he could bear, and so he + returned, saying: 'If my life is of no value to my friends, it is of no + value to myself. We are going back to be slaughtered.'" + </p> + <p> + It will be remembered that Young, Rigdon, Orson Pratt, and many others of + the leading men of the church were absent at this time, most of them + working up Smith's presidential "boom." Orson Pratt, who was then in New + Hampshire, said afterward, "If the Twelve had been here, we would not have + seen him given up." + </p> + <p> + Woods received from the governor a pledge of protection for all who might + be arrested, and an assurance that if the Mormons would give themselves up + at Carthage, on Monday, the 24th, this would be accepted as a compliance + with the governor's orders. He therefore returned to Nauvoo with this + message on Sunday evening, and the next morning the accused left that + place with him for Carthage. They soon met Captain Dunn, who, with a + company of sixty men, was going to Nauvoo with an order from the governor + for the state arms in the possession of the Legion.* Woods made an + agreement with Captain Dunn that the arms should be given up by Smith's + order, and that his clients should place themselves under the captain's + protection, and return with him to Carthage. The return trip to Nauvoo, + and thence to Carthage, was not completed until about midnight. The + Mormons were not put under restraint that night, but the next morning they + surrendered themselves to the constable on a charge of riot in connection + with the destruction of the Expositor plant. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * It was stated that on two hours' notice two thousand men +appeared, all armed, and that they surrendered their arms in compliance +with the governor's plans. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. — THE MURDER OF THE PROPHET—HIS CHARACTER + </h2> + <p> + On Tuesday morning, Joseph and Hyrum Smith were arrested again in + Carthage, this time on a charge of treason in levying war against the + state, by declaring martial law in Nauvoo and calling out the Legion. In + the afternoon of that day all the accused, numbering fifteen, appeared + before a justice of the peace, and, to prevent any increase in the public + excitement, gave bonds in the sum of $500 each for their appearance at the + next term of the Circuit Court to answer the charge of riot.* It was late + in the evening when this business was finished, and nothing was said at + the time about the charge of treason. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The trial of the survivors resulted in a verdict of acquittal. +"The Mormons," says Governor Ford, "could have a Mormon jury to be tried +by, selected by themselves, and the anti-Mormons, by objecting to the +sheriff and regular panel, could have one from the anti-Mormons. No one +could [then] be convicted of any crime in Hancock County."—"History of +Illinois," p. 369. +</pre> + <p> + Very soon after their return to the hotel, however, the constable who had + arrested the Smiths on the new charge appeared with a mittimus from the + justice of the peace, and, under its authority, conveyed them to the + county jail. Their counsel immediately argued before the governor that + this action was illegal, as the Smiths had had no hearing on the charge of + treason, and the governor went with the lawyers to consult the justice + concerning his action. The justice explained that he had directed the + removal of the prisoners to jail because he did not consider them safe in + the hotel. The governor held that, from the time of their delivery to the + jailer, they were beyond his jurisdiction and responsibility, but he + granted a request of their counsel for a military guard about the jail. He + says, however, that he apprehended neither an attack on the building nor + an escape of the prisoners, adding that if they had escaped, "it would + have been the best way of getting rid of the Mormons," since these leaders + would never have dared to return to the state, and all their followers + would have joined them in their place of refuge. + </p> + <p> + The militia force in Carthage at that time numbered some twelve hundred + men, with four hundred or five hundred more persons under arms in the + town. There was great pressure on the governor to march this entire force + to Nauvoo, ostensibly to search for a counterfeiting establishment, in + order to overawe the Mormons by a show of force. The governor consented to + this plan, and it was arranged that the officers at Carthage and Warsaw + should meet on June 27 at a point on the Mississippi midway between the + latter place and Nauvoo. + </p> + <p> + Governor Ford was not entirely certain about the safety of the prisoners, + and he proposed to take them with him in the march to Nauvoo, for their + protection. But while preparations for this march were still under way, + trustworthy information reached him that, if the militia once entered the + Mormon city, its destruction would certainly follow, the plan being to + accept a shot fired at the militia by someone as a signal for a general + slaughter and conflagration. He determined to prevent this, not only on + humane grounds,—"the number of women, inoffensive and young persons, + and innocent children which must be contained in such a city of twelve + hundred to fifteen thousand inhabitants"—but because he was not + certain of the outcome of a conflict in which the Mormons would outnumber + his militia almost two to one. After a council of the militia officers, in + which a small majority adhered to the original plan, the governor solved + the question by summarily disbanding all the state forces under arms, + except three companies, two of which would continue to guard the jail, and + the other would accompany the governor on a visit to Nauvoo, where he + proposed to search for counterfeiters, and to tell the inhabitants that + any retaliatory measures against the non-Mormons would mean "the + destruction of their city, and the extermination of their people." + </p> + <p> + The jail at Carthage was a stone building, situated at the northwestern + boundary of the village, and near a piece of woods that were convenient + for concealment. It contained the jailer's apartments, cells for + prisoners, and on the second story a sort of assembly room. At the + governor's suggestion, Joseph and Hyrum were allowed the freedom of this + larger room, where their friends were permitted to visit them, without any + precautions against the introduction of weapons or tools for their escape. + </p> + <p> + Their guards were selected from the company known as the Carthage Grays, + Captain Smith, commander. In this choice the governor made a mistake which + always left him under a charge of collusion in the murder of the + prisoners. It was not, in the first place, necessary to select any Hancock + company for this service, as he had militia from McDonough County on the + ground. All the people of Hancock County were in a fever of excitement + against the Mormons, while the McDonough County militia had voted against + the march into Nauvoo. Moreover, when the prisoners, after their arrival + at Carthage, had been exhibited to the McDonough company at the request of + the latter, who had never seen them, the Grays were so indignant at what + they called a triumphal display, that they refused to obey the officer in + command, and were for a time in revolt. "Although I knew that this company + were the enemies of the Smiths," says the governor, "yet I had confidence + in their loyalty and their integrity, because their captain was + universally spoken of as a most respectable citizen and honorable man." + The governor further excused himself for the selection because the + McDonough company were very anxious to return home to attend to their + crops, and because, as the prisoners were likely to remain in jail all + summer, he could not have detained the men from the other county so long. + He presents also the curious plea that the frequent appeals made to him + direct for the extermination or expulsion of the Mormons gave him + assurance that no act of violence would be committed contrary to his known + opposition, and he observes, "This was a circumstance well calculated to + conceal from me the secret machinations on foot!" + </p> + <p> + In this state of happy confidence the governor set out for Nauvoo on the + morning of June 27. On the way, one of the officers who accompanied him + told him that he was apprehensive of an attack on the jail because of talk + he had heard in Carthage. The governor was reluctant to believe that such + a thing could occur while he was in the Mormon city, exposed to Mormon + vengeance, but he sent back a squad, with instructions to Captain Smith to + see that the jail was safely guarded. He had apprehensions of his own, + however, and on arriving at Nauvoo simply made an address as above + outlined, and hurried back to Carthage without even looking for + counterfeit money. He had not gone more than two miles when messengers met + him with the news that the Smith brothers had been killed in the jail. + </p> + <p> + The Warsaw regiment (it is so called in the local histories), under + command of Colonel Levi Williams, set out on the morning of June 27 for + the rendezvous on the Mississippi, preparatory to the march to Nauvoo. The + resolutions adopted in Warsaw and the tone of the local press had left no + doubt about the feeling of the people of that neighborhood toward the + Mormons, and fully justified the decision of the governor in + countermanding the march proposed. His unexpected order disbanding the + militia reached the Warsaw troops when they had advanced about eight + miles. A decided difference of opinion was expressed regarding it. Some of + the most violent, including Editor Sharp of the Signal, wanted to continue + the march to Carthage in order to discuss the situation with the other + forces there; the more conservative advised an immediate return to Warsaw. + Each party followed its own inclination, those who continued toward + Carthage numbering, it is said, about two hundred. + </p> + <p> + While there is no doubt that the Warsaw regiment furnished the men who + made the attack on the jail, there is evidence that the Carthage Grays + were in collusion with them. William N. Daniels, in his account of the + assault, says that the Warsaw men, when within four miles of Carthage, + received a note from the Grays (which he quotes) telling them of the good + opportunity presented "to murder the Smiths" in the governor's absence. + His testimony alone would be almost valueless, but Governor Ford confirms + it, and Gregg (who holds that the only purpose of the mob was to seize the + prisoners and run them into Missouri) says he is "compelled" to accept the + report. According to Governor Ford, one of the companies designated as a + guard for the jail disbanded and went home, and the other was stationed by + its captain 150 yards from the building, leaving only a sergeant and eight + men at the jail itself. "A communication," he adds, "was soon established + between the conspirators and the company, and it was arranged that the + guards should have their guns charged with blank cartridges, and fire at + the assailants when they attempted to enter the jail." + </p> + <p> + Both Willard Richards and John Taylor were in the larger room with the + Smith brothers when the attack was made (other visitors having recently + left), and both gave detailed accounts of the shooting, Richards soon + afterward, in a statement printed in the Neighbor and the Times and + Seasons under the title "Two Minutes in Gaol," and Taylor in his + "Martyrdom of Joseph Smith." * They differ only in minor particulars. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * To be found in Burton's "City of the Saints." +</pre> + <p> + All in the room were sitting in their shirt sleeves except Richards, when + they saw a number of men, with blackened faces, advancing around the + corner of the jail toward the stairway. The door leading from the room to + the stairs was hurriedly closed, and, as it was without a lock, Hyrum + Smith and Richards placed their shoulders against it. Finding their + entrance opposed, the assailants fired a shot through the door (Richards + says they fired a volley up the stairway), which caused Hyrum and Richards + to leap back. While Hyrum was retreating across the room, with his face to + the door, a second shot fired through the door struck him by the side of + the nose, and at the same moment another ball, fired through the window at + the other side of the room, entered his back, and, passing through his + body, was stopped by the watch in his vest pocket, smashing the works. He + fell on his back exclaiming, "I am a dead man," and did not speak again. + </p> + <p> + One of their callers had left a six-shooting pistol with the prisoners, + and, when Joseph saw his brother shot, he advanced with this weapon to the + door, and opening it a few inches, snapped each barrel toward the men on + the other side. Three barrels missed fire, but each of the three that + exploded seems to have wounded a man; accounts differ as to the + seriousness of their injuries. While Joseph was firing, Taylor stood by + him armed with a stout hickory stick, and Richards was on his other side + holding a cane. As soon as Joseph's firing, which had checked the + assailants for a moment, ceased, the latter stuck their weapons through + the partly opened doorway, and fired into the room. Taylor tried to parry + the guns with his cudgel. "That's right, Brother Taylor, parry them off as + well as you can," said the prophet, and these are the last words he is + remembered to have spoken. The assailants hesitated to enter the room, + perhaps not knowing what weapons the Mormons had, and Taylor concluded to + take his chances of a leap through an open window opposite the door, and + some twenty-five feet from the ground. But as he was about to jump out, a + ball struck him in the thigh, depriving him of all power of motion. He + fell inside the window, and as soon as he recovered power to move, crawled + under a bed which stood in one corner of the room. The men in the hallway + continued to thrust in their guns and fire, and Richards kept trying to + knock aside the muzzles with his cane. Taylor in this way, before he + reached the bed, received three more balls, one below the left knee, one + in the left arm, and another in the left hip. + </p> + <p> + Almost as soon as Taylor fell, the prophet made a dash for the window. As + he was part way out, two balls fired through the doorway struck him, and + one from outside the building entered his right breast. Richards says: "He + fell outward, exclaiming 'O Lord, my God.' As his feet went out of the + window, my head went in, the balls whistling all around. At this instant + the cry was raised, 'He's leaped the window,' and the mob on the stairs + and in the entry ran out. I withdrew from the window, thinking it of no + use to leap out on a hundred bayonets, then around General Smith's body. + Not satisfied with this, I again reached my head out of the window and + watched some seconds, to see if there were any signs of life, regardless + of my own, determined to see the end of him I loved. Being fully satisfied + that he was dead, with a hundred men near the body and more coming round + the corner of the gaol, and expecting a return to our room, I rushed + toward the prison door at the head of the stairs." Finding the inner doors + of the jail unlocked, Richards dragged Taylor into a cell and covered him + with an old mattress. Both expected a return of the mob, but the lynchers + disappeared as soon as they satisfied themselves that the prophet was + dead. Richards was not injured at all, although his large size made him an + ample target. + </p> + <p> + Most Mormon accounts of Smith's death say that, after he fell, the body + was set up against a well curb in the yard and riddled with balls. Taylor + mentions this report, but Richards, who specifically says that he saw the + prophet die, does not. Governor Ford's account says that Smith was only + stunned by the fall and was shot in the yard. Perhaps the original + authority for this version was a lad named William N. Daniels, who + accompanied the Warsaw men to Carthage, and, after the shooting, went to + Nauvoo and had his story published by the Mormons in pamphlet form, with + two extravagant illustrations, in which one of the assailants is + represented as approaching Smith with a knife to cut off his head.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *A detailed account of the murder of the Smiths, and events +connected with it, was contributed to the Atlantic Monthly for December, +1869, by John Hay. This is accepted by Kennedy as written by "one whose +opportunities for information were excellent, whose fairness cannot be +questioned, and whose ability to distinguish the true from the false is +of the highest order." H. H. Bancroft, whose tone is always pro-Mormon, +alludes to this article as "simply a tissue of falsehoods." In reply +to a note of inquiry Secretary Hay wrote to the author, under date +of November 17, 1900: "I relied more upon my memory and contemporary +newspapers for my facts than on certified documents. I will not take my +oath to everything the article contains, but I think in the main it +is correct." This article says that Joseph Smith was severely wounded +before he ran to the window, "and half leaped, half fell into the jail +yard below. With his last dying energies he gathered himself up, and +leaned in a sitting posture against the rude stone well curb. His +stricken condition, his vague wandering glances, excited no pity in the +mob thirsting for his life. A squad of Missourians, who were standing by +the fence, leveled their pieces at him, and, before they could see +him again for the smoke they made, Joe Smith was dead:" This is not an +account of an eye-witness. +</pre> + <p> + The bodies of the two brothers were removed to the hotel in Carthage, and + were taken the next day to Nauvoo, arriving there about three o'clock in + the afternoon. They were met by practically the entire population, and a + procession made up of the City Council, the generals of the Legion with + their staffs, the Legion and the citizens generally, all under command of + the city marshal, escorted them to the Nauvoo Mansion, where addresses + were made by Dr. Richards, W. W. Phelps, the lawyers Woods and Reid, and + Colonel Markham. The utmost grief was shown by the Mormons, who seemed + stunned by the blow. + </p> + <p> + The burial followed, but the bodies did not occupy the graves. Stenhouse + is authority for the statement that, fearing a grave robbery (which in + fact occurred the next night), the coffins were filled with stones, and + the bodies were buried secretly beneath the unfinished Temple. Mistrustful + that even this concealment would not be sufficient, they were soon taken + up and reburied under the brick wall back of the Mansion House.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 174. +</pre> + <p> + Brigham Young said at the conference in the Temple on October 8, 1845, "We + will petition Sister Emma, in the name of Israel's God, to let us deposit + the remains of Joseph according as he has commanded us, and if she will + not consent to it, our garments are clear." She did not consent. For the + following statement about the future disposition of the bodies I am + indebted to the grandson of the prophet, Mr. Frederick Madison Smith, one + of the editors of the Saints' Herald (Reorganized Church) at Lamoni, Iowa, + dated December 15, 1900:— + </p> + <p> + "The burial place of the brothers Joseph and Hyrum has always remained a + secret, being known only to a very few of the immediate family. In fact, + unless it has lately been revealed to others, the exact spot is known only + to my father and his brother. Others who knew the secret are now silent in + death. The reasons for the secrecy were that it was feared that, if the + burial place was known at the time, there might have been an inclination + on the part of the enemies of those men to desecrate their bodies and + graves. There is not now, and probably has not been for years, any danger + of such desecration, and the only reason I can see for still keeping it a + secret is the natural disinclination on the part of the family to talk + about such matters. + </p> + <p> + "However, I have been on the ground with my father when I knew I was + standing within a few feet of where the remains were lying, and it is + known to many about where that spot is. It is a short distance from the + Nauvoo House, on the bank of the Mississippi. The lot is still owned by + the family, the title being in my father's name. There is not, that I + know, any intention of ever taking the bodies to Far West or Independence, + Missouri. The chances are that their resting places will never be + disturbed other than to erect on the spot a monument. In fact, a movement + is now underway to raise the means to do that. A monument fund is being + subscribed to by the members of the church. The monument would have been + erected by the family, but it is not financially able to do it." + </p> + <p> + In the October following, indictments were found against Colonel Williams + of the Warsaw regiment, State Senator J. C. Davis, Editor Sharp, and six + others, including three who were said to have been wounded by Smith's + pistol shots, but the sheriff did not succeed in making any arrests. In + the May following some of the accused appeared for trial. A struck jury + was obtained, but, in the existing state of public feeling, an acquittal + was a foregone conclusion. The guards at the jail would identify no one, + and Daniels, the pamphlet writer, and another leading witness for the + prosecution gave contradictory accounts. + </p> + <p> + But the prophet, according to Mormon recitals, did not go unavenged. + Lieutenant Worrell, who commanded the detachment of the guards at the + jail, was shot not long after, as we shall see. Murray McConnell, who + represented the governor in the prosecution of the alleged lynchers, was + assassinated twenty-four years later. P. P. Pratt gives an account of the + fate of other "persecutors." The arm of one Townsend, who was wounded by + Joe's pistol, continued to rot until it was taken off, and then would not + heal. A colonel of the Missouri forces, who died in Sacramento in 1849, + "was eaten with worms, a large, black-headed kind of maggot, seeming a + half-pint at a time." Another Missourian's "face and jaw on one side + literally rotted, and half his face actually fell off."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Pratt's "Autobiography," pp. 475-476. +</pre> + <p> + It is difficult for the most fair-minded critic to find in the character + of Joseph Smith anything to commend, except an abundance of good-nature + which made him personally popular with the body of his followers. He has + been credited with power as a leader, and it was certainly little less + than marvellous that he could maintain his leadership after his business + failure in Ohio, and the utter break-down of his revealed promises + concerning a Zion in Missouri. The explanation of this success is to be + found in the logically impregnable position of his character as a prophet, + so long as the church itself retained its organization, and in the kind of + people who were gathered into his fold. If it was not true that HE + received the golden plates from an angel; if it was not true that HE + translated them with divine assistance; if it was not true that HE + received from on high the "revelations" vouchsafed for the guidance of the + church,—then there was no new Bible, no new revelation, no Mormon + church. If Smith was pulled down, the whole church structure must crumble + with him. Lee, referring to the days in Missouri, says, "Every Mormon, if + true to his faith, believed as freely in Joseph Smith and his holy + character as they did that God existed."* Some of the Mormons who knew + Smith and his career in Missouri and Illinois were so convinced of the + ridiculousness of his claims that they proposed, after the gathering in + Utah, to drop him entirely. Proof of this, and of Brigham Young's + realization of the impossibility of doing so, is found in Young's remarks + at the conference which received the public announcement of the + "revelation" concerning polygamy. Referring to the suggestion that had + been made, "Don't mention Joseph Smith, never mention the Book of Mormon + and Zion, and all the people will follow you," Young boldly declared: + "What I have received from the Lord, I have received by Joseph Smith; he + was the instrument made use of. If I drop him, I must drop these + principles. They have not been revealed, declared, or explained by any + other man since the days of the apostles." This view is accepted by the + Mormons in Utah to-day. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 76. +</pre> + <p> + If it seems still more surprising that Smith's associates placed so little + restraint on his business schemes, it must be remembered that none of his + early colaborers—Rigdon, Harris, Cowdery, and the rest—was a + better business man than he, and that he absolutely brooked no + interference. It was Smith who decided every important step, as, for + instance, the land purchases in and around Nauvoo; and men who would let + him originate were compelled to let him carry out. We have seen how + useless better business men like the Laws found it to argue with him on + any practical question. The length to which he dared go in + discountenancing any restriction, even regarding his moral ideas, is + illustrated in an incident related in his autobiography.* At a service on + Sunday, November 7, 1841, in Nauvoo, an elder named Clark ventured to + reprove the brethren for their lack of sanctity, enjoining them to + solemnity and temperance. "I reproved him," says the prophet, "as + pharisaical and hypocritical, and not edifying the people, and showed the + Saints what temperance, faith, virtue, charity, and truth were. I charged + the Saints not to follow the example of the adversary non-mormons in + accusing the brethren, and said, 'If you do not accuse each other, God + will not accuse you. If you have no accuser, you will enter heaven; if you + will follow the revelations and instructions which God gives you through + me, I will take you into heaven as my back load. If you will not accuse + me, I will not accuse you. If you will throw a cloak of charity over my + sins, I will over yours—for charity covereth a multitude of sins. + What many people call sin is not sin. I do many things to break down + superstition."' A congregation that would accept such teaching without a + protest, would follow their leader in any direction which he chose to + indicate. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XVIII, p. 743. +</pre> + <p> + Smith was the farthest possible from being what Spinoza has been called, + "a God-intoxicated man." Real reverence for sacred things did not enter + into his mental equipment. A story illustrating his lack of reverence for + what he called "long-faced" brethren was told by J. M. Grant in Salt Lake + City. A Baptist minister, who talked much of "my dee-e-ar brethren," + called on Smith in Nauvoo, and, after conversing with him for a short + time, stood up before Smith and asked in solemn tones if it were possible + that he saw a man who was a prophet and who had conversed with the + Saviour. "'Yes,' says the prophet, 'I don't know but you do; would you not + like to wrestle with me?' After he had whirled around a few times, like a + duck shot in the head, he concluded that his piety had been awfully + shocked."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, p. 67. +</pre> + <p> + In manhood Smith was about six feet tall, weighing something over two + hundred pounds. From among a number of descriptions of him by visitors at + Nauvoo, the following may be cited. Josiah Quincy, describing his arrival + at what he calls "the tavern" in Nauvoo, in May, 1844, gives this + impression of the prophet: "Pre-eminent among the stragglers at the door + stood a man of commanding appearance, clad in the costume of a journeyman + carpenter when about his work. He was a hearty, athletic fellow, with blue + eyes standing prominently out on his light complexion, a long nose, and a + retreating forehead. He wore striped pantaloons, a linen jacket which had + not lately seen the wash-tub, and a beard of three days' growth. A + fine-looking man, is what the passer-by would instinctively have murmured + upon meeting the remarkable individual who had fashioned the mould which + was to shape the feelings of so many thousands of his fellow-mortals." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *" Figures of the Past," p. 380. +</pre> + <p> + The Rev. Henry Caswall, M.A., who had an interview with the prophet at + Nauvoo, in 1842, thus describes him: "He is a coarse, plebeian, sensual + person in aspect, and his countenance exhibits a curious mixture of the + knave and the clown. His hands are large and fat, and on one of his + fingers he wears a massive gold ring, upon which I saw an inscription. His + eyes appear deficient in that open and straightforward expression which + often characterizes an honest man." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, November 1, 1850. +</pre> + <p> + John Taylor had death-casts taken of the faces of Joseph and Hyrum after + their murder. By the aid of these and of sketches of the brothers which he + had secured while they were living, he had busts of them made by a + modeller in Europe named Gahagan, and these were offered to the Saints + throughout the world, for a price, of course.* + </p> + <p> + The proofs already cited of Smith's immorality are convincing. Caswall + names a number of occasions on which, he charges, the prophet was + intoxicated after his settlement in Nauvoo. He relates that on one of + these, when Smith was asked how it happened that a prophet of the Lord + could get drunk, Smith answered that it was necessary that he should do so + to prevent the Saints from worshipping him as a god!* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism and its Author," 1852. +</pre> + <p> + No Mormon ever concedes that proof of Smith's personal failings affects + his character as a prophet. A Mormon doctor, with whom Caswall argued at + Nauvoo, said that Smith might be a murderer and an adulterer, and yet be a + true prophet. He cited St. Peter as saying that, in his time, David had + not yet ascended into heaven (Acts ii. 34); David was in hell as a + murderer; so if Smith was "as infamous as David, and even denied his own + revelations, that would not affect the revelations which God had given + him." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. — AFTER SMITH'S DEATH—RIGDON'S LAST DAYS + </h2> + <p> + The murder of the Smiths caused a panic, not among the Mormons, but among + the other inhabitants of Hancock County, who looked for summary vengeance + at the hands of the prophet's followers, with their famous Legion to + support them. The state militia having been disbanded, the people + considered themselves without protection, and Governor Ford shared their + apprehension. Carthage was at once almost depopulated, the people fleeing + in wagons, on horseback, and on foot, and most of the citizens of Warsaw + placed the river between them and their enemies. "I was sensible," says + Governor Ford, "that my command was at an end; that my destruction was + meditated as well as the Mormons', and that I could not reasonably confide + longer in one party or the other." The panic-stricken executive therefore + set out at once for Quincy, forty miles from the scene of the murder. + </p> + <p> + From that city the governor issued a statement to the people of the state, + reciting the events leading up to the recent tragedy, and, under date of + June 29, ordered the enlistment of as many men as possible in the militia + of Adams, Marquette, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Morgan, Scott, Cass, Fulton, + and McDonough counties, and the regiments of General Stapp's brigade, for + a twelve days' campaign. The independent companies of all sorts, in the + same counties, were also told to hold themselves in readiness, and the + federal government was asked to station a force of five hundred men from + the regular army in Hancock County. This last request was not complied + with. The governor then sent Colonel Fellows and Captain Jonas to Nauvoo + by the first boat, to find out the intentions of the Mormons as well as + those of the people of Warsaw. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the voice of the Mormon leaders was for peace. Willard Richards, + John Taylor, and Samuel H. Smith united in a letter (written in the first + person singular by Richards), on the night of the murders, addressed to + the prophet's widow, General Deming (commanding at Carthage), and others, + which said:— + </p> + <p> + "The people of the county are greatly excited, and fear the Mormons will + come out and take vengeance. I have pledged my word the Mormons will stay + at home as soon as they can be informed, and no violence will be on their + part. And say to my brethren in Nauvoo, in the name of the Lord, be still, + be patient; only let such friends as choose come here to see the bodies. + Mr. Taylor's wounds are dressed and not serious. I am sound." + </p> + <p> + This quieting advice was heeded without even a protest, and after the + funeral of the victims the Mormons voted unanimously to depend on the law + for retribution. + </p> + <p> + While things temporal in Nauvoo remained quiet, there were deep feeling + and great uncertainty concerning the future of the church. The First + Presidency had consisted, since the action of the conference at Far West + in 1837, of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon. Two of these were + now dead. Did this leave Rigdon as the natural head, did Smith's son + inherit the successorship, or did the supreme power rest with the Twelve + Apostles? Discussion of this matter brought out many plans, including a + general reorganization of the church, and the appointment of a trustee or + a president. Rigdon had been sent to Pittsburg to build up a church,* and + Brigham Young was electioneering in New Hampshire for Smith. Accordingly, + Phelps, Richards; and Taylor, on July 1 issued a brief statement to the + church at large, asking all to await the assembling of the Twelve. + </p> + <p> + John Taylor so stated at Rigdon's coming trial. This, perhaps, contradicts + the statement in the Cannons' "Life of Brigham Young" that Rigdon had gone + there "to escape the turmoils of Nauvoo." + </p> + <p> + Rigdon arrived in Nauvoo on August 3, and preached the next day in the + grove. He said the Lord had shown him a vision, and that there must be a + "guardian" appointed to "build the church up to Joseph" as he had begun + it. Cannon's account, in the "Juvenile Instructor," says that at a meeting + at John Taylor's the next day Rigdon declared that the church was in + confusion and must have a head, and he wanted a special meeting called to + choose a "guardian." On the evening of August 6, Young, H. C. Kimball, + Lyman Wight, Orson Pratt, Orson Hyde, and Wilford Woodruff arrived from + the East. A meeting of the Twelve Apostles, the High Council, and high + priests was called for August 7, at 4 P.m., which Rigdon attended. He + declared that in a vision at Pittsburg it had been shown to him that he + had been ordained a spokesman to Joseph, and that he must see that the + church was governed in a proper manner. "I propose," said he, "to be a + guardian of the people. In this I have discharged my duty and done what + God has commanded me, and the people can please themselves, whether they + accept me or not." + </p> + <p> + A special meeting of the church was held on the morning of August 8. + Rigdon had previously addressed a gathering in the grove, but he had not + been winning adherents. As we have seen, he had alienated himself from the + men who had accepted Smith's new social doctrines, and a plan which he + proposed, that the church should move to Pennsylvania, appealed neither to + the good judgment nor the pecuniary interests of those to whom it was + presented. Young made an address at this meeting which so wrought up his + hearers that they declared that they saw the mantle of Joseph fall upon + him. When he asked, "Do you want a guardian, a prophet, a spokesman, or + what do you want?" not a hand went up. Young then went on to give his own + view of the situation; his argument pointed to a single result—the + demolition of Rigdon's claim and the establishment of the supreme + authority of the Twelve, of whom Young himself was the head. W. W. Phelps, + P. P. Pratt, and others sustained Young's view. Before a vote was taken, + according to the minutes quoted, Rigdon refused to have his name voted on + as "spokesman" or guardian. The meeting then voted unanimously in favor of + "supporting the Twelve in their calling," and also that the Twelve should + appoint two Bishops to act as trustees for the church, and that the + completion of the Temple should be pushed.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For minutes of this church meeting, see Times and Seasons, Vol. +V, p. 637. For a full account of the happenings at Nauvoo, from August 3 +to 8, see "Historical Record" (Mormon), Vol VIII, pp.785-800. +</pre> + <p> + On August 15 Young, as president of the Twelve, issued an epistle to the + church in all the world in which he said:— + </p> + <p> + "Let no man presume for a moment that his [the Prophet's] place will be + filled by another; for, remember he stands in his own place, and always + will, and the Twelve Apostles of this dispensation stand in their own + place, and always will, both in time and eternity, to minister, preside, + and regulate the affairs of the whole church." The epistle told the Saints + also that "it is not wisdom for the Saints to have anything to do with + politics, voting, or president-making at present." + </p> + <p> + Rigdon remained in Nauvoo after the decision of the church in favor of the + Twelve, preaching as of old, declaring that he was with the brethren heart + and soul, and urging the completion of the Temple. But Young regarded him + as a rival, and determined to put their strength to a test. Accordingly, + on Tuesday, September 3, he had a notice printed in the Neighbor directing + Rigdon to appear on the following Sunday for trial before a High Council + presided over by Bishop Whitney. Rigdon did not attend this trial, not + only because he was not well, but because, after a conference with his + friends, he decided that the case against him was made up and that his + presence would do no good.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For the minutes of this High Council, see Times and Seasons, +Vol. V, pp. 647-655, 660-667. +</pre> + <p> + When the High Council met, Young expressed a disbelief in Rigdon's + reported illness. He said that, having heard that Rigdon had ordained men + to be prophets, priests, and kings, he and Orson Hyde had obtained from + Rigdon a confession that he had performed the act of ordination, and that + he believed he held authority above any man in the church. That evening + eight of the Twelve had visited him at his house, and, getting + confirmation of his position, had sent a committee to him to demand his + license. This he had refused to surrender, saying, "I did not receive it + from you, neither shall I give it up to you." Then came the order for his + trial. + </p> + <p> + Orson Hyde presented the case against Rigdon in detail. He declared that, + when they demanded the surrender of his license, Rigdon threatened to turn + traitor, "His own language was, 'Inasmuch as you have demanded my license, + I shall feel it my duty to publish all your secret meetings, and all the + history of the secret works of this church, in the public journals.'* He + intimated that it would bring a mob upon us." Parley P. Pratt, the member + of Rigdon's old church in Ohio, who, according to his own account, first + called Rigdon's attention to the Mormon Bible, next spoke against his old + friend. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lee thus explains one of these "secret works": "The same winter +(1843) he [Smith] organized what was called 'The Council of Fifty.' +This was a confidential organization. This Council was designated as a +lawmaking department, but no record was ever kept of its doings, or, if +kept, they were burned at the close of each meeting. Whenever anything +of importance was on foot, this Council was called to deliberate upon +it. The Council was called the 'Living Constitution.' Joseph said that +no legislature could enact laws that would meet every case, or attain +the ends of justice in all respells."—"Mormonism Unveiled," p.173. +</pre> + <p> + After Amasa Lyman, John Taylor, and H. C. Kimball had spoken against + Rigdon, Brigham Young took the floor again, and in reply to the threat + that Rigdon would expose the secrets of the church, he denounced him in + the following terms:— + </p> + <p> + "Brother Sidney says, if we go to opposing him, he will tell our secrets. + But I would say, 'O, don't, brother Sidney! don't tell our secrets—O, + don't!' But if he tells our secrets, we will tell his. Tit for tat. He has + had long visions in Pittsburg, revealing to him wonderful iniquity among + the Saints. Now, if he knows of so much iniquity, and has got such + wonderful power, why don't he purge it out? He professes to have the keys + of David. Wonderful power and revelations! And he will publish our + iniquity. O, dear brother Sidney, don't publish our iniquity! Now don't! + If Sidney Rigdon undertakes to publish all our secrets, as he says, he + will lie the first jump he takes. If he knew of all our iniquity why did + he not publish it sooner? If there is so much iniquity in the church as + you talk of, Elder Rigdon, and you have known of it so long, you are a + black-hearted wretch because you have not published it sooner. If there is + not this iniquity, you are a blackhearted wretch for endeavoring to bring + a mob upon us, to murder innocent men, women and children. Any man that + says the Twelve are bogus-makers, or adulterers, or wicked men is a liar; + and all who say such things shall have the fate of liars, where there is + weeping and gnashing of teeth. Who is there who has seen us do such + things? No man. The spirit that I am of tramples such slanderous + wickedness under my feet." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * William Small, in a letter to the Pittsburg Messenger and +Advocate, p. 70, relates that when he met Rigdon on his arrival at St. +Louis by boat after this trial, Orson Hyde, who was also a passenger +and thought Small was with the Twelve, addressed Small, asking him to +intercede with Rigdon not to publish the secret acts of the church, +and telling him that if Rigdon would come back and stand equal with the +Twelve and counsel with them, he would pledge himself, in behalf of the +Twelve, that all they had said against Rigdon would be revoked. +</pre> + <p> + At this point the proceedings had a rather startling interruption. William + Marks, president of the Stake at Nauvoo, and a member of the High Council + (who, as we have seen, had rebelled against the doctrine of polygamy when + it was presented to him) took the floor in Rigdon's defence. But it was in + vain. + </p> + <p> + W. W. Phelps moved that Rigdon "be cut off from the church, and delivered + over to the buffetings of Satan until he repents." The vote by the Council + in favor of this motion was unanimous, but when it was offered to the + church, some ten members voted against it. Phelps at once moved that all + who had voted to follow Rigdon should be suspended until they could be + tried by the High Council, and this was agreed to unanimously, with an + amendment including the words, "or shall hereafter be found advocating his + principles." After compelling President Marks, by formal motion, to + acknowledge his satisfaction with the action of the church, the meeting + adjourned. + </p> + <p> + Rigdon's next steps certainly gave substance to his brother's theory that + his mind was unbalanced, the family having noticed his peculiarities from + the time he was thrown from a horse, when a boy.* He soon returned to + Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where his first step was to "resuscitate" the + Messenger and Advocate, which had died at Kirtland. In a signed article in + the first number he showed that he then intended "to contend for the same + doctrines, order of government, and discipline maintained by that paper + when first published at Kirtland," in other words, to uphold the Mormon + church as he had known it, with himself at its head. But his old desire + for original leadership got the better of him, and after a conference of + the membership he had gathered around him, held in Pittsburg in April, + 1845, at which he was voted "First President, Prophet, Seer, Revelator, + and Translator," he issued an address to the public in which he declared + that his Church of Christ was neither a branch nor connection of the + church at Nauvoo, and that it received members of the Church of Latter-Day + Saints only after baptism and repentance.** In an article in his organ, on + July 15, 1845, he made assertions like these: "The Church of Christ and + the Mormons are so widely different in their respective beliefs that they + are of necessity opposed to one another, as far as religion is + concerned.... There is scarcely one point of similarity.... The Church of + Christ has obtained a distinctive character." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Baptist Witness, March I, 1875. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + **Pittsburg Messenger and Advocate, p, 220. +</pre> + <p> + Rigdon told the April conference that he had one unceasing desire, namely, + to know whether God would accept their work. At the suggestion of the + spirit, he had taken some of the brethren into a room in his house that + morning, and had consecrated them. What there occurred he thus described:— + </p> + <p> + "After the washing and anointing, and the patriarchal seal, as the Lord + had directed me, we kneeled and in solemn prayer asked God to accept the + work we had done. During the time of prayer there appeared over our heads + in the room a ray of light forming a hollow square, inside of which stood + a company of heavenly messengers, each with a banner in his hand, with + their eyes looking downward upon us, their countenance expressive of the + deep interest they felt in what was passing on the earth. There also + appeared heavenly messengers on horseback, with crowns upon their heads, + and plumes floating in the air, dressed in glorious attire, until, like + Elisha, we cried in our hearts, 'The chariots of Israel and the horsemen + thereof.' Even my little son of fourteen years of age saw the vision, and + gazed with great astonishment, saying that he thought his imagination was + running away with him. After which we arose and lifted our hands to heaven + in holy convocation to God; at which time was shown an angel in heaven + registering the acceptance of our work, and the decree of the Great God + that the kingdom is ours and we shall prevail." + </p> + <p> + While the conference was in session, Pittsburg was visited by a disastrous + conflagration. Rigdon prayed for the sufferers by the fire and asked God + to check it. "During the prayer" (this quotation is from the official + report of the conference in the Messenger and Advocate, p. 186), "an + escort of the heavenly messengers that had hovered around us during the + time of this conference were seen leaving the room; the course of the wind + was instantly changed, and the violence of the flames was stayed." + </p> + <p> + Rigdon's attempt to build up a new church in the East was a failure. + Urgent appeals in its behalf in his periodical were made in vain. The + people addressed could not be cajoled with his stories of revelations and + miraculous visions, which both the secular and religious press held up to + ridicule, and he had no system of foreign immigration to supply ignorant + recruits. He soon after took up his residence in Friendship, Allegheny + County, New York, where he died at the residence of his son-in-law, Earl + Wingate, on July 14, 1876. In an obituary sketch of him the Standard of + that place said:— + </p> + <p> + "He was approached by the messengers of young Joseph Smith of Plano, Ill., + but he refused to converse or answer any communication which in any way + would bring him into notice in connection with the Mormon church of + to-day. It was his daily custom to visit the post-office, get the daily + paper, read and converse upon the chief topics of the day. He often + engaged in a friendly dispute with the local ministers, and always came + out first best on New Testament doctrinal matters. Patriarchal in + appearance, and kindly in address, he was often approached by citizens and + strangers with a view to obtaining something of the unrecorded mysteries + of his life; but citizen, stranger and persistent reporter all alike + failed in eliciting any information as to his knowledge of the Mormon + imposture, the motives of his early life, or the religious faith, fears + and hopes of his declining years. Once or twice he spoke excitedly, in + terms of scorn, of those who attributed to him the manufacture of the + Mormon Bible; but beyond this, nothing. His library was small: he left no + manuscripts, and refused persistently to have a picture of himself taken. + It can only be said that he was a compound of ability, versatility, + honesty, duplicity, and mystery." + </p> + <p> + One person succeeded in drawing out from Rigdon in his later years a few + words on his relations with the Mormon church. This was Charles L. + Woodward, a New York bookseller, who some years ago made an important + collection of Mormon literature. While making this collection he sent an + inquiry to Rigdon, and received a reply, dated May 25, 1873. After + apologizing for his handwriting on account of his age and paralysis, the + letter says:— + </p> + <p> + "We know nothing about the people called Mormons now.* The Lord notified + us that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were going to be + destroyed, and for us to leave. We did so, and the Smiths were killed a + few days after we started. Since that, I have had no connection with any + of the people who staid and built up to themselves churches; and chose to + themselves leaders such as they chose, and then framed their own religion. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The statement has been published that, after Young had +established himself in Utah, be received from Rigdon an intimation that +the latter would be willing to join him. I could obtain no confirmation +of this in Salt Lake City. On the contrary, a leading member of the +church informed me that Young invited Rigdon to join the Mormons is +Utah, but that Rigdon did not accept the invitation. +</pre> + <p> + "The Church of Latter-Day Saints had three books that they acknowledged as + Canonical, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Commandments. For the + existence of that church there had to be a revelater, one who received the + word of the Lord; a spokesman, one inspired of God to expound all + revelation, so that the church might all be of one faith. Without these + two men the Church of Latter-Day Saints could not exist. This order ceased + to exist, being overcome by the violence of armed men, by whom houses were + beaten down by cannon which the assailents had furnished themselves with. + </p> + <p> + "Thus ended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and it never + can move again till the Lord inspires men and women to believe it. All the + societies and assemblies of men collected together since then is not the + Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, nor never can there be such a + church till the Lord moves it by his own power, as he did the first. + </p> + <p> + "Should you fall in with one who was of the Church [of] Christ, though now + of advanced age, you will find one deep red in the revelations of heaven. + But many of them are dead, and many of them have turned away, so there are + few left. + </p> + <p> + "I have a manuscript paper in my possession, written with my own hands + while in my {30th. year}, but I am to poor to do anything with it; and + therefore it must remain where it [is]. During the great fight of + affliction I have had, I have lost all my property, but I struggle along + in poverty to which I am consigned. I have finished all I feel necessary + to write. + </p> + <p> + "Respectfully, + </p> + <p> + "SIDNEY RIGDON."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The original of this letter is in the collection of Mormon +literature in the New York Public Library. An effort to learn from +Rigdon's descendants something about the manuscript paper referred to by +him has failed. +</pre> + <p> + Rigdon's affirmation of his belief in Smith as a prophet and the Mormon + Bible when he returned to Pennsylvania was proclaimed by the Mormons as + proof that there was no truth in the Spaulding manuscript story, but it + carries no weight as such evidence. Rigdon burned all his old theological + bridges behind him when he entered into partnership with Smith, and his + entire course after his return to Pittsburg only adds to the proof that he + was the originator of the Mormon Bible, and that his object in writing it + was to enable him to be the head of a new church. Surely no one would + accept as proof of the divinity of the Mormon Bible any declaration by the + man who told the story of angel visits in Pittsburg. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. — RIVALRIES OVER THE SUCCESSION + </h2> + <p> + Rigdon was not alone in contending for the successorship to Joseph Smith + as the head of the Mormon church. The prophet's family defended vigorously + the claim of his eldest son to be his successor.* Lee says that the + prophet had bestowed the right of succession on his eldest son by + divination, and that "it was then [after his father's death] understood + among the Saints that young Joseph was to succeed his father, and that + right justly belonged to him," when he should be old enough. Lee says + further that he heard the prophet's mother plead with Brigham Young, in + Nauvoo, in 1845, with tears, not to rob young Joseph of his birthright, + and that Young conceded the son's claim, but warned her to keep quiet on + the subject, because "you are only laying the knife to the throat of the + child. If it is known that he is the rightful successor of his father, the + enemy of the Priesthood will seek his life."** Strang says, "Anyone who + was in Nauvoo in 1846 or 1847 knows that the majority of those who started + to the Western exodus, started in this hope," that the younger Joseph + would take his father's place.*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The prophet's sons were Joseph, born November 6, 1832; Fred G. +W., June 20, 1836; Alexander, June 2, 1838; Don Carlos, June 13, 1840; +and David H., November 18, 1844. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Mormonism Unveiled," pp. 155, 161. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Strang's "Prophetic Controversy," p. 4. +</pre> + <p> + At the last day of the Conference held in the Temple in Nauvoo, in + October, 1845, Mother Smith, at her request, was permitted to make an + address. She went over the history of her family, and asked for an + expression of opinion whether she was "a mother in Israel." One universal + "yes" rang out. She said she hoped all her children would accompany the + Saints to the West, and if they did she would go; but she wanted her bones + brought back to be buried beside her husband and children. Brigham Young + then said: "We have extended the helping hand to Mother Smith. She has the + best carriage in the city, and, while she lives, shall ride in it when and + where she pleases." * Mother Smith died in the summer of 1856 in Nauvoo, + where she spent the last two years of her life with Joseph's first wife, + Emma, who had married a Major Bideman. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. VII, p. 23. +</pre> + <p> + Emma caused the Twelve a good deal of anxiety after her husband's death. + Pratt describes a council held by her, Marks, and others to endeavor to + appoint a trustee-in-trust for the whole church, the necessity of which + she vigorously urged. Pratt opposed the idea, and nothing was done about + it.* Soon after her husband's death the Times and Seasons noticed a report + that she was preparing, with the assistance of one of the prophet's Iowa + lawyers, an exposure of his "revelations," etc. James Arlington Bennett, + who visited Nauvoo after the prophet's death, acting as correspondent for + the New York Sun, gave in one of his letters the text of a statement which + he said Emma had written, to this effect, "I never for a moment believed + in what my husband called his apparitions or revelations, as I thought him + laboring under a diseased mind; yet they may all be true, as a prophet is + seldom without credence or honor, excepting in his own family or country." + Mrs. Smith, in a letter to the Sun, dated December 30, 1845, pronounced + this letter a forgery, while Bennett maintained that he knew that it was + genuine.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Pratt's "Autobiography," p. 373. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Emma Smith is described as "a tall, dark, masculine looking +woman" in "Sketches and Anecdotes of the Old Settlers." +</pre> + <p> + The organization—or, as they define it, the reorganization of a + church by those who claim that the mantle of Joseph Smith, Jr., descended + on his sons, had its practical inception at a conference at Beloit, + Wisconsin, in June, 1852, at which resolutions were adopted disclaiming + all fellowship with Young and other claimants to the leadership of the + church, declaring that the successor of the prophet "must of necessity be + the seed of Joseph Smith, Jr." At a conference held in Amboy, Illinois, in + April, 1860, Joseph Smith's son and namesake was placed at the head of + this church, a position which he still holds. The Reorganized Church has + been twice pronounced by United States courts to be the one founded under + the administration of the prophet. Its teachings may be called pure + Mormonism, free from the doctrines engrafted in after years. It holds that + "the doctrines of a plurality and community of wives are heresies, and are + opposed to the law of God." Its declaration of faith declares its belief + in baptism by immersion, the same kind of organization (apostles, + prophets, pastors, etc.) that existed in the primitive church, revelations + by God to man from time to time "until the end of time," and in "the + powers and gifts of the everlasting gospel, viz., the gift of faith, + discerning of spirits, prophesy, revelation, healing, visions, tongues, + and the interpretation of tongues." No one ever heard of this church + having any trouble with its Gentile neighbors. + </p> + <p> + The Reorganized Church moved its headquarters to Lamoni, Iowa, in 1881. It + has a present membership of 45,381, according to the report of the General + Church Recorder to the conference of April, 1901. Of these members, 6964 + were foreign,—286 in Canada, 1080 in England, and 1955 in the + Society Islands. The largest membership in this country is 7952 in Iowa, + 6280 in Missouri, and 3564 in Michigan. Utah reported 685 members. + </p> + <p> + The most determined claimant to the successorship of Smith was James J. + Strang. Born at Scipio, New York, in 1813, Strang was admitted to the bar + when a young man, and moved to Wisconsin. Some of the Mormons who went + into the north woods to get lumber for the Nauvoo Temple planted a Stake + near La Crosse, under Lyman Wight, in 1842. Trouble ensued very soon with + their non-Mormon neighbors, and after a rather brief career the supporters + of this Stake moved away quietly one night. Strang heard of the Mormon + doctrines from these settlers, accepted their truth, and visiting Nauvoo, + was baptized in February, 1844, made an elder, and authorized to plant + another Stake in Wisconsin. He first attempted to found a city called + Voree, where a temple covering more than two acres of ground, with twelve + towers, was begun. + </p> + <p> + When Smith was killed, Strang at once came forward with a declaration that + the prophet's revelations indicated that, at the close of his own + prophetic office, another would be called to the place by revelation, and + ordained at the hands of angels; that not only had he (Strang) been so + ordained, but that Smith had written to him in June, 1844, predicting the + end of his own work, and telling Strang that he was to gather the people + in a Zion in Wisconsin. Strang began at once giving out revelations, + describing visions, and announcing that an angel had shown him "plates of + the sealed record," and given him the Urim and Thummim to translate them. + </p> + <p> + Although Strang's whole scheme was a very clumsy imitation of Smith's, he + drew a considerable number of followers to his Wisconsin branch, where he + published a newspaper called the Voree Herald, and issued pamphlets in + defence of his position, and a "Book of the Law," explaining his doctrinal + teachings, which included polygamy. He had five wives. His Herald printed + a statement, signed by the prophet's mother and his brother William, his + three married sisters, and the husband of one of them, certifying that + "the Smith family do believe in the appointment of J. J. Strang." Among + other Mormons of note who gave in their allegiance to Strang were John E. + Page, one of the Twelve (whom Phelps had called "the sun-dial"), General + John C. Bennett, and Martin Harris. + </p> + <p> + Strang gave the Mormon leaders considerable anxiety, especially when he + sent missionaries to England to work up his cause. The Millennial Star of + November 15, 1846, devoted a good deal of space to the subject. The + article began:— + </p> + <p> + "SKETCHES OF NOTORIOUS CHARACTERS: James J. Strang, successor of Sidney + Rigdon, Judius Iscariot, Cain & Co., Envoy Extraordinary and a + Minister Plenipotentiary to His Most Gracious Majesty Lucifer L, assisted + by his allied contemporary advisers, John C. Bennett, William Smith, G. T. + Adams, and John E. Page, Secretary of Legation." + </p> + <p> + Strang announced a revelation which declared that he was to be "King in + Zion," and his coronation took place on July 8, 1850, when he was crowned + with a metal crown having a cluster of stars on its front. Burnt offerings + were included in the programme. + </p> + <p> + This ceremony took place on Beaver Island, in Lake Superior, where in 1847 + Strang had gathered his people and assumed both temporal and spiritual + authority. Both of these claims got him into trouble. His non-Mormon + neighbors, fishermen and lumbermen, accused the Mormons of wholesale + thefts; his assumption of regal authority brought him before the United + States court, (where he was not held); and his advocacy of the practice of + polygamy by his followers aroused insubordination, and on June 15, 1856, + he was shot by two members of his flock whom he had offended, and who were + at once regarded as heroes by the people of the mainland. A mob secured a + vessel, visited Beaver Island, where Strang had maintained a sort of fort, + and compelled the Mormon inhabitants to embark immediately, with what + little property they could gather up. They were landed at different + places, most of them in Milwaukee. Thus ended Strang's Kingdom.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "A Moses of the Mormons," by Henry E. Legler, Parkman Club +Publications, Nos. 15-16, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 11, 1897; "An +American Kingdom of Mormons," Magazine of Western History, Cleveland, +Ohio, April, 1886. +</pre> + <p> + Another leader who "set up for himself" after Smith's death was Lyman + Wight, who had been one of the Twelve in Missouri, and was arrested with + Smith there. Wight did not lay claim to the position of President of the + church, but he resented what he called Brigham Young's usurpation. In 1845 + he led a small company of his followers to Texas, where they first settled + on the Colorado River, near Austin. They made successive moves from that + place into Gillespie, Burnett, and Bandera counties. He died near San + Antonio in March, 1858. The fact that Wight entered into the practice of + polygamy almost as soon as he reached Texas, and still escaped any + conflict with his non-Mormon neighbors, affords proof of his good + character in other respects. The Galveston News, in its notice of his + death, said, "Mr. Wight first came to Texas in November, 1845, and has + been with his colony on our extreme frontier ever since, moving still + farther west as settlements formed around him, thus always being the + pioneer of advancing civilization, affording protection against the + Indians." + </p> + <p> + After Wight's death his people scattered. A majority of them became + identified with the Reorganized Church, a few gave in their allegiance to + the organization in Utah, and others abandoned Mormonism entirely. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0045" id="link2HCH0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. — BRIGHAM YOUNG + </h2> + <p> + Brigham Young, the man who had succeeded in expelling Rigdon and + establishing his own position as head of the church, was born in + Whitingham, Windham County, Vermont, on June 1, 1801. The precise locality + of his birth in that town is in dispute. His father, a native of + Massachusetts, is said to have served under Washington during the + Revolutionary War. The family consisted of eleven children, five sons and + six daughters, of whom Brigham was the ninth. The Youngs moved to + Whitingham in January, 1801. In his address at the centennial celebration + of that town in 1880, Clark Jillson said, "Henry Goodnow, Esq., of this + town says that Brigham Young's father came here the poorest man that ever + had been in town; that he never owned a cow, horse, or any land, but was a + basket maker." Mormon accounts represent the elder Young as having been a + farmer. + </p> + <p> + His circumstances permitted him to give his children very little + education, and, when sixteen years old, Brigham seems to have started out + to make his own living, working as a carpenter, painter, and glazier, as + jobs were offered. He was living in Aurelius, Cayuga County, New York, in + 1824, working at his trade, and there, in October of that year, he married + his first wife, Miriam Works. In 1829 they moved to Mendon, Monroe County, + New York. + </p> + <p> + Joseph Smith's brother, in the following year, left a copy of the Mormon + Bible at the house of Brigham's brother Phineas in Mendon, and there + Brigham first saw it. Occasional preaching by Mormon elders made the new + faith a subject of conversation in the neighborhood, and Phineas was an + early convert. Brigham stated in a sermon in Salt Lake City, on August 8, + 1852, that he examined the new Bible for two years before deciding to + receive it. He was baptized into the Mormon church on April 14, 1832. His + wife, who also embraced the faith, died in September of that year, leaving + him two daughters. + </p> + <p> + Young married his second wife, Mary A. Angel, in Kirtland on March 31, + 1834. His application for a marriage license is still on file among the + records of the Probate Court at Chardon, now the shire town of Geauga + County, Ohio, and his signature is a proof of his illiterateness, showing + that he did not know how to spell his own baptismal name, spelling it + "Bricham." + </p> + <p> + Young began preaching and baptizing in the neighborhood, having at once + been made an elder, and in the autumn of 1832, after Smith's second return + from Missouri, he visited Kirtland and first saw the prophet. Mormon + accounts of this visit say that Young "spoke in tongues," and that Smith + pronounced his language "the pure Adamic," and then predicted that he + would in time preside over the church. It is not at all improbable that + Joseph did not hesitate to interpret Brigham's "tongues," but at that time + he was thinking of everything else but a successor to himself. + </p> + <p> + Young, with his brother Joseph, went from Kirtland on foot to Canada, + where he preached and baptized, and whence he brought back a company of + converts. He worked at his trade in Kirtland (preaching as called upon) + from that time until 1834, when he accompanied the "Army of Zion" to + Missouri, being one of the captains of tens. Returning with the prophet, + he was employed on the Temple and other church buildings for the next + three years (superintending the painting of the Temple), when he was not + engaged in other church work. Having been made one of the original Quorum + of Twelve in 1835, he devoted a good deal of time in the warmer months + holding conferences in New York State and New England. + </p> + <p> + When open opposition to Smith manifested itself in Kirtland, Young was one + of his firmest defenders. He attended a meeting in an upper room of the + Temple, the object of which was to depose Smith and place David Whitmer in + the Presidency, leading in the debate, and declaring that he "knew that + Joseph was a prophet." According to his own statement, he learned of a + plot to kill Smith as he was returning from Michigan in a stage-coach, and + met the coach with a horse and buggy, and drove the prophet to Kirtland + unharmed. When Smith found it necessary to flee from Ohio, Young followed + him to Missouri with his family, arriving at Far West on March 14, 1838. + He sailed to Liverpool on a mission in 1840, remaining there a little more + than a year. + </p> + <p> + In all the discords of the church that occurred during Smith's life, Young + never incurred the prophet's displeasure, and there is no evidence that he + ever attempted to obtain any more power or honor for himself than was + voluntarily accorded to him. He gave practical assistance to the refugees + from Missouri as they arrived at Quincy, but there is no record of his + prominence in the discussions there over the future plans for the church. + The prophet's liking for him is shown in a revelation dated at Nauvoo, + July 9; 1841 (Sec. 126), which said:— + </p> + <p> + "Dear and beloved brother Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto + you, my servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your + family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me; I have + seen your labor and toil in journeyings for my name. I therefore command + you to send my word abroad, and take special care of your family from this + time, henceforth, and forever. Amen." + </p> + <p> + The apostasy of Marsh and the death of Patton had left Young the President + of the Twelve, and that was the position in which he found himself at the + time of Smith's death. + </p> + <p> + One of the first subjects which Young had to decide concerned + "revelations." Did they cease with Smith's death, or, if not, who would + receive and publish them? Young made a statement on this subject at the + church conference held at Nauvoo on October 6 of that year, which + indicated his own uncertainty on the subject, and which concluded as + follows, "Every member has the right of receiving revelations for + themselves, both male and female." As if conscious that all this was not + very clear, he closed by making a declaration which was very + characteristic of his future policy: "If you don't know whose right it is + to give revelations, I will tell you. It is I."* We shall see that the + discontinuance of written "revelations" was a cause of complaint during + all of Young's subsequent career in Utah, but he never yielded to the + demand for them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. V, pp. 682-683. +</pre> + <p> + At the conference in Nauvoo Young selected eighty-five men from the Quorum + of high priests to preside over branches of the church in all the + congressional districts of the United States; and he took pains to explain + to them that they were not to stay six months and then return, but "to go + and settle down where they can take their families and tarry until the + Temple is built, and then come and get their endowments, and return to + their families and build up a Stake as large as this." Young's policy + evidently was, while not imitating Rigdon's plan to move the church bodily + to the East, to build up big branches all over the country, with a view to + such control of affairs, temporal and spiritual, as could be attained. "If + the people will let us alone," he said to this same conference, "we will + convert the world." + </p> + <p> + Many members did not look on the Twelve as that head of the church which + Smith's revelations had decreed. It was argued by those who upheld Rigdon + and Strang, and by some who remained with the Twelve, that the + "revelations" still required a First Presidency. The Twelve allowed this + question to remain unsettled until the brethren were gathered at Winter + Quarters, Iowa, after their expulsion from Nauvoo, and Young had returned + from his first trip to Salt Lake valley. The matter was taken up at a + council at Orson Hyde's house on December 5, 1847, and it was decided, but + not without some opposing views, to reorganize the church according to the + original plan, with a First Presidency and Patriarch. In accordance with + this plan, a conference was held in the log tabernacle at Winter Quarters + on December 24, and Young was elected President and John Smith Patriarch. + Young selected Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards to be his + counsellors, and the action of this conference was confirmed in Salt Lake + City the following October. Young wrote immediately after his election, + "This is one of the happiest days of my life." + </p> + <p> + The vacancies in the Twelve caused by these promotions, and by Wight's + apostasy, were not filled until February 12, 1849, in Salt Lake City, when + Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, C. C. Rich, and F. D. Richards were chosen. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0046" id="link2HCH0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. — RENEWED TROUBLE FOR THE MORMONS—"THE + BURNINGS" + </h2> + <p> + The death of the prophet did not bring peace with their outside neighbors + to the Mormon church. Indeed, the causes of enmity were too varied and + radical to be removed by any changes in the leadership, so long as the + brethren remained where they were. + </p> + <p> + In the winter of 1844-1845 charges of stealing made against the Mormons by + their neighbors became more frequent. Governor Ford, in his message to the + legislature, pronounced such reports exaggerated, but it probably does the + governor no injustice to say that he now had his eye on the Mormon vote. + The non-Mormons in Hancock and the surrounding counties held meetings and + appointed committees to obtain accurate information about the thefts, and + the old complaints of the uselessness of tracing stolen goods to Nauvoo + were revived. The Mormons vigorously denied these charges through formal + action taken by the Nauvoo City Council and a citizens' meeting, alleging + that in many cases "outlandish men" had visited the city at night to + scatter counterfeit money and deposit stolen goods, the responsibility for + which was laid on Mormon shoulders. + </p> + <p> + It is not at all improbable that many a theft in western Illinois in those + days that was charged to Mormons had other authors; but testimony + regarding the dishonesty of many members of the church, such as we have + seen presented in Smith's day, was still available. Thus, Young, in one of + his addresses to the conference assembled at Nauvoo about two months after + Smith's death, made this statement: "Elders who go to borrowing horses or + money, and running away with it, will be cut off from the church without + any ceremony. THEY WILL NOT HAVE SO MUCH LENITY AS HERETOFORE."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Times and Seasons, Vol. V, p. 696. +</pre> + <p> + A lady who published a sketch of her travels in 1845 through Illinois and + Iowa wrote:— + </p> + <p> + "We now entered a part of the country laid waste by the desperadoes among + the Mormons. Whole farms were deserted, fields were still covered with + wheat unreaped, and cornfields stood ungathered, the inhabitants having + fled to a distant part of the country.... Friends gave us a good deal of + information about the doings of these Saints at Nauvoo—said that + often, when their orchards were full of fruit, some sixteen of these + monsters would come with bowie knives and drive the owners into their + houses while they stripped their trees of the fruit. If these rogues + wanted cattle they would drive off the cattle of the Gentiles."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Book for the Married and Single," by Ann Archbold. +</pre> + <p> + A trial concerning the title to some land in Adams County in that year + brought out the fact that there existed in the Mormon church what was + called a "Oneness." Five persons would associate and select one of their + members as a guardian; then, if any of the property they jointly owned was + levied on, they would show that one or more of the other five was the real + owner. + </p> + <p> + While the Mormons continued to send abroad glowing pictures of the + prosperity of Nauvoo, less prejudiced accounts gave a very different view. + The latter pointed out that the immigrants, who supplied the only source + of prosperity, had expended most of their capital on houses and lots, that + building operations had declined, because houses could be bought cheaper + than they could be built, and that mechanics had been forced to seek + employment in St. Louis. Published reports that large numbers of the poor + in the city were dependent on charity received confirmation in a letter + published in the Millennial Star of October 1, 1845, which said that on a + fast-day proclaimed by Young, when the poor were to be remembered, "people + were seen trotting in all directions to the Bishops of the different + wards" with their contributions. + </p> + <p> + We have seen that the gathering of the Saints at Nauvoo was an idea of + Joseph Smith, and was undertaken against the judgment of some of the wiser + members of the church. The plan, so far as its business features were + concerned, was on a par with the other business enterprises that the + prophet had fathered. There was nothing to sustain a population of 15,000 + persons, artificially collected, in this frontier settlement, and that + disaster must have resulted from the experiment, even without the hostile + opposition of their neighbors, is evident from the fact that Nauvoo to + day, when fifty years have settled up the surrounding district and brought + it in better communication with the world, is a village of only 1321 + inhabitants (census of 1900). + </p> + <p> + Politics were not eliminated from the causes of trouble by Smith's death. + Not only was 1844 a presidential year, but the citizens of Hancock County + were to vote for a member of Congress, two members of the legislature, and + a sheriff. Governor Ford urgently advised the Mormons not to vote at all, + as a measure of peace; but political feeling ran very high, and the + Democrats got the Mormon vote for President, and with the same assistance + elected as sheriff General Deming, the officer left by Governor Ford in + command of the militia at Carthage when the Smiths were killed, as well as + two members of the legislature who had voted against the repeal of the + Nauvoo city charter. + </p> + <p> + The tone of the Mormons toward their non-Mormon neighbors seemed to become + more defiant at this time than ever. The repeal of the Nauvoo charter, in + January, 1845, unloosened their tongues. Their newspaper, the Neighbor, + declared that the legislature "had no more right to repeal the charter + than the United States would have to abrogate and make void the + constitution of the state, or than Great Britain would have to abolish the + constitution of the United States—and the man that says differently + is a coward, a traitor to his own rights, and a tyrant; no odds what + Blackstone, Kent or Story may have written to make themselves and their + names popular, to the contrary." + </p> + <p> + The Neighbor, in the same article, thus defined its view of the situation, + after the repeal:— + </p> + <p> + "Nor is it less legal for an insulted individual or community to resist + oppression. For this reason, until the blood of Joseph and Hyrum Smith has + been atoned for by hanging, shooting or slaying in some manner every + person engaged in that cowardly, mean assassination, no Latter-Day Saint + should give himself up to the law; for the presumption is that they wilt + murder him in the same manner.... Neither should civil process come into + Nauvoo till the United States by a vigorous course, causes the State of + Missouri and the State of Illinois to redress every man that has suffered + the loss of lands, goods or anything else by expulsion. ... If any man is + bound to maintain the law, it is for the benefit he may derive from it.... + Well, our charter is repealed; the murderers of the Smiths are running at + large, and if the Mormons should wish to imitate their forefathers and + fulfil the Scriptures by making it 'hard to kick against the pricks' by + wearing cast steel pikes about four or five inches long in their boots and + shoes to kick with, WHAT'S THE HARM?" Such utterances, which found + imitation in the addresses of the leaders, and were echoed in the columns + of Pratt's Prophet in New York, made it easy for their hostile neighbors + to believe that the Mormons considered themselves beyond the reach of any + law but their own. Some daring murders committed across the river in Iowa + in the spring of 1845 afforded confirmation to the non-Mormons of their + belief in church-instigated crimes of this character, and in the existence + and activity of the Danite organization. The Mormon authorities had denied + that there were organized Danites at Nauvoo, but the weight of testimony + is against the denial. Gregg, a resident of the locality when the Mormons + dwelt there, gives a fair idea of the accepted view of the Danites at that + time:— + </p> + <p> + "They were bound together with oaths of the most solemn character, and the + punishment of traitors to the order was death. John A. Murrell's Band of + Pirates, who flourished at one time near Jackson, Tennessee, and up and + down the Mississippi River above New Orleans, was never so terrible as the + Danite Band, for the latter was a powerful organization, and was above the + law. The band made threats, and they were not idle threats. They went + about on horseback, under cover of darkness, disguised in long white robes + with red girdles. Their faces were covered with masks to conceal their + identity."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "History of Hancock County." See also "Sketches and Anecdotes +of the Old Settlers," p. 34. +</pre> + <p> + Phineas Wilcox, a young man of good reputation, went to Nauvoo on + September 16, 1845, to get some wheat ground, and while there disappeared + completely. The inquiry made concerning him led his friends to believe + that he was suspected of being a Gentile spy, and was quietly put out of + the way.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See Lee's "Mormonism Unveiled," pp. 158-159, for accounts of +methods of disposing of objectionable persons at Nauvoo. +</pre> + <p> + William Smith, the prophet's brother, contributed to the testimony against + the Mormon leaders. Returning from the East, where he had been living for + three years when Joseph was killed, he was warmly welcomed by the Mormon + press, and elevated to the position of Patriarch, and, as such, issued a + sort of advertisement of his patriarchal wares in the Times and Seasons* + and Neighbor, inviting those in want of blessings to call at his + residence. William was not a man of tact, and it required but a little + time for him to arouse the jealousy of the leaders, the result of which + was a notice in the Times and Seasons of November 1, 1845, that he had + been "cut off and left in the hands of God." But William was not a man to + remain quiet even in such a retreat, and he soon afterward issued to the + Saints throughout the world "a proclamation and faithful warning," which + filled eight and a half columns of the Warsaw Signal of October 29, 1845, + in which, "in all meekness of spirit, and without anger or malice" + (William possessed most of the family traits), he accused Young of + instigating murders, and spoke of him in this way:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Vol. VI, p. 904. +</pre> + <p> + "It is my firm and sincere conviction that, since the murder of my two + brothers, usurpation, and anarchy, and spiritual wickedness in high places + have crept into the church, with the cognizance and acquiescence of those + whose solemn duty It was to guardedly watch against such a state of + things. Under the reign of one whom I may call a Pontius Pilate, under the + reign, I say, of this Brigham Young, no greater tyrant ever existed since + the days of Nero. He has no other justification than ignorance to cover + the most cruel acts—acts disgraceful to any one bearing the stamp of + humanity; and this being has associated around him men, bound by oaths and + covenants, who are reckless enough to commit almost any crime, or fulfil + any command that their self-crowned head might give them." + </p> + <p> + William was, of course, welcomed as a witness by the non-Mormons. He soon + after went to St. Louis, and while there received a letter from Orson + Hyde, which called his proclamation "a cruel thrust," but urged him to + return, pledging that they would not harm him. William did not accept the + invitation, but settled in Illinois, became a respected citizen, and in + later years was elected to the legislature. When invited to join the + Reorganized Church by his nephew Joseph, he declined, saying, "I am not in + sympathy, very strongly, with any of the present organized bands of + Mormons, your own not excepted." + </p> + <p> + By the spring of 1845 the Mormons were deserted even by their Democratic + allies, some three hundred of whom in Hancock County issued an address + denying that the opposition to them was principally Whig, and declaring + that it had arisen from compulsion and in self-defence. Governor Ford, + anxious to be rid of his troublesome constituents, sent a confidential + letter to Brigham Young, dated April 8, 1845, saying, "If you can get off + by yourselves you may enjoy peace," and suggesting California as opening + "a field for the prettiest enterprise that has been undertaken in modern + times." + </p> + <p> + An era of the most disgraceful outrages that marked any of the conflicts + between the Mormons and their opponents east of the Rocky Mountains began + in Hancock County on the night of September 9, when a schoolhouse in Green + Plain, south of Warsaw, in which the anti-Mormons were holding a meeting, + was fired upon. The Mormons always claimed that this was a sham attack, + made by the anti-Mormons to give an excuse for open hostilities, and + probabilities favor this view. Straightway ensued what were known as the + "burnings." A band of men, numbering from one hundred to two hundred, and + coming mostly from Warsaw, began burning the houses, outbuildings, and + grain stacks of Mormons all over the southwest part of the county. The + owners were given time to remove their effects, and were ordered to make + haste to Nauvoo, and in this way the country region was rapidly rid of + Mormon settlers.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Gregg's "History of Hancock County," p. 374. +</pre> + <p> + The sheriff of the county at that time was J. B. Backenstos, who, Ford + says, went to Hancock County from Sangamon, a fraudulent debtor, and whose + brother married a niece of the Prophet Joseph.* He had been elected to the + legislature the year before, and had there so openly espoused the Mormon + cause opposing the repeal of the Nauvoo charter that his constituents + proposed to drive him from the county when he returned home. Backenstos at + once took up the cause of the Mormons, issued proclamation after + proclamation,** breathing the utmost hostility to the Mormon assailants, + and calling on the citizens to aid him as a posse in maintaining order. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ford's "History of Illinois," pp. 407-408. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** For the text of five of these proclamations, see Millennial +Star, Vol. VI. +</pre> + <p> + A sheriff of different character might have secured the help that was + certainly his due on such an occasion, but no non-Mormon would respond to + a call by Backenstos. An occurrence incidental to these disturbances now + added to the public feeling. On September 16, Lieutenant Worrell, who had + been in command of the guard at the jail when the Smith brothers were + killed, was shot dead while riding with two companions from Carthage to + Warsaw. His death was charged to Backenstos and to O. P. Rockwell,* the + man accused of the attempted assassination of Governor Boggs, and both + were afterward put on trial for it, but were acquitted. The sheriff now + turned to the Nauvoo Legion for recruits, and in his third proclamation he + announced that he then had a posse of upward of two thousand "well-armed + men" and two thousand more ready to respond to his call. He marched in + different directions with this force, visiting Carthage, where he placed a + number of citizens under arrest and issued his Proclamation No. 4., in + which he characterized the Carthage Grays as "a band of the most infamous + and villanous scoundrels that ever infested any community." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Who was the actual guilty party may never be known. We have +lately been informed from Salt Lake that Rockwell did the deed, under +order of the sheriff, which is probably the case."—Gregg, "History of +Hancock County," p. 341. +</pre> + <p> + "During the ascendency of the sheriff and the absence of the anti-Mormons + from their homes," said Governor Ford,* "the people who had been burnt out + of their houses assembled at Nauvoo, from whence, with many others, they + sallied forth and ravaged the country, stealing and plundering whatever + was convenient to carry or drive away." Thus it seems that the governor + had changed his opinion about the honesty of the Mormons. To remedy the + chaotic condition of affairs in the county, Governor Ford went to + Jacksonville, Morgan County, where, in a conference, it was decided that + judge Stephen A. Douglas, General J. J. Hardin, Attorney General T. A. + McDougal, and Major W. B. Warren should go to Hancock County with such + forces as could be raised, to put an end to the lawlessness. When the + sheriff heard of this, he pronounced the governor's proclamation directing + the movement a forgery, and said, in his own Proclamation No. 5, "I hope + no armed men will come into Hancock County under such circumstances. I + shall regard them in the character of a mob, and shall treat them + accordingly." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Ford's "History of Illinois," p. 410. +</pre> + <p> + The sheriff labored under a mistake. The steps now taken resulted, not in + a demonstration of his authority, but in the final expulsion of all the + Mormons from Illinois and Iowa. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0047" id="link2HCH0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. — THE EXPULSION OF THE MORMONS + </h2> + <p> + General Hardin announced the coming of his force, which numbered about + four hundred men, in a proclamation addressed "To the Citizens of Hancock + County," dated September 27. He called attention to the lawless acts of + the last two years by both parties, characterizing the recent burning of + houses as "acts which disgrace your county, and are a stigma to the state, + the nation, and the age." His force would simply see that the laws were + obeyed, without taking part with either side. He forbade the assembling of + any armed force of more than four men while his troops remained in the + county, urged the citizens to attend to their ordinary business, and + directed officers having warrants for arrests in connection with the + recent disturbances to let the attorney-general decide whether they needed + the assistance of troops. + </p> + <p> + But the citizens were in no mood for anything like a restoration of the + recent order of things, or for any compromise. The Warsaw Signal of + September 17 had appealed to the non-Mormons of the neighboring counties + to come to the rescue of Hancock, and the citizens of these counties now + began to hold meetings which adopted resolutions declaring that the + Mormons "must go," and that they would not permit them to settle in any of + the counties interested. The most important of these meetings, held at + Quincy, resulted in the appointment of a committee of seven to visit + Nauvoo, and see what arrangements could be made with the Mormons regarding + their removal from the state. Notwithstanding their defiant utterances, + the Mormon leaders had for some time realized that their position in + Illinois was untenable. That Smith himself understood this before his + death is shown by the following entry in his diary:— + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 20, 1844. I instructed the Twelve Apostles to send out a delegation, + and investigate the locations of California and Oregon, and hunt out a + good location where we can remove to after the Temple is completed, and + where we can build a city in a day, and have a government of our own, get + up into the mountains, where the devil cannot dig us out, and live in a + healthy climate where we can live as old as we have a mind to."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XX, p. 819. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon reply to the Quincy committee was given under date of September + 24 in the form of a proclamation signed by President Brigham Young.* In a + long preamble it asserted the desire of the Mormons "to live in peace with + all men, so far as we can, without sacrificing the right to worship God + according to the dictates of our own consciences"; recited their previous + expulsion from their homes, and the unfriendly view taken of their "views + and principles" by many of the people of Illinois, finally announcing that + they proposed to leave that country in the spring "for some point so + remote that there will not need to be a difficulty with the people and + ourselves." The agreement to depart was, however, conditioned on the + following stipulations: that the citizens would help them to sell or rent + their properties, to get means to assist the widows, the fatherless, and + the destitute to move with the rest; that "all men will let us alone with + their vexatious lawsuits"; that cash, dry goods, oxen, cattle, horses, + wagons, etc., be given in exchange for Mormon property, the exchanges to + be conducted by a committee of both parties; and that they be subjected to + no more house burnings nor other depredations while they remained. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. VI, p. 187. +</pre> + <p> + The adjourned meeting at Quincy received the report of its committee on + September 26, and voted to accept the proposal of the Mormons to move in + the spring, but stated explicitly, "We do not intend to bring ourselves + under any obligation to purchase their property, nor to furnish purchasers + for the same; but we will in no way hinder or obstruct them in their + efforts to sell, and will expect them to dispose of their property and + remove at the time appointed." To manifest their sympathy with the + unoffending poor of Nauvoo, a committee of twenty was appointed to receive + subscriptions for their aid. The resignation of Sheriff Backenstos was + called for, and the judge of that circuit was advised to hold no court in + Hancock County that year. + </p> + <p> + The outcome of the meetings in the different counties was a convention + which met in Carthage on October 1 and 2, and at which nine counties + (Hancock not included) were represented. This convention adopted + resolutions setting forth the inability of non-Mormons to secure justice + at the hands of juries under Mormon influence, declaring that the only + settlement of the troubles could be through the removal of the Mormons + from the state, and repudiating "the impudent assertion, so often and so + constantly put forth by the Mormons, that they are persecuted for + righteousness' sake." The counties were advised to form a military + organization, and the Mormons were warned that their opponents "solemnly + pledge ourselves to be ready to act as the occasion may require." + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the commissioners appointed by Governor Ford had been in + negotiation with the Mormon authorities, and on October 1 they, too, asked + the latter to submit their intentions in writing. This they did the same + day. Their reply, signed by Brigham Young, President, and Willard + Richards, Clerk,* referred the commission to their response to the Quincy + committee, and added that they had begun arrangements to remove from the + county before the recent disturbances, one thousand families, including + the heads of the church, being determined to start in the spring, without + regard to any sacrifice of their property; that the whole church desired + to go with them, and would do so if the necessary means could be secured + by sales of their possessions, but that they wished it "distinctly + understood that, although we may not find purchasers for our property, we + will not sacrifice it or give it away, or suffer it illegally to be + wrested from us." To this the commissioners on October 3 sent a reply, + informing the Mormons that their proposition seemed to be acquiesced in by + the citizens of all the counties interested, who would permit them to + depart in peace the next spring without further violence. They closed as + follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Text in Millennial Star, Vol. VI, p. 190. +</pre> + <p> + "After what has been said and written by yourselves, it will be + confidently expected by us and the whole community, that you will remove + from the state with your whole church, in the manner you have agreed in + your statement to us. Should you not do so, we are satisfied, however much + we may deprecate violence and bloodshed, that violent measures will be + resorted to, to compel your removal, which will result in most disastrous + consequences to yourselves and your opponents, and that the end will be + your expulsion from the state. We think that steps should be taken by you + to make it apparent that you are actually preparing to remove in the + spring. + </p> + <p> + "By carrying out, in good faith, your proposition to remove, as submitted + to us, we think you should be, and will be, permitted to depart peaceably + next spring for your destination, west of the Rocky Mountains. For the + purpose of maintaining law and order in this county, the commanding + general purposes to leave an armed force in this county which will be + sufficient for that purpose, and which will remain so long as the governor + deems it necessary. And for the purpose of preventing the use of such + force for vexatious or improper objects, we will recommend the governor of + the state to send some competent legal officer to remain here, and have + the power of deciding what process shall be executed by said military + force. + </p> + <p> + "We recommend to you to place every possible restraint in your power over + the members of your church, to prevent them from committing acts of + aggression or retaliation on any citizens of the state, as a contrary + course may, and most probably will, bring about a collision which will + subvert all efforts to maintain the peace in this county; and we propose + making a similar request of your opponents in this and the surrounding + counties. + </p> + <p> + "With many wishes that you may find that peace and prosperity in the land + of your destination which you desire, we have the honor to subscribe + ourselves, + </p> + <p> + "JOHN J. HARDIN, W. B. WARREN. "S. A. DOUGLAS, J. A. MCDOUGAL." + </p> + <p> + On the following day these commissioners made official announcement of the + result of their negotiations, "to the anti-Mormon citizens of Hancock and + the surrounding counties." They expressed their belief in the sincerity of + the Mormon promises; advised that the non-Mormons be satisfied with + obtaining what was practicable, even if some of their demands could not be + granted, beseeching them to be orderly, and at the same time warning them + not to violate the law, which the troops left in the county by General + Hardin would enforce at all hazards. The report closed as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "Remember, whatever may be the aggression against you, the sympathy of the + public may be forfeited. It cannot be denied that the burning of the + houses of the Mormons in Hancock County, by which a large number of women + and children have been rendered homeless and houseless, in the beginning + of the winter, was an act criminal in itself, and disgraceful to its + perpetrators. And it should also be known that it has led many persons to + believe that, even if the Mormons are so bad as they are represented, they + are no worse than those who have burnt their houses. Whether your cause is + just or unjust, the acts of these incendiaries have thus lost for you + something of the sympathy and good-will of your fellow-citizens; and a + resort to, or persistence in, such a course under existing circumstances + will make you forfeit all the respect and sympathy of the community. We + trust and believe, for this lovely portion of our state, a brighter day is + dawning; and we beseech all parties not to seek to hasten its approach by + the torch of the incendiary, nor to disturb its dawn by the clash of + arms." + </p> + <p> + The Millennial Star of December 1, 1845, thus introduced this + correspondence:— + </p> + <p> + THE END OF AMERICAN LIBERTY + </p> + <p> + "The following official correspondence shows that this government has + given thirty thousand American citizens THE CHOICE OF DEATH or BANISHMENT + beyond the Rocky Mountains. Of these two evils they have chosen the least. + WHAT BOASTED LIBERTY! WHAT an honor to American character!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0048" id="link2HCH0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. — THE EVACUATION OF NAUVOO—"THE LAST MORMON WAR" + </h2> + <p> + The winter of 1845-1846 in Hancock County passed without any renewed + outbreak, but the credit for this seems to have been due to the firmness + and good judgment of Major W. B. Warren, whom General Hardin placed in + command of the force which he left in that county to preserve order, + rather than to any improvement in the relations between the two parties, + even after the Mormons had agreed to depart. + </p> + <p> + Major Warren's command, which at first consisted of one hundred men, and + was reduced during the winter to fifty and later to ten, came from Quincy, + and had as subordinate officers James D. Morgan and B. M. Prentiss, whose + names became famous as Union generals in the war of the rebellion. Warren + showed no favoritism in enforcing his authority, and he was called on to + exercise it against both sides. The local newspapers of the day contain + accounts of occasional burnings during the winter, and of murders + committed here and there. On November 17, a meeting of citizens of Warsaw, + who styled themselves "a portion of the anti-Mormon party," was held to + protest against such acts as burnings and the murder of a Mormon, ten + miles south of Warsaw, and to demand adherence to the agreement entered + into. On February 5, Major Warren had to issue a warning to an + organization of anti-Mormons who had ordered a number of Mormon families + to leave the county by May 1, if they did not want to be burned out. + </p> + <p> + Governor Ford sent Mr. Brayman to Hancock County as legal counsel for the + military commander. In a report dated December 14, 1845, Mr. Brayman said + of the condition of affairs as he found them:— + </p> + <p> + "Judicial proceedings are but mockeries of the forms of law; juries, + magistrates and officers of every grade concerned in the civil affairs of + the county partake so deeply of the prevailing excitement that no + reliance, as a general thing, can be placed on their action. Crime enjoys + a disgraceful impunity, and each one feels at liberty to commit any + aggression, or to avenge his own wrongs to any extent, without legal + accountability.... Whether the parties will become reconciled or quieted, + so as to live together in peace, is doubted.... Such a series of outrages + and bold violations of law as have marked the history of Hancock County + for several years past is a blot upon our institutions; ought not to be + endured by a civilized people." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Warsaw Signal, December 24, 1845. +</pre> + <p> + Meanwhile, the Mormons went on with their preparations for their westward + march, selling their property as best they could, and making every effort + to trade real estate in and out of the city, and such personal property as + they could not take with them, for cattle, oxen, mules, horses, sheep, and + wagons. Early in February the non-Mormons were surprised to learn that the + Mormons at Nauvoo had begun crossing the river as a beginning of their + departure for the far West. "We scarcely know what to make of this + movement," said the Warsaw Signal, the general belief being that the + Mormons would be slow in carrying out their agreement to leave "so soon as + grass would grow and water run." The date of the first departure, it has + since been learned, was hastened by the fact that the grand jury in + Springfield, Illinois, in December, 1845, had found certain indictments + for counterfeiting, in regard to which the journal of that city, on + December 25, gave the following particulars:— + </p> + <p> + "During the last week twelve bills of indictment for counterfeiting + Mexican dollars and our half dollars and dimes were found by the Grand + Jury, and presented to the United States Circuit Court in this city + against different persons in and about Nauvoo, embracing some of the 'Holy + Twelve' and other prominent Mormons, and persons in league with them. The + manner in which the money was put into circulation was stated. At one mill + $1500 was paid out for wheat in one week. Whenever a land sale was about + to take place, wagons were sent off with the coin into the land district + where such sale was to take place, and no difficulty occurred in + exchanging off the counterfeit coin for paper.... So soon as the + indictments were found, a request was made by the marshal of the Governor + of this state for a posse, or the assistance of the military force + stationed in Hancock County, to enable him to arrest the alleged + counterfeiters. Gov. Ford refused to grant the request. An officer has + since been sent to Nauvoo to make the arrests, but we apprehend there is + no probability of his success." + </p> + <p> + The report that a whole city was practically for sale had been widely + spread, and many persons—some from the Eastern states—began + visiting it to see what inducements were offered to new settlers, and what + bargains were to be had. Among these was W. E. Matlack, who on April 10 + issued, in Nauvoo, the first number of a weekly newspaper called the + Hancock Eagle. Matlack seems to have been a fair-minded man, possessed of + the courage of his convictions, and his paper was a better one in, a + literary sense than the average weekly of the day. In his inaugural + editorial he said that he favored the removal of the Mormons as a peace + measure, but denounced mob rule and threats against the Mormons who had + not departed. The ultra-Antis took offence at this at once, and, so far as + the Eagle was supposed to represent the views of the new-comers,—who + were henceforth called New Citizens,—counted them little better than + the Mormons themselves. Among these, however, was a class whom the county + should have welcomed, the boats, in one week in May, landing four or five + merchants, six physicians, three or four lawyers, two dentists, and two or + three hundred others, including laborers. + </p> + <p> + The people of Hancock and the surrounding counties still refused to + believe that the Mormons were sincere in their intention to depart, and + the county meetings of the year before were reassembled to warn the + Mormons that the citizens stood ready to enforce their order. The + vacillating course of Governor Ford did not help the situation. He issued + an order disbanding Major Warren's force on May 1, and on the following + day instructed him to muster it into service again. Warren was very + outspoken in his determination to protect the departing Mormons, and in a + proclamation which he issued he told them to "leave the fighting to be + done by my detachment. If we are overpowered, then recross the river and + defend yourselves and your property." + </p> + <p> + The peace was preserved during May, and the Mormon exodus continued, Young + with the first company being already well advanced in his march across + Iowa. Major Warren sent a weekly report on the movement to the Warsaw + Signal. That dated May 14 said that the ferries at Nauvoo and at Fort + Madison were each taking across an average of 35 teams in twenty-four + hours. For the week ending May 22 he reported the departure of 539 teams + and 1617 persons; and for the week ending May 29, the departure of 269 + teams and 800 persons, and he said he had counted the day before 617 + wagons in Nauvoo ready to start. + </p> + <p> + But even this activity did not satisfy the ultra element among the + anti-Mormons, and at a meeting in Carthage, on Saturday, June 6, + resolutions drawn by Editor Sharp of the Signal expressed the belief that + many of the Mormons intended to remain in the state, charged that they + continued to commit depredations, and declared that the time had come for + the citizens of the counties affected to arm and equip themselves for + action. The Signal headed its editorial remarks on this meeting, "War + declared in Hancock." + </p> + <p> + When the news of the gathering at Carthage reached Nauvoo it created a + panic. The Mormons, lessened in number by the many departures, and with + their goods mostly packed for moving, were in no situation to repel an + attack; and they began hurrying to the ferry until the streets were + blocked with teams. The New Citizens, although the Carthage meeting had + appointed a committee to confer with them, were almost as much alarmed, + and those who could do so sent away their families, while several + merchants packed up their goods for safety. On Friday, June 12, the + committee of New Citizens met some 600 anti-Mormons who had assembled near + Carthage, and strenuously objected to their marching into Nauvoo. As a + sort of compromise, the force consented to rendezvous at Golden Point, + five miles south of Nauvoo, and there they arrived the next day. This + force, according to the Signal's own account, was a mere mob, + three-fourths of whom went there against their own judgment, and only to + try to prevent extreme measures. A committee was at once sent to Nauvoo to + confer with the New Citizens, but it met with a decided snubbing. The + Nauvoo people then sent a committee to the camp, with a proposition that + thirty men of the Antis march into the city, and leave three of their + number there to report on the progress of the Mormon exodus. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday morning, before any such agreement was reached, word came from + Nauvoo that Sheriff Backenstos had arrived there and enrolled a posse of + some 500 men, the New Citizens uniting with the Mormons for the protection + of the place. This led to an examination of the war supplies of the Antis, + and the discovery that they had only five rounds of ammunition to a man, + and one day's provision. Thereupon they ingloriously broke camp and made + off to Carthage. + </p> + <p> + After this nothing more serious than a war of words occurred until July + 11, when an event happened which aroused the feeling of both parties to + the fighting pitch. Three Mormons from Nauvoo had been harvesting a field + of grain about eight miles from the city.* In some way they angered a man + living near by (according to his wife's affidavit, by shooting around his + fields, using his stable for their horses, and feeding his oats), and he + collected some neighbors, who gave the offenders a whipping, more or less + severe, according to the account accepted. The men went at once to Nauvoo, + and exhibited their backs, and that night a Mormon posse arrested + seventeen Antis and conveyed them to Nauvoo. The Antis in turn seized five + Mormons whom they held as "hostages," and the northern part of Hancock + County and a part of McDonough were in a state of alarm. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Eagle stated that the farm where the Mormons were at work +had been bought by a New Citizen, who had sent out both Mormons and New +Citizens to cut the grain. +</pre> + <p> + Civil chaos ensued. General Hardin and Major Warren had joined the federal + army that was to march against Mexico, and their cool judgment was greatly + missed. One Carlin, appointed as a special constable, called on the + citizens of Hancock County to assemble as his posse to assist in executing + warrants in Nauvoo, and the Mormons of that city at once took steps to + resist arrests by him. Governor Ford sent Major Parker of Fulton County, + who was a Whig, to make an inquiry at Nauvoo and defend that city against + rioting, and Mr. Brayman remained there to report to him on the course of + affairs. + </p> + <p> + What was called at that time, in Illinois, "the last Mormon war" opened + with a fusillade of correspondence between Carlin and Major Parker. Parker + issued a proclamation, calling on all good citizens to return to their + homes, and Carlin declared that he would obey no authority which tried to + prevent him from doing his duty, telling the major that it would "take + something more than words" to disperse his posse. While Parker was issuing + a series of proclamations, the so-called posse was, on August 25, placed + under the command of Colonel J. B. Chittenden of Adams County, who was + superseded three days later by Colonel Singleton. Colonel Singleton was + successful in arranging with Major Parker terms of peace, which provided + among other things that all the Mormons should be out of the state in + sixty days, except heads of families who remained to close their business; + but the colonel's officers rejected this agreement, and the colonel + thereupon left the camp. Carlin at once appointed Colonel Brockman to the + chief command. He was a Campbellite preacher who, according to Ford, had + been a public defaulter and had been "silenced" by his church. After + rejecting another offer of compromise made by the Mormons, Brockman, on + September 11, with about seven hundred men who called themselves a posse, + advanced against Nauvoo, with some small field pieces. Governor Ford had + authorized Major Flood, commanding the militia of Adams County, to raise a + force to preserve order in Hancock; but the major, knowing that such + action would only incense the force of the Antis, disregarded the + governor's request. At this juncture Major Parker was relieved of the + command at Nauvoo and succeeded by Major B. Clifford, Jr., of the 33rd + regiment of Illinois Volunteers. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of September 12, Brockman sent into Nauvoo a demand for its + surrender, with the pledge that there would be no destruction of property + or life "unless absolutely necessary in self-defence." Major Clifford + rejected this proposition, advised Brockman to disperse his force, and + named Mayor Wood of Quincy and J. P. Eddy, a St. Louis merchant then in + Nauvoo, as recipients of any further propositions from the Antis. + </p> + <p> + The forces at this time were drawn up against one another, the Mormons + behind a breastwork which they had erected during the night, and the Antis + on a piece of high ground nearer the city than their camp. Brayman says + that an estimate which placed the Mormon force at five hundred or six + hundred was a great exaggeration, and that the only artillery they had was + six pieces which they fashioned for themselves, by breaking some steamboat + shafts to the proper length and boring them out so that they would receive + a six-pound shot. + </p> + <p> + When Clifford's reply was received, the commander of the Antis sent out + the Warsaw riflemen as flankers on the right and left; directed the Lima + Guards, with one cannon, to take a position a mile to the front of the + camp and occupy the attention of the men behind the Mormon breastwork, who + had opened fire; and then marched the main body through a cornfield and + orchard to the city itself. Both sides kept up an artillery fire while the + advance was taking place. + </p> + <p> + When the Antis reached the settled part of the city, the firing became + general, but was of an independent character. The Mormons in most cases + fired from their houses, while the Antis found such shelter as they could + in a cornfield and along a worm fence. After about an hour of such + fighting, Brockman, discovering that all of the sixty-one cannon balls + with which he had provided himself had been shot away, decided that it was + perilous "to risk a further advance without these necessary instruments." + Accordingly, he ordered a retreat and his whole force returned to its + camp. In this engagement no Antis were killed, and the surgeon's list + named only eight wounded, one of whom died. Three citizens of Nauvoo were + killed. The Mormons had the better protection in their houses, but the + other side made rather effective use of their artillery. + </p> + <p> + The Antis began at once intrenching their camp, and sent to Quincy for + ammunition. There were some exchanges of shots on Sunday and Monday, and + three Antis were wounded on the latter day. + </p> + <p> + Quincy responded promptly to the request for ammunition, but the people of + that town were by no means unanimously in favor of the "war." On Sunday + evening a meeting of the peaceably inclined appointed a committee of one + hundred to visit the scene of hostilities and secure peace "on the basis + of a removal of the Mormons." The negotiations of this committee began on + the following Tuesday, and were continued, at times with apparent + hopelessness of success, until Wednesday evening, when terms of peace were + finally signed. It required the utmost effort of the Quincy committee to + induce the anti-Mormon force to delay an assault on the city, which would + have meant conflagration and massacre. The terms of peace were as follows: + </p> + <p> + "1. The city of Nauvoo will surrender. The force of Col. Brockman to enter + and take possession of the city tomorrow, the 17th of September, at 3 + o'clock P.m. + </p> + <p> + "2. The arms to be delivered to the Quincy Committee, to be returned on + the crossing of the river. + </p> + <p> + "3. The Quincy Committee pledge themselves to use their influence for the + protection of persons and property from all violence; and the officers of + the camp and the men pledge themselves to protect all persons and property + from violence. + </p> + <p> + "4. The sick and helpless to be protected and treated with humanity. + </p> + <p> + "5. The Mormon population of the city to leave the State, or disperse, as + soon as they can cross the river. + </p> + <p> + "6. Five men, including the trustees of the church, and five clerks, with + their families (William Pickett not one of the number), to be permitted to + remain in the city for the disposition of property, free from all + molestation and personal violence. + </p> + <p> + "7. Hostilities to cease immediately, and ten men of the Quincy Committee + to enter the city in the execution of their duty as soon as they think + proper." + </p> + <p> + The noticeable features of these terms are the omission of any reference + to the execution of Carlin's writs, and the engagement that the Mormons + should depart immediately. The latter was the real object of the "posse's" + campaign. + </p> + <p> + The Mormons had realized that they could not continue their defence, as no + reenforcements could reach them, while any temporary check to their + adversaries would only increase the animosity of the latter. They acted, + therefore, in good faith as regards their agreement to depart. How they + went is thus described in Brayman's second report to Governor Ford: * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For Brayman's reports, see Warsaw Signal, October 20, 1846. +</pre> + <p> + "These terms were not definitely signed until the morning of Thursday, the + 17th, but, confident of their ratification, the Mormon population had been + busy through the night in removing. So firmly had they been taught to + believe that their lives, their city, and Temple, would fall a sacrifice + to the vengeance of their enemies, if surrendered to them, that they fled + in consternation, determined to be beyond their reach at all hazards. This + scene of confusion, fright and distress was continued throughout the + forenoon. In every part of the city scenes of destitution, misery and woe + met the eye. Families were hurrying away from their homes, without a + shelter,—without means of conveyance,—without tents, money, or + a day's provision, with as much of their household stuff as they could + carry in their hands. Sick men and women were carried upon their beds—weary + mothers, with helpless babes dying in the arms, hurried away—all + fleeing, they scarcely knew or cared whither, so it was from their + enemies, whom they feared more than the waves of the Mississippi, or the + heat, and hunger and lingering life and dreaded death of the prairies on + which they were about to be cast. The ferry boats were crowded, and the + river bank was lined with anxious fugitives, sadly awaiting their turn to + pass over and take up their solitary march to the wilderness." + </p> + <p> + On the afternoon of the 17th, Brockman's force, with which the members of + the Quincy committee had been assigned a place, marched into Nauvoo and + through it, encamping near the river on the southern boundary. Curiosity + to see the Mormon city had swelled the number who entered at the same time + with the posse to nearly two thousand men, but there was no disorder. The + streets were practically deserted, and the few Mormons who remained were + busy with their preparations to cross the river. Brockman, to make his + victory certain, ordered that all citizens of Nauvoo who had sided with + the Mormons should leave the state, thus including many of the New + Citizens. The order was enforced on September 18, "with many circumstances + of the utmost cruelty and injustice," according to Brayman's report. + "Bands of armed men," he said, "traversed the city, entering the houses of + citizens, robbing them of arms, throwing their household goods out of + doors, insulting them, and threatening their lives." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0049" id="link2HCH0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. — NAUVOO AFTER THE EXODUS + </h2> + <p> + Brockman's force was disbanded after its object had been accomplished, and + all returned to their homes but about one hundred, who remained in Nauvoo + to see that no Mormons came back. These men, whose number gradually + decreased, provided what protection and government the place then enjoyed. + Governor Ford received much censure from the state at large for the + lawless doings of the recent months. A citizens' meeting at Springfield + demanded that he call out a force sufficient "to restore the supremacy of + the law, and bring the offenders to justice." He did call on Hancock + County for volunteers to restore order, but a public meeting in Carthage + practically defied him. He, however, secured a force of about two hundred + men, with which he marched into Nauvoo, greatly to the indignation of the + Hancock County people. His stay there was marked by incidents which showed + how his erratic course in recent years had deprived him of public respect, + and which explain some of the bitterness toward the county which + characterizes his "History." One of these was the presentation to him of a + petticoat as typical of his rule. When Ford was succeeded as governor by + French, the latter withdrew the militia from the county, and, in an + address to the citizens, said, "I confidently rely upon your assistance + and influence to aid in preventing any act of a violent character in + future." Matters in the county then quieted down. The Warsaw newspapers, + in place of anti-Mormon literature, began to print appeals to new + settlers, setting forth the advantages of the neighborhood. But a + newspaper war soon followed between two factions in Nauvoo, one of which + contended that the place was an assemblage of gamblers and saloon-keepers, + while the other defended its reputation. This latter view, however, was + not established, and most of the houses remained tenantless. + </p> + <p> + Amid all their troubles in Nauvoo the Mormon authorities never lost sight + of one object, the completion of the Temple. To the non-Mormons, and even + to many in the church, it seemed inexplicable why so much zeal and money + should be expended in finishing a structure that was to be at once + abandoned. Before the agreement to leave the state was made, a Warsaw + newspaper predicted that the completion of the Temple would end the reign + of the Mormon leaders, since their followers were held together by the + expectation of some supernatural manifestation of power in their behalf at + that time* Another outside newspaper suggested that they intended to use + it as a fort. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A man from the neighborhood who visited Nauvoo in 1843 to buy +calves called on a blind man, of whom he says: "He told me he had a nice +home in Massachusetts, which gave them a good support. But one of the +Mormon elders preaching in that country called on him and told him if he +would sell out and go to Nauvoo the Prophet would restore his sight. He +sold out and had come to the city and spent all his means, and was now +in great need. I asked why the Prophet did not open his eyes. He replied +that Joseph had informed him that he could not open his eyes till the +Temple was finished."—Gregg, "History of Hancock County," p. 375. +</pre> + <p> + Orson Pratt, in a letter to the Saints in the Eastern states, written at + the time of the agreement to depart, answering the query why the Lord + commanded them to build a house out of which he would then suffer them to + be driven at once, quoted a paragraph from the "revelation" of January 19, + 1841, which commanded the building of the Temple "that you may prove + yourselves unto me, that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I + command you, that I may bless you and cover you with honor, immortality, + and eternal life." + </p> + <p> + The cap-stone of the Temple was laid in place early on the morning of May + 24, 1845, amid shouts of "Hosannah to God and the Lamb," music by the + band, and the singing of a hymn. + </p> + <p> + The first meeting was held in the Temple on October 5, 1845, and from that + time the edifice was used almost constantly in administering the + ordinances (baptism, endowment, etc.). Brigham Young says that on one + occasion he continued this work from 5 P.M. to 3.30 A.M., and others of + the Quorum assisted. + </p> + <p> + The ceremony of the "endowment," although considered very secret, has been + described by many persons who have gone through it. The descriptions by + Elder Hyde and I. McGee Van Dusen and his wife go into details. A man and + wife received notice to appear at the Temple at Nauvoo at 5 A.m., he to + wear white drawers, and she to bring her nightclothes with her. Passing to + the upper floor, they were told to remove their hats and outer wraps, and + were then led into a narrow hall, at the end of which stood a man who + directed the husband to pass through a door on the right, and the wife to + one on the left. The candidates were then questioned as to their + preparation for the initiation, and if this resulted satisfactorily, they + were directed to remove all their outer clothing. This ended the "first + degree." In the next room their remaining clothing was removed and they + received a bath, with some mummeries which may best be omitted. Next they + were anointed all over with oil poured from a horn, and pronounced "the + Lord's anointed," and a priest ordained them to be "king (or queen) in + time and eternity." The man was now furnished with a white cotton + undergarment of an original design, over which he put his shirt, and the + woman was given a somewhat similar article, together with a chemise, + nightgown, and white stockings. Each was then conducted into another + apartment and left there alone in silence for some time. Then a rumbling + noise was heard, and Brigham Young appeared, reciting some words, + beginning "Let there be light," and ending "Now let us make man in our + image, after our likeness." Approaching the man first, he went through a + form of making him out of the dust; then, passing into the other room, he + formed the woman out of a rib he had taken from the man. Giving this Eve + to the man Adam, he led them into a large room decorated to represent + Eden, and, after giving them divers instructions, left them to themselves. + </p> + <p> + Much was said in later years about the requirement of the endowment oath. + When General Maxwell tried to prevent the seating of Cannon as Delegate to + Congress in 1873, one of his charges was that Cannon had, in the Endowment + House, taken an oath against the United States government. This called out + affidavits by some of the leading anti-Young Mormons of the day, including + E. L. T. Harrison, that they had gone through the Endowment House without + taking any oath of the kind. But Hyde, in his description of the ceremony, + says:— + </p> + <p> + "We were sworn to cherish constant enmity toward the United States + Government for not avenging the death of Smith, or righting the + persecutions of the Saints; to do all that we could toward destroying, + tearing down or overturning that government; to endeavor to baffle its + designs and frustrate its intentions; to renounce all allegiance and + refuse all submission. If unable to do anything ourselves toward the + accomplishment of these objects, to teach it to our children from the + nursery, impress it upon them from the death bed, entail it upon them as a + legacy." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Hyde's "Mormonism," p. 97. +</pre> + <p> + In the suit of Charlotte Arthur against Brigham Young's estate, to recover + a lot in Salt Lake City which she alleged that Young had unlawfully taken + possession of, her verified complaint (filed July 11, 1874) alleged that + the endowment oath contained the following declaration:—"To obey + him, the Lord's anointed, in all his orders, spiritual and temporal, and + the priesthood or either of them, and all church authorities in like + manner; that this obligation is superior to all the laws of the United + States, and all earthly laws; that enmity should be cherished against the + government of the United States; that the blood of Joseph Smith, the + Prophet, and Apostles slain in this generation shall be avenged." + </p> + <p> + As soon as the agreement to leave the state was made, the Mormons tried + hard to sell or lease the Temple, but in vain; and when the last Mormon + departed, the structure was left to the mercy of the Hancock County + "posse." Colonel Kane, in his description of his visit to Nauvoo soon + after the evacuation, says that the militia had defiled and defaced such + features as the shrines and the baptismal font, the apartment containing + the latter being rendered "too noisome to abide in." + </p> + <p> + Had the building been permitted to stand, it would have been to Nauvoo + something on which the town could have looked as its most remarkable + feature. But early on the morning of November 19, 1848, the structure was + found to be on fire, evidently the work of an incendiary, and what the + flames could eat up was soon destroyed. The Nauvoo Patriot deplored the + destruction of "a work of art at once the most elegant in its + construction, and the most renowned in its celebrity, of any in the whole + West." + </p> + <p> + When the Icarians, a band of French Socialists, settled in Nauvoo, they + undertook, in 1850, to rebuild the edifice for use as their halls of + reunion and schools. After they had expended on this work a good deal of + time and labor, the city was visited by a cyclone on May 27 of that year, + which left standing only a part of the west wall. Out of the stone the + Icarians then built a school house, but nothing original now remains on + the site except the old well. + </p> + <p> + The Nauvoo of to-day is a town of only 1321 inhabitants. The people are + largely of German origin, and the leading occupation is fruit growing. The + site of the Temple is occupied by two modern buildings. A part of Nauvoo + House is still standing, as are Brigham Young's former residence, Joseph + Smith's "new mansion," and other houses which Mormons occupied. + </p> + <p> + The Mormons in Iowa were no more popular with their non-Mormon neighbors + there than were those in Illinois, and after the murders by the Hodges, + and other crimes charged to the brethren, a mass meeting of Lee County + inhabitants was held, which adopted resolutions declaring that the Mormons + and the old settlers could not live together and that the Mormons must + depart, citizens being requested to aid in this movement by exchanging + property with the emigrants. In 1847 the last of these objectionable + citizens left the county. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0057" id="link2H_4_0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK V. — THE MIGRATION TO UTAH + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0050" id="link2HCH0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — PREPARATIONS FOR THE LONG MARCH + </h2> + <p> + Two things may be accepted as facts with regard to the migration of the + Mormons westward from Illinois: first, that they would not have moved had + they not been compelled to; and second, that they did not know definitely + where they were going when they started. Although Joseph Smith showed an + uncertainty of his position by his instruction that the Twelve should look + for a place in California or Oregon to which his people might move, he + considered this removal so remote a possibility that he was at the same + time beginning his campaign for the presidency of the United States. As + late as the spring of 1845, removal was considered by the leaders as only + an alternative. In April, Brigham Young, Willard Richards, the two Pratts, + and others issued an address to President Polk, which was sent to the + governors of all the states but Illinois and Missouri, setting forth their + previous trials, and containing this declaration:—"In the name of + Israel's God, and by virtue of multiplied ties of country and kindred, we + ask your friendly interposition in our favor. Will it be too much for us + to ask you to convene a special session of Congress and furnish us an + asylum where we can enjoy our rights of conscience and religion + unmolested? Or will you, in special message to that body when convened, + recommend a remonstrance against such unhallowed acts of oppression and + expatriation as this people have continued to receive from the states of + Missouri and Illinois? Or will you favor us by your personal influence and + by your official rank? Or will you express your views concerning what is + called the Great Western Measure of colonizing the Latter-Day Saints in + Oregon, the Northwestern Territory, or some location remote from the + states, where the hand of oppression will not crush every noble principle + and extinguish every patriotic feeling?" After the publication of the + correspondence between the Hardin commission and the Mormon authorities, + Orson Pratt issued an appeal "to American citizens," in which, referring + to what he called the proposed "banishment" of the Mormons, he said: "Ye + fathers of the Revolution! Ye patriots of '76! Is it for this ye toiled + and suffered and bled? ... Must they be driven from this renowned republic + to seek an asylum among other nations, or wander as hopeless exiles among + the red men of the western wilds? Americans, will ye suffer this? Editors, + will ye not speak? Fellow-citizens, will ye not awake?"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. VI, p. 193. +</pre> + <p> + Their destination could not have been determined in advance, because so + little was known of the Far West. The territory now embraced in the + boundaries of California and Utah was then under Mexican government, and + "California" was, in common use, a name covering the Pacific coast and a + stretch of land extending indefinitely eastward. Oregon had been heard of + a good deal, and it, as well as Vancouver Island, had been spoken of as a + possible goal if a westward migration became necessary. Lorenzo Snow, in + describing the westward start, said: "On the first of March, the ground + covered with snow, we broke encampment about noon, and soon nearly four + hundred wagons were moving to—WE KNEW NOT WHERE." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biography of Lorenzo Snow," p. 86. +</pre> + <p> + The first step taken by the Mormon authorities to explain the removal to + their people was an explanation made at a conference in the new Temple, + three days after the correspondence with the commission closed. P. P. + Pratt stated to the conference that the removal meant that the Lord + designed to lead them to a wider field of action, where no one could say + that they crowded their neighbors. In such a place they could, in five + years, become richer than they then were, and could build a bigger and a + better Temple. "It has cost us," said he, "more for sickness, defence + against mob exactions, persecutions, and to purchase lands in this place, + than as much improvement will cost in another." It was then voted + unanimously that the Saints would move en masse to the West, and that + every man would give all the help he could to assist the poorer members of + the community in making the journey.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. VI, p. 196. Wilford Woodruff, in an +appeal to the Saints in Great Britain, asked them to buy Mormon books +in order to assist the Presidency with funds with which to take the poor +Saints with them westward. +</pre> + <p> + Brigham Young next issued an address to the church at large, stating that + even the Mormon Bible had foretold what might be the conduct of the + American nation toward "the Israel of the last days," and urging all to + prepare to make the journey. A conference of Mormons in New York City on + November 12, 1845, attended by brethren from New York State, New Jersey, + and Connecticut, voted that "the church in this city move, one and all, + west of the Rocky Mountains between this and next season, either by land + or by water." + </p> + <p> + Active preparations for the removal began in and around Nauvoo at once. + All who had property began trading it for articles that would be needed on + the journey. Real estate was traded or sold for what it would bring, and + the Eagle was full of advertisements of property to sell, including the + Mansion House, Masonic Hall, and the Armory. The Mormons would load in + wagons what furniture they could not take West with them, and trade it in + the neighborhood for things more useful. The church authorities advertised + for one thousand yokes of oxen and all the cattle and mules that might be + offered, oxen bringing from $40 to $50 a yoke. The necessary outfit for a + family of five was calculated to be one wagon, three yokes of cattle, two + cows, two beef cattle, three sheep, one thousand pounds of flour, twenty + pounds of sugar, a tent and bedding, seeds, farming tools, and a rifle—all + estimated to cost about $250. Three or four hundred Mormons were sent to + more distant points in Illinois and Iowa for draft animals, and, when the + Western procession started, they boasted that they owned the best cattle + and horses in the country. + </p> + <p> + In the city the men were organized into companies, each of which included + such workmen as wagonmakers, blacksmiths, and carpenters, and the task of + making wagons, tents, etc., was hurried to the utmost. "Nauvoo was + constituted into one great wagon shop," wrote John Taylor. If any members + of the community were not skilled in the work now in demand, they were + sent to St. Louis, Galena, Burlington, or some other of the larger towns, + to find profitable employment during the winter, and thus add to the + moving fund. + </p> + <p> + On January 20, 1846, the High Council issued a circular announcing that, + early in March, a company of hardy young men, with some families, would be + sent into the Western country, with farming utensils and seed, to put in a + crop and erect houses for others who would follow as soon as the grass was + high enough for pasture. + </p> + <p> + This circular contained also the following declaration:— + </p> + <p> + "We venture to say that our brethren have made no counterfeit money; and + if any miller has received $1500 base coin in a week from us, let him + testify. If any land agent of the general government has received wagon + loads of base coin from us in payment for lands, let him say so. Or if he + has received any at all, let him tell it. These witnesses against us have + spun a long yarn." + </p> + <p> + This referred to the charges of counterfeiting, which had resulted in the + indictment of some of the Twelve at Springfield, and which hastened the + first departures across the river. That counterfeiting was common in the + Western country at that time is a matter of history, and the Mormons + themselves had accused such leading members of their church as Cowdery of + being engaged in the business. The persons indicted at Springfield were + never tried, so that the question of their guilt cannot be decided. + Tullidge's pro-Mormon "Life of Brigham Young" mentions an incident which + occurred when the refugees had gone only as far as the Chariton River in + Iowa, which both admits that they had counterfeit money among them, and + shows the mild view which a Bishop of the church took of the offence of + passing it:—"About this time also an attempt was made to pass + counterfeit money. It was the case of a young man who bought from a Mr. + Cochran a yoke of oxen, a cow and a chain for $50. Bishop Miller wrote to + Brigham to excuse the young man, but to help Cochran to restitution. The + President was roused to great anger, the Bishop was severely rebuked, and + the anathemas of the leader from that time were thundered against thieves + and 'bogus men,' and passers of bogus money.... The following is a minute + of his diary of a council on the next Sunday, with the twelve bishops and + captains: 'I told them I was satisfied the course we were taking would + prove to be the salvation, not only of the camp but of the Saints left + behind. But there had been things done which were wrong. Some pleaded our + sufferings from persecution, and the loss of our homes and property, as a + justification for retaliating on our enemies; but such a course tends to + destroy the Kingdom of God'." + </p> + <p> + As soon as the leaders decided to make a start, they sent a petition to + the governor of Iowa Territory, explaining their intention to pass through + that domain, and asking for his protection during the temporary stay they + might make there. No opposition to them seems to have been shown by the + Iowans, who on the contrary employed them as laborers, sold them such + goods as they could pay for, and invited their musicians to give concerts + at the resting points. Lee's experience in Iowa confirmed him, he says, in + his previous opinion that much of the Mormons' trouble was due to "wild, + ignorant fanatics"; "for," he adds, "only a few years before, these same + people were our most bitter enemies, and, when we came again and behaved + ourselves, they treated us with the utmost kindness and hospitality."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 179. +</pre> + <p> + How much property the Mormons sacrificed in Illinois cannot be ascertained + with accuracy. An investigation of all the testimony obtainable on the + subject leads to the conclusion that a good deal of their real estate was + disposed of at a fair price, and that there were many cases of severe + individual loss. Major Warren, in a communication to the Signal from + Nauvoo, in May, 1846, said that few of the Mormons' farms remained unsold, + and that three-fourths of the improved property on the flat in Nauvoo had + been disposed of. + </p> + <p> + A correspondent of the Signal, answering on April 11 an assertion that the + Mormons had a good deal of real estate to dispose of before they could + leave, replied that most of their farms were sold, and that there were + more inquiries after the others than there were farms. As to the real + estate in the city, he explained:— + </p> + <p> + "It is scattered over an area of eight or ten square miles, and contains + from 1500 to 2000 houses, four-fifths of which, at least, are wretched + cabins of no permanent value whatever. There are, however, 200 or 300 + houses, large and small, built of brick and other desirable material. Such + will mostly sell, though many of them, owing to the distance from the + river and other unfavorable circumstances, only at a very great + sacrifice." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "A score or more of chimneys on the northern boundary of the +city marked the site of houses deliberately burned for fuel during the +winter of 1845-1846."—Hancock Eagle, May 29,1846. +</pre> + <p> + A general epistle to the church from the Twelve, dated Winter Quarters, + December 23, 1847, stated that the property of the Saints in Hancock + County was "little or no better than confiscated." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See John Taylor's address, p. 411 post. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0051" id="link2HCH0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — FROM THE MISSISSIPPI TO THE MISSOURI + </h2> + <p> + The first party to leave Nauvoo began crossing the Mississippi early in + February, 1846, using flatboats propelled by oars for the wagons and + animals, and small boats for persons and the lighter baggage. It soon + became colder and snow fell, and after the 16th those who remained were + able to cross on the ice. + </p> + <p> + Brigham Young, with a few attendants, had crossed on February 10, and + selected a point on Sugar Creek as a gathering place.* He seems to have + returned secretly to the city for a few days to arrange for the departure + of his family, and Lee says that he did not have teams enough at that time + for their conveyance, adding, "such as were in danger of being arrested + were helped away first." John Taylor says that those who crossed the river + in February included the Twelve, the High Council, and about four hundred + families.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 171. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "February 14 I crossed the river with my family and teams, and +encamped not far from the Sugar Creek encampment, taking possession of +a vacant log house on account of the extreme cold."—P. P. Pratt, +"Autobiography," p. 378. +</pre> + <p> + "Camp of Israel" was the name adopted for the camp in which President + Young and the Twelve might be, and this name moved westward with them. The + camp on Sugar Creek was the first of these, and there, on February 17, + Young addressed the company from a wagon. He outlined the journey before + them, declaring that order would be preserved, and that all who wished to + live in peace when the actual march began "must toe the mark," ending with + a call for a show of hands by those who wanted to make the move. The vote + in favor of going West was unanimous.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "At a Council in Nauvoo of the men who were to act as the +captains of the people in that famous exodus, one after the other +brought up difficulties in their path, until the prospect was without +one poor speck of daylight. The good nature of George A. Smith was +provoked at last, when he sprang up and observed, with his quaint humor, +that had now a touch of the grand in it, 'If there is no God in Israel +we are a sucked-in set of fellows. But I am going to take my family and +the Lord will open the way.'"—Tullidge, "History of Salt Lake City," +p.17. +</pre> + <p> + The turning out of doors in midwinter of so many persons of all ages and + both sexes, accustomed to the shelter of comfortable homes, entailed much + suffering. A covered wagon or a tent is a poor protection from wintry + blasts, and a camp fire in the open air, even with a bright sky overhead, + is a poor substitute for a stove. Their first move, therefore, gave the + emigrants a taste of the trials they were to endure. While they were at + Sugar Creek the thermometer dropped to 20 degrees below zero, and heavy + falls of snow occurred. Several children were born at this point, before + the actual Western journey began, and the sick and the feeble entered upon + their sufferings at once. Before that camp broke up it was found + necessary, too, to buy grain for the animals. + </p> + <p> + The camp was directly in charge of the Twelve until the Chariton River was + reached. There, on March 27, it was divided into companies containing from + 50 to 60 wagons, the companies being put in charge of captains of fifties + and captains of tens—suggesting Smith's "Army of Zion." The captains + of fifties were responsible directly to the High Council. There were also + a commissary general, and, for each fifty, a contracting commissary "to + make righteous distribution of grains and provisions." Strict order was + maintained by day while the column was in motion, and, whenever there was + a halt, special care was taken to secure the cattle and the horses, while + at night watches were constantly maintained. The story of the march to the + Missouri does not contain a mention of any hostile meeting with Indians. + </p> + <p> + The company remained on Sugar Creek for about a month, receiving constant + accessions from across the river, and on the first of March the real + westward movement began. The first objective point was Council Bluffs, + Iowa, on the Missouri River, about 400 miles distant; but on the way + several camps were established, at which some of the emigrants stopped to + plant seeds and make other arrangements for the comfort of those who were + to follow. The first of these camps was located at Richardson's Point in + Lee County, Iowa, 55 miles from Nauvoo; the next on Chariton River; the + next on Locust Creek; the next, named by them Garden Grove, on a branch of + Grand River, some 150 miles from Nauvoo; and another, which P. P. Pratt + named Mt. Pisgah, on Grand River, 138 miles east of Council Bluffs. The + camp on the Missouri first made was called Winter Quarters, and was + situated just north of the present site of Omaha, where the town now + called Florence is located. It was not until July that the main body + arrived at Council Bluffs. + </p> + <p> + The story of this march is a remarkable one in many ways. Begun in winter, + with the ground soon covered with snow, the travellers encountered arctic + weather, with the inconveniences of ice, rain, and mud, until May. After a + snowfall they would have to scrape the ground when they had selected a + place for pitching the tents. After a rain, or one of the occasional + thaws, the country (there were no regular roads) would be practically + impassable for teams, and they would have to remain in camp until the + water disappeared, and the soil would bear the weight of the wagons after + it was corduroyed with branches of trees. At one time bad roads caused a + halt of two or three weeks. Fuel was not always abundant, and after a cold + night it was no unusual thing to find wet garments and bedding frozen + stiff in the morning. Here is an extract from Orson Pratt's diary:—"April + 9. The rain poured down in torrents. With great exertion a part of the + camp were enabled to get about six miles, while others were stuck fast in + the deep mud. We encamped at a point of timber about sunset, after being + drenched several hours in rain. We were obliged to cut brush and limbs of + trees, and throw them upon the ground in our tents, to keep our beds from + sinking in the mud. Our animals were turned loose to look out for + themselves; the bark and limbs of trees were their principal food." ** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XI, p. 370. +</pre> + <p> + Game was plenty,—deer, wild turkeys, and prairie hens,—but + while the members of this party were better supplied with provisions than + their followers, there was no surplus among them, and by April many + families were really destitute of food. Eliza Snow mentions that her + brother Lorenzo—one of the captains of tens—had two wagons, a + small tent, a cow, and a scanty supply of provisions and clothing, and + that "he was much better off than some of our neighbors." Heber C. + Kimball, one of the Twelve, says of the situation of his family, that he + had the ague, and his wife was in bed with it, with two children, one a + few days old, lying by her, and the oldest child well enough to do any + household work was a boy who could scarcely carry a two-quart pail of + water. Mrs. F. D. Richards, whose husband was ordered on a mission to + England while the camp was at Sugar Creek, was prematurely confined in a + wagon on the way to the Missouri. The babe died, as did an older daughter. + "Our situation," she says, "was pitiable; I had not suitable food for + myself or my child; the severe rain prevented our having any fire." + </p> + <p> + The adaptability of the American pioneer to his circumstances was shown + during this march in many ways. When a halt occurred, a shoemaker might be + seen looking for a stone to serve as a lap stone in his repair work, or a + gunsmith mending a rifle, or a weaver at a wheel or loom. The women + learned that the jolting wagons would churn their milk, and, when a halt + occurred, it took them but a short time to heat an oven hollowed out of a + hillside, in which to bake the bread already "raised." Colonel Kane says + that he saw a piece of cloth, the wool for which was sheared, dyed, spun, + and woven during this march. + </p> + <p> + The leaders of the company understood the people they had in charge, and + they looked out for their good spirits. Captain Pitt's brass band was + included in the equipment, and the camp was not thoroughly organized + before, on a clear evening, a dance—the Mormons have always been + great dancers—was announced, and the visiting Iowans looked on in + amazement, to see these exiles from comfortable homes thus enjoying + themselves on the open prairie, the highest dignitaries leading in + Virginia reels and Copenhagen jigs. + </p> + <p> + John Taylor, whose pictures of this march, painted with a view to attract + English emigrants, were always highly colored, estimated that, when he + left Council Bluffs for England, in July, 1846, there were in camp and on + the way 15,000 Mormons, with 3000 wagons, 30,000 head of cattle, a great + many horses and mules, and a vast number of sheep. Colonel Kane says that, + besides the wagons, there was "a large number of nondescript turnouts, the + motley makeshifts of poverty; from the unsuitable heavy cart that lumbered + on mysteriously, with its sick driver hidden under its counterpane cover, + to the crazy two-wheeled trundle, such as our own poor employ in the + conveyance of their slop barrels, this pulled along, it may be, by a + little dry-dugged heifer, and rigged up only to drag some such light + weight as a baby, a sack of meal or a pack of clothes and bedding." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The Mormons," a lecture by Colonel T. L. Kane. +</pre> + <p> + There was no large supply of cash to keep this army and its animals in + provisions. Every member who could contribute to the commissary department + by his labor was expected to do so. The settlers in the territory seem to + have been in need of such assistance, and were very glad to pay for it in + grain, hay, or provisions. A letter from one of the emigrants to a friend + in England* said that, in every settlement they passed through, they found + plenty of work, digging wells and cellars, splitting rails, threshing, + ploughing, and clearing land. Some of the men in the spring were sent + south into Missouri, not more than forty miles from Far West, in search of + employment. This they readily secured, no one raising the least objection + to a Mormon who was not to be a permanent settler. Others were sent into + that state to exchange horses, feather beds, and other personal property + for cows and provisions. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. VIII, p. 59. +</pre> + <p> + A part of the plan of operations provided for sending out pioneers to + select the route and camping sites, to make bridges where they were + necessary, and to open roads. The party carried light boats, but a good + many bridges seem to have been required because of the spring freshets. It + was while resting after a march through prolonged rain and mud, late in + April, that it was decided to establish the permanent camp called Garden + Grove. Hundreds of men were at once set to work, making log houses and + fences, digging wells, and ploughing, and soon hundreds of acres were + enclosed and planted. + </p> + <p> + The progress made during April was exasperatingly slow. There was soft mud + during the day, and rough ruts in the early morning. Sometimes camp would + be pitched after making only a mile; sometimes they would think they had + done well if they had made six. The animals, in fact, were so thin from + lack of food that they could not do a day's work even under favorable + circumstances. The route, after the middle of April, was turned to the + north, and they then travelled over a broken prairie country, where the + game had been mostly killed off by the Pottawottomi Indians, whose trails + and abandoned camps were encountered constantly. + </p> + <p> + On May 16, as the two Pratts and others were in advance, locating the + route, P. P. Pratt discovered the site of what was called Mt. Pisgah (the + post-office of Mt. Pisgah of to-day) which he thus describes: "Riding + about three or four miles over beautiful prairies, I came suddenly to some + round sloping hills, grassy, and crowned with beautiful groves of timber, + while alternate open groves and forests seemed blended into all the beauty + and harmony of an English park. Beneath and beyond, on the west, rolled a + main branch of Grand River, with its rich bottoms of alternate forest and + prairie."* As soon as Young and the other high dignitaries arrived, it was + decided to form a settlement there, and several thousand acres were + enclosed for cultivation, and many houses were built. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Pratt's "Autobiography," p. 381. +</pre> + <p> + Young and most of the first party continued their westward march through + an uninhabited country, where they had to make their own roads. But they + met with no opposition from Indians, and the head of the procession + reached the banks of the Missouri near Council Bluffs in June, other + companies following in quite rapid succession. + </p> + <p> + The company which was the last to leave Nauvoo (on September 17), driven + out by the Hancock County forces, endured sufferings much greater than did + the early companies who were conducted by Brigham Young. The latter + comprised the well-to-do of the city and all the high officers of the + church, while the remnant left behind was made up of the sick and those + who had not succeeded in securing the necessary equipment for the journey. + Brayman, in his second report to Governor Ford, said:— + </p> + <p> + "Those of the Mormons who were wealthy or possessed desirable real estate + in the city had sold and departed last spring. I am inclined to the + opinion that the leaders of the church took with them all the movable + wealth of their people that they could control, without making proper + provision for those who remained. Consequently there was much destitution + among them; much sickness and distress. I traversed the city, and visited + in company with a practising physician the sick, and almost invariably + found them destitute, to a painful extent, of the comforts of life."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Warsaw Signal, October 20, 1846. +</pre> + <p> + It was on the 18th of September that the last of these unfortunates + crossed the river, making 640 who were then collected on the west bank. + Illness had not been accepted by the "posse" as an excuse for delay. + Thomas Bullock says that his family, consisting of a husband, wife, blind + mother-in-law, four children, and an aunt, "all shaking with the ague," + were given twenty minutes in which to get their goods into two wagons and + start.* The west bank in Iowa, where the people landed, was marshy and + unhealthy, and the suffering at what was called "Poor Camp," a short + distance above Montrose, was intense. Severe storms were frequent, and the + best cover that some of the people could obtain was a tent made of a + blanket or a quilt, or even of brush, or the shelter to be had under the + wagons of those who were fortunate enough to be thus equipped. Bullock + thus describes one night's experience: "On Monday, September 23, while in + my wagon on the slough opposite Nauvoo, a most tremendous thunderstorm + passed over, which drenched everything we had. Not a dry thing left us—the + bed a pool of water, my wife and mother-in-law lading it out by basinfuls, + and I in a burning fever and insensible, with all my hair shorn off to + cure me of my disease. A poor woman stood among the bushes, wrapping her + cloak around her three little orphan children, to shield them from the + storm as well as she could." The supply of food, too, was limited, their + flour being wheat ground in hand mills, and even this at times failing; + then roasted corn was substituted, the grain being mixed by some with + slippery elm bark to eke it out.** The people of Hancock County + contributed something in the way of clothing and provisions and a little + money in aid of these sufferers, and the trustees of the church who were + left in Nauvoo to sell property gave what help they could. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Millennial Star, Vol. X, p. 28. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Bancrofts "History of Utah," p. 233, +</pre> + <p> + On October 9 wagons sent back by the earlier emigrants for their + unfortunate brethren had arrived, and the start for the Missouri began. + Bullock relates that, just as they were ready to set out, a great flight + of quails settled in the camp, running around the wagons so near that they + could be knocked over with sticks, and the children caught some alive. One + bird lighted upon their tea board, in the midst of the cups, while they + were at breakfast. It was estimated that five hundred of the birds were + flying about the camp that day, but when one hundred had been killed or + caught, the captain forbade the killing of any more, "as it was a direct + manifestation and visitation by the Lord." Young closes his account of + this incident with the words, "Tell this to the nations of the earth! Tell + it to the kings and nobles and great ones." + </p> + <p> + Wells, in his manuscript, "Utah Notes" (quoted by H. H. Bancroft), says: + "This phenomenon extended some thirty or forty miles along the river, and + was generally observed. The quail in immense quantities had attempted to + cross the river, but this being beyond their strength, had dropped into + the river boats or on the banks."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Bancroft's "History of Utah," p. 234, note. +</pre> + <p> + The westward march of these refugees was marked by more hardships than + that of the earlier bodies, because they were in bad physical condition + and were in no sense properly equipped. Council Bluffs was not reached + till November 27. + </p> + <p> + The division of the emigrants and their progress was thus noted in an + interview, printed in the Nauvoo Eagle of July 10, with a person who had + left Council Bluffs on June 26, coming East. The advance company, + including the Twelve, with a train of 1000 wagons, was then encamped on + the east bank of the Missouri, the men being busy building boats. The + second company, 3000 strong, were at Mt. Pisgah, recruiting their cattle + for a new start. The third company had halted at Garden Grove. Between + Garden Grove and the Mississippi River the Eagle's informant counted more + than 1000 wagons on their way west. He estimated the total number of teams + engaged in this movement at about 3700, and the number of persons on the + road at 12,000. The Eagle added:— + </p> + <p> + "From 2000 to 3000 have disappeared from Nauvoo in various directions, and + about 800 or less still remain in Illinois. This comprises the entire + Mormon population that once flourished in Hancock County. In their palmy + days they probably numbered 15,000 or 16,000." + </p> + <p> + The camp that had been formed at Mt. Pisgah suffered severely from the + start. Provisions were scarce, and a number of families were dependent for + food on neighbors who had little enough for themselves. Fodder for the + cattle gave out, too, and in the early spring the only substitute was buds + and twigs of trees. Snow notes as a calamity the death of his milch cow, + which had been driven all the way from Ohio. Along with their destitution + came sickness, and at times during the following winter it seemed as if + there were not enough of the well to supply the needed nurses. So many + deaths occurred during that autumn and winter that a funeral came to be + conducted with little ceremony, and even the customary burial clothes + could not be provided.* Elder W. Huntington, the presiding officer of the + settlement, was among the early victims, and Lorenzo Snow, the recent head + of the Mormon church, succeeded him. During Snow's stay there three of his + four wives gave birth to children. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Biography of Lorenzo Snow," p. 90. +</pre> + <p> + Notwithstanding these depressing circumstances, the camp was by no means + inactive during the winter. Those who were well were kept busy repairing + wagons, and making, in a rude way, such household articles as were most + needed—chairs, tubs, and baskets. Parties were sent out to the + settlements within reach to work, accepting food and clothing as pay, and + two elders were selected to visit the states in search of contributions. + These efforts were so successful that about $600 was raised, and the camp + sent to Brigham Young at Council Bluffs a load of provisions as a New + Year's gift. + </p> + <p> + The usual religious meetings were kept up during the winter, and the + utility of amusements in such a settlement was not forgotten. Ingenuity + was taxed to give variety to the social entertainments. Snow describes a + "party" that he gave in his family mansion—"a one-story edifice + about fifteen by thirty feet, constructed of logs, with a dirt roof, a + ground floor, and a chimney made of sod." Many a man compelled to house + four wives (one of them with three sons by a former husband) in such a + mansion would have felt excused from entertaining company. But the Snows + did not. For a carpet the floor was strewn with straw. The logs of the + sides of the room were concealed with sheets. Hollowed turnips provided + candelabras, which were stuck around the walls and suspended from the + roof. The company were entertained with songs, recitations, conundrums, + etc., and all voted that they had a very jolly time. + </p> + <p> + In the larger camps the travellers were accustomed to make what they + called "boweries"—large arbors covered with a framework of poles, + and thatched with brush or branches. The making of such "boweries" was + continued by the Saints in Utah. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0052" id="link2HCH0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — THE MORMON BATTALION + </h2> + <p> + During the halt of a part of the main body of the Mormons at Mt. Pisgah, + an incident occurred which has been made the subject of a good deal of + literature, and has been held up by the Mormons as a proof both of the + severity of the American government toward them and of their own + patriotism. There is so little ground for either of these claims that the + story of the Battalion should be correctly told. + </p> + <p> + When hostilities against Mexico began, early in 1846, the plan of campaign + designed by the United States authorities comprised an invasion of Mexico + at two points, by Generals Taylor and Wool, and a descent on Santa Fe, and + thence a march into California. This march was to be made by General + Stephen F. Kearney, who was to command the volunteers raised in Missouri, + and the few hundred regular troops then at Fort Leavenworth. In gathering + his force General (then Colonel) Kearney sent Captain J. Allen of the + First Dragoons to the Mormons at Mt. Pisgah, not with an order of any + kind, but with a written proposition, dated June 26, 1846, that he "would + accept the service, for twelve months, of four or five companies of Mormon + men" (each numbering from 73 to 109), to unite with the Army of the West + at Santa Fe, and march thence to California, where they would be + discharged. These volunteers were to have the regular volunteers' pay and + allowances, and permission to retain at their discharge the arms and + equipments with which they would be provided, the age limit to be between + eighteen and forty-five years. The most practical inducement held out to + the Mormons to enlist was thus explained: "Thus is offered to the Mormon + people now—this year—an opportunity of sending a portion of + their young and intelligent men to the ultimate destination of their whole + people, and entirely at the expense of the United States; and this advance + party can thus pave the way and look out the land for their brethren to + come after them." + </p> + <p> + There was nothing like a "demand" on the Mormons in this invitation, and + the advantage of accepting it was largely on the Mormon side. If it had + not been, it would have been rejected. That the government was in no + stress for volunteers is shown by the fact that General Kearney reported + to the War Department in the following August that he had more troops than + he needed, and that he proposed to use some of them to reenforce General + Wool.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Chase's "History of the Polk Administration," p. 16. +</pre> + <p> + The initial suggestion about the raising of these Mormon volunteers came + from a Mormon source.* In the spring of 1846 Jesse C. Little, a Mormon + elder of the Eastern states, visited Washington with letters of + introduction from Governor Steele of New Hampshire and Colonel Thomas L. + Kane of Philadelphia, hoping to secure from the government a contract to + carry provisions or naval stores to the Pacific coast, and thus pay part + of the expense of conveying Mormons to California by water. According to + Little, this matter was laid before the cabinet, who proposed that he + should visit the Mormon camp and raise 1000 picked men to make a dash for + California overland, while as many more would be sent around Cape Horn + from the Eastern states. This big scheme, according to Mormon accounts, + was upset by one of the hated Missourians, Senator Thomas H. Benton, whose + Macchiavellian mind had designed the plan of taking from the Mormons 500 + of their best men for the Battalion, thus crippling them while in the + Indian country. All this part of their account is utterly unworthy of + belief. If 500 volunteers for the army "crippled" the immigrants where + they were, what would have been their condition if 1000 of their number + had been hurried on to California? ** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "Life of Brigham Young," p. 47. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Delegate Berahisel, in a letter to President Fillmore +(December 1, 1851), replying to a charge by Judge Brocchus that the +24th of July orators had complained of the conduct of the government in +taking the Battalion from them for service against Mexico, said, +"The government did not take from us a battalion of men," the Mormons +furnishing them in response to a call for volunteers. +</pre> + <p> + Aside from the opportunity afforded by General Kearney's invitation to + send a pioneer band, without expense to themselves, to the Pacific coast, + the offer gave the Mormons great, and greatly needed, pecuniary + assistance. P. P. Pratt, on his way East to visit England with Taylor and + Hyde, found the Battalion at Fort Leavenworth, and was sent back to the + camp* with between $5000 and $6000, a part of the Battalion's government + allowance. This was a godsend where cash was so scarce, as it enabled the + commissary officers to make purchases in St. Louis, where prices were much + lower than in western Iowa.** John Taylor, in a letter to the Saints in + Great Britain on arriving there, quoted the acceptance of this Battalion + as evidence that "the President of the United States is favorably disposed + to us," and said that their employment in the army, as there was no + prospect of any fighting, "amounts to the same as paying them for going + where they were destined to go without."*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Unexpected as this visit was, a member of my family had been +warned in a dream, and had predicted my arrival and the day."—Pratt, +"Autobiography," p. 384. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "History of Brigham Young," Ms., 1846, p. 150. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Millennial Star, Vol. VIII, p. 117. +</pre> + <p> + The march of the federal force that went from Santa Fe (where the Mormon + Battalion arrived in October) to California was a notable one, over + unexplored deserts, where food was scarce and water for long distances + unobtainable. Arriving at the junction of the Gila and Colorado rivers on + December 26, they received there an order to march to San Diego, + California, and arrived there on January 29, after a march of over two + thousand miles. + </p> + <p> + The war in California was over at that date, but the Battalion did + garrison duty at San Luis Rey, and then at Los Angeles. Various + propositions for their reenlistment were made to them, but their church + officers opposed this, and were obeyed except in some individual + instances. About 150 of those who set out from Santa Fe were sent back + invalided before California was reached, and the number mustered out was + only about 240. These at once started eastward, but, owing to news + received concerning the hardships of the first Mormons who arrived in Salt + Lake Valley, many of them decided to remain in California, and a number + were hired by Sutter, on whose mill-race the first discovery of gold in + that state was made. Those who kept on reached Salt Lake Valley on October + 16, 1847. Thirty-two of their number continued their march to Winter + Quarters on the Missouri, where they arrived on December 18. + </p> + <p> + Mormon historians not only present the raising of the Battalion as a proof + of patriotism, but ascribe to the members of that force the credit of + securing California to the United States, and the discovery of gold.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The Mormons have always been disposed to overestimate the +value of their services during this period, attaching undue importance +to the current rumors of intending revolt on the part of the +Californians, and of the approach of Mexican troops to reconquer the +province. They also claim the credit of having enabled Kearney to +sustain his authority against the revolutionary pretensions of Fremont. +The merit of this claim will be apparent to the readers of preceding +chapters."—Bancroft, "History of California," Vol. V, p. 487. +</pre> + <p> + When Elder Little left Washington for the West with despatches for General + Kearney concerning the Mormon enlistments, he was accompanied by Colonel + Thomas L. Kane, a brother of the famous Arctic explorer. On his way West + Colonel Kane visited Nauvoo while the Hancock County posse were in + possession of it, saw the expelled Mormons in their camp across the river, + followed the trail of those who had reached the Missouri, and lay ill + among them in the unhealthy Missouri bottom in 1847. From that time + Colonel Kane became one of the most useful agents of the Mormon church in + the Eastern states, and, as we shall see, performed for them services + which only a man devoted to the church, but not openly a member of it, + could have accomplished. + </p> + <p> + It was stated at the time that Colonel Kane was baptized by Young at + Council Bluffs in 1847. His future course gives every reason to accept the + correctness of this view. He served the Mormons in the East as a Jesuit + would have served his order in earlier days in France or Spain. He bore + false witness in regard to polygamy and to the character of men high in + the church as unblushingly as a Brigham Young or a Kimball could have + done. His lecture before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1850 + was highly colored where it stated facts, and so inaccurate in other parts + that it is of little use to the historian. A Mormon writer who denied that + Kane was a member of the church offered as proof of this the statement + that, had Kane been a Mormon, Young would have commanded him instead of + treating him with so much respect. But Young was not a fool, and was quite + capable of appreciating the value of a secret agent at the federal + capital. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0053" id="link2HCH0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — THE CAMPS ON THE MISSOURI + </h2> + <p> + Mormon accounts of the westward movement from Nauvoo represent that the + delay which occurred when they reached the Missouri River was an + interruption of their leaders' plans, attributing it to the weakening of + their force by the enlistment of the Battalion, and the necessity of + waiting for the last Mormons who were driven out of Nauvoo. But after + their experiences in a winter march from the Mississippi, with something + like a base of supplies in reach, it is inconceivable that the Council + would have led their followers farther into the unknown West that same + year, when their stores were so nearly exhausted, and there was no region + before them in which they could make purchases, even if they had the means + to do so. + </p> + <p> + When the Mormons arrived on the Missouri they met with a very friendly + welcome. They found the land east of the river occupied by the + Pottawottomi Indians, who had recently been removed from their old home in + what is now Michigan and northern Illinois and Indiana; and the west side + occupied by the Omahas, who had once "considered all created things as + made for their peculiar use and benefit," but whom the smallpox and the + Sioux had many years before reduced to a miserable remnant. + </p> + <p> + The Mormons won the heart of the Pottawottomies by giving them a concert + at their agent's residence. A council followed, at which their chief, Pied + Riche, surnamed Le Clerc, made an address, giving the Mormons permission + to cut wood, make improvements, and live where they pleased on their + lands. + </p> + <p> + The principal camp on the Missouri, known as Winter Quarters, was on the + west bank, on what is now the site of Florence, Nebraska. A council was + held with the Omaha chiefs in the latter apart of August, and Big Elk, in + reply to an address by Brigham Young, recited their sufferings at the + hands of the Sioux, and told the whites that they could stay there for two + years and have the use of firewood and timber, and that the young men of + the Indians would watch their cattle and warn them of any danger. In + return, the Indians asked for the use of teams to draw in their harvest, + for assistance in housebuilding, ploughing, and blacksmithing, and that a + traffic in goods be established. An agreement to this effect was put in + writing. + </p> + <p> + The arrival of party after party of Mormons made an unusually busy scene + on the river banks. On the east side every hill that helped to make up the + Council Bluffs was occupied with tents and wagons, while the bottom was + crowded with cattle and vehicles on the way to the west side. Kane counted + four thousand head of cattle from a single elevation, and says that the + Mormon herd numbered thirty thousand. Along the banks of the river and + creeks the women were doing their family washing, while men were making + boats and superintending in every way the passage of the river by some, + and the preparations for a stay on the east side by others—building + huts, breaking the sod for grain, etc. The Pottawottomies had cut an + approach to the river opposite a trading post of the American Fur Company, + and established a ferry there, and they now did a big business carrying + over, in their flat-bottom boats, families and their wagons, and the cows + and sheep. As for the oxen, they were forced to swim, and great times the + boys had, driving them to the bank, compelling them to take the initial + plunge, and then guiding them across by taking the lead astride some + animal's back. + </p> + <p> + Sickness in the camps began almost as soon as they were formed. "Misery + Bottom," as it was then called, received the rich deposit brought down by + the river in the spring, and, when the river retired into its banks, + became a series of mud flats, described as "mere quagmires of black dirt, + stretching along for miles, unvaried except by the limbs of half-buried + carrion, tree trunks, or by occasional yellow pools of what the children + called frog's spawn; all together steaming up vapors redolent of the savor + of death." In the previous year—not an unusually bad one—one-ninth + of the Indian population on these flats had died in two months. The + Mormons suffered not only from the malaria of the river bottom, but from + the breaking up of many acres of the soil in their farming operations. + </p> + <p> + The illness was diagnosed as, the usual malarial fever, accompanied in + many cases with scorbutic symptoms, which they called "black canker," due + to a lack of vegetable food. In and around Winter Quarters there were more + than 600 burials before cold weather set in, and 334 out of a population + of 3483 were reported on the sick list as late as December. The Papillon + Camp, on the Little Butterfly River, was a deadly site. Kane, who had the + fever there, in passing by the place earlier in the season had opened an + Indian mound, leaving a deep trench through it. "My first airing," he + says, "upon my convalescence, took me to the mound, which, probably to + save digging, had been readapted to its original purpose. In this brief + interval they had filled the trench with bodies, and furrowed the ground + with graves around it, like the ploughing of a field." + </p> + <p> + But amid such affliction, in which cows went unmilked and corpses became + loathsome before men could be found to bury them, preparations continued + at all the camps for the winter's stay and next year's supplies. Brigham + Young, writing from Winter Quarters on January 6, 1847, to the elders in + England, said: "We have upward of seven hundred houses in our miniature + city, composed mostly of logs in the body, covered with puncheon, straw, + and dirt, which are warm and wholesome; a few are composed of turf, + willows, straw, etc., which are comfortable this winter, but will not + endure the thaws, rain, and sunshine of spring." * This city was divided + into twenty-two wards, each presided over by a Bishop. The principal + buildings were the Council House, thirty-two by twenty-four feet, and Dr. + Richard's house, called the Octagon, and described as resembling the heap + of earth piled up over potatoes to shield them from frost. In this Octagon + the High Council held most of their meetings. A great necessity was a + flouring mill, and accordingly they sent to St. Louis for the stones and + gearing, and, under Brigham Young's personal direction as a carpenter, the + mill was built and made ready for use in January. The money sent back by + the Battalion was expended in St. Louis for sugar and other needed + articles. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. IX, p. 97. +</pre> + <p> + As usual with the pictures sent to Europe, Young's description of the + comfort of the winter camp was exaggerated. P. P. Pratt, who arrived at + Winter Quarters from his mission to Europe on April 8, 1847, says:— + </p> + <p> + "I found my family all alive, and dwelling in a log cabin. They had, + however, suffered much from cold, hunger, and sickness. They had + oftentimes lived for several days on a little corn meal, ground in a hand + mill, with no other food. One of the family was then lying very sick with + the scurvy—a disease which had been very prevalent in camp during + the winter, and of which many had died. I found, on inquiry, that the + winter had been very severe, the snow deep, and consequently that all my + four horses were lost, and I afterward ascertained that out of twelve + cows, I had but seven left, and, out of some twelve or fourteen oxen, only + four or five were saved." + </p> + <p> + If this was the plight in which the spring found the family of one of the + Twelve, imagination can picture the suffering of the hundreds who had + arrived with less provision against the rigors of such a winter climate. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0054" id="link2HCH0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — THE PIONEER TRIP ACROSS THE PLAINS + </h2> + <p> + During the winter of 1846-1847 preparations were under way to send an + organization of pioneers across the plains and beyond the Rocky Mountains, + to select a new dwelling-place for the Saints. The only "revelation" to + Brigham Young found in the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" is a direction + about the organization and mission of this expedition. It was dated + January 14, 1847, and it directed the organization of the pioneers into + companies, with captains of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and a + president and two counsellors at their head, under charge of the Twelve. + Each company was to provide its own equipment, and to take seeds and + farming implements. "Let every man," it commanded, "use all his influence + and property to remove this people to the place where the Lord shall + locate a Stake of Zion." The power of the head of the church was guarded + by a threat that "if any man shall seek to build up himself he shall have + no power," and the "revelation" ended, like a rustic's letter, with the + words, "So no more at present," "amen and amen" being added. + </p> + <p> + In accordance with this command, on April 14* a pioneer band of volunteers + set out to blaze a path, so to speak, across the plains and mountains for + the main body which was to follow. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Date given in the General Epistle of December 23, 1847. Others +say April 7. +</pre> + <p> + It is difficult to-day, when this "Far West" is in possession of the + agriculturist, the merchant, and the miner, dotted with cities and + flourishing towns, and cut in all directions by railroads, which have made + pleasure routes for tourists of the trail over which the pioneers of half + a century ago toiled with difficulty and danger, to realize how vague were + the ideas of even the best informed in the thirties and forties about the + physical characteristics of that country and its future possibilities. The + conception of the latter may be best illustrated by quoting Washington + Irving's idea, as expressed in his "Astoria," written in 1836:— + </p> + <p> + "Such is the nature of this immense wilderness of the far West; which + apparently defies cultivation and the habitation of civilized life. Some + portion of it, along the rivers, may partially be subdued by agriculture, + others may form vast pastoral tracts like those of the East; but it is to + be feared that a great part of it will form a lawless interval between the + abodes of civilized man, like the wastes of the ocean or the deserts of + Arabia, and, like them, be subject to the depredations of the marauders. + There may spring up new and mongrel races, like new formations in zoology, + the amalgamation of the 'debris' and 'abrasions' of former races, + civilized and savage; the remains of broken and extinguished tribes; the + descendants of wandering hunters and trappers; of fugitives from the + Spanish-American frontiers; of adventurers and desperadoes of every class + and country, yearly ejected from the bosom of society into the + wilderness.... Some may gradually become pastoral hordes, like those rude + and migratory people, half shepherd, half warrior, who, with their flocks + and herds, roam the plains of upper Asia; but others, it is to be + apprehended, will become predatory bands, mounted on the fleet steeds of + the prairies, with the open plains for their marauding grounds, and the + mountains for their retreats and lurking places. There they may resemble + those great hordes of the North, 'Gog and Magog with their bands,' that + haunted the gloomy imaginations of the prophets—'A great company and + a mighty host, all riding upon horses, and warring upon those nations + which were at rest, and dwelt peaceably, and had gotten cattle and + goods."' + </p> + <p> + "What about the country between the Missouri River and the Pacific," asked + a father living near the Missouri, of his son on his return from + California across the plains in 1851—"Oh, it's of no account," was + the reply; "the soil is poor, sandy, and too dry to produce anything but + this little short grass afterward learned to be so rich in nutriment, and, + when it does rain, in three hours afterward you could not tell that it had + rained at all."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Nebraska Historical Society papers. +</pre> + <p> + But while this distant West was still so unknown to the settled parts of + the country, these Mormon pioneers were by no means the first to traverse + it, as the records of the journeyings of Lewis and Clark, Ezekiel + Williams, General W. H. Ashley, Wilson Price Hunt, Major S. H. Long, + Captain W. Sublette, Bonneville, Fremont, and others show. + </p> + <p> + The pioneer band of the Mormons consisted of 143 men, three women (wives + of Brigham and Lorenzo Young and H. C. Kimball), and two children. They + took with them seventy-three wagons. Their chief officers were Brigham + Young, Lieutenant General; Stephen Markham, Colonel; John Pack, First + Major; Shadrack Roundy, Second Major, two captains of hundreds, and + fourteen captains of companies. The order of march was intelligently + arranged, with a view to the probability of meeting Indians who, if not + dangerous to life, had little regard for personal property. The Indians of + the Platte region were notorious thieves, but had not the reputation as + warriors of their more northern neighbors. The regulations required that + each private should walk constantly beside his wagon, leaving it only by + his officer's command. In order to make as compact a force as possible, + two wagons were to move abreast whenever this could be done. Every man was + to keep his weapons loaded, and special care was insisted upon that the + caps, flints, and locks should be in good condition. They had with them + one small cannon mounted on wheels. + </p> + <p> + The bugle for rising sounded at 5 A.M., and two hours were allowed for + breakfast and prayers. At night each man was to retire into his wagon for + prayer at 8.30 o'clock, and for the night's rest at 9. The night camp was + formed by drawing up the wagons in a semicircle, with the river in the + rear, if they camped near its bank, or otherwise with the wagons in a + circle, a forewheel of one touching the hind wheel of the next. In this + way an effective corral for the animals was provided within. + </p> + <p> + At the head of Grand Island, on April 30, they had their first sight of + buffaloes. A hunting party was organized at once, and a herd of sixty-five + of the animals was pursued for several miles in full view of the camp + (when game and hunters were not hidden by the dust), and so successfully + that eleven buffaloes were killed. + </p> + <p> + The first alarm of Indians occurred on May 4, when scouts reported a band + of about four hundred a few miles ahead. The wagons were at once formed + five abreast, the cannon was fired as a means of alarm, and the company + advanced in close formation. The Indians did not attack them, but they set + fire to the prairie, and this caused a halt. A change of wind the next + morning and an early shower checked the flames, and the column moved on + again at daybreak. During the next few days the buffaloes were seen in + herds of hundreds of thousands on both sides of the Platte. So numerous + were they that the company had to stop at times and let gangs of the + animals pass on either side, and several calves were captured alive.* With + or near the buffaloes were seen antelopes and wolves. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The vast herds of buffalo were often in our way, and we were +under the necessity of sending out advance guards to clear the track so +that our teams might pass." Erastus SNOW, "Address to the Pioneers," in +Mo. +</pre> + <p> + At Grand Island the question of their further route was carefully debated. + There was a well-known trail to Fort Laramie on the south side of the + river, used by those who set out from Independence, Missouri, for Oregon. + Good pasture was assured on that side, but it was argued that, if this + party made a new trail along the north side of the river, the Mormons + would have what might be considered a route of their own, separated from + other westward emigrants. This view prevailed, and the course then + selected became known in after years as the Mormon Trail (sometimes called + the "Old Mormon Road"); the line of the Union Pacific Railroad follows it + for many miles. + </p> + <p> + Their decision caused them a good deal of anxiety about forage for their + animals before they reached Fort Laramie. It had not rained at the latter + point for two years, and the drought, together with the vast herds of + buffaloes and the Indian fires, made it for days impossible to find any + pasture except in small patches. When the fort was reached, they had fed + their animals not only a large part of their grain, but some of their + crackers and other breadstuff, and the beasts were so weak that they could + scarcely drag the wagons. + </p> + <p> + During the previous winter the church officers had procured for their use + from England two sextants and other instruments needed for taking solar + observations, two barometers, thermometers, etc., and these were used by + Orson Pratt daily to note their progress.* Two of the party also + constructed a sort of pedometer, and, after leaving Fort Laramie, a + mile-post was set up every ten miles, for the guidance of those who were + to follow. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * His diary of the trip will be found in the Millennial Star for +1849-1850, full of interesting details, but evidently edited for English +readers. +</pre> + <p> + In the camp made on May 10 the first of the Mormon post-offices on the + plains was established. Into a board six inches wide and eighteen long, a + cut was made with a saw, and in this cut a letter was placed. After + nailing on cleats to retain the letter, and addressing the board to the + officers of the next company, the board was nailed to a fifteen-foot pole, + which was set firmly in the ground near the trail, and left to its fate. + How successful this attempt at communication proved is not stated, but + similar means of communication were in use during the whole period of + Mormon migration. Sometimes a copy of the camp journal was left + conspicuously in the crotch of a tree, for the edification of the next + camp, and scores of the buffaloes' skulls that dotted the plains were + marked with messages and set up along the trail. + </p> + <p> + The weakness of the draught animals made progress slow at this time, and + marches of from 4 to 7 miles a day were recorded. The men fared better, + game being abundant. Signs of Indians were seen from time to time, and + precautions were constantly taken to prevent a stampede of the animals; + but no open attack was made. A few Indians visited the camp on May 21, and + gave assurances of their friendliness; and on the 24th they had a visit + from a party of thirty-five Dakotas (or Sioux who tendered a written + letter of recommendation in French from one of the agents of the American + Fur Company. The Mormons had to grant their request for permission to camp + with them over night, which meant also giving them supper and breakfast—no + small demand on their hospitality when the capacity of the Indian stomach + is understood). + </p> + <p> + Little occurred during May to vary the monotony of the journey. On the + afternoon of June 1 they arrived nearly opposite Fort Laramie and the + ruins of old Fort Platte, a point 522 miles from Winter Quarters, and 509 + from Great Salt Lake. The so-called forts were in fact trading posts, + established by the fur companies, both as points of supply for their + trappers and trading places with the Indians for peltries. On the evening + of their arrival at this point they had a visit from members of a party of + Mormons gathered principally from Mississippi and southern Illinois, who + had passed the winter in Pueblo, and were waiting to join the emigrants + from Winter Quarters. + </p> + <p> + The Platte, usually a shallow stream, was at that place 108 yards wide, + and too deep for wading. Brigham Young and some others crossed over the + next morning in a sole-leather skiff which formed a part of their + equipment, and were kindly welcomed by the commandant. There they learned + that it would be impracticable—or at least very difficult—to + continue along the north bank of the Platte, and they accordingly hired a + flatboat to ferry the company and their wagons across. The crossing began + on June 3, and on an average four wagons were ferried over in an hour. + </p> + <p> + Advantage was taken of this delay to set up, a bellows and forge, and make + needed repairs to the wagons. At the Fort the Mormons learned that their + old object of hatred in Missouri, ex-Governor Boggs, had recently passed + by with a company of emigrants bound for the Pacific coast. Young's + company came across other Missourians on the plains; but no hostilities + ensued, the Missourians having no object now to interfere with the Saints, + and the latter contenting themselves by noting in their diaries the + profanity and quarrelsomeness of their old neighbors. + </p> + <p> + The journey was resumed at noon on June 4, along the Oregon trail. A small + party of the Mormons was sent on in advance to the spot where the Oregon + trail crossed the Platte, 124 miles west of Fort Laramie. This crossing + was generally made by fording, but the river was too high for this, and + the sole-leather boat, which would carry from 1500 to 1800 pounds, was + accordingly employed. The men with this boat reached the crossing in + advance of the first party of Oregon emigrants whom they had encountered, + and were employed by the latter to ferry their goods across while the + empty wagons were floated. This proved a happy enterprise for the Mormons. + The drain on their stock of grain and provisions had by this time so + reduced their supply that they looked forward with no little anxiety to + the long march. The Oregon party offered liberal pay in flour, sugar, + bacon, and coffee for the use of the boat, and the terms were gladly + accepted, although most of the persons served were Missourians. When the + main body of pioneers started on from that point, they left ten men with + the boat to maintain the ferry until the next company from Winter Quarters + should come up.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The Missourians paid them $1.50 for each wagon and load, and +paid it in flour at $2.50; yet flour was worth $10 per hundredweight, +at least at that point. They divided their earnings among the camp +equally."—Tullidge, "Life of Brigham Young," p. 165. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormons themselves were delayed at this crossing until June 19, making + a boat on which a wagon could cross without unloading. During the first + few days after leaving the North Platte grass and water were scarce. On + June 21 they reached the Sweet Water, and, fording it, encamped within + sight of Independence Rock, near the upper end of Devil's Gate. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0055" id="link2HCH0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — FROM THE ROCKIES TO SALT LAKE VALLEY + </h2> + <p> + More than one day's march was now made without finding water or grass. + Banks of snow were observed on the near-by elevations, and overcoats were + very comfortable at night. On June 26 they reached the South Pass, where + the waters running to the Atlantic and to the Pacific separate. They + found, however, no well-marked dividing ridge-only, as Pratt described it, + "a quietly undulating plain or prairie, some fifteen or twenty miles in + length and breadth, thickly covered with wild sage." There were good + pasture and plenty of water, and they met there a small party who were + making the journey from Oregon to the states on horseback. + </p> + <p> + All this time the leaders of the expedition had no definite view of their + final stopping-place. Whenever Young was asked by any of his party, as + they trudged along, what locality they were aiming for, his only reply was + that he would recognize the site of their new home when he saw it, and + that they would surely go on as the Lord would direct them.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Erastus Snow's "Address to the Pioneers," 1880. +</pre> + <p> + While they were camping near South Pass, an incident occurred which + narrowly escaped changing the plans of the Lord, if he had already + selected Salt Lake Valley. One of the men whom the company met there was a + voyager whose judgment about a desirable site for a settlement naturally + seemed worthy of consideration. This was T. L. Smith, better known as + "Pegleg" Smith. He had been a companion of Jedediah S. Smith, one of + Ashley's company of trappers, who had started from Great Salt Lake in + August, 1826, and made his way to San Gabriel Mission in California, and + thence eastward, reaching the Lake again in the spring of 1827. "Pegleg" + had a trading post on Bear River above Soda Springs (in the present + Idaho). He gave the Mormons a great deal of information about all the + valley which lay before them, and to the north and south. "He earnestly + advised us," says Erastus Snow, "to direct our course northwestward from + Bridger, and make our way into Cache Valley; and he so far made an + impression upon the camp that we were induced to enter into an engagement + with him to meet us at a certain time and place two weeks afterward, to + pilot our company into that country. But for some reason, which to this + day never to my knowledge has been explained, he failed to meet us; and I + have ever recognized his failure to do so as a providence of an all-wise + God."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Address to the Pioneers," 1880. +</pre> + <p> + "Pegleg's" reputation was as bad as that of any of those reckless trappers + of his day, and perhaps, if the Mormons had known more about him, they + would have given less heed to his advice, and counted less on his keeping + his engagement. + </p> + <p> + With the returning Oregonians they also made the acquaintance of Major + Harris, an old trapper and hunter in California and Oregon, who gave them + little encouragement about Salt Lake Valley, as a place of settlement, + principally because of the lack of timber. Two days later they met Colonel + James Bridger, an authority on that part of the country, whose "fort" was + widely known. Young told him that he proposed to take a look at Great Salt + Lake Valley with a view to its settlement. Bridger affirmed that his + experiments had more than convinced him that corn would not grow in those + mountains, and, when Young expressed doubts about this, he offered to give + the Mormon President $1000 for the first ear raised in that valley. Next + they met a mountaineer named Goodyear, who had passed the last winter on + the site of what is now Ogden, Utah, where he had tried without success to + raise a little grain and a few vegetables. He told of severe cold in + winter and drought in summer. Irrigation had not suggested itself to a man + who had a large part of a continent in which to look for a more congenial + farm site. + </p> + <p> + Mormons in all later years have said that they were guided to the Salt + Lake Valley in fulfilment of the prediction of Joseph Smith that they + would have to flee to the Rocky Mountains. But in their progress across + the plains the leaders of the pioneers were not indifferent to any advice + that came in their way, and in a manuscript "History of Brigham Young" + (1847), quoted by H. H. Bancroft, is the following entry, which may + indicate the first suggestion that turned their attention from + "California" to Utah: "On the 15th of June met James H. Grieve, William + Tucker, James Woodrie, James Bouvoir, and six other Frenchmen, from whom + we learned that Mr. Bridger was located about three hundred miles west, + that the mountaineers could ride to Salt Lake from Fort Bridger in two + days, and that the Utah country was beautiful." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Bancroft's "History of Utah," p. 257. +</pre> + <p> + The pioneers resumed their march on June 29, over a desolate country, + travelling seventeen miles without finding grass or water, until they made + their night camp on the Big Sandy. There they encountered clouds of + mosquitoes, which made more than one subsequent camping-place very + uncomfortable. A march of eight miles the next morning brought them to + Green River. Finding this stream 180 yards wide, and deep and swift, they + stopped long enough to make two rafts, on which they successfully ferried + over all their wagons without unloading them. + </p> + <p> + At this point the pioneers met a brother Mormon who had made the journey + to California round the Horn, and had started east from there to meet the + overland travellers. He had an interesting story to tell, the points of + which, in brief, were as follows:—A conference of Mormons, held in + New York City on November 12, 1845, resolved to move in a body to the new + home of the Saints. This emigration scheme was placed in charge of Samuel + Brannan, a native of Maine, and an elder in the church, who was then + editing the New York Prophet, and preaching there. Why so important a + project was confided to Brannan seems a mystery, in view of P. P. Pratt's + statement that, as early as the previous January, he had discovered that + Brannan was among certain elders who "had been corrupting the Saints by + introducing among them all manner of false doctrines and immoral + practices"; he was afterward disfellowshipped at Nauvoo. By Pratt's advice + he immediately went to that city, and was restored to full standing in the + church, as any bad man always was when he acknowledged submission to the + church authorities.* Plenty of emigrants offered themselves under Orson + Pratt's call, but of the 300 first applicants for passage only about 60 + had money enough to pay their expenses. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Pratt's "Autobiography," p. 374. +</pre> + <p> + Although it was estimated that $75 would cover the outlay for the trip. + Brannan chartered the Brooklyn, a ship of 450 tons, and on February 4, + 1846, she sailed with 70 men, 68 women, and 100 children.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Bancrofts figures, "History of California," Vol. V, Chap. 20. +</pre> + <p> + The voyage to San Francisco ended on July 31. Ten deaths and two births + occurred during the trip, and four of the company, including two elders + and one woman, had to be excommunicated "for their wicked and licentious + conduct." Three others were dealt with in the same way as soon as the + company landed.* On landing they found the United States in possession of + the country, which led to Brannan's reported remark, "There is that d—d + flag again." The men of the party, some of whom had not paid all their + passage money, at once sought work, but the company did not hold together. + Before the end of the year some 20 more "went astray," in church parlance; + some decided to remain on the coast when they learned that the church was + to make Salt Lake Valley its headquarters, and some time later about 140 + reached Utah and took up their abode there. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Brannan's letter, Millennial Star, Vol. IX, pp. 306-307. +</pre> + <p> + Brannan fell from grace and was pronounced by P. P. Pratt "a corrupt and + wicked man." While he was getting his expedition in shape, he sent to the + church authorities in the West a copy of an agreement which he said he had + made with A. G. Benson, an alleged agent of Postmaster General Kendall. + Benson was represented as saying that, unless the Mormon leaders signed an + agreement, to which President Polk was a "silent partner," by which they + would "transfer to A. G. Benson and Co., and to their heirs and assigns, + the odd number of all the lands and town lots they may acquire in the + country where they settle," the President would order them to be + dispersed. This seems to have been too transparent a scheme to deceive + Young, and the agreement was not signed. + </p> + <p> + The march of the pioneers was resumed on July 3. That evening they were + told that those who wished to return eastward to meet their families, who + were perhaps five hundred miles back with the second company, could do so; + but only five of them took advantage of this permission. The event of + Sunday, July 4, was the arrival of thirteen members of the Battalion, who + had pushed on in advance of the main body of those who were on the way + from Pueblo, in order that they might recover some horses stolen from + them, which they were told were at Bridger's Fort. They said that the main + body of 140 were near at hand. This company had been directed in their + course by instructions sent to them by Brigham Young from a point near + Fort Laramie. + </p> + <p> + The hardships of the trip had told on the pioneers, and a number of them + were now afflicted with what they called "mountain fever." They attributed + this to the clouds of dust that enveloped the column of wagons when in + motion, and to the decided change of temperature from day to night. For + six weeks, too, most of them had been without bread, living on the meat + provided by the hunters, and saving the little flour that was left for the + sick. + </p> + <p> + The route on July 5 kept along the right bank of the Green River for about + three miles, and then led over the bluffs and across a sandy, waterless + plain for sixteen miles, to the left bank of Black's Fork, where they + camped for the night. The two following days took them across this Fork + several times, but, although fording was not always comfortable, the + stream added salmon trout to their menu. On the 7th the party had a look + at Bridger's Fort, of which they had heard often. Orson Pratt described it + at the time as consisting "of two adjoining log houses, dirt roofs, and a + small picket yard of logs set in the ground, and about eight feet high. + The number of men, squaws, and half-breed children in these houses and + lodges may be about fifty or sixty." + </p> + <p> + At the camp, half a mile from the fort, that night ice formed. The next + day the blacksmiths were kept busy repairing wagons and shoeing horses in + preparation for a trail through the mountains. On the 9th and 10th they + passed over a hilly country, camping on Beaver River on the night of the + 10th. + </p> + <p> + The fever had compelled several halts on account of the condition of the + patients, and on the 12th it was found that Brigham Young was too ill to + travel. In order not to lose time, Orson Pratt, with forty-three men and + twenty-three wagons, was directed to push on into Salt Lake Valley, + leaving a trail that the others could follow. From the information + obtainable at Fort Bridger it was decided that the canyon leading into the + valley would be found impassable on account of high water, and that they + should direct their course over the mountains. + </p> + <p> + These explorers set out on July 14, travelling down Red Fork, a small + stream which ran through a narrow valley, whose sides in places were from + eight hundred to twelve hundred feet high,—red sandstone walls, + perpendicular or overhanging. This route was a rough one, requiring + frequent fordings of the stream, and they did well to advance thirteen + miles that day. On the 15th they discovered a mountain trail that had been + recommended to them, but it was a mere trace left by wagons that had + passed over it a year before. They came now to the roughest country they + had found, and it became necessary to send sappers in advance to open a + road before the wagons could pass over it. Almost discouraged, Pratt + turned back on foot the next day, to see if he could not find a better + route; but he was soon convinced that only the one before them led in the + direction they were to take. The wagons were advanced only four and + three-quarters miles that day, even the creek bottom being so covered with + a growth of willows that to cut through these was a tiresome labor. Pratt + and a companion, during the day, climbed a mountain, which they estimated + to be about two thousand feet high, but they only saw, before and around + them, hills piled on hills and mountains on mountains,—the outlines + of the Wahsatch and Uinta ranges. + </p> + <p> + On Monday, the 18th, Pratt again acted as advance explorer, and went ahead + with one companion. Following a ravine on horseback for four miles, they + then dismounted and climbed to an elevation from which, in the distance, + they saw a level prairie which they thought could not be far from Great + Salt Lake. The whole party advanced only six and a quarter miles that day + and six the next. + </p> + <p> + One day later Erastus Snow came up with them, and Pratt took him along as + a companion in his advance explorations. They discovered a point where the + travellers of the year before had ascended a hill to avoid a canyon + through which a creek dashed rapidly. Following in their predecessors' + footsteps, when they arrived at the top of this hill there lay stretched + out before them "a broad, open valley about twenty miles wide and thirty + long, at the north end of which the waters of the Great Salt Lake + glistened in the sunbeams." Snow's account of their first view of the + valley and lake is as follows:—"The thicket down the narrows, at the + mouth of the canyon, was so dense that we could not penetrate through it. + I crawled for some distance on my hands and knees through this thicket, + until I was compelled to return, admonished to by the rattle of a snake + which lay coiled up under my nose, having almost put my hand on him; but + as he gave me the friendly warning, I thanked him and retreated. We raised + on to a high point south of the narrows, where we got a view of the Great + Salt Lake and this valley, and each of us, without saying a word to the + other, instinctively, as if by inspiration, raised our hats from our + heads, and then, swinging our hats, shouted, 'Hosannah to God and the + Lamb!' We could see the canes down in the valley, on what is now called + Mill Creek, which looked like inviting grain, and thitherward we directed + our course."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Address to the Pioneers," 1880. +</pre> + <p> + Having made an inspection of the valley, the two explorers rejoined their + party about ten o'clock that evening. The next day, with great labor, a + road was cut through the canyon down to the valley, and on July 22 Pratt's + entire company camped on City Creek, below the present Emigration Street + in Salt Lake City. The next morning, after sending word of their discovery + to Brigham Young, the whole party moved some two miles farther north, and + there, after prayer, the work of putting in a crop was begun. The + necessity of irrigation was recognized at once. "We found the land so + dry," says Snow, "that to plough it was impossible, and in attempting to + do so some of the ploughs were broken. We therefore had to distribute the + water over the land before it could be worked." When the rest of the + pioneers who had remained with Young reached the valley the next day, they + found about six acres of potatoes and other vegetables already planted. + </p> + <p> + While Apostles like Snow might have been as transported with delight over + the aspect of the valley as he professed to be, others of the party could + see only a desolate, treeless plain, with sage brush supplying the + vegetation. To the women especially the outlook was most depressing. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0056" id="link2HCH0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. — THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES—LAST DAYS ON THE + MISSOURI + </h2> + <p> + When the pioneers set out from the Missouri, instructions were left for + the organization of similar companies who were to follow their trail, + without waiting to learn their ultimate destination or how they fared on + the way. These companies were in charge of prominent men like Parley P. + Pratt, John Taylor, Bishop Hunter, Daniel Spencer, who succeeded Smith as + mayor of Nauvoo, and J. M. Grant, the first mayor of Salt Lake City after + its incorporation. + </p> + <p> + P. P. Pratt set out early in June, as soon as he could get his wagons and + equipment in order, for Elk Horn River, where a sort of rendezvous was + established, and a rough ferry boat put in operation. Hence started about + the Fourth of July the big company which has been called "the first + emigration." It consisted, according to the most trustworthy statistics, + of 1553 persons, equipped with 566 wagons, 2213 oxen, 124 horses, 887 + cows, 358 sheep, 35 hogs, and 716 chickens. Pratt had brought back from + England 469 sovereigns, collected as tithing, which were used in equipping + the first parties for Utah. This company had at its head, as president, + Brigham Young's brother John, with P. P. Pratt as chief adviser. + </p> + <p> + Nothing more serious interrupted the movement of these hundreds of + emigrants than dissatisfaction with Pratt, upsets, broken wagons, and the + occasional straying of cattle, and all arrived in the valley in the latter + part of September, Pratt's division on the 25th. + </p> + <p> + The company which started on the return trip with Young on August 26 + embraced those Apostles who had gone West with him, some others of the + pioneers, and most of the members of the Battalion who had joined them, + and whose families were still on the banks of the Missouri. The eastward + trip was made interesting by the meetings with the successive companies + who were on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. Early in September some + Indians stole 48 of their hoses, and ten weeks later 200 Sioux charged + their camp, but there was no loss of life. + </p> + <p> + On the 19th of October the party were met by a mounted company who had + left Winter Quarters to offer any aid that might be needed, and were + escorted to that camp. They arrived there on October 31, where they were + welcomed by their families, and feasted as well as the supplies would + permit. + </p> + <p> + The winter of 1847-1848 was employed by Young and his associates in + completing the church organization, mapping out a scheme of European + immigration, and preparing for the removal of the remaining Mormons to + Salt Lake Valley. + </p> + <p> + That winter was much milder than its predecessor, and the health of the + camps was improved, due, in part, to the better physical condition of + their occupants. On the west side of the river, however, troubles had + arisen with the Omahas, who complained to the government that the Mormons + were killing off the game and depleting their lands of timber. The + new-comers were accordingly directed to recross the river, and it was in + this way that the camp near Council Bluffs in 1848 secured its principal + population. In Mormon letters of that date the name Winter Quarters is + sometimes applied to the settlement east of the river generally known as + Kanesville. + </p> + <p> + The programme then arranged provided for the removal in the spring of 1848 + to Salt Lake Valley of practically all Mormons who remained on the + Missouri, leaving only enough to look after the crops there and to + maintain a forwarding point for emigrants from Europe and the Eastern + states. The legislature of Iowa by request organized a county embracing + the camps on the east side of the river. There seems to have been an idea + in the minds of some of the Mormons that they might effect a permanent + settlement in western Iowa. Orson Pratt, in a general epistle to the + Saints in Europe, encouraging emigration, dated August 15, 1848, said, "A + great, extensive, and rich tract of country has also been, by the + providence of God, put in the possession of the Saints in the western + borders of Iowa," which the Saints would have the first chance to + purchase, at five shillings per acre. A letter from G. A. Smith and E. T. + Benson to O. Pratt, dated December 20 in that year, told of the formation + of a company of 860 members to enclose an additional tract of 11,000 + acres, in shares of from 5 to 80 acres, and of the laying out of two new + cities, ten miles north and south. Orson Hyde set up a printing-press + there, and for some time published the Frontier Guardian. But wiser + counsel prevailed, and by 1853 most of the emigrants from Nauvoo had + passed on to Utah,* and Linforth found Kanesville in 1853 "very dirty and + unhealthy," and full of gamblers, lawyers, and dealers in "bargains," the + latter made up principally of the outfits of discouraged immigrants who + had given up the trip at that point. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * On September 21, 1851, the First Presidency sent a letter to +the Saints who were still in Iowa, directing them all to come to Salt +Lake Valley, and saying: "What are you waiting for? Have you any good +excuse for not coming? No. You have all of you unitedly a far +better chance than we had when we started as pioneers to find this +place."—Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 29. +</pre> + <p> + Young himself took charge of the largest body that was to cross the plains + in 1848. The preparations were well advanced by the first of May, and on + the 24th he set out for Elk Horn (commonly called "The Horn") where the + organization of the column was to be made. The travellers were divided + into two large companies, the first four "hundreds" comprising 1229 + persons and 397 wagons; the second section, led by H. C. Kimball, 662 + persons and 226 wagons; and the third, under Elders W. Richards and A. + Lyman, about 300 wagons. A census of the first two companies, made by the + clerk of the camp, showed that their equipment embraced the following + items: horses, 131; mules, 44; oxen, 2012; cows and other cattle, 1317; + sheep, 654; pigs, 237; chickens, 904; cats, 54; dogs, 134; goats, 3; + geese, 10; ducks, 5; hives of bees, 5; doves, 11; and one squirrel.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. X, p. 319. +</pre> + <p> + The expense of fitting out these companies was necessarily large, and the + heads of the church left at Kanesville a debt amounting to $3600, "without + any means being provided for its payment."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid, Vol. XI, p. 14. +</pre> + <p> + President Young's company began its actual westward march on June 5, and + the last detachment got away about the 25th. They reached the site of Salt + Lake City in September. The incidents of the trip were not more + interesting than those of the previous year, and only four deaths occurred + on the way. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0065" id="link2H_4_0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK VI. — IN UTAH + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0057" id="link2HCH0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. — THE FOUNDING OF SALT LAKE CITY + </h2> + <p> + The first white men to enter what is now Utah were a part of the force of + Coronado, under Captain Garcia Lopez de Cardinas, if the reader of the + evidence decides that their journey from Zuni took them, in 1540, across + the present Utah border line.* A more definite account has been preserved + of a second exploration, which left Santa Fe in 1776, led by two priests, + Dominguez and Escalate, in search of a route to the California coast. A + two months' march brought them to a lake, called Timpanogos by the natives—now + Utah Lake on the map—where they were told of another lake, many + leagues in extent, whose waters were so salt that they made the body itch + when wet with them; but they turned to the southwest without visiting it. + Lahontan's report of the discovery of a body of bad-tasting water on the + western side of the continent in 1689 is not accepted as more than a part + of an imaginary narrative. S. A. Ruddock asserted that, in 1821, he with a + trading party made a journey from Council Bluffs to Oregon by way of Santa + Fe and Great Salt Lake.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See Bancroft's "History of Utah," Chap. I. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** House Report, No. 213, 1st Session, 19th Congress. +</pre> + <p> + Bancroft mentions this claim "for what it is worth," but awards the honor + of the discovery of the lake, as the earliest authenticated, to James + Bridger, the noted frontiersman who, some twelve years later, built his + well-known trading fort on Green River. Bridger, with a party of trappers + who had journeyed west from the Missouri with Henry and Ashley in 1824, + got into a discussion that winter with his fellows, while they were camped + on Bear River, about the course of that stream, and, to decide a bet, + Bridger followed it southward until he came to Great Salt Lake. In the + following spring four of the party explored the lake in boats made of + skins, hoping to find beavers, and they, it is believed, were the first + white men to float upon its waters. Fremont saw the lake from the summit + of a butte on September 6, 1843. "It was," he says, "one of the great + objects of the exploration, and, as we looked eagerly over the lake in the + first emotions of excited pleasure, I am doubtful if the followers of + Balboa felt more enthusiasm when, from the heights of the Andes, they saw + for the first time the great Western Ocean." This practical claim of + discovery was not well founded, nor was his sail on the lake in an + India-rubber boat "the first ever attempted on this interior sea." + </p> + <p> + Dating from 1825, the lake region of Utah became more and more familiar to + American trappers and explorers. In 1833 Captain Bonneville, of the United + States army, obtained leave of absence, and with a company of 110 trappers + set out for the Far West by the Platte route. Crossing the Rockies through + the South Pass, he made a fortified camp on Green River, whence he for + three years explored the country. One of his parties, under Joseph Walker, + was sent to trap beavers on Great Salt Lake and to explore it thoroughly, + making notes and maps. Bonneville, in his description of the lake to + Irving, declared that lofty mountains rose from its bosom, and greatly + magnified its extent to the south.* Walker's party got within sight of the + lake, but found themselves in a desert, and accordingly changed their + course and crossed the Sierras into California. In Bonneville's map the + lake is called "Lake Bonneville or Great Salt Lake," and Irving calls it + Lake Bonneville in his "Astoria." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Bonneville's "Adventures," p. 184. +</pre> + <p> + The day after the first arrival of Brigham Young in Salt Lake Valley + (Sunday, July 25), church services were held and the sacrament was + administered. Young addressed his followers, indicating at the start his + idea of his leadership and of the ownership of the land, which was then + Mexican territory. "He said that no man should buy any land who came + here," says Woodruff; "that he had none to sell; but every man should have + his land measured out to him for city and farming purposes. He might till + it as he pleased, but he must be industrious and take care of it." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "After the assignments were made, persona commenced the usual +speculations of selling according to eligibility of situation. This +called out anathemas from the spiritual powers, and no one was permitted +to traffic for fancy profit; if any sales were made, the first cost +and actual value of improvements were all that was to be allowed. All +speculative sales were made sub rosa. Exchanges are made and the records +kept by the register."—Gunnison, "The Mormons" (1852), p. 145. +</pre> + <p> + The next day a party, including all the Twelve who were in the valley, set + out to explore the neighborhood. They visited and bathed in Great Salt + Lake, climbed and named Ensign Peak, and met a party of Utah Indians, who + made signs that they wanted to trade. On their return Young explained to + the people his ideas of an exploration of the country to the west and + north. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, those left in the valley had been busy staking off fields, + irrigating them, and planting vegetables and grain. Some buildings, among + them a blacksmith shop, were begun. The members of the Battalion, about + four hundred of whom had now arrived, constructed a "bowery." Camps of + Utah Indians were visited, and the white men witnessed their method of + securing for food the abundant black crickets, by driving them into an + enclosure fenced with brush which they set on fire. + </p> + <p> + On July 28, after a council of the Quorum had been held, the site of the + Temple was selected by Brigham Young, who waved his hand and said: "Here + is the 40 acres for the Temple. The city can be laid out perfectly square, + east and west."* The 40 acres were a few days later reduced to 10, but the + site then chosen is that on which the big Temple now stands. It was also + decided that the city should be laid out in lots measuring to by 20 rods + each, 8 lots to a block, with streets 8 rods wide, and sidewalks 20 feet + wide; each house to be erected in the centre of a lot, and 20 feet from + the front line. Land was also reserved for four parks of to acres each. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "Life of Brigham Young," p. 178. +</pre> + <p> + Men were at once sent into the mountains to secure logs for cabins, and + work on adobe huts was also begun. On August y those of the Twelve present + selected their "inheritances," each taking a block near the Temple. A week + later the Twelve in council selected the blocks on which the companies + under each should settle. The city as then laid out covered a space nearly + four miles long and three broad.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge says: "The land portion of each family, as a rule, was +the acre-and-a-quarter lot designated in the plan of the city; but the +chief men of the pioneers, who had a plurality of wives and numerous +children, received larger portions of the city lots. The giving of +farms, as shown is the General Epistle, was upon the same principle as +the apportioning of city lots. The farm of five, ten, or twenty acres +was not for the mechanic, nor the manufacturer, nor even for the farmer, +as a mere personal property, but for the good of the community at large, +to give the substance of the earth to feed the population.... While the +farmer was planting and cultivating his farm, the mechanic and tradesman +produced his supplies and wrought his daily work for the community." +He adds, "It can be easily understood how some departures were made from +this original plan." This understanding can be gained in no better way +than by inspecting the list of real estate left by Brigham Young in his +will as his individual possession. +</pre> + <p> + On August 22 a General Conference decided that the city should be called + City of the Great Salt Lake. When the city was incorporated, in 1851, the + name was changed to Salt Lake City. In view of the approaching return of + Young and his fellow officers to the Missouri River, the company in the + valley were placed in charge of the prophet's uncle, John Smith, as + Patriarch, with a high council and other officers of a Stake. + </p> + <p> + When P. P. Pratt and the following companies reached the valley in + September, they found a fort partly built, and every one busy, preparing + for the winter. The crops of that year had been a disappointment, having + been planted too late. The potatoes raised varied in size from that of a + pea to half an inch in diameter, but they were saved and used successfully + for seed the next year. A great deal of grain was sown during the autumn + and winter, considerable wheat having been brought from California by + members of the Battalion. Pratt says that the snow was several inches deep + when they did some of their ploughing, but that the ground was clear early + in March. A census taken in March, 1848, gave the city a population of + 1671, with 423 houses erected. + </p> + <p> + The Saints in the valley spent a good deal of that winter working on their + cabins, making furniture, and carting fuel. They discovered that the + warning about the lack of timber was well founded, all the logs and + firewood being hauled from a point eight miles distant, over bad roads, + and with teams that had not recovered from the effect of the overland + trip. Many settlers therefore built huts of adobe bricks, some with cloth + roofs. Lack of experience in handling adobe clay for building purposes led + to some sad results, the rains and frosts causing the bricks to crumble or + burst, and more than one of these houses tumbled down around their owners. + Even the best of the houses had very flat roofs, the newcomers believing + that the climate was always dry; and when the rains and melted snow came, + those who had umbrellas frequently raised them indoors to protect their + beds or their fires. + </p> + <p> + Two years later, when Captain Stansbury of the United States Topographical + Engineers, with his surveying party, spent the winter in Salt Lake City, + in "a small, unfurnished house of unburnt brick or adobe, unplastered, and + roofed with boards loosely nailed on," which let in the rains in streams, + he says they were better lodged than many of their neighbors. "Very many + families," he explains, "were obliged still to lodge wholly or in part in + their wagons, which, being covered, served, when taken off from the wheels + and set upon the ground, to make bedrooms, of limited dimensions, it is + true, but exceedingly comfortable. In the very next enclosure to that of + our party, a whole family of children had no other shelter than one of + these wagons, where they slept all winter." + </p> + <p> + The furniture of the early houses was of the rudest kind, since only the + most necessary articles could be brought in the wagons. A chest or a + barrel would do for a table, a bunk built against the side logs would be + called a bed, and such rude stools as could be most easily put together + served for chairs. + </p> + <p> + The letters sent for publication in England to attract emigrants spoke of + a mild and pleasant winter, not telling of the privations of these + pioneers. The greatest actual suffering was caused by a lack of food as + spring advanced. A party had been sent to California, in November, for + cattle, seeds, etc., but they lost forty of a herd of two hundred on the + way back. The cattle that had been brought across the plains were in poor + condition on their arrival, and could find very little winter pasturage. + Many of the milk cows driven all the way from the Missouri had died by + midsummer. By spring parched grain was substituted for coffee, a kind of + molasses was made from beets, and what little flour could be obtained was + home-ground and unbolted. Even so high an officer of the church as P. P. + Pratt, thus describes the privations of his family: "In this labor + [ploughing, cultivating, and sowing] every woman and child in my family, + so far as they were of sufficient age and strength, had joined to help me, + and had toiled incessantly in the field, suffering every hardship which + human nature could well endure. Myself and most of them were compelled to + go with bare feet for several months, reserving our Indian moccasins for + extra occasions. We toiled hard, and lived on a few greens, and on thistle + and other roots." + </p> + <p> + This was the year of the great visitation of crickets, the destruction of + which has given the Mormons material for the story of one of their + miracles. The crickets appeared in May, and they ate the country clear + before them. In a wheat-field they would average two or three to a head of + grain. Even ditches filled with water would not stop them. Kane described + them as "wingless, dumpy, black, swollen-headed, with bulging eyes in + cases like goggles, mounted upon legs of steel wire and clock spring, and + with a general personal appearance that justified the Mormons in comparing + them to a cross of a spider and the buffalo." When this plague was at its + worst, the Mormons saw flocks of gulls descend and devour the crickets so + greedily that they would often disgorge the food undigested. Day after day + did the gulls appear until the plague was removed. Utah guide-books of + to-day refer to this as a divine interposition of Heaven in behalf of the + Saints. But writers of that date, like P. P. Pratt, ignore the miraculous + feature, and the white gulls dot the fields between Salt Lake City and + Ogden in 1901 just as they did in the summer of 1848, and as Fremont found + them there in September, 1843. Gulls are abundant all over the plains, and + are found with the snipe and geese as far north as North Dakota. Heaven's + interposition, if exercised, was not thorough, for, after the crickets, + came grasshoppers in such numbers that one writer says, "On one occasion a + quarter of one cloudy dropped into the lake and were blown on shore by the + wind, in rows sometimes two feet deep, for a distance of two miles." + </p> + <p> + But the crops, with all the drawbacks, did better than had been deemed + possible, and on August 10 the people held a kind of harvest festival in + the "bowery" in the centre of their fort, when "large sheaves of wheat, + rye, barley, oats, and other productions were hoisted on poles for public + exhibition."* Still, the outlook was so alarming that word was sent to + Winter Quarters advising against increasing their population at that time, + and Brigham Young's son urged that a message be sent to his father giving + similar advice.** Nevertheless P. P. Pratt did not hesitate in a letter + addressed to the Saints in England, on September 5, to say that they had + had ears of corn to boil for a month, that he had secured "a good harvest + of wheat and rye without irrigation," and that there would be from ten + thousand to twenty thousand bushels of grain in the valley more than was + needed for home consumption. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Pratt's "Autobiography," p. 406. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Bancroft's "History of Utah;" p. 281. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0058" id="link2HCH0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. — PROGRESS OF THE SETTLEMENT + </h2> + <p> + With the arrival of the later companies from Winter Quarters the + population of the city was increased by the winter of 1848 to about five + thousand, or more than one-quarter of those who went out from Nauvoo. The + settlers then had three sawmills, one flouring mill, and a threshing + machine run by water, another sawmill and flour mill nearly completed, and + several mills under way for the manufacture of sugar from corn stalks. + </p> + <p> + Brigham Young, again on the ground, took the lead at once in pushing on + the work. To save fencing, material for which was hard to obtain, a tract + of eight thousand acres was set apart and fenced for the common use, + within which farmhouses could be built. The plan adopted for fencing in + the city itself was to enclose each ward separately, every lot owner + building his share. A stone council house, forty-five feet square, was + begun, the labor counting as a part of the tithe; unappropriated city lots + were distributed among the new-comers by a system of drawing, and the + building of houses went briskly on, the officers of the church sharing in + the labor. A number of bridges were also provided, a tax of one per cent + being levied to pay for them. + </p> + <p> + Among the incidents of the winter mentioned in an epistle of the First + Presidency was the establishment of schools in the different wards, in + which, it was stated, "the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, German, Tahitian + and English languages have been taught successfully"; and the organization + of a temporary local government, and of a Stake of Zion, with Daniel + Spencer as president. It was early the policy of the church to carry on an + extended system of public works, including manufacturing enterprises. The + assisted immigrants were expected to repay by work on these buildings the + advance made to them to cover their travelling expenses. Young saw at once + the advantage of starting branches of manufacture, both to make his people + independent of a distant supply and to give employment to the population. + Writing to Orson Pratt on October 14, 1849, when Pratt was in England, he + said that they would have the material for cotton and woollen factories + ready by the time men and machinery were prepared to handle it, and urged + him to send on cotton operatives and "all the necessary fixtures." The + third General Epistle spoke of the need of furnaces and forges, and Orson + Pratt, in an address to the Saints in Great Britain, dated July 2, 1850, + urged the officers of companies "to seek diligently in every branch for + wise, skilful and ingenious mechanics, manufacturers, potters, etc."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The General Epistle of April, 1852, announced two potteries in +operation, a small woollen factory begun, a nail factory, wooden bowl +factory, and many grist and saw mills. The General Epistle of October, +1855, enumerated, as among the established industries, a foundery, a +cutlery shop, and manufactories of locks, cloth, leather, hats, cordage, +brushes, soap, paper, combs, and cutlery. +</pre> + <p> + The General Conference of October, 1849, ordered one man to build a glass + factory in the valley, and voted to organize a company to transport + passengers and freight between the Missouri River and California, + directing that settlements be established along the route. This company + was called the Great Salt Lake Valley Carrying Company. Its prospectus in + the Frontier Guardian in December, 1849, stated that the fare from + Kanesville to Sutter's Fort, California, would be $300, and the freight + rate to Great Salt Lake City $12.50 per hundredweight, the passenger + wagons to be drawn by four horses or mules, and the freight wagons by + oxen. + </p> + <p> + But the work of making the new Mormon home a business and manufacturing + success did not meet with rapid encouragement. Where settlements were made + outside of Salt Lake City, the people were not scattered in farmhouses + over the country, but lived in what they called "forts," squalid looking + settlements, laid out in a square and defended by a dirt or adobe wall. + The inhabitants of these settlements had to depend on the soil for their + subsistence, and such necessary workmen as carpenters and shoemakers plied + their trade as they could find leisure after working in the fields. When + Johnston's army entered the valley in 1858, the largest attempt at + manufacturing that had been undertaken there—a beet sugar factory, + toward which English capitalists had contributed more than $100,000—had + already proved a failure. There were tanneries, distilleries, and + breweries in operation, a few rifles and revolvers were made from iron + supplied by wagon tires, and in the larger settlements a few good + mechanics were kept busy. But if no outside influences had contributed to + the prosperity of the valley, and hastened the day when it secured + railroad communication, the future of the people whom Young gathered in + Utah would have been very different. + </p> + <p> + A correspondent of the New York Tribune, on his way to California, writing + on July 8, 1849, thus described Salt Lake City as it presented itself to + him at that time:—"There are no hotels, because there had been no + travel; no barber shops, because every one chose to shave himself and no + one had time to shave his neighbor; no stores, because they had no goods + to sell nor time to traffic; no center of business, because all were too + busy to make a center. There was abundance of mechanics' shops, of + dressmakers, milliners and tailors, etc., but they needed no sign, nor had + they any time to paint or erect one, for they were crowded with business. + Besides their several trades, all must cultivate the land or die; for the + country was new, and no cultivation but their own within 1000 miles. + Everyone had his lot and built on it; every one cultivated it, and perhaps + a small farm in the distance. And the strangest of all was that this great + city, extending over several square miles, had been erected, and every + house and fence made, within nine or ten months of our arrival; while at + the same time good bridges were erected over the principal streams, and + the country settlements extended nearly 100 miles up and down the + valley."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * New York Tribune, October 9, 1849. +</pre> + <p> + The winter of 1848 set in early and severe, with frequent snowstorms from + December 1 until late in February, and the temperature dropping one degree + below zero as late as February 5. The deep snow in the canyons, the only + outlets through the mountains, rendered it difficult to bring in fuel, and + the suffering from the cold was terrible, as many families had arrived too + late to provide themselves with any shelter but their prairie wagons. The + apprehended scarcity of food, too, was realized. Early in February an + inventory of the breadstuffs in the valley, taken by the Bishops, showed + only three-quarters of a pound a day per head until July 5, although it + was believed that many had concealed stores on hand. When the first + General Epistle of the First Presidency was sent out from Salt Lake City + in the spring of 1849,* corn, which had sold for $2 and $3 a bushel, was + not to be had, wheat had ranged from $4 to $5 a bushel, and potatoes from + $6 to $20, with none then in market. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XI, p. 227. +</pre> + <p> + The people generally exerted themselves to obtain food for those whose + supplies had been exhausted, but the situation became desperate before the + snow melted. Three attempts to reach Fort Bridger failed because of the + depth of snow in the canyons. There is a record of a winter hunt of two + rival parties of 100 men each, but they killed "varmints" rather than + game, the list including 700 wolves and foxes, 20 minks and skunks, 500 + hawks, owls and magpies, and 1000 ravens.* Some of the Mormons, with the + aid of Indian guides, dug roots that the savages had learned to eat, and + some removed the hide roofs from their cabins and stewed them for food. + The lack of breadstuffs continued until well into the summer, and the + celebration of the anniversary of the arrival of the pioneers in the + valley, which had been planned for July 4, was postponed until the 24th, + as Young explained in his address, "that we might have a little bread to + set on our tables." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * General Epistle, Millennial Star, Vol. XI, p. 227. +</pre> + <p> + Word was now sent to the states and to Europe that no more of the brethren + should make the trip to the valley at that time unless they had means to + get through without assistance, and could bring breadstuffs to last them + several months after their arrival. + </p> + <p> + But something now occurred which turned the eyes of a large part of the + world to that new acquisition of the United States on the Pacific coast + which was called California, which made the Mormon settlement in Utah a + way station for thousands of travellers where a dozen would not have + passed it without the new incentive, and which brought to the Mormon + settlers, almost at their own prices, supplies of which they were + desperately in need, and which they could not otherwise have obtained. + This something was the discovery of gold in California. + </p> + <p> + When the news of this discovery reached the Atlantic states and those + farther west, men simply calculated by what route they could most quickly + reach the new El Dorado, and the first companies of miners who travelled + across the plains sacrificed everything for speed. The first rush passed + through Salt Lake Valley in August, 1849. Some of the Mormons who had + reached California with Brannan's company had by that time arrived in the + valley, bringing with them a few bags of gold dust. When the would-be + miners from the East saw this proof of the existence of gold in the + country ahead of them, their enthusiasm knew no limits, and their one wish + was to lighten themselves so that they could reach the gold-fields in the + shortest time possible. Then the harvest of the Mormons began. Pack mules + and horses that had been worth only $25 or $30 would now bring $200 in + exchange for other articles at a low price, and the travellers were + auctioning off their surplus supplies every day. For a light wagon they + did not hesitate to offer three or four heavy ones, with a yoke of oxen + sometimes thrown in. Such needed supplies as domestic sheetings could be + had at from five to ten cents a yard, spades and shovels, with which the + miners were overstocked, at fifty cents each, and nearly everything in + their outfit, except sugar and coffee, at half the price that would have + been charged at wholesale in the Eastern states.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Salt Lake City letter to the Frontier Guardian. +</pre> + <p> + The commercial profit to the Mormons from this emigration was greater + still in 1850, when the rush had increased. Before the grain of that + summer was cut, the gold seekers paid $1 a pound for flour in Salt Lake + City. After the new grain was harvested they eagerly bought the flour as + fast as five mills could grind it, at $25 per hundredweight. Unground + wheat sold for $8 a bushel, wood for $10 a cord, adobe bricks for more + than seven shillings a hundred, and skilled mechanics were getting twelve + shillings and sixpence a day.* At the same time that the emigrants were + paying so well for what they absolutely required, they were sacrificing + large supplies of what they did not need on almost any terms. Some of them + had started across the plains with heavy loads of machinery and + miscellaneous goods, on which they expected to reap a big profit in + California. Learning, however, when they reached Salt Lake City, that + ship-loads of such merchandise were on their way around the Horn, the + owners sacrificed their stock where it was, and hurried on to get their + share of the gold. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XII, p. 350. +</pre> + <p> + This is not the place in which to tell the story of that rush of the gold + seekers. The clerk at Fort Laramie reported, "The total number of + emigrants who passed this post up to June 10, 1850, included 16,915 men, + 235 women, 242 children, 4672 wagons, 14,974 horses, 4641 mules, 7475 + oxen, and 1653 cows." A letter from Sacramento dated September 10, 1850, + gave this picture of the trail left by these travellers: "Many believed + there are dead animals enough on the desert (of 45 miles) between Humboldt + Lake and Carson River to pave a road the whole distance. We will make a + moderate estimate and say there is a dead animal to every five feet, left + on the desert this season. I counted 153 wagons within a mile and a half. + Not half of those left were to be seen, many having been burned to make + lights in the night. The desert is strewn with all kinds of property—tools, + clothes, crockery, harnesses, etc." + </p> + <p> + Naturally, in this rush for sudden riches, many a Mormon had a desire to + join. A dozen families left Utah for California early in 1849, and in + March, 1851, a company of more than five hundred assembled in Payson, + preparatory to making the trip. Here was an unexpected danger to the + growth of the Mormon population, and one which the head of the church did + not delay in checking. The second General Epistle, dated October 12, + 1849,* stated that the valley of the Sacramento was unhealthy, and that + the Saints could do better raising grain in Utah, adding, "The true use of + gold is for paving streets, covering houses, and making culinary dishes, + and when the Saints shall have preached the Gospel, raised grain, and + built up cities enough, the Lord will open up the way for a supply of + gold, to the perfect satisfaction of his people." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XII, p. 119. +</pre> + <p> + Notwithstanding this advice, a good many Mormons acted on the idea that + the Lord would help those who helped themselves, and that if they were to + have golden culinary dishes they must go and dig the gold. Accordingly, we + find the third General Epistle, dated April 12, 1850, acknowledging that + many brethren had gone to the gold mines, but declaring that they were + counselled only "by their own wills and covetous feelings," and that they + would have done more good by staying in the valley. Young did not, + however, stop with a mere rebuke. He proposed to check the exodus. "Let + such men," the Epistle added, "remember that they are not wanted in our + midst. Let such leave their carcasses where they do their work; we want + not our burial grounds polluted with such hypocrites." Young was quite as + plain spoken in his remarks to the General Conference that spring, naming + as those who "will go down to hell, poverty-stricken and naked," the + Mormons who felt that they were so poor that they would have to go to the + gold mines.* Such talk had its effect, and Salt Lake Valley retained most + of its population. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XII, p. 274, +</pre> + <p> + The progress of the settlement received a serious check some years later + in the failure of the crops in 1855, followed by a near approach to a + famine in the ensuing winter. Very little reference to this was made in + the official church correspondence, but a picture of the situation in Salt + Lake City that winter was drawn in two letters from Heber C. Kimball to + his sons in England.* In the first, written in February, he said that his + family and Brigham Young's were then on a ration of half a pound of bread + each per day, and that thousands had scarcely any breadstuff at all. + Kimball's family of one hundred persons then had on hand about seventy + bushels of potatoes and a few beets and carrots, "so you can judge," he + says, "whether we can get through until harvest without digging roots." + There were then not more than five hundred bushels of grain in the tithing + office, and all public work was stopped until the next harvest, and all + mechanics were advised to drop their tools and to set about raising grain. + "There is not a settlement in the territory," said the writer, "but is + also in the same fix as we are. Dollars and cents do not count in these + times, for they are the tightest I have ever seen in the territory of + Utah." In April he wrote: "I suppose one-half the church stock is dead. + There are not more than one-half the people that have bread, and they have + not more than one-half or one quarter of a pound a day to a person. A + great portion of the people are digging roots, and hundreds and thousands, + their teams being dead, are under the necessity of spading their ground to + put in their grain." The harvest of 1856 also suffered from drought and + insects, and the Deseret News that summer declared that "the most rigid + economy and untiring, well-directed industry may enable us to escape + starvation until a harvest in 1857, and until the lapse of another year + emigrants and others will run great risks of starving unless they bring + their supplies with them." The first load of barley brought into Salt Lake + City that summer sold for $2 a bushel. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. XVIII, pp. 395-476. +</pre> + <p> + The first building erected in Salt Lake City in which to hold church + services was called a tabernacle. It was begun in 1851, and was + consecrated on April 6, 1852. It stood in Temple block, where the Assembly + Hall now stands, measuring about 60 by 120 feet, and providing + accommodation for 2500 people. The present Tabernacle, in which the public + church services are held, was completed in 1870. It stands just west of + the Temple, is elliptical in shape, and, with its broad gallery running + around the entire interior, except the end occupied by the organ loft and + pulpit, it can seat about 9000 persons. Its acoustic properties are + remarkable, and one of the duties of any guide who exhibits the auditorium + to visitors is to station them at the end of the gallery opposite the + pulpit, and to drop a pin on the floor to show them how distinctly that + sound can be heard. + </p> + <p> + The Temple in Salt Lake City was begun in April, 1853, and was not + dedicated until April, 1893. This building is devoted to the secret + ceremonies of the church, and no Gentile is ever admitted to it. The + building, of granite taken from the near-by mountains, is architecturally + imposing, measuring 200 by 100 feet. Its cost is admitted to have been + about $4,000,000. The building could probably be duplicated to-day for + one-half that sum. The excuse given by church authorities for the + excessive cost is that, during the early years of the work upon it, the + granite had to be hauled from the mountains by ox teams, and that + everything in the way of building material was expensive in Utah when the + church there was young. The interior is divided into different rooms, in + which such ceremonies as the baptism for the dead are performed; the + baptismal font is copied after the one that was in the Temple at Nauvoo. + </p> + <p> + There are three other temples in Utah, all of which were completed before + the one in Salt Lake City, namely, at St. George, at Logan, and at Manti. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0059" id="link2HCH0059"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. — THE FOREIGN IMMIGRATION TO UTAH + </h2> + <p> + When the Mormons began their departure westward from Nauvoo, the + immigration of converts from Europe was suspended because of the uncertainty + about the location of the next settlement, and the difficulty of + transporting the existing population. But the necessity of constant + additions to the community of new-comers, and especially those bringing + some capital, was never lost sight of by the heads of the church. An + evidence of this was given even before the first company reached the + Missouri River. + </p> + <p> + While the Saints were marching through Iowa they received intelligence of + a big scandal in connection with the emigration business in England, and + P. P. Pratt, Orson Hyde, and John Taylor were hurriedly sent to that + country to straighten the matter out. The Millennial Star in the early + part of 1846 had frequent articles about the British and American + Commercial Joint Stock Company, an organization incorporated to assist + poor Saints in emigrating. The principal emigration agent in Great Britain + at that time was R. Hedlock. He was the originator of the Joint Stock + Company, and Thomas Ward was its president. The Mormon investigators found + that more than 1644 pounds of the contributions of the stockholders had + been squandered, and that Ward had been lending Hedlock money with which + to pay his personal debts. Ward and Hedlock were at once disfellowshipped, + and contributions to the treasury of the company were stopped. Pratt says + that Hedlock fled when the investigators arrived, leaving many debts, "and + finally lived incog. in London with a vile woman." Thus it seems that + Mormon business enterprises in England were no freer from scandals than + those in America. + </p> + <p> + The efforts of the leaders of the church were now exerted to make the + prospects of the Saints in Utah attractive to the converts in England whom + they wished to add to the population of their valley. Young and his + associates seem to have entertained the idea, without reckoning on the + rapid settlement of California, the migration of the "Forty-niners," and + the connection of the two coasts by rail, that they could constitute a + little empire all by itself in Utah, which would be self-supporting as + well as independent, the farmer raising food for the mechanic, and the + mechanic doing the needed work for the farmer. Accordingly, the church did + not stop short of every kind of misrepresentation and deception in + belittling to the foreigners the misfortunes of the past, and picturing to + them the fruitfulness of their new country, and the ease with which they + could become landowners there. + </p> + <p> + Naturally, after the expulsion from Illinois, in which so many foreign + converts shared, an explanation and palliation of the emigration thence + were necessary. In the United States, then and ever since, the Mormons + pictured themselves as the victims of an almost unprecedented persecution. + But as soon as John Taylor reached England, in 1846, he issued an address + to the Saints in Great Britain* in which he presented a very different + picture. Granting that, on an average, they had not obtained more than + one-third the value of their real and personal property when they left + Illinois, he explained that, when they settled there, land in Nauvoo was + worth only from $3 to $20 per acre, while, when they left, it was worth + from $50 to $1500 per acre; in the same period the adjoining farm lands + had risen in value from $1.25 and $5 to from $5 to $50 per acre. He + assured his hearers, therefore, that the one-third value which they had + obtained had paid them well for their labor. Nor was this all. When they + left, they had exchanged their property for horses, cattle, provisions, + clothing, etc., which was exactly what was needed by settlers in a new + country. As a further bait he went on to explain: "When we arrive in + California, according to the provisions of the Mexican government, each + family will be entitled to a large tract of land, amounting to several + hundred acres," and, if that country passed into American control, he + looked for the passage of a law giving 640 acres to each male settler. + "Thus," he summed up, "it will be easy to see that we are in a better + condition than when we were in Nauvoo!" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. VIII, p. 115. +</pre> + <p> + The misrepresentation did not cease here, however. After announcing the + departure of Brigham Young's pioneer company, Taylor* wound up with this + tissue of false statements: "The way is now prepared; the roads, bridges, + and ferry-boats made; there are stopping places also on the way where they + can rest, obtain vegetables and corn, and, when they arrive at the far + end, instead of finding a wild waste, they will meet with friends, + provisions and a home, so that all that will be requisite for them to do + will be to find sufficient teams to draw their families, and to take along + with them a few woollen or cotton goods, or other articles of merchandise + which will be light, and which the brethren will require until they can + manufacture for themselves." How many a poor Englishman, toiling over the + plains in the next succeeding years, and, arriving in arid Utah to find + himself in the clutches of an organization from which he could not escape, + had reason to curse the man who drew this picture! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * John Taylor was born in England in 1808, and emigrated to +Canada in 1829, where, after joining the Methodists, he, like Joseph +Smith, found existing churches unsatisfactory, and was easily secured as +a convert by P. P. Pratt. He was elected to the Quorum, and was sent to +Great Britain as a missionary in 1840, writing several pamphlets while +there. He arrived in Nauvoo with Brigham Young in 1841, and there edited +the Times and Seasons, was a member of the City Council, a regent of the +university, and judge advocate of the Legion, and was in the room with +the prophet when the latter was shot. He was the Mormon representative +in France in 1849, publishing a monthly paper there, translating the +Mormon Bible into the French language, and preaching later at Hamburg, +Germany. He was superintendent of the Mormon church in the Eastern +states in 1857, when Young declared war against the United States, and +he succeeded Young as head of the church. +</pre> + <p> + In 1847, at the suggestion of Taylor, Hyde, and Pratt, who were still in + England, a petition bearing nearly 13,000 names was addressed to Queen + Victoria, setting forth the misery existing among the working classes in + Great Britain, suggesting, as the best means of relief, royal aid to those + who wished to emigrate to "the island of Vancouver or to the great + territory of Oregon," and asking her "to give them employment in improving + the harbors of those countries, or in erecting forts of defence; or, if + this be inexpedient, to furnish them provisions and means of subsistence + until they can produce them from the soil." These American citizens did + not hesitate to point out that the United States government was favoring + the settlement of its territory on the Pacific coast, and to add: "While + the United States do manifest such a strong inclination, not only to + extend and enlarge their possessions in the West, but also to people them, + will not your Majesty look well to British interests in those regions, and + adopt timely precautionary measures to maintain a balance of power in that + quarter which, in the opinion of your memorialists, is destined at no very + distant period to participate largely in the China trade?" * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See Linforth's "Route," pp. 2-5. +</pre> + <p> + The Oregon boundary treaty was less than a year old when this petition was + presented. It was characteristic of Mormon duplicity to find their + representatives in Great Britain appealing to Queen Victoria on the ground + of self-interest, while their chiefs in the United States were pointing to + the organization of the Battalion as a proof of their fidelity to the home + government. Practically no notice was taken of this petition. Vancouver + Island, was, however, held out to the converts in Great Britain as the one + "gathering point of the Saints from the islands and distant portions of + the earth," until the selection of Salt Lake Valley as the Saints' abiding + place. + </p> + <p> + On December 23, 1847, Young, in behalf of the Twelve, issued from Winter + Quarters a General Epistle to the church a which gave an account of his + trip to the Salt Lake Valley, directed all to gather themselves speedily + near Winter Quarters in readiness for the march to Salt Lake Valley, and + said to the Saints in Europe:— + </p> + <p> + "Emigrate as speedily as possible to this vicinity. Those who have but + little means, and little or no labor, will soon exhaust that means if they + remain where they are. Therefore, it is wisdom that they remove without + delay; for here is land on which, by their labor, they can speedily better + their condition for their further journey." The list of things which Young + advised the emigrants to bring with them embraced a wide assortment: + grains, trees, and vines; live stock and fowls; agricultural implements + and mills; firearms and ammunition; gold and silver and zinc and tin and + brass and ivory and precious stones; curiosities, "sweet instruments of + music, sweet odors, and beautiful colors." The care of the head of the + church, that the immigrants should not neglect to provide themselves with + cologne and rouge for use in crossing the prairies, was most thoughtful. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. X, p. 81. +</pre> + <p> + The Millennial Star of February 1, 1848, made this announcement to the + faithful in the British Isles:— + </p> + <p> + "The channel of Saints' emigration to the land of Zion is now opened. The + resting place of Israel for the last days has been discovered. In the + elevated valley of the Salt and Utah Lakes, with the beautiful river + Jordan running through it, is the newly established Stake of Zion. There + vegetation flourishes with magic rapidity. And the food of man, or staff + of life, leaps into maturity from the bowels of Mother Earth with + astonishing celerity. Within one month from planting, potatoes grew from + six to eight inches, and corn from two to four feet. There the frequent + clouds introduce their fertilizing contents at a modest distance from the + fat valley, and send their humid influences from the mountain tops. There + the saline atmosphere of Salt Lake mingles in wedlock with the fresh + humidity of the same vegetable element which comes over the mountain top, + as if the nuptial bonds of rare elements were introduced to exhibit a + novel specimen of a perfect vegetable progeny in the shortest possible + time," etc. + </p> + <p> + Contrast this with Brigham Young's letter to Colonel Alexander in October, + 1857,—"We had hoped that in this barren, desolate country we could + have remained unmolested." + </p> + <p> + On the 20th of February, 1848, the shipment of Mormon emigrants began + again with the sailing of the Cornatic, with 120 passengers, for New + Orleans. + </p> + <p> + In the following April, Orson Pratt was sent to England to take charge of + the affairs of the church there. On his arrival, in August, he issued an + "Epistle" which was influential in augmenting the movement. He said that + "in the solitary valleys of the great interior" they hoped to hide "while + the indignation of the Almighty is poured upon the nations"; and urged the + rich to dispose of their property in order to help the poor, commanding + all who could do so to pay their tithing. "O ye saints of the Most High," + he said, "linger not! Make good your retreat before the avenues are closed + up!" + </p> + <p> + Many other letters were published in the Millennial Star in 1848-1849, + giving glowing accounts of the fertility of Salt Lake Valley. One from the + clerk of the camp observed: "Many cases of twins. In a row of seven houses + joining each other eight births in one week." + </p> + <p> + In order to assist the poor converts in Europe, the General Conference + held in Salt Lake City in October, 1849, voted to raise a fund, to be + called "The Perpetual Emigrating Fund," and soon $5000 had been secured + for this purpose. In September, 1850, the General Assembly of the + Provisional State of Deseret incorporated the Perpetual Emigration Fund + Company, and Brigham Young was elected its first president. Collections + for this fund in Great Britain amounted to 1410 pounds by January, 1852, + and the emigrants sent out in that year were assisted from this fund. + These expenditures required an additional $5000, which was supplied from + Salt Lake City. A letter issued by the First Presidency in October, 1849, + urged the utmost economy in the expenditure of this money, and explained + that, when the assisted emigrants arrived in Salt Lake City, they would + give their obligations to the church to refund as soon as possible what + had been expended on them.* In this way, any who were dissatisfied on + their arrival in Utah found themselves in the church clutches, from which + they could not escape. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XII, p. 124. +</pre> + <p> + There were outbreaks of cholera among the emigrant parties crossing the + plains in 1849, and many deaths. + </p> + <p> + In October, 1849, an important company left Salt Lake City to augment the + list of missionaries in Europe. It included John Taylor and two others, + assigned to France; Lorenzo Snow and one other, to Italy; Erastus Snow and + one other, to Denmark;* F. D. Richards and eight others, to England; and + J. Fosgreene, to Sweden. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Elder Dykes reported in October, 1851, that, on his arrival in +Aalborg, Denmark, he found that a mob had broken in the windows of the +Saints' meeting-house and destroyed the furniture, and had also broken +the windows of the Saints' houses, and, by the mayor's advice, he left +the city by the first steamer. Millennial Star, Vol. XIII, p. 346. +</pre> + <p> + The system of Mormon emigration from Great Britain at that time seems to + have been in the main a good one. The rule of the agent in Liverpool was + not to charter a vessel until enough passengers had made their deposits to + warrant him in doing so. The rate of fare depended on the price paid for + the charter.* As soon as the passengers arrived in Liverpool they could go + on board ship, and, when enough came from one district, all sailed on one + vessel. Once on board, they were organized with a president and two + counsellors,—men who had crossed the ocean, if possible,—who + allotted the staterooms, appointed watchmen to serve in turn, and looked + after the sanitary arrangements. When the first through passengers for + Salt Lake City left Liverpool, in 1852, an experienced elder was sent in + advance to have teams and supplies in readiness at the point where the + land journey would begin, and other men of experience accompanied them to + engage river portation when they reached New Orleans. The statistics of + the emigration thus called out were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See Linforth's "Route," pp. to, 17-22; Mackay's "History of the +Mormons," pp. 298-302; Pratt's letter to the Millennial Star, Vol. XI, +p. 277. +</pre> + <p> + YEAR VESSELS EMIGRANTS 1848 5 754 1849 9 2078 1850 6 1612 1851 4 1869 + </p> + <p> + The Frontier Guardian at Kanesville estimated the Mormon movement across + the plains in 1850 at about 700 wagons, taking 5000 horses and cattle and + 4000 sheep. + </p> + <p> + Of the class of emigrants then going out, the manager of the leading + shipping agents at Liverpool who furnished the ships said, "They are + principally farmers and mechanics, with some few clerks, surgeons, and so + forth." He found on the company's books, for the period between October, + 1849, and March, 1850, the names of 16 miners, 20 engineers, 19 farmers, + 108 laborers, 10 joiners, 25 weavers, 15 shoemakers, 12 smiths, 19 + tailors, 8 watchmakers, 25 stone masons, 5 butchers, 4 bakers, 4 potters, + 10 painters, 7 shipwrights, and 5 dyers. + </p> + <p> + The statistics of the Mormon emigration given by the British agency for + the years named were as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + YEAR + VESSELS + EMIGRANTS + + 1852 + 3 + 732 + + 1853 + 7 + 2312 + + 1854 + 9 + 2456 + + 1855 + 13 + 4425 +</pre> + <p> + In 1853 the experiment was made of engaging to send adults from Liverpool + to Utah for 10 pounds each and children for half price; but this did not + succeed, and those who embraced the offer had to borrow money or teams to + complete the journey. + </p> + <p> + In 1853, owing to extortions practised on the emigrants by the merchants + and traders at Kanesville, as well as the unhealthfulness of the Missouri + bottoms, the principal point of departure from the river was changed to + Keokuk, Iowa. The authorities and people there showed the new-comers every + kindness, and set apart a plot of ground for their camp. In this camp each + company on its arrival was organized and provided with the necessary + teams, etc. In 1854 the point of departure was again changed to Kansas, in + western Missouri, fourteen miles west of Independence, the route then + running to the Big Blue River, and through what are now the states of + Kansas and Nebraska. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0060" id="link2HCH0060"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. — THE HAND-CART TRAGEDY + </h2> + <p> + In 1855 the crops in Utah were almost a failure, and the church + authorities found themselves very much embarrassed by their debts. A + report in the seventh General Epistle, of April 18, 1852, set forth that, + from their entry into the valley to March 27, of that year, there had been + received as tithing, mostly in property, $244,747.03, and in loans and + from other sources $145,513.78, of which total there had been expended in + assisting immigrants and on church buildings, city lots, manufacturing + industries, etc., $353,765.69. Young found it necessary therefore to cut + down his expenses, and he looked around for a method of doing this without + checking the stream of new-comers. The method which he evolved was to + furnish the immigrants with hand-carts on their arrival in Iowa, and to + let them walk all the way across the plains, taking with them only such + effects as these carts would hold, each party of ten to drive with them + one or two cows. + </p> + <p> + Although Young tried to throw the result of this experiment on others, the + evidence is conclusive that he devised it and worked out its details. In a + letter to Elder F. D. Richards, in Liverpool, dated September 30, 1855, + Young said: "We cannot afford to purchase wagons and teams as in times + past. I am consequently thrown back upon MY OLD PLAN—to make + hand-carts, and let the emigration foot it." To show what a pleasant trip + this would make, this head of the church, who had three times crossed the + plains, added, "Fifteen miles a day will bring them through in 70 days, + and, after they get accustomed to it, they will travel 20, 25, or even 30 + with all ease, and no danger of giving out, but will continue to get + stronger and stronger; the little ones and sick, if there are any, can be + carried on the carts, but there will be none sick in a little time after + they get started."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. VII, p. 813. +</pre> + <p> + Directions in accordance with this plan were issued in the form of a + circular in Liverpool in February, 1856, naming Iowa City, Iowa, as the + point of outfit. The charge for booking through to Utah by the Perpetual + Emigration Fund Company was fixed at 9 pounds for all over one year old, + and 4 pounds 10 shillings for younger infants. The use of trunks or boxes + was discouraged, and the emigrants were urged to provide themselves with + oil-cloth or mackintosh bags. + </p> + <p> + About thirteen hundred persons left Liverpool to undertake this foot + journey across the plains, placing implicit faith in the pictures of Salt + Lake Valley drawn by the missionaries, and not doubting that the method of + travel would be as enjoyable as it seemed economical. Five separate + companies were started that summer from Iowa City. The first and second of + these arrived at Florence, Nebraska, on July 17, the third, made up mostly + of Welsh, on July 19, and the fourth on August 11. The first company made + the trip to Utah without anything more serious to report than the + necessary discomforts of such a march, and were received with great + acclaim by the church authorities, and welcomed with an elaborate + procession. It was the last companies whose story became a tragedy.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The experiences of those companies were told in detail by a +member of one, John Chislett, and printed in the "Rocky Mountain +Saints." Mrs. Stenhouse gives additional experiences in her "Tell it +All." +</pre> + <p> + The immigrants met with their first disappointment on arriving at Iowa + City. Instead of finding their carts ready for them, they were told that + no advance agent had prepared the way. The last companies were subjected + to the most delay from this cause. Even the carts were still to be + manufactured, and, while they were making, many a family had to camp in + the open fields, without even the shelter of a tent or a wagon top. The + carts, when pronounced finished, moved on two light wheels, the only iron + used in their construction being a very thin tire. Two projecting shafts + of hickory or oak were joined by a cross piece, by means of which the + owner propelled the vehicle. When Mr. Chislett's company, after a three + weeks' delay, made a start, they were five hundred strong, comprising + English, Scotch, and Scandanavians. They were divided, as usual, into + hundreds, to each hundred being allotted five tents, twenty hand-carts, + and one wagon drawn by three yokes of oxen, the latter carrying the tents + and provisions. Families containing more young men than were required to + draw their own carts shared these human draught animals with other + families who were not so well provided; but many carts were pulled along + by young girls. + </p> + <p> + The Iowans bestowed on the travellers both kindness and commiseration. + Knowing better than did the new-comers from Europe the trials that awaited + them, they pointed out the lateness of the season, and they did persuade a + few members to give up the trip. But the elders who were in charge of the + company were watchful, the religious spirit was kept up by daily meetings, + and the one command that was constantly reiterated was, "Obey your leaders + in all things." + </p> + <p> + A march of four weeks over a hot, dusty route was required to bring them + to the Missouri River near Florence. Even there they were insufficiently + supplied with food. With flour costing $3 per hundred pounds, and bacon + seven or eight cents a pound, the daily allowance of food was ten ounces + of flour to each adult, and four ounces to children under eight years old, + with bacon, coffee, sugar, and rice served occasionally. Some of the men + ate all their allowance for the day at their breakfast, and depended on + the generosity of settlers on the way, while there were any, for what + further food they had until the next morning. + </p> + <p> + After a week's stay at Florence (the old Winter Quarters), the march + across the plains was resumed on August 18. The danger of making this trip + so late in the season, with a company which included many women, children, + and aged persons, gave even the elders pause, and a meeting was held to + discuss the matter. But Levi Savage, who had made the trip to and from the + valley, alone advised against continuing the march that season. The others + urged the company to go on, declaring that they were God's people, and + prophesying in His name that they would get through the mountains in + safety. The emigrants, "simple, honest, eager to go to Zion at once, and + obedient as little children to the 'servants of God,' voted to proceed." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A "bond," which each assisted emigrant was required to sign in +Liverpool, contained the following stipulations: "We do severally +and jointly promise and bind ourselves to continue with and obey the +instructions of the agent appointed to superintend our passage thither +to [Utah]. And that, on our arrival in Utah, we will hold ourselves, +our time, and our labor, subject to the appropriation of the Perpetual +Emigration Fund Company until the full cost of our emigration is paid, +with interest if required." +</pre> + <p> + As the teams provided could not haul enough flour to last the company to + Utah, a sack weighing ninety-eight pounds was added to the load of each + cart. One pound of flour a day was now allowed to each adult, and + occasionally fresh beef. Soon after leaving Florence trouble began with + the carts. The sand of the dry prairie got into the wooden hubs and ground + the axles so that they broke, and constant delays were caused by the + necessity of making repairs., No axle grease had been provided, and some + of the company were compelled to use their precious allowance of bacon to + grease the wheels. At Wood River, where the plains were alive with + buffaloes, a stampede of the cattle occurred one night, and thirty of them + were never recovered. The one yoke of oxen that was left to each wagon + could not pull the load; an attempt to use the milch cows and heifers as + draught animals failed, and the tired cart pullers had to load up again + with flour. + </p> + <p> + While pursuing their journey in this manner, their camp was visited one + evening by Apostle F. D. Richards and some other elders, on their way to + Utah from mission work abroad. Richards severely rebuked Savage for + advising that the trip be given up at Florence, and prophesied that the + Lord would keep open a way before them. The missionaries, who were + provided with carriages drawn by four horses each, drove on, without + waiting to see this prediction confirmed. + </p> + <p> + On arriving at Fort Laramie, about the first of September, another + evidence of the culpable neglect of the church authorities manifested + itself. The supply of provisions that was to have awaited them there was + wanting. They calculated the amount that they had on hand, and estimated + that it would last only until they were within 350 miles of Salt Lake + City; but, perhaps making the best of the situation, they voted to reduce + the daily ration and to try to make the supply last by travelling faster. + When they reached the neighborhood of Independence Rock, a letter sent + back by Richards informed them that supplies would meet them at South + Pass; but another calculation showed that what remained would not last + them to the Pass, and again the ration was reduced, working men now + receiving twelve ounces a day, other adults nine, and children from four + to eight. Another source of discomfort now manifested itself. In order to + accommodate matters to the capacity of the carts, the elders in charge had + made it one of the rules that each outfit should be limited to seventeen + pounds of clothing and bedding. As they advanced up the Sweetwater it + became cold. The mountains appeared snow-covered, and the lack of extra + wraps and bedding caused first discomfort, and then intense suffering, to + the half-fed travellers. The necessity of frequently wading the Sweetwater + chilled the stronger men who were bearing the brunt of the labor, and when + morning dawned the occupants of the tents found themselves numb with the + cold, and quite unfitted to endure the hardships of the coming day. + Chislett draws this picture of the situation at that time:— + </p> + <p> + "Our old and infirm people began to droop, and they no sooner lost spirit + and courage than death's stamp could be traced upon their features. Life + went out as smoothly as a lamp ceases to burn when the oil is gone. At + first the deaths occurred slowly and irregularly, but in a few days at + more frequent intervals, until we soon thought it unusual to leave a camp + ground without burying one or more persons. Death was not long confined in + its ravages to the old and infirm, but the young and naturally strong were + among its victims. Weakness and debility were accompanied by dysentery. + This we could not stop or even alleviate, no proper medicines being in the + camp; and in almost every instance it carried off the parties attacked. It + was surprising to an unmarried man to witness the devotion of men to their + families and to their faith under these trying circumstances. Many a + father pulled his cart, with his little children on it, until the day + preceding his death. These people died with the calm faith and fortitude + of martyrs." + </p> + <p> + An Oregonian returning East, who met two of the more fortunate of these + handcart parties, gave this description to the Huron (Ohio) Reflector in + 1857:— + </p> + <p> + "It was certainly the most novel and interesting sight I have seen for + many a day. We met two trains, one of thirty and the other of fifty carts, + averaging about six to the cart. The carts were generally drawn by one man + and three women each, though some carts were drawn by women alone. There + were about three women to one man, and two-thirds of the women single. It + was the most motley crew I ever beheld. Most of them were Danes, with a + sprinkling of Welsh, Swedes, and English, and were generally from the + lower classes of their countries. Most could not understand what we said + to them. The road was lined for a mile behind the train with the lame, + halt, sick, and needy. Many were quite aged, and would be going slowly + along, supported by a son or daughter. Some were on crutches; now and then + a mother with a child in her arms and two or three hanging hold of her, + with a forlorn appearance, would pass slowly along; others, whose + condition entitled them to a seat in a carriage, were wending their way + through the sand. A few seemed in good spirits." + </p> + <p> + The belated company did not meet anyone to carry word of their condition + to the valley, but among Richard's party who visited the camp at Wood + River was Brigham Young's son, Joseph A. He realized the plight of the + travellers, and when his father heard his report he too recognized the + fact that aid must be sent at once. The son was directed to get together + all the supplies he could obtain in the city or pick up on the way, and to + start toward the East immediately. Driving on himself in a light wagon, he + reached the advanced line, as they were toiling ahead through their first + snowstorm. The provisions travelled slower, and could not reach them in + less than one or two days longer. There was encouragement, of course, even + in the prospect of release, but encouragement could not save those whose + vitality was already exhausted. Camp was pitched that night among a grove + of willows, where good fires were possible, but in the morning they awoke + to find the snow a foot deep, and that five of their companions had been + added to the death list during the night. + </p> + <p> + To add to the desperate character of the situation came the announcement + that the provisions were practically exhausted, the last of the flour + having been given out, and all that remained being a few dried apples, a + little rice and sugar, and about twenty-five pounds of hardtack. Two of + the cattle were killed, and the camp were informed that they would have to + subsist on the supplies in sight until aid reached them. The best thing to + do in these circumstances, indeed, the only thing, was to remain where + they were and send messengers to advise the succoring party of the + desperateness of their case. Their captain, Mr. Willie, and one companion + acted as their messengers. They were gone three days, and in their absence + Mr. Chislett had the painful duty of doling out what little food there was + in camp. He speaks of his task as one that unmanned him. More cattle were + killed, but beef without other food did not satisfy the hungry, and the + epidemic of dysentery grew worse. The commissary officer was surrounded by + a crowd of men and women imploring him for a little food, and it required + all his power of reasoning to make them see that what little was left must + be saved for the sick. + </p> + <p> + The party with aid from the valley had also encountered the snowstorm, + and, not appreciating the desperate condition of the hand-cart immigrants, + had halted to wait for better weather. As soon as Captain Willie took them + the news, they hastened eastward, and were seen by the starving party at + sunset, the third day after their captain's departure. "Shouts of joy rent + the air," says Chislett. "Strong men wept till tears ran freely down their + furrowed and sunburnt cheeks, and little children partook of the joy which + some of them hardly understood, and fairly danced around with gladness. + Restraint was set aside in the general rejoicing, and, as the brethren + entered our camp, the sisters fell upon them and deluged them with + kisses." + </p> + <p> + The timely relief saved many lives, but the end of the suffering had not + been reached. A good many of the foot party were so exhausted by what they + had gone through, that even their near approach to their Zion and their + prophet did not stimulate them to make the effort to complete the journey. + Some trudged along, unable even to pull a cart, and those who were still + weaker were given places in the wagons. It grew colder, too, and frozen + hands and feet became a common experience. Thus each day lessened by a few + who were buried the number that remained. + </p> + <p> + Then came another snowstorm. What this meant to a weakened party like this + dragging their few possessions in carts can easily be imagined. One family + after another would find that they could not make further progress, and + when a hill was reached the human teams would have to be doubled up. In + this way, by travelling backward and forward, some progress was made. That + day's march was marked by constant additions to the stragglers who kept + dropping by the way. When the main body had made their camp for the night, + some of the best teams were sent back for those who had dropped behind, + and it was early morning before all of these were brought in. + </p> + <p> + The next morning Captain Willie was assigned to take count of the dead. An + examination of the camp showed thirteen corpses, all stiffly frozen. They + were buried in a large square hole, three or four abreast and three deep. + "When they did not fit in," says Chislett, "we put one or two crosswise at + the head or feet of the others. We covered them with willows and then with + the earth." Two other victims were buried before nightfall. Parties + passing eastward by this place the following summer found that the wolves + had speedily uncovered the corpses, and that their bones were scattered + all over the neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + Further deaths continued every day until they arrived at South Pass. There + more assistance from the valley met them, the weather became warmer, and + the health of the party improved, so that when they arrived at Salt Lake + City they were in better condition and spirits. The date of their arrival + there was November 9. The company which set out from Iowa City numbered + about 500, of whom 400 set out from Florence across the plains. Of these + 400, 67 died on the way, and there were a few deaths after they reached + the end of their journey. + </p> + <p> + Another company of these hand-cart travellers left Florence still later + than the ones whose sufferings have been described. They were in charge of + an elder named Martin. Like their predecessors, they were warned against + setting out so late as the middle of August, and many of them tried to + give up the trip, but permission to do so was refused. Their sufferings + began soon after they crossed the Platte, near Fort Laramie, and snow was + encountered sixty miles east of Devil's Gate. When they reached that + landmark, they decided that they could make no further progress with their + hand-carts. They accordingly took possession of half a dozen dilapidated + log houses, the contents of the wagons were placed in some of these, the + hand-carts were left behind, and as many people as the teams could drag + were placed in the wagons and started forward. One of the survivors of + this party has written: "The track of the emigrants was marked by graves, + and many of the living suffered almost worse than death. Men may be seen + to-day in Salt Lake City, who were boys then, hobbling around on their + club-feet, all their toes having been frozen off in that fearful march." * + Twenty men who were left at Devil's Gate had a terrible experience, being + compelled, before assistance reached them, to eat even the pieces of hide + wrapped round their cart-wheels, and a piece of buffalo skin that had been + used as a door-mat. Strange to say, all of these men reached the valley + alive. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 337. +</pre> + <p> + We have seen that Brigham Young was the inventor of this hand-cart + immigration scheme. Alarmed by the result of the experiment, as soon as + the wretched remnant of the last two parties arrived in Salt Lake City, he + took steps to place the responsibility for the disaster on other + shoulders. The idea which he carried out was to shift the blame to F. D. + Richards on the ground that he allowed the immigrants to start too late. + In an address in the Tabernacle, while Captain Willie's party was + approaching the city, he told the returned missionaries from England that + they needed to be careful about eulogizing Richards and Spencer, lest they + should have "the big head." When these men were in Salt Lake City he + cursed them with the curse of the church. E. W. Tullidge, who was an + editor of the Millennial Star in Liverpool under Richards when the + hand-cart emigrants were collected, proposed, when in later years he was + editing the Utah Magazine, to tell the facts about that matter; but when + Young learned this, he ordered Godbe, the controlling owner of the + magazine, to destroy that issue, after one side of the sheets had been + printed, and he was obeyed.* Fortunately Young was not able to destroy the + files of the Millennial Star. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 342. +</pre> + <p> + There is much that is thoroughly typical of Mormonism in the history of + these expeditions. No converts were ever instilled with a more confident + belief in the divine character of the ridiculous pretender, Joseph Smith. + To no persons were more flagrant misrepresentations ever made by the heads + of the church, and over none was the dictatorial authority of the church + exercised more remorselessly. Not only was Utah held out to them as "a + land where honest labor and industry meet with a suitable reward, and + where the higher walks of life are open to the humblest and poorest," * + but they were informed that, if they had not faith enough to undertake the + trip to Utah, they had not "faith sufficient to endure, with the Saints in + Zion, the celestial law which leads to exaltation and eternal life." Young + wrote to Richards privately in October, 1855, "Adhere strictly to our + former suggestion of walking them through across the plains with + hand-carts";** and Richards in an editorial in the Star thereupon warned + the Saints: "The destroying angel is abroad. Pestilence and gaunt famine + will soon increase the terrors of the scene to an extent as yet without a + parallel in the records of the human race. If the anticipated toils of the + journey shake your faith in the promises of the Lord, it is high time that + you were digging about the foundation of it, and seeing if it be founded + on the root of the Holy Priesthood," etc. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Thirteenth General Epistle, Millennial Star, Vol. XVIII, p. 49. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Millennial Star, Vol. XVIII, p, 61. +</pre> + <p> + The direct effect of such teaching is shown in two letters printed in the + Millennial Star of June 14, 1856. In the first of these, a sister, writing + to her brother in Liverpool from Williamsburg, New York, confesses her + surprise on learning that the journey was to be made with hand-carts, says + that their mother cannot survive such a trip, and that she does not think + the girls can, points out that the limitation regarding baggage would + compel them to sell nearly all their clothes, and proposes that they wait + in New York or St. Louis until they could procure a wagon. In his reply + the brother scorns this advice, says that he would not stop in New York if + he were offered 10,000 pounds besides his expenses, and adds "Brothers, + sisters, fathers or mothers, when they put a stumbling block in the way of + my salvation, are nothing more to me than Gentiles. As for me and my + house, we will serve the Lord, and when we start we will go right up to + Zion, if we go ragged and barefoot." + </p> + <p> + Young found himself hard put to meet the church obligations in 1856, + notwithstanding the economy of the hand-cart system; and the Millennial + Star of December 27 announced that no assisted emigrants would be sent out + during the following year. Saints proposing to go through at their own + expense were informed, however, that the church bureau would supply them + with teams. Those proposing to use hand-carts were told of the + "indispensable necessity" of having their whole outfit ready on their + arrival at Iowa City, and the bureau offered to supply this at an + estimated cost of 3 pounds per head, any deficit to be made up on their + arrival there.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The agency of the Mormon emigration at that time was a very +profitable appointment. By arrangement with ship brokers at Liverpool, +a commission of half a guinea per head was allowed the agent for every +adult emigrant that he sent across the Atlantic, and the railroad +companies in New York allowed a percentage on every emigrant ticket. But +a still larger revenue was derived from the outfitting on the frontiers. +The agents purchased all the cattle, wagons, tents, wagon-covers, flour, +cooking utensils, stoves, and the staple articles for a three +months' journey across the Plains, and from them the Saints supplied +themselves."—"Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 340. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0061" id="link2HCH0061"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. — EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY + </h2> + <p> + We have seen that Joseph Smith's desire was, when he suggested a possible + removal of the church to the Far West, that they should have, not only an + undisturbed place of residence, but a government of their own. This idea + of political independence Young never lost sight of. Had Utah remained a + distant province of the Mexican government, the Mormons might have been + allowed to dwell there a long time, practically without governmental + control. But when that region passed under the government of the United + States by the proclamation of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, on July 4, + 1848, Brigham Young had to face anew situation. He then decided that what + he wanted was an independent state government, not territorial rule under + the federal authorities, and he planned accordingly. Every device was + employed to increase the number of the Saints in Utah, to bring the + population up to the figure required for admission as a state, and he + encouraged outlying settlements at every attractive point. In this way, by + 1851, Ogden and Provo had become large enough to form Stakes, and in a few + years the country around Salt Lake City was dotted with settlements, many + of them on lands to which the "Lamanites," who held so deep a place in + Joseph Smith's heart, asserted in vain their ancestral titles. + </p> + <p> + The first General Epistle sent out from Great Salt Lake City, in 1849, + thus explained the first government set up there, "In consequence of + Indian depredations on our horses, cattle, and other property, and the + wicked conduct of a few base fellows who came among the Saints, the + inhabitants of this valley, as is common in new countries generally, have + organized a temporary government to exist during its necessity, or until + we can obtain a charter for a territorial government, a petition for which + is already in progress." + </p> + <p> + On March 4, 1849, a convention, to which were invited all the inhabitants + of upper California east of the Sierra Nevadas, was held in Great Salt + Lake City to frame a system of government. The outcome was the adoption of + a constitution for a state to be called the State of Deseret, and the + election of a full set of state officers. The boundaries of this state + were liberal. Starting at a point in what is now New Mexico, the line was + to run down to the Mexican border, then west along the border of lower + California to the Pacific, up the coast to 118 degrees 30 minutes west + longitude, north to the dividing ridge of the Sierra Nevadas, and along + their summit to the divide between the Columbia River and the Salt Lake + Basin, and thence south to the place of beginning, "by the dividing range + of mountains that separate the waters flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from + the waters flowing into the Gulf of California." The constitution adopted + followed the general form of such instruments in the United States. In + regard to religion it declared, "All men have a natural and inalienable + right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences; + and the General Assembly shall make no law respecting an establishment of + religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or disturb any person + in his religious worship or sentiments." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *For text of this constitution and the memorial to Congress, see +Millennial Star, January 15, 1850. +</pre> + <p> + An epistle of the Twelve to Orson Pratt in England, explaining this + subject, said, "We have petitioned the Congress of the United States for + the organization of a territorial government here. Until this petition is + granted, we are under the necessity of organizing a local government for + the time being."* The territorial government referred to was that of the + State of Deseret. The local government mentioned was organized on March + 12, by the election of Brigham Young as governor, H. C. Kimball as chief + justice, John Taylor and N. K. Whitney as associate justices, and the + Bishops of the wards as city magistrates, with minor positions filled. Six + hundred and seventy-four votes were polled for this ticket. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, Vol. XI, p. 244. +</pre> + <p> + The General Assembly, chosen later, met on July 2, and adopted a memorial + to Congress setting forth the failure of that body to provide any form of + government for the territory ceded by Mexico,* declaring that "the + revolver and the bowie knife have been the highest law of the land," and + asking for the admission of the State of Deseret into the Union. That same + year the Californians framed a government for themselves, and a plan was + discussed to consolidate California and Deseret until 1851, when a + separation should take place. The governor of California condemned this + scheme, and the legislature gave it no countenance. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "When Congress adjourned on March 4, 1849, all that had been +done toward establishing some form of government for the immense domain +acquired by the treaty with Mexico was to extend over it the revenue +laws and make San Francisco a port of entry."—Bancroft's "Utah," p. +446. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormons had a confused idea about the government that they had set up. + In the constitution adopted they called their domain the State of Deseret, + but they allowed their legislature to elect their representative in + Congress, sending A. W. Babbitt as their delegate to Washington, with + their memorial asking for the admission of Deseret, or that they be given + "such other form of civil government as your wisdom and magnanimity may + award to the people of Deseret." The Mormons' old political friend in + Illinois, Stephen A. Douglas, presented this memorial in the Senate on + December 27, 1849, with a statement that it was an application for + admission as a state, but with the alternative of admission as a territory + if Congress should so direct. The memorial was referred to the Committee + on Territories. + </p> + <p> + On the 31st of December, a counter memorial against the admission of the + Mormon state was presented by Mr. Underwood of Kentucky, a Whig. This was + signed by William Smith, the prophet's brother, and Isaac Sheen (who + called themselves the "legitimate presidents" of the Mormon church), and + by twelve other members. This memorial alleged that fifteen hundred of the + emigrants from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City, before their departure for + Illinois, took the following oath:— + </p> + <p> + "You do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, his holy angels, + and these witnesses, that you will avenge the blood of Joseph Smith upon + this nation; and so teach your children; and that you will from this day + henceforth and forever begin and carry out hostility against this nation, + and keep the same a profound secret now and ever. So help you God." + </p> + <p> + This memorial also set forth that the Mormons were practising polygamy in + the Salt Lake Valley; that since their arrival there they had tried two + Indian agents on a charge of participation in the expulsion of the Mormons + from Missouri, and that they were, by their own assumed authority, + imposing duties on all goods imported into the Salt Lake region from the + rest of the United States. Senator Douglas, in an explanation concerning + the latter charge, admitted that Delegate Babbitt acknowledged the levying + of duties, the excuse being that the Mormons had found it necessary to set + up a government for themselves, pending the action of Congress, and as a + means of revenue they had imposed duties on all goods brought into and + sold within the limits of Great Salt Lake City, but asserted that goods + simply passing through were not molested. This tax seems to have been + established entirely by the church authorities, the first of the + "ordinances" of the Deseret legislature being dated January 15, 1850. + </p> + <p> + The constitution of Deseret was presented to the House of Representatives + by Mr. Boyd, a Kentucky Democrat, on January 28, 1850, and referred to the + Committee on Territories. On July 25, John Wentworth, an Illinois + Democrat, presented a petition from citizens of Lee County, in his state, + asking Congress to protect the rights of American citizens passing through + the Salt Lake Valley, and charging on the organizers of the State of + Deseret treason, a desire for a kingly government, murder, robbery, and + polygamy. + </p> + <p> + The Mormon memorial was taken up in the House of Representatives on July + 18, after the committee had unanimously reported that "it is inexpedient + to admit Almon W. Babbitt, Esq., to a seat in this body from the alleged + State of Deseret." A long debate on the admission of the delegate from New + Mexico had deferred action. The chairman of the committee, Mr. Strong, a + Pennsylvania Whig, explained that their report was founded on the terms of + the Mormon memorial, which did not ask for Babbitt's reception as a + delegate until some form of government was provided for them. Mr. + McDonald, an Indiana Whig, offered an amendment admitting Babbitt, and a + debate of considerable length followed, in which the slavery question + received some attention. The Committee of the Whole voted to report to the + House the resolution against seating Babbitt, and then the House, by a + vote of 104 yeas to 78 nays, laid the resolution on the table (on motion + of its friends), and tabled a motion for reconsideration. On the 9th of + September following, the law for the admission of Utah as a territory was + signed. The boundaries defined were California on the west, Oregon on the + north, the summit of the Rocky Mountains on the east, and the 37th + parallel of north latitude on the south. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0062" id="link2HCH0062"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. — BRIGHAM YOUNG'S DESPOTISM + </h2> + <p> + There is no reason to believe that, to the date of Joseph Smith's death, + Brigham Young had inspired his fellow-Mormons with an idea of his + leadership. This was certified to by one of the most radical of them, + Mayor Jedediah M. Grant of Salt Lake City, in 1852, in these words:— + </p> + <p> + "When Joseph Smith lived, a man about whose real character and pretensions + we differ, Joseph was often and almost invariably imposed upon by those in + whom he placed his trust. There was one man—only one of his early + adherents—he could always rely upon to stick to him closer than a + brother, steadfast in faith, clear in counsel, and foremost in fight. He + seemed a plain man in those days, of a wonderful talent for business and + hundred horse-power of industry, but least of everything affecting + cleverness or quickness. 'Honest Brigham Young,' or 'hard-working Brigham + Young,' was nearly as much as you would ever hear him called, though he + was the almost universal executor and trustee of men's wills and trusteed + estates, and a confidential manager of our most intricate church + affairs."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Grant's pamphlet, "Truth about the Mormons." +</pre> + <p> + When the Saints found themselves in Salt Lake Valley they had learned + something from experience. They could not fail to realize that, distant as + they now were from outside interference, union among themselves was an + essential to success. The body of the church was soon composed of two + elements—those who had constituted the church in the East, and the + new members who were pouring in from Europe. Young established his + leadership with both of these parties in the early days. There was much to + discourage in those days—a soil to cultivate that required + irrigation, houses to build where material was scarce, and starvation to + fight year after year. Young encouraged everybody by his talk at the + church meetings, shared in the manual labor of building houses and + cultivating land, and devised means to entertain and encourage those who + were disposed to look on their future darkly. No one ever heard him, + whatever others might say, doubt the genuineness of Joseph Smith's + inspiration and revelations, and he so established his own position as + Smith's successor that he secured the devout allegiance of the old flock, + without making such business mistakes as weakened Smith's reputation. "I + believed," says John D. Lee, one of the most trusted and prominent of the + church members almost to the day of his death, "that Brigham Young spoke + by the direction of the God of heaven. I would have suffered death rather + than have disobeyed any command of his." Said Young's associate in the + First Presidency, Heber C. Kimball, "To me the word comes from Brother + Brigham as the word of God," and again, "His word is the word of God to + his people."* + </p> + <p> + The new-comers from Europe were simply helpless. They were, in the first + place, religious enthusiasts, who believed, when they set out on their + journey, that they were going to a real Zion. Large numbers of them were + indebted to the church for at least a part of their passage money from the + day of their arrival. Few of those who had paid their own way brought much + cash capital, all depending on the representations about the richness of + the valley which had been held out to them. Once, there, they soon + realized that all must sustain the same policy if the church was to be a + success. They were, too, of that superstitious class which was ready, not + only to believe in modern miracles, "signs," and revelations, but actually + hungered for such manifestations, and, once accepting membership in the + church, they accepted with it the dictation of the head of the church in + all things. Secretary Fuller has told me that, after he ascertained the + existence of gold near Salt Lake City, he said to an intelligent goldsmith + there, "Why do you not look for the gold you need in your business in the + mountains?" "Why," was the reply, "if I went to the mountains and found + gold, and put it into my pouch, the pouch would be empty when I got back + to the city. I know this is so, because Brigham Young has told me so." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, VOL IV, p. 47. +</pre> + <p> + The extent of the dictatorship which Young prescribed and carried out in + all matters, spiritual and commercial, might be questioned if we were not + able to follow the various steps taken in establishing his authority, and + to illustrate its scope, by the testimony, not of men who suffered from + it, but by his own words and those of his closest associates. With a + blindness which seems incomprehensible, the sermons, or "discourses," + delivered in the early days in Salt Lake City were printed under church + authority, and are preserved in the journal of Discourses. The student of + this chapter of the church's history can obtain what information he wants + by reading the volumes of this Journal. The language used is often coarse, + but there is never any difficulty in understanding the speakers. + </p> + <p> + Young referred to his own plain speaking in a discourse on October 6, + 1855. He said that he had received advice about bridling his tongue—a + wheelbarrow load of such letters from the East, especially on the subject + of his attacks on the Gentiles. "Do you know," he asked, "how I feel when + I get such communications? I will tell you. I feel just like rubbing their + noses with them."* In a discourse on February 17, 1856, he vouchsafed this + explanation, "If I were preaching abroad in the world, I should feel + myself somewhat obliged, through custom, to adhere to the wishes and + feelings of the people in regard to pursuing the thread of any given + subject; but here I feel as free as air." ** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, p. 48. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., p. 211. +</pre> + <p> + Mention has already been made of Young's refusal to continue Smith's + series of "revelations." In doing this he never admitted for a moment any + lack of authority as spokesman for the Almighty. A few illustrations will + make clear his position in this matter. Defining his view of his own + authority, before the General Conference in Salt Lake City, on April 6, + 1850, he said, "It is your privilege and it is mine to receive revelation; + and my privilege to dictate to the church." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Millennial Star, VOL XII, p, 273. +</pre> + <p> + When the site of the Temple was consecrated, in 1853, there were many + inquiries whether a revelation had been given about its construction. + Young said, "If the Lord and all the people want a revelation, I can give + one concerning this Temple"; but he did not do so, declaring that a + revelation was no more necessary concerning the building of a temple than + it was concerning a kitchen or a bedroom.* We must certainly concede to + this man a dictator's daring. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. XV, p. 391. +</pre> + <p> + An early illustration of Young's policy toward all Mormon offenders was + given in the case of the so-called "Gladdenites." There were members of + the church even in Utah who were ready to revolt when the open + announcement of the "revelation" regarding polygamy was made in 1852, and + they found a leader in Gladden Bishop, who had had much experience in + apostasy, repentance, and readmission.* These men held meetings and made + considerable headway, but when the time came for Brigham to exercise his + authority he did it. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "This Gladden gave Joseph much trouble; was cut off from the +church and taken back and rebaptized nine times."—Ferris, "Utah and the +Mormons," p. 326. +</pre> + <p> + On Sunday, March 20, 1853, a meeting, orderly in every respect, which the + Gladdenites were holding in front of the Council House, was dispersed by + the city marshal, and another, called for the next Sunday, was prohibited + entirely. Then Alfred Smith, a leading Gladdenite, who had accused Young + of robbing him of his property, was arrested and locked up until he gave a + promise to discontinue his rebellion. On the 27th of March Young made the + Gladdenites the subject of a large part of his discourse in the + Tabernacle. What he said is thus stated in the church report of the + address:— + </p> + <p> + "I say to those persons: You must not court persecution here, lest you get + so much of it you will not know what to do with it. Do not court + persecution. We have known Gladden Bishop for more than twenty years, and + know him to be a poor, dirty curse.... I say again, you Gladdenites, do + not court persecution, or you will get more than you want, and it will + come quicker than you want it. I say to you Bishops, do not allow them to + preach in your wards." (After telling of a dream he had had, in which he + saw two men creep into the bed where one of his wives was lying, whereupon + he took a large bowie knife and cut one of their throats from ear to ear, + saying, "Go to hell across lots," he continued:) "I say, rather than that + apostates should flourish here I will unsheath my bowie knife and conquer + or die." (Great commotion in the congregation, and a simultaneous burst of + feeling, assenting to the declaration.) "Now, you nasty apostates, clear + out, or judgment will be put to the line and righteousness to the + plummet." (Voices generally, "Go it," "go it.") "If you say it is all + right, raise your hand." (All hands up.) "Let us call upon the Lord to + assist us in this and every good work." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Journal of Discourses, Vol. I, p. 82. +</pre> + <p> + This was the practical end of Gladdenism. + </p> + <p> + Young's dictatorship was quite as broad and determined in things temporal + as in things spiritual. He made no concealment of the fact that he was a + money-getter, only insisting on his readiness to contribute to the support + of church enterprises. The canyons through the mountains which shut in the + valley were the source of wood supply for the city, and their control was + very valuable. Young brought this matter before the Conference of October + 9, 1852, speaking on it at length, and finally putting his own view in the + form of a resolution that the canyons be placed in the hands of + individuals, who should make good roads through them, and obtain their pay + by taking toll at the entrance. After getting the usual unanimous vote on + his proposition, he said: "Let the Judges of the County of Great Salt Lake + take due notice and govern themselves accordingly.... This is my order for + the judges to take due notice of. It does not come from the Governor, but + from the President of the church. You will not see any proclamation in the + paper to this effect, but it is a mere declaration of the President of the + Conference."* The "declaration," of course, had all the effect of a law, + and Young got one of the best canyons. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. I, pp. 217, 218. +</pre> + <p> + Very early in his rule Young defined his views about the property rights + of the Saints. "A man," he declared in the Tabernacle on June 5, 1853, + "has no right with property which, according to the laws of the land, + legally belongs to him, if he does not want to use it.... When we first + came into the valley, the question was asked me if men would ever be + allowed to come into this church, and remain in it, and hoard up their + property. I say, no." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. I, pp. 252-253 +</pre> + <p> + Another view of property rights was thus set forth in his discourse of + December 5, 1853:— + </p> + <p> + "If an Elder has borrowed [a hundred or a thousand dollars from you], and + you find he is going to apostatize, then you may tighten the screws on + him. But if he is willing to preach the Gospel without purse or scrip, it + is none of your business what he does with the money he has borrowed from + you." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid, Vol. I, p. 340. +</pre> + <p> + Addressing the people in the trying business year of 1856, when his own + creditors were pushing him hard, Young said: + </p> + <p> + "I wish to give you one text to preach upon, 'From this time henceforth do + not fret thy gizzard.' I will pay you when I can and not before. Now I + hope you will apostatize if you would rather do it."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. III, p. 4. +</pre> + <p> + Kimball, in giving Young's order to some seventy men, who had displeased + him, to leave the territory, used these words: "When a man is appointed to + take a mission, unless he has a just and honorable reason for not going, + if he does not go he will be severed from the church. Why? Because you + said you were willing to be passive, and, if you are not passive, that + lump of clay must be cut off from the church and laid aside, and a lump + put on that will be passive." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, p. 242. +</pre> + <p> + With this testimony of men inside the church may be placed that of Captain + Howard Stansbury, of the United Stated Topographical Engineers, who + arrived in the valley in August, 1849, under instructions from the + government to make a survey of the lakes of that region. The Mormons + thought that it was the intention of the government to divide the land + into townships and sections, and to ignore their claim to title by + occupation. In his official report, after mentioning his haste to disabuse + Young's mind on this point, Captain Stansbury says, "I was induced to + pursue this conciliatory course, not only in justice to the government, + but also because I knew, from the peculiar organization of this singular + community, that, unless the 'President' was fully satisfied that no evil + was intended to his people, it would be useless for me to attempt to carry + out my instructions." The choice between abject conciliation or open + conflict was that which Brigham Young extended to nearly every federal + officer who entered Utah during his reign. + </p> + <p> + The Mormons of Utah started in to assert their independence of the + government of the United States in every way. The rejection of the + constitution of Deseret by Congress did not hinder the elected legislature + from meeting and passing laws. The ninth chapter of the "ordinances," as + they were called, passed by this legislature (on January 19, 1851) was a + charter for Great Salt Lake City. This charter provided for the election + of a mayor, four aldermen, nine councillors, and three judges, the first + judges to be chosen viva voce, and their successors by the City Council. + The appointment of eleven subordinate officers was placed in the Council's + hands. The mayor and aldermen were to be the justices of the peace, with a + right of appeal to the municipal court, consisting of the same persons + sitting together, and from that to the probate court. The first mayor, + aldermen, and councillors were appointed by the governor of the State of + Deseret. Similar charters were provided for Ogden, Provo City, and other + settlements. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Salt Lake City was laid off into wards, Young had a Bishop + placed over each of these, and, always under his direction, these Bishops + practically controlled local affairs to the date of the city charter. Each + Bishop came to be a magistrate of his ward,* and under them in all the + settlements all public work was carried on and all revenue collected. The + High Council of ten is defined by Tullidge as "a quorum of judges, in + equity for the people, at the head of which is the President of the + state." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Brigham Young testified in the Tabernacle as to the kind of +justice that was meted out in the Bishops' courts. In his sermon of +March 6, 1856, he said: "There are men here by the score who do not know +their right hands from their left, so far as the principles of justice +are concerned. Does our High Council? No, for they will let men throw +dirt in their eyes until you cannot find the one hundred millionth part +of an ounce of common sense in them. You may go to the Bishops' courts, +and what are they? A set of old grannies. They cannot judge a case +pending between two old women, to say nothing of a case between man and +man." Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, p. 225. +</pre> + <p> + These men did not hesitate to attempt a currency of their own. On the + arrival of the Mormons in the valley, they first made their exchanges + through barter. Paper currency was issued in 1849 and some years later. + When gold dust from California appeared in 1849, some of it was coined in + Salt Lake City by means of homemade dies and crucibles. The denominations + were $2.50, $5, $10, and $20. Some of these coins, made without alloy, + were stamped with a bee-hive and eagle on one side, and on the reverse + with the motto, "Holiness to the Lord" in the so-called Deseret alphabet. + This alphabet was invented after their arrival in Salt Lake Valley, to + assist in separating the Mormons from the rest of the nation, its + preparation having been intrusted to a committee of the board of regents + in 1853. It contained thirty-two characters. A primer and two books of the + Mormon Bible were printed in the new characters, the legislature in 1855 + having voted $2500 to meet the expense; but the alphabet was never + practically used, and no attempt is any longer made to remember it. Early + in 1849 the High Council voted that the Kirtland bank-bills (of which a + supply must have remained unissued) be put out on a par with gold, and in + this they saw a fulfilment of the prophet's declaration that these notes + would some day be as good as gold. + </p> + <p> + Another early ordinance passed by the Deseret legislature incorporated + "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," authorizing the + appointment of a trustee in trust to hold and manage all the property of + the church, which should be free from tax, and giving the church complete + authority to make its own regulations, "provided, however, that each and + every act or practice so established, or adopted for law or custom, shall + relate to solemnities, sacraments, ceremonies, consecrations, endowments, + tithing, marriages, fellowship, or the religious duties of man to his + Maker, inasmuch as the doctrines, principles, practices, or performances + support virtue and increase morality, and are not inconsistent with or + repugnant to the constitution of the United States or of this State, and + are founded on the revelations of the Lord." Thus early was the ground + taken that the practice of polygamy was a constitutional right. Brigham + Young was chosen as the trustee. + </p> + <p> + The second ordinance passed by this legislature incorporated the + University of the State of Deseret, at Salt Lake City, to be governed by a + chancellor and twelve regents. + </p> + <p> + The earliest non-Mormons to experience the effect of that absolute Mormon + rule, the consequences of which the Missourians had feared, were the + emigrants who passed through Salt Lake Valley on their way to California + after the discovery of gold, or on their way to Oregon. The complaints of + the Californians were set forth in a little book, written by one of them, + Nelson Slater, and printed in Colona, California, in 1851, under the + title, "Fruits of Mormonism." The general complaints were set forth + briefly in a petition to Congress containing nearly two hundred and fifty + signatures, dated Colona, June 1, 1851, which asked that the territorial + government be abrogated, and a military government be established in its + place. This petition charged that many emigrants had been murdered by the + Mormons when there was a suspicion that they had taken part in the earlier + persecutions; that when any members of the Mormon community, becoming + dissatisfied, tried to leave, they were pursued and killed; that the + Mormons levied a tax of two per cent on the property of emigrants who were + compelled to pass a winter among them; that it was nearly impossible for + emigrants to obtain justice in the Mormon courts; that the Mormons, high + and low, openly expressed treasonable sentiments against the United States + government; and that letters of emigrants mailed at Salt Lake City were + opened, and in many instances destroyed. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Slater's book furnishes the specifications of these general charges. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0063" id="link2HCH0063"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. — THE "REFORMATION" + </h2> + <p> + Young soon had occasion to make practical use of the dictatorial power + that he had assumed. The character which those members of the flock who + had migrated from Missouri and Illinois had established among their + neighbors in those states was not changed simply by their removal to a + wilderness all by themselves. They had no longer the old excuse that their + misdeeds were reprisals on persecuting enemies, but this did not save them + from the temptation to exercise their natural propensities. Again we shall + take only the highest Mormon testimony on this subject. + </p> + <p> + One of the first sins for which Young openly reproved his congregation was + profane swearing. He brought this matter pointedly to their attention in + an address to the Conference of October 9, 1852, when he said: "You Elders + of Israel will go into the canyons, and curse and swear—damn and + curse your oxen, and swear by Him who created you. I am telling the truth. + Yes, you rip and curse and swear as bad as any pirates ever did."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. I, p. 211. +</pre> + <p> + Possibly the church authorities could have overlooked the swearing, but a + matter which gave them more distress was the insecurity of property. This + became so great an annoyance that Young spoke out plainly on the subject, + and he did not attempt to place the responsibility outside of his own + people. A few citations will illustrate this. + </p> + <p> + In an address in the Tabernacle on June 5, 1853, noticing complaints about + the stealing and rebranding of cattle, he said: "I will propose a plan to + stop the stealing of cattle in coming time, and it is this—let those + who have cattle on hand join in a company, and fence in about fifty + thousand acres of land, and so keep on fencing until all the vacant land + is substantially enclosed. Some persons will perhaps say, 'I do not know + how good or how high a fence it will be necessary to build to keep thieves + out.' I do not know either, except you build one that will keep out the + devil."* On another occasion, with a personal grievance to air, he said in + the Tabernacle: "I have gone to work and made roads to get wood, and have + not been able to get it. I have cut it down and piled it up, and still + have not got it. I wonder if anybody else can say so. Have any of you + piled up your wood, and, when you have gone back, could not find it? Some + stories could be told of this kind that would make professional thieves + ashamed."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. I, p. 252. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., Vol. I, p. 213. +</pre> + <p> + Young made no concealment of the fact that men high in the councils of the + church were among the peculators. In his discourse of June 15, 1856, he + said: "I have proof ready to show that Bishops have taken in thousands of + pounds in weight of tithing which they have never reported to the General + Tithing Office. We have documents to show that Bishops have taken in + hundreds of bushels of wheat, and only a small portion of it has come into + the General Tithing Office. They stole it to let their friends speculate + upon."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. III, p. 342. +</pre> + <p> + The new-comers from Europe also received his attention. Referring to + unkept promises of speedy repayment by assisted immigrants of advances + made to them, Young said, in 1855: "And what will they do when they get + here? Steal our wagons, and go off with them to Canada, and try to steal + the bake-kettles, frying-pans, tents, and wagon-covers; and will borrow + the oxen and run away with them, if you do not watch them closely. Do they + all do this? No, but many of them will try to do it."* And again, a month + later: "What previous characters some of you had in Wales, in England, in + Scotland, and perhaps in Ireland. Do not be scared if it is proven against + some one in the Bishop's court that you did steal the poles from your + neighbor's garden fence. If it is proven that you have been to some + person's wood pile and stolen wood, don't be frightened, for if you will + steal it must be made manifest." ** J. M. Grant was quite as plain spoken. + In an address in the bowery in Salt Lake City in September, 1856, he + declared that "you can scarcely find a place in this city that is not full + of filth and abominations."*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., Vol. III, p. 3. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., Vol. III, p. 49. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 51. +</pre> + <p> + Young's denunciations were not quietly accepted, but protests and threats + were alike wasted upon him. Referring to complaints of some of the flock + that his denunciation was more than they could bear, he replied, "But you + have got to bear it, and, if you will not, make up your minds to go to + hell at once and have done with it." * On another occasion he said, "You + need, figuratively, to have it rain pitchforks, tines downward, from this + pulpit, Sunday after Sunday." On another occasion, alluding to letters he + had received, warning him against attacking men's characters, he said, + "When such epistles come to me, I feel like saying, I ask no advice of you + nor of all your clan this side of hell."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, p. 49. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid, p. 50. +</pre> + <p> + When mere denunciation did not reform his followers, Young became still + plainer in his language, and began to explain to them the latitude which + the church proposed to take in applying punishment. In a remarkable sermon + on October 6, 1855, on the "stealing, lying, deceiving, wickedness, and + covetousness" of the elders in Israel, he spoke as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "Live on here, then, you poor miserable curses, until the time of + retribution, when your heads will have to be severed from your bodies. + Just let the Lord Almighty say, Lay judgment to the line and righteousness + to the plummet,* and the time of thieves is short in this community. What + do you suppose they would say in old Massachusetts should they hear that + the Latter-day Saints had received a revelation or commandment to 'lay + judgment to the line and righteousness to the plummet'? What would they + say in old Connecticut? They would raise a universal howl of, 'How wicked + the Mormons are. They are killing the evil doers who are among them. Why, + I hear that they kill the wicked away up yonder in Utah.'... What do I + care for the wrath of man? No more than I do for the chickens that run in + my door yard. I am here to teach the ways of the Lord, and lead men to + life everlasting; but if they have not a mind to go there, I wish them to + keep out of my path."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * These words, from Isaiah xxviii. 17, are constantly used by +Young to denote the extreme punishment which the church might inflict on +any offender. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, p. 50. +</pre> + <p> + From this time Young and his closest associates seemed to make no + concealment of their intention to take the lives of any persons whom they + considered offenders. One or two more citations from his discourses may be + made to sustain this statement. On February 24, 1856, he declared, "I am + not afraid of all hell, nor of all the world, in laying judgment to the + line when the Lord says so."* In the following month he told his + congregation: "The time is coming when justice will be laid to the line + and righteousness to the plummet; when we shall take the old broadsword + and ask, Are you for God? And if you are not heartily on the Lord's side, + you will be hewn down."** Heber C. Kimball was equally plain spoken. A + year earlier he had said in the Tabernacle: "If a man rebels, I will tell + him of it, and if he resents a timely warning, HE IS UNWISE.... I have + never yet shed man's blood, and I pray to God that I never may, unless it + is actually necessary."*** Sultans and doges have freely used + assassination as a weapon, but it seems to have remained for the Mormon + church under Brigham Young to declare openly its intention to make + whatever it might call church apostasy subject to capital punishment. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, p. 241. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., p. 266. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Ibid., pp, 163-164. +</pre> + <p> + Out of the lawless condition of the Mormon flock, as we have thus seen it + pictured, and out of this radical view of the proper punishment of + offenders, resulted, in 1856, that remarkable movement still known in + Mormondon as "The Reformation "—a movement that has been + characterized by one writer as "a reign of lust and fanatical fury + unequalled since the Dark Ages," and by another as "a fanaticism at once + blind, dangerous, and terrible." During its continuance the religious + zealot, the amorous priest, the jealous lover, the man covetous of worldly + goods, and the framers of the church policy, from acknowledged Apostle to + secret Danite, all had their own way. "Were I counsel for a Mormon on + trial for a crime committed at the time under consideration, I should + plead wholesale insanity," said J. H. Beadle. It was during this period + that that system was perfected under which the life of no man,—or + company of men,—against whom the wrath of the church was directed, + was of any value; no household was safe from the lust of any aged elder; + no person once in the valley could leave it alive against the church's + consent. + </p> + <p> + The active agent in starting "The Reformation" was the inventor of "blood + atonement," Jedediah M. Grant.* That his censure of a Bishop and his + counsellors at Kayesville was the actual origin of the movement, as has + been stated,** cannot be accepted as proven, in view of the preparation + made for the era of blood, as indicated in the church discourses. + Lieutenant Gunnison, for whom the Mormons in later years always asserted + their friendship, writing concerning his observations as early as 1852, + said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A correspondent of the New York Times at this date described +Grant as "a tall, thin, repulsive-looking man, of acute, vigorous +intellect, a thorough-paced scoundrel, and the most essential blackguard +in the pulpit. He was sometimes called Brigham's sledge hammer." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 293. +</pre> + <p> + "Witnesses are seldom put on oath in the lower courts, and there is + nothing known of the 'law's delay,' and the quibbles whereby the ends of + truth and justice may be defeated. But they have a criminal code called + 'The Laws of the Lord,' which has been given by revelation and not + promulgated, the people not being able quite to bear it, or the + organization still too imperfect. It is to be put in force, however, + before long, and when in vogue, all grave crimes will be punished and + atoned for by cutting off the head of the offender. This regulation arises + from the fact that without shedding of blood there is no remission."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "History of the Mormons," Book 1, Chapter X. +</pre> + <p> + Gunnison's statement furnishes indisputable proof that this legal system + was so generally talked of some four years before it was put in force that + it came to the ears of a non-Mormon temporary resident. + </p> + <p> + After the condemnation of the Kayesville offenders and their rebaptism, + the next move was the appointment of missionaries to hold services in + every ward, and the sending out of what were really confessors, appointed + for every block, to inquire of all—young and old—concerning + the most intimate details of their lives. The printed catechism given to + these confessors was so indelicate that it was suppressed in later years. + These prying inquisitors found opportunity to gain information for their + superiors about any persons suspected of disloyalty, and one use they made + of their visitations was to urge the younger sisters to be married to the + older men, as a readier means of salvation than union with men of their + own age. That there was opposition to this espionage is shown by some + remarks of H. C. Kimball in the Tabernacle, in March, 1856, when he said: + "I have heard some individuals saying that, if the Bishops came into their + houses and opened their cupboards, they would split their heads open. THAT + WOULD NOT BE A WISE OR SAFE OPERATION." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, p. 271. +</pre> + <p> + Some of the information secured by the church confessional was + embarrassing to the leaders. At a meeting of male members in Social Hall, + Young, Grant, and others denounced the sinners in scathing terms, Young + ending his remarks by saying, "All you who have been guilty of committing + adultery, stand up." At once more than three-quarters of those present + arose.* For such confessors a way of repentance was provided through + rebaptism, but the secretly accused had no such avenue opened to them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "A leading Bishop in Salt Lake City stated to the author that +Brigham was as much appalled at this sight as was Macbeth when he beheld +the woods of Birnam marching on to Dunsinane. A Bishop arose and asked +if there were not some misunderstanding among the brethren concerning +the question. He thought that perhaps the elders understood Brigham's +inquiry to apply to their conduct before they had thrown off the works +of the devil and embraced Mormonism; but upon Brigham reiterating that +it was the adultery committed since they had entered the church, the +brethren to a man still stood up:"—"Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 296. +</pre> + <p> + One of the first victims of the reformers was H. J. Jarvis, a reputable + merchant of Salt Lake City. He was dragged over his counter one evening + and thrown into the street by men who then robbed his store and defiled + his household goods, giving him as the cause of the visitation the + explanation that he had spoken evil of the authorities, and had invited + Gentiles to supper. His two wives could not secure even a hearing from + Young in his behalf.* This, however, was a minor incident. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Rocky Mountain Saints;" p. 297. +</pre> + <p> + That Young's rule should be objected to by some members of the church was + inevitable. There were men in the valley at that early day who would rebel + against such a dictatorship under any name; others—men of means—who + were alarmed by the declarations about property rights, and others to whom + the announcement concerning polygamy was repugnant. When such persons gave + expression to their discontent, they angered the church officers; when + they indicated their purpose to leave the valley, they alarmed them. + Anything like an exodus of the flock would have broken up all of Young's + plans, and have undone the scheme of immigration that had cost so much + time and money. Accordingly, when this movement for "reform" began, the + church let it be known that any desertion of the flock would be considered + the worst form of apostasy, and that the deserter must take the + consequences. To quote Brigham Young's own words: "The moment a person + decides to leave this people, he is cut off from every object that is + desirable for time and eternity. Every possession and object of affection + will be taken from those who forsake the truth, and their identity and + existence will eventually cease."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. IV, p. 31. +</pre> + <p> + The almost unbreakable hedge that surrounded the inhabitants of the valley + at this time, under the system of church espionage, has formed a subject + for the novelist, and has seemed to many persons, as described, a probable + exaggeration. But, while Young did not narrate in his pulpit the tales of + blood which his instructions gave rise to, there is testimony concerning + them which leaves no reasonable doubt of their truthfulness. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0064" id="link2HCH0064"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. — SOME CHURCH-INSPIRED MURDERS + </h2> + <p> + The murders committed during the "Reformation" which attracted most + attention, both because of the parties concerned, the effort made by a + United States judge to convict the guilty, and the confessions of the + latter subsequently obtained, have been known as the Parrish, or + Springville, murders. The facts concerning them may be stated fairly as + follows:— + </p> + <p> + William R. Parrish was one of the most outspoken champions of the Twelve + when the controversy with Rigdon occurred at Nauvoo after Smith's death, + and he accompanied the fugitives to Salt Lake Valley. One evening, early + in March, 1857, a Bishop named Johnson (husband of ten wives), with two + companions, called at Parrish's house in Springville, and put to him some + of the questions which the inquisitors of the day were wont to ask—if + he prayed, something about his future plans, etc. It had been rumored that + Parrish's devotion to the church had cooled, and that he was planning to + move with his family—a wife and six children—to California; + and at a meeting in Bishop Johnson's council house a letter had been read + from Brigham Young directing them to ascertain the intention of certain + "suspicious characters in the neighborhood,"* and if they should make a + break and, being pursued, which he required, he 'would be sorry to hear a + favorable report; but the better way is to lock the stable door before the + horse is stolen.' This letter was over Brigham's signature.** This letter + was the real cause of the Bishop's visit to Parrish. At a meeting about a + week later, A. Durfee and G. Potter were deputed to find out when the + Parrishes proposed to leave the territory. Accordingly, Durfee got + employment with Parrish, and both of them gave him the idea that they + sympathized with his desire to depart. One morning, about a week later, + Parrish discovered that his horses had been stolen, and efforts to recover + them were fruitless. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "There had been public preaching in Springville to the effect +that no Apostles would be allowed to leave; if they did, hog-holes +in the fences would be stopped up with them. I heard these +sermons."—Affidavit of Mrs. Parrish; appendix to "Speech of Hon. John +Cradlebaugh". +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Confession of J. M. Stewart, one of the Bishop's counsellors +and precinct magistrate. +</pre> + <p> + Meanwhile, Parrish, unsuspicious of Potter and Durfee,* was telling them + of his continued plans to escape, how constantly his house was watched, + and how difficult it was for him to get out the few articles required for + the trip. Finally, at Parrish's suggestion, it was arranged that he and + Durfee should walk out of the village in the daytime, as the method best + calculated to allay suspicion. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Durfee's confession, appendix to Cradlebaugh's speech. +</pre> + <p> + They carried out this plan, and when they got to a stream called Dry + Creek, Parrish asked Durfee to go back to the house and bring his two + sons, Beason and Orrin, to join him. When Durfee returned to the house, at + about sunset, he found Potter there, and Potter set off at once for the + meeting-place, ostensibly to carry some of the articles needed for the + journey. + </p> + <p> + Potter met Parrish where he was waiting for Durfee's return, and they + walked down a lane to a fence corner, where a Mormon named William Bird + was lying, armed with a gun. Here occurred what might be called an + illustration of "poetic justice." In the twilight, Bird mistook his + victim, and fired, killing Potter. As Bird rose and stepped forward, + Parrish asked if it was he who had fired the unexpected shot. For a reply + Bird drew a knife, clenched with Parrish, and, as he afterward expressed + it, "worked the best he could in stabbing him." He "worked" so well that, + as afterward described by one of the men concerned in the plot,* the old + man was cut all over, fifteen times in the back, as well as in the left + side, the arms, and the hands. But Bird knew that his task was not + completed, and, as soon as the murder of the elder Parrish was + accomplished, taking his own and Potter's gun, he again concealed himself + in the fence corner, awaiting the appearance of the Parrish boys. They + soon came up in company with Durfee, and Bird fired at Beason with so good + aim that he dropped dead at once. Turning the weapon on Orrin, the first + cap snapped, but he tried again and put a ball through Orrin's cartridge + box. The lad then ran and found refuge in the house of an uncle. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Affidavit of J. Bartholemew before Judge Cradlebaugh. +</pre> + <p> + The outcome of this crime? The arrest of ORRIN and Durfee as the murderers + by a Mormon officer; a farcical hearing by a coroner's jury, with a + verdict of assassins unknown; distrusted participants in the crime + themselves the object of the Mormon spies and would-be assassins; the + robbery of a neighbor who dared to condemn the crime; a vain appeal by + Mrs. Parrish to Brigham Young, who told her he "would have stopped it had + he known anything about it," and who, when she persisted in seeking + another interview, had her advised to "drop it," and a failure by the + widow to secure even the stolen horses. "The wife of Mr. Parrish told me," + said Judge Cradlebaugh, when he charged the jury concerning this case, + "that since then at times she had lived on bread and water, and still + there are persons in this community riding about on those horses." + </p> + <p> + The effort to have the men concerned in this and similar crimes convicted, + forms a part of the history of Judge Cradlebaugh's judicial career after + the "Mormon War," but it failed. When the grand jury would not bring in + indictments, he issued bench warrants for the arrest of the accused, and + sent the United States marshal, sustained by a military posse, to serve + the papers. It was thus that the affidavits and confessions cited were + obtained. Then followed a stampede among the residents of the Springville + neighborhood, as the judge explained in his subsequent speech, in + Congress, the church officials and civil officers being prominent in the + flight, and, when their houses were reached, they were occupied only by + many wives and many children. "I am justified," he told the House of + Representatives, "in charging that the Mormons are guilty, and that the + Mormon church is guilty, of the crimes, of murder and robbery, as taught + in their books of faith."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "I say as a fact that there was no escape for any one that the +leaders of the church in southern Utah selected as a victim.... It was a +rare thing for a man to escape from the territory with all his property +until after the Pacific Railroad was built through Utah."—LEE, +"Mormonism Unveiled," pp. 275, 287. +</pre> + <p> + Charles Nordhoff, in a Utah letter to the New York Evening Post in May, + 1871, said: "A friend said to me this afternoon, 'I saw a great change in + Salt Lake since I was there three years ago. The place is free; the people + no longer speak in whispers. Three years ago it was unsafe to speak aloud + in Salt Lake City about Mormonism, and you were warned to be cautious.'" + </p> + <p> + Another of the murders under this dispensation, which Judge Cradlebaugh + mentioned as "peculiarly and shockingly prominent," was that of the Aikin + party, in the spring of 1857. This party, consisting of six men, started + east from San Francisco in May, 1857, and, falling in with a Mormon train, + joined them for protection against the Indians. When they got to a safer + neighborhood, the Californians pushed on ahead. Arriving in Kayesville, + twenty-five miles north of Salt Lake City, they were at once arrested as + federal spies, and their animals (they had an outfit worth in all, about + $25,000) were put into the public corral. When their Mormon + fellow-travellers arrived, they scouted the idea that the men even knew of + an impending "war," and the party were told that they would be sent out of + the territory. But before they started, a council, held at the call of a + Bishop in Salt Lake City, decided on their death. + </p> + <p> + Four of the party were attacked in camp by their escort while asleep; two + were killed at once, and two who escaped temporarily were shot while, as + they supposed, being escorted back to Salt Lake City. The two others were + attacked by O. P. Rockwell and some associates near the city; one was + killed outright, and the other escaped, wounded, and was shot the next day + while under the escort of "Bill" Hickman, and, according to the latter, by + Young's order. * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Brigham's "Destroying Angel," p. 128. +</pre> + <p> + A story of the escape of one man from the valley, notwithstanding + elaborate plans to prevent his doing so, has been preserved, not in the + testimony of repentant participants in his persecution, but in his own + words.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Leavenworth, Kansas, letter to New York Times, published May 1, +1858. +</pre> + <p> + Frederick Loba was a prosperous resident of Lausanne, Switzerland, where + for some years he had been introducing a new principle in gas manufacture, + when, in 1853, some friends called his attention to the Mormons' + professions and promises. Loba was induced to believe that all mankind who + did not gather in Great Salt Lake Valley would be given over to + destruction, and that, not only would his soul be saved by moving there, + but that his business opportunities would be greatly advanced. Accordingly + he gave up the direction of the gas works at Lausanne, and reached St. + Louis in December, 1853, with about $8000 worth of property. There he was + made temporary president of a Mormon church, and there he got his first + bad impression of the Mormon brotherhood. On the way to Utah his wife died + of cholera, leaving six children, from six to twelve years old. Welcomed + as all men with property were, he was made Professor of Chemistry in the + University, and soon learned many of the church secrets. "These," to quote + his own words, "opened my eyes at once, and I saw at a glance the terrible + position in which I was placed. I now found myself in the midst of a + wicked and degraded people, shut up in the midst of the mountains, with a + large family, and deprived of all resources with which to extricate + myself. The conviction had been forced upon my mind that Brigham himself + was at the bottom of all the clandestine assassinations, plundering of + trains, and robbing of mails." The manner, too, in which polygamy was + practised aroused his intense disgust. + </p> + <p> + He married as his second wife an English woman, and his family relations + were pleasant; but the church officers were distrustful of him. He was + again and again urged to marry more wives, being assured that with less + than three he could not rise to a high place in the church. "This neglect + on my part," he explained, "and certain remarks that I made with respect + to Brigham's friends, determined the prophet to order my private + execution, as I am able to prove by honest and competent witnesses." Loba + adopted every precaution for his own safety, night and day. Then came the + news of the Parrish murders, and there was so much alarm among the people + that there was talk of the departure of a great many of the dissatisfied. + To check this, when the plain threats made in the Tabernacle did not + avail, Young had a band of four hundred organized under the name of "Wolf + Hunters" (borrowed from their old Hancock County neighbors), whose duty it + was to see that "the wolves" did not stray abroad. + </p> + <p> + Loba now communicated his fears to his wife, and found that she also + realized the danger of their position, and was ready to advise the risk of + flight. The plan, as finally decided on, was that they two should start + alone on April 1, leaving the children in care of the wife's mother and + brother, the latter a recent comer not yet initiated in the church + mysteries. + </p> + <p> + At ten o'clock on the appointed night Loba and his wife—the latter + dressed in men's clothes—stole out of their house. Their outfit + consisted of one blanket, twelve pounds of crackers, a little tea and + sugar, a double-barrelled gun, a sword, and a compass. They were without + horses, and their route compelled them to travel the main road for + twenty-five miles before they reached the mountains, amid which they hoped + to baffle pursuit. They were fortunate enough to gain the mountains + without detention. There they laid their course, not with a view to taking + the easiest or most direct route, but one so far up the mountain sides + that pursuit by horsemen would be impossible. This entailed great + suffering. The nights were so cold that sometimes they feared to sleep. + Add to this the necessity of wading through creeks in ice-cold water, and + it is easy to understand that Loba had difficulty to prevent his companion + from yielding to despair. + </p> + <p> + Their objective point was Greene River (170 miles from Salt Lake City by + road, but probably almost 300 by the route taken), where they expected to + find Indians on whose mercy they would throw themselves. Two days before + that river was reached they ate the last of their food, and they kept from + freezing at night by getting some sage wood from underneath the snow, and + using Loba's pocket journal for kindling. Mrs. Loba had to be carried the + whole of the last six miles, but this effort brought them to a camp of + Snake Indians, among whom were some Canadian traders, and there they + received a kindly welcome. News of their escape reached Salt Lake City, + and Surveyor General Burr sent them the necessary supplies and a guide to + conduct them to Fort Laramie, where, a month later, all the rest of the + family joined them, in good health, but entirely destitute. + </p> + <p> + They then learned that, as soon as their flight was discovered, the church + authorities sent out horsemen in every direction to intercept them, but + their route over the mountains proved their preservation.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Referring to the frequent Mormon declarations that there were +fewer deeds of violence in Utah than in other pioneer settlements of +equal population, the Salt Lake Tribune of January 25, 1876, said: "It +is estimated that no less than 600 murders have been committed by the +Mormons, in nearly every case at the instigation of their priestly +leaders, during the occupation of the territory. Giving a mean average +of 50,000 persons professing that faith in Utah, we have a murder +committed every year to every 2500 of population. The same ratio of +crime extended to the population of the United States would give 16,000 +murders every year." +</pre> + <p> + The Messenger, the organ of the Reorganized Church in Salt Lake City, said + in November, 1875: "While laying the waste pipes in front of the residence + of Brigham Young recently the skeleton of a man—a white man—was + dug up. A similar discovery was made last winter in digging a cellar in + this city. What can have been the necessity of these secret burials, + without coffins, in such places?" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0065" id="link2HCH0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. — BLOOD ATONEMENT + </h2> + <p> + As early as 1853 intimations of the doctrine that an offending member + might be put out of the way were given from the Tabernacle pulpit. Orson + Hyde, on April 9 of that year, spoke, in the form of a parable, of the + fate of a wolf that a shepherd discovered in his flock of sheep, saying + that, if let alone, he would go off and tell the other wolves, and they + would come in; "whereas, if the first should meet with his just deserts, + he could not go back and tell the rest of his hungry tribe to come and + feast themselves on the flock. If you say the priesthood, or authorities + of the church here, are the shepherd, and the church is the flock, you can + make your own application of this figure." + </p> + <p> + In September, 1856, there was a notable service in the bowery in Salt Lake + City at which several addresses were made. Heber C. Kimball urged + repentance, and told the people that Brigham Young's word was "the word of + God to this people." Then Jedediah M. Grant first gave open utterance to a + doctrine that has given the Saints, in late years, much trouble to + explain, and the carrying out of which in Brigham Young's days has + required many a Mormon denial. This is, what has been called in Utah the + doctrine of "blood atonement," and what in reality was the doctrine of + human sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + Grant declared that some persons who had received the priesthood committed + adultery and other abominations, "get drunk, and wallow in the mire and + filth." "I say," he continued, "there are men and women that I would + advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a + committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and + let that committee shed their blood. We have those amongst us that are + full of all manner of abominations; those who need to have their blood + shed, for water will not do; their sins are too deep for that."* He + explained that he was only preaching the doctrine of St. Paul, and + continued: "I would ask how many covenant breakers there are in this city + and in this kingdom. I believe that there are a great many; and if they + are covenant breakers, we need a place designated where we can shed their + blood.... If any of you ask, Do I mean you, I answer yes. If any woman + asks, Do I mean her, I answer yes.... We have been trying long enough with + these people, and I go in for letting the sword of the Almighty be + unsheathed, not only in word, but in deed."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Elder C. W. Penrose made an explanation of the view taken by +the church at that time, in an address in Salt Lake City on October +12, 1884, that was published in a pamphlet entitled "Blood Atonement +as taught by Leading Elders." This was deemed necessary to meet the +criticisms of this doctrine. He pleaded misrepresentation of the Saints' +position, and defined it as resting on Christ's atonement, and on +the belief that that atonement would suffice only for those who have +fellowship with Him. He quoted St. Paul as authority for the necessity +of blood shedding (Hebrews ix. 22), and Matthew xii. 31, 32, and Hebrews +x. 26, to show that there are sins, like blasphemy against the Holy +Ghost, which will not be forgiven through the shedding of Christ's +blood. He also quoted 1 John v. 16 as showing that the apostle and +Brigham Young were in agreement concerning "sins unto death," just as +Young and the apostle agreed about delivering men unto Satan that +their spirits might be saved through the destruction of their flesh (1 +Corinthians v. 5). Having justified the teaching to his satisfaction, +he proceeded to challenge proof that any one had ever paid the penalty, +coupling with this a denial of the existence of Danites. +</pre> + <p> + Elder Hyde, in his "Mormonism," says (p. 179): "There are several men now + living in Utah whose lives are forfeited by Mormon law, but spared for a + little time by Mormon policy. They are certain to be killed, and they know + it. They are only allowed to live while they add weight and influence to + Mormonism, and, although abundant opportunities are given them for escape, + they prefer to remain. So strongly are they infatuated with their religion + that they think their salvation depends on their continued obedience, and + their 'blood being shed by the servants of God.' Adultery is punished by + death, and it is taught, unless the adulterer's blood be shed, he can have + no remission for this sin. Believing this firmly, there are men who have + confessed this crime to Brigham, and asked him to have them killed. Their + superstitious fears make life a burden to them, and they would commit + suicide were not that also a crime." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Journal of Discourses, Vol. IV, pp. 49, 50. +</pre> + <p> + Brigham Young, who followed Grant, said that he would explain how judgment + would be "laid to the line." "There are sins," he explained, "that men + commit, for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world nor in + that which is to come; and, if they had their eyes open to see their true + condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon + the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven for their + sins...I know, when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off + from the earth, that you consider it a strong doctrine; but it is to save + them, not to destroy them." + </p> + <p> + That these were not the mere expressions of a sudden impulse is shown by + the fact that Young expounded this doctrine at even greater length a year + later. Explaining what Christ meant by loving our neighbors as ourselves, + he said: "Will you love your brothers and sisters likewise when they have + committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of blood? + Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed their blood? That is + what Jesus Christ meant.... I have seen scores and hundreds of people for + whom there would have been a chance (in the last resurrection there will + be) if their lives had been taken, and their blood spilled on the ground + as a smoking incense to the Almighty, but who are now angels to the + devil."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. IV, pp. 219, 220. +</pre> + <p> + Stenhouse relates, as one of the "few notable cases that have properly + illustrated the blood atonement doctrine," that one of the wives of an + elder who was sent on a mission broke her marriage vows during his + absence. On his return, during the height of the "Reformation," she was + told that "she could not reach the circle of the gods and goddesses unless + her blood was shed," and she consented to accept the punishment. Seating + herself, therefore, on her husband's knee, she gave him a last kiss, and + he then drew a knife across her throat. "That kind and loving husband + still lives near Salt Lake City (1874), and preaches occasionally with + great zeal."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 470. +</pre> + <p> + John D. Lee, who says that this doctrine was "justified by all the + people," gives full particulars of another instance. Among the Danish + converts in Utah was Rosmos Anderson, whose wife had been a widow with a + grown daughter. Anderson desired to marry his step-daughter also, and she + was quite willing; but a member of the Bishop's council wanted the girl + for his wife, and he was influential enough to prevent Anderson from + getting the necessary consent from the head of the church. Knowing the + professed horror of the church toward the crime of adultery, Anderson and + the young woman, at one of the meetings during the "Reformation," + confessed their guilt of that crime, thinking that in this way they would + secure permission to marry. But, while they were admitted to rebaptism on + their confession, the coveted permit was not issued and they were notified + that to offend would be to incur death. Such a charge was very soon laid + against Anderson (not against the girl), and the same council, without + hearing him, decided that he must die. Anderson was so firm in the Mormon + faith that he made no remonstrance, simply asking half a day for + preparation. His wife provided clean clothes for the sacrifice, and his + executioners dug his grave. At midnight they called for him, and, taking + him to the place, allowed him to kneel by the grave and pray. Then they + cut his throat, "and held him so that his blood ran into the grave." His + wife, obeying instructions, announced that he had gone to California.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 282. +</pre> + <p> + As an illustration of the opportunity which these times gave a polygamous + priesthood to indulge their tastes, may be told the story of "the affair + at San Pete." Bishop Warren Snow of Manti, San Pete County, although the + husband of several wives, desired to add to his list a good-looking young + woman in that town When he proposed to her, she declined the honor, + informing him that she was engaged to a younger man. The Bishop argued + with her on the ground of her duty, offering to have her lover sent on a + mission, but in vain. When even the girl's parents failed to gain her + consent, Snow directed the local church authorities to command the young + man to give her up. Finding him equally obstinate, he was one evening + summoned to attend a meeting where only trusted members were present. + Suddenly the lights were put out, he was beaten and tied to a bench, and + Bishop Snow himself castrated him with a bowie knife. In this condition he + was left to crawl to some haystacks, where he lay until discovered "The + young man regained his health," says Lee, "but has been an idiot or quiet + lunatic ever since, and is well known by hundreds of Mormons or Gentiles + in Utah."* And the Bishop married the girl. Lee gives Young credit for + being very "mad" when he learned of this incident, but the Bishop was not + even deposed.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., p. 285. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Stenhouse quotes the following as showing that the San Pete +outrage was scarcely concealed by the Mormon authorities: "I was at a +Sunday meeting, in the spring of 1857, in Provo, when the news of the +San Pete incident was referred to by the presiding Bishop, Blackburn. +Some men in Provo had rebelled against authority in some trivial matter, +and Blackburn shouted in his Sunday meeting—a mixed congregation of all +ages and both sexes: 'I want the people of Provo to understand that the +boys in Provo can use the knife as well as the boys in San Pete. Boys, +get your knives ready.'" "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 302. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0066" id="link2HCH0066"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. — THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT—JUDGE BROCCHUS'S + EXPERIENCE + </h2> + <p> + In March, 1851, the two houses of the legislature of Deseret, sitting + together, adopted resolutions "cheerfully and cordially" accepting the law + providing a territorial government for Utah, and tendering Union Square in + Salt Lake City as a site for the government buildings. The first + territorial election was held on August 4, and the legislative assembly + then elected held its first meeting on September 22. An act was at once + passed continuing in force the laws passed by the legislature of Deseret + (an unauthorized body) not in conflict with the territorial law, and + locating the capital in the Pauvan Valley, where the town was afterward + named Fillmore* and the county Millard, in honor of the President. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Only one session of the legislature was held at Fillmore +(December, 1855). The lawmakers afterward met there, but only to adjourn +to Salt Lake City. +</pre> + <p> + The federal law, establishing the territory, provided that the governor, + secretary, chief justice and two associate justices of the Supreme Court, + the attorney general, or state's attorney, and marshal should be appointed + by the President of the United States. President Fillmore on September 22, + 1850, filled these places as follows: governor, Brigham Young; secretary, + B. D. Harris of Vermont; chief justice, Joseph Buffington of Pennsylvania; + associate justices, Perry E. Brocchus and Zerubbabel Snow; attorney + general, Seth M. Blair of Utah; marshal, J. L. Heywood of Utah, Young, + Snow, Blair, and Heywood being Mormons. L. G. Brandebury was later + appointed chief justice, Mr. Buffington declining that office. + </p> + <p> + The selection of Brigham Young as governor made him, in addition to his + church offices, ex-officio commander-in-chief of the militia and + superintendent of Indian affairs, the latter giving him a salary of $1000 + a year in addition to his salary of $1500 as governor. Had the character + of the Mormon church government been understood by President Fillmore, it + does not seem possible that he would, by Young's appointment, have so + completely united the civil and religious authority of the territory in + one man; or, if he had had any comprehension of Young's personal + characteristics, it is fair to conclude that the appointment would not + have been made. + </p> + <p> + The voice which the President listened to in the matter was that of that + adroit Mormon agent, Colonel Thomas L. Kane. Kane's part in the business + came out after these appointments were announced, and after the Buffalo + (New York) Courier had printed a communication attacking Young's character + on the ground of his record both in Illinois and Utah. President Fillmore + sent these charges to Kane (on July 4, 1851) with a letter in which he + said, "You will recollect that I relied much upon you for the moral + character of Mr. Young," and asking him to "truly state whether these + charges against the moral character of Governor Young are true." Kane sent + two letters in reply, dated July 11. In a short open one he said: "I + reiterate without reserve the statement of his excellent capacity, energy, + and integrity, which I made you prior to the appointment. I am willing to + say that I VOLUNTEERED to communicate to you the facts by which I was + convinced of his patriotism and devotion to 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." + </p> + <p> + The second letter, marked "personal," went into these matters much more in + detail. It declared that the tax levied by Young on non-Mormons who sold + goods in Salt Lake City was a liquor tax, creditable to Mormon temperance + principles. Had the President consulted the report of the debate on + Babbitt's admission as a Delegate, he would have discovered that this was + falsehood number one. The charges against Young while in Illinois, + including counterfeiting, Kane swept aside as "a mere rehash of old + libels," and he cited the Battalion as an illustration of Mormon + patriotism. The extent to which he could go in falsifying in Young's + behalf is illustrated, however, most pointedly in what he had to say + regarding the charge of polygamy: "The remaining charge connects itself + with that unmixed outrage, the spiritual wife story; which was fastened on + the Mormons by a poor ribald scamp whom, though the sole surviving brother + and representative of their Jo. Smith, they were literally forced to + excommunicate for licentiousness, and who therefore revenged himself by + editing confessions and disclosures of savor to please the public that + peruses novels in yellow paper covers."* In regard to William Smith, the + fact was that he opposed polygamy both before and after his expulsion from + the church. Kane's stay among the Mormons on the Missouri must have + acquainted him with the practically open practice of polygamy at that + time. His entire correspondence with Fillmore stamps him as a man whose + word could be accepted on no subject. It would have been well if President + Buchanan had availed himself of the existence of these letters. Fillmore + stated in later years that at that time neither he nor the Senate knew + that polygamy was an accepted Mormon doctrine. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For correspondence in full, see Millennial Star, Vol. XIII, pp. +341-344. +</pre> + <p> + Young took the oath of office as governor in February, 1851. The + non-Mormon federal officers arrived in June and July following, and with + them came Babbitt, bringing $20,000 which had been appropriated by + Congress for a state-house, and J. M. Bernhisel, the first territorial + Delegate to Congress, with a library purchased by him in the East for + which Congress had provided. The arrival of the Gentile officers gave a + speedy opportunity to test the temper of the church in regard to any + interference with, or even discussion of, their "peculiar" institutions or + Young's authority. + </p> + <p> + Their first welcome was cordial, with balls and dinners at the Bath House + at the Hot Springs at which, for their special benefit, says a local + historian, was served "champagne wine from the grocery," with home-brewed + porter and ale for the rest. When Judge Brocchus reached Salt Lake City, + his two non-Mormon associates had been there long enough to form an + opinion of the Mormon population and of the aims of the leading church + officers. They soon concluded that "no man else could govern them against + Brigham Young's influence, without a military force,"* and they heard many + expressions, public and private, indicating the contempt in which the + federal government was held. The anniversary of the arrival of the + pioneers, July 24, was always celebrated with much ceremony, and that year + the principal addresses were made by "General" D. H. Wells and Brigham + Young. Some of the new officers occupied seats on the platform. Wells + attacked the government for "requiring" the Battalion to enlist. Young + paid especial attention to President Taylor, who had recently died, and + whose course toward the Mormons did not please them, closing this part of + his remarks with the declaration, "but Zachary Taylor is dead and in hell, + and I am glad of it," adding, "and I prophesy in the name of Jesus Christ, + by the power of the priesthood that's upon me, that any President of the + United States who lifts his finger against this people, shall die an + untimely death, and go to hell." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Report of the three officers to President Fillmore, Ex. Doc. +No. 25, 1st Session, 32d Congress. +</pre> + <p> + Judge Brocchus had been commissioned by the Washington Monument + Association to ask the people of the territory for a block of stone for + that structure, and, on signifying a desire to make known his commission, + he was invited to do so at the General Conference to be held on September + 7 and 8. The judge thought that, with the life of Washington as a text, he + could read these people a lesson on their duty toward the government, and + could correct some of the impressions under which they rested. The idea + itself only showed how little he understood anything pertaining to + Mormonism. + </p> + <p> + There was no newspaper in Salt Lake City in that time, and for a report of + the judge's address and of Brigham Young's reply, we must rely on the + report of the three federal officers to President Fillmore, on a letter + from Judge Brocchus printed in the East, and on three letters on the + subject addressed to the New York Herald (one of which that journal + printed, and all of which the author published in a pamphlet entitled "The + Truth for the Mormons",) by J. M. Grant, first mayor of Salt Lake City, + major general of the Legion, and Speaker of the house in the Deseret + legislature. + </p> + <p> + Judge Brocchus spoke for two hours. He began with expressions of sympathy + for the sufferings of the Mormons in Missouri and Illinois, and then + referred to the unfriendliness of the people toward the federal + government, pointing out what he considered its injustice, and alluding + pointedly to Brigham Young's remarks about President Taylor. He defended + the President's memory, and told his audience that, "if they could not + offer a block of marble for the Washington Monument in a feeling of full + fellowship with the people of the United States, as brethren and fellow + citizens, they had better not offer it at all, but leave it unquarried in + the bosom of its native mountain." The officers' report to President + Fillmore says that the address "was entirely free from any allusions, even + the most remote, to the peculiar religion of the community, or to any of + their domestic or social customs." Even if the Mormons had so construed + it, the rebuke of their lack of patriotism would have aroused their + resentment, and Bernhisel, in a letter to President Fillmore, + characterized it as "a wanton insult." + </p> + <p> + But the judge did make, according to other reports, what was construed as + an uncomplimentary reference to polygamy, and this stirred the church into + a tumult of anger and indignation. According to Mormon accounts,* the + judge, addressing the ladies, said: "I have a commission from the + Washington Monument Association, to ask of you a block of marble, as a + test of your citizenship and loyalty to the government of the United + States. But in order to do it acceptably you must become virtuous, and + teach your daughters to become virtuous, or your offering had better + remain in the bosom of your native mountains." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The report of what follows, including Young's address, is taken +from Grant's pamphlet... +</pre> + <p> + Mild as this language may seem, no Mormon audience, since the marrying of + more wives than one had been sanctioned by the church, had ever listened + to anything like it. To permit even this interference with their + "religious belief" was entirely foreign to Young's purpose, and he took + the floor in a towering rage to reply. "Are you a judge," he asked, "and + can't even talk like a lawyer or a politician?" George Washington was + first in war, but he was first in peace, too, and Young could handle a + sword as well as Washington. "But you [addressing the judge] standing + there, white and shaking now at the howls which you have stirred up + yourself—you are a coward.... Old General Taylor, what was he?* A + mere soldier with regular army buttons on; no better to go at the head of + brave troops than a dozen I could pick out between here and Laramie." He + concluded thus:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * In a discourse on June 19, 1853, Young said that he never heard +of his alleged expression about General Taylor until Judge Brocchus made +use of it, but he added: "When he made the statement there, I surely +bore testimony to the truth of it. But until then I do not know that it +ever came into my mind whether Taylor was in hell or not, any more +than it did that any other wicked man was there," etc.—Journal of +Discourses, Vol. 1, p. 185. +</pre> + <p> + "What you have been afraid to intimate about our morals I will not stoop + to notice, except to make my particular personal request to every brother + and husband present not to give you back what such impudence deserves. You + talk of things you have on hearsay since your coming among us. I'll talk + of hearsay then—the hearsay that you are discontented, and will go + home, because we cannot make it worth your while to stay. What it would + satisfy you to get out of us I think it would be hard to tell; but I am + sure that it is more than you'll get. If you or any one else is such a + baby-calf, we must sugar your soap to coax you to wash yourself of + Saturday nights. Go home to your mammy straight away, and the sooner the + better." + </p> + <p> + This was the language addressed by the governor of the territory and the + head of the church, to one of the Supreme Court judges appointed by the + President of the United States! + </p> + <p> + Young alluded to his reference to the judge's personal safety in a + discourse on June 19, 1853, in which, speaking of the judge's remarks, he + said: "They [the Mormons] bore the insult like saints of God. It is true, + as it was said in the report of these affairs, if I had crooked my little + finger, he would have been used up, but I did not bend it. If I had, the + sisters alone felt indignant enough to have chopped him in pieces." A + little later, in the same discourse, he added: "Every man that comes to + impose on this people, no matter by whom they are sent, or who they are + that are sent, lay the axe at the root of the tree to kill themselves. I + will do as I said I would last conference. Apostates, or men who never + made any profession of religion, had better be careful how they come here, + lest I should bend my little finger."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. I, p. 187. +</pre> + <p> + If the records of the Mormon church had included acts as well as words, + how many times would we find that Young's little finger was bent to a + purpose? + </p> + <p> + Bold as he was, Young seems to have felt that he had gone too far in his + abuse of Judge Brocchus, and on September 19 he addressed a note to him, + inviting him to attend a public meeting in the bowery the next Sunday + morning, "to explain, satisfy, or apologize to the satisfaction of the + ladies who heard your address on the 8th," a postscript assuring the judge + that "no gentleman will be permitted to make any reply." The judge in + polite terms declined this offer, saying that he had been, at the proper + time, denied a chance to explain, "at the peril of having my hair pulled + or my throat cut." He added that his speech was deliberately prepared, + that his sole design was "to vindicate the government of the United States + from those feelings of prejudice and that spirit of defection which seemed + to pervade the public sentiment," and that he had had no intention to + offer insult or disrespect to his audience. This called out, the next day, + a very long reply from Young, of which the following is a paragraph: "With + a war of words on party politics, factions, religious schisms, current + controversy of creeds, policy of clans or state clipper cliques, I have + nothing to do; but when the eternal principles of truth are falsified, and + light is turned into darkness by mystification of language or a false + delineation of facts, so that the just indignation of the true, virtuous, + upright citizens of the commonwealth is aroused into vigilance for the + dear-bought liberties of themselves and fathers, and that spirit of + intolerance and persecution which has driven this people time and time + again from their peaceful homes, manifests itself in the flippancy of + rhetoric for female insult and desecration, it is time that I forbear to + hold my peace, lest the thundering anathemas of nations, born and unborn, + should rest upon my head, when the marrow of my bones shall be ill + prepared to sustain the threatened blow."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For correspondence in full, see Tullidge's "History of Salt +Lake City," pp. 86—91. +</pre> + <p> + Judge Brocchus wrote to a friend in the East, on September 20: "How it + will end, I do not know. I have just learned that I have been denounced, + together with the government and officers, in the bowery again to-day by + Governor Young. I hope I shall get off safely. God only knows. I am in the + power of a desperate and murderous sect." + </p> + <p> + The non-Mormon federal officers now announced their determination to + abandon their places and return to the East. Young foresaw that so radical + a course would give his conduct a wide advertisement, and attract to him + an unpleasant notoriety. He, therefore, called on the offended judges + personally, and urged them to remain.* Being assured that they would not + reconsider their determination, and that Secretary Harris would take with + him the $24,000 appropriated for the pay and mileage of the territorial + legislature, Young, on September 18, issued a proclamation declaring the + result of the election of August 4, which he had neglected to do, and + convening the legislature in session on September 22. "So solicitous was + the governor that the secretary and other non-Mormon officers should be + kept in ignorance of this step," says the report of the latter to + President Fillmore, "that on the 19th, two days after the date of a + personal notice sent to members, he most positively and emphatically + denied, as communicated to the secretary, that any such notice had been + issued." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Young to the President, House Doc. No. 25, 1st Session, 32d +Congress. +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the legislature met, it passed resolutions directing the United + States marshal to take possession of all papers and property (including + money) in the hands of Secretary Harris, and to arrest him and lock him up + if he offered any resistance. On receipt of a copy of this resolution, + Secretary Harris sent a reply, giving several reasons for refusing to hand + over the money appropriated for the legislature, among them the failure of + the governor to have a census taken before the election, as provided by + the territorial act, the defective character of the governor's + proclamation ordering the election, allowing aliens to vote, and the + governor's failure to declare the result of the election, his delayed + proclamation being pronounced "worthless for all legal purposes." + </p> + <p> + On September 28 the three non-Mormon officers took their departure, + carrying with them to Washington the disputed money, which was turned over + to the proper officer.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge, in his "History of Salt Lake City," says: "Under the +censure of the great statesman, Daniel Webster, and with ex-Vice +President Dallas and Colonel Kane using their potent influence against +them, and also Stephen A. Douglas, Brandebury, Brocchus, and Harris were +forced to retire." As these officers left the territory of their own +accord, and contrary to Brigham Young's urgent protest, this statement +only furnishes another instance of the Mormon plan to attack the +reputation of any one whom they could not control. The three officers +were criticized by some Eastern newspapers for leaving their post +through fear of bodily injury, but Congress voted to pay their salaries. +</pre> + <p> + All the correspondence concerning the failure of this first attempt to + establish non-Mormon federal officers in Utah was given to Congress in a + message from President Fillmore, dated January 9, 1852. The returned + officers made a report which set forth the autocratic attitude of the + Mormon church, the open practice of polygamy,* and the non-enforcement of + the laws, not even murderers being punished. Of one of the allegations of + murder set forth,—that a man from Ithaca, New York, named James + Munroe, was murdered on his way to Salt Lake City by a member of the + church, his body brought to the city and buried without an inquest, the + murderer walking the streets undisturbed, H. H. Bancroft says, "There is + no proof of this statement."** On the contrary, Mayor Grant in his "Truth + for the Mormons" acknowledges it, and gives the details of the murder, + justifying it on the ground of provocation, alleging that while Egan, the + murderer, was absent in California, Munroe, "from his youth up a member of + the church, Egan's friend too, therefore a traitor," seduced Egan's wife. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * J. D. Grant, following the example of Colonel Kane, had the +effrontery to say of the charge of polygamy, in one of his letters to +the New York Herald: "I pronounce it false.... Suppose I should admit it +at once? Whose business is it? Does the constitution forbid it?" +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "History of Utah," p. 460, note. +</pre> + <p> + Young, in a statement to the President, defended his acts and the acts of + the territorial legislature, and attacked the character and motives of the + federal officers. The legislature soon after petitioned President Fillmore + to fill the vacancies by appointing men "who are, indeed, residents + amongst us." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0067" id="link2HCH0067"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. — MORMON TREATMENT OF FEDERAL OFFICERS + </h2> + <p> + The next federal officers for Utah appointed by the President (in August, + 1852) were Lazarus H. Reid of New York to be chief justice, Leonidas + Shaver, associate justice, and B. G. Ferris, secretary. Neither of these + officers incurred the Mormon wrath. Both of the judges died while in + office, and the next chief justice was John F. Kinney, who had occupied a + seat on the Iowa Supreme Bench, with W. W. Drummond of Illinois, and + George P. Stiles, one of Joseph Smith's counsel at the time of the + prophet's death, as associates. A. W. Babbitt received the appointment of + secretary of the territory.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Some years later Babbitt was killed. Mrs. Waite, in "The Mormon +Prophet" (p. 34) says: "In the summer of 1862 Brigham was referring to +this affair in a tea-table conversation at which judge Waite and the +writer of this were present. After making some remarks to impress +upon the minds of those present the necessity of maintaining friendly +relations between the federal officers and the authorities of the +church, he used language substantially as follows: 'There is no need of +any difficulty, and there need be none if the officers do their duty and +mind their affairs. If they do not, if they undertake to interfere with +affairs that do not concern them, I will not be far off. There was Almon +W. Babbitt. He undertook to quarrel with me, but soon afterward was +killed by Indians." +</pre> + <p> + The territorial legislature had continued to meet from time to time, Young + having a seat of honor in front of the Speaker at each opening joint + session, and presenting his message. The most important measure passed was + an election law which practically gave the church authorities control of + the ballot. It provided that each voter must hand his ballot, folded, to + the judge of election, who must deposit it after numbering it, and after + the clerk had recorded the name and number. This, of course, gave the + church officers knowledge concerning the candidate for whom each man + voted. Its purpose needs no explanation. + </p> + <p> + In August, 1854, a force of some three hundred soldiers, under command of + Lieutenant Colonel E. J. Steptoe of the United States army, on their way + to the Pacific coast, arrived in Salt Lake City and passed the succeeding + winter there. Young's term as governor was about to expire, and the + appointment of his successor rested with President Pierce. Public opinion + in the East had become more outspoken against the Mormons since the + resignation of the first federal officers sent to the territory, the + "revelation" concerning polygamy having been publicly avowed meanwhile, + and there was an expressed feeling that a non-Mormon should be governor. + Accordingly, President Pierce, in December, 1854, offered the governorship + to Lieutenant Colonel Steptoe. + </p> + <p> + Brigham Young, just before and after this period, openly declared that he + would not surrender the actual government of the territory to any man. In + a discourse in the Tabernacle, on June 19, 1853, in which he reviewed the + events of 1851, he said, "We have got a territorial government, and I am + and will be governor, and no power can hinder it, until the Lord Almighty + says, 'Brigham, you need not be governor any longer.'"* In a defiant + discourse in the Tabernacle, on February 18, 1855, Young again stated his + position on this subject: "For a man to come here [as governor] and + infringe upon my individual rights and privileges, and upon those of my + brethren, will never meet my sanction, and I will scourge such a one until + he leaves. I am after him." Defining his position further, and the + independence of his people, he said: "Come on with your knives, your + swords, and your faggots of fire, and destroy the whole of us rather than + we will forsake our religion. Whether the doctrine of plurality of wives + is true or false is none of your business. We have as good a right to + adopt tenets in our religion as the Church of England, or the Methodists, + or the Baptists, or any other denomination have to theirs."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, p. 187. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., Vol. II, pp. 187-188. +</pre> + <p> + Having thus defied the federal appointing power, the nomination of Colonel + Steptoe as Young's successor might have been expected to cause an + outbreak; but the Mormon leaders were always diplomatic—at least, + when Young did not lose his temper. The outcome of this appointment was + its declination by Steptoe, a petition to President Pierce for Young's + reappointment signed by Steptoe himself and all the federal officers in + the territory, and the granting of the request of these petitioners. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. C. B. Waite, wife of Associate Justice C. B. Waite, one of Lincoln's + appointees, gives a circumstantial account of the manner in which Colonel + Steptoe was influenced to decline the nomination and sign the petition in + favor of Young.* Two women, whose beauty then attracted the attention of + Salt Lake City society, were a relative by marriage of Brigham Young and + an actress in the church theatre. The federal army officers were favored + with a good deal of their society. When Steptoe's appointment as governor + was announced, Young called these women to his assistance. In conformity + with the plan then suggested, Young one evening suddenly demanded + admission to Colonel Steptoe's office, which was granted after + considerable delay. Passing into the back room, he found the two women + there, dressed in men's clothes and with their faces concealed by their + hats. He sent the women home with a rebuke, and then described to Steptoe + the danger he was in if the women's friends learned of the incident, and + the disgrace which would follow its exposure. Steptoe's declination of the + nomination and his recommendation of Young soon followed. + </p> + <p> + President Pierce's selection of judicial officers for Utah was not made + with proper care, nor with due regard to the dignity of the places to be + filled. Chief Justice Kinney took with him to Utah a large stock of goods + which he sold at retail after his arrival there, and he also kept a + boarding-house in Salt Lake City. With his "trade" dependent on Mormon + customers, he had every object in cultivating their popularity. Known as a + "Jack-Mormon" in Iowa, Mrs. Waite declared that his uniform course, to the + time about which she wrote, had been "to aid and abet Brigham Young in his + ambitious schemes," and that he was then "an open apologist and advocate + of polygamy." Judge Drummond's course in Utah was in many respects + scandalous. A former member of the bench in Illinois writes to me: "I + remember that when Drummond's appointment was announced there was + considerable comment as to his lack of fitness for the place, and, after + the troubles between him and the Mormon leaders got aired through the + press, members of the bar from his part of the state said they did not + blame the Mormons—that it was an imposition upon them to have sent + him out there as a judge. I never heard his moral character discussed." If + the Mormon leaders had shown any respect for the government at Washington, + or for the reputable men appointed to territorial offices, more attention + might be paid to their hostility manifested to certain individuals. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The Mormon Prophet," p. 36, confirmed by Beadle's "Life in +Utah," p. 171. +</pre> + <p> + A few of the leading questions at issue under the new territorial officers + will illustrate the nature of the government with which they had to deal. + The territorial legislature had passed acts defining the powers and duties + of the territorial courts. These acts provided that the district courts + should have original jurisdiction, both civil and criminal, wherever not + otherwise provided by law. Chapter 64 (approved January 14, 1864) provided + as follows: "All questions of law, the meaning of writings other than law, + and the admissibility of testimony shall be decided by the court; and no + laws or parts of laws shall be read, argued, cited, or adopted in any + courts, during any trial, except those enacted by the governor and + legislative assembly of this territory, and those passed by the Congress + of the United States, WHEN APPLICABLE; and no report, decision, or doings + of any court shall be read, argued, cited, or adopted as precedent in any + other trial." This obliterated at a stroke the whole body of the English + common law. Another act provided that, by consent of the court and the + parties, any person could be selected to act as judge in a particular + case. As the district court judges were federal appointees, a judge of + probate was provided for each county, to be elected by joint ballot of the + legislature. These probate courts, besides the authority legitimately + belonging to such tribunals, were given "power to exercise original + jurisdiction, both civil and criminal, as well in chancery as at common + law." Thus there were in the territory two kinds of courts, to one of + which alone a non-Mormon could look for justice, and to the other of which + every Mormon would appeal when he was not prevented. + </p> + <p> + The act of Congress organizing the territory provided for the appointment + of a marshal, approved by the President; the territorial legislature on + March 3, 1852, provided for another marshal to be elected by joint ballot, + and for an attorney general. A non-Mormon had succeeded the original + Mormon who was appointed as federal marshal, and he took the ground that + he should have charge of all business pertaining to the marshal's office + in the United States courts. Judge Stiles having issued writs to the + federal marshal, the latter was not able to serve them, and the demand was + openly made that only territorial law should be enforced in Utah. When the + question of jurisdiction came before the judge, three Mormon lawyers + appeared in behalf of the Mormon claim, and one of them, James Ferguson, + openly told the judge that, if he decided against him, they "would take + him from the bench d—d quick." Judge Stiles adjourned his court, and + applied to Governor Young for assistance; but got only the reply that "the + boys had got their spunk up, and he would not interfere," and that, if + Judge Stiles could not enforce the United States laws, the sooner he + adjourned court the better.* All the records and papers of the United + States court were kept in Judge Stiles's office. In his absence, Ferguson + led a crowd to the office, seized and deposited in a safe belonging to + Young the court papers, and, piling up the personal books and papers of + the judge in an outhouse, set fire to them. The judge, supposing that the + court papers were included in the bonfire, innocently made that statement + in an affidavit submitted on his return to Washington in 1857. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This account is given in Mrs. Waite's "The Mormon Prophet." +Tullidge omits the incident in his "History of Salt Lake City." +</pre> + <p> + Judge Drummond, reversing the policy of Chief Justice Kinney and Judge + Shaver, announced, before the opening of the first session of his court, + that he should ignore all proceedings of the territorial probate courts + except such as pertained to legitimate probate business. This position was + at once recognized as a challenge of the entire Mormon judicial system,* + and steps were promptly taken to overthrow it. There are somewhat + conflicting accounts of the method adopted. Mrs. Waite, in her "Mormon + Prophet," Hickman, in his confessions, and Remy, in his "Journey," have + all described it with variations. All agree that a quarrel was brought + about between the judge and a Jew, which led to the arrest of both of + them. "During the prosecution of the case," says Mrs. Waite, "the judge + gave some sort of a stipulation that he would not interfere any further + with the probate courts." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * A member of the legislature wrote to his brother in England, of +Drummond: He has brass to declare in open court that the Utah laws +are founded in ignorance, and has attempted to set some of the most +important ones aside,... and he will be able to appreciate the merits of +a returned compliment some day." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge, "History of Salt Lake City," p. 412. +</pre> + <p> + Judge Stiles left the territory in the spring of 1857, and gave the + government an account of his treatment in the form of an affidavit when he + reached Washington. Judge Drummond held court a short time for Judge + Stiles in Carson County (now Nevada)* in the spring of 1857, and then + returned to the East by way of California, not concealing his opinion of + Mormon rule on the way, and giving the government a statement of the case + in a letter resigning his judgeship. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The settlement of what is now Nevada was begun by both Mormons +and non-Mormons in 1854, and, the latter being in the majority, the Utah +legislature organized the entire western part of the territory as one +county, called Carson, and Governor Young appointed Orson Hyde +its probate judge. Many persons coming in after the settlement of +California, as miners, farmers, or stock-raisers, the Mormons saw their +majority in danger, and ordered the non-Mormons to leave. Both sides +took up arms, and they camped in sight of each other for two weeks. The +Mormons, learning that their opponents were to receive reenforcements +from California, agreed on equal rights for all in that part of the +territory; but when the legislature learned of this, it repealed the +county act, recalled the judge, and left the district without any legal +protection whatever. Thus matters remained until late in 1858, when a +probate judge was quietly appointed for Carson Valley. After this an +election was held, but although the non-Mormons won at the polls, the +officers elected refused to qualify and enforce Mormon statutes.—Letter +of Delegate-elect J. M. Crane of Nevada, "The Mormon Prophet," pp. +4l-45. +</pre> + <p> + After the departure of the non-Mormon federal judges from Utah, the only + non-Mormon officers left there were those belonging to the office of the + surveyor general, and two Indian agents. Toward these officers the Mormons + were as hostile as they had been toward the judges, and the latest + information that the government received about the disposition and + intentions of the Mormons came from them. + </p> + <p> + The Mormon view of their title to the land in Salt Lake Valley appeared in + Young's declaration on his first Sunday there, that it was theirs and + would be divided by the officers of the church.* Tullidge, explaining this + view in his history published in 1886, says that this was simply following + out the social plan of a Zion which Smith attempted in Ohio, Missouri, and + Illinois, under "revelation." He explains: "According to the primal law of + colonization, recognized in all ages, it was THEIR LAND if they could hold + and possess it. They could have done this so far as the Mexican government + was concerned, which government probably never would even have made the + first step to overthrow the superstructure of these Mormon society + builders. At that date, before this territory was ceded to the United + States, Brigham Young, as the master builder of the colonies which were + soon to spread throughout these valleys, could with absolute propriety + give the above utterances on the land question."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "They will not, however, without protest, buy the land, and +hope that grants will be made to actual settlers or the state, +sufficient to cover their improvements. If not, the state will be +obliged to buy, and then confirm the titles already given."—Gunnison. +"The Mormons," 1852, p. 414. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Captain Gunnison, who as lieutenant accompanied Stansbury's +surveying party and printed a book giving his personal observations, was +murdered in 1853 while surveying a railroad route at a camp on +Sevier River. His party were surprised by a band of Pah Utes while at +breakfast, and nine of them were killed. The charge was often made that +this massacre was inspired by Mormons, but it has not been supported by +direct evidence. +</pre> + <p> + When the act organizing the territory was passed, very little of the + Indian title to the land had been extinguished, and the Indians made + bitter complaints of the seizure of their homes and hunting-grounds, and + the establishment of private rights to canyons and ferries, by the people + who professed so great a regard for the "Lamanites." Congress, in + February, 1855, created the office of surveyor general of Utah and defined + his duties. The presence of this officer was resented at once, and as soon + as Surveyor General David H. Burr arrived in Salt Lake City the church + directed all its members to convey their lands to Young as trustee in + trust for the church, "in consideration of the good will which —— + have to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." Explaining this + order in a discourse in the Tabernacle on March 1, 1857, H. C. Kimball + said: "I do not compel you to do it; the trustee in trust does not; God + does not. But He says that if you will do this and the other things which + He has counselled for our good, do so and prove Him.... If you trifle with + me when I tell you the truth, you will trifle with Brother Brigham, and if + you trifle with him you will also trifle with angels and with God, and + thus you will trifle yourselves down to hell."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. IV, pp. 249, 252. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon policy toward the surveyors soon took practical shape. On + August 30, 1856, Burr reported a nearly fatal assault on one of his + deputies by three Danites. Deputy Surveyor Craig reported efforts of the + Mormons to stir up the Indians against the surveyors, and quoted a + suggestion of the Deseret News that the surveyors be prosecuted in the + territorial court for trespass. In February, 1857, Burr reported a visit + he had had from the clerk of the Supreme Court, the acting district + attorney, and the territorial marshal, who told him plainly that the + country was theirs. + </p> + <p> + They showed him a copy of a report that he had made to Washington, + charging Young with extensive depredations, warned him that he could not + write to Washington without their knowledge, and ordered that such letter + writing should stop. "The fact is," Burr added, "these people repudiate + the authority of the United States in this country, and are in open + rebellion against the general government.... So strong have been my + apprehensions of danger to the surveyors that I scarcely deemed it prudent + to send any out.... We are by no means sure that we will be permitted to + leave, for it is boldly asserted we would not get away alive."* He did + escape early in the spring. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For text of reports, see House Ex. Doc. No. 71, 1st Session, +35th Congress. +</pre> + <p> + The reports of the Indian agents to the commissioner at Washington at this + time were of the same character. Mormon trespasses on Indian land had + caused more than one conflict with the savages, but, when there was a + prospect of hostilities with the government, the Mormons took steps to + secure Indian aid. In May, 1855, Indian Agent Hurt called the attention of + the commissioner at Washington to the fact that the Mormons at their + recent Conference had appointed a large number of missionaries to preach + among the "Lamanites"; that these missionaries were "a class of lawless + young men," and, as their influence was likely to be in favor of + hostilities with the whites, he suggested that all Indian officers receive + warning on the subject. Hurt was added to the list of fugitive federal + officers from Utah, deeming it necessary to flee when news came of the + approach of the troops in the fall of 1857. His escape was quite dramatic, + some of his Indian friends assisting him. They reached General Johnston's + camp about the middle of October, after suffering greatly from hunger and + cold. + </p> + <p> + The Mormon leaders could scarcely fail to realize that a point must be + reached when the federal government would assert its authority in Utah + territory, but they deemed a conflict with the government of less serious + moment than a surrender which would curtail their own civil and criminal + jurisdiction, and bring their doctrine of polygamy within reach of the + law. A specimen of the unbridled utterances of these leaders in those days + will be found in a discourse by Mayor Grant in the Tabernacle, on March 2, + 1856:— + </p> + <p> + "Who is afraid to die? None but the wicked. If they want to send troops + here, let them come to those who have imported filth and whores, though we + can attend to that class without so much expense to the Government. They + will threaten us with United States troops! Why, your impudence and + ignorance would bring a blush to the cheek of the veriest camp-follower + among them. We ask no odds of you, you rotten carcasses, and I am not + going to bow one hair's breadth to your influence. I would rather be cut + into inch pieces than succumb one particle to such filthiness .... If we + were to establish a whorehouse on every corner of our streets, as in + nearly all other cities outside of Utah, either by law or otherwise, we + should doubtless then be considered good fellows."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. III, pp. 234-235 +</pre> + <p> + Two weeks later Brigham Young, in a sermon in the same place, said, "I + said then, and I shall always say, that I shall be governor as long as the + Lord Almighty wishes me to govern this people."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid., p. 258. +</pre> + <p> + In January, 1853, Orson Pratt, as Mormon representative, began the + publication in Washington, D.C., of a monthly periodical called The Seer, + in which he defended polygamy, explained the Mormon creed, and set forth + the attitude of the Mormons toward the United States government. The + latter subject occupied a large part of the issue of January, 1854, in the + shape of questions and answers. The following will give an illustration of + their tone:— + </p> + <p> + "Q.—In what manner have the people of the United States treated the + divine message contained in the Book of Mormon? + </p> + <p> + "A.—They have closed their eyes, their ears, their hearts and their + doors against it. They have scorned, rejected and hated the servants of + God who were sent to bear testimony of it. + </p> + <p> + "Q.—In what manner has the United States treated the Saints who have + believed in this divine message? + </p> + <p> + "A.—They have proceeded to the most savage and outrageous + persecutions;... dragged little children from their hiding-places, and, + placing the muzzles of their guns to their heads, have blown out their + brains, with the most horrid oaths and imprecations. They have taken the + fair daughters of American citizens, bound them on benches used for public + worship, and there, in great numbers, ravished them until death came to + their relief." + </p> + <p> + Further answers were in the shape of an argument that the federal + government was responsible for the losses of the Saints in Missouri and + Illinois. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0068" id="link2HCH0068"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. — THE MORMON "WAR" + </h2> + <p> + The government at Washington and the people of the Eastern states knew a + good deal more about Mormonism in 1856 than they did when Fillmore gave + the appointment of governor to Young in 1850. The return of one federal + officer after another from Utah with a report that his office was + untenable, even if his life was not in danger, the practical nullification + of federal law, and the light that was beginning to be shed on Mormon + social life by correspondents of Eastern newspapers had aroused enough + public interest in the matter to lead the politicians to deem it worthy of + their attention. Accordingly, the Republican National Convention, in June, + 1856, inserted in its platform a plank declaring that the constitution + gave Congress sovereign power over the territories, and that "it is both + the right and the duty of Congress to prohibit in the territories those + twin relics of barbarism—polygamy and slavery." + </p> + <p> + A still more striking proof of the growing political importance of the + Mormon question was afforded by the attention paid to it by Stephen A. + Douglas in a speech in Springfield, Illinois, on June 12, 1856, when he + was hoping to secure the Democratic nomination for President. This former + friend of the Mormons, their spokesman in the Senate, now declared that + reports from the territory seemed to justify the belief that nine-tenths + of its inhabitants were aliens; that all were bound by horrid oaths and + penalties to recognize and maintain the authority of Brigham Young; and + that the Mormon government was forming alliances with the Indians, and + organizing Danite bands to rob and murder American citizens. "Under this + view of the subject," said he, "I think it is the duty of the President, + as I have no doubt it is his fixed purpose, to remove Brigham Young and + all his followers from office, and to fill their places with bold, able, + and true men; and to cause a thorough and searching investigation into all + the crimes and enormities which are alleged to be perpetrated daily in + that territory under the direction of Brigham Young and his confederates; + and to use all the military force necessary to protect the officers in + discharge of their duties and to enforce the laws of the land. When the + authentic evidence shall arrive, if it shall establish the facts which are + believed to exist, it will become the duty of Congress to apply the knife, + and cut out this loathsome, disgusting ulcer."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Text of the speech in New York Times of June 23, 1856. +</pre> + <p> + This, of course, caused the Mormons to pour out on Judge Douglas the vials + of their wrath, and, when he failed to secure the presidential nomination, + they found in his defeat the verification of one of Smith's prophecies. + </p> + <p> + The Mormons, on their part, had never ceased their demands for statehood, + and another of their efforts had been made in the preceding spring, when a + new constitution of the State of Deseret was adopted by a convention over + which the notorious Jedediah M. Grant presided, and sent to Washington + with a memorial pleading for admission to the Union, "that another star, + shedding mild radiance from the tops of the mountains, midway between the + borders of the Eastern and Western civilization, may add its effulgence to + that bright light now so broadly illumining the governmental pathway of + nations"; and declaring that "the loyalty of Utah has been variously and + most thoroughly tested." Congress treated this application with practical + contempt, the Senate laying the memorial on the table, and the chairman of + the House Committee on Territories, Galusha A. Grow, refusing to present + the constitution to the House. + </p> + <p> + Alarmed at the manifestations of public feeling in the East, and the + demand that President Buchanan should do something to vindicate at least + the dignity of the government, the Mormon leaders and press renewed their + attacks on the character of all the federal officers who had criticized + them, and the Deseret News urged the President to send to Utah "one or + more civilians on a short visit to look about them and see what they can + see, and return and report." The value of observations by such "short + visitors" on such occasions need not be discussed. + </p> + <p> + President Buchanan, instead of following any Mormon advice, soon after his + inauguration directed the organization of a body of troops to march to + Utah to uphold the federal authorities, and in July, after several persons + had declined the office, appointed as governor of Utah Alfred Cumming of + Georgia. The appointee was a brother of Colonel William Cumming, who won + renown as a soldier in the War of 1812, who was a Union party leader in + the nullification contest in Jackson's time, and who was a participant in + a duel with G. McDuffie that occupied a good deal of attention. Alfred + Cumming had filled no more important positions than those of mayor of + Augusta, Georgia, sutler in the Mexican War, and superintendent of Indian + affairs on the upper Missouri. A much more commendable appointment made at + the same time was that of D. R. Eckles, a Kentuckian by birth, but then a + resident of Indiana, to be chief justice of the territory. John + Cradlebaugh and C. E. Sinclair were appointed associate justices, with + John Hartnett as secretary, and Peter K. Dotson as marshal. The new + governor gave the first illustration of his conception of his duties by + remaining in the East, while the troops were moving, asking for an + increase of his salary, a secret service fund, and for transportation to + Utah. Only the last of these requests was complied with. + </p> + <p> + President Buchanan's position as regards Utah at this time was thus stated + in his first annual message to Congress (December 8, 1857):— + </p> + <p> + "The people of Utah almost exclusively belong to this [Mormon] church, + and, believing with a fanatical spirit that he [Young] is Governor of the + Territory by divine appointment, they obey his commands as if these were + direct revelations from heaven. If, therefore, he chooses that his + government shall come into collision with the government of the United + States, the members of the Mormon church will yield implicit obedience to + his will. Unfortunately, existing facts leave but little doubt that such + is his determination. Without entering upon a minute history of + occurrences, it is sufficient to say that all the officers of the United + States, judicial and executive, with the single exception of two Indian + agents, have found it necessary for their own safety to withdraw from the + Territory, and there no longer remained any government in Utah but the + despotism of Brigham Young. This being the condition of affairs in the + Territory, I could not mistake the path of duty. As chief executive + magistrate, I was bound to restore the supremacy of the constitution and + laws within its limits. In order to effect this purpose, I appointed a new + governor and other federal officers for Utah, and sent with them a + military force for their protection, and to aid as a posse comitatus in + case of need in the execution of the laws. + </p> + <p> + "With the religious opinions of the Mormons, as long as they remained mere + opinions, however deplorable in themselves and revolting to the moral and + religious sentiments of all Christendom, I have no right to interfere. + Actions alone, when in violation of the constitution and laws of the + United States, become the legitimate subjects for the jurisdiction of the + civil magistrate. My instructions to Governor Cumming have, therefore, + been framed in strict accordance with these principles." + </p> + <p> + This statement of the situation of affairs in Utah, and of the duty of the + President in the circumstances, did not admit of criticism. But the + country at that time was in a state of intense excitement over the slavery + question, with the situation in Kansas the centre of attention; and it was + charged that Buchanan put forward the Mormon issue as a part of his scheme + to "gag the North" and force some question besides slavery to the front; + and that Secretary of War Floyd eagerly seized the opportunity to remove + "the flower of the American army" and a vast amount of munition and + supplies to a distant place, remote from Eastern connections. The + principal newspapers in this country were intensely partisan in those + days, and party organs like the New York Tribune could be counted on to + criticise any important step taken by the Democratic President. Such + Mormon agents as Colonel Kane and Dr. Bernhisel, the Utah Delegate to + Congress, were doing active work in New York and Washington, and some of + it with effect. Horace Greeley, in his "Overland journey," describing his + call on Brigham Young a few years later, says that he was introduced by + "my friend Dr. Bernhisel." The "Tribune Almanac" for 1859, in an article + on the Utah troubles, quoted as "too true" Young's declaration that "for + the last twenty-five years we have trusted officials of the government, + from constables and justices to judges, governors, and presidents, only to + be scorned, held in derision, insulted and betrayed."* Ulterior motives + aside, no President ever had a clearer duty than had Buchanan to maintain + the federal authority in Utah, and to secure to all residents in and + travellers through that territory the rights of life and property. The + just ground for criticising him is, not that he attempted to do this, but + that he faltered by the way.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Greeley's leaning to the Mormon side was quite persistent, +leading him to support Governor Cumming a little later against the +federal judges. The Mormons never forgot this. A Washington letter +of April 24, 1874, to the New York Times said: "When Mr. Greeley was +nominated for President the Mormons heartily hoped for his election. The +church organs and the papers taken in the territory were all hostile to +the administration, and their clamor deceived for a time people far more +enlightened than the followers of the modern Mohammed. It is said +that, while the canvass was pending, certain representatives of the +Liberal-Democratic alliance bargained with Brigham Young, and that he +contributed a very large sum of money to the treasury of the Greeley +fund, and that, in consideration of this contribution, he received +assurances that, if he should send a polygamist to Congress, no +opposition would be made by the supporters of the administration that +was to be, to his admission to the House. Brigham therefore sent Cannon +instead of returning Hooper." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** It is curious to notice that the Utah troubles are entirely +ignored in the "Life of James Buchanan" (1883) by George Ticknor Curtis, +who was the counsel for the Mormons in the argument concerning polygamy +before the United States Supreme Court in 1886. +</pre> + <p> + Early in 1856 arrangements were entered into with H. C. Kimball for a + contract to carry the mail between Independence, Missouri, and Salt Lake + City. Young saw in this the nucleus of a big company that would maintain a + daily express and mail service to and from the Mormon centre, and he at + once organized the Brigham Young Express Carrying Company, and had it + commended to the people from the pulpit. But recent disclosures of Mormon + methods and purposes had naturally caused the government to question the + propriety of confiding the Utah and transcontinental mails to Mormon + hands, and on June 10, 1857, Kimball was notified that the government + would not execute the contract with him, "the unsettled state of things at + Salt Lake City rendering the mails unsafe under present circumstances." + Mormon writers make much of the failure to execute this mail contract as + an exciting cause of the "war." Tullidge attributes the action of the + administration to three documents—a letter from Mail Contractor W. + M. F. Magraw to the President, describing the situation in Utah, Judge + Drummond's letter of resignation, and a letter from Indian Agent T. S. + Twiss, dated July 13, 1856, informing the government that a large Mormon + colony had taken possession of Deer Creek Valley, only one hundred miles + west of Fort Laramie, driving out a settlement of Sioux whom the agent had + induced to plant corn there, and charging that the Mormon occupation was + made with a view to the occupancy of the country, and "under cover of a + contract of the Mormon church to carry the mails."* Tullidge's statement + could be made with hope of its acceptance only to persons who either + lacked the opportunity or inclination to ascertain the actual situation in + Utah and the President's sources of information. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * All these may be found in House Ex. Doc. No. 71, 1st Session, +35th Congress. +</pre> + <p> + As to the mails, no autocratic government like that of Brigham Young would + neglect to make what use it pleased of them in its struggle with the + authorities at Washington. As early as November, 1851, Indian Agent Holman + wrote to the Indian commissioner at Washington from Salt Lake City: "The + Gentiles, as we are called who do not belong to the Mormon church, have no + confidence in the management of the post-office here. It is believed by + many that there is an examination of all letters coming and going, in + order that they may ascertain what is said of them and by whom it is said. + This opinion is so strong that all communications touching their character + or conduct are either sent to Bridger or Laramie, there to be mailed. I + send this communication through a friend to Laramie, to be there mailed + for the States." + </p> + <p> + Testimony on this point four years later, from an independent source, is + found in a Salt Lake City letter, of November 3, 1855, to the New York + Herald. The writer said: "From September 5, to the 27th instant the people + of this territory had not received any news from the States except such as + was contained in a few broken files of California papers.... Letters and + papers come up missing, and in the same mail come papers of very ancient + dates; but letters once missing may be considered as irrevocably lost. Of + all the numerous numbers of Harper's, Gleason's, and other illustrated + periodicals subscribed for by the inhabitants of this territory, not one, + I have been informed, has ever reached here." The forces selected for the + expedition to Utah consisted of the Second Dragoons, then stationed at + Fort Leavenworth in view of possible trouble in Kansas; the Fifth + Infantry, stationed at that time in Florida; the Tenth Infantry, then in + the forts in Minnesota; and Phelps's Battery of the Fourth Artillery, that + had distinguished itself at Buena Vista—a total of about fifteen + hundred men. Reno's Battery was added later. + </p> + <p> + General Scott's order provided for two thousand head of cattle to be + driven with the troops, six months' supply of bacon, desiccated + vegetables, 250 Sibley tents, and stoves enough to supply at least the + sick. General Scott himself had advised a postponement of the expedition + until the next year, on account of the late date at which it would start, + but he was overruled. The commander originally selected for this force was + General W. S. Harney; but the continued troubles in Kansas caused his + retention there (as well as that of the Second Dragoons), and, when the + government found that the Mormons proposed serious resistance, the chief + command was given to Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston, a West Point + graduate, who had made a record in the Black Hawk War; in the service of + the state of Texas, first in 1836 under General Rusk, and eventually as + commander-in-chief in the field, and later as Secretary of War; and in the + Mexican War as colonel of the First Texas Rifles. He was killed at the + battle of Shiloh during the War of the Rebellion. + </p> + <p> + General Harney's letter of instruction, dated June 29, giving the views of + General Scott and the War Department, stated that the civil government in + Utah was in a state of rebellion; he was to attack no body of citizens, + however, except at the call of the governor, the judges, or the marshals, + the troops to be considered as a posse comitatus; he was made responsible + for "a jealous, harmonious, and thorough cooperation" with the governor, + accepting his views when not in conflict with military judgment and + prudence. While the general impression, both at Washington and among the + troops, was that no actual resistance to this force would be made by + Young's followers, the general was told that "prudence requires that you + should anticipate resistance, general, organized, and formidable, at the + threshold." + </p> + <p> + Great activity was shown in forwarding the necessary supplies to Fort + Leavenworth, and in the last two weeks of July most of the assigned troops + were under way. Colonel Johnston arrived at Fort Leavenworth on September + 11, assigned six companies of the Second Dragoons, under Lieutenant + Colonel P. St. George Cooke, as an escort to Governor Cumming, and + followed immediately after them. Major (afterward General) Fitz John + Porter, who accompanied Colonel Johnston as assistant adjutant general, + describing the situation in later years, said:— + </p> + <p> + "So late in the season had the troops started on this march that fears + were entertained that, if they succeeded in reaching their destination, it + would be only by abandoning the greater part of their supplies, and + endangering the lives of many men amid the snows of the Rocky Mountains. + So much was a terrible disaster feared by those acquainted with the rigors + of a winter life in the Rocky Mountains, that General Harney was said to + have predicted it, and to have induced Walker [of Kansas] to ask his + retention." + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the Mormons had received word of what was coming. When A. O. + Smoot reached a point one hundred miles west of Independence, with the + mail for Salt Lake City, he met heavy freight teams which excited his + suspicion, and at Kansas City obtained sufficient particulars of the + federal expedition. Returning to Fort Laramie, he and O. P. Rockwell + started on July 18, in a light wagon drawn by two fast horses, to carry + the news to Brigham Young. They made the 513 miles in five days and three + hours, arriving on the evening of July 23. Undoubtedly they gave Young + this important information immediately. But Young kept it to himself that + night. On the following day occurred the annual celebration of the arrival + of the pioneers in the valley. To the big gathering of Saints at Big + Cottonwood Lake, twenty-four miles from the city, Young dramatically + announced the news of the coming "invasion." His position was + characteristically defiant. He declared that "he would ask no odds of + Uncle Sam or the devil," and predicted that he would be President of the + United States in twelve years, or would dictate the successful candidate. + Recalling his declaration ten years earlier that, after ten years of + peace, they would ask no odds of the United States, he declared that that + time had passed, and that thenceforth they would be a free and independent + state—the State of Deseret. + </p> + <p> + The followers of Young eagerly joined in his defiance of the government, + and in the succeeding weeks the discourses and the editorials of the + Deseret News breathed forth dire threats against the advancing foe. Thus, + the News of August 12 told the Washington authorities, "If you intend to + continue the appointment of certain officers,"—that is, if you do + not intend to surrender to the church federal jurisdiction in Utah—"we + respectfully suggest that you appoint actually intelligent and honorable + men, who will wisely attend to their own duties, and send them + unaccompanied by troops"—that is, judges who would acknowledge the + supremacy of the Mormon courts, or who, if not, would have no force to + sustain them. This was followed by a threat that if any other kind of men + were sent "they will really need a far larger bodyguard than twenty-five + hundred soldiers."* The government was, in another editorial, called on to + "entirely clear the track, and accord us the privilege of carrying our own + mails at our own expense," and was accused of "high handedly taking away + our rights and privileges, one by one, under pretext that the most + devilish should blush at." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * An Englishman, in a letter to the New York Observer, dated +London, May 26, 1857, said, "The English Mormons make no secret of +their expectation that a collision will take place with the American +authorities," and he quoted from a Mormon preacher's words as follows: +"As to a collision with the American Government, there cannot be two +opinions on the matter. We shall have judges, governors, senators and +dragoons invading us, imprisoning and murdering us; but we are prepared, +and are preparing judges, governors, senators and dragoons who will +know how to dispose of their friends. The little stone will come into +collision with the iron and clay and grind them to powder. It will be in +Utah as it was in Nauvoo, with this difference, we are prepared now for +offensive or defensive war; we were not then." Young in the pulpit was +in his element. One example of his declarations must suffice:— +</pre> + <p> + "I am not going to permit troops here for the protection of the priests + and the rabble in their efforts to drive us from the land we possess.... + You might as well tell me that you can make hell into a powder house as to + tell me that they intend to keep an army here and have peace.... I have + told you that if there is any man or woman who is not willing to destroy + everything of their property that would be of use to an enemy if left, I + would advise them to leave the territory, and I again say so to-day; for + when the time comes to burn and lay waste our improvements, if any man + undertakes to shield his, he will be treated as a traitor; for judgment + will be laid to the line and righteousness to the plummet."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 160. +</pre> + <p> + The official papers of Governor Young are perhaps the best illustrations + of the spirit with which the federal authorities had to deal. + </p> + <p> + Words, however, were not the only weapons which the Mormons employed + against the government at the start. Daniel H. Wells, "Lieutenant General" + and commander of the Nauvoo Legion, which organization had been kept up in + Utah, issued, on August 1, a despatch to each of twelve commanding + officers of the Legion in the different settlements in the territory, + declaring that "when anarchy takes the place of orderly government, and + mobocratic tyranny usurps the powers of the rulers, they [the people of + the territory] have left the inalienable right to defend themselves + against all aggression upon their constitutional privileges"; and + directing them to hold their commands ready to march to any part of the + territory, with ammunition, wagons, and clothing for a winter campaign. In + the Legion were enrolled all the able-bodied males between eighteen and + forty-five years, under command of a lieutenant general, four generals, + eleven colonels, and six majors. + </p> + <p> + The first mobilization of this force took place on August 15, when a + company was sent eastward over the usual route to aid incoming immigrants + and learn the strength of the federal force. By the employment of similar + scouts the Mormons were thus kept informed of every step of the army's + advance. A scouting party camped within half a mile of the foremost + company near Devil's Gate on September 22, and did not lose sight of it + again until it went into camp at Harris's Fort, where supplies had been + forwarded in advance. + </p> + <p> + Captain Stewart Van Vliet, of General Harney's staff, was sent ahead of + the troops, leaving Fort Leavenworth on July 28, to visit Salt Lake City, + ascertain the disposition of the church authorities and the people toward + the government, and obtain any other information that would be of use. + Arriving in Salt Lake City in thirty three and a half days, he was + received with affability by Young, and there was a frank interchange of + views between them. Young recited the past trials of the Mormons farther + east, and said that "therefore he and the people of Utah had determined to + resist all persecution at the commencement, and that the TROOPS NOW ON THE + MARCH FOR UTAH SHOULD NOT ENTER THE GREAT SALT LAKE VALLEY. As he uttered + these words, all those present concurred most heartily."* Young said they + had an abundance of everything required by the federal troops, but that + nothing would be sold to the government. When told that, even if they did + succeed in preventing the present military force from entering the valley + the coming winter, they would have to yield to a larger force the + following year, the reply was that that larger force would find Utah a + desert; they would burn every house, cut down every tree, lay waste every + field. "We have three years' provisions on hand," Young added, "which we + will cache, and then take to the mountains and bid defiance to all the + powers of the government." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The quotations are from Captain Van Vliet's official report in +House Ex. Doc. No. 71, previously referred to. Tullidge's "History of +Salt Lake City" (p. 16l) gives extracts from Apostle Woodruff's private +journal of notes on the interview between Young and Captain Van Vliet, +on September 12 and 13, in which Young is reported as saying: "We do not +want to fight the United States, but if they drive us to it we shall do +the best we can. God will overthrow them. We are the supporters of the +constitution of the United States. If they dare to force the issue, +I shall not hold the Indians by the wrist any longer for white men to +shoot at them; they shall go ahead and do as they please." +</pre> + <p> + When Young called for a vote on that proposition by an audience of four + thousand persons in the Tabernacle, every hand was raised to vote yes. + Captain Van Vliet summed up his view of the situation thus: that it would + not be difficult for the Mormons to prevent the entrance of the + approaching force that season; that they would not resort to actual + hostilities until the last moment, but would burn the grass, stampede the + animals, and cause delay in every manner. + </p> + <p> + The day after Captain Van Vliet left Salt Lake City, Governor Young gave + official expression to his defiance of the federal government by issuing + the following proclamation:— + </p> + <p> + "Citizens of Utah: We are invaded by a hostile force, who are evidently + assailing us to accomplish our overthrow and destruction. + </p> + <p> + "For the last twenty-five years we have trusted officials of the + government, from constables and justices to judges, governors, and + Presidents, only to be scorned, held in derision, insulted, and betrayed. + Our houses have been plundered and then burned, our fields laid waste, our + principal men butchered, while under the pledged faith of the government + for their safety, and our families driven from their homes to find that + shelter in the barren wilderness and that protection among hostile + savages, which were denied them in the boasted abodes of Christianity and + civilization. + </p> + <p> + "The constitution of our common country guarantees unto us all that we do + now or have ever claimed. If the constitutional rights which pertain unto + us as American citizens were extended to Utah, according to the spirit and + meaning thereof, and fairly and impartially administered, it is all that + we can ask, all that we have ever asked. + </p> + <p> + "Our opponents have availed themselves of prejudice existing against us, + because of our religious faith, to send out a formidable host to + accomplish our destruction. We have had no privilege or opportunity of + defending ourselves from the false, foul, and unjust aspersions against us + before the nation. The government has not condescended to cause an + investigating committee, or other persons, to be sent to inquire into and + ascertain the truth, as is customary in such cases. We know those + aspersions to be false; but that avails us nothing. We are condemned + unheard, and forced to an issue with an armed mercenary mob, which has + been sent against us at the instigation of anonymous letter writers, + ashamed to father the base, slanderous falsehoods which they have given to + the public; of corrupt officials, who have brought false accusations + against us to screen themselves in their own infamy; and of hireling + priests and howling editors, who prostitute the truth for filthy lucre's + sake. + </p> + <p> + "The issue which has thus been forced upon us compels us to resort to the + great first law of self-preservation, and stand in our own defence, a + right guaranteed to us by the genius of the institutions of our country, + and upon which the government is based. Our duty to ourselves, to our + families, requires us not to tamely submit to be driven and slain, without + an attempt to preserve ourselves; our duty to our country, our holy + religion, our God, to freedom and liberty, requires that we should not + quietly stand still and see those fetters forging around us which were + calculated to enslave and bring us in subjection to an unlawful, military + despotism, such as can only emanate, in a country of constitutional law, + from usurpation, tyranny, and oppression. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, I, Brigham Young, Governor and Superintendent of Indian + Affairs for the Territory of Utah, in the name of the people of the United + States in the Territory of Utah, forbid: + </p> + <p> + "First. All armed forces of every description from coming into this + Territory, under any pretence whatever. + </p> + <p> + "Second. That all forces in said Territory hold themselves in readiness to + march at a moment's notice to repel any and all such invasion. + </p> + <p> + "Third. Martial law is hereby declared to exist in this Territory from and + after the publication of this proclamation, and no person shall be allowed + to pass or repass into or through or from this Territory without a permit + from the proper officer. + </p> + <p> + "Given under my hand and seal, at Great Salt Lake City, Territory of Utah, + this 15th day of September, A.D. 1857, and of the independence of the + United States of America the eighty-second. + </p> + <p> + "BRIGHAM YOUNG." + </p> + <p> + The advancing troops received from Captain Van Vliet as he passed eastward + their first information concerning the attitude of the Mormons toward + them, and Colonel Alexander, in command of the foremost companies, + accepted his opinion that the Mormons would not attack them if the army + did not advance beyond Fort Bridger or Fort Supply, this idea being + strengthened by the fact that one hundred wagon loads of stores, + undefended, had remained unmolested on Ham's Fork for three weeks. The + first division of the federal troops marched across Greene River on + September 27, and hurried on thirty five miles to what was named Camp + Winfield, on Ham's Fork, a confluent of Black Fork, which emptied into + Greene River. Phelps's and Reno's batteries and the Fifth Infantry reached + there about the same time, but there was no cavalry, the kind of force + most needed, because of the detention of the Dragoons in Kansas. + </p> + <p> + On September 30 General Wells forwarded to Colonel Alexander, from Fort + Bridger, Brigham Young's proclamation of September 15, a copy of the laws + of Utah, and the following letter addressed to "the officer commanding the + forces now invading Utah Territory": + </p> + <p> + "GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, UTAH TERRITORY, + </p> + <p> + "GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, September 29, 1857. + </p> + <p> + "Sir: By reference to the act of Congress passed September 9, 1850, + organizing the Territory of Utah, published in a copy of the laws of Utah, + herewith forwarded, pp. 146-147, you will find the following:— + </p> + <p> + "Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, that the executive power and authority + in and over said Territory of Utah shall be vested in a Governor, who + shall hold his office for four years, and until his successor shall be + appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed by the President of the + United States. The Governor shall reside within said Territory, shall be + Commander-in-chief of the militia thereof', etc., etc. + </p> + <p> + "I am still the Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs for this + Territory, no successor having been appointed and qualified, as provided + by law; nor have I been removed by the President of the United States. + </p> + <p> + "By virtue of the authority thus vested in me, I have issued, and + forwarded you a copy of, my proclamation forbidding the entrance of armed + forces into this Territory. This you have disregarded. I now further + direct that you retire forthwith from the Territory, by the same route you + entered. Should you deem this impracticable, and prefer to remain until + spring in the vicinity of your present encampment, Black's Fork or Greene + River, you can do so in peace and unmolested, on condition that you + deposit your arms and ammunition with Lewis Robinson, Quartermaster + General of the Territory, and leave in the spring, as soon as the + condition of the roads will permit you to march; and, should you fall + short of provisions, they can be furnished you, upon making the proper + applications therefor. General D. H. Wells will forward this, and receive + any communications you may have to make. + </p> + <p> + "Very respectfully, + </p> + <p> + "BRIGHAM YOUNG, + </p> + <p> + "Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Utah Territory." + </p> + <p> + General Wells's communication added to this impudent announcement the + declaration, "It may be proper to add that I am here to aid in carrying + out the instructions of Governor Young." + </p> + <p> + On October 2 Colonel Alexander, in a note to Governor Young, acknowledged + the receipt of his enclosures, said that he would submit Young's letter to + the general commanding as soon as he arrived, and added, "In the meantime + I have only to say that these troops are here by the orders of the + President of the United States, and their future movements and operations + will depend entirely upon orders issued by competent military authority." + </p> + <p> + Two Mormon officers, General Robinson and Major Lot Smith, had been sent + to deliver Young's letter and proclamation to the federal officer in + command, but they did not deem it prudent to perform this office in + person, sending a Mexican with them into Colonel Alexander's camp.* In the + same way they received Colonel Alexander's reply. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 171. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon plan of campaign was already mapped out, and it was thus stated + in an order of their commanding general, D. H. Wells, a copy of which was + found on a Mormon major, Joseph Taylor, to whom it was addressed:— + </p> + <p> + "You will proceed, with all possible despatch, without injuring your + animals, to the Oregon road, near the bend of Bear River, north by east of + this place. Take close and correct observations of the country on your + route. When you approach the road, send scouts ahead to ascertain if the + invading troops have passed that way. Should they have passed, take a + concealed route and get ahead of them, express to Colonel Benton, who is + now on that road and in the vicinity of the troops, and effect a junction + with him, so as to operate in concert. On ascertaining the locality or + route of the troops, proceed at once to annoy them in every possible way. + Use every exertion to stampede their animals and set fire to their trains. + Burn the whole country before them and on their flanks. Keep them from + sleeping by night surprises; blockade the road by felling trees or + destroying river fords, where you can. Watch for opportunities to set fire + to the grass on their windward, so as if possible to envelop their trains. + Leave no grass before them that can be burned. Keep your men concealed as + much as possible, and guard against surprise. Keep scouts out at all + times, and communications open with Colonel Benton, Major McAllster and O. + P. Rockwell, who are operating in the same way. Keep me advised daily of + your movements, and every step the troops take, and in which direction. + </p> + <p> + "God bless you and give you success. Your brother in Christ." + </p> + <p> + The first man selected to carry out this order was Major Lot Smith. + Setting out at 4 P.M., on October 3, with forty-four men, after an all + night's ride, he came up with a federal supply train drawn by oxen. The + captain of this train was ordered to "go the other way till he reached the + States." As he persistently retraced his steps as often as the Mormons + moved away, the latter relieved his wagons of their load and left him. + Sending one of his captains with twenty men to capture or stampede the + mules of the Tenth Regiment, Smith, with the remainder of his force, + started for Sandy Fork to intercept army trains. + </p> + <p> + Scouts sent ahead to investigate a distant cloud of dust reported that it + was made by a freight train of twenty-six wagons. Smith allowed this train + to proceed until dark, and then approached it undiscovered. Finding the + drivers drunk, as he afterward explained, and fearing that they would be + belligerent and thus compel him to disobey his instruction "not to hurt + any one except in self-defence," he lay concealed until after midnight. + His scouts meanwhile had reported to him that the train was drawn up for + the night in two lines. + </p> + <p> + Allowing the usual number of men to each wagon, Smith decided that his + force of twenty-four was sufficient to capture the outfit, and, mounting + his command, he ordered an advance on the camp. But a surprise was in + store for him. His scouts had failed to discover that a second train had + joined the first, and that twice the force anticipated confronted them. + When this discovery was made, the Mormons were too close to escape + observation. Members of Smith's party expected that their leader would now + make some casual inquiry and then ride on, as if his destination were + elsewhere. Smith, however, decided differently. As his force approached + the camp-fire that was burning close to the wagons, he noticed that the + rear of his column was not distinguishable in the darkness, and that thus + the smallness of their number could not be immediately discovered. He, + therefore, asked at once for the captain of the train, and one Dawson + stepped forward. Smith directed him to have his men collect their private + property at once, as he intended to "put a little fire" into the wagons. + "For God's sake, don't burn the trains," was the reply. Dawson was curtly + told where his men were to stack their arms, and where they were + themselves to stand under guard. Then, making a torch, Smith ordered one + of the government drivers to apply it, in order that "the Gentiles might + spoil the Gentiles," as he afterward expressed it. The destruction of the + supplies was complete. Smith allowed an Indian to take two wagon covers + for a lodge, and some flour and soap, and compelled Dawson to get out some + provisions for his own men. Nothing else was spared. + </p> + <p> + The official list of rations thus destroyed included 2720 pounds of ham, + 92,700 of bacon, 167,900 of flour, 8910 of coffee, 1400 of sugar, 1333 of + soap, 800 of sperm candles, 765 of tea, 7781 of hard bread, and 68,832 + rations of desiccated vegetables. Another train was destroyed by the same + party the next day on the Big Sandy, besides a few sutlers' wagons that + were straggling behind. + </p> + <p> + On October 5 Colonel Alexander assumed command of all the troops in the + camp. He found his position a trying one. In a report dated October 8, he + said that his forage would last only fourteen days, that no information of + the position or intentions of the commanding officer had reached him, and + that, strange as it may appear, he was "in utter ignorance of the objects + of the government in sending troops here, or the instructions given for + their conduct after reaching here." In these circumstances, he called a + council of his officers and decided to advance without waiting for Colonel + Johnston and the other companies, as he believed that delay would endanger + the entire force. He selected as his route to a wintering place, not the + most direct one to Salt Lake City, inasmuch as the canyons could be easily + defended, but one twice as long (three hundred miles), by way of Soda + Springs, and thence either down Bear River Valley or northeast toward the + Wind River Mountains, according to the resistance he might encounter. + </p> + <p> + The march, in accordance with this decision, began on October 11, and a + weary and profitless one it proved to be. Snow was falling as the column + moved, and the ground was covered with it during their advance. There was + no trail, and a road had to be cut through the greasewood and sage brush. + The progress was so slow—often only three miles a day—and the + supply train so long, that camp would sometimes be pitched for the night + before the rear wagons would be under way. Wells's men continued to carry + out his orders, and, in the absence of federal cavalry, with little + opposition. One day eight hundred oxen were "cut out" and driven toward + Salt Lake City. + </p> + <p> + Conditions like these destroyed the morale of both officers and men, and + there were divided counsels among the former, and complaints among the + latter. Finally, after having made only thirty-five miles in nine days, + Colonel Alexander himself became discouraged, called another council, and, + in obedience to its decision, on October 19 directed his force to retrace + their steps. They moved back in three columns, and on November 2 all of + them had reached a camp on Black's Fork, two miles above Fort Bridger. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Johnston had arrived at Fort Laramie on October 5, and, after a + talk with Captain Van Vliet, had retained two additional companies of + infantry that were on the way to Fort Leavenworth. As he proceeded, rumors + of the burning of trains, exaggerated as is usual in such times, reached + him. Having only about three hundred men to guard a wagon train six miles + in length, some of the drivers showed signs of panic, and the colonel + deemed the situation so serious that he accepted an offer of fifty or + sixty volunteers from the force of the superintendent of the South Pass + wagon road. He was fortunate in having as his guide the well known James + Bridger, to whose knowledge of Rocky Mountain weather signs they owed + escapes from much discomfort, by making camps in time to avoid coming + storms. + </p> + <p> + But even in camp a winter snowstorm is serious to a moving column, + especially when it deprives the animals of their forage, as it did now. + The forage supply was almost exhausted when South Pass was reached, and + the draught and beef cattle were in a sad plight. Then came another big + snowstorm and a temperature of l6 deg., during which eleven mules and a + number of oxen were frozen to death. In this condition of affairs, Colonel + Johnston decided that a winter advance into Salt Lake Valley was + impracticable. Learning of Colonel Alexander's move, which he did not + approve, he sent word for him to join forces with his own command on + Black's Fork, and there the commanding officer arrived on November 3. + </p> + <p> + Lieutenant Colonel Cooke, of the Second Dragoons, with whom Governor + Cumming was making the trip, had a harrowing experience. There was much + confusion in organizing his regiment of six companies at Fort Leavenworth, + and he did not begin his march until September 17, with a miserable lot of + mules and insufficient supplies. He found little grass for the animals, + and after crossing the South Platte on October 15, they began to die or to + drop out. From that point snow and sleet storms were encountered, and, + when Fort Laramie was reached, so many of the animals had been left behind + or were unable to travel, that some of his men were dismounted, the + baggage supply was reduced, and even the ambulances were used to carry + grain. After passing Devil's Gate, they encountered a snowstorm on + November 5. The best shelter their guide could find was a lofty natural + wall at a point known as Three Crossings. Describing their night there he + says: "Only a part of the regiment could huddle behind the rock in the + deep snow; whilst, the long night through, the storm continued, and in + fearful eddies from above, before, behind, drove the falling and drifting + snow. Thus exposed, for the hope of grass the poor animals were driven, + with great devotion, by the men once more across the stream and + three-quarters of a mile beyond, to the base of a granite ridge, which + almost faced the storm. There the famished mules, crying piteously, did + not seek to eat, but desperately gathered in a mass, and some horses, + escaping guard, went back to the ford, where the lofty precipice first + gave us so pleasant relief and shelter." + </p> + <p> + The march westward was continued through deep snow and against a cold + wind. On November 8 twenty-three mules had given out, and five wagons had + to be abandoned. On the night of the 9th, when the mules were tied to the + wagons, "they gnawed and destroyed four wagon tongues, a number of wagon + covers, ate their ropes, and getting loose, ate the sage fuel collected at + the tents." On November 10 nine horses were left dying on the road, and + the thermometer was estimated to have marked twenty-five degrees below + zero. Their thermometers were all broken, but the freezing of a bottle of + sherry in a trunk gave them a basis of calculation. + </p> + <p> + The command reached a camp three miles below Fort Bridger on November 19. + Of one hundred and forty-four horses with which they started, only ten + reached that camp. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0069" id="link2HCH0069"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. — THE MORMON PURPOSE + </h2> + <p> + When Colonel Johnston arrived at the Black's Fork camp the information he + received from Colonel Alexander, and certain correspondence with the + Mormon authorities, gave him a comprehensive view of the situation; and on + November 5 he forwarded a report to army headquarters in the East, + declaring that it was the matured design of the Mormons "to hold and + occupy this territory independent of and irrespective of the authority of + the United States," entertaining "the insane design of establishing a form + of government thoroughly despotic, and utterly repugnant to our + institutions." + </p> + <p> + The correspondence referred to began with a letter from Brigham Young to + Colonel Alexander, dated October 14. Opening with a declaration of Young's + patriotism, and the brazen assertion that the people of Utah "had never + resisted even the wish of the President of the United States, nor treated + with indignity a single individual coming to the territory under his + authority," he went on to say:— + </p> + <p> + "But when the President of the United States so far degrades his high + position, and prostitutes the highest gift of the people, as to make use + of the military power (only intended for the protection of the people's + rights) to crush the people's liberties, and compel them to receive + officials so lost to self-respect as to accept appointments against the + known and expressed wish of the people, and so craven and degraded as to + need an army to protect them in their position, we feel that we should be + recreant to every principle of self-respect, honor, integrity, and + patriotism to bow tamely to such high-handed tyranny, a parallel for which + is only found in the attempts of the British government, in its most + corrupt stages, against the rights, liberties, and lives of our + forefathers." + </p> + <p> + He then appealed to Colonel Alexander, as probably "the unwilling agent" + of the administration, to return East with his force, saying, "I have yet + to learn that United States officers are implicitly bound to obey the + dictum of a despotic President, in violating the most sacred + constitutional rights of American citizens." + </p> + <p> + On October 18 Colonel Alexander, acknowledging the receipt of Young's + letter, said in his reply that no one connected with his force had any + wish to interfere in any way with the religion of the people of Utah, + adding: "I repeat my earnest desire to avoid violence and bloodshed, and + it will require positive resistance to force me to it. But my troops have + the same right of self-defence that you claim, and it rests entirely with + you whether they are driven to the exercise of it." + </p> + <p> + Finding that he could not cajole the federal officer, Young threw off all + disguise, and in reply to an earlier letter of Colonel Alexander, he gave + free play to his vituperative powers. After going over the old Mormon + complaints, and declaring that "both we and the Kingdom of God will be + free from all hellish oppressors, the Lord being our helper," he wrote at + great length in the following tone:— + </p> + <p> + "If you persist in your attempt to permanently locate an army in this + Territory, contrary to the wishes and constitutional rights of the people + therein, and with a view to aid the administration in their unhallowed + efforts to palm their corrupt officials upon us, and to protect them and + blacklegs, black-hearted scoundrels, whoremasters, and murderers, as was + the sole intention in sending you and your troops here, you will have to + meet a mode of warfare against which your tactics furnish you no + information.... + </p> + <p> + "If George Washington was now living, and at the helm of our government, + he would hang the administration as high as he did Andre, and that, too, + with a far better grace and to a much greater subserving the best + interests of our country.... + </p> + <p> + "By virtue of my office as Governor of the Territory of Utah, I command + you to marshal your troops and leave this territory, for it can be of no + possible benefit to you to wickedly waste treasures and blood in + prosecuting your course upon the side of a rebellion against the general + government by its administrators.... Were you and your fellow officers as + well acquainted with your soldiers as I am with mine, and did they + understand the work they were now engaged in as well as you may understand + it, you must know that many of them would immediately revolt from all + connection with so ungodly, illegal, unconstitutional and hellish a + crusade against an innocent people, and if their blood is shed it shall + rest upon the heads of their commanders. With us it is the Kingdom of God + or nothing." + </p> + <p> + To this Colonel Alexander replied, on the 19th, that no citizen of Utah + would be harmed through the instrumentality of the army in the performance + of its duties without molestation, and that, as Young's order to leave the + territory was illegal and beyond his authority, it would not be obeyed. + </p> + <p> + John Taylor, on October 21, added to this correspondence a letter to + Captain Marcy, in which he ascribed to party necessity the necessity of + something with which to meet the declaration of the Republicans against + polygamy—the order of the President that troops should accompany the + new governor to Utah; declared that the religion of the Mormons was "a + right guaranteed to us by the constitution"; and reiterated their purpose, + if driven to it, "to burn every house, tree, shrub, rail, every patch of + grass and stack of straw and hay, and flee to the mountains." "How a large + army would fare without resources," he added, "you can picture to + yourself."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Text of this letter in House Ex. Doc. No. 71, 1st Session, 35th +Congress, and Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City." +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon authorities meant just what they said from the start. Young was + as determined to be the head of the civil government of the territory as + he was to be the head of the church. He had founded a practical + dictatorship, with power over life and property, and had discovered that + such a dictatorship was necessary to the regulation of the flock that he + had gathered around him and to the schemes that he had in mind. To permit + a federal governor to take charge of the territory, backed up by troops + who would sustain him in his authority, meant an end to Young's absolute + rule. Rather than submit to this, he stood ready to make the experiment of + fighting the government force, separated as that force was from its + Eastern base of supplies; to lay waste the Mormon settlements, if it + became necessary to use this method of causing a federal retreat by + starvation; and, if this failed, to withdraw his flock to some new Zion + farther south. + </p> + <p> + In accordance with this view, as soon as news of the approach of the + troops reached Salt Lake Valley, all the church industries stopped; war + supplies weapons and clothing were manufactured and accumulated; all the + elders in Europe were ordered home, and the outlying colonies in Carson + Valley and in southern California were directed to hasten to Salt Lake + City. A correspondent of the San Francisco Bulletin at San Bernardino, + California, reported that in the last six months the Mormons there had + sent four or five tons of gunpowder and many weapons to Utah, and that, + when the order to "gather" at the Mormon metropolis came, they sacrificed + everything to obey it, selling real estate at a reduction of from 20 to 50 + per cent, and furniture for any price that it would bring. The same + sacrifices were made in Carson Valley, where 150 wagons were required to + accommodate the movers. In Salt Lake City the people were kept wrought up + to the highest pitch by the teachings of their leaders. Thus, Amasa W. + Lyman told them, on October 8, that they would not be driven away, because + "the time has come when the Kingdom of God should be built up."* Young + told them the same day, "If we will stand up as men and women of God, the + yoke shall never be placed upon our necks again, and all hell cannot + overthrow us, even with the United States troops to help them."** Kimball + told the people in the Tabernacle, on October 18: "They [the United + States] will have to make peace with us, and we never again shall make + peace with them. If they come here, they have got to give up their arms." + Describing his plan of campaign, at the same service, after the reading of + the correspondence between Young and Colonel Alexander, Young said: "Do + you want to know what is going to be done with the enemies now on our + border? As soon as they start to come into our settlements, let sleep + depart from their eyes and slumber from their eyelids until they sleep in + death. Men shall be secreted here and there, and shall waste away our + enemies in the name of Israel's God."*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. V, p. 319. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., Vol. V, p. 332 +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Ibid., Vol. V, p. 338. +</pre> + <p> + Young was equally explicit in telling members of his own flock what they + might expect if they tried to depart at that time. In a discourse in the + Tabernacle, on October 25, he said:— + </p> + <p> + "If any man or woman in Utah wants to leave this community, come to me and + I will treat you kindly, as I always have, and will assist you to leave; + but after you have left our settlements you must not then depend upon me + any longer, nor upon the God I serve. You must meet the doom you have + labored for.... After this season, when this ignorant army has passed off, + I shall never again say to a man, 'Stay your rifle ball,' when our enemies + assail us, but shall say, 'Slay them where you find them."'* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid, Vol. V, p. 352. +</pre> + <p> + Kimball, on November 8, spoke with equal plainness on this subject:— + </p> + <p> + "When it is necessary that blood should be shed, we should be as ready to + do that as to eat an apple. That is my religion, and I feel that our + platter is pretty near clean of some things, and we calculate to keep it + clean from this time henceforth and forever .... And if men and women will + not live their religion, but take a course to pervert the hearts of the + righteous, we will 'lay judgment to the line and righteousness to the + plummet,' and we will let you know that the earth can swallow you up as + did Koran with his hosts; and, as Brother Taylor says, you may dig your + graves, and we will slay you and you may crawl into them."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. VI, p. 34. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon songs of the day breathed the same spirit of defiance to the + United States authorities. A popular one at the Tabernacle services began:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Old Uncle Sam has sent, I understand, + + Du dah, + + A Missouri ass to rule our land, + + Du dah! Du dah day. + + But if he comes we'll have some fun, + + Du dah, + + To see him and his juries run, + + Du dah! Du dah day. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Chorus: + + Then let us be on hand, + + By Brigham Young to stand, + + And if our enemies do appear, + + We'll sweep them from the land." +</pre> + <p> + Another still more popular song, called "Zion," contained these words:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Here our voices we'll raise, and will sing to thy praise, + + Sacred home of the Prophets of God; + + Thy deliverance is nigh, thy oppressors shall die, + + And the Gentiles shall bow 'neath thy rod." +</pre> + <p> + When the Mormons found that the federal forces had gone into winter + quarters, the Nauvoo Legion was massed in a camp called Camp Weber, at the + mouth of Echo canyon. This canyon they fortified with ditches and + breastworks, and some dams intended to flood the roadway; but they + succeeded in erecting no defences which could not have been easily + overcome by a disciplined force. A watch was set day and night, so that no + movement of "the invaders" could escape them, and the officer in charge + was particularly forbidden to allow any civil officer appointed by the + President to pass. + </p> + <p> + This careful arrangement was kept up all winter, but Tullidge says that no + spies were necessary, as deserting soldiers and teamsters from the federal + camp kept coming into the valley with information. + </p> + <p> + The territorial legislature met in December, and approved Governor Young's + course, every member signing a pledge to maintain "the rights and + liberties" of the territory. The legislators sent a memorial to Congress, + dated January 6, 1858, demanding to be informed why "a hostile course is + pursued toward an unoffending people," calling the officers who had fled + from the territory liars, declaring that "we shall not again hold still + while fetters are being forged to bind us," etc. This offensive document + reached Washington in March, and was referred in each House to the + Committee on Territories, where it remained. When the federal forces + reached Fort Bridger, they found that the Mormons had burned the + buildings, and it was decided to locate the winter camp—named Camp + Scott—on Black's Fork, two miles above the fort. The governor and + other civil officers spent the winter in another camp near by, named + "Ecklesville," occupying dugouts, which they covered with an upper story + of plastered logs. There was a careful apportionment of rations, but no + suffering for lack of food. + </p> + <p> + An incident of the winter was the expedition of Captain Randolph B. Marcy + across the Uinta Mountains to New Mexico, with two guides and thirty-five + volunteer companions, to secure needed animals. The story of his march is + one of the most remarkable on record, the company pressing on, even after + Indian guides refused to accompany them to what they said was certain + death, living for days only on the meat supplied by half-starved mules, + and beating a path through deep snow. This march continued from November + 27 to January 10, when, with the loss of only one man, they reached the + valley of the Rio del Norte, where supplies were obtained from Fort + Massachusetts. Captain Marcy started back on March 17, selecting a course + which took him past Long's and Pike's Peaks. He reached Camp Scott on June + 8, with about fifteen hundred horses and mules, escorted by five companies + of infantry and mounted riflemen. + </p> + <p> + During the winter Governor Cumming sent to Brigham Young a proclamation + notifying him of the arrival of the new territorial officers, and assuring + the people that he would resort to the military posse only in case of + necessity. Judge Eckles held a session of the United States District Court + at Camp Scott on December 30, and the grand jury of that court found + indictments for treason, resting on Young's proclamation and Wells's + instructions, against Young, Kimball, Wells, Taylor, Grant, Locksmith, + Rockwell, Hickman, and many others, but of course no arrests were made. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, at Washington, preparations were making to sustain the federal + authority in Utah as soon as spring opened.* Congress made an + appropriation, and authorized the enlistment of two regiments of + volunteers; three thousand regular troops and two batteries were ordered + to the territory, and General Scott was directed to sail for the Pacific + coast with large powers. But General Scott did not sail, the army + contracts created a scandal,** and out of all this preparation for active + hostilities came peace without the firing of a shot; out of all this open + defiance and vilification of the federal administration by the Mormon + church came abject surrender by the administration itself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For the correspondence concerning the camp during the winter of +1858, see Sen. Doc., 2d Session, 35th Congress, Vol. II. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Colonel Albert G. Brown, Jr., in his account of the Utah +Expedition in the Atlantic Monthly for April, 1859, said: "To the shame +of the administration these gigantic contracts, involving an amount of +more than $6,000,000, were distributed with a view to influence votes in +the House of Representatives upon the Lecompton Bill. Some of the lesser +ones, such as those for furnishing mules, dragoon horses, and forage, +were granted arbitrarily to relatives or friends of members who were +wavering upon that question." +</pre> + <p> + The principal contract, that for the transportation of all the supplies, + involving for the year 1858 the amount of $4,500,000, was granted, without + advertisement or subdivision, to a firm in Western Missouri, whose members + had distinguished themselves in the effort to make Kansas a slave state, + and now contributed liberally to defray the election expenses of the + Democratic party." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0070" id="link2HCH0070"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. — COLONEL KANE'S MISSION + </h2> + <p> + When Major Van Vliet returned from Utah to Washington with Young's defiant + ultimatum, he was accompanied by J. M. Bernhisel, the territorial Delegate + to Congress, who was allowed to retain his seat during the entire "war," a + motion for his expulsion, introduced soon after Congress met, being + referred to a committee which never reported on it, the debate that arose + only giving further proof of the ignorance of the lawmakers about Mormon + history, Mormon government, and Mormon ambition. + </p> + <p> + In Washington Bernhisel was soon in conference with Colonel T. L. Kane, + that efficient ally of the Mormons, who had succeeded so well in deceiving + President Fillmore. In his characteristically wily manner, Kane proposed + himself to the President as a mediator between the federal authorities and + the Mormon leaders.* At that early date Buchanan was not so ready for a + compromise as he soon became, and the Cabinet did not entertain Kane's + proposition with any enthusiasm. But Kane secured from the President two + letters, dated December 3.** The first stated, in regard to Kane, "You + furnish the strongest evidence of your desire to serve the Mormons by + undertaking so laborious a trip," and that "nothing but pure philanthropy, + and a strong desire to serve the Mormon people, could have dictated a + course so much at war with your private interests." If Kane presented this + credential to Young on his arrival in Salt Lake City, what a glorious + laugh the two conspirators must have had over it! The President went on to + reiterate the views set forth in his last annual message, and to say: "I + would not at the present moment, in view of the hostile attitude they have + assumed against the United States, send any agent to visit them on behalf + of the government." The second letter stated that Kane visited Utah from + his own sense of duty, and commended him to all officers of the United + States whom he might meet. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * H. H. Bancroft ("History of Utah," p. 529) accepts the +ridiculous Mormon assertion that Buchanan was compelled to change his +policy toward the Mormons by unfavorable comments "throughout the United +States and throughout Europe." Stenhouse says ("Rocky Mountain Saints," +p. 386): "That the initiatory steps for the settlement of the Utah +difficulties were made by the government, as is so constantly repeated +by the Saints, is not true. The author, at the time of Colonel Kane's +departure from New York for Utah, was on the staff of the New +York Herald, and was conversant with the facts, and confidentially +communicated them to Frederick Hudson, Esq., the distinguished manager +of that great journal." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Sen. Doc., 2d Session. 35th Congress, Vol. II, pp. 162-163. +</pre> + <p> + Kane's method of procedure was, throughout, characteristic of the secret + agent of such an organization as the Mormon church. He sailed from New + York for San Francisco the first week in January, 1858, under the name of + Dr. Osborn. As soon as he landed, he hurried to Southern California, and, + joining the Mormons who had been called in from San Bernardino, he made + the trip to Utah with them, arriving in Salt Lake City in February. On the + evening of the day of his arrival he met the Presidency and the Twelve, + and began an address to them as follows: "I come as ambassador from the + Chief Executive of our nation, and am prepared and duly authorized to lay + before you, most fully and definitely, the feelings and views of the + citizens of our common country and of the Executive toward you, relative + to the present position of this territory, and relative to the army of the + United States now upon your borders." This is the report of Kane's words + made by Tullidge in his "Life of Brigham Young." How the statement agrees + with Kane's letters from the President is apparent on its face. The only + explanation in Kane's favor is that he had secret instructions which + contradicted those that were written and published. Kane told the church + officers that he wished to "enlist their sympathies for the poor soldiers + who are now suffering in the cold and snow of the mountains!" An interview + of half an hour with Young followed—too private in its character to + be participated in even by the other heads of the church. An informal + discussion ensued, the following extracts from which, on Mormon authority, + illustrate Kane's sympathies and purpose:— + </p> + <p> + "Did Dr. Bernhisel take his seat?" + </p> + <p> + Kane—"Yes. He was opposed by the Arkansas member and a few others, + but they were treated as fools by more sagacious members; for, if the + Delegate had been refused his seat, it would have been TANTAMOUNT TO A + DECLARATION OF WAR." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose they [the Cabinet] are united in putting down Utah?" + </p> + <p> + Kane—"I think not."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 203. +</pre> + <p> + Kane was placed as a guest, still incognito, in the house of an elder, + and, after a few days' rest, he set out for Camp Scott. His course on + arriving there, on March 10, was again characteristic of the crafty + emissary. Not even recognizing the presence of the military so far as to + reply to a sentry's challenge, the latter fired on him, and he in turn + broke his own weapon over the sentry's head. When seized, he asked to be + taken to Governor Cumming, not to General Johnston.* "The compromise," + explains Tullidge, "which Buchanan had to effect with the utmost delicacy, + could only be through the new governor, and that, too, by his heading off + the army sent to occupy Utah." A fancied insult from General Johnston due + to an orderly's mistake led Kane to challenge the general to a duel; but a + meeting was prevented by an order from Judge Eckles to the marshal to + arrest all concerned if his command to the contrary was not obeyed. + </p> + <p> + "Governor Cumming," continued Tullidge, "could do nothing less than + espouse the cause of the `ambassador' who was there in the execution of a + mission intrusted to him by the President of the United States."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Colonel Johnston was made a brigadier general that winter. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Kane brought an impudent letter from Young, saying that he had +learned that the United States troops were very destitute of provisions, +and offering to send them beef cattle and flour. General Johnston +replied to Kane that he had an abundance of provisions, and that, no +matter what might be the needs of his army, he "would neither ask nor +receive from President Young and his confederates any supplies while +they continued to be enemies of the government" Kane replied to this the +next day, expressing a fear that "it must greatly prejudice the public +interest to refuse Mr. Young's proposal in such a manner," and begging +the general to reconsider the matter. No farther notice seems to have +been taken of the offer. +</pre> + <p> + Kane did not make any mistake in his selection of the person to approach + in camp. Judged by the results, and by his admissions in after years, the + most charitable explanation of Cumming's course is that he was hoodwinked + from the beginning by such masters in the art of deception as Kane and + Young. A woman in Salt Lake City, writing to her sons in the East at the + time, described the governor as in "appearance a very social, good-natured + looking gentleman, a good specimen of an old country aristocrat, at ease + in himself and at peace with all the world."* Such a man, whom the acts + and proclamations and letters of Young did not incite to indignation, was + in a very suitable frame of mind to be cajoled into adopting a policy + which would give him the credit of bringing about peace, and at the same + time place him at the head of the territorial affairs. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * New York Herald, July 2, 1858. For personal recollections of +Cumming, see Perry's "Reminiscences of Public Men," p. 290. What is said +by Governor Perry of Cumming's Utah career is valueless. +</pre> + <p> + In looking into the causes of what was, from this time, a backing down by + both parties to this controversy, we find at Washington that lack of an + aggressive defence of the national interests confided to him by his office + which became so much more evident in President Buchanan a few years later. + Defied and reviled personally by Young in the latter's official + communications, there was added reason to those expressed in the + President's first message why this first rebellion, as he called it, + "should be put down in such a manner that it shall be the last." But a + wider question was looming up in Kansas, one in which the whole nation + recognized a vital interest; a bigger struggle attracted the attention of + the leading members of the Cabinet. The Lecompton Constitution was a + matter of vastly more interest to every politician than the government of + the sandy valley which the Mormons occupied in distant Utah. + </p> + <p> + On the Mormon side, defiant as Young was, and sincere as was his + declaration that he would leave the valley a desert before the advance of + a hostile force, his way was not wholly clear. His Legion could not + successfully oppose disciplined troops, and he knew it. The conviction of + himself and his associates on the indictments for treason could be + prevented before an unbiased non-Mormon jury only by flight. Abjectly as + his people obeyed him,—so abjectly that they gave up all their gold + and silver to him that winter in exchange for bank notes issued by a + company of which he was president,—the necessity of a reiteration of + the determination to rule by the plummet showed that rebellion was at + least a possibility? That Young realized his personal peril was shown by + some "instructions and remarks" made by him in the Tabernacle just after + Kane set out for Fort Bridger, and privately printed for the use of his + fellow-leaders. He expressed the opinion that if Joseph Smith had + "followed the revelations in him" (meaning the warnings of danger), he + would have been among them still. "I do not know precisely," said Young, + "in what manner the Lord will lead me, but were I thrown into the + situation Joseph was, I would leave the people and go into the wilderness, + and let them do the best they could.... We are in duty bound to preserve + life—to preserve ourselves on earth—consequently we must use + policy, and follow in the counsel given us." He pointed out the sure + destruction that awaited them if they opened fire on the soldiers, and + declared that he was going to a desert region in the territory which he + had tried to have explored "a desert region that no man knows anything + about," with "places here and there in it where a few families could + live," and the entire extent of which would provide homes for five hundred + thousand people, if scattered about. In these circumstances "a way out" + that would free the federal administration from an unpleasant + complication, and leave Young still in practical control in Utah, was not + an unpleasant prospect for either side. + </p> + <p> + A long Utah letter to the Near York Herald (which had been generally + pro-Mormon in tone) dated Camp Scott, May 22, 1858, contained the + following: "Some of the deceived followers of the latest false Prophet + arrived at this post in a most deplorable condition. One mater familiar + had crossed the mountains during very severe weather in almost a state of + nudity. Her dress consisted of a part of a single skirt, part of a man's + shirt, and a portion of a jacket. Thus habited, without a shoe or a thread + more, she had walked 157 miles in snow, the greater part of the way up to + her knees, and carried in her arms a sucking babe less than six weeks old. + The soldiers pulled off their clothes and gave them to the unfortunate + woman. The absconding Saints who arrive here tell a great many stories + about the condition and feeling of their brethren who still remain in the + land of promise.... Thousands and thousands of persons, both men and + women, are represented to be exceedingly desirous of not going South with + the church, but are compelled to by fear of death or otherwise." + </p> + <p> + Governor Cumming, in his report to Secretary Cass on the situation as he + found it when he entered Salt Lake City, said that, learning that a number + of persons desirous of leaving the territory "considered themselves to be + unlawfully restrained of their liberty," he decided, even at the risk of + offending the Mormons, to give public notice of his readiness to assist + such persons. In consequence, 56 men, 38 women, and 71 children sought his + protection in order to proceed to the States. "The large majority of these + people;" he explained, "are of English birth, and state that they leave + the congregation from a desire to improve their circumstances and realize + elsewhere more money for their labor." + </p> + <p> + Kane having won Governor Cumming to his view of the situation, and having + created ill feeling between the governor and the chief military commander, + the way was open for the next step. The plan was to have Governor Cumming + enter Salt Lake Valley without any federal troops, and proceed to Salt + Lake City under a Mormon escort of honor, which was to meet him when he + came within a certain distance of that city. This he consented to do. Kane + stayed in "Camp Eckles" until April, making one visit to the outskirts to + hold a secret conference with the Mormons, and, doubtless, to arrange the + details of the trip. + </p> + <p> + On April 3 Governor Cumming informed General Johnston of his decision, and + he set out two days later. General Johnston's view of the policy to be + pursued toward the Mormons was expressed in a report to army headquarters, + dated January 20:— + </p> + <p> + "Knowing how repugnant it would be to the policy or interest of the + government to do any act that would force these people into unpleasant + relations with the federal government, I have, in conformity with the + views also of the commanding general, on all proper occasions manifested + in my intercourse with them a spirit of conciliation. But I do not believe + that such consideration of them would be properly appreciated now, or + rather would be wrongly interpreted; and, in view of the treasonable + temper and feeling now pervading the leaders and a greater portion of the + Mormons, I think that neither the honor nor the dignity of the government + will allow of the slightest concession being made to them." + </p> + <p> + Judge Eckles did not conceal his determination not to enter Salt Lake City + until the flag of his country was waving there, holding it a shame that + men should be detained there in subjection to such a despot as Brigham + Young. + </p> + <p> + Leaving camp accompanied only by Colonel Kane and two servants, Governor + Cumming found his Mormon guard awaiting him a few miles distant. His own + account of the trip and of his acts during the next three weeks of his + stay in Mormondom may be found in a letter to General Johnston and a + report to Secretary of State Cass.* As Echo canyon was supposed to be + thoroughly fortified, and there was not positive assurance that a conflict + might not yet take place, the governor was conducted through it by night. + He says that he was "agreeably surprised" by the illuminations in his + honor. Very probably he so accepted them, but the fires lighted along the + sides and top of the canyon were really intended to appear to him as the + camp-fires of a big Mormon army. This deception was further kept up by the + appearance of challenging parties at every turn, who demanded the password + of the escort, and who, while the governor was detained, would hasten + forward to a new station and go through the form of challenging again: + Once he was made the object of an apparent attack, from which he was + rescued by the timely arrival of officers of authority.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For text, see Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," +pp. 108-212. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "In course of time Cumming discovered how the Mormon leaders +had imposed upon him and amused themselves with his credulity, and to +the last hour that he was in the Territory he felt annoyed at having +been so absurdly deceived, and held Brigham responsible for the +mortifying joke."—"Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 390. +</pre> + <p> + The trip to Salt Lake City occupied a week, and on the 12th the governor + entered the Mormon metropolis, escorted by the city officers and other + persons of distinction in the community, and was assigned as a guest to W. + C. Staines, an influential Mormon elder. There Young immediately called on + him, and was received with friendly consideration. Asked by his host, when + the head of the church took his leave, if Young appeared to be a tyrant, + Governor Cumming replied: "No, sir. No tyrant ever had a head on his + shoulders like Mr. Young. He is naturally a good man. I doubt whether many + of your people sufficiently appreciate him as a leader."* This was the + judgment of a federal officer after a few moments' conversation with the + reviler of the government and a month's coaching by Colonel Kane. + </p> + <p> + Three days later, Governor Cumming officially notified General Johnston of + his arrival, and stated that he was everywhere recognized as governor, and + "universally greeted with such respectful attentions" as were due to his + office. There was no mention of any advance of the troops, nor any censure + of Mormon offenders, but the general was instructed to use his forces to + recover stock alleged to have been stolen from the Mormons by Indians, and + to punish the latter, and he was informed that Indian Agent Hurt (who had + so recently escaped from Mormon clutches) was charged by W. H. Hooper, the + Mormon who had acted as secretary of state during recent months, with + having incited Indians to hostility, and should be investigated! Verily, + Colonel Kane's work was thoroughly performed. General Johnston replied, + expressing gratification at the governor's reception, requesting to be + informed when the Mormon force would be withdrawn from the route to Salt + Lake City, and saying that he had inquired into Dr. Hurt's case, and had + satisfied himself "that he has faithfully discharged his duty as agent, + and that he has given none but good advice to the Indians." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 206. +</pre> + <p> + On the Sunday after his arrival Young introduced Governor Cumming to the + people in the Tabernacle, and then a remarkable scene ensued. Stenhouse + says that the proceedings were all arranged in advance. Cumming was acting + the part of the vigilant defender of the laws, and at the same time as + conciliator, doing what his authority would permit to keep the Mormon + leaders free from the presence of troops and from the jurisdiction of + federal judges. But he was not all-powerful in this respect. General + Johnston had orders that would allow him to dispose of his forces without + obedience to the governor, and the governor could not quash the + indictments found by Judge Eckles's grand jury. Young's knowledge of this + made him cautious in his reliance on Governor Gumming. Then, too, Young + had his own people to deal with, and he would lose caste with them if he + made a surrender which left Mormondom practically in federal control. + </p> + <p> + When Governor Cumming was introduced to the congregation of nearly four + thousand people he made a very conciliatory address, in which, however, + according to his report to Secretary Cass,* he let them know that he had + come to vindicate the national sovereignty, "and to exact an unconditional + submission on their part to the dictates of the law"; but informed them + that they were entitled to trial by their peers,—intending to mean + Mormon peers,—that he had no intention of stationing the army near + their settlements, or of using a military posse until other means of + arrest had failed. After this practical surrender of authority, the + governor called for expressions of opinion from the audience, and he got + them. That audience had been nurtured for years on the oratory of Young + and Kimball and Grant, and had seen Judge Brocchus vilified by the head of + the church in the same building; and the responses to Governor Cumming's + invitation were of a kind to make an Eastern Gentile quail, especially one + like the innocent Cumming, who thought them "a people who habitually + exercised great self-control." One speaker went into a review of Mormon + wrongs since the tarring of the prophet in Ohio, holding the federal + government responsible, and naming as the crowning outrage the sending of + a Missourian to govern them. This was too much for Cumming, and he called + out, "I am a Georgian, sir, a Georgian." The congregation gave the + governor the lie to his face, telling him that they would not believe that + he was their friend until he sent the soldiers back. "It was a perfect + bedlam," says an eyewitness, "and gross personal remarks were made. One + man said, 'You're nothing but an office seeker.' The governor replied that + he obtained his appointment honorably and had not solicited it."** If all + this was a piece of acting arranged by Young to show his flock that he was + making no abject surrender, it was well done.*** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ex. Doc. No. 67, 1st Session, 35th Congress. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Coverdale's statement in Camp Scott letter, June 4, 1858, to +New York Herald. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** "Brigham was seated beside the governor on the platform, and +tried to control the unruly spirits. Governor Cumming may for the moment +have been deceived by this apparent division among the Mormons, but +three years later he told the author that it was all of a piece with +the incidents of his passage through Echo canyon. In his characteristic +brusque way he said: 'It was all humbug, sir, all humbug; but never +mind; it is all over now. If it did them good, it did not hurt +me.'"—"Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 393. +</pre> + <p> + Young's remarks on March 21 had been having their effect while Cumming was + negotiating, and an exodus from the northern settlements was under way + which only needed to be augmented by a movement from the valley to make + good Young's declaration that they would leave their part of the territory + a desert. No official order for this movement had been published, but + whatever direction was given was sufficient. Peace Commissioners Powell + and McCullough, in a report to the Secretary of War dated July 3, 1858, + said on this subject: "We were informed by various (discontented) Mormons, + who lived in the settlements north of Provo, that they had been forced to + leave their homes and go to the southern part of the Territory.... We were + also informed that at least one-third of the persons who had removed from + their homes were compelled to do so. We were told that many were + dissatisfied with the Mormon church, and would leave it whenever they + could with safety to themselves. We are of opinion that the leaders of the + Mormon church congregated the people in order to exercise more immediate + control over them." Not only were houses deserted, but growing crops were + left and heavier household articles abandoned, and the roads leading to + the south and through Salt Lake City were crowded day by day with loaded + wagons, their owners—even the women, often shoeless trudging along + and driving their animals before them. These refugees were, a little + later, joined by Young and most of his associates, and by a large part of + the inhabitants of Salt Lake City itself. It was estimated by the army + officers at the time that 25,000 of a total population of 45,000 in the + Territory, took part in this movement. When they abandoned their houses + they left them tinder boxes which only needed the word of command, when + the troops advanced, to begin a general conflagration. By June 1 the + refugees were collected on the western shore of Utah Lake, fifty miles + south of Salt Lake City. What a picture of discomfort and positive + suffering this settlement presented can be partly imagined. The town of + Provo near by could accommodate but a few of the new-comers, and for + dwellings the rest had recourse to covered wagons, dugouts, cabins of + logs, and shanties of boards—anything that offered any protection. + There was a lack of food, and it was the old life of the plains again, + without the daily variety presented when the trains were moving. + </p> + <p> + In his report to Secretary Cass, dated May 2, Governor Cumming, after + describing this exodus as a matter of great concern, said:— + </p> + <p> + "I shall follow these people and try to rally them. Our military force + could overwhelm most of these poor people, involving men, women, and + children in a common fate; but there are among the Mormons many brave men + accustomed to arms and horses, men who could fight desperately as + guerillas; and, if the settlements are destroyed, will subject the country + to an expensive and protracted war, without any compensating results. They + will, I am sure, submit to 'trial by their peers,' but they will not brook + the idea of trial by 'juries' composed of 'teamsters and followers of the + camp,' nor any army encamped in their cities or dense settlements." + </p> + <p> + What kind of justice their idea of "trial by their peers" meant was + disclosed in the judicial history of the next few years. This report, + which also recited the insults the governor had received in the + Tabernacle, was sent to Congress on June 10 by President Buchanan, with a + special message, setting forth that he had reason to believe that "our + difficulties with the territory have terminated, and the reign of the + constitution and laws been restored," and saying that there was no longer + any use of calling out the authorized regiments of volunteers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0071" id="link2HCH0071"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. — THE PEACE COMMISSION + </h2> + <p> + Governor Cumming's report of May 2 did not reach Washington until June 9, + but the President's volte-face had begun before that date, and when the + situation in Utah was precisely as it was when he had assured Colonel Kane + that he would send no agent to the Mormons while they continued their + defiant attitude. Under date of April 6 he issued a proclamation, in which + he recited the outrages on the federal officers in Utah, the warlike + attitude and acts of the Mormon force, which, he pointed out, constituted + rebellion and treason; declared that it was a grave mistake to suppose + that the government would fail to bring them into submission; stated that + the land occupied by the Mormons belonged to the United States; and + disavowed any intention to interfere with their religion; and then, to + save bloodshed and avoid indiscriminate punishment where all were not + equally guilty, he offered "a free and full pardon to all who will submit + themselves to the just authority of the federal government." + </p> + <p> + This proclamation was intrusted to two peace commissioners, L. W. Powell + of Kentucky and Major Ben. McCullough of Texas. Powell had been governor + of his state, and was then United States senator-elect. McCullough had + seen service in Texas before the war with Mexico, and been a daring scout + under Scott in the latter war. He was killed at the battle of Pea Ridge, + Arkansas, in 1862, in command of a Confederate corps. + </p> + <p> + These commissioners were instructed by the Secretary of War to give the + President's proclamation extensive circulation in Utah. Without entering + into any treaty or engagements with the Mormons, they were to "bring those + misguided people to their senses" by convincing them of the uselessness of + resistance, and how much submission was to their interest. They might, in + so doing, place themselves in communication with the Mormon leaders, and + assure them that the movement of the army had no reference to their + religious tenets. The determination was expressed to see that the federal + officers appointed for the territory were received and installed, and that + the laws were obeyed, and Colonel Kane was commended to them as likely to + be of essential service. + </p> + <p> + The commissioners set out from Fort Leavenworth on April 25, travelling in + ambulances, their party consisting of themselves, five soldiers, five + armed teamsters, and a wagon master. They arrived at Camp Scott on May 29, + the reenforcements for the troops following them. The publication of the + President's proclamation was a great surprise to the military. "There was + none of the bloodthirsty excitement in the camp which was reported in the + States to have prevailed there," says Colonel Brown, "but there was a + feeling of infinite chagrin, a consciousness that the expedition was only + a pawn on Mr. Buchanan's political chessboard; and reproaches against his + folly were as frequent as they were vehement."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Atlantic Monthly, April, 1859. +</pre> + <p> + The commissioners were not long in discovering the untrustworthy character + of any advices they might receive from Governor Cumming. In their report + of June 1 to the Secretary of War, they mentioned his opinion that almost + all the military organizations of the territory had been disbanded, + adding, "We fear that the leaders of the Mormon people have not given the + governor correct information of affairs in the valley." They also declared + it to be of the first importance that the army should advance into the + valley before the Mormons could burn the grass or crops, and they gave + General Johnston the warmest praise. + </p> + <p> + The commissioners set out for Salt Lake City on June 2, Governor Cumming + who had returned to Camp Scott with Colonel Kane following them. On + reaching the city they found that Young and the other leaders were with + the refugees at Provo. A committee of three Mormons expressed to the + commissioners the wish of the people that they would have a conference + with Young, and on the 10th Young, Kimball, Wells, and several of the + Twelve arrived, and a meeting was arranged for the following day. + </p> + <p> + There are two accounts of the ensuing conferences, the official reports of + the commissioners,* which are largely statements of results, and a Mormon + report in the journal kept by Wilford Woodruff.** At the first conference, + the commissioners made a statement in line with the President's + proclamation and with their instructions, offering pardon on submission, + and declaring the purpose of the government to enforce submission by the + employment of the whole military force of the nation, if necessary. + Woodruff's "reflection" on this proposition was that the President found + that Congress would not sustain him, and so was seeking a way of retreat. + While the conference was in session, O.P. Rockwell entered and whispered + to Young. The latter, addressing Governor Cumming, asked, "Are you aware + that those troops are on the move toward the city?" The compliant governor + replied, "It cannot be."*** What followed Woodruff thus relates:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Sen. Doc., 2d Session, 35th Congress, Vol. II, p. 167. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Quoted in Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 214. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** Governor Cumming on June 15 despatched a letter to General +Johnston saying that he had denied the report of the advance of the +army, and that the general was pledged not to advance until he had +received communications from the peace commissioners and the governor. +The general replied on the 19th that he did say he would not advance +until he heard from the governor, but that this was not a pledge; that +his orders from the President were to occupy the territory; that his +supplies had arrived earlier than anticipated, and that circumstances +required an advance at once. +</pre> + <p> + "'Is Brother Dunbar present?' enquired Brigham. + </p> + <p> + "'Yes, sir,' responded someone. What was coming now? + </p> + <p> + "'Brother Dunbar, sing Zion.' The Scotch songster came forward and sang + the soul-stirring lines by C. W. Penrose."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See p. 498, ante. +</pre> + <p> + Interpreted, this meant, "Stop that army or our peace conference is + ended." Woodruff adds:— + </p> + <p> + "After the meeting, McCullough and Gov. Cumming took a stroll together. + 'What will you do with such a people?' asked the governor, with a mixture + of admiration and concern. 'D—n them, I would fight them if I had my + way,' answered McCullough. 'Fight them, would you? You might fight them, + but you would never whip them. They would never know when they were + whipped.'" + </p> + <p> + At the second day's conference Brigham Young uttered his final defiance + and then surrendered. Declaring that he had done nothing for which he + desired the President's forgiveness, he satisfied the pride of his + followers with such declarations as these:— + </p> + <p> + "I can take a few of the boys here, and, with the help of the Lord, can + whip the whole of the United States. Boys, how do you feel? Are you afraid + of the United States? (Great demonstration among the brethren.) No. No. We + are not afraid of man, nor of what he can do." + </p> + <p> + "The United States are going to destruction as fast as they can go. If you + do not believe it, gentlemen, you will soon see it to your sorrow." + </p> + <p> + But here was the really important part of his remarks: "Now, let me say to + you peace commissioners, we are willing those troops should come into our + country, but not to stay in our city. They may pass through it, if needs + be, but must not quarter less than forty miles from us." + </p> + <p> + Impudent as was this declaration to the representatives of the government, + it marked the end of the "war". The commissioners at once notified General + Johnston that the Mormon leaders had agreed not to resist the execution of + the laws in the territory, and to consent that the military and civil + officers should discharge their duties. They suggested that the general + issue a proclamation, assuring the people that the army would not trespass + on the rights or property of peaceable citizens, and this the general did + at once. + </p> + <p> + The Mormon leaders, being relieved of the danger of a trial for treason, + now stood in dread of two things, the quartering of the army among them, + and a vigorous assault on the practice of polygamy. Judge Eckles's + District Court had begun its spring term at Fort Bridger on April 5, and + the judge had charged the grand jury very plainly in regard to plural + marriages. On this subject he said:— + </p> + <p> + "It cannot be concealed, gentlemen, that certain domestic arrangements + exist in this territory destructive of the peace, good order, and morals + of society—arrangements at variance with those of all enlightened + and Christian communities in the world; and, sapping as they do the very + foundation of all virtue, honesty, and morality, it is an imperative duty + falling upon you as grand jurors diligently to inquire into this evil and + make every effort to check its growth. + </p> + <p> + "There is no law in this territory punishing polygamy, but there is one, + however, for the punishment of adultery; and all illegal intercourse + between the sexes, if either party have a husband or wife living at the + time, is adulterous and punishable by indictment. The law was made to + punish the lawless and disobedient, and society is entitled to the + salutary effects of its execution." + </p> + <p> + No indictments were found that spring for this offence, but the Mormons + stood in great dread of continued efforts by the judge to enforce the law + as he interpreted it. Of the nature of the real terms made with the + Mormons, Colonel Brown says:— + </p> + <p> + "No assurances were given by the commissioners upon either of these + subjects. They limited their action to tendering the President's pardon, + and exhorting the Mormons to accept it. Outside the conferences, however, + without the knowledge of the commissioners, assurances were given on both + these subjects by the Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, which + proved satisfactory to Brigham Young. The exact nature of their pledges + will, perhaps, never be disclosed; but from subsequent confessions + volunteered by the superintendent, who appears to have acted as the tool + of the governor through the whole affair, it seems probable that they + promised explicitly to exert their influence to quarter the army in Cache + Valley, nearly one hundred miles north of Salt Lake City, and also to + procure the removal of Judge Eckles."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Atlantic Monthly, April, 1859. Young told the Mormons at Provo +on June 27, 1858: "We have reason to believe that Colonel Kane, on his +arrival at the frontier, telegraphed to Washington, and that orders were +immediately sent to stop the march of the army for ten days."—Journal +of Discourses, Vol. VII, p. 57. +</pre> + <p> + Captain Marcy had reached Camp Scott on June 8, with his herd of horses + and mules, and Colonel Hoffman with the first division of the supply train + which left Fort Laramie on March 18; on the 10th Captain Hendrickspn + arrived with the remainder of the trains; and on the 13th the + long-expected movement from Camp Scott to the Mormon city began. To the + soldiers who had spent the winter inactive, except as regards their + efforts to keep themselves from freezing, the order to advance was a + welcome one. Late as was the date, there had been a snowfall at Fort + Bridger only three days before, and the streams were full of water. The + column was prepared therefore for bridge-making when necessary. When the + little army was well under way the scene in the valley through which ran + Black's Fork was an interesting one. The white walls of Bridger's Fort + formed a background, with the remnants of the camp in the shape of sod + chimneys, tent poles, and so forth next in front, and, slowly leaving all + this, the moving soldiers, the long wagon trains, the artillery carriages + and caissons, and on either flank mounted Indians riding here and there, + satisfying their curiosity with this first sight of a white man's army. + The news that the Mormons had abandoned their idea of resistance reached + the troops the second day after they had started, and they had nothing + more exciting to interest them on the way than the scenery and the Mormon + fortifications. Salt Lake City was reached on the 26th, and the march + through it took place that day. To the soldiers, nothing was visible to + indicate any abandonment of the hostile attitude of the Mormons, much less + any welcome. + </p> + <p> + Their leaders had returned to the camp at Provo, and the only civilians in + the city were a few hundred who had, for special reasons, been granted + permission to return. The only woman in the whole city was Mrs. Cumming. + The Mormons had been ordered indoors early that morning by the guard; + every flag on a public building had been taken down; every window was + closed. The regimental bands and the creaking wagons alone disturbed the + utter silence. The peace commissioners rode with General Johnston, and the + whole force encamped on the river Jordan, just within the city limits. Two + days later, owing to a lack of wood and pasturage there, they were moved + about fifteen miles westward, near the foot of the mountains. Disregarding + Young's expressed wishes, and any understanding he might have had with + Governor Cumming, General Johnston selected Cedar Valley on Lake Utah for + one of the three posts he was ordered to establish in the territory, and + there his camp was pitched on July 6. + </p> + <p> + Governor Cumming prepared a proclamation to the inhabitants of the + territory, announcing that all persons were pardoned who submitted to the + law, and that peace was restored, and inviting the refugees to return to + their homes. The governor and the peace commissioners made a trip to the + Mormon camps, and addressed gatherings at Provo and Lehi. The governor + bustled about everywhere, assuring every one that all the federal officers + would "hold sacred the amnesty and pardon by the President of the United + States, by G-d, sir, yes," and receiving from Young the sneering reply, + "We know all about it, Governor." On July 4., no northward movement of the + people having begun, Cumming told Young that he intended to publish his + proclamation. "Do as YOU please," was the contemptuous reply; "to-morrow I + shall get upon the tongue of my wagon, and tell the people that I am going + home, and they can do as THEY please."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 226. +</pre> + <p> + Young did so, and that day the backward march of the people began. The + real governor was the head of the church. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0072" id="link2HCH0072"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. — THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE + </h2> + <p> + We may here interrupt the narrative of events subsequent to the + restoration of peace in the territory, with the story of the most horrible + massacre of white people by religious fanatics of their own race that has + been recorded since that famous St. Bartholemew's night in Paris—the + story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Committed on Friday, September 11, + 1857,—four days before the date of Young's proclamation forbidding + the United States troops to enter the territory—it was a + considerable time before more than vague rumors of the crime reached the + Eastern states. No inquest or other investigation was held by Mormon + authority, no person participating in the slaughter was arrested by a + Mormon officer; and, when officers of the federal government first visited + the scene, in the spring of 1859, all that remained to tell the tale were + human skulls and other bones lying where the wolves and coyotes had left + them, with scraps of clothing caught here and there upon the vines and + bushes. Dr. Charles Brewer, the assistant army surgeon who was sent with a + detail to bury the remains in May, 1859, says in his gruesome report:— + </p> + <p> + "I reached a ravine fifty yards from the road, in which I found portions + of the skeletons of many bodies,—skulls, bones, and matted hair,—most + of which, on examination, I concluded to be those of men. Three hundred + and fifty yards further on another assembly of human remains was found, + which, by all appearance, had been left to decay upon the surface; skulls + and bones, most of which I believed to be those of women, some also of + children, probably ranging from six to twelve years of age. Here, too, + were found masses of women's hair, children's bonnets, such as are + generally used upon the plains, and pieces of lace, muslin, calicoes, and + other materials. Many of the skulls bore marks of violence, being pierced + with bullet holes, or shattered by heavy blows, or cleft with some + sharp-edged instrument."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Sen. Doc. No. 42, 1st Session, 36th Congress. +</pre> + <p> + More than seventeen years passed before officers of the United States + succeeded in securing the needed evidence against any of the persons + responsible for these wholesale murders, and a jury which would bring in a + verdict of guilty. Then a single Mormon paid the penalty of his crime. He + died asserting that he was the one victim surrendered by the Mormon church + to appease the public demand for justice. The closest students of the + Mountain Meadows Massacre and of Brigham Young's rule will always give the + most credence to this statement of John D. Lee. Indeed, to acquit Young of + responsibility for this crime, it would be necessary to prove that the + sermons and addresses in the journal of Discourses are forgeries. + </p> + <p> + In the summer of 1857 a party was made up in Arkansas to cross the plains + to Southern California by way of Utah, under direction of a Captain + Fancher.* This party differed from most emigrant parties of the day both + in character and equipment. It numbered some thirty families,—about + 140 individuals,—men, women, and children. They were people of + means, several of them travelling in private carriages, and their + equipment included thirty horses and mules, and about six hundred head of + cattle, when they arrived in Utah. Most of them seem to have been + Methodists, and they had a preacher of that denomination with them. + Prayers were held in camp every night and morning, and they never + travelled on Sundays. They did not hurry on, as the gold seekers were wont + to do in those days, but made their trip one of pleasure, sparing + themselves and their animals, and enjoying the beauties and novelties of + the route.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Stenhouse says that travelling the same route, and encamping +near the Arkansans, was a company from Missouri who called themselves +"Missouri Wildcats," and who were so boisterous that the Arkansans +were warned not to travel with them to Utah. Whitney says that the two +parties travelled several days apart after leaving Salt Lake City. No +mention of a separate company of Missourians appears in the official and +court reports of the massacre. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Jacob Forney, in his official report, says that he made the +most careful inquiry regarding the conduct of the emigrants after they +entered the territory, and could testify that the company conducted +themselves "with propriety." In the years immediately following the +massacre, when the Mormons were trying to attribute the crime to +Indians, much was said about the party having poisoned a spring and +caused the death of Indians and their cattle. Forney found that one ox +did die near their camp, but that its death was caused by a poisonous +weed. Whitney, the church historian, who of course acquits the church of +any responsibility for the massacre, draws a very black picture of the +emigrants, saying, for instance, that at Cedar Creek "their customary +proceeding of burning fences, whipping the heads off chickens, or +shooting them in the streets or private dooryards, to the extreme danger +of the inhabitants, was continued. One of them, a blustering fellow +riding a gray horse, flourished his pistol in the face of the wife +of one of the citizens, all the time making insulting proposals and +uttering profane threats."—"History of Utah," Vol. I, p. 696. +</pre> + <p> + Every emigrant train for California then expected to restock in Utah. The + Mormons had profited by this traffic, and such a thing as non-intercourse + with travellers in the way of trade was as yet unheard of. But Young was + now defying the government, and his proclamation of September 15 had + declared that "no person shall be allowed to pass or repass into or + through or from this territory without a permit from the proper officer." + To a constituency made up so largely of dishonest members, high and low, + as Young himself conceded the Mormon body politic to be, the outfit of + these travellers was very attractive. There was a motive, too, in + inflicting punishment on them, merely because they were Arkansans, and the + motive was this:— + </p> + <p> + Parley P. Pratt was sent to explore a southern route from Utah to + California in 1849. He reached San Francisco from Los Angeles in the + summer of 1851, remaining there until June, 1855. He was a fanatical + defender of polygamy after its open proclamation, challenging debate on + the subject in San Francisco, and issuing circulars calling on the people + to repent as "the Kingdom of God has come nigh unto you." While in San + Francisco, Pratt induced the wife of Hector H. McLean, a custom-house + official, the mother of three children, to accept the Mormon faith and to + elope with him to Utah as his ninth wife. The children were sent to her + parents in Louisiana by their father, and there she sometime later + obtained them, after pretending that she had abandoned the Mormon belief. + When McLean learned of this he went East, and traced his wife and Pratt to + Houston, Texas, and thence to Fort Gibson, near Van Buren, Arkansas. There + he had Pratt arrested, but there seemed to be no law under which he could + be held. As soon as Pratt was released, he left the place on horseback. + McLean, who had found letters from Pratt to his wife at Fort Gibson which + increased his feeling against the man,* followed him on horseback for + eight miles, and then, overtaking him, shot him so that he died in two + hours.** It was in accordance with Mormon policy to hold every Arkansan + accountable for Pratt's death, just as every Missourian was hated because + of the expulsion of the church from that state. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Van Buren Intelligencer, May 15, 1857. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** See the story in the New York Times of May 28, 1857, copied +from the St. Louis Democrat and St. Louis Republican. +</pre> + <p> + When the company pitched camp on the river Jordan their food supplies were + nearly exhausted, and their draught animals needed rest and a chance to + recuperate. They knew nothing of the disturbed relations between the + Mormons and the government when they set out, and they were astonished now + to be told that they must break camp and move on southward. But they + obeyed. At American Fork, the next settlement, they offered some of their + worn-out animals in exchange for fresh ones, and visited the town to buy + provisions. There was but one answer—nothing to sell. Southward they + continued, through Provo, Springville, Payson, Salt Creek, and Fillmore, + at all settlements making the same effort to purchase the food of which + they stood in need, and at all receiving the same reply. + </p> + <p> + So much were their supplies now reduced that they hastened on until Corn + Creek was reached; there they did obtain a little relief, some Indians + selling them about thirty bushels of corn. But at Beaver, a larger place, + nonintercourse was again proclaimed, and at Parowan, through which led the + road built by the general government, they were forbidden to pass over + this directly through the town, and the local mill would not even grind + their own corn. At Cedar Creek, one of the largest southern settlements, + they were allowed to buy fifty bushels of wheat, and to have it and their + corn ground at John D. Lee's mill. After a day's delay they started on, + but so worn out were their animals that it took them three days to reach + Iron Creek, twenty miles beyond, and two more days to reach Mountain + Meadows, fifteen miles farther south. + </p> + <p> + These "meadows" are a valley, 350 miles south of Salt Lake City, about + five miles long by one wide. They are surrounded by mountains, and narrow + at the lower end to a width of 400 yards, where a gap leads out to the + desert. A large spring near this gap made that spot a natural + resting-place, and there the emigrants pitched their camp. Had they been + in any way suspicious of Indian treachery they would not have stopped + there, because, from the elevations on either side, they were subject to + rifle fire. Their anxiety, however, was not about the Indians, whom they + had found friendly, but about the problem of making the trip of seventy + days to San Bernardino, across a desert country, with their wornout + animals and their scant supplies. Had Mormon cruelty taken only the form + of withholding provisions and forage from this company, its effect would + have satisfied their most evil wishers. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of Monday, September 7, still unsuspicious of any form of + danger, their camp was suddenly fired upon by Indians, (and probably by + some white men disguised as Indians). Seven of the emigrants were killed + in this attack and sixteen were wounded. Unexpected as was this + manifestation of hostility, the company was too well organized to be + thrown into a panic. The fire was returned, and one Indian was killed, and + two chiefs fatally wounded. The wagons were corralled at once as a sort of + fortification, and the wheels were chained together. In the centre of this + corral a rifle pit was dug, large enough to hold all their people, and in + this way they were protected from shots fired at them from either side of + the valley. In this little fort they successfully defended themselves + during that and the ensuing three days. Not doubting that Indians were + their only assailants, two of their number succeeded in escaping from the + camp on a mission to Cedar City to ask for assistance. These messengers + were met by three Mormons, who shot one of them dead, and wounded the + other; the latter seems to have made his way back to the camp. + </p> + <p> + The Arkansans soon suffered for water, as the spring was a hundred yards + distant. Two of them during one day made a dash, carrying buckets, and got + back with them safely, under a heavy fire. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lee denies positively a story that the Mormons shot two little +girls who were dressed in white and sent out for water. He says that +when the Arkansans saw a white man in the valley (Lee himself) they +ran up a white flag and sent two little boys to talk with him; that he +refused to see them, as he was then awaiting orders, and that he kept +the Indians from shooting them. "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 231. +</pre> + <p> + With some reenforcements from the south, the Indians now numbered about + four hundred. They shot down some seventy head of the emigrants' cattle, + and on Wednesday evening made another attack in force on the camp, but + were repulsed. Still another attack the next morning had the same result. + This determined resistance upset the plans of the Mormons who had + instigated the Indian attacks. They had expected that the travellers would + be overcome in the first surprise, and that their butchery would easily be + accounted for as the result of an Indian raid on their camp. But they were + not to be balked of their object. To save themselves from the loss of life + that would be entailed by a charge on the Arkansans' defences, they + resorted to a scheme of the most deliberate treachery. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 11th, a Mormon named William Bateman was sent forward with + a flag of truce. The other undisguised Mormons remained in concealment, + and the Indians had been instructed to keep entirely out of sight. The + beleaguered company were delighted to see a white man, and at once sent + one of their number to meet him. Their ammunition was almost exhausted, + their dead were unburied in their midst, and their situation was + desperate. Bateman, following out his instructions, told the + representative of the emigrants that the Mormons had come to their + assistance, and that, if they would place themselves in the white men's + hands and follow directions, they would be conducted in safety to Cedar + City, there to await a proper opportunity for proceeding on their + journey.* This plan was agreed to without any delay, and John D. Lee was + directed by John M. Higbee, major of the Iron Militia, and chief in + command of the Mormon party, to go to the camp to see that the plot agreed + upon was carried out, Samuel McMurdy and Samuel Knight following him with + two wagons which were a part of the necessary equipment. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This account follows Lee's confession, "Mormonism Unveiled," p. +236. +</pre> + <p> + Never had a man been called upon to perform a more dastardly part than + that which was assigned to Lee. Entering the camp of the beleaguered + people as their friend, he was to induce them to abandon their defences, + give up all their weapons, separate the adults from the children and + wounded, who were to be placed in the wagons, and then, at a given signal, + every one of the party was to be killed by the white men who walked by + their sides as their protectors. Lee draws a picture of his feelings on + entering the camp which ought to be correct, even if circumstances lead + one to attribute it to the pen of a man who naturally wished to find some + extenuation for himself: "I doubt the power of man being equal to even + imagine how wretched I felt. No language can describe my feelings. My + position was painful, trying, and awful; my brain seemed to be on fire; my + nerves were for a moment unstrung; humanity was overpowering as I thought + of the cruel, unmanly part that I was acting. Tears of bitter anguish fell + in streams from my eyes; my tongue refused its office; my faculties were + dormant, stupefied and deadened by grief. I wished that the earth would + open and swallow me where I stood." + </p> + <p> + When Lee entered the camp all the people, men, women, and children, + gathered around him, some delighted over the hope of deliverance, while + others showed distrust of his intentions. Their position was so strong + that they felt some hesitation in abandoning it, and Lee says that, if + their ammunition had not been so nearly exhausted, they would never have + surrendered. But their hesitation was soon overcome, and the carrying out + of the plot proceeded. + </p> + <p> + All their arms, the wounded, and the smallest children were placed in the + two wagons. As soon as these were loaded, a messenger from Higbee, named + McFarland, rode up with a message that everything should be hastened, as + he feared he could not hold back the Indians. The wagons were then started + at once toward Cedar City, Lee and the two drivers accompanying them, and + the others of the party set out on foot for the place where the Mormon + troops were awaiting them, some two hundred yards distant. First went + McFarland on horseback, then the women and larger children, and then the + men. When, in this order, they came to the place where the Mormons were + stationed, the men of the party cheered the latter as their deliverers. + </p> + <p> + As the wagons passed out of sight over an elevation, the march of the rest + of the party was resumed. The women and larger children walked ahead, then + came the men in single file, an armed Mormon walking by the side of each + Arkansan. This gave the appearance of the best possible protection. When + they had advanced far enough to bring the women and children into the + midst of a company of Indians concealed in a growth of cedars, the agreed + signal the words, "Do your duty"—was given. As these words were + spoken, each Mormon turned and shot the Arkansan who was walking by his + side, and Indians and other Mormons attacked the women and children who + were walking ahead, while Lee and his two companions killed the wounded + and the older of the children who were in the wagons. + </p> + <p> + The work of killing the men was performed so effectually that only two or + three of them escaped, and these were overtaken and killed soon after.* + Indeed, only the nervousness natural to men who were assigned to perform + so horrible a task could prevent the murderers from shooting dead the + unarmed men walking by their sides. With the women and children it was + different. Instead of being shot down without warning, they first heard + the shots that killed their only protectors, and then beheld the Indians + rushing on them with their usual whoops, brandishing tomahawks, knives, + and guns. There were cries for mercy, mothers' pleas for children's lives, + and maidens' appeals to manly honor; but all in vain. It was not necessary + to use firearms; indeed, they would have endangered the assailants + themselves. The tomahawk and the knife sufficed, and in the space of a few + moments every woman and older child was a corpse. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This is Judge Cradlebaugh's and Lee's statement. Lee said he +could have given the details of their pursuit and capture if he had had +time. An affidavit by James Lynch, who accompanied Superintendent Forney +to the Meadows on his first trip there in March 1859 (printed in Sen. +Doc. No. 42), says that one of the three, who was not killed on the +spot, "was followed by five Mormons who through promises of safety, +etc., prevailed upon him to return to Mountain Meadows, where they +inhumanly butchered him, laughing at and disregarding his loud and +repeated cries for mercy, as witnessed and described by Ira Hatch, one +of the five. The object of killing this man was to leave no witness +competent to give testimony in a court of justice but God." +</pre> + <p> + When Lee and the men in charge of the two wagons heard the firing, they + halted at once, as this was the signal agreed on for them to perform their + part. McMurdy's wagon, containing the sick and wounded and the little + children, was in advance, Knight's, with a few passengers and the weapons, + following. We have three accounts of what happened when the signal was + given, Lee's own, and the testimony of the other two at Lee's trial. Lee + says that McMurdy at once went up to Knight's wagon, and, raising his + rifle and saying, "O Lord my God, receive their spirits; it is for Thy + Kingdom I do this," fired, killing two men with the first shot. Lee admits + that he intended to do his part of the killing, but says that in his + excitement his pistol went off prematurely and narrowly escaped wounding + McMurdy; that Knight then shot one man, and with the butt of his gun + brained a little boy who had run up to him, and that the Indians then came + up and finished killing all the sick and wounded. McMurdy testified that + Lee killed the first person in his wagon—a woman—and also shot + two or three others. When asked if he himself killed any one that day, + McMurdy replied, "I believe I am not upon trial. I don't wish to answer." + Knight testified that he saw Lee strike down a woman with his gun or a + club, denying that he himself took any part in the slaughter: Nephi + Johnson, another witness at Lee's second trial, testified that he saw Lee + and an Indian pull a man out of one of the wagons, and he thought Lee cut + the man's throat. The only persons spared in this whole company were + seventeen children, varying in age from two months to seven years. They + were given to Mormon families in southern Utah—"sold out," says + Forney in his report, "to different persons in Cedar City, Harmony, and + Painter Creek. Bills are now in my possession from different individuals + asking payment from the government. I cannot condescend to become the + medium of even transmitting such claims to the department." The government + directed Forney in 1858 to collect these children, and he did so. Congress + in 1859 appropriated $10,000 to defray the expense of returning them to + their friends in Arkansas, and on June 27 of that year fifteen of them + (two boys being retained as government witnesses) set out for the East + from Salt Lake City in charge of a company of United States dragoons and + five women attendants. Judge Cradlebaugh quotes one of these children, a + boy less than nine years old, as saying in his presence, when they were + brought to Salt Lake City, "Oh, I wish I was a man. I know what I would + do. I would shoot John D. Lee. I saw him shoot my mother." + </p> + <p> + The total number in the Arkansas party is not exactly known. The victims + numbered more than 120. Jacob Hamblin testified at the Lee trial that, the + following spring, he and his man buried "120 odd" skulls, counting them as + they gathered them up. + </p> + <p> + A few young women, in the confusion of the Indian attack, concealed + themselves, but they were soon found. Hamblin testified at Lee's second + trial that Lee, in a long conversation with him, soon after the massacre, + told him that, when he rejoined the Mormon troops, an Indian chief brought + to him two girls from thirteen to fifteen years old, whom he had found + hiding in a thicket, and asked what should be done with them, as they were + pretty and he wanted to save them. Lee replied that "according to the + orders he had, they were too old and too big to let go." + </p> + <p> + Then by Lee's direction the chief shot one of them, and Lee threw the + other down and cut her throat. Hamblin said that an Indian boy conducted + him to the place where the girls' bodies lay, a long way from the rest, up + a ravine, unburied and with their throats cut. One of the little children + saved from the massacre was taken home by Hamblin, and she said the + murdered girls were her sisters. Richard F. Burton, who visited Utah in + 1860, mentions, as one of the current stories in connection with the + massacre, that, when a girl of sixteen knelt before one of the Mormons and + prayed for mercy, he led her into the thicket, violated her, and then cut + her throat.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "City of the Saints," p. 412. +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the slaughter was completed the plundering began. Beside their + wagons, horses, and cattle,* they had a great deal of other valuable + property, the whole being estimated by Judge Cradlebaugh at from $60,000 + to $70,000. When Lee got back to the main party, the searching of the + bodies of the men for valuables began. "I did hold the hat awhile," he + confesses, "but I got so sick that I had to give it to some other person." + He says there were more than five hundred head of cattle, a large number + of which the Indians killed or drove away, while Klingensmith, Haight, and + Higbee, leaders in the enterprise, drove others to Salt Lake City and sold + them. The horses and mules were divided in the same way. The Indians (and + probably their white comrades) had made quick work with the effects of the + women. Their bodies, young and old, were stripped naked, and left, objects + of the ribald jests of their murderers. Lee says that in one place he + counted the bodies of ten children less than sixteen years old. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Superintendent Forney, in his report of March, 1859, said: +"Facts in my possession warrant me in estimating that there was +distributed a few days after the massacre, among the leading church +dignitaries, $30,000 worth of property. It is presumable they also had +some money." +</pre> + <p> + When the Mormons had finished rifling the dead, all were called together + and admonished by their chiefs to keep the massacre a secret from the + whole world, not even letting their wives know of it, and all took the + most solemn oath to stand by one another and declare that the killing was + the work of Indians. Most of the party camped that night on the Meadows, + but Lee and Higbee passed the night at Jacob Hamblin's ranch. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the Mormons went back to bury the dead. All these lay + naked, "making the scene," says Lee, "one of the most loathsome and + ghastly that can be imagined." The bodies were piled up in heaps in little + depressions, and a pretence was made of covering them with dirt; but the + ground was hard and their murderers had few tools, and as a consequence + the wild beasts soon unearthed them, and the next spring the bones were + scattered over the surface. + </p> + <p> + This work finished, the party, who had been joined during the night by + Colonel Dame, Judge Lewis, Isaac C. Haight, and others of influence, held + another council, at which God was thanked for delivering their enemies + into their hands; another oath of secrecy was taken, and all voted that + any person who divulged the story of the massacre should suffer death, but + that Brigham Young should be informed of it. It was also voted, according + to Lee, that Bishop Klingensmith should take charge of the plunder for the + benefit of the church. + </p> + <p> + The story of this slaughter, to this point, except in minor particulars + noted, is undisputed. No Mormon now denies that the emigrants were killed, + or that Mormons participated largely in the slaughter. What the church + authorities have sought to establish has been their own ignorance of it in + advance, and their condemnation of it later. In examining this question we + have, to assist us, the knowledge of the kind of government that Young had + established over his people—his practical power of life and death; + the fact that the Arkansans were passing south from Salt Lake City, and + that their movements had been known to Young from the start and their + treatment been subject to his direction; the failure of Young to make any + effort to have the murderers punished, when a "crook of his finger" would + have given them up to justice; the coincidence of the massacre with + Young's threat to Captain Van Vliet, uttered on September 9, "If the issue + continues, you may tell the government to stop all emigration across the + continent, for the Indians will kill all who attempt it"; Young's failure + to mention this "Indian outrage" in his report as superintendent of Indian + affairs, and the silence of the Mormon press on the subject.* If we accept + Lee's plausible theory that, at his second trial, the church gave him up + as a sop to justice, and loosened the tongues of witnesses against him, + this makes that part of the testimony in confirmation of Lee's statement, + elicited from them, all the stronger. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * H. H. Bancroft, in his "Utah," as usual, defends the Mormon +church against the charge of responsibility for the massacre, and calls +Judge Cradlebaugh's charge to the grand jury a slur that the evidence +did not excuse. +</pre> + <p> + Let us recall that Lee himself had been an active member of the church for + nearly forty years, following it from Missouri to Utah, travelling + penniless as a missionary at the bidding of his superiors, becoming a + polygamist before he left Nauvoo, accepting in Utah the view that "Brigham + spoke by direction of the God of heaven," and saying, as he stood by his + coffin looking into the rifles of his executioners, "I believe in the + Gospel that was taught in its purity by Joseph Smith in former days." How + much Young trusted him is seen in the fact that, by Young's direction, he + located the southern towns of Provo, Fillmore, Parowan, etc., was + appointed captain of militia at Cedar City, was president of civil affairs + at Harmony, probate judge of the county (before and after the massacre), a + delegate to the convention which framed the constitution of the State of + Deseret, a member of the territorial legislature (after the massacre), and + "Indian farmer" of the district including the Meadows when the massacre + occurred. + </p> + <p> + Lee's account of the steps leading up to the massacre and of what followed + is, in brief, that, about ten days before it occurred, General George A. + Smith, one of the Twelve, called on him at Washington City, and, in the + course of their conversation, asked, "Suppose an emigrant train should + come along through this southern country, making threats against our + people and bragging of the part they took in helping kill our prophet, + what do you think the brethren would do with them?" Lee replied: "You know + the brethren are now under the influence of the 'Reformation,' and are + still red-hot for the Gospel. The brethren believe the government wishes + to destroy them. I really believe that any train of emigrants that may + come through here will be attacked and probably all destroyed. Unless + emigrants have a pass from Brigham Young or some one in authority, they + will certainly never get safely through this country." Smith said that + Major Haight had given him the same assurance. It was Lee's belief that + Smith had been sent south in advance of the emigrants to prepare for what + followed. + </p> + <p> + Two days before the first attack on the camp, Lee was summoned to Cedar + City by Isaac Haight, president of that Stake, second only to Colonel Dame + in church authority in southern Utah, and a lieutenant colonel in the + militia under Dame. To make their conference perfectly secret, they took + some blankets and passed the night in an old iron works. There Haight told + Lee a long story about Captain Fancher's party, charging them with abusing + the Mormons, burning fences, poisoning water, threatening to kill Brigham + Young and all the apostles, etc. He said that unless preventive measures + were taken, the whole Mormon population were likely to be butchered by + troops which these people would bring back from California. Lee says that + he believed all this. He was also told that, at a council held that day, + it had been decided to arm the Indians and "have them give the emigrants a + brush, and, if they killed part or all, so much the better." When asked + who authorized this, Haight replied, "It is the will of all in authority," + and Lee was told that he was to carry out the order. The intention then + was to have the Indians do the killing without any white assistance. On + his way home Lee met a large body of Indians who said they were ordered by + Haight, Higbee, and Bishop Klingensmith, to kill and rob the emigrants, + and wanted Lee to lead them. He told them to camp near the emigrants and + wait for him; but they made the attack, as described, early Monday + morning, without capturing the camp, and drove the whites into an + intrenchment from which they could not dislodge them. Hence the change of + plan. + </p> + <p> + During the early part of the operations, Lee says, a messenger had been + sent to Brigham Young for orders. On Thursday evening two or three wagon + loads of Mormons, all armed, arrived at Lee's camp in the Meadows, the + party including Major Higbee of the Iron Militia, Bishop Klingensmith, and + many members of the High Council. When all were assembled, Major Higbee + reported that Haight's orders were that "all the emigrants must be put out + of the way"; that they had no pass (Young could have given them one); that + they were really a part of Johnston's army, and, if allowed to proceed to + California, they would bring destruction on all the settlements in Utah. + All knelt in prayer, after which Higbee gave Lee a paper ordering the + destruction of all who could talk. After further prayers, Higbee said to + Lee, "Brother Lee, I am ordered by President Haight to inform you that you + shall receive a crown of celestial glory for your faithfulness, and your + eternal joy shall be complete." Lee says that he was "much shaken" by this + offer, because of his complete faith in the power of the priesthood to + fulfil such promises. The outcome of the conference was the adoption of + the plan of treachery that was so successfully carried out on Friday + morning. The council had lasted so long that the party merely had time for + breakfast before Bateman set out for the camp with his white flag.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Bishop Klingensmith, one of the indicted, in whose case the +district attorney entered a nolle prosequi in order that he might be a +witness at Lee's first trial, said in his testimony: "Coming home the +day following their [emigrants'] departure from Cedar City, met Ira +Allen four miles beyond the place where they had spoken to Lee. Allen +said, 'The die is cast, the doom of the emigrants is sealed.'" (This +was in reference to a meeting in Parowan, when the destruction of the +emigrants had been decided on.) He said John D. Lee had received orders +from headquarters at Parowan to take men and go, and Joel White would be +wanted to go to Pinto Creek and revoke the order to suffer the emigrants +to pass. The third day after, Haight came to McFarland's house and told +witness and others that orders had come in from camp last night. Things +hadn't gone along as had been expected, and reenforcements were wanted. +Haight then went to Parowan to get instructions, and received orders +from Dame to "decoy the emigrants out and spare nothing but the small +children who could not tell the tale." In an affidavit made by +this Bishop in April, 1871, he said: "I do not know whether said +'headquarters' meant the spiritual headquarters at Parowan, or the +headquarters of the commander-in-chief at Salt Lake City." (Affidavit in +full in "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 439.) +</pre> + <p> + Several days after the massacre, Haight told Lee that the messenger sent + to Young for instructions had returned with orders to let the emigrants + pass in safety, and that he (Haight) had countermanded the order for the + massacre, but his messenger "did not go to the Meadows at all." All + parties were evidently beginning to realize the seriousness of their + crime. Lee was then directed by the council to go to Young with a verbal + report, Haight again promising him a celestial reward if he would + implicate more of the brethren than necessary in his talk with Young.* On + reaching Salt Lake City, Lee gave Young the full particulars of the + massacre, step by step. Young remarked, "Isaac [Haight] has sent me word + that, if they had killed every man, woman, and child in the outfit, there + would not have been a drop of innocent blood shed by the brethren; for + they were a set of murderers, robbers, and thieves." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "At that time I believed everything he said, and I fully +expected to receive the celestial reward that he promised me. But now +[after his conviction] I say, 'Damn all such celestial rewards as I am +to get for what I did on that fatal day'." "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 251. +</pre> + <p> + When the tale was finished, Young said: "This is the most unfortunate + affair that ever befell the church. I am afraid of treachery among the + brethren who were there. If any one tells this thing so that it will + become public, it will work us great injury. I want you to understand now + that you are NEVER to tell this again, not even to Heber C. Kimball. IT + MUST be kept a secret among ourselves. When you get home, I want you to + sit down and write a long letter, and give me an account of the affair, + charging it to the Indians. You sign the letter as farmer to the Indians, + and direct it to me as Indian agent. I can then make use of such a letter + to keep off all damaging and troublesome inquirers." Lee did so, and his + letter was put in evidence at his trial. + </p> + <p> + Lee says that Young then dismissed him for the day, directing him to call + again the next morning, and that Young then said to him: "I have made that + matter a subject of prayer. I went right to God with it, and asked him to + take the horrid vision from my sight if it was a righteous thing that my + people had done in killing those people at the Mountain Meadows. God + answered me, and at once the vision was removed. I have evidence from God + that he has overruled it all for good, and the action was a righteous one + and well intended."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For Lee's account of his interview with Young, see "Mormonism +Unveiled," pp. 252-254. +</pre> + <p> + When Lee was in Salt Lake City as a member of the constitutional + convention, the next winter, Young treated him, at his house and + elsewhere, with all the friendliness of old. No one conversant with the + extent of Young's authority will doubt the correctness of Lee's statement + that "if Brigham Young had wanted one man or fifty men or five hundred men + arrested, all he would have had to do would be to say so, and they would + have been arrested instantly. There was no escape for them if he ordered + their arrest. Every man who knows anything of affairs in Utah at that time + knows this is so." + </p> + <p> + At the second trial of Lee a deposition by Brigham Young was read, Young + pleading ill health as an excuse for not taking the stand. He admitted + that "counsel and advice were given to the citizens not to sell grain to + the emigrants for their stock," but asserted that this did not include + food for the parties themselves. He also admitted that Lee called on him + and began telling the story of the massacre, but asserted that he directed + him to stop, as he did not want his feelings harrowed up with a recital of + these details. He gave as an excuse for not bringing the guilty to + justice, or at least making an investigation, the fact that a new governor + was on his way, and he did not know how soon he would arrive. As Young + himself was keeping this governor out by armed force, and declaring that + he alone should fill that place, the value of his excuse can be easily + estimated. Hamblin, at Lee's trial, testified that he told Brigham Young + and George A. Smith "everything I could" about the massacre, and that + Young said to him, "As soon as we can get a court of justice we will + ferret this thing out, but till then don't say anything about it." + </p> + <p> + Both Knight and McMurphy testified that they took their teams to Mountain + Meadows under compulsion. Nephi Johnson, another participant, when asked + whether he acted under compulsion, replied, "I didn't consider it safe for + me to object," and when compelled to answer the question whether any + person had ever been injured for not obeying such orders, he replied, + "Yes, sir, they had." + </p> + <p> + Some letters published in the Corinne (Utah) Reporter, in the early + seventies, signed "Argus," directly accused Young of responsibility for + this massacre. Stenhouse discovered that the author had been for thirty + years a Mormon, a high priest in the church, a holder of responsible civil + positions in the territory, and he assured Stenhouse that "before a + federal court of justice, where he could be protected, he was prepared to + give the evidence of all that he asserted." "Argus" declared that when the + Arkansans set out southward from the Jordan, a courier preceded them + carrying Young's orders for non-intercourse; that they were directed to go + around Parowan because it was feared that the military preparations at + that place, Colonel Dame's headquarters, might arouse their suspicion; and + he points out that the troops who killed the emigrants were called out and + prepared for field operations, just as the territorial law directed, and + were subject to the orders of Young, their commander-in-chief. + </p> + <p> + Not until the so-called Poland Bill of 1874 became a law was any one + connected with the Mountain Meadows Massacre even indicted. Then the grand + jury, under direction of Judge Boreman, of the Second Judicial District of + Utah, found indictments against Lee, Dame, Haight, Higbee, Klingensmith, + and others. Lee, who had remained hidden for some years in the canyon of + the Colorado,* was reported to be in south Utah at the time, and Deputy + United States Marshal Stokes, to whom the warrant for his arrest was + given, set out to find him. Stokes was told that Lee had gone back to his + hiding-place, but one of his assistants located the accused in the town of + Panguitch, and there they found him concealed in a log pen near a house. + His trial began at Beaver, on July 12, 1875. The first jury to try his + case disagreed, after being out three days, eight Mormons and the Gentile + foreman voting for acquittal, and three Gentiles for conviction. The + second trial, which took place at Beaver, in September, 1876, resulted in + a verdict of "guilty of murder in the first degree." Beadle says of the + interest which the church then took in his conviction: "Daniel H. Wells + went to Beaver, furnished some new evidence, coached the witnesses, + attended to the spiritual wants of the jury, and Lee was convicted. He + could not raise the money ($1000) necessary to appeal to the Supreme Court + of the United States, although he solicited it by subscription from + wealthy leading Mormons for several days under guard."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Inman's "Great Salt Lake Trail," p. 141 +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Polygamy," p. 507. +</pre> + <p> + Criminals in Utah convicted of a capital crime were shot, and this was + Lee's fate. It was decided that the execution should take place at the + scene of the massacre, and there the sentence of the court was carried out + on March 23, 1877. The coffin was made of rough pine boards after the + arrival of the prisoner, and while he sat looking at the workmen a short + distance away. When all the arrangements were completed, the marshal read + the order of the court and gave Lee an opportunity to speak. A + photographer being ready to take a picture of the scene, Lee asked that a + copy of the photograph be given to each of three of his wives, naming + them. He then stood up, having been seated on his coffin, and spoke + quietly for some time. He said that he was sacrificed to satisfy the + feelings of others; that he died "a true believer in the Gospel of Jesus + Christ," but did not believe everything then taught by Brigham Young. He + asserted that he "did nothing designedly wrong in this unfortunate + affair," but did everything in his power to save the emigrants. Five + executioners then stepped forward, and, when their rifles exploded, Lee + fell dead on his coffin. + </p> + <p> + Major (afterward General) Carlton, returning from California in 1859, + where he had escorted a paymaster, passed through Mountain Meadows, and, + finding many bones of the victims still scattered around, gathered them, + and erected over them a cairn of stones, on one of which he had engraved + the words: "Here lie the bones of 120 men, women, and children from + Arkansas, murdered on the 10th day of September, 1857." In the centre of + the cairn was placed a beam, some fifteen feet high, with a cross-tree, on + which was painted: "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay + it." It was said that this was removed by order of Brigham Young.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Humiliating as it is to confess, in the 42d Congress there +were gentlemen to be found in the committees of the House and in +the Senate who were bold enough to declare their opposition to all +investigation. One who had a national reputation during the war, from +Bunker Hill to New Orleans, was not ashamed to say to those who sought +the legislation that was necessary to make investigation possible, that +it was 'too late.'" "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 456. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0073" id="link2HCH0073"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. — AFTER THE "WAR" + </h2> + <p> + With the return of the people to their homes, the peaceful avocations of + life in Utah were resumed. The federal judges received assignments to + their districts, and the other federal officers took possession of their + offices. Chief Justice Eckles selected as his place of residence Camp + Floyd, as General Johnston's camp was named; Judge Sinclair's district + included Salt Lake City, and Judge Cradlebaugh's the southern part of the + state. + </p> + <p> + Judge Cradlebaugh, who conceived it to be a judge's duty to see that crime + was punished, took steps at once to secure indictments in connection with + the notorious murders committed during the "Reformation," and we have seen + in a former chapter with what poor results. He also personally visited the + Mountain Meadows, talked with whites and Indians cognizant with the + massacre, and, on affidavits sworn to before him, issued warrants for the + arrest of Haight, Higbee, Lee, and thirty-four others as participants + therein. In order to hold court with any prospect of a practical result, a + posse of soldiers was absolutely necessary, even for the protection of + witnesses; but Governor Cumming, true to the reputation he had secured as + a Mormon ally, declared that he saw no necessity for such use of federal + troops, and requested their removal from Provo, where the court was in + session; and when the judge refused to grant his request, he issued a + proclamation in which he stated that the presence of the military had a + tendency "to disturb the peace and subvert the ends of justice." Before + this dispute had proceeded farther, General Johnston received an order + from Secretary Floyd, approved by Attorney General Black, directing that + in future he should instruct his troops to act as a posse comitatus only + on the written application of Governor Cumming. Thus did the church win + one of its first victories after the reestablishment of "peace." + </p> + <p> + An incident in Salt Lake City at this time might have brought about a + renewal of the conflict between federal and Mormon forces. The engraver of + a plate with which to print counterfeit government drafts, when arrested, + turned state's evidence and pointed out that the printing of the + counterfeits had been done over the "Deseret Store" in Salt Lake City, + which was on Young's premises. United States Marshal Dotson secured the + plate, and with it others, belonging to Young, on which Deseret currency + had been printed. This seemed to bring the matter so close to Young that + officers from Camp Floyd called on Governor Cumming to secure his + cooperation in arresting Young should that step be decided on. The + governor refused with indignation to be a party to what he called + "creeping through walls," that is, what he considered a roundabout way to + secure Young's arrest; and, when it became rumored in the city that + General Johnston would use his troops without the governor's cooperation + Cumming directed Wells, the commander of the Nauvoo Legion, who had so + recently been in rebellion against the government, to hold his militia in + readiness for orders. Wells is quoted by Bancroft as saying that he told + Cumming, "We would not let them [the soldiers] come; that if they did + come, they would never get out alive if we could help it."* The decision + of the Washington authorities in favor of Governor Cumming as against the + federal judges once more restored "peace." The only sufferer from this + incident was Marshal Dotson, against whom Young, in his probate court, + obtained a judgment of $2600 for injury to the Deseret currency plates, + and a house belonging to Dotson, renting for $500 year, was sold to + satisfy this judgment, and bought in by an agent of Young. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "History of Utah," p. 573, note. +</pre> + <p> + To complete the story of this forgery, it may be added that Brewer, the + engraver who turned state's evidence, was shot down in Main Street, Salt + Lake City, one evening, in company with J. Johnson, a gambler who had + threatened to shoot a Mormon editor. A man who was a boy at the time gave + J. H. Beadle the particulars of this double murder as he received it from + the person who lighted a brazier to give the assassin a sure aim.* The + coroner's jury the next day found that the men shot one another! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Polygamy," p. 192. +</pre> + <p> + Soon all public attention throughout the country was centred in the coming + conflict in the Southern states. In May, 1860, the troops at Camp Floyd + departed for New Mexico and Arizona, only a small guard being left under + command of Colonel Cooke. In May, 1861, Governor Cumming left Salt Lake + City for the east so quietly that most of the people there did not hear of + his departure until they read it in the local newspapers. He soon after + appeared in Washington, and after some delay obtained a pass which + permitted his passage through the Confederate lines. When the Southern + rebellion became a certainty, Colonel Cooke and his force were ordered to + march to the East in the autumn, after selling vast quantities of stores + in Camp Floyd, and destroying the supplies and ammunition which they could + not take away. Such a slaughter of prices as then occurred was, perhaps, + without precedent. It was estimated that goods costing $4,000,000 brought + only $100,000. Young had preached non-intercourse with the Gentile + merchants who followed the army, but he could not lose so great an + opportunity as this, when, for instance, flour costing $28.40 per sack + sold for 52 cents, and he invested $4,000. "For years after," says + Stenhouse, "the 'regulation blue pants' were more familiar to the eye, in + the Mormon settlements, than the Valley Tan Quaker gray." + </p> + <p> + When Governor Cumming left the territory, the secretary, Francis H. + Wooton, became acting governor. He made himself very offensive to the + administration at Washington, and President Lincoln appointed Frank + Fuller, of New Hampshire, secretary of the territory in his place, and Mr. + Fuller proceeded at once to Salt Lake City, where he became acting + governor. Later in the year the other federal offices in Utah were filled + by the appointment of John W. Dawson, of Indiana, as governor, John F. + Kinney as chief justice, and R. P. Flenniken and J. R. Crosby as associate + justices. + </p> + <p> + The selection of Dawson as governor was something more than a political + mistake. He was the editor and publisher of a party newspaper at Fort + Wayne, Indiana, a man of bad morals, and a meddler in politics, who gave + the Republican managers in his state a great deal of trouble. The + undoubted fact seems to be that he was sent out to Utah on the + recommendation of Indiana politicians of high rank, who wanted to get rid + of him, and who gave no attention whatever to the requirements of his + office. Arriving at his post early in December, 1861, the new governor + incurred the ill will of the Mormons almost immediately by vetoing a bill + for a state convention passed by the territorial legislature, and a + memorial to Congress in favor of the admission of the territory as a state + (which Acting Governor Fuller approved). They were very glad, therefore, + to take advantage of any mistake he might make; and he almost at once gave + them their opportunity, by making improper advances to a woman whom he had + employed to do some work. She, as Dawson expressed it to one of his + colleagues, "was fool enough to tell of it," and Dawson, learning + immediately that the Mormons meditated a severe vengeance, at once made + preparations for his departure. + </p> + <p> + The Deseret News of January 1, 1862, in an editorial on the departure of + the governor, said that for eight or ten days he had been confined to his + room and reported insane; that, when he left, he took with him his + physician and four guards, "to each of whom, as reported last evening, + $100 is promised in the event that they guard him faithfully, and prevent + his being killed or becoming qualified for the office of chamberlain in + the King's palace, till he shall have arrived at and passed the eastern + boundary of the territory." After indicating that he had committed an + offence against a lady which, under the common law, if enforced, "would + have caused him to have bitten the dust," the News added: "Why he selected + the individuals named for his bodyguard no one with whom we have conversed + has been able to determine. That they will do him justice, and see him + safely out of the territory, there can be no doubt." + </p> + <p> + The hints thus plainly given were carried out. Beadle's account says, "He + was waylaid in Weber canyon, and received shocking and almost emasculating + injuries from three Mormon lads."* Stenhouse says: "He was dreadfully + maltreated by some Mormon rowdies who assumed, 'for the fun of the thing,' + to be the avengers of an alleged insult. Governor Dawson had been betrayed + into an offence, and his punishment was heavy."** Mrs. Waite says that the + Mormons laid a trap for the governor, as they had done for Steptoe; but + the evidence indicates that, in Dawson's case, the victim was himself to + blame for the opportunity he gave. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Polygamy," p. 195. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 592. +</pre> + <p> + Stenhouse says that the Mormon authorities were very angry because of the + aggravated character of the punishment dealt out to the governor, as they + simply wanted him sent away disgraced, and that they had all his + assailants shot. This is practically confirmed by the Mormon historian + Whitney, who says that one of the assailants was a relative of the woman + insulted, and the others "merely drunken desperadoes and robbers who," he + explains, "were soon afterward arrested for their cowardly and brutal + assault upon the fleeing official. One of them, Lot Huntington, was shot + by Deputy Sheriff O. P. Rockwell [so often Young's instrument in such + cases] on January 26, in Rush Valley, while attempting to escape from the + officers, and two others, John P. Smith and Moroni Clawson, were killed + during a similar attempt next day by the police of Salt Lake City. Their + confederates were tried and duly punished."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "History of Utah," Vol. II, p. 38. +</pre> + <p> + The departure of Governor Dawson left the executive office again in charge + of Secretary Fuller. Early in 1862 the Indians threatened the overland + mail route, and Fuller, having received instruction from Montgomery Blair + to keep the route open at all hazards, called for thirty men to serve for + thirty days. These were supplied by the Mormons. In the following April, + the Indian troubles continuing, Governor Fuller, Chief Justice Kinney, and + officers of the Overland Mail and Pacific Telegraph Companies united in a + letter to Secretary Stanton asking that Superintendent of Indian Affairs + Doty be authorized to raise a regiment of mounted rangers in the + territory, with officers appointed by him, to keep open communication. + These petitioners, observes Tullidge, "had overrated the federal power in + Utah, as embodied in themselves, for such a service, when they overlooked + ex-Governor Young" and others.* Young had no intention of permitting any + kind of a federal force to supplant his Legion. He at once telegraphed to + the Utah Delegate in Washington that the Utah militia (alias Nauvoo + Legion) were competent to furnish the necessary protection. As a result of + this presentation of the matter, Adjutant General L. L. Thomas, on April + 28, addressed a reply to the petition for protection, not to any of the + federal officers in Utah, but to "Mr. Brigham Young," saying, "By express + direction of the President of the United States you are hereby authorized + to raise, arm, and equip one company of cavalry for ninety days' + service."* The order for carrying out these instructions was placed by the + head of the Nauvoo Legion, "General" Wells—who ordered the burning + of the government trains in 1857—in the hands of Major Lot Smith, + who carried out that order! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 252. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Vol. II, Series 3, p. 27, War of the Rebellion, official +records. +</pre> + <p> + Judges Flenniken and Crosby took their departure from the territory a + month later than Dawson, and Thomas J. Drake of Michigan and Charles B. + Waite of Illinois* were named as their successors, and on March 31 Stephen + S. Harding of Milan, Indiana, a lawyer, was appointed governor. The new + officers arrived in July. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * After leaving Utah Judge Waite was appointed district attorney +for Idaho, was elected to Congress, and published "A History of the +Christian Religion," and other books. His wife, author of "The Mormon +Prophet," was a graduate of Oberlin College and of the Union College of +Law in Chicago, a member of the Illinois bar, founder of the Chicago Law +Times, and manager of the publishing firm of C. W. Waite & Co. +</pre> + <p> + At this time the Mormons were again seeking admission for the State of + Deseret. They had had a constitution prepared for submission to Congress, + had nominated Young for governor and Kimball for lieutenant governor, and + the legislature, in advance, had chosen W. H. Hooper and George Q. Cannon + the United States senators. But Utah was not then admitted, while, on the + other hand, an anti-polygamy bill (to be described later) was passed, and + signed by President Lincoln on July 2. + </p> + <p> + During the month preceding the arrival of Governor Harding, another + tragedy had been enacted in the territory. Among the church members was a + Welshman named Joseph Morris, who became possessed of the belief (which, + as we have seen, had afflicted brethren from time to time) that he was the + recipient of "revelations." One of these "revelations" having directed him + to warn Young that he was wandering from the right course, he did this in + person, and received a rebuke so emphatic that it quite overcame him. He + betook himself, therefore, to a place called Kington Fort, on the Weber + River, thirty-five miles north of Salt Lake City, and there he found + believers in his prophetic gifts in the local Bishop, and quite a + settlement of men and women, almost all foreigners. Young's refusal to + satisfy the demand for published "revelations" gave some standing to a + fanatic like Morris, who professed to supply that long-felt want, and he + was so prolific in his gift that three clerks were required to write down + what was revealed to him. Among his announcements were the date of the + coming of Christ and the necessity of "consecrating" their property in a + common fund. Having made a mistake in the date selected for Christ's + appearance, the usual apostates sprang up, and, when they took their + departure, they claimed the right to carry with them their share of the + common effects. In the dispute that ensued, the apostates seized some + Morrisite grain on the way to mill, and the Morrisites captured some + apostates, and took them prisoners to Kington Fort. + </p> + <p> + Out of these troubles came the issue of a writ by Judge Kinney for the + release of the prisoners, the defiance of this writ by the Morrisites, and + a successful appeal to the governor for the use of the militia to enable + the marshal to enforce the writ. On the morning of June 13 the Morrisites + discovered an armed force, in command of General R. T. Burton, the + marshal's chief deputy, on the mountain that overlooked their settlement, + and received from Burton an order to surrender in thirty minutes. Morris + announced a "revelation," declaring that the Lord would not allow his + people to be destroyed. When the thirty minutes had expired, without + further warning the Mormon force fired on the Morrisites with a cannon, + killing two women outright, and sending the others to cover. But the + devotees were not weak-hearted. For three days they kept up a defence, and + it was not until their ammunition was exhausted that they raised a white + flag. When Burton rode into their settlement and demanded Morris's + surrender, that fanatic replied, "Never." Burton at once shot him dead, + and then badly wounded John Banks, an English convert and a preacher of + eloquence, who had joined Morris after rebelling against Young's + despotism. Banks died "suddenly" that evening. Burton finished his work by + shooting two women, one of whom dared to condemn his shooting of Morris + and Banks, and the other for coming up to him crying.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For accounts of this slaughter, see "Rocky Mountain Saints," +pp. 593-606, and Beadle's "Life in Utah," pp. 413-420. +</pre> + <p> + The bodies of Morris and Banks were carried to Salt Lake City and + exhibited there. No one—President of the church or federal officer—took + any steps at that time to bring their murderers to justice. Sixteen years + later District Attorney Van Zile tried Burton for this massacre, but the + verdict was acquittal, as it has been in all these famous cases except + that of John D. Lee. Ninety-three Morrisites, few of whom could speak + English, were arraigned before Judge Kinney and placed under bonds. In the + following March seven of the Morrisites were convicted of killing members + of the posse, and sentenced by Judge Kinney to imprisonment for from five + to fifteen years each, while sixty-six others were fined $100 each for + resisting the posse. Governor Harding immediately pardoned all the + accused, in response to a numerously signed petition. Beadle says that + Bishop Wooley advised the governor to be careful about granting these + pardons, as "our people feel it would be an outrage, and if it is done, + they might proceed to violence"; but that Bill Hickman, the Danite + captain, rode thirty miles to sign the petition, saying that he was "one + Mormon who was not afraid to sign." The grand jury that had indicted the + Morrisites made a presentment to Judge Kinney, in which they said, "We + present his Excellency Stephen S. Harding, governor of Utah, as we would + an unsafe bridge over a dangerous stream, jeopardizing the lives of all + those who pass over it; or as we would a pestiferous cesspool in our + district, breathing disease and death." And the chief justice assured this + jury that they addressed him "in no spirit of malice," and asked them to + accept his thanks "for your cooperation in the support of my efforts to + maintain and enforce the law." It is to the credit of the powers at + Washington that this judge was soon afterward removed.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Even the Mormon historian has only this to say on this subject: +"Of the relative merit or demerit of the action of the United States and +territorial authorities concerned in the Morrisite affair the historian +does not presume to touch, further than to present the record itself and +its significance."—Tullidge, "History of Salt Lake City," p. 320. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0074" id="link2HCH0074"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. — ATTITUDE OF THE MORMONS DURING THE SOUTHERN + REBELLION + </h2> + <p> + The attitude of the Mormons toward the government at the outbreak of + hostilities with the Southern states was distinctly disloyal. The Deseret + News of January 2, 1861, said, "The indications are that the breach which + has been effected between the North and South will continue to widen, and + that two or more nations will be formed out of the fragmentary portions of + the once glorious republic." The Mormons in England had before that been + told in the Millennial Star (January 28, 1860) that "the Union is now + virtually destroyed." The sermons in Salt Lake City were of the same + character. "General" Wells told the people on April 6, 1861, that the + general government was responsible for their expulsion from Missouri and + Illinois, adding: "So far as we are concerned, we should have been better + without a government than such a one. I do not think there is a more + corrupt government upon the face of the earth."* Brigham Young on the same + day said: "Our present President, what is his strength? It is like a rope + of sand, or like a rope made of water. He is as weak as water.... I feel + disgraced in having been born under a government that has so little power, + disposition and influence for truth and right. Shame, shame on the rulers + of this nation. I feel myself disgraced to hail such men as my + countrymen."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. VIII, pp. 373-374. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Ibid., Vol. IX, p. 4. +</pre> + <p> + Elder G. A. Smith, on the same occasion, railing against the non-Mormon + clergy, said, "Mr. Lincoln now is put into power by that priestly + influence; and the presumption is, should he not find his hands full by + the secession of the Southern States, the spirit of priestly craft would + force him, in spite of his good wishes and intentions, to put to death, if + it was in his power, every man that believes in the divine mission of + Joseph Smith."* On August 31, 1862, Young quoted Smith's prediction of a + rebellion beginning in South Carolina, and declared that "the nation that + has slain the prophet of God will be broken in pieces like a potter's + vessel," boasting that the Mormon government in Utah was "the best earthly + government that was ever framed by man." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. IX, p. 18. +</pre> + <p> + Tullidge, discussing in 1876 the attitude of the Mormon church toward the + South, said:— + </p> + <p> + "With the exception of the slavery question and the policy of secession, + the South stood upon the same ground that Utah had stood upon just + previously.... And here we reach the heart of the Mormon policy and aims. + Secession is not in it. Their issues are all inside the Union. The Mormon + prophecy is that that people are destined to save the Union and preserve + the constitution.... The North, which had just risen to power through the + triumph of the Republican party, occupied the exact position toward the + South that Buchanan's administration had held toward Utah. And the salient + points of resemblance between the two cases were so striking that Utah and + the South became radically associated in the Chicago platform that brought + the Republican party into office. Slavery and polygamy—these 'twin + relics of barbarism'—were made the two chief planks of the party + platform. Yet neither of these were the real ground of the contest. It + continues still, and some of the soundest men of the times believe that it + will be ultimately referred in a revolution so general that nearly every + man in America will become involved in the action.... The Mormon view of + the great national controversy, then, is that the Southern States should + have done precisely what Utah did, and placed themselves on the defensive + ground of their rights and institutions as old as the Union. Had they + placed themselves under the political leadership of Brigham Young, they + would have triumphed, for their cause was fundamentally right; their + secession alone was the national crime."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Tullidge's "Life of Brigham Young," Chap. 24. +</pre> + <p> + Knowledge of the spirit which animated the Saints induced the Secretary of + War to place them under military supervision, and in May, 1862, the Third + California Infantry and a part of the Second California Cavalry were + ordered to Utah. The commander of this force was Colonel P. E. Connor, who + had a fine record in the Mexican War, and who was among the first, at the + outbreak of the Rebellion, to tender his services to the government in + California, where he was then engaged in business. On assuming command of + the military district of Utah, which included Utah and Nevada, Colonel + Connor issued an order directing commanders of posts, camps, and + detachments to arrest and imprison, until they took the oath of + allegiance, "all persons who from this date shall be guilty of uttering + treasonable sentiments against the government," adding, "Traitors shall + not utter treasonable sentiments in this district with impunity, but must + seek some more genial soil, or receive the punishment they so richly + deserve." + </p> + <p> + When Connor's force arrived at Fort Crittenden (the Camp Floyd of General + Johnston), the Mormons supposed that it would make its camp there. Persons + having a pecuniary interest in the reoccupation of the old site, where + they wanted to sell to the government the buildings they had bought for a + song, tried hard to induce Colonel Connor to accept their view, even + warning him of armed Mormon opposition to his passage through Salt Lake + City. But he was not a man to be thus deterred. Among the rumors that + reached him was one that Bill Hickman, the Danite chief, was offering to + bet $500 in Salt Lake City that the colonel could not cross the river + Jordan. Colonel Connor is said to have sent back the reply that he "would + cross the river Jordan if hell yawned below him." + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, October 18, Connor marched twenty miles toward the Mormon + capital, and the next day crossed the Jordan at 2 P.M., without finding a + person in sight on the eastern shore. The command, knowing that the Nauvoo + Legion outnumbered them vastly, and ignorant of the real intention of the + Mormon leaders, advanced with every preparation to meet resistance. They + were, as an accompanying correspondent expressed it, "six hundred miles of + sand from reinforcements." The conciliatory policy of so many federal + officers in Utah would have induced Colonel Connor to march quietly around + the city, and select some place for his camp where it would not offend + Mormon eyes. What he did do was to halt his command when the city was two + miles distant, form his column with an advance guard of cavalry and a + light battery, the infantry and commissary wagons coming next, and in this + order, to the bewilderment of the Mormon authorities, march into the + principal street, with his two bands playing, to Emigrants' Square, and so + to Governor Harding's residence. + </p> + <p> + The only United States flag displayed on any building that day was the + governor's. The sidewalks were packed with men, women, and children, but + not a cheer was heard. In front of the governor's residence the battalion + was formed in two lines, and the governor, standing in the buggy in which + he had ridden out to meet them, addressed them, saying that their mission + was one of peace and security, and urging them to maintain the strictest + discipline. The troops, Colonel Connor leading, gave three cheers for the + country and the flag, and three for Governor Harding, and then took up + their march to the slope at the base of Wahsatch Mountain, where the Camp + Douglas of to-day is situated. This camp was in sight of the Mormon city, + and Young's residence was in range of its guns. Thus did Brigham's will + bend before the quiet determination of a government officer who respected + his government's dignity. + </p> + <p> + But the Mormon spirit was to be still further tested. On December 8 + Governor Harding read his first message to the territorial legislature. It + began with a tribute to the industry and enterprise of the people; spoke + of the progress of the war, and of the application of the territory for + statehood, and in this connection said, "I am sorry to say that since my + sojourn amongst you I have heard no sentiments, either publicly or + privately expressed, that would lead me to believe that much sympathy is + felt by any considerable number of your people in favor of the government + of the United States, now struggling for its very existence." He declared + that the demand for statehood should not be entertained unless it was + "clearly shown that there is a sufficient population" and "that the people + are loyal to the federal government and the laws." He recommended the + taking of a correct census to settle the question of population. All these + utterances were gall and wormwood to a body of Mormon lawmakers, but worse + was to come. Congress having passed an act "to prevent and punish the + practice of polygamy in the territories," the governor naturally + considered it his duty to call attention to the matter. Prevising that he + desired to do so "in no offensive manner or unkind spirit," he pointed out + that the practice was founded on no territorial law, resting merely on + custom; and laid, down the principle that "no community can happily exist + with an institution so important as that of marriage wanting in all those + qualities that make it homogeneal with institutions and laws of + neighboring civilized countries having the same spirit." He spoke of the + marriage of a mother and her daughter to the same man as "no less a marvel + in morals than in matters of taste," and warned them against following the + recommendation of high church authorities that the federal law be + disregarded. This message, according to the Mormon historian, was "an + insult offered to their representatives."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 305. +</pre> + <p> + These representatives resented the "insult" by making no reference in the + journal to the reading of the message, and by failing to have it printed. + When this was made known in Washington, the Senate, on January 16, 1863, + called for a report by the Committee on Territories concerning the + suppression of the message, and they got one from its chairman, Benjamin + Wade, pointing out that Utah Territory was in the control of "a sort of + Jewish theocracy," affording "the first exhibition, within the limits of + the United States, of a church ruling the state," and declaring that the + governor's message contained "nothing that should give offence to any + legislature willing to be governed by the laws of morality," closing with + a recommendation that the message be printed by Congress. The territorial + legislature adjourned on January 16 without sending to Governor Harding + for his approval a single appropriation bill, and the next day the + so-called legislature of the State of Deseret met and received a message + from the state governor, Brigham Young. + </p> + <p> + Next the new federal judges came under Mormon displeasure. We have seen + the conflict of jurisdiction existing between the federal and the + so-called probate courts and their officers. Judge Waite perceived the + difficulties thus caused as soon as he entered upon his duties, and he + sent to Washington an act giving the United States marshal authority to + select juries for the federal courts, taking from the probate courts + jurisdiction in civil actions, and leaving them a limited criminal + jurisdiction subject to appeal to the federal court, and providing for a + reorganization of the militia under the federal governor. Bernhisel and + Hooper sent home immediate notice of the arrival of this bill in + Washington. + </p> + <p> + Now, indeed, it was time for Brigham to "bend his finger." If a governor + could openly criticise polygamy, and a judge seek to undermine Young's + legal and military authority, without a protest, his days of power were + certainly drawing to a close. Accordingly, a big mass-meeting was held in + Salt Lake City on March 3, 1863, "for the purpose of investigating certain + acts of several of the United States officials in the territory." Speeches + were made by John Taylor and Young, in which the governor and judges were + denounced.* A committee was appointed to ask the governor and two judges + to resign and leave the territory, and a petition was signed requesting + President Lincoln to remove them, the first reason stated being that "they + are strenuously endeavoring to create mischief, and stir up strife between + the people of the territory and the troops in Camp Douglas." The meeting + then adjourned, the band playing the "Marseillaise." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Reported in Mrs. Waite's "Mormon Prophet," pp. 98-102. +</pre> + <p> + The committee, consisting of John Taylor, J. Clinton, and Orson Pratt, + called on the governor and the judges the next morning, and met with a + flat refusal to pay any attention to the mandate of the meeting. "You may + go back and tell your constituents," said Governor Harding, "that I will + not resign my office, and will not leave this territory, until it shall + please the President to recall me. I will not be driven away. I may be in + danger in staying, but my purpose is fixed." Judge Drake told the + committee that he had a right to ask Congress to pass or amend any law, + and that it was a special insult for him, a citizen, to be asked by + Taylor, a foreigner, to leave any part of the Republic. "Go back to + Brigham Young, your master," said he, "that embodiment of sin, shame, and + disgust, and tell him that I neither fear him, nor love him, nor hate him—that + I utterly despise him. Tell him, whose tools and tricksters you are, that + I did not come here by his permission, and that I will not go away at his + desire nor by his direction.... A horse thief or a murderer has, when + arrested, a right to speak in court; and, unless in such capacity or under + such circumstances, don't you even dare to speak to me again." Judge Waite + simply declined to resign because to do so would imply "either that I was + sensible of having done something wrong, or that I was afraid to remain at + my post and perform my duty."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Text of replies in Mrs. Waite's "Mormon Prophet," pp. 107-109. +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the action of the Mormon mass-meeting became known at Camp + Douglas, all the commissioned officers there signed a counter petition to + President Lincoln, "as an act of duty we owe our government," declaring + that the charge of inciting trouble between the people and the troops was + "a base and unqualified falsehood," that the accused officers had been + "true and faithful to the government," and that there was no good reason + for their removal. + </p> + <p> + Excitement in Salt Lake City now ran high. Young, in a violent harangue in + the Tabernacle on March 8, after declaring his loyalty to the government, + said, "Is there anything that could be asked that we would not do? Yes. + Let the present administration ask us for a thousand men, or even five + hundred, and I'd see them d—d first, and then they could not have + them. What do you think of that?' (Loud cries of 'Good, Good,' and great + applause.)"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Correspondence of the Chicago Tribune. +</pre> + <p> + Young expected arrest, and had a signal arranged by which the citizens + would rush to his support if this was attempted. A false alarm of this + kind was given on March 9, and in an hour two thousand armed men were + assembled around his house.* Steptoe, who in an earlier year had declined + the governorship of the territory and petitioned for Young's + reappointment, took credit for what followed in an article in the Overland + Monthly for December, 1896. Being at Salt Lake City at the time, he + suggested to Wells and other leaders that they charge Young with the crime + of polygamy before one of the magistrates, and have him arraigned and + admitted to bail, in order to place him beyond the reach of the military + officers. The affidavit was sworn to before the compliant Chief Justice + Kinney by Young's private secretary, was served by the territorial + marshal, and Young was released in $5000 bail. Colonel Connor was informed + of this arrest before he arrived in the city, and retraced his steps; the + citizens dispersed to their homes; the grand jury found no indictment + against Young, and in due time he was discharged from his recognizance. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "On the inside of the high walls surrounding Brigham's premises +scaffolding was hastily erected in order to enable the militia to fire +down upon the passing volunteers. The houses on the route which occupied +a commanding position where an attack could be made upon the troops were +taken possession of, and the small cannon brought out."—"Rocky Mountain +Saints," p. 604. +</pre> + <p> + "In the meantime," says a Mormon chronicler, "our 'outside' friends in + this city telegraphed to those interested in the mail* and telegraph lines + that they must work for the removal of the troops, Governor Harding, and + Judges Waite and Drake, otherwise there would be 'difficulty,' and the + mail and telegraph lines would be destroyed. Their moneyed interest has + given them great energy in our behalf."** This "work" told Governor + Harding was removed, leaving the territory on June 11 and, as proof that + this was due to "work" and not to his own incapacity, he was made Chief + Justice of Colorado Territory.*** With him were displaced Chief Justice + Kinney and Secretary Fuller.**** Judges Waite and Drake wrote to the + President that it would take the support of five thousand men to make the + federal courts in Utah effective. Waite resigned in the summer of 1863. + Drake remained, but his court did practically no business. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The first Pony Express left Sacramento and St. Joseph, +Missouri, on April 3, 1860. Major General M. B. Hazen in an official +letter dated February, 1807 (House Misc. Doc. No. 75, 2d Session, +39th Congress), said: "Ben Holiday I believe to be the only outsider +acceptable to those people, and to benefit himself I believe he would +throw the whole weight of his influence in favor of Mormonism. By the +terms of his contract to carry the mails from the Missouri to Utah, all +papers and pamphlets for the newsdealers, not directed to subscribers, +are thrown out. It looks very much like a scheme to keep light out of +that country, nowhere so much needed." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** D. O. Calder's letter to George Q. Cannon, March 13, 1863, in +Millennial Star. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** "Every attempt was made to seduce him from the path of duty, +not omitting the same appliances which had been brought to bear upon +Steptoe and Dawson, but all in vain."—"The Mormon Prophet," p. 109. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + **** Whitney, the Mormon historian, says that while the President +was convinced that Harding was not the right man for the place, "he +doubtless believed that there was more or less truth in the charges of +'subserviency' to Young made by local anti-Mormons against Chief +Justice Kinney and Secretary Fuller. He therefore removed them as +well."—"History of Utah," Vol. II, p. 103. +</pre> + <p> + Lincoln's policy, as he expressed it then, was, "I will let the Mormons + alone if they will let me alone."* He had war enough on his hands without + seeking any diversion in Utah. J. D. Doty, the superintendent of Indian + affairs, succeeded Harding as governor, Amos Reed of Wisconsin became + secretary, and John Titus of Philadelphia chief justice. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Young's letter to Cannon, "History of Salt Lake City," p. 325. +</pre> + <p> + Affairs in Utah now became more quiet. General Connor (he was made a + brigadier general for his service in the Bear River Indian campaign in + 1862-1863) yielded nothing to Mormon threats or demands. A periodical + called the Union Vidette, published by his force, appeared in November, + 1863, and in it was printed a circular over his name, expressing belief in + the existence of rich veins of gold, silver, copper, and other metals in + the territory, and promising the fullest protection to miners and + prospectors; and the beginning of the mining interests there dated from + the picking up of a piece of ore by a lady member of the camp while + attending a picnic party. Although the Mormons had discouraged mining as + calculated to cause a rush of non-Mormon residents, they did not show any + special resentment to the general's policy in this respect. With the + increasing evidence that the Union cause would triumph, the church turned + its face toward the federal government. We find, accordingly, a union of + Mormons and Camp Douglas soldiers in the celebration of Union victories on + March 4, 1865, with a procession and speeches, and, when General Connor + left to assume command of the Department of the Platte, a ball in his + honor was given in Salt Lake City; and at the time of Lincoln's + assassination church and government officers joined in services in the + Tabernacle, and the city was draped in mourning. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0075" id="link2HCH0075"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. — EASTERN VISITORS TO SALT LAKE CITY—UNPUNISHED + MURDERERS + </h2> + <p> + In June, 1865, a distinguished party from the East visited Salt Lake City, + and their visit was not without public significance. It included Schuyler + Colfax, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lieutenant Governor Bross + of Illinois, Samuel Bowles, editor of the Springfield (Massachusetts) + Republican, and A. D. Richardson of the staff of the New York Tribune. + Crossing the continent was still effected by stage-coach at that time, and + the Mormon capital had never been visited by civilians so well known and + so influential. Mr. Colfax had stated publicly that President Lincoln, a + short time before his death, had asked him to make a thorough + investigation of territorial matters, and his visit was regarded as + semiofficial. The city council formally tendered to the visitors the + hospitality of the city, and Mr. Bowles wrote that the Speaker's reception + "was excessive if not oppressive." + </p> + <p> + In an interview between Colfax and Young, during which the subject of + polygamy was brought up by the latter, he asked what the government + intended to do with it, now that the slavery question was out of the way. + Mr. Colfax replied with the expression of a hope that the prophets of the + church would have a new "revelation" which would end the practice, + pointing out an example in the course of Missouri and Maryland in + abolishing slavery, without waiting for action by the federal government. + "Mr. Young," says Bowles, "responded quietly and frankly that he should + readily welcome such a revelation; that polygamy was not in the original + book of the Mormons; that it was not an essential practice in the church, + but only a privilege and a duty, under special command of God."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Across the Continent," p. 111. +</pre> + <p> + It is worth while to note Mr. Bowles's summing up of his observations of + Mormondom during this visit. "The result," he wrote, "of the whole + experience has been to increase my appreciation of the value of their + material progress and development to the nation; to evoke congratulations + to them and to the country for the wealth they have created, and the + order, frugality, morality (sic), and industry they have organized in this + remote spot in our continent; to excite wonder at the perfection of their + church system, the extent of its ramifications, the sweep of its + influence, and to enlarge my respect for the personal sincerity and + character of many of the leaders in the organization."* These were the + expressions of a leading journalist, thought worthy to be printed later in + book form, on a church system and church officers about which he had + gathered his information during a few hours' visit, and concerning which + he was so fundamentally ignorant that he called their Bible—whose + title is, "Book of Mormon"—"book of the Mormons!" It is reasonably + certain that he had never read Smith's "revelations," doubtful if he was + acquainted with even the framework of the Mormon Bible, and probable that + he was wholly ignorant of the history of their recent "Reformation." Many + a profound opinion of Mormonism has been founded on as little opportunity + for accurate knowledge.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Across the Continent," p. 106. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** As another illustration of the value of observations by such +transient students may be cited the following, from Sir Charles +Wentworth Dilke's "Greater Britain," Vol. I, p. 148: "Brigham's deeds +have been those of a sincere man. His bitterest opponents cannot dispute +the fact that, in 1844, when Nauvoo was about to be deserted owing to +attacks by a ruffianly mob, Brigham Young rushed to the front and took +command. To be a Mormon leader was then to be the leader of an outcast +people, with a price set on his head, in a Missouri country in which +almost every man who was not a Mormon was by profession an assassin." +</pre> + <p> + The Eastern visitors soon learned, however, how little intention the + Mormon leaders had to be cajoled out of polygamy. Before Mr. Bowles's book + was published, he had to add a supplement, in which he explained that + "since our visit to Utah in June, the leaders among the Mormons have + repudiated their professions of loyalty to the government, and denied any + disposition to yield the issue of polygamy." Tullidge sneers at Colfax + "for entertaining for a while the pretty plan" of having the Mormons give + up polygamy as the Missourians did slavery. The Deseret News, soon after + the Colfax party left the territory, expressed the real Mormon view on + this subject, saying: "As a people we view every revelation from the Lord + as sacred. Polygamy was none of our seeking. It came to us from Heaven, + and we recognized it, and still do, the voice of Him whose right it is not + only to teach us, but to dictate and teach all men.... They [Gentiles] + talk of revelations given, and of receiving counter revelations to forbid + what has been commanded, as if man was the sole author, originator, and + designer of them.... Do they wish to brand a whole people with the foul + stigma of hypocrisy, who, from their leaders to the last converts that + have made the dreary journey to these mountain wilds for their faith, have + proved their honesty of purpose and deep sincerity of faith by the most + sublime sacrifices? Either that is the issue of their reasoning, or they + imagine that we serve and worship the most accommodating Deity ever + dreamed of in the wildest vagaries of the most savage polytheist." + </p> + <p> + This was a perfectly consistent statement of the Mormon position, a simple + elaboration of Young's declaration that, to give up belief in Smith as a + prophet, and in his "revelations," would be to give up their faith. Just + as truly, any later "revelation," repealing the one concerning polygamy, + must be either a pretence or a temporary expedient, in orthodox Mormon + eyes. The Mormons date the active crusade of the government against + polygamy from the return of the Colfax party to the East, holding that + this question did not enter into the early differences between them and + the government.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 358. +</pre> + <p> + In the year following Colfax's visit, there occurred in Utah two murders + which attracted wide notice, and which called attention once more to the + insecurity of the life of any man against whom the finger of the church + was crooked. The first victim was O. N. Brassfield, a non-Mormon, who had + the temerity to marry, on March 20, 1866, the second polygamous wife of a + Mormon while the husband was in Europe on a mission. As he was entering + his house in Salt Lake City, on the third day of the following month, he + was shot dead. An order that had been given to disband the volunteer + troops still remaining in the territory was countermanded from Washington, + and General Sherman, then commander of that department, telegraphed to + Young that he hoped to hear of no more murders of Gentiles in Utah, + intimating that, if he did, it would be easy to reenlist some of the + recently discharged volunteers and march them through the territory. + </p> + <p> + The second victim was Dr. J. King Robinson, a young man who had come to + Utah as assistant surgeon of the California volunteers, married the + daughter of a Mormon whose widow and daughters had left the church, and + taken possession of the land on which were some well-known warm springs, + with the intention of establishing there a sanitarium. The city + authorities at once set up a claim to the warm springs property, a + building Dr. Robinson had erected there was burned, and, as he became + aggressive in asserting his legal rights, he was called out one night, + ostensibly to set a broken leg, knocked down, and shot dead. The audacity + of this crime startled even the Mormons, and the opinion has been + expressed that nothing more serious than a beating had been intended. + There was an inquest before a city alderman, at which some non-Mormon + lawyers and judges Titus and McCurdy were asked to assist. The chief + feature of this hearing was the summing up by Ex-Governor J. B. Weller, of + California, in which he denounced such murders, asked if there was not an + organized influence which prevented the punishment of their perpetrators, + and confessed that the prosecution had not been permitted "to lift the + veil, and show the perpetrators of this horrible murder." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Text in "Rocky Mountain Saints," Appendix I. +</pre> + <p> + General W. B. Hazen, in his report of February, 1867, said of these + victims: "There is no doubt of their murder from Mormon church influences, + although I do not believe by direct command. Principles are taught in + their churches which would lead to such murders. I have earnestly to + recommend that a list be made of the Mormon leaders, according to their + importance, excepting Brigham Young, and that the President of the United + States require the commanding officer at Camp Douglas to arrest and send + to the state's prison at Jefferson City, Mo., beginning at the head of the + list, man for man hereafter killed as these men were, to be held until the + real perpetrators of the deed, with evidence for their conviction, be + given up. I believe Young for the present necessary for us there"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Mis. House Doc. No. 75, 2d Session, 39th Congress. +</pre> + <p> + Had this policy been adopted, Mormon prisoners would soon have started + East, for very soon afterward three other murders of the same character + occurred, although the victims were not so prominent.* Chief Justice Titus + incurred the hatred of the Mormons by determined, if futile, efforts to + bring offenders in such cases to justice, and to show their feeling they + sent him a nightgown ten feet long, at the hands of a negro. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See note 70, p. 628, Bancroft's "History of Utah." When, in +July, 1869, a delegation from Illinois, that included Senator Trumbull, +Governor Oglesby, Editor Medill of the Chicago Tribune, and many +members of the Chicago Board of Trade, visited Salt Lake City, they were +welcomed by and affiliated with the Gentile element;* and when, in the +following October, Vice President Colfax paid a second visit to the +city, he declined the courtesies tendered to him by the city officers.** +He made an address from the portico of the Townsend House, of which +polygamy was the principle feature, and was soon afterward drawn into a +newspaper discussion of the subject with John Taylor. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * In an interview between Young and Senator Trumbull during this +visit (reported in the Alta California), the following conversation took +place:—"Young—We can take care of ourselves. Cumming was good enough +in his way, for you know he was simply Governor of the Territory, while +I was and am Governor of the people." +</pre> + <p> + "Senator Trumbull—Mr. Young, may I say to the President that you + intend to observe the laws under the constitution?" + </p> + <p> + "Young-Well-yes—we intend to." + </p> + <p> + "Senator Trumbull—But may I say to him that you will do so?" + </p> + <p> + "Young—Yes, yes; so far as the laws are just, certainly." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Mr. Colfax politely refused to accept the proffered +courtesies of the city. Brigham was reported to have uttered abusive +language in the Tabernacle towards the Government and Congress, and to +have charged the President and Vice President with being drunkards. +One of the Aldermen who waited upon Mr. Colfax to tender to him the +hospitality of the city could only say that he did not hear Brigham say +so."—"Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 638. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0076" id="link2HCH0076"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. — GENTILE IRRUPTION AND MORMON SCHISM + </h2> + <p> + The end of the complete seclusion of the Mormon settlement in Utah from + the rest of the country—complete except so far as it was interrupted + by the passage through the territory of the California emigration—dates + from the establishment of Camp Floyd, and the breaking up of that camp and + the disposal of its accumulation of supplies, which gave the first big + impetus to mercantile traffic in Utah.* Young was ever jealous of the + mercantile power, so openly jealous that, as Tullidge puts it, "to become + a merchant was to antagonize the church and her policies, so that it was + almost illegitimate for Mormon men of enterprising character to enter into + mercantile pursuits." This policy naturally increased the business of + non-Mormons who established themselves in the city, and their prosperity + directed the attention of the church authorities to them, and the pulpit + orators hurled anathemas at those who traded with them. Thus Young, in a + discourse, on March 28, 1858, urging the people to use home-made material, + said: "Let the calicoes lie on the shelves and rot. I would rather build + buildings every day and burn them down at night, than have traders here + communing with our enemies outside, and keeping up a hell all the time, + and raising devils to keep it going. They brought their hell with them. We + can have enough of our own without their help."** A system of espionage, + by means of the city police, was kept on the stores of non-Mormons, until + it required courage for a Mormon to make a purchase in one of these + establishments. To trade with an apostate Mormon was, of course, a still + greater offence. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The community had become utterly destitute of almost +everything necessary to their social comfort. The people were poorly +clad, and rarely ever saw anything on their tables but what was prepared +from flour, corn, beet-molasses, and the vegetables and fruits of their +gardens.... It was at Camp Floyd, indeed, where the principal Utah +merchants and business men of the second decade of our history may be +said to have laid the foundation of their fortunes, among whom were the +Walker Brothers."—Tullidge, "History of Salt Lake City," pp. 246-247. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Journal of Discourses, Vol. VII, p. 45. +</pre> + <p> + Among the mercantile houses that became strong after the establishment of + Camp Floyd was that of Walker Brothers. There were four of them, + Englishmen, who had come over with their mother, and shared in the + privations of the early Utah settlement. Possessed of practical business + talent and independence of thought, they rebelled against Young's + dictatorial rule and the varied trammels by which their business was + restricted. Without openly apostatizing, they insisted on a measure of + independence. One manifestation of this was a refusal to contribute + one-tenth of their income as a tithe for the expenditure of which no + account was rendered. One year, when asked for their tithe, they gave the + Bishop of their ward a check for $500 as "a contribution to the poor." + When this form of contribution was reported to Young, he refused to accept + it, and sent the brothers word that he would cut them off from the church + unless they paid their tithe in the regular way. Their reply was to tear + up the check and defy Young. + </p> + <p> + The natural result followed. Brigham and his lieutenants waged an open war + on these merchants, denouncing them in the Tabernacle, and keeping + policemen before their doors. The Walkers, on their part, kept on offering + good wares at reasonable prices, and thus retained the custom of as many + Mormons as dared trade with them openly, or could slip in undiscovered. + Even the expedient of placing a sign bearing an "all-seeing eye" and the + words "Holiness to the Lord" over every Mormon trader's door did not steer + away from other doors the Mormon customers who delighted in bargains. But + the church power was too great for any one firm to fight. Not only was a + business man's capital in danger in those times, when the church was + opposed to him, but his life was not safe. Stenhouse draws this picture of + the condition of affairs in 1866:—"After the assassination of Dr. + Robinson, fears of violence were not unnatural, and many men who had never + before carried arms buckled on their revolvers. Highly respectable men in + Salt Lake City forsook the sidewalks after dusk, and, as they repaired to + their residences, traversed the middle of the public street, carrying + their revolvers in their hands." + </p> + <p> + With such a feeling of uneasiness, nearly all the non-Mormon merchants + joined in a letter to Brigham Young, offering, if the church would + purchase their goods and estates at twenty-five per cent less than their + valuation, they would leave the Territory. Brigham answered them + cavalierly that he had not asked them to come into the Territory, did not + ask them to leave it, and that they might stay as long as they pleased. + </p> + <p> + "It was clear that Brigham felt himself master of the situation, and the + merchants had to bide their time, and await the coming change that was + anticipated from the completion of the Pacific Railroad. As the great iron + way approached the mountains, and every day gave greater evidence of its + being finished at a much earlier period than was at first anticipated, the + hope of what it would accomplish nerved the discontented to struggle with + the passing day." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 625. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon historian incorporates these two last paragraphs in his book, + and says: "Here is at once described the Gentile and apostate view of the + situation in those times, and, confined as it is to the salient point, no + lengthy special argument in favor of President Young's policies could more + clearly justify his mercantile cooperative movement. IT WAS THE MOMENT OF + LIFE OR DEATH TO THE TEMPORAL POWER OF THE CHURCH.... The organization of + Z. C. M. I. at that crisis saved the temporal supremacy of the Mormon + commonwealth."* It was to meet outside competition with a force which + would be invincible that Young conceived the idea of Zion's Cooperative + Mercantile Institution, which was incorporated in 1869, with Young as + president. In carrying out this idea no opposing interest, whether inside + the church or out of it, received the slightest consideration. "The + universal dominance of the head of the church is admitted," says Tullidge, + "and in 1868, before the opening of the Utah mines and the existence of a + mixed population, there was no commercial escape from the necessities of a + combination."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 385. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Cooperation is as much a cardinal and essential doctrine of +the Mormon church as baptism for the remission of sin."—Tullidge, +"History of Salt Lake City." +</pre> + <p> + Young is said to have received the idea of the big Cooperative enterprise + from a small trader who asked permission to establish a mercantile system + on the Cooperative plan, of moderate dimensions, throughout the territory. + He gave it definite shape at a meeting of merchants in October, 1868, + which was followed by + </p> + <p> + a circular explaining the scheme to the people. A preamble asserted "the + impolicy of leaving the trade and commerce of this territory to be + conducted by strangers." The constitution of the concern provided for a + capital of $3,000,000 in $100 shares. Young's original idea was to have + all the merchants pool their stocks, those who found no places in the new + establishment to go into some other business,—farming for instance,—renting + their stores as they could. Of course this meant financial ruin to the + unprovided for, and the opposition was strong. But Young was not to be + turned from the object he had in view. One man told Stenhouse that when he + reported to Young that a certain merchant would be ruined by the scheme, + and would not only be unable to pay his debts, but would lose his + homestead, Young's reply was that the man had no business to get into + debt, and that "if he loses his property it serves him right." Tullidge, + in an article in Harpers Magazine for September, 1871 (written when he was + at odds with Young), said, "The Mormon merchants were publicly told that + all who refused to join the cooperation should be left out in the cold; + and against the two most popular of them the Lion of the Lord roared, 'If + Henry Lawrence don't mind what's he's about I'll send him on a mission, + and W. S. Godbe I'll cut off from the church."' + </p> + <p> + After the organization of the concern in 1869 some of the leading Mormon + merchants in Salt Lake City sold their goods to it on favorable terms, + knowing that the prices of their stock would go down when the opening of + the railroad lowered freight rates. The Z. C. M. I. was started as a + wholesale and retail concern, and Young recommended that ward stores be + opened throughout the city which should buy their goods of the + Institution. Local cooperative stores were also organized throughout the + territory, each of which was under pressure to make its purchases of the + central concern. Branches were afterward established at Ogden, at Logan, + and at Soda Springs, Idaho, and a large business was built up and is still + continued.* The effect of this new competition on the non-Mormon + establishments was, of course, very serious. Walker Brothers' sales, for + instance, dropped $5000 or $6000 a month, and only the opportunity to + divert their capital profitably to mining saved them and others from + immediate ruin. + </p> + <p> + Bancroft says that in 1883 the total sales of the Institution exceeded + $4,000,000, and a half yearly dividend of five per cent was paid in + October of that year, and there was a reserve fund of about $125,000; he + placed the sales of the Ogden branch, in 1883, at about $800,000, and of + the Logan branch at about $600,000. The thirty-second annual statement of + the Institution, dated April 5,1901, contains the following figures: + Capital stock, $1,077,144.89; reserve, $362,898.95; undivided profits, + $179,042.88; cash receipts, February 1 to December 31, 1900, + $3,457,624.44, sales for the same period, $3,489.571.84. The branch houses + named is this report are at Ogden City and Provo, Utah, and at Idaho + Falls, Idaho. + </p> + <p> + But at this time an influence was preparing to make itself felt in Utah + which was a more powerful opponent of Brigham Young's authority than any + he had yet encountered. This influence took shape in what was known as the + "New Movement," and also as "The Reformation." Its original leaders were + W. S. Godbe and E. L. T. Harrison. Godbe was an Englishman, who saw a good + deal of the world as a sailor, embraced the Mormon faith in his own + country when seventeen years of age, and walked most of the way from New + York to Salt Lake City in 1851. He became prominent in the Mormon capital + as a merchant, making the trip over the plains twenty-four times between + 1851 and 1859. Harrison was an architect by profession, a classical + scholar, and a writer of no mean ability. + </p> + <p> + With these men were soon associated Eli B. Kelsey, a leading elder in the + Mormon church, a president of Seventies, and a prominent worker in the + English missions; H. W. Lawrence, a wealthy merchant who was a Bishop's + counsellor; Amasa M. Lyman, who had been one of the Twelve Apostles and + was acknowledged to be one of the most eloquent preachers in the church; + W. H. Sherman, a prominent elder and a man of literary ability, who many + years later went back to the church; T. B. H. Stenhouse, a Scotchman by + birth, who was converted to Mormonism in 1846, and took a prominent part + in missionary work in Europe, for three years holding the position of + president of the Swiss and Italian missions; he emigrated to this country + with his wife and children in 1855, practically penniless, and supported + himself for a time in New York City as a newspaper writer; in Salt Lake + City he married a second wife by Young's direction, and one of his + daughters by his first wife married Brigham's eldest son. Stenhouse did + not win the confidence of either Mormons or non-Mormons in the course of + his career, but his book, "The Rocky Mountain Saints," contains much + valuable information. Active with these men in the "New Movement" was + Edward W. Tullidge, an elder and one of the Seventy, and a man of great + literary ability. In later years Tullidge, while not openly associating + himself with the Mormon church, wrote the "History of Salt Lake City" + which the church accepts, a "Life of Brigham Young," which could not have + been more fulsome if written by the most devout Mormon, and a "Life of + Joseph the Prophet," which is a valueless expurgated edition of Joseph's + autobiography which ran through the Millennial Star. + </p> + <p> + The "New Movement" was assisted by the advent of non-Mormons to the + territory, by Young's arbitrary methods in starting his cooperative + scheme, by the approaching completion of the Pacific Railroad, and, in a + measure, by the organization of the Reorganized Church under the + leadership of the prophet Joseph Smith's eldest son. Two elders of that + church, who went to Salt Lake City in 1863, were refused permission to + preach in the Tabernacle, but did effective work by house-to-house + visitations, and there were said to be more than three hundred of the + "Josephites," as they were called, in Salt Lake City in 1864.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Persecution followed, as they claimed; and in early summer +about one-half of the Josephites in Salt Lake City started eastward, so +great being the excitement that General Connor ordered a strong escort +to accompany them as far as Greene River. To those who remained, +protection was also afforded by the authorities."—Bancroft, "History of +Utah," p. 645. +</pre> + <p> + Harrison and Tullidge had begun the publication of a magazine called the + Peep o' Day at Camp Douglas, but it was a financial failure. Then Godbe + and Harrison started the Utah Magazine, of which Harrison was editor. + This, too, was only a drain on their purses. Accordingly, some time in the + year 1868, giving it over to the care of Tullidge, they set out on a trip + to New York by stage. Both were in doubt on many points regarding their + church; both were of that mental make-up which is susceptible to + "revelations" and "callings"; by the time they reached New York they + realized that they were "on the road to apostasy." + </p> + <p> + Long discussions of the situation took place between them, and the outcome + was characteristic of men who had been influenced by such teachings as + those of the Mormons. Kneeling down in their room, they prayed earnestly, + and as they did so "a voice spoke to them." For three weeks, while Godbe + transacted his mercantile business, his friend prepared questions on + religion and philosophy, "and in the evening, by appointment, 'a band of + spirits' came to them and held converse with them, as friends would speak + with friends. One by one the questions prepared by Mr. Harrison were read, + and Mr. Godbe and Mr. Harrison, with pencil and paper, took down the + answers as they heard them given by the spirits."* The instruction which + they thus received was Delphic in its clearness—that which was true + in Mormonism should be preserved and the rest should be rejected. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 631. +</pre> + <p> + When they returned to Utah they took Elder Eli B. Kelsey, Elder H. W. + Lawrence, a man of wealth, and Stenhouse into their confidence, and it was + decided to wage open warfare on Young's despotism, using the Utah Magazine + as their mouthpiece. Without attacking Young personally, or the + fundamental Mormon beliefs, the magazine disputed Young's doctrine that + the world was degenerating to ruin, held up the really "great characters" + the world has known, that Young might be contrasted with them, and + discussed the probabilities of honest errors in religious beliefs. When + the Mormon leaders read in the magazine such doctrine as that, "There is + one false error which possesses the minds of some in this, that God + Almighty intended the priesthood to do our thinking," they realized that + they had a contest on their hands. Young got into trouble with the + laboring men at this time. He had contracts for building a part of the + Pacific Railroad, which were sublet at a profit. An attempt by him to + bring about a reduction of wages gave the magazine an opportunity to plead + the laborers' cause which it gladly embraced.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Harpers Magazine, Vol. XLIII, p. 605. +</pre> + <p> + In the summer of 1869 Alexander and David Hyrum Smith, sons of the + prophet, visited Salt Lake City in the interest of the Reorganized Church. + Many of Young's followers still looked on the sons of the prophet as their + father's rightful successor to the leadership of the Church, as Young at + Nauvoo had promised that Joseph III should be. But these sons now found + that, even to be acknowledged as members of Brigham's fold, they must + accept baptism at the hands of one of his elders, and acknowledge the + "revelation" concerning polygamy as coming from God. They had not come + with that intent. But they called on Young and discussed with him the + injection of polygamy into the church doctrines. Young finally told them + that they possessed, not the spirit of their father, but of their mother + Emma, whom Young characterized as "a liar, yes, the damnedest liar that + lived," declaring that she tried to poison the prophet * He refused to + them the use of the Tabernacle, but they spoke in private houses and, + through the influence of the Walker brothers, secured Independence Hall. + The Brighamites, using a son of Hyrum Smith as their mouthpiece,** took + pains that a goodly number of polygamists should attend the Independence + Hall meetings, and interruptions of the speakers turned the gatherings + into something like personal wrangles. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * For Alexander Smith's report, see True Latter-Day Saints' +Herald, Vol. XVI, pp. 85-86. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Hyrum's widow went to Salt lake City, and died there in +September, 1852, at the house of H. C. Kimball, who had taken care of +her. +</pre> + <p> + The presence of the prophet's sons gave the leaders of "The Reformation" + an opportunity to aim a thrust at what was then generally understood to be + one of Brigham Young's ambitions, namely, the handing down of the + Presidency of the church to his oldest son; and an article in their + magazine presented the matter in this light: "If we know the true feeling + of our brethren, it is that they never intend Joseph Smith's nor any other + man's son to preside over them, simply because of their sonship. The + principle of heirship has cursed the world for ages, and with our brethren + we expect to fight it till, with every other relic of tyranny, it is + trodden under foot." Young accepted this challenge, and at once ordered + Harrison and two other elders in affiliation with him to depart on + missions. They disobeyed the order. + </p> + <p> + Godbe and Harrison told their friends in Utah that they had learned from + the spirits who visited them in New York that the release of the people of + the territory from the despotism of the church could come only through the + development of the mines. So determined was the opposition of Young's + priesthood to this development that its open advocacy in the magazine was + the cause of more serious discussion than that given to any of the other + subjects treated. As "The Reformation" did not then embrace more than a + dozen members, the courage necessary to defy the church on such a question + was not to be belittled. Just at that time came the visit of the Illinois + party and of Vice President Colfax, and the latter was made acquainted + with their plans and gave them encouragement. Ten days later the magazine, + in an article on "The True Development of the Territory," openly advised + paying more attention to mining. Young immediately called together the + "School of the Prophets." This was an organization instituted in Utah, + with the professed object of discussing doctrinal questions, having the + "revelations" of the prophet elucidated by his colleagues, etc. It was not + open to all church members, the "scholars" attending by invitation, and it + soon became an organization under Young's direction which took cognizance + of the secular doings of the people, exercising an espionage over them. + The school is no longer maintained. Before this school Young denounced the + "Reformers" in his most scathing terms, going so far as to intimate that + his rule was itself in danger. Consequently the leaders of the "New + Movement" were notified to appear before the High Council for a hearing. + </p> + <p> + When this hearing occurred, Young managed that Godbe and Harrison should + be the only persons on trial. Both of them defied him to his face, denying + his "right to dictate to them in all things spiritual and temporal,"—this + was the question put to them,—and protesting against his rule. They + also read a set of resolutions giving an outline of their intended + movements. They were at once excommunicated, and the only elder, Eli B. + Kelsey, who voted against this action was immediately punished in the same + way. Kelsey was not granted even the perfunctory hearing that was + customarily allowed in such cases, and he was "turned over to the devil," + instead of being consigned by the usual formula "to the buffetings of + Satan." + </p> + <p> + But this did not silence the "Reformers." Their lives were considered in + danger by their acquaintances, and the assassination of the most prominent + of them was anticipated;* but they went straight ahead on the lines they + had proclaimed. Their first public meetings were held on Sunday, December + 19, 1869. The knowledge of the fact that they claimed to act by direct and + recent revelation gave them no small advantage with a people whose belief + rested on such manifestations of the divine will, and they had crowded + audiences. The services were continued every Sunday, and on the evening of + one week day; the magazine went on with its work, and they were the + founders of the Salt Lake Tribune which later, as a secular journal, has + led the Gentile press in Utah. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "In August my husband sent a respectful and kindly letter to +the Bishop of our ward, stating that he had no faith in Brigham's claim +to an Infallible Priesthood; and that he considered that he ought to be +cut off from the church. I added a postscript stating that I wished to +share my husband's fate. A little after ten o'clock, on the Saturday +night succeeding our withdrawal from the church, we were returning home +together.. . when we suddenly saw four men come out from under some +trees at a little distance from us.... As soon as they approached, they +seized hold of my husband's arms, one on each side, and held him firmly, +thus rendering him almost powerless. They were all masked.... In an +instant I saw them raise their arms, as if taking aim, and for one brief +second I thought that our end had surely come, and that we, like so many +obnoxious persons before us, were about to be murdered for the great sin +of apostasy. This I firmly believe would have been my husband's fate +if I had not chanced to be with him or had I run away.... The wretches, +although otherwise well armed, were not holding revolvers in their hands +as I at first supposed. They were furnished with huge garden syringes, +charged with the most disgusting filth. My hair, bonnet, face, clothes, +person—every inch of my body, every shred I wore—were in an instant +saturated, and my husband and myself stood there reeking from head to +foot. The villains, when they had perpetrated this disgusting and brutal +outrage, turned and fled."—Mrs. Stenhouse, "Tell it All," pp. 578-581. +</pre> + <p> + But the attempt to establish a reformed Mormonism did not succeed, and the + organization gradually disappeared. One of the surviving leaders said to + me (in October, 1901): "My parents had believed in Mormonism, and I + believed in the Mormon prophet and the doctrines set forth in his + revelations. We hoped to purify the Mormon church, eradicating evils that + had annexed themselves to it in later years. But our study of the question + showed us that the Mormon faith rested on no substantial basis, and we + became believers in transcendentalism." Mr. Godbe and Mr. Lawrence still + reside in Utah. The former has made and lost more than one fortune in the + mines. The Mormon historian Whitney says of the leaders in this attempted + reform: "These men were all reputable and respected members of the + community. Naught against their morality or general uprightness of + character was known or advanced."* Stenhouse, writing three years before + Young's death, said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Whitney's "History of Utah," Vol. II, p. 332. +</pre> + <p> + "But for the boldness of the Reformers, Utah to-day would not have been + what it is. Inspired by their example, the people who have listened to + them disregarded the teachings of the priesthood against trading with or + purchasing of the Gentiles. The spell was broken, and, as in all such like + experience, the other extreme was for a time threatened. Walker Brothers + regained their lost trade.... Reference could be made to elders, some of + whom had to steal away from Utah, for fear of violent hands being laid + upon them had their intended departure been made known, who are to-day + wealthy and respected gentlemen in the highest walks of life, both in the + United States and in Europe." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** For accounts of "The Reformation" by leaders in it, +see Chap. 53 of Stenhouse's "Rocky Mountain Saints," and Tullidge's +article, Harper's Magazine, Vol. XLIII, p. 602. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0077" id="link2HCH0077"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. — THE LAST YEARS OF BRIGHAM YOUNG + </h2> + <p> + Governor Doty died in June, 1865, without coming in open conflict with + Young, and was succeeded by Charles Durkee, a native of Vermont, but + appointed from Wisconsin, which state he had represented in the United + States Senate. He resigned in 1869, and was succeeded by J. Wilson Shaffer + of Illinois, appointed by President Grant at the request of Secretary of + War Rawlins, who, in a visit to the territory in 1868, concluded that its + welfare required a governor who would assert his authority. Secretary S. + A. Mann, as acting governor, had, just before Shaffer's arrival, signed a + female suffrage bill passed by the territorial legislature. This gave + offence to the new governor, and Mann was at once succeeded by Professor + V. H. Vaughn of the University of Alabama, and Chief Justice C. C. Wilson + (who had succeeded Titus) by James B. McKean. The latter was a native of + Rensselaer County, New York; had been county judge of Saratoga County from + 1854 to 1858, a member of the 36th and 37th Congresses, and colonel of the + 72nd New York Volunteers. + </p> + <p> + Governor Shaffer's first important act was to issue a proclamation + forbidding all drills and gatherings of the militia of the territory + (which meant the Nauvoo Legion), except by the order of himself or the + United States marshal. Wells, signing himself "Lieutenant General," sent + the governor a written request for the suspension of this order. The + governor, in reply, reminded Wells that the only "Lieutenant General" + recognized by law was then Philip H. Sheridan, and declined to assist him + in a course which "would aid you and your turbulent associates to further + convince your followers that you and your associates are more powerful + than the federal government." Thus practically disappeared this famous + Mormon military organization. + </p> + <p> + Governor Shaffer was ill when he reached Utah, and he died a few days + after his reply to Wells was written, Secretary Vaughn succeeding him + until the arrival of G. A. Black, the new secretary, who then became + acting governor pending the arrival of George L. Woods, an ex-governor of + Oregon, who was next appointed to the executive office. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the new federal judges, who were men of high personal + character, took their seats, they decided that the United States marshal, + and not the territorial marshal, was the proper person to impanel the + juries in the federal courts, and that the attorney general appointed by + the President under the Territorial Act, and not the one elected under + that act, should prosecute indictments found in the federal courts. The + chief justice also filled a vacancy in the office of federal attorney. The + territorial legislature of 1870, accordingly, made no appropriation for + the expenses of the courts; and the chief justice, in dismissing the grand + and petit juries on this account, explained to them that he had heard one + of the high priesthood question the right of Congress even to pass the + Territorial Act. + </p> + <p> + In September, 1871, the United States marshal summoned a grand jury from + nine counties (twenty-three jurors and seventeen talesmen) of whom only + seven were Mormons. All the latter, examined on their voir dire, declared + that they believed that polygamy was a revelation to the church, and that + they would obey the revelation rather than the law, and all were + successfully challenged. This grand jury, early in October, found + indictments against Brigham Young, "General" Wells, G. Q. Cannon, and + others under a territorial statute directed against lewdness and improper + cohabitation. This action caused intense excitement in the Mormon capital. + Prosecutor Baskin was quoted as saying that the troops at Camp Douglas + would be used to enforce the warrant for Young's arrest if necessary, and + the possible outcome has been thus portrayed by the Mormon historian:—"It + was well known that he [Young] had often declared that he never would give + himself up to be murdered as his predecessor, the Prophet Joseph, and his + brother Hyrum had been, while in the hands of the law, and under the + sacred pledge of the state for their safety; and, ere this could have been + repeated, ten thousand Mormon Elders would have gone into the jaws of + death with Brigham Young. In a few hours the suspended Nauvoo Legion would + have been in arms."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tullidge's "History of Salt Lake City," p. 527. +</pre> + <p> + The warrant was served on Young at his house by the United States marshal, + and, as Young was ill, a deputy was left in charge of him. On October 9 + Young appeared in court with the leading men of the church, and a motion + to quash the indictment was made before the chief justice and denied. + </p> + <p> + The same grand jury on October 28 found indictments for murder against D. + H. Wells, W. H. Kimball, and Hosea Stout for alleged responsibility for + the killing of Richard Yates during the "war" of 1857. The fact that the + man was killed was not disputed; his brains were knocked out with an axe + as he was sleeping by the side of two Mormon guards.* The defence was that + he died the death of a spy. Wells was admitted to bail in $50,000, and the + other two men were placed under guard at Camp Douglas. Indictments were + also found against Brigham Young, W. A. Hickman, O. P. Rockwell, G. D. + Grant, and Simon Dutton for the murder of one of the Aikin party at Warm + Springs. They were all admitted to bail. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Hickman tells the story in his "Brigham's Destroying Angel," p. +122. +</pre> + <p> + When the case against Young, on the charge of improper cohabitation, was + called on November 20, his counsel announced that he had gone South for + his health, as was his custom in winter, and the prosecution thereupon + claimed that his bail was forfeited. Two adjournments were granted at the + request of his counsel. On January 3 Young appeared in court, and his + counsel urged that he be admitted to bail, pleading his age and ill + health. The judge refused this request, but said that the marshal could, + if he desired, detain the prisoner in one of Young's own houses. This + course was taken, and he remained under detention until released by the + decision of the United States Supreme Court. + </p> + <p> + In April, 1872, that court decided that the territorial jury law of Utah, + in force since 1859, had received the implied approval of Congress; that + the duties of the attorney and marshal appointed by the President under + the Territorial Act "have exclusive relation to cases arising under the + laws and constitution of the United States," and "the making up of the + jury list and all matters connected with the designation of jurors are + subject to the regulation of territorial law."* This was a great victory + for the Mormons. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Chilton vs. Englebrech, 13 Wallace, p. 434. +</pre> + <p> + In October, 1873, the United States Supreme Court rendered its decision in + the case of "Snow vs. The United States" on the appeal from Chief Justice + McKean's ruling about the authority of the prosecuting officers. It + overruled the chief justice, confining the duties of the attorney + appointed by the President to cases in which the federal government was + concerned, concluding that "in any event, no great inconvenience can + arise, because the entire matter is subject to the control and regulation + of Congress." * + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Wallace's "Reports," Vol. XVIII, p. 317. +</pre> + <p> + The following comments, from three different sources, will show the reader + how many influences were then shaping the control of authority in Utah:—"At + about this time [December, 1871] a change came in the action of the + Department of justice in these Utah prosecutions, and fair-minded men of + the nation demanded of the United States Government that it should stop + the disgraceful and illegal proceedings of Judge McKean's court. The + influence of Senator Morton was probably the first and most potent brought + to bear in this matter, and immediately thereafter Senator Lyman Trumbull + threw the weight of his name and statesmanship in the same direction, + which resulted in Baskin and Maxwell being superseded,... and finally + resulted in the setting aside of two years of McKean's doings as illegal + by the august decision of the Supreme Court."—Tullidge, "History of + Salt Lake City," p. 547. + </p> + <p> + "The Attorney for the Mormons labored assiduously at Washington, and, + contrary to the usual custom in the Supreme Court, the forthcoming + decision had been whispered to some grateful ears. The Mormon anniversary + conference beginning on the sixth of April was continued over without + adjournment awaiting that decision."—"Rocky Mountain Saints," p. + 688. + </p> + <p> + "Thus stood affairs during the winter of 1870-71. The Gentiles had the + courts, the Mormons had the money. In the spring Nevada came over to run + Utah. Hon. Thomas Fitch of that state had been defeated in his second race + for Congress; so he came to Utah as Attorney for the Mormons. Senator + Stewart and other Nevada politicians made heavy investments in Utah mines; + litigation multiplied as to mining titles, and Judge McKean did not rule + to suit Utah.... The great Emma mine, worth two or three millions, became + a power in our judicial embroglio. The Chief Justice, in various rulings, + favored the present occupants. Nevada called upon Senator Stewart, who + agreed to go straight to Long Branch and see that McKean was removed. But + Ulysses the Silent... promptly made reply that if Judge McKean had + committed no greater fault than to revise a little Nevada law, he was not + altogether unpardonable."—Beadle, "Polygamy," p. 429. + </p> + <p> + The Supreme Court decisions left the federal courts in Utah practically + powerless, and President Grant understood this. On February 14, 1873, he + sent a special message to Congress, saying that he considered it + necessary, in order to maintain the supremacy of the laws of the United + States, "to provide that the selection of grand and petit jurors for the + district courts [of Utah], if not put under the control of federal + officers, shall be placed in the hands of persons entirely independent of + those who are determined not to enforce any act of Congress obnoxious to + them, and also to pass some act which shall deprive the probate courts, or + any court created by the territorial legislature, of any power to + interfere with or impede the action of the courts held by the United + States judges." + </p> + <p> + In line with this recommendation Senator Frelinghuysen had introduced a + bill in the Senate early in February, which the Senate speedily passed, + the Democrats and Schurz, Carpenter, and Trumbull voting against it. + Mormon influence fought it with desperation in the House, and in the + closing hours of the session had it laid aside. The diary of Delegate + Hooper says on this subject, "Maxwell [the United States Marshal for Utah] + said he would take out British papers and be an American citizen no + longer. Claggett [Delegate from Montana] asserted that we had spent + $200,000 on the judiciary committee, and Merritt [Delegate from Idaho] + swore that there had been treachery and we had bribed Congress."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Mormons do not always conceal the influences they employ to +control legislation in which they are interested. Thus Tullidge, +referring to the men of whom their Cooperative Institution buys goods, +says: "But Z. C. M. I. has not only a commercial significance in the +history of our city, but also a political one. It has long been the +temporal bulwark around the Mormon community. Results which have been +seen in Utah affairs, preservative of the Mormon power and people, +unaccountable to 'the outsider' except on the now stale supposition that +'the Mormon Church has purchased Congress,' may be better traced to the +silent but potent influence of Z. C. M. I. among the ruling business men +of America, just as John Sharp's position as one of the directors of U. +P. R—-r,—a compeer among such men as Charles Francis Adams, Jay Gould +and Sidney Dillon—gives him a voice in Utah affairs among the railroad +rulers of America."—"History of Salt Lake City;" p. 734. +</pre> + <p> + In the election of 1872 the Mormons dropped Hooper, who had long served + them as Delegate at Washington, and sent in his place George Q. Cannon, an + Englishman by birth and a polygamist. But Mormon influence in Washington + was now to receive a severe check. On June 23, 1874, the President + approved an act introduced by Mr. Poland of Vermont, and known as the + Poland Bill,* which had important results. It took from the probate courts + in Utah all civil, chancery, and criminal jurisdiction; made the common + law in force; provided that the United States attorney should prosecute + all criminal cases arising in the United States courts in the territory; + that the United States marshal should serve and execute all processes and + writs of the supreme and district courts, and that the clerk of the + district court in each district and the judge of probate of the county + should prepare the jury lists, each containing two hundred names, from + which the United States marshal should draw the grand and petit juries for + the term. It further provided that, when a woman filed a bill to declare + void a marriage because of a previous marriage, the court could grant + alimony; and that, in any prosecution for adultery, bigamy, or polygamy, a + juror could be challenged if he practised polygamy or believed in its + righteousness. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Chap. 469, 1st Session, 43d Congress. +</pre> + <p> + The suit for divorce brought by Young's wife "No. 19,"—Ann Eliza + Young—in January, 1873, attracted attention all over the country. + Her bill charged neglect, cruel treatment, and desertion, set forth that + Young had property worth $8,000,000 and an income of not less than $40,000 + a year, and asked for an allowance of $1000 a month while the suit was + pending, $6000 for preliminary counsel fees, and $14,000 more when the + final decree was made, and that she be awarded $200,000 for her support. + Young in his reply surprised even his Mormon friends. After setting forth + his legal marriage in Ohio, stating that he and the plaintiff were members + of a church which held the doctrine that "members thereto might rightfully + enter into plural marriages," and admitting such a marriage in this case, + he continued: "But defendant denies that he and the said plaintiff + intermarried in any other or different sense or manner than that above + mentioned or set forth. Defendant further alleges that the said + complainant was then informed by the defendant, and then and there well + knew that, by reason of said marriage, in the manner aforesaid, she could + not have and need not expect the society or personal attention of this + defendant as in the ordinary relation between husband and wife." He + further declared that his property did not exceed $600,000 in value, and + his income $6000 a month. + </p> + <p> + Judge McKean, on February 25, 1875, ordered Young to pay Ann Eliza $3000 + for counsel fees and $500 a month alimony pendente lite, and, when he + failed to obey, sentenced him to pay a fine of $25 and to one day's + imprisonment. Young was driven to his own residence by the deputy marshal + for dinner, and, after taking what clothing he required, was conducted to + the penitentiary, where he was locked up in a cell for a short time, and + then placed in a room in the warden's office for the night. + </p> + <p> + Judge McKean was accused of inconsistency in granting alimony, because, in + so doing, he had to give legal sanction to Ann Eliza's marriage to Brigham + while the latter's legal wife was living. Judge McKean's successor, Judge + D. P. Loew, refused to imprison Young, taking the ground that there had + been no valid marriage. Loew's successor, Judge Boreman, ordered Young + imprisoned until the amount due was paid, but he was left at his house in + custody of the marshal. Boreman's successor, Judge White, freed Young on + the ground that Boreman's order was void. White's successor, Judge + Schaeffer, in 1876 reduced the alimony to $100 per month, and, in default + of payment, certain of Young's property was sold at auction and rents were + ordered seized to make up the deficiency. The divorce case came to trial + in April, 1877, when Judge Schaeffer decreed that the polygamous marriage + was void, annulled all orders for alimony, and assessed the costs against + the defendant. + </p> + <p> + Nothing further of great importance affecting the relations of the church + with the federal government occurred during the rest of Young's life. + Governor Woods incurred the animosity of the Mormons by asserting his + authority from time to time ("he intermeddled," Bancroft says). In 1874 he + was succeeded by S. B. Axtell of California, who showed such open sympathy + with the Mormon view of his office as to incur the severest censure of the + non-Mormon press. Axtell was displaced in the following year by G. B. + Emery of Tennessee, who held office until the early part of 1880, when he + was succeeded by Eli H. Murray.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Governor Murray showed no disposition to yield to Mormon +authority. In his message in 1882 be referred pointedly, among other +matters, to the tithing, declaring that "the poor man who earns a dollar +by the sweat of his brow is entitled to that dollar," and that "any +exaction or undue influence to dispossess him of any part of it, in any +other manner than in payment of a legal obligation, is oppression," and +he granted a certificate of election as Delegate to Congress to Allan G. +Campbell, who received only 1350 votes to 18,568 for George Q. Cannon, +holding that the latter was not a citizen. Governor Murray's resignation +was accepted in March, 1886, and he was succeeded in the following May +by Caleb W. West, who, in turn, was supplanted in May, 1889, by A. L. +Thomas, who was territorial governor when Utah was admitted as a state. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0078" id="link2HCH0078"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. — BRIGHAM YOUNG'S DEATH—HIS CHARACTER + </h2> + <p> + Brigham Young died in Salt Lake City at 4 P.M. on Wednesday, August 29, + 1877. He was attacked with acute cholera morbus on the evening of the + 23rd, after delivering an address in the Council House, and it was + followed by inflammation of the bowels. The body lay in state in the + Tabernacle from Saturday, September 1, until Sunday noon, when the funeral + services were held. He was buried in a little plot on one of the main + streets of Salt Lake City, not far from his place of residence. + </p> + <p> + The steps by which Young reached the position of head of the Mormon + church, the character of his rule, and the means by which he maintained it + have been set forth in the previous chapters of this work. In the ruler we + have seen a man without education, but possessed of an iron will, courage + to take advantage of unusual opportunities, and a thorough knowledge of + his flock gained by association with them in all their wanderings. In his + people we have seen a nucleus of fanatics, including some of Joseph + Smith's fellow-plotters, constantly added to by new recruits, mostly poor + and ignorant foreigners, who had been made to believe in Smith's Bible and + "revelations," and been further lured to a change of residence by false + pictures of the country they were going to, and the business opportunities + that awaited them there. Having made a prominent tenet of the church the + practice of polygamy, which Young certainly knew the federal government + would not approve, he had an additional bond with which to unite the + interests of his flock with his own, and thus to make them believe his + approval as necessary to their personal safety as they believed it to be + necessary to their salvation. The command which Young exercised in these + circumstances is not an illustration of any form of leadership which can + be held up to admiration. It is rather an exemplification of that tyranny + in church and state which the world condemns whenever an example of it is + afforded. + </p> + <p> + Young was the centre of responsibility for all the rebellion, + nullification, and crime carried on under the authority of the church + while he was its head. He never concealed his own power. He gloried in it, + and declared it openly in and out of the Tabernacle. Authority of this + kind cannot be divided. Whatever credit is due to Young for securing it, + is legitimately his. But those who point to its acquisition as a sign of + greatness, must accept for him, with it, responsibility for the crimes + that were carried on under it. + </p> + <p> + The laudators of Young have found evidence of great executive ability in + his management of the migration from Nauvoo to Utah. But, in the first + place, this migration was compulsory; the Mormons were obliged to move. In + the second place its accomplishment was no more successful than the + contemporary migrations to Oregon, and the loss of life in the camps on + the Missouri River was greater than that incurred in the great rush across + the plains to California; while the horrors of the hand-cart movement—a + scheme of Young's own device—have never been equalled in Western + travel. In Utah, circumstances greatly favored Young's success. Had not + gold been discovered when it was in California, the Mormon settlement + would long have been like a dot in a desert, and its ability to support + the stream Of immigrants attracted from Europe would have been + problematic, since, in more than one summer, those already there had + narrowly escaped starvation while depending on the agricultural resources + of the valley. + </p> + <p> + J. Hyde, writing in 1857, said that Young "by the native force and vigor + of a strong mind" had taken from beneath the Mormon church system "the + monstrous stilts of a miserable superstition, and consolidated it into a + compact scheme of the sternest fanaticism."* In other words, he might have + explained, instead of relying on such "revelations" as served Smith, he + refused to use artificial commands of God, and substituted the commands of + Young, teaching, and having his associates teach, that obedience to the + head of the church was obedience to the Supreme Power. Both Hyde and + Stenhouse, writing before Young's death, and as witnesses of the strength + of his autocratic government, overestimated him. This is seen in the view + they took of the effect of his death. Hyde declared that under any of the + other contemporary leaders: Taylor, Kimball, Orson Hyde, or Pratt: + "Mormonism will decline. Brigham is its tun; this is its daytime." + Stenhouse asserted that, "Theocracy will die out with Brigham's flickering + flame of life; and, when he is laid in the tomb, many who are silent now + will curse his memory for the cruel suffering that his ambition caused + them to endure." But all such prophecies remain unfulfilled. Young's death + caused no more revolution or change in the Mormon church than does the + death of a Pope in the Church of Rome. "Regret it who may," wrote a Salt + Lake City correspondent less than three months after his burial, "the fact + is visible to every intelligent person here that Mormonism has taken a new + lease of life, and, instead of disintegration, there never was such unity + among its people; and in the place of a rapidly dying consumptive, whose + days were numbered, the body of the church is the picture of pristine + health and vigor, with all the ambition and enthusiasm of a first love."** + The new leadership has, grudgingly, traded polygamy for statehood; but the + church power is as strong and despotic and unified to-day on the lines on + which it is working as it was under Young, only exercising that power on + the more civilized basis rendered necessary by closer connection with an + outside civilization. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism," p.151. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** New York Times, November 23, 1877. +</pre> + <p> + Young was a successful accumulator of property for his own use. A poor man + when he set out from Nauvoo, his estate at his death was valued at between + $2,000,000 and $3,000,000. This was a great accumulation for a pioneer who + had settled in a wilderness, been burdened with a polygamous family of + over twenty wives and fifty children, and the cares of a church + denomination, without salary as a church officer. "I am the only person in + the church," Young said to Greeley in 1859, "who has not a regular calling + apart from the church service"; and he added, "We think a man who cannot + make his living aside from the ministry of the church unsuited to that + office. I am called rich, and consider myself worth $250,000; but no + dollar of it ever was paid me by the church, nor for any service as a + minister of the Everlasting Gospel." * Two years after his death a writer + in the Salt Lake Tribune** asserted that Young had secured in Utah from + the tithing $13,000,000, squandered about $9,000 on his family, and left + the rest to be fought for by his heirs and assigns.*** Notwithstanding the + vast sums taken by him in tithing for the alleged benefit of the poor, + there was not in Salt Lake City, at the time of his death, a single + hospital or "home" creditable to that settlement. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Overland Journey," p. 213. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** June 25, 1879. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + *** "Having control of the tithing, and possessing unlimited +credit, he has added 'house to house and field to field,' while every +one knew that he had no personal enterprises sufficient to enable him +to meet anything like the current expenses of his numerous wives and +children. As trustee in trust he renders no account of the funds that +come into his hands, but tells the faithful that they are at perfect +liberty to examine the books at any moment."—"Rocky Mountain Saints," +p. 665. +</pre> + <p> + The mere acquisition of his wealth no more entitled Young to be held up as + a marvellous man of business than did Tweed's accumulations give him this + distinction in New York. Beadle declares that "Brigham never made a + success of any business he undertook except managing the Mormons," and + cites among his business failures the non-success of every distant colony + he planted, the Cottonwood Canal (whose mouth was ten feet higher than its + source), his beet-sugar manufactory, and his Colorado Transportation + Company (to bring goods for southern Utah up the Colorado River).* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Polygamy," p. 484. +</pre> + <p> + The reports of Young's discourses in the Temple show that he was as + determined in carrying out his own financial schemes as he was in + enforcing orders pertaining to the church. Here is an almost humorous + illustration of this. In urging the people one day to be more regular in + paying their tithing, he said they need not fear that he would make a bad + use of their money, as he had plenty of his own, adding:—"I believe + I will tell you how I get some of it. A great many of these elders in + Israel, soon after courting these young ladies, and old ladies, and + middle-aged ladies, and having them sealed to them, want to have a bill of + divorce. I have told them from the beginning that sealing men and women + for time and all eternity is one of the ordinances of the House of God, + and that I never wanted a farthing for sealing them, nor for officiating + in any of the ordinances of God's house. But when you ask for a bill of + divorce, I intend that you shall pay for it. That keeps me in spending + money, besides enabling me to give hundreds of dollars to the poor, and + buy butter, eggs, and little notions for women and children, and otherwise + use it where it does good. You may think this a singular feature of the + Gospel, but I cannot exactly say that this is in the Gospel."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Deseret News, March 20, 1861. For such an openly jolly old +hypocrite one can scarcely resist the feeling that he would like to pass +around the hat. +</pre> + <p> + We have seen how Young gave himself control of a valuable canyon. That was + only the beginning of such acquisitions. The territorial legislature of + Utah was continually making special grants to him. Among them may be + mentioned the control of City Creek canyon (said to have been worth + $10,000 a year) on payment of $500; of the waters of Mill Creek; exclusive + right to Kansas Prairie as a herd-ground; the whole of Cache Valley for a + herd-ground; Rush Valley for a herd-ground; rights to establish ferries; + an appropriation of $2500 for an academy in Salt Lake City (which was not + built), etc.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Here is the text of one of these acts: "Be it ordained by the +General Assembly of the State of Deseret that Brigham Young has the +sole control of City Creek and canyon; and that he pay into the public +treasury the sum of $500 therefore. Dec. 9, 1850." +</pre> + <p> + Young's holdings of real estate were large, not only in Salt Lake City, + but in almost every county in the territory.* Besides city lots and farm + lands, he owned grist and saw mills, and he took care that his farms were + well cultivated and that his mills made fine flour.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "For several years past the agent of the church, A. M. Musser, +has been engaged in securing legal deeds for all the property the +prophet claims, and by this he will be able to secure in his lifetime to +his different families such property as will render them independent at +his death. The building of the Pacific Railroad is said to have yielded +him about a quarter of a million."—"Rocky Mountain Saints," p. 666. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "His position secured him also many valuable presents. From a +barrel of brandy down to an umbrella, Brigham receives courteously and +remembers the donors with increased kindness. I saw one man make him a +present of ten fine milch cows."—Hyde, "Mormonism," p. 165. +</pre> + <p> + As trustee in trust for the church Young had control of all the church + property and income, practically without responsibility or oversight. Mrs. + Waite (writing in 1866) said that attempts for many years by the General + Conference to procure a balance sheet of receipts and expenditures had + failed, and that the accounts in the tithing office, such as they were, + were kept by clerks who were the leading actors in the Salt Lake Theatre, + owned by Young.* It was openly charged that, in 1852, Young "balanced his + account" with the church by having the clerk credit him with the amount + due by him, "for services rendered," and that, in 1867, he balanced his + account again by crediting himself with $967,000. A committee appointed to + investigate the accounts of Young after his death reported to the + Conference of October, 1878, that "for the sole purpose of preserving it + from the spoliation of the enemy," he "had transferred certain property + from the possession of the church to his own individual possession," but + that it had been transferred back again. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The Mormon Prophet," pp. 148-149, +</pre> + <p> + Young's will divided his wives and children into nineteen "classes," and + directed his executors to pay to each such a sum as might be necessary for + their comfortable support; the word "marriage" in the will to mean "either + by ceremony before a lawful magistrate, or according to the order of the + Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or by their cohabitation in + conformity to our custom." + </p> + <p> + On June 14, 1879, Emmeline A. Young, on behalf of herself and the heirs at + law, began a suit against the executors of Young's estate, charging that + they had improperly appropriated $200,000; had improperly allowed nearly + $1,000,000 to John Taylor as trustee in trust to the church, less a credit + of $300,000 for Young's services as trustee; and that they claimed the + power, as members of the Apostles' Quorum, to dispose of all the + testator's property and to disinherit any heir who refused to submit. This + suit was compromised in the following September, the seven persons joining + in it executing a release on payment of $75,000. A suit which the church + had begun against the heirs and executors was also discontinued. The Salt + Lake Herald (Mormon) of October 5, 1879, said, "The adjustment is far + preferable to a continuance of the suit, which was proving not only + expensive, but had become excessively annoying to many people, was a large + disturbing element in the community, and was rapidly descending into paths + that nobody here cares to see trodden." + </p> + <p> + Just how many wives Brigham Young had, in the course of his life, would + depend on his own and others' definition of that term. He told Horace + Greeley, in 1859: "I have fifteen; I know no one who has more. But some of + those sealed to me are old ladies, whom I regard rather as mothers than + wives, but whom I have taken home to cherish and support."* In 1869, he + informed the Boston Board of Trade, when that body visited Salt Lake City, + that he had sixteen wives living, and had lost four, and that forty-nine + of his children were living then. "He was," says Beadle, "sealed on the + spiritual wife system to more women than any one can count; all over + Mormondom are pious old widows, or wives of Gentiles and apostates, who + hope to rise at the last day and claim a celestial share in Brigham." J. + Hyde said that he knew of about twenty-five wives with whom Brigham lived. + The following list is made up from "Pictures and Biographies of Brigham + Young and his Wives," published by J. H. Crockwell of Salt Lake City, by + authority of Young's eldest son and of seven of his wives, but is not + complete:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Overland journey," p. 215. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0009" id="linkimage-0009"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/wives.jpg" height="81%" width="79%" + alt=" List of Wives " /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1 His first wife died 1832. +2 Joseph Smith's widows. +</pre> + <p> + Young's principal houses in Salt Lake City stood at the southeastern + corner of the block adjoining the Temple block, and designated on the map + as block 8. The largest building, occupying the corner, was called the + Beehive House; connected with this was a smaller building in which were + Young's private offices, the tithing office, etc; and next to this was a + building partly of stone, called the Lion House, taking its name from the + figure of a lion sculptured on its front, representing Young's title "The + Lion of the Lord." When J. Hyde wrote, seventeen or eighteen of Young's + wives dwelt in the Lion House, and the Beehive House became his official + residence.* Individual wives were provided for elsewhere. His legal wife + lived in what was called the White House, a few hundred yards from his + official home. His well-beloved Amelia lived in another house half a block + distant; another favorite, just across the street; Emmeline, on the same + block; and not far away the latest acquisition to his harem. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Beehive House is still the official residence of the head +of the church, and in it President Snow was living at the time of his +death. The office building is still devoted to office uses, and the +Lion House now furnishes temporary quarters to the Latter-Day Saints' +College. +</pre> + <p> + Young's life in his later years was a very orderly one, although he was + not methodical in arranging his office hours and attending to his many + duties. Rising before eight A.m., he was usually in his office at nine, + transacting business with his secretary, and was ready to receive callers + at ten. So many were the people who had occasion to see him, and so varied + were the matters that could be brought to his attention, that many hours + would be devoted to these callers if other engagements did not interfere. + Once a year he made a sort of visit of state to all the principal + settlements in the territory, accompanied by counsellors, apostles, and + Bishops, and sometimes by a favorite wife. Shorter excursions of the same + kind were made at other times. Each settlement was expected to give him a + formal greeting, and this sometimes took the form of a procession with + banners, such as might have been prepared for a conquering hero. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0079" id="link2HCH0079"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. — SOCIAL ASPECTS OF POLYGAMY + </h2> + <p> + There was something compulsory about all phases of life in Utah during + Brigham Young's regime—the form of employment for the men, the + domestic regulations of the women, the church duties each should perform, + and even the location in the territory which they should call their home. + Not only did large numbers of the foreign immigrants find themselves in + debt to the church on their arrival, and become compelled in this way to + labor on the "public works" as they might be ordered, but the skilled + mechanics who brought their tools with them in most cases found on their + arrival that existence in Utah meant a contest with the soil for food. + Even when a mechanic obtained employment at his trade it was in the ruder + branches. + </p> + <p> + Mormon authorities have always tried to show that Americans have + predominated in their community. Tullidge classes the population in this + order: Americans, English, Scandinavian (these claim one-fifth of the + Mormon population of Utah), Scotch, Welsh, Germans, and a few Irish, + French, Italians, and Swiss. The combination of new-comers and the + emigrants from Nauvoo made a rude society of fanatics,* before whom there + was held out enough prospect of gain in land values (scarcely one of the + immigrants had ever been a landowner) to overcome a good deal of the + discontent natural to their mode of life, and who, in religious matters, + were held in control by a priesthood, against whom they could not rebel + without endangering that hope of heaven which had induced them to journey + across the ocean. There are roughness and lawlessness in all frontier + settlements, but this Mormon community differed from all other gatherings + of new population in the American West. It did not migrate of its own + accord, attracted by a fertile soil or precious ores; it was induced to + migrate, not without misrepresentation concerning material prospects, it + is true, but mainly because of the hope that by doing so it would share in + the blessings and protection of a Zion. The gambling hell and the dance + hall, which form principal features of frontier mining settlements, were + wanting in Salt Lake City, and the absence of the brothel was pointed to + as evidence of the moral effect of polygamy. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "I have discovered thus early (1852) that little deference is +paid to women. Repeatedly, in my long walk to our boarding house, I was +obliged to retreat back from the [street] crossing places and stand on +one side for men to cross over. There are said to be a great many of +the lower order of English here, and this rudeness, so unusual with +our countrymen, may proceed from them."—Mrs. Ferris. "Life among the +Mormons." +</pre> + <p> + The system of plural marriages left its impress all over the home life of + the territory. Many of the Mormon leaders, as we have seen, had more wives + than one when they made their first trip across the plains, and the + practice of polygamy, while denied on occasion, was not concealed from the + time the settlement was made in the valley to the date of its public + proclamation. In the early days, a man with more than one wife provided + for them according to his means. Young began with quarters better than the + average, but modest in their way, and finally occupied the big buildings + which cost him many thousands of dollars. If a man with several wives had + the means to do so, he would build a long, low dwelling, with an outside + door for each wife, and thus house all under the same roof in a sort of + separate barracks. When Gunnison wrote, in 1852, there were many instances + in which more than one wife shared the same house when it contained only + one apartment, but he said: "It is usual to board out the extra ones, who + most frequently pay their own way by sewing, and other female + employments." Mrs. Ferris wrote: "The mass of the dwellings are small, + low, and hutlike. Some of them literally swarmed with women and children, + and had an aspect of extreme want of neatness.... One family, in which + there were two wives, was living in a small hut—three children very + sick [with scarlet fever]—two beds and a cook-stove in the same + room, creating the air of a pest-house."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Life among the Mormons," pp. 111, 145. +</pre> + <p> + Hyde, describing the city in 1857, thus enumerated the home accommodations + of some of the leaders:—"A very pretty house on the east side was + occupied by the late J. M. Grant and his five wives. A large barrack-like + house on the corner is tenanted by Ezra T. Benson and his four ladies. A + large but mean-looking house to the west was inhabited by the late Parley + P. Pratt and his nine wives. In that long, dirty row of single rooms, half + hidden by a very beautiful orchard and garden, lived Dr. Richard and his + eleven wives. Wilford Woodruff and five wives reside in another large + house still further west. O. Pratt and some four or five wives occupy an + adjacent building. Looking toward the north, we espy a whole block covered + with houses, barns, gardens, and orchards. In these dwell H. C. Kimball + and his eighteen or twenty wives, their families and dependents."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism," p. 34. The number of wives of the church leaders +decreased in later years. Beadle, giving the number of wives "supposed +to appertain to each" in 1882, credits President Taylor with four (three +having died), and the Apostles with an average of three each, Erastus +Snow having five, and four others only two each. +</pre> + <p> + Horace Greeley, prejudiced as he was in favor of the Mormons when he + visited Salt Lake City in 1859, was forced to observe:—"The + degradation (or, if you please, the restriction) of woman to the single + office of childbearing and its accessories is an inevitable consequence of + the system here paramount. I have not observed a sign in the streets, an + advertisement in the journals, of this Mormon metropolis, whereby a woman + proposes to do anything whatever. No Mormon has ever cited to me his + wife's or any woman's opinion on any subject; no Mormon woman has been + introduced or spoken to me; and, though I have been asked to visit Mormons + in their houses, no one has spoken of his wife (or wives) desiring to see + me, or his desiring me to make her (or their) acquaintance, or voluntarily + indicated the existence of such a being or beings."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Overland journey," p. 217. +</pre> + <p> + Woman's natural jealousy, and the suffering that a loving wife would + endure when called upon to share her husband's affection and her home with + other women, would seem to form a sort of natural check to polygamous + marriages. But in Utah this check was overcome both by the absolute power + of the priesthood over their flock, and by the adroit device of making + polygamy not merely permissive, but essential to eternal salvation. That + the many wives of even so exalted a prophet as Brigham Young could become + rebellious is shown by the language employed by him in his discourse of + September 21, 1856, of which the following will suffice as a specimen:—"Men + will say, 'My wife, though a most excellent woman, has not seen a happy + day since I took my second wife; no, not a happy day for a year.'... I + wish my women to understand that what I am going to say is for them, as + well as all others, and I want those who are here to tell their sisters, + yes, all the women in this community, and then write it back to the + states, and do as you please with it. I am going to give you from this + time till the 6th day of October next for reflection, that you may + determine whether you wish to stay with your husbands or not, and then I + am going to set every woman at liberty, and say to them, 'Now go your way, + my women with the rest; go your way.' And my wives have got to do one of + two things; either round up their shoulders to endure the afflictions of + this world, and live their religion, or they may leave, for I will not + have them about me. I will go into heaven alone, rather than have + scratching and fighting all around me. I will set all at liberty. What, + first wife too?' Yes, I will liberate you all. I know what my women will + say; they will say, 'You can have as many women as you please, Brigham.' + But I want to go somewhere and do something to get rid of the whiners... . + Sisters, I am not joking."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. IV, p. 55. +</pre> + <p> + Grant, on the same day, in connection with his presentation of the + doctrine of blood atonement, declared that there was "scarcely a mother in + Israel" who would not, if they could, "break asunder the cable of the + Church in Christ; and they talk it to their husbands, to their daughters, + and to their neighbors, and say that they have not seen a week's happiness + since they became acquainted with that law, or since their husbands took a + second wife."* The coarse and plain-spoken H. C. Kimball, in a discourse + in the Tabernacle, November 9, 1856, thus defined the duty of polygamous + wives, "It is the duty of a woman to be obedient to her husband, and, + unless she is, I would not give a damn for all her queenly right or + authority, nor for her either, if she will quarrel and lie about the work + of God and the principles of plurality."** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ibid, P. 52. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Deseret News, Vol. VI, p. 291. +</pre> + <p> + Gentile observers were amazed, in the earlier days of Utah, to see to what + lengths the fanatical teachings of the church officers would be accepted + by women. Thus Mrs. Ferris found that the explanation of the willingness + of many young women in Utah to be married to venerable church officers, + who already had harems, was their belief that they could only be "saved" + if married or sealed to a faithful Saint, and that an older man was less + likely to apostatize, and so carry his wives to perdition with him, than a + young one; therefore "it became an object with these silly fools to get + into the harems of the priests and elders." + </p> + <p> + If this advantage of the church officers in the selection of new wives did + not avail, other means were employed,*as in the notorious San Pete case. + The officers remaining at home did not hesitate to insist on a fair + division of the spoils (that is, the marriageable immigrants), as is shown + by the following remarks of Heber C. Kimball to some missionaries about + starting out: "Let truth and righteousness be your motto, and don't go + into the world for anything but to preach the Gospel, build up the Kingdom + of God, and gather the sheep into the fold. You are sent out as shepherds + to gather the sheep together; and remember that they are not your sheep; + they belong to Him that sends you. Then don't make a choice of any of + those sheep; don't make selections before they are brought home and put + into the fold. You understand that. Amen." Mr. Ferris thus described the + use of his priestly power made by Wilford Woodruff, who, as head of the + church in later years, gave out the advice about abandoning polygamy: + "Woodruff has a regular system of changing his harem. He takes in one or + more young girls, and so manages, after he tires of them, that they are + glad to ask for a divorce, after which he beats the bush for recruits. He + took a fresh one, about fourteen years old, in March, 1853, and will + probably get rid of her in the course of the ensuing summer." ** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Conan Doyle's story, "A Study in scarlet," is founded on the +use of this power. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** "Utah and the Mormons," p. 255. +</pre> + <p> + Mrs. Waite thus relates a conversation she had with a Mormon wife about + her husband going into polygamy:—"'Oh, it is hard,' she said, 'very + hard; but no matter, we must bear it. It is a correct principle, and there + is no salvation without it. We had one [wife] but it was so hard, both for + my husband and myself, that we could not endure it, and she left us at the + end of seven months. She had been with us as a servant several months, and + was a good girl; but as soon as she was made a wife she became insolent, + and told me she had as good a right to the house and things as I had, and + you know that didn't suit me well. But,' continued she, 'I wish we had + kept her, and I had borne everything, for we have GOT TO HAVE ONE, and + don't you think it would be pleasanter to have one you had known than a + stranger?'"* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The Mormon Prophet," p. 260. Many accounts of the feeling +of first wives regarding polygamy may be found in this book and in Mrs. +Stenhouse's "Tell it All." +</pre> + <p> + The voice which the first wife had in the matter was defined in the Seer + (Vol. I, p. 41). If she objected, she could state her objection to + President Young, who, if he found the reason sufficient, could forbid the + marriage; but if he considered that her reason was not good, then the + marriage could take place, and "he [the husband] will be justified, and + she will be condemned, because she did not give them unto him as Sarah + gave Hagar to Abraham, and as Rachel and Leah gave Bilhah and Zilpah to + their husband, Jacob." Young's dictatorship in the choice of wives was + equally absolute. "No man in Utah," said the Seer (Vol. I, p. 31), "who + already has a wife, and who may desire to obtain another, has any right to + make any proposition of marriage to a lady until he has consulted the + President of the whole church, and through him obtained a revelation from + God as to whether it would be pleasing in His sight." + </p> + <p> + The authority of the priesthood was always exerted to compel at least + every prominent member of the church to take more wives than one. "For a + man to be confined to one woman is a small business," said Kimball in the + Tabernacle, on April 4, 1857. This influence coerced Stenhouse to take as + his second wife a fourteen-year-old daughter of Parley P. Pratt, although + he loved his legal wife, and she had told him that she would not live with + him if he married again, and although his intimate friend, Superintendent + Cooke, of the Overland Stage Company, to save him, threatened to prosecute + him under the law against bigamy if he yielded.* Another illustration, + given by Mrs. Waite, may be cited. Kimball, calling on a Prussian + immigrant named Taussig one day, asked him how he was doing and how many + wives he had, and on being told that he had two, replied, "That is not + enough. You must take a couple more. I'll send them to you." The narrative + continues:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * When Mr. and Mrs. Stenhouse left the church at the time of the +"New Movement" their daughter, who was a polygamous wife of Brigham +Young's son, decided with the church and refused even to speak with her +parents. +</pre> + <p> + "On the following evening, when the brother returned home, he found two + women sitting there. His first wife said, 'Brother Taussig' (all the women + call their husbands brother), 'these are the Sisters Pratt.' They were two + widows of Parley P. Pratt. One of the ladies, Sarah, then said, 'Brother + Taussig, Brother Kimball told us to call on you, and you know what for.' + 'Yes, ladies,' replied Brother Taussig, 'but it is a very hard task for me + to marry two' The other remarked, 'Brother Kimball told us you were doing + a very good business and could support more women.' Sarah then took up the + conversation, 'Well, Brother Taussig, I want to get married anyhow.' The + good brother replied, 'Well, ladies, I will see what I can do and let you + know."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "The Mormon Prophet," p. 258. +</pre> + <p> + Brother Taussig compromised the matter with the Bishop of his ward by + marrying Sarah, but she did not like her new home, and he was allowed to + divorce her on payment of $10 to Brigham Young! + </p> + <p> + Each polygamous family was, of course, governed in accordance with the + character of its head: a kind man would treat all his wives kindly, + however decided a preference he might show for one; and under a brute all + would be unhappy. Young, in his earlier days at Salt Lake City, used to + assemble all his family for prayers, and have a kind word for each of the + women, and all ate at a common table after his permanent residences were + built. "Brigham's wives," says Hyde, "although poorly clothed and hard + worked, are still very infatuated with their system, very devout in their + religion, very devoted to their children. They content themselves with his + kindness as they cannot obtain his love."* He kept no servants, the wives + performing all the household work, and one of them acting as teacher to + her own and the others' children. As the excuse for marriage with the + Mormons is childbearing, the older wives were practically discarded, + taking the place of examples of piety and of spiritual advisers. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "Mormonism," p. 164. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** How far this doctrine was not observed may be noted in the +following remarks of H. C. Kimball in the Tabernacle, on February 1, +1857: "They [his wives] have got to live their religion, serve their +God, and do right as well as myself. Suppose that I lose the whole of +them before I go into the spiritual world, but that I have been a good, +faithful man all the days of my life, and lived my religion, and had +favor with God, and was kind to them, do you think I will be destitute +there? No. The Lord says there are more there than there are here. They +have been increasing there; they increase there a great deal faster than +they do here, because there is no obstruction. They do not call upon the +doctors to kill their offspring. In this world very many of the doctors +are studying to diminish the human race. In the spiritual world... we +will go to Brother Joseph... and he will say to us, 'Come along, my +boys, we will give you a good suit of clothes. Where are your wives?' +'They are back yonder; they would not follow us.' 'Never mind,' +says Joseph, 'here are thousands; have all you want.'"—Journal of +Discourses, Vol. IV, p. 209. +</pre> + <p> + A summing up of the many-sided evils of polygamy was thus presented by + President Cleveland in his first annual message:—"The strength, the + perpetuity, and the destiny of the nation rests upon our homes, + established by the law of God, guarded by parental care, regulated by + parental authority, and sanctified by parental love. These are not the + homes of polygamy. + </p> + <p> + "The mothers of our land, who rule the nation as they mould the characters + and guide the actions of their sons, live according to God's holy + ordinances, and each, secure and happy in the exclusive love of the father + of her children, sheds the warm light of true womanhood, unperverted and + unpolluted, upon all within her pure and wholesome family circle. These + are not the cheerless, crushed, and unwomanly mothers of polygamy. + </p> + <p> + "The fathers of our families are the best citizens of the Republic. Wife + and children are the sources of patriotism, and conjugal and parental + affection beget devotion to the country. The man who, undefiled with + plural marriage, is surrounded in his single home with his wife and + children, has a status in the country which inspires him with respect for + its laws and courage for its defence. These are not the fathers of + polygamous families." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0080" id="link2HCH0080"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. — THE FIGHT AGAINST POLYGAMY—STATEHOOD + </h2> + <p> + The first measure "to punish and prevent the practice of polygamy in the + Territories of the United States" was introduced in the House of + Representatives by Mr. Morrill of Vermont (Bill No. 7) at the first + session of the 36th Congress, on February 15, 1860. It contained clauses + annulling some of the acts of the territorial legislature of Utah, + including the one incorporating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day + Saints. This bill was reported by the Judiciary Committee on March 14, the + committee declaring that "no argument was deemed necessary to prove that + an act could be regarded as criminal which is so treated by the universal + concurrence of the Christian and civilized world," and characterizing the + church incorporation act as granting "such monstrous powers and arrogant + assumptions as are at war with the genius of our government." The bill + passed the House on April 5, by a vote of 149 to 60, was favorably + reported to the Senate by Mr. Bayard from the Judiciary Committee on June + 13, but did not pass that House. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Morrill introduced his bill by unanimous consent in the next Congress + (on April 8, 1862), and it was passed by the House on April 28. Mr. + Bayard, from the judiciary Committee, reported it back to the Senate on + June 3 with amendments. He explained that the House Bill punished not only + polygamous marriages, but cohabitation without marriage. The committee + recommended limiting the punishment to bigamy—a fine not to exceed + $500 and imprisonment for not more than five years. Another amendment + limited the amount of real estate which a church corporation could hold in + the territories to $50,000. The bill passed the Senate with the negative + votes of only the two California senators, and the House accepted the + amendments. Lincoln signed it. + </p> + <p> + Nothing practical was accomplished by this legislation, In 1867 George A. + Smith and John Taylor, the presiding officers of the Utah legislature, + petitioned Congress to repeal this act, setting forth as one reason that + "the judiciary of this territory has not, up to the present time, tried + any case under said law, though repeatedly urged to do so by those who + have been anxious to test its constitutionality." The House Judiciary + Committee reported that this was a practical request for the sanctioning + of polygamy, and said: "Your committee has not been able to ascertain the + reason why this law has not been enforced. The humiliating fact is, + however, apparent that the law is at present practically a dead letter in + the Territory of Utah, and that the gravest necessity exists for its + enforcement; and, in the opinion of the committee, if it be through the + fault or neglect of the judiciary of that territory that the laws are not + enforced, the judges should be removed without delay; and that, if the + failure to execute the law arises from other causes, it becomes the duty + of the President of the United States to see that the law is faithfully + executed."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * House Report No. 27, 2nd Session, 39th Congress. +</pre> + <p> + In June, 1866, Senator Benjamin Wade of Ohio obtained unanimous consent to + introduce a bill enacting radical legislation concerning such marriages as + were performed and sanctioned by the Mormon church, but it did not pass. + Senator Cragin of New Hampshire soon introduced a similar bill, but it, + too failed to become a law. + </p> + <p> + In 1869, in the first Congress that met under President Grant, Mr. Cullom + of Illinois introduced in the House the bill aimed at polygamy that was + designated by his name. This bill was the practical starting-point of the + anti-polygamous legislation subsequently enacted, as over it was aroused + the feeling—in its behalf in the East and against it in Utah—that + resulted in practical legislation. + </p> + <p> + Delegate Hooper made the leading speech against it, summing up his + objections as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "(1) That under our constitution we are entitled to be protected in the + full and free enjoyment of our religious faith. + </p> + <p> + "(2) That our views of the marriage relation are an essential portion of + our religious faith. + </p> + <p> + "(3) That, in conceding the cognizance of the marriage relation as within + the province of church regulations, we are practically in accord with all + other Christian denominations. + </p> + <p> + "(4) That in our view of the marriage relation as a part of our religious + belief we are entitled to immunity from persecution under the + constitution, if such views are sincerely held; that, if such views are + erroneous, their eradication must be by argument and not by force." + </p> + <p> + The bill, greatly amended, passed the House on March 23, 1870, by a vote + of 94 to 32. The news of this action caused perhaps the greatest + excitement ever known in Utah. There was no intention on the part of the + Mormons to make any compromise on the question, and they set out to defeat + the bill outright in the Senate. Meetings of Mormon women were gotten up + in all parts of the territory, in which they asserted their devotion to + the doctrine. The "Reformers," including Stenhouse, Harrison, Tullidge, + and others, and merchants like Walker Brothers, Colonel Kahn, and T. + Marshall, joined in a call for a mass-meeting at which all expressed + disapproval of some of its provisions, like the one requiring men already + having polygamous wives to break up their families. Mr. Godbe went to + Washington while the bill was before the House, and worked hard for its + modification. The bill did not pass the Senate, a leading argument against + it being the assumed impossibility of convicting polygamists under it with + any juries drawn in Utah. + </p> + <p> + The arrest of Brigham Young and others under the act to punish adulterers, + and the proceedings against them before Judge McKean in 1871, have been + noted. At the same term of the court Thomas Hawkins, an English immigrant, + was convicted of the same charge on the evidence of his wife, and + sentenced to imprisonment for three years and to pay a fine of $500. In + passing sentence, Judge McKean told the prisoner that, if he let him off + with a fine, the fine would be paid out of other funds than his own; that + he would thus go free, and that "those men who mislead the people would + make you and thousands of others believe that God had sent the money to + pay the fine; that, by a miracle, you had been rescued from the + authorities of the United States." + </p> + <p> + After the passage of the Poland law, in 1874, George Reynolds, Brigham + Young's private secretary, was convicted of bigamy under the law of 1862, + but was set free by the Supreme Court of the territory on the ground of + illegality in the drawing of the grand jury. In the following year he was + again convicted, and was sentenced to imprisonment for two years and to + pay a fine of $500. The case was appealed to the United States Supreme + Court, which rendered its decision in October, 1878, unanimously + sustaining the conviction, except that Justice Field objected to the + admission of one witness's testimony. + </p> + <p> + In its decision the court stated the question raised to be "whether + religious belief can be accepted as a justification for an overt act made + criminal by the law of the land." Next came a discussion of views of + religious freedom, as bearing on the meaning of "religion" in the federal + constitution, leading up to the conclusion that "Congress was deprived of + all legislative power over mere opinion, but was left free to reach + actions which were in violation of social duties, or subversive of good + order." The court then traced the view of polygamy in England and the + United States from the time when it was made a capital offence in England + (as it was in Virginia in 1788), declaring that, "in the face of all this + evidence, it is impossible to believe that the constitutional guaranty of + religious freedom was intended to prohibit legislation in respect to this + most important feature of social life." The opinion continued as follows:—"In + our opinion, the statute immediately under consideration is within the + legislative power of Congress. It is constitutional and valid as + prescribing a rule of action for all those residing in the Territories, + and in places over which the United States has exclusive control. This + being so, the only question which remains is, whether those who make + polygamy a part of their religion are excepted from the operation of the + statute. If they are, then those who do not make polygamy a part of their + religious belief may be found guilty and punished, while those who do, + must be acquitted and go free. This would be introducing a new element + into criminal law. Laws are made for the government of actions, and, while + they cannot interfere with mere religious belief and opinions, they may + with practices. Suppose one believed that human sacrifices were a + necessary part of religious worship, would it be seriously contended that + the civil government under which he lived could not interfere to prevent a + sacrifice? Or, if a wife religiously believed it was her duty to burn + herself on the funeral pile of her dead husband, would it be beyond the + power of the civil government to prevent her carrying her belief into + practice? + </p> + <p> + "So here, as a law of the organization of society under the exclusive + dominion of the United States, it is provided that plural marriages shall + not be allowed. Can a man excuse his practices to the contrary because of + his religious belief? To permit this would be to make the professed + doctrines of religious belief superior to the law of the land, and in + effect to permit every citizen to become a law unto himself. Government + could exist only in name under such circumstances. + </p> + <p> + "A criminal intent is generally an element of crime, but every man is + presumed to intend the necessary and legitimate consequences of what he + knowingly does. Here the accused knew he had been once married, and that + his first wife was living. He also knew that his second marriage was + forbidden by law. When, therefore, he married the second time, he is + presumed to have intended to break the law, and the breaking of the law is + the crime. Every act necessary to constitute the crime was knowingly done, + and the crime was therefore knowingly committed.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * United States Reports, Otto, Vol. III, p. 162. +</pre> + <p> + P. T. Van Zile of Michigan, who became district attorney of the territory + in 1878, tried John Miles, a polygamist, for bigamy, in 1879, and he was + convicted, the prosecutor taking advantage of the fact that the + territorial legislature had practically adopted the California code, which + allowed challenges of jurors for actual bias. The principal incident of + this trial was the summoning of "General" Wells, then a counsellor of the + church, as a witness, and his refusal to describe the dress worn during + the ceremonies in the Endowment House, and the ceremonies themselves. He + gave as his excuse, "because I am under moral and sacred obligations to + not answer, and it is interwoven in my character never to betray a friend, + a brother, my country, my God, or my religion." He was sentenced to pay a + fine, of $100, and to two days' imprisonment. On his release, the City + Council met him at the prison door and escorted him home, accompanied by + bands of music and a procession made up of the benevolent, fire, and other + organizations, and delegations from every ward. + </p> + <p> + Governor Emery, in his message to the territorial legislature of 1878, + spoke as plainly about polygamy as any of his predecessors, saying that it + was a grave crime, even if the law against it was a dead letter, and + characterizing it as an evil endangering the peace of society. + </p> + <p> + There was a lull in the agitation against polygamy in Congress for some + years after the contest over the Cullom Bill. In 1878 a mass-meeting of + women of Salt Lake City opposed to polygamy was held there, and an address + "to Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes and the women of the United States," and a + petition to Congress, were adopted, and a committee was appointed to + distribute the petition throughout the country for signatures. The address + set forth that there had been more polygamous marriages in the last year + than ever before in the history of the Mormon church; that Endowment + Houses, under the name of temples, and costing millions, were being + erected in different parts of the territory, in which the members were + "sealed and bound by oaths so strong that even apostates will not reveal + them"; that the Mormons had the balance of power in two territories, and + were plotting to extend it; and asking Congress "to arrest the further + progress of this evil." + </p> + <p> + President Hayes, in his annual message in December, 1879, spoke of the + recent decision of the United States Supreme Court, and said that there + was no reason for longer delay in the enforcement of the law, urging "more + comprehensive and searching methods" of punishing and preventing polygamy + if they were necessary. He returned to the subject in his message in 1880, + saying: "Polygamy can only be suppressed by taking away the political + power of the sect which encourages and sustains it.. .. I recommend that + Congress provide for the government of Utah by a Governor and judges, or + Commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, + (or) that the right to vote, hold office, or sit on juries in the + Territory of Utah be confined to those who neither practise nor uphold + polygamy." + </p> + <p> + President Garfield took up the subject in his inaugural address on March + 4, 1881. "The Mormon church," he said, "not only offends the moral sense + of mankind by sanctioning polygamy, but prevents the administration of + justice through ordinary instrumentalities of law." He expressed the + opinion that Congress should prohibit polygamy, and not allow "any + ecclesiastical organization to usurp in the smallest degree the functions + and power, of the national government." President Arthur, in his message + in December, 1881, referred to the difficulty of securing convictions of + persons accused of polygamy—"this odious crime, so revolting to the + moral and religious sense of Christendom"—and recommended + legislation. + </p> + <p> + In the spirit of these recommendations, Senator Edmunds introduced in the + Senate, on December 12, 1881, a comprehensive measure amending the + antipolygamy law of 1862, which, amended during the course of the debate, + was passed in the Senate on February 12, 1882, without a roll-call,*and in + the House on March 13, by a vote of 199 to 42, and was approved by the + President on March 22. This is what is known as the Edmunds law—the + first really serious blow struck by Congress against polygamy. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Speeches against the bill were made in the Senate by Brown, +Call, Lamar, Morgan, Pendleton, and Vest. +</pre> + <p> + It provided, in brief, that, in the territories, any person who, having a + husband or wife living, marries another, or marries more than one woman on + the same day, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500, and by + imprisonment, for not more than five years; that a male person cohabiting + with more than one woman shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and be subject + to a fine of not more than $300 or to six months' imprisonment, or both; + that in any prosecution for bigamy, polygamy, or unlawful cohabitation, a + juror may be challenged if he is or has been living in the practice of + either offence, or if he believes it right for a man to have more than one + living and undivorced wife at a time, or to cohabit with more than one + woman; that the President may have power to grant amnesty to offenders, as + described, before the passage of this act; that the issue of so-called + Mormon marriages born before January 1, 1883, be legitimated; that no + polygamist shall be entitled to vote in any territory, or to hold office + under the United States; that the President shall appoint in Utah a board + of five persons for the registry of voters, and the reception and counting + of votes. + </p> + <p> + To meet the determined opposition to the new law, an amendment (known as + the Edmunds-Tucker law) was enacted in 1887. This law, in any prosecution + coming under the definition of plural marriages, waived the process of + subpoena, on affadavit of sufficient cause, in favor of an attachment; + allowed a lawful husband or wife to testify regarding each other; required + every marriage certificate in Utah to be signed by the parties and the + person performing the ceremony, and filed in court; abolished female + suffrage, and gave suffrage only to males of proper age who registered and + took an oath, giving the names of their lawful wives, and promised to obey + the laws of the United States, and especially the Edmunds law; + disqualified as a juror or officeholder any person who had not taken an + oath to support the laws of the United States, or who had been convicted + under the Edmunds law; gave the President power to appoint the judges of + the probate courts;* provided for escheating to the United States for the + use of the common schools the property of corporations held in violation + of the act in 1862, except buildings held exclusively for the worship of + God, the parsonages connected therewith, and burial places; dissolved the + corporation called the Perpetual Emigration Company, and forbade the + legislature to pass any law to bring persons into the territory; dissolved + the corporation known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, + and gave the Supreme Court of the territory power to wind up its affairs; + and annulled all laws regarding the Nauvoo Legion, and all acts of the + territorial legislature. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The first territorial legislature which met after the passage +of this law passed an act practically nullifying such appointments of +probate judges, but the governor vetoed it. In Beaver County, as soon as +the appointment of a probate judge by the President was announced, the +Mormon County Court met and reduced his salary to $5 a year. +</pre> + <p> + The first members of the Utah commission appointed under the Edmunds law + were Alexander Ramsey of Minnesota, A. B. Carleton of Indiana, A. S. + Paddock of Nebraska, G. L. Godfrey of Iowa, and J. R. Pettigrew of + Arkansas, their appointments being dated June 23, 1882. + </p> + <p> + The officers of the church and the Mormons as a body met the new situation + as aggressively as did Brigham Young the approach of United States troops. + Their preachers and their newspapers reiterated the divine nature of the + "revelation" concerning polygamy and its obligatory character, urging the + people to stand by their leaders in opposition to the new laws. The + following extracts from "an Epistle from the First Presidency, to the + officers and members of the church," dated October 6, 1885, will + sufficiently illustrate the attitude of the church organization:—"The + war is openly and undisguisedly made upon our religion. To induce men to + repudiate that, to violate its precepts, and break its solemn covenants, + every encouragement is given. The man who agrees to discard his wife or + wives, and to trample upon the most sacred obligations which human beings + can enter into, escapes imprisonment, and is applauded: while the man who + will not make this compact of dishonor, who will not admit that his past + life has been a fraud and a lie, who will not say to the world, 'I + intended to deceive my God, my brethren, and my wives by making covenants + I did not expect to keep,' is, beside being punished to the full extent of + the law, compelled to endure the reproaches, taunts, and insults of a + brutal judge.... + </p> + <p> + "We did not reveal celestial marriage. We cannot withdraw or renounce it, + God revealed it, and he has promised to maintain it and to bless those who + obey it. Whatever fate, then, may threaten us, there is but one course for + men of God to take; that is, to keep inviolate the holy covenants they + have made in the presence of God and angels. For the remainder, whether it + be life or death, freedom or imprisonment, prosperity or adversity, we + must trust in God. We may say, however, if any man or woman expects to + enter into the celestial kingdom of our God without making sacrifices and + without being tested to the very uttermost, they have not understood the + Gospel.... + </p> + <p> + "Upward of forty years ago the Lord revealed to his church the principle + of celestial marriage. The idea of marrying more wives than one was as + naturally abhorrent to the leading men and women of the church, at that + day, as it could be to any people. They shrank with dread from the bare + thought of entering into such relationship. But the command of God was + before them in language which no faithful soul dare disobey, 'For, behold, + I reveal unto you a new and everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that + covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant, and be + permitted to enter into my glory.'... Who would suppose that any man, in + this land of religious liberty, would presume to say to his fellow-man + that he had no right to take such steps as he thought necessary to escape + damnation? Or that Congress would enact a law which would present the + alternative to religious believers of being consigned to a penitentiary if + they should attempt to obey a law of God which would deliver them from + damnation?" + </p> + <p> + There was a characteristic effort to evade the law as regards political + rights. The People's Party (Mormon), to get around the provision + concerning the test oath for voters, issued an address to them which said: + "The questions that intending voters need therefore ask themselves are + these: Are we guilty of the crimes of said act; or have we THE PRESENT + INTENTION of committing these crimes, or of aiding, abetting, causing or + advising any other person to commit them. Male citizens who can answer + these questions in the negative can qualify under the laws as voters or + office-holders." + </p> + <p> + Two events in 1885 were the cause of so much feeling that United States + troops were held in readiness for transportation to Utah. The first of + these was the placing of the United States flag at half mast in Salt Lake + City, on July 4, over the city hall, county court-house, theatre, + cooperative store, Deseret News office, tithing office, and President + Taylor's residence, to show the Mormon opinion that the Edmunds law had + destroyed liberty. When a committee of non-Mormon citizens called at the + city hall for an explanation of this display, the city marshal said that + it was "a whim of his," and the mayor ordered the flag raised to its + proper place. + </p> + <p> + In November of that year a Mormon night watchman named McMurrin was shot + and severely wounded by a United States deputy marshal named Collin. This + caused great feeling, and there were rumors that the Mormons threatened to + lynch Collin, that armed men had assembled to take him out of the + officers' hands, and that the Mormons of the territory were arming + themselves, and were ready at a moment's notice to march into Salt Lake + City. Federal troops were held in readiness at Eastern points, but they + were not used. The Salt Lake City Council, on December 8, made a report + denying the truth of the disquieting rumors, and declaring that "at no + time in the history of this city have the lives and property of its + non-Mormon inhabitants been more secure than now." + </p> + <p> + The records of the courts in Utah show that the Mormons stood ready to + obey the teachings of the church at any cost. Prosecutions under the + Edmunds law began in 1884, and the convictions for polygamy or unlawful + cohabitation (mostly the latter) were as follows in the years named: 3 in + 1884, 39 in 1885, 112 in 1886, 214 in 1887, and 100 in 1888, with 48 in + Idaho during the same period. Leading men in the church went into hiding—"under + ground," as it was called—or fled from the territory. As to the + actual continuance of polygamous marriages, the evidence was + contradictory. A special report of the Utah Commission in 1884 expressed + the opinion that there had been a decided decrease in their number in the + cities, and very little decrease in the rural districts. Their regular + report for that year estimated the number of males and females who had + entered into that relation at 459. The report for 1888 stated that the + registration officers gave the names of 29 females who, they had good + reason to believe, had contracted polygamous marriages since the lists + were closed in June, 1887. As late as 1889 Hans Jespersen was arrested for + unlawful cohabitation. As his plural marriage was understood to be a + recent one, the case attracted wide attention, since it was expected to + prove the insincerity of the church in making the protest against the + Edmunds law principally on the ground that it broke up existing families. + Jespersen pleaded guilty of adultery and polygamy, and was sentenced to + imprisonment for eight years. In making his plea he said that he was + married at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, that he and his wife + were the only persons there, and that he did not know who married them. + His wife testified that she "heard a voice pronounce them man and wife, + but didn't see any one nor who spoke." * Such were some of the methods + adopted by the church to set at naught the law. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Report of the Utah Commission for 1890, p. 23. +</pre> + <p> + But along with this firm attitude, influences were at work looking to a + change of policy. During the first year of the enforcement of the law it + was on many sides declared a failure, the aggressive attitude of the + church, and the willingness of its leaders to accept imprisonment, hiding, + or exile, being regarded by many persons in the East as proof that the + real remedy for the Utah situation was yet to be discovered. The Utah + Commission, in their earlier reports, combated this idea, and pointed out + that the young men in the church would grow restive as they saw all the + offices out of their reach unless they took the test oath, and that they + "would present an anomaly in human nature if they should fail to be + strongly influenced against going into a relation which thus subjects them + to political ostracism, and fixes on them the stigma of moral turpitude." + How wide this influence was is seen in the political statistics of the + times. When the Utah Commission entered on their duties in August, 1882, + almost every office in the territory was held by a polygamist. By April, + 1884, about 12,000 voters, male and female, had been disfranchised by the + act, and of the 1351 elective officers in the territory not one was a + polygamist, and not one of the municipal officers of Salt Lake City then + in office had ever been "in polygamy." + </p> + <p> + The church leaders at first tried to meet this influence in two ways, by + open rebuke of all Saints who showed a disposition to obey the new laws, + and by special honors to those who took their punishment. Thus, the + Deseret News told the brethren that they could not promise to obey the + anti-polygamy laws without violating obligations that bound them to time + and eternity; and when John Sharp, a leading member of the church in Salt + Lake City, went before the court and announced his intention to obey these + laws, he was instantly removed from the office of Bishop of his ward. + </p> + <p> + The restlessness of the flock showed itself in the breaking down of the + business barriers set up by the church between Mormons and Gentiles. This + subject received a good deal of attention in the minority report signed by + two of the commissioners in 1888. They noted the sale of real estate by + Mormons to Gentiles against the remonstrances of the church, the + organization of a Chamber of Commerce in Salt Lake City in which Mormons + and Gentiles worked together, and the union of both elements in the last + Fourth of July celebration. + </p> + <p> + In the spring of 1890, at the General Conference held in Salt Lake City, + the office of "Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President" of the church, + that had remained vacant since the death of John Taylor in 1887, was + filled by the election of Wilford Woodruff, a polygamist who had refused + to take the test oath, while G. Q. Cannon and Lorenzo Snow, who were + disfranchised for the same cause, were made respectively counsellor and + president of the Twelve.* Woodruff was born in Connecticut in 1807, became + a Mormon in 1832, was several times sent on missions to England, and had + gained so much prominence while the church was at Nauvoo that he was the + chief dedicator of the Temple there. While there, he signed a certificate + stating that he knew of no other system of marriage in the church but the + one-wife system then prescribed in the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants." + Before the date of his promotion, Woodruff had declared that plural + marriages were no longer permitted, and, when he was confronted with + evidence to the contrary brought out in court, he denied all knowledge of + it, and afterward declared that, in consequence of the evidence presented, + he had ordered the Endowment House to be taken down. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Lorenzo Snow was elected president of the church on September +13, 1898, eleven days after the death of President Woodruff, and he held +that position until his death which occurred on October 10, 1901. +</pre> + <p> + Governor Thomas, in his report for 1890, expressed the opinion that the + church, under its system, could in only one way define its position + regarding polygamy, and that was by a public declaration by the head of + the church, or by action by a conference, and he added, "There is no + reason to believe that any earthly power can extort from the church any + such declaration." The governor was mistaken, not in measuring the purpose + of the church, but in foreseeing all the influences that were now making + themselves felt. + </p> + <p> + The revised statutes of Idaho at this time contained a provision (Sec. + 509) disfranchising all polygamists and debarring from office all + polygamists, and all persons who counselled or encouraged any one to + commit polygamy. The constitutionality of this section was argued before + the United States Supreme Court, which, on February 3, 1890, decided that + it was constitutional. The antipolygamists in Utah saw in this decision a + means of attacking the Mormon belief even more aggressively than had been + done by means of the Edmunds Bill. An act was drawn (Governor Thomas and + ex-Governor West taking it to Washington) providing that no person living + in plural or celestial marriage, or teaching the same, or being a member + of, or a contributor to, any organization teaching it, or assisting in + such a marriage, should be entitled to vote, to serve as a juror, or to + hold office, a test oath forming a part of the act. Senator Cullom + introduced this bill in the upper House and Mr. Struble of Iowa in the + House of Representatives. The House Committee on Territories (the + Democrats in the negative) voted to report the bill, amended so as to make + it applicable to all the territories. This proposed legislation caused + great excitement in Mormondom, and petitions against its passage were + hurried to Washington, some of these containing non-Mormon signatures. + </p> + <p> + As a further menace to the position of the church, the United States + Supreme Court, on May 19, affirmed the decision of the lower court + confiscating the property of the Mormon church, and declaring that church + organization to be an organized rebellion; and on June 21, the Senate + passed Senator Edmunds's bill disposing of the real estate of the church + for the benefit of the school fund.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * After the admission of Utah as a state, Congress passed an act +restoring the property to the church. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormon authorities now realized that the public sentiment of the + country, as expressed in the federal law, had them in its grasp. They must + make some concession to this public sentiment, or surrender all their + privileges as citizens and the wealth of their church organization. Agents + were hurried to Washington to implore the aid of Mr. Blaine in checking + the progress of the Cullom Bill, and at home the head of the church made + the concession in regard to polygamy which secured the admission of the + territory as a state. + </p> + <p> + On September 25, 1890, Woodruff, as President of the church, issued a + proclamation addressed "to whom it may concern," which struck out of the + NECESSARY beliefs and practices of the Mormon church, the practice of + polygamy. + </p> + <p> + This important step was taken, not in the form of a "revelation," but + simply as a proclamation or manifesto. It began with a solemn declaration + that the allegation of the Utah Commission that plural marriages were + still being solemnized was false, and the assertion that "we are not + preaching polygamy nor permitting any person to enter into its practice." + The closing and important + </p> + <p> + part of the proclamation was as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress, which laws have been + pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my + intention to submit to these laws, and to use my influence with the + members of the church over which I preside to have them do likewise. + </p> + <p> + "There is nothing in my teachings to the church, or in those of my + associates, during the time specified, which can be reasonably construed + to inculcate or encourage polygamy, and when any elder of the church has + used language which appeared to convey any such teachings he has been + promptly reproved. + </p> + <p> + "And now I publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-Day Saints is to + refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land." + </p> + <p> + On October 6, the General Conference of the church, on motion of Lorenzo + Snow, unanimously adopted the following resolution:— + </p> + <p> + "I move that, recognizing Wilford Woodruff as President of the Church of + Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the only man on the earth at the + present time who holds the keys of the sealing ordinances, we consider him + fully authorized, by virtue of his position, to issue the manifesto that + has been read in our hearing, and which is dated September 24, 1890, and + as a church in general conference assembled we accept his declaration + concerning plural marriages as authoritative and binding." + </p> + <p> + This action was reaffirmed by the General Conference of October 6, 1891. + </p> + <p> + Of course the church officers had to make some explanation to the brethren + of their change of front. Cannon fell back on the "revelation" of January + 19, 1841, which Smith put forth to excuse the failure to establish a Zion + in Missouri, namely, that, when their enemies prevent their performing a + task assigned by the Almighty, he would accept their effort to do so. He + said that "it was on this basis" that President Woodruff had felt + justified in issuing the manifesto. Woodruff explained: "It is not wisdom + for us to make war upon 65,000,000 people.... The prophet Joseph Smith + organized the church; and all that he has promised in this code of + revelations the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" has been fulfilled as + fast as time would permit. THAT WHICH IS NOT FULFILLED WILL BE." Cannon + did explain that the manifesto was the result of prayer, and Woodruff told + the people that he had had a great many visits from the Prophet Joseph + since his death, in dreams, and also from Brigham Young, but neither seems + to have imparted any very valuable information, Joseph explaining that he + was in an immense hurry preparing himself "to go to the earth with the + Great Bridegroom when he goes to meet the Bride, the Lamb's wife." + </p> + <p> + Two recent incidents have indicated the restlessness of the Mormon church + under the restriction placed upon polygamy. In 1898, the candidate for + Representative in Congress, nominated by the Democratic Convention of + Utah, was Brigham H. Roberts. It was commonly known in Utah that Roberts + was a violator of the Edmunds law. A Mormon elder, writing from Brigham, + Utah, in February, 1899, while Roberts's case was under consideration at + Washington, said, "Many prominent Mormons foresaw the storm that was now + raging, and deprecated Mr. Roberts's nomination and election."* This + statement proves both the notoriety of Roberts's offence, and the + connivance of the church in his nomination, because no Mormon can be + nominated to an office in Utah when the church authorities order + otherwise. When Roberts presented himself to be sworn in, in December, + 1899, his case was referred to a special committee of nine members. The + report of seven members of this committee found that Roberts married his + first wife about the year 1878; that about 1885 he married a plural wife, + who had since born him six children, the last two twins, born on August + 11, 1897; that some years later he married a second plural wife, and that + he had been living with all three till the time of his election; "that + these facts were generally known in Utah, publicly charged against him + during his campaign for election, and were not denied by him." Roberts + refused to take the stand before the committee, and demurred to its + jurisdiction on the ground that the hearing was an attempt to try him for + a crime without an indictment and jury trial, and to deprive him of vested + rights in the emoluments of the office to which he was elected, and that, + if the crime alleged was proved, it would not constitute a sufficient + cause to deprive him of his seat, because polygamy is not enumerated in + the constitution as a disqualification for the office of member of + Congress. The majority report recommended that his seat be declared + vacant. Two members of the committee reported that his offence afforded + constitutional ground for expulsion, but not for exclusion from the House, + and recommended that he be sworn in and immediately expelled. The + resolution presented by the majority was adopted by the House by a vote of + 268 to 50.** + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * New York Evening Post, February 20, 1899. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ** Roberts was tried in the district court in Salt Lake City, on +April 30, 1900, on the charge of unlawful cohabitation. The case was +submitted to the jury of eight men, without testimony, on an agreed +statement of facts, and the jury disagreed, standing six for conviction +and two for acquittal. +</pre> + <p> + The second incident referred to was the passage by the Utah legislature in + March, 1901, of a bill containing this provision: + </p> + <p> + "No prosecution for adultery shall be commenced except on complaint of the + husband or wife or relative of the accused with the first degree of + consanguinity, or of the person with whom the unlawful act is alleged to + have been committed, or of the father or mother of said person; and no + prosecution for unlawful cohabitation shall be commenced except on + complaint of the wife, or alleged plural wife of the accused; but this + provision shall not apply to prosecutions under section 4208 of the + Revised Statutes, 1898, defining and punishing polygamous marriages." + </p> + <p> + This bill passed the Utah senate by a vote of 11 to 7, and the house by a + vote of 174 to 25. The excuse offered for it by the senator who introduced + it was that it would "take away from certain agitators the opportunity to + arouse periodic furors against the Mormons"; that more than half of the + persons who had been polygamists had died or dissolved their polygamous + relations, and that no good service could be subserved by prosecuting the + remainder. This law aroused a protest throughout the country, and again + the Mormon church saw that it had made a mistake, and on the 14th of March + Governor H. M. Wells vetoed the bill, on grounds that may be summarized as + declaring that the law would do the Mormons more harm than good. The most + significant part of his message, as indicating what the Mormon authorities + most dread, is contained in the following sentence: "I have every reason + to believe its enactment would be the signal for a general demand upon the + national Congress for a constitutional amendment directed solely against + certain conditions here, a demand which, under the circumstances, would + assuredly be complied with." + </p> + <p> + The admission of Utah as a state followed naturally the promulgation by + the Mormon church of a policy which was accepted by the non-Mormons as + putting a practical end to the practice of polygamy. For the seventh time, + in 1887, the Mormons had adopted a state constitution, the one ratified in + that year providing that "bigamy and polygamy, being considered + incompatible with 'a republican form of government,' each of them is + hereby forbidden and declared a misdemeanor." The non-Mormons attacked the + sincerity of this declaration, among other things pointing out the advice + of the Church organ, while the constitution was before the people, that + they be "as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves." Congress again + refused admission. + </p> + <p> + On January 4, 1893, President Harrison issued a proclamation granting + amnesty and pardon to all persons liable to the penalty of the Edmunds law + "who have, since November 1, 1890, abstained from such unlawful + cohabitation," but on condition that they should in future obey the laws + of the United States. Until the time of Woodruff's manifesto there had + been in Utah only two political parties, the People's, as the Mormon + organization had always been known, and the Liberal (anti-Mormon). On June + 10, 1894, the People's Territorial Central Committee adopted resolutions + reciting the organization of the Republicans and Democrats of the + territory, declaring that the dissensions of the past should be left + behind and that the People's party should dissolve. The Republican + Territorial Committee a few days later voted that a division of the people + on national party lines would result only in statehood controlled by the + Mormon theocracy. The Democratic committee eight days later took a + directly contrary view. At the territorial election in the following + August the Democrats won, the vote standing: Democratic, 14,116; Liberal, + 7386; Republican, 6613. + </p> + <p> + It would have been contrary to all political precedent if the Republicans + had maintained their attitude after the Democrats had expressed their + willingness to receive Mormon allies. Accordingly, in September, 1891, we + find the Republicans adopting a declaration that it would be wise and + patriotic to accept the changes that had occurred, and denying that + statehood was involved in a division of the people on national party + lines. + </p> + <p> + All parties in the territory now seemed to be manoeuvring for position. + The Morman newspaper organs expressed complete indifference about securing + statehood. In Congress Mr. Caine, the Utah Delegate, introduced what was + known as the "Home Rule Bill," taking the control of territorial affairs + from the governor and commission. This was known as a Democratic measure, + and great pressure was brought to bear on Republican leaders at Washington + to show them that Utah as a state would in all probability add to the + strength of the Republican column. When, at the first session of the 53d + Congress, J. L. Rawlins, a Democrat who had succeeded Caine as Delegate, + introduced an act to enable the people of Utah to gain admission for the + territory as a state, it met with no opposition at home, passed the House + of Representatives on December 13, 1893, and the Senate on July 10, 1894 + (without a division in either House), and was signed by the President on + July 16. The enabling act required the constitutional convention to + provide "by ordinance irrevocable without the consent of the United States + and the people of that state, that perfect toleration of religious + sentiment shall be secured, and that no inhabitant of said state shall + ever be molested in person or property on account of his or her mode of + religious worship; PROVIDED, that polygamous or plural marriages are + forever prohibited." + </p> + <p> + The constitutional convention held under this act met in Salt Lake City on + March 4, 1895, and completed its work on May 8, following. In the election + of delegates for this convention the Democrats cast about 19,000 votes, + the Republicans about 21,000 and the Populists about 6500. Of the 107 + delegates chosen, 48 were Democrats and 59 Republicans. The constitution + adopted contained the following provisions:— + </p> + <p> + "Art. 1. Sec. 4. The rights of conscience shall never be infringed. The + state shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or + prohibiting the free exercise thereof; no religious test shall be required + as a qualification for any office of public trust, or for any vote at any + election; nor shall any person be incompetent as a witness or juror on + account of religious belief or the absence thereof. There shall be no + union of church and state, nor shall any church dominate the state or + interfere with its functions. No public money or property shall be + appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise, or + instruction, or for the support of any ecclesiastical establishment. + </p> + <p> + "Art. 111. The following ordinance shall be irrevocable without the + consent of the United States and the people of this state: Perfect + toleration of religious sentiment is guaranteed. No inhabitant of this + state shall ever be molested in person or property on account of his or + her mode of religious worship; but polygamous or plural marriages are + forever prohibited." + </p> + <p> + This constitution was submitted to the people on November 5, 1895, and was + ratified by a vote of 31,305 to 7687, the Republicans at the same election + electing their entire state ticket and a majority of the legislature. On + January 4, 1896, President Cleveland issued a proclamation announcing the + admission of Utah as a state. The inauguration of the new state officers + took place at Salt Lake City two days later. The first governor, Heber M. + Wells,* in his inaugural address made this declaration: "Let us learn to + resent the absurd attacks that are made from time to time upon our + sincerity by ignorant and prejudiced persons outside of Utah, and let us + learn to know and respect each other more, and thus cement and intensify + the fraternal sentiments now so widespread in our community, to the end + that, by a mighty unity of purpose and Christian resolution, we may be + able to insure that domestic tranquillity, promote that general welfare, + and secure those blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity + guaranteed by the constitution of the United States." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Son of "General" Wells of the Nauvoo Legion. +</pre> + <p> + The vote of Utah since its admission as a state has been cast as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + REPUBLICAN **** DEMOCRAT + + 1895. Governor 20,833 18,519 + + 1896. President 13,491 64,607 + + 1900. Governor 47,600 44,447 + + 1900. President 47,089 44,949 +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0081" id="link2HCH0081"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. — THE MORMONISM OF TO-DAY + </h2> + <p> + An intelligent examination of the present status of the Mormon church can + be made only after acquaintance with its past history, and the policy of + the men who have given it its present doctrinal and political position. + The Mormon power has ever in view objects rather than methods. It always + keeps those objects in view, while at times adjusting methods to + circumstances, as was the case in its latest treatment of the doctrine of + polygamy. The casual visitor, making a tour of observation in Utah, and + the would-be student of Mormon policies who satisfies himself with reading + their books of doctrine instead of their early history, is certain to + acquire little knowledge of the real Mormon character and the practical + Mormon ambition, and if he writes on the subject he will contribute + nothing more authentic than does Schouler in his "History of the United + States" wherein he calls Joseph Smith "a careful organizer," and says that + "it was a part of his creed to manage well the material concerns of his + people, as they fed their flocks and raised their produce." Brigham + Young's constant cry was that all the Mormons asked was to be left alone. + Nothing suits the purposes of the heads of the church today better than + the decrease of public attention attracted to their organization since the + Woodruff manifesto concerning polygamy. In trying to arrive at a + reasonable decision concerning their future place in American history, one + must constantly bear in mind the arguments which they have to offer to + religious enthusiasts, and the political and commercial power which they + have already attained and which they are constantly strengthening. + </p> + <p> + The growth of Utah in population since its settlement by the Mormons has + been as follows, accepting the figures of the United States census:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + 1850 11,380 + 1860 40,273 + 1870 86,786 + 1880 143,963 + 1890 207,905 + 1900 276,749 + +</pre> + <p> + The census of 1890 (the religious statistics of the census of 1900 are not + yet available) shows that, of a total church membership of 128,115 in + Utah, the Latter-Day Saints numbered 118,201. + </p> + <p> + What may be called the Mormon political policy embraces these objects: to + maintain the dictatorial power of the priesthood over the present church + membership; to extend that membership over the adjoining states so as to + acquire in the latter, first a balance of power, and later complete + political control; to continue the work of proselyting throughout the + United States and in foreign lands with a view to increasing the strength + of the church at home by the immigration to Utah of the converts. + </p> + <p> + That the power of the Mormon priesthood over their flock has never been + more autocratic than it is to-day is the testimony of the best witnesses + who may be cited. A natural reason for this may be found in the strength + which always comes to a religious sect with age, if it survives the period + of its infancy. We have seen that in the early days of the church its + members apostatized in scores, intimate acquaintance with Smith and his + associates soon disclosing to men of intelligence and property their real + objects. But the church membership in and around Utah to-day is made up of + the children and the grandchildren of men and women who remained steadfast + in their faith. These younger generations are therefore influenced in + their belief, not only by such appeals as what is taught to them makes to + their reason, but by the fact that these teachings are the teachings which + have been accepted by their ancestors. It is, therefore, vastly more + difficult to convince a younger Mormon to-day that his belief rests on a + system of fraud than it was to enforce a similar argument on the minds of + men and women who joined the Saints in Ohio or Illinois. We find, + accordingly, that apostasies in Utah are of comparatively rare occurrence; + that men of all classes accept orders to go on missions to all parts of + the world without question; and that the tithings are paid with greater + regularity than they have been since the days of Brigham Young. + </p> + <p> + The extension of the membership of the Mormon church over the states and + territories nearest to Utah has been carried on with intelligent zeal. The + census of 1890 gives the following comparison of members of Latter-Day + Saints churches and of "all bodies" in the states and territories named:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + ******* L.D. SAINTS **** ALL BODIES + + Idaho******* 14,972 **** 24,036 + Arizona***** 6,500 **** 26,972 + Nevada****** 525 **** 5,877 + Wyoming***** 1,336 **** 11,705 + Colorado**** 1,762 **** 86,837 + New Mexico** 456 **** 105,749 + + + +</pre> + <p> + The political influence of the Mormon church in all the states and + territories adjacent to Utah is already great, amounting in some instances + to practical dictation. It is not necessary that any body of voters should + have the actual control of the politics of a state to insure to them the + respect of political managers. The control of certain counties will insure + to them the subserviency of the local politicians, who will speak a good + word for them at the state capital, and the prospect that they will have + greater influence in the future will be pressed upon the attention of the + powers that be. We have seen how steadily the politicians of California at + Washington stood by the Mormons in their earlier days, when they were + seeking statehood and opposing any federal control of their affairs. The + business reasons which influenced the Californians are a thousand times + more effective to-day. The Cooperative Institution has a hold on the + Eastern firms from which it buys goods, and every commercial traveller who + visits Utah to sell the goods of his employers to Mormon merchants learns + that a good word for his customers is always appreciated. The large + corporations that are organized under the laws of Utah (and this includes + the Union Pacific Railroad Company) are always in some way beholden to the + Mormon legislative power. All this sufficiently indicates the measures + quietly taken by the Mormon church to guard itself against any further + federal interference. + </p> + <p> + The mission work of the Mormon church has always been conducted with zeal + and efficiency, and it is so continued to-day. The church authorities in + Utah no longer give out definite statistics showing the number of + missionaries in the field, and the number of converts brought to Utah from + abroad. The number of missionaries at work in October, 1901, was stated to + me by church officers at from fourteen hundred to nineteen hundred, the + smaller number being insisted upon as correct by those who gave it. As + nearly as could be ascertained, about one-half this force is employed in + the United States and the rest abroad. The home field most industriously + cultivated has been the rural districts of the Southern states, whose + ignorant population, ever susceptible to "preaching" of any kind, and + quite incapable of answering the Mormon interpretation of the Scriptures, + is most easily lead to accept the Mormon views. When such people are + offered an opportunity to improve their worldly condition, as they are + told they may do in Utah, at the same time that they can save their souls, + the bait is a tempting one. The number of missionaries now at work in + these Southern states is said to be much smaller than it was two years + ago. Meanwhile the work of proselyting in the Eastern Atlantic states has + become more active. The Mormons have their headquarters in Brooklyn, New + York, and their missionaries make visits in all parts of Greater New York. + They leave a great many tracts in private houses, explaining that they + will make another call later, and doing so if they receive the least + encouragement. They take great pains to reach servant girls with their + literature and arguments, and the story has been published* of a Mormon + missionary who secured employment as a butler, and made himself so + efficient that his employer confided to him the engagement of all the + house servants; in time the frequent changes which he made aroused + suspicion, and an investigation disclosed the fact that he was a Mormon of + good education, who used his position as head servant to perform effective + proselyting work. By promise of a husband and a home of her own on her + arrival in Utah, this man was said to have induced sixty girls to migrate + from New York City to that state since he began his labors. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * New York Sun, January 27, 1901. +</pre> + <p> + The Mormons estimate the membership of their church throughout the world + at a little over 300,000. The numbers of "souls" in the church abroad was + thus reported for the year ending December 31, 1899, as published in the + Millennial Star:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Great Britain + 4,588 + + Scandinavia + 5,438 + + Germany + 1,198 + + Switzerland + 1,078 + + Netherlands + 1,556 +</pre> + <p> + These figures indicate a great falling off in the church constituency in + Europe as compared with the year 1851, when the number of Mormons in Great + Britain and Ireland was reported at more than thirty thousand. Many + influences have contributed to decrease the membership of the church + abroad and the number of converts which the church machinery has been able + to bring to Utah. We have seen that the announcement of polygamy as a + necessary belief of the church was a blow to the organization in Europe. + The misrepresentation made to converts abroad to induce them to migrate to + Utah, as illustrated in the earlier years of the church, has always been + continued, and naturally many of the deceived immigrants have sent home + accounts of their deception. A book could be filled with stories of the + experiences of men and women who have gone to Utah, accepting the promises + held out to them by the missionaries,—such as productive farms, + paying business enterprises; or remunerative employment,—only to + find their expectations disappointed, and themselves stranded in a country + where they must perform the hardest labor in order to support themselves, + if they had not the means with which to return home. The effect of such + revelations has made some parts of Europe an unpleasant field for the + visits of Mormon missionaries. + </p> + <p> + The government at Washington, during the operation of the Perpetual + Emigration Fund organization, realized the evil of the introduction of so + many Mormon converts from abroad. On August 9, 1879, Secretary of State + William M. Evarts sent out a circular to the diplomatic officers of the + United States throughout the world, calling their attention to the fact + that the organized shipment of immigrants intended to add to the number of + law-defying polygamists in Utah was "a deliberate and systematic attempt + to bring persons to the United States with the intent of violating their + laws and committing crimes expressly punishable under the statute as + penitentiary offences," and instructing them to call the attention of the + governments to which they were accredited to this matter, in order that + those governments might take such steps as were compatible with their laws + and usages "to check the organization of these criminal enterprises by + agents who are thus operating beyond the reach of the law of the United + States, and to prevent the departure of those proposing to come hither as + violators of the law by engaging in such criminal enterprises, by + whomsoever instigated." President Cleveland, in his first message, + recommended the passage of a law to prevent the importation of Mormons + into the United States. The Edmunds-Tucker law contained a provision + dissolving the Perpetual Emigration Company, and forbidding the Utah + legislature to pass any law to bring persons into the territory. Mormon + authorities have informed me that there has been no systematic immigration + work since the prosecutions under the Edmunds law. But as it is conceded + that the Mormons make practically no proselytes among then Gentile + neighbors, they must still look largely to other fields for that increase + of their number which they have in view. + </p> + <p> + As a part of their system of colonizing the neighboring states and + territories, they have made settlements in the Dominion of Canada and in + Mexico. Their Canadian settlement is situated in Alberta. A report to the + Superintendent of Immigration at Ottawa, dated December 30, 1899, stated + that the Mormon colony there comprised 1700 souls, all coming from Utah; + and that "they are a very progressive people, with good schools and + churches." When they first made their settlement they gave a pledge to the + Dominion government that they would refrain from the practice of polygamy + while in that country. In 1889 the Department of the Interior at Ottawa + was informed that the Mormons were not observing this pledge, but + investigation convinced the department that this accusation was not true. + However, in 1890, an amendment to the criminal law of the Dominion was + enacted (clause 11, 53 Victoria, Chap. 37), making any person guilty of a + misdemeanor, and liable to imprisonment for five years and a fine of $500, + who practises any form of polygamy or spiritual marriage, or celebrates or + assists in any such marriage ceremony. + </p> + <p> + The Secretario de Fomento of Mexico, under date of May 4, 1901, informed + me that the number of Mormon colonists in that country was then 2319, + located in seven places in Chihuahua and Sonora. He added: "The laws of + this country do not permit polygamy. The government has never encouraged + the immigration of Mormons, only that of foreigners of good character, + working people who may be useful to the republic. And in the contracts + made for the establishment of those Mormon colonies it was stipulated that + they should be formed only of foreigners embodying all the aforesaid + conditions." + </p> + <p> + No student of the question of polygamy, as a doctrine and practice of the + Mormon church, can reach any other conclusion than that it is simply held + in abeyance at the present time, with an expectation of a removal of the + check now placed upon it. The impression, which undoubtedly prevails + throughout other parts of the United States, that polygamy was finally + abolished by the Woodruff manifesto and the terms of statehood, is founded + on an ignorance of the compulsory character of the doctrine of polygamy, + of the narrowness of President Woodruff's decree, and of the part which + polygamous marriages have been given, by the church doctrinal teachings, + in the plan of salvation. The sketch of the various steps leading up to + the Woodruff manifesto shows that even that slight concession to public + opinion was made, not because of any change of view by the church itself + concerning polygamy, but simply to protect the church members from the + loss of every privilege of citizenship. That manifesto did not in any way + condemn the polygamous doctrine; it simply advised the Saints to submit to + the United States law against polygamy, with the easily understood but + unexpressed explanation that it was to their temporal advantage to do so. + How strictly this advice has since been lived up to—to what extent + polygamous practices have since been continued in Utah—it is not + necessary, in a work of this kind, to try to ascertain. The most + intelligent non-Mormon testimony obtainable in the territory must be + discarded if we are to believe that polygamous relations have not been + continued in many instances. This, too, would be only what might naturally + be expected among a people who had so long been taught that plural + marriages were a religious duty, and that the check to them was applied, + not by their church authorities, but by an outside government, hostility + to which had long been inculcated in them. + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered that it is a part of the doctrine of polygamy that + woman can enter heaven only as sealed to some devout member of the Mormon + church "for time and eternity," and that the space around the earth is + filled with spirits seeking some "tabernacles of clay" by means of which + they may attain salvation. Through the teaching of this doctrine, which is + accepted as explicitly by the membership of the Mormon church at large as + is any doctrine by a Protestant denomination, the Mormon women believe + that the salvation of their sex depends on "sealed" marriages, and that + the more children they can bring into the world the more spirits they + assist on the road to salvation. In the earlier days of the church, as + Brigham Young himself testified, the bringing in of new wives into a + family produced discord and heartburnings, and many pictures have been + drawn of the agony endured by a wife number one when her husband became a + polygamist. All the testimony I can obtain in regard to the Mormonism of + today shows that the Mormon women are now the most earnest advocates of + polygamous marriages. Said one competent observer in Salt Lake City to me, + "As the women of the South, during the war, were the rankest rebels, so + the women of Mormondom are to-day the most zealous advocates of polygamy." + </p> + <p> + By precisely what steps the church may remove the existing prohibition of + polygamous marriages I shall not attempt to decide. It is easy, however, + to state the one enactment which would prevent the success of any such + effort. This would be the adoption by Congress and ratification by the + necessary number of states of a constitutional amendment making the + practice of polygamy an offence under the federal law, and giving the + federal courts jurisdiction to punish any violators of this law. The + Mormon church recognizes this fact, and whenever such an amendment comes + before Congress all its energies will be directed to prevent its + ratification. Governor Wells's warning in his message vetoing the Utah Act + of March, 1901, concerning prosecutions for adultery, that its enactment + would be the signal for a general demand for the passage of a + constitutional amendment against polygamy, showed how far the executive + thought it necessary to go to prevent even the possibility of such an + amendment. One of the main reasons why the Mormons are so constantly + increasing their numbers in the neighboring states is that they may secure + the vote of those states against an anti-polygamy amendment. Whenever such + an amendment is introduced at Washington it will be found that every + Mormon influence—political, mercantile, and railroad—will be + arrayed against it, and its passage is unlikely unless the church shall + make some misstep which will again direct public attention to it in a + hostile manner. + </p> + <p> + The devout Mormon has no more doubt that his church will dominate this + nation eventually than he has in the divine character of his prophet's + revelations. Absurd as such a claim appears to all non-Mormon citizens, in + these days when Mormonism has succeeded in turning public attention away + from the sect, it is interesting to trace the church view of this matter, + along with the impression which the Mormon power has made on some of its + close observers. The early leaders made no concealment of their claim that + Mormonism was to be a world religion. "What the world calls 'Mormonism' + will rule every nation," said Orson Hyde. "God has decreed it, and his own + right arm will accomplish it."* Brigham Young, in a sermon in the + Tabernacle on February 15, 1856, told his people that their expulsion from + Missouri was revealed to him in advance, as well as the course of their + migrations, and he added: "Mark my words. Write them down. This people as + a church and kingdom will go from the west to the east." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Journal of Discourses, Vol. VII, pp. 48-53. +</pre> + <p> + Tullidge, whose works, it must be remembered, were submitted to church + revision, in his "Life of Brigham Young" thus defines the Mormon view of + the political mission of the head of the church: "He is simply an apostle + of a republican nationality, manifold in its genius; or, in popular words, + he is the chief apostle of state rights by divine appointment. He has the + mission, he affirms, and has been endowed with inspiration to preach the + gospel of a true democracy to the nation, as well as the gospel for the + remission of sins, and he believes the United States will ultimately need + his ministration in both respects.... They form not, therefore, a rival + power as against the Union, but an apostolic ministry to it, and their + political gospel is state rights and self-government. This is political + Mormonism in a nutshell."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * p. 244. +</pre> + <p> + Tullidge further says in his "History of Salt Lake City" (writing in + 1886): "The Mormons from the first have existed as a society, not as a + sect. They have combined the two elements of organization—the social + and the religious. They are now a new society power in the world, and an + entirety in themselves. They are indeed the only religious community in + Christendom of modern birth."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * p. 387. +</pre> + <p> + Some of the closest observers of the Mormons in their earlier days took + them very seriously. Thus Josiah Quincy, after visiting Joseph Smith at + Nauvoo, wrote that it was "by no means impossible" that the answer to the + question, "What historical American of the nineteenth century has exerted + the most powerful influence upon the destiny of his countrymen," would not + be, "Joseph Smith." Governor Ford of Illinois, who had to do officially + with the Mormons during most of their stay in that state, afterward wrote + concerning them: "The Christian world, which has hitherto regarded + Mormonism with silent contempt, unhappily may yet have cause to fear its + rapid increase. Modern society is full of material for such a religion.... + It is to be feared that, in the course of a century, some gifted man like + Paul, some splendid orator who will be able by his eloquence to attract + crowds of the thousands who are ever ready to hear and be carried away by + the sounding brass and tinkling cymbal of sparkling oratory, may command a + hearing, may succeed in breathing a new life into this modern + Mohammedanism, and make the name of the martyred Joseph ring as loud, and + stir the souls of men as much, as the mighty name of Christ itself."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Ford, "History of Illinois," p. 359. +</pre> + <p> + The close observers of Mormonism in Utah, who recognize its aims, but + think that its days of greatest power are over, found this opinion on the + fact that the church makes practically no converts among the neighboring + Gentiles; and that the increasing mining and other business interests are + gradually attracting a population of non-Mormons which the church can no + longer offset by converts brought in from the East and from foreign lands. + Special stress is laid on the future restriction on Mormon immigration + that will be found in the lack of further government land which may be + offered to immigrants, and in the discouraging stories sent home by + immigrants who have been induced to move to Utah by the false + representations of the missionaries. Unquestionably, if the Mormon church + remains stationary as regards wealth and membership, it will be + overshadowed by its surroundings. What it depends on to maintain its + present status and to increase its power is the loyal devotion of the body + of its adherents, and its skill in increasing their number in the states + which now surround Utah, and eventually in other states. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Story of the Mormons, by William Alexander Linn + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE MORMONS *** + +***** This file should be named 2443-h.htm or 2443-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/4/2443/ + +Produced by Several Anonymous Volunteers, Dianne Bean, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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