Wandle Mace, 1809-1890

Autobiography (1809-1846)
Journal of Wandle Mace, typescript, hbll
Autobiography of Wandle Mace
(As told to his wife,
Rebecca E. Howell Mace)

Chapter One
[Wandle Mace, the subject of these short sketches, was the second
son of John and Dinah Campbell Mace of New York; was born on the
19th day of February in the year 1809, in Johnstown, Montgomery
County, New York, and is written as nearly as possible as told by
himself. He says:]
Of my early days I shall say but little. My father was a farmer,
and blacksmith at which trade he sometimes worked; my parents
were both honest and industrious people and in my seventh year
they moved to the city of New York.
My parents were not connected with any church but were
Bible readers and believers in that good book and taught their
children to observe its teachings. More especially was this so with
my mother who took great care to teach them the New Testament,
the contents of which she seemed to know thoroughly. We were
sent to Sunday School and there our lessons were always in the
New Testament, the lessons at first a verse then as we advanced
several verses and finally whole chapters were committed to
memory. My mother always assisted in these studies and before
we started for Sabbath School heard our lessons recited that we
might be perfect in them. The care my mother took to teach me
in my childhood these lessons for Sabbath School has been of
the greatest worth to me.
When I was old enough my father apprenticed me to a Mr.
Flender, a wheelwright, and on the 11th day of September 9,
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1822, I commenced my apprenticeship. Mr. Flender had a goodly

number of apprentices, some of whose time was nearly expired
and others not having served so long, so that there were boys
whose ages varied from the oldest apprentice of 21 to me, the
youngest not yet fourteen.
I was first put to work in the blacksmith shop and kept in that
shop until I had learned that branch of the business thoroughly. I
then learned to make wheels. When I had learned these branches
of the business I was put to work at other parts or branches, until
I had thoroughly learned to do every kind of work that was done
in the shops which was all kinds of coach and carriage buildings.
When I was between 16 and 17 years old, I met with a severe
accident. I was using the broad axe and as I was stepping upon
a block with the broad axe in my hand, I struck my right knee
against the point or corner of the axe which made a very deep cut
but not a long one. I paid no attention to it for a day or two but
it became so painful that I had to go to my parents home where
I was confined to bed for a period of five months. During this
time a counsel of physicians was called to consult together and
they decided that amputation above the knee was necessary. To
this I would not consent and with the blessings of the Lord, my
limb was saved and I soon was able to return to work.
My fellow apprentices, as well as myself, had to work very long
days in summer, and in the short winter days we worked from
daylight in the morning until nine oclock at nights using candle
light. Those were long and tedious years of toil, but youth is ever
bright with hope and joyous anticipations as we looked forward
each week for the Sabbath, when we could go home to see our
parents our brothers, sisters and friends. After spending Sunday,

we must return to Mr. Flenders about nine oclock Sunday night

to be ready for work on Monday morning.
During these years my father and mother gave me good advice
and expressed their pleasure in that I observed it. My mother
upon one occasion said to me, I am proud to be able to say you
have lived to be eighteen years old and there is not a stain upon
your character. It gave her the greatest of pleasure to be able
to say this of her boy. In June 1828, my mother died, and shortly
after her death I bought out the remaining portion of the time of
my apprenticeship, and went to work in another coach-building
shop. On the 9th day of November, 1828, I married Miss Margaret
Merklee. I continued work at coach-making until my brother
Johnwho had served out his term of apprenticeship in the
grocery and provision businesscommenced in business for
himself and persuaded me to join him in copartnership. We
opened two stores in New York City and done a thriving business.
We were doing so well that we opened another store and placed
a friend of my brother John in it. This store was in Patterson,
New Jersey.
We soon found that we had spread our business out too far.
Had we been satisfied with doing well in the city where we could
attend to business ourselves, all would have been well with us
but we were young and ambitious and had to learn by experience.
About this time, 1830, a failure of banks and business houses took
place, some of the largest business houses in New York failed,
and we failed with the others. We could not meet our obligations
because those indebted to us could not meet theirs. I felt keenly
our situation.
Now I began to realize what adversity really meant. I felt
ashamed to meet anyone. Some of those persons who had courted
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our society when we were flourishing in business, now that

adversity had overtaken us, would pass us by without recognition.
I began to learn the hollowness of so-called society.
We now thought we would leave the city and try farming, so
we bought a farm on Long Island and moved upon it early in the
spring of 1831. We commenced our labors in earnest and during
the summer I worked very hard. As summer merged into autumn
I had the ague. I felt very much discouraged, yet I did not want
to give up. However, after working the farm two years we sold
out and returned to the city.
I again went into a coach-making establishment and after I
had worked at this place a short time, a Mr. Kidder came to the
shop in search of me. He had heard of my skill as a mechanic
and wanted my assistance to get up a machine for sweeping the
streets of New York City. My employer, hearing this, ordered him
out of the shop and to his surprise or disgust, I went with him.
I then engaged with Mr. Kidder to make a working model of
a street-sweeping machine which he had planned, to be sent to
the patent office at Washington. Also a machine to sweep the
streets, and when I had completed it, I took some men with me for
assistance to try it upon the streets. This we done late one night
when the streets were deserted. The sweeping machine worked
like a charm it proved a perfect success. It swept the street quite
clean and gathered up the dirt and carried it off. This was the first
street-sweeping machine ever made and used in New York City.
This trial was made on the night of 8th of November, 1833,
when the stars fell. Mr. Kidder was a sickly man, a consumptive,
and did not dare on account of his health, to expose himself to
the night air, and he regretted very much that he missed such a
beautiful sight. As near as I can describe its appearance it was as
4

a snowstorm appears when the snowflakes are large, but not very
close together and falling slowly, but instead of being flakes of
snow was stars. Thousands of bright meteors also shot through
space in every direction and some would burst making a loud
report, having long trains of light. Arriving home I called the
attention of my wife to it, and together we watched them until
daylight obscured them from our vision.

Chapter Two

had for some time been connected with the New School
Presbyterian Church. As before stated, my mother had assisted
me in committing to memory the greater part of the New
Testament while attending Sunday School, and as I became more
conversant with the doctrines on discipline of Presbyterianism
and compared them with the teachings of the Savior and his
apostles, I saw that there was not even a semblance. There were
no signs following the believer, as recorded in the 16th chapter of
St. Marks Gospel, verses 17 and 18, as should be the case. There
was no authority to confer these blessings, there were no apostles,
no prophets having the word of the Lord as anciently. Why did
not these blessings exist in the church now.
The answer from the so-called ministers of Jesus Christ was,
They were no longer needed. They were needed to establish the
church but after it was established they were needed no more.
This kind of reasoning did not appear to me to be consistent.
If God was the same yesterday, today, and forever, without

variableness neither shadow of turning, he would not institute

such choice blessings to establish his church and as soon as that
church was established, withdraw them.
I was pondering over these things for some time when one
day one of the elders was visiting me and seeing my two children
inquired if they had been christened. I answered, No. He said,
I am surprised that you, a member of the Presbyterian Church
should not have your children christened. I replied that I could
see nothing in the scriptures that taught the christening of
children. I wished to take the scriptures for my guide and rule
of faith and practice. He labored long and earnestly to show me
the necessity of attending to that ordinance of the church. He
could not convince me of its necessity as he had no evidence to
offer from the Bible.
I was then summoned before a session of elders, Dr. Lansing
presiding. They expressed surprise at the course I was taking, as
a member of the church who did not conform to all its teachings,
and they questioned me about what I did believe. I answered all
their questions by quoting a scripture bearing on the question.
I told them I believed in the principles taught by our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, who said, If you love me you will keep my
commandments, and this is what I desired to do. They said we
could not keep the commandments of God; it was impossible. I
contended that God, being a just God, would not give laws and
commandments to his children which they could not keep. I was
very much in earnest when contending for the doctrines taught
in the New Testament by the Savior and his apostles, but to no
purpose. They labored hard to convince me that I was wrong, and
I finally said, Dr., Lansing, I want to be a Christian; tell me, how
much sin a man may commit and still be a Christian?
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He sat for some time with bowed head. He seemed very

thoughtful and sorrowful, and very much concerned for my
salvation. Then he answered, Brother Mace, you have thought
deeper than I supposed. I had always thought Dr. Lansing to be
a good devout man, a Christian in every deed. I had great respect
for him but I could not agree with him upon these principles.
I withdrew from their communion table, but usually attended
the public Sunday services, but upon one occasion when I was
absent they excommunicated me from the church. It seems
they waited for a time when I might be absent, and when I could
offer no defense for my conducts. This is the way I saw it, and
do consider it.
I now withdrew from them entirely. There were many others
like myself, searching the scriptures and praying for light, and
we met together for mutual edification at the house of Mr. James
La Touretts and Mr. William Greens, a hardware merchant. And
other places to search the scriptures, for these, like myself, had
withdrawn from sectarianism and had come into the liberty as
we called it.
My friends said I ought to preach, being so well acquainted
with the scriptures, and as we had taken the scriptures for our
rule of faith and practice, I ought not to neglect so great a calling.
I thought so, too, and I selected the most neglected portions of
the city for my labors. One day in the week, Sunday, I devoted
to this work. I fasted and prayed, and went from house to house
preaching the gospel as I understood it. I sought out the poor
and destitute, the ignorant and degraded. Those who have lived
in large cities will understand what I mean, the tenement house
where many families reside, every room is occupied from the
cellar kitchen to the garret with the poorest people.
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I commenced at the cellar kitchen and would visit every family

from the cellar kitchen to the garret. I talked to them of the Savior;
of His mission to the poor, of His suffering and death upon the
cross that He might save the children of men, that He died for
our sins, just for the unjust that he might bring them to God. I
taught them that God, the Father who had sent his well-beloved
Son to die upon the cross, was no respecter of persons and that
we were all His children, etc.
In these visits I found some of the most degraded creatures
huddled together in rags and filth. I began to talk to such, and
they would at first jeer at me and curse, but by perseverance I
would gain their attention. Even among such degraded persons I
have seen them melted to tears. Again others, perhaps in a cellar
or up in a garret, as the case may be, although very poor with
scarcely clothing to cover them, and everything betokening the
direst poverty were scrupulously clean and honest. Such persons
would listen with close attention and thank me for coming. Upon
leaving they would shake my hand warmly and where I found
them so very destitute I would leave a piece of money in their
hand, remembering the Saviors teachings, When thou doest
alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.
Thus I continued in these labors for over two years, fasting
and praying and visiting the poor, starting out in the morning
and returning home in the evening faint and weary from fasting
and talking, and I have reason to believe that I accomplished some
good. I have been met by strangers upon the street and they have
shaken my hand with much warmth and told me they lived at
such and such a place, naming the street and how much good my
visits had done them, how much my words had encouraged and

helped them at a time when all hope had fled, and how they had
striven to do better and now had joined some church and were
very happy and thanked God that they had met Brother Mace.
About this time I had begun to think very seriously of the
saying of the Apostle Paul, A dispensation of the Gospel is
committed unto me and woe is me if I preach not the Gospel.
Paul had been called to preach the gospel; a dispensation of the
gospel had been committed to him, but not to me. Like many
others I had read this saying of the apostle and applied to myself
that which did not belong to me. Paul was a chosen vessel to carry
the gospel to the Gentiles. But what was I? I had run myself; God
never sent me, neither had it come into His mind. Thus I reasoned,
and when I was fully satisfied in my mind upon this point I
laid aside my preaching. My friends chided me; the Methodists
said I was a backslider. The Presbyterians said I never had any
religion or, I would have remained with them. Others said they
thought if any man had religion it was Brother Mace. None of
them understood my reasons for what they termed my strange
conduct or they would have tried to reason me out of it.
During all this time I was diligent in business, fervent in
prayer, and serving the Lord to the best of my ability. I would not
read a newspaper, nor a periodical of any kind, no, nothing but
the Bible and that I studied whenever I had any leisure moments.
I saw nothing among all the sects that professed Christianity
that in any way resembled the church established by the Savior.
There were no prophets, no apostles, pastors, and evangelists,
teachers, among them,for the perfecting of the Saints, for the
work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ.
All these officers seemed a necessity anciently, why were they
not needed now?
9

I still met with those who like myself were searching the
scriptures. At one of these meetings I met Mr. Samuel Beeman,
a stranger in our midst, who had just arrived in the city seeking
employment. He had been a minister of the gospel in one of
the Christian churches, but like myself had become convinced
that he held no authority from God and he withdrew from the
ministry and was outside of any church. I invited him home with
me. He had already written and published a work entitled, The
Kingdom of God, in which he had plainly set forth the doctrines
or principles from the New Testament as to what constituted the
Church of Christ. He had shown the necessity for such officers as
prophets, apostles, etc., with all the gifts and blessings enjoyed
in the days when the Savior and his apostles were upon the earth
when the Church was fully organized.
I enjoyed his society very much and we spent much time at
night searching the scriptures and conversing thereon. He termed
it cracking nuts!and attending to our businesses in the day. He
was intelligent and well-educated and gave me an insight into
Hebrew and Greek, so that I could more fully understand the
scriptures. At length he found employment, sent for his family
and then moved away. Before leaving he made me a present of
a Crudens concordance to the Bible and a Bible with marginal
notesthe best I ever sawfor a student of the scripture. He
said I would find these two books together almost as good as
understanding Hebrew. This was in November, 1836.

10

Chapter Three

e must now return to November, 1833, when I was working

for Mr. Kidder. However, soon after this date I completed
my work for him to his entire satisfaction, and was then employed
by Mr. John Stephenson to superintend his work shop. At this
time it was the largest shop in New York City for this kind of
work, which consisted of mail coaches, omnibuses, all kinds of
carriages, railroad cars, etc., manufactured by machinery.
At the time he engaged me to superintend his establishment
he complained of his wheel making. He said they were getting
into disrepute and wanted me to improve them. This I did by
inventing a machine for boring and mortising hubs which was
a perfect success. It made a nice, smooth mortise, as smooth
and clean on the inside as it was on the outside. This machine
would put 14 mortises in a hub in one minute and fifty seconds,
true and nice. Mr. Stephenson said he would get a patent for it,
as so far as he knew, it was the first machine made of the kind. I
suppose he did.
While I was working at this place a great fire broke out in the
lower part of the city that consumed thirty acres of buildings.
Five hundred and twenty-nine houses and property valued at
18,000,000 dollars was laid in ashes. This occurred on the 16th
day of December, 1835.
I left Mr. Stephensons employ for the purpose of perfecting
a plan I had conceived, or had in my mind of a machine for
making post and rail fence. I rented a shop and went to work to
perfect my plans, and made a working model which I exhibited
11

at the fair in October, 1836, and was awarded a diploma by the

American Institute for a post mortising and rail sharpening
machine [a model]. This model I sent to the city of Washington,
D.C. by my brother, John Mace, and received a patent for the
same. He was detained some time awaiting the patent papers
and before he received them a fire broke out and burned the
patent office and post office. My patent papers which had been
made out, ready to deliver, were burned and my brother had to
return without them. But another set was made and sent to me.
By a kind providence my little model was saved, the only one it
was said of all the curiosities that had been in the patent office.
It happened to be saved in this way: Some one about the patent
office was operating the little model and broke some little piece
about it, and it had been taken to a workshop to be repaired, and
while it was at the shop the fire broke out, and thus my little
model was saved. This fire took place in December 1836. I then
made a machine for working up the timber and making fence.
In September, 1837, I exhibited at the Mechanics Fair held in
Niblos Garden, and was awarded a diploma by the Mechanics
Institute of New York for a post mortising and rail sharpening
machine, good for saving labor. George Bruce President.
I sold patent rights to a large amount and with this means I
was enabled to settle all the obligations of my brother, John and
myself which were incurred from failure in business, when we
found ourselves several thousand dollars worse than nothing.
Now we were again free from all such obligations. I also bought
a piece of land in Illinois, about four miles away from Quincy,
from a Mr. Begaudus, a resident of that place, for which I paid
$3,200. I was very particular about the deed. I would not receive
one made out in New York, but it must come direct from Quincy.
12

I received the deed from Quincy all right, but alas! alas! It proved
to be forged.
I now disposed of this business to my brother, John, and
turned my attention to making portable mills. I bought the
patent right with all the title, interest, etc., in what was called
a conical grinder, with improvements in threshing machine and
horse power, for which I paid $1,500 in company with Mr. William
Shay. We done a good business. I was engaged in this business
when Elder Parley P. Pratt cane along preaching the gospel.
About this time Mrs. Dexter, a friend of my parents, came
from Troy upon a visit with her friends in the city. On one
of her visits to my house she made me acquainted with the
situation of her youngest daughter, which was extremely
miserable. This daughter was married to a profligate fellow
who had communicated to her a loathsome disease. He had
administered to her calomel and powerful acids, which had
produced a terrible state of salivation, and she was fearful that
he designed to destroy her life. Mrs. Dexter craved protection
for her daughter with her infant. I gave them an upper room in
my house where they would be safe from him for the present.
Although I was greatly prospered in business I did not neglect
the opportunity of meeting with my associates to search the
scriptures, and sometimes I visited the meetings held by the
Methodists as prayer meetings. On one occasion of this kind they
took for their subject a saying of Paul, Contend earnestly for the
faith once delivered to the Saints. Several persons present spoke
upon the subject, very earnest and full of zeal. They clapped their
hands, etc. and seemed to think they had exhausted the subject.
They then invited me to speak.

13

I spoke upon the same subjectviz, contend earnestly for

the faith once delivered to the Saints. I endeavored to show how
far short we came of having that faith. When that `faith was
delivered to the Saints, they were told to Heal the sick, cast out
devils, open the eyes of the blind, and to raise the dead, and as
freely as you have received, freely give. I asked, Have we that
faith? Surely not. Can we heal the sick, cast out devils, open
the eyes of the blind or raise the dead? Have we any of the gifts
of the spirit? If we had, we could do all these things as did the
apostles. These gifts are the result of the faith that was delivered
to the Saints. I spoke at some length in this strain and sat down.
As soon as I had taken my seat several were on their feet in a
moment to confront me and denounce those Bible truths I had
presented to them. They declared they were not needed in this
age and it was ridiculous for any person to entertain such views.
Confusion reigned and the meeting closed.
I had noticed a stranger in the meeting, a portly looking man,
sitting by Mr. Elijah Fordham, with whom I was acquainted, as
we frequently met each other at the meetings held at the house
of Mr. La Tourett. At the close of the meeting Mr. Fordham came
forward and very warmly pressed my hand and congratulated
me upon the remarks I had made. He then introduced me to the
stranger, who seemed very much interested in the meetings, as
Mr. Pratt from Ohio.
Mr. Pratt expressed his pleasure at my remarks in the meeting
and said he would like a further conversation with me. I told him I
was always ready for conversation upon such topics. He inquired
if tomorrow afternoon at four oclock would be convenient. I said
Yes, and gave him my address and he visited me next day at the

14

time appointed. My wife prepared tea, after which we entered into

conversation upon the doctrines taught in the New Testament.
He spoke of repentance and of the necessity of baptism for the
remission of sins by one holding authority, and the laying on of
hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. This kind of talk suited me
exactly, but where could that authority be found? In the course
of our conversation he learned from me this that I was waiting
and watching for the gifts of the gospel as they once existed. I
would no more connect myself with any denomination unless
that denomination had with them apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ being the chief cornerstone.
Said he Brother Mace,he called me Brother Mace from
the firstDo you know that you are a singular man. I replied,
No, I believe in the scriptures and in the doctrines recorded in
the New Testament, but why do you say singular? He said, I
said singular to find a man in this great city of learning and
ignorance, of riches and poverty, a city of churches also, to find a
man waiting for apostles and prophets and the gifts of the spirit
as enjoyed anciently.
Suppose that you should hear that away in the west
somewhere there was such an organization, with apostles and
prophets, pastors and teachers, such as you are waiting for. Then
he began telling me about a young man in New York who had
been visited by an angel. He gave me the young mans history and
I was very much interested in the recital. He told me about a book
that had come forth through the instrumentality of this young
man. He told me of a church already organized with prophets,
apostles, and all the offices appertaining to the Church of Christ,
with all the gifts of the spirit enjoyed by the Saints anciently.

15

We had conversed upon these subjects until midnight but he

had not yet told me the name of the young man neither the title
of the book. About midnight he mentioned the name of Joseph
Smith the translator of the Book of Mormon.
At the mention of this name a curious feeling crept over me.
I had heard some reports of this Joseph Smith, not at all to his
credit, and that he was an imposter, etc. But did not the Jews
call Jesus a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and
sinners? The only question in my mind now were these: Did the
church which Mr. Pratt had been telling me of really hold their
authority from Jesus Christ as did the apostles of old? And did
signs follow the believers?
Mr. Pratt, when taking his leave of me that night, said to me,
Brother Mace, if you are honest, and I believe you are, the Lord
will make known to you that we hold this authority. He bade me
farewell with this promise. I now awaited the fulfillment of this
promise, that the Lord would make known to me that these things
were true. I saw no more of Mr. Pratt for about one month and
then it was I went for him to come to my house and administer
in my family by the very authority I so much questioned.

Chapter Four

ne Sunday evening on returning from a religious meeting I

found one of our children very sick, a little boy about a year
old, and through the night he grew worse. Monday morning the
family physician was called in and he pronounced the sickness

inflammation of the brain. He used all his skill to arrest the

16

disease in vain; the child grew worse. He told us if water settled

on the brain there was no hope. He told us that the indications
would be if this was the case. We watched him closely and every
symptom he pointed us to appeared to the smallest minute. The
child would be thrown into spasms; it would writhe and twist
until it was enough to rend the hearts of all who watched its
sufferings. The doctor gave him black dropsa concentrated
tincture of laudanumHe at first gave one drop, increasing the
quantity just sufficient to quiet him. He said had it been given
to the child when in health one drop would destroy his life.
We watched the little sufferer as he still grew worse until
Wednesday, when my sister Jane, who was present, remarked it
was very singular that the child should be kept so long in such
terrible suffering. My wife suggested it would be a good time
to try Mr. Pratts religion. I remarked, If you wish I will go and
bring him. The fact was, I very was anxious to do so but did not
suggest it for fear of raising opposition.
As it was raining I took my umbrella and immediately started
for Mr. Pratt. I had taken the precaution to learn his place of
residence, being extremely anxious to call upon him. Mr. Pratt
himself answered my knock on the door. I told my errand and
he put on his hat and cloak, stepped out under my umbrella and
accompanied me home. As we entered the room where the child
lay it seemed to cause much confusion. In the room present were
my wife, my sister Jane, and Mrs. Dexter. Mr. Pratt wished me
to call the house to order. When order was restored he offered
a prayer which was in conformity with the doctrines of Jesus
Christ as taught in the New Testament, that God was the same
God that he was anciently, and that the prayer of faith would
save the sick, etc.
17

When we arose from prayer he said, Brother Mace, you hold

more authority in your family than any other man can, and I want
you to lay your hands on this child with me. I did so. He then
administered with all confidence in the authority he held and
rebuked the disease in the name of Jesus Christ, and said the child
should begin to mend in that very hour. My wife asked him if she
should give the child any more of the black drops and he replied,
If you have perfect confidence in the administration I would
rather you would not, but if you have not perfect confidence
you can decrease the quantity gradually. She decreased the
drops gradually. [Written in the margin was: Parley told me in
Florence in 1856 that this was the only time he had asked a man
not a member of the church to lay hands on the sick.]
Before stated I had given Mrs. Dexter an upper room in
my house where she could take care of her sick and suffering
daughter. She was present during this administration and
remarked, If this child can be healed my daughter can also. My
sister Jane, who was also present, ran upstairs to the sick woman
and told her there was a man downstairs who put himself in the
place of Jesus Christ, that he laid his hands on the little child and
rebuked the disease in the name of Jesus Christ and commanded
it to depart. The Spirit, and the manner of my sister in giving
this information to the sick woman, alarmed her. Upon entering
her room Mrs. Dexter found her daughter laboring under great
excitement. She was a sensible Bible-reading woman and she
explained to her daughter all that had taken place in the room
where the sick child lay. This soothed and calmed her as she
listened to the words of her mother.

18

The next morning I went to my shop to work. About ten

oclock my wife sent a messenger to me saying the child was well
and playful. I went home and found this was even so. Oh, what
joy swelled our hearts as we gazed upon the child so miraculously
healed. We had truly found that this man, Parley P. Pratt, did
indeed hold the authority to rebuke the disease in the name of
Jesus Christ and we gave God thanks.
From the time our little boy, Charles, began to recover, Mrs.
Dexters daughter grew worse and her babe also. The doctor said
it was impossible for either to recover. All that night and the
next day, Thursday, she still grew worse, and Thursday night
it seemed impossible to keep life in her until morning. Next
morning Friday Mrs. Dexter sent for Elder Pratt, who brought
with him Mr. Elijah Fordham, also an elder. Together they sang
a hymn to soft pleasant music as follows: [The text included the
hymn, Now Let us Rejoice.] . . .
After singing, Elder Pratt offered a prayer and then explained
the principles of the gospel as he had done on the previous
occasion. The sick woman listened attentively and at her request
Elders Pratt and Fordham administered to her and also her babe,
and they began to mend from that hour. She had not partaken
of food for several days, but a short time after the elders left the
house she asked her mother for a cold potato and some vinegar.
She sat up in the bed and ate half of the potato and lied down
again. In a short time she called for the remainder of the potato
and ate it. The vinegar did not distress her as formerly; her babe
and herself improved rapidly and she was soon able to move about
the room. She had been so badly salivated, that if the door stood
ajar or if she ate anything sour, her mouth became filled with
lumps, and water would run from her mouth, causing her the
19

greatest distress. Consequently, she was very cautious moving

about her room, and to the top of the stairs and back, and finding
no bad effect follow, she ventured downstairs to our sitting room.
She found the changes from one room to another, the doors being
ajar, etc., did not hurt her any more.
Elder Pratt was holding meetings about a quarter of a mile
distant, and she accompanied her mother to meeting. As she
stepped outside the dorm, my sister Jane was passed on the way
to her Baptist meeting and chided the young lady for venturing
out on such a blustery day. But she went to the meeting and
returned rejoicing. She found herself well, no bad effect followed
her venture, and she said she found herself stronger at every step.
She was healed every whit.
Truly there was great rejoicing in my house, No. 13 Bedford
Street. We had witnessed the power of God made manifest and
knew for a surety that He had again given authority to man on
the earth to administer in the name of Jesus Christ, and could say
as was said by one of old, no man can do these miracles except
God be with him.
In a short time after these miracles were performed, Elder
Pratt appointed a day for baptizing in the East River, about two
miles from my home. It was a very wet disagreeable day with
snow and rain. The sidewalks were shoe deep with snow and mud,
but this did not prevent the young woman from going. She said
her feet were wet from the time she started from home until she
returned yet she took no cold. There were six persons baptized at
that time by Elder Elijah Fordham. They were: my wife, Margaret
Mace; Mrs. Dexter and daughter; Theodore Curtis and wife; and
Miss Ann Shaffer, who was afterward married to Elder Fordham.
I stood upon a block of ice and witnessed the baptisms.
20

All retired to the house of Brother Cox, who lived nearby,

where those who had been baptized changed their clothing
and we then returned home. All wondered why I was not then
baptized. My reasons for this was that I wanted to see them act
on their own volition, not because I set them the example. A few
days after this I was baptized in the same place by Elder Parley P.
Pratt. I do not remember the month but these things took place
in the winter of 1837-1838.
In April, Elder Parley P. Pratt left the city with a small company
of Saints for Missouri. His brother, Elder Orson Pratt, having
arrived from the west, took charge of the mission. Very soon after
his arrival he ordained me to the office of an elder and while his
hands was upon my head, he broke out in tonguesI had never
heard a manifestation of the gift of tongues beforeAfter the
tongues he said, You are of the seed of Joseph and of the tribe
of Ephraim. He also said, No man shall lift his voice against
the work you bear forth but he shall be confounded and put to
shame. He placed me to preside over the branch while he traveled
and preached, and organized the other branches of the Church.
While in the city, himself and wife and little child made their
home at my house.
This was the first branch of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints to be organized in New York City. It was
composed of persons like myself, all young in the Church
and they are very backward or diffident in speaking in public,
consequently most of the labor of preaching the gospel fell upon
me. We held meeting three times on Sunday and one meeting
during the week. My time was fully occupied. I attended to my
mechanical labor as usual as well as preaching the gospel, on the
sabbath three times, and also during the week. I found no time
21

for rest and began to feel the necessity of a change. Brother M.

Sirrine proposed that I go on a visit with him to the home of his
parents in the Catskill Mountains and I accepted his invitation
and started upon a short mission.
We took passage on a steamer as far as Mattewan, a small
town opposite the town of Fishkill, which is on the west side
of the Hudson River. We proceeded at once to the house of Mr.
Sirrine, a short distance from Mattewan, up in the mountains.
Arriving there in the middle of the afternoon, Brother M. Sirrine
introduced me to his parents who received me very cordially. His
mother, Mrs. Sirrine, was a very peculiar woman. When any of
her family were absent, and without any communication from
them, she was always apprised of their return by some means
unknown to them. She would make preparations to receive them
just as any mother would do when hearing directly from them.
So she had prepared for our coming.
When the welcomes and greetings were over, Mrs. Sirrine took
her son aside and inquired of him if his friend was a preacher.
He answered, Yes, he is from the city of New York, here on
a short mission. She was somewhat surprised at his answer
although she had expected her son in the company of a preacher.
My appearance disappointed her, it did not meet her ideal of
a preacher. We stayed with them that night and preached to
them the gospel. They accepted the principles we taught as the
truth of the Bible. The following morning we walked down to
Mattewan to see some friends of Brother M. Sirrine who worked
in a factory at that place. When it became known that I was
a Mormon, all crowded around to look at me as though there
was some peculiarity about a Mormon that was not about any
other person. Some wanted to see the Mormon Bible, the golden
Bible, etc.
22

I handed them my pocket Biblea new book, gilt-edged. They

took it and looked it all through carefully, then handed it back to
me, remarking they could see no difference in it than their own
Bible. We visited a man who had been afflicted with rheumatism
for four years, being unable to do any kind of work during that
time. He heard the gospel and believed, and was administered
to in the name of Jesus Christ and was fully restored to health.
We held meeting at Fishkill. The Methodists, hearing of
our appointment, gave notice that they would hold meeting
at the same hour, with the expectation that it would prevent
the Mormons having any hearers or breaking our meeting up,
if we were fortunate enough to obtain any hearers. Exactly the
opposite took place. The Methodist meeting was deserted and
the people flocked to our meeting. The house was filled; the
doors and windows crowded to hear what these Mormons had
to say. We discoursed upon the first principles of the gospel and
of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. This was a favorite
subject with me.
In the course of my remarks I bore testimony to the
restoration of the gospel, with all the gifts and blessings as
they were enjoyed in the days of the Savior and His apostles. I
bore testimony to great things the Lord was doing. I told of the
many wonderful and marvelous works that had been done in the
city of New York under the hands of Parley P. Pratt, an apostle
of the Lord Jesus Christ. I referred more especially to the three
miracles which were performed in my house. A young woman
who was in the congregation, with a babe in her arms, arose to
her feet and testified that these things were true; that she was the
person spoken of and that she and her babe had been healed by
the laying on of hands by Elder P. P. Pratt. She held her babe up
23

to the gaze of this large congregation, showing that it had grown

to be a plump and healthy child. Mrs. Dexter and daughter had
removed from my house a short time after the recovery to health
of her daughter and her babe, and I had lost sight of them. I was
much pleased to see them and to hear their testimony at this time.
Crossed the river. We returned to Mattewan, and to the house
of him who was healed of rheumatism. I was seated upon a sofa
and this man sat down by my side, he seemed somewhat uneasy,
I saw by his manner something unusual had taken place, finally
he said, Brother Mace do you think the Lord notice small things?
I replied, Not a sparrow falls to the ground without his notice.
He seemed rather surprised at my reply, and sat for some time
apparently in deep thought. He then told me that while we were
absent he had been from home, a distance of five or six miles,
attending a trial of some person, he had been called there as
a witness. His road lay through the woods, and on his return
through the woods, he had had a very singular experience.
He said as he walked along the road meditating upon the
promises made to believers as recorded in the gospel according
to St. Mark viz. 16 and 17 verses: These signs shall follow them
that believe. In my name they shall cast out devils, they shall
speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents and if they
drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them, they shall lay hands
on the sick and they shall recover. Also a saying of the Savior,
recorded in St. Luke 17:6 If ye had faith as a grain of mustard
seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree by ye plucked up by
the root, and be planted in the sea and it should obey you.
While he still meditated upon these saying, he saw a bird,
a very swift moving bird called in that part of the country a
highpole, it was perched up on the limb of a tree just low enough
24

to reach, he said a thought came into his mind, why not command
that highpole to stand still and go and take it down and before he
realized what he was doing the command has passed from him,
and the bird stood still, and he walked up to it and took it down
off the limb and brought it home with him. He showed me the
bird. I then saw how my answer surprised him, as he was aware
I knew nothing of what he had done.
I found much pleasure in visiting the people and teaching
them the way that leads to salvation. We had a good, profitable
visit; we preached the gospel to many, and returned to the city
feeling well satisfied with our labors among the people who
listened attentively to the message of glad tidings which we
bear to them.
Upon our return we found all well. I continued my labors
until September. I then disposed of my business and made
preparations to gather with the Saints in Missouri. Elder Lucien R.
Foster succeeded me in the presidency over the New York branch.
On the eleventh day of September, 1838, I bid adieu to the city
where I had spent my youth, and to relations and friends, that I
might gather with the Saints and assist in building up Zion. My
family consisted of five persons: my wife, three children, John,
Emily and Charles, and myself. We had lost two children, Edgar
and William, who were buried in New York City. I took with me
in my wagon, Brother David W. Rogers and family consisting of
seven persons, viz. David W. Rogers wife and five children. I had
three good horses, a wide-track wagon with projecting sides, and
good covers. I shipped my goods by water to Richmond, Missouri.
Elder Orson Pratt, president of the mission, accompanied us
across the river and travelled some distance with us. When we
reached the top of a hill, and onto the highroad, he bade us
25

farewell, saying, Brother Mace, now the road is before you,

God bless you, and he returned to the city. We travelled across
New Jersey, over a rough, mountainous country, and crossed the
Delaware River at Eastown, Pennsylvania. I stopped at this place
and put a brake on my wagon as my horses had become badly
galled in travelling over the rough roads without a brake.
We then drove through Eastown in a southwest direction to
reach the national road. We crossed a creek called Conakagig.
Here there was a toll gate at the foot of one of the Allegheny
Mountains. We ascended this mountain over the several spurs
until we reached the summit and down on the other side over
a splendid macadamized road. The last spur brought us to the
town of Wheeling, West Virginia, on the Ohio River. We crossed
over the river and passed through Zanesville and Columbus, in
the state of Ohio. From there we travelled to Indianapolis in
Indiana, then crossed the river into Illinois and camped on the
edge of the Grand Prairie.
Early the following morning we started across the Grand
Prairie, until now I had not seen a prairie of any great extent, at
noon we could see nothing but sky and land covered with rich
grass. We travelled all day before we reached the edge of any
timber, and here we camped at a small settlement. At this place
we heard that there was some difficulty in Missouri and that the
Mormons were being driven from that state of Missouri, this
was the first news we had of these troubles. The next day we
travelled through Springfield and on to Quincy. On the bank of
the Mississippi River, it was the coldest night we had experienced
on the long journey. We arrived here on the 11th day of November,
1838, just two months from the time we left the city of New York.

26

Snow fell through the night and the next morning ice was
running in the river so we could not cross. We thought best to
hire a house in Quincy and wait for the weather to moderate.
We then moved into a house and we soon learned that mobs
had come against the Saints in Missouri and they were fleeing
before them. Very soon after we had moved into our hired house
brethren began to arrive one and two at a time, having escaped
from Missouri. They brought the news of the evacuation of the
Saints from that state by mob violence. I learned that the Prophet
Joseph Smith and many of the brethren were in prison, among
them Parley P. Pratt. I learned of the cruelties practiced upon an
inoffensive people and the suffering they were enduring for the
sake of the gospel.
I reflected thus: Was it possible that such cruelties could take
place in this land, a country made free by the blood of our fathers,
who fought and died that their children might be free from
tyranny, and that they might have liberty to worship Almighty
God as they felt was acceptable to him, or according to the
dictates of their own conscience? Is it possible that mobs would
be permitted to rob and destroy the houses of good, honest lawabiding citizens and imprison them? And to murder men, women
and children in this boasted land of liberty and equal rights?
Alas, alas truth forces the conviction upon me that mobs
are not only permitted, but are authorized by the governor of
the state of Missouri to exterminate them as will be seen by the
following: After a murderous attack upon the citizens of Far West,
a mob of seven thousand armed men, professing to be the regular
militia of the state of Missouri, took all the prominent men
prisoners and plundered the citizens of their bedding, clothing,
money and everything of value they could lay their hands on and
27

abused the women and children. Major General Clark arrived at

Far West with one thousand, six hundred men, and Governor
Boggs exterminating order, on the 4th of November.

Chapter Five
General [John B.] Clarks speech delivered on the 6th November,
1838 at Far West. [See HC 3:202-204.] . . .

Chapter Six

s I became satisfied that I could go no farther on my journey,

I rented a larger house on the outskirts of the city of Quincy
and moved into it. I then sent to Richmond and had my goods
shipped to this place. The house had two good sized rooms with
a good cellar beneath, and one large room above which was
reached by stairs on the outside. On the premises was a good
stable for my horses and other conveniences that could not be
had in the city. The upper room made a good workshop and when
my goods arrived from Missouri, I set up my lathe and prepared
for business.
During this time the Saints began to arrive, being harassed
by mobs, until not one was left in possession of a home, and all
were fleeing from Missouri. What suffering they underwent in
their flight, who can tell? Robbed of everything they possessed,
their crops destroyed, the cattle and swine shot down and eaten
28

by the mobs, and they, poor and destitute, driven forth in the
depth of winter, many barefoot and poorly clad and some dying,
to be buried by the wayside while many contracted disease from
exposure which caused much suffering until released by death.
I ask, will this nation redress the wrongs these people
are enduring? Will these mobbers be brought to justice, and
punished as they deserve? Who have [ been driven] from
comfortable homes men, women and children, and caused so
much suffering and death? We wait and see.
As the Saints reached the shore on either side of the
Mississippi at Quincy, I was an eyewitness of their suffering. As
soon as possible after reaching Quincy, the elders of the Church
called a meeting and selected a committee of eleven to look
after the poor. I was chosen one of this committee and to act as
commissary. My house was used as a committee house and also
for religious meetings, the upper room being used for these
purposes. Many of the Saints were glad to find shelter in my
house from the storms, until they could find a place to live in.
Very many nights the floors, upstairs and down, were covered
with beds so closely it was impossible to set a foot anywhere
without stepping upon someones bed.
Brother Joseph Young and family lived in my house all winter,
as also John Taylor, one of the Twelve Apostles and his family.
He was a turner by trade, consequently my turning lathe was
very convenient; upon it he turned carpenters bench screws,
butter prints, and a variety of useful articles which he sold and
thereby earned a living for himself and family. Here also Israel
Barlow lived with me, and married a young woman who was
nursing my wife when our little daughter Zuriah was born on
February 17, 1839.
29

But to return, one cold, blustery morning I went down to the

riverside and found about 14 or 15 families camped on the river
bottom in a most miserable condition. They had crossed the
river and could get no farther. Some of them had tried to make
a shelter from the wind by placing some poles in the ground and
putting a sheet over them. The wind was blowing the snow about
them so that the poor children who was hovering over a little fire
could get little benefit from it. I returned as soon as possible and
made known their situation and in a very short time they were
moved into town and made comfortable.
The committee were kept busy. By this time the ice was
running in the river and a company who had arrived on the
opposite side could not cross, and we could not reach them. The
weather was intensely cold. They were camped on the snow, some
had sheets stretched to make a little shelter from the wind, but
it was a poor protection, the children were shivering around a
fire which the wind blew about so it done them very little good.
The poor Saints were suffering terribly. We made known their
situation and the good people of Quincy called a meeting for the
purpose of relieving their most pressing wants. They were out of
provision and poorly clad and some were barefoot. The citizens
responded to the call and donated liberally, the merchants vieing
with each other as to which could be the most liberal. They soon
had the contributions together, which filled a large canoe with
flour, pork, coffee, sugar, boots, shoes and clothing, everything
these poor outcasts so much needed.
Now a question arose, who would volunteer to take this
loaded canoe across the river. The ice was running and made it
a very dangerous undertaking. Some time was lost in trying to

30

find someone who would dare venture and who could handle
a canoe. Finally one man, and only one, volunteered. This was
John Hawley, and he could not swim if the canoe overturned.
The canoe was hauled or pulled up the river some distance so
that it would land on the opposite side of the river and as near
as it possibly could.
At last all was ready, the canoe with its contents started on its
hazardous journey. Brother Hawley battled bravely among the
ice, sometimes it seemed he would be swamped and all would
be lost. He was calm and determined as he fought his way amid
the running ice. Many a word of cheer was shouted to him and
many a silent, earnest prayer ascended to heaven in his behalf.
The Lord heard the prayers and strengthened him and after
much hard labor he landed the canoe safely near the camp and
the poor, suffering Saints were supplied with the provisions of
clothing so much needed. That was a perilous undertaking and
no other than a brave man would have volunteered his services.
As soon as the ice ran out so the ferry boat could cross the
river, the Saints were brought over and made comfortable. I
employed some of the brethren to work the land I had bought of
Mr. Begaudus while I was yet in New York City. Soon after arriving
in Quincy I went and looked over it and found it a fine piece of
land, about four miles from Quincy, and in every respect just as
Mr. Begaudus had represented it. I was much pleased with the
situation and felt that I had made a good investment. However
my mind soon changed on that point as I had no sooner started
men to work than I found another man owned the land and I had
been swindled. Mr. Robert Tilson, a merchant of Quincy, held a
government title to the same piece of land.

31

I immediately went to a lawyer for counsel in the matter, I

laid the case before, him, I showed him the deeds I had received
from Begaudus, and how very particular I had been to have them
sent direct from Quincy where the land lay. This lawyer said I
might prosecute Begaudus, and would no doubt gain the suit,
but that would be all I would gain, for Begaudus had nothing.
He said it would cost me a good sum of money, and it would be
simply throwing money away. The deed appeared to be made out
all right, but said he, `they are forged.
Begaudus, learning that I was investigating his rascality and
might land him in the penitentiary left suddenly in the night,
and I have heard nothing of him since, nor the $3,200 I paid him
for the land.
In his flight from Missouri, Israel Barlow crossed the
Mississippi River about fifty miles above Quincy, at a small
settlement called Commerce. He reached this place in a destitute
condition. He was kindly treated and in conversation with several
gentlemen upon the difficulties the Saints were undergoing, he
enlisted their sympathies. Among these gentlemen was one Dr.
Galland, who proposed the Saints, settle in that vicinity.
When Brother Barlow reached my house at Quincy he made
known his interview with these gentleman, and the proposition
of Dr. Galland to the Church. A committee was then appointed to
go and examine the country and learn more fully the propositions
made. I was chosen one of this committee. We went up to see
the land and thought it would be a good place for the Saints to
locate and so reported to a meeting held for that purpose in the
committee room at my house.
By request, Elder John P. Green stated the object of the
meeting, stating that a liberal offer had been made by a gentleman,
32

of about twenty thousand acres upon easy terms without interest.

He said a committee had examined the land and reported very
favorably respecting it, and thought it every way suited for a
location for the Church. D. W. Rogers gave information respecting
the land being one of the committee appointed to examine.
Several of the brethren expressed themselves upon the
subject; some were for gathering together upon the land, while
others were undecided. Brother Marks said he was altogether
in favor of making the purchase, providing it was the will of
the Lord that we should again gather together. But from the
circumstances of being driven from the other places, he almost
was led to the conclusion that it was not wisdom that we should
do so. Israel Barlow thought it might be in consequence of not
building according to the pattern given us that we had been
scattered. He was in favor of gathering, and I was in favor of
immediately gathering, that we might build up a Zion to the
Lord. Bishop Partridge did not think it expedient under the
circumstances to collect together; he thought it would be better
to scatter into different parts and provide for the poor. Others
spoke their minds upon the subject. However a letter was received
from Dr. Gall and one was written by the committee and sent to
the Prophet Joseph by the hand of Brother D. W. Rogers. Joseph
returned an answer by Brother Rogers, to secure the land and
that he would soon be out of prison. He also wrote a letter to Dr.
Galland and which showed the bold, frank, independent spirit
which pervaded his breast, although a prisoner in Liberty Jail,
Missouri. A copy of this letter was published in the Times and
Seasons of February 1840.

33

Chapter Six

s soon as the word reached us from Joseph we followed

his suggestion and secured the land. Returning from one
of our visits to Commerce upon this business, and when in
sight of Brother McClearys house at Lima, we saw two men
standing as if they had just alighted from their horses. Bishop
Knight exclaimed, There is Joseph and Hyrum! Now for the
first time my eyes rested upon the great Prophet of the last days.
I was introduced to them and shook hands with them. Their
sisterwife of Brother McClearyhurried to and for pressing
them to partake of refreshments at the same time telling them
how anxious they had been and how fearful they were lest the
mob would take their lives. Joseph said to her, You were much
troubled about us but you did not know the promise of God to
us. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were on their way to Commerce to
carry out to a finish the business commenced by the committee.
Upon their return to Quincy they held meeting at my house.
I learned that Joseph and Hyrum with those of the brethren
who were with them escaped from their enemies in Missouri and
reached Quincy after Bishop Knights and I had left for Commerce.
As before stated, the stairs which led to the upper room
where meetings were held, was on the outside and at the back of
the house. On the landing at the top of these stairs the Prophet
addressed the people. This is the first time I heard the Prophet
Joseph Smith preach, and I shall never forget his words. In the
course of his remarks he said, Yes, said the Angel your name
shall go out for good and for evil. Me think I see him now as he
34

looked upon that occasion. He was a fine looking man, tall and
well proportioned, strong and active, light complexion, blue
eyes and light hair and very little beard. He had a free and easy
manner, not the least affectation yet bold and independent and
very interesting and eloquent in speech.
On the fourth day of May, a conference of the Church was
held in a grove where the Presbyterians and Methodists held their
camp meetings near Quincy. The meeting was called to order and
Joseph Smith was appointed chairman. Elder Joseph Young lead
in singing the hymn commencing with the following:
Glorious things of Thee are spoken Zion, city of our God, He
whose word cannot be broken, Chose thee for his own abode. On
the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose, With
salvation walls surrounded, Thou mayst smile on all thy foes.
The large congregation of Saints joined in the singing with
the spirit and meaning thereof. Joseph was overcome. He arose
to his feet to speak but it was with difficulty that he controlled
his emotions. He however, made a few remarks upon the
peculiar situation of the Saints, and of his own feelings after
his imprisonment and long separation from them.
To look upon the Saints who had been driven from their
homes, and scattered as they were, among strangers, without
homes, robbed of everything, and to see them under all these
trying circumstances assemble to this General Conference form
all the region around, and sing of Zion, the city of our God, with
so much spirit, showing their love and confidence in the gospel,
and the pleasure he felt in meeting with them. He could scarcely
refrain form weeping, he then opened the meeting with prayer.
He then opened the meeting with prayer.

35

During this conference Joseph righted up the Twelve, several

of that quorum having apostatized during the troublesome times
in Missouri. One of these was Thomas B. Marsh, the president
of the Quorum.
This conference lasted three days, in the course of which
President Sidney Rigdon, was chosen as a delegate, to go to the
city of Washington, D.C. to lay before the general government,
our grievances and seek redress. Also a number of elders was
called, to accompany the Twelve on their mission to Europe.
Brigham Young was set apart as President of the Twelve at the
house of his brother-in-law, John P. Green. Upon this occasion I
was present and with much interest I sat listening to Joseph as
he walked the floor talking to those present. There was in the
room besides myself, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon,
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and I think, John Taylor (but
I am not quite certain).
The Quorum of the Twelve had been filled, but of the number
selected oneWillard Richardswas in England and Joseph was
instructing those present of that Quorum how they must proceed
to prepare themselves, that they might ordain Willard Richards
to the Apostleship when they should reach that country. Joseph
told them to go to Kirtland and cleanse and purify a certain room
in the temple, that they must kill a lamb and offer a sacrifice unto
the Lord which should prepare them to ordain Willard Richard
a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Sidney made some remarks, when Joseph spoke with great
power and spirit, said he, I know the law. To a remark made by
Heber C. Kimball he said, It will be the sweetest smelling savor
you ever smelled. He then walked to where Brigham Young sat
and placed his hands upon his head said, Come Brother Hyrum,
36

come Brother Sidney! Hyrum arose and came forward promptly

and placed his hand upon him, but Sidney came forward very
reluctantlyI thoughtand in a muttering way said he had laid
his hands upon so many and conferred power upon me, who
had turned and used it against him. Joseph took no notice of his
remark, but proceeded to ordain Brigham Young President of
the Twelve Apostles, said he, while you live no other man can
hold this power that is now conferred upon you, or words to
that effect. All who were present upon that occasion has passed
to the other side and I only am left. I too must soon follow them.
The Saints now began to locate upon the land in Hancock
County, Illinois, and also across the river in Lee County, Iowa,
which had been purchased by Joseph for the Church. Commerce,
afterward called Nauvoo by Joseph, was considered a very
unhealthy spot. It had been settled and vacated for the third or
fourth time, and at the time Joseph made the purchase there were
but six houses standing. Joseph moved his family into a small
log house on the bank of the Mississippi. On the opposite side of
the river at Montrose was an old soldiers barracks, or fort, where
several families found shelter. At this place I bought a piece of
land on which was a fine apple orchard.
On the seventh day of June, 1839, we were called to mourn the
loss of our little son, Charles, who died very suddenly of croup,
aged 3 years and 2 months. He it was who was so miraculously
healed of brain fever, by the power of God, under the hands
of Apostle Parley P. Pratt, in the city of New York. He was a
remarkable child, intelligent beyond his years. He was a very
bright engaging child, and beloved by all who became acquainted
with him. The father of the prophet said to me, Brother Mace you
should not have let that child die.
37

We at once moved into the Fort at Montrose. My wife had said,

she never could live in a log house, (as we were travelling through
the country) but here we were in just such a one and very glad of
it too, and we thanked God for shelter. On the 24th of September,
1839, our infant daughter, Zuriah, died.
We had many things we had thought to be indispensable
to our comfort which we had brought from New York, but
which now seemed very much out of place such a home and
surroundings. Such things as fine carpets, and ornaments for
the house, and some very fine furniture, were all sold to help the
poor. My wife had already disposed of her jewelry, silk dresses
and many other articles of clothing, and had sent the proceeds to
buy corn to feed the poor Saints who had lost their all in Missouri.
If any had been so fortunate as to save a coffee mill in their
flight, and could obtain corn, they were in a situation to be able
to make bread; some less fortunate pounded the corn into meal.
Seeing these difficulties, and having brought a very large
coffee mill with methat I once used in my storeI endeavored
to assist them by applying it to use. I made a large fly wheel and
attached a belt. With this mill a ten year old boy could grind a
bushel of corn in an hour. This was a great help.
The unhealthy climate of Commerce and vicinity, following
the hardships and exposure of the Saints, brought on much
sickness and it seemed all the powers of Satan were at work to
destroy this people. Disease manifested itself to such an extent
that all were prostrated at both Commerce and Montrose and in
the surrounding country. Joseph gave his house up to the sick,
and moved his family into a large tent, himself and his wife took
care of the, they extended their labors as far as possible, Joseph

38

and Emma would ride on horseback, form place to place visiting

the sick, anointing with oil and lay hands on them, and heal them,
and relieve their wants until Joseph himself was taken sick. This
was on the 22nd July.
One day while upon his bed of sickness, the spirit came upon
him in great power, he Joseph arose from his bed, calling upon
some of the elders to assist him, they went from house to house
administering unto the sick, by the laying on of hands, and healed
them by the power of God.
They crossed the river and commenced their labors at
Montrose. At this time all were sick, no one was able to walk
about except a Negro called, Black Jack, and myself. Several of
the Twelve lived in the fort. Joseph and the elders with him went
first to the house of Brigham Young President of the Twelve, then
to others of the Quorum who live here, and all were healed.
They went next to the house of Elijah Fordham who was
sick nigh unto death, he was unable to speak and seemingly
unconscious. Joseph took his hand and held it some time in
silence, a chance came over brother Fordham, and he regained
consciousness. Brother Joseph then asked him if he knew him,
he faintly answered, Yes. He then asked him if he wished to
live, he replied Yes, but feared it was too late. Still holding his
hand, Joseph stood a few moments, and then with a loud voice
said, Brother Fordham, I command you in the name of Jesus
Christ, to arise and be made whole.
He immediately arose from his bed, and shook from his feet
the onion poultices which was on them, and with assistance
put on his clothes, and walked with the company of brethren
a few rods, to the house of Joseph Bates Nobles who was laying
very sick upon entering the house, Elder Fordham was called
39

upon to pray, and while praying he fainted. He soon recovered

and proceeded with his prayer, which when had finished, they
lay hands upon Brother Nobles and raised him up, many was
likewise `miraculously healed as they went from house to house
ministering to the sick, and blessing them in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ and they recovered. There were many sick in
the surrounding country whom Joseph could not himself visit,
therefore he deputed the Twelve Apostles, to go and heal them,
and he returned to Nauvoo. Parley P. Pratt, was with Joseph when
he visited Montrose having made his escape from prison.
P. P. Pratt with King Follett and Morris Phelps made a break for
liberty on the 4th July 1839. M. Phelps was successful in eluding
his pursuers and reached Illinois without interruption, King
Follett was overtaken and again thrust into prison, and Parley P.
Pratt after much hardship and suffering reached his friends in
Illinois about the 9th or 10th of the month, he found his family
in Quincy and soon moved them to Nauvoo.
Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, George Robinson,
Lyman Wight and P. P. Pratt, was betrayed into the hands of the
mob by Hinkle (a Judas) on the 31st October 1838.
They were placed under a strong guard. The officers of the
mob held a secret meeting which they called a Court martial and
sentenced them to be shot the next morning at eight oclock in
the public square.
Brigadier General Doniphan with a few others was opposed to
this and said, It is cold blooded murder, and I wash my hands of
it. General Lucas, dare not pit the sentence into execution, but
took them as prisoners to Richmond, where by the decision of
a mock court before Judge King, they were sentenced to prison
on a charge of treason. This trial lasted about eighteen days,
40

most of this time they were kept in chains, in a cold dreary room.
Beside those whose name I have mentioned were about fifty
others of the brethren who had been marched on foot thirty
miles from Caldwell; most of whom was discharged upon diving
bonds. Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight,
Alexander McRae and Caleb Baldwin, were sent to Liberty Clay
County, and P. P. Pratt, morris Phelps and others were sent to
Richmond Ray County, but was finally removed to a prison at
Columbia Boone County. HeParleyhad spent eight weary
months in dungeons with no hope of release by the courts, they
finally with the help of the Lord made their escape of the great
national holiday.
A few words from the pen of Elder Parley P. Pratt one of the
prisoners, will describe their misery during the mock trial before
Judge King at Richmond. Parley says, One of those tedious nights,
we had lain as if in sleep till the hour of midnight had passed, and
our ears and hearts had been pained while we listened for hours
to the obscene jests, the horrid oaths, the dreadful blasphemies
and filthy language of our guards, Colonel Price at their head,
as they recounted to each other their deeds of rapine, murder,
robbery, etc, which they had committed among the `Mormons,
while at Far West and vicinity. They even boasted of defiling by
force wives, daughters, and virgins, and of shooting or dashing
out the brains of men, women and children. I had listened till
I became so disgusted, shocked, horrified, and so filled with
the spirit of indignant justice that I could scarcely refrain from
rising upon my feet and rebuking the guards, but said nothing
to Joseph or anyone else, although I lay next to him and knew
he was awake. On a sudden he arose to his feet, and spoke in a
voice of thunder, or as the roaring lion, uttering as near as I can
41

recollect the following words, Silence ye fiends of the infernal

pit. In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you and command you
to be still; I will not live another minute and hear such language.
Cease such talk, or you or I die this instant!
He ceased to speak. He stood erect in terrible majesty. Chained,
and without a weapon; calm, unruffled and dignified as an angel,
he looked upon the quailing guards, whose weapons were lowered
or dropped to the ground; whose knees smote together, and
who shrinking into a corner, or crouching at his feet begged his
pardon, and remained quiet till a change of guards.
I have seen the ministers of justice clothed in magisterial
robes, and criminals arraigned before them, while life was
suspended on a breath, in the courts of England I have witnessed
a congress in solemn session to give laws to nations; I have tried
to conceive of kings, of royal courts, of thrones and crowns;
and of emperors assembled to decide the fate of kingdoms; but
dignity and majesty have I seen but once as it stood in chains, at
midnight; in a dungeon in an obscure village of Missouri.

Chapter Seven

otwithstanding the difficulties the Saints had been called

to pass through, being driven from place to place, the
education of their children, although interrupted, was not
forgotten. As soon as possible a room was prepared for that
purpose and by request of President Sidney Rigdon, I went to
Lima and brought to Nauvoo, Miss Eliza R. Snow, to teach school.

In spite of the unhealthy location of Nauvoo and the poverty of

42

many of the people after their expulsion from Missouri, in the

short space of one year the city contained two hundred and fifty
houses and industry and thrift were seen on every hand.
Almost as soon as the father [Joseph Smith, Sr.] and mother
[Lucy Smith] of the Prophet Joseph Smith set their feet upon
the hospitable shore of Illinois, I became acquainted with them.
I frequently visited them and listened with intense interest as
they related the history of the rise of the Church in every detail.
With tears they could not withhold, they narrated the story
of the persecution of their boy, Joseph, which commenced when
he was about fourteen years old, or from the time the angel first
visited him. Not only was the boy, Joseph, persecuted but the
aged father was harassed and imprisoned on false charges until
finally driven from Missouri in the depth of winter he contracted
disease from exposure, from which he never recovered.
In these conversations, mother [Lucy] Smith, as she was
familiarly called, related much of their family history. She told
how their family would all be seated around the room while they
all listened to Joseph with the greatest interest as he taught them
the pure principles of the gospel as revealed to him by the angels,
and of his glorious vision of the Father and the Son, when the
father said to him as he pointed to his companion, This is my
beloved Son, hear Him.
She said, during the day our sons would endeavor to get
through their work as early as possible, and say, `Mother, have
supper early, so we can have a long evening to listen to Joseph.
Sometimes Joseph would describe the appearance of the Nephites,
their mode of dress and warfare, their implements of husbandry,
etc, and many things he had seen in vision. Truly ours was a
happy family, although persecuted by preachers, who declared
43

there was no more vision, the canon of scripture was full, and
no more revelation was needed. But Joseph had seen a vision
and must declare it.
Oh, how many happy hours I have spent with these good old
folks. They were as honest and true as it was possible for mortals
to be; and they exemplify the words of the Apostle who said, All
who will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.
Meetings in Nauvoo were held in a Jack Oak Grove, in the
open air, and here I listened to the words of inspiration as they
fell from the lips of the Prophet, as he taught the congregations
of the Saints.
Who could listen to these words of inspiration and
honestly say Joseph Smith is an imposter? No one, not even his
bitter enemies.
Who among all the so called Christian Churches, with all
their learning could explain the order of the Priesthood? No one.
Who among them could explain `any of the principles of life
and salvation, with the ordinances necessary thereto? Not one.
I have listened to the Prophet Joseph in public, and in private,
in sunshine and showeras many others have done as he taught
from the standAt my own house, and at his hose, I have been
familiar with him, from the time he escaped from prison in
Missouri in 1839 until his martyrdom in 1844, and do know that no
man could explain the scripturethrow them wide open to view,
so plain that none could misunderstand their meaningexcept
he had been taught of God.
I have felt ashamed myself sometimes, having studied the
scriptures so much, that I had not seen that which was so plain
when he touched them. He as it were turned the key, and the door
of knowledge sprang wide open, disclosing precious principles,
both new and old.
44

I have many times been pondering upon a subject, and

seemed to come to a stand-still, not knowing how to gain farther
information, relating to it, when upon going to meeting on the
sabbath, the key would be touched by Joseph and the subject
would be so plain I wondered why I had not seen it before.
I was in this situation in relation to the Ten lost tribes of Israel.
I had read everything I could find relating to them. I had carefully
studied the statistics of the Jews, and not withstanding they had
been persecuted for hundreds of years, being murdered and
driven, until they were now scattered all over the known world,
yet they numbered several millions. I reasoned thus, had the
`Ten Tribes, suffered equal disaster, and they had increased in
number, in the same ratio as the Jews, the would number nearly
ten times as manyor nine times and a half as it is nine a half
tribes instead of ten. If they have increased in this proportion,
where is there habitable earth for this vast amount of people who
are hidden from the rest of mankind? I could not see.
I was in this train of thought, unable to obtain further
information from any source, when as usual on a Sunday
morning, I took my skiff and crossed the river to Nauvoo, to
attend meeting.
Joseph addressed the congregation, and as if for special
benefit, touched upon this subject which opened a new field
for reflection to me. His subject was: The restitution of all
things spoken of by all the Holy Prophets since the world began,
quoting the twenty first verse of the third chapter of the Acts of
the Apostles.
In the course of his remarks he spoke of the earth being
divided at various times. He said, When Enoch and his city

45

was taken away, a portion of earth was taken and would again
be restored. Also in the days of Peleg, the earth was divided,
see Genesis 10th Chapter 25 verse. He then referred to the
`Ten Tribes, saying, You know a long time ago in the days of
Shalmanezer King of Assyria when the Ten Tribes was taken
away, and never been heard of since. He said, The earth will
be restored as at the beginning, and the last taken away will be
the first to return, for the last shall be first, and the first shall be
last in all things. He illustrated the return by saying.
Some of you brethren have been coming up the river on
a steamboat, and while seated at the table, the steamboat run
against a snag which upset the table and scatter the dishes; so
it will be when these portions of earth return. It will make the
earth reel to and for `like a drunken man, quoting 24th chapter
Isaiah 20th verse. When speaking of the return of the Ten Tribes,
he said, The mountains of ice shall flow down at their presence,
and a highway shall be cast up in the midst of the great deep.
These remarks satisfied me, it was no longer necessary to
hunt the place on this earth where the Ten Tribes were so long
hidden, for the earth was divided and taken away, and will be the
first to return, as it was the last taken away.
He shall command the great deep, and it shall be driven back
into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land.
And the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion shall be turned
back into their own place, and the earth shall be like as it was
in the days before it was divided. See [D&C 133:21-24] Appendix.
Doctrine & Covenants.
I will introduce a poem upon this subject, by Sister E. R. Snow,
as it was published in the Millennial Star 1851, pg. 272 entitled

46

An Address to the Earth

Thou, earth, wast once a glorious sphere of noble magnitude,
And didst with majesty appear, among the worlds of God.
But thy dimensions have been torn asunder, piece by piece,
And each dismembered fragment borne abroad to distant space.
When Enoch could no longer stay amid corruption here,
Part of thyself was borne away to form another sphere.
That portion where his city stood He gained by right approved;
And nearer to the throne of God His planet upward moved.
And when the Lord saw fit to hide the ten lost tribes away,
Thou, earth, was severed to provide the orb on which they stay.
And thus, from time to time thy size has been diminished, till
Thou seemest the law of sacrifice created to fulfil.
The curse of God on man was placed: that curse thou didst partake,
And thou hast been by turns disgraced and honored for his sake.
The vilest wretches hell will claim now breathe thy atmosphere,
The noblest spirits heaven can name have been embodied here.
Jesus the Lord thy surface graced; He fell a sacrifice;
And now within thy cold embrace the martyred Joseph lies.
When Satans hosts are overcome, the martyred princely rare,
Will claim thee their celestial home thy royal dwelling place.
A restitution yet must come, that will to them restore,
By the grand law of worlds, thy sum of matter heretofore.
And thou, O earth, will leave the track thou hast been doomed
to trace
The Gods with shouts will bring thee back to fill thy native place.
47

Chapter Eight

pon another occasion about this time, when addressing

the Saints upon the coming of the Savior, Joseph said, I
prophecy that the signs of the coming of the Son of Man has
already commenced, one pestilence will desolate after another,
you hear of wars in foreign lands, but behold I say unto you they
are nigh even at your doors, and not many years hence you shall
hear of wars in your own land. I testify of these things and that
the coming of the Son of Man is nigh even at your doors. The
sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall be turned into blood.
If our souls and our bodies are not looking forth for the coming
of the Son of Man, and after we are dead, if we are not looking
forth for his coming; we shall be among them that call for the
rocks to fall on us and hide us.
The time is coming when no man will have any peace, but in
Zion, and her stakes. I know it I have seen it in vision! I saw men
hunting lives of their own sons, and women killing their own
daughters, and daughters seeking the lives of their mothers, and
brother murdering brother. I saw armies arrayed against armies,
I saw blood, desolation, firesThese things are at our doors!
They will follow the Saints of God from city to city, Satan
will rage, and the spirit of the devil is now enraged. I know not
how soon these things will take place and with a view of them,
shall I cry peace, peace? No! I will lift up my voice and testify of
them. How long you will have good crops, and the famine be
kept off, I do not know.

48

The Son of Man has said, that the mother shall be against
the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, etc,, and
when the fig tree puts forth her leaves, know then that summer
is nigh. Many times he spoke of these things.
At the general conference held in Nauvoo October 1839, it
was resolved that Joseph Smith accompanied by Elias Higbee
and Sidney Rigdon should proceed to Washington, to lay before
the president, and the congress of the nation, the wrongs the
Saints had suffered.
Sidney Rigdon, had been appointed a delegate for that
purpose at the conference held at Quincy in May, but for some
cause had not filled that mission.
On the 5th day of October 1839, Joseph and his companions
started on their journey and reached Washington safely on
November the 28th. In crossing the Alleghany Mountains they
had quite an exciting experience on reaching the top of one
of the mountains, the driver on the stagecoach, fastened the
lines and went into a tavern, as soon as he got into the house
the horses took fright and started off at full speed. The coach
was full of passengers; beside Joseph and his companions, were
some Congressmen on their way to Washington, and a woman
with a babe.
The Stage tossed and pitched like a boat in a storm, the
passengers became very much alarmed fearful of being dashed
to pieces over a precipice, the congressmen jumped out, and
the brethren wanted to do the same, but Joseph restrained them
awhile, but they were uneasy, Joseph told them if they were
determined to wait till they started up the next mountain and
then jump. They done so.

49

The woman wanted to throw her babe out and then jump
herself. Joseph tried to dissuade her and at last took the babe
from her lest she would do so, then he talked to her until she
became somewhat calm. He then told her if she would take the
babe, and sit quiet, he would climb out over the quarter panel and
stop the horses, she said she would do so, he accordingly gave
her the babe, and then climbed out and swung himself into the
dickey seat, and took the lines soon stopped the horses. Those
who have passed over this road in a stage coach nay appreciate
the danger attending such a feat, with a runaway stage.
The stage driver was the first to reach the stage almost
breathless from a run of about three miles, he was much relieved
in mind when he saw the stagecoach all right, the horses quiet
although panting and Joseph on the drivers seat calm holding
the reins. He expected everything smashed and perhaps rolled
over a precipice.
Along one after another came the passengers limping, being
somewhat bruised up from their jump and roll, seeing Joseph on
the drivers seat holding the lines they wanted to know how the
hell he got up there? The women was overjoyed and thanked
Mr. Higbee, (so they called Joseph) and then told the company
how he had saved her life and the life of her babe.
Wherever the stage stopped the story was told, the woman
and the congressmen was loud in their praise of the bravery and
daring of Mr. Higbee, until they came to the end of their journey.
The day after his arrival in Washington, Joseph met his
traveling companions the congressmen, upon the street, with
some of their friends; they gave him an introduction to their
friends, and told of their perilous journey and Mr. Higbees
brave exploit, etc. Joseph then explained to them, how that Mr.
50

Higbee had bought the tickets for the journey in his own name,
and when they had addressed himself as Mr. Higbee he had not
corrected it, and he thought they would not blame him for not
explaining this matter earlier, but now he would do so. He then
told them he was Joseph Smith, President of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were very much astonished
at this announcement; they had heard of Old Joe Smith and
supposed him to be a very different looking person than the one
before them.
They saw before them a finely proportioned young and
intelligent man, about thirty four years of age, and if this the
`Mormon Prophet they must hear him preach. A fine hall was
obtained at considerable expense, which was well filled with
the heads of the nation, and the elite of the city of Washington
to whom he preached two evenings the pure principles of the
gospel of Jesus Christ. I have narrated this circumstance as near
as possible as Joseph told it in my presence after his return to
Nauvoo. This circumstance plainly shows that, God moves in a
mysterious way His wonders to perform.
This very circumstance introduced him into the society of
man of influence at the Nations Capital, and opened the way
by which he could freely converse upon the persecutions of the
people he represented, the wrongs they had endured from the
hand of their enemies in the state of Missouri.
He presented to congress an eloquent memorial, plainly
setting forth the crimes committed by the governor and other
officials of the state of Missouri and urgently plead for redress.
The memorial was read and referred to the committee on
Judiciary which committee made a report in which they said,
The committee have examined the case presented by the petition,
51

end the views urged by their agent with care and attention, and
after a full examination and consideration, unanimously concur
in the opinion, that the case presented for their investigation is
not such as will justify or authorize any interposition by this
Government . . . . . The grievances complained of in the petition
are alleged to have been done within the territory of the state of
Missouri. The committee, under the circumstances; have not
considered themselves justified in inquiring into the truth or
falsehood of the facts charged in the petition. If they are true,
the petitioners must seek relief in the court of Judicature of the
state of Missouri. . . .
This committee recommended a resolution, that they
be discharged from further consideration of `memorial in
the case and that `memorilists have leave to withdraw the
papers which accompany their `memorial. Seek relief from
Missouri preposterous!
Joseph also visited the president and laid the case of the Saints
before him, but all his efforts were in vain. On one of his visits
to President Martin Van Buren, He said to Joseph, Your cause is
just. But I can do nothing for you. If I take up for you I shall have
all Missouri on my back, and I shall loose the vote of that state.
Martin Van Buren exhibited himself in those few words to be
a mean, contemptible, truckling sycophant, who being entrusted
with the highest authority to govern a free people, dared not be
just toward a small portion of his fellow citizens, who had been
robbed and driven from their homes in the midst of a cold winter,
to suffer all the hardships of hunger cold and storm, consequent
upon such journeying under an exterminating order issued by
the governor of the state of Missouri, Lilburn W. Boggs, for fear

52

he would loose the vote of that state. What could brand him a
coward, better or with more force than his own words?
At the conference held on the 6th April, 1840, Joseph gave an
account of his mission to Washington having arrived home on
the 4th day of March.
The conference called for the reading of the memorial, and
also the report of the committee on judiciary to whom the
memorial had been referred. After which a committee of five
was chosen to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiments of
the conference in reference to the report. Robert D. Foster, Orson
Hyde, John E. Page, Robert B. Thompson, and Joseph Wood, were
selected for this committee, they were instructed to report to the
conference next day, when Robert B. Thompson of the committee
read the following resolutions:
Whereas, we learn with deep sorrow, regret and
disappointment, that the committee on Judiciary to whom
was referred the memorial of the members of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintscommonly called
Mormonscomplaining of the grievances suffered by them in
the state of Missouri, have reported unfavorable to our cause, to
justice and humanity, Therefore,
Resolved, 1st. That we consider the report of the committee on
judiciary, unconstitutional, and subversive of the rights of a free
people; and justly calls for the disapprobation of all the supporters
and lovers of good government and republican principles.
Resolved, 2nd. That, the committee state in their report that
our memorial aggravate the case of our oppressors, and at the
same time say; that they have not examined into the truth or
falsehoods of the facts, mentioned in said memorial.

53

Resolved, 3rd. That, the memorial does not aggravate the

conduct of our oppressors, as every statement set forth in said
memorial was substantiated by indubitable testimony, therefore
we consider the statement of the committee in regard to that
part: as false and ungenerous.
Resolved, 4th. That, that part of the report, referring to the
justice and magnanimity of the state of Missouri for redress; we
deem it a great insult to our good sense, better judgment, and
intelligence; when from numerous affidavits which were laid
before the committee: proved that we could only go into the state
of Missouri, contrary to the exterminating order of the governor,
and consequently at the risk of our lives.
Resolved, 5th. That after repeated appeals to the constituted
authorities of the state of Missouri for redress, which were in vain;
we fondly hoped that in the Congress of the United States ample
justice would have been rendered up: and upon that consideration
alone, we pledged ourselves to abide their decision.
Resolved, 6th. That the exterminating order of Governor
Boggs, is a direct infraction of the constitution of the United
States, and of the state of Missouri and the committee in refusing
to investigate the proceedings of the executive and others of
the state of Missouri, and turning a deaf ear, to the cries of
widows, orphans, and innocent blood, we deem no less, than
secondary the proceedings of that murderous mob, whose deeds
are recorded in heaven, and justly calls down upon their heads
the righteous judgments of an offended God.
Resolved, 7th. That the thanks of this meeting be tendered
to the citizens of the state of Illinois, for their kind, liberal, and
generous conduct towards us; and that we call upon them, as
well as every patriot in this vast republic, to aid us in all lawful
54

endeavors, to obtain redress for the injuries we have sustained.

Resolved, 8th. That the thanks of this meeting be tendered
to the delegation of Illinois, for their bold, manly, noble and
independent course they have taken, in presenting our case before
the authorities of the nation, amid misrepresentation, contumely
and abuse which characterized us in our suffering condition.
Resolved, 9th. That the thanks of this meeting be tendered
to Governor Carlin of Illinois, Governor Lucas of Iowa for their
sympathy, aid, and protection. And to all other honorable
gentlemen who have assisted us in our endeavors to obtain redress.
Resolved, 10th. That Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon, and
Elias Higbee, the delegates appointed by this church, to visit
the city of Washington to present our sufferings before the
authorities of the nation, accept of the thanks of this meeting, for
the prompt and efficient manner in which they have discharged
their duty and that they be requested in the behalf of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, throughout the world, to
continue to use their endeavors to obtain redress for a suffering
people; and if all hope of obtaining satisfactionfor the injuries
done us:be entirely blasted, that they appeal our case to the
court of heaven, believing, that the great Jehovah, who rules
over the destiny of nations, and who notices the falling sparrow,
will undoubtedly redress our wrongs, and ere long avenge us of
our adversaries.
In the summer of 1840 I moved my family to Augusta, Des
Moines County about twenty miles from Montrose. I was engaged
to build a mill with Brother Lyman Whitney, we together hired
a house which had been built to accommodate two families
Brother Whitney moved his family in one part, and I and my
family moved into the other.
55

A branch of the church had been organized in this place, Elder

Ira Ames presiding. We had good meetings and enjoyed the spirit
of the gospel; we also had plenty of opposition from those who
had apostatized from the church and from Sectarian Ministers,
who seemed to think it their business to abuse the Mormons.
One day, soon after my arrival, I went into a store to make some
purchases. I saw a well-dressed man in conversation with some
of the residents and from their conversation I learned that he
was a minister and that he was very anxious to hold a debate
with a Mormon elder. But, he said, He must be a very intelligent
Mormon. He seemed to think the Mormons did not possess that
quality. Someone present introduced me to him, stating that I was
a Mormon elder. I thought he looked me over rather with derision,
however we soon became very warm in the conversation which
ensued. He held a Bible in his hand from which he read, and
tried to show that Mormonism was a delusion and he denounced
it. I defended it by the scriptures. He misquoted the scriptures
while pretending to read from the Bible. I corrected them from
memory, but this he would not allow, so let me read out of his
Bible a few times, but finding himself detected by his words he
would not let me have the Bible any more.
The store keeper was much interested and brought out a
large family Bible and laid it on the counter for my use. By this
time the store was filled with an attentive audience. When he
found that he could not maintain his position by misapplying
and misreading the scriptures (for I read the same passages out
of the big Bible), he showed up his dishonesty in his anxiety to
blind the people and traduce the doctrines of Mormonism, which
I presented as the gospel of Jesus Christ and necessary to salvation.
I saw when he could not bring these principles into contempt
56

he then tried abuse and ridicule, vilifying the character of the

Prophet Joseph Smith and repeating all the lies which had been
circulated about him.
At this my patience was well nigh exhausted and I told him I
knew the Prophet Joseph Smith, whose character he was trying
to defame. I said I was very well acquainted with him and that the
lies that were being circulated about him were a lot of infernal
nonsense. At this expression, he put on a very sanctimonious air
and turned away from me saying, I dont wish to debate with a
man who will swear!! Here was a man professedly intelligent
and very learned, who wanted to debate with a very intelligent
Mormon and yet as I told him, did not understand the English
language. Someone present asked me to define the word for
the gentlemans benefit and at the same time inquiring if the
word `infernal could be construed as swearing. I answered no,
no such construction could be placed upon it. `Infernal meant
anything devilish, mean, hellish or wicked. I had full freedom
and explained to them the first principles of the gospel. I advised
the very `learned gentleman, as he had been so confounded by
a clodhopper,so he seemed to think me to behe had better
let the `very intelligent Mormons alone.
Those present during this time were mostly the business
men of the town and they were so disgusted with his abuse
and insults toward me and the people I represented, that they
would not let him have a place to preach in. They were nonprofessors of religion, such as I have always found to be more
liberal and fair-minded toward the Mormons than are those who
preach for hire and divine for money. They are as a rule honest
in their convictions.

57

The settlements of the Saints, or branches of the Church on

the Iowa side of the Mississippi, were organized into a stake; and
John Smith, uncle to the Prophet Joseph, was the president of
this stake of Zion. When Uncle John, as he was familiarly called,
visited Augusta in going his rounds in the stake, he stopped at
my house and we would then hear the news of our friends and
the progress being made at Nauvoo. Those visits were much
appreciated by us and the instructions we received from him
was of great benefit. I frequently returned with him to Nauvoo,
especially at conference time which was held in April and October,
when we would expect to receive instructions from Joseph and
learn of the progress of the work of God.
At the general conference held in October of this year 1840,
President Joseph Smith spoke of the necessity of building a house
of the Lord in Nauvoo. During the conference it was resolved that
the Saints build a house for the worship of God and at the same
time Reynolds Cahoon, Elias Higbee and Alpheus Cutler are
appointed a committee to build the same. A motion was made
and a resolution also, that a commencement would be made ten
days from that date and that every tenth day be appropriated for
the building of this said house.
The people were still very poor but nevertheless the work
was commenced at the time appointed and the work continued
until completed although it required a great amount of means.
The churches were diligent and though the Saints were called
to pass through much affliction and poverty, their hands never
slackened. About this time my son, John, was taken very sick.
Although quite young he had great confidence in the ordinance
of laying on of hands by the elders for the healing of the sick.

58

He frequently would call on me to administer to him, then he

would be relieved of pain for a short time, then he would again
be in great distress. I felt that there was something very peculiar
about this sickness as every time I came from work and he heard
my footsteps, he called me to lay hands upon him. Several times
in the night he would awaken me with, Oh father, come and lay
hands on me. I could not understand the meaning of this, night
and day for several days this continued, the administrations
seemed to have little effect and I became weary and depressed
in spirit.
One evening upon returning from work as usual and as soon
as I entered the house, the same call came from my boy, Oh,
father, come lay hands on me. I called to Brother Whitney to
come and assist me and together we laid our hands upon his
head while Brother Whitney offered up prayer in his behalf.
While he was praying a sinking, death-like feeling came over
and it was with the greatest exertion that I was enabled to keep
my hands on his head. I feared to take them off least a bad affect
might follow. My suffering was so great, it seemed to me Brother
Whitney would never get through with his prayer, although he
was no longer than was usual.
This administration had the desired effect, the Lord had
respect to his servants and my son recovered. Our joy however was
of but a short duration, for Brother Whitneys family, one member
after another, being seized by the same influence which had
afflicted our son; we were frequently called upon to administer
to them. Sister Whitney was also prostrated by the same disease.
In a short space of time, every member of both families was
similarly affected. We no sooner retired to bed at night than
we were called up by one of the children, we administered to
59

that one, and it was relievedfor they suffered great pain and
distressand we again retired to our beds, only to be called up
by another and so on, all through the night, sometimes it was a
member of Brother Whitneys family and sometimes one of mine,
we ourselves became very much depressed in spirit because there
seemed to be something so unusual the matter, but what it was
we did not know.
In the following morning we went to work as usual and
when we returned home at noon we found my wife very sick. We
began to realize the true situation. She had been indefatigable
in nursing the sick and had borne up bravely until now. It was a
new experience to be thus baffled by the powers of darkness, that
such was the case was manifest in the condition of my wife who
was a firm believer in the gospel. She had borne unflinchingly
every trial every trial she had been called to pass through; she had
all the confidence in the ordinances of the Holy Priesthood for
the healing of the sick it was possible to have; but now worn out
by anxiety and nursing the sick, and weak in body, she seemed
unable longer to resist the evil influences surrounding her.
Usually when she was taken sick her first wish was to call
upon the elders, but now as we approached her and laid our
hands upon her head she resisted, the devil manifesting itself
through her defying us saying we had no power to cast it out. For
awhile I walked the floor talking to her, being convinced that all
our troubles arose from the influence of the powers of darkness.
I invited Brother Whitney to take a walk with me.
We walked some distance away from the town until we
reached a secluded spot in the timber. There we both poured
out our souls to God in supplication, beseeching him to hear
our prayers and give us power to cast out those unclean spirits
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and devils that were distressing our families. We returned to

the house to find my wife lying upon the bed just as we had left
her. Her face was almost scarlet with the fever and in her eyes a
terrible brightness and as defiant as before.
I went to the bedside, then I said, Come Brother Whitney
we will again lay our hands on and administer to her, and we,
together administered by laying our hands on her head and with
all the power we held by virtue of the Priesthood of the Son of
God we rebuked the devil and every evil spirit and power in the
name of Jesus Christ. When we had ceased praying and took
our hands off her head, she had fainted. When this passed off
she was extremely weak, almost lifeless but in her right mind.
We then went through the house and laid our hands upon each
member of our families and rebuked the evil spirits in the name
of Jesus Christ and commanded them to depart from the house
and trouble us no more. Our prayers were heard and answered,
the powers of darkness were rebuked. My wife recovered and we
were disturbed no more. We praised God who delivered us out
of this great affliction.
Shortly after this occurrence, Uncle John again visited us,
during his stay we related to him our experience, and learned
from him that the elders who were in England had suffered much
from the same powers. When some of the Twelve Apostles and
other elders commenced their labors in that country, they found
many honest souls prepared to receive their testimony, and at the
same time, they were sorely afflicted by the powers of darkness,
which seemed determined to destroy their lives and thus stop
the work of God in that country.
They called upon the Lord in mighty prayer, and He heard
them, and delivered them from his grasp, their eyes were also
61

opened, and they saw distinctly the evil spirits that was afflicting
them, raging and foaming and gnashing their teeth.
Having some business that required my presence at Montrose
I accompanied President John Smith on his return, and as our
horses jogged along he continued the subject. Although Satan
raged he could not stop the progress of the work, the gospel
spread rapidly and in a very short time the principle cities, and
counties had faithful elders laboring in them.
In Staffordshire, a branch of the church was organized at
the Potteries and Elder Alfred Cordon was president among
those who embraced the gospel at this place were some who had
practiced magic, or astrology. They had books which had been
landed down for many generations, they also had two stones,
about the size of goose eggs, they were rough uncouth looking
stones, one end was flattened so they could be placed on a table.
When they wished to gain information from this source,
they would place these stones upon a table, and kneel down and
pray to one who they addressed as Sameazer, which they called
charging the stones, when upon looking into them they saw
what they sought, for instance, a young woman, whose sister
joined the church and emigrated to Nauvoo, not hearing from
her, became very anxious, and to learn something about her went
to one of these astrologers, or magicians to inquire if her sister
was wellor something about her. The magician after charging
the stones as before explained, told her to look into them.
The young woman did so and said she saw her sister sitting
upon something but could not describe what kind of a seat it
wasby the side of a curious looking house, and apparently
in good health. This satisfied her that her sister was safe and

62

well, but the house and the seat her sister was on she could not
understand what it could be.
The young woman afterwards joined the church and came to
her sister who was living on a farm a short distance from Nauvoo,
a worm fence enclosed the farm and log house and it was upon
this fence near the log house she had seen her sister sitting when
she looked into the magicians stones in Scaffordshire, England.
This is the substance of the narration as I heard it from Uncle
John. Sometime after I moved to Nauvoo I became acquainted
with Elder Alfred Cordon, who related to me the same, he also
said, the books with the stones were placed in his hands by these
men after they joined the church, and he gave them to Apostle
George A. Smith who destroyed the books, but put the stones in
the bottom of his trunk and brought them to Nauvoo. He gave
them to Joseph the prophet who pronounced them to be a Urim
and Thummim as good as ever was upon the earth but he said,
they have been consecrated to devils.
By the foregoing relation of fact we see that the same power
which was made manifest in Egypt in opposition to Moses
the servant of God where he was called to deliver the Hebrews
from bondage is still in existence, need we be surprised if it is
exerted to oppose the establishment of the kingdom of God in
the last days, when wickedness shall be swept from the earth and
righteousness reign triumphant?
Saul, King of Israel, when he had transgressed and could
get no word of the Lord by dream nor by Urim and Thummim,
nor by the prophets, sought out the witch of Endor by night in
disguise, and prayed her to divine unto him by the familiar spirit.
1st Samuel, 28th chapter, 8-18 verses.

63

Chapter Eleven

pril conference 1841 was more than usual an important

assembly, or gathering, and great numbers of people, far
and near both Saints and strangers assembled together in Nauvoo,
on the 6th of April to witness the laying of the corner stones of
the [Nauvoo] temple, which was to be built, wherein the Saints
might worship in an acceptable manner before God.
The weather was fine and everything conspired to make it
a day never to be forgotten by those who participated in, or
witnessed the ceremony.
It will be quite appropriate here, to present a communication
from the pen of my esteemed friend and brother in the gospel,
Elder Robert B. Thompson, and published in the Times and
Seasons at the time. It is forty seven years since this occurrence,
although they are fresh before me even now. I deem the following
recital of facts much better than I could give them after so long
a lapse of time. He commences thus: Oh that I could paint the
scenes, which on my heart are sketched.
The general conference of the church together with the laying
of the corner stones of the temple of our God, now building in
this city, have long been anticipated by the Saints of the Most
High, both far and near, with great pleasure, when they should
once more behold the foundation of a house laid on which they
might worship the God of their fathers.
It frequently happens, that our anticipations of pleasure
and delight, are raised to such a height that even exceeds the
enjoyment itself, but we are happy to say, this was not the case
with the immense multitude who witnessed the proceedings
of the sixth of April, and subsequent days of conference. The
64

scenes were of such a character, the enjoyment so intense that

left anticipation far behind.
However anxious we are to portray the grandeur and
majesty of the celebrations, the union and order which every
way prevailed, we are confident, we shall come far short of doing
them justice.
For some days prior to the sixth, the accession of strangers to
our city was great, and on the wide spread prairie, which bounds
our city, might be seen various kinds of vehicles wending their
way from different points of the compass to the city of Nauvoo,
while the ferry boats of the Mississippi, were constantly employed
in wafting travellers across its rolling and extensive bosom.
Among the citizens, all was bustle and preparation, anxious
to accommodate their friends who flocked in from distant parts,
and who they expected to share with them the festivity of the
day, and the pleasures of the scene.
At length, the long expected morn arrived, and before the
king of day had tipped the eastern horizon with his rays, were
preparation for the celebration of the day going on. Shortly after
sunrise the loud peals from the artillery were heard, calling the
various companies of the legion to the field, who were appointed
to take a conspicuous part in the days proceedings.
The citizens from the vicinity, now began to pour in from all
quarters, a continuous train, for about three hours and continued
to swell the vast assembly.
At eight oclock a.m. Major General Bennett left his quarters to
organize and prepare the legion for the duties of the day, which
consisted of about fourteen companies, several in uniform,
besides several companies from Iowa, and other parts of the
county, which joined them on this occasion.
65

At half past nine Lieutenant General Smith was informed that

the Legion was organized and ready for review, and immediately
accompanied by his staff, consisting of four aids-de-camp, and
twelve guards, nearly all in splendid uniforms, took his march
to the parade ground.
On their approach they were met by the band, beautifully
equipped, who received them with a flourish of trumpets and a
regular salute, and then struck up a lively air, marching in front
to the stand of the Lieutenant General. On his approach to the
parade ground the artillery was again fired, and the Legion gave
an appropriate salute while passing. This was indeed a glorious
sight, such as we never saw, nor did we ever expect to see such
a one in the west. 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.
After the arrival of Lieutenant General Smith, the ladies who
had made a beautiful silk flag, drove up in a carriage to present it
to the Legion. Major General Bennett, very politely attended on
them, and conducted them in front of Lieutenant General Smith,
who immediately alighted from his charger, and walked up to the
ladies, who presented the flag, making an appropriate address.
Lieutenant General Smith acknowledged the honor conferred
upon the Legion, and stated that as long as he had the command,
it should never be disgraced; and then politely bowing to the
ladies gave it into the hands of Major General Bennett, who
placed it in possession of Cornet Robinson, and it was soon seen
gracefully waving in front of the Legion. During the time of
presentation, the band struck up a lively air, and another salute
was fired from the artillery.
66

After the presentation of the flag Lieutenant General Smith,

accompanied by his suit, reviewed the Legion, which presented
a very imposing appearance, the different officers saluting as he
passed. Lieutenant General Smith then took his former stand
and the whole Legion by companies passed before him in review.
The Procession.
Lieutenant General Smith, Brigadier Generals Law and Smith,
Aids-de-camp, and conspicuous strangers, General Staff, Band,
2nd Cohort, (foot troops,) Ladies eight abreast, Gentleman eight
abreast, 1st Cohort, (horse troops.)
Owing to the vast numbers who joined in the procession,
it has a considerable length of time before the whole could
be organized.
The procession then began to move forward in order, and on
their arrival at the temple block, the generals with their staffs and
the distinguished strangers present, took their position inside
of the foundation, the ladies formed on the outside immediately
next the walls, the gentleman and infantry behind, and the
cavalry in the rear.
The assembly being stationed, the choristers, under the
superintendence of B. S. Wilber, sang an appropriate hymn.
President Rigdon, then ascended the platform, which had been
prepared for the purpose, and delivered a suitable, `Oration,
which was listened to with the most profound attention by the
assembly. From the long affliction and weakness of body we
hardly expected the speaker to have made himself heard by the
congregation, but he succeeded beyond our most sanguine
expectations, and being impressed with the greatness and
solemnities of the occasion, he rose superior to his afflictions
and weakness and for more than an hour occupied the attention
of the assembly.
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It was an address worthy a man of God, and a messenger of

salvation. We have heard the speaker on other occasions when
he has been more eloquent, when there was more harmony and
beauty in the construction of his sentences, and when the refined
ear has been more delighted; but never did we hear him pour
out such pious effusions in short it was full to overflowing, of
Christian feeling and high toned piety.
He called to review the scenes of tribulation and anguish
through which the Saints had passed, the barbarous cruelties
inflicted upon them for their faith and attachment to the cause
of their God, and for the testimony of Jesus, which, they endured
with patience, knowing that they had in heaven a more enduring
substance, a crown of eternal glory.
In obedience to the commandment of their Heavenly Father,
and because that Jesus had again spoken from the heavens, were
they engaged in laying the foundation of the [Nauvoo] temple
that the Most High might have an habitation, and where the
Saints might assemble to pay their devotions to his holy name.
He rejoiced at the glorious prospect which presented itself of
soon completing the edifice, as there were no mobs to hinder
them in their labors, consequently their circumstances were
very different than before.
After the address, the choir sung a hymn. President Rigdon
then invoked the blessings of Almighty God upon the assembly,
and upon those who should labor on the building. The first
presidency superintended the laying of the Chief Corner Stone
on the south east corner of the building, which done, President
J. Smith, arose and said, that the first corner stone of the temple
of Almighty God was laid, and prayed that the building might

68

soon be completed, that the Saints might have an habitation to

worship the God of their fathers.
President D. C. Smith and his counsellors, of the high
priests quorum, then repaired to the south west corner and laid
the corner stone thereof. The High Council representing the
Twelve laid the north west corner stone. The Bishops with their
counsellors laid the north east corner stone with due solemnities.
The ceremony of laying the corner stones being over, the
Legion marched to the parade ground, and formed a hollow
square for an address. Major General Bennett addressed the
Legion at some length, applauding them for their soldier-like
appearance, and for the attention which both officers and men
had given to the orders. Lieutenant General Smith, likewise
expressed his entire approbation of the conduct of the Legion
and all present.
The assembly then separated with cheerful hearts, and
thanking God for the great blessings of peace and prosperity by
which they were surrounded, and hearts burning with affection
for their favorite and adopted state.
It was indeed a gladsome sight, and extremely affecting, to
see the old revolutionary patriots, who bad been driven from
their homes in Missouri, strike hands, and rejoice together, in a
land where they knew they would be protected from mobs, and
where they could enjoy the liberty for which they had fought
many a hard battle.
The day was indeed propitious heaven and earth combined to
make the scene as glorious as possible, and long, very long, will
the 6th of April A.D. 1841 be remembered by the many thousand
who were present. The whole passed off with perfect harmony
and good feeling. The people were truly of one heart and mind,
69

no contention or discord, even persons unconnected with the

church forgot their prejudices, and for once took pleasure in
the society of the Saints, admiring their order and unanimity,
and undoubtedly received favorable impressions by their visit.
Too much praise cannot be given to Major General Bennett
for his active services on the occasion, he has labored diligently
for the prosperity of the city, and particularly for the Legion,
and it must have been a proud day for him, and entirely
satisfactory, to see his efforts crowned with success and his
labor so well bestowed.
R. B. Thompson.
The next day the seventh of April conference assembled and
was continued several days. A revelation was read which had
been received by the prophet Joseph since the last conference,
which was given January 19th 1841, and can be found in the
present edition of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants Section 124.
President Sidney Rigdon delivered a discourse on the `baptism
for the dead. Joseph followed giving much valuable instruction
upon this subject. He also spoke upon the necessity of building
the [Nauvoo] temple, and the Nauvoo House, he said that, labor
on the temple would be as acceptable to the Lord as preaching
to the world.
The conference throughout, from the laying of the corner
stones of the temple to its close, was replete with instruction of
a very high order, pertaining to salvation for the living and also
for the dead, and was a very joyous occasion never to be forgotten,
by me at least.

70

Chapter Twelve

n November 1841 the Iowa stake conference was held at Augusta

during which I was called upon a mission among the branches
of the church, to preach the gospel and set in order the affairs of
the church, and the things that are wanting in whatsoever place
or branch they shall come. Alvin E. Greaves was my companion.
When we completed this mission having set in order the business
we were sent to do, we returned to our homes, and I immediately
began preparations to move my family to Nauvoo in accordance
with the following instructions:
To the Saints abroad.
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, anxious to promote the prosperity of said church,
feel it their duty to call upon the Saints who reside out of this
county, to make preparations to come in without delay. This is
important, and should be attended to by all who feel an interest
in the prosperity of this the corner stone of Zion.
Here the [Nauvoo] temple must be raised, the university
be built and other edifices erected which are necessary for the
great work of the last days and which can only be done by a
concentration of energy and enterprise. Let it therefore be
understood, that all the stakes, excepting those in this county, and
in Lee County, Iowa are discontinued, and the Saints instructed
to settle in this county as soon as circumstances will permit.
Joseph Smith. City of Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. May
24th 1841

71

While living in Augusta I found many friends among

the nonprofessors of religion, but from those who are called
Reverends who preach for hire and divine for money such did
not show much kindness, especially after some discussions I
held with them, in which they were confounded. They show so
much veneration and zeal for the `Holy Bible and will hug it to
their bosom, `when closed, as a something very precious. But,
let an elder a `Mormon open it and preach the pure principles
of the gospel of Jesus Christ as he thought them, and they are
offended. Why is this so?, is it because they love the darkness
more than the light of truth as revealed in the good book, and
which are given for our profit and learning, that; we through
patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope or
is it; because it is offered without money and without price?
No every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that
hath no money; come ye, buy and eat yea, come, buy wine and
milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend
money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which
satisfieth not?
The Apostle Paul in his second epistle to Timothy 4th, chapter
3 verse says, For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers having itchy ears, and they shall turn from
the truth, and shall be turned into fables.
They hold no authority from God and cannot stand before
one who has been commissioned from on high, receiving his
authority and `called of God, as was Aaron. The same apostle
writing to the Hebrew brethren says, 5th chapter, 4 verse And
no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called
of God, as was Aaron. These `Reverend salaried preachers,
72

all acknowledge they have not been called in this way,by

revelationfor say they, `the canon of scripture is full and we
need no more revelation, consequently they like Demetrius of
old, see their craft is in danger.
Those who professed no religion, or some called them infidel,
I found to be liberal in their views, always ready to listen, or enter
into argument upon topics of religion as well as any other subject.
Upon one occasion while at work upon a mill for a Mr. Moffat,
he sent a boy to me saying he wanted to see me at his house,
upon my arrival heMr. Moffatushered me into the parlor
and introduced me to a stranger; this over I sat down wondering
why I had been sent for as they resumed conversation by which I
learned the stranger was a Roman Catholic Priest visiting among
his flock Mrs. Moffat being one of them.
Mr. Moffat being one of those liberal minded men, and fond
of listening to the argument of those holding opposite religious
views, and being acquainted with me from the time I first moved
into the town, wanted to see how I would proceed with a Catholic.
He had heard me in debate or argument with every one that came
there to oppose Mormonism, it made no difference but here was
an opportunity to learn how Mormonism would stand before
Catholicism, by bringing the new Mormon creed, and the old
Catholic creed together, I saw this to be the case when in the
course of the conversation Mr. Moffat referred to me upon some
point and thus brought the conversation between the Catholic
Priest and the Mormon elder, while he sat and listened attentively.
I thought at this point the priest took a general survey of my
appearance, in my shirt sleeves and working dress, and of himself
dressed in fine broadcloth drawing a comparison between us, as
if I was scarcely worthy of his notice.
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He talked of the immensity of the Catholic Church, he told

their numbers in different countries and said the Roman Catholic,
being the oldest church extant, held the precedence and should
be heard before any other, and their missionaries were in every
land preaching the gospel. As I sat and listened to his remarks, a
passage in the book of Doctrine and Covenants came very forcibly
to my mind, Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the
children of men the things which I have put into your hands by
the power of my Spirit, and ye are to be taught from on high.
As soon as an opportunity presented itself I said to him, My
dear sir, I doubt very much if you have ever heard a gospel sermon
in your life! He looked at me in astonishment. I then proceeded
to preach to him a gospel sermon, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
repentance of sins, baptism by immersion for remission of sins,
and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I referred
him to the sermon of Peter on the day of Pentecost, the people
became pricked in their heart, and cried Men and brethren
what shall we do? Peter told them to Repent and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. But, said
I those ordinances must be performed by one having authority
from Jesus Christ as Peter held it to minister in his name, for there
is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby
man can be saved. But, I asked, where can we find those who
hold this authority? Where can it be found?
Said he, We, have a regular succession of the priesthood
from the apostle Peter until now, and the Roman Catholic is the
only Church that can show a success of authority, all others are
apostate from the church of Rome.

74

But Sir, it appears from the revelations of St. John that while
he was on the Isle of Patmos he had a vision of the future from
him. He saw a time when the gospel was not upon the earth,
and he said `He saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven 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 judgments is come; and worship him that made heaven, and
earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water.
From this vision it appears the gospel was not upon the
earth, and it was necessary to send an angel to restore it to earth.
Now sir, has that angel communicated that gospel to you? Are
you preaching the gospel from the fact that the angel John saw
in vision has authorized you to minister in the ordinances of
the gospel?
He replied by informing me, that the gospel was established
upon the earth by the Savior and his apostle; that the Roman
Catholic Church had sent the gospel by missionaries all over the
world and established the church everywhere; they had a regular
succession of priesthood and authority to preach the gospel, and
consequently they did not look for an angel to bring to them that
which they already possessed; there was no need of doing so,
seeing the church was so firmly established; its numbers were
continually increasing, and it had spread, and would continue
to spread to the ends of the earth.
But Sir, if that angel has not already made his appearance
with this all important message, he will do so, for the `gospel
of the kingdom of God, must be preached in all the world for a
witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come; but sir, if
what you say is true, that the gospel is on the earth and firmly
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established from the time the Savior and his apostles was upon
the earth, what could even an angel do? but return to the courts of
heaven and report to those who sent him, the work was all done,
and he found himself sent upon a very foolish errand. I bore to
him a faithful testimony that the angel John saw, had made his
appearance to Joseph Smith, and brought to earth the everlasting
gospel, with all the gifts and blessings as they were enjoyed by
the Saints anciently. When I had borne my testimony to the great
work of the last days he was silent, he had no more to say.
Mr. Moffat had been an attentive listener and expressed his
pleasure; he found Catholicism would not stand before the truths
of the gospel as revealed through the great prophet of the last
days, any better than other sects, Catholicism as all others are
devoid of the authority of the Holy Priesthood of the Son of God,
and although each will accept and incorporate in their creed a
small portion of truth, they reject other portions as not necessary
to salvation, causing jarring, and controversy among all the sects
of Christendom, and many to look upon religion and the Bible
as inconsistent, as well as the God they worship; which they
represent as being a God without body, parts, or passions,a
nothingwho could conceive of a better plan to make infidels
or atheists, than such inconsistency?
Inconsistency, such is the conclusion such men arrive at, say
they, there is no God but nature; If there was a God, there would
not be so much strife and contention among men who profess
to serve him, and take the Bible for their guide, all religious
denominations profess to be founded on the Bible yet they
widely differ, and if all their different creeds are taught from
the Bible, then that book contradicts itself and is not a reliable
guide, consequently they discard all forms of religion with the
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Bible and also their God. Of such men was the great infidel Abner
Neiland, who was imprisoned for blaspheming the Sectarian God.
A cousin of the latter lived in Augusta, upon one occasion
when in a conversation with him I spoke of God, said he, Pshaw,
what do you know about God?He was standing upon a
rocklifting his foot and there bringing it down heavily upon
the rockhe said, This is my God, all nature is my God.
Well said I, I can take your Godthis rockand break it
into pieces and fashion it as I please, or I can grind it to powder,
I would not worship such a God.
Well, but what do you know about God, You dont know
anything about God only what men tell you. Did you ever see God?
tell me, What is the height of your God, and what is his probable
weight? What is the color of his eyes? and what the color of his
hair? and what is his complexion? He talked on in this strain
some length of time when I said, Mr. Neiland, did you ever see
the President of the United States?
No, said he, I have lived till I am now an old man,he
told me his ageand I have never seen a President of the
United States.
I replied, Pshaw, what do you know about the President of the
United States? You dont know about the President anything, only
what men tell you. Tell me what is the height of your President,
and what is his probable weight? What is the color of the eyes
of your President and what is the color of his hair? and what is
his complexion? Now you, blame me for believing there is a God,
on the same principle that you believe there is a President of the
United States.
Ah! But there is a connection between the President of the U.
S. and myself, through the various departments of law, and Courts
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of Justice, having officers to minister in each department, and

these officers reach me and demonstrate to me the undisputed
fact, that there is a President of the United States.
I answered him, Upon the same principle that you know
there is a President, you not having seen him, I know there is
a God. There is a channel of communication between God and
myself, through the officers appointed to communicate his will
to his children who dwell upon the earth; and every department
is as perfectly organized as any that you rely upon and more so,
for, the laws of God change not, while the laws of man, may, and
do change. Mormonism embraces all truth and our God is the
god of the Bible, and is a god of power and of love, who can hear
and answer those who seek after him, holy men testify of him
having seen and heard as having talked with him face to face
which facts are recorded in the Bible.
This same God has manifested himself to men in our day,
men whom we know, and I have heard bore this testimony, that
they have seen God, and that he lives.

Chapter Thirteen

uring the summer of 1842, I moved into Nauvoo, I bought

two lots with the improvements thereon, brick, lime and
lumber was on the ground already for building, as soon as
possible I had built a comfortable house and moved my family
into it. Some time during the winter I was engaged by Mr. Hyrum
Kimball to start an iron foundry.

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During the winter, the long evenings were utilized for

improvement in public speaking. Lyceums or lecturing
schools were opened, and it is surprising how much good
was accomplished in attending a lyceum one winter, the new
members at the commencement of the school would only occupy
a few minutes of their time, but before the winter was gone
they could occupy all the half hour allotted them and then had
scarcely time enough.
Our lyceum was composed of eighteen members, each
presided over the meeting in turn, one of the principles of the
gospel was chosen as a subject, and each member spoke an half
hour upon it, three evenings was taken up with the one principle,
before another was touched, six members occupied the first
evening, the second evening six other members spoke upon the
same subject, and the remaining six occupied the third evening;
so that each one of the eighteen had equal time and opportunity
to talk upon the subject.
It was very curious how the same subject would be handled by
different men, each member presenting it in a manner peculiar
to himself, all coming to the same conclusion, by the evidence
adduced from the scriptures; there was no jarring, no contention
nor discord, and all were entertained, instructed and edified.
Joseph encouraged us by his presence whenever practicable,
giving us instructions and assistance. He would tell the brethren
to, Get into your lyceums, and investigate doctrine, and if you
run against a snag, I am here, I will help you off. There were days
and nights of pleasure and profit,to listen to a prophets voice
and receive instruction from one who communed with angels
and received his instruction from on high when or wherever I
met him, whether in the lyceum, on the street, or at home, he
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spoke forth words of light and intelligence for the salvation of

mankind. For the approaching conference a rough floor was laid
in the foundation of the [Nauvoo] temple, the walk was up about
half way of the windows of the first story.
Conference convened within the walls of the [Nauvoo] temple
on the 6th day of April 1843. The meeting called to order in the
usual way Joseph arose and said, One object of this conference
was to ascertain the standing of the First Presidency, which he
would do by presenting himself for trial. He asked if they were
satisfied with him to preside over the whole church, or would
they have another said he, If I have done anything that ought to
injure my character, reputation, or standing or have dishonored
our religion by any means, in the sight of men or angels, or in the
sight of men and women, I am sorry for it and if you will forgive
me, I will endeavor to do so no more. I do not know that I have
done anything of the kind; but if I have, come forward and tell
me of it, I want you to come boldly and frankly, and tell me of it
and if not ever after hold your peace.
A motion was made and seconded that `President Joseph
Smith continue President of the whole church. After a few
minutes silence the motion was put by Brigham Young, President
of the Twelve, when one vast sea of hands was raised, the motion
being carried unanimously.
Joseph returned his thanks to the Saints for the manifestation
of their confidence and said, he `would serve them according
to the best ability God should, give him. He said, he did not
know anything against the Twelve or he would present them for
trial. He spoke of the propriety of sending the Twelve to collect
means for the [Nauvoo] temple and the Nauvoo House. He was
opposed to my man handling the public funds of the church
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who is not duly authorized, the Twelve are the most suitable
persons to perform this business and I want this conference to
devise some means to bind them as firm as the pillars of heaven
if possible. The Twelve was always honest, and it will do them
no hurt to bind them.
Joseph explained why he wanted this course pursued, he said,
Money had been sent by individuals coming to Nauvoo, and it had
not been paid over to those authorized to receive it, and also to
elders who had used the money for their own benefit, and I want
it understood, that money should be paid only to duly authorized
persons, and that should be the Twelve, and they should give the
donors a receipt for the moneys received.
This was received and voted upon unanimously by the
conference, viz, that the Twelve be appointed a committee to
collect funds to build the [Nauvoo] temple, and the Nauvoo House,
and receive moneys for the same with this provision, That the
Twelve give bonds for the safe delivery of all funds coming into
their hands belonging to the Nauvoo House, and temple, to the
trustee in trust, and that the instruction of President Smith be
carried out.
A large number of elders was called at this conference to go
on missions, I was of the number but being already engaged to
work on the [Nauvoo] temple I was released from the mission.
For, while I was working at Mr. Kimballs Iron Foundry, the temple
committee found difficulty in getting an experienced hand to
frame some masts to hoist the stone onto the walls of the temple
so applied to me. I thereupon engaged to do the work of building
three masts and cranes to be used for that purpose, which when
completed was perfectly satisfactory to the temple committee,
I was then engaged by them and the architect William Weeks to
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draft and superintend the framing of all the timber work of the
temple, commencing on the ground and throughout to the top
of the tower. This was the most complicated piece of timber work
or framing I ever done, and was the most easily accomplished.
I was also called to draft and superintend the timber work, the
framing etc. of the Nauvoo House, Arsenal and other public
buildings. On the temple grounds, I built a saw mill to saw plank
and such small timbers as was needed.
About this time there was much speculation about the second
coming of the Son of Man. A sect called Second Adventists, or
Millerites was looking for his coming on the 3rd day of April, 1843
and were making ready for the judgment day. The unbeliever in
their predictions, made sport of their devotions, and tried to
make it appear that the Mormons had a rival in Mr. Miller, because
they also believed in the second coming of the Savior.
It seems strange how intelligent men and women can become
so carried away with an idea so in opposition to the Saviors own
words, who said, The day nor the hour no man knoweth, no, not
even the angels of heaven, but my father only.
Also, one Hiram Redding of Ogle, County stated that `he
had seen the sign of the Son of Man in heaven as foretold in the
24th Matthew. Joseph upon seeing this statement in a newspaper,
wrote, Notwithstanding Mr. Redding may have seen a wonderful
appearance in the clouds, one morning about sunrise,which
is nothing very uncommon in the winter season,(see Times
and Seasons 1 March 1843) he has not seen the sign of the Son of
Man, as foretold by Jesus neither has any man, nor will any man,
till after the sun shall have been darkened, and the moon bathed
in blood, for the Lord hath not shown me any such sign, and the
prophet saith, `Surely the Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth
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his secrets unto his servants the prophets. (see Amos 3rd & 7th),
`Therefore, hear this, O earth, the Lord will not come to reign over
the righteous, in this world, in 1843; nor until everything for the
bridegroom is ready.
I have watched with much interest the words spoken by the
prophet Joseph upon this subject in public and in private, and
the difference between his expressions in regard to the second
coming of the Savior, and those of Mr. Miller, and others show
very plainly the truth from the false.
Joseph said speaking upon this subject and quoting the 24th
Matthew, there will be wars and rumors of wars and said he, in
our own land state will be arrayed against state, county against
county, neighborhood against neighborhood, father will be
against his son and son against his father; mother against her
daughter and daughter against her mother: and he that will not
lift up his sword against his neighbor must needs flee to Zion
for safety.
He said, 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 question.
This a voice declared to me, while I was praying earnestly on
the subject, December 25 1832. Again. I was once praying very
earnestly to know the time of the coming of the son of Man,
when I heard a voice repeat the following,`Joseph, my son,
if thou livest until thou art eighty five years old, thou shalt see
the face of the Son of Man therefore let this suffice, and trouble
me no more on this matter. I was thus left, without being able
to decide, whether this coming referred to the beginning of the
millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should
83

die and thus see his face. I believe the coming of the Son of Man,
will not be sooner than that time.
At another time Joseph said, The Son of Man will not come
this year for I have seen the bow, The Lord gave me a sign and said,
In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign and token
that in any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not
come but there should be seed time and harvest during that year;
but whenever you see the bow withdrawn, it shall be a token that
there shall be famine, pestilence, and great distress among the
nations, and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant.
I will take the responsibility upon myself to prophecy in
the name of the Lord, that Christ will not come this yearas
Father Miller has prophesiedfor we have seen the bow and
I also prophecy that Christ will not come in forty years; and if
ever God spoke by my mouth, he will not come in that length of
time. Brethren when you go home, write this down, that it may
be remembered.
Jesus Christ never did reveal to any man the precise time
that he would come. Go and read the scriptures, you cannot find
anything that specifies the exact hour he would come; and all
that say so are false teachers.
There is much to be done before the Son of Man comes. Judah
must be gathered and Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and also the
Temple, and water come out from under the temple, and the
waters of the dead sea be healed. It will take some time to build
the walls of the city and the temple, etc. and all this must be done
before the Son of Man will make his appearance.
There will be wars and rumors of wars, signs in the heavens
above, and on the earth beneath, the sun turned into darkness,
and the moon to blood, earthquakes in divers places, the seas
84

heaving beyond their bounds; then will appear one grand sign
of the Son of Man in heaven. But what will the world do! They
will say it is a planet, a comet, etc. But the Son of Man will come,
as the sign of the coming of the Son of Man, which will be as the
light of the morning cometh out of the east.
I have listened to his recital of the vision given him of the
terrible calamities which would sweep over the earth as with
a bosom of destruction. The vision was so horrifying that he
prayed the Lord to take it away, and the Lord gave him the vision
a little at a time so he could bear it. He said when these things
took place, The report will go forth morning by morning, it will
be vexatious to hear the report, thereof.
Sometime during the month of June 1843 Nauvoo was thrown
into the greatest excitement by the news that Joseph had been
kidnapped by Reynolds, sheriff of Jackson County Missouri, and
Wilson Sheriff of Hancock County, Illinois, with the intention
of taking him into Missouri and placing him in the power of his
old enemies. Information had been given them of the proposed
visit of Joseph with his family to his wifes sister Mrs. Wasson,
who lived about twelve miles from Dixon in Lee County Iowa.
Reynolds and Wilson disguised themselves, and upon their
arrival at Dixon represented themselves as Mormon elders, and
wanted to see the prophet Joseph Smith. They proceeded to the
house of Mrs. Wasson, and found Joseph standing outside the
house, they accosted him in the roughest manner and threatened
to shoot him if he offered any resistance, although he had offered
none. He asked them what they wanted of him, and by what
authority they acted in that rough manner? They replied, they
were going to take him to Missouri, and jamming their pistols
at his side, swore that was their authority.
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He requested them to let him go into the house and bid his
family good bye; but they refused, not even giving him the chance
to get his hat. With terrible oaths they threatened to shoot him
if he stirred. Joseph answering to their abuse said baring his
breast, I am not afraid to die, shoot away, I have endured so
much oppression, I am weary of life, kill me if you please; I am
a strong man however, and with my own natural weapons could
soon level both of you; but if you have any legal process to serve
I am at all times subject to law, and shall offer no resistance.
Again with an oath they threatened to shoot him if he said
another word. Joseph said, Gentleman if you have any legal
process, I wish to obtain a writ of habeas corpus. With an oath
they answered You shant have one. Again they threatened to
shoot. Joseph told them, Shoot away, I am not afraid of your
pistols. Seeing a friend passing he told him, these men are
kidnapping me and I want a writ of habeas corpus to deliver me
out of their hands.
They then forced him into a wagon and placing themselves
one on each side of him each one with a loaded pistol pressed
close against his side, and repeatedly striking him with themso
that he was lame and sore two weeks afterwardthey drove to
Dixon to a tavern kept by Mr. McKennie and ordered horses to be
ready in fifteen minutes to drag him to Missouri, they thrust him
into a room treating him in the most brutal manner, guarding
him, and would not allow him to see anybody.
Joseph told Reynolds, I wish to get counsel. Reynolds said
with an oath, `You shant have counsel, and one more word God
damn you Ill shoot you. Joseph replied, What is the use of
this so often, I have often told you to shoot, now I tell you again
to shoot away. Seeing a person passing he said, I am falsely
86

imprisoned here, and I want a lawyer. A lawyer came and had

the door banged in his face, another came and received the same
treatment; by this time many of the citizens of Dixon being
apprised of the situation stepped forward and gave the sheriff
to understand, that if that was their mode of doing business in
Missouri, they had another way of doing it here, that they were
laws abiding citizens, and republicans, that Mr. Smith should
have justice done him, and have the opportunity of a fair trial,
and if they persisted in their course, they had a summary way
of dealing with such peoples:and gave them to understand
that Mr. Smith should not go without a fair and impartial trial.
Reynolds finding further resistance vain, allowed some
attorneys to visit Joseph, who gave them to understand, that
these men had taken him without process, they had insulted
and abused him, and he wanted a writ of habeas corpus. Up till
this time they had altogether refused to allow counsel to have
any private conversation with Joseph.
At length Joseph obtained a writ of habeas corpus from the
Master in Chancery of Lee County, returnable before Judge Caton
at Ottawa, upon which he was conveyed by Reynolds and Wilson
as far as Pawpaw Grove, a distance of thirty two miles to learn that
Judge Caton was gone on a visit to New York. They all returned
to Dixon, where another writ was issued this time returnable
before the nearest tribunal, which was Nauvoo. On leaving Dixon
a small company of friends travelled with Joseph and his captors,
his friends fearing treachery, for Reynolds and Wilson did not
disguise the fact that they intended to take him to Missouri.
As soon as the word reached Nauvoo of the kidnapping of
Joseph companies of men were immediately organized and
started out to find Joseph, some of these brethren soon after
87

crossing Fox River on their way to Quincy, met Joseph and his
captors also on the way to Quincy; which place they argued was
the nearest place where the hearing could be had, their object
being to get Joseph as near to the river as possible, hoping to
get him across the river and into the state of Missouri. But the
sudden appearance of the brethren thwarted their plans.
Upon seeing Joseph in the hands of his enemies who had
captured him without showing any writ or other process except
loaded pistols, they burst into tears, when they met Joseph
exclaimed turning to his captures, Gentlemen I think I will
not go to Missouri this time! These are my boys!
A halt, was made for consultation and the lawyers who had
come with Joseph from Dixon decided that the hearing upon
the writ of habeas corpus, could be lawfully held in Nauvoo; and
they would rather go to Nauvoo than to Quincy. This took Joseph
out of the power of his enemies once more to our great joy. News
reached Nauvoo, that Joseph was coming, and a multitude with
the band went out to meet him. As he entered the city the band
played, Hail to the Chief who in Triumph Advances, etc.
Language fails me to describe my feelings upon this occasion
as Joseph with his wife by his side each on horseback rode in
triumph among his friends, into his beloved city. Joseph looked
upon the multitude of his friends whose every countenance
beamed with joy inexpressible and said, I am out of the power
of the Missourians again, thank God! And I thank you all for your
kindness and love, I bless you all in the name of Jesus Christ, I
will address you in the grove near the temple at four oclock
this afternoon.
A feast had been prepared for him, his lawyers and the
company who were with him many friends sat down to dinner
88

with him, his captors also, Reynolds and Wilson, the base
kidnappers were treated with all the kindness and courtesy of
distinguished guests by Joseph and his wife, literally filling the
words of the Savior 5th Matthew:44, Love your enemies, bless
them that despitefully use you and persecute you. At the meeting
held in the grove at 4 oclock he rehearsed all the events as they
had transpired, the treatment he had received, and how the Lord
had raised up friends to defend and assist him, and had again
delivered him out of the hands of his enemies.
At one time when speaking of the suffering he had endured
from his enemies he said that death would be sweeter than honey
in the honey comb. And yet when not harassed by his enemies,
he was of the most cheerful disposition and as joyous and happy
as a boy, who knew no care.
A special conference was called in October, the principle
business to be transacted being the case of Sidney Rigdon, as
stated by Joseph at the opening of the conference; and the further
progress of the temple.
Elder Sidney Rigdon addressed the conference on the subject
of his situation and circumstances among the Saints; after which,
President Joseph Smith arose and said he was dissatisfied with
Elder Sidney Rigdon as a counsellor, not having received any
material benefit from his labors since their escape from Missouri.
Several complaints was brought forward, some of which were
the following. In reference to his mismanagement in the post
office; a supposed correspondence and connection with John
C. Bennett, with ex-governor Carlin and with the Missourians
of a treacherous character, also his beguiling with dishonest
persons in endeavoring to defraud the innocent. Also an indirect
testimony from Missouri, through Orin P. Rockwells mother, that
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Sidney Rigdon and others had sent letters giving information

to the Missourians of Josephs visit to Dixon, advising them
to proceed to that place and arrest him there. Joseph stated
that in consequence of these and other circumstances, and his
unprofitableness to him as a counsellor he did not wish to retain
him in that station unless those difficulties could be removed,
but desired his salvation, and expressed his willingness that he
(Sidney) should retain a place among the Saints.
Sidney arose and plead his cause, he denied having ever
written to Missouri concerning the visit of Joseph to Dixon and
other charges. He related the circumstances of his reception in
Quincy, after his escape from Missouri, and the cause of his delay
in not going to the city of Washington on an express to which he
had been appointed at the conference held at Quincy in May 1839.
He appealed to Joseph concerning their former friendship and
sufferings, turning towards Joseph he said, President Joseph
Smith, from you, I received all the power, and authority, and
priesthood I possess, and to you I resign it, though with sorrowful
and indescribable feelings.
Hyrum and others used their influence to have Sidney retain
his position. Hyrum was a merciful man, he had labored with
Sidney for months to reform and fill his place by the side of
Joseph as he should do, according to his station as counsellor,
and he plead before the conference for Sidney. He spoke on
the attribute of mercy in God by which he influences controls
and conquers, and the propriety and importance of the Saints
exercising the same attribute towards their fellows; and especially
towards their aged companion and fellow servant in the cause
of truth.

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Joseph said, he was willing Elder Sidney Rigdon should retain

his station, provided, he would magnify his office, and conduct
himself in all honesty, righteousness and integrity, but said
he, I have no confidence in him judging from the past, and if
you do not cast him off now; the time will come when you will
wish you had have done it. Although Joseph talked thus plainly
about the future, a motion was made by Elder William Marks,
and seconded by Hyrum to retain Sidney as a counsellor to the
First Presidency, and the conference sanctioned it by their vote.
It was only a few months after this time, when Sidney aspired
to the be the leader of the church and the people remembered
these words of the Prophet Joseph, If you do not cast him off
now, the time will come when you will wish you had done it.
I received my commission as an officer in the Nauvoo Legion,
from Governor Ford signed by him on the 28th October, 1843,
and took the oath to office once 7th November following. Hosea
Stout, Colonel 5th Regiment, 2nd Cohort.

Chapter Fourteen

n the night of the 6th of May 1842 an attempt was made upon
the life of ex-governor Boggs, at Independence, Jackson
County, Missouri by parties unknown. It was well known that
Boggs had enemies in the state where he lived, but it suited his
mobocratic disposition to charge the crime upon the Mormons,
and start anew the persecution against the Saints, and see them
driven from Illinois, as he had driven them from Missouri by his
hellish exterminating order.
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To accomplish this he went before a justice of the peace for

Jackson County, and swore out a complaint charging the crime
upon Joseph Smith and O. P. Rockwell, who were known, not
to have been in the state of Missouri at that time, and was so
proven before the courts of Illinois. During this time Joseph was
much harassed with false charges, made with a determination
of getting him into the hands of his Missouri enemies, and as
has been previously stated, was continued in 1843 by kidnapping
him at or near Dixon.
O. P. Rockwell was in the east several months and as he
was returning home to Nauvoo and passing through St. Louis,
Missouri, he was kidnapped and thrust into jail. He was then put
in irons and taken to Independence and treated with the utmost
cruelty. Although no connection could be traced between him
and the attempt on the life of Governor Boggs, not having been
seen in the state of Missouri during the year the attempt was
made, he was held under heavy bonds many months.
One day Joseph rode upon the [Nauvoo] temple grounds as
we stood together talking after our days work and called out,
Boys, has Bonaparte any friends in the French Army? Of course
we were all attention to know his meaning. He then told us he
had learned from the mother of O. P. Rockwell, that for the sum
of hundred dollars she could obtain Porters release for prison.
Joseph said he had not sufficient money himself so he wanted
the brethren to assist him. All present responded heartily. Some
could give five dollars, others various amounts. Those who had
money with them gave it to him some went to their homes for
the money.
While waiting for the brethren to return, Joseph dismounted
from his horse and engaged in a friendly wrestle with some of
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the boys, as he called them. He often tried to get me to wrestle

with him but I never could. I was a strong man as well as he was.
Often when we met and shook hands he would pull me to him for
a wrestle and say, slapping my shoulder with his hand, If you
are not a strong man, there is no use of putting a man upright.
Joseph obtained the necessary funds and soon afterward O.
P. Rockwell was allowed his freedom after many weary months
of imprisonment. He made his way on foot across the state of
Missouri, which swarmed with his enemies, who had sworn to
take his life if only they could get their eyes on him. The Lord
preserved him in his journey and he reached Nauvoo and the
house of the Prophet on 25 December, 1843. Joseph and all the
Saints rejoiced in his safe return to liberty and friends.
In speaking to me of the trials and hardships endured while
in prison in Independence, being put in a dungeon about two
months heavily ironed, and being continually kept in anxiety
for the safety of Joseph, I knew if they got him into their hands
they would murder him; he said that during this time Sheriff
Reynolds told him he was going to arrest Joseph, and seemed
quite confident that he would succeed, he said he had `received
letters form Nauvoo which satisfied him that I could tote Joseph
wherever I please, and if I would get him into their hands I should
never want, and they would protect me; said he, You deliver
Joe Smith into our hands and name your pile. I told Reynolds I
would see them all damned first and then I wont.
I knew when he went to Dixon, but I had no means to give
Joseph the information I had, my anxiety was so greatI knew
they intended to kill himthat my flesh twitched on my bones,
and I could not help it, twitch it would. When Sheriff Reynolds

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returned, he came into the jail and told me he had made a failure,
and Joseph was out of their hands again.
Early in the spring Joseph suggested the propriety of putting
all the forces upon the temple, and letting the Nauvoo House
stand as it was until the temple was completed, for said he, we
need the temple more than anything else. A meeting was called
for the 7th March 1844 to attend to business, and a vast multitude
assembled as early as nine oclock. Patriarch Hyrum Smith took
the stand and stated the object of the meeting.
He said, It is necessary to have a starting point which is to
build the temple with the assistance of the sisters we expect to
get the nails and glass, and with the assistance of the brethren
we expect to do the rest. We do not intend to finish the Nauvoo
House this season, but to take all the hands and finish the temple
this summer or the walls of itand get the roof on by December,
and do off the inside next winter, and about a year from this time
we will dedicate it. Much depends upon it, for our endowments
and sealing powers, and many blessings depend upon it.
Joseph spoke upon the building of the temple and said, In
relation to those who give in property for the temple we want
them to bring it to the proper source, and be careful into whose
hands it comes, that it may be entered into the church books, so
that those whose names are found in the church books shall have
the first claim to receive their endowments in the temple. One
of the grand objects I had in calling this meeting was to make a
few remarks relating to the laws and ordinances of the city. Will
the citizens sustain me when my hands are raised to heaven in
behalf of this people? Said he, I will expose the iniquity of the
lawyers and wicked men, I fear not their wrath, nor the boiling
over of hell, their thunders nor the lightening of their forked
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tongue. I despise the man who will betray you with a kiss. I want
to speak about the lawyers of this city, I have good feelings toward
them, nevertheless I will reprove the lawyer and doctors, Jesus
did, and every prophet has, and if I am a prophet I shall do it, at
any rate I shall do it, for I profess to be a prophet. How are we to
keep peace in the city, defend ourselves against mobs, and keep
innocent blood from being shed? By striking a blow at everything
that rises up in disorder.
During this meeting General Smiths views of the powers and
policy of the general government of the United States, was read
by W. W. Phelps, after which, it was voted unanimously, with
one exception, to uphold General Smith, for the Presidency of
the United States.
Remarks was made by President Brigham Young, John Taylor
and others, Joseph remarked, As to politics, I care but little about
the presidential chair. I would not give half as much for the office
of president, as I would for the one I now hold as Lieutenant
General of the Nauvoo Legion.
In the evening there was a general time of rejoicing, bonfires
was lighted, the band played and when Joseph came upon the
scene he was taken upon the shoulders of some of the `boys and
carried about with shouts for General Smith.
What! Methink, I hear someone who has wrought in his mind
a picture, such as he thinks a prophet should resemble; this
picture would represent, a prophet, as a man of sober, solemn
mein, without a smile of gladsome pleasure, he would be long
faced, with flowing hair and beard, etc. A person who would
have such an idea would approach the prophet with awe in
their countenance, and no doubt if they gave expression to their
feeling would make an exclamation such as, What a prophet
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[allows] himself [to be] carried about on the should(er)s of his

friends in such a manner! What, a Prophet play all, and wrestle!
Yes! there is no law, human or divine that prohibits a man from
indulging in such healthy innocent exercises; there is no text
in the scripture that forbids such exercise, then why condemn
Joseph. An example of a wrestle between a man called Jacob
and an angel is recorded in the book of Genesis 32nd chapter in
this way, viz, 22 & 25 verse: And Jacob was left alone: and there
wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day, and when
he saw he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of
his thigh, and the hollow of Jacobs thighs was out of joint as he
wrestled with him. And Jacob would not let him go from him
until he gave him a blessing. Jacob called the place Peniel for
said Jacob, I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved,
verse 30.
I have been with him at times when approached by a
long faced religious stranger, who seemed to think it almost
sin to smile, and that the prophet should be as sedate and as
cheerless as himself; challenge someone for a wrestle to the utter
astonishment of the religious stranger, who would be almost
shocked at the mention of a wrestle, but would extol Jacob who
seemed to be an accomplished wrestler and also a great favorite
with God.
Such was Joseph the great Prophet of the last days as he
often joined us on the temple grounds, when we were sure of
a rare treat if we could get him to talk to us. Someone present
being in a hurry to hear him would say, Brother Joseph talk
to us. He would say, What do you want me to talk about,
start something. Soon a conversation would bring out som(e)
question for Joseph to answer, and then I could lean back and
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listen. Ah what pleasure this gave me; he would unravel the

scriptures and explain doctrine as no other man could. What
had been mystery he made so plain it was no longer mystery.
Baptism for the dead, was a topic so new to this generation, was
much dwelt upon the absolute necessity of the completion of
the temple, that the ordinances might be administered to the
living, and through the living for the dead. I ask, who understood
anything about these things until Joseph being inspired from on
high touched the key and unlocked the door of these mysteries
of the kingdom? In the epistles of St. Paul to the Corinthians
we read there were some who disputed about the resurrection
of the dead, and the argument of the apostle shows that at that
time they were performing ordinances for the dead: he inquires,
Why are ye baptized for the dead? if the dead rise not at all. Who
understood the meaning pertaining to this question? It was one
of the hard words, and like children who are just commencing
to learn to read, the hard words are passed over.
Josephs instruction like those of a good school teacher were,
Get into your lyceum and investigate doctrine? And this we did,
and endeavored to learn the hard words, knowing full well that
he would help us without lessons, as he said, If you run against
a snag come to me Ill help you off. At our meetings one of the
First Presidency, or one of the Twelve Apostles, met with us
whenever practicable, and if there was a diversity of opinion upon
my doctrine we were lecturing upon, they would decide for the
right. Upon one occasion, the subject chosen was the principle
of faith; much evidence was [adduced] from the Bible to show
that faith was not simply to believe, but it was something more.
It was a principle of power. Jesus said to his disciples, If ye had
faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamore
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tree, be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the

sea; and it should obey you. 17th Luke 6 verse, faith as a grain of
mustard seed, which is a small seed, but to us it represents a vast
power; by faith the worlds were made. It was shown that faith is
the power, the authority of the Holy Priesthood of the Son of God.
In a Revelation given through the prophet Joseph Smith on
the 22nd & 23rd, September 1832 reads: This greater priesthood
administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries
of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God; therefore
in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest;
and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the
priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in
the flesh.
Apostle John E. Page was present at this meeting, but did
not wish to decide, as the subject was presented in a new light,
but advised us to lay the subject before Joseph. I was chosen one
of a committee to wait upon Joseph and present the subject to
him. After conversing with him awhile he said, I must hear you
talk, and know your position, and said he would meet with us
if possible.
He was always pleased to find the elders searching deep for
truth and helped them, and we gained much knowledge of the
things of God that was very precious, yea hidden treasures of
knowledge. Joseph acted very wisely, he would not judge a matter
before he heard it.
There was a very large attendance at the conference on the
6th [of ] April. All the elders who were away had been called
home previously.
Some thought on that account, something would be brought
before the conference to be investigated which existed of a very
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serious nature; which we feared was no less than a plot to destroy

the Prophet. But at the opening meeting as was usual with the
President Joseph Smith, he stated to the conference, the nature of
the business to be attended to and then said, It had been expected
that the little difficulties which existed would be investigated
before the conference, but they were of too trivial a nature to
occupy the attention of so large a body. I intend to give you some
instructions on the principles of eternal truth. Those who feel
desirous of sowing the seeds of discord on this occasion will
be disappointed.
It is our purpose to build up and establish the principles
of righteousness and not to break down and destroy. The great
Jehovah ever been with me, and the wisdom of God will direct
me in the seventh hour; I feel in closer communion, and better
standing with God, than ever I felt before in my life, and I am
glad of the opportunity to appear in your midst, I thank God for
this glorious day.
I was ordained a High Priest, and received a certificate to
this effect, Given by direction of a general conference of the
authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
assembled in Nauvoo, Illinois on the sixth day of April 1844, and
signed, by Joseph Smith, President. Willard Richards, Clerk. And
will be bound recorded in License Record Book A. page 127.
In the afternoon of the 7th April, Joseph the Prophet delivered
that remarkable address known as the Funeral Sermon of Elder
King Follett, who while at work in a well was killed by a tub of
stone falling upon him. He was buried with Masonic honors, on
the 10th of March, 1844.
He was a man faithful to his trust, he suffered persecution
and abuse and imprisonment for the sake of the gospel and the
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testimony of Jesus and never shrank from any duty however

unpleasant. When endeavoring to escape from prison in
Columbia, Boone County, Missouri: on the 4th July, 1839, he
was recaptured and again thrust into prison, and into the
lowest dungeon, and chained to the floor; he was kept in this
situation a few days when he was unchained and taken to an
upper apartment; he was however kept in prison several months
and finally liberated; he then made his way to Nauvoo.
It was said, there was about twenty thousand persons who
listened to this discourse which was quite lengthy, although the
subject was by no means exhausted, and Joseph said he could
continue the subject upon another occasion.
[In pencil was]

Chapter Fifteen

uneral Sermon of King Follett delivered by President Joseph

Smith, on the 7th April, 1844. Reported by Willard Richards,
Wilford Woodruff, Thomas Bullock and William Clayton.
President Joseph Smith, arose and called the attention of the
congregation upon the subjects which were contemplated in the
forepart of the conference.
`As the wind blows very hard it will be hardly possible for me
to make you all hear unless there is profound attention, it is of
the greatest importance, and the most solemn of any that can
occupy our attention, and that is, the subject of the dead: On
the decease of our Brother Follettt who was crushed to death in
a well, by the falling of a tub of rock; I have been requested to
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speak by his friends and relations: and inasmuch as there are

a great many in this congregation, who live in this city, as well
as elsewhere, and who have lost friends; I feel to speak on the
subject in general and offer you my ideas so far as I have ability,
and so far as I shall be inspired by the Holy Spirit to dwell on this
subject . . . [See HC 6: 302-18]

Chapter Sixteen

he following day Monday the 8th, Joseph made the following

remarks . . . . [See HC 318-320.]
This most instructive and interesting conference lasted
five days, the weather was fine, as the Prophet Joseph Smith
said, They have been the greatest, best, and most glorious five
consecutive days ever enjoyed by this generation.
[In pencil was]

Chapter Seventeen

s Joseph said in the conference, I must teach the elders,

and they must teach you. This he had been doing all the
previous winter. He had spent most of his time in teaching the
Twelve, and other elders, and in giving endowments; he was
so constant in his labors that they wondered why he should be
so untiring in his labors. Upon one occasion Elder Orson Pratt,
remarked to me I dont know what is the matter, Joseph gives
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us no rest, neither day or night, when we ask him he says, `the

spirit urges me.
On one occasion about this time when addressing the
congregation Joseph said he had rolled the burden of bearing off
the kingdom onto the shoulders of the Twelve. I have so diffused
the priesthood, I defy all hell to overthrow it, now it matters not
what become of me. I am going to rest awhile.
He told us to pray that you may live to go into this temple
and be sealed in your foreheads,putting his hand upon
his foreheadfor said he, It is your right to live until you
are threescore years and ten. At that time I was a young man,
seventy years was thought to be a great age; I could hardly hope
to live so long, or to my present age, which in a few days will be
seventy nine.
Oh how blind we were. I often think we were in the same
condition as were the disciples of Jesus. He told them plainly
that The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected
of the elders, and of the chief priests and scribes, and be killed,
and after three days rise again, but they did not comprehend his
sayings. Neither did we understand Joseph; had we anticipated his
departure we might, like the disciples of Jesus, been somewhat
prepared and understood his sayings. I am going to rest awhile,
I have rolled the burden of bearing off the kingdom onto the
shoulders of the Twelve, etc. I had no idea his mission upon
earth was so near the end, but that the Twelve would travel and
preach the gospel to all nations, take much of the labor and
responsibility off him, so that he could stay with us at home and
instruct the people.
He had been feeding us deliciously with spiritual food, his
discourses were becoming better every time he addressed the
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Saints, and we anticipated a continuance of these things. We

had known for a good while that certain men were plotting with
the enemies of Joseph at Carthage and with the Missourians, for
his death, at the same time professing to be his friends. One of
these was no other than William Law who had been his counselor.
Joseph found him to be a wicked, corrupt and treacherous man
which was plainly shown by the following incident, which is
only one of many.
Late one night a steamboat landed some of their ilk, who
waited while William Law went to Josephs house and waking
him,Josephasked him to come out, as he had something
important to tell him. Joseph answered him, saying, Brother Law,
you know you have no business with me at this time of night.
Law went off disappointed, his intention being to get Joseph
down to the landing and onto the steamboat, which would land
him in Missouri.
About this time William and Wilson Law, and R. D. Foster,
were cut off from the church for unchristian conduct. They then
threw off the mask and became openly the avowed enemies of
Joseph. These men with Francis M. Higbee operating with outside
rascals persecuted him openly. Higbee went to Carthage swore
out a complaint, a writ was served and Joseph was arrested by
one J. D. Parker who was instructed to take him to Carthage, to
appear before the court on the third Monday in May.
However Joseph obtained a writ of habeas corpus and
appeared before the Municipal court at Nauvoo, where the
character of Higbee was shown to be of the worst type, wicked
and corrupt. When this plot failed to land him in Carthage, other
charges were made, and thus these men with others joined hands
with the corrupt and mobocratic disposed until they did destroy
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his life. Many apostatized from the church, and some joined
with William Law who professed to be a prophet, and made a
feint to organize a church after the pattern of The Church of
Jesus Christ, at the same joining together for the purpose of
betraying their friend, and as so many Judases being unable to
hide their corruption any longer, betrayed their friend as Judas
Iscariot did his Savior.
Joseph knew his enemies and appreciated his friends. Upon
one of my calls at his house on business, I found him walking the
floor, chafing, I thought vexed. He was talking to someone in the
next room and he was very earnest. He stopped in his walk and
turning to me said, Brother Mace, this gospel gathers up some
of the meanest of all Gods creation. After a short pause he said,
Yes, and some of the finest fellows that ever lived.
R. D. Foster came one day to see Joseph on a pretended
visit of reconciliation, seeking forgiveness and restoration to
fellowship; he wanted a private interview. Josephs keen eye
detected something bright gleaming from Fosters vest, a very
small part had escaped concealment. Joseph placed his hand
upon it and said, What have you got concealed here? Foster
found himself detected and answer, My pistol. He was foiled
in his purpose and his pretended humility with a pistol in his
pocket betrayed his purpose of a private interview.
While such rascals constantly sought his life, his friends
were constant and true and he knew it. Yes, many like myself,
worked on the [Nauvoo] temple all day and stood guard through
the night, traveling from place to place to warn him of danger
and protecting him from his enemies. As general, speaking to
the Nauvoo Legion, he said to us, You have faithfully performed
your duty in preserving the lives of this people as well as mine.
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You shall be called the first elders of this Church and your mission
will be to the nations of the earth to preach the gospel and you will
gather many people to the fastnesses of the Rocky Mountains and
many of those who will come in under your ministry, because of
their learning will seek for position, and they will gain eminence
over you; and you will walk in low place unnoticed. Yet you will
know all that transpires in your midst. Those who are your friends
are my friends, and I promise you when I come again I will lead
you forth, so that where I am you shall be with me.
These were troublous times, and on the 18th June the mayor
issued the following order, To the City Marshal of Nauvoo:
From the newspapers around us, and the current reports as
brought in from the surrounding country, I have good reason to
fear that a mob is organizing to come upon this city, and plunder
and destroy said city, as well as murder the citizens; and by virtue
of the authority vested in me as mayor, and to preserve the city
and lives of the citizens, I do hereby declare the said city, within
the limits of its corporation, under martial law. The officers,
therefore, of the Nauvoo Legion, the police, as well as all others,
will strictly see that no person or property, pass in or out of the
city without due orders. [See HC 6:497.]
Joseph Smith, Mayor.
About 2 oclock p.m. of the same day the Legion was drawn
up close by Josephs house, in the street, and Joseph standing
upon the frame of a building nearly opposite his house addressed
the Legion. I shall never forget this occasion, nor the power
manifested by the Prophet in this his last address. How noble,
how grand he appeared, dressed in his full uniform, as Lieutenant
General; he addressed us, the Nauvoo Legion. He called upon
W. W. Phelps to read from an extra issue of the Warsaw Signal,
105

published by Tom Sharp; among which was the following

resolutions, of the mob.
Resolved, That we hold ourselves at all times in readiness
to cooperate with our fellow citizens in this state, Missouri,
and Iowa, to exterminate, utterly exterminate, the wicked and
abominable Mormon leaders, the authors of our troubles.
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed forthwith to
notify all persons in our township suspected of being tools of the
Prophet, to leave immediately on pain of instant vengeance. And
we recommend the inhabitants of the adjoining townships to do
the same, hereby pledging ourselves to render all the assistance
they may require.
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 their entire destruction, if necessary for our protection, of
his adherents.
And we do hereby recommend this resolution to the
consideration of the several townships, to the Mass Convention,
to be held at Carthage; hereby pledging ourselves to aid to the
utmost, complete consummation of the object in view, that we
may thereby, be utterly relieved of the alarm, anxiety, and trouble,
to which we are now subjected. The mass meeting referred to
was held on the 13th and 14th.
On the 17th the mob issued the following:
Latest Orders. The citizens of this county are ordered to
assemble at their various places of rendezvous, on Wednesday,

106

and there to receive general orders to cooperate as a posse to aid

in arresting Smith.
Citizens of the adjoining state, territory and counties, who
feel interested in bringing to justice the most depraved wretch on
earth, will observe that they can join our standard, and act with
the posse comitatus without violating any law. We are prepared
in this county to do our duty.
If the governor orders out the militia there will be no
difficulty,if not, we are determined to try the posse comitatus;
being assured, that the citizen of surrounding counties, and of
Missouri, and Iowa, will join us. As soon as a day for a general
cooperation is set, we will notify by a hand-bill, all the citizens
of the adjacent country.
This is some of the news which was read by W. W. Phelps,
and which had induced Joseph as Mayor of Nauvoo, to proclaim
martial law. While addressing us upon this occasion Joseph
spoke of the many wrongs this people had endured, and of our
situation at this time surrounded by mobs who were thirsting for
his blood, of enemies who were in our midst and who had been
endeavoring to crawl into his bosom, because of his good feeling
toward all men, and they are the vipers who were seeking his life.
I can see him now, as he stood with his sword drawn and lifted
toward heaven, as he declared the things which should take place
upon the earth, that the sword should not be sheathed until the
earth was cleansed from wickedness.
A synopsis has been published of this, Josephs last public
address, as follows. [See HC 6:498-500.]
. . . The foregoing shows our situation and condition, and
the motive which prompted the Prophet to once more leave
Nauvoo. He thought to draw the attention of the mob leaders
107

away from Nauvoo, by following after him. He was willing to

sacrifice his own life, if by that means he could spare the lives
of his brethren, and the fate that awaited the beloved city. He
wanted his brother Hyrum to take his family to Cincinnati, where
he would be safe; but Hyrum would not leave him. They and a
few friends crossed over the Mississippi River the night of the
22nd, and made arrangements to leave the country of mobs, and
go to the Rocky Mountains, and lead the people he loved so well
to a place where they could worship God, and build up a city far
removed from mob violence.
But this was not to be. On the following morning as with
brother Hyrum Mace, I was walking up the street towards Josephs
house, talking over the events of the last few days, two men
came to us in a great hurry, from an opposite direction. They
were very much excited over the present situation and thought
it was absolutely necessary that Joseph should return. We took
an opposite view of the case and did not want to see him return
into the very jaws of death.
But said they, If Joseph dont come back the governor will
put the city under `martial law, and then nothing can be brought
into the city, neither can anything be taken out, and then what
will all our property be worth? They further argued that the
governor was our friend, and he would protect Joseph from all
harm if he came back.
I returned answer with considerable warmth of feeling, that
I did not believe it. On the contrary, I believed the governor to
be in perfect harmony with the mob, and if Joseph recrossed
the river, he would be murdered. I did not want him to return;
what is a little property compared to his life. Joseph could in a
very short time build a city and property worth more than all
108

Hancock County; and should we, for the sake of a little property,
be so selfish as to push him into the very jaws of deaths!
These men, Reynolds Cahoon and Hiram Kimball then
left us and turned and walked towards Josephs house, when
they reached it, and before entering, they leaned on the fence,
talked together for some time, they then went into the house.
We,Hyrum Mace and myselfboth felt the impression that
they were going to persuade Sister EmmaJosephs wife,to
write to him and prevail on him to return. This feeling came upon
us so forcibly, we were very uneasy as to the result.
From O. P. Rockwell, who was one of Josephs company, I
learned our impressions were correct. He said, Cahoon brought
a letter to Joseph from his wife, he opened and read the letter
then handed it to his brother Hyrum and said, I know my own
business. Cahoon replied to Joseph, You always said, if the
Church would stick to you, you would stick to church, now
trouble comes you are the first to run. Joseph made him no reply.
He would not talk to him.
Hyrum read the letter and thought we had better go back,
and if we die, we will die like men. Joseph replied, Hyrum you
are my oldest brother, and if you say go back, we will go back,
he said further, If they had let me alone, there would have been
no bloodshed, but now I expect to be butchered.
They accordingly recrossed the river the same night June
23rd and sent a letter to Governor Ford saying he would start for
Carthage next morning. The next morning, 24th June, Joseph
had an interview with the officers of the Legion and instructed
them to dismiss their men,but have them in a state of readiness,
to be called upon if an emergency should occur.

109

Sad were our hearts when Joseph and Hyrum, with the
members of the city council, the marshal and a number of others,
started on horseback for Carthage. When about four miles from
Carthage, they were met by Captain Dunn, with a company of
sixty cavalry, who held an order from the governor for all the state
arms in possession of the Nauvoo Legion. Joseph countersigned
the order, and returned to Nauvoo with the company. He made
this remark, said he, I am going like a lamb to the slaughter,
but I am as calm as a summers morning. I have a conscience
void of offense toward God and all men. He also said, If they
take my life I shall die innocent, and my blood shall cry from the
ground for vengeance, and it shall yet be said, he was murdered
in cold blood.
When this company reached Nauvoo, the Legion was called
together, and Joseph counselled us to give up our arms which
had been supplied us by the state saying, We will give to them
that ask of us, and trust in God for our future welfare. While
they were taking our arms, Joseph said to the officers near him,
These men are too good, too quiet and law abiding for this rough
generation, and looking around him at his friends the Nauvoo
Legion, and seeing our sad faces he said, Boys, he always called
us boys, His Boys, Dont be sad, dont be cast down, I will come
back again. After a little hesitation he added, as soon as I can.
That expression, As soon as I can, sank deep into my heart and
confirmed my fears. I never expected to see him again alive. The
sad expression upon his face as he looked upon us, His Boys
for the last time I shall never forget. I felt in my inmost soul that
he was going to be butchered, and we should see him no more
alive. I feel yet even at this time, so many years after the tragedy,

110

that his life was thrown away, by a few,I was going to say old
grannies who cared more for property than anything else.
Three days later Governor Ford came to Nauvoo, leaving
Joseph in the midst of his bitterest foes, who had declared only a
day or two before, there was nothing against them, the law could
not reach them, but powder and ball would. He had promised
Joseph that when he went to Nauvoo heJosephshould
go with him. He had also pledged the faith of the state that
heJosephand his friends should be protected from violence.
Yet here he was, standing on the same frame of a house from
which Joseph delivered his last address to the Legion, insultingly
haranguing the people, said he I know there is a great prejudice
against you on account of your peculiar religion, but you ought
to be praying Saints, not military Saints. Depend upon it, a little
more misbehavior on the part of the citizens, and the torch which
is now already lighted, will be applied; the city may be reduced to
ashes, and extermination would inevitably follow. Again he said,
a great crime has been done by destroying the expositor press
and placing the city under martial law, and a severe atonement
must be made, so prepare your minds for the emergency; If
anything of a serious character should befall the lives or property
of the persons who are prosecuting your leaders, you will be held
responsible. It gives me pain to think there is danger of so many
innocent women and children being exterminated.
While we sat listening to the insulting harangue of the
governor our Prophet and Patriarch Joseph and Hyrum were being
murdered and the governor knew it. Cannon had been placed
between Carthage and Nauvoo, and when the massacre took
place these cannons were fired to apprise the governor that the
hellish deed was done, all was over. He abruptly ended his speech,
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and left Nauvoo in haste never halting until he reached Carthage.

Why such haste? Why should he fear? The wicked flee
when no man pursueth. Note The Nauvoo Expositor was a
filthy, libelous sheet, which the City Council after a thorough
investigation declared a nuisance, and with a united vote passed
a Bill for its removal, which was done by the city marshal in an
orderly manner without noise or turmoil.
F. M. Higbee immediately went to Carthage and swore out
a complaint against Joseph and others, knowing well if Joseph
could be taken to Carthage under any pretext he would be
there murdered.
[In pencil was]

Chapter Nineteen

wful assassination of Joseph and Hyrum Smith! The pledged

faith of the state of Illinois, stained with blood by a mob, 27th
June 1844.
About six oclock in the afternoon the guard was surprised
by an armed mob of from one hundred and fifty to two hundred
and fifty, painted black, and yellow red, which surrounded the
jail, forced inpoured a shower of bullets into the room where
the unfortunate men were held in `durance vile, to answer to
the laws of Illinois; under the solemn pledge of the faith of the
state, by Governor Ford, that they should be protected! but the
mob ruled!
They fell as martyrs amid this tornado of lead, each receiving
four bullets! John Taylor was wounded by four bullets in his limbs,
112

but not seriously. Thus finishes the hope of law: thus vanishes
the plighted faith of the state; thus the blood of innocence stains
the constituted authorities of the United States, and thus have
two among the most noble martyrs since the slaughter of Abel,
sealed the truth of their divine mission by being shot by a mob
for their religion.
Times & Seasons.
Messengers were dispatched to Nauvoo with the dreadful
news, but they were hindered so that they did not arrive
until morning.
12 oclock at night, 27th June. Carthage, Hamiltons Tavern.
To Mrs. Emma Smith, and Major General Dunham etc.:
The governor has just arrived; says all things shall be inquired
into, and all right measures taken.
I say to all the citizen of Nauvoo, my brethren, be still, and
know that God reigns. Dont rush out of the city, dont rush to
Carthage; stay at home and be prepared for an attack [of ] Missouri
mobbers. The governor will render every assistance possiblehas
sent out orders for troopsJoseph and Hyrum are dead, but not
by the Carthage peoplethe guards were true as I believe. We will
prepare to move the bodies as soon as possible. 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 done on their part, and say to the brethren in Nauvoo, in
the name of the Lord,Be stillbe patientonly let such friends
as choose come here to see the bodiesMr. Taylors wounds are
dressed, and not seriousI am sound.
Willard Richards, John Taylor, Samuel H. Smith.
Times & Seasons.
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When early in the morning the sad news reached Nauvoo,

it spread from mouth to mouth instantaneously, almost
paralyzing everyone with the words, Joseph and Hyrum is dead,
assassinated in jail!
Who can depict the scene? What pen describe the sorrow
and mourning manifested by all? Strong men wept like children;
women moaned as they gathered their little children around
them and told them of the fearful crime that had taken place at
Carthage, where the governor had promised protection to those
two innocent men, they had been left by him to be murdered.
Who could describe the anguish of the families of those
martyrs? Their aged mother had already passed through so
many trying scenes. She had seen her son dragged before the
courts and discharged honorably because they could find no
guilt attached to him, nearly fifty times. Now he and her oldest
son, two of earths noblest sons, are shot down by a mob in cold
blood, in the prime of life; their wives and innocent babes were
left widowed and fatherless to face a relentless foe without the
encouragement and assistance of those they dearly loved.
Brave men, who would willingly have sacrificed their lives, to
save the lives of their beloved Prophet and Patriarch, were now
as helpless as babes. What could Governor Ford mean, when he
gave orders for the state arms to be taken from us, leaving us at
the mercy of an injuriated mob our two generals in their midst,
and their friends powerless to protect them? He meant to assist
the mob to accomplish their purpose, which when done, to blind
the people sends us word to, Defend yourselves until protection
can be furnished necessary.
June 27th, 1844. Thomas Ford, Governor and Commanderin-Chief.
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But he who `Knoweth the thoughts and intents of the heart

will render a righteous judgment. O God Almighty, give us, thy
Saints, strength and wisdom in our trying hour.
In the midst of our grief some of them who committed the
foul deed appeared among us, the marks of black still on their
face; some of the brethren recognized one of them, it was John
Eagle, the black only partially washed off his face-and made
towards him, some of the most excitable one among would have
dealt summarily with him had they not been restrained. Eagle
finding he was known as one of the mob, made all possible haste
to get out of the way.
The Legion was called out about 10 oclock, and Judge Phelp
and Colonel Buck master of Alton, the governors aide and
others, delivered addresses to allay all excitement, and prepare to
receive the bodies of our much loved and respected, and sincerely
mourned generals, Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
The bodies were taken into the Nauvoo MansionJosephs
houseand the Legion and citizens were addressed by Willard
Richards in tones never to be forgotten. He called upon the people
to be quiet, and not take any steps that would bring further
trouble upon us as a people. He plead as a hungry man might
beg for bread, to be quiet, and trust to the law for redress, and
when that failed, to call upon God to avenge us of our wrongs!
This was a time when mens souls were tried.
I append,
The Nobel Martyrs
From the Times and Seasons. [5:561; 598-99.] . . .
[In pencil was]

115

Chapter Twenty-two

he foregoing special conference had a soothing effect upon

the feelings of the Saints, and we felt although the `head
shepherd was absent in the flesh, he was present in the spirit,
and his associate shepherds were earnest in caring for the sheep,
that they might not be scattered by the wolves who were willing
to divide the flock.
Sidney Rigdon continued in a state of enmity toward the
Twelve, and would not meet with them in council, although
frequently visited by them and urged to do so. He drew around
him the disaffected, also some who being ignorant of the law of
succession believed it to be his right to preside over the Church,
because he had been a counselor to Joseph, also forgetting that
when Joseph threw him off, it was the people who voted for him
to retain his place, not Joseph. On the contrary he said, If you
dont do it now, the time will come when you will wish you had
done it. However those who were honest in their belief, left him
as soon as they saw their error.
In consequence of his persistent opposition, and after
laboring with him in all kindness without effect, it was necessary
to bring his case before the High Council for trial, and the time
appointed was to be on the eighth day of September.
As the time for trial drew near, Rigdon counselled his
followers to arm themselves, and go upon the meeting ground,
and prevent the meeting being held which was to try his case;
but his principal counselor opposed him so strongly that the
measure was abandoned.
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According to appointment, the meeting was held on Sunday

the 8th, September 1844 on the meeting ground, and the High
Council organized themselves with Bishop Newel K. Whitney at
their head. Upon this occasion many were assembled who were
present when the Prophet Joseph first organized the High Council
in Kirtland . . . . [See Times and Seasons 5:647-55.]
At the end of the trial President Brigham delivered Sidney
Rigdon over to the buffetings of Satan, in the name of the Lord,
saying, well see who holds the power! And all the people said,
Amen.
On the 6th day of October, the case of Sidney Rigdon was
presented before the Church in conference assembled, and he
was cut off from the church, the conference sanctioning by their
vote the action of the High Council.
This brought very vividly to my mind, the seeming reluctance
manifested by Sidney at the time Joseph called upon him to assist
in ordaining Brigham Young President of the Quorum of the
Twelve. He, (Sidney) as he walked towards him, mutteredthat
he had laid his hands on so many men, and conferred power
upon them, and they had used it against him, as though he had
a premonition of the future.
This was the first conference held after the martyrdom of our
beloved Prophet and Patriarch Joseph and Hyrum, a great deal
of important business was done.
On the 8th day of October, the last day of conference, President
Brigham Young selected over eighty men from the Quorum of
High Priests, to go abroad in all the congressional districts of
the United States to preside over the branches of the church. . . .
[See Times and Seasons 5:695-96.]

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Chapter Twenty-three

he legislature of Illinois, assembled in Springfield and in its

session of 1840-41 granted the Charter of the city of Nauvoo,
and on the 1st February the first election was held, and those
elected for City Council was organized on Wednesday the 3rd.
The Charter was broad and very liberal, under its protection and
the wise government of its officers, the city grew very fast. The
citizens were industrious, prosperous, contented and happy,
until the enemies of peace and good government plotted against
the mayor and his associates, which terminated in the murder
in cold blood two of the best men on the earth; Generals Joseph
and Hyrum Smith.
The state arms having been taken away from the Nauvoo
Legion by the order of Governor Ford, another act was carried into
effect, that left us entirely defenseless. This was the unconditional
repeal of the Nauvoo Charter, by the legislature which met in the
winter of 1844-1845.
Representative of the people A. W. Babbitt made a noble
defense to no effect, he said, . . . .
the speeches of Honorable A. W. Babbitt, of Nauvoo, and Mr.
Backenstos were published in the New York Prophet April, 1845
from which they are copied here. . . .
[In pencil was]

118

Chapter Twenty-four

he foregoing speeches of the honorable gentlemen of the

Illinois Legislative House of Representatives, plainly shows
that the legislative body were in touch with the mob or antiMormon element, and it was further demonstrated by the mob
again gathering; they talked of having a `wolf hunt, which meant
to hunt and drive the Mormons from, not only the city of Nauvoo
but from Illinois as had been done in Missouri.
We had been told by the Prophet Joseph, that the Lord had
given sufficient time in which to build the [Nauvoo] temple, and
if we did not do it we would be rejected with our dead. We were
therefore very diligent in our labors on the temple. Men were as
thick as blackbirds busily engaged upon the various portions, all
intent upon its completion: although we were being in constant
expectation of a mob. Some old cannons had been brought to
Nauvoo from New Orleans which had lain in the salt water until
they had become very rusty. I was called upon by President Young
to fit these cannons for action.
He told me to take them into the basement of the [Nauvoo]
temple, and rebore them, and get them ready for action. I
accordingly called upon two or three of the brethren to help me,
and we took them by night into the basement, white washed
the windows to prevent observation, and went to work. After
much hard labor having to work upon the cannon at night, and
superintend the work on the temple in the daytime, thus working
day and night with very little time to rest, we had them ready to
defend the city.
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We placed these four cannons each one on the hind axle of a

wagon, the muzzle close against the tail board of the wagon box,
which was without bottom. Seats sufficient for eight men was
placed on the box. When required for action the men would lift
off the wagon box and the cannon was ready for action. As soon
as the mobs heard the boom of our cannon and learned we had
something to defend ourselves with, we heard no more of the wolf
hunt. They tried every means they could devise to bring trouble
upon Nauvoo. Frequently a party would land from a steamboat
and come into the city, commit their deviltry, and return to the
boat and leave again; well-owing we had no law to protect us
since the City Charter was taken away.
We found something had to be done to protect our families
etc, so that the people could proceed with their labors with some
feelings of security, as at this time without police regulations,
our families were exposed to the rascals who on finding them
unprotected by husbands and fathers would insult and abuse
them. In consequence of such things the old police formed
themselves into `whittling companies, and guarded the city
from the rascals in this wise. When a stranger came into the city
they would learn if they were there upon legitimate business, if
so they did not interfere with them. But if they had no legitimate
business, they were then under the surveillance of the whittlers
who would follow wherever they went, whittling and whistling.
They did not molest them in any way, not even by talking to them
but simply follow them, whittling and whistling as they went.
This was particularly annoying to such as were bent upon
mischief; one individual felt so ill at ease that he went to President
Brigham Young and complained that he was followed wherever
he went, he admitted he was not molested or abused, but he did
120

not like to be watched in all his movements. He said if he went

into a house they waited until he came out again, and followed
him as before; President Young talked to him kindly and they
separated, but he still stayed in the city and was carefully watched.
On Sunday during a meeting he rushed in almost breathless,
exclaiming, Mr. Young they are after me again!
President Young quietly replied in the words of Martin Van
Buren when President of the United States,to Joseph Smith.
`Gentleman your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you, the
legislature has taken away our City Charter; we have no laws, nor
power to protect you.
Through the vigilance of our brethren who in this way
protected the city, we were enabled to continue our labors until
the [Nauvoo] temple was so far completed that a portion was
dedicated for the purpose of giving endowments, thus we labored
while the wicked raged, the mobs howled, but they could not
stop the work on the temple until it was so far completed that it
was accepted of the Lord.
While we were energetically performing our labors in the
city, our brethren in the southern part of Hancock County was
suffering from the malignity of the mob. While harvesting their
grain the mob pounced upon them, and whipped some into
insensibility, their backs being horribly cut from the lash. The
suffering of the people in the outlaying settlements were terrible.
In the forepart of September the mob commenced to burn the
houses and grain. The sheriff endeavored to stay the mob, but
in one week they burned near two hundred buildings and a
large quantity of grain, as it was in the sickly season many died
from exposure to the scorching rays of the sun and the dews of
evening. Doctors, lawyers, statesmen, and Christians of various
121

denominations, as well as military men from colonels down, were

engaged in stealing cattle and anything they wanted.
They finally determined to drive the Saints from the country
or exterminate them, and delegates were sent to Nauvoo to
demand the departure of the Mormons. This delegation was
met by the Twelve and answered for the people that the removal
should take place as soon as possible.
General Hardin, commander of the state militia, was one
of the delegates; he asked of the Twelve, What guarantee will
you give us? Said President Young to him, You have our all as
guarantee. Senator Douglas, another of the delegation, seemed
satisfied with the answer.
These things did not come upon us unexpectedly,at least
to those who were watching the signs of the timesthe Prophet
Joseph had told us that many of us would live to go the Rocky
Mountains, and there become a mighty people, therefore we were
looking forward to this time. Some of us was afraid we would
not have time to finish the [Nauvoo] temple before these things
came upon us, they were coming so fast.
Joseph, when preaching upon the redemption of Zion, read
from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, the parable of the
twelve olive trees,a revelation given through him on the 16th
December, 1833. Commencing at the 43rd versehe explained
this parable. He said, The twelve olive trees were twelve stakes
of Zion which should be built up; and thrown down by our
enemies, and while we were building the tower of the temple
we could count that 12 stakes had been organized, and we were
a little fearful we would not accomplish our part of the labor.
We did however, although the finish was given, and the final
dedication took place after the body of the Church had started
122

from Nauvoo; the 12 stakes were broken down, and the people
fled to the Rocky Mountains.
No general conference had been held for the last three years,
according to the declaration of our martyred prophet, who said,
There shall be no more baptisms for the dead until the ordinances
can be attended too in the font of the Lords House; and the
Church shall not hold another General Conference, until they
can meet in said House. For thus saith the Lord!
Amid the scenes of persecution and trial we have passed
through it gives us satisfaction to think that since April 6th, 1841,
when the corner stones was laid amidst the most straightened
circumstances the Saints can now meet in the Lords House,
temporary floors be laid in the temple, and pulpits erected; also
seats for the people, preparatory for a General Conference. The
[Nauvoo] temple was entirely enclosed in windows, etc.
Conference assembled and the first meeting was held on
Sunday the 5th, October 1845. President Young opened the
services of the day in a dedicatory prayer, presenting the temple
thus far completed, as a monument of the Saints liberality, fidelity,
and faith, concluding with, Lord we dedicate this house and
ourselves to thee. The day was occupied in hearing instructions
and teachings, and offering up the gratitude of our hearts for so
great a privilege as worshiping the God within his holy house,
its motto, Holiness to the Lord.
The instructions we received throughout the conference
was mostly in relation to our removal from the midst of mobs
and strife and taking our journey to the west. President Young
moved, that we take all the Saints with us, to the extent of our
ability, which was seconded by Elder Heber C. Kimball, and
unanimously carried. President Young then said, If you will be
123

faithful to your covenants, I will prophecy that the Great God will
shower down means upon this people, to accomplish it to the
very letter. The time has come sooner than I expected that, that
scripture is being fulfilled, `My people shall be willing in the day
of my power, and I thank God the time has come.
The aged and honored mother of the prophet Joseph Smith
had expressed a wish to speak to the congregation, and was
invited to the stand. She spoke at considerable length and so clear
as to be heard by a large portion of the vast assembly. Mother
Lucy Smiths speech:
She said she was truly glad that the Lord had let her see so
large a congregation, she had a great deal of advise to give but
Brother Brigham young had done the errand, he had fixed it
completely. There were few comparatively in the congregation
who were acquainted with her family, she was the mother of
eleven children, seven of whom were boys. She raised them in
the fear and love of God, and never was there a more obedient
family. She warned parents, that they were accountable for their
childrens conduct; and advised them to give them books and
work to keep them from idleness; warned them all to be full of
love, goodness, and kindness, and never do in secret, what they
would not do in the presence of millions. She wished to know of
the congregation, whether they considered her a mother in Israel,
upon which President Brigham Young said, All who consider
mother Smith as a mother in Israel, signify it by saying, Yes!
One universal Yes rang throughout.
She continued, that it was just eighteen years since Joseph
Smith the prophet had become acquainted with the contents
of the plates; and then, in a concise manner, related over the
most prominent points in the early history of her family; their
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hardships, trials, privations, persecutions, sufferings, etc: some

parts of which melted those who heard her to tears, especially
that part relating to a scene in Missouri when her beloved son
Joseph was condemned to be shot in fifteen minutes, and she
by prodigious efforts was enabled to pass through the crowed
to where he was, and to give him her hand, but could not see
his face, he took her hand and kissed it. She said, Let me hear
your voice once more my son. He said, God bless you my dear
mother! She gave notice that she had written her history, and
wished it printed before we leave this place.
She then mentioned a discourse once delivered by Joseph after
his return from Washington, in which he said that he had done
all that could be done on earth to obtain justice for their wrongs;
but they were all, from the president to the judge, determined
not to grant justice. But, said he, keep good courage, these
cases are recorded in heaven, and I am going to lay them before
the highest court in heaven! Little, said she, did I then think
he was so soon to leave us, to take the case up himself. And dont
you think this case is now being tried? I feel as though God was
vexing this nation, a little here and there, and I feel that the Lord
will let Brother Brigham take the people away.
Here, in this city, lay my dead; my husband, and children;
and if so be the rest of my children go with you,and I would
to God they may all gothey will not go without me; and if I go,
I want my bones brought back in case I die away, and deposited
with my husband and children. The closing remarks of mother
Smith was not heard by all but President Young across and related
them to the congregation and then said, `Mother Smith proposes
a thing which rejoices my heart: she will go with us. I can answer
for the authorities of the church; we want her and her children to
125

go with us; and I pledge myself in behalf of the authorities of the

church, that while we have anything, they shall share with us.
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. When William came here we
furnished him a span of horses and a carriage, and a house, and
Brother Kimball became responsible for the rent of it. He has run
away in a time of trouble; but I suppose will come back when it
is peace, we mean to have him with us yet.
Mother Smith proposes that she will go with us, if we will
promise to bring back her remains, in case of her death, and
deposit them with her husbands. Also Josh once said, with
outstretched arms, `If I fall in battle in Missouri, I want you
to bring my bones back and deposit them in that sepulchreI
command you in the name of the Lord. And I pledge myself, if
mother Smith goes with us and I outlive her, I will do my best to
bring her bones back again, and deposit them with her children,
and I want to know if this people are willing to enter into covenant
to do the same. The vote was unanimous.
We are determined also to use every means in our power to
do all that Joseph told us, and we will petition Sister Emma, in
the name of Israels God, to let us deposit the remains of Joseph
according as he commanded us. And if she will not consent to
it, our garments are clear. Then when he awakes in the morning
of the resurrection, he shall talk with them, not with me; the sin
to [be] upon her head, not ours.
Conference over, we continued our labors on the temple with
renewed diligence completing portions, that the endowments
might be bestowed upon the living for themselves and their

126

dead; at the same time wagon companies were organized to make

wagons for the journey to the Rocky Mountains.
There was quite a number of such companies, in fact the
whole people was interested in some one of them. I was called
upon to superintend the one called the Michigan Wagon
Companys Shop. I made a boring and mortising machine to
facilitate the work. There was much to do and little time to do
it. During these labors I was called to the temple to receive my
endowments and sealings, as Joseph said, Those whose names
are on the books showing their labors for the temple, shall have
the first claim. President Brigham Young and the Twelve were
very particular to carry out his instructions; they saw that those
who spent their whole time in these labors received the reward
of their diligence by giving them a great endowment.
During the progress of wagon making there were many who
apostatized, and in the Michigan Wagon Company many followed
after Strang [James J. Strange]. In the meetings held by the
company much discussion took place on the authority of James
J. Strang, in opposition to Brigham Young. They professed to
know they were right by the spirit; that would end all argument.
John E. Page, one of the Twelve apostles, was one of them. He
styled himself, The Champion of the Book of Mormon. I felt
sorry to see so many led away by this spirit, blinded by unbelief
and led captive by the enemy of all righteousness. In connection
with other brethren I labored with them to show them they were
in error but to no purpose, for they would declare they knew
Strang was the man to follow by the spirit. They were receiving
communications from Strang as revelation from God, and it was
no easy matter to convince them that he was deceiving them;
but in the course of events John E. Page became convinced of
127

the deception, and left the city in the night. He had been very
enthusiastic declaring he knew the revelation he had received
purporting to come from Strang was true by the same spirit he
knew the Book of Mormon was true. This revelation was written
in Nauvoo by Charles W. Wandell.
There were some men who hung on, so they might receive
their endowments and then left. One man wrote a book and
undertook to expose the endowments, but he only injured himself
in the estimation of honest men. As Brother Heber C. Kimball
said upon one occasion about this time, We might as well endow
a bag of sand as these men, but we have to do it, or, our lives are
in danger. But it was a hurrying time, the endowments was
in progress day and night. One company followed the other in
quick succession, and in the short time of about six weeks the
work was accomplished, then the temple was dismantled, and
the exodus began.
Pray that you may live to go into the [Nauvoo] temple, and
be sealed in your forehead, said the Prophet Joseph. I have
lived to enjoy this blessing and received my wife in the new and
everlasting covenant, the celestial or eternal marriage covenant,
a covenant which binds for time and all eternity.
What a grand and glorious provision for the future, that an
eternal union can be formed here on earth between a man and
his wife, sealed by the authority of Jesus Christ, by men ordained
to that power, to seal on earth and it shall be sealed in heaven,
which bond or union shall last to all eternity; Paul says, Neither
is the man without the woman, neither the woman without
the man in the Lord. By these holy ordinances in the temple
those blessings are received, whereby fathers, and mothers,
wife and children, family associations will be enjoyed after the
128

resurrection of the dead, when they will live forever, for `there
will be no more death.
Compare the principles of salvation given through the
inspiration of God, with those taught by the Christian world,
who teach that when death overtake you, there is an eternal
separation of kindred and families, those who are good go directly
to heaven where God and Christ dwell; while those equally good
but who have made no profession of religion, go into hell, a place
of torment. That those who go to heaven will enjoy everlasting
felicity, eternal happiness, and supreme enjoyment, in knowing
or seeing their friends, mayhap a father or mother, or it may be a
husband or wife, or child withering in hell fire in eternal misery,
and this is to continue throughout the endless ages of eternity,
with no opportunity of changing their situation. They will sing
and give glory to God, etc. What a horrible picture to conjure
up before the mind and call it just, it is nothing short of, the
doctrines of devils.
The gospel of Jesus Christ gives assurance of better things. All
mankind are the children of God, descended from one common
parentage, and he has made provision for all his children, by
which they may be saved, after they have suffered the penalty of
their misdeeds, all will be judged according to the deeds done in
the body; all will come forth in the resurrection, they that have
done good in the resurrection of the just, and those who have
done evil to the resurrection of the unjust. There will be none
lost except the sons of perdition, those who sin against the Holy
Ghost, who shed innocent blood or consent thereto.
The first company left Nauvoo some time in the forepart
of February 1846, it was very cold weather. They crossed the
Mississippi River on the ice, taking with them the four cannons
129

we had prepared; they made their first camp on Sugar Creek a

few miles from Nauvoo. It was a cold dreary season of the year
to leave comfortable homes, with delicate women and tender
offspring, but the hand of persecution knows no pity.
A continuous stream of wagons and vehicles of all kinds
crossed the river as fast as they could be got ready and went into
camp on Sugar Creek where they wer organized into companies
for their long journey.
I visited President Young before he broke camp and found
him suffering from an attack of rheumatism and was walking
on crutches, attending to his many duties, answering questions,
giving directions, etc., but kind and courteous as ever.
Elder Orson Hyde, of the Quroum of Twelve Apostles was left
to take charge of affairs until the temple was finished, and under
his presidency the final dedication took place, a meeting was held
on the morning 1846 . . . . May, and again in the evening, when
each one present was arrayed in priestly robes, and thus in proper
order the temple was dedicated. A circumstance took place upon
this occasion which very forcibly reminded me of the parable,
of the marriage of the kings son, Matthew 22nd Chapter, 11-12
verses: When the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a
man which had not on the wedding garment, and he saith unto
him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding
garment? And he was speechles. On this occasion a man had
the garments but did not know how to clothe himself, asked me
to help him. I inquired, Have you had your endowments? He
answered, No. He was in a manner speechless, he had to retire.
Elder Orson Hyde left for the west as soon as he completed
his labors, appointing three trustees to take charge of the church
property. While we were engaged in this sacred duty, (dedicating
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the temple) officers arrived from Warsaw arrested O. P. Rockwell,

for the shooting of one Warrol, a mobocrat. They took him to
Galena for trial; where Sheriff Backenstos testified to the fact
that O. P. Rockwell shot Worrel by his order as sheriff and Porter
was discharged when immediately a writ was served on him by
his friends which brought him back to Nauvoo and took him out
of the reach of his enemies.

Chapter Twenty-five

he temple completed and dedicated we now prepared to leave

Nauvoo, but having spent all my time on the temple and other
public buildings, in the wagon shop etc., I was not prepared to
journey west until I could obtain provisions. Brother Truman
O. Angell after finishing his work on the temple, dug a well for
which he received thirty dollars; this he insisted upon sharing
with me. He urged me to take the half of it and go along with
him, but I could not do that, he needed much more than he had
for his own family. I finally said, Truman I do appreciate your
kindness and generosity, I am anxious to go with you but you
have not half you need for yourself. You have a large family and
must go; mine is small, I can stay and earn means and follow, but
you must go; God bless you, and thus we parted.
About this time Phineas Young returned from the camps
of the Saints to attend to some business at La Harpe. He was
kidnapped by a mob. As soon as the news reached Nauvoo,
companies of men started out to find him, his captors kept him
moving from place to place near two weeks, almost without food
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or rest, to keep him out of reach of the posses which was sent to
find him. At length the brethren were so close upon them they
let him go. When he reached his friends, writs were issued and
his kidnappers were arrested and brought to Nauvoo and placed
under guard in the Masonic Hall, for several days when they were
released on writs of habeas corpus.
As soon as they were released, these kindappers, they got
out writs for the brethren who arrested them. These writs was
made returnable in the southern part of Illinois, a long distance
from Nauvoo.
The officers came to Nauvoo with the writs and served several.
William Pickitt, a man who knew no fear, learned that the officers
had a writ for him. Seeing them enter a store where he was sitting,
he instantly arose to his feet, and before they had time to serve
the writ on him, he drew a pistol and said, he Hoped God would
strike him dead, if he didnt shoot the man that said writ to him.
Now this is just what our enemies had wanted; to resist an
officer in the discharge of his duty, gave them some pretext,
although everyone knew the Mormons were being hounded to
death, and was really justified in resisting an officer of mob law.
This brought on what is known as the last fight in Nauvoo.
One of the committee, A. W. Babbitt wishing to please and
assist the New Citizens, (who were moving into Nauvoo) in
the coming election called a meeting in the temple for, said
he, I want to talk to the brethren. At this meeting he advised
them to stay in Nauvoo until after the election which was close
by and vote with the new citizens. He said it was a dish of
____sugar, something else not so nice, but advised them to take
it. He expected to gain some political advantage by it. He urged
them farther by saying if they went across the river they would
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starve to death, and to prevent their going he took possession of

the ferry boat and got it out of the way so it was impossible for
the brethren to cross the river, although they were encamped on
the river bank with their wives and children in wagons and tents
awaiting their turn to be ferried across.
The farmers on the Iowa side of the river were wanting help to
harvest their grain. Elder Hyde was writing, urging the brethren
to get over the river while Babbitt sneering, remarked I [guess]
Old Hydes getting religion. Instead of using his influence to
have the people comply with the council of an Apostle he laid
every obstacle in the way to prevent them from complying.
I listened to his remarks but I concluded, I for one would
not take the dish he was preparing. I found a man living at
Nashville a little town on the Iowa side of the river, three or four
miles below Montrose; who had a flat boat which was sunk in the
river. He said if I could raise it I could have the use of it. I went to
work and with the assistance of Brother Curtis E. Bolton and some
others of the brethren, we raised and used it, and got our families
across the river. Others made good use of this opportunity also.
My family consisted of myself, my wife and four children; John,
Emily, Jane and George. I had two yoke of oxen and a wagon and
what things we could carry in the wagon. I left house and lot,
and the furniture in the house unsold. The river was very low at
this time and I waded most of the way across guiding the boat
to keep it from going too far down stream. Where the water was
to deep for me to wade I jumped into the boat until we came to
shallow water, when I again got out and waded to guide the boat.
We started from the Nauvoo House and landed a mile and a
half below Montrose. I drove my wagon up the river and camped
about a quarter of a mile below Montrose. One of the brethren
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had engaged a job of work for me upon a flat-boat, that was to

be fitted up for a boarding house. I had worked upon this job
only a few days when some of the brethren came over in a skiff
from Nauvoo, after me. The mob was preparing to come against
Nauvoo and the committee sent for me to plan some means of
defense. I got into the skiff and returned with them.
Upon reaching Nauvoo I learned that the mob had gained
possession of the six field pieces that had been taken from us.
The Nauvoo Legion by the order of Governor Ford, and was going
to use them against the city. Knowing full well that Nauvoo was
defenseless, I made some plans for the brethren to work and I
returned to my work upon the flat boat. They were idle while I
had an opportunity of earning bread; however in a day or two
the committee
For several days the mob bombarded the city and several
battles were fought, in the last battle Brother William Anderson
was killed, his son about twelve years old was killed almost at the
same time by a cannon ball from the mob which passed through
the corner of a house and struck him. Another man in the ranks
was killed; I have forgotten his name, some were wounded. . .
The little band of brethren and some of the new citizens
made a brave stand against the mob. Sometimes the cannon balls
from the mob would be picked up and loaded into our steamboat
shaft cannon and fired back at them. Ammunition was scarce
with us and we were but a handful; some said not more than one
hundred men against one thousand of the mob. In the midst
of these scenes a committee of the citizens of Quincy arrived,
and viewing the battle from the top of the temple declared they
were the bravest little band of men that ever lived. They came to
Nauvoo for the purpose of acting as mediators.
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After the battle I assisted in the burial of Brother William

Anderson and his son. He was a noble man, a brave officer, a good
man. At the grave I bade farewell to his almost heart-broken wife;
I never saw her again. From the top of the lower of the temple I
could overlook the spot where my family was camped. I was in the
habit of ascending to the tower every morning, seeing the wagon
where I had left it. I was satisfied but one morning upon doing
so I could not for some cause see the wagon, although it was
there just the same, but I could not see it. I was very uneasy, I had
learned that a great deal of excitement existed on the Iowa side
of the Mississippi between Montrose and Keokuk, and I [feared]
for their safety. I obtained permission from the committee to go
over and see what was the matter. I crossed the river to Montrose
and walked along down the river to where I had left my family in
camp. I met my wife and son John just about to step into a skiff to
cross over to Nauvoo to see what had become of me; the noise of
battle, the booming of cannon had made them so anxious, they
concluded they must go over and learn if I was still alive.
As I approached toward them, my son saw me and joyfully
exclaimed, By George, theres Father! It was a great relief to my
anxious wife and children to see me once more safe. I instructed
my son John to have the cattle where he could get them to the
wagon in a hurry, then I went up to the town to see what was
going on there. All was excitement, men were gathered in little
crowds talking in an excited manner of what was taking place at
Nauvoo, of the fighting, etc. One man standing upon a dry goods
box was making a vehement speech, saying terrible things of
what the Mormons were doing. He said a red flag was flying on
the top of the temple, and that meant blood. He told them the
Mormons had done awful things, he tried to tell all about our
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defenses we had made, and undertook to tell the name of the

man that directed the preparation and putting down of them
Hell Half-Acres as he called them.
He could not remember the mans name, and it was well for
me he had forgotten it, there was many present who knew me,
had he mentioned my name I should have stood a poor chance
of escape for they were blinded by fury and excitement. I was
armed with a six shooter and a bowie knife inside my buttoned
up coat, had they molested me I would have defended myself to
the best of my ability, as I thought, I will give them the best shot
in the locker, but in such a crowd of excited men they would
have made short work of me. One man standing nearby spoke
a little favorable of the Mormons was knocked down instantly.
I concluded the best thing for me to do was to move off quietly,
and as speedily as possible. I walked to the Flatboat to gather
up my tools. I found them scattered over several flatboats. I
finally succeeded in getting them together and took them to my
wagon, and while I packed my tools away my son got the cattle
and hitched them to the wagon. All this was accomplished in
the shortest time possible; while I gathered up my tools, no
one seemed to notice me, no one interfered. My son started the
team, we drove through Montrose passing by the excited crowds,
travelled about two miles from Montrose and camped under the
bluffs. No one molested us and we returned our thanks to God our
Father for his protecting care in preserving us from the violence
of the excited mob men.
A short time after we camped and a little while after dark,
Brother William Pickett, reached our camp in a disguise. He had
fled from Nauvoo bringing us the news, that the trustees of the
Church had made a treaty with the mob, for the surrender of the
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city and its immediate evacuation by the remnant of the Saints.

This treaty was made the same day I left Nauvoo, September 16th,
1846. Brother Pickett remained with us all night; we made him
a bed in our tent. We conversed very late into the night upon
our situation.
Five men, including the trustees of the Church, and five
clerks with their families,William Pickett, not to be one
of the numberto be permitted to remain in the city for the
disposition of property, free from all molestation and personal
violence. 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. This treaty was signed by
the trustees of the church; Andrew Johnson, chairman of the
Commitee of Quincy. Thomas L Brockman, commanding the
mob forces; and John Carlin, Special Constable. The mob led by
Brockman immediately entered the city. They defiled the temple
in an outrageous manner, with drunkeness, gambling and ribaled
song, they paid no attention to the stipulations of the treaty. They
ransacked wagons for arms, drove men across the river at the
point of the bayonet, Father John Stiles, as we familiarly called
him, an old man, and others were forced to the river at the point
of the bayonet, and baptized face downward in the name of Tom
Sharp the leader of the mob, and editor of the Warsaw Signal.
Farewell Nauvoo the Beautiful, The City of Joseph! The home
of so much joy and happy contentment, and also of the most
exquisite sorrow and anguish; here I enjoyed the association of
our beloved Prophet, and Patriarch, whose blood has been shed by
a mob, while under the pledge of the governor of Illinois that they
should be protected. I have listened to the words of inspiration
as they fell from the lips of the Prophet of God, in public and in
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private in his house and in my own house, also addressing the

Legion as Lieutenant General of the Nauvoo Legion. I have known
him under all circumstances, and do know no purer, braver,
better, or more patriotic man never lived. This I can truly say of
Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The Prophet and Patriarch who was
murdered in cold blood in Carthage Jail, Illinois. They sealed their
testimony with their blood; they died for their friends, and for
the cause of Christ Jesus; Greater love hath no man than that he
lay down his life for his friends.
Farewell to the temple upon which I have labored with so
much pleasure, the second temple erected to the only true and
living God, in which the ordinances of the Holy Priesthood might
be administered to the living and for the dead, in this generation.
The order of architecture was unlike anything in existence; it was
purely original, being a representation of the Church, the Bride,
the Lambs wife. John, the Revelation in the 12 chapter, first verse
says, And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman
clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her
head a crown of twelve stars. This is portrayed in the beautifully
cut stone of this grand temple which cost about two million
dollars. The cost was so great, it was said by some that the state
of Illinois could not have built such a costly building without
bankrupting the state. Yet this was built by the energy, tithes
and offerings of an honest, although a poor, persecuted people.

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