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" One of the gang raised him up and placed him against a wU, and while in this position, four others 
 among the mob advanced to the front rank with loaded muskets, and fired at the " Prophet."— Page 162. 
 
THE MORMONS, 
 
 OR, 
 
 LATTER-DAY SAINTS 
 
 A CONTEMPORARY HISTORY 
 
 THE EVrCLSIOS OF THE MO&MuNS FROM NA.UVI 
 
 LONDON : 
 PUBLISHED AT 227 STRAND. 
 
 1S52. 
 
THE MORMONS: '^^ 
 
 ( NOV 17 1917 
 LATTER-DAY SAINTS 
 
 WITH MEMOIRS OF 
 
 THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JOSEPH SMITH 
 THE '^AMERICAN MAHOMET." 
 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH FORTY ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 LONDON : 
 PUBLISHED AT 227 STEAND. 
 
 1852. 
 
LONDONi 
 
 VIZETELLI AND COMfANY, PRINltRS AND ENGRAVEKS, 
 
 ftTERUURoCGH COURT, FLEET STREET. 
 
PKEFACE, 
 
 In the summer of the year 1850, during the course of au mquiry 
 in which he was engaged on the subject of " Labour and the 
 Poor," the author of this vohime had occasion to direct his par- 
 ticular attention to the amount of Emigration from the port of 
 LiverpooL While pursuing his researches, he learned that, in- 
 dependently of the general emigration of English and Irish, 
 amounting, during the fine season, to nearly 20,000 persons per 
 month, there was a peculiar, hut smaller stream of emigration, 
 carried on in behalf of the religious sect known by the name of 
 the "Mormons," or "Latter-Day Saints." He was informed 
 that many years ago these people had established an Emigra- 
 tional Agency in Liverpool, having ramifications in all parts of 
 England, Wales, and Scotland, and that the number of Mormon 
 emigrants sailing from that port to New Orleans, on their way to 
 the Great Salt Lake Valley, in California, during the year 1 849, 
 had been no less than 2,500, chiefly consisting of farmers and 
 mechanics of a superior class, from Wales, Lancashire, Yorkshire, 
 Staffordshire, and the southern counties of Scotland ; and that 
 since 1840 the total emigration of the sect from Great Britain had 
 amounted to between 13,000 and 14,000 persons. He w'as led, 
 in consequence, to devote his attention to the history of the origin 
 and progress of this singular sect, of which comparatively little 
 was known. The results of his investigations were published in 
 the Morning Chronicle a short time afterwards, in three letters 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 of the well-known series undertaken by that Journal. The sub- 
 ject, however, was too interesting, important, and extensive to 
 be thoroughly handled in the limited space at the disposal of a 
 newspaper, and the writer was, in consequence, induced — having 
 received, in the meantime, a large accession of new, valuable, 
 and authentic materials — to extend these slight sketches into 
 the volume now offered to the public. It presents the history 
 of Joseph Smith, a great impostor, or a great visionary — perhaps 
 both — but in either case one of the most remarkable persons who 
 has appeared on the stage of the world in modern times. The 
 author has endeavoured to disencumber the conflicting accounts 
 of his disciples on the one hand, and of his enemies on the other, 
 of all exaggeration for him, or against him, and to state with 
 fairness what appeared to him to be truth. As far as he is 
 aware, it is the first time that anything which can be called a 
 history of this new religion and its founder has been offered to 
 the public, either in this country, or in the cradle of the Mor- 
 mons — the United States of America. 
 
 With respect to the Illustrations of this Volume, it may be 
 stated, that embracing, as they do, views of remote places not 
 hitherto pourtrayed, and representations of events in a wild and 
 very partially settled country, they have, nevertheless, been 
 derived from authentic sources, having been drawn from the 
 rude sketches, or minute descriptions, of persons to whom the 
 spots were familiar, and who were, in many cases, eye-witnesses 
 of the incidents depicted. Such Portraits of the leading Mor- 
 mons as it has been possible to procure, are from the pencil of a 
 Mormon artist, and other subjects have been copied from prints 
 published under the sanction of the sect. 
 
 London, ^pril, 1852. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Birth and Parentage of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet— His " Remarkable 
 Visions" — His "Consecration to the Priesthood — Alleged ai)pearance of John 
 the Baptist to Joseph and his Confederates— The Golden Plates of the Hill 
 of Cumorah— The Book of Mormon — The Mormon Witnesses of its 
 Authenticity — The Witnesses who assert it to be a Fraud — Statements of 
 Professor Anthon — The Spaulding Family— Mrs. Davison and Sidney Rigdon U 
 
 CHAPTER IT. 
 
 The Book of Doctrines and Covenants ; or the " Revelations" of Joseph Smith 
 — Mormon Hymns and Poems — Materialism — The Aaronic and Melchisedek 
 Priesthood — Confession of Faith — Mprmon Claims to Work Miracles, and 
 to Cast out Devils — Scenes in Leamington and Wales 32 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 First Persecutions of the Sect— Exploratory Journey to the Far West — Establish- 
 ment in Missouri — The Prophet " Lynched" by the Populace— Quarrels with 
 the " Gentiles" — The New Zion — Persecutions in Missouri iU 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Journey of the Prophet into Missouri — The Lamanite Skeleton — The Shower of 
 Meteors — Final Removal of Joseph from Kirtland, Ohio— Persecutions in 
 Missouri — Massacre at Haiin's Mill — The Danite Band — Expulsion from 
 Missouri 67 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Establishment of the Sect in Illinois — Building of the City and Temple of Nauvoo 
 — Joseph a Lieutenant-General — The Prophet's Right-hand Man — The 
 Mormons in England — Prosperity of Nauvoo 102 
 
VI CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGB 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Growth of Nauvoo — Joseph Smith a Candidate for the Presidency of the United 
 States —Address to the American People — Correspondence with Messrs. Clay 
 and Calhoun — New Troubles and Persecutions of the Sect — The " Spiritual 
 "Wife" Doctrine — A Schism among the Mormons — The " Nauvoo Expositor" 
 — Disturbances in the City—" Abatement" of the Nuisance of an Unfriendly 
 Newspaper— Legal Proceedings against the Prophet— His SuiTcnder to take his 
 Trial — Murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith by the Mob in Carthage Gaol . 124 
 
 CHAPTER VTI. 
 
 The Prophet's Funeral — Addresses and Proclamations to the Saints — Appointment 
 of Brigham Young as Successor to Joseph Smith — Trial and Expulsion of 
 Sydney Rigdon — Transient Prosperity of Nauvoo — New Troubles and 
 Localities — Siege of Nauvoo — Final Expulsion of the Monnons from 
 Illinois . . . .• 161 
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 Departure of the Moi-mons for the Great Salt Lake Valley — Colonel Kane's Des- 
 cription of Nauvoo after the Siege — The Exodus of the People — Incidents 
 of Travel — Arrival in Lower California — The Great Salt Lake 183 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Brigham Young's Address to the Saints throughout the World — Mission of the 
 Twelve Apostles — The Gathering — Utah Territory— Mormonism in Great 
 Britain— Emigration from Liverpool— Agriculture and the Arts in the Salt 
 Lake Valley — Reports by recent Travellers of the Prosperity of the New 
 Colony 229 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Mormonism: its Present State, and Social, Political, and Religious Aspect — The 
 Book of Mormon — Ancient Glyphs— The Prophecy of Isaiah— The Pro- 
 phecy of Ezekiel — Mormon Charges against all Christian Churches — Orson 
 Pratt on the Christian Ministry — Rehgious Aspects of Mormonism — The 
 Book of Doctrines and Covenants — Mormon Idea of " Faith" — Doctrines 
 and Commandments — Priesthood and Office-bearers — Mormon Materialism 
 — Death of the Witnesses — The Spiritual Wife Doctrine— Moral and Social 
 Aspects pf Mormonism — Opposition to Mormonism — ^^Conclusion .... 266 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Death of Joseph Smith . . . . . * . . Frontispiece. 
 
 The Expulsion of the MoiTnons from Nauvoo Title. 
 
 Smith Finding the Golden Plates - . 9 
 
 Joseph and Hyrum Smith (from the Busts by Gahagan) .... 32 
 
 The Mob Taning Joseph Smith 49 
 
 Cincinnati ..........••• 51 
 
 Joseph Smith Preaching in the "Wilderness ....... 54 
 
 Louisville 59 
 
 Encampment of Mormons on the Missouri River 60 
 
 The Discovery of the " Lamanite" Skeleton 07" 
 
 Massacre of Mormons at Haun's Mill 70 
 
 The Temple at Nauvoo 102 
 
 Lorenzo Snow (from a Drawing by F. Piercy) 104 
 
 General Joseph Smith Reviewing the Nauvoo Legion 117 
 
 Joseph Smith Preaching (from a Mormon Print) 119 
 
 Hyrum Smith and Joseph Smith (from a Drawing by F. Piercy) . . . 1 "24 
 
 Joseph Smith (from a Sketch by M. Didier) 1 HO 
 
 John Taylor (from a Drawing by F, Piercy) 161 
 
 Mormon Caravan Crossing the Rocky Mountains . . '. . . .183 
 
 Mormon Tabernacle Camp 201 
 
 Formation of a Bridge . 206 
 
 Cattle Fording the Missouri 207 
 
Vlll LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Mormon Mowers ............ 208 
 
 Pass of the Standing Rock (from Colonel Fremont) 218 
 
 Pass in the SieiTa Nevada (from Colonel Fremont) 228 
 
 Great Salt Lake City 229 
 
 Plan of the Great Salt Lake (from Colonel Fremont's Survey) . . .241 
 
 Emigrants going on Board ..... .... . 244 
 
 The Farewell .246 
 
 Mormon Hymn-singing on board of Emigrant Ship 247 
 
 New Orleans . 248 
 
 St. Louis 249 
 
 Mormon Caravan ciossing the Prairies . , ... . . . . 250 
 
 Cave in Rock on the Ohio . ......... 234 
 
 Mormon Gold Coin 265 
 
 Ceremony of Confiimation (.-sketched by F. Piercy) 266 
 
 Ancient Glyph 273 
 
 Orson Pratt (from a Drawing by F. Piercy) 280 
 
 Ceremony of Baptism (sketched by F. Piercy) 291 
 
 <-^--t-i^"^-^ 
 
^- 
 
 
 . r^iJ J 
 
 BiKTU AND FaKKNTAGK OF JoSEPH SmITH, THE MoRMOX PrOI-HKT HlS 
 
 "Remarkahle Visions"— His Conseckation to the Priesthood— Al- 
 leged Appearance of John the Baptist to Joseph and his Confederates 
 —The Golden Pi-ates of thk Hili. of Cumorah— The Book |of Mor- 
 mon— The Mormon Witnesses of its Authenticity— The Witnesses 
 who assert it to be a Fraud — Statements of Professor Anthon — Thk 
 Spauldino Family — Mrs. Davison and Sidney Exgdon. 
 
 In the year 1825 there lived, in a small village in the United States 
 of America, an obsoure young man — of little or no education— of no 
 fortune, and of but indifferent character. That obscure young man 
 had meditated for five years before this time the establishment of a 
 new religion. In 1830, being then in the twenty-fifth year of his age, 
 he began to carry his design into efl'ect. In the following year he 
 became the head of a sect numbering five persons ; amongst whom 
 were included his father and three brothers. In the course of a few 
 
10 THE MORMONS. 
 
 weeks, the number of his adhei-ents increased to thirty. At the pre- 
 sent time, the sect soestahhshed numbers 300,000 peojile ; has its own 
 Bible, and zealous missionaries to preach it in every part of the Chris- 
 tian world, and besides this, inhabits and possesses a fertile and beau- 
 tiful territory almost as large as England, and aspires to obtain admis- 
 sion, on equal terms, as a free state, into the great confederation ot 
 American Republics. The name of this young man was Joseph Smith 
 — of his new Bible, the *' Book of Mormon" — of his sect, the *' Church 
 of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," — or in the parlance of those not 
 members of it — The Mormons, or Mormonites ; and of the state or ter- 
 ritory of Avhich they have taken possession, Utah or Beseret, in New 
 California. The Moraions have thriven amid oppression of the most 
 cruel and pertinacious kind ; they have conquered the most astonish- 
 ing difficulties ; they have triumphed over the most vindictive ene- 
 mies, and over the most unrelenting persecution ; and from the blood 
 of their martyrs have sprung the courage, the zeal, and the success of 
 their survivors. They can boast not only an admirable and com- 
 plete organization, but the possession of worldly wealth, influence, 
 and power. Their progress witliin the last seven years has been rapid 
 to a degree unparalleled in the history of any other sect of religion- 
 ists. The remarkable career of Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Mor- 
 mons, and the story of the rise of the sect which he founded, is one ot 
 the most curious episodes in the modern history of the world. To trace 
 that history with all its fanaticism, all its zeal, all its genuine and sin- 
 cere faith, all its folly and all its virtue, and to carry it through all the 
 touching scenes in the varied and surprising fortunes of the people 
 who believe in Joseph Smith as the prophet of God, from the day in 
 which the doctrine was first broached amid the hatred and the derision 
 of a few, to the present day, when the sect is too powerful and too 
 sincere to be derided, is the object of the following pages. 
 
 To avoid the appearance of unfriendliness towards men who — 
 whatever the character or views of their former leaders may have been, 
 or whatever may be thought of their own fanaticism — are carrying on 
 a great and remarkable work, but little understood, or even heard 
 of, in this country, beyond the limits of their own body, we shall 
 whenever it is possible to do so, present their history in the words 
 of their own writers, appending such statements on the other side 
 as may be necessary for the exposition of the truth. The following 
 particulars of the origin of the Book of Mormon, of the early life of 
 Joseph Smith, and of his first appearance in the character of a man 
 divinely inspired — to be the new Moses, or Mahomet of his generation 
 — are extracted from the " Remarkable Visions" of Mr. Oison Pratt. 
 Tliis gentleman was formerly their emigrational agent at Liverpool, 
 
VISIONS OF JOSEPH SMITH. 11 
 
 and styles himself, in the title-page, *' One of the twelve Apostles of 
 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints :" — 
 
 " Mr. Joseph Smith, jun.," says this friendly narrator, '* was horn 
 in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 2 3rd December, 
 J 805. When ten years old, his parents, with their family, moved to 
 Palmyra, New York, in the vicinity of which he resided for about 
 eleven years, the latter part in the town of Manchester. He was a 
 farmer by occupation. His advantages for acquiring scientific know- 
 ledge were exceedingly small, being limited to a slight acquaintance 
 with two or three of the common branches of learning. He could 
 read Avithout m.uch difficulty, and write a very imperfect hand, and 
 had a very limited understanding of the elementary rules of arith- 
 metic. These were his highest and only attainments, while the rest 
 of those branches so universally taught in the common schools 
 throughout the United States were entirely unknown to him. When 
 somewhere about fourteen or fifteen years old, he began seriously to 
 reflect upon the necessity of being prepared for a future state of 
 existence ; but how, or in what way to prepare himself, was a ques- 
 tion as yet undetermined in his own mind. He perceived that it was 
 a question of infinite importance, and that the salvation of his soul 
 depended ujion a correct understanding of the same. He retired to a 
 secret place in a grove, but a short distance from his father's house, 
 and knelt down and began to call upon the Lord. At first he was 
 severely tempted by the powers of darkness, which endeavoured to 
 overcome him, but he continued to seek for deliverance until darkness 
 gave way from his mind, and he was enabled to pray in fervency of 
 the spirit, and in faith ; and while thus pouring out his soul, anxiously 
 desiring an answer from God, he at length saw a very bright and 
 glorious light in the heavens above, which at first seemed to be at a 
 considerable distance. He continued praying, while the light ap- 
 peared to be gradually descending towards him ; and as it drew 
 nearer it increased in brightness and magnitude, so that by the time 
 it reached the tops of the trees the whole wilderness around was 
 illuminated in a most glorious and brilliant manner. He expected to 
 see the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed as soon as the light 
 came in contact with them ; but perceiving that it did not produce 
 that effect, he was encouraged with the hopes of being able to endure 
 its presence. It continued descending slowly until it rested upon the 
 earth, and he was enveloped in the midst of it. When it first came 
 upon him, it produced a peculiar sensation throughout his whole 
 system ; and immediately his mind was caught away from the natural 
 objects with which he was surrounded, and he was enwrapped in a 
 heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages, who exactly re- 
 
12 THE MOKMONS. 
 
 sembled each other in their features or likeness. He was informed 
 that his sins were forgiven. He was also informed upon the subjects 
 which had for some time i)reviously agitated his mind — namely, that 
 all the religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines, 
 and consequently that none of them was acknowledged of God as his 
 church and kingdom. And he was expressly commanded to go not 
 after them ; and he received a promise that the true doctrine, the ful- 
 ness of the Gospel, should at some future time be made known to him. 
 After which the vision withdrew, leaving his mind in a state of calm- 
 ness and peace indescribable. Some time after having received this 
 glorious manifestation, being young, he was again entangled in the 
 vanities of the world, of which he afterwards sincerely and truly 
 repented. 
 
 "Audit pleased God, on the evening of the 21st September, a.d. 
 1823, to again hear his prayer. It seemed as though the house was 
 filled with consuming fire. This sudden appearance of a light so 
 bright, as must naturally be expected, occasioned a shock of sensation 
 visible to the extremities of the body. It was, however, followed 
 by calmness and serenit}^ of mind, and an overwhelming rapture of 
 joy, that surpassed understanding, and, in a moment, a Personage 
 stood before him. 
 
 "Notwithstanding the brightness of the ligbt which previously 
 illuminated the room, yet there seemed to be an additional glory sur- 
 rounding or accompanying this Personage, which shone with an 
 increased degree of brilliancy, of which he was in the midst, and though 
 his countenance was as lightning, yet it was of a pleasing, innocent, 
 and glorious appearance, so much so, that every fear was banished 
 from his heart, and nothing but calmness pervaded his soul. 
 
 *' The stature of this Personage was a little above the common size 
 of men in his age ; his garment was perfectly white, and had the ap- 
 pearance of being without seam. 
 
 "This glorious being declared himself to be an angel of God, sent 
 forth by commandment to communicate to him that his sins were 
 forgiven, and that his prayers were heard ; and also to bring the 
 joyful tidings that the covenant which God made with ancient Israel 
 concerning their posterity was at hand to be fulfilled ; that the great 
 preparatory work for the second coming of the Messiah was speedily 
 to commence ; that the time was at hand for the Gospel, in its ful- 
 ness, to be preached in power unto all nations, that a people might 
 be prepared with faith and righteousness for the Millennial reign of 
 universal peace and joy. 
 
 ** He was informed that he was called and chosen to be an instru-' 
 ment in the hands of God, to bring about some of his marvellous pur-* 
 
VISIONS OF JOSEPEI SMITH. 13 
 
 poses in this glorious dispensation. It was also made manifest to him 
 that the ' American Indians' were a remnant of Israel; that when they 
 first emigrated to America they were an enlightened people, possessing 
 a knowledge of the true God, enjoying his favour and peculiar bless- 
 ings from his hand; that the prophets and inspired writers among 
 them were required to keep a sacred history of the most important 
 events transpiring among them, which history was handed down for 
 many generations, till at length they fell into great wickedness. The 
 greatest part of them were destroyed, and the records were safely de- 
 posited, to preserve them from the hands of the wicked who sought 
 to destroy them. He was informed that these records contained many 
 sacred revelations pertaining to the Gospel of the kingdom, as well as 
 prophecies relating to the great events of the last days ; and that to 
 fulfil his promises to the ancients, who wrote the records, and to ac- 
 complish his purposes in the restitution of their children, they were 
 to come forth to the knowledge of the people. If faithful, he was to 
 be, .the instrument who should be thus highly favoured in bringing 
 these sacred writings before the world. After giving him many in- 
 structions concerning things past and to come, he disappeared, and 
 the light and glory of God withdrew, leaving his mind in perfect 
 peace, while a calmness and serenity indescribable pervaded his 
 soul. But before morning the vision was twice renewed, instructing 
 him further and still further concerning the great work of God about 
 to be performed on the earth. In the morning he went out to his 
 labour as usual, but soon the vision was renewed — the angel again 
 appeared, and having been informed, by the previous visions of the 
 night, concerning the place where those records were deposited, he 
 was instructed to go immediately and view them. 
 
 *' Accordingly he repaired to the place, a brief description of which 
 shall be given in the words ot a gentleman named Oliver Cowdery, 
 ■who has visited the spot : — 
 
 " ' As you pass on the mail-road from Palmyra, Mayne county, to 
 Canandigua, Ontario county. New York, before arriving at the little 
 village of Manchester, say from three to four, or about four miles from 
 Palmyra, you pass a large hill on the east side of the road. 
 
 " ' It was at the second-mentioned place where the record was found 
 to be deposited, on the west side of the hill, not far from the top, down 
 its side ; and when myself visited the spot in the year 1830 there were 
 several trees standing— enough to cause a shade in summer, but not 
 so much as to prevent the surface being covered with grass — which 
 was also the case Avhen the record was first found. 
 
 " ' How far below the surface these records were placed I am un- 
 able to say, but from the fact that they had been some fourteen hun- 
 
14 THE MORMONS. 
 
 dred years buried, and that, too, on the side of a hill so steep, one is 
 ready to conclude that they were some feet below, as the earth would 
 naturally wear, more or less, in that length of time. But being placed 
 towards the top of the hill, the ground would not remove as much as 
 two-thirds, perhaps. Another circumstance would prevent another 
 wearing of the earth — in all probability, as soon as timber had time 
 to grow, the hill was covered, and the roots of the same would hold 
 the surface. 
 
 *' ' However, on this point I shall leave every man to draw his own 
 conclusion, and form his own speculation : but, suffice to say, a hole of 
 sufficient depth was dug. At the bottom of this laid a stone of suit- 
 able size, the upper surface being smooth. At each edge was placed 
 a large quantity of cement, and into this cement, at the four edges of 
 this stone were placed erect four others, their bottom edges resting in 
 the cement at the outer edges of the first stone. The four last named, 
 when placed erect, formed a box ; the corners, or where the edges of 
 the four came in contact, were also cemented so firmly that the mois- 
 ture from without was prevented from entering. It is to be observed 
 also that the inner surfaces of the four erect or side stones were 
 smooth. This box was sufficiently large to admit a breastplate such 
 as was used by the ancients to defend the chest from the arrows and 
 weapons of their enemy. From the bottom of the box, or from the 
 breastplate, arose three small pillars, composed of the same description 
 of cement used on the edges ; and upon these three pillars were placed 
 the records. ' This box containing the records was covered with an- 
 other stone, the bottom surface being flat, and the upper crowning.' 
 
 ** When it was first visited by Mr. Smith, on the morning of the 
 22nd of September, 1823, 'a part of the crowning stone was visible 
 above the surface, while the edges were concealed by the soil and 
 grass.' From which circumstance it may be seen ' that, however deep 
 this box might have been placed at first, the time had been sufficient 
 to wear the earth, so that it was easily discovered, when once directed, 
 and yet not enough to make a perceivable difierence to the passer-by.' 
 'After arriving at the repository, a little exertioa in removing the soil 
 from the edges of the top of the box, and a light lever, brought to his 
 natural vision its contents.' ^Yhile view^ing and contemplating this 
 sacred treasure, with wonder and astonishment — behold ! the angel of 
 the Lord, who had previously visited him, again stood in his presence, 
 and his soul was again enlightened as it was the evening before, and 
 he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the heavens were opened, and 
 the glory of the Lord shone round about and rested upon him. While 
 he thus stood gazing and admiring the angel said, ' Look ! ' And, as 
 he thus spake, he beheld the Prince of Darkness, surrounded by his 
 
THE GOLDEN PLATES. 15 
 
 nnumerable train of associates. All this passed before him, and the 
 heavenly messenger said, 'All this is shown, the good and the evil, 
 the holy and impure, the glory of God and the power of darkness, that 
 you may know hereafter the two powers, and never be influenced or 
 overcome by the wicked one. You cannot at this time obtain this re- 
 cord, for the commandment of God is strict, and if ever these sacred 
 things are obtained, they must be by prayer and faithfulness in obey- 
 ing the Lord. They are not deposited here for the sake of accumu- 
 lating gain and wealth for the glory of this world; they were sealed 
 by the prayer of faith, and because of the knowledge which they con- 
 tain ; they are of no worth among the children of men only for their 
 knowledge. In them is contained the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus 
 Christ, as it was given to his people on this land ; and when it shall 
 be brought forth by the power of God, it shall be carried to the Gen- 
 tiles, of whom many will receive it, and after will the seed ol Israel 
 be brought into the field of their Redeemer by obeying it also. 
 
 " During the period of the four following years, he frequently re- 
 ceived instruction from the mouth of the heavenly messenger. And 
 on the morning of the 22nd of September, A.D. 1827, the angel of the 
 Lord delivered the records into his hands. 
 
 '' These records were engraved on plates, which had the appear- 
 ance of gold. Each plate was not far from seven by eight inches in 
 -width and length, being not quite as thick as common tin. They were 
 filled on both sides with engravings in Egyptian characters, and bound 
 together in a volume as the leaves of a book, and fastened at one edge 
 with three rings running through the whole. This volume was some- 
 thing near six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed. The 
 characters or letters upon the unsealed part were small and beauti- 
 fully engraved. The whole book exhibited many marks of antiquity 
 in its construction, as well as much skill in the art of engraving. 
 With the records was found ' a curious instrument, called by the 
 ancients the Urim and Thummim, which consisted of two transparent 
 stones, clear as crystal, set in the two rims of a bow. This was in 
 use in ancient times, by persons called seers. It was an instrument 
 by the use of which they received revelation of things distant, or of 
 things past or future.' 
 
 " Having provided himself with a home, he commenced translating 
 the record, by the gift and power of God, through the means of the 
 Uiim and Thummim ; and being a poor wTiter, he was under the ne- 
 cessity of employing a scribe to write the translation as it came from 
 his mouth. 
 
 " In the meantime, a few of the original characters were accu- 
 rately described and translated by Mr. Smiih, which, with the trans- 
 
16 THE MORMONS. 
 
 lation, were taken bj a gentleman, by the name of Martin Harris, to 
 the city of New York, where they were presented to a learned gentle- 
 man of the name of Anthon, who professed to be extensively acquainted 
 with many languages, both ancient and modern. He examined them, 
 but was unable to decipher them correctly ; but he presumed that it 
 the original records could be brought, he could assist in translating 
 tliem. 
 
 *' But to return — Mr. Smith continued the work of transhation, as 
 his pecuniary circumstances would permit, until he finished the un- 
 sealed part of the records. The part translated is entitled the * Book 
 of Mormon,' which contains nearly as much reading as the O'd Tes- 
 tament. 
 
 *' After the book was translated, the Lord raised up witnesses to 
 the nations of its truth, who, at the close of the volume, send foith 
 their testimony, which reads as follows : — 
 
 '"TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES. 
 
 " * Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom 
 this work shall eome, that we, through the grace of God the Father, and our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is 
 a record of the people of Nephi and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and 
 also of the people of Jared, who came fiom the tower of which hath been 
 spoken ; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and 
 power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us ; wherefore we know of 
 a surety that the work is true, and we also testify that we have seen the en- 
 gravings which are upon the plates ; and they have been shown unto us by 
 the power of God, and not of man. And we declare, with words of soberness, 
 that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before 
 our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates,' and the engravings thereon ; 
 and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true, and it is 
 marvellous in our eyes ; nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commalided us 
 that we should bear record of it ; wherefore, to be obedient unto the com- 
 mandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that 
 if we are faithful in Christ we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, 
 and be found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ, and shall dwell with 
 him eternally in the heavens. And the honour be to the Father, and to the 
 Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen. 
 
 " * Oliver Cowdert. 
 
 David Whitmer. 
 
 Martin Harris. 
 
 "'TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES. 
 
 " 'Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom 
 this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, jun., the translator of this work 
 
Joseph's "witnesses." 17 
 
 has shown unto us the plates of which hath been sjwken, which have the ap- 
 pearance of gold : as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we 
 did handle with our hands ; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of 
 which have the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And 
 this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown 
 unto us, for we Iiave seen and lighted, and know of a surety that the said 
 Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken : and we give our names 
 unto the world of that which we have seen ; and we lie not, Grod bearing 
 witness of it. 
 
 "'John Whitmer. 
 
 Christian Whitmer. 
 
 Jacob Whitmer. 
 
 Peter Whitmer, jun. 
 
 Hiram Page. 
 
 Joseph Smith, sen. 
 ^ Hyrum Smith. 
 
 Samuel H. Smith.'" 
 
 Such is the story of a friend, derived from statements made at 
 various times by the "Prophet" himself. It Avill be seen that the 
 witnesses of its truth were principally of the two famities of Whitmer 
 and Smith. The Smiths Avere the father and brothers of Joseph. 
 Who the Whitmers were is not clear — and all clue to their character 
 and proceedings since this date, though probably known to the Mor- 
 mons themselves, is undiscoverable by the "profane vulgar." As, in 
 the history of an imposture so remarkable as this, the narrative of the 
 principal actor becomes both curious and important, the following ac- 
 count of the matter is extracted from the autobiography of Joseph 
 Smith, which was published in the Millennial Star : — 
 
 " So great was the confusion and strife among the different re- 
 ligious denominations, that it was impossible for a person, young as 
 I was,. and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any 
 cefl'tain conclusion who was right and who was wrong. My mind at 
 different times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult Avas so great 
 and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Bap- 
 tists and Methodists, and used all their powers of either reason or 
 sophistry to prove their errors, or at least to make the people think 
 they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and ]\Iethodists 
 in their turn were equally zealous to establish their own tenets and 
 disprove all othei'S. 
 
 " In the midst of this war. and tumult of opinions, I often said to 
 myself, what is to be done ? Who of all these parties are right ? or 
 are they all wrong together ? If any one of them be right, which is 
 it, and how shall I know it ? 
 
 " While I was labouring under the extreme difficulties, caused by 
 
 B 
 
18 THE MORMONS. 
 
 the contests of these parties of rehcjionists, I was one day reading the 
 epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads, ' If any of 
 you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that givetli unto all men lihe- 
 rally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.' Never did any 
 passage of Scripture come with more power to the heart of man than 
 this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into 
 every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing 
 that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did ; for how to act I 
 did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had; 
 would never know ; for the teachers of religion of the different sects 
 understood the same passage so differently as to destroy all confidence 
 in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. At length I came 
 to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, 
 or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length 
 came to the determination to ' ask of God,' concluding that if he gave 
 ■wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally and not 
 upbraid, 1 might venture. So, in accordance with this my determina- 
 tion to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It 
 was on the morning of a beautiful clear day, early in the spring of 
 eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I 
 had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never 
 yet made the attempt to pray vocally. 
 
 " After I had retired into the place where I had previously designed to 
 go, having looked around me and finding myself alone, I kneeled down 
 and began to off'er up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely 
 done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which 
 entirely overcame me, and had such astonishing influence over me, as 
 to bind my tongue, so that I could not speak. Thick darkness ga- 
 thered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed 
 to sudden destruction. But exerting all my powers to call upon God 
 ''to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upo.n 
 me, and at the very moment when 1 Avas ready to sink into despair 
 and abandon myself to destruction, not to an imaginary ruin, but to 
 the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such 
 a marvellous power as I had never before felt in any being. Just at 
 this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my 
 head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually 
 until it fell upon me. It no sooner api)eared than I found myself de- 
 livered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested 
 upon me, I saw two personages, who.se brightness and glory defy all 
 description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto 
 me, calling me by name, and said (pointing to the other) — ' This is my 
 beloved Son, hear him.' 
 
JOSEPH AND lUE '* PEliSONACiE." 19 
 
 *' Mj object in going to inquire of tlie Lord, was to know which 
 of all the sects was right, that I might know which to juin. No 
 sooner, therefore, did 1 get possession of myself, so as to be able to 
 s|»ealc, than 1 asked the personages who stood above me in the light, 
 which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered 
 into my heart that all were wrong), and which I should join. 1 was 
 answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong, and 
 the personage who addressed me said, * that all their creeds were an 
 abomination in his sight ; that those professors were all corrupt ; they 
 draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me ; they 
 teach for doctrine the commandments of men, having a form of godli- 
 ness, but they deny the power thereof.' lie again forbade me to join 
 with any of them : and many other things did he say unto me wiiich I 
 cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, 1 found 
 myself laying on my back, looking up into heaven. ISome few days 
 after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the 
 Methodist preachers who was very active in the before- mentioned 
 religious excitement, and conversing with him on the subject ot 
 religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which 
 I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behaviour ; he treated 
 my comnmnication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying 
 it was all of the devil, that there were no such thnigs a^ visions or 
 i-evelations in these days ; that all such things had ceased with the 
 apostles, and that thei'e never would be any more of them. 1 soon 
 found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of 
 prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cau.-e 
 of great persecution, which continued to increase ; and though I was 
 an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen year^ of age, and 
 my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in 
 the world, yet men of high standing would take 'notice suthcient to 
 excite the public mind against me, and create a hot ])ersecutioii, and 
 this was common among all the sects : all united to persecute me. It 
 has often caused me serious reflection, both then and since, how very 
 stranoe it w^as that an obscure boy of a little over fourteen years of 
 age, and one, too, who w^as doomed to the necessity ol obtaining a 
 scanty maintenance by his daily labour, should be thouglu a character 
 of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of 
 the most popular sects of the day, so as to create in tiiein a sprit of 
 the hottest persecution and revihng. But strange or not, so it was, 
 and was often the cause of great sorrow to myself. However, it was 
 nevertheless a fact that I had had a vision. 1 have thought since that 
 1 felt much like Paul when he made his defence before king Agrippa, 
 and related the account of the vision he had when he 'saw a light and 
 
20 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 heard a voice,' but still there were but few who believed him ; some 
 said he Avas dislioiiest, others said he was mad, and he was ridiculed 
 and reviled ; but all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He 
 had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under hea- 
 ven could not make it otherwise ; and though they should persecute 
 him unto death, yet he knew, and would know unto his latest breath, 
 that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking to him, and 
 all the world could not make hira believe otherwise. So it Avas with 
 me ; I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw 
 two personages, and they did in reality speak unto me, or one of them 
 did ; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that 1 had seen 
 a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, revil- 
 ing me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, 
 I was led to say in my heart, why persecute for telling the truth ? I 
 have actually seen a vision, and 'who am I that I can withstand 
 God ?' or why does the world think to make me deny what I have 
 actually seen ? for I had seen a vision ; I knew it, and I knew that 
 God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dare I do it ; at least, I 
 knew that by so doing I would offend God and come under condemna- 
 tion. I had now got my mind satisfied, so far as the sectarian world 
 was concerned, that it was not my duty to join with any of them, but 
 continue as I was until further directed." * 
 
 Without stopping to inquire whether Joseph were a knave or a lu- 
 natic — a cool, calculating impostor — or a weak-minded enthusiast, who, 
 in the visions of a distempered brain, fancied and believed that he saw 
 things which he has thus reported, we proceed to the next incident. 
 Having seen God the Father and God the Son, he was in a short time 
 afterwards, as he tells the world, favoured with a visit and a commu- 
 nication from John the Baptist ! The circumstance is thus recorded by 
 himself in the Millennial Star, vol. iii. page 14.S : — 
 
 " While we (Josei^h Smith and Oliver Cowdery) were thus em- 
 ployed (in the work of translation), praying and calling upon the 
 Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and 
 having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying unto us, 
 ' Upon you, my fellow-servants, in the name of the Messiah, 1 con- 
 fer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering 
 of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baj^tisni by im- 
 mersion for the remission of sins ; and this shall never be taken 
 again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offer- 
 ing unto the Lord in righteousness.' He said this Aaronic priest- 
 hood had not the power of laying on of hands for the gift ot 
 
 * History of Joseph Smi'Jj, Milkunial Star, vol. iii., No. 2, p. 21. 
 
MAKTIX HARRIS. 2 
 
 the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us liereafter ; and 
 he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions 
 that I should bnptize Oliver Cowdery, and afterwards that he should 
 baptize me. Accordingly, we went and were baptized. I baptized 
 him first, and afterwards he baptized me. After which I laid my hands 
 upon his head, and ordained him to the Aaronic priesthood ; afterwards 
 he laid his hands on me, and ordained me to the same priesthood, for 
 so we were commanded. The messenger who visited us on this occa- 
 sion, and conferred this priesthood upon us, said that his nam^ was 
 John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, 
 and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James, and John, who 
 held the keys of the priesthood of Melchisedek, which priesthood, he 
 said, should in due time be conferred onus, and that I should be called 
 the first elder, and he the second. It was on the 15th day of May, 
 1829, that we were baptized and ordained under the hand of the mes- 
 senger." 
 
 The scheme was now ripe for a fuller development ; but as we have 
 hitherto had the story as in the words of Joseph himself, and of his 
 ardent disciples, Mr, Orson Pratt and the ** witnesses," it is necessary 
 to go back a little, and narrate a few circumstances relative to one of 
 the most important of these witnesses, and to the manner in wiiich he 
 was originally induced to become a believer in the " jtrophet " and his 
 book. It will also be necessary to inquire whether the statements of 
 Mr. Pratt, with reference to Professor Anthon, were admitted by tiiat 
 gentleman. 
 
 Joseph Smith having made known his doctrine to various persons, 
 the wonderful plates began to be talked about. Among the persons 
 who were originally most disposed to join the new sect was the Mr. 
 Martin Harris, whose name appears along with those of other wit- 
 nesses in the above testimony. This Martin Harris was a farmer, 
 who apjiears to have been possessed of more money than wit, and of 
 more credulity than judgment. His religious opinions were unsettled, 
 as he was at one time a member of the Society of Friends, afterwards 
 a Wesleyan, then a Ba])tist, and, at the time when Joseph Smith 
 made his acquaintance, a Presbyterian. He was at once captivated 
 by the doctrines and pretensions of Joseph, and lent the "prophet" 
 the sum of fifty dollars to enable him to publish his new Bible. 
 Joseph, though asked by Martin Harris to show the plates, refused, 
 on the pretence that he was not pure of heart enough to be allowed a 
 sight of such treasures ; but he generously made a transcript of a 
 portion of them upon paper, which he told him to submit to any 
 learned scholar in the world, if he wished to be satisfied. Martin 
 Harris was an earnest man, and he set out from Palmyra to New 
 
-'3 THE MORMONS. 
 
 York, to visit Professor Anthon, a crentlenian of the hif^liest reputa- 
 tion, botli ill America and Europe, and well known for his valuable 
 and correct editions of the classics. He found the Professor, and 
 submitted the plates to him. The Mormons at this time were too 
 insignificant to excite attention, and the result of Martin Harris's 
 interview with the learned man was not known until three or four 
 years afterwards, when a report having been spread abroad by the 
 Mormons that the Professor had seen the plates, and pronounced 
 the inscriptions to be in the Egyptian character, that gentleman was 
 requested by a letter, directed to him by Mr. E. D. Howe, of Paines- 
 ville, Ohio, to declare whether such was the fact? Professor An- 
 thon returned the following answer, detailing his interview with tiie 
 simple-minded Mr. Harris: — 
 
 "New York, Feb. 17, 183 1. 
 " Dear Sir, — I received your letter of the 9th, and lose no time in mak- 
 ing a repl}'. The whole story about my pronouncing the Mormonite inscrip- 
 tion to be ' Reformed Egyptian Hieroglyphics,' is perfectly false. Some years 
 ago a plain, apparently simple-hearted, farmer called on me with a note from 
 Dr. Mitchell, of our city, now dead, requesting me to decipher, if possible, a 
 paper which the farmer would hand me. Upon examining the paper in ques- 
 tion, I soon came to the conclusion that it was all a trick, perhaps a hoax. 
 When I asked the person who brought it how he obtained the writing, he gave 
 me the following account : — A ' gold book,' consisting of a number of plates 
 fastened together by wires of the same material, had been dug up in the nor- 
 thern part of the State of New York, and along with it an enormous pair of 
 ' spectacles !' These spectacles were so iari^e, that if any person attempted to 
 look through them, his two eyes would look through one "lass only ; the spec- 
 tacles in question being altogether too large for the human face. ' Whoever,' 
 he said, ' examined the plates through the glasses was enabled not only to read 
 them, but fully to understand their meaning. All this knowledge, however, 
 was contined to a young man, who had the trunk containing the book and 
 spectacles in his sole possession. This young man was placed behind a curtain, 
 in a garret, in a farm-house, and being thus concealed from view, he put on 
 the spectacles occasionally, or rather, looked through one of the glasses, de- 
 ciphered the characters in the book, and having committed some of them to 
 paper, handed copies h-om behind the curtain to those who stood outside. Not 
 a word was ^aid about their having been deciphered by the 'gift of God.' 
 Everything in this way was effected by the large pair of spectacles. The 
 farmer added, that he had been requested to contribute a sum of money to- 
 wards the publication of the 'golden book,' tiie contents of which would, as 
 he was told, produce an entire change in the worM, and save it from ruin. 
 So urgent had been these solicitations, that he intended selling his farm, and 
 giving the amount to those who wished to publish tiie plates. As a last pre- 
 cautionary step, he had resolved to come to New York, and obtain the opinion 
 of the learned about the meaning of the paper which he had brought with 
 
THE BOOK OF MOliMOJ^. 23 
 
 him, and which had heen given him as part of the contents of the hook, although 
 no transhxtion had at that time been made by the young man with tlie spec- 
 tacles. On heiiring this odd story, I changed my opinion about the paper, 
 and instead of viewing it any longer as a hoax, I began to regard it as part of 
 a scheme to cheat the farmer of his money, and I communicated my suspicions 
 to him, warning him to beware of rogues. He requested an opinion from me 
 in writing, which of course I declined to give, and he then took his leave, tak- 
 ing his p-iper with him, 
 
 " This paper, in question, was in fact a singular scroll. It consisted of all 
 kinds of crooked characters, disposed in columns, and had evidently been pre- 
 pared by some person who had before him at the time a book containing 
 various alphabets. Greek and Hebrew letters, crosses, and flourishes ; Roman 
 letters inverted or placed sideways, were arranged and placed in perpendicular 
 columns ; and the whole ended in a rude delineati(m of a circle, divided into 
 various compartments, decked with various strange marks, and evidently 
 copied after the Mexican Calendar, given by Humboldt, but; copied in such a 
 way as not to betray the source whence it was derived. I am thus particular 
 as to the contents of the paper, inasmuch as I have frequently conversed with 
 my friends on the subject since the j\Iormon e.Kcitement began, and well re- 
 member that the paper contained anything else but ' Egyptian Hieroglyphics,' 
 
 '• Some time alter the same iarmer paid me a secoml visit. He brought 
 with him the 'gold book' in print, and offered it to me for sale. I declined 
 purchasing. He then asked permission to leave the book with me for exami- 
 nation. I declined receiving it, although his manner was strangely urgent. 
 I adverted once more to the roguery which, in my opinion, had been practised 
 upon him, and asked him what had become of the gold plates. He inft)rme(l 
 me that they were in a trunk with the spectacles. I advised him to go to a 
 magistrate and have the trimk examined. He said, ' The curse of God' would 
 come upon him if he did. On my pressing him, however, to go to a magis- 
 trate, he told me he would open the trunk if I would take the ' curse of God ' 
 upon myself. I replied I would do so with the greatest willingness, and 
 would incur every risk of that nature, provided I could only extricate him 
 from the grasp of rogues ; he then left me. I have given you a fidl state- 
 ment of all that I know respecting the origin of Mormonism, and must beg 
 you, as a personal favour, to publish this letter immediately, should you find 
 my name mentioned again by these wretched fanatics. 
 
 " Yours respectfully, 
 
 " Charles Anthox." 
 
 This letter speaks for itself, and needs no comment. The follow- 
 ing summary of the contents of the Book of Mormon, thus strangely 
 issued into the world, is from a publication called the Voice of Warn- 
 ing^ by Parley P. Pratt, another apostle : — 
 
 " The Book of Mormon contains the history of the ancient inhabitants of 
 America, who were a branch of the house of Israel, of the tribe of Joseph ; 
 of whom \he Indians are still a remnant ; but the principal nation of them 
 
S4 THE MORMONS. 
 
 having fallen in Ivattle, in the fourth or fifth century, one of their prophets, 
 ■whose name was ^lormon, saw tit to make an abridgment of their history, 
 their prophecies, and their doctrine, which he engraved on plates, and after- 
 wards, beincj slain, the record fell into the hands of ]\u son Moroni, who, 
 heing hunted Idv his enemies, was directed to deposit the record safely in the 
 earth, with a promise from God that it should he preserved, and should be 
 brought to light in the latter days by means of a Gentile nation, who should 
 possess the land. The deposit was made about the year 420 on a hill then 
 called Cumora, now in Ontario county, where it was preserved in safety 
 until it was brought to light by no less than the ministry of angels, and 
 translated by inspiration. And the great Jehovah bore record of the same 
 to choien witnesses, who declare it to the world." 
 
 The question will be asked, could Joseph Smith, a notoriously 
 illiterate, though clever man, really write the Book of Mormon ? 
 Without pretending to state positively that Joseph Smith was not 
 the sole author of the volume, or that he was not aided by other 
 persons in its composition, we present the following short history, 
 which the American opponents of Mormonism consider to be a true 
 statement of its origin. 
 
 It is stated by them that, in the year 1809, a man of the name of 
 Solomon Spaulding, who had formerly been a clergyman, failed in 
 business at a place called Cherry Yale, in the State of New York. 
 Being a person of literary tastes, and his attention having been 
 directed to the notion which at that time excited some interest and 
 discussion, namely, that the Xorth American Indians were the de- 
 scendants of the lost ten tribes of Israel, it struck him that the idea 
 afforded a good groundwork for a religious tale, history, or novel. 
 For three years he laboured upon this work, which he entitled The 
 Manuscr'qH Found. " Mormon" and his son " Moroni," who act so 
 large a part in Joseph Smith's Book' of Mormon, were two of the 
 principal characters in it. In 1812 the MS. was presented to a 
 printer or bookseller named Patterson, residing at Pittsburgh, 
 Pennsylvania, with a view to its publication. Before any satis- 
 factory arrangement could be made, the author died, and the ma- 
 nuscript remained in the possession of Mr. Patterson, apparently 
 unnoticed and uncared for. The printer also died in 1826, having 
 ]>reviously lent the manuscript to one Sidney Rigdon, a compositor 
 in his employ, who was at the time a preacher in connection with 
 some Christian sect, of which the proper designation is not very clearly 
 stated. This Rigdon afterwards became, next to Joseph Smith 
 hiirself, the principal leader of the Mormons. How Joseph Smith 
 and this person became connected is not known, and which of 
 the two originated the idea of making a new Bible out of Solomon 
 
THE BOOK OF MORMON. 25 
 
 Spaukling's novel is equally UTtcertain. Tlie wife, the partnei*, seve- 
 ral friends, and tlie brother of Solomon Spaulding, affirmed, however, 
 the identity of the principal portions of the Booli of Mormon with the 
 novel of The Manuscript Found, which the author had from time to 
 time, and in separate portions, read over to them. John Spauklin;^, 
 brother to Solomon, declared upon oath that his brother's book 
 was an historical romance of the first settlers in America, endea- 
 vourinor to show that the American Indians are the descendants of 
 Jews, or the lost ten tribes. He stated that it gave a detailed account 
 of their journey from Jerusalem by land and by sea, till they arrived 
 in America under the command of Xephi and Lehi ; and that it also 
 mentioned the Lamanites. He added that " he had recently read the 
 Book of Mormon, and, to his great surprise, he found nearly the same 
 historical matter and names as in his brother's writings. To the best 
 of his recollection and belief, it was tlie same that his brother Solomon 
 wrote, with the exception of the religious matter." 
 
 The widow of Solomon Spaulding afterwards mamed a Mr. 
 Davison ; and a statement, purjiorting to have been made by her in the 
 following words, was published in a Boston newspaper in May, 1809 : — 
 
 "As the Book of Mormon, or Golden Bible (as it was originally called) has 
 excited mnc-h attention, and is deemed by a certain new sect of equal authority 
 with the Sacred Scriptures, I think it a duty which I owe to the public to state 
 what I know touching its origin. 
 
 " That its claims to a divine origin are wholly unfounded needs no proof 
 to a mind unpervei'ted by the grossest delusions. That any sane person should 
 rank it higher than any other merely human composition is a matter of the 
 greatest astonishment ; yet it is received as divine by some who dwell in en- 
 lightened Xew England, and even by those who have sustained the character 
 of devoted Christians. Learning recently that Mormonism had found its way 
 into a church in ]\hissachusetts, and has impregnated some with its gross de- 
 lusions, so that excommunication has been necessary, I am determined to delay 
 no longer in doing what I can to strip the mask from this mother of sin, and 
 to lay open this pit of abominations. 
 
 " Solomon Spaulding, to whom I was united in marriage in early life, was 
 a graduate of Dartmouth college, and was distinguished for a Tn-ely imagina- 
 tion, and a great fondness for history. At the time of our marrige, he resided 
 in Cherry Valley, New York. Prom this place we removed to Xew Salem, 
 Ashtabula County, Ohio, sometimes called Conncaut, as it is situated on Con- 
 neaut Creek. Shortly after our removal to this place, his health sunk, and he 
 was laid aside from active labours. In the town of New Salem there are nu- 
 merous mounds and forts supposed by many to be the dilapidateil dwellings 
 and fortifications of a race now extinct. These ancient relics arrest the atten- 
 tion of the new settlers, and become objects of research for the curious. Nu- 
 merous implements were found, and other articles evincing gi'eat skill in the 
 
26 TITE MOKMONS. 
 
 arts. Mr. Spaulding being an educated man, and passionately fond of history, 
 took a lively interest in these developments of antiquity ; and in order to be- 
 guile the houis of retirement, and furnish employment for his lively imagina- 
 tion, hf conceived the idea of giving an historical sketch of this long lost race. 
 Their extreme antiquity led him to write in the most ancient style, and as the 
 Old Testament is the most ancient book in the world, he imitated its style as 
 nearly as possible. His sole object in writing this imaginary history was to 
 amuse himself and his neighbours. This was about the year 1812. Hull's 
 surrender at Detroit occurred near the same time, and I recollect the date well 
 from that circumstance. As he progressed in his narrative, the neighbours 
 would come in from time to time to hear portions read, and a great interest in 
 the work was excited among them. It claimed to have been written by one 
 of the lost nation, and tohaveb(-en recovered from the earth, and assumed the 
 title of 'Manuscript Found.' The neighbours would often inquire how Mr. 
 Spaulding progressed in deciphering the manuscript ; and when he had a suf- 
 ficient portion prepared, he would inform them, and they would assemble to 
 hear it read. He was enabled, from his acquaintance with the classics and 
 ancient history, to introduce many singular names, which were particularly 
 noticed by the people, and could be easily recognised by them. Mr. Solomon 
 Spaulding had a brother, Mr. John Spaulding, residing in the place at the time, 
 who was perfectly familiar with the work,, and repeatedly beard the whole of 
 it read. From New Salem we removed to Pittslairgh, in Pennsylvania. Here 
 Mr. Spauliling found a friend and acquaintance, in the person of Mr. Patterson, 
 an editor of a newspaper. He exhibited his manuscript to Mr. Patterson, who 
 was very much pleased with it, and borrowed it for perusal. He retained it for 
 along time, and informal Mr. Spaulding that if he would make out a title-page 
 and prefiice, he would publish it, and it might be a source of profit. This Mr. 
 SpauUling refused to do. Sidney Kigdcm, who has figured so largely in the 
 history of the Mormons, was at that time connected with the printing-office of 
 Mr. Patterson, as is well known in that region, and, as Rigdon himself has 
 frequently stated, became acquainted with ]\Ir. Spaidding's manuscript, and 
 copied it. It was a matter of notoriety and interest to all connected with 
 the printing establishment. At length the manuscript was returned to its 
 author, and soon after we removed to Amity, Washington county, &c., where 
 jMr. Spaulding deceased in 1816. The manuscript then fell into my hands, 
 and was carefully preserved. It has frequently been examined by my daughter 
 Mrs. M 'Kenstry, of Monson, Massachusetts, with whom I now reside, and by 
 other friends. 
 
 "After the Book of j\Iormon came out, a copy of it was taken to New Sa- 
 lem, the place of Mr. Spaulding's former residence, and the very place where 
 the * Manuscript Found' was written. A woman preacher appointed a meeting 
 there ; and in the meeting read and repeated copious extracts from the book of 
 Mormon. The historical part was immediately recognised by all the older 
 inhabitants, as the identical work of Mr. Spaulding, in which they had all been 
 so deeply interested years before. Mr. John Spaulding was present and re- 
 cognised perfectly the work of his brother. He was amazed and afflicted that 
 
THE BOOK OF ?*fORMOX. 27 
 
 itsliould have been pervei'ted to so wicked a purpose. His grief found vent 
 in a flood of tears, ai.d he arose on the spot, and expressed to the meeting;- his 
 sorrow and I'egret that the writings of his deceased brother should be used for 
 a purpose so vile and shocking. The excitement in Xew Salem became so 
 gi-eat, that the inhabitants had a meeting, and deputed Dr. Philastus Hurlbut, 
 cue of their number, to repair to this place, and to obtain from me the original 
 manuscript of Mr. Spaulding, for the purpose of <;omparing it with the Mor- 
 mon Bible, to satisfy their own minds, and to prevent their friends from em- 
 bracing an error so delusive. This was in the year 1834. Dr. Hurlbut 
 brought with him an introduction and request for the manuscript, whioJi was 
 signed by Messrs. Henry Lake, Aaron Wright, and others, with all of whom I 
 was acquainted, as they were my neighbours when I resided at Xew Salem. 
 I am sure that nothing would grieve my husband more, were he living, than 
 the use whidi has been made of his work. The air of antiquity which wa'? 
 thrown about the composition doubtless suggested the idea of converting it 
 to the purposes of delusion. Thus, an historical romance, with the addition 
 of a few pious expressions, and extracts from the sacred Scriptm-es, has been 
 construed v:tc> a new Bible, and palmed off upon a company of poor deluded 
 fanatics as Divine. I have given the previous brief narration, that this work 
 of deep deception and wickedness may be searched to the foundation, and the 
 authors exposed to the contempt and execration they so justly deserve. 
 
 "Matilda Davison." 
 
 The Dr. Hiu-lbut mentioned in Mrs, Davison's statement was 
 once a believer in Joseph Smith, and a member of the church. 
 According to his own account, he seceded, because his eyes were 
 opened to the imposture and delusion of which he had been the 
 victim. According to the Mormon account, he was expelled for adul- 
 tery and other immorality. With this preface, the following coarse 
 denial of Mrs. Davison's statement, and fierce denunciation of Dr. 
 Harlbut, will be intelligible. The denial was made by Sidney Rig- 
 don, who was himself accused of being the principal agent of the 
 fraud, and was addressed, on the 27th of May, 1839, to the editors 
 of the Boston Juurnal. It will be seen from the tone and spirit, no 
 less than from the grammatical construction of the letter, that Sidney 
 Rigdon, although a compositor, was by no means so well educated as 
 the bulk of his fellow-workmen in that intellectual branch of mecha- 
 nical industry, and that his literary abilities were of the meanest 
 order : — 
 
 " Commerce, May 27, 1839. 
 " Messrs. Bartlett and'SuLLiVAX, — Tn your paper of the 18th instant, T 
 see a letter signed by somebody calling herself Matilda Davison, pretending 
 to give the origin of Mormonism, as she is pleased to call it, by relating a 
 moonshine story about a certain Solomon Spaulding, a creature with the 
 knowledge of whose earthly existence I am entirely indebted to this produe- 
 
28 THE moe:\[oxs, 
 
 tion ; for surely, until Doctor Philastus Hurlbut informed me that snch a 
 being lived, at pome former period, I had not- the most distant knowledge of 
 his existence ; and all I now know about his character is, the opinion I form 
 from what is attributed to his w-ife, in obtruding my name upon the public 
 in the manner in which she is said to have done it, by trying to make the 
 public believe that I had knowledo^e of tlie ignorant, and, according to her 
 own testimony, the lying scribblings of her deceased husband ; for if her 
 testimony is to be credited, her pious husband, in his lifetime, wrote a bundle 
 of lies, for the righteous purpose of getting money. How many lies he had 
 told for the same purpose wdiile he was preaching, she has not so kindly in- 
 formed us ; bpt we are at liberty to draw our own conclusions, for he that 
 •would write lies to get mone}', would also preach lies for the same object. 
 This being the only information which I have, or ever had, of the said Eev. 
 Solomon Spaulding, I, of necessity, have but a very light opinion of him as 
 a gentleman, a scholar, or a man of piety ; for had he have been either, he 
 certainly would have taught his pious wife not to lie, nor unite herself with 
 adulterers, liars, and the basest of mankind. 
 
 " It is only necessary to say, in relation to the whole story about Spauld- 
 ing's writings being in the hands of Mr. Patterson, who was in Pittsburgh, 
 and who is said to have kept a printing-office, and my saying that I was con- 
 cerned in the said office, &c., &c., is the most base of lies, without even the 
 shadow of truth. There was no man by the name of Patterson, during my 
 residence at Pittsburgh, who had a printing office ; what might have been 
 before I lived there, I know not. ]\Ir. Robert Patterson, I was told, had owned 
 a printing office before I lived in that city, but had been unfortunate in busi- 
 ness, and failed before my residence there. 'J'his Mr. Patterson, who was a 
 Presbyterian preacher, I had a very slight acquaintance with during my resi- 
 dence in Pittsburgh. He was then acting under an agency, in the book and 
 stationery business, and was the owner of no property of any kind, printing 
 office or anything else, during the time I resided in the cit}'. 
 
 " If I were to say that I ever heard of the Ptcv. Solomon Spaulding and 
 his hopeful wife, until Dr. P. Hurlbut wrote his lie about me, I should be a liar 
 like unto themselves. Why was not the testimony of j\Ir. Patterson obtained 
 to give force to this shameful tale of lies? The only reason is, that he was 
 not a tit tool for them to work with ; he would not lie for them, for if he were 
 called on he would testify to what I have here said. 
 
 "Let me here, Gentlemen, give a history of this Dr. P. Hurlbut and his 
 a.ssociates, who aided in getting up and propagating this batch of lies. 
 
 " I have seen and heard, at one time and another, by the persecutors and 
 liaters of the truth, a great deal about the eminent physician, Dr. Hurlbut. I 
 never thought the matter wort) ly of notice, nor probably ever should, had it 
 rot made its appeai-ance in your paper, or some one of equal respectabilit}'. 
 And I believe, (xentlemen, had you known the whole history of this budget 
 of lies, it would never have found a place in your paper. But to my his- 
 tory. 
 
 " This said Doctor was never a physician at any time, nor an} thing else but 
 
THE BOOK OF MORMON, 29 
 
 a base ruffian. He was the seventh son, and his parents called him Doctor : 
 it was his name, and not the title of his profession. 
 
 " He once belonged to the jMethodisi church, and was excluded for immo- 
 ralities. He afterwards imposed himself on the church of Latter-da}' Saints, 
 and was excluded for using obscene language to a young lady, a member of 
 the said chm-ch, who resented his insult with indignation, which became both 
 her character and profession. 
 
 " After his ex.clusion he swore — for he was vilely profane — that he would 
 have revenge, and commenced his work. He soon found assistance ; a pious 
 old deacon of the Campbellite church, by the name of Onis Clapp, and his two 
 sons, Thomas J. Clapp and Matthew S. Clapp, both Campbellite preachers, 
 abetted and assisted by another Campbellite preacher by the name of Adamson 
 Bentley. Hurlbut went to work, catering lies for the company. Before Hurl- 
 but got through, his conduct became so scandalous that the company utterly 
 refused to let his name go out with the lies he had collected, and which he and 
 his associates had made, they therefore substituted the name of E. D. Howe. 
 The change, however, was not nuich better. There were scandalous immo- 
 ralities about the Howe family of so black a character, that they had nothing 
 to lose, and became good tools for this holy company to work with. A man 
 of character would never have put his name to a work which Hurlbut was 
 concerned in. But while Hurlbut was busily employed in the service of the 
 company, old Deacon Clapp was employed in taking care of his wife. How 
 many others of the com])any aided in this business must be left to futiu-ity to 
 disclose. At a certain time, Hurlbut being out till a late hour in the night, 
 returned to his liouse, and in going to his bed-room where his wife was, be- 
 hold, and lo ! there was the pious old deacon, either in bed with his wife or at 
 the side of it. He had a five-dollar bank note in his hand, and his dress was 
 rather light to suit the Doctor's taste, for he was not quite as well off as was 
 Aaron when he offered sacrifice, not even having on a pair of ' linen breeehes.' 
 Hurlbut laid hold of him and called lor help, which soon came to his assist- 
 ance. The pious old deacon was arraigned before a justice of the peace, and 
 was on the eve of being bound over for his appearance to the county court, 
 when, to put an end to the evils which might result from his pious care of 
 Mrs. Hurlbut, he kindly offt-red a yoke of oxen and a hundred dollars. This 
 was accepted. Hurlbut took his wife, and left the country forthwith ; and the 
 pious old deacon and his sons, and the good Mr. Bentley, are left to wear out 
 the shame of their great effort to destroy the character of innocent men whom 
 .they never dare meet in argument. The tale in your paper is one hatched up 
 by this gang before the time of their explosion. 
 
 " It has always been a source of no ordinary satisfaction to me to know 
 that my enemies have no better weapon to use against me, or the cause in 
 which I am engaged, than lies ; for if they had any better they would cer- 
 tainly use them. I must confess, however, that there is some consistency in 
 our persecutors, for as truth can never destroy truth, it would be in vain lor 
 our persecutors to use truth against us, for this would only build us up ; this 
 they seem to know, and lay hold of the only available means they have, which 
 
30 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 fire lies : and this indeed is the onl}' weapon which can be, or ever has been, 
 used against the truth. As our persecutors are endeavouring to stop the pro-* 
 gress of truth, I must confess that they act with a degree of consistency in the 
 choice of means, namely, lies ; but if truth would do it, they would surely not 
 have recourse to lies. 
 
 "In order to give character to thfir lies, they dress them up with a great 
 deal of piety : for a pious lie, you know, has a great deal more influence with 
 an ignorant peojtle, than a profane one. Hence their lies came signed by the 
 pious wife of a pious deceased priest. However, his last act of piety seems to 
 have been to write a bundle of lies, themselves being witnesses ; but then his 
 great piety sanctifies them^ and lies become holy things in the hands of such 
 excessive piety, particulaily when they are graced with a few Reverends; but 
 the days have gone by when people are to be deceived by these false glossings 
 of Reverend's sanctions ; the intelligent part of the communities of all parts 
 of the country, know that Reverends are not more notorious for truth than 
 their neighbours. 
 
 "The only reason Avhy I am assailed by lies is, that my opposers dare 
 not adventure on argument, knowing that if they do they fall. They try, 
 therefore, to keep the public from investigating, by publishing and circulating 
 falsehoods. This I consider a high encomium on both myself and the cause I 
 defend. Respectlully, 
 
 "S. RiGDON." 
 
 We believe that upon this evidence the question of the authorship 
 of the original romance on which the Book of Mormon \vas founded, 
 will be decided by the reader in favour of Solomon Spaulding. As 
 regards the Booh of Mormon itself, JGsei)h Smith and the vulgar and 
 abusive Sidney Rigdon seem to have acted in concert in its concoction 
 from materials thus provided for them. The religious matter de- 
 rived from the Old and New Testaments is engrafted upon the origi- 
 nal romance in a manner that shows the ignorant and the illiterate 
 workman. Such phrases as the following are of frequent occur- 
 rence : — " Ye are like unto they" — " Do as ye hath hitherto done" — 
 "I — the Lord delighteth in the chastity of women" — " I saith unto 
 them" — I who ye call your King"—" These things had not ought 
 to be" — "Ye saith unto him" — " For a more history part are wiitten 
 upon my other plates." Anachronisms are also frequent ; hut all 
 errors of grammar, all anachronisms, all contradictions, are admitted 
 by the Mormons. They allege that the Old and New Testaments 
 contain ungranimatical passages, and yet are holy, and the undoubted 
 word of God ; and that anachronisms and contradictions do not mili- 
 tate against the plenary ins|)iration either of the Bible or of the Book 
 of Mormon. They acknowledge all possible faults and objections 
 Avhich mere critics may start; but treat them as of no account. 
 Joseph Smith, they say, was the chosen vessel of grace, and it was 
 
THE BOOK OF MOEMON. 31 
 
 not necessary, in the inscrutable purposes of the Lord, that he should 
 write or S{ieak correct Encrlish ; or that he should not make a few- 
 human mistakes in his rendering of the divine word. All such objec- 
 tions they laugh to scorn. 
 
 Joseph Smith, who, on all occasions of doubt, silenced the unin- 
 formed, and amazed the educated, by the boldness of his own self- 
 sufficiency, and the boundless resources of his impudence, was often 
 asked, both by friends and foes, the meaning of the word " Mormon." 
 The following reply, as published in a letter to the editor of the 
 Times and Seasons, is highly characteristic : — 
 
 " SiE, — Through the medium of your paper, I wish to correct au error 
 among men that profess to be learned, liberal, and wise ; and I do it the 
 more cheerfully, because I hope sober-thinking and sound-reasoning people 
 will sooner listen to the voice of truth, than be led astray by the vain preten- 
 sions of the self-wise. The error I speak of is the definition of the word 
 * Mormon.' It has been stated that this word was derived from the Greek 
 word jnormo. This is not the case. There was no Greek or Latin upon the 
 plates from which I, through the grace of God, translated the Book of Mor- 
 mon. Let the language of that book speak for itself On the 523rd page 
 of the fourth edition, it reads : — ' And now behold we have written the record 
 according to our knowledge in the characters which are called among us the 
 Eeformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us according to our 
 manner of speech ; and if our plates were sufficiently large, we should have 
 written in Hebrew. Behold ye would have had no imperfections in our 
 record, but the Lord knoweth the things which v,e have written, and also, 
 that none other people knoweth our language; therefore he hath prepared 
 means for the interpretation thereof. 
 
 "Here, then, the subject is put to silence, for 'none other people knoweth 
 our language ;' therefore the Lord, and not man, hath to interpret, after the 
 people were all dead. And, as Paul said, ' the world by wisdom know not 
 God,* and the world by speculation are destitute of revelation ; and as God, 
 in his superior wisdom, has always given his saints, wherever he had any on 
 the earth, the same spirit, and that spirit (as John says) is the true spirit of 
 prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, I may safely say that the word 
 ]\Iorraon stands independent of the learning and wisdom of this generation. 
 Before I give a definition, however, to the word, let me say that the Bible, in its 
 v/idcst si use, means good ; for the Saviour says, according to the Gospel of St. 
 John, 'I am the good shepherd;' and it will not be beyond the common use 
 of terms to say, that good is amongst the most important in use, and though 
 known by various names in different langunges, still its meaning is the same, 
 and is ever in opposition to bad. We say from the Saxon, good ; the Dane, 
 god; the Goth, goda ; the German, gut; the Dutch, goed ; the Latin, bonus; 
 the Greek kalos ; the Hebrew, tob ; and the Egyptian, mon. Hence, with the 
 addition of more, or the contraction mor, we have the word Mormon, which 
 means, literally, more good. Yours, JosErn Smith." 
 
JOSEPH SMITH. HYRUM SMITH. 
 
 (From the busts by Galiag-aii.) 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Book of Doctrines and Covenants; or, the "Revelations" of Joseph 
 Smith — Mormon Hymns and Poems— Materialism— The Aaromc and 
 Melchisedkk Priesthood — Confession of Faith— Mormon Claims to 
 WORK Miracles and to cast out Devils— Scenes in Leamington and 
 Wales. 
 
 In addition to the Booh of Mormon, Joseph Smith origiaatetl and 
 partly composed a book of Doctrines and Covenants ^ purporting to 
 be direct revelations from heaven upon the temporal government 
 of their church, the support of the poor, the tithing or taxation of 
 the members, the establishment of cities and temples, the allotment 
 of lands, the emigration of the " saints, "the education of the people, 
 the gathering of moneys, and other matters. This book abounds in. 
 grammatical inaccuracies, even to a greater extent than the Book of 
 Mormon : — " God, that knowest thy thoughts" — "a literal descendant 
 of Aaron" — " an hair of his head shall not fall" — " your Father who 
 art in heaven knoweth" — " and the spirit and the body is the soul of 
 man" — " the stars also giveth their light as they roll upon their wings 
 in glory" — " her who sitteth upon many waters" — "thou shalt not 
 covet thine own pro])erty, but impart it freely to the printing of the 
 Book of Mormon" — form but a sample of hundreds of similar phrases 
 that might be culled, were it worth while. A few specimens of 
 
JOSEPH S " REVELATLONS." 33 
 
 tlie kind of ''Revelations," and of the style in which Joseph Smith 
 represented the Almighty as speaking to him in his early revelations, 
 will show what men will assert and believe under the influence of 
 fanaticism. The following is part of a revelation purporting to have 
 been given by Jesus Christ, in February, 1831. In these revelations 
 God the Father and God the Son are invariably represented as giving 
 Joseph his proper designation of Smith., junior, that he might not be 
 mistaken for his father, Joseph Smith, senior : — 
 
 • ' Hearken, oh ye elders of my church, who have assembled yourselves to- 
 gether in my name, even Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, the Saviour 
 of the world. Behold, verily I say unto you, I give unto you this first com- 
 mandment, that you shall go forth in my name, every one of you, except my 
 servants, Joseph Smith, jun., and Sidney Eigdon. ... If there shall be 
 properties in the hands of the church, or any individuals of it, more than is ne- 
 cessary for their support, it shall be kept to administer to those who have not." 
 
 The following is part of a revelation given to Joseph Smith in 
 March, 1829, when Martin Harris desired to see the golden plates, 
 and before he was deluded with the paper transcript, which he 
 showed to Professor Anthon. It will be seen that Joseph was not at 
 a loss to parry the inconvenient curiosity of his then doubting, but 
 afterwards faithful, disciple : — 
 
 " Behold I say unto you, that as my servant Martin Harris has desired a 
 witness at my hand that you my servant, Joseph Smith, jun., have got the 
 plates of which you have testified and borne record that you have received of 
 me; and now, behold, this shall you say unto him — 'He who spake unto you 
 saidunto you, I the Lord am God, and have given those things unto you, my 
 servant, Joseph Smith, jun., and have commanded you that you should stand 
 as a witness of these things ; and I have caused you that you should enter into a 
 covenant with me that you should not show them except to those persons that I com- 
 manded you ; and you have no power over them except I grant it you' . . And 
 now again I speak unto you my servant Joseph, concerning the man that de- 
 nies the witness. Behold, I say unto him, he exalts himself, and does not suf- 
 ficiently humble himself before me. But if he will bow down before me, and 
 humble himself in mighty prayer and faith, in the sincerity of his heart, then 
 will I grant unto him a view of the things which he desires to see." 
 
 Poor Martin Harris never got the promised glimpse of the plates. 
 He did not behave himself properly ; and Joseph found an opportu- 
 nity to reprimand and quarrel with him. But, in fact, Joseph and 
 his principal assistant, Sidney Rigdon, appear to have quarrelled 
 with all the "witnesses." The first witness to the truth of this 
 Booh of Mormon was declared by Smith himself, in a revelation given 
 in November, 1831, to be unfit to be trusted with " moneys :" — 
 
 c 
 
34 THE MORMONS. 
 
 " Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, for my servant Oliver Cow- 
 dery's sake. It is not wisdom in me that he should be entrusted with the 
 commandments, and the moneys which he shall carry into the land of Zion, 
 except one go with him who shall he true and faithful." 
 
 In a paper drawn up by Sidney Rigdon in June, 1838, when the 
 ^reat schism took place in the church, which led to the secession of 
 Dr. Hurlbut, and the exposure made by Mrs. Davison, it is stated 
 that Oliver CoAvdery, David Wbitmer, and another, were united with 
 a gang of ** counterfeiters, thieves, liars, and blacklegs of the deepest 
 dye, to deceive, cheat, and defraud the saints." Martin Harris, the 
 last of the three, is spoken of, at the time of the schism, by Joseph 
 himself, in the following terms, in a paper called the ^/fZ^r's Journal: 
 — " There are negroes who wear white skins, as well as black ones. 
 Grames Parish and others who acted as lackies, such as Martin 
 Harris, &c., but they are so far beneath contempt that a notice of 
 them would be too great a sacrifice for a gentleman to make." 
 
 While, by means of "Revelations," those who were not longer to 
 be trusted were pointed out to the notice and condemnation of true 
 believers, Joseph Smith took care to have special " revelations" upon 
 matters relating to his own comfort. "It is meet," says a " revela- 
 tion" of the Lord in February, 1831, "that my servant Joseph 
 Smith, jun., should have a house built, in which to live and trans- 
 late." A second "revelation" of the same month says : " If ye desire 
 the mysteries of my kingdom, provide for him (Joseph Smith, jun.) 
 food and raiment, and whatsoever thing he needeth." I^or was 
 Joseph, according to the "revelations," to labour for his living. "In 
 temporal labours," says another "revelation" of July, 1830, "thou 
 shalt not have strength, for that is not thy calling. Attend to thy 
 calling, and thou shalt have wherewith to magnify thine office, and 
 to expound all scriptures," 
 
 In a revelation given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, in De- 
 cember, 1830, when the scheme was yet in its first infancy, the Lord 
 is represented as saying : — 
 
 "Behold, verily, verily, I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked 
 upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers, and prepared thee for 
 a great work. Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold 
 thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and before 
 Elijah, which should come, and thou knew it not. Thou didst baptize by 
 water unto repentance, but thou receivedst not the Holy Ghost ; but now I 
 give unto thee a commandment, that thou shalt baptize by water, and they 
 shall receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, even as the 
 apostles of old. 
 
Joseph's "REvsLATroxs." 35 
 
 "And it shall come to pass, that there shall he a great work iu the land, 
 even among the Gentiles : for their folly and their ahominations shall be made 
 manifest in the eyes of all people ; for I am God, and mine arm is not short- 
 ened, and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe 
 in my name. And whoso shall ask in my name, in mith, they shall cast out 
 devils, they shall heal the sick, they shall cause the blind to receive their 
 sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk ; 
 and the time speedily cometh, that great things are to be shown forth unto 
 the children of men ; but without faith shall not anything be shown forth, 
 except desolations upon Babylon — the same which has made all nations drink 
 of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And there are none that doeth 
 good, except those who are ready to receive the fulness of my Gospel, which I 
 have sent forth to this generation. 
 
 "Wherefore, I have called upon the weak things of the world — those who 
 are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my spirit : 
 and their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler, 
 and I will gird up their luins, and they shall fight manfully for me, and their 
 enemies shall be under their feet ; and I will let fall the sword in their be- 
 half, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them. And the poor 
 and the meek shall have the Gospel preached unto them, and they shall be 
 looking forth for the time of my coming, for it is nigh at hand : and they 
 shall learn the parable of the fig-tree : for even now already summer is nigh, 
 and I have sent forth the fulness of the Gospel by the hand of my servant 
 Joseph : and in weakness have I blesse I him, and 1 have given unto him the 
 keys of the mystery of those things which )\ave I een sealed, even things 
 M'hich were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall 
 come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if 
 not, another will I plant in his stead. 
 
 "Wherefore, watch over him, that his faith fail not; and it shall be 
 given by the Comforter the Holy Ghost that knoweth all things : and a 
 commandment I give unto thee, that thou shalt write for him : and the Scrip- 
 tures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of 
 mine own elect ; for they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not 
 be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming, for they shall be purified, 
 even as I am pure. And now I say unto thee, tarry with him, and he shall 
 journey with you ; — forsake him not, and surely these things shall be fulfilled- 
 And inasmuch as ye do not write, behold it shall be given unto him to prophesy: 
 and thou shalt preach my Gospel, and call upon the holy prophets to prove his 
 words, as they shall be given him. Keep all the commandments and cove- 
 nants by which ye are bound, and I will cause the heavens to shake for your 
 good : and Satan shall tremble, and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flou- 
 rish : and Israel shall be saved in mine own due time. And by the keys which 
 I have given, shall they be led, and no more be confounded at all. Lift up 
 your heads and be glad : your redemption draweth nigh. Fear not, little 
 flock — the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly : even so. 
 Amen." 
 
30 THE :mormons. '^ 
 
 In another revelation, also given in December, 1880, the voice of 
 the Lord to Edward Partridge was : — 
 
 "Thus saith the Lord God, the mighty one of Israel, Behold, I say unto 
 3'on, my servant Edward, that you are blessed, and your sins are forgiven you, 
 and you are called to preach my Gospel as with the voice of a trumpet ;'^ and 
 I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Eigdon, and 
 you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which sliall 
 teach you the peaceable things of the Idngdom : and you shall declare it with 
 a loud voice, saying, Hosannah, blessed be the name of the most high God. 
 
 " And now this calling and commandment give I unto you concerning all 
 men, that as many as shall come before my servants Sidney Eigdon and 
 Joseph Smith, jun., embracing this calling and commandment, shall be ordained 
 and sent forth to preach the everlasting Gospel among the nations, crying, 
 Eepentance : saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation, and 
 come forth out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted with the flesh. 
 
 "And this commandment shall be given unto the elders of my churchy 
 that every man which will embrace it with singleness of heart, may be or- 
 dained and sent foi'th, even as I have spoken. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of 
 God : wherefore gird up your loins, and I will suddenly come to my temple : 
 even so. Amen." 
 
 An extract from one more "revelation" -will suffice for the pre- 
 sent. It purports to have been given in July, 1830, to Emma 
 Smith, the wife of Joseph, through Joseph himself: — 
 
 " The office of thy calling shall be for a comfort unto my servant Joseph 
 Smith, jun., thy husband. And thou shalt go with him at the time of his 
 going, and be unto him for a scribe, while there is no one to be a scribe for 
 him, that I may send my servant Oliver Cowdery whithersoever I will. And 
 \t shall be given to thee also to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall 
 oe given thee, which is pleasing unto me to be had in my church." 
 
 The hymn-book of Emma Smith does not appear to have been 
 published ; but a little hymn-book, containing hymns selected by 
 Erigham Young, the present head of the church, and successor of 
 Jose^di Smith, has gone through eight editions. The eighth was 
 published in Liverpool, in 1849. A few extracts will not be out of 
 place. The following hymn, which is_sometimes sung on shi[)board 
 in Liverpool prior to the departure of Mormon emigrants, is, in point 
 of literary m.erit, among the best in the volume : — 
 
 " Yes, my native land, I love thee ; 
 
 All thy scenes, I love them well : 
 Friends, connections, happy country, 
 Can I bid you all farewell ? 
 Can I leave thee, 
 Par in distant lands to dwell ? 
 
MORMON HYMNS. 37 
 
 *• Home ! thy joys are passing- lovely, 
 Joys no stranger heart can tell ; 
 Happy home ! 'tis sure I love thee, 
 Can I — can I — say 'Farewell?' 
 
 Can I leave thee, 
 Far in distant lands to dwell ? 
 
 "Holy scenes of joy and gladness 
 
 Every fond emotion swell ; 
 
 Can I banish heartfelt sadness, 
 
 While I bid my home farewell ? 
 
 Can I leave thee, 
 Far in distant lands to dwell ? 
 
 ' ' Yes ! I hasten from you gladly, 
 
 From the scenes I love so well ; 
 Far away, ye billows, bear me, 
 Lovely native land, farewell ! 
 
 Pleased I leave thee. 
 Far in distant lands to dwell. 
 
 "In the deserts let me labour, 
 
 On the mountains let me tell 
 
 How he died — the blessed Saviour, 
 
 To redeem a world from hell I 
 
 Let me hasten, 
 Far in distant lands to dwell ! 
 
 " Bear me on, thou restless ocean, 
 
 Let the winds my canvas swell ; 
 Heaves my heart with warm emotion. 
 While I go far hence to dwell I 
 
 G-lad I bid thee, 
 Native land, farewell I farewell ! " 
 
 The next is a In^mn for the Twelve Apostles, who have been ?ent 
 to different parts of Europe, to " gather" the Saints to the Salt Lake 
 A^ alley in Deseret : — 
 
 " Ye chosen twelve, to ye are given 
 
 The keys of this last ministry — 
 To every nation under heaven, 
 
 From land to land, from sea to sea. 
 
 "First to the Gentiles sound the news, 
 
 Throughout Columbia's happy land ; 
 And then before it reach the Jews, 
 
 Prepare on Europe's shores to stand. 
 
38 THR MOHMOXS. 
 
 "Let Europe's towns and cities hear 
 
 The Gospel tidings angels brtng ; 
 The Gentile nations far and near. 
 
 Prepare their hearts His praise to sing. 
 
 " India and Afrie's sultry plains 
 
 Must hear the tidings as they roll — 
 Where darkness, death, and sorrow reig>i. 
 And tyranny has held control, 
 
 "Listen ! ye islands of the sea, 
 
 For every isle shall hear the sound ; 
 Nations and tongues before unknown, 
 
 Though long since lost, shall soon l>e found. 
 
 " And then again shall Asia hear, 
 
 Where angels first the news proclaimed ; 
 Eternity slmll record bear. 
 
 And earth repeat the loud Amfen. 
 
 " The nations catch the pleasing sound, 
 
 And Jew and Gentile swell the strain, 
 Hosannah o'er the earth resound, 
 
 Messiah then will come to reign." 
 
 Many of their fugitive hymns and songs, not included in their 
 hymn-book, are adapted to popular tunes, such as " The sea, the sea, 
 the open sea ;" " Away, away to the mountain's brow," &lg. One to 
 the first-mentioned tune is inserted in the Times and Seasons, page 
 895, and commences : — 
 
 " The sky, the sky, the char blue sky. 
 Oh, how I love to gaze upon it ! 
 The upper realms of deep on high, 
 
 I wonder when the Lord begun it I" 
 
 The following additional specimens of Mormon devotional poetry 
 appear in their authorized organ, the Times and Seasons. The first 
 is sung to the tune of a pirate song by Mr. Henry Russell, called, 
 " I'm afloat, I'm afloat," and written by Miss Eliza Cook : — 
 
 " I'm a Saint, I'm a Saint, on the rchigh world wide, 
 The earth is my home, and my God is my guide ! 
 Up, up with the truth, let its power bend the knee : 
 I am sent, I am sent, and salvation is free. 
 I fear not old pri-estcraft,. its dogmas can't awe : 
 I've a chart fw to steer by, that tells me the law, — 
 And ne'er as a coward to falsehood I'll kneel. 
 While Mormon tells truth, or God's prophets reveal ! 
 
MORMON HYMNS. 39 
 
 Up, up with the truth, let its power touch the min'l, 
 And I'll warramt we'll soon leave the selfish behind. 
 Up, up with the truth, let its power bend the knee, 
 I am sent ! I am sent ! dying Bab'lon to thee, — 
 I am sent ! I am sent ! take this warning and flee. 
 
 " The arm of the tyrant fell terror may spread, 
 Yet, the' they oppose us, their strongholds we'll tread ; 
 What to us is the scorn of the selfish and vain ? 
 We have borne it before, and we'll bear it again. 
 The fire-gleaming bolts of oppression may fall, 
 And kill off the body, death can't us appal ! 
 With Heaven above us, and all Hell below, 
 Thro' the wide field of error, right onward we'll go! 
 Come on ! my brave comrades, now's the time you should speak, 
 The storm-fiend is roused from his long dreamy sleep. 
 Our watch-word, for safety in Zion, shall be, 
 I am sent ! T am sent ! dying BaVlon to thee, — 
 I am sent ! I am sent ! take this warning and flee." 
 
 But the following, to the tune of " The rose that all are praising," 
 is, perhaps, the most characteristic ; and with it we may conclude the 
 specimens of Mormon devotional poetry : — 
 
 " The G-od that others worship is not the God for me ; 
 He lias no parts nor body, and cannot hear nor see ! 
 
 But I've a God that lives above — 
 
 A God of Power and of Love — 
 A God of Eevelation— oh, that's the God for me ; 
 Oh, that's the God for me ; oh, that's the God for me ! 
 
 " A church without apostles is not the church for me ; 
 It's like a ship dismasted, afloat upon the sea ; 
 But I've a church that's always led 
 By the twelve stars round its head ; 
 A church with good foundations — oh, that's the church for me ; 
 Oh, that's the church for me ; oh, that's the church for me ! 
 
 *' A church without a prophet is not the church for me ; 
 It has no head to lead it, in it I would not be ; 
 
 But I've a church not built by man. 
 
 Cut from the mountain without hands ; 
 A church with gifts and blessings — oh, that's tlie church for me; 
 Oh, that's the church for me ; oh, that's the church for me ! 
 
 " The hope that Gentiles cherish is not the hope for me ; 
 It has no hope for knowledge, far from it I would be ; 
 
40 THE MOKMONS. 
 
 But I've an hope that will not fail, 
 
 That reaches safe within the veil ; 
 "Which hope is like an anchor — oh, that's the hope for me ; 
 Oh, that's the hope for me ; oh, that's the hope for me ! 
 
 " The heaven of sectarians is not the heaven for me ; 
 So doubtful its location, neither on land nor sea ; 
 But I've an heaven on the earth. 
 The land and home that gave me birth ; 
 A heaven of light and knowledge — oh, that's the heaven for me ; 
 Oh, that's the heaven for me ; oh, that's the heaven for me I 
 
 *' A church without a gathering is not' the church for me ; 
 The Saviours would not order it, whatever it might be ; 
 
 But I've a church that's called out. 
 
 From false traditions, fear and doubt, 
 A gathering dispensation — oh, that's the church for me ; 
 Oh, that's the church for me ; oh, that's the church for me !" 
 
 The following summary of the Mormon creed is given in their own 
 periodicals, as the recognised " faith of the latter-day salvts :" — 
 
 "We believe in Clod the eternal Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, and in 
 the Holy Ghost. 
 
 "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for 
 Adam's transgressions. 
 
 " We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be 
 saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Oospel. 
 
 " We believe that these ordinances are: — 1st, Faith in the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. 2ni], Eepentance. 3rd, Baptism by immersion for the remission of 
 sins. 4th, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit. 5th, The 
 Lord's Supper. 
 
 " We believe that men must be called of* God by inspiration, and b3' laying 
 on of hands by those who are duly commissioned to preach the Gospel, and 
 administer in the ordinances thereof. 
 
 '* We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, 
 viz., apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, &ic. 
 
 " We believe in the powers and gifis of the everlasting Gospel, viz., the 
 gift of faith, discerning of spirits, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, tongues 
 and the interpretation of tongues, wisdom, charity, brotherly love, &c. 
 
 "We believe in the Word of God recorded in the Bible ; we also believe the 
 Word of God recorded in the Book of Mormon, and in all other good books. 
 
 "We believe all that God has revealed ; all that he does now reveal ; and 
 we believe that he Avill yet reveal many more great and important things per- 
 taining to the Kingdom of God, and Messiah's second coming. 
 
 " We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of 
 the ten tribes ; that Zion will be established upon the western continent ; that 
 
CASTING OUl OF DEVILS. 41 
 
 Christ will reign personally upon the earth a thousand years ; and that the 
 earth will be renewed, and receive its paradisaical glory. 
 
 " We believe in the literal resurrection of the body, and that the dead in 
 Christ will rise firsts and that the rest of the dead live not again until the 
 thousand years are expired. 
 
 " We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the 
 dictates of our conscience unmolested, and allow all men the same privilege, 
 let them worship how or where they may. 
 
 "We believe in being subject to kings, queens, presidents, rulers, and 
 magistrates, in obeying, honouring, and sustaining the law. 
 
 " We believe in being honest, true, chaste, temperate, benevolent, virtuous^ 
 and upright, and in doing good to all men ; indeed, we may say that we fol- 
 low the admonition of Paul, we 'believe all things,' we 'hope all things,' we 
 have endured very many things, and hope to be able to ' endure all things.' 
 Everything virtuous, lovely, praiseworthy, and of good reix)rt, we seek after, 
 looking forward to the ' recompense of reward.' " 
 
 The Mormons recognise two orders of priesthood, the " Aaronic" 
 and the " Melchisedek." They are governed by a proi)het or president, 
 twelve apostles, the " seventies," and a number of bishops, high- 
 priests, deacons, elders, and teachers ; they assert, as will be seen from 
 thejast hymn, and their Confession of Faith, that the gifts of prophecy 
 and the power of working miracles have not ceased ; that Joseph 
 Smith and many other Mormons wrought miracles and cast out 
 devils ; that the end of the world is close at hand ; and that they 
 are the "saints" spoken of in the Apocalypse, who Avill reign 
 with Christ in a temporal kingdom in this world. They assert, 
 also, in more precise terms than they employ in their printed 
 " Confession of Faith," that the seat of this kingdom is to be either 
 Missouri — the place originally intended — or their present location of 
 the Great Salt Lake Valley of Deseret. They allege that their Book 
 of Mormon and the " Doctrine" and " Covenants" form the fulness of 
 the Gospel ; that they take nothing from the Old or the New Testa- 
 ment, both of Avhich they complete. They seem, however, not to have 
 formed the same ideas of God which are promulgated in the GosjjcI, 
 but to acknowledge a material deity. This idea appears in the song or 
 hymn to the tune of " I'he rose that all are ])raising," already quoted ; 
 but is stated more broadly in the Times and Seasons, and other works. 
 The following extract from the authorized documents, signed by 
 Orson Spencer, one of the apostles of the church, gives the vievrs of the 
 sect upon this and other subjects :— "In some, and indeed in many 
 respects, do we differ from some sectarian denominations. We believe 
 that God is a being who hath both body and parts, and also passions. 
 Also of the existence of the gifts, in the true church, spoken of in Paul's 
 
42 THE 3I0RM0XS. 
 
 letter to the Corinthians. I do not believe that the career of Sacred 
 Scripture was closed with the Revelation of John, but that wherever 
 God has a true church, there he makes frequent revelations of his will ; 
 and as God takes cognizance of all things, both temporal and spiritual, 
 his revelations will pertain to all things whereby his glory may be 
 promoted." 
 
 Joseph Smith is more explicit. The following passage occurs in 
 the Millennial Star, vol. vi., under the "prophet's" authority, and 
 signed with his name : — 
 
 " What is God? He is a material organised intelligence, possessing both 
 body and parts. He is in the form of a man, and is, in fact, of the same species, 
 and is a model or standard of perfection, to which man is destined to attain, 
 he being the Great Father and Head of the whole family. This being cannot 
 occupy two distinct places at once, therefore he cannot be everywhere present. 
 
 " What are Angels? They are intelligences of the human species. 
 Many of them are the offspring of Adam and Eve — of men, it is said, ' being 
 Gods, or sons of God, endowed with the same powers, attributes, and capaci- 
 ties, that their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ possess.' 
 
 " The weakest child of God, which now exists upon the earth, will pos- 
 sess more dominion, more property, more subjects, and more power and glory, 
 than is possessed hy Jesus Christ or by his Father ; while, at the same time, 
 Jesus Christ and his Father will have their dominion, kingdom, and subjects, 
 increased in proportion."* 
 
 Joseph Smith and his more immediate followers and disciples al- 
 ways laid claim to the power of working miracles. Many ludicrous 
 stories are told of the attempts made by Joseph and others, to get out 
 of difficulties with their own peo[de, after having promised too much 
 in this respect. These stories are, of course, considered false and scan- 
 dalous by the Mormons. It is neither necessary nor desirable to re- 
 produce them ; but we may select, in preference, a specimen of their 
 
 * The following extracts from Lniter'Day Saints' Catechism, or Child's Ladder, by 
 Elder David Moffatt, explain still more fully the ideas of the Mormons on this subject : — 
 " 28. What is God ? 
 He is a material intelligent personage, possessing both body and parts. 
 
 29. Could he be a being without body and parts ? 
 No. Verily, no. 
 
 30. What form is he of? 
 
 He is in the form of man, or rather man is in the form of God. 
 
 31. Where do you find these proofs ? 
 
 In the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. 
 .32. Can you piove, then, that man is in the form of God ? 
 Yes. Gen v^ 1. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him. 
 33. Can you mention the parts of his body from the Scriptures I 
 Yes. Exodus, xsxiii. 22, 23. And I will cover thee with my hand ; and I will 
 take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back parts, but my face shall not be seen. 
 
MORMON MIRACLES. 43 
 
 *' miracles," as recorded by themselves in their own publication, the 
 Millennial Star. It will answer the purpose far better than any state- 
 ment made by their opponents. In a letter addressed to Mr. Orson 
 JSpencer, and published in the Millennial Star, for August 1, 1847, the 
 writer, a Mormon, who dates from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Eng- 
 land, after detailing the attempts made to ordain oneCurrell to the Mor- 
 mon priesthood, — attempts which were defeated by the devil, says — 
 *' When we laid our hands upon' him, the devil entered him, and 
 tried to prevent us from ordaining him ; but the power of Jesus Christ 
 in the holy priesthood was stronger than the clevil, and after all the 
 endeavours of the powers of darkness to prevent us ; — in the name of 
 Jesus Christ, Ave ordained brother Richard Currell to the office of a 
 priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In conse- 
 quence of what had taken place, many came to our meeting in the 
 
 34. Can you mention any more parts of his boJij ? 
 
 Yes. Exodus, xxiv. 10. And they saw the God of Israel, and there was under 
 his feet, as it were, a paved work of a sapphire stone. 
 3-5. Did ever any man spealc face to face with God? 
 Yes. 
 
 36. To whom did he speak'? 
 To Moses. 
 
 37. Can you repeat it ? 
 
 Yes. Exodus, xxxiii. 11, And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man 
 speaketh to his friend. 
 
 38. As the God bf Hraveh possesses body and parts, doth he also possess passions ? 
 Yes. He eats, he drinks, he loves, he hates. 
 
 39. Where have you an account of his eating ? 
 
 When he appeared to his servant Abraham on the plains of Mamre. Genesis, xviii. 
 
 40. Did Abraham know that the Lord desired to eat when he appeared unto him 1 
 Yes. Genesis, xviii. 5. And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your 
 
 hearts, for therefore are ye come to your servant. 
 
 41. Can you point out the object of his love ? 
 
 Y'es. Malachi, i. 2. Was not Esau Jacob's brother, saith the Lord, yet I love Jacob. 
 
 42. What were the things of his hatred? 
 The palaces of Jacob. 
 
 13. Can you prove it ? 
 
 Fes. Amos, vi. 8. The Lord hath sworn by himself, saith the Lord of Hosts, I 
 abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces. 
 
 44. Can this Being (God) occupy two distinct places at once? 
 No. 
 
 45. Can he move from planet to planet tcitJi facility and ease ? 
 
 Yes. Genesis, xi. 5. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower 
 which the children of men builded. ■ 
 
 46. With whom did the Lord converse ? 
 With his servant Abraham. 
 
 47. Upon what things did they converse? 
 About the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. 
 
 48. Doth the Lord also reason tvlth men ? 
 
 I Yes. Isaiah, i. 18. Come let us reason together, saith the Lord." 
 
44 THE MORMONS. 
 
 evening, and paid groat attention. The scenes of the 20th of June will 
 long be remembered by us as a day of rejoicing in the glorious mani- 
 festation of the power of God, confirming the faith of the saints, and 
 spreading the sound of the Gospel further than we could have done it 
 in a long time. 
 
 *'I should inform you that when the devil found he Avas defeated 
 in brother C, he entered a sister. The devils kept coming in for seve- 
 ral hours. As fast as one lot were exi>elled, another lot entered ; at 
 one time we counted twenty-seven come out of her. When we rebuked 
 them, they would come out, but as soon returned again. How was it 
 they could acknowledge the power, and yet would damn our power, 
 damn our Gospel, and tear and bite ? The sight was awful, but it has 
 done us all good. I may as well say that the devils told us they were 
 sent some by Cain, some by Kite, Judas, Kilo, Kelo, Kalmonia, and 
 Lucifer. Some of these, they informed us, were i^residents over seven- 
 ties in hell. The last that came, previous to our going to prison, 
 told us he was Kilo, one of the presidents, and had six councillors. We 
 cast them out thirty times, and had three hundred and nineteen devils, 
 from three to thirty-seven coming out at a time. I shall feel obliged for 
 any instruction you can give me on this subject." 
 
 Another scene of the casting out of devils, related by one Daniel 
 or Dan Jones, a Welsh Saint, dating from Merthyr Tydvil, January 
 6th, 1849, is still more outrageous. Its recital in the words of the 
 principal actor will amuse the reader who feels inclined to laugh at the 
 extent of human folh% while it may sadden those who are more disposed 
 to grieve at and deplore the fanaticism, which defies the common 
 sense and common decency of mankind. The story occurs in the 
 eleventh volume of the Millennial Star, pages 39 and 40 : — 
 
 " In the afternoon of the 21st of December, 1848, the power of 
 God and also the Power of Darkness, showed' a wide and marvellous 
 contrast. Whilst I was describing the beauties of Zion, together 
 with the importance of building up there a temple to the Most 
 High God, and the resulting consequences thereof to the Saints' 
 glory and the overthrow of Babylon, the Prince of Darkness thought 
 that I was getting to be too traitorous in the midst of his dominions. 
 He could not bear such good and powerful truths, so he sent a legion 
 of evil spirits into the hall at that time, as though he was deter- 
 mined with one grand rally to storm bur little fortress, and demo- 
 lish our citadel with impunity. In five minutes after their arrival, 
 which was seen by some, three females were possessed, and many more 
 nearly as bad. However, I perceived the enemy's design, and having 
 command of the post, I lost no time in returning him a heavy broad- 
 side with the artilleries of heaven, by commanding every evil spirit in 
 
CAPTAIN DAN JONES AND THE DEVILS. 45 
 
 the place to depart in the name of Jesus Christ, which was responded 
 to by all the audience with such powerful Aniens ! that the neigh- 
 bours thought it thundered, and all the devils, except three, run away 
 in a fright ; and the echoes opened the windows of heaven, so that the 
 power of God was felt and seen by all others in the place, and some of 
 our worst persecutors, having come there with evil intent, confessed 
 that God was with us, and shouted Amen as loud as any. There were 
 hundreds of young Saints who had never witnessed the like, and who 
 were rather timid, which caused me to maintain the platform for more 
 than an hour, to teach them the wiles of^the devil, and to encourage 
 them to be brave in the»power of God. In the meantime I had sent 
 some elders to those possessed, to rebuke the spirits, who were all 
 this time making the loudest noise with me and each other, calling 
 out — ' Old Captain have you -come to trouble us ? D-- d old Cap- 
 tain, we will hold you a battle.' Alany other expressions used would 
 be indecent to utter, and others useless, I suppose ; but some spoke 
 English through one that knew no English of herself, and revealed 
 many mysteries ; others spoke in tongues, praying for a reinforcement 
 of their kindred spirits, and chiding some dreadfully by name, such 
 as Borona, Menta, Philo, &lc., for not obeying their manrlates with 
 greater alacrity and courage. The spirits left one of the three females 
 at the first rebuke, but the othei*s cursed all the elders, calling man}'- 
 by names with which the females were totally unacquainted. They 
 said they were at Carthage in the slaughter of the prophets ; we com- 
 pelled them to acknowledge the authority of the priesthood, loudly, to 
 the astonishment of all. Tliey swore that they would not depart without 
 * Old Brigham Young, from America, would come ;— that they would 
 have to obey him ; but that they held an office higher than any others. ' I 
 questioned one of them on that, ' whether he had ever possessed any other 
 person in Wales ?' * Yes, very many I ' was the reply. I asked, ' Did 
 you ever leave oneunless compelled?' Ilareplied, ' No ; norwill I gofrom 
 here either.' Then I rebuked him for telling a falsehood, inasmuch as 
 that Brigham Young had never visited Wales, and that he had better 
 business than to come and wait on such beings as him ; at which he 
 sneered and laughed, that echoed through the hall and alarmed many ; 
 at the same time, the streets were crowded with strangers and police- 
 men, drawn there by the noise, and shortly the whole town was in an 
 uproar, like Ephesus of old. They derided us shamefully for our dis- 
 appointment in our expectation of the ' Old Apostle to the Conference.' 
 But enough of this comedy ; I must hasten to more important subjects 
 lest I weary your patience, for I have much more to say ; I will only 
 add the sequel, which was asfollow3 : — Having understood that these 
 two females had been frequently possessed elsewhere, had the spirits 
 
46 
 
 THE MORMOx\S. 
 
 rebuked out of them as frequently by the power of the priesthood, and 
 again giving way to them, and living in transgression., I found out the 
 reason vrhy the spirits assured us so often ' that they had a right to 
 them, and that they (the females) had broken their covenant.' The 
 instructions of our beloved brother Hyde to me, * to cut off such after 
 the third offence,' came forcibly to my mind, the which, before I 
 uttered it, the evil spirits told loud enough to all, which, together with 
 many other instances which they gave vent to, prove, to a demonstra- 
 tion, that these spirits have a way of knowing one's mind. The s})Irits 
 said we could not cast them out, because some doubted in their minds ; 
 and one of them told me to my face, in a harsh voice, * You doubt 
 yourself;' which was too true, because that I saw the Lord had no 
 alternative under the circumstances, but either to turn a deaf ear to 
 our prayers, or disregard the council of Brother Hyde ; and I was 
 pretty confident that he would do the former, though to our great an- 
 noyance and mortification for the time. I had not understood all about 
 these females at that time, or I would have ciiosen another and surer 
 method. The next thing I did was to close the meeting, and call the 
 elders together with the females (who Avere all this time biting, kicking, 
 and swearing, most awfully, and being held by men), and explain to 
 them the principle above alluded to ; and when I proposed to cut the 
 females off from the Church, all agreed to it ; and after laughing, de- 
 riding, and saying that that was what they wanted, the spirits left them 
 both in less than five minutes ; so that the females recovered them- 
 selves, and went home without any inconvenience. On their way home 
 they were informed that they had been excommunicated, which they 
 had not previously understood, though done over their heads, and they 
 both wept bitterly. 
 
 "In that night's meeting our hall was more crowded than before, 
 if possible, and I took the liberty to show the cunning craft of the 
 devil ; to caution the Saints not to give a place for evil spirits by trans- 
 gression, and made an example of the foregoing, to prove to the world 
 that the very devils incarnate testified to the divinity of this Church and 
 Gospel, and that the evil spirits had given the ' Old Captain' such a 
 strong testimony and good recommendation as their inveterate foe. I 
 had the satisfaction to know that even the devils, by this affair, had 
 done much good to the Saints and sinners, proving that * all things 
 work together for good to those that love the Lord ;' and this affair, 
 too ! During all this time the spirit had led one of the females back, 
 though late, but the place was too crowded for her to get inside, and 
 he kept her running about the streets in front of our hall, shrieking, 
 cursing, barking, and howling the most hideous noises imaginable, 
 which at times penetrated the assembly, but failed to get inside, so 
 
MORMON Miracles. 47 
 
 that we had a glorious meethig in despite of him and all his legions ; 
 and after speaking with my whole strength for seven hours and a half, 
 with but little cessation, I closed the meeting, and disbanded our noble 
 battalion, fully determined to he more valiant than ever." 
 
 The familiarity with which fanatics of all kinds speak of the Supreme 
 Being, Avas never more grossly displayed than in this recital. The 
 profanity of Mr. Dan Jones would be ludicrous, if it were not shocking, 
 when he asserts that he remonstrated for seven hours and a half with the 
 devils, and that he knew the Lord had no alternative but to act under 
 such and such circumstances in such and such a manner. But such a 
 spectacle is, after all, more calculated to excite pity than indignation. 
 
 From a mass of instances cited by the Mormons, in proof of their 
 possession of the gift of miraculous healing, a very few will suffice. A 
 preacher of the name of Westwood, writing in the first number of the 
 eleventh volume of the Millennial Star, says : — " A woman in the Wes- 
 leyan connexion, h}'' the name of Richardson, who has had a running 
 disease of the legs for some years, heard me preach once ; she told her 
 friends she was sure I was a servant of the Lord, and such was her 
 faith, that if she could but touch me, she should be healed. She ob- 
 tained her desire, and is healed of her disease. Still she has not obeyed 
 the Gospel, but has turned round, jDersecuting those who would obey ; 
 and those who witness the miracle of healing, imbibe the same spirit 
 as in the days of Christ, when they said, ' He casteth out devils by 
 Beelzebub, the prince of devils.' " 
 
 Another Mormon preacher of the name of Nibley, dating from Hud- 
 dersfield, December 12th, 1848, says in the same publication : — " On 
 Sunday the 3rd of December, at three o'clock in the afternoon, I was 
 seized with cholera of a most virulent kind : bowel complaint, vomit- 
 ing, and cramp, in which I laboured in a most painful condition for 
 some time, until the elder was relieved from preaching at seven at night, 
 who, being called on then, came to my assistance, joined in prayer, and 
 then anointed me with oil, and when the brethren laid on hands, I was 
 immediately restored. On Sunday the 10th of December, Sister Mor- 
 rison was seized with the same complaint, whereupon I was called to 
 attend her. I administered the ordinance morning and night, and 
 she was also healed. Such is the way the Lord hath dealt with us." 
 
 But whether the patients upon whom the Mormons operate, recover 
 or die, it is equally a miracle in the estimation of the true believers, as 
 the following case, which occurred in Glasgow, exemplifies in an 
 amusing manner. A paragraph having appeared in a Glasgow news- 
 paper under the date of February 2nd, 1849, stating that two young 
 girls, attacked with cholera, had died under the treatment of a Latter- 
 Day Saint and several assistant elders, the following explanation was 
 
48 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 offered on belialt of the Mormons. It is to be found, like the eases 
 already cited, in tlie eleventh volume of the Millennial Star : — 
 
 " The two sisters (Mary and Elizabeth Murray) worked in a mill in 
 Govan. About four o'clock p.m., on the 15th of last month, Elizabeth 
 was seized with the cholera while at work in the mill. She and her 
 sister Mary immediately started for home. The afternoon was wet, 
 and the poor girl was soon almost perished with cold. They called at 
 several houses on the way, and asked for the privilege of a fire ; but 
 instead of granting their request, the inmates drove them into the 
 street, and shut their doors upon them. By the time they got to Bro- 
 ther Stewart's (which was directly on their way home), Elizabeth was 
 so overcome, she could go no farther. Here they were kindly taken in. 
 The sisters in the neighbourhood immediately gathered. The poor girl 
 ■Nvas soon relieved of her wet clothes, and put into a warm bed. The 
 elders were sent for, and they came and anointed her with oil in the 
 name of the Lord Jesus, laid their hands upon her, and prayed the 
 Lord to make manifest his power in her behalf, and rescue her from 
 the grasp of the destroyer. During the night, Mary was also seized 
 with the same disease, but was not laid in the same bed. They bore 
 their sufferings patiently for a short time, but soon they became weary 
 of suffering, and besought the elders present to lay their hands upon 
 them, and pray the Lord to take them to himself, for they had suffered 
 enough. The brethren did so. They were eased from pain, and wont 
 off so calmly and quietly, that those around could' hardly tell when the 
 last breath left the body. 
 
 ** This case soon created quite a stir. The doctors were sharp set 
 after the affair, determined, in their holy zeal, to bring the whole mat- 
 ter before the authorities, and inflict the condign punishment upon 
 Elder Stewart, that all persons might hereafter take warning, and 
 suffer no one to leave the world without their assistance, that their 
 exodus from the stage of action might be scientifically attended to, and 
 heavy fees thereby secured to themselves. It is truly a horrible affair for 
 a person in this enlightened age to call on the Lord instead of a doctor 
 — to put their trust in the arm of Jehovah, rather than the arm of flesh. 
 
 " Brother Stewart was accordingly arrested, and brought before the 
 magistrates to answer to the 'charge of culpable homicide. He bore 
 himself nobly, faced his accusers boldly, preached the Gospel to them 
 in his defence, until they were ashamed of themselves, and were glad 
 to dismiss the matter." 
 
 But our readers will probably exclaim that they have had enough 
 of the Mormon miracles, and of Mormon doctrine, at least for the pre- 
 sent. We proceed to detail the personal history of the " prophet," and 
 the progress of the sect, from 1830 to the present time. 
 
The Mob i aniiig J os-opu omilli. 
 
 ClIAPTER in. 
 
 First Perskcutions of the Sect — Exploratory Journey to the Far West 
 — Establishment in Missouri — The Prophet "Lynched" bythePopu- 
 LACE — Quarrels with the "Gentiles" — The New Zion— Persecu- 
 tions IN Missouri. 
 
 The truth that no absurdity of fanaticism is too outrag:eou3 to attract 
 behevers, finds continual corroboration. The learned and the unlearned, 
 the rich and the poor, the gentle and the simide, alike break through 
 the trammels of reason, and become the dujDes of religious impostors, 
 or of persons who are still more dangerous — the rehgious maniacs, who 
 strengthen their cause by their own conscientious belief in it. To 
 whichever of these two classes Joseph Smith is most properly con- 
 signable, it is certain that his doctrine was no sooner preached than 
 he began to make converts of the people around him. The idea of the 
 *' Latter Days," or days immediately prior to the second coming of 
 Christ to establish the Millennium, is one that has a great hold upon 
 the imagination of large classes of persons. Joseph Smith worked upon 
 
 D 
 
50 THE MORMONS. 
 
 this idea, and every earthquake recorded in the newspapers, every 
 new comet discovered, every falling meteor that was observed, every 
 war and rumour of a war in Europe or America, every monstrous birth 
 among inferior animals, every great public calamity, tempest, fire, 
 or explosion, was skilfully and pertinaciously adduced as a proof 
 and a warning of the "Latter Days." He had two great ele- 
 ments of success in his favour, sufficient novelty and unconquerable 
 perseverance. His doctrine was both old and new. It had sufii- 
 cient of the old to attract those who would have been repelled by 
 a creed entirely new, and it had sufiicient of the new to rivet the 
 attention and inflame the imagination of those on whose minds an old 
 creed, however ably preached, would have fallen and taken no root. 
 Basing his doctrine upon isolated passages of the Bible ; claiming 
 direct inspiration from the Almighty ; }»romising possession of the 
 earth, all temporal power and glory, and the blessing of Heaven upon 
 true believers ; and being gifted with a courage and audacity that 
 despised difficulty and danger ; Joseph Smith soon found himself the 
 recognised head of a small but increasing body of ardent disciples. On 
 the 1st of June, 1830, the first conference of the sect, as an organized 
 church, was held at Fayette, which place was for some time the 
 *' prophet's " residence, and the head- quarters of the sect. The num- 
 bers of the believers, including the whole family ot the Smiths, was 
 thirty. Even at this early period in the history of the sect, they met 
 considerable opposition from the people. Joseph ordered the con- 
 struction of a dam across a stream of water, for the purpose of bap- 
 tizing his disciples. A mob collected, and broke it down, and used 
 language towards Joseph that was anything but flattering to him or 
 his folio -vers, threatening him with violence and assassination, and 
 accusing him of robbery and swindling. He was nothing daunted, 
 however. With a rare tact, as well as courage, he broke the keen 
 edge of detraction, by confessing boldly that he had once led an im- 
 proper and immoral life ; but, unworthy as he was, " the Lord had 
 chosen him- Lad forgiven him all his sins, and intended, in his own 
 inscrutable purposes, to make him — weak and erring as he might have 
 been— the instrument of his glory." Unlettered and comparatively 
 ignorant he acknowledged himself to be ; but then — was not St. Peter 
 illiterate ? Were not St. John, and the other apostles of Christ, men of 
 low birth and mean position, before they were called to the ministry ? 
 And what had been done before, might it not be done again, if God 
 willed it ? By arguments like these, he strengthened the faith of those 
 inclined to believe in the divinity of his mission, and foiled the logic 
 of his opponents. But the more difficult that it became for the 
 preachers of rival sects to meet him on Scrijitural grounds, and to dis- 
 
EXPEDITION TO MISSOURI. 
 
 51 
 
 'prove his pretensions, either by his un worthiness as a man— which he 
 'owned, or his incompetency as a scholar — which he as freely ad- 
 mitted, the more virulent became their animosity ; until, at last, the 
 family of the Smiths, father and brothers, who all joined in the 
 scheme of Joseph for founding a new religion, removed /rom Palmyra 
 and Fayetteville to Kirtland in Ohio. The attention of the little band 
 was directed, from the very commencement of their organization, to 
 the policy and expediency of fixing their head-quarters in the Far 
 West, in the thinly-settled and but partially explored territories be- 
 longing to the United States, where they might squat upon, or pur- 
 chase good lands at a cheap rate, and clear the primeval wilderness. 
 They required "elbow room," and rightly judged that a rural popu- 
 
 ^-^ 
 
 Cincinnati. 
 
 lation would be more avourable than an urban one to the reception of 
 their doctrine. Oliver Cowdery having been sent on an exploratory 
 expedition, reported so favourably of the beauty, fertility, and cheap- 
 ness of the land in Jackson County, Missouri, that Joseph Smith, after 
 remaining but a few weeks in Kirtland, determined to visit this land 
 of promise himself. Leaving his family and principal connections in 
 Kirtland, he proceeded with Sidney Rigdon and some others upon a 
 long and arduous journey to the wilderness, to fix upon a site for the 
 " New Jerusalem ;'' the future city of Christ, where the Lord was to 
 reign over the Saints as a temporal king in " power and great glory." 
 They started about the middle of June, traveldng by waggons or 
 
52 THE MORMONS. 
 
 canal boats, and sometimes on foot, as far as Cincinnati. From thi:^ 
 place, they proceeded by steamer to Louisville and St. Louis. At th»i 
 last mentioned village all further means of transport failed them, 
 and they walked a distance of three hundred miles to Lidependence, 
 in Jackson County, Missouri, the seat of the promised inheritance of 
 the Saints. They arrived at their destination foot-sore and weary, in 
 tlie middle of July. Joseph was in raptures with the beauty of the 
 country, and his delight broke out into the following description, which 
 occurs in his Autobiography, published in the Times and Seasons : — 
 
 " Unlike the timbered states in the east, except upon the rivers and 
 water- courses, which were verdantly dotted with trees from one tq 
 three miles wide, as far as the eye can glance, the beautiful rolling 
 prairies lay spread around like a sea of meadows. The timber is a, 
 mixture of oak, hickory, black walnut, elm, cherry, honey locus, mul- 
 berry, coffee bean, hackberry, box, elder, and bass wood, together with 
 the addition of cotton wood, button wood, pecon — soft and hard maples 
 upon the bottoms. The shrubbery Avas beautiful, and consisted in 
 part of plums, grapes, crab apples, and par!?iu)inons. The prairies 
 were decorated with a growth of flowers that seemed as gorgeous and 
 grand as the brilliancy of the stars in the heavens, and exceed de- 
 scription. The soil is rich and fertile, from three to ten feet deep, 
 and generally composed of a rich, black mould, intermingled with clay 
 and sand. It produces in abundance wheat, corn, and many other 
 commodities, together with sweet potatoes and cotton. Horses, 
 cattle, and hogs, though of an inferior breed, are tolerably plenty, and 
 seem nearly to raise themselves by grazing in the vast prairie range 
 in summer, and feeding upon the bottoms in winter. The wild game 
 is less plenty where man has commenced the cultivation of the soil, 
 than it is a little distance further in the wild prairies. Buffalo, elk, 
 deer, bears, wolves, beaver, and many lesser animals, roam at pleasure. 
 Turkies, geese, swans, duck — yea, a variety of the featbered race, are 
 among the rich abundance that graces the delightful regions of this 
 goodly land of tbe heritage of the children of God. Nothing is more 
 fruitful, or a richer stockholder in the blooming prairies, than the 
 honey bee ; honey is but about twenty-five cents per gallon. 
 
 " The season is mild and delightful nearly three quarters of the 
 year, and as the land of Zion is situated at about equal distances from 
 tbe Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as from the Alleghany and 
 Rocky Mountains, in the thirty-ninth degree of north latitude, and 
 between the tenth and twentieth degrees of west longitude, it bids fair 
 to become one of the most blessed places on the globe.'' 
 
 The longer he stayed in Missouri, the more delighted he was with 
 the " location" fixed upon for the Saints ; and that there might be no 
 
FIRST KSTABLrSHMENT IN MISSOURI. 53 
 
 difFei-ence of o]Mnion upon the subject in the church, he had a direct 
 " revelation" from the Almiohty upon the subject ; estabhshing it as 
 the future Zion, and setting forth his views reh\tive to the organiza- 
 tion of the church, the building of a temple, the allotment of lands, 
 and the means of living of the people. So early in his career did this 
 remarkable man begin to exercise authority over his followers, so bold 
 and daring were his designs, and so confident was he in himself 
 This extraordinary document ran as follows : — 
 
 " Hearken, ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have 
 assembled yourselves together, according to my commandmeuts, in this land 
 which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the Saints ; 
 wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. 
 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom, here is wis- 
 dom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence, is the centre 
 place, and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not 
 far from the court-house : wherefore it is wisdom that the laud should be 
 purchased by the Saints ; and also every tract lying westward, even unto the 
 line running directly between Jew and Gentile. And also every tract border- 
 inof by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to buy lands= 
 Behold, this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance. 
 * ' And let my servant, Sidney Gilbert, stand in the office which I have 
 !ippointed him, to receive moneys, to be an agent unto the church, to buy 
 land in all the regions round about, inasmuch as can be in righteousness, 
 and as wisdom shall direct. 
 
 " And let my servant, Edward Partridge, stand in the office which I have 
 ippointed him, to divide the Saints their inheritance, even as I have com- 
 manded ; and also those whom he has appointed to assist him. 
 
 " And, again, verily I say unto you, let my servant, Sidney Gilbert, plant 
 himself in this place, and establish a store, that he may sell goods without 
 fraud ; that he may obtain money to buy lands for the good of the Saints ; 
 ^nd that he may obtain whatsoever things the disciples may need to plant 
 them in inheritance. And also let my servant, Sidney Gilbert, obtain a 
 licence that he may send goods also unto the people, even by whom he will, 
 as clerks employed in his service, and thus provide for my Saints, that my 
 Gospel may be preached unto those who sit in darkness, and in the region 
 iind shadow of death. 
 
 " And, again, verily I say unto you, let my servant, William W. Phelps, 
 be planted in this place, and be established as a printer unto the church ; 
 and lo ! if the world receiveth his writings, let him obtain whatsoever he can 
 obtain in righteousness, for the good of the Saints. And let my servant 
 Oliver Cowdery, assist him, even as I have commanded, in whatsoever place 
 I shall appoint unto him, to copy, and to correct, and select, that all things 
 may l)e rrght before me, as it shall be proved by the Spirit through him. 
 And thus let those of whom I have spoken to be planted in the land of Zion, and 
 speedily as can be, with their families, to do those things even as I have spoken. 
 
54 THE MORMONS. 
 
 "And now, concerning the gathering. Let the bishop and the agent 
 make preparations for those families which have been commanded to come to 
 this land, as soon as possible, and plant them in their inheritance. And 
 unto the residue of both elders and members, further directions shall be given 
 hereafter. Even so. Amen." 
 
 Joseph Smith preachi.ig in the "Wilderness. 
 
 On the first Sunday after their arrival, Joseph preached in the wilder- 
 ness to a crowd of Indians, squatters, and, as he himself records, "to 
 quite a resjiectable company of negroes." He made a few converts, 
 and had another revelation from the Lord, to the effect that ap angel 
 should be a])j»ointed to receive nioney, and that Martin Harris should 
 " be an example to the church in laying his moneys before the bishops 
 
JOSEPH ESTABLISHES A BANK. 55 
 
 of the church. I ask that lands should be purchased for the place of 
 the storehouse, and also for the house of the printing." On the 8rd of 
 August, after a sojourn of less than three weeks, the spot for the 
 temple was solemnly laid out, and dedicated to the Lord ; and Joseph 
 in a day or two afterwards, having completed all his arrangements, 
 established a bishop, and acquired, as he thought, a firm footing for 
 his sect in this remote but lovely and fertile spot, prepared to return 
 into Ohio, to look after his business in Kirtland. He was accompa- 
 nied by ten elders of the church. " We started down the river," says 
 Joseph in his Autobiography, " in sixteen canoes, and went the first 
 day as far as Fort Osage, Avhere we had a wild turkey for supper. 
 Nothing very important occurred until the third day, when many of 
 the dangers so common upon the western waters manifested them- 
 selves ; and after we had encamped upon the bank of the river, 
 Brother Phelps, in open vision by daylight, saw the destroyer (the 
 Devil) ride upon the waters. Others," he adds, "heard the noise, 
 but saw not the vision." They arrived safely at Kirtland, after a 
 journey of twenty-four days. Some dispute, of which the nature is 
 not clearly known, appears to have arisen between Joseph and his 
 friend Sidney Rigdon before their return. It is probable, from the 
 course of subsequent events, that Sidney, even at this time, aspired to 
 ■greater power in the church than suited the purposes of the " pro- 
 phet ;" but whatever the disagreement was, 'Joseph thought fit to 
 rebuke his chief disciple by a revelation from heaven, in which he 
 accused him of "being exalted in his heart, and despising the counsel 
 of the Lord." They afterwards became reconciled, and in partnership 
 or conjunction of some kind, and by the aid of other members and 
 elders of the church, they established a mill and a store in Kirtland, 
 and set up a bank. Joseph appointed himself its president, and en- 
 trusted Sidney Rigdon with the oflSce of cashier. To Kirtland, they 
 gave the name of a " stake," or support of Zion, intending to remain 
 there for at least five years, " and make money," until the wilderness 
 was cleared and the temple built in Zion. 
 
 From this time until January, 1882, Joseph continued preaching 
 in various parts of the United States, making converts with great 
 rapidity. He found it necessary, however, to check the presumption 
 of some new and indiscreet converts who also had revelations from the 
 Lord, which they endeavoured to palm off" upon the public, asserting 
 that they were quite as good as those of the prophet. Among others, 
 one Mr. E. Maclellan was rebuked, " This Maclellan," says Joseph, 
 ** as a wise man in his own estimation, and having more learning than 
 sense, endeavoured to write a commandment like unto one of the least 
 of the Lord's, but failed. It was an awful responsibility to write in 
 
5-6 THE MORMONS. 
 
 the name of the Lord. The elders and all present, who witnessed the 
 vain attempt of this man to imitate the language of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, renewed their faith in the revelation which the Lord had given 
 through my instrumentality." Joseph, at the same time, was obliged 
 to combat some charges which were brought against his character by 
 ■one Ezra I^ooth, formerly in his council, and whom he denounced as 
 an apostate, and as a man Avho, by the exposure of his own wicked- 
 ness and folly, had left himself "a monument of shame for the whole 
 world to wonder at.'' His strarge doctrines, and these charges against 
 his character, brought forward by men who had once been in his 
 confidence, united to the hatred with which other fanatics more 
 violent than himself regarded his preaching, created much ill-feeling 
 against him. On the ^oth of January, being then resident at a 
 village called ** Hiram," he was dragged out of his bed at midnight, 
 from the side of his wife, '* by a mob of Methodists, Baptists, Camp- 
 bellites," and miscellaneous ruffians, who stripped him naked and 
 tarred and feathered him. Sidney Rigdon was similarly treated by 
 the same lawless and cowardly assemblage. 
 
 The following account of this outrage, the first of along series, was 
 given by Joseph some years afterwards : — 
 
 "According to previous calculations, we now began to make pre- 
 parations to visit the brethren, who had removed to the land of Mis-- 
 souri. Before going to Hiram to live with Father Johnson, my wife had 
 taken two children (twins) of John Murdock to bring up. She received 
 them when only nine days old, and they were now 'nearly eleven 
 months. I would remark that nothing important had occurred since 
 I came toredde in Father .Johnson's house in Hiram. I had held meet- 
 ings on the Sabbaths and evenings, and baptized a number, Father 
 Johnson's son, Olmsted Johnson, came home on a visit, during which 
 I told him that if he did not obey the Gospel, the spirit he was of 
 would lead him to destruction ; and then he went away. He would 
 never return to see his father again. He went to the Southern States 
 and Mexico; on his return, took sick, and died in Virginia. In addi- 
 tion to the apostate Booth, Simmonds Rider, Eli Johnson, Edward 
 Johnson, and John Johnson, junior, had apostatized. 
 
 '• On the 25tli of March, the twins before mentioned, which had 
 been sick of the measles for some time, caused us to be broke of our 
 rest in taking care of them, especially my wife. In the evening, I told 
 her she had better retire to rest with one of the children, and I would 
 watch Avith the sickest child. In the night, she told me I had better 
 lay down on the trundle-bed, and I did so, and was soon after awoke 
 by her screaming murder ! when I found myself going out of the door 
 in the hands of about a dozen men ; some of whose hands were in my 
 
OUTliAGE ON THH "PROPHET." 57 
 
 hair, and some had hold of my shirt, drawers, and limbs. The foot of 
 the trundle-bed was towards the door, leaving only room enough for the 
 door to swing. My wife heard a gentle tapping on the windows, 
 which she then took no particular notice of (but which was unques- 
 tionably designed to ascertain whether we were all asleep), and soon 
 after the mob burst open the door, and surrounded the bed in an in- 
 stant, and, as I said, the first I knew, I was going out of the door 
 in the hands of an infuriated mob. I made a desperate struggle, as 
 I was forced out, to extricate myself, but only cleared one leg, with 
 which I made a pass at one man, and he fell on the door- steps. I 
 was immediately confined again ; and they swore by God they would 
 kill me if 1 did not be still, which quieted me. As they passed 
 around the house with me, the fellow that I kicked came to me, and 
 thrust his hand into my face all covered with blood (for I hit him on 
 the nose), and with an exulting horse laugh muttered : ' Ge, Gee, 
 God d n ye, I'll fix ye.* 
 
 " They then seized my throat, and held on till I lost my breath. 
 After I came to, as they passed along with me, about thirty rods 
 from the house, I saw Elder Rigdon stretched out on the ground, 
 whither they had dragged him by the heels. 1 supposed he was 
 dead. 
 
 '* I began to plead with them, saying : ' You will have mercy, and 
 
 spare my life, Thope !' To which they replied, ' God d n ye, call 
 
 on your God for help, we'll show you no mercy ;' and the people began 
 to show themselves in every direction : one coming fi'om the orchard 
 had a plank, and I expected they Avould kill me, and carry me off on 
 the plank. They then turned to the right, and went on about thirty 
 rods further, about sixty rods from the house, and thirty from where I 
 saw Elder Rigdcn, into the meadow, where they stopped; and one said, 
 * Simmonds, Simmonds* (meaning, I suppose, Simraonds Rider), 'pull 
 up his drawers, pull up his drawers, he will take cold.' Another re- 
 plied, 'A 'nt ye going to Mil him ? ant ye going to hill him ?' when a group 
 ofmobbers collected ahttlewayoff, and said, ' Simmonds, Simmond§, 
 come here ;' and Simmonds charged those who had hold of me to keep 
 me from touching the ground (as they had done all the time), lest I 
 should get a spring upon them. They went and held a council, 
 and as I could occasionally overhear a word, I supposed it was to 
 know whether it was best to kill me. They returned after a 
 while, when I learned that they had concluded not to kill me, but 
 pound and scratch me well, tear off my shirt and drawers, and leave 
 me naked. One cried, ' Simmonds, Simmonds, ivhere'e the tar 
 bucJcet?' 'I don't know,' answered one, * where 'tis Elis left it.* 
 They ran back, and fetched the bucket of tar, when one exclaimed, 
 
58 THE MORMONS. 
 
 Ood d n it, let us tar vp Ms mouth ;' and they tried to force the tar- 
 paddle into my mouth ; I twisted my head around, so that tliey could 
 
 not ; and they cried out : * God d n ye, hold up your liead, and let us 
 
 give ye some tar. ' They then tried to force a phial into my mouth, and 
 broke it in my teeth. All my clothes were torn off me except my 
 shirt collar ; and one man fell on me and scratched my body with his 
 
 nails like a mad cat, and then muttered out : ' God d n ye, that's 
 
 the way the Holy Ghost falls on folks.' 
 
 " They then left me and I attempted to rise, but fell again ; I 
 pulled the tar away fi'om my lips, ka., so that I could breathe more 
 freely, and after a while I began to recover, and raised myself up, 
 when I saw two lights. I made my way towards one of them, and 
 found it was Father Johnson's. When I had come to the, door I was 
 naked, and the tar made me look as though I had been covered with 
 blood ; and when my wife saw me, she thought I was all smashed to 
 pieces, and fainted. During the affray abroad, the sisters of the neigh- 
 bourhood had collected at my room. I called for a blanket ; they threw 
 me one, and shut the dooi' ; I wrapped it around me and went in. 
 
 *' In the meantime, .BiK)ther John Poorman heard an outcry across 
 the cornfield, and running that way met Father Johnson, who had 
 been fastened in his house at the commencement of the assault, by 
 having his door barred by the mob ; but, on calling to his wife to bring 
 his gun, saying he would blow a hole througli the door, the mob fled, 
 and Father Johnson seizing a club, ran'after the party that had Elder 
 Rigdon, and knocked one man down, and raised his club to level 
 another, exclaiming, ' What are you doing here?' They then left Elder 
 Rigdon and turned upon Father Johnson, who, turning to run towards 
 his own house, met Brother Poorman coming out of the cornfield ; each 
 supposing the other to be a mobber, an encounter ensued, and Poor- 
 man gave Johnson a severe blow on the left shoulder with a stick or 
 stone, wiiich brought him to the ground. Poorman ran immediately 
 towards Father Johnson's, and arriving while I was waiting for the 
 blanket, exclaimed, ' I'm afraid I've killed him.' 'Killed who?' asked 
 one ; when Poorman hastily related the circumstances of the rencounter 
 near the cornfield, and went into the shed and hid himself. Father 
 Johnson soon recovered, so as to come to the house, when the whole mys- 
 tery was quickly solved concerning the difficulty between him and Poor- 
 man, who, on learning the facts, joyfully came from his hiding-place. 
 
 "My friends spent the night in scraping and removing the tar, 
 and washing and cleansing my body; so that by morning, I was 
 ready to be clothed again. This being Sabbath morning, the people 
 assembled for meeting at the usual hour of worship, and among those 
 came also the mobbers; viz., Simmonds Rider, a Campbelhte preacher, 
 
DEPARTURE FOR MISSOURI. 
 
 59 
 
 and leader of the mob ; one McClentic, son of a Campbellite minister ; 
 and Pelatiah Allen, Esq., who gave the mob a barrel of whiskey to 
 raise their spirits ; and many others. With my flesh all scarified and 
 defaced, I preached to the congregation as usual, and in the afternoon 
 of the same day baptized three individuals. 
 
 *' The next morning I went to see Elder Rigdon, and found him 
 crazy, and his head highly inflamed, for they had dragged him by his 
 heels, and those, too, so high from the earth he could not raise his 
 head from the rough frozen surface, which lacerated it exceedingly ; 
 and when he saw me he called to his wife to bring him his razor. 
 She asked him what he wanted of it ? and he replied to kill me. Sis- 
 ter Rigdon left the room, and he asked me to bring his razor ; I asked 
 him what he wanted of it ? and he replied he wanted to kill his wife ; 
 and he continued delirious some days. The feathers which were used 
 with the tar on this occasion, the mob took out of Elder Rigdon s house. 
 After they had seized him, and dragged him out, one of the banditti 
 returned to get some pillows; when the women shut him in, and kept 
 him some time." 
 
 Joseph, after this cruel treatment, thought it high time to absent 
 himself for a little, and on the 2nd of April he started, in company with 
 some of his adherents, for Missouri, "to fulfil the revelation." Although 
 he left secretly, his inhuman persecutors received notice of his design, 
 and tracked him for several hundred miles, until he arrived at Louisville, 
 where he was sheltered and protected from his assailants by the captain 
 
 --,=.-iss«; 
 
 Louisville. 
 
60 
 
 THE MOEMOXS. 
 
 of a steam-boat. Tie arrived at " Zion," or Independence, on the 20th, 
 where he was enthusiastically received by a large congregation of 
 thriving "Saints," and solemnly acknowledged as prophet and 
 seer, and president of the high priesthood of the church. He found 
 that in his absence, but in obedience to a revelation which he had 
 given, a printing-press had been procured, and a monthly newspaper 
 or magazine established by W. W. Phelps, the " printer to the church," 
 under the title of the Evening and Morning Star, A weekly paper 
 was also planned and established, called the Upper Missouri Advertiser. 
 ])oth of these journals were exclusively devoted to the interests of 
 Mormonism, which by this time numbered between 2,000 and 3,000 
 disciples, principally in Missouri. The number of the Saints in Kirt- 
 land, including women and children, was but one hundred and fifty. 
 Joseph, however, had his mill, his sture, and his farm to look 
 after at Kirtland ; and although, while in that town, he lived among 
 enemies, it was necessary that he should return to it. He therefore 
 left Zion, with the full confidence that all was going on prosperously. 
 In January, 1833, while attending to his worldly business, a schism 
 broke out in " Zion " itself, which threatened, and, in combination 
 with other circumstances, ultimately produced, the greatest calami- 
 ties, and led to the violent expulsion of the Mormons from the whole 
 State of Missouri. The manner in which the Mormons behaved in 
 their " Zion " was not calculated to make friends. The superiority 
 they assumed gave offence, and the rumours that were spread by 
 their opponents, as well as by some false friends, who had been 
 turned out of the church for misconduct, excited against them an intense 
 feeling of alarm and hatred. They were accused of Communism, and 
 not simply of a community of goods and chattelsj but of wives. Both 
 these charges were utterly unfounded ; but they wei'e renewed from 
 day to day, and found constant believers, in spite of denials and refu- 
 tations on the part of the MormonSi Joined to the odium unjustly 
 cast upon them for these reasons^ they talked so imprudently of their 
 determination to possess the whole State of Missouri, and to suffer no 
 one to live in it who would not conform to their faith, that a party 
 was secretly formed against them, of which the object was nothing 
 less than their total and immediate expulsion from their promised 
 •' Zion." In a letter to Mr. Phelps, the editor of the Mormon paper — 
 the Morning and Evening Star, dated from Kirtland Mill, Joseph 
 threatened the vengeance of God upon all the schismatics of " Zion." 
 *' I say to you (and what I say to you I say to all), hear the warning 
 voice of God, lest Zion fall, and the Lord swear in his wrath the in- 
 habitants of Zion shall not enter into my rest. The brethren in Kirt- 
 land i^ra}^ for you unceasingly ; for, knowing the terrors of the Lord, 
 
NEW REVELATIONS. f)[ 
 
 they greatly fear for you." Some of tlie Missouri Saints, it appeared, 
 had accused Joseph Smith of aiming at " monarchical power and au- 
 thority ;" and two of the high priests, in a letter written at the time 
 in support of the rebuke of the prophet to these "rebels," speak of 
 *' low, dark, and blind insinuations against Joseph's character and in- 
 tentions." 
 
 Whatever Joseph's views in this respect may have been, he found 
 it necessary to take the sting out of this accusation, by associating 
 with him in the supreme government of the church his old colleague, 
 Sidney Rigdon, and another Saint named Williams. As usual, when any 
 great movement was to be made, he had a "revelation." Under the dat* 
 of the 8th of March, 1838, the Lord is represented as declaring that 
 the sins of Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were forgiven, 
 and '* that they were henceforth to be accounted as equal with Joseph 
 Smith, jun., in holding the keys of his last kingdom." As it appears 
 that Sidney Rigdon was too ambitious of power to be safely trusted 
 among the Saints of Missouri, he was commanded by this revelation 
 to remain in Kirtland. The bishop was also ordered by the same 
 authority to " search diligently for an agent," who was to be " a man 
 who had got riches in store — a man of God and of strong faith, that 
 thereby he might be enabled to discharge ever}' debt, that the store- 
 house of the Lord might not be brought into disrepute before the 
 people." Joseph also condescended to forgive the rebellions of Zion. 
 " Behold, I say unto you," said the revelation, " your brethren in Zion 
 begin to repent, and the angels rejoice over them. Nevertheless, I am 
 not well pleased with many things, and I am not well pleased with 
 my servant William E. Maclellan, neither with my servant Sidney 
 Gilbert, and the bishop also ; and others have many things to I'epent 
 of. But verily I say unto you, that I the Lord will contend with Zion, 
 and plead with her strong ones, and chasten her, until she overcomes 
 and is clean before me, for she shall not be removed out of her place. 
 I the Lord have spoken it. Amen." On the same day Joseph "laid 
 his hands on Brothers Sidney and Frederick, and ordained them to 
 take part with him in holding the keys of the last kingdom, and to 
 assist in the presidency of the liigh priesthood as his councillors. After 
 Avhich he exhorted the brethren to faithfulness and diligence in keep- 
 ing the commandments of God ; and gave much instruction for tliti 
 benefit of the Saints, with a promise that the pure in heart should see 
 a heavenly vision, and after remaining a short time in secret prayer, 
 the promise was verified. He then blessed the bread and wine, and 
 distributed a portion to each, after which many of the brethren saw a 
 heavenly vision of the Saviour and concourses of angels, and many 
 other things." 
 
62 . THE MORMONS. 
 
 But although the dissensions in the church were apparently healed 
 by the judicious step thus taken, the old settlers of Missouri caused 
 Joseph much alarm by the daily increasing hostility they expressed 
 against the whole sect. 
 
 " In the month of April," says Joseph in his Autobiography, " the 
 first regular mob rushed together, in Independence (Zion), to consult 
 upon a plan for the removal, or immediate destruction, of the church 
 in Jackson county. The number of the mob was about three hundred. 
 A few of the first elders met in secret, and prayed to Him who said 
 to the wind, ' Be still,' to frustrate them in their wicked design. They 
 therefore, after spending the day in a fruitless endeavour to unite upon 
 a general scheme for * moving the Mormons out of their diggings,' as 
 they asserted, and becoming a little the worse for liquor, broke up 
 in a regular Missouri 'row,' showing a determined resolution that 
 every man would ' carry his own head.' " 
 
 The Mormon paper of June, 1833, published an article entitled 
 '' Free people of colour," which roused against the sect the hostility of 
 the whole pro- slavery party — then, as now, peculiarly sensitive upon the 
 question of Abolition. The anti-Mormon press contained at the same 
 time an article entitled, " Beware of false prophets," written- by a per- 
 son whom Joseph called " a black rod in the hand of Satan." This 
 article was distributed from house to house in Independence and its 
 neighbourhood, and contained many false charges against Smith and 
 his associates, reiterating the calumny about the community of goods 
 and wives. The Mormons were insulted and sometimes beaten in the 
 streets and highways, and quarrels and fights were of frequent occurr 
 rence. In the beginning of April, a meeting ot three hundred people, 
 enemies of the Mormons, was held in Independence, or " Zion," itself, at 
 which the resolution referred to by Joseph, " that the Mormons should 
 be removed out of their diggings," was unanimously passed. After the 
 publication of these two articles, other meetings were held in various parts 
 of Jackson county, at which still more violent resolutions were agreed to. 
 A general meeting of the citizens of Jackson county, expressly convened, 
 as the requisition stated, *' for the purpose of adopting measures to 
 rid themselves of the sect of fanatics called Mormons," was held on 
 the 20th of July. Between four and five hundred people attended 
 from every part of the county, and an address to the public was agreed 
 upon. The address stated that little more than two years previously, 
 " some two or three of these people made their appearance in Missouri ; 
 that they now numbered upwards of 1,200 ; that each successive 
 autumn and spring poured forth a new swarm of them into the 
 country, as if the places from which they came were flooding Missouri 
 with the very dregs of their composition ; that they were but little 
 
TROUBLES IN MISSOURI. 63 
 
 above the condition of the blacks in regard to property and education ; 
 and that, in addition to other causes of scandal and offence, they 
 exercised a corrupting influence over the slaves." The sanguine boast 
 and sincere belief of the Mormons, that the whole country of Missouri 
 was their destined inheritance, and that all the " Gentiles," or unbe- 
 lievers in Joseph Smith, were to be cut oflf in the Lord's good time, 
 was not forgotten. The address concluded — 
 
 *' Of their pretended revelations from heaven — ^their personal intercourse 
 with God and his angels — the maladies they pretend to heal by the laying on 
 of hands — and the contemptible gibberish with which they habitually profane 
 the Sabbath, and which they dignify with the appellation of unknown tongues, 
 we have nothing to say : vengeance belongs to God alone. But as to the 
 other matters set forth in this paper, we feel called on, by every consideration 
 of self-preservation, good society, public morals, and the fair prospects that, 
 if they are not blasted in the germ, await this young and beautiful country, at 
 once to declare, and we do hereby most solemnly declare — 
 
 " That no Mormon shall in future move and settle in this country. 
 
 " That those now here, who shall give a definite pledge of their intention 
 within a reasonable time to remove out of the country, shall be allowed to re- 
 main unmolested until they have sufficient time to sell their property and 
 close their business without any material sacrifice. 
 
 That the editor of the Star be required forthwith to close his office, and 
 discontinue the business of printing in this country ; and, as to all other 
 stores and shops belonging to the sect, their owners must in every case com- 
 ply with the terms of the second article of this declaration,- and upon fiailure 
 prompt and efficient measures will be taken to close the same. 
 
 "That the Mormon leaders here, are required to use their influence in 
 preventing any further emigration of their distant brethren to this country, and 
 to counsel and advise their brethren here to comply with the above requisitions. 
 
 *' That those who fail to comply with these requisitions be referred to 
 those~ of their brethren who have the gifts of divination and of unknown 
 tongues, to inform them of the lot that awaits them." 
 
 This sarcastic, but very earnest and emphatic address, was 
 unanimously adopted. The meeting adjourned for two hours, and a 
 deputation waited upon Mr. Phelps, the Mormon editor, upon Mr. 
 Partridge, the bishop, and upon the keeper of the Mormon store, and 
 urged upon them the expediency of complying with these terms. The 
 deputation reported to the meeting that they could not procure any 
 direct answer, and that the Mormons wished an unreasonable time for 
 consultation upon the matter, not only among themselves in Inde- 
 pendence, but with Joseph Smith, their proi)het, in Kirtland. It was 
 therefore resolved nem. con., that the Star printing-office should be 
 immediately razed to the ground, and the types auU presses secuied. 
 
64 THE MORMONS. 
 
 " This resolution," said the anti-Mormons, in an account of the occur- 
 rence published under tlieir authority, " was, with the utmost order, 
 and the least noise and disturbance possible, fortliwith carried into 
 execution, as also some other steps of a similar tendency, but no blood 
 was spilled, nor any blows inflicted." The meeting then adjourned 
 for three days, to give the Mormons an opportunity of considering 
 what their fate was likely to be in case they should ultimately refuse 
 to leave the country. 
 
 The " other steps of a similar tendency," alluded to in this ex- 
 tract, appear to have been the tarring and feathering of two Mormons, 
 Phelps, the editor, managed to escape from the mob, but Partridge, 
 the Mormon bishop, and another Saint named Allen, were not so for- 
 tunate. These two were seized, according to the established backwooc 
 or Lynch fashion, stripped naked, tarred, and feathered, and set loose. 
 The Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Missouri, Lilburn W. Boggs 
 — a man who from thenceforward appears to have pursued the Mor- 
 mons with unrelenting hostility — was in the immediate neighbourhood 
 of the riot, but declined to take any part in preserving the peace. 
 Joseph Smith afterwards stated that he actually looked on, and aided 
 the movement, saying to the Mormons, " You know what we Jackson 
 boys can do. You must all leave the country." A Presbyterian 
 preacher is also reported to have declared from the pulpit that " the 
 Mormons were the common enemies of mankind, and ought to be de- 
 stroyed." On the morning of the '23rd of July, the meeting again 
 assembled. It was composed of several hundred persons, well armed, 
 and bearing the red flag in sign of vengeance. They declared their 
 intention of driving the whole sect forcibly out of Missouri, if they 
 would not depart peaceably. The Mormons saw that it was useless to 
 resist, and their leaders agreed, if time were given, that the people 
 should remove w^estward into the wilderness. It was arranged, and an 
 agreement was duly signed to that effect, that one half of the Mormons, 
 with their wives and families, should depart by the J st of January, and 
 the other half by the 1st of April next ensuing ; that the paper should 
 be discontinued ; and that no more Mormons should be allowed to come 
 into the country in the interval. The opposite pai-ty pledged them- 
 selves that no violence should be done to any Mormon, provided these 
 conditions were complied with. 
 
 Li these distressing and ]ieiilous circumstances, Oliver Cowdery 
 was despatched to Kirtland with a message to the *' Pru[)het." On 
 his arrival, it was resolved in solenm conclave, Joseph hira^elf pre- 
 siding, that the Morning and Evening Star should be published in 
 Kirtland, and that a new paper, to be called the Latter-Day Saints' 
 Messenger and Advocate, should be forthwith started. It Avas also re.. 
 
TROUBLES IN MISSOURI. 65- 
 
 solved to appeal for protection to Mr. Dunklin, the governor of the State 
 of Missouri, and to demand justice for the outrages inflicted upon the sect. 
 Joseph himself did not venture into " Zion,"in the dangerous circum- 
 stances of his people, but undertook a journey to Canada with Sidney 
 Rigdon and another, where they made some converts. In the mean- 
 time, Governor Dunklin wrote a sensible and conciliatory letter in reply 
 to the Mormon petition, in which he stated that the attack upon them 
 was illegal and unjustifiable, and recommended them to remain where 
 they were, and to apply for redress to the ordinary tribunals of 
 the country. This letter was widely circulated, and the Mormons, 
 upon the strength of it, resolved to remain in Missouri, and " pro- 
 ceed with the building up of Zion." They commenced actions 
 against the ringleaders of the mob, and engaged, for a fee of 1,000 
 dollars, the best legal assistance they could procure to support 
 their case. But on the 30th of October, the mob was once again in 
 arms to expel them. Ten houses of the " Saints" were unroofed 
 and partially demolished at a place called Big Blue ; and on the 
 following days several houses were sacked at Independence. The 
 Mormons, in some instances, defended their property, and a regular 
 battle ultimately ensued between thirty of the Saints, armed with 
 rifles, and a large company of their opponents, also well armed. In 
 this encounter two of the anti-Mormons were killed. Things at last 
 assumed so alarming an aspect, that the militia, under the command of 
 Lieutenant-Governor Boggs, was called out. The militia, however, was 
 anti-Mormon to a man, and the unhappy Saints saw that they had 
 no alternative but in flight. The blood that had been shed had caused 
 such an exasperation against them, that it was unsafe for a solitary 
 Mormon to show himself in the towns or villages. The women first 
 took the alarm, and fled, with their children, across the Missouri 
 river. 
 
 " On Thursday, Nov. 7th," says the account in the Times and Sea- 
 sons, " the shore began to be lined on both sides of the ferry with men, 
 women, and children, goods, waggons, boxes, chestR,'provisions ; while 
 the ferrymen were busily engaged in crossing them over ; and when 
 night again closed upon the Saints, the wilderness had much the ap- 
 pearance of a camp meeting. Hundreds of people were seen in every 
 direction, some in tents, and some in the open air, around their fires, 
 while the rain descended in torrents. Husbands were inquiring for 
 their wives, and women for their husbands ; parents for children, and 
 cliildren for parents. Some had the good fortune to escape with their 
 family, household goods, and some provisions : while others knew not 
 the fate of their friends, and had lost all their goods. The scene was 
 indescribable, and would have melted the hearts of any people upon 
 
 E 
 
66 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 earth except the blind oppressor, and prejudiced and ignorant bigot. 
 Next day, the company increased, and they were chiefly engaged in 
 felling small cotton trees, and erecting them into temporary cabins, so 
 that when night came on, they had the appearance of a village of 
 wigwams, and the night being clear, the occupants began to enjoy 
 some degree of comfort. The Saints who fled took refuge in the 
 neighbouring counties, mostly in Clay county, which received ^them 
 with some degree of kindness. Those who fled to the county of Van 
 Buren were again driven and compelled to flee, and those who fled to 
 Lafayette county were soon expelled, or the most of them, and had to 
 move wherever they could find protection." 
 
 Encampment of Mormons on the Missouri Ri 
 
The Discovei-y of the " Lamanite" Skeleton. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Journey of the Prophet into Missouri — The Lamamtk Skeleton- — The 
 Shower of Meteors — Final Removal ok Joseph from Kirtland, Ohio 
 — Persecutions in Missouri — Massacre at Haon's Mill — The Danite 
 Band — Expulsion from Missouri. 
 
 The public authorities of the State of Missouri, and, indeeil, all the 
 principal people, except those of Jackson count}-, were scandahzed at 
 these lawless proceedings, and sympathized with the efforts made by 
 the Mormon leaders to obtain redress. The Attorney-General of the 
 State wrote to say tliat if the Mormons desired to be re-established in 
 then- possessions, an adequate public force woukl be sent for their 
 protection. He also advised that the iUormons should remain in 
 the State, and organize themselves into a regular comiiany of militia, 
 in which case they should be supplied witli public arms. The 
 " Prophet, " having by this time returned to Kirtland, wrote to his 
 people in their distress, though he did not take the bold step 
 of personally appearing ^among them. He reiterated that ** Inde- 
 
68 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 pendence," or **ZIon,"was the place divinely appointed by God 
 for the inheritance of the Saints ; that, therefore, they should not 
 sell any land to which they had a leojal title within its boundaries, 
 but hold on " until the Lord in his wisdom should open a way for 
 their return." He also advised that they should, if possible, pur- 
 chase a* tract of land in Clay county, for present emergencies. He 
 also had a revelation in which the Lord was represented as saying 
 that these calamities were a punishment on the Saints for their "jar- 
 rings, contentions, and envying, and strifes, and lustful and covetous 
 desires." Zion, however, was the appointed place, and thither, in due 
 time, the Saints should return " with songs of everlasting joy." The 
 revelation, which was of unusual length, and contained a long 
 parable, commanded the Saints to " importune at the feet of the 
 Judge; and if he did not heed, to importune at the feet of the 
 Governor ; and if the Governor did not heed, to importune at the feet 
 of the President of the United States ; and if the President did not 
 heed, then the Lord God Himself would arise and come forth out of 
 His hiding-place, and in His fury vex the nation." 
 
 The Saints, however, did not succeed in their object. They never 
 returned to their " Zion," but remained for upwards of four years in 
 Clay county. It was mostly uncleared land where they settled or 
 squatted, but being a most industrious and persevering people, they 
 laid out farms, erected mills and stores, and carried on their business 
 successfully. They also laid the foundation of the towns of Far 
 West and Adam-On-Diahman ; but their fanaticism here, as well 
 as in their former location, soon proved the cau?e of their expulsion 
 from the whole State of Missouri. The slavery question, the calumny 
 about their open adulteries and community of wives, their loud vaunts 
 of their supreme holiness, their continually repeated declarations that 
 Missouri was to be theirs by Divine command, and the quarrels that 
 ■were the constant result, led to the same ill-feeling in Clay county, 
 as had been exbibited elsewhere. But before the final consummation, 
 when, as one of their hymns says — 
 
 "Missouri, 
 Like a whirlwind in its fury, 
 And without a judge or jury, 
 
 Drove the Saints and^pilled their blood" — 
 
 various interesting events in their history took place. On the 5th May, 
 1834, Joseph resolved to proceed to Clay county, and put the affairs of the 
 scattered and dispirited church into order. Having organized a com- 
 pany of one hundred persons, mostly young men, and nearly all elders, 
 priests, deacons, and teachers, he started at their head for Missouri. 
 
THE LAMANITE SKELETON. Oy 
 
 They travelled on foot ; several waggons with their baggage and pro- 
 visions, and relief to the destitute Saints in Qlay county, following 
 behind. They were well provided with "fire arms and all sorts ot 
 munition of war of the most portable kind for self-defence." They 
 were joined in two days by fifty more " Saints," similarly armed. 
 Their baggage waggons now amounted to twenty. Joseph divided 
 his band into companies of twelve, consisting of two cooks, two fire- 
 men, two tent makers, two watermen, one runner or scout, one com- 
 missary, and two Avaggoners. Every night, " at the sound of the 
 trumpet, they bowed down before the Lord in their several tents ; and 
 at the sound of the morning trumpet, every man was again on his 
 knees before the Lord." They passed through extensive wilds, and 
 forded many streams and rivers ; and though, as Joseph says, "their 
 enemies were continually breathing threats of violence, the Saints did 
 not fear, neither did they hesitate to prosecute their journey, for God 
 was with them, and his angels were before them, and the faith of the 
 little band was unwavering. "We knew," he added, " that angels 
 were our companions, for we saw them." 
 
 On their arrival in June at the Illinois river, the people were very 
 anxious to know who and what they were. Many questions were 
 asked, but the Mormons evaded them all, and gave no information as 
 to their names, profession, business, or destination. Joseph himself 
 travelled incognito, and though the settlers in Illinois vehemently sus- 
 pected the band to be Mormons, they did not think it prudent to 
 molest them. Having been safely ferried over the river, with all their 
 baggage, they encamped two days afterwards amid some mounds, or 
 ancient burial-places of the Indians. Here Joseph played the " pro- 
 phet," and gave his followers an additional proof of the authenticity 
 of the Book of Mormon, and of the history of the Lamanites, the 
 descendants of the Jews, therein recorded. This was a master-stroke 
 of policy. " The contemplation of the scenery," says Joseph, "])io- 
 duced peculiar sensations in our bosoms. The brethren procured a 
 shovel and a hoe, and removing the earth of one of the mounds, to 
 the depth of about a foot, discovered the skeleton of a man almost 
 entire, and between his ribs was a Lamanitish arrow. The visions of 
 the past being opened to my understanding, by the spirit of the Al- 
 mighty, I discovered that the person whose skeleton was before us was 
 a white Lamanite, a large thick-set rnan, and a man of God. He was 
 a warrior and chieftain under the great prophet Omandagus, who was 
 known from the hill Cumorah, or Easter Sea, to the Rocky Mountains, 
 His name was Zelph. He was killed in battle by the arrow found 
 among his ribs, during the last great struggle of the Lamanites and 
 Nephites." On the next day, refreshed by this incident, and marvel- 
 
70 THE MORMONS. 
 
 lously confirmed in the faitli by tlie wisdom nnd l<nowlcdge of their 
 Prupliet, they moved onwards, and crossed the Mi»sissipi»i river, into 
 the limits of tlie State of Missouri. 
 
 The following extracts from the journal or diary of one of the elders 
 who accompanied tlie Projihet, will show the influence he exercised, 
 and the manner in Avhicli his singular journey was conducted : — 
 
 " This day, June 8rd, while we were refreshing ourselves and 
 teams, about tlie middle of the day, Brother Joseidi got up in a wag- 
 gon and said that he would deliver a prophecy. After giving the 
 brethren much good advice, exhorting them to faithfulness and humi- 
 lity, he said, ' the Lord had told him that there would be a scourge 
 come upon the camp," in consequence of the fractious and unruly spirits 
 that appeared among then), and they should die like sheep with the 
 lot ; still, if they would repent and humble themselves before the Lord, 
 the scourge, in a great nicasuie, might be turned away : but, as the 
 Lord lived, thecainj) would sutierfor giving way to their unruly temper,' 
 which afterwards actually did take ])lace, to the sorrow of the brethren. 
 
 *' The same day, when we had got within one mile of the Snye, we 
 came to a very beautiful little town called Atlas, Here we found 
 honey for the first time on our journey, that we could buy ; we pur- 
 chased about tAvo-thirds of a barrel. We went down to the Snye and 
 crossed over that night in a ferry-boat. We encamped lor the night on 
 the bank of the Snye. There was a great excitement in the country 
 through which we had passed, and also a-head of us ; the mob threat- 
 ened to stop us. Guns were fired in almost all directions through the 
 iiigtit. Brother Joseph did not sleep much, if any, but was through 
 the ca^mp pretty much during the night. 
 
 " We pursued our journey on the 4th, and encam])ed on the bank of 
 tlie Mississijipi liver. Here we were somewhat aftiicted, and the 
 enemy threatened much that we should not cross over the river out oi 
 Illinois into Missouri. It took us two days to cross the river, as we 
 had but one ferry-boat, and the liver was one mile and a half wide. 
 While some were crossing, many others si;ent their time in hunting 
 and fishing, <tc. When we had all got over, we encamped about one 
 mile back from the little town of Louisiana, in a beautiful oak grove, 
 which is immediatelv on the bank of the river. At this place there 
 was some feelings of hostility manifested by Sylvester Smith, in 
 consequence of a dog growling at him while he was marching his 
 company up to the camp, he being the last that came over the river. 
 The next morning Brother Joseph said that he would descaid to the 
 spirit that was manifested by some of the brethren, to let them see the 
 folly of their wickedness. He rose up, and commenced speaking by 
 saying, * H' any man insults me, or abuses me, I will stand in my own 
 
SIGNS OF THE LATTEE DAYS. 71 
 
 defence at the expense of my life; and if a dog growl at me, I will let 
 him know that I am his master.' At this moment Sylvester Smith, 
 who had just returned from where he had turned out his horses to 
 feed, came up, and hearing Brother Joseph make these remarks, said, 
 • If that dog bites me, I'll kill him.' Brother Joseph turned to Syl- 
 vester and said, ' If you kill that dog, lU whip you, and then went 
 on to show the brethren how wicked and unchristian-like such conduct 
 appeared before the eyes of truth and justice. 
 
 " On Friday, the 6th, we resumed our journey. On Saturday, the 
 7th, at night we camped among our brethren at Salt Kiver, in the 
 Alired settlement, in a piece of woods by a beautiful spring of water, 
 and prepared for the Sabbath. On the Sabbath we had preaching. 
 Here we remained several days, washing our clothes, and preparing 
 to pursue our journey- Here we were joined by Hyrum Smith and 
 Lyman Wight, with another company. The camp now numbered 
 two hundred and five men, all armed and equipped as the law directs. 
 It was delightful to see the company, for they were all young men, 
 with one or two exceptions, and in good spirits." 
 
 Another entry in the same diary will be interesting to those who 
 wish to trace the slight incidents upon which strong fanaticism sup- 
 ports itself. The meteors of the 1 3th of November, which are annually 
 looked for by the observers of the heavens, were to the Mormons then, 
 as they are now, convincing proofs of the truth of Mormonism, and 
 signs of the Latter Days : — 
 
 ** November \2>th. — About 4 o'clock A M. I was awakened by Bro- 
 ther Davis knocking at my door, and calling on me to arise and be- 
 hold the signs in the heavens. I arose, and, to my great joy, beheld 
 the stars fall from heaven like a shower of hail- stones ; a literal ful- 
 filment of the word of God, as recorded in the Holy Sciiptures, as a 
 sure sign that the coming of Christ is close at hand. In the midst of 
 this shuwer of fire, I was led to exclaim : How marvellous are thy 
 works, Lord ! I thank thee for thy mercy unto thy servant ; save 
 me in thy kingdom, for Christ's sake. Amen. 
 
 " The appearance of these signs varied in different sections of the 
 country : in Zion, all heaven seemed enwrapped in splendid fire- 
 works, as if every star in the broad expanse had been suddenly hurled 
 from its course, and sent lawless through the wilds of ether ; some at 
 times appeared like bright shooting meteors with long trains of light 
 following in their course, and in numbers resembled large drops of 
 rain in sunshine. Some of the long trains of light following the 
 meteoric stars were visible for some seconds ; these streaks would curl 
 and twist up like serpents writhing. The appearance was beautiful, 
 grand, and sublime beyond description ; as though all the artillery and 
 
:72 THE MORMONS. 
 
 fire- works of eternity were set in motion to enchant and entertain tlie 
 Saints, and terrify and awe the sinners on the earth. Beautiful and 
 terrific as was the scenery, which might be compared to the falHng 
 .figs or fruit when the tree is shaken by a mighty wind ; yet it will 
 not fully compare with the time when the sun shall become black like 
 sack-cloth of hair, the moon like blood, (Rev. vi. 13) ; and the stars 
 fall to the earth, as these appeared to vanish, when they fell behind 
 the trees, or came near the ground." 
 
 Joseph was now on a dangerous territory, and chose twenty men for 
 his body-guard, appointing his brother, Hyrum Smith, as their captain, 
 and another brother, George Smith, as his armour-bearer. He also ap- 
 .pointed a *' general," who daily inspected the little army, examined their- 
 firelocks, and drilled them on the prairies. The people of Jackson county, 
 by this time, were informed of Joseph Smith's arrival with his army, 
 A deputation of them, who were in Clay county, to submit a proposal for 
 the purchase of all the Mormon lands in Independence, no sooner heard 
 that the prophet was in the field in person, than they returned to- 
 wards their own county to raise a force with which to meet and 
 chastise hira. One of their leaders, named Campbell, swore, as he ad- 
 justed his pistols in his holsters, " that the eagles and turkey buzzards 
 should eat his flesh if he did not, before two days, fix Joe Smith and 
 his army, so that their skins should not hold shucks." Joseph, who 
 relates this story, adds, that Campbell and his men *' went to the ferry 
 and undertook to cross the Missouri river after dusk ; but the angel ot 
 God saw fit to sink the boat about the middle of the river, and seven 
 out of the twelve that attempted to cross were drowned. Thus sud- 
 denly and justly," he adds, with great complacency, "they Mcnt to 
 their own place by water. Campbell was among the missing. He 
 floated down the river some four or five miles, and lodged upon a pile 
 of drift wood, where the eagles, buzzards, ravens, crows, and wild 
 animals, ate his flesh from his bones, to fulfil his own words, and left 
 him a horrible- looking skeleton of God's vengeance, which was dis- 
 covered about three weeks afterwards by one Mr. Purtle." 
 
 Joseph, much delighted at the death of Campbell and his men, and 
 at the discovery of the fleshless bones of his enemy by " Mr. Purtle," con- 
 tinued his march, and had a new *' revelation" from the Lord, to comfort 
 and excite his people. The cholera, however, broke out in his camp on 
 the 24th of June, and Joseph attempted to cure it by " laying on of his 
 hands and prayer." He failed, however, to do any good, and accounted 
 lor his failure by stating that **he quickly learned by painful expe- 
 rience that when the Great Jehovah decrees destruction, man must not 
 attempt to stay his hand." Though he could not cure the cholera, he 
 endeavoured to maintain his influence over the minds of his followers. 
 
JOSEPH SMITH IN MISSOURI. id 
 
 and impress tliera more forcibly with the miraculous nature of his 
 mission, by stating that the enemies of the Mormons avouIcI suffer 
 more severely from the visitation than the Mormons themselves. He 
 laid particular stress upon the case of a woman who refused a Saint 
 some water to drink. ' * Before a week, ' ' said the prophet, ' * the cholera 
 entered that house, and that woman and three others of the family 
 .were dead." Joseph lost thirteen of his band by the ravages of the 
 disease. On the 1st of July he crossed into Jackson county, with a 
 few friends, " to set his feet once more on that goodly land ;" and, after 
 .remaining one day, proceeded with the remainder of his company to 
 Clay county. He did not remain long with the Saints, for we find that 
 he arrived on the 2nd, and started back for Kirtland on the 9 th. It was 
 not prudent, it appears, that he should make himself too familiar with 
 his believers. The great man was not to be seen too closely with im- 
 punity, for some of his travelling companions began to accuse him of 
 ** prophesying lies in the name of the Lord," and also of appropriating 
 *' moneys" to which he had no right. But Joseph Smith was not a 
 man to be daunted by domestic treason or enemies in his own camp ; 
 and short as was the time he stayed, he did not depart without 
 organizing and encouraging the main body of the fugitives from 
 Jackson county, and establishing the community in Clay county 
 on a better footing than when he arrived. On his return to Kirtland, 
 his first step was to bring to trial before his church the brother who 
 accusedhim of "prophesying lies" and of appropriating "moneys." The 
 brother confessed his error, retracted his charge, and was forgiven. 
 
 The history of the sect for the next three years is one of strife and 
 contention with their unrelenting and vindictive enemies in Missouri. 
 The numbers of the Mormons increased with the numbers of their 
 opponents ; and the warfare raged so bitterly that the whole people 
 of .Missouri were ranged either on one side or the other. In the 
 autumn of 1837, Joseph's bank at Kirtland stopped payment; the 
 district was flooded with its worthless paper, and Joseph had a 
 *' revelation" commanding him to depart finally for Missouri, and live 
 among the Saints in the land of their inheritance. Joseph obeyed 
 tlie "revelation" by departing secretly in the night. His enemies 
 assert that he went " between two days," as it is called in America, 
 and that he left his creditors to their remedy. He found the affairs 
 of his church in considerable confusion on his arrival. The Saints 
 formed a numerous and powerful body, but they did not agree 
 among themselves ; and occasional seceders and deserters from their 
 camp — many of them consisting of men who were ashamed ot 
 their previous delusions, and of others who were actuated by vin- 
 dictive motives or disappointed ambition — spread abroad all sorts 
 
74 THE MORMONS. 
 
 of rumours and stories to the disadvantage of the sect. The 
 great schism, ah*eady alluded to, broke out in 1838, when Joseph 
 Smith found it necessary to denounce some of his oldest confederates, 
 among others ** Oliver Cowdery," one of the three witnesses to the 
 authenticity of the Book of Mormon, and the existence of the gold 
 plates ; Martin Harris, another witness ; Sidney Rigdon, his co-equal 
 in the government of the church, and various disciples and apostles. 
 Sidney Rigdon was afterwards forgiven, being too important a per- 
 sonage to be converted into an enemy. In the midst of these squabbles, 
 the people of Jackson county, joined by the people of Clay county, 
 Caldwell count}^ and other districts, made a series of pertinacious 
 efforts to expel them finally from Missouri. 
 
 A very clear narrative of these events was given in evidence 
 upon oath by Hyrum, the brother of Joseph Smith, at one of the 
 numerous criminal trials, which were instituted against the members 
 of the sect. It appears from this statement that at a popular election 
 in 1838, at Gallatin, in Davies county, the old ili-feeling having arisen 
 with more than its usual virulence, the mob Avould not allow any 
 Mormons to exercise their privilege of voting ; and that a desperate 
 fight, in which two men were killed, and many persons seriously 
 hurt, was the result. Both parties armed to defend themselves, 
 and carried on a guei'illa warfare for several Aveeks. The cry 
 was raised by the anti-Mormons, that there would be no peace in 
 the country as long as a single Mormon was allowed to remain within 
 it. Early in the September of that year, the mob assembled at a 
 place called Millport, near Adam-On-Diahman — "and," to use the 
 words of 11} rum Smith, "commenced making aggressions upon the 
 Mormons, taking away their hogs and cattle, and threatening them 
 with extermination, or utter extinction ; saying that they had a 
 cannon, and there should be no compromise only at its mouth : fre- 
 quently taking men, women, and children prisoners, whipping them 
 and lacerating their bodies with hickory withes, and tying them to 
 trees and depriving them of food until they were compelled to gnaw 
 the bark from the trees to which they were bound, in order to sustain 
 life ; treating them in the most cruel manner they could invent or 
 think of, and doing everything they could to excite the indignation 
 of the Mormon people to rescue them, in order that they might make 
 that a pretext of an accusation for the breach of the law, and that 
 they might the better excite the prejudice of the populace, and thereby 
 get aid and assistance to carry out their hellish purposes of extermina- 
 tion." We continue the narrative as given in Hyrum Smith's evi- 
 dence :— " Immediately on the authentication of these facts, mes- 
 sengers were despatched from Far West to Austin A. King, Judge 
 
MASSACRE AT HAUN S MILL. 75 
 
 of the clistrict, and to Mnjor-General Atcluson, Commander-in-Chief 
 of that division, and Brigadier-General Doniphan, demanding imme- 
 diate assistance. General Atchison returned with the messengers, 
 and went immediately to Diahman, and from thence to Millport, and 
 he found the facts were true as reported to him ; — that the citizens of 
 that county were assembled together in a hostile attitude to the amount 
 of two or three hundred men, threatening the utter extermination of 
 the Mormons, he immediately returned to Clay county, and ordered out 
 a sufficient military force to quell tlie mob. Immediately after they were 
 dispersed, and the army returned, the mob commenced collecting again 
 soon after. We again applied for military aid, when General Doniphan 
 came out with a force of sixty armed men to Far West ; but they Avere 
 in such a state of insubordination that he said he could not control them. 
 
 "After witnessing the distressed situation of the people in Diah- 
 man, my brother Joseph Smith, Senior, and myself, returned back to 
 the city of Far West, and immediately despatched a messenger, with 
 written documents, to 'General Atchison, stating the facts as they did 
 then exist, praying for assistance if possible, and requesting the 
 editor of The Far West to insert the same in his newspaper ; but he 
 utterly refused to do so. We stdl believed that we should get assist- 
 ance from the Governor, and again petitioned him, ])raying for 
 assistance, setting forth our distressed situation ; and in the meantime 
 the presiding Judge of the County Court issued orders — upon affidavits 
 made to him by the citizens— to the Sheriff of the county, to order 
 out the militia of the county to stand in constant readiness, night and 
 day, to jirevent the citizens from being massacred, which fearful 
 situation they were ex[)Osed to every moment. 
 
 " It was on the evening of the 30tli of October, according to the 
 best of my recollection, that the army arrived at Far West, the sun 
 about half an hour high. In a few moments afterwards, Cornelius 
 Gillum arrived with his army, and formed a junction. This Gillum 
 had been stationed at Hunter's Mills for about two months previous 
 to that time — committing dejjredations upon the inhabitants — cap- 
 turing men, women, and children, and carrying them off as prisoners, 
 lacerating their bodies with hickory withes. The army of * Gillum' 
 were painted like Indians, some of them were more conspicuous than 
 others, and were designated the red spots ; he, also, was painted in 
 a similar manner, with red spots marked on his face, and styled him- 
 self the 'Delaware Chief.' They would whoop, and halloo, and yell 
 as near like Indians as they could, and continued to do so all that 
 night. In the morning early, the Colonel of Militia sent a messenger 
 into the camp with a white flag, to have another interview Avith Ge- 
 neral Doniphan. On his return he informed us that the Governor's 
 
76 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 orders had arrived. General Doniphan said that ' the order of the 
 Governor was, to exterminate the Mormons by God, hut he would be 
 ^damned if he obeyed that order, but General Lucas might do what he 
 pleased.' We immediately learned from General Doniphan that ' the 
 Governor's order that had arrived was only a copy of the original, and 
 that the original order was in the hands of Major-General Clark, 
 who was on his way to Far West, with an additional army of six 
 thousand men.' Immediately after this, there came into the city a 
 messenger from Haun's Mill, bringing the intelligence of an awful 
 massacre of the people who were residing in that place, and that a 
 
 Massacre of Mormons at Haun's Mill. 
 
 force of two or three hundred, detached from the main body ot the 
 army, under the superior command of Colonel Ashley, but under the 
 immediate command of Captain Nehemiah Compstock, who, the day 
 previous, had promised them peace and protection, but on receiving a 
 copy of the Governor's order ' to exterminate or to expel ' from the 
 hands of Colonel Ashley, he returned upon them the following day, 
 and surprised and massacred the whole population, and then came 
 on to the town of Par West, and entered into conjunction with 
 
THE DANITE BAND. 77 
 
 the main body of the arm3% The messenger Informed us that he 
 himself with a few others fled into the thickets, which preserved 
 them from the massacre, and on the following morning they returned 
 and collected the dead bodies of the people, and cast them into a well. 
 There were upwards of tw^enty who were dead or mortally wounded. 
 One, of the name of Yocum, has lately had his leg amputated, in 
 consequence of wounds he then received. He had a ball shot through 
 his head, which entered near his eye, and came out at tlie back part 
 of his head, and another ball passed through one of his arms. 
 
 " The army, during all the while they had been encamped in Far 
 West, continued to lay waste fields of corn, making hogs, sheep, and 
 cattle common plunder, and shooting them down for sport. One man 
 shot a cow, and took a strip of her skin, the width of his hand, from 
 her head to her tail, and tied it around a tree, to slip his halter into, 
 to tie his horse to. The city was surrounded with a strong guard, and 
 no man, woman, or child was permitted to go out or come in, under the 
 penalty of death. Many of the citizens were shot in attempting to go 
 out to obtain sustenance for themselves and families." 
 
 It was not to be expected that the Mormons, exposed to a series of 
 persecutions and outrages like these, and in a country so utterly lawless, 
 should not take measures to defend themselves. As it was unsafe for 
 a Mormon to stir abroad, a body of them, instituted expressly for the 
 defence of the sect, and possibly on the recommendation ot the Gover- 
 nor of Missouri given to them some years before, was organized under 
 the name of the "Danite Band," or, as they were sometimes called, 
 the ** Destroying Angels." An affidavit made before a justice of the 
 peace in Ray county, Missouri, on the 24:th of October, 1888, and 
 sworn by a man named March, who had held office in the Mormon 
 church, and another affidavit, signed by Orson Hyde, an ex-apostle 
 of the church, alleged the following facts with reference to the "Dan- 
 ites," and their proceedings : — 
 
 " They have among them a company, consisting of all that are considered 
 true Mormons, called the Danites, who have taken an oath to support the 
 heads of the church in all things that they say or do, whether right or wrong. 
 Many, however, of this band are much dissatisfied with this oath, as being 
 against moral and religious principles. On Saturday last, I am informed by 
 the Mormons that they had a meeting at Far West, at which tliey appointed a 
 company of twelve, by the name of the Destruction Company, for the purpose 
 of burning and destroying ; and that if the people of Buncombe came to do 
 mischief upon the people of Caldwell, and committed depredations upon the 
 Mormons, they were to burn Buncombe ; and if the people of Clay and Eay 
 made any movement against them, this destroying company were to burn 
 Liberty and Eichmond. The plan of said Smith, the prophet, is to take this 
 
78 
 
 THE 2J0RM0NS. 
 
 State ; and he professes to his people to intend taking the United States, and 
 ultimately the whole world. This is the belief of the church, and my own 
 opinion of the propliet's plans and intentions. The prophet inculcates the 
 notion, and it is believed by every true Mormon, that Smith's prophecies are 
 superior to the law of the land. I have heard the prophet say that he would 
 yet tread down his enemies, and walk over their dead bodies : that if he was 
 not let alone, he would be a second Maliumet to this generation, and that he 
 would make it one gore of blood from the Eocky Mountains to the Atlantic 
 Ocean ; that, like i\[ahoraet, whose motto, in treating for peace, was * the Al- 
 coran or the sword,' so should it be eventually with up, 'Joseph Smith or the 
 sword.' These last statements were made during the last summer. The 
 number of armed men at Adam-On-Diahman was between tln-ee and four 
 hundred. 
 
 "TiioiMAS B. March. 
 
 " Sworn to and subscribed before mo, the day herein wiitten. 
 
 "Henry Jacobs, J. P. Kay county, Missouri. 
 
 *' Richmond, Missouri, October 24., 1838. 
 
 ''affidavit of ORSON HYDE.^^ 
 "The most of the statements in the foregoing disclosure of T. 13. Jlarch 
 I know to by true ; the remainder I believe to be true. 
 
 "Orson Hyde, Richmond, Oct. 24, 1838. 
 
 " Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day above written. 
 
 "Henry Jacobs, J.P." 
 
 "certificate of THOMAS C. BURCH AND OTHERS. 
 "The undersigned committee, on the part of the citizens of Eay county, 
 have no doubt but Thomas B. March and Orson Hyde, whose names are siom d 
 to the foregoing certificates, have been members of the Jlormon church in 
 full fellowship until very recently, when they voluntarily abandoned the 
 Mormon church and ftiith, and that said March was, at the time of his dis- 
 senting, the president of the Twelve Apostles, and president of the church at 
 Far West ; and that said H_) de was at that time one of the Twelve Apostles, 
 and that they left the church, and abandoned the faith of the Mormons, from a 
 conviction of their immorality and impiety. 
 
 "Thomas C. Burch. 
 
 William Hudgins. 
 
 Henry Jacobs. 
 
 George Woodward. 
 
 J. li. Hendley. 
 
 0. R. MOKEHEAD. 
 
 " Richmond, OcAoher U, \^Z%:* 0. H. Searcy." 
 
 These and other statements of a similar kind, man}'- of which were 
 doubtless highly exaggerated, were daily inculcated, and produced 
 
 * This Orson Hyde appears to have rejoined the Mornions, and to have beeu 
 present at the trial of Sidney Rigdon, after the death of Joseph Smith. 
 
PERSECUTIONS IN MISSOURI. 
 
 79 
 
 the effect of still further exasperating the people against Joseph and 
 his disci J ties. The Mormons, seeing the law broken by their oppo- 
 nents, refused obedience to the law themselves. They fortified their 
 farms and towns, and treated with contempt the legal processes which 
 it was attem[)ted to serve upon them. The militia of the State was 
 again called out, under the command of General Doniphan. His 
 measures were so vigorous, and the fury of the people against 
 Joseph was so great, that the Mormons, dreading the general massacre 
 of their sect, so long threatened, laid down their arms, and finally 
 resolved to leave the State of Missouri and take refuge in Illinois, then 
 very partially cleared and settled. 
 
 The following address, which is of itself sufficient evidence of the 
 cruelty and injustice with which the sect was treated, was delivered 
 at Far West, by Major-General Clark, to the Mormons, after they had 
 surrendered their arms, and declared themselves prisoners of war : — 
 
 " Gentlemen, — You whose names are not attached to this list of 
 names will now have the privilege of going to your fields to obtain 
 corn for your families, wood, (fee. Those that are now taken will go 
 from thence to prison, be tried, and receive the due demerit of their 
 crimes ; but you are now at liberty, all but such as charges may be 
 hereafter preferred against. It now devolves upon you to fulfil the 
 treaty that you have entered into, the leading items of which I now 
 lay before you. The first of these you have already complied with, 
 which is, that you deliver up your leading men to be tried according 
 to law. Second, that you deliver up your arms — this has been 
 attended to. The third is, that you sign over your properties to 
 defray the expenses of the war— this you have also done. Another 
 thing yet remains for you to comply with — that is, that you leave the 
 State forthwith ; and whatever your feelings concerning this affair, 
 whatever your innocence, it is nothing to me. General Lucas, who 
 is equal in authority with me, has made this treaty with you. I am 
 determined to see it executed. The orders of the Governor to me 
 were, that you should be exterminated, and not allowed to continue 
 in the State ; and had your leader not been given up, and the treaty 
 complied with, before this, you and your families would have been 
 destroyed, and your houses in ashes. 
 
 "There is a discretionary power vested in my hands, which I 
 shall try to exercise for a season. I did not say that you shall go 
 now ; but you must not think of staying here another season, or of 
 putting in crops ; for the moment you do, the citizens will be upon 
 you. I am determined to see the Governor's message fulfilled, but 
 shall nut come upon you immediately — do not think that I shall act 
 as I have done any more— but if I have to come again, because the 
 
80 THE MOFMONS. 
 
 treaty whicli jou have made here shall be broken, you need not 
 expect any mercy, but extermination ; for I am determined the 
 Governor's order shall be executed. As for your leaders, do not once 
 think— do not imagine for a moment — do not let it enter your mind — 
 that they will be delivered, or that you will see their faces again ; for 
 their fate is fixed, their die is cast, their doom is sealed. 
 
 " I am sorry, gentlemen, to see so great a number of apparently 
 intelligent men found in the situation that you are ; — and, oh ! that I 
 could invoke the spirit of the unknown God to rest upon you, and de- 
 liver you from that awful chain of superstition, and liberate you from 
 those fetters of fanaticism with which you are bound. I would ad- 
 vise you to scatter abroad, and never again organize with bishops, pre- 
 sidents, (fee, lest you excite the jealousies of the people, and subject 
 yourselves to the same calamities that have now come upon you. You 
 have always been the aggressors, you have brought upon yourselves 
 these difficulties by being disaffected, and not being subject to rule — 
 and my advice is, that you become as other citizens, lest by a recur- 
 rence of these events, you bring upon yourselves irretrievable ruin." 
 
 While the great body of the Mormons were thus barbarously dealt 
 with, and while General Clark so coolly spoke of their "extermination " 
 as a result which they might expect, the Prophet himself was be- 
 trayed into the hands of his enemies, and taken into custody, to answer 
 the various charges of treason, murder, and felony, which were brought 
 against him. His brother Hyrum, and three other leaders of the sect, 
 were apprehended at the same time. The *' treason " was for making 
 war against the State of Missouri, the "murder" was the death of 
 the two men in the affray at Gallatin, and the *' felony " was the 
 destruction and robbery of property committed by the Danite band. 
 Though Joseph at first anticipated an acquittal upon the whole of these 
 charges, the mob breathed such vengeance against him that he made 
 an attempt to escape after he had been a few weeks in prison. His 
 attempt, however, was discovered and foiled, partly by the breaking 
 of an auger with which he was at work, and partly by the indiscretion 
 of his friends outside. 
 
 Hyrum Smith, in a ** Communication to the Saints scattered 
 abroad," published in the first volume of the Times and Seasons, a 
 year after the events described, gave a painfully interesting account 
 of the sufierings and persecutions which he and other members of the 
 sect underwent at this time, in which he recapitulated the main portion 
 of the evidence from which we have quoted, and added many other facts, 
 which are necessary to the proper understanding of the narrative. 
 
 " It would be unnecessary for me," he said, " to enter into the parti- 
 culars prior to my settlement in Missouri, or give an account of myjourney 
 
PERSECUTIONS IN MISSOURI. Bl 
 
 to thatstate; suffice it to say, that after liavlngendured almost all manner 
 of abuse, which was poured out upoutlie Church of Latter-Day Saint.s, 
 from its commencement, by wicked and ungodly men, I left Kirtland, 
 Ohio, the beginning of March, 1838, with a family consisting often indi- 
 viduals, and with means only sufficient to take us one half the way. 
 The weather was very unpropitious, and the roads were worse than I 
 had ever seen them before. However, after enduring many privations 
 and much fatigue, through the kind providence of God, I arrived with 
 my family in Far West, the latter part of May, where I found many 
 of my friends who had borne the heat and burden of tlie day, and 
 whose privations and sufferings for Christ's sake had been great, with 
 whom I fondly hoped and anticipated the pleasure of spending a sea- 
 son in peace, and having a cessation from the troubles and persecutions 
 to which we had been subject for a number of years. The prospect 
 w^as truly flattering ; we were the owners of almost the entire county; 
 many of the brethren had already opened very extensive farms ; 
 nature was propitious, and the comforts of life would have soon been 
 realized by every industrious person. But notwithstanding these 
 favourable auspices, a storm arose, before whose withering blast our 
 fair and reasonable pi'ospects were blasted and ruined : anarchy and 
 dismay were spread through that county, as well as the adjoining ones, 
 in which our brethren had found a resting-place. 
 
 "The inhabitants of the upper counties, jealous of the increasing 
 number of the Saints, thinking, like some in ancient times, that if they 
 were to let us alone, Ave should take away their place and nation, soon 
 began to circulate reports prejudicial to us, and after threatening us 
 wnth mobs for some time, at last put their threats into execution, 
 and proceeded to drive off our cattle, and burn down our houses, 
 while helpless females, with their tender offspring, had to flee into 
 the wilderness, and wander to a considerable distance for shelter. 
 This state of things continued until, from false representations and a 
 wicked desire to overthrow the Saints, the Governor called out the 
 militia, and -gave orders for our extermination. 
 
 " Soon after tlie arrival of the militia at Far West, my brother 
 Joseph, with several others, who were considered leading characterr^ 
 in the church, were betrayed into their hands, and the day after Co- 
 lonel George Hinckle, who had always been a professed friend, but who 
 had now turned traitor, came with a company of the enemy to my house, 
 and told them I was the person whom they sought. They told me 1 
 must go with them to the camp. I inquired when I could return, my 
 family being in a situation that 1 knew not how to leave them ; but 
 could get no answer. Remonstrance was in vain, so I was obliged to 
 go with them. I was aware of the hostile feelings of our enemies, and 
 
 r 
 
82 THE MORMONS. 
 
 tlieir hatred to all those who professed the faith of the Church of Latter- 
 Day Saints ; and I can assure my brethren that I would as soon have 
 gone into a den of lions, as into that host, who had orders from the 
 executive of the State to put us to death, and who had every disposition 
 to do so. JHowever, I was enabled to put my trust in the Lord, knowing 
 that he who delivered Daniel out of the den of lions, could deliver me 
 from cruel and wicked men. When I arrived at the camp, I was put 
 under the same guard with my brother Joseph and my other friends 
 who had been taken the day previous. 
 
 *' That evening a court-martial was held, to consult what steps 
 should be taken with the prisoners, when it was decided that we Avere 
 to be shot the next morning, as an ensample to the rest of the church. 
 Knowing that I had done nothing worthy of * death or of bonds,' and 
 feeling an assurance that all things Avould work together for our good, I 
 remained quite calm, and felt altogether unmoved. When I heard of their 
 unjust and cruel sentence, ' my heart was fixed, trusting in the Lord.' 
 
 "The next morning came on, when (according to the sentence of 
 the court) we were to be shot. It was an important time ; thousands 
 were anticipating the event with fiendish joy, and seemed to long for 
 the hour of execution, whib our friends and brethren were beseeching a 
 throne of grace on our behalf, and praying for our deliverance. The 
 time at length arrived when their sentence was to be carried into effect ; 
 but in consequence of General Doniphan protesting against the unlaw- 
 fulness of the proceedings, and, at the same time, threatening to with- 
 draw his troops, if they should offer to carry into effect their murderous 
 sentence, the court rescinded their resolution ; and thus their purposes 
 were frustrated, and our bitterest enemies Avere disappointed. The 
 prayers of our friends were answered, and our lives spared. Notwith- 
 standing the discomfiture of their plans, yet our destruction was 
 determined upon by a vast majority, who, thinking they could better 
 carry into effect their purposes, ordered us to be conveyed to Jackson 
 county, where they were well aware our most cruel persecutors re- 
 sided. Eefore starting, I got permission to visit my family, but had 
 only time to get a change of clothes, and then was hurried away from 
 them, while tliey clung to my garments, they supposing it would be 
 the last time they would see me in this world. While getting into the 
 waggon which was to convey us to our destination, four men rushed 
 upon us, and levelled their rifles at us, seemingly with a determina- 
 tion to shoot us. But this was not permitted them to do. No ! their 
 arms were unnerved, and they dropped their pieces and slunk away. 
 While thus exposed, I felt no tremour or alarm ; I knew I was in the 
 hands of God, whose power was unlimited. 
 
 " While on our way to Jackson county we excited great curiosity. 
 
PERSECUTIONS IN MISSOURI. 83 
 
 At our stopping places, people would flock to see us from all quarters, 
 a ^a-eat number of whom would rail upon us, and give us abusive lan- 
 guage, while a few Avould pity us, knowing that we were an injured 
 people. When we arrived at Independence, the county seat of J ack- 
 son county, the citizens flocked from all parts of the county to see us. 
 They were generally very abusive : some of the most ignorant gnashed 
 their teeth upon us ; but all their threats and abuse did not move me, 
 for I felt the spirit of the Lord to rest down upon me, and I felt great 
 liberty in speaking to those who would listen to the truth. Notwith- 
 standing the determination of our enemies, they were not suff'ered to 
 carry out their designs in that county ; for, after enduring considerable 
 hardships, we were removed back as far as Richmond, in Ray county, 
 where, for the first time in my life, I was put into prison. My feet 
 were hurt with the fetters ; and I remained in this situation for fourteen 
 days. I endeavoured to bear up under my sufferings and wrongs, but 
 at the same time could not help but feel indignant at those who treated 
 us with such cruelty, and who pretended to do it under the sanction of 
 the laws. After many attempts to destroy us by the military, in all 
 of which they were unsuccessful, we were at length delivered up to 
 the civil law, soon after which, a court of inquiry was held. A great 
 deal of false testimony was given prejudicial to my brethren ; but all 
 the testimony they could produce against me was, that I was one of 
 the presidency of the church, and a firm friend to my brother Joseph. 
 This the court deemed sufficient to authorize my committal to prison. 
 I was then, with my brethren, removed to Liberty, in Clay county, 
 where I was confined for more than four months, and suffered much 
 for want of proper food, and from the nauseous cell in which I was 
 confined, but still more so on account of my anxiety for my family, 
 whom I had left without any protector, and who were unable to help 
 themselves. ]\Iy wife was confined while I was away from home, and 
 had to suffer more than tongue can tell. She was not able to sit up 
 for several weeks, and to heighten my afiliction, and the sufferings of 
 my helpless family, my goods were unlawfully seized upon and car- 
 ried off", until my family had to suffer in consequence thereof. Nor 
 were the Missourians my only oppressors ; but those with whom I had 
 been acquainted from my youth, and who had ever pretended the 
 greatest friendship towards me, came to my house while I was in 
 prison, and ransacked and carried off many of my valuables ; this 
 they did under the cloak of friendship. Amongst those who treated 
 me thus, I cannot help making particular mention of Lyman Cowdery, 
 who, in connection with his brother Oliver, took from me a great many 
 things ; and, to cap the climax of his iniquity, compelled my aged 
 father, by threatening to bring a mob upon him, to deed over to 
 
iS4 THE MORMONS. 
 
 liim, or his brother Oliver, about 160 acres of land, to pay a note, 
 which he said I had given to Oliver, for 165 dollars. Such a note I 
 confess I was, and still am, entirely ignorant of ; and after mature 
 consideration, I have to say, that I believe it must be a forgery. 
 
 " These circumstances, with the afflicting situation of my family, 
 served greatly to heighten my grief ; indeed, it was almost more than 
 I could bear up under. I traversed my prison-house for hours, think- 
 ing of their cruelty to my family, and the afflictions they brought upon 
 the Saints of the Most High. They forcibly reminded me of the chil- 
 dren of Edum, when the Jews were destroyed by their enemies ; and 
 the language of the prophet Obadiah to Edom is, I think, so very 
 much in point, that I cannot refrain from insertiug it : — 
 
 " ' For thy violence against thy brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee, 
 and thou shalt be cut oft' for ever. 
 
 ** ' In the day thou stoodtst on the other side, in the day that the strangers 
 carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast 
 lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them. 
 
 " ' But thou shouldst not have looked on the day of thy brother, in the day 
 that he became a stranger; neither shouldst thou have rejoiced over the 
 children of Judah in the day of their destruction ; neither shouldst thou have 
 spoken proudly in the day of distress. 
 
 *' ' Thou shouldst not have entered into the gate of my people in the day 
 of their calamity ; yea, thou shouldst not have looked on their affliction in 
 the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day 
 of their calamity. Neither shouldst thou have stood in the crossway, to cut 
 off those of his that did escape ; neither shouldst thou have delivered up 
 those of his that did remain in the city of distress.' " 
 
 After being In the hands of our enemies for about six months, 
 the time of our deUverance at length arrived. Yuu may judge what 
 my feelings were when I escaped from those whose feet were fast to 
 shed blood, and when I was again privileged to see my beloved family, 
 who had suffered so many privations and afflictions, not only while iu 
 Far West, but likewise iu moving away in that inclement season of 
 the year. 
 
 " Thus, I have endeavoured to give you a short account of my suf- 
 ferings while in the State of Missouri; hut how inadequate is language 
 to express the feelings of my mind while under them, knowing that I 
 was innocent of crime, and that I had been dragged from my family 
 at a time when my assistance was most needed ; that I had been 
 abused and thrust into a dungeon, and confined for months on account 
 of my faith, and the ' testimony of Jesus Christ.' However, I thank 
 God that I felt a determination to die rather than deny the things 
 which my eyes had seen, which my hands had handled, and which 
 
PERSKCUTTONS IN MISSOURI. 85 
 
 liad borne testimony to, wherever my lot had been cast ; and I can 
 assure my beloved brethren, that I was enabled to bear as strong a 
 testimony when nothing but deatii presented itself as ever I did in my 
 life. My confidence in God was, likewise un^hak•en. I knew that He 
 who suffered me, along with my brethren, to be thus tried, could, 
 and would, deliver us out of tlie hands of our enemies ; and in His own 
 due time He did so, for which I desire to bless and praise His holy 
 name. 
 
 *' From my close and long confinement, as well as from the suffer- 
 ings of my mind, I feel my body greatly broken down and debilitated, 
 my frame has received a shock from which it will take a long time to 
 recover. Yet, I am happy to say that my zeal for the cause of God, and 
 my courage in defence of the truth, are as great as ever. * My heart 
 is fixed ;' and I yet feel a determination to do the will of God, in sprte 
 of persecutions, imprisonments, or death. I can say with Paul, 
 ' None of these things move me, so that I may finish my course wnth 
 
 .joy-' 
 
 " Your brother in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, 
 
 " HvRUM Smith." 
 "Dec. 18.39." 
 
 A document of still more interest was issued by the two brothers 
 while in prison, and signed by them and three other members of the 
 church. The unflinching courage of Joseph while surrounded with 
 difficulties and perils of no ordinary kind, and his firm reliance upon 
 the ultimate triumph of his doctrine, compel admiration, and would 
 almost justify the supposition, that he had taught his imposture so 
 long, and lived so thoi-oughly in it, by it, and with it, as to have ended 
 by believing it. The document ran as follows : — 
 
 ''Liberty Jail, Clay Co., Missouri. 
 
 '' To Bishop Partridge, and to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- 
 Day Saints, in Quincy, Illinois, and to those scattered abroad, through- 
 out all the regions round about. 
 
 " Your humble servant, Joseph Smith, jr., prisoner for Christ's sake, 
 and the Saints, taken and held by the power of mobocracy under the 
 exterminating reign of his excellency Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, in 
 company with his fellow-prisoners and beloved brethren, Caleb Bald- 
 win, Lyman .Wight, Hyrum Smith, and Alexander McRae, send unto 
 you greeting : May the g)*ace of God the Father, and the Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ, rest upon you all, and abide with you for ever ; 
 and may faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, 
 brotherly-kindness, and cliarity, dwell in you and abound, so that you 
 may not be barren and unfruitful. 
 
86 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 " We know that the greater part of you are acquainted with the 
 wrongs, high-toned injustice, and cruelty which are practised upon u.s ; 
 we have been taken prisoners, charged falsely with all kind of crimes, 
 and thrown into a prison enclosed with strong Avails, and are sur- 
 rounded with a strong guard who are as indefatigable in watching 
 us, as their master is in laying snares for the people of God. There- 
 fore, under these circumstances, dearly beloved brethren, we are the 
 more ready to claim your fellowship and love. Our situation is cal- 
 culated to awaken our minds to a sacred remembrance of your affec- 
 tion and kindness ; and we think that your situation will have the 
 same eifect ; therefore, we believe, that nothing can separate us from 
 the love of God, and our lellowship one with another ; and that every 
 species of wickedness and cruelty practised upon us, will only tend to 
 bind our hearts and seal them together in love. 
 
 " It is probably as unnecessary for us to say, that we are thus treated 
 and held in bonds without cause, as it Avould be for you to say, that 
 you were smitten and driven from your homes without any provoca- 
 tion ; Ave mutually understand and verily knoAV, that if the citizens 
 of the State of Missouri had not abusetl the Saints, and had been 
 as desirous of peace as Ave Avere, there Avould have been nothing 
 but peace and quietude to this day, and Ave should not have been in 
 this Avretclied place, and burthened Avitli the society of demons in 
 human form, and compelled to hear nothing but oaths and curses, and 
 Avitness scenes of drunkenness and debaucheries of every description ; 
 neither would the cries of orphans and widows have ascended to God, 
 or the blood of the Saints have stained the soil, and cried for ven- 
 geance against them. But Ave dwell Avith those Avho bate peace ; 
 and Avho delight in Avar ; and surely their unrelenting hearts— their 
 inhuman and murderous disposition — and their cruel practices, shock 
 humanity, and defy description ! It is truly a tale oi sorrow, lamert^ 
 tation, and ^voe, too much for humanity to contemplate. Such a trans- 
 action cannot be found where kings and tyrants reign, or among the 
 savages of the wilderness, or even among tlie ferocious beasts of the 
 forest. To think that man should be mangled for sport, after being 
 cruelly put to death, and that Avomen should have their last morseJ 
 stolen from them, Avhile their helpless children Avere clinging around 
 them and crying for food — and then, to gratify the hellish desires of their 
 more than inhuman oppressors, be violated, is horrid in J;he extreme. 
 
 " They practice these things upon the Saints, who have done them 
 no wrong, have committed no crime, and Avho are an innocent and 
 virtuous people ; and who have proved themselves lovers of God by 
 forsaking and enduring all things for His sake. ' It must needs be 
 that offences come, but Avce to those by whom they come.' 
 
PERSECUTIONS IN MISSOURI. 87 
 
 ** God ! where art thou ? and where is the pavilion that eovereth 
 thy hiding-place? how long shall thy hand be stayed, and thy pure 
 eyes behold from the heavens the wrongs and sufferings of thy people, 
 and of thy servants ; and thine ears be penetrated with their cries f 
 How long, Lord ! shall they thus suffer, before thine heart shall be 
 softened towards them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion to- 
 wards them ! Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and 
 seas, and of all things that in them is, and who controlleth and sub- 
 jecteth the devil and the dark and benighted dominions of Satan, 
 stretch forth thy hand, let thine eye pierce, let thy pavilion be taken 
 up, let thy hiding-place no longer be uncovered, let tliine ear be in- 
 clined, let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with com > 
 passion towards thy people ; and let thine anger be kindled against 
 our enemies, and in thy fury let fall the sword of thine indignation, 
 and avenge us of our wrongs. Remember thy suffering Saints, our 
 God ! and thy servants will rejoice in thy name for ever. 
 
 "Dearly beloved brethren, we realize that peiilous times have 
 come, as have been testified of in ancient days, and we may look with 
 certainty and the most perfect assurance for the rolling in of all those 
 things which have been spoken of by all the holy prophets : hft up 
 your eyes to the bright luminary of day, and you can say, Soon thou 
 shalt veil thy blushing face, for at the behest of Him who said, * Let 
 there be light, and there was light,' thou shalt withdraw thy shining. 
 Thou moon, thou dimmer light, and luminary of night, shalt turn to 
 blood. We see that the pro[)hecies concerning the last days are ful- 
 filling, and the time shall soon come when the ' Son of man shall 
 descend in the clouds of heaven, in power and great glory.' 
 
 " We do not shrink, nor are our hearts and spirits broken at the 
 grievous yoke which is put upon us. We know that God will have 
 our o})pre5sors in derision, that he will laugh at their calamity, and 
 mock when their fear coraeth. We think we should have got out of our 
 prison house, at the time Elder Rigdon got a writ of habeas corpus, 
 had not our own lawyers interpreted the law contrary to Avhat it reads, 
 and against us, which prevented us from introducing our witnesses 
 before the mock court ; they have done us much harm from the begin- 
 ning ; they have lately acknowledged that the law was misconsti'ued, 
 and then tantalized our feelings with it, and have now entirely for- 
 saken us, have forfeited both their oaths and their bonds, and are co- 
 workers with the mob. From the information we received, the public 
 mind has been for some time turning in our favour, and the majoritv 
 is now friendly, and the lawyers can po longer browbeat us by saying, 
 that this or that is a matter of public opinion, for public opinion is 
 not willing to brook all their proceedings, but is beginning to look 
 
88 THE MORMONS. 
 
 with feelings of indignation upon our oppressors. We think that 
 truth, honour, virtue, and innocence, will eventually come out trium- 
 phant. 
 
 " We should have taken out a writ of habeas corpus, and escaped 
 the mob in a summary way, but unfortunately for us, the timber of 
 the wall being very hard, our auger handles gave out, which hindered 
 us longer thgn we expected. We applied to a friend for assistance, 
 and a A^ery slight incautious act gave rise to suspicion, and before we 
 coufd fully succeed, our }ilan was discovered. We should have made 
 our escape, and succeeded admirably well, had it not been for a little 
 imprudence, or over anxiety on the part of our friend. 
 
 " The sheriff and jailor did not blame us for our attempt ; it was 
 a fine breach, and cost the county a round sum ; public o))inion says 
 Ave ought to have been permitted to have made our escape, but then the 
 di-^grace would have been on us, but now it must come on the State. 
 AVe know tbat there cannot be any charge sustained against us, find 
 that the conduct of the mob — tlie murders at 11 aun's Mill, the exter- 
 minating order of Governor Boggs, and the one-sided, rascally pro- 
 ceedings of the Jjegislature, have damned the State of Missouri to all 
 eternity. General Atchison has proved himself to be as contemptible 
 as any of our enemies. We have tried a long time to get our lawyers 
 to draw us some petitions to the supreme judges of this State, but they 
 have utterly refused ; we have examined the laws, and drawn the 
 petitions ourselves, and have obtained abundance of proof to counter- 
 act all the testimony that is against us, so that ii' the judges do not 
 grant us our liberty they have got to act contrary to honour, evidence, 
 Liw, or justice, merely to jilease the mob ; but we hope better things, 
 and trust that before many days, God will so order our case, that we 
 shall be set at liberty, and again enjoy the society of the Saints. We 
 received some letters from our friends, last evening, one from Emma, 
 one from D. C. Smith, and one from Bishop Partridge, all breathing 
 a kind and consoling spirit ; we had been a long time without infor- 
 mation from our friends, and when we read those letters they were 
 refreshing to our souls, as the gentle air and refreshing breeze ; but 
 our feelings of joy were mingled Avith feelings of pain a?id sorrow on 
 account of the sufferings of the poor and much injured Saints, and we 
 iifed not say unto you that the flood-gates of our hearts Avere open, 
 and our eyes were a fountain of tears. Those Avho haA^e not been in- 
 closed in the Avails of a pjison, Avithout cause or provocation, can have 
 but little idea how sAveet the voice of a friend or one token of friend- 
 shl}) is, from any source Avhatever, and awakens and calls into action 
 every sympathetic feeling of the human heart ; it brings to review 
 evei'v thing that has pasted, it seizes the present with the velocity of 
 
PERSECUriONS ]N MISSOURI. 89 
 
 lightning, and grasps after the future with fond antici[)at!on ; it fills 
 the mind with tenderness and love, until all enmity, malice, hatred, 
 jtast ditFerenees, misunderstandings, and mismanagements, are entirely 
 forgotten, or are slain victims at the feet of love. When the heart is 
 sufficiently contrite, then the voice of inspiration steals along and 
 Avhispers, My son, peace be unto thy soul ; — thine advei'sity and thy 
 afflictions shall be but for a moment ; and then, if thou art faithlul and 
 endure, God shall exalt thee on hiy,h, tliou shalt triumph over all thy 
 foes, thj' friends shall stand by thee, and shall hail thee again with 
 Avarm hearts : thou art not yet as Job, thy friends do not contend 
 against thee, neither do they charge ihee with transgression ; and those 
 who do charge thee with transgression, their hope shall be blasted, 
 and their prospects melt away, as the hoffr frost melteth before the 
 rays of the rising sun. It likewise informs us that God has set his 
 hand to change the tinips and the seasons, and to blind the minds of 
 the wicked, that they may not understand his marvellous workings, 
 that he may take them in their own craftiness, because their hearts 
 are corrupt, and the distress and soriow which they seek to bring upon 
 the saints, shall return upon them double ; and, not many years hence, 
 they and their posterity shall be destroyed from under heaven. 
 Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, 
 saith the l^ord, for they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but 
 have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded 
 them, saith the Lord. Those who cry transgression do it because they 
 are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves, 
 and swear falsely against my servants, that they may bring them into 
 bondage and death. Woe unto them, because they have olfended my 
 little ones ; they shall be severed fiom the ordinances of mine house, 
 iheir basket shall not be tull. their houses and tljeir lands shall be 
 emi»ty, and they themselves shall be despised by those who have flat- 
 tered them. They shall not iiave light to the |)riesthood, nor their 
 ])Osterity after them, fio;n generation to generation ; and it would 
 jiave been better for 'them that a mill-stone had been hung about their 
 necks, and they drowned in the d3j)ths of the sea. Woe unto all those 
 who di'ive, and murder, and testify against my ])eo]tle, saith the Lord 
 of hosts, foi they shall not escaj)e the damnation of hell : behold mine 
 eye seeth, and I know all their works, and I have in reserve a swift 
 judgment in the season thereof, and the}'' shall be rewarded according 
 to their works. 
 
 *' God has said he would have a tried people, and that he would 
 purify them as gold is purified ; now, we think he has chosen ids 
 own crucible to try us, and if we slioukl be so happy as to endure 
 and keep the faith, it will be a sign to this generation, suflicient to 
 
90 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 leave them without excuse ; and that it will be a trial of our faith 
 equal to that of Abraham or any of the ancients, and that they will 
 not have much cause to boast over us, in the persecutions and trials 
 they endured. After passing through so much suffering and sorrow, 
 we trust that before long a ram may be caught in the thicket, so that 
 the sons and daughters of Abraham may be relieved from their fears 
 and anxiety, and that their faces may once more be lighted up with 
 jo}' and salvation, and be enabled to hold out unto everlasting life. 
 
 " Now, concerning the places for the location of the Saints, we 
 would say that we cannot council you in this thing as well as if we 
 were with you ; and as to the things written to you before, we did 
 not consider them binding ; we would advise, that while we remain 
 in prison and in bondage, that the affairs of the church be conducted 
 by a general conference of the most faithful and respectable of the 
 authorities of the church, and that the proceedings of the same be 
 forwarded to your humble servants ; and if there be any corrections 
 by the word of the Lord, they shall be freely transmitted, and we 
 will cheei'fuUy approve of all things which are acceptable to God. 
 If anything should have been suggested by us, or any names men- 
 tioned except by commandment, or ' thus saith the Lord,' we do not 
 consider it binding ; therefore we shall not feel grieved if you should 
 deem it wisdom to make different arrangements. We would respect- 
 fully advise the brethren to be aware of an aspiring spirit, which has 
 frequent!}'- urged men forward to make foul speeches, and beget an 
 undue influence in the minds of the Saints, and bring much sorrow 
 and distress in the church. We would likewise say, be aware of 
 pride ; for truly hath the wise man said, ' Pride goeth before destruc- 
 tion, and an haughty spirit before a fall.' Outward appearance is not 
 always a criterion for us to judge our fellow- man by ; but the lips 
 frequently betray the haughty and overbearing mind. Flattery also 
 is a deadly poison ; a frank and open rebuke provoketh a good man 
 to emulation, and in the hour of trouble he will be your best friend ; 
 but rebuke a wicked man, and you will soon see manifest all the 
 corruption of a wicked heart — the poison of asps is under their 
 tongue, and they cast the Saints in prison, that their deeds be not 
 reproved. A fanciful, flowery, and heated imagination be aware of ; 
 for the things of God are of vast importance, and require time and 
 experience, as well as deep and solemn thought, to find them out ; 
 and if we would bring souls to salvation, it requires that our minds 
 should rise to the highest heavens, search into and contemplate the 
 lowest abyss, expand wide as eternity, and hold communion with 
 Deity. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God 
 than the vain imaginations of the human heart ! How vain and trifling 
 
PERSECUTTiA'S IN MISSOURI, 91 
 
 have been our spirits in our conferences and council meetings, as wtU 
 as in our public and private conversations ! Too low and condescending 
 for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, who 
 have been set apart in the mind of God before the foundation of the 
 world, to hold the keys of the mysteries of those things which have 
 been kept hid for ages and generations, which have been revealed to 
 babes, yea, to the weak, obscure, and despisable ones of the earth. 
 We would beseech you to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and 
 at the same time exliort one another to a reformation, both teachers and 
 taught, male and female ; so that lionesty, sobriety, candour, solemnity, 
 plainness, meekness, and virtue, may characterise us from henceforth : 
 and that we be like little children, without malice, guile, or hypocrisy. 
 And now, brethren, after your tribulation, if you do these things, and 
 exercise fervent prayer in the sight of God always, he shall give unto 
 you knowledge, by his Holy Spirit ; yea, he shall pour out the Holy 
 Ghost in such copious effusion as has not been since the creation 
 until now ; yea, the fulness of that promise which our fathers have 
 waited for with such anxious expectation, which was to be revealed 
 in the last days, and held in reserve until a time Avhen nothing shall 
 be withheld ; when all the glories of earth and heaven, time and 
 eternity, shall be manifest to all those who have endured valiantly 
 for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If there be bounds set to the heavens, 
 the seas, the dry land, they shall be manifest, as well as the various 
 revolutions of the sun, moon, and planets ; and a full development of 
 all the glorious laws by which they are governed shall be revealed in 
 the ' dispensation of the fulness of times,' according to that which was 
 ordained in the midst of the council of heaven in the presence of the 
 eternal God, before this world was. 
 
 " Ignorance, bigotry, and superstition are frequently in the way 
 of the prosperity of this church, and are like the torrent of rain 
 rushing down from the mountains, which floods the clear stream with 
 mire and dirt ; but when the storm is over, and the rain has ceased, 
 the mire and dirt are washed away, and the stream again is }nu-e 
 and clear as the fountain, so shall the church appear when ignorance, 
 superstition, and bigotry are washed away. What power can stay the 
 heavens ? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the 
 mighty Missouri river in its course, as to hinder the Almighty from 
 pouring down knowledge from heaven npon the hearts of the Latter- 
 Day Saints ! What are the governor and his murderous party, but 
 willows on the shore to stop the waters in their progress? As well 
 might we argue that water is not water, because the mountain tor- 
 rent sends down mire, and riles the crystal stream ; or that fire is not 
 fire, because it is quenchable ; as to say that our cause is down, 
 
92 THE MORMONS. 
 
 because renegadoes, liars, priests, and murderers, who are alike tenacious 
 of their crafts and creeds, have poured down upon us a flood of dirt 
 and mire from their strongholds. No, they may rage, with all the 
 powers of hell, and pour forth their wrath, indignation, and cruelty, 
 like the burning lava of Mount Vesuvius, yet shall Mormonism stand. 
 Truth is Mormonism, and God is its author ; by him we received our 
 birth, by HIM we were called to a dispensation of his gospel, in t!ie 
 beginning of the fulness of times ; it was by iiiM we received the Book 
 of Mormon, by him we remain utito this day, and shall continue to 
 remain, if it be to his glory ; we are determined to endure tribulation, 
 as good soldiers, unto the end : when you read this, you will learn 
 that prison walls, iron doors, screeching hinges, guards and jailors, 
 have not destroyed our confidence, but we say, and that from expe- 
 rience, that they are calculated in their very nature to make the soul 
 of an honest man feel stionger than the powers of hell. But w^e must 
 bring our epistle to a close, and send our respects to fathers, mothers, 
 wives, and children, brothers, and sisters, and be assured we hold 
 them in sacred remembrance. 
 
 " We should be glad to hear from Elder Rigdon, George W. Rob- 
 inson and Elder Gaboon. We remember them, and would like to jog 
 their memory a little on the fable of the bear and the two friends, who 
 mutuallv agreed to stand by each other. We could also mention 
 TTncle John Smith and others. A word of consolation and a blessing 
 would not come amiss from anybody, while we are so closely whisjiered 
 by the bear. Our res])ects and love to all the virtuous saints. We are, 
 dear brethren, your fellow-sufferers, aiid prisoners of Jesus Christ for 
 the Gospel's sake, and for the hope of glory which is in us. Ameu. 
 
 " Joseph Smith, Jr. 
 
 IIyrum Smith. 
 
 Lyman Wight. 
 
 Caleb Baldwin. 
 
 Alexander McRae." 
 
 While Joseph and IIyrum remained in prison, and thus endea- 
 vouied to arouse the zeal of such men as Sidney Rigdon, men who 
 knew too much to be thoroughly trusted, and who required the goad 
 to keep them faithful ; the Moi-mons, unable to cope with their ene- 
 mies, were hunted out of Missouri, no opportunity being allowed them 
 to sell their farms, or enter into arrangements for the disposal of their 
 property. In the midst of an inclement winter, in December, 1838, 
 and January, 1839, men, women, and children — the sick and the aged 
 as well as tlie young and strong — were turned out int,o the prairies or 
 forests, without food or sufficient protection from the weather. In 
 
EXPULSION FROM MISSOURI. 93 
 
 this miserable })1ight thej arrived in Illinois in small detachmeJits, 
 and were most kindly received by the settlers, as well as by the In- 
 dians. Subscriptions were entered into fur their reliel', and many ot 
 them procured situations in farms, mills, and stores. After a time 
 they began to hold up their heads again. Their numbers became formi' 
 dable in their new settlements. Persecution did its ordinary wot k in 
 making proselytes, and the congregations oi the Saints were increased 
 daily by new converts from among the people of Illinois. Early in 
 the spring of 1 83'.), the Pi ophet, more successful than in his first attempt, 
 when his auu^er broke, esca[)ed from prison, and made his a}>pearance 
 among his followers at a place called Quincy. His rude but touching 
 eloquence, his confident appeals to Heaven, his magnificent promises, 
 his tact and skill, and the joy of the true believers that he was once 
 more among them, all combined to restore confidence. The great 
 bulk of the Mormons speedily gathered about a villacre called " Com- 
 merce," just above the Desmoines Rajiids, on the Mississippi river. 
 Here they soon made arrangements for settling down. The Saints 
 joined them from various parts of the United States, many of them 
 bringing considerable sums of money. Their surprising fortunes in 
 their new homo will be more fully detailed in the next chapter. 
 In order, however, to com[)lete the history of the sufferings and 
 persecution thev endured in Missouri, we reproduce the petition 
 presented by Sidney Rigdon to the State of Pennsvlvania, craving 
 redress. The petition is well worded ; and although its language is 
 strong, the fiicts it narrates are fully corroborated by other parties, 
 not connected with the Mormons. 
 
 *' TO THE HONOURABLE THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
 OF PENNSYLVAMA, IN LEGISLATIVE CAPACITY ASSEMBLED. 
 
 ** Your memorialisr, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day 
 Saints, and now an exile in the State of Illinois, begs leave most respectfully 
 to represent to your honourable body, that he was born in the State of Penn- 
 sjlvania, on the 19th of February, A.D. 1793, in Alleghany county, and town- 
 ship of Saint Clair ; that he continued his permanent residence in said State 
 until the year 1826, when he moved into the State of Ohio. In 1831 he went 
 into the State of Missouri, and, in connection with other members of said Church 
 of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, became the owner of reiil estate in the 
 county of Jackson in said state ; but by reason of the violence of a formidable 
 mob, and the unwillingness of the authorities of Missouri to protect your 
 memorialist, and those connected with him in the possession of their rights, they 
 were forbidden the privilege of enjoying their property, or receiving any benefit 
 therefrom ; that in the month of April 1838, your memorialist moved with 
 his family into the State of Missouri, into Caldwell county, and became the 
 owner of real estate in the said county of Caldwell, without, however, beinof 
 
94 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 privileo'ed to enjoy the benefit of his lands in Jackson county. All the lands 
 owned by your memorialist and his brethren in Jackson county were ymrchased 
 from the United States, for which payment had been made in full ; the benefits 
 of which payment the United States now enjoy, and has ever since the purchase. 
 There had a large number of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Dny Saints 
 settled in Caldwell county at the time your memorialist went into that county, 
 as also many in Davies county in said State. We commenced building houses 
 and improving our lands ; building mills and other machinery for our mutual 
 benefit ; quietly and peaceably enjoying our new homes, and using much in- 
 dustry and economy to render the desolate waste, whither we had been driven, 
 a pleasant habitation for man. The toils of the day were followed by the sound 
 of the hammer, the noise of the plane, and the hum of the wheel at night. 
 Day and night all was bustle, all was stir ; every hour of the day and many 
 of the night brought forth the fruits of industry for the benefit of the settlers, 
 and additional improvement, beauty, and comfort to our new homes. Our 
 social circles, however, were not unfrequentl}^ disturbed by the tears and sobbings 
 of some disconsolate widow, or the weeping of some bereaved orphan, bewailing 
 the loss of a husband or a father, who had fallen a victim to the violence of 
 the Jackson and Clay county mobs. Jackson county was the place of our 
 choice, and nothing but violence could have caused our people to leave it. 
 Their hearts were set upon it, and all their feelings associated with that place, 
 as the future home of themselves and their posterity. The location in Cald- 
 well and Davies counties was only made by our people by reason of violence 
 and lawless outrages committed upon them. It was always received by us as 
 a place of exile, and not of choice, and in despite of all our efforts at cheerful- 
 ness, at times the mind would be almost overwhelmed with melancholy, and we 
 would say in our hearts, and often with our lips, * What availeth us that our 
 ancestors bled, and our fathers fought for liberty, while we are as captives in a 
 strange land ?' and like Israel along the streams of Babylon, we would be almost 
 ready to hang our harps on the willows, and refuse to sing the song of Zion. 
 Oh, where is the patrimony our fathers bequeathed to us ? Where is the liberty 
 they purchased with their blood ? Fled ! alas, fled ! but we hope not for ever. 
 " But the wants of our families would dissipate our feelings ; we would en- 
 gage in the labours of the day and the toils of the night with untiring perse- 
 verance, and struggle with all the powers of both mind and body, to render 
 our families comfortable, and make our homes pleasant. But, alas ! this pri- 
 vilege was not allowed us. Our quiet industry and untiring perseverance soon 
 awakened the jealousy of our enemies, and the cry went forth, that if the Mor- 
 mons (as they called us) were let alone, Caldwell county would in five years be 
 the most wealthy and populous county in the State. This our enemies could 
 not endure ; and a regular system of mobocracy, of violence, and plunder, was 
 formed to check us in our course to wealth and greatness, as our enemies sup- 
 posed ; and indeed they had some reason to think so ; for an extent of improve- 
 ment had been made in this remote and wild region, in the space of a few 
 months, which had no parallel in the history of our vvestern settlements, and 
 I strongly doubt whether anywhere else. 
 
PEKSECUTION IN MISSOURI. 95 
 
 " This banditti of marauders increased in numbers and violence, until by 
 device and stratagem, duplicity and falsehood, they got the authorities of the 
 State to interfere and aid them in their diabolical purposes ; and the then 
 Governor of the State, Lilburn W. Boggs, actually sent a large military force 
 into the county, with orders to exterminate us and confiscate our property ; or 
 such was the authority the commanders of the military array claimed, by 
 virtue of the order received from the Grovernor. Suffice it to say, that our 
 settlements were broken up, our towns plundered, our farms laid waste, our 
 crops ruined, our flocks and herds either killed or driven away, our houses 
 rifled, our goods, money, clothing, provisions, and all we had carried away ; 
 men were shot down like wild beasts, or had their brains dashed out ; women 
 were insulted and ravished, until they died in the hands of their destroyers ; 
 children were killed while pleading for their lives. All entreaties were vain 
 and fruitless ; men, women, and children, alike fell victims to the violence and 
 cruelty of these ruffians. Men moving into the county with their families 
 were shot down ; their waggons, teams, and loading, taken by the plunderers 
 as booty, and their wives with their little ones ordered out of the State forth- 
 with, or suffer death, as had their husbands, leaving them no means of con- 
 veyance but their feet, and no means of subsistence but begging. Soldiers of 
 the revolution were slain in the most brutal manner while pleading for their 
 lives in the name of American citizens. Many were thrown into prison to 
 endure the insults of a mock trial, that would have disgraced an Inquisition. 
 This last part of the scene was doubtless designed to make the distant public 
 believe that there was some excuse for all this outrage and violence. Among 
 the number of those cast into prison was your memorialist, who had to endure 
 four months' imprisonment, part of the time in chains. 
 
 " To give your honourable body a correct idea of the origin of these scenes 
 of cruelty and woe, we will here transcribe the preamble to a set of resolutions 
 passed by these plunderers at their first meeting, held in Jackson county, for 
 the purpose of taking measures for the expulsion of our people from that 
 county. It is as follows : 
 
 " * We the undersigned, citizens of Jackson county, believing that an im- 
 portant crisis is at hand as regards our civil society, in consequence of a pre- 
 tended religious society of people that have settled and are still settling in our 
 county, styling themselves Mormons : and intending, as we do, to rid our so- 
 ciety, peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must, and believing, as we do, that 
 the arm of the civil law does not afford us a guarantee, or at least a sufficient 
 one, against the evils which are now inflicted on us, and seem to be increas- 
 ing, by the said religious sect, deem it expedient and of the highest import- 
 ance to form ourselves into a company for the better and easier accomplishment 
 of our purpose, which, we deem it almost superfluous to say, is justified as well 
 by the law of nature, as by the law of self-defence.' 
 
 " Your honourable body will see by the above that the reason assigned for 
 the formation of the company (and this was the first that was formed), was the 
 want of power in the civil law to enable them to effect their own object. Hear 
 their own words : ' And believing, as we do, that the arm of the civil law does 
 
96 THE MORMONS. 
 
 not afford us a jj^uarantee, or at least a sufficient one, against the evils which 
 are now inflicted on us.' What were the evils complained of? Strange must 
 be the answer, themselves being judges ; the existence of a religious society 
 among them — a society, too, against which even envy and malice themselves 
 could not find an accusation, or ferret out a lawless impropriety, or one act 
 which the laws' recognised as crime. For, say the complainants, we form 
 ourselves into a company, because the laws do not provide for the evils which 
 afflict us ; or this is in effect what they say. If any individual or individuals 
 of said society, or the society as a body, had transgressed the laws, had not the 
 State power to lawfully inflict the puui>hment due to said offence ? The sequel 
 shows they had. What are the facts, then, of the case, our enemies being the 
 judges themselves ? They are, that our people had so deported themselves m 
 to be justified by the laws, claiming no rights but such as the laws guaranteed, 
 exercising no power beyond the limits set for them by the laws of the country ; 
 and this was the reason why our enemies formed themselves into a com])any 
 for our expulsion, or at least they say so. If our people had been transgres- 
 sors of the laws, no need then for the people of Jackson county to form them- 
 selves into a company to drive us from our homes ; they could have done this 
 lawfully : no need of a company being formed ; all could have been done 
 without that humaniiy could have demanded. 
 
 " By virtue, then, of the unholy detern)ination, as stated above, our people 
 were attacked iudiscriminately, men, women, and children, their houses were 
 rifled ; the inmates driven out into open fields or wild prairies ; their firms 
 desolated ; their crops all destroyed ; their goods and chattels carried off or other- 
 wise destroyed ; men were caught, tied up, and whipped, until some died in 
 their hands ; others had to tie handkerchiefs round their bodies to keep their 
 bowels from falling out ; others were shot down, their wives and little ones 
 driven from tlieir habitation. And this often in the night, having nothing but 
 their night-clothes on ; their houses would be set on fire and all consumed, 
 leaving hundreds of women and little children thus destitute and naked, wan- 
 dering bare-footed and nearly naked in the darkness of night and dead of 
 winter, in the fields and open prairies without any covering but the heavens, 
 or any bed but the earth; and their conditicm so terrible, that they might be 
 followed by their blood, which flowed from their lacerated and bleeding feet. 
 Females in this heart-rending condition gave birth to children in the open air, 
 and exposed to the im-lemencies of the winter. The consequences were, that 
 many sickened and many died. And if we ask. Why all this abuse ? the answer 
 must be, Because the people had not transgressed the laws ; if they had, their 
 persecutors would have punished them by the laws ; but they had not done it, 
 and for this cause they must suffer all the cruelties which the most inhuman 
 barbarity could invent. The lands which your memorialist and his brethren 
 had purchased from the general government, and on which large improvements 
 were made, were thus taken possession of by our persecutors, and the same 
 are held by them till this day, and we are forbid the pri\ ilege of enjoying them, 
 or nny benefit arising from them — I mean, the lands in .Jackson county. 
 
 "After wandering about for a length of time, those that were thus unlaw- 
 
PERSECUTION IN MISSOURI. 97 
 
 fully deprived of their earthly all, and cruelly driven from their homes, got into 
 Clay county in said State of Missouri, and again began to get homes ; but 
 in a short time the same scenes began to be acted in Clay, as had been in Jack- 
 son county, and the people were again driven and got into Caldwell, or what 
 was afterwards Caldwell county, and into Davies county, or a large majority 
 of them, and here again purchased lands from the general government. 
 
 "To give your honourable body a correct idea of how those who had been 
 thus driven and stripped of their all were enabled again to purchase, it is 
 only necessary to say, that there was a constant emigration into the country 
 of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; many ol 
 those had money, and they loaned part of what they had to those who had 
 none, and enabled them to purchase homes. The lands soon began to rise in 
 value, and the first purchasers were enabled to sell part of what they had pur- 
 chased for enough to pay for the whole and save themselves a home, some 
 more and some less. There were few, if any, who did not in this way get homes, 
 but were privileged only a very short time to enjoy them. We were followed 
 into Caldwell and Davies counties by the same relentless spirit, and by the 
 same persecutors who had desolated our people in Jackson county, under the 
 command of Major-Ceneral Lucas, of Independence, Jackson county, seat of 
 the first mob, and the place where the first company was formed for our de- 
 struction. He was joined on his way hither by many of other counties, and 
 invaded our towns and settlements, laid all waste, and drove us into exile. 
 
 "Lilburn W. Boggs, who was Lieutenant-Covernor of the State when the 
 persecution first commenced, and one of the principal actors in the persecu- 
 tion, was now (1838) Governor of the State, and used his executive and in- 
 fluence to have us all massacred or driven into exile ; again taking all we had, 
 and holds it till this day ; and all this because we were not lawless and dis- 
 obedient. For if the laws had given them a sufiicient guarantee against the 
 evils complained of by the existence of our religious society among them, then 
 would they have had recourse to the laws. If we had been transgressors of 
 law, our houses would not have been rifled, or women ravished, our farms 
 desolated, and our goods and chattels destroyed, our men killed, our wives and 
 children driven into the prairies, and made to suffer all the indignities that the 
 most brutal barbarity could inflict ; but would only have had to suffer that 
 which the laws would inflict, which were founded in justice, framed in right- 
 eousness, and administered in humanity. But, scourged by this banditti with- 
 out the forms of law, and, according to their own declaration, in violation of 
 all law or the principles of humanity, we were doomed to suff'er all kinds of 
 cruelty which barbarity or inhumanity could invent. And they have gravely 
 told the world that they deem it almost superfluous to say that their cause was 
 justified, as well by the law of nature as by the law of self-defence. Now, in 
 the name of all humanity, what law of nature justified, or law of self-defence 
 required, the infliction of such shameless cruelties ? In so saying, they sho^ 
 most assuredly but very little respect to the intelligence or humanity of 
 American citizens ; and in the eyes of the civilized world have cast a shade, 
 and a dark one too, on the character of the sons of a noble ancestry ; for they 
 
 G 
 
98 THE MOEMOXS. 
 
 have virtually said that Americans look upon such cruelties as the acts o! 
 virtue and the fatherly chastisements of humanity. 
 
 " During the whole progress of those scenes of cruelty, from the beginning 
 ye petitioned the authorities of the State of Missouri for protection and redress. 
 In the name of American citizens we appealed to their patriotism, to their justice, 
 to their humanity, and to their sacred honours ; but they Mere deaf to our 
 entreaties, and lent a listless ear to our petitions. All attempts at redress or 
 protection were vain ; and they heeded us not, until we were exiles in a strange 
 land, though one (and to its honour be it spoken) where we found both friends 
 and a home. But since our residence in Illinois, Missouri has followed us 
 with the same relentless spirit of persecution. Warrants have been sent by 
 the Governor of Missouri to the Governor of Illinois, demanding the body of 
 your memorialist and a number of others ; for that of Joseph Smith three 
 several warrants have been sent, all of which have been set aside by the legal 
 authorities of Illinois ; and yet they cease not their persecution. Our people 
 are kidnapped and carried into Missouri, and there insulted and whipped (as 
 many have been), and cast into prison, and left to get out as they could. All 
 this without the forms of trial. IMissouri is by these brutal means endeavour- 
 ing to make the public think that they have cause for this barbarity. But, 
 let me ask your honourable body, what excuse can be pled for such inhuman 
 barbarity and brutal recklessness ? Let me further ask the attention of your 
 honourable body to the fact, that all the before described outrages were com- 
 mitted by a body of men calling themsolves militia, called out by order of 
 the Governor for the professed object of seeing that the laws were kept, and 
 their supremacy maintained. Such was their pretended object, and under this 
 cover they put at defiance the laws of both God and man, of nature, humanity, 
 and decency ; and in these unhallowed abuses of all the laws of civilized society 
 in the world, they were upheld by the authorities of the State, and actually 
 paid by the State for committing theft, robbery, rapine, violence, rape, and 
 murder, with innumerable cruelties painful to mention. And when we made 
 application to the authorities for redress, we were insulted instead of receiving 
 common civilities. The constitution of the United States provides, that the 
 United States shall give to each state a republican form of government. Is 
 it a republican form of government where such outrages can be committed in 
 the face of the authorities, and yet no redress can be had ? where all law is 
 suspended to give place to cruelty, barbarity, and inhumanity ? Let your 
 honourable body answer. 
 
 " Her statesmen in the national councils may attempt to plead excuses for 
 these diabolical outrages ; but all they can do is to stamp infamy on their own 
 characters, and engrave disgrace on the urn that contains their ashes after 
 they sleep. What, 1 ask your h(mourable body, can be pled in extenuation of 
 crimes so barbarous, cruelties so infamous, and outrages so violent? What 
 crime can any man commit, it matters not how flagrant, which can, according 
 to the laws of the civilized world, subject his wife to insult, his daughters to 
 rape, his property to public plunder, his children to starvation, and himself 
 and family to exile. The very character of the outrage is all the testimony 
 
PERSECUTION IN MISSOURI. 99 
 
 I think your honourable body can ask — that it was without provocation on the 
 part of the sufferers ; for if there had been provocation, then would the trans- 
 gressors have had to suffer the penalty of broken laws ; but their punishment, 
 if such it can be called, was not the penalty inflicted for the breach of any law, 
 for no law in existence knows such a penalty or penalties. Why, then, all this 
 cruelty ? Answer, because the people had violated no law ; and they could 
 not be restrained by law, nor prevented from exercising the rights which they 
 (according to the laws) enjoyed, and had a right to be protected in, in any State 
 in the Union. 
 
 "Being refused redress by the authorities of Missouri, to whom shall your 
 memorialist look ? He answers, to the people of his native State, and through 
 them to the general government ; and where can he look with more confidence 
 than to the patriots of Pennsylvania, the State of his nativity, and the place of the 
 sepulchres of his fathers? Yes, your memorialist says in his heart, ' I will tell 
 my wrongs and grievances, and that of my brethren, in Pennsylvania : I will 
 publish them in the streets, highways, and high places of the *' Key-Stone 
 State," that her statesmen may plead the cause of suffering innocence in the 
 halls of the JSIational Legislature ; her matrons may arise in the strength of 
 patriotism ; her fair ones in virtuous indignation, and their united voices cea-e 
 not until the cause of the innocent shall be heard, and their most sacred 
 rights restored.' To your honourable body, then, the representatives ot the 
 people of his native State, your memorialist utters his complaining voice ; to 
 you he tells the tale of his wrongs and his woes, and that of his brethren^ and 
 appeals to your honourable body as one of Pennsylvania's native sons, and asks 
 you in the name of all that is patriotic, republican, and honourable, to instruct 
 the whole delegation of Pennsylvania in Congress, to use all lawful and con- 
 stitutional means to obtain for us redress for our wrongs and losses ; believing, 
 as your memorialist does, that the general government has not only power to 
 act in the premises, but are bound by every sacred obligation by which Ame- 
 rican citizens are bound to one another in our national compact, to see that 
 no injury is inflicted without redress being made. 
 
 "AYeak indeed must be our republican institutions, and as contemptible 
 our national capacity, if it is a fact that American citizens, after having pur- 
 chased lands from the government, and received the government guarantee to 
 be protected in the enjoyment of them, they can be lawlessly and causelessly 
 driven off by violence and cruelty, and yet the government have no power to 
 protect them or redress their wrongs. Tell not this in Pennsylvania, publish 
 it not in the streets of Harrisburgh, for surely the sons of the ' Key-Stone 
 State' will feel themselves insulted. 
 
 " Well may the nations of the old world ridicule the weakness and impo- 
 teucy of our free institutions, — a government not able to protect its own citizens I 
 A government, — it must be famous indeed in the annals of history, and a pat- 
 tern to the world, which is so governed as to admit of the most flagrant abuses 
 known to the civilized world, and acknowledged by all to be such, and yet no 
 power to redress them ! Hear it, ye barbarians ! Listen to it, ye savages ! 
 and hasten, yea, hasten all of you to America ; there you can glut your avarice 
 
]00 • THE MORMONS. 
 
 by plunder, and riot in the blood of innocence till you are satisfied, and the 
 government has no power to restrain, nor strength to punish, nor yet ability 
 to redress, the sufferers at your hands. 
 
 "From the acquaintance which your memorialist has with the history of 
 his native State, he has been induced to make his appeal to your honoured 
 body ; — a State whose people are noted for their civic virtues and zealous at- 
 tachment to the principles ot civil and religious liberty, — a people venerable 
 fi'om the beginning of our national existence, whose virtuous efforts to the 
 sacred principles of freedom, religious, civil, and political, have obtained for 
 themselves imperishable laurels in the history of our country's glory, — a people 
 whose colonial organization was based upon the holy principles of equal rights 
 and equal privileges, — a people whose national escutcheon has never been 
 stained with the martyr's blood, — a people whose statesmen, divines, and heroes, 
 laboured in the cabinet, the desk, and the field, to secure and hand down to 
 their posterity, in all succeeding ages, the boon of heaven, the sacred rights ot 
 freemen . 
 
 " It was in the honoured metropolis of Pennsylvania, the seat of the first 
 colonial Congress, when the principles of liberty were matured, from whence 
 emanated the voice of independence, whose echoes rolled and reverberated till 
 it reached the circumference of the colonial settlements, and inspired the sons 
 of freedom, until there was but one voice heard, * Freedom or death !' It was 
 there, when the leaders and heroes of the revolution pledged their lives, their 
 fbrtuhes, and their sacred honours to each other, to be scourged by a tyrant's 
 sceptre no longer, until all they had, and all they were, were offered on the 
 altar of freedom. 
 
 " Not only were the principles of equal rights inscribed in legible charac- 
 ters on the flags which floated on her towers in the incipient stages of our 
 national existence, but they were engraven on the hearts of the people with 
 an impression which could not be obliterated. All who collected in her towers 
 or fought under her banners could contend and fight for freedom only. Her 
 teachers of religion, whose influence in the pulpit and eloquence in public 
 assemblies, wielded an overwhelming influence in forwarding the cause of 
 liberty, — did they use this influence in securing to themselves governmental 
 patronage or religious preferences ? All acquainted with the history of the 
 times answer No, They were citizens of Pennsylvania, and the immortal 
 Penn had inscribed on every pot and bell in the colony, * Civil and Eeligious 
 Liberty. ' The patriotism of Pennsylvania' s religious teachers was pure. They 
 threw in their whole weight of character and influence to promote a cause 
 which made others equal with themselves — for the glorious privilege of seeing 
 a people free. Her heroes bore the horrors of war, 'not to sway the tyrant's 
 sceptre ;;or enjoy a lordling's wealth ; but to found an asylum for the op- 
 pressed, and prepare a land of freedom for the tyrant's slave. Her statesmen, 
 while in the councils of the nation, devoted all their wisdom and talents to 
 establish a government where every man should be free ; the slave liberated 
 from bondage, and the coloured African enjoy the rights of citizenship ; all 
 enjoying equal rights to speak, to act, to worship — peculiar privileges to none. 
 
PERSKCUTION IN MfSSOURl. 101 
 
 Such were Pennsylvania's sons at tlie beginning, and surely their sons and 
 successors must have degenerated, lamentably degenerated from the purity 
 and patriotism of their fathers and predecessors, if crimes and cruelties, such 
 as your memorialist complains of, go unheeded and unregarded. Honourable 
 regard for the people of my native State forbids the thought. 
 
 ** In confidence of the purity and patriotism of the representatives of the 
 people of his native State, your memorialist comes to your honourable body 
 through this his winged messenger, to tell you that the altar which was erected 
 by the blood of your ancestors to civil and religious liberty, from whence 
 ascended up the holy incense of pure patriotism and universal good-will to 
 man into the presence of Jehovah, a«savour of life, is thrown down, and the 
 worshippers thereat have been driven away, or else they are laying slain at the 
 place oi' the altar. He comes to tell your honourable body that the temple 
 your fathers erected to freedom, whither their sons assembled to hear her 
 precepts and cherish her doctrines in their hearts, has been desecrated, its 
 portals closed, so that those that go up hither are forbidden to enter. 
 
 " He comes to tell your honourable body that the blood of the heroes and 
 patriots of the revolution, who have been slain by wicked hands for enjoying 
 their religious rights, — the boon of heaven to man, — has cried, and is crying, 
 in the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, saying : ' liedress, redress our wrongs, 
 Lord God of the whole earth !' 
 
 "He comes to tell your honourable body that the dying groans of infant 
 innocence, and the shrieks of insulted and abused females, and many of them 
 widows of revolutionary patriots, have ascended up into the ears of Omnipo- 
 tence, and are registered in the archives of eternity, to be had in the day of 
 retribution as a testimony against the whole nation, unless their cries and 
 groans are heard by the representatives of the people, and ample redress 
 made, as far as the nation can make it, or else the wrath of the Almighty will 
 come down in fury against the whole nation. 
 
 ** Under all these circumstances, your memorialist prays to be heard by 
 your honourable body touching all the matters of his memorial, and as a 
 memorial will be presented to Congress this session for redress of our griev- 
 ances, he prays your honourable body will instruct the whole delegation of 
 Pennsylvania, in both houses, to use all their influence in the national coun- 
 cils, to have redress granted. 
 
 "And, as in duty bound, your memorialist will ever pray. 
 
 "Sidney Kigdox, P.3L" 
 
Tlie Toniple at Nauvoo. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Establishment of the Sect in Illinois — Building of the Crrv and 
 Temple of Nauvoo — Joseph a Lieutenant-General — The Prophet's 
 Kight-hand Man — The Mormons in England — Prosperity of Nauvoo. 
 
 In the course of a few months after their expulsion from Missouri, 
 the number of Mormons that found refuge in Ilhnois amounted to 
 fifteen thousand souls, including men, women, and children. Many 
 of these had never resided in Missouri, but flocked to the new location 
 of the sect from all parts of the Union, and even from England, to 
 make a last stand against oppression, and to support their prophet 
 against his enemies. The organization of the sect began to be more 
 fully and admirably developed ; and the Mormons were even at this 
 early period of their career, a pre-eminently industrious, frugal, and 
 painstaking people. They felt the advantages of co-operation. 
 
THE TEMPLE OF NAUVOO. 103 
 
 Though robbed and plundered, they did not lose their time in vain 
 replnings, but set themselves to repair the calamities they had suf- 
 fered. The needy were aided by the more affluent in the purchase 
 of Land, and in the plenishing of their farms ; and the inducements 
 >vhich they held out to skilled mechanics and others to join them, 
 Avere not merely of a religious and spiritual, but of a social and worldly 
 character. The Mormons as a body understood the dignity and 
 the holiness of hard work, and they practised to the fullest; extent 
 the duty of self-reliance. They soon found themselves so numerous 
 in the vicinity of the village of-*' Commerce," that their leaders con- 
 ceived the project of converting it first into a town, and afterwards 
 into a city. They gave it the name of " Nauvoo," or the " Beautiful," 
 a word that occurs in the Book of Mormon. In the course of a year 
 and a half they erected about 2,000 houses, besides schools and other 
 public buildings, and called the place the "Holy City." Joseph 
 Smith was appointed its Mayor, and for a brief period in his troubled 
 career enjoyed the supremacy, which was the great object of his 
 existence, and the darling dream of his ambition. His word was 
 law. He was both the temporal and spiritual head of his people, and 
 enjoyed, beside the titles of " Prophet," " President," and '* Mayor," 
 the military title of " General" Smith, in right of his command over 
 a body of militia, which he organized under the name of the Nauvoo 
 Legion. 
 
 It was shortly previous to this time that the sect first began to be 
 heard of in England. In a short sketch of the rise, progress, and faith 
 of the Mormons, inserted in the fifth volume of the Times and Seasons, 
 it is stated that in 1837 the first mission to England was undertaken, 
 under the direction of Elders 0. Hyde, the same whose signature ap- 
 pears to the disparaging affidavit relative to the Danite Band already 
 quoted, and H. C. Kimball. These two baptized two thousand people 
 into the Mormon faith, chiefly in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, 
 Liverpool, Glasgow, and South Wales. In 1843, the number of the 
 sect in England had increased to upwards of 10,000. In 1844, Elder 
 Lorenzo Snow, being then in England, forwarded, by desire of the 
 " Prophet," a copy of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria, and 
 another to his Royal Highness Prince Albert, a circumstance at which 
 the Saints in Nauvoo seemed greatly to rejoice. A Mormon poet 
 exclaimed, in reference to it — 
 
 " Oh ! would she now her influence lend — 
 The influence of royalty — 
 Messiah's kingdom to extend, 
 And Zion's nursing mother be. 
 
104 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 Then with the glory of lier name 
 Inscribed on Zion's lofty spire, 
 
 She'd win a wreath of endless fame. 
 To last when other wreaths expire," 
 
 Lorenxo Snow. 
 
 Joseph became rather chary of giving forth *' revelations" after 
 he finally left Kirtland, but it was necessary to have a revelation 
 with reference to the Holy City. It was published accordingly in 
 the month of January, 1841, and directed the building of a mag- 
 nificent temple, to which all the Saints were to contribute a tithe 
 of their possessions, or of their time and labour. *' Let all my Saints 
 come from afar," said this revelation, the last that the prophet ap- 
 pears to have issued, " and send ye swift messengers, yea, chosen mes- 
 sengers, and say unto them, ' Come ye with all your gold, and your 
 silver, and your precious stones, and with all your antiquities, and 
 svith all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will come, may 
 come ; and bring the box tree, and the fir tree, and the pine tree, to- 
 gether with all the precious trees of the earth, and with iron, and 
 with copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and with all your precious 
 things of the earth, and build a house to my name for the Most High 
 
THE TJ2MPLE OF KAUVOO. 105 
 
 to dwell therein.' " The Saints were also commanded to build " a 
 boarding- house" for the boarding of strangers. " Let it be built in 
 my name, and let my name be named upon it, and let my servant, 
 Joseph Smith, and his house, have place therein from generation to 
 generation, for ever and ever, saith the Lord ; and let the name of 
 the house be called the Nauvoo House, and let it be a delightful 
 habitation for man, and a resting place for the weary traveller, that 
 he may contemplate the glory of Zion, and the glory of this, the 
 corner-stone thereof. " This " revelation " was the most elaborate of 
 all the compositions issued under this name. It was divided into 
 forty-six heads or paragraphs, and entered minutely into directions 
 for raising the funds for these undertakings, and also for governing 
 the church in all its various departments. 
 
 The building of the temple was immediately commenced. The site 
 chosen was exceedingly fine, being on a hill commanding a magnificent 
 view on every side. It was built of a polished white lime-stone, 
 almost as hard as marble, and is described as having been 188 feet in 
 length by 88 in breadth. It was surmounted by a pyramidal tower, 
 ascending by steps 170 feet from the ground, and the internal decora- 
 tions were very costly. The Mormons having grown rich and power- 
 ful under persecution, expended nearly a million of dollars upon this 
 edifice. 
 
 The foundation-stone was laid with much pomp on the 6th of April, 
 1841, within less than two years and a half after the expulsion of the 
 sect from Missouri. A writer in the Mormon paper, the Times and 
 Seasons, described the ceremony as one of the most magniticent that 
 had ever been witnessed in America. At an early hour on the ap- 
 pointed day, the prophet, who then enjoyed the title of Lieut. -General 
 Smith," was informed that the legion was ready for review, and 
 accompanied by his staff, consisting of four aides-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 I'ront to 
 the stand of the Lieut-General. On his approach to the parade 
 ground the artillery were again fired, and the legion gave an appro- 
 priate salute. "This, "said the Mormon reporter, "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 inter- 
 esting 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 Lieut. -General Smith, the ladies, who had 
 
106 THE MORMONS. 
 
 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 Lieut.-General Smith, who immediately 
 alighted from his charger, and walked up to the ladies, who presented 
 the flag, making an appropriate address. Lieut.-General Smith 
 acknowledged the honour 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. 
 
 "After the presentation of the flag, Lieut.-General Smith, accom- 
 panied by his suite, reviewed the legion, which presented a very 
 imposing appearance, the different officers saluting as he passed. 
 Lieut.-General Smith then took his former stand, and the whole legion 
 passed before him in review.'' 
 
 A }»rocession was then formed Avith Joseph at its head, followed by 
 aides-de-camp — brigadiers — a military band — a body of infantry — 
 and of cavalry — and a troop of young ladies eight abreast. On its 
 arrival at the tem})]e block, the generals with their staffs, and the 
 strangers present, took their position inside the foundation ; the 
 ladies formed on the outside, immediately next the walls, the gentle- 
 men and infantry behind, and the cavalry in the rear. 
 
 The assembly being stationed, the choristers sung an appropriate 
 hymn. Sidney Rigdon then ascended a platform, which had been 
 prepared for the purpose, and delivered an oration, which lasted for 
 an hour ; in which he passed in 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 commandments of their Heavenly 
 Father, and because that Jesus had again spoken from the heavens, 
 were they engaged in laying the foundation of the temjJe, 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 theeditice, 
 as there were no mobs to hinder their labours, consequently their cir- 
 cumstances were very different than before." 
 
 After the address the choir sung a hymn. Sidney Rigdon then 
 invoked the blessings of Almighty God upon the assembly, and upon 
 those who should labour upon the building. This done the Prophet 
 
THE TEMPLE OF XAUVOO. 107 
 
 went throu;^li tlie principal ceremony of the day, and said that the 
 first corner-stone of the temple of Almighty God was laid. He 
 praved with much solemnity that the building might soon be com- 
 pleted, that the Saints might have an habitation to worship the God of 
 their fathers. 
 
 "It was a gladsome sight," said the Times and Seasons, "and 
 extremely affecting, to see the old revolutionary patriots, who had 
 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 again 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." 
 
 Shortly before the foundation-stone of the temple was laid, Joseph 
 attracted tlie attention of a personage, whom hea]»pointed to a military 
 command in Nauvoo, and who figures as Major-General Bennett in the 
 Mormon report of that ceremonial which has just been quoted. This 
 Bennett, being ambitious, unscrupulous, and unprincipled, seems to have 
 had an idea that by means of Mormonism he might become of importance 
 in America; and, without mincing the matter by fine words, he wrote to 
 the Prophet to jtropose himself as his " right-hand man." " You know," 
 said he to Joseph, " that Mahomet had his right-hand man ;" and 
 why, he suggested, should not the new Mahoniet or Moses have his 
 right-hand man al-^o ? This curious letter ran as follows : — 
 
 ''Arlington House, Oct. 24.th, 1S43. 
 
 " Dear General, — I am happy to know that you have taken poss( ssion 
 of your new establishment, and presume you will be eminently successful and 
 happy in it, together with your good lady and family. You are no doubt al- 
 ready aware that I have had a most interesting visit from your most excellent 
 and worthy friend, President B. Young, with whom I have had a glorious frolic 
 in the elear, blue ocean ; for most assuredly a frolic it was, without a moment's 
 reflection or consideration. Nothino- of this kind would in the least attach me 
 to your person or cause. I am capable of baing a most mideviating friend, with- 
 out being governed by the smallest religious influence. 
 
 "As you have proved yourself to be a philosophical divine, you will excuse 
 me when I say that we must leave their influence to the mass. The boldness 
 of your plans and measures, together with their unparalleled success so far, aje 
 calculated to throw a charnr over your whole being, and to point you out as 
 the most extraordinary man of the present age. But my mind is of so mathe- 
 matical and philosophical a cast, that the divinity of Moses makes no impres- 
 sion on me ; and you will not he offended when I say that I rate you higher 
 as a legislator th.in 1 do Moses, because we have you present with us for 
 examination, whereas Moses derives his chief authority from prescription and 
 
108 THE MORMONS. 
 
 the lapse of time. I cannot, however, say but you are both right, it being out 
 of the power of man to prove you wrong. It is no mathematical problem, and 
 can therefore get no mathematical solution. I say, therefore, go-a-head — you 
 have my good wishes. You know Mahomet had his 'right-hand man.' 
 
 "The celebrated Thomas Brown, of New York, is now engaged in cutting 
 your head on a beautiful cornelian stone, as your private seal, which will be 
 set in gold to your order, and sent to you. It will be a gem, and just what 
 you want. His sister is a member of your church. The expense of the seal 
 set in gold will be about forty dollars, and Mr. Brown assures me that if he 
 were not so poor a man, he would present it to you free. Y'ou can, however, 
 accept it or not, as he can apply it to another use. I am myself short for 
 cash ; for although I had some time since 2,000 dollars paid me by the Har- 
 pers, publishers, as the first instalment on the purchase of my copyright, yet I 
 had got so much behind during the hard times, that it all went to clear up old 
 scores. I expect 38,000 dollars more, however, in semi-annual payments, 
 from those gentlemen, within the limits often years, a large portion of which 
 I intend to use in the State of Illinois, in the purchase and conduct of a large 
 tract of land ; and, therefore, should I be compelled to announce in this quar- 
 ter that I liave no connection with the Nauvoo Legion, you will of course 
 remain silent, as I shall do it in such a way as will make all things right. 
 
 " I may yet run for a high office in your State, when you would be sure 
 of my best services in your behalf; therefore, a known connection with you 
 would be against our mutual interest. It can be shown that a commission in 
 the legion was a Herald hoax, coined for the fun of it, by me, as it is not be- 
 lieved even now by the public. In short, I expect to be yet, through your 
 influence. Governor of the State of Illinois. 
 
 *' My respects to Brothers Y^oung, Eichards, INIrs. Emma, and all friends. 
 " Yours, most respectfully, 
 
 "Jas. Arlington Bennett. 
 " Lieut.-General Smith." 
 
 " P.S. As the office of Inspector- General confers no command on me, being 
 a mere honorary title, if, therefore, there is any gentleman in Nauvoo who 
 would like to fill it in a practical way, I shall with great pleasure and go(;d 
 will resign it to him, by receiving advice from you to that effect. It is an 
 office that shoidd be filled by some scientific officer. 
 
 "J. A. B." 
 
 - Joseph's reply to this singular and too candid epistle was quite as 
 singular and infinitely more amusing. Joseph was too cunning a 
 man to accept, in plain terms, the rude but serviceable offer ; and lie 
 rebuked the vanity and presumption of Mr. Bennett, while dexterously 
 retaining him for future use. He Avas not at all angry, though he 
 endeavoured to appear so. 
 
THE prophet's " RIGHT-HAND MAN." ] 09 
 
 "Nauvoo, Illinois, Nov. 13th, 1843. 
 
 *' Dear Sir, — Your letter of the 24tli ult. has been reguLarly received ; its 
 contents duly appreciated, and its whole tenor candidly considered ; and, ac- 
 cording to my manner of judging all things in righteousness, I proceed to 
 answer you ; and shall leave you to meditate whether mathematical problem^, 
 founded upon the truth of revelation, or religion as promulgated by me, or 
 Moses, can be solved by rules and principles existing in the systems of com- 
 mon knowledge. 
 
 "How far you are capable of being 'a most undeviating friend, without 
 being governed by the smallest religious influence,' will best be decided by 
 your survivors, as all past experience most assuredly proves. Without con- 
 troversy, that friendship, which intelligent beings would accept as sincere 
 must arise from love, and that love grow out of virtue, which is as much a 
 part of religion as light is a part of Jehovah. Hence the saying of Jesus : — 
 * Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for a 
 friend.' 
 
 " You observed, 'as I have proven myself to be a philosophical divine, I 
 must excuse you when you say that we must leave these influences to the 
 mass.' The meaning of ' philosophical divine' may be taken in various 
 ways. If, as the learned world apply the term, you infer that I have achieved 
 a victory, and been strengthened by a scientific religion, as practised by the 
 popular sects of the age, through the aid of colleges, seminaries, Bible socie- 
 ties, missionary boards, financial organizations, and gospel money schemes, 
 then you are wrong ; such a combination of men and means shows the form 
 of godliness without the power ; for is it not written, ' I will destroy the wis- 
 dom of the wise ; beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain 
 deceit, after the rudiments of the world and not after the doctrines of Christ.' 
 But if the inference is, that by more love, more light, more virtue, and more 
 truth from the Lord, I have succeeded as a man of God, then you reason truly, 
 though the weight of the sentiment is lost, when the * influence is left to the 
 mass.' Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? 
 
 ** Of course you follow out the figure, and say, ' the boldness of my plans 
 and measures, together with their unparalleled success so far, are calculated 
 to throw a charm over my whole being and to point me out as the most ex- 
 traordinary man of the present age.' The boldness of my plans and measures 
 can readily be tested by the touchstone of all schemes, systems, projects, and 
 adventures — truth, for truth is a matter of fact ; and the fact is, that by the 
 power of God I translated the Book of Mormon from hieroglyphics, the know- 
 ledge of which was lost to the world : in which wonderful event I stood alone> 
 an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance 
 of eighteen centuries with a new revelation, which (if they would receive the 
 everlasting Gospel) would open the eyes of more than eight hundred millions 
 of people; and make ' plain the old paths,' wherein if a man walk in all the 
 ordinances of God blameless, he shall inherit eternal life ; and Jesus Christ» 
 who was, and is, and is to come, has borne me safely over every snare and 
 plan, laid in secret or openly, through priestly hypocrisy, sectarian prejudice* 
 
110 THE MORMONS. 
 
 poi)ular pliilosopliy, executive power, or law-defying mobocracy, to destroy 
 me. 
 
 " If, then, the hand of God, in all these things that 1 have accomplished, 
 towards the salvation of a priest-ridden generation, in the short space of twelve 
 years, through the boldness of the plan of preaching the Gospel, and the bold- 
 ness of the means of declaring repentance and baptism for the remission of 
 sins, and a reception of the Holy Ghost by laying on of the hands, agreeably 
 to the authorhy of the priesthood, and the still more bold measures of receiv- 
 ing direct revelation from God, through the Comforter, as promised, and by 
 which means all holy men, from ancient times till now, have spoken and re- 
 vealed the will of God to men, with the consequent ' success' of the gathering 
 of the Saints, throws any 'charm' around my being, and 'points me out as the 
 most extraordinary man of the age,' it demonstrates the fact, that truth is 
 mighty, and must prevail ; and that one man empowered from Jehovah has 
 more influence with the children of the kingdom than eight hundred millions 
 led by the precepts of men. God exalts the humble, and debases the haughty. 
 J3ut let me assure you in the name of Jesus, who spake as never man spake, 
 that the ' boldness of the plans and measures,' as you terra them, but which 
 shall be denominated the righteousness of the cause, the truth of the system, 
 and power of God, which, 'so far,' has borne me and the church (in which 1 
 glory in having the privilege of being a meml)er) successfully through the 
 storm of reproach, folly, ignorance, malice, persecution, falsehood, sacerdotal 
 urath, newspaper satire, pamphlet libels, and the combined influence of the 
 powers of earth and hell, I say these powers of righteousness and truth are 
 not the decrees or rules of- an ambitious and aspiring Nimrod, Pharaoh, Nebu- 
 chadnezzar, Alexander, Mahomet, Buonaparte, or other great sounding heroes, 
 that dazzled forth Aviih a trail of pomp and circumstances for a little season, 
 like a comet, and then disappeared, leaving a wide waste where such an exis- 
 tence once was, with only a name ; nor were the glorious results of what you 
 term ' boldness of plans and measures, ' with the attendant * success,' matured 
 by the self-aggrandizing wisdom of the Priests of Baal, ihe Scribes and Pha- 
 risees of the Jews, Popes and Bishops of Christendom, or Pagans of Jugger- 
 naut ; were they extended by the divisions and sub-divisions of a Luther, a 
 Calvin, a Wesley, or even a Campbell, supported by a galaxy of clergymen 
 and churchmen, of whatever name or nature, bound apart by cast-iron creeds, 
 and fastened to set stakes by chain-cable opinions, without revelation ; nor 
 are they the lions of the land, nor the leviathans of the sea, moving among 
 the elements, as distant chimeras to fatten the fancy of the infidel ; but they 
 are as the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, and will become a 
 great mountain, and fill the whole earth. Were I an Egyptian, I would ex- 
 claim, Jah-oh-eh, Enish- go-on~dosh, Flo-ees,Flos-is-is. [0 the earth! the 
 power of attraction, and the moon passing between her and the sun.] A He- 
 brew, Haueloheem yerau ; a Greek, O theos phos est ; a Pioman, Dominus re- 
 git me ; a German, Gott gebe tins das licht ; a Portugee, Senhor Jesu Christo e 
 libordade ; a Frenchman, Dieu defend le droit ; but as I am, I give God the 
 glory, and say, in the beautiful figure of the poet — 
 
THE PROrHET's "EIGHT-HAND MAN." Ill 
 
 " ' Could we with ink the ocean fill, 
 
 Was the whole earth of parchment made. 
 
 And every single stick a quill, 
 
 And every man ascribe by trade. 
 
 To write the love of God above 
 
 Would drain the ocean dry, 
 
 Nor could the whole upon a scroll 
 
 Be spread from sky to sky.' 
 
 " It seems that your mind is of such * a mathematical and philosophical cast, 
 that the divinity of Moses makes no impression upon you, and that I will not 
 be offended when you sny, that you rate me higher as a legislator than you do 
 Moses, because you have me present with you for examination ;' that ' Moses 
 derives his chief authority from prescription and the lapse of time ; you can- 
 not, however, say but we are both right, it being out of the power of man to 
 prove us wrong. It is no mathematical problem, and can therefore get no 
 mathematical solution.' 
 
 " Kow, Sir, to cut the matter short, and not dally with your learned ideas 
 for fashion's sake, you have here given your opinion, without reserve, tliat reve- 
 lation, the knowledge of God, proplietic vision, the truth of eternity, cannot be 
 solved as a mathematical problem. The first question, then.is, what is a mathe- 
 matical problem ? And the natural answer is, a statement, pro])osition, or ques- 
 tion, that can be solved, ascertained, unfolded, or demonstrated, by knowledge, 
 facts of figures ; for ' mathematical ' is an adjective derived from Mathesis (Gr.), 
 meaning in English, learning or knowledge. * Problem' is derived from pro- 
 Heme (French), or probleme (Latin, Italian, or Spanish), and in each lan- 
 guage means a question or proposition, whether true or false. * Solve,' is de- 
 rived from the Latin verb soho, to explain or answer. One thing more, in 
 order to prove the work as we proceed ; it is necessary to have witnesses, two 
 or three of whose testimonies, according to the laws or rules of God and man, 
 are sufficient to establish any one point. 
 
 " Now for the question. How much are one and one ? Two. How much 
 is one from two? One. Very well, one question or problem is solved by 
 figures. Now let me ask one for facts : Was there ever such a place on the 
 earth as Egypt ? Geography says Yes ; ancient history says Yes ; and the 
 Bible says Yes. So three witnesses have solved that question. Again, Lived 
 there 'ever such a man as Moses in Egypt? The same witnesses reply Cer- 
 tairdy. And was he a prophet ? The same witnesses, or a part, have left on 
 record that IMoses predicted in Leviticus that if Israel broke the covenant they 
 had made, the Lord would scatter them among the nations, till the land en- 
 joyed her Sabbaths ; and subsequently these witnesses have testified of the 
 captivity in Babylon, and other places, in fulfilment. But, to make assurance 
 doubly sure, Moses prays that the ground might open, and swallow up Korah 
 and his company for transgression, and it was so : and he endorses the pro- 
 phecy of Balaam, which said. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have do- 
 minion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city ; and Jesus Christ, as 
 him that ' had dominion,' about fifteen hundred years after, in accordance with 
 this and the prediction of Moses, David, Isaiah, and many otliers, came, say- 
 
112 THE MORMONS. 
 
 ing : Moses wrote of me, declaring the dispersion of the Jews, and the utter 
 destruction of the ' city ;' and the apostles were his witnesses, unimpeached, 
 especially Jude, who not only endorses the facts of Moses' 'divinity,' but also 
 the events of Balaam, and Korah, with many others, as true. Besides these 
 tangible facts, so easily proven and demonstrated by simple rules and testi- 
 mony unimpeached, the art (now lost) of embalming human bodies, and pre- 
 serving them in the catacombs of Egypt, whereby men, women, and children, 
 as mummies, after a lapse of near three thousand five hundred years, came forth 
 among the living, and although dead, the papyrus which has lived in their 
 bosoms unharmed, speaks for them, in language like the sound of an earth- 
 quake : Ecce Veritas ! Ecce cadaveros ! Behold the truth ! Behold the mum- 
 mies ! Oh, my dear Sir, the sunken Tyre and Sidon, the melancholy dust 
 where ' the city ' of Jerusalem once was, and the mourning of the Jews among' 
 the nations, together with such a 'cloud of witnesses,' if you had been as well 
 acquainted with your God and Bible as with your purse and pence table, the 
 ' divinity' of Moses would have dispelled the fog of five thousand years, and 
 filled you with light ; for facts, like diamonds, not only cut glass, but they are 
 the most precious jewels on earth. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony 
 of Jesus. 
 
 " The world at large is ever ready to credit the writings of Homer, Hesiod, 
 Plutarch, Socrates, Pythagoras, Virgil, Josophus, Mahomet, and a hundred 
 others ; but where, tell me where, have they left a line, a simple method of 
 solving the truth of the plan of eternal life ? Says the Saviour, ' If any man 
 will do his (the Father's) will, he shall know the doctrine, whether it be of 
 God, or whether I speak of myself.' Here then is a method of solving the 
 ' divinity ' of men by the divinity within yourself, that as far exceeds the 
 calculation of numbers, as the sun exceeds a candle. Would to God that all 
 men understood it, and were willing to be governed by it, that when one had 
 filled the measure of his days, he could exclaim like Jesus, * Veni mori, etrevi- 
 viscere .'' 
 
 " Tour good wishes to 'go a-head,' coupled with Mahomet and a 'right- 
 hand man,' are rather more vain than virtuous. Why, Sir, Caesar had his 
 right-hand Brutus, who was his ' left-hand ' assassin ; not, however, applying 
 the allusion to you. 
 
 " As to the private seal you mention, if sent to me, I shall receive it with 
 the gratitude of a servant of God, and pray that the donor may receive a reward 
 in the resurrection of the just. 
 
 "^ Tlie summit of your future fame seems to be hid in the political policy of 
 a ' mathematical problem ' for the chief magistracy of this State, which, I sup- 
 pose, might be solved by ' double position,' where the errors of the supposition 
 are used to produce a true answer. 
 
 " But, Sir, when I leave the dignity and honour 1 received from hea- 
 ven to hoist a man into power, through the aid of my friends, where the 
 evil and designing, after the object has been accomplished, can lock up the 
 clemency intended as a reciprocation for such favours, and where the wicked 
 and unprincipled, as a matter of course, would seize the opportunity to ilintify 
 
TRE TROFHET's "RTGHT-HAND MAN." 113 
 
 the hearts of the nation against me for dabbling at a sly game in politi s ; 
 verily, I say, when I leave the dignity and honour of heaven to ^ratify the 
 ambition and vanity of man or men, may my power cease, like the strength of 
 Samson, when he was shorn of his locks, while asleep in the lap of Delilah ! 
 Truly said the Saviour, Cast not your pearls before swine, lest they trample 
 them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 
 
 "Shall I, who have witnessed the visions of eternity, and beheld the 
 glories of the mansions of bliss, and the regions and the misery of the damned, 
 shall I turn to be a Judas ? Shall I, who have heard the voice of God, and 
 communed with angels, and spake, as moved by the Holy Ghost, for the re- 
 newal of the everlasting covenant, and for the gathering of Israel in the last 
 days, shall I worm myself into a political hypocrite ? Shall I, who hold the 
 keys of the last kingdom, in which is the dispensation of the fulness of all 
 things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets, since the world began, 
 under the sealing power of the Melchisedek priesthood — shall I stoop from the 
 sublime authority of Almighty God to be handled as a monkey's catspaw, and 
 pettify myself into a clown to act the farce of political demagoguery ? No, 
 verily no ! The whole earth shall bear me witness that I, like the towering 
 rock in the midst of the ocean, which has withstood the mighty surges of the 
 warring waves for centuries, am ivipregnahle, and am a faithful friend to virtue, 
 and a fearless foe to vice ; no odds, whether the former was sold as a pearl in 
 Asia, or hid as a gem in America, and the latter dazzles in palaces, or glim- 
 mers among the tombs. 
 
 ** I combat the errors of ages ; I meet the violence of mobs ; I cope with 
 illegal iproceedings from executive authority ; I cut the Gordian knot of 
 powers ; and I solve mathematical problems of Universities : WITH TRUTH, 
 diamond truth, and God is my ' right-hand man.' 
 
 " And to close, let me say in the name of Jesus Christ to you, and to Pre- 
 sidents, Emperors, Kings, Queens, Governors, Eulers, Nobles, and men in 
 authority everywhere, do the works of righteousness, execute justice and 
 judgment in the earth, that God may bless you, and her inhabitants ; and 
 
 " ' The laurel that grows on the top of the mountain. 
 
 Shall green for your fame while the sun sheds a ray ; 
 And the lily, that blows by the side of the fountain, 
 Will bloom for your virtue till earth melts away.' 
 
 '* With due consideration and respect, 
 
 * ' I have the honour to be, your most obt. servant, 
 
 " Joseph Smith." 
 "Gen. J. A. Bennett, Arlington House, N. Y." 
 
 " P.S. The Court Martial will attend to your case in the Nauvoo Legion. 
 
 "J. S." 
 
 A letter signed Veritas, published in the Neiv Yurk Herald, de- 
 scribed not only the general appearance, but gave some particulars of 
 
 H 
 
114 THE MORMONS. 
 
 the physical as well as moral weight of the leading Mormons at this 
 time : — 
 
 " It may not be uninteresting to you to have a few lines from your 
 correspondent in Zion — the city of the Saints — the ' imcleus of a 
 western empire.' In this communication I purpose giving you a des- 
 cription of the first presidency of the Mormon hierarchy, which consists 
 of four dignitaries, to wit, a principal prophet, a patriarch, and two 
 councillors. 
 
 " Josepli Smith, the president of the church, prophet, seer, and 
 revelator, is thirty- six years of age, six feet high in his pumps, weighing 
 two hundred and twelve pounds. He is a man of the highest talent 
 and great independence of character, firm in his integrity, and de- 
 voted to his religion : in one word, he is a 2^er se, as President Tyler 
 would say ; as a public speaker, he is bold, powerful, and convincing, 
 possessing both the snaviter in modo and the for liter in re ; as a leader, 
 wise and prudent, yet fearless ; as a military commander, brave and 
 determined ; as a citizen, worthy, afi'able, and kind ; bland in his man- 
 ners, and of noble bearing. His amiable lady, too, the Electa Cyria, 
 is a woman of superior intellect and exemi)lary piety ; in every re- 
 spect suited to her situation in society, as the wife of one of the most 
 accomj)lished and powerful chiefs of the age. 
 
 " Hyrum Smith, the patriarch of the church and brother of Joseph, 
 is fort V- two years of age, live feet eleven and a half inches high, 
 weighing one hundred and ninety-three pounds. He, too, is a pro- 
 phet, seer, and revelator, and is one of the most pious and devout 
 Christians in the world. Ue is a man of great wisdom and superior 
 excellence, 'possessing great energy of character, and originality of 
 thought. 
 
 *' Sidney Rigdon, one of the councillors, prophet, seer,and revelator, 
 is forty-two years of age, five feet nine and a half inches high, weigh- 
 ing one hundi-ed and sixty-five pounds ; his former weight, until re- 
 duced by sickness, produced by the Missouri persecution, was two 
 hundred and twelve pounds. He is a mighty man in Israel, of varied 
 learning, and extensive and laborious research. There is no divine in 
 the west more deeply learned in biblical literature, and the history of 
 the world, than he ; an eloquent orator, chaste in his language, and 
 conclusive in his reasoning ; any city would be proud of such a man. 
 By his proclamation, thousands on thousands have heard the glad 
 tidings and obeyed the word of God ; but he is now in ihe ' sear and 
 3'ellow leaf,' and his silvery locks fast rij)ening for the grave. 
 
 *' William Law, the other councillor, is thirty- two years of age, five 
 feet eight and a half inches high, weighing one hundred and seventy- 
 tive pounds. He is a great logician and profound reasoner ; of correct 
 
THE BOANERGES OF NAUVOO. 115 
 
 business habits, and great devotion to the service of God. No man 
 could be better fitted to his station — wise, discreet, just, prudent — a 
 man of great suavity of manners and amiability of character. 
 
 "All these men are Boanerges of the church, thundering in the 
 western forests, and hurling arguments and reasons against the sec- 
 taries of the age, like the thunderbolts of Jupiter. Their wives and 
 children present, likewise, a pleasing spectacle of intellect, goodness, 
 hospitality, and kindness seldom witnessed." 
 
 It is necessary to append to this rather flattering statement, that 
 with the exception of Hyrum Smith, every other *' Boanerges " of 
 the Church here menti6ned was afterwards expelled or withdrew from 
 it, and that the adventurer. General Bennett, did not long remain 
 among the Saints. The "right-hand man" was made useful for a 
 time ; but not being trusted to the extent he desired, he probably lost 
 interest in the fortunes of Joseph Smith, and transferred his patronage 
 elsewhere. 
 
 A letter from an officer of the United States' Artillery, who was 
 travelling westward in September, 1842, described a grand review of 
 the Mormon legion at Naavoo, of which he was an eye-witness, and 
 ventured on a prediction which subsequent events very singularly 
 verified : — 
 
 " Yesterday," he says, "was a great day among the Mormons. 
 Their legion, to the number of two thousand men, was paraded by 
 Generals Smith, Bennett, and others, and certainly made a very noble 
 and imposing appearance. The evolutions of the troops directed by 
 Major-General Bennett, would do honour to any body of armed militia 
 in any of the States, and approximates very closely to our regular 
 forces. What does all this mean ? Why this exact discipline of the 
 Mormon corps ? Do they intend to conquer Missouri, Illinois, Mex- 
 ico ? It is true they are part of the militia of the State of Illinois, by 
 the charter of their legion ; but then there are no troops in the States 
 like them in point of enthusiasm and warlike aspect, yea, warlike cha- 
 racter. Before many years this legion will be twenty, and perhaps 
 fifty, thousand strong, and still augmenting. A fearful ho?t, filled 
 with religious enthusiasm and led on by ambitious and talented officers, 
 what may not be effected by them ? Perhaps the subversion of the 
 constitution of the United States : and if this should be considered 
 too great a task, foreign conquests will most certainly follow. Mexico 
 will fall into their hands, even if Texas should first take it. 
 
 " These Mormons are accumulating like a snow-ball rolling down 
 an inchned plane, which, in the end, becomes an avalanche. They are 
 enrolling among their officers some of the first talent in the country, 
 by titles or bribes, it don't matter which. They have appointed your 
 
116 THE MORMONS. 
 
 namesake, Captain Bennett, late of the army of the United States, 
 Iijsi)ector-General of their legion, and he is commissioned as such by- 
 Governor Carlin. This gentleman is known to be well skilled in f.>r- 
 lification, gunnery, ordinance, castrametation, and military engineer- 
 ing generally, and I am assured that he is now under pay, derived 
 from the tithings of this warlike people. I have seen his plans for 
 fortifying Nauvoo, which are equal to any of Vauban's. 
 
 *' Only a part of their officers, regents, and professors, however, are 
 Mormons, but they are all united by a common interest, and will act 
 together, on main points, to a man. Those who are not Mormons when 
 they come here, very soon become so, either from interest or conviction. 
 
 '* The Smiths are not without talent, and are said to be as brave as 
 lions. Joseph, the chief, is a noble-looking fellow, a Mahomet every 
 inch of him. The postmaster, Sidney Rigdon, is a lawyer, philoso- 
 pher, and saint. Their other generals are also men of talent, and 
 some of them men of learning. I have no doubt that they are all 
 brave, as they are most unquestionably ambitious, and the tendency of 
 their religious creed is to annihilate all other sects ; you may, there- 
 fore, see that the time will come when this gathering host of religious 
 fanatics will make this country shake to its centre. A western empire 
 is certain. Ecclesiastical history presents no parallel to this people, 
 inasmuch as they are establishing their religion on a learned footing. 
 All the sciences are taught, and to be taught in their colleges, with 
 Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, Italian, Spanish, &;c. The mathe^ 
 matical sciences, pure and mixed, are now in successful operation^ 
 under an extremely able professor of the name of Pi-att, and a graduate 
 of Trinity College, Dublin, is president of their University. 
 
 *' Now, Sir, what do you think of Joseph, the modern Mahomet? 
 
 " I arrived here incog., on the 1st instant, and from the great pre- 
 paration for the military parade, was induced to stay to see the turn- 
 out, which I confess has astonished and filled me with fears for future 
 consequences. The Mormons, it is true, are now peaceable, but the 
 lion is asleep. Take care and don't rouse him. 
 
 ** The city of Nauvoo contains about ten thousand souls, and is 
 rapidly increasing. It is well laid out, and the municipal affairs ap- 
 pear to be well conducted. The adjoining country is a beautiful prairie. 
 Who will say that the Mormon Prophet is not among the great spirits 
 of the age ? 
 
 '* The Mormons number in Europe and America about one hundred 
 and fifty thousand, and are constantly pouring into Nauvoo and the 
 neighbouring country. There are probably in and about this city 
 anil adjacent territories, not far from thirty thousand of these warlike 
 fanatics, this ])lace having been settled by them only three years ago«" 
 
THE NAUVOO LEGION. 
 
 117 
 
 A public lecturer, of the name of Newliall, publislied, in the Salem 
 (Massachusetts) Advertiser, an account of a visit made to Nauvoo, iu 
 1843. He described the Tem[>le as a very "magnificent structure, 
 different from anything in ancient or modern history," and '" General " 
 Smith's legion as a very fine body of men. He was present at a grand 
 review of the corps by Joseph himself, accompanied by " six ladies on 
 horseback — who were dressed in black velvet, and wore waving plumes 
 of white feathers, and rode up and down in front of the regiment.'' 
 
 General Joseph Smith reviewing the Nauvoo Legion. 
 
 He described Joseph as *' very sociable, easy, cheerful, obliging 
 and kind, and very hospitable — in a word, a jolly fellow— and one 
 of the last persons whom he would have supposed God would have 
 raised up as a prophet or a priest." Another account of Joseph was 
 published about the same time by a Methodist preacher of the name 
 of Prior. 
 
118 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 ** I will not attempt," said this writer, ** to describe the various 
 feelings of my bosom as I took my seat in a conspicuous place in the 
 congregation, who were waiting in breathless silence for his appear- 
 ance. While he tarried, I had plenty of time to revolve in my mind 
 the character and conmion report of that truly singular personage. 
 I fancied that I should behold a countenance sad and sorrowful, yet 
 containing the fiery marks of rage and exasperation. I supposed that 
 I should be enabled to discover in him some of those thoughtful and 
 reserved features, those mystic and sarcastic glances, which I had 
 fancied the ancient sages to possess. I expected to see that fearful, 
 faltering look of conscious shame Avhich, from Avhat I had heard of 
 him, he might be expected to evince. He appeared at last ; but how 
 was I disappointed when, instead of the heads and horns of the beast 
 and false proj)het, 1 bahekl only the appearance of a common man, of 
 tolerably large proportions. I was sadly disappointed, and thought 
 that, although his appearance could not be wrested to indicate any- 
 thing against him, yet he would manifest all I had heard of him 
 when he began to preach. I sat uneasily, and watched him closely. 
 He commenced })reaching, not from the Book of Mormon, however, 
 but from the Bible; the first chapter of the first of Peter was his 
 text. He commenced calmly, and continued dispassionately to pursue 
 his subject, wiiile I sat in breathless silence, waiting to hear that 
 foul aspersion of the other sects, that diabolical disposition of revenge, 
 and to hear that rancorous denunciation of every individual but a 
 Mormon. I waited in vain ; I listened with surprise ; I sat uneasy 
 in my seat, and could hardly persuade myself but that he had been 
 apprised of my jiresence, and so ordered his discourse on my account, 
 that I might not be able to find fault with it ; for instead of a jumbled 
 jargon Oi half-connected sentences, and a volley of imprecations, and 
 diabolical and malignant denunciations, heaped upon the heads of 
 all who differed from him, and the dreadful twisting and wresting 
 of the Scriptures to suit his own peculiar views, and attempt to weave 
 a web of dark and mystic soj>histry around the Gospel truths, which 
 I had anticipated, he glided along through a very interesting and ela- 
 borate discourse with all the care and happy facility of one who was 
 well aware of his impjrtant station, and his duty to God and man." 
 
 The same writer thus describes Nauvoo : — 
 
 *' At length the city burst upon my sight. Instead of seeing a few 
 miserable log cabins and mud hovels, which I had expected to find, I 
 was surprised to see one of the most romantic places that I had visited 
 in the west. The buildings, thougii many of them were small, and of 
 wood, yet bore the marks of neatness which I have not seen equalled 
 in this country. The far-spread jdain at the bottom of the hill was 
 
THE PROPHET IN THE PULPIT. 
 
 119 
 
 Joseph Smith Preaching'. 
 
 dotted over with the habitations of men, with such majestic profusion^ 
 that I was almost willing to believe myself mistaken, and instead of 
 being in Nauvoo of Illinois, among Mormons, that I was in Italy at 
 the city of Leghorn, which the location of Nauvoo resembles very 
 niuch. I gazed for some time with fond admiration upon the plain 
 below. Here and there arose a tall majestic brick house, speaking 
 loudly of the genius and untiring labour of the inhabitants, who have 
 snatched the place from the clutches of obscurity, and wrested it from 
 
IQO THE MORMONS. 
 
 the bonds of disease ; and in two or three short years, rescued it from 
 a dreary waste to transform it into one of the first cities in tlie west. 
 The hill upon which I stood was covered over with the dwellings of 
 men, and amid them was seen to rise the hewn stone and already 
 accomplished work of the Temple, which was now raised fifteen or 
 twent}^ feet above the ground. The few trees that were peimitted to 
 stand are now in full foliage, and are scattered with a sort of fantastic 
 irregularity over the slope of the hill. 
 
 " But there was one object which was far more noble to behold, 
 and far more majestic than any other yet presented to my sight, and 
 that was the wide-spread and unrivalled father of waters, the Missis- 
 sippi river, whose mirror- bedded waters lay in majestic extension be- 
 fore the city, and in one general curve, seemed to sweep gallantly by 
 the beautiful place. On the farther side was seen the dark green 
 woodland, bending under its deep fohage, with here and there an in- 
 terstice bearing the marks of cultivation. A few houses could be seen 
 through the trees on the other side of the river, directly opposite to 
 which is spread a fairy isle, covered with beautiful timber. The isle 
 and the romantic swell of the river soon brought my mind back ta 
 days of yore, and to the bright emerald isles of the far-famed fairy 
 land. The bold and prominent rise of the hill, fitting to the plain 
 with exact regularity, and the plain pushing itself into the river, 
 forcing it to bend around its obstacle with becoming grandeur, and 
 fondly to cling around it to add to the heightened and refined lustre 
 of this sequestered land. 
 
 *' I passed on into the more active parts of the city, looking into 
 every street and lane to observe all that was passing. I found all the 
 people engaged in some useful and healthy employment. The place 
 was alive with business — much more so than any place I have visited 
 since the hard times commenced. I sought in vain for anything that 
 bore the marks of immorality, but was both astonished and highly 
 pleased at my ill success. I could see no loungers about the streets 
 nor any drunkards about the taverns. I did not meet with those dis- 
 torted features of ruffians, or with the ill-bred and impudent. I heard 
 not an oath in the place, I saw not a gloomy countenance ; all were 
 cheerful, polite, and industrious." 
 
 The following letter, purporting to be written by an "Englishman," 
 was published about the same time by most of the American news- 
 papers, and gave some further particulars ot this extraordinary people, 
 and the beautiful city which they founded. It is doubtful, however, 
 wliether the writer was quite such a stranger among the Mormons 
 as he was willing to make the world believe. 
 
 *' Having, whilst in my native land, heard a great deal said re- 
 
DESCRIPTION OF NAUVOO. 121 
 
 specting the people called Mormons, I thouojht it would be well, in 
 the course of my rambles (or tour) to visit their city, hold converse 
 with them, investigate their princi})les, and judge for myself. I 
 had heard, previous to my leaving England, some of their mission- 
 aries, among whom were Elders Woodruff, Richards, and Young. 
 I thought they were setters forth of strange doctrine, yet it had 
 an influence on my mind, so that I felt determined, as soon as 
 opportunity served, to hear both sides of the question, as well from 
 the Missourians as from any other source, with an unprejudiced mind. 
 I had, previous to this time, been a member of the Methodist church ; 
 but having observed that there existed in the breasts of those people 
 a very strong prejudice with respect to the Mormons, I could not 
 give full credence to their statements, neither could I rest satisfied 
 with the statement of the Mormons ; I thought it was possible that 
 they might dissemble in England, but, as a people, they could not do 
 so at home, their actions would appear ungarnished; they would there - 
 act out their principles, and their moral and religious influence would 
 there be seen as dear as the sun at noon-day; but, above all, I wanted 
 to know something concermng the Msssourian persecution; so, after hav- 
 ing overcome all opposition (some of my friends being greatly alarmed 
 lest I should become a follower of Joe,, as they termed it), I took ship and 
 arrived in safety at New Orleans. I then sailed up the Mississippi, and 
 landed at St. Louris. A& soon as 1 had takeii lodgings, I commenced my 
 inquiries respecting the Mormons. Wkat think you of the Mormons? I 
 asked. I had scarcely spoken before my ears were saluted from all 
 quarters, from high and low, rich, and poor. Tlie Mormons ! The 
 mean Mormons ! The Gp d d-— — d Mormons! The deluded Mor- 
 mons, &c. I heard them calunmiated and vilified — nay, abused beyond 
 belief. They informed me that their crimes were of the deepest dj^e, 
 that polygamy was not only tolerated, but practised amongst them ; 
 that they would rob and plunder, and that blood and murder was to 
 be found in their skirts ;- that after they had stripped the poor stran- 
 ger of his all,, they confined hiin in, a kind of dungeon, underneath 
 the Temple, where he was fed upon bread and water, until death put 
 a period to his suiferings — left to die alone without a kind friend by 
 him to perform the last sad ofiices, or to see him consigned to the 
 silent tomb ; but like a dog he was left to die, and like a dog he was 
 buried. Well, one would have thought that after having heard all 
 this my courage must have failed, and that I would at once have 
 given up the search ; but I called to mind the old adage — * Nothing 
 venture nothing have.' History also informed me of the wonderful 
 exploits i)erfoimed in days of yore by the chivalrous and noble 
 knights of England, and so I felt determine^ to see and behold the 
 
]22 THE MORMONS. 
 
 wonderful place, with the history of which I had become acquainted. 
 I had, however, determined witliin myself to sell my liberty and life 
 as dearly as I could, in case the reports I had heard should prove 
 true ; but the fact was, I did not place much confidence in their Jack- 
 the-Giant-Killer's tales, looking upon them as being too marvellous 
 to be true. 
 
 " 1 landed at Nauvoo on a beautiful morning in the summer 
 season. I felt a degree of superstitious dread creep over me as I 
 set my foot upon the shoie. Presently I discovered some armed men 
 advancing towards where I was, but immediately perceived that they 
 were peaceable citizens of the place, engaged in a pleasure party. 
 As I walked onward, I felt myself comparatively at home, as I now 
 and again met with an Englishman that I once had gazed upon in 
 my native land. I directed my course towards the Temple, and after 
 having gazed upon and thoroughly examined every part of it, I was 
 soon led to the conclusion that tbere was not much danger to be 
 apprehended from being conftned in its subterranean vaults or dun- 
 geons ; I took up my abode as convenient to the edifice as I could, 
 in order that I might be the better enabled to take cognizance 
 of every circumstance which might come under my observation ; 
 I had resolved to keep upon a strict look-out, and to keep my head 
 and understanding from being confused, in order tliat I might be 
 enabled to judge correctly, and have a true and correct report to 
 send to my native land, should I be permitted to reach its shores in 
 safety. 
 
 " The city is of gi'eat dimensions, laid out in beautiful order ; the 
 streets are wide, and ei'oss each other at rigbt angles, which will add 
 greatly to its order and magnificence wben finished. The city rises 
 on a gentle incline from the rolling Mississii>pi, and as you stand 
 near the Temple, you may gaze on the picturesque scenery around ; 
 at your side is the Temple, the wonder of the world ; round about, 
 and beneath, you may behold handsome stores, large mansions, and 
 fine cottages, intersjiersed with varied scenery ; at the foot of the 
 town rolls the noble Mississippi, bearing upon its bosom the nume- 
 rous steam-ships which are conveying the Moimons from all parts of 
 the world to their home. I have seen them landed, and I have 
 beheld them welcomed to their homes with the tear of joy and the 
 gladdening smile, to share the embrace of all around. I have heard 
 them exclaim, How happy to live here ! how ha[)py to die here ! 
 and then how happy to rise here in the resurrection ! It is their 
 hapi)iness ; then why disturb the Mormons, so long as they are happy 
 and peaceable, and are willing to live so with all men ? I would 
 say, * Let them Uve.' 
 
THE NAUVOO "MANSION HOUSE." 1'23 
 
 ** The inhabitants seem to be a wonderfully enterprising people. 
 The walls of the temple have been raised considerably this summer ; 
 it is calculated, when finished, to be the glory of Illinois. They are 
 endeavouring to establish manufactories in the city. They have 
 enclosed large farms on the prairie ground, on which they have 
 raised corn, wheat, hemp, &;c. ; and all this they have accomplished 
 within the short space of four years. I do not believe that there is 
 another people in existence who could have niade such improvements 
 in the same length of time, under the same circumstances. And here 
 allow me to remark, that there are some here who have lately emi- 
 grated to this place, who have built themselves large and convenient 
 houses in the town ; others on their farms on the j^rairie, who, if they 
 had remained at home, might have continued to live in rented houses 
 all their days, and never onCe have entertained the idea of building 
 one tor themselves at their own expense. 
 
 "Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet, is a singular character ; he 
 lives at the ' Nauvoo Mansion Bouse,' which is, 1 understand, in- 
 tended to become a home for the stranger and traveller ; and I think, 
 from my own personal observation, that it will be deserving of the 
 name. The Prophet is a kind, cheerful, sociable companion. 1 be- 
 lieve that he has the good-will of the community at large, and that 
 he is ever ready to stand by and defend them in any extremity ; and 
 as I saw the Prophet and his brother Hyrum conversing together one 
 day, I thought I beheld two of the greatest men of the nineteenth 
 century. I have witnessed the Mormons in their assemblies on a 
 Sunday, and I know not where a similar scene could be effected or 
 ])roduced. With respect to the teachings of the Prophet, I must say 
 that there are some things hard to be understood ; but he invariably 
 supports himself from our good old Bible. Peace and harmony reigns 
 in the city. The drunkard is scarcely ever seen, as in other cities, 
 neither does the awful imprecation or profane oath strike upon your 
 ear; but, while all is storm and tempest, 'and confusion abroad re- 
 specting the Mormons, all is peace and harmony at home. " 
 
 -^O^ 
 
 'ty^ 
 
Hynim Smith. 
 
 Joseph Smith, 
 
 CHAPTER YI. 
 
 Gbowth opNadtoo — Joseph SrvtiTH a CANDrrATE for the PRF.aiDENcy of the 
 U^'^TEu States — Address to th'E American Pk0ple — Gorrespowdence 
 WITH Messrs. Clay and CAiiHotJN — New Troubles and Persecutions of 
 the Sect — The "Spiritual Wife"" Doctrine — A Schism among thk 
 Mormons — The Nauvoo Eapos-iTOR — DisTFRBANeES in the City — "Abate- 
 ment" OF the Nuisance of an unfriendly Newspaper — Le«al Proceed- 
 ings against the Prophet — His Surrender to take his Trial — Mubdeb 
 OF Joseph and Hyrum Smith by tub Mob in Carthage Gaol. 
 
 For a time after the establishment of the Mormons at Nauvoo, the 
 *' Prophet" and his followers were warned by sad experience, and 
 were less haughty, less overbearing, and less presumptuous, in their 
 intercourse with the ** Gentiles." But the prosperity which attended 
 
JOSEPH MAYOR OF NAUVOO. 125. 
 
 them in Illinois, and the rapid growth of Nauvoo, soon filled them 
 again with insolence and spiritual pride. The dissensions, which had 
 subsided in adversity, were renewed in prosperity. The power and 
 influence of Joseph were too great not to excite envy, and Sidney 
 Rigdon did great mischief by introducing a novelty called the "spiritual 
 wife " doctrine. This caused great scandal, both among the Mormons 
 and among their enemies. J oseph himself appears, unless he has been 
 grievously maligned, and unless the affidavits published by his oppo- 
 nents were forgeries, to have had as great a penchant for a })lurality 
 of wives as Mahomet himself. Sidney Rigdon, according to the same 
 authority, outdid him in this respect, and had " revelations " of his 
 own, which he made subservient to the gratification of his passions. 
 There was possibly some exaggeration in these stories, but they do not 
 appear to have been wholly unfounded, as far as Rigdon, and some 
 others, were concerned. 
 
 Joseph was now at the climax of his earthly glory, and might have 
 been comparatively happy even amid the persecutions of his neigh- 
 bours the " Gentiles," had it not been for secessions from his church, 
 and the annoyances springing out of the '* spiritual wife" doctrine of 
 his indiscreet friend Rigdon. The population of Nauvoo was almost 
 wholly composed of Mormons. The cort)oration over which he presided 
 as mayor, assumed a jurisdiction indei)endent of, and sometimes hos- 
 tile to, that of the State of Illinois. They denied validity to the legal 
 documents ot the State, unless countersigned by Joseph, as mayor of 
 Nauvoo, and they passed a law to punish any stranger in the city who 
 should use disrespectful language in speaking of the Prophet. As 
 time wore on, hostility against the sect increased. They waged a con- 
 stant warfare with the nine counties that adjoin Handcock county, in 
 which Nauvoo is situated, and their old feud with Missouri Avas kept 
 up by legal proceedings, which, in a somewhat vexatious manner, were 
 instituted against Smith. Lieutenant-Governor Boggs, of Missouri, 
 was fired at through a window and narrowly escaped assassination. 
 He swore that, to the best of his belief, Joseph Smith was a party to 
 this attempt to murder him. The legal proceedings consequent upon 
 this charge, tended to excite and maintain the bitterest animosity be- 
 tween the "Saints" and the "Gentiles." But the " spiritual wife" 
 doctrine of Sidney Rigdon was the cause of the greatest scandal, and 
 ultimately produced an unlooked-for catastrophe. 
 
 Nevertheless, the wealth and power of the sect continued to in- 
 crease, their numbers being augmented from time to time by the English 
 immigration from Liverpool. The Times and Seasons of the 15th 
 of May in that year, announced to the Saints "that Nauvoo was 
 . becoming a large city, that a number of splendid houses were erected, 
 
JQ6 THE MORMONS. 
 
 and that three ships' companies had arrived in the spring from Eng- 
 land, and the Prophet was in good health and spirits." In 1844, they 
 carried their heads so high that they put Joseph forward as a candi- 
 date for the Presidentship of the United States, and his still faithtul 
 Sidney Rigdon as a candidate for tlie Vice-Presidentship. 
 
 The Times and Seasons declared for Joseph Smith as President in 
 the following address : — 
 
 "The question arises, whom shall the Mormons support? — General Jo- 
 seph Smith. A man of sterling worth and integrity, and of enlarged views ; 
 a man who has raised himself from the humblest walks in life to stand at the 
 head of a large, intelligent, respectable, and increasing society, that has spread 
 •not only in this land, but in distant nations ; a man whose talents and genius 
 are of an exalted nature, and whose experience has rendered him every way 
 'adequate to the onerous duty. Honourable, fearless, and energetic, he would 
 administer justice with an impartial hand, and magnify and dignify the office 
 of chief magistrate of this land ; and we feel assured that there is not a man 
 in the United States more competent for the task. 
 
 " One great reason that we have for pursuing our present course is, that 
 at every election we have been made a political target for the filthy dema- 
 gogues in the country to shoot their loathsome arrows at. And every story has 
 been put into requisition to blast our fame, from the old fabrication of ' walk 
 on the water,' down to 'the murder of ex-Governor Boggs.' The journals 
 have teemed with this filthy trash, and even men who ought to have more re- 
 spect for themselves, men contending for the gubernatorial chair, have made 
 use of terms so degrading, so mean, so humiliating, that a Billingsgate fisher- 
 woman would have considered herself disgraced with. We refuse any longer 
 to be thus bedaubed for either party ; we tell all such, to let their filth flow in 
 its own legitimate channel, for we are sick of the loathsome smell. 
 
 "Gentlemen, we are not going either to 'murder ex- Governor Boggs,* 
 nor a Mormon in this State 'for not giving us his money ;' nor are we going 
 to 'walk on the water;' nor 'drown a woman;' nor 'defraud the poor of 
 their property;' nor send 'destroying angels after General Bennett to kill 
 him;' nor 'marry spiritual wives;' nor commit any other outrageous act 
 this election, to help any party with ; you must get some other persons to 
 perform these kind offices for you for the future. AVe withdraw. 
 
 ' ' Under existing circumstances we have no other alternative, and if we 
 can accomplish our object, well ; if not, we shall have the satisfaction of 
 knowing that we have acted conscientiously, and have used our best judgment; 
 and if we have to throw away our votes, we had better do so upon a worthy 
 rather than upon an unworthy individual, who might make use of the weapon 
 we put in his hand to destroy us with. 
 
 " Whatever may be the opinions of men in general in regard to Mr. Smith, 
 we know that he need only to be known to be admired ; and that it is the prin- 
 ciples of honour, integrity, patriotism, and philanthropy, that has elevated 
 him in the minds of his friends, and the same principles, if seen and known, 
 
ADDRESS rO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. 127 
 
 would beget the esteem and confidence of all the patriotic and virtuous 
 throughout the Union. 
 
 " Whatever, therefore, be the opinions of other men, our cause is marked 
 out, and our motto from henceforth will be GtEneral Joseph Smith." 
 
 Joseph allowed his name to be put forward without any hope of 
 his success, but was evidently proud of occupying so prominent a 
 position; especially as, to use his own expression, it " riled" his ene- 
 mies in general, and his old Missourian persecutors in particular. He 
 thought it incumbent upon him, under the circumstances, to imitate the 
 example of other great political characters, and he accordingly issued 
 an address to the American people, in which he declared his views on 
 various weighty matters. This singular document ran as follows : — 
 
 "general smith's views of THE GOVERNMENT AND POLICY OF 
 THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 "Born in a land of liberty, and breathing an air uncorrupted with the 
 sirocco of barbarous climes, 1 ever feel a double anxiety for the happiness of 
 all men, both in time and in eternity. My cogitations, like Daniel's, have for 
 a long time troubled me, when I viewed the condition of men throughout the 
 worki, and more especially in this boasted realm, where the Declaration of 
 Independence * holds these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created 
 equal : that they are endoweel by their Creator with certain inalienable 
 rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ;' but, 
 at the same time, some two or three millions of people are held as slaves fur 
 life, because the spirit in them is covered with a darker skin than ours : and 
 hundreds of our own kindred, for an infraction, or supposed infraction, of some 
 over-wise statute, have to be incarcerated in dungeon glooms, or suffer the 
 more moral penitentiary gravitation of mercy in a nut-shell ; while the duellist, 
 the debauchee, and the defaulter for millions, and other criminals, take the 
 uppermost rooms at feasts, or, like the bird of passage, find a more congenial 
 clime by flight. 
 
 "The wisdom which ought to characterise the freest, wisest, and most 
 noble nation of the nineteenth century, should, like the sun in his meridian 
 splendour, warm every object beneath its rays ; and the main efforts of her 
 otficers, who are nothing more or less than the servants of the people, ought 
 to be directed to ameliorate the condition of all, black or white, bond or free ; 
 for the best of books says, ' (xod hath made of one blood all nations of men 
 for to dwell on all the face of the earth.' 
 
 "Our common country presents to all men the same advantages, the 
 same facilities, the same rewards ; and without hypocrisy, the Constitution, 
 when it says, ' We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more 
 perlect union, establish justice, ensure tranquillity, provide for the common 
 defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to 
 ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the 
 United States of America,' meant just what it said, without reference to 
 
1Q8 THE MORMuSS. 
 
 colour or condition : ad infinitum. The aspirations and expectations of a 
 virtuous people, environed with so wise, so liberal, so deep, so broad, and so 
 high a character of equal rights, as appears in said Constitution, ought to be 
 treated by those to whom the administration of the laws are entrusted with 
 as much sanctity as the prayers of the saints are treated in heaven, that love, 
 confidence, and union, like the sun, moon, and stars, should bear witness, 
 " * (For ever singing as they shine,) 
 The hand that made us is divine !' 
 Unity is power, and when I reflect on the importance of it to the stability of 
 all governments, I am astounded at the silly moves of persons and parties, to 
 foment discord, in order to ride into power on the current of popular excite- 
 ment ; nor am I less surprised at the stretches of power, or restrictions of 
 right, which too often appear as acts of legislators, to pave the way to some 
 favourite political schemes, as destitute of intrinsic merit as a wolf's heart is 
 of the milk of liuman kindness. A Frenchman would say, * Prosque tout 
 aimer richesses et poiwoir' (Almost all men like wealth and power). 
 
 " I must dwell on this subject longer than others, for nearly one hundred 
 years ago, that golden patriot, Benjamin Franklin, drew up a plan of union 
 for the then colonies of Great Britain, that noiv are such an independent 
 nation, which, among many wise provisions for obedient childnn under their 
 father's more rugged hand, proceeds thus : — ' They have power to make laws, 
 and lay and levy such general duties, imposts, or taxes, as to them shall appear 
 most equal and just (considering the ability and other circumstances of the 
 inhabitants in the several colonies), and such as may be collected with the 
 least inconvenience to the people ; rather discouraging luxury, than loading 
 industry with unnecessary burdens.' Great Britain surely lacked the laudable 
 humanity and fostering clemency to grant such a just plan of union — but the 
 sentiment remains, like the land that honoured its birth, as a pattern for wise 
 men to study the convenience of the people more than the comfort of the cabinet. 
 
 "And one of the most noble fathers of our freedom and country's glory ; 
 great in war, great in peace, great in the estimation of the world, and great 
 in the hearts of his countrymen, — the illustrious Washington, — said, in his 
 first inaugural address to Congress : — * I hold the surest pledges that as, on 
 one side, no local prejudices or attachments, no separate views or party 
 animosities, will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye whicli ought to 
 watch over this great assemblage of communities and interest ; so, on another, 
 that th.e foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immu- 
 table principles of private morality, and the pre-eminence of iree government 
 be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citi- 
 zens, and command the respect of the world.' Verily, here shines the virtue 
 and the wisdom of a statesman in such lucid rays, that had every succeeding 
 Congress followed the rich instruction, in all their deliberations and enact- 
 ments, for the benefits and convenience of the whole community and the 
 communities of which it is composed ; no sound of a rebellion in South 
 Carolina ; no rupture in Rhode Island ; no mob in Missouri, expelling her 
 citizens by executive authority ; corruption in the ballot-boxes ; a border 
 
ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. 129 
 
 warfare between Ohio and Michigan ; hard times and distress ; outbreak upon 
 outbreak in the principal cities ; murder, robbery, and defalcations, scarcity 
 of money, and a thousand other difficulties, would have torn asunder the 
 bonds of the Union ; destroyed the confidence of man ; and left the great body 
 of the people to mourn over misfortunes and poverty, brought on by "corrupt 
 legislation in an hour of corrupt vanity for self-aggrandizement. The great 
 Washington, soon after the foregoing faithful admonition for the common, 
 welfare of his nation, further advises Congress that, 'Among the many inter- 
 esting objects which will engage your attention, that of providing for the 
 common defence will merit particular regard. To be prepared ior war is 
 one of the most effectual means of preserving peace,' As the Italian would 
 say, ' Buono aviso' (Good advice). 
 
 "The elder Adams, in his inaugural address, gives national pride such a 
 grand turn of justification, that every honest citizen must look back upon 
 the infancy of the United States with an approving smile, and rejoice that 
 patriotism in the rulers, virtue in the people, and prosperity in the Union, 
 once crowned the expectations of hope, unveiled the sophistry of the hypo- 
 crite, and silenced the folly of foes. Mr. Adams said: 'If national pride is 
 ever justifiable or excusable, it is when it springs not from 2^ower or riches, 
 grandeur or glory, but from conviction of national innocence, information, 
 and benevolence.' There is no doubt sucli was actually the case with our 
 young realm at the close of the last century : peace, prosperity, and union 
 filled the country with religious toleration, temporal enjoyment, and virtuous 
 enterprise ; and gradually, too, when the deadly winter of the ' Stamp Act, ' 
 the 'Tea Act,' and other close comrminion acts of royalty had choked the 
 growth of freedom of speech, liberty of the press, and liberty of conscience, 
 did light, liberty, and loyalty flourish like the cedars of God. 
 
 " The respected and venerable Thomas Jefferson, in his inaugural address, 
 made more than forty years ago, shows what a beautiful prospect an innocent, 
 virtuous nation presents to the sage's eye, where there is a space for enter- 
 prise, hands for industry; heads for heroes, and hearts for moral greatness. 
 He said : 'A rising nation, spread over a wide and fruitful land, traversing 
 all the seas with the rich productions of their industry, engaged in commerce 
 with nations who feel power and forget right, advancing rapidly to destinies 
 beyond the reach of mortal eye : when I contemplate these transcendant 
 objects, and see the honour, the happiness, and the hopes of this beloved 
 country committed to the issue and the auspices of this day, I shrink from 
 the contemplation, and humble myself before the magnitude of the under- 
 taking.' Such a prospect was truly soul-stirring to a good man ; but ' since 
 the fathers have fallen asleep, ' wicked and designing men have unrobed the 
 government of its glory, and the people, if not in dust in ashes, or in sack- 
 cloth, have to lament in poverty her departed greatness, while demagogues 
 build fires in the north and south, east and west, to keep up their spirits till 
 it is better times ; but year after year have left the people to hope, till the very 
 name of Cojigress or State Legislature is as horrible to the sensitive friend of 
 his country, as the house of 'Blue Beard' is to children, or 'Crockett's' Ilell 
 
 I 
 
100 THE MOr.MONS. 
 
 of London to meek men. When the people are secure and their rights pro- 
 perly respected, then the four main pillars of prosperity, viz. .— agriculture, 
 manufactures, naA'igation, and commerce, need the fostering care of govern- 
 ment ; and in so goodly a country as ours, where the soil, the climate, the 
 rivers, the lakes, and the sea coast ; the productions, the timber, the minerals, 
 and the inhabitants are so diverbified, that a pleasing variety accommodates all 
 tastes, trades, and calculations, it certainly is the highest point of subversion 
 to protect the whole northern and southern, eastern and western, centre and 
 circumference, of the realm, by a judicious tariff. It is an old saying and a 
 true one, ' If you wish to be respected, respect yourselves.' 
 
 "1 will adopt in part the language of Mr. Madison's inaugural address : 
 ' To cherish peace and friendly intercourse with all nations, having corres- 
 pondent dispositions ; to maintain sincere neutrality towards belligerent 
 nations ; to prefer in all cases amicable discussion and reasonable accommo- 
 dation of intrigues and foreign partialities, so degrading to all countries, and 
 so baneful to free ones ; to foster a spirit of independence too just to invade 
 the rights of others, too proud to surrender their own, too liberal to indulge 
 unworthy prejudices ourselves, and too elevated not to look down upon them 
 in others; to hold the Union of the States as the basis of their peace and 
 happiness ; to support the Constitution, which is the cement of the Union, 
 as in its limitations as in its authorities ; to respect the rights and autho- 
 rities reserved to the States and to the people, as equally incorporated with, 
 and essential to, the success of the general system ; to avoid the slightest 
 interference with the rights of conscience, or the functions of religion, so 
 Avisely exempted from civil jurisdiction ; to preserve in their full energy the 
 other salutary provisions in behalf of private and personal rights, and the 
 freedom of the press : as far as intention aids in the fulfilment of duty, are 
 consummations too big with benefits not to captivate the energies of all 
 honest men to achieve them, when they can be brought to pass by reciproca- 
 tion, friendly alliances, wise legislation, and honourable treaties.' 
 
 "The government has once flourished under the guidance of trusty 
 servants ; and the Hon. Mr. jMonroe, in his day, while speaking of the Con- 
 stitution, says: — 'Our commerce has been wisely regulated with foreign 
 nations, and between the States; new States have been admitted into our 
 Union ; our territory has been enlarged by fair and honourable treaty, and 
 with great advantages to the original States ; the States respectively pro- 
 tected by the national government, under a mild paternal system, against 
 foreign dangers, and enjoying within their separate spheres, by a wise ];ar- 
 tition of power, a just proportion of the sovereignty," have improved their 
 police, extended their settlements, and attained a strength and maturity 
 which are the best proofs of wholesome law well administered. And if we 
 look to the condition of individuals, what a proud spectacle does it exhibit? 
 ■\Vho has been deprived of any right of person and property ? Who restrained 
 from offering his vows in the mode he prefers to the Divine Author of his 
 being ? It is well known that all these blessings have been enjoyed to their 
 fullest extent ; and I add, with peculiar satisfaction, that there has been no 
 
ADDllKSS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. l'3l 
 
 example of a capital punishment being inflicted on any one for the crime ot 
 hiiih treason.' What a delightful picture of power, policy, and prosperity! 
 Truly the wise proverb is just : * Sedauknuh teromain goij , veh-kasade le-u-meem 
 khahment ' (Eighteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people). 
 
 . " But this is not all. The same honourable statesman, after having had 
 about forty years' experience in the government, under the full tide of success- 
 ful experiment, gives the following commendatory assurance of the efficiency 
 of the Magna Charta to answer its great end and aim : To protect the people 
 in their rights. ' Such, then, is the happy government under which we live ; 
 a government adequate to every purpose for which the social compact is 
 framed ; a government elective in all its branches, under which every citizen 
 may, by his merit, obtain the highest trust recognised by the Constitution ; 
 which contains within it no cause of discord ; none to put at variance one 
 portion of the community with another : a government which protects every 
 citizen in the full enjoyment of his rights, and is able to protect the nation 
 against injustice from foreij^n powers.' 
 
 "Again, the younger Adams, in the silver age of our country's advance- 
 ment to fame, in his inaugural address (1825), thus candidly declares the 
 majesty of the youthful republic in its increasing greatness : ' The year of 
 jubilee since the first formation of our Union has just elapsed — that of the 
 Declaration of Independence is at hand. The consummation of both was 
 effected "by this Constitution. Since that period a population of four millions 
 has multiplied to twelve. A territory, bounded by the Mississippi, has been 
 extended from sea to sea. New States have been admitted to the Union, in 
 numbers nearly equal to those of the first confederation. Treaties of peace, 
 amity, and commerce, have been concluded with the principal dominions of 
 the eartli. The people of other nations, the inhabitants of regions acquired, 
 not by conquest, but by compact, have been united with us in the participation 
 of our rights and duties, of our burdens and blessings. The forest has fallen 
 by the axe of our woodsmen ; the soil has been made to teem by the tillage 
 of our farmers ; our commerce has whitened every ocean. The dominion of 
 man over physical nature has been extended by the invention of our artists ; 
 liberty and law have walked hand in hand. All the purposes of human 
 association have been accomplished as effectively as under any other govern- 
 ment on the globe, and at a cost little exceeding, in a whole generation, the 
 expenditures of other nations in a single year.' 
 
 •'In continuation of such noble sentiments, General Jackson, upon his 
 ascension to the great chair of the chief magistracy, said, ' As long as our 
 government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by 
 their will ; as long as it secures to us the rights of person and property, 
 liberty of conscience, and' of the press, it will Ije worth defending; and so 
 long as it is worth defending, a patriotic militia will cover it with an impene- 
 trable aagis.' 
 
 "General Jackson's administration may be denominated the acme of 
 American glory, liberty, and prosperity, for the national debt, which in 1815, 
 on account of the late war, was 125,000,000 dollars and lessened gradually, 
 
132 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 was paid up in his golden day ; and preparations were made to distribute the 
 surplus revenue among the several States ; and that august patriot, to use his 
 own words in his farewell address, retired, leaving ' a great people prosperous 
 and happy, in the full enjoyment of liberty and peace, honoured and respected 
 by every nation of the world.' 
 
 "At the age, then, of sixty 3'ears, our blooming republic began to decline 
 under the withering touch of Martin Van Buren ! Disappointed ambition ; 
 thirst for power, pride, corruption, party spirit, faction, patronage, perquisites, 
 fame, tangling alliances, priestcraft, and spiritual wickedness in Jdgh places, 
 struck hands, and revelled in midnight splendour. Trouble, vexation, per- 
 plexity and contention, mingled with hope, fear, and murmuring, rumbled 
 through the Union, and agitated the whole nation, as would an earthquake at 
 the centre of the earth, the world having the sea beyond its bounds, and 
 shaking the everlasting hills. So,; in hopes of better times, while jealousy, 
 hypocritical pretensions, and pompous ambition, were luxuriating on the ill- 
 gotten spoils of the people, they rose in their majesty like a tornado, and 
 swept through the land, till General Harrison appeared as a star among the 
 storm for better weather. 
 
 * * The calm came ; and the language of that venerable patriot, in his in- 
 augural address, while descanting upon the merits of the constitution and its 
 framers, thus expressed himself: — 'There were in it features which appeared 
 not to be in harmony with their ideas of a simple representative democracy or 
 republic ; and knowing the tendency of power to increase itself, particularly 
 when executed by a single individual, predictions were made that, at no very 
 remote period, the government M'ould terminate in virtual monarchy. It 
 would not become me to say that the fears of these patriots have been already 
 realized. But, as I sincerely believe that the tendency of measures and of 
 men's opinions, for some years past, has been in that direction, it is, I con- 
 ceive, strictly proper that I should take this occasion to repeat the assurances 
 I have hitherto given of my determination to arrest the progress of that 
 tendency, if it really exists, and restore the government to its pristine health 
 and vigour.' This good man died before he had the opportunity of applying 
 one balm to ease the pain of our groaning country ; and I am willing the 
 nation should be the judge whether General Harrison, in his exalted station, 
 upon the eve of his entrance into the world of spirits, told the truth or 7wt : 
 with acting President Tyler's three years of perplexity and pseudo Whig 
 Democrat reign, to heal the breaches, or show the wounds, secundum artnm, 
 (according to art). Subsequent events, all things considered. Van Buren's 
 downfall, Harrison's exit, and Tyler's self-sufficient turn to the whole, go to 
 show, as a Chaldean might exclaim, ' Beram etai elauh besmayauh gauhah 
 rauzeen' (Certainly there is a God in heaven to reveal secrets). 
 
 " No honest man can doubt for a moment but the glory of American 
 liberty is on the wane, and that calamity and confusion will sooner or later 
 destroy the peace of the people. Speculators will urge a national bank as a 
 saviour of credit and comfort. A hireling pseudo priesthood will plausibly 
 push Abolition doctrines and doings, and * human rights,' into Congress, and 
 
ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. lo'J 
 
 into every other place where conquest smells of fame, or opposition swells to 
 popularity. Democracy, Whigorery, and Cliquery, will attract their elements, 
 and foment divisions among the people, to accomplish fancied schemes, and 
 accumulate power, while poverty driven to despair, like hunger forcing its 
 way through a wall, will break through the statutes of men, to save life, and 
 mend the breach in prison glooms. 
 
 "A still higher grade, of what the 'nobility of the nations' call * great 
 men,' will dally with all rights, in order to smuggle a fortune at 'one fell 
 swoop ;' mortgage Texas, possess Oregon, and claim all the unsettled regions 
 of the world for hunting and trapping ; and should a humble, honest man, 
 "M, black, or white, exhibit a better title, these gentry have only to clothe 
 •^^ • iudge with richer ermine, and spangle the lawyer's fingers with finer rings, 
 to have the judgment of his peers, and the honour of his lords as a pattern 
 of honesty, virtue, and humanity, while the motto hangs on his nation's 
 escutcheon, * Every man has his price ! ' 
 
 "Now, people! turn unto the Lord and live ; and reform this nation. 
 Frustrate the designs of wicked men. Eeduce Congress at least one half. 
 Two senators from a State, and two^members to a million of population, will 
 do more business than the army that now occupy the halls of the National 
 Legislature. Pay them two dollars and their board per diem (except Sundays) ; 
 that is more than the farmer gets, and he lives honestly. Curtail the offices 
 of government in pay, number, and power, for the Philistine lords have shorn 
 our nation of its goodly locks in the lap of Delilah. 
 
 "Petition your State Legislature to pardon every convict in their several 
 penitentiaries, blessing them as they go, and saying to them in the name of 
 the Lord, Go thy way and sin no more. Advise your legislators, when they 
 make laws for larceny, burglary, or any felony, to make the penalty applicable 
 to work upon the roads, public works, or any place where the culprit can be 
 taught more wisdom and more virtue, and become more enlightened. Piigour 
 and seclusion will never do as much to reform the propensities of man, as 
 reason and friendship. Murder only can claim 'confinement or death. Let 
 the penitentiaries be turned into seminaries of learning, where intelligence, 
 like the angels of heaven, would banish such fragments of barbarism. Im- 
 prisonment for debt is a meaner practice than the savage tolerates with all 
 his ferocity : ' Amor vincit omnia' (Love conquers all). 
 
 '• Petition also, ye goodly inhabitants of the Slave States, yoiu' legislators 
 to abolish slavery by the year I80O, or now, and save the Abolitionist from 
 reproach and ruin, infamy and shame. Pray Congress to pay every man a 
 reasonable price for his slaves, out of the surplus revenue arising from the 
 sale of public lands, and from the deduction of pay from the members of Con- 
 gress. Break off the shackles from the poor black man, and hire them to 
 work like other human beings ; for ' an hour of virtuous liberty on earth is 
 worth a whole eternity of bondage !' Abolish the practice in the army and navy 
 of trying men by court-martial for desertion ; if a soldier or marine runs away, 
 send him his wages, with this instruction, that his country will never trust him 
 again ; he has forfeited his honour. Make HONOUR the standard with all men ; 
 
134 aHE MOEMONS. 
 
 be sure that orood is rendened for evil in all cases, and the whole nation, like 
 a Idngdom of kings and priests, will rise np with righteousness, and be re- 
 spected as wise and wortliy on earth, and as just and holy for heaven, by 
 Jehovah, the author of perfection. More economy in the National and State 
 Governments would make less taxes among the people ; more equality through 
 the cities, towns, and country, would make less distinction among the people ; 
 and more honesty and familiarity in societies, would make less hypocrisy and 
 flattery in all branches of community; and open, frank, candid, decorum to 
 all men, in this boasted land of liberty, would beget esteem, confidence, union, 
 and love ; and the neighbour from any State, or from any country, of what- 
 ever colour, clime, or tongue, could rejoice when he put his foot on the sacred 
 soil of freedom, and exclaim, The very name of ' American' is fraught with 
 friendship. Oh, then, create confidence ! restore freedom ! break down 
 slavery ! banish imprisonment for debt, and be in love, fiellowship, and peace, 
 with ail the world ! Remember that honesty is not subject to law : the law 
 •was made for transgressors : wherefore a Dutchman might exclaim, ' Ein 
 shrlicher name ist besser ah Reichthum' (A good name is better than riches.) 
 ~~ " For the accommodation of the people in every State and territory, let 
 Congress show their wisdom by granting a national bank, with branches in 
 each State and territory, where the capital stock shall be held by the nation 
 for the mother bank ; and by the States and territories for the branches : and 
 whose officers and directors shall be elected yearly by the people, with wages 
 at the rate of two dollars per day for services : which several banks shall 
 never issue any more bills than the amount of capital stock in her vaults, 
 and the interest. The nett gain of the mother bink shall be applied to the 
 national revenue, and that of the branches to the States' and territories' 
 revenues. And the bills shall be par throughout the nation, which will 
 mercifully cure that fatal disorder known in cities as brokerage, and leave the 
 people's money in their own pockets. 
 
 " Give every man his constitutional freedom, and the President full power 
 to send an army to suppress mobs, and the States authority to repeal and 
 impugn that relic of folly, which makes it necessary for the Governor of a S:ate 
 to make the demand of the President for troops, in cases of invasion or rebel- 
 lion. The Governor himself may be a mobber, and, instead of being punished, 
 as he should be, for murder and treason, he may destroy the very lives, rights, 
 and property, he should protect. Like the good Samaritan, send every lawyer, 
 as soon as he repents and obeys the ordinances of heaven, to preach the Gos- 
 pel to the destitute, without purse or scrip, pouring in the oil and the wine : 
 a learned priesthood is certainly more honourable than a ' hireling clergy.'' 
 
 "As to the contiguous territories to the United States, wisdom would direct 
 no tangling alliance. Oregon belongs to this government honourably ; and 
 when we have the red man's consent, let the Union spread from the east to 
 the west sea ; and if Texas petitions Congress to be adopted among the sons 
 of libert}-, give her the right hand of fellowship ; and refuse, no ! the same 
 friendly o rip to Canada and Mexico; and when the right arm of freemen is 
 tretched out in the character of a navy, for the protection of rights, com- 
 
ADDRESS TO Till-: AMERfCAN PEOPLE. 105 
 
 meroe, and honour, let tlie iron eves of power watch from jiahie to Mexico, 
 and from California to Columbia. Thus may union he stren;;thened, and 
 foreign speculation prevented from opposing broadside to broadside. 
 
 " Seventy years have done much for this goodly land; they have burst 
 the chains of oppression and monarchy, and multiplied its inhabitants from 
 two to twenty millions ; with a proportionate share of knowledge, keen enough 
 to circumnavigate the globe, drain the lightning from the clouds, and cope 
 with all the crowned heads of the world, 
 
 "Then why ! oh, why ! will a once flourishing people not arise, phcenix- 
 like, over the cinders of Martin Van Buren's power; and over the sinking 
 fragments and smoking ruins of other catamount politicians ; and over the 
 windfalls of Benton, Calhoun, Clay, Wright, and a caravan of equally unfor- 
 tunate law doctors, and cheerfully help to spread a plaster, and bind up the 
 burnt, bleeding wounds of a sore but blessed country ? The southern people 
 are hospitable and noble ; they will help to rid so free a country of every 
 vestige of slavery, whenever they are assured of an equivalent for their pro- 
 perty. I'he country will be full of money and confidence, when a national 
 bank of twenty millions, and a State bank in every State, with a million or 
 more, gives a tone to monetary matters, and make a circulating medium as 
 valuable in the purses of a whole community^ as in the coffers of a speculating 
 bank or broker. 
 
 " The people may have faults, but they never should be trifled with. I 
 think Mr. Pitt's quotation, in the British Parliament, of Mr. Prior's couplet 
 for the husband and wife, to apply to the course which the king and ministry 
 of England should pm-sue to the then colonies, of the now United States, 
 might be a genuine rule of action for some of the breath made men in high 
 place to use towards the posterity of that noble daring people : 
 " ' Be to her faults a little blind ; 
 Be to her virtues very kind.' 
 "We have had Democratic presidents. Whig presidents, a pseudo Demo- 
 cratic Whig president ; and now it is time to have a president of the United 
 States ; and let the people of the whole Union, like the inflexible Romans, 
 whenever they find a promise made by a candidate that is not practised as an 
 officer, hurl the miserable sycophant irom his exaltation, as God did Nebuchad- 
 nezzar, to crop the grass of the field, with a l>east's heart, among the cattle. 
 
 "Mr. Van Buren said in his inaugural address, that he went 'into the 
 presidential chair the inflexible and uncompromising opponent of every at- 
 teinpt, on the part of Congress, te abolish slavery in the district of Columbia, 
 ag;;inst the wishes of the slave-holding States ; and also with a determination 
 equally decided to resist the slightest interference with it in the States where 
 it exists.' Poor little Matty made his rhapsodical sweep with the fact before 
 his eyes, that the State of New York, his native State, had abolished slavery 
 without a struggle or a groan. Great God, how independent ! From hence- 
 forth slavery is tolerated where it exists : constitution or no constitution ; 
 people or no people ; right or wrong ; vox Matti, vox Diaboli (the voice 
 of Matty, the voice of the Devil), and, peradventure, his great 'sub- 
 
136 THE MOEMOXS. 
 
 Treasury ' scheme was a piece of the same mind ; but the man and his mea- 
 sures have such a striking resemblance to the anecdote of the Welchman and 
 his cart-tongue, that, when the Constitution was so long that it 'allowed 
 slavery at the capital of a free people, it could not be cut off; but when it 
 was so short that it needed a sub-Treasttry to save the funds of the nation, it 
 could be spliced! Oh, granny, what a long tail our puss has got ! As a Greek 
 might say, * Hysferon proteron' (The cart before the horse). But his mighty 
 whisk through the great national fire, for the presidential chesnuts, bur7it the 
 locks of his glory with the blaze of his folly ! 
 
 "In the United States, the people are the government, and their united 
 voice is the only sovereign that should rule ; the only power that should be 
 obeyed ; and the only gentlemen that should be honoured, at home or abroad, 
 on the land and on the sea. AVherefore, were I the President of the United 
 States, by the voices of a virtuous people, T would honour the old paths of the 
 venerated fathers of freedom ; I would walk in the tracks of the illustrious 
 patriots, who carried the ark of the government upon their shoulders with an eye 
 single to the glory of the people ; and when that people petitioned to abolish 
 slavery in the Slave States, T would use all honourable means to have their 
 prayers granted, and give liberty to the captive, by giving the southern gen- 
 tleman a reasonable equivalent for his property, that the whole nation might 
 be free indeed ! When the people petitioned for a national bank, I would use 
 my best endeavours to have their prayers assured, and establish one on na- 
 tional principles to save taxes, and make them the comptrollers of its ways 
 and means ; and when the people petitioned to possess the territory of Oregon, 
 or any other contiguous territorjs'I would lend the influence of a chief magis- 
 trate to grant so reasonable a request, that they might 'extend the mighty 
 efforts and enterprise of a free people from the east to the west sea, and make 
 the wilderness blossom as the rose ; and when the neighbouring realm peti- 
 tioned to join the Union of the sons of Liberty, my voice would be. Come: 
 yea, come Texas ; come ]\Iexico ; come Canada ; and come all the world — let 
 us be brethren ; let us be one great family, and let there be universal peace. 
 Abolish the cruel customs of prisons (except certain cases), penitentiaries, 
 and court-martials for desertion, and let reason and friendship reign over the 
 ruins of ignorance and barbarity ; yea, I would, as the universal friend of 
 man, open the prisons; open the eyes ; open the ears; and open the hearts 
 of all people, to behold and enjoy freedom, unadulterated freedom ; and God, 
 who once cleansed the violence of the earth with a flood, whose Son laid down 
 his life for the salvation of all his Father gave him out of the world, and who 
 has promised that he will come and purify the world again with fire in the 
 last days, shall be supplicated by me for the good of all people. 
 "AVith the highest esteem, 
 
 " I am a friend of virtue, 
 
 ' ' And of the people, 
 
 "Joseph Smith. 
 
 '' Nauvoo, llUnois, February '7th, 1844." 
 
LETTER OF MR. CLAY. 
 
 ]37 
 
 Joseph was of course aware that his candidature was an act 
 which had no other meaning than to please his disciples ; and he 
 therefore wrote to Mr. Claj, who was supposed to have a good chance 
 of being elected to the Presidency, to know what course he would 
 pursue towards the Mormons if he were successful. 
 
 The correspondence was characteristic of both parties. The letter 
 of the '* Prophet " was to the following effect : — 
 
 " Nauvoo, Illinois, Nov. Mh, 1843. 
 
 "Hon. H. Clay, — Dear Sir, — As we understand you are a candidate 
 for the Presidency at the next election, and as the Latter-Day Saints (some- 
 times called Mormons, who now constitute a numerous class in the school 
 politic of this vast republic) have been robbed of an immense amount of pro- 
 perty, and endured nameless sufferings by the State of ^Missouri, and from her 
 borders have been driven by force of arms, contrary to our national covenants, 
 and as in vain we have sought redress by all constitutional, legal, and honour- 
 able means, in her courts, her executive councils, and her legislative halls, 
 and as we have petitioned Congress to take cognizance of our sufferings with- 
 out effect, we have judged it wisdom to address you this communication, and 
 solicit an immediate, specific, and candid reply to What ivill be your rule of 
 action relative to us as a people, should fortune favour your ascension to the 
 chief magistracy ? 
 
 "Most respectfully, Sir, your friend, and the friend of peace, good order, 
 and constitutional rights, 
 
 " Joseph Smith, 
 " In behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 
 
 " Hon. H. Clay, Ashland, Kentucky." 
 
 The reply of Mr. Clay was guarded, and studiously courteous : — 
 
 " Jshland, Nov. \oth, 1843. 
 
 "Dear Sir, — I have received your letter in behalf of the Church of Jesus 
 Christ of Latter-Day Saints, stating that you understand that I am a candi- 
 date for the Presidency, and inquiring what would be my rule of action rela- 
 tive to you as a people, should I be elected. 
 
 "I am profoundly grateful for the numerous and strong expressions of the 
 people in my behalf, as a candidate for President of the United States ; but I 
 do not so consider myself That much depends upon future events, and upon 
 my sense of duty. 
 
 " Should I be a candidate, I can enter into no engagements, make no pro- 
 mises, give no pledges, to any particular portion of the people of the United 
 States. If I ever enter into that high office, I must go into it free and un- 
 fettered, with no guarantees but such as are to be drawn from my whole life, 
 character, and conduct. 
 
 "It is not inconsistent with this declaration to say, that I have viewed 
 with a lively interest the progress of the Latter-Day Saints ; that I have 
 
138 THE MORMONS. 
 
 sympathized in their sufferings under injiistiee, as it appeared to me, wliich 
 has been inflicted upon them ; and that I think, in common with all other re- 
 ligious communities, they ought to enjoy the security and the protection of 
 the constitution and the laws. 
 
 * ' I am, with great respect, 
 
 " Your Friend and obedient Servant, 
 
 " H. Clay. 
 ** Joseph Smith, Esq." 
 
 Joseph was by no means satisfied with Mr. Clay's reply ; and 
 after takinoj nearly six months to reflect, he wrote a long and angry 
 rejoinder, in which he insinuated that Mr. Clay was a blackleg in 
 politics, and used many other phrases by no means complimentary. 
 The letter is exceedingly amusing, and as it gives the opinions of 
 Josepli on the affairs of Christendom and of the world in general, and 
 affords a fair specimen of the shrewd but coarse talent of this singular 
 man, we reproduce it in extenso : — 
 
 " Nmivoo, Illinois, May lS//i, 1844'. 
 
 " Sir, — Your answer to my inquiry, * What would be your rule of action 
 towards the Latter-Day Saints, should you be elected President of the United 
 States V has been under consideration since last November, in the fond ex- 
 pectation that you would give (for every honest citizen has a right to demand 
 it) to the country a manifesto of your views of the best method and means 
 which would secure to the people, the whole people, the most freedom, the most 
 happiness, the most union, the most wealth, the most fame, the most glory at 
 home, and the most honour abroad, at the least expense ; but I have waited 
 in vain. So far as you have made public declarations, they have been made, 
 like your answer to the above, soft to flatter, rather than solid to feed the 
 people. You seem to abandon all former policy which may have actuated 
 you in the discharge of a statesman's duty, when the vigour of intellect and 
 the force of virtue should have sought out an everlasting habitation for 
 liberty; when, as a wise man, a true patriot, and a friend to mankind, you 
 should have resolved to ameliorate the awful condition of our bleeding country 
 by a mighty plan of wisdom, righteousness, justice, goodness, and mercy, that 
 would have brought back the golden days of our nation' s youth, vigour, and 
 vivacity ; when prosperity crowned the efforts of a youthful Eepublic, when 
 the gentle aspirations of the sons of liberty were, ' We are one.' 
 
 "In your answer to my questions, last fall, that peculiar tact of modern 
 politicians, declaring, ' 1/ you ever enter into that high office, you must go iyito 
 it free and unfettered, with no guarantee but such as are to be drawn Jrom your 
 whole life, character, and conduct,' so much resembles a lottery vendor's sign, 
 with the goddess of Good-luck sitting on, the car of fortune, astraddle of the horn 
 of plenty, and driving the merry steeds of beatitude, without reins or bridle, 
 that I cannot help exclaiming, frail man ! what have you done that will 
 exalt you ? Can anything be drawn from your life, character y or conduct, that is 
 worthy of beiag held i>p to the gaze of this nation as a model of virtue, charity, 
 
COKKESPOXDENCE WITH MK. CLAY. 
 
 139 
 
 avd wisdom ? Are you not a lottery picture, witli more than two blanks to a 
 prize ? Leaving many things prior to your Ghent treat}^, let the world look 
 at that, and see where is the wisdom, honour, and patriotism, which ought to 
 have characterized the plenipotentiary of the only free nation upon the face of 
 the earth ? A quarter of a century's negociaticn to obtain our rights on the 
 north-eastern boundary, and the motley manner in which Oregon tries to shine 
 as American territory, coupled with your presidential race and come-by-chanee 
 secretaryship, in 1825, all go to convince the friends of freedom, the golden 
 patriots of JefFersonian democracy, free trade and sailors' rights, and the pro- 
 tectors of person and property, that an honourable war is better than a dis- 
 honourable peace. 
 
 "But had you really wanted to have exhibited the wisdom, clemency, be- 
 nevolence, and dignity of a great man, in this boasted republic, when tiltetn 
 thousand free citizens were exiled from their own homes; lands, and ]jroperty, 
 in the wonderful patriotic State of Missouri, and you then upon your oath and 
 honour, occupying the exalted station of a senator of Congress, from the noble- 
 hearted State of Kentucky, why did you not show the world your loyalty to 
 law and order, by using all honourable means to restore the innocent to their 
 rights and property ? Why, Sir, the more we search into your character and 
 conduct, the more we must exclaim from holy writ, T]ie tree is known by lis 
 fruit. 
 
 "Again, this is not all ; rather than show yourself an honest man, by gua- 
 ranteeing to the people what you will do in case you should be elected presi- 
 dent, 'you can enter into no engagement, make no promises, and give no 
 pledges, ' as to what you will do. ^^^ell, it may be that some hot-headed par- 
 tisan would take such nothingarianism upon trust, but sensible men, and even 
 ladies, would think themselves insulted by such an evasion of coming events. 
 If a tempest is expected, why not prepare to meet it ; and in the language of 
 the poet exclaim — 
 
 " 'Then let the trial come, and witness thou 
 If terror be upon me, if I shrink 
 Or falter in my strength to meet the storm. 
 When hardest it beset me.' 
 
 " True greatness never wavers; but when the Missouri compromise was 
 entered into by you, for the benefit of slavery, there was a mighty shrinkage 
 of western honour ; and from that day. Sir, the sterling Yankee, the stiuggling 
 Abolitionist, and the staunch Democrat, with a large number of the liberal- 
 minded Whigs, have marked you as a blackleg in politics, begging for a chance 
 to shuffle yourself into the presidential chair, where you might deal out the 
 destinies of our beloved country for a game of brag, that would end in 
 ' Hark, Jrom the tombs a doleful sound.' Start not at this picture, for your 
 ' whole life, character, and conduct,' have been spotted with deeds that cause 
 a blush upon the face of a virtuous patriot. So you must be contented in your 
 lot, while crime, cowardice, cupidity, or low cunning, have handed you down 
 from the high tower of a statesman to the black hole of a gambler. A man 
 that accepts a challenge, or fights a duel, is nothing more nor less than a mur- 
 
140 
 
 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 derer, for holy writ declares that * wJioso sheds man's blood, hy man shall his 
 blood be shed ;' and when, in the renowned city of Washington, the lotcrious 
 Henry Clay dropped from the summit of a senator to the sink of a scoundrel, 
 to shoot at that chalk line of a Eandolph, he not only disgraced his own fame, 
 family, and friends, but he polluted the sanctum sanctorum of American glory ; 
 and the kingly blackguards throughout the whole world are pointing the 
 finger of scorn at the boasted 'asylum of the oppressed,' and hissing at Ame- 
 rican statesmen, as gentlemen vagabonds and murderers, holding the olive branch 
 of peace in one hand and a pistol for death in the other! Well might the 
 Saviour rebuke the heads of this nation with Woe unto you Scribes, Pharisees, 
 Hypocrites, for the United States Government and Congress, with a few hon- 
 ourable exceptions, have gone the way of Cain, and must perish in their 
 gainsayings, like Korah and his wicked host. And honest men of every clime, 
 and the innocent, poor, and oppressed, as well as Heathens, Pagans, and In- 
 dians, everywhere, who could but hope that the tree of liberty would yield 
 some precious fruit for the hungry human race, and shed some balmy leaves 
 for the healing of nations, have long since given up all hopes of equal rights, 
 of justice, and judgment, and of truth and virtue, when such polluted, vain, 
 heaven-daring, bogus patriots, are forced or flung into the front rank of go- 
 vernment, to guide the destinies of millions. Crape the heavens with weeds 
 of woe, gird the earth with sackcloth, and let hell mutter one melody in com- 
 memoration of fallen splendour ! Por the glory of America has departed, and 
 Grod will set a flaming sword to guard the tree of libert}', while such mint- 
 tithing Herods as Van Buren, Boggs, Benton, Calhoun, and Clay, are thrust 
 oat of the realms of virtue, as fit subjects for the kingdom of fallen greatness ; 
 vox Tpprobi, vox Diaboli ! In your late addresses to the people of South Caro- 
 lina, where rebellion budded, but could not blossom, you ' renounced ultraism,' 
 ' high tariff,' and almost banished your ' bankingf system,' for the more 
 certain standard of ' public opinion.' This is all very well, and marks the 
 intention of a politician, the calculations of a demagogue, and the allowance 
 for leeings of a shrewd manager, just as truly as the weathercock does the 
 wind when it turns upon the spire. Hustings for the south, barbacues for the 
 west, confidential letters for the north, and 'American system' for the east: 
 " ' Lull-a-by baby upon the tree top, 
 
 And when the wind blows the cradle will rock.* 
 " Suppose you should also, taking your ' whole life, character, and con- 
 duct,' into consideration, and, as many hands make light work, stir up the old 
 * Clay party,' the* National Eepublican party,' 'High Protective Tariff 
 party,' and the late * 'Coon Skin party,' with all their paraphernalia, ultraism. 
 ne plus ultraism, sine qua non, which have grown with your growth, strength- 
 ened with your strength, and shrunk with your shrinkage, and ask the people 
 of this enlightened Ptepublic, w^hat they think of your powers and policy as a 
 statesman ; for verily it would seem, from all past remains of parties, polities, 
 projects, and pictures, that you are the Clay, and the people the potter; and as 
 some vessels are marred in the hands of the potter, the natural conclusion is, 
 that you are a vessel of dishonour. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. CLAY. 141 
 
 ** You may complain that a close examination of your ' whole life, charac- 
 ter, and conduct,' places you, as a Kentuckian would pleasantly term it, * in 
 a bad fix ; ' but, Sir, when the nation has sunk deeper and deeper in the mud 
 at every turn of the great wheels of the Union, while you have acted as one 
 of the principal drivers, it becomes the bounden duty of the whole community, 
 as one man, to whisper you on every point of government, to uncover every 
 act of your life, and inquire what mighty acts you have done to benefit the 
 nation ; how much you have tithed the mint to gratify your lust ; and why 
 the fragments of your raiment hang upon the thorns by the path, as signals 
 to beware. 
 
 "But your shrinkage is truly wonderful ! Not only your banking system, 
 and high tariff project, have vanished from your mind, ' like the baseless fabric 
 of a vision, ' but the ' annexation of Texas ' has touched your pathetic sensi- 
 bilities of national pride so acutely, that the poor Texians, your own brethren, 
 may fall back into the ferocity of Mexico, or be sold at auction to British 
 stock-jobbers ; and all is well, for 'I,' the old senator from Kentucky, am fear- 
 ful it would militate against my interest in the north, to enlarge the borders 
 of the Union in the south. Truly, ' a poor wise child is better than an old 
 foolish king, who will be no longer admonished.' Who ever heard of a nation 
 that had too much territory ? Was it ever bad policy to make friends ? Has 
 any people ever become too good, to do good ? No, never ; but the ambition 
 and vanity of some men have flown away with their wisdom and judgment, 
 and left a creaking skeleton to occupy the place of a noble soul. 
 
 ' * Wh}', Sir, the condition of the whole earth is lamentable. Texas dreads 
 the teeth and toe-nails of jMexico. Oregon has the rheumatism, brought on 
 by a horrid exposure to the heat and cold of British and American trappers ; 
 Canada has caught a bad cold, from extreme fatigue in the patriot war ; South 
 America has the headache, caused by bumps against the beams of Catholicity 
 and Spanish sovereignty ; Spain has the gripes from age and inquisition ; 
 France trembles and wastes under the effects of contagious diseases ; England 
 groans with the gout, and wriggles with wine ; Italy and the German states 
 are pale with the consumption ; Prussia, Poland, and the little contiguous 
 dynasties, duchies, and domains, have the mumps so severely, that ' the whole 
 head is sick, and the whole heart is faint ;' Eussia has the cramp by lineage ; 
 Turkey has the numb palsy ; Afri(;a, from the curse of Cod, has lost the use 
 of her limbs ; China is ruined by the queen's evil, and the rest of Asia fear- 
 fully exposed to the small-pox, the natural way, from British pedlars ; the 
 islands of the sea are almost dead with the scurvy ; the Indians are blind and 
 lame ; and the United States, which ought to be the good physician with 
 'balm from Gilead,' and an ^ asylum for the oppressed,' has boosted, and is 
 boosting up into the council chamber of the government, a clique of political 
 gamblers, to play for the old clothes and old shoes of a sick world, and 'no 
 pledge, no promise, to any particular portion of the people' that the rightful heirs 
 will ever receive a cent of their Father's legacy I Away with such self-im- 
 portant, self-aggrandizing, and self-willed demagogues ! Their friendship is 
 colder than polar ice ; and their professions meaner than the damnation of hell. 
 
142 THE MOr.MOXS. 
 
 "Oh, man! when such a great dilemma of the globe, such tremendous 
 convulsions of kingdoms, shakes the earth from centre to circumference ; 
 when castles, prison-houses, and cells, raise a cry to God against the cruelty 
 of man ; when the mourning of the fatherless and the widow causes anguish 
 in heaven ; when the poor among all nations cry day and night for bread and 
 a shelter from the heat and storm ; and when the degraded black slave holds 
 up his manacled hands to the great statesmen of the United States, and 
 sings : — 
 
 " ' O Liberty, where are thy charms 
 That sages have told me were sweet !' 
 
 and when fifteen thousand free citizens of the high-blooded Eepublic of North 
 America, are robbed and driven from one State to another without redress or 
 redemption, it is not only time for a candidate for the presidency to pledge 
 himself to execute judgment and justice in righteousness, law or no- law, but 
 it is his bounden duty, as a man, for the honour of a disgraced coimtry, and 
 for the salvation of a once virtuous people, to call for a union of all honest 
 men, and appease the wrath of God, by acts of wisdom, holiness, and virtue ! 
 The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 
 
 " Perhaps you may think I go too far wuth my strictures and inuendos, 
 because in your concluding paragraph you say : — ' It is not inconsistent with 
 your declarations to say, that you have viewed with a lively interest the pro- 
 gress of the Latter-Day Saints, that you have sympathized in their sufferings, 
 under injustice, as it appeared to you, which has been inflicted upon them ; 
 and that you think, in common with all other religious communities, they 
 ought to enjoy the security and protection of the constitution and the laws ' 
 If Avords were not wind, and imagination not a vapour, such ' views ' ' with a 
 lively interest' might coax out a few j\lormon votes; such 'sympathy' for 
 their suffering under injustice, might heal some of the sick yet lingering 
 amongst them ; raise some of the dead, and recover some of their property, 
 from Missouri ; and finally, if thought was not a phantom, we might, in com- 
 mon with other religious communities, * you think,' enjoy the security and pro- 
 tection of the constitution and laws. But during ten years, while the Latter- 
 Day Saints have bled, been robbed, driven from their own lands, paid oceans 
 of money into the treasury to pay your renowned self and others for legis- 
 lating and dealing out equal rights and privileges to those in common with all 
 other religiojis communities, they have waited and expected in vain ! ]f you 
 have possessed any patriotism, it has been veiled by your popularity for iear 
 the Saints would fall in love wath its charms. Blind charity and dumb 
 justice never do much towards alleviating the wants of the needy, but straws 
 show which way the wind blows. It is currently rumoured that your denrier 
 resort for the Latter-Day Saints is to emigrate to Oregon or California. 
 Such cruel humanity, such noble injustice, such honourable cowardice, 
 such foolish wisdom, and stich vicious virtue, could only emanate from 
 Clay. Alter the Saints have been plundered of three or four millions of land 
 and property by the people and powers of the sovereign State of Missouri — 
 after they have sought for redress and redemption from the county court to 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. CALHOUN. 143 
 
 CoiigTess, and been denied through religious prejudice and sacerdotal dignity — 
 after the}' have huilded a city and two temples at an immense expense of 
 labour and treasure — after they have increased from hundreds to hundreds of 
 thousands — and after they have sent missionaries to the viirious nations of the 
 earth, to gather Israel, according to the predictions of all the holy prophets 
 since the world began — that great plenipotentiary, the renowned Secretary of 
 State, the ignoble duellist, the gambling senator, and Whig candidate for the 
 presidency, Heriry Clay, the wise Kentucky lawyer, advises the Latter-Day 
 Saints to go to Oregon, to obtain justice, and set up a government of their 
 own. ye crowned heads among all nations, is not Mr. Clay a wise man, and 
 very patriotic ! Why, great God ! to transport 200,000 people throuoh avast 
 prairie, over the Eocky Mountains, to Oregon, a distance of nearly 2,000 miles, 
 would cost more i\\^\\four milUons, or should they go by Cape Horn, in ships 
 to California, the cost would be more than iwenty milUons ! and all this to 
 save the United States from inheriting the disgrace of Missouri, for murder- 
 ing and robbing the Saints with impunity ! Benton and Van Buren, who 
 made no secret to say, if they get into power they will carry out Boggs' ex- 
 terminating plan, to rid the country of the Latter-Day Saints, are 
 
 'Little nipperkins of milk,* 
 compared to * Clay's great aqua-fortis jars.' Why, he is a real giant in hu- 
 manity. Send the Jlormons to Oregon, and free ]Missouri from debt and dis- 
 grace ! Ah ! Sir, let this doctrine go to and fro throughout the whole earth, 
 that we, as Van Buren said, know your cause is just, but the United States 
 government can do nothing for you, because it has no power : you must go to 
 Oregon, arid get justice from the Indians. 
 
 " I mourn for the depravity of the world ; I despise the hypocrisy of 
 Christendom ; I hate the imbecility of American statesmen ; I detest the 
 shrinkage of candidates for office, from pledges and responsibility ; I long for 
 a day of righteousness, when He, 'whose right it is to reign, shall judge the 
 poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth,' and I pray God, who 
 hath given our fathers a promise of a perfect government in the last days, to 
 purify the hearts of the people, and hasten the welcome day. 
 
 " With the highest consideration for virtue and unadulterated freedom, I ^ 
 have the honour to be your obedient servant, 
 
 "Joseph Smith. 
 "Hon. C. Clay, Ashland, Kentucky." 
 
 Joseph, in order to know the opinions of both candidates, sent to 
 Mr. Calhoun a letter precisely similar to that which he had addressed 
 to Mr. Clay. He received the ioll owing reply : — 
 
 "Fort Hill, December 2nd, 1843. 
 
 " Sir, — You ask me what would be my rule of action relative to the Mormons, 
 or Latter-Day Saints, should I be elected President ; to which I answer, that 
 if I should be elected, I would strive to administer the government according 
 to the constitution and the laws of the Union ; and that, tis they make no dis- 
 
144 'the m demons/ 
 
 tinction between citizens of different religious creeds, I should make none. 
 As far as it depends on the executive department, all should have the full 
 benefit of both, and none should be exempt from their operation. 
 
 " But, as you refer to the case of Missouri, candour compels me to repeat 
 what I said to you at Washington, that, according to my views, the case does 
 not come within. the jurisdiction of the federal government, which is one of 
 limited and specific powers. 
 
 " With respect, I am, &c. 
 
 "J. C. Calhoun. 
 
 " Mr. Joseph Smith." 
 
 Joseph's rejoinder to this letter was in the following terms : — 
 
 " Nauvoo, Illinois, January 2nd, 1844. 
 " Sm, — Your reply to my letter of last November, concerning your rule of 
 action towards the Latter-Day Saints, if elected President, is at hand ; and 
 that you and your friends of the same opinion relative to the matter in ques- 
 tion may not be disappointed as to me, or my mind, upon so grave a subject, 
 permit me, as a law-abidiug man, as a well-wisher to the perpetuity of con- 
 stitutional rights and liberty, and as a friend to the free worship of Almighty 
 God by all, according to the dictates of every person's conscience, to say / 
 am surprised, that a man, or men, in the highest stations of puljlic life, should 
 have made up such a fragile 'view' of a case, than which there is not one on 
 the face of the globe fraught with so much consequence to the happiness of 
 men in this Avorld, or the world to come. To be sure, the first paragraph of 
 your letter appears very complacent and fair on a white sheet of paper, and 
 who that is ambitious for greatness and power would not have said the same 
 thing ? Your oath would bind you to support the constitution and laws, and 
 as all creeds and religions are alike tolerated, they must of course all be 
 justified or condemned, according to merit or demerit ; but why, tell me Avhy, 
 are all the principal men held up for public stations so cautiously careful 
 not to publish to the world, that they ivill judge a rigJiteous judgment — law or 
 no law ; for laws and opinions, like the vanes of steeples, change with the 
 wind. One Congress passes a law, and another repeals it ; and one statesman 
 says that the Constitution means this, and another that : and who does not 
 know that all may be wrong? The opinion and pledge, therefore, in the first 
 paragraph of your reply to my question, like the forced steam from the engine 
 of a steam-boat, makes the show of a bright cloud at first, but when it comes 
 in contact with a purer atmosphere, dissolves to common air again. 
 
 "Your second paragraph leaves you naked before yourself, like a likeness 
 in a mirror, when you say that, ' according to your view, the federal govern- 
 ment is one of limited and specific powers,' and has no jurisdiction in the case 
 ot the Mormons. So, then, a State can at any time expel any portion of her 
 citizens with impunity, and, in the language of Mr. Van Buren, frosted over 
 with your gracious * views of the case,^ ' though the cause is ever so just, govern- 
 ment can do nothing for them, because it has no power.' 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. CALHOUN. 145 
 
 ** Go on, then, Missouri, after another set of inhabitants (as the Latter- 
 Day Saints did) have entered some two or three hundred thousand dollars* 
 worth of land, and made extensive improvements thereon ; go on, then, I say, 
 banish the occupants or owners, or kill them, as the mobbers did many of the 
 Latter-Day Saints, and take their lands and property as a spoil ; and let the 
 legislature, as in the case of the Mormon:^, appropriate a couple of hundred 
 thousand dollars to pay the mob for doing the job ; for the renowned senator 
 from South Carolina, Mr. J. 0. Calhoun, says the powers of the federal govern- 
 ment are so specific and limited that it has no jurisdiction of the case ! Oh, ye 
 people who groan under the oppression of tyrants ; ye exiled Poles, who have 
 felt the iron hand of Russian grasp ; ye poor and unfortunate among all 
 nations, come to the * asylum of the oppressed,' buy ye lands of the general 
 government, pay in your money to the treasury to strengthen the army and the 
 navy, worship Grod according to the dictates of your own consciences, pay 
 in your taxes to support the gTeat heads of a glorious nation ; but remember 
 a * sovereign Slate ! ' is so much more powerful than the United States, the 
 parent government, that it can exile you at pleasure, mob you with impunity, 
 confiscate your lands and property, have the legislature sanction it ; yea, 
 even murder you, as an edict of an emperor, atid it does no wrong, for the 
 noble senator of South Carolina says the power of the federal government is 
 so limited and specific that it has no jurisdiction of the case ! What think ye 
 of imperium in imperio ? 
 
 "Ye spirits of the blessed of all ages, hark I Ye shades of departed 
 statesmen, listen ! Abraham, ]\Ioses, Homer, Socrates, Solon, Solomon, and 
 all that ever thought of right and wrong, look down from your exaltations, if 
 you have any. for it is said in the midst of counsellors ih^Yeis safety ; and wben 
 you have learned that fifteen thousand innocent citizens, after having purchased 
 their lands of the United States, and paid for them, were expelled from a 
 * sovereign State' by order of the Governor at the point of the bayonet, their 
 arms taken from them by the same authority, and their right of migration into 
 said State denied under pain of imprisonment, whipping, robbing, mobbing, 
 and even death, and no justice or recompense allowed ; and from the legisla- 
 ture, with the Governor at their head, down to the justice of the peace, with 
 a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a bowie knife in the other, hear tliem all 
 declare there is no justice for a ]\Iormon in that State, and judge ye a riglitecnis 
 judgment, and tell me when the virtue of the States was stolen, where tlie 
 honour of the general government lies hid, and what cloihes a senator Mith 
 wisdom? Oh, nullifying Carolina! Oh, little tempestuous Rhode Island I 
 would it not be well for the great men of the nation to read the fable of the 
 Partial Judge, and when part of the free citizens of a State had been expelled 
 contrary to the constitution, mobbed, robbed, plundered, and many murdered, 
 instead of searching into the course taken with Joanna Southcott, Ann Lee, 
 the French prophets, the Quakers of New England, and rebellious niggers in 
 the slave States, to hear both sides, and then judge, rather than have tl.e mor- 
 tification to say, *0h, it is mij bull that has killed ?/o«r ox ; that alters the 
 case ! I must inquire into it, aud if and if?' 
 
 J 
 
146 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 "If the general government has no power to reinstate expelled citizens 
 to their rights, there is a monstrous hypocrite fed and fostered from the hard 
 earnings of the people! A real 'hull beggar* upheld by sycophants; and 
 although you may wink to the priests to stigmatise, wheedle the drunkards 
 to swear, and raise the hue and cry of Impostor, false prophet, God damn old 
 Joe Smith, yet remember, if the Latter- Day Saints are not restored to all their 
 rights, and paid for all their losses, according to the known rules of justice 
 and judgment, reciprocation and common honesty among men, that God will 
 come out of his hiding-place and vex this nation with a sore vexation ; yea, 
 the consuming wrath of an offended God shall smoke through the nation, 
 with as much distress and woe, as independence has blazed through with 
 pleasure and delight. Where is the strength of government ? Where is the 
 patriotism of a Washington, a Warren, and Adams ? and where is a spark from 
 the Avatch-fire of '76, by which one candle might be lit, that would glimmer 
 upon the confines of democracy? Well may it be said that one man is not 
 a State, nor one State the nation. In the days of General Jackson, when 
 Prance refused the first instalment for spoliations, there was power, force, and 
 honour enough to resent injustice and insult, and the money came ; and shall 
 Missouri, filled with negro-drivers and white men-stealers, go ' unwhipped of 
 justice ' for tenfold greater sins than France ? No ! verily no ! While I 
 have powers of body and mind ; while water runs and grass grows ; while 
 virtue is lovely and vice hateful ; and while a stone points out a sacred spot 
 where a fragment of American liberty once was, I or my posterity will plead 
 the cause of injured innocence, until Missouri makes atonement for all her 
 sins ; or sinks disgraced, degraded, and damned to hell, ' where the worm 
 dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.' 
 
 "Why, Sir, the power not delegated to^the United States, and the States 
 belong to the people, and Congress sent to do the people's business have all 
 the power ; and shall fifteen thousand citizens groan in exile ? Oh, vain men, 
 will ye not, if ye do not restore them to their rights and 2,000,000 dollars' 
 worth of property, relinquish to them (the Latter-Day Saints), as a body, 
 their portion of power that belongs to them according to the Constitution ? 
 Pt)wer has its convenience as well as inconvenience. ' The world was not 
 made for Csesar alone, but Titus too.' 
 
 * ' I will give you a parable : A certain lord had a vineyard in a goodly land, 
 which men laboured in at their pleasure ; a few meek men also went and pur- 
 chased with money from some of these chief men that laboured at pleasure, 
 a portion of land in the vineyard, at a very remote part of it, and began to 
 improve it, and to eat and drink the fruit thereof; when some vile persons, 
 who regarded not man, neither feared the lord of the vineyard, rose up sud- 
 denly, and robbed these meek men, and drove them from their possessions, 
 killing many. This barbarous act made no small stir among the men in the 
 vineyard, and all that portion who were attached to that part of the vineyard 
 where the men were robbed, rose up in grand council with their chief man, 
 who had firstly ordered the deed to be done, and made a covenant not to pay 
 for the cruel deed, but to keep the spoil, and never let those meek men set 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. CALHOUN. 147 
 
 their feet on that soil again, neither recompense them for it. Now these met k 
 men, in their distress, wisely sought redress of those wicked men in every 
 possible manner, and got none. They then supplicated the chief men who 
 held the vineyard at pleasure, and who had the power to sell and defend it, for 
 redress and redemption, and those men, loving the fame and favour of the 
 multitude more than the glory of the lord of the vineyard, answered, ' Your 
 cause is just ; but we can do nothing for you,, because we have no power. Now, 
 •when the lord of the vineyard saw that virtue and innocence was not regarded, 
 and his vineyard occupied by wicked men, he sent men and took the possession 
 of it to himself, and destroyed those unfaithful servants, and appointed them 
 their portion among hypocrites. 
 
 "And let me say, that all men who say tint Congress has no power to 
 restore and defend the rights of her citizen p» have not the love of the truth 
 abiding in them. Congress has power to protect the nation against foreign 
 invasion and internal broil ; and whenever that body passes an act to maintain 
 right with any power, or to restore right to any portion of her citizens, IT is 
 THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND, and should a State refuse submission, that 
 State is gniUy o^ insurrection or rebellion, and the President has as much power 
 to repel it as Washington had to march against the * whiskey boys of Pitts- 
 b'lrgh, ' or General Jackson had to send an armed force to suppress the rebellion 
 of South Carolina. 
 
 "To close, I would admonish you, before you let your 'candour compel' 
 you again to write upon a subject great as the salvation of man, consequential 
 as the life of the Saviour, broad as the principles of eternal truth, and valuable 
 as the jewels of eternity, to read in the 8th section and 1st article of the 
 Constitution of the United States, the first, fourteenth, and seventeenth ' specific' 
 and not very ' limited powers' of the federal government, what can be done to 
 protect the lives, property, and rights of a virtuous people, when the adminis- 
 trators of the law, and law-makers, are unbought by bribes, uncorrupted by 
 patronage, untempted by gold, una wed by fear, and uncontaminated by tangling 
 alliances, even like Caesar's wife, not only unspotted, but unsuspected, and 
 God, who cooled the heat of a Nebuchadnezzar's furnace, or shut the mouths 
 of lions for the honour of a Daniel, will raise your mind above the narrow, 
 notion, that the general government has no power, to the sublime idea that 
 Congress, with the President as executor, is as almighty in its sphere, as 
 Jehovah is in his. 
 
 "With great respect, 
 
 "I have the honour to be your obedient servant, 
 
 "Joseph SiHTH. 
 
 " Hon. (' IMr. !') J. C. Calhoun, Fort Hill, S. C." 
 
 Joseph was evidently out of temper when he penned this epistle ; 
 and the " Mr. ! " within brackets was intended to remind Mr. Calhoua 
 of his want of courtesy, in addressing a general, a mayor, a candidate 
 for the Presidency, "a seer, a revelator, and a prophet," as simply 
 " Mr. Joseph Smith." But there was much truth, nevertheless, m 
 
148 TIIF MORMONS. 
 
 the a]-o-uments he employed, and too much Ibnndation for liis angry 
 denunciations of the State of Missouri. 
 
 But his correspondence with these and other persons fonned only 
 a small portion of the multifarious business that occupied the Pro- 
 phet's attention at this period of his life. His history during the first 
 five months of the year 1844 — pov/erful as he was, and absolute lord, 
 spiritual and temporal, of the little community of Nauvoo, a state 
 Avithin a state, and governed by its own peculiar laws — had its dark 
 as well as its bright side. There was a drop of gall and bitterness in 
 the cup of his prosperity. The persecution of his old enemies in Mis- 
 souri, and of new enemies quite as bitter and unrelenting in his new 
 home in Illinois, never for a moment relaxed. 
 
 Shortly prior to the announcement of his name as a candidate for 
 the Presidency, he was on a visit with his family at a place called 
 Dixon in Illinois. An action had previously been brought against him 
 by some of the "people of Jackson county, in Missouri, who has suf- 
 fered a loss of property in the disturbances that preceded the expul- 
 sion of the Mormons from thiat State. As Di.ion was on the frontier 
 between Missouri and Illinois, two sheriff's officers of Mi&souri, named 
 Eeynolds and Wilson, resolved to seize the Prophet,, and carry him 
 tor trial before the Missouri courts. They disguised themselves for 
 that purpose, and knocking at night at the farm-house where he was 
 residing, stated that they were Mormon elders from Nauvoo, de^^irous 
 of an interview with the Prophet. Tbey were incautiously admitted 
 to the passage, when they immediately rushed iipon .Joseph, each 
 with a loaded pistol in his kand, and swore " to shoot him dead" if 
 he oifered tlie slightest resistance. On his asking for their authority 
 to arrest him, they showed their pistols, and said, " tliK>se were tbeir 
 authorities." They refused to let him go into the room to bid farewell 
 to his family, or even to get his hat, and forced bim into a waggon. 
 They struck him over the head and back with the butt ends of their 
 pistols, and, as he alleged, *' otherwise abused, insulted^ and threat- 
 ened him in the cruellest manner." He was retained in custody by 
 these men for several weeks, but ultimately obtained bis release on a 
 writ of habeas corpus^ and was sent back to Illinois. He thereupon 
 commenced an action against them for false imprisonment, and for 
 using unnecessary force and violence towards him. Though the case 
 was clearly proved, he only obtained the small damages of forty dol- 
 lars ; and from first to last had to pay upwards of three thousand five 
 hundred dollars for legal expenses. 
 
 The unfounded and vindictive accusation brought against him by 
 ex-Governor Boggs was productive of still greater annoyance, and the 
 authorities, legal and military, of Missouri, instigated by the peoi)le 
 
A PIIEDICTION. 149 
 
 of Jackson county, demanded that the State of Ilhnois should deliver 
 him up to take his trial on this charge before a Missouri jury ! A 
 requisition was actually drawn up to this effect. A letter from 
 J. Arlington Bennett, counsellor- at-law, and who appears to be no 
 other than our old friend " General" Bennett, the "right-hand man," 
 was |;ublished in the New York papers at this time. It strongly ad- 
 vised the authorities of Missouri to leave Joseph Smith alone ; and pre- 
 dicted in a remarkable manner, the consequences that would follow 
 the continued persecution of the Prophet and his people — the death of 
 Joseph — the increase of the sect — and their establishment in a free 
 and powerful State of their own beyond the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 " I do not believe," said the writer, " that Joseph Smith has done 
 anything to injure ex-Governor Boggs of Missouri. The Governor, 
 no doubt under strong feelings, may have thought and believed that 
 Smith had preconcerted the plan for his assassination ; but there is no 
 legal evidence whatever of that fact. None by which an unprejudiced 
 jury would convict any man ; yet to send this man into Missouri, 
 under the present requisition, would be an act of great injustice, and 
 his ruin would be certain. How could any man, against whom there 
 is a bitter religious prejudice, escape ruin, being in the circumstances 
 of Smith ? Look at the history of past ages — see the force of fanati- 
 cism and bigotry in bringing to the stake some of the best of men ; 
 and in all these cases the persecutors had their pretexts, as well as in 
 the case of the Mormon chief. Nothing follows its victim with such 
 deadly aim as religious zeal, and therefore nothing should be so much 
 guarded against by the civil power. 
 
 " Smith, I conceive, has just as good a right to estabhsh a church, 
 if he can do it, as Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Fox, or even King Henry 
 the Eighth. All these chiefs in religion had their opponents, and 
 their people their persecutors. Henry the h]ighth was excommuni- 
 cated, body and bones, soul and all, by his lioliness the Pope ; still 
 the Church of England has lived as well as all the other sects. Just 
 so will it be with the Mormons : they may kill one prophet, and con- 
 fine in chains half his followers, but another will take his place, and 
 the Mormons will still go ahead. 
 
 ** One of their elders said to me, when conversing on this subject, that 
 they were like a mustard plant, * If you don't disturb, the seed will 
 fall and multiply ; and if you kick it about, you only give the seed 
 more soil, and it will multijdy the more.' Undertake to convince them 
 that they are wrong, and that Smith is an impostor, and the answer 
 is laying the hand on the heart, ' I know in mine own soul that it is 
 true, and want no better evidence. I feel happy in my faith, and why 
 should I be disturbed ? ' Now, I cannot see but what this is thesenti- 
 
150 THE MORMONS. 
 
 ment that governs all religiously-disposed persons, their object being 
 heaven and happiness, no matter what their church or their creed. 
 Thej, therefore, cannot be put down while the Constitution of the 
 United States offers them protection in common with all other sects, 
 and while they believe that their eternal salvation is at stake. From 
 what I know of the people, I fully believe that all the really sincere 
 ilormons would die sooner than abandon their faith and religion. 
 
 " General J. C. Bennett has stated that, to conquer the Mormon 
 legion, it would require five to one against them, all things taken into 
 consideration, and that they will die to a man sooner than give up 
 their Prophet. 
 
 " Now is the arrest of this man worth such a sacrifice of life as 
 must necessarily follow an open war with his people ? The loss of 
 from one to three thousand lives will no doubt follow in an attempt to 
 accomplish an object not, in the end, worth a button. 
 
 " Persecute them, and you are sure to multiply^them. This is fully 
 proved since the Missouri persecution, as, since that affair, they have 
 increased one hundred fold. 
 
 "It is the best policy, both of Missouri and Illinois, to let them 
 alone ; for if they are driven farther west they may set up an inde- 
 pendent government, under which they can worship the Almighty as 
 may suit their taste. Indeed, I would recommend to the Prophet to 
 pull up stakes, and take possession of the Oregon territory in his own 
 right, and establish an independent empire. In one hundred years 
 from this time, no nation on earth could conquer such a people. Let 
 not the history of David be forgotten. If the Prophet Joseph would 
 do this, millions would flock to his standard and join his cause. He 
 could then make his own laws by the voice of revelation, and have 
 them executed like the act of one man." 
 
 In addition to the troubles and difficulties springing from the 
 persecution of his Missourian enemies, Joseph was exposed to vexa- 
 tions and dangers of a kind even more exasperating. He might, from 
 the secure fortress of Nauvoo, and in firm reliance upon the legally- 
 constituted tribunals of the United States, have set at defiance the 
 malice of those who persecuted him upon religious grounds, or found 
 a sufficient answer to those who, having suffered loss, desired to make 
 him generally responsible for all the acts committed by his followers 
 at a time which was actually one of civil warfare ; but when in 
 addition to these troubles, he had to defend himself against false 
 friends and domestic traitors in his own church and city, the accumu- 
 lation of perplexity and sorrow was great indeed. Joseph, at this 
 time, appears to have been quite as convinced of the divinity of his 
 mission as the most credulous of his disciples. He dreamed dreams, 
 
THE "SPIRITUAL WIFE" DOCTRINE. 151 
 
 and he saws visions; he imagined that what he spoke was spoken by the 
 Almighty, and that in him was all authority in matters of religion. But 
 there were men in the church who despised Joseph Smith as an impos- 
 tor while pretending to believe in him, knaves who used Mormonism 
 for their own purposes — either of sensuality or ambition — and who led 
 him by their extravagant licentiousness into continual difficulty. Many 
 of these persons pretended to have ** revelations" quite as valid as 
 those of Joseph, by which they were permitted to have as many wives 
 as the patriarchs of old, provided they could afford to maintain them. 
 Joseph would not tolerate this scandal, and every offender was forth- 
 with excommunicated, and publicly declared to be cut off from the 
 church. One man of this kind, named Higbee, gave him more trouble 
 than all the rest, and involved him in vexatious law proceedings, which 
 lasted for upwards of two years, and were only brought to a close in 
 May, 1844. Higbee, it appears, had been publicly accused by Joseph 
 of having seduced several women, and was cut off from the Mormon 
 church in consequence. Whether the charge were or were not true, 
 is now difficult, and perhaps not important, to discover, but Higbee 
 sued Joseph before the Municipal Court of Nauvoo for slander and 
 defamation, and laid his damages at five thousand dollars. At his 
 suit, Joseph was arrested, and the case came before the Municipal 
 Court, on a writ of habeas eorpus, on the 6th of May. The aldermen 
 of the city, all of them Mormons, sat on the bench to liear the case, 
 and Sidney Rigdon acted as counsel for the Prophet. At this trial, 
 several disclosures were made, which Avent to prove a most deplorable 
 laxity of morals on the part of men who had once been members and 
 office-bearers of the church, and who had been " cut off for tlieir 
 adulteries, and handed over to Satan," by the Prophet and the other 
 heads of the sect. The court, after hearing the evidence of Joseph 
 and Hyrum Smith and others, decreed, first, that Joseph Smith should 
 be discharged from arrest on the ground of the illegality of the writ ; 
 and secondly, that Higbee's conduct having been fully shown to be 
 infamous, and the suit to have been instituted through malice, private 
 pique, and corruption, he was not entitled to his costs. 
 
 But Higbee Avas not the only person who had been expelled from 
 the church who was concerned in these proceedings. The libertines 
 and seducers of Nauvoo, foiled before the Municipal Court — of which 
 Joseph himself, as mayor of Nauvoo, and the leadinoj '* Saints" as alder- 
 men of the city, were severally members ex officio — tried other means 
 to excite a schism, and adopted the bold course of accusing Joseph 
 himself of the very crimes with which he had charged Higbee. 
 Among other stories which were circulated by this party was one 
 which obtained great currency, and led to important and unforeseen 
 
152 THE MORMOKS. 
 
 results, it was asserted that one Dr. Foster, a Mormon, and. member 
 of the Danite band, or society of the *' Destroying Angels," organized 
 in Missouri for the defence of the " Saints," having been absent from 
 home, had suddenly returned without giving notice to his wife, and 
 found the carriage of the Prophet at the door. Having been cut off 
 from the church, and having, it is alleged, had previous suspicions of 
 an improper intercourse between Joseph and his wife, he questioned 
 Mrs. Foster as soon as Smith took his departure, when tlie lady 
 confessed that Joseph had- been endeavouring to persuade her to 
 become his " spiritual wife." The Mormons then, and ever since, have 
 indignantly denied the truth of this particular charge ; and of all the 
 charges brought against Joseph as regards a plurality of wives— and in 
 especial reference to the " spiritual wife" doctrine— they allege what 
 appears from his whole career to be most probable, that he was at all 
 times most anxious to preserve tlie church free from taint, and to ex- 
 clude adulterers, seducers, and persons of immoral lives. But as the 
 consequences of tliis charge against Joseph were so momentous to him 
 and to the whole Mormon people, and as Dr. Foster probably believed 
 that there was some foundation for his suspicions, it is necessary that 
 the statements of both sides should be given. An affidavit was put 
 in upon the trial of Higbee's case, by a person of the name of Eaton, 
 to the effect, that Dr. Foster had stateil " that during his absence from 
 home a carriage drove up to liis door ; that a person alighted ; that 
 the carriao-e then drove off again ; that this j^erson went into the 
 house and°told Mrs. Foster a great many things to prejudice her 
 mind against her husband ; that he finally introduced and preached the 
 * spiritual wife' doctrine to her ; that lie made an attempt to seduce 
 her ; that he then sat down to dine with Mrs. Foster and blessed the 
 victuals ; that while so doing Dr. Foster suddenly returned ; that 
 this person rose up and said, ' How d'ye do ?' in a very polite manner ; 
 that he soon afterwards went away ; that Dr. Foster then questioned 
 his wife as to what had passed, but she refused to tell ; that he then 
 drew a i>istol and threatened to shoot her, but that she still refused ; 
 that he then gave her a double-barrelled pistol, and told her to defend 
 herself ; that she then fainted away through fear and excitement, and 
 that when she came to herself again, she had confessed that the person 
 alluded to had endeavoured to convert her to the ' spiritual wife' doc- 
 trine, and to seduce her." It was evident that Joseph Smith was the 
 person signified, but not named in this document. It was treated by 
 the Municipal Court as false and scandalous. Higbee described to the 
 same witness his own ideas of the " s})iritual wife" system. He said 
 that " some of the elders had ten or twelve spiritual wives a-piece ; that 
 they entered the names of the women in a large book which was kept 
 
THE 
 
 SPIRITUAL wife" DOCTRINE. 153 
 
 sealed at Hyruni Smith's ; and that when an elder or other Mormon 
 wanted to seduce a woman, he led her to see this hook opened, where, if 
 her name was found entered, she was told it was the will of heaven that 
 she should submit, and she submitted accordingly." It is utterly incredible 
 that Joseph Smith, who, great impostor as he was, never missed an op- 
 portunity to denounce seducers and adulterers as unfit to enter into his 
 church, should have been concerned directly or indirectly in proceedings 
 likethese,though it is scarcely surprising that when such stories had been 
 circulated by men whom the " Prophet " had thwarted or reprimanded, 
 there should have been found some persons willing to credit them. 
 
 Dr. Foster, who may or who may not havefanciedhehad real grounds 
 of suspicions against Joseph, lent himself to the designs of the excom- 
 municated party, and, in conjunction with a person named Law, com- 
 menced the publication, in the city of Nauvoo itself, of a new^spaj)er 
 called the Exjiositor. In the first number they priilted the affidavits 
 of sixteen women, to the effect that Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, 
 and others, had endeavoured to convert them to the " spiritual wife" 
 doctrine, and to seduce them under the plea of having had especial 
 permission from Heaven. This was somewhat too daring, and Joseph 
 Smith, in his capacity of Mayor of Nauvoo, immediately summoned 
 the aldermen, councillors, and other members of the corporation to 
 consider the pubhcation. They unanimously declared it to be a pub- 
 lic nuisance, and ordered the city marshal to *' abate it forthwith." 
 A body of the prophet's adherents, to the number of two hundred 
 and upwards, sallied forth in obedience to this order, and proceeding 
 to the office of the Expositor, speedily rased it to the ground. They 
 then destroyed the presses, and made a bonfire of the papers and 
 furniture. Foster and Law fled for their lives, and took refuge in 
 Carthage, where they applied for a w^arrant against Joseph and Hyrura 
 Smith, and sixteen other persons known to have aided and abetted in 
 putting down the Expositor office. The waiTant was granted and 
 served upon the Mayor of Nauvoo. He refused to acknowledge 
 its validity, and the constable who served it was marched out of 
 Nauvoo by the city marshal. The authorities of the county could not 
 suffer this affront to the law ; and the mihtia were ordered out to sup- 
 port the county officer in arresting the two Smiths and their sixteen 
 confederates. The Mormons in Nauvoo fortified the city, and deter- 
 mined to fight to the last extremity in support of the " Prophet." The 
 brethren from all parts of the country hastened to give assistance. 
 Illinois, like Missouri, divided itself into two great camps, the Mor- 
 mons, and the anti-Mormons, and the cu'cumstances were so menacing 
 that Mr. Ford, the Governor, took the field in person. In a proclama- 
 tion to the people of Illinois, he stated that he had discovered that 
 
154 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 nothing but the utter destruction of the city of Nauvoo would satisfy 
 the mihtia and troops under his command, and that if he marched 
 into the city, pretexts would not be wanting on their part for the 
 commencement of slaughter. Anxious to spare the effusion of blood, 
 he called upon the two Smiths to surrender peaceably, pledging 
 his word and the honour of the State, that they should be protected. 
 He also called upon the Mormons to surrender their public arms, and 
 upon the Nauvoo legion to submit to the command of a State officer. 
 The Mormons agreed to the terms, and Joseph and his brother sur- 
 rendered to take their trial for the riot, and for the destruction of the 
 office of the Expositor. The " Prophet " had a presentiment of evil, and 
 said, as he surrendered, *' I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but 
 I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of ofPence, 
 and shall die innocent." While in prison at Carthage, another writ 
 was served upon him and Hyrum for high treason against the 
 State of Illinois, on an information in which the principal witness 
 was the Higbee already mentioned, and whose hostility to Josejdi 
 had not ended at the trial before the Court of Nauvoo. As the 
 mob breathed vengeance against both prisoners, and as the militia 
 very indecently sided with the people, and were not to be de- 
 l)ended on in case of any violence being offered to the two Smiths, 
 the Governor was requested by the citizens of Nauvoo and other 
 Mormons to set a guard over the gaol. On the morning of the 
 2 6 til of June, 1844, the Governor visited the prisoners, and pledged 
 his word to protect them against the threatened violence. It 
 now began to be rumoured among the mob that there would be no 
 case against the Smiths on either of the charges brought against 
 them, and that the Governor was anxious they should escape. A 
 band of ruffians accordingl7 resolved that as " law could not reach 
 them, powder and shot should." About six o'clock in the evening of 
 the 27th, the small guard stationed at the gaol was overpowered by a 
 band of nearly two hundred men, with blackened faces, who rushed 
 into the prison where the unfortunate men were confined. They were 
 at the time in consultation with two of their friends. The mob fired 
 upon the whole four. Hyrum was shot first, and fell immediately, 
 exclaiming, " I am a dead man." Joseph endeavoured to leap from 
 the window, and was shot in the attempt, exclaiming, " Lord, my 
 God." They were both shot after they were dead, each receiving 
 four balls. John Taylor, one of the two Mormons in the room, was 
 seriously wounded, but afterwards recovered. 
 
 The following account of this cruel murder was given by Mr. Willard 
 Richards, the second of the two Mormons who were present with 
 Joseph and Hyrum in the prison, when the mob broke in upon them. 
 
ASSASSINATION OF JOSEPH AND HYRUM SMITH. 155 
 
 It appeared in the Times and Seasons of the following month, under 
 the title of ** Two Minutes in Gaol." 
 
 " Possibly the following events occupied near three minutes, but I think 
 only about two, and have penned them for the gratification of many friends : — 
 
 "Carthage, June 2lth, 1844. 
 ** A shower of musket balls were thrown up the stairway against the door 
 of the prison in the second story, followed by many rapid footsteps. While 
 Greuerals Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Mr. Taylor, and myself; who were in the 
 front chamber, closed the door of our room against the entry at the head of the 
 stairs, and placed ourselves against it, there being no lock on the door, and no 
 ketch that was useable ; — the door is a common panel — and as soon as we heard 
 the feet at the stairs' head, a ball was sent through the door, which passed be- 
 tween us, and showed that our enemies were desperadoes, and we must change 
 our position. General Joseph Smith, ]\Ir. Taylor, and myself, sprang back to 
 the front part of the room, and General Hyrura Smith retreated two-thirds 
 across the chamber, directly in front of and facing the door. A ball was sent 
 through the door, which hit Hyrum on the side of his nose, when he fell back- 
 wards, extended at length, without moving his feet. From the holes in his 
 vest (the day was warm, and no one had a coat on but myself), pantaloons, 
 drawers, and shirt, it appears evident that a ball must have been thrown from 
 without, through the window, which entered his back on the right side, and 
 passing through lodged against his watch, which was in his right vest pocket, 
 completely pulverizing the crystal and face, tearing off the hands, and smash- 
 ing the whole body of the watch, at the same instant the ball from the door 
 entered his nose. As he struck the floor he exclaimed emphatically, 'Vm a 
 dead man.' Joseph looked towards him, and responded, ' dear Brother 
 Hyrum!* and opening the door two or. three inches with his left hand, dis- 
 charged one barrel of a six shooter (pistol) at random in the entry from 
 whence a ball grazed Hyrum' s breast, and entering his throat, passed into his 
 head, while other muskets were aimed at him, and some balls hit him. 
 Joseph continued snapping his revolver, round the casing of the door into the 
 space as before, three barrels of which missed fire, wHle Mr. Taylor, with a 
 walking stick, stood by his side and knocked down the bayonets and muskets 
 which were constantly discharging through the doorway, while I stood by 
 him, ready to lend any assistance, with another stick, but could not come 
 within striking distance without going directly before the muzzle of the guns. 
 When the revolver failed we had no more fire-arms, and expecting an imme- 
 diate rush of the mob, and the doorway full of muskets — half way in the 
 room, and .no hope hut instant death from within, Mr. Taylor rushed into 
 the window, which is sorp.e fifteen or twenty feet from the ground. When 
 his body was nearly on a balance, a ball from the door within entered his leg, 
 and a ball from without struck his watch, a patent lever, in his vest pocket, 
 near the left breast, and smashed it in 'pie,' leaving the hands standing at 5 
 o'clock, 16 minutes, and 26 seconds — the force of which ball threw him back 
 on the floor, and he rolled under the bed which stood by his side, where he 
 
]56 THE MORMONS. 
 
 lay motionless, the mob from the door continuing to fire upon him, cutting 
 away a piece of flesh from his lefc hip as large as a man's hand, and were 
 hindered only by my knocking down their muzzles with a stick ; while they 
 continued to reach their guns into the room, probably left-handed, and aimed 
 their discharge so far around as almost to reach us in the corner of the room 
 to where we retreated and dodged, and then I re-commenced the attack with 
 my stick again. .Joseph attempted, as the last resort, to leap the same window 
 from whence Mr. Taylor fell, when two balls pierced him from the door, 
 and one entered his right breast from without, and he fell outward ex- 
 claiming, ' O Lord, my God." As his feet went out of thfe window my head 
 went in, the balls whistling all around. He fell on his left side a dead man. 
 At this instant the cry was raised, * He's leaped the window,' and the mob on 
 the stairs and in the entry ran out. 1 withdrew from the window, thinking 
 it of no use to leap out on a hundred bayonets, then around General Smith's 
 body. Not satisfied with this, I again reached my head out of the window, 
 and watched some seconds, to see if there were any signs of life, regardless of 
 my own, determined to see the end of him I loved. Being fully satisfied that 
 lie was dead, with a hundred men near the body, and more coming round the 
 corner of the gaol, and expecting a return to our room, I rushed towards the 
 prison door, at the head of the stairs, and through the entry from whence the 
 firing had proceeded, to learn if the doors into the prison were open. When 
 near the entry, Mr. Taylor called out^ ' Take me.' I pressed my way until I 
 found all doors unbarred ; returning instantly, caught Mr. Taylor under my 
 arm, and rushed by the stairs into the dungeon, or inner prison, stretched him 
 on the floor, and covered him with a bed, in such a manner as not likely to be 
 perceived, expecting an immediate return of the mob. I said to Mr. Taylor, 
 ' This is a hard case to lay you on the floor ; but if your wounds are not fiital 
 I want you to live to tell the story.' I expected to be shot the next moment, 
 and stood before the door awaiting the onset. 
 
 "WiLLARD ElCHARDS." 
 
 An eye-witness of the miu-der, named Daniels, who was connected 
 with neither the Mormons nor the mob, gave some additional parti- 
 culars of the outrage in a small work published by himself, in the State 
 of Illinois, in 1844. Daniels, it seems, was overtaken on the prairies 
 on the afternoon of the murder by a band of settlers, all more or 
 less disguised with blackened faces, &c., who communicated to him 
 the object of their gathering, which was, to force the gaol at Carthage, 
 and to assassinate Smith and his fellow-prisoners. They appealed to 
 liim to join the expedition ; and on his refusal, compelled him, by 
 threats, to accompany th^m to the scene, that he might not, by 
 giving an alarm, betray their object to the authorities, His im- 
 pression was, that when Smith fell from the window he was not dead, 
 but merely stunned by the fall, and he states that one of the gang 
 raised him up and placed him against a well> and that> while in this 
 
ASSASSINATION OF JOSEPH AND HYIiUM SMITH. ]57 
 
 position, four others amon^^ the mob advanced to the front rank with 
 loaded muskets, and tired at the " Prophet." From the circumstance 
 tliat four bullets were afterwards found in his body, there woidd 
 a{)pear to be some ground for believing this to be the correct account 
 of Smith's death, as each of these four men stood at so short a distance 
 from him as to make it quite certain that every shot fired took effect. 
 
 Tlius died this extraordinary personage. '* In the short space of 
 twenty years," says the account of his " Martyrdom" appended to the 
 Book of Doctrines and Covenants, *' he brought forth i\\QBooh of Mor- 
 mon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and was the 
 means of publishing in two continents. He sent the fulness of the ever- 
 lasting Gospel which it contained to the four quarters of the earth. 
 He brouti,ht foitli the revelations and commandments which compose 
 the Book of Doctrines and Covenants, and many otherwise documents 
 and instructions for the benefit of the children of men. He gathered 
 many thousands of the Latter-Day Saints, founded a great city, and 
 left a fame and a name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and died 
 great in the eyes of God and his people ; and like most of the Lord's 
 anointed in ancient times, sealed his mission and his works with his 
 own blood, and so did his own brother Hyrum. In life they were not 
 divided, and in death they were not separated." 
 
 The Christian Refleclor, a less friendly critic of his character and 
 actions, thus spoke of his life and death : — 
 
 "It is but a few weeks since the death of Joe Smith was 
 announced. His body now sleeps, and his spirit has gone to its reward. 
 Various are the opinions of men concerning this singular personage ; 
 but whatever may be the views of any in refierence to his principles, 
 objects, or moral character, all agree that he was one of the most 
 lemarkable men of the age. Not fifteen years have elapsed since a 
 band, composed of six persons, was formed in Palmyra, New York, of 
 which Joseph Smith, jun., was the presiding genius. Most of these 
 Avere connected with tiie family of Smith the senior. They were 
 notorious for breach of contracts, and the repudiation of their honest 
 debts. All of them were addicted to vice. They obtained their living 
 not by honourable labour, but by deceiving their neighbours with their 
 marvellous tales of money- digging. Notwithstanding the low origin, 
 poverty, and profligacy, of the members of that band of mountebanks, 
 they have augmented their numbers till more than 100,000 persons 
 are now numbered among the followers of the Mormon Prophet, 
 antl never were increasing so ra])idly as at the time of his death. 
 Burn in the very lowest walks of life, reared in poverty, educated 
 in vice, having no claims to even common intelligence, coarse and 
 vulgar in deportment, the Prophet Smith succeeded in establishing 
 
158 THE MORMONS. 
 
 a religious creed, the tenets ot Avhich hf\ve been taught througliout 
 the length and breadth of America. The Prophet's virtues have 
 been rehearsed and admired in Europe ; the ministers of Nauvoo 
 have even found a welcome in Asia ; and Africa has listened to the 
 grave sayings of the seer of Palmyra. The standard of the Latter- 
 Day Saints has been reared on the banks of the Nile, and even the 
 Holy Land has been entered by the emissaries of this wicked impostor. 
 " He founded a city in one of the most beautiful situations in the 
 world, in a beautiful curve of the ' father of waters' of no mean preten- 
 sions, and in it he has collected a population of twenty-five thousand, 
 from every part of the Avorld. He planned the architecture of a 
 magnificent temple, and reared its w^alls nearly fifty feet high, which, 
 if completed, will be the most beautiful, most costly, and the most 
 noble building in America. 
 
 " The acts of his life exhibit a character as incongruous as it is 
 remarkable. If we can credit his own words, and the testimony of eye- 
 witnesses, he was at the same time the vicegerent of God, and a tavern- 
 keeper — a prophet of Jehovah, and a base libertine — a minister of the 
 religion of peace, and a lieutenant- generiil — a ruler of tens of thousands, 
 and a slave to all his own base, unbridled passions — a preacher ot 
 righteousness, and a profane swearer— a worshipper of Bacchus, 
 mayor of a city, and a miserable bar-room fiddler— a judge upon the 
 judicial bench, and an invader of the civil, social, and moral relations 
 of men ; and, notwithstanding these inconsistencies of character, there 
 are not wanting thousands who are willing to stake their souls' eternal 
 salvation upon his veracity. For aught we know, time and distance 
 will embellish his life with some new and rare virtues, which his most 
 intimate friends failed to discover while living with him. 
 
 " Reasoning from effect to cause, w-e must conclude that the Mor- 
 mon Prophet was of no common genius : few are able to conmience 
 and carry out an imposition like his, so long, and to such an extent. 
 And we see, in the history of his success, most striking proofs of the 
 gulHbiHty of a large portion of the human family. What may not 
 men be induced to believe ?" 
 
 Joseph Smith was indeed a remarkable man ; and, in summing up 
 his character, it is extremely diflScult to decide, whether he were in- 
 deed the vulgar impostor which it has been the fashion to consider 
 him, or whether he were a sincere fanatic w^ho believed what he 
 taught. But whether an impostor, who, for the purposes of his ambi- 
 tion, concocted the fraud of the Booh of Mormon, or a fanatic who 
 believed and promulgated a fraud originally concocted by some other 
 person, it must be admitted that he displayed no little zeal and 
 courage ; that his tact was great, that his talents for governing meu 
 
ASSASSINATION OF JOSEPH AND HYRUM SMITH. 159 
 
 were of no mean order, and that, however glaring his deficiencies in 
 early life may have heen, he manifested, as he grew older, an ability 
 both as an orator and a writer, which showed that he possessed strong 
 natural gifts, only requiring cultivation to have raised him to a high 
 reputation among better educated men. There are many incidents in 
 his life which favour the supposition that he was guilty of a deliberate 
 ffaud in pretending to have revelations from heaven, and in palming 
 off upon the world his new Bible ; but, at the same time, there is 
 much in his later career which seems to prove that he really believed 
 what he asserted — that he imagined himself to be in reality what he 
 pretended — the chosen medium to convey a new Gospel to the Avorld — 
 the inspired of heaven, the dreamer of divine dreams, and the com- 
 panion of angels. If he were an impostor, deliberately and coolly 
 inventing, and pertinaciously propagating a falsehood, there is this 
 much to be said, that never was an impostor more cruelly punished 
 than he was, from the first moment of his appearance as a prophet to 
 the last. Joseph Smith, in consequence of his pretensions to be a 
 seer and prophet of God, Hved a life of continual misery and perse- 
 cution. He endured every kind of hardship, contumely, and suffering. 
 He was derided, assaulted, and imprisoned. His life was one long 
 scene of peril and distress, scarcely brightened by the brief beam of 
 comparative repose which he enjoyed in his own city of Xauvoo. In 
 the contempt showered upon his head his whole family shared. Father 
 and mother, and brothers, wife, and friends, were alike involved in 
 the ignominy of his pretensions, and the sufferings that resulted. 
 He lived for fourteen years amid vindictive enemies, who never missed 
 an opportunity to vilify, to harass, and to destroy him ; and he died 
 at last an untimely and miserable death, involving in his fate a 
 brother to w^liom he was tenderly attached. H" anything can tend to 
 encourage the supposition that Joseph Smith was a sincere enthusiast, 
 maddened w^itli religious frenzies, as many have been before and will 
 be after him — and that he had strong and invincible faith in his own 
 high pretensions and divine mission, it is the probability that unless 
 supported by such feelings, he would have renounced the unjirofitable 
 and ungrateful task, and sought refuge from persecution and miseiy 
 in private life and honourable industry. But whether knave or 
 lunatic, whether a liar or a true man, it cannot be denied that he was 
 one of the most extraordinary persons of his time, a man of rude 
 genius, who accomplished a much greater work than he knew ; and 
 whose name, whatever he may have been whilst living, will take its 
 place among the notabilities of the world. 
 
 The perpetrators of the sliameful murder of the two brothers were 
 never discovered. Several persons were arrested on suspicion, but 
 
160 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 there was not sufficient proof to convict them, and possibly no real 
 efforts were made to bring them to justice. The event was greatly 
 deplored. The sincerest opponents of Mormonism were those who 
 •were most grieved at it. Joseph Smith murdered was a greater 
 prophet than Joseph Smith alive ; and it was predicted, both by 
 friends and foes, that, however rapid the progress of the sect might 
 have been in past tunes, it would be still more rapid when fanaticism 
 might point to the martyrs of the faith — when the faults of the 
 Prophet would be buried in the oblivion of the tomb, and when his 
 virtues would be enhanced by the remembrance ot his unhappy fate. 
 The prediction was verified ; but not, however, until the Mormons 
 had passed through another long period of persecution and suffering. 
 
 Joseph Smith, (from a Sketch by M. Didicr.) 
 
John Taylor. 
 
 CHAPTER VIT. 
 
 The Prophrt"s Fun-era.l— Addresses and Proclamatioxs to thk Saints- 
 Appointment OF Brigham Young as Scicckssor to Joseph Smith— Trial 
 and Expulsion of Sidney Rigdon— Transient Prospkrity of Nauvoo— 
 New Troubles and Hostilities— Siege of Nauvoo— Final Expulsion of 
 THE Mormons from Illinois. 
 
 The news of the death of Joseph, and of his brother, was announced 
 to the Prophet's widow, in a letter si^med by John Taylor and Willard 
 Richards, the two " Saints " who were present in the prison at the time 
 of the catastrophe, and by Samuel H. Smith,* a younger brother of 
 the murdered men. This letter, written in great haste, implored the 
 citizens of Nauvoo ** to be still— and to know that God still reioned 
 over the world." It entreated them not to rush out of the city to 
 attack Carthage, " but to stay at home, and be prepared for an on- 
 slaught of the Missouri mobbers." It added, that the people ot" 
 Handcock county were greatly excited, fearing that the Mormons 
 would come and take vengeance, but that the writers had pledged 
 their words that no reprisals should be made. To this letter were, 
 appended two short postscripts. The first bore the signature of 
 Thomas .Ford, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Illinois, and 
 
 * Samuel H. Smith died in less than five weeks after the assassination of his 
 brothers ; the Mormons say of a broken hearU He is also claimed as one ot the 
 Martyrs of the faith. 
 
L62 THE MORMONS. 
 
 recommended the Mormons to defend themselves until protecrtion could 
 he furnished. The second postscript bore the signature of M. R. 
 Deming, Brigadier- General of the army of Illinois, acting under the 
 Governor, and was addressed to Mr. Orson Spencer, one of the twelve 
 apostles of the Mormons, and urged him and the citizens of Nauvoo to 
 deliberate earnestly, " as prudence might obviate material destruc- 
 tion." It added, that the writer was at ''his private residence when 
 the horrible crime was committed, and that it would be condemned 
 by three -fourths of the people of Missouri." '< 
 
 Eaily on the following morning the Nauvoo Legion was called out 
 and addressed by Mr. Phelps, the editoi' of the Mormon paper, and 
 other leading members of the community, who severally urged the 
 legion and citizens to be peaceable. The legion remained under arms 
 from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon, awaiting the 
 arrival of the bodies of Jos( ph and Hyrum. '* About three o'clock," says 
 the Times and Seasons, published in Nauvoo three days afterwards, 
 " the bodies were met by a great assemblage of people, east of the 
 Temple, under the direction of the City Marshal, Samuel H. Smith, 
 the brother of the deceased. Dr. Richards, and Mr. Hamilton of Car- 
 thage. The waggons in wliich the bodies were conveyed were guarded 
 by three men. A procession was formed behind them, consisting of 
 the City Council, the staff of the Lieutenant-General, the Major- 
 General, and the Brigadier- General, of the Nauvoo Legion, the com- 
 manders, officers, and men, and the citizens of Nauvoo, to the number 
 of from eight to ten thousand." These followed the bodies to the 
 Mansion House, " amid the most solemn lamentations and wailings 
 that ever ascended into the ears of the Lord God of Hosts to be 
 revenged of their enemies!" An oration was pronounced over the 
 bodies by Dr. Richards, and addresses were also delivered by four 
 other Mormons, in which the multitude were strongly urged to 
 remain peaceable. "That vast assemblage, with one united voice,'* 
 said the Times and Seasons, "resolved to trust to the law for justice 
 for such a high-handed assassination, and if that failed, to call 
 upon God to avenge them of their wrongs. Oh, widows and 
 orphans !" it concluded, *' Oh, Americans, weep ! The glory of free- 
 dom has departed !" 
 
 As ihe conduct of the Governor was much impugned in this 
 melancholy transaction, Mr. Ford deemed it necessary to issue the 
 following address to the people of Illinois in explanation of his 
 conduct : — 
 
 "I desire to make a brief but true statement of the recent disgraceful 
 aflPau- at Canliage, in regard to the Smiths, as far as circumstances have come 
 
ADDRESS OF THE GOVERNOR TO THE PEOPLE. 163 
 
 to my knowledge. The Smiths, Joseph and Hyrum, have been assassinate I 
 in gaol, by whom it is not known, but will be ascertained. I pledged myself 
 for their safety : and upon the assurance of that pledge, they surrendered as 
 prisoners. The Mormons surrendered the public arms in their possession ; 
 and the Nauvoo Legion submitted to the command of Captain Singleton, of 
 Brown county, deputed for that purpose by me. All these things were re- 
 quired to satisfy the old citizens ofllandcockthat the Mormons were peaceably 
 disposed, and to allay jealousy and excitement in their minds. It appears, 
 however, that the compliance of the IMormons with every requisition made 
 upon them, failed of that purpose. 'J'he pledge of security to the Smiths was 
 not given upon my individual responsibility. Before I gave it, I obtained a 
 pledge of honour by a unanimous vote from the officers and men under my 
 command, to sustain me in performing it. If the assassination of the Smiths 
 was committed by any portion of these, they have added treachery to murder, 
 and have done all they could to disgrace the State and sully the public 
 honour. 
 
 " On the morning of the day the deed was committed, we had proposed to 
 march the army under my command into Nauvoo. I had, however, disco- 
 vered on the evening before, that nothing but the utter destruction of the city 
 would satisfy a portion of the troops ; and that, if we marched into the city, 
 pretexts would not be wanting for commencing hostilities. The Mormons 
 had done everything required, or which ought to have been required of them. 
 Offensive operations on our part would have been as unjust and disgraceful 
 as they would have been impolitic in the present critical season of the year, 
 the harvest, and the crops. For these reasons, I decided, in a council of offi- 
 cers, to disband the army, except three companies, two of whith were reserved 
 as a guard for the gaol. With the other company I marched into Nauvoo, to 
 address the inhabitants there, and tell them what they might expect in case 
 they designedly or imprudently provoked a war. I performed this duty, as I 
 think, plainly and emphatically, and then set out to return to Carthage. 
 When I had marched about three miles, a messenger informed me of the 
 occurrences at Carthage. [ hastened on to that place. The guard, it is 
 said, did their duty, but were overpowered. Many of the inhabitants of 
 Carthage had fled with their families. Others were preparing to go. I 
 apprehended danger to the settlements from the sudden lury and passion of 
 the Mormons, and sanctioned their movements in this respect. 
 
 " General Deming volunteered to remain with a few troops to observe the 
 progress of events, to defend property against small iium]>ers, and with orders 
 to retreat if menaced by a superior force. I decided to proceed immediately 
 to Quincy, to prepare a force sufficient to suppress disorders, in case it should 
 ensue from the foregoing transactions or from any other cause. I have hopes 
 that the Mormons will make no further difficulties. In this I may be mis- 
 taken. The other party may not be satisfied. They may recommence aggres- 
 sion. I have determined to preserve the peace against all breakers of the 
 same, at all hazards. I think present circumstances warrant the precaution 
 of having competent force at my disposal in readiness to march at a moment's 
 
164 THE MORMONS. 
 
 warning. My position at Quincj will enable me to get the earliest intelli- 
 gence, and to communicate orders with <jreater celerity. 
 " I have decided to issue the following general orders : — 
 
 ''Head Quarters, Qiiincy, Juve 29, 18i4. 
 "It is ordered that the commimdants of regiments in the counties of 
 Adams, Marquette, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Morgan, Scott, Cass, Fulton, and 
 M'Donough, and the reyinients composing General Stapp's brigade, will call 
 their respective regiments a"nrl battalions together immediately upon the receipt 
 of this order, and proceed by voluntary enlistment to enrol as many men as 
 can be armed in their respective regiments. They will make arrangemems 
 for a campaign of twelve days, and will provide themselves with arms, 
 ammunition, and provisions accordingly, and hold themselves in readiness 
 immediately to march upon the receipt of further orders. 
 
 "The independent companies of riflemen, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, 
 in the above-named counties, and in the county of Sangamon, will hold them- 
 selves in readiness in like manner. 
 
 ••Thomas Ford, 
 
 "Governor and Commander-in-Chief." 
 
 Governor Ford, who appgars to have been greatly aj)preliensive 
 that the Mormons would rise, en masse, to revenge the death of Joseph, 
 dispatched, on the third day after the murder, two officers of tlie army 
 of Illinois to Nauvoo, to ascertain the disposition of the citizens, " and 
 whether any of them ])roi)osed in any manner to revenge themselves, 
 and to report what threats had been vised." They weie also directed 
 to proceed to the town of Warsaw, where the anti-jMormon militia 
 had mustered in great strength, ai>d to a^^certain whether they medi- 
 tated any attack upon Nauvoo — whether any of the people from the 
 neighbouring States of Missouri and Iowa were among them — and to 
 forbid any interference in the name of the State of Illinois, under the 
 highest penalties of the law. These officers, on their arrival at 
 !Nauvoo, communicated to the memT)ers of the municipality a cojjy of 
 the instructions they had received. A meeting of the City Council 
 ■was immediately summoned to consider the matter. A string of re- 
 solutions was unanimously passed, to the effect that the Moinions as a 
 body would endeavour to promote the peace and welfare of the county 
 of Handcock, and the State of Illinois generally, by rigidly sustaining 
 the laws, as long as the Governor would sup|)ort them in the exercise 
 of their constitutional rights. That as they had surrendered the public 
 arms with which they had been entrusted, they solicited the Governor 
 to disarm their opponents in like manner ; that the Saints would re- 
 probate the taking of private vengeance on the murderers of General 
 Joseph Smith and General Hyrum Smith ; that tlie City Council 
 pledged itself on behalf of the whole body of citizens, that no 
 
ADDRESSES TO THE " SAINTS." 165 
 
 acr-rres'iions should be made by tliem on the people of the adjoininoj 
 couiitrj ;. aiid fm'thenuore, that it highly approved of the pacific course 
 taken bv the Governor to allay excitement, and restore peace among 
 tlie people of Ilhiiois. A public meeting was then held on the great 
 square, at which the Governor's emissaries attended, and addressed 
 the people in the same conciliatory spirit, the multitude responding by 
 one loud ** Amen !"' 
 
 On the same afternoon, an address to the Mormons in Nauvoo was 
 issued by a conmiittee of the '*' Saints i'^ — 
 
 "TO THE CHURCH' OF JESUS CHillST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 
 
 " Deeply impressed for the welfare of all, while mourning the great loss 
 of President Jnneph Smithy oun 'prophet and seer,' and President Hyruin 
 Smith, our ' patriarch,' we have eonssidered the oceasion demanded of us a 
 word of consolation. A« lias been^ the ease in all ages, these saints have fallen 
 luartyrs for the triuh's sake, and their escape from the persecution of a wicked 
 world, in blood to- bliss, only strengthens our faith, and confirms our religion 
 as pure and holy. We,, therefore, as servants of the Mo^t High God, having 
 the Bible, Book of ]\Ibrmon, an<l the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, toge- 
 ther wicli thousands of witnes^ses for Jesus Christ,, would beseech the Latiei- 
 ])ay Saints in Nauvoo, and elsewhere, to hold fast to the fiiith that has l)een 
 delivered to them in the last days, abidintr in the pertect law of the Gospel. 
 Be peaceable, quiet citizens, doing the works of riguteousness, and as soon as 
 the * Twelve' and other authorities can assemble, or a majority of them, the 
 onward course to the great gathering of Israel, and thehnal consummation of 
 the dispensation of the fulnt-sty of times, will be pointed out, so that the mur- 
 der of Abel, the assassination of hundreds, the lighteous blood of all the holy 
 prophets, from Abel to Joseph, sprinkled with the best blood of the Son of 
 God, as the crimson sign of remission^ only carries conviction to the business 
 and bosoms of all flesh, that the cause is just and will continue. And blessed 
 are they that hold out faithful to the end, while apostates, consenting to the 
 shedding of innocent blood, have no forgiveness in this world, nor in the 
 world to come. Union is peace, brethren, and eternal life is the greatest gift 
 of God. Kejoice^ then, that you are found worthy to live and die for God. 
 ]\len may kill the body, but they oannot hurt the soul, and wisdom shall be 
 justified of hejrchildren% Amen. 
 
 " W. W. Phelps. 
 
 W. KiCHARDS. 
 
 "July 1,. 1844."' JoHX Taylor. 
 
 A second address- to the "'Saints" in aM parts of the world was issued 
 a fortnight aftervvaixls :■ — 
 
 "TO THE SAINTS ABROAD. 
 
 " Dear.Brethren, — On hearing of the martyrdom of our beloved Prophet 
 and PaiBiuiah,. jtouwill doubilesb^ need a word of ad\ ice and comfort, and look 
 
166 THE MORMONS. 
 
 for it from our hands. We would say, therefore, first of nil, e still, and know 
 that the Lord is God, and that he will fulfil all things in his own due time, 
 and not one jot or tittle of all his purposes and promises shall fail. Remember, 
 REMEMBER that the priesthood, and the keys of power, are held in eternity as 
 well as in time ; and therefore the servants of God who pass the veil of death* 
 are prepared to enter upon a greater and more effectual work, in the speedy 
 accomplishment ol the restoration of all things spoken of by his holy prophets. 
 
 " Remtmber that all the prophetsand saints who haA-eexisted since the world 
 began, are engaged in this holy work, and are yet in the vineyard, as well as 
 the labourers of the eleventh hour, and are all pledged to establish the king- 
 dom of Goil on the earth, and to give judgment unto the saints. Therefore, none 
 can hinder the rolling on of the eternal purposes of the Great Jehovah. And 
 .we have now every reason to believe that the fulfilment of His great purposes 
 is much nearer than we had supposed, and that not many years hence we 
 shall see the kingdom of God coming with power and great glory to our de- 
 liverance. 
 
 "As to our country and nation, we have more reason to weep for them than 
 for those they ha\e murdered ; for they are destroying themselves and their 
 institutions, and there is no remedy j and as to feelings of revenge, let them 
 not have place for one moment in our bosoms, for God's vengeance will speedily 
 consume to that degree thut we would fain be hid away, and not endure the 
 sight. 
 
 "Let us, then, humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and en- 
 deavour to put away all our sins and imperfections as a people, and as indivi- 
 duals, and to call upon the Lord with the spirit of grace and supplication, and 
 wait patiently on him, until he shall direct our way. 
 
 "Let no vain and f)olish plans, or imaginations, scatter us abroad, and di- 
 vide us asunder as a people, to seek to save our lives at the expense of truth 
 and principle, but rather let us live or die together, and in the enjoyment ot 
 society and union. Therefore, we say, let us haste to fulfil the connnandments 
 which Gotl has already given us. Yea, let us haste to build the temple of our 
 God, and to gather, together thereunto, our silver and our gold with us, unto 
 the name of the Lord ; and then we may exptet that he will teach us of his 
 ways, and we will walk in his paths. 
 
 " We would further say, that in consequence of the great rains which have 
 deluged the western country, and also in consequence of persecution and ex- 
 citement, there has been but little done here, either in farming or building 
 this season ; therefore there is but little employment, and but little means of 
 suV)sistenee at the command of the Saints in this region — therefore let the 
 Saints abroad, and others who feel for our calamities and wish to sustain us, 
 come on with their money and means without delay, and purchase lots and 
 farms, and build buildings, and employ hands, as well as to pay their tithings 
 into the Temple, and their donations to the poor. 
 
 " We wish it distmctly understood abroad, that we greatly need the as- 
 sistance of every lover of humanity, whether members of the church or other- 
 wise, both in infiuenee and in cMitrihiitioHS for our aid, succour, and support. 
 
THE EPISTLE OF " THE TWELVE." 187 
 
 Therefore, if they feel for us, now is the time to show their liberality and 
 patriotism, towards a poor and persecuted, but honest and industrious people. 
 " Let the elders who remain abroad, continue to preach the Gospel in its 
 purity and fulness, and to bear testimony of the truth of these things which 
 have been revealed for the salvation of this generation. 
 
 ^' P. F. Pratt. 
 WiLLARD Richards. 
 John Taylor. 
 W. W. Phelps. 
 
 " Nauvoo, Jwly IS, 1844." 
 
 To re-assure the Mormon people, many of whom began to be appre- 
 hensive that the whole organization of the sect had fallen to pieces siuce 
 the death of the Prophet, a more solemn address was issued in the name 
 of the Twelve Apostles. This Joeument urged the " Saints " to come 
 from all parts of the Union, and of the world, to Nauvoo, to build up the 
 Temple of the Lord; reminded them that the " Prophet Joseph," though 
 removed from this world, ^' still held the keys of this last dispensation, " 
 and always would, in time and in eternity, and recommended them to 
 abstain from all politics, voting, or president-making, and direct their 
 whole attention to the affairs, social and religious, of the Mormon body. 
 This dociunent was signed by Brigham Young, President of the 
 Twelve Apostles, a man who was destined to play a most ira})ortant 
 part in the future history of Mormonism. It ran as follows : — 
 
 *' AN EPISTLE OF THE TWELVE, 
 
 " To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, in N^auvoo and all the w jvld, 
 
 GREETING. 
 
 "Beloved Brethren, — Forasmuch as the Saints have been called to 
 suffer deep affliction and persecution, and also to mourn the loss of our beloved 
 Prophet, and also our Patriarch, who have suffered a cruel martyrdom for the 
 testimony of Jesus, having voluntarily yielded themselves to cruel murderers 
 who had sworn to take their lives, and thus, like good shepherds, have laid 
 down their lives for the sheep, therefore it becomes necessary for us to address 
 you at this time on several important subjeets. 
 
 "You tire now without a Prophet present with you in the flesh to guide 
 you ; but you are not without Apostles, who iiold the keys of power to seal on 
 earth that which shall be sealed in heaven, and to preside over all the affairs 
 of the church in all the world ; being still under the direction of the same 
 God, and being dictated by the same Spirit, having the same manifestations of 
 the Holy Ghost to dictate all the affliirs of the church in all tlie world, to build 
 up the kingdom upon the foundation that the Prophet Joseph has laid, who 
 still holds the keys of this last dispensation, and will hold them to all eternity, 
 as a king and priest unto the ]\Iost High God, ministering in heaven, on earth, 
 or among the spirits of the departed dead, as seemeth good to Him who sent 
 him. 
 
168 THE MORMONS. 
 
 " Let no man presume for a moment tliat his place will be filled by an- 
 rther ; for, remember he stands in his own place, and always will ; and the 
 Twelve Apostles of this dispensation stand in their own place, and always will, 
 both in time and in eternity, to minister, preside, and regulate the affairs of 
 the whole church. 
 
 " How vain are the imaginations of the children of men, to presume for a 
 moment that the slaughter of one, two, or a hundred of the leaders of this 
 church could destroy an organization so perfect in itself and so harmonious!} 
 arranged, that it will stand while one member of it is left alive upon the earth. 
 Brethren, be not alarmed, for if the Twelve should be taken away, still there 
 are powers and offices in existence which will bear the kingdom of God tri- 
 umphantly victorious in all the world. This church may have prophets many, 
 and apostles many, but they are all to stand in due time in their proper organ- 
 ization, under the direction of those who hold the keys. 
 
 "On the sulyect of the gathering, let it be distinctly understood that the 
 City of Nauvoo and the Temple of our Lord ar«i to continue to be built up ac- 
 cording to I lie pattern which has been commenced, and which has progressed 
 with such rapidity thus far. 
 
 " The city must be built up and supported by the gathering of those who 
 have capital, and are willing to lay it out for the erection of every branch of 
 industry and manufacture, which is necessary for the employment and 
 support of the poor, or of those who depend wholly on their labour ; while 
 farmers who have capital nmst come on and purchase farms in the adjoin- 
 ing country, and improve and cultivate the same. In this way all may 
 enjoy plenty, and our infant city may orow and flourish, and be strength- 
 ened an hundred fold ; and unless this is done, it is impossible for the ga- 
 thering to progress, because those who have no other dependence cannot 
 live together without industry and employment. 
 
 "Therefore, let capitalists hasten here: and they mny be assured we 
 have nerves, sinews, fingers, skill, and ingenuity, sufficient in our midst to 
 carry on all the necessary branches of industry. 
 
 "The Temple must be completed by a regular system of tithing, ac- 
 cording to the commandments of the Lord, which he has given as a law 
 mito this church, by the mouth of his servant Joseph. 
 
 " Therefore, as soon as the Twelve have proceeded to a full and com- 
 plete organization of the branches abroad,, let every member proceed imme- 
 diately to tithe himself, or herself, a tenth of all their property and money, 
 and pay it into the hands of the Twelve ; or into the hands of such bishops 
 as have been, or shall be, appointed by them to receive the same, for the 
 building of the Temple or the support of the priesthood, according to the 
 Scriptures, and the revelations of G-od. And then let them continue to pay 
 in a tenth of their income from that time forth, for this is a law unto this 
 church as much binding on their conscience, as any other law or ordi- 
 nance. And let this law or ordinance be henceforth taught to all who pre- 
 sent themselves for admi>sion into this church, that they may know the 
 sacrifice and tithing which the Lord requires, and perform it; or else not 
 
THE EPISTLE OF "THE TWELVE." 169 
 
 curse the clnireli with a mock membership, as many have done heretofore. 
 This will furnish a steatly publie fund for all sacred purposes, and save the 
 leaders from constant debt and embarrassment, and the members can then 
 employ the remainder of their capital in every branch of enterprise, in- 
 dustry, and charity, as seemeth them good; only holding themselves in 
 readiness to be advised in such manner as shall be for the good of them- 
 selves and the whole society ; and thus all things can move in harmony, 
 and for the general benefit and satisfaction of all coneeraed. 
 
 " The United States and a«ljoining provinces will be immediately organ- 
 ized by the Twelve into proper districts, in a simiiiar manner as they have 
 already done in England and Scotland, and high priests will be appointed 
 over each district, to preside over the same,, and to call quarterly conterences 
 for the regulation and representation of the ])ranches included in the same, 
 and for the furtherance of the G-t>spel ; and also to take measures for a 
 yearly representation in a general conference. This wUl save the trouble 
 and confusion of the rimning to and fro of elders ; detect false doctrine and 
 false teachers, and make every elder abroad accountable to the conference 
 in which he may happen to labour^ lilshops will also be appointed in the 
 lai-ger branches, to attend to the management of the temporal funds, such 
 as titliinus, and funds" for the poor, aiscording to the revelations of God, and 
 to be judges in IsraeL 
 
 " The Gospel, in its fulness and' purity, must now roll forth through 
 every neighbourhood of this wide-spread country, and to all the world; 
 and millions will awake tc its truths and obey its precepts, and the king- 
 doms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. 
 
 " As rulers and people have taken council together against the Lord, 
 and against his anointed, and have murdered him who would have reformed 
 and saved the nation, it is not wisdom for the Samts to have anything to 
 do with polities, voting, or president- making, at present. None of the can- 
 didates w'ho are now before the publu; for that high office have manifested 
 any disposition or intention to redress wrong or restore right, libert}', or 
 law ; and, therefore, woe unto him w ho gives countenance to corruption, or 
 partakes of murder, robbery, or other cruel deeds. Let us, then, stand aloof 
 from all their corrupt men and measures, and wait, at least, till a man is 
 found, who. if elected, will carry out the enlarged principles, universal free- 
 dom, and equal rights and protection, expressed in the views of our beloved 
 prophet and martyr. General Joseph Smith. 
 
 *' We do not, however, offer this political advice as binding on the con- 
 sciences of others. We are perfectly willing that every member of this church 
 should use their own freedom in all political matters ; but we give it as our own 
 rule of action, and for the benefit of those who may choose to profit by it. 
 
 '"Now, dear brethren, to conclude our present communication, we would 
 exhort you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to be humble and faithful be- 
 fore God and before all the people, and give no occasion for any man to speak 
 evil of you ; but preach the G«)spel in its simplicity and purity, and practise 
 righteousness, and seek to establish the influence of truth, peace, and love. 
 
170 
 
 THE MORMONS, 
 
 a.m-mg mankinrl, and in so doing, the Lord will bless you, and make you a 
 blessing to all people. 
 
 " You may expect to hear from us again. 
 
 " Brigham Young, 
 " President of the Twelve. 
 " Nauvon, August I5th, 1844." 
 
 No sooner had the Smiths been removed from the way of his loiij?- 
 concealed but violent ambition, than Sidney Rigdon strove to vault 
 into the vacant place of the deceased *' Prophet." Sidney, however, 
 miscalculated his power and influence. Joseph had long been mis- 
 trustful of him. Sidney knew too much, and Joseph, without quar- 
 relhng with him, had kept him at arm s length. The mistrust of the 
 Prophet was shared by the principal Mormons, and his " spiritual 
 wife'* doctrine had alienated from him the confidence of many who 
 had once looked upon him as a founder of the faith, and a pillar of 
 the church. After the death of Joseph, Sidney Rigdon had a " reve- 
 lation," commanding the Saints to withdraw from their enemies, and 
 leave Nauvoo, and establish tliemselves in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 
 This "revelation" contradicted the "revelations" of Joseph, which 
 asserted positively that Jackson county was to be the final home of 
 the peojile ; and the " Saints," under the guidance of Brigham 
 Young, who had his own views to serve, treated Sidney's " revela- 
 tions" as the unwarrantable innovations of a man who " lied before 
 the Lord, " and sought the destruction of his Saints. He was summoned 
 to answer for his misdeeds before the high quorum of the priesthood. 
 The trial commenced before the " Twelve Aj)Ostles,"* and the High 
 Council of the Church, on the J 5th of September, about ten \veeks after 
 the death of Joseph. Rigdon refused to appear ; but evidence against 
 him was given in his absence, some of which was not a little curious and 
 suggestive. The business of the day began by the singing of a hymn 
 by the choir, and the delivery of a prayer by Orson Hyde. Brigliam 
 Young then delivered a long address to the apostles and council, in 
 which he boldly spoke of the dissensions that had arisen, and called 
 upon those who had anything to say, to declare themselves openly. 
 
 * The Twelve Apostles are thus described in a letter from W. W. Phelps, addressed 
 to the editor of the New York Prophet, a small journal established at this time to pro- 
 mulgate the views of the sect in the commercial metropolis of the Union : — " I know 
 the Twelve, and they know me. Their names are Brigham Young, the Lion of the 
 Lord ; Heber C. Kimball, the Herald of Grace; Parley P. PrcUt, the Archer of Para- 
 dise ; Orson Hyde, the Olive Branch of Israel ; Wilhird Richards, the Keeper of the 
 Rolls; John Taylor, the Champion of Right; William Smith, the Patriarchal Staff of 
 Jacob; Wilfred Woodruff, the Banner of the Gospel ; George A. Smith, the Entabla- 
 ture of Truth ; Orson Pratt, the Guage of Philosophy; John E. Page, ttie Sun Dial ; 
 and Lyman Wight, the Wild Ram of the Mountains. They are good men ; the best 
 the Lord can find They will do the will of God, and the Saints know it.'* 
 
TRIAL OF SIDNEY EIGDOX. 171 
 
 *' Those who wish," said he, " to tarry in Nauvoo, to buikl up the city 
 and the temple, and carry out the message and revelation of our mar- 
 tyred Prophet, let them speak. We wi^h to know who they are. 
 Those who are for Joseph and Hyrum, for the Book of Mormon, for 
 the Book of Doctrines and Covenants, for the temple and Joseph's 
 measures, and for the Twelve Apostles, all these being one party, let 
 them manifest their principles openly and boldly. If they are of the 
 opposite party, let them speak with the same freedom. If they are for 
 Sidney Rigdon, and believe he is the man to be the First President 
 and leader of this people, let them manifest it boldly ! Those who 
 decline going either way, but secretly slander the character of Joseph 
 and the Twelve, we withdraw our fellowship from them. If there be 
 not more than ten men who hang on to the truth, to Joseph, and to the 
 Temple, and who are willing to do right in all things, let me be one of 
 the number. If there be but ten left, to have their lives threatened by 
 mobs, because they will do right ; — and build up the Temple, let me be 
 one to be martyred for the truth ! I have travelled for years in the 
 midst of poverty and tribidation, and that, too, with blood in my shoes, 
 month after month, year after year, to sustain and preach this Gos- 
 pel, and to build up this kingdom, and God forbid that I should now 
 turn round, and seek to destroy that which I have been building up." 
 After this eloquent exordium, Brigham Young proceeded to give 
 evidence against Rigdon, stating that he refused to appear, thinking 
 it would be better for him ; that he pretended to be sick, but was no 
 more sick than he, Brigham Young, was at that moment ; that Rig- 
 don, without authority, was acting as if he were the legal successor ot 
 Joseph Smith, and ordaining men " tobeprophets, priests, and kings;" 
 that when accused of doing this, he equivocated and denied. " I saw," 
 said Brigham, ** the disposition of Elder Rigdon to equivocate, and I 
 determined to know the whole secret. I said to him again, ' Elder 
 Rigdon, did you not ordain these men at a meeting last night ?' He 
 replied, 'Yes, I suppose I did.' I then asked Brother Klgdon by 
 what authority he ordained prophets, priests, and kings ? To which, 
 ■with a very significant air, he replied—' Oh, I know all about 
 that I ' " Elder Orson Hyde, another of the Twelve, gave similar evi- 
 dence, to the effect that Rigdon had admitted " that he was going to 
 feel the minds of the branches, and then of the people of Nauvoo, until 
 he got strong enough to make a party ; and that if he found he could 
 raise influence to divide the Church, he would do so." When we 
 (Hyde and others) demanded his license for ordaining men to be pro- 
 phets, priests, and kings, he said, " I did not receive it from you, and 
 shall not give It up to you." He also threatened '* to turn traitor, say- 
 ing, * Inasmuch as you have demanded my license, I shall feel it my 
 
]72 THE MORMONS. 
 
 duty to ])ublish all your secret meetinors, and all the secret works of this 
 Church ill the public journals, ' — intiinadiiii; thnt this would bring the 
 mob upon us."" Aniasa Lyman, anotlier jijjostle, was the third of Rig- 
 dun's accubcrs. He said, " that it was plain Elder Sidney Rigdon had 
 had a spirit as corrupt as hell, for the last four or five years. " He added, 
 " We have never heard of Sidney getting a revelation from heaven, but 
 as soon as Brother Joseph has been removed, he can manufacture one, 
 to allure tlie people aud destroy them. After having, given his testi- 
 Jiioiiy to the world (in support of the divine authority of the Book of 
 Monriom, and its miraculous translation by Joseph), he finds fault with 
 God because he hapj)ened to get? into gaol in Missou-ri, and- because 
 he was poor. This is the man," -continued Aniasa Lynian, " who can 
 get such wonderful revelations !'" John Taylor corroborated all this 
 evidence, and strenuthened all these assertions against Rigdon, adding 
 his belief, *' that this man's mind was enveloped in darkness ; that he 
 was ignorant and blinded by the Devil, and incompetent to fulfil the 
 Avork which he had undertaken ;" and concluding, that in his opinion, 
 " the men who had murdered Josejth and Hyruni, wicked as they 
 were, were Jiot one hundredth ]»art so wicked and so guilty as the 
 men who sowed dissensions in the Church — the Fosters, the Laws, tlie 
 Higbees, and others, who w^ire the instigators, and aiders, and the 
 abettors, of murder." Elder Heber Kimball explained that the mar- 
 tyred Joseph had for many years beenaware tliat Rigdon was unsafe, 
 and not to be trusted ; and reminded the assembly, that a year pre- 
 viously, Joseph had said,, at the annual conference, that " he should 
 carry Rigdon no more:, if the Gliurch- wanted to carry him, it might, 
 but he should not ;"' and that he had formally deprived liim ot all 
 power and authority, ap[»oin4:ing Elder Amasa Lynian in Ids stead. 
 
 On the second day of the.se proceedings, Brigham Young ai^ain 
 rose, and inveighed against Rigdon- in the following terms, which are 
 curious as tending to prove Rigdon's coaiplicity in the original fraud 
 by which the i^oo/f of Moniim was palmed ofi:' up,>n the credulous as a 
 divine revelation : •* Brother Sidney says lie will tell all our secrets," 
 exclaimed Brigham Young ; " but I would say, Oh, don't. Brother 
 Sidney ! don't tell our secrets— oh, don't ! But if he tells our secrets, 
 we will tell his. Tit for tat. He has liad long visions in Pittsburg, 
 revealing to him wonderful iniquity among the Saints. Kow, if he 
 knows of so much iniquity, and has got such wonderful ])ower, why 
 don't he ](urge it out ? He professes to have the keys of David. 
 Wonderful power ! and wonderful revelation ! Ami so he vvill publish 
 our iniquity ! Oh, dear Brother Sidney, don't publish our iniquity ! 
 Pray don t \ If Sidnev Rigdon undertakes to publish all our secrets 
 as he says, he will lie the first iimip he takes I H" he knew of all our 
 
TKIAL OF SIDNEY RIGDON'. ] 73 
 
 iniqiiif.y, wliy did he not puMish it sooner? If tliere is so much ini- 
 quity in the Churcli, Elder Riojdon, and you have known of it so lonjc, 
 you are a blaelc-hearted wretch not to liave published it sooner. If 
 there is not this iniquity, you are a black- liearted wretch for enden- 
 vouring to bring a mob upon us, to nmrder innocent men, women, and 
 children ! Any man that says the Twelve are ' bogus makers.' adul- 
 terers, or wicked men, is a liar ; and all who say such things shall 
 have the fate of liars, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
 Who is there that has seen us do such things ? No man. The spirit 
 that I am of tramples sueli slanderous wickedness under my feet," (le 
 concluded by expressing his firm conviction, that Rigdon was the prime 
 cause of all the troubles of the Saints in Missouri and in Illinois, and 
 that to suffer him to remain in the Church was to court destruction. 
 
 A few voices were raised in favour of Rigdon, but they had little 
 to say. The feeling of the Mormons generally was against him ; for 
 it was felt that if lie had done nothing else to injure the sect, the 
 "spiritual wife'' doctrine was alone sufficient to make him a danger- 
 ous ally. The evidence having been concluded, Mr. Phelps, the 
 editor of the Times and Seiuons, moved that " Sidney Rigdon be cut 
 off from the Church, and handed over to the buffetings of Satan until 
 he should repent." About ten hands out of several hundreds were 
 held up in favour of Kiirdon ; upon whicb he was formally excom- 
 municated by Brigham Young, "who," says the report, "delivered 
 him over to the butfetinsxs of Satan in the name of the Lord ; and all 
 the ppople said, * Amen ! ' " It was then moved, seconded, and unani- 
 mously carried, that the ten persons who had held up their hands for 
 Sidney Rigdon should be suspended from their fellowship with the 
 Church, until brought to trial before the High Council. To this an 
 amendment was immediately added, that all who should hereafter ad- 
 vocate Rigdon 's principles should also be suspended. This, like the 
 original resolution, was carried by acclamation, and thus terminated 
 these very curious proceedings. 
 
 Brigham Young succeeded to the Presidency of the Church, 
 Sidney Rigdon, unlike Orson Hyde, Oliver Cowdery, Alartin Harris, 
 and some others originally connected with Joseph Smith, who either 
 seceded, proved traitors, or were excomnmnicated and cut off from 
 the Church, has never been re- admitted, or sought re-admittance 
 into the Mormon body. He has stood aloof, and founded a small 
 church of his own ; and, wliat is probably of more importance to the 
 Mormons, he has held his tongue. As regards the polity of the 
 Mormons, it has been fortunate for them that in a time of peril and 
 perplexity, they were not induced to entrust themselves to his guid- 
 ance. Under Brigham Young, and his able management, they 
 
174 THE MOllMONS. 
 
 speedily assumed a lilgli position, not simply as religionists, but as 
 citizens of the United States. Under Sidney Rigdon, it is probable 
 the sect would have gone to ])ieces altogether. 
 
 The Missourians and anti-Mormons slightly relaxed in their hos- 
 tility after the death of the Prophet and his brother, and for a twelve- 
 month affairs went on more quietly in the city of Nauvoo. Brigham 
 Young, having relieved himself of the rivalry of Sidney Rigdon, car- 
 ried on with vigour the building of the Temple and the Nauvoo House ; 
 in order to fulfil the *' revelation," and prove to the Gentiles, not only 
 the divinity of Jose))h Smith's mission, but the power, wealth, and 
 perseverance of his disci{)les. 
 
 The *' Saints " were in great spirits. Persecution had made con- 
 verts for them in many quarters ; and those who had farms in New 
 York and Pennsylvania, sold them and came to Nauvoo, or exchanged 
 their land in those States for land in Illinois. Mr. Phelps, in a letter 
 to the New York journal — The Prophet, gave a description of the city 
 and Temple of Nauvoo, and the state of the Church at this time, 
 ■which is almost the only record that has been preserved of the for- 
 tunes of the sect at this period of their history : — 
 
 "I shall not," he eaid, ** describe the localities of Nauvoo now, 
 because I shall not have room ; but as to the facilities, tranquillities, 
 and virtues of the city, they are not equalled on the globe. The Saints, 
 since Sidney, the great ' anti-Christ' of the last days, and his ' sons of 
 Sceva,' have left Nauvoo, together with some other Simon Maguses, 
 or foolish virgins, and wicked men who had crept in to revel on the bliss 
 of Jehovah, have gone also, have enjoyed peace, union, and harmon}^ 
 
 " I speak advisedly when I say that Nauvoo is the best place in the 
 world. No vice is meant to be tolerated ; no grog-shops allowed ; nor 
 would we have any trouble, if it were not for our lenity in suffering 
 the world, as I shall call them, to come in, and trade, and enjoy our 
 society, as they say ; which thing has made us the only trouble of late. 
 These pretended friends too frequently, like old Balaam's girls when 
 let in among the young men of Israel, find admirers, and break the 
 ordinances of the city, and then ' Phineas's javelin ' touches the heart. 
 
 ** The Temple is up as high as the caps of the pilasters, and it looks 
 majestic, and especially to me, when I know that the tithing, ' the 
 mites of the poor,' thus speaks of the glory of God. All the descrip- 
 tion that is necessary to give you now is, that this splendid model of 
 Mormon grandeur exhibits thirty hewn stone pilasters, which cost about 
 three thousand dollars a-piece. The base is a crescent new moon ; the 
 Capitols, nearly fifty feet high ; the sun, with a human face in bold 
 relief, about two and a half feet broad, ornamented with rays of light 
 and waves, sm-mounted by two hands holding two trumpets. It is 
 
COMPLETION OF THE NAUVOO TEMPLE. 175 
 
 always too much trouble to describe an unfinished buildinir. The inside 
 Avork is now going forward as fast as possible. When the whole struc- 
 ture is completed, it will cost some five or six hundred thousand 
 dollars; and as Captain Brown, of Tobosco, near the ruins of Palenque, 
 said, ' It will look the nearest like the splendid remains of antiquity 
 in central America of anything he had seen, though not half so 
 large. ' 
 
 '* The temple is erected from white limestone, wrought in a supe- 
 rior style ; is one hundred and twenty-eight by eighty-three feet 
 square ; near sixty feet high ; two stories in the clear, and two half 
 stories in the recesses over the arches ; four tiers of windows, two 
 Gothic and two round. The two great stories will each have two 
 pulpits, one at each end, to accommodate the Melchisedek and Aaronic 
 priesthoods, graded into four rising seats — the first for the president 
 of the elders and his two counsellors, the second for the president of 
 the high priesthood and his two counsellors, the third for the Mel- 
 chisedek president and his two counsellors, and the fourth for the 
 president of the whole church and his two counsellors. This hiohest 
 seat is where the Scribes and Pharisees used to crowd in ' to Moses' 
 seat.' The Aaronic pulpit at the other end is the same. 
 
 " The fount in the basement story is for the baptism of the living, 
 for health, for remission of sin, and for the salvation of the dead, as 
 •was the case in Solomon's tem[)le, and all temples that God commands 
 to be built. You know I am no Gentile, and, of course, do not believe 
 that a monastery, cathedral, chapel, or meeting-house ei-ected by the 
 notions and calculations of men, has any more sanction from God 
 than any common house in Babylon. 
 
 " The steeple of our Temple will be high enough to answer for a 
 tower — between one hundred and two hundred feet high. But 1 have 
 said enough about the Temple ; when finished it will show more wealth, 
 more art> more science, more revelation, more splendour, and more God, 
 than all the rest of the world, and that will make it a Mormon temple: 
 — ' God and liberty,' patterned somewhat after the order of our fore- 
 fathers, which were after the order of eternity. 
 
 " The other public buildings in Nauvoo, besides the Temple, are 
 the Seventies' Hall, the Masonic Hall, and Concert Hall, all spacious, 
 and well calculated for their designated purposes. 
 
 *' There is no licensed grocery to sell or give away liquors of any 
 kind in the city ; drunkards are scarce ; the probable number of in- 
 habitants is 14,000, of whom nine-tenths are Mormons." 
 
 Among the more zealous Mormons, it became the fashion at this 
 time to disuse the word Ivlauvoo, and to call the place the Holy City, 
 or the City of Joseph. When the " capstone" of the Temple was laid 
 
176 THE MORMONS. 
 
 in its place, their joy broke out in a manner which hio;hly exasperated 
 the people of the neijrhhourino; counties. The first low luniblings of 
 a new and violent persecution began to be heard. The old sores had 
 never thoroughly healed : and the joy of the Mormons on tlie comple- 
 tion of their temple, which vented itself in vain-glorious boasts of the 
 partial fulfilment of prophecies — Avhich would not be thoroughly ful- 
 filled until the whole land was theirs, and none but a Mormon per- 
 mitted to remain within it, from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic, 
 — Avere not of a nature to allay any previously existing jealousy or 
 ill-feeling. Quarrels occasionally took ])lace between the Saints and 
 their neighbours in Handcock county. The Mormons, when insulted, 
 had not always the patience to forbear from retaliation ; and among 
 men who habitually bore arms to protect themselves, it is not sur- 
 prising that the conflicts should not in all cases have been confined 
 to words. Skirmish succeeded skirmish until it became oJice more 
 necessary to call out the militia for the preservation of the peace. 
 Regular battles ensued, blood w\as shed, lives were lost, and the 
 exasperation of both parties was raised even beyond its former 
 height. 
 
 The Times and Seasons of the 15th of January, 1845, announced 
 to the Saints in all parts of the world that the inhabitants of various 
 parts of Illinois, as well as of Missouri, were accumulating charges of 
 every kind against the Mormons with the view of sweeping them 
 into irretrievable ruin. Dr. Foster, in his newspaper, the Expositor^ 
 continued with the usual virulence of a friend converted into an 
 enemy, to spread abroad defamatory reports against the " Apostles" 
 and the leading Saints, which Avere copied, commented upon, and 
 exaggerated by all the aTiti-Mormon press throughout the Union, and 
 especially by the journals in the more immediate vicinity. The old 
 cry of expulsion was raised, as the only means of restoring peace. A 
 meeting of the ToAvn Council of Nauvoo was held on the loth of 
 January, to consider these reports and the threatened expulsion of 
 the Saints ; and a meeting of the citizens in general was held on the 
 day following Avith the same object. A few extracts from the reso- 
 lutions passed at these assemblies will show the extent of the charges 
 brought against the Mormon people, and the manner in which their 
 leaders resolved to meet them. An address issued by D. Spencer, 
 the successor of Joseph Smith in the mayoralty of Nauvoo, and coun- 
 tersigned by Willard Richards, the Recorder, one of the Twelve Apo- 
 stles, stated that while the Mormons Avere peaceable and loyal to the 
 constitution and laws of their country, and Avere ever willing to join 
 hands, Avith their honest virtues and patriotism, in the repressing of 
 ciJmc ii;k1 the jiunishment of real criminals, they left their enemies to 
 
RENEWED TROUBLES IN ILLINOIS. 177 
 
 judge whether it would not be better to make Nauvoo one universal 
 burial-ground, rather than suffer themselves to be driven from their 
 lawful homes by such high-handed oppression. And it might yet 
 become a question," they added, '*to be decided by the community 
 whether the Mormons, after having seen their best men murdered 
 without redress, would quietly allow their enemies to wrench from 
 them the last shreds of their constitutional liberties; or whether they 
 would not make their city a vast sepulchre, and be buried under its 
 ruins in the defence of their rights." From the string of resolutions 
 appended to this document, it appears that the crimes laid to the 
 charge of the Mormons were, that they had organized a regular system 
 of horse and cattle stealing, and other plunder throughout the State ; 
 that Nauvoo had become a grand receptacle of stolen goods; that every 
 coiner, forger, robber, and even murderer found a safe refuge from 
 justice within its walls ; and that the Town Council allowed no legal 
 process of any kind to be served within the limits of their jurisdic- 
 tion. J The resolutions admitted that many criminals had fled for 
 refuge to Nauvoo under the mistaken notion that they would be 
 screened from justice by the Mormons ; but alleged that these crimi- 
 nals were not and never had been Mormons ; that they had been in- 
 duced to take this course by the false reports of the anti-Mormon 
 press; and that in every case they had been delivered up to justice when 
 demanded. The Town Comicil also pledged itself to use every means 
 in its power to root such characters out of the city, and deputed fifty 
 delegates to proceed to all the principal towns and districts in the 
 neighbourhood, to inform the people of the falsehood of the accusations 
 brought against the Saints, and to demand the aid of all the well-dis- 
 posed to rid the country of the thieves and blackguards that swarmed 
 into it. A conciliatory message from Governor Ford, published 
 shortly afterwards, expressed his belief that the charges against the 
 Mormons as a body were utterly unfounded ; and that there was no 
 more crime in the city of Nauvoo than in any other of a correspond- 
 ing size and amount of population ; and called upon the inhabitants, 
 whether Mormons or anti-Mormons, to preserve the peace and strictly 
 respect the laws. From January |to October, 1845, the Mormons 
 "lived a life of sturt and strife." Every man's hand was against 
 them ; and not only riots but regular pitched battles took place. The 
 Governor was called upon to interfere actively ; and a meeting of dele- 
 gates from the nine counties surrounding Nauvoo was convened ; at 
 which it was asserted by all the speakers that there would be no 
 peace for Illinois as long as the Mormons remained within its bounda- 
 ries. The delegates pledged themselves to support each other to the 
 last extremity in expelling them forcibly, if they could not othexwise 
 
 L 
 
178 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 be induced to go. Tlie painful circumstances in which the Saints at 
 x^auvoo found themselves, and the history of the persecaition which 
 they suffered, and which no doubt they brought upon themselves by 
 their assumption of superior holiness, and by their boasts, daily and 
 hourly repeated, that they would, by Divine permission and aid, 
 drive out all who were not of their Church, were detailed in an Official 
 Letter to the Saints, under the date of the 1st of I^sovember, 1845. 
 This document ran as follows ; — 
 
 '* After we bad began to realize the abundance of one of the most 
 fruitful seasons known for a long time, and while many hundreds of 
 Saints were labouring with excessive and unwearied diligence to finish 
 the Temple and rear the Nauvoo House, suddenly, in the forepart of 
 September, the mob commenced burning the houses and grain of the 
 Saints in the south part of Handcock county. Though efforts were 
 made by the Sheriff to stay the torch of the incendiarj^ and parry oft' 
 the deluge of arson, still a *fire and sword ' party continued the work 
 of destruction for about a week, laying in ashes nearly two hundred 
 buildings, and much grain. Nor is tliis all ; as it was in the sickly 
 season, many feeble persons, thrown out into the scorching rays of 
 the sun, or wet with the dampening dews of the evening, died, being 
 persecuted to death in a Christian land of law and order ; and while 
 they were fleeing and dying, the mob, embracing doctors, lawyers, 
 statesmen. Christians of various denominations, with the military, from 
 colonels down, were busily engaged in filching or plundering, taking 
 furniture, cattle, and grain. In the midst of this horrid revelry, 
 having failed to procure aid among the 'old citizens,' the Sheriff 
 summoned a sufficient posse to stay the ' fire shower of ruin, ' but not 
 until some of the offenders had paid for the aggression with their 
 lives. 
 
 ** This, however, was not the end of the matter. Satan sits in the 
 hearts of the people to rule for evil, and the surrounding counties 
 began to fear that law, religion, and equal rights, in the hands of the 
 Latter-Day Saints, would feel after iniquity, or terrify their neigh- 
 bours to larger acts of * reserved rights,' and so they began to open a 
 larger field of woe. To cut this matter short, they urged the neces- 
 sity (to stop the effusion of blood) to expel the Church, or, as they call 
 them, the Mormons, from the United States, ' peaceably, if they could, 
 and forcibly if they must,' unless they would transport themselves by 
 next spring. Taking into consideration the great value of life, and 
 the blessings of peace, a proposition, upon certain specified conditions, 
 was made to a committee of Quincy, and which it was suj)posed, from 
 the actions of conventions, was accepted. But we are sorry to say 
 that the continued depredations of the mob, and the acts of a few 
 
RENEWED TEOUBLES IN ILLINOIS. 179 
 
 individuals, have greatly lessened the confidence of every friend of 
 law, honour, and humanity, in everything promised by the committees 
 and conventions, though we have already made great advances to- 
 wards fitting for a move next spring. 
 
 '* A- few troops stationed in the county have not entirely kept the 
 mob at bay, several buildings having been burnt in the month of 
 October. 
 
 " We shall, however, make every exertion on our part, as we have 
 always done, to preserve the law and our engagements sacred, and 
 leave the event with God, for he is sure. 
 
 ** It may not be amiss to say, that the continued abuses, persecu- 
 tions, murders, and robberies, practised upon us, by a horde of land 
 pirates, with impunity in a Christian republic, and land of liberty 
 (while the institutions of justice have either been too weak to aff'ord 
 us protection or redress, or else they too have been a little remiss), 
 have brought us to the solemn conclusion that our exit from the United 
 States is the only alternative by which we can enjoy our share of the 
 elements which our Heavenly Father created free for all, 
 
 " We then can shake the dust from our garments, sufiering wrong 
 rather than do wrong, leaving this nation alone in her glory, while the 
 residue of the world points the finger of scorn, till the indignation and 
 consumption decreed makes a full end. 
 
 " In our patience we will possess our souls, and work out a more 
 exceeding and eternal weight of gloiy, preparing, by withdrawing the 
 power and priesthood from the Gentiles, for the great consolation of 
 Israel, when the wilderness shall blossom as the rose, and Babylon 
 fall like a millstone cast into the sea. The just shall live by faith ; 
 but the folly of fools will perish with their bodies of corruption : then 
 shall the righteous shine. Amen." 
 
 After a series of struggles and negociations, and a regular siege of 
 the city of Nauvoo by the anti-^Iormons, of which no authentic ac- 
 count yet appears to have been published, with the exception of the 
 short and interesting summary by Colonel Kane, to be referred to 
 hereafter, the Saints agreed to leave Ilhnois in the spring of 1846, or 
 as ** soon as grass grew and water ran ;" provided that, in the in- 
 terval, they should not be molested, and that they should be allowed 
 time and opportunity to sell their farms and properties, and remove 
 beyond the limits of civilization. 
 
 A circular of the High Council to the members of the Church 
 throughout the world, which was published on the 20th of January, 
 1 846, announced that the Mormons of Nauvoo had resolved to seek a 
 home beyond the Rocky Mountains. The document is too curious in 
 itself, and too remarkable in the history of the sect, to be omitted : — 
 
ISO THE MOEMONS, ^ 
 
 "Beloved Brethren and Friends, — We, the members of the High 
 Council of the Church, by the voice of all her authorities, have unitedly ami 
 unanimously agreed, and embrace this oj^portunity to inform you that Ave in- 
 tend to set out into the Western country from this place, some time in the 
 early part of the month of March, a company of pioneers, consisting mostly of 
 young, hardy men, with some families. These are destined to be furnished 
 with an ample outfit ; taking with them a printing press, flirming utensils of 
 all kinds, with mill irons and bolting cloths, seeds of all kinds, grain, &c. 
 
 " The object of this early move is, to put in a spring crop, to build houses, 
 and to prepare for the reception of families who will start so soon as grass 
 shall be sufficiently grown to sustain teams and stock. Our pioneers ai'e 
 instructed to proceed West till they find a good place to make a crop, in some 
 good valley in the neighbourhood of the Rocky IVIountains, wbere they will 
 infringe upon no one, and be not likely to be infringed upon. Here we will 
 make a resting place, until Ave can determine a place for a permanent location. 
 In the event of the President's recommendation to build block houses and 
 stockade forts on the route to Oregon becoming alaAA-, we have encouragements 
 of having thc'it work to do ; and under our peculiar circumstances, Ave can do 
 it with less expense to the Grovernment than any other people. We also 
 further declare, for the satisfaction of some who have concluded that our 
 grievances have alienated us from our country, that our patriotism has not 
 been overcome by fire — by sword — by daylight nor by midnight assassina- 
 tions, which we have endured, neither have they alienated us from the 
 institutions of our country. Should hostilities arise between the GoA^ernment 
 of the United States and any other power, in relation to the right of possessing 
 the territory of Oregon, we are on hand to sustain the claim of the United 
 States' Grovernment to that country. It is geographically ours ; and of right, 
 no foreign power should hold dominion there ; and if our services are required 
 to prcA'^ent it, those services Avill be cheerfully rendered according to our 
 ability. We feel the injuries that we have sustained, and are not insensible 
 of the wrongs we have suffered. Still we are Americans ; and should our 
 country be invaded, we hope to do, at least, as much as did the conscientious 
 Quaker Avho took his passage on board a merchant ship, and Avas attacked by 
 pirates. The pirate boarded the merchantman, and one of the enemies' men 
 iell into the water between the tAvo vessels, but seized a rope that was hung 
 OA^er, and Avas pulling himself up on board the merchantman. The con- 
 scientious Quaker saw this, and though he did not like to fight, he took his 
 jack-knife, and quickly moA^ed to the scene, saying to the pirate, 'If thee 
 wants that piece of rope I will help thee to it. ' He cut the rope asunder — 
 the pirate fell — and a watery grave was his resting-place. 
 
 *' ^luch of our property will be left in the hands of competent agents for 
 sale at a low rate, for teams, for goods, and for cash. The funds arising from 
 the sale of property will be applied to the removal of families from time to 
 time as fast as consistent, and it now remains to be proven whether those of 
 our families and friends Avho are necessarily left behind for a season to obtain 
 au outfit, through tlie sale of property, shall be mobbed, burnt, and driA'en 
 
EXPULSION OF THE MORMONS FEOM NAUVOO. 18 L 
 
 away by force. Does any American want the honour of doing it ? or will 
 Americans suffer such acts to be done, and the disgrace of them to rest on 
 their character under existing circumstances ? If they will, let the world 
 know it. But we do not believe they will. 
 
 " We agreed to leave the country for the sake of peace, upon the condition 
 that no more vexatious prosecutions be instituted against us. In good fiaith 
 have we laboured to fulfil this engagement. Governor Ford has also done his 
 duty to further our wishes in this respect. But there are some who are unwil- 
 ling that we should have an existence anywhere. But our destinies are in the 
 hands of jGrod, and so also is theirs. 
 
 "We venture to say that our brethren have made no counterfeit money ; 
 and if any miller has received fifteen hundred dollars base coin in a week 
 from us, let him testify. . If any land agent of the Greneral Grovernment has 
 received waggon-loads of base coin from us in payment for lands, let him say 
 so ; or if he has received any at all from us, let him tell it. Those witnesses 
 against us have spun a long yarn ; but if our brethren had never used an 
 influence against them to break them up, and to cause them to leave our city, 
 after having satisfied themselves that they were engaged in the very business 
 of which they accuse us, their revenge might never have been roused to father 
 upon us their own illegitimate and bogus productions. 
 
 " We have never tied a black strap round any person's neck, neither have 
 we cut their bowels out, nor fed any to the ' Cat-fish.' The systematic order 
 of stealing, of which these grave witnesses speak, must certainly be original 
 with them. Such a plan could never originate with any person except some 
 one who wished to fan the flames of death or destruction around us. The 
 very dregs of malice and revenge are mingled in the statements of those 
 witnesses alluded to by the Sangamo Journal, We should think that every 
 man of sense might see this. In fact, many editors do see it, and they have 
 our thanks for speaking of it. 
 
 "We have now stated our feelings, our wishes, and our intentions; and 
 by them we are willing to abide ; and such editors as are willing that we 
 should live and not die, and have a being on the earth while Heaven is pleased 
 to lengthen out our days, are respectfully requested to publish this article. 
 And men who wish to buy property very clieap, to benefit themselves, and are 
 willing to benefit us, are invited to call and look ; and our prayer shall ever 
 be, that justice and judgment, mercy and truth, may be exalted, not only in 
 our own land, but tluroughout the world, and the will of God be done on earth 
 as it is done in Heaven. 
 
 "Done in Council at the City of Nauvoo, on the 20th day of January, 1846. 
 
 "Samuel Bent. "Xewel Knight. 
 James Allred. Lewis D. \Vilson. 
 
 George W. Harris. Ezra T. Benson. 
 
 William Huntington.- David Fullmer. 
 Henry G. Sherwood. Thoal^s G rover. 
 
 Alpheus Cutler. Aaron Johnson." 
 
182 THE MORMONS. 
 
 The first companies of the Mormons commenced crossing the 
 Mississippi on the 3rcl February, 1846. They amounted to 1,600 
 men, women, and children, and passed the river on the ice. Tliey 
 continued to leave in detachments, or companies of similar magnitude, 
 until July and August, travelling by ox- teams towards California, 
 then almost unknown, and quite unpeopled by the Anglo-Saxon race. 
 
 The anti-Mormons asserted that the intention of the Saints was 
 to excite the Indians against the commonwealth, and that they would 
 return at the head of a multitude of the Red Skins to take vengeance 
 upon the white people for the indignities they had suffered. Nothing 
 appears to have been further from the intentions of the Mormons. 
 Their sole object Avas to plant their Church in some fertile and 
 hitherto undiscovered spot, where they might worship God in their 
 own fashion, unmolested by any other sect of Christians. The war 
 against Mexico was then raging, and, to test the loyalty of the Mor- 
 mons, it was suggested by their foes that a demand should be made 
 upon them to raise five hundred men for the service of the country. 
 The Mormons obeyed, and five hundred of their best men enrolled 
 themselves under the command of General Kearney, and marched 
 2,400 miles with the armies of the United States. At the conclusion 
 of the Mexican war, they w^re disbanded in Upper California. The 
 ]\Iormons allege that it was one of this band who, in working at a 
 mill, first discovered the golden treasures of California ; and the 
 '* Saints " are said to have succeeded in amassing large quantities of 
 tlie precious metal before the secret was made generally known to 
 the " Gentiles." 
 
 But faith was not kept with the Mormons who remained in Nau- 
 voo. Although they had agreed to leave in detachments, they were 
 not allowed the necessary time to dispose of their property ; and, in 
 September, 1846, the city was besieged by their enemies, upon the 
 pretence, that they did not intend to fulfil the stipulations made with 
 the peoj^le and authorities of Illinois. After a three day's bombard- 
 ment, the last remnant Avas finally driven out by fire and sword. 
 The details will be found in the following chapter. 
 
 (^^^^§^^4^^^ 
 
■rr\ 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Dep\rtt.re of the Moemoxs for the Great 
 S\iT Lake Valley — Colonel Kank's Des- 
 cription OF Nauvoo after the Siege — 
 Thf Exodus of the People — Incidents 
 
 * of Trvnel — Arrival in Lower California 
 — The Great Salt Lake. 
 
 The "Great Salt Lake Valley" was 
 ultimately fixed upoa as the halting- 
 place and future home of the sect ; and 
 thither the successive detachments of 
 ]\Iormons had directed their steps. 
 W Inlst one party went overland to Upper 
 
 Monuon Caravan crossiii"- the Rockv .Mountains. 
 
184 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 California, another party chartered the ship Brooklyn, at New York, 
 and sailed round to the Pacific by Cape Horn. This party was amongst 
 the earliest of the arrivals in California, and its members were exceedingly 
 fortunate at the " diggings," and amassed large quantities of gold. 
 
 But the great bulk of the Mormons proceeded overland to the 
 Valley of the Great Salt Lake ; a remarkable pilgrimage, which has 
 not been paralleled in the history of mankind since Moses led the 
 Israelites from Egypt. The distance to be traversed was enormous — 
 the perils of the way were great — the whole circumstances were 
 highly interesting and peculiar, and the zeal and courage of the sect 
 were as remarkable as their faith. It is fortunate that a record of 
 these events of the Mormon exodus was kept by a person who knew 
 how to use his eyes, his understanding, and his pen ; and that he has 
 been induced to give it to the world. The following narrative of 
 Colonel, Kane, who accompanied the Mormons from Nauvoo to the 
 Salt Lake, has all the interest of a romance. It was originally de- 
 livei-ed as a lecture before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and 
 is here produced from the American edition : — 
 
 A few years ago (said Colonel Kane), ascending the Upper Mis- 
 sissippi, in the autumn when its waters were Ioav, I was compelled 
 to travel by land past the region of the Rapids. My road lay through 
 the Half-Breed Tract, a fine section of Iowa, which the unsettled 
 state of its land-titles had appropriated as a sanctuary for coiners, 
 horse thieves, and other outlaws. I had left my steamer at Keokuk, 
 at the foot of the Lower Fall, to hire a carriage, and to contend for 
 some fragments of a dirty meal with the swarming flies, the only 
 scavengers of the locality. From this place to where the deep water 
 of the river returns, my eye wearied to see everywhere sordid, vaga- 
 bond, and idle settlers ; and a country marred, without being im- 
 proved, by their careless hands. 
 
 I was descending the last hill-side upon my journe}', when a 
 landscape in delightful contrast broke upon my view. Half encircled 
 by a bend of the river, a beautiful city lay glittering in the fresh 
 morning sun ; its bright new dwellings, set in cool green gardens, 
 ranging up around a stately dome-shaped hill, which was crowned by 
 a noble marble edifice, whose high tapering spire was radiant with 
 white and gold. The city appeared to cover several miles ; and 
 beyond it, in the background, there rolled off a fair country, chequered 
 by the careful lines of fruitful husbandry. The unrnistakeable marks 
 of industry, enterprise, and educated wealth everywhere, made the 
 scene one of singular and most striking beauty. 
 
 It was a natural impulse to visit this inviting region. I procured 
 a skiff, and rowing across the river, landed at the chief wharf of the 
 
NAUVOO AFTER THE SIEGE. J 85 
 
 city. No one met me there. I looked, and saw no one. I could hear 
 no one move ; though the quiet everywhere was such that I heard 
 the flies buzz, and the water ripples break against the shallow of the 
 beach. I walked through the solitary streets. The town lay as in a 
 dream, under some deadening spell of loneliness, from which I almost 
 feared to wake it ; for plainly it had not slept long. There was no 
 grass growing up in the paved ways ; rains had not entirely washed 
 away the prints of dusty footsteps. 
 
 Yet I went about unchecked. I went into empty workshops, 
 rope-walks, and smithies. Tlie spinner's wheel was idle ; the carpenter 
 had gone from his work-bench and shavings, his unfinished sash and 
 casing. Fresh bark >was in the tanner's vat, and the fresh- chopped 
 lightwood stood piled against the baker's oven. The blacksmith's 
 shop was cold ; but his coal heap, and ladling pool, and crooked water 
 horn, were all there, as if he had just gone off for a holiday. No 
 work-people anywhere looked to know my errand. If I went into 
 the gardens, clinking the wicket-latch loudly after me, to pull the 
 marygolds, heart's-ease, and lady-slippers, and draw a drink with the 
 water-sodden well-bucket and its noisy chain ; or, knocking off with 
 my stick the tall heavy-headed dahlies and sun-flowers, hunted over 
 the beds for cucumbers and love-apples — no one called out to me from 
 any opened window, or dog sprang forwaid to bark an alarm. I 
 could have supposed the people hidden in the houses, but the doors 
 were unfastened ; and when at last I timidly entered them, I found 
 dead ashes white upon the hearths, and had to tread a-tiptoe, as if 
 walking down the aisle of a country church, to avoid rousing irreverent 
 echoes from the naked floors. 
 
 On the outskirts of the town was the city graveyard ; but there was 
 no record of plague there, nor did it in anywise differ much from other 
 Protestant American cemeteries. Some of the mounds were not long 
 sodded ; some of the stones were newly set, their dates recent, and 
 their black inscriptions glossy in the mason's hardly dried lettering 
 ink. Beyond the graveyard, out in the fields, I saw in one spot hard 
 by where the fruited boughs of a young orchard had been roughly torn 
 down, the still smouldering remains of a barbecue fire, that had been 
 constructed of rails from the fencing round it. It was the latest sign 
 of life there. Fields upon fields of heavy-headed yellow grain lay 
 rotting ungathered upon the ground. No one was at hand to take 
 in their rich harvest. As far as the eye could reach, they stretched 
 away — they sleeping, too, in the hazy air of autumn. 
 
 Only two portions of the city seemed to suggest the import of 
 this mysterious solitude. On the southern suburb, the houses looking 
 out upon the country showed, by their splintered wood-work, and 
 walls battered to the foundation, that they had lately been the mark 
 
186 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 of a destructive cannonade. And in and around the splendid Temple, 
 which had been the chief object of my admiration, armed men were 
 barracked, surrounded by their stacks of musketry and ))ieces of heavy 
 ordnance. These challenged me to render an account of mys^elf, and 
 why I had had the temerity to cross the water without a writt<3u 
 permit from a leader of their band. 
 
 Though tliese men were generally more or less under the in- 
 fluence of ardent spirits, after I had exjJained myself as a passing 
 stranger, they seemed anxious to gain my good opinion. They told 
 the story of tlie Dead City : that it had been a notable manufacturing 
 and commercial mart, sheltering over 20,000 persons; that they had 
 waged war Avith its inhabitants for several years, and had been finally 
 successful only a few days before my visit, in an action fought in front 
 of the ruined suburb ; after which they had driven them 'forth at the 
 point of the sword. The defence, they said, had been obstinate, but 
 gave way on the third day's bombardment. They boasted greatly of 
 their prowess, especially in this battle, as they called it ; but 1 dis- 
 covered they were not of one mind as to certain of the exploits that had 
 distinguished it ; one of which,, as I remember, was, that they had slain 
 a father and his son, a boy of fifteen, not long i-ebidents of the fated 
 city, whom they admitted to have borne a chai-acter without reproach. 
 
 They also conducted me inside the massive sculptured walls of 
 the curious Temple, in which they said the banished inhabitants were 
 accustomed to celebrate the mystic rites of an unhallowed worship. 
 They particularly pointed out to me certain features of the building, 
 which, having been the pecuhar objects of a former superstitious 
 regard, they had, as matter of duty, sedulously defiled and defaced. 
 The reputed sites of certain shrines they had thus particularly noticed ; 
 and various sheltered chambers, in one of which was a deep well, 
 constructed, they believed, with a dreadful design. Beside these, 
 they led me to see a large and deep chiselled marble vase or basin, 
 supported upon twelve oxen, also of marMe, and of the size of life, of 
 which they told some romantic stories. They said the deluded per- 
 sons, most of whom were emigrants from a great distance, believed 
 their Deity countenanced their reception here of a baptism of regene- 
 ration, as proxies for whomsoever they held in warm affection in the 
 countries from which they had come. That here parents " went into 
 the water" for their lost children, children for their parents, widows 
 for their spouses, and young persons for their lovers ; that thus the 
 Great Vase came to be for them associated with all dear and distant 
 memories, and was therefore the object, of all others in the building, 
 to which they attached the greatest degree of idolatrous affection. On 
 this account, the victors had so diligently desecrated it, as to render 
 the apartment in which it was contained too noisome to abide in. 
 
NAUVOO AFTER THE SIEGE. 187 
 
 They permitted me also to ascend into the steeple, to see where 
 it had been lightning- struck on the Sabbath before ; and to look out, 
 east and south, on wasted farms like those I had seen near the city, 
 extending till they were lost in the distance. Here, in the face of the 
 pure day, close to the scar of the divine wrath left by the thunderbolt, 
 \yere fragments of food, cruises of liquor, and broken drinking ves- 
 sels, Avith a brass drum and a steam-boat signal bell, of which I after- 
 wards learned the use with pain. 
 
 It was after nightfall, when I was i-eady to cross the river on 
 my return. The wind had freshened since the sunset, and the wate;- 
 beating roughly into my little boat, I edged higher up the stream 
 than the point I had left in the morning, and landed where a faint 
 glimmering light invited me to steer. 
 
 Here, among the dock and rushes, slieltered only by the dark- 
 ness, without roof between them and sky, I came upon a crowd of 
 several hundred human creatures, whom my movements roused from 
 uneasy slumber upon the ground. 
 
 Passing these on my way to the light, I found it came from a 
 tallow candle in a paper funnel shade, such as is used by street 
 venders of apples and pea-nuts, and which, flaming and guttering 
 away in the bleak air off the water, shone flickeringly on the ema- 
 ciated features of a man in the last stage of a bilious remittent fever. 
 They had done their best for him. Over his head was something like 
 a tent, made of a sheet or two, and he rested on a but partially ripped 
 open old straw mattress, with a hair sofa cushion under his head for a 
 pillow. His gaping jaw and glazing eye told how short a time he 
 would monopolize these luxuries ; though a seemingly bewildered and 
 excited person, who might have been his ynh, seemed to find hope in 
 occasionally forcing him to swallow awkwardly, sips of the tepid river 
 water, from a burned and battered bitter-smelling tin coffee-pot. 
 Those Avho knew better had furnished the apothecary he needed ; a 
 toothless old bald-head, whose manner had the repulsive dullness of a 
 man' familiar with death scenes. He, so long as I remained, mumbled 
 in his patient's ear a monotonous and melancholy prayer, between tlie 
 pauses of which I heard the hiccup and sobbing [of two little girls, 
 who were sitting upon a piece of drift-wood outside. 
 
 Dreadful, indeed, was the suffering of these forsaken beings ; 
 bowed and cramped by cold and sunburn, alternating as each weary 
 day and night dragged on, they were, almost all of them, the cripjjled 
 victims of disease. They were there because they had no homes, nor 
 hospital, nor poor-house, nor friends to offer them any. They could 
 not satisfy the feeble cravings of their sick ; they had not bread to quiet 
 the fractious hunger-cries of their children. Mothers and babes, 
 
188 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 daughters and grand-parents, all of them alike, were bivouacked in 
 tatters, wanting even covering to comfort those whom the sick shiver 
 of fever was searching to the marrow. 
 
 These were Mormons, in Lee county, Iowa, in the fourth week 
 of the month of September, in the year of our Lord 1846. The city 
 — it was Nauvoo, Illinois. The Mormons were the owners of that 
 city, and the smiling country around. And those who had stopped 
 their ploughs, who had silenced their hammers, their axes, their shut- 
 tles, and their workshop wheels ; ihose who had put out their fires, 
 who had eaten their food, spoiled their orchards, and trampled under 
 foot their thousands of acres of unharvested bread ; these were the 
 keepers of their dwellings, the carousers in their temple, whose 
 drunken riot insulted the ears of the dying. 
 
 I think it was as I turned from the wretched nightwatch of 
 which I have spoken, that I first listened to the sounds of revel of a 
 party of the guard within the city. Above the distant hum of the 
 voices of many, occasionally rose distinct the loud oath-tainted ex- 
 clamation, and the falsely intonated scrap of vulgar song ; but lest 
 this requiem should go unheeded, every now and then, when their 
 boisterous orgies strove to attain a sort of ecstatic climax, a cruel 
 spirit of insulting frolic carried some of them up into the high belfry 
 of the Temple steeple, and tliere, with the wicked childishness of ine- 
 briates, they whooped, and shrieked, and beat the drum that I had 
 seen, and rang in cliarivaric unison their loud-tongued steam-boat 
 bell. 
 
 They were, all toW, not more than six hundred and forty persons 
 who were thus lying on the river flats. But the Mormons in Nauvoo 
 and its dependencies had been numbered the year before at over 
 twenty thousand. Where were they ? They had last been seen, car- 
 rying in mournful train their sick and wounded, halt and blind, to 
 disappear behind the western horizon^ pursuing the phantom of ano- 
 ther home. Hardly anything else was known of them ; and people 
 asked with curiosity, *' What had been their fate — what theit for- 
 tunes ?" 
 
 Since the expulsion of the Mormons to the present date, I have 
 been intimately conversant with the details of their history. But I 
 shall invite your attention most particularly to an account of Avhat 
 happened to them during their first year in the wilderness ; because at 
 this time more than any other, being lost to public view, they were 
 the subjects of fable and misconception. Happily it was during this 
 period I myself moved with them ; and earned, at dear price, as some 
 among you are aware, my right to speak with authority of them and 
 their character, their trials, achievements, and intentions. 
 
THE EXODUS OF THE MORMONS. 189 
 
 ' The party encountered by me at the river shore were the last of 
 the Mormons that left the city. They had all of them engaged the 
 year before, that they would vacate their homes, and seek some other 
 place of refuge. It had been the condition of a truce between them 
 and their assailants ; and as an earnest of their good faith, the chief 
 elders, and some others of obnoxious standing, with their families, 
 were to set out for the West in the spring of 1840. It had been sti- 
 pulated in return, that the rest of the Mormons might remain behind 
 in the peaceful enjoyment of the Illinois abode, until their leaders, 
 with their exploring party, could, with all diligence, select for them 
 a new place of settlement beyond the Rocky Mountains, in California, 
 or elsewhere, and until they had opportunity to dispose, to the best 
 advantage, ot the property which they were then to leave. 
 
 Some renewed symptoms of hostile feeling had, however, deter- 
 mined the pioneer party to begin their work before the spring. It 
 was, of course, anticipated that this would be a perilous service ; but 
 it was regarded as a matter of self-denying duty. The ardour and 
 emulation of many, particularly the devout and the young, were sti- 
 mulated by the difficulties it involved ; and the ranks of the party 
 were therefore filled up with volunteers from among the most effective 
 and responsible members of the sect. They began their march in 
 mid-winter ; and by the beginning of February nearly all of them 
 were on the road, many of the waggons having crossed the Mississippi 
 on the ice. 
 
 Under the most favouring circumstances, an expedition of this 
 sort, undertaken at such a season of the year, could scarcely fail to be 
 disastrous. But the pioneer company had set out in haste, and were 
 very imperfectly supplied with necessaries. The cold," was intense. 
 They moved in the teeth of keen-edged north-west winds, such as 
 sweep down the Iowa Peninsula from the ice-bound regions of the 
 timber-shaded Slave Lake and Lake of the Woods ; on the Bald 
 Prairie there, nothing above the dead grass breaks their free course 
 over the hard rolled hills. Even along the scattered water-courses, 
 where they broke the thick ice to give their cattle drink, the annual 
 autumn fires had left little wood of value. The party, therefore, often 
 wanted for good camp fires, the first luxury of all travellers ; but, to 
 men insufficiently furnished with tents and other appliances of shelter, 
 almost an essential to life. After days of fatigue, their nights were 
 often passed in restless eSbrts to save themselves from freezing. Their 
 stock of food, also, proved inadequate ; and as their systems became 
 impoverished, their sufiering from cold increased. 
 
 Sickened with catarrhal affections, manacled by the fetters of 
 dreadfully acute rheumatisms, some contrived for a while to get over 
 
190 THE MORMONS. 
 
 tli3 shortening day's march, and drag along some others. But the 
 sign of an impaired circulation soon began to show itself in the lia- 
 bility of all to be dreadfully frost-bitten. The hardiest and strongest 
 became helplessly crippled. About the same time, the strength of 
 their beasts of draught began to fail. The small supply of provender 
 they could carry with them had given out. The winter-bleached 
 prairie straw proved devoid of nourishment ; and they could only 
 keep them from starving by seeking for the browse, as it is called, a 
 green bark, and tender buds, and branches of the cotton- wood, and 
 other stinted growths of the hollows. 
 
 To return to Nauvoo was apparently the only escape ; but this 
 would have been to give occasion for fresh mistrust, and so to bring 
 new trouble to those they had left there behind them. Tiiey resolved 
 at least to hold their ground, and to advance as they might, were it 
 only by limping through the deep snows a few slow miles a day. 
 They found a sort of comfort in comparing themselves to the exiles of 
 Siberia, and sought cheerfulness in earnest prayers for the spring- 
 longed for as morning by the tossing sick. 
 
 The spring came at last. It overtook them in the Sac and Fox 
 country, still on the naked prairie, not yet half way over the trail 
 they were following between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. But 
 it brought its own share of troubles with it. The months with which 
 it opened proved nearly as trying as the worst of winter. 
 
 The snow and sleet and rain which fell, as it appeared to them, 
 without intermission, made the road over the rich prairie soil as im- 
 passable as one vast bog of heavy black mud. Sometimes they would 
 fasten the horses and oxen of four or five waggons to one, and attempt 
 to get a-head in this way, taking turns ; but at the close of a day of 
 hard toil for themselves and their cattle, they would find themselves 
 a quarter or half a mile from the place they left in the morning. The 
 heavy rains raised all the watercourses : the most trifling streams 
 were impassable. Wood fit for bridging was often not to be had, and 
 in such cases the only resource was to halt for the freshets to subside — 
 a matter in the case of the headwaters of the Clariton, for instance, 
 of over three weeks' delay. 
 
 These were dreary waitings upon Providence. The most spirited 
 and sturdy murmured most at their forced inactivity. And even the 
 women, whose heroic spirits had been proof against the lowest ther- 
 mometric fall, confessed their tempers fluctuated with the ceaseless 
 variations of the barometer. They complained too that the health of 
 their children suffered more. It was the fact, that the open winds 
 of March and April brought with them more mortal sickness than 
 the sharpest freezing weather. 
 
THE EXODDS OF THE MORMONS. 191 
 
 The frequent burials made the hardiest siclien. On the soklier's 
 march it is matter of discipline, that after the rattle of musketry over 
 liis comrade's grave, he shall tramp it to the music of some careless 
 tune in a lively quick-step. But, in the Mormon camp, the companion 
 who lay ill and gave up the ghost within view of all, all saw as he 
 stretched a corpse, and all attended to his last resting-place. It was 
 a sorrow, too, of itself, to simpk-hearted people, the deficient pomps 
 of their imperfect style of funeral. The general hopefulness of human 
 — including Mormon — nature, was well illustrated by the fact, that the 
 most provident were found unfurnished with undertaker's articles ; so 
 that bereaved affection was driven to the most melancholy makeshifts. 
 
 The best expedient generally was to cut down a log of some eight 
 or nine feet long, and slitting it longitudinally, strip off its dark bark 
 in two half cylinders. These, placed around the body of the deceased 
 and bound firmly together with withes made of the alburnum, formed 
 a rough sort of tubular coffin which^surviving relations and friends, 
 with a little show of black crape, could follow with its enclosure to 
 the hole, or bit of ditch, dug to receive it in the wet ground of the 
 prairie. They grieved to lower it down so poorly clad, and in such 
 an miheeded grave. It was hard — was it right, thus hurriedly to 
 plunge it in one of the undistinguishable waves of the great land-sea, 
 and leave it behind them there, under the cold north rain, abandoned 
 to be forgotten ? They had no tombstones ; nor could they find rocks 
 to pile the monumental cairn. So, when they had filled up the grave, 
 and over it prayed a miserere prayer, and tried to sing a hopeful 
 psalm, their last office was to seek out landmarks, or call in the sur- 
 veyor to help them to determine the bearings of valley bends, head- 
 lands, or forks and angles of constant streams, by which its position 
 should, in the future, be remembered and recognised. The name of 
 the beloved person, his age, the date of his death, and these marks 
 were all registered with care. This party was then ready to move 
 on. Such graves mark all the line of the first year of the Mormon 
 travel — dispiriting milestones to failing stragglers in the rear. 
 
 It is an error to estimate largely the number of Mormons dead of 
 starvation, strictly speaking. Want developed disease, and made them 
 smk mider fatigue, and maladies that would otherwise have proved 
 trifling. But only those died of it outright who fell in out-of-the-way 
 places, that the hand of brotherhood could not reach. Among the rest 
 no such thing as plenty was known, while any went an hungered. If 
 but a part of a group Avas supplied with provision, the^only result 
 was, that the whole went on the half or quarter ration, according to the 
 sufficiency that there was among them ; and this so ungrudgingly and 
 contentedly, that, till some crisis of trial to their strength, they were 
 
192 THE MORMONS. 
 
 themselves unaware that their health was sinking, and their vital 
 force impaired. Hale young men gave up their own provided food 
 and shelter to the old and helpless, and walked their way hack to 
 parts of the frontier States, chiefly Missouri and Iowa, where they 
 were not recognised, and hired themselves out for wages to purchase 
 more. Others were sent there to exchange for meal and flour, or 
 wheat and corn, the tahle and bed furniture, and other last resources 
 of personal property which a few had still retained. 
 
 In a kindred spirit of paternal forecast, others laid out great 
 farms in the wilds, and planted in them the grain saved for their own 
 bread, that there might be harvests for those who should follow them. 
 Two of these in the Sac and Fox country, and beyond it, Garden 
 Grove and Mount Pisgah, included within their fences above two 
 miles of land a-piece, carefully planted in grain, within a hamlet of 
 comfortable log-cabins in the neighbourhood of each. 
 
 Through all this, the pioneers found redeeming comfort in the 
 thought that their own suffering was the price of humanity to their 
 friends at home. But the arrival of spring proved this a delusion. 
 Before the Avarm weather had made the earth dry enough for easy 
 travel, messengers came in from Nauvoo to overtake the party, with 
 fear-exaggerated tales of outrage, and to urge the chief men to hurry 
 back to the city, that they might give counsel and assistance there. 
 The enemy had only waited till the emigrants were supposed to be 
 gone on their road too far to return to interfere with them, and then 
 renewed their aggressions. 
 
 The Mormons outside Nauvoo were indeed hard pressed ; but 
 inside the city they maintained themselves very well for three or four 
 months longer. 
 
 Strange to say, the chief part of this respite was devoted to 
 completing the structure of their quaintly devised but beautiful Tem- 
 ple. Since the dispersion of Jewry, probably, history affords us no 
 parallel to the attachment of the Mormons for this edifice. Every 
 architectural element, every most fantastic emblem it embodied, was 
 associated for them with some cherished feature of their religion. Its 
 erection had been enjoined upon them as a most sacred duty: they 
 were proud of the honour upon their city, when it grew up in its 
 splendour to become the chief object of the admiration of strangers 
 upon the Upper Mississippi. Besides, they had built it as a labour of 
 love : they could count up to half a million the value of their tithings 
 and free-will offerings laid upon it. Hardly a Mormon woman who had 
 not given up to it some trinket or pin money ; the lowest Mormon 
 man had at least served the tenth of his year upon its walls ; and the 
 coarsest artizan could turn to it with something of the ennobling 
 
DESTRUCTION OF THE NAUVOO TEMrLE. 193 
 
 attachment of an artist for his fair creation. Tlierefore, though their 
 enemies drove on them rutlilessl}^ they succeeded in parrying the last 
 sword thrust till they had completed even the gilding of the angel 
 and trumpet on the summit of its lofty spire. As a closing work, 
 they placed on the entablature of the front, like a baptismal mark on 
 the forehead — 
 
 THE HOUSE OF THE LORD : 
 
 BUILT BY THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAT SAINTS. 
 
 HOLINESS TO THE LORD ! 
 
 Then, at high noon, under the bright sunshine of May, the next 
 only after its completion, they consecrated it to divine service. There 
 was a carefully-studied ceremonial for the occasion. It was said the 
 high elders of the sect travelled furtively from the camp of Israel in 
 tlie Wilderness ; and throwing off ingenious disguises, appeared in 
 their own robes of holy office, to give it splendour. 
 
 For that one day the Temple stood resplendent in all its typical 
 glories of sun, moon, and stars, and other abounding figured and 
 lettered signs, hieroglyphics, and symbols : but that day only. The 
 sacred rites of consecration ended, the work of removing the sacro- 
 sancta proceeded with the rai)idity of magic. It went on through 
 the night ; and when the morning of the next day dawned, all the 
 ornaments and furniture, everything that could provoke a sneer, 
 had been corried off ; and, except some fixtures that would not bear 
 removal, the building was dismantled to the bare walls.* 
 
 * This building, so dear to the Mormons, is no longer in existence. " On Monday, 
 the 19ih November, 1848," says the Nauvoo Patriot, "our citizens were awakened by 
 the alarm of fire, which, when first discovered, was bursting out through the spire of 
 the Temple, near the small door that opened from the east side to the roof, on the main 
 building. The fire was seen first about three o'clock in the morning, and not until it 
 had taken such hold of the timbers and roof as to make useless any etibrt to extinguish 
 it. The materials of the inside were so dry, and the fire spread so rapidly, that a 
 few minutes were sufficient to wrap this famed edifice in a sheet of flame. 
 
 " It was evidently the work of an incendiaiy. There had been, on the evening 
 previous, a meeting in the lower room ; but no person was in the upper part, where 
 the fire was first discovered. Who it was, and what could have been his motives, we 
 have now no idea. Some feeling, infinitely more unenviable than that of the indivi- 
 dual who put the torch to the beautiful Ephesiau structure of old must have possessed 
 him. To destroy a work of art, at once the most elegant in its construction and the 
 most renowned in its celebrity of any in the whole West, would, we should think, re- 
 quire a mind of more than ordinary depravity ; and we feel assured that no one in this 
 community could have been so lost to every sense of justice, and every consideration of 
 interest, as to become the author of the deed. Admit that it was a monument of folly 
 anjl of evil, yet it was, to say the least of it, a splendid and a harmless one. 
 
 " Its loss, no doubt, will be more forcibly felt by the people of this place than any 
 other; because even the most dreamy will hardly think of soon seeing another such 
 ornament, and because it was on the eve of changing hands, and being converted into 
 
 M 
 
194 THE MORMONS. 
 
 It was this day saw the departure of the last elders, and the 
 largest band that moved in one company tof];ether. The people of 
 Iowa have told me, that fron^morning to night they passed westward 
 like an endless procession. They did not seem greatly out of heart, 
 they said ; but at the top of every hill, before they disappeared, they 
 were seen to be looking back, like banished Moors, on their abandoned 
 homes, and the far seen Temple and its glittering spire. 
 
 After this consecration, which was construed to indicate an insin- 
 cerity on the part of the Mormons as to their stijjulated departure, 
 or, at least, a hope of return, their foes set upon tliem with renewed 
 bitterness. As many fled as were at all prepared ; but by the very 
 fact of their so decreasing the already diminished forces of the city's 
 defenders, they encouraged the enemy to greater boldness. It soon 
 became apparent that nothing short of an immediate emigration could 
 save the remnant. 
 
 From this time onward the energies of those already on the road 
 were engrossed by the duty of providing for the fugitives who came 
 crowding in after them. At a last general meeting of the sect in 
 Kauvoo, there had been passed an unanimous resolve that they would 
 sustain one another, whatever their circumstances, upon the march ; 
 
 a commodious building of useful education, such as the West greatly needs, and such 
 as no one ought to be envious of." 
 
 " In May, 1850, another calamity occurred to the devoted city of Nauvoo : at that 
 time occupied by a colony ot Icarians, who had emigrated thither from Paris, under 
 the superintendence of M. Cabet. 
 
 " The dreadful tornado of May 27th," says the Handcock Patriot, "which invaded 
 the City of Nauvoo and neighbouring places, has been for us, Icaiians (attle accus- 
 tomed to such revolutions in the atmosphere), a spectacle of frighilul sublimity, and 
 also a source of mortal angui;>h, on account of the disasters and catastrophes which 
 have resulted from it, to the inhabiiauts of this county, and to us. 
 
 '' The Temple, which we were preparing so actively and resolutely to rebuild ; the 
 Temple which we hoped to cover this year, and in which we were to settle our refec- 
 tories, our halls of reunion, and our schools ; that gigantic monument has become the 
 first victim of the tornado. 
 
 " How many projects are buried under those heaps of rubbish ! How much outlay 
 and days of hard labour has been lost to us 1 It was for that magnificent edifice to 
 again give a soul to that great I ody, that one of our agents in the north pineries has 
 just bought all the great beams necessary for its rebuilding; it is for it that we were 
 adding a saw machine to the mill, and establishing a vast shed to shelter our labourers; 
 iu a word, it was for it that all our efforts and strength have been employed ; and now, 
 one gale of the tempest brings to naught all our endeavours: has violently ended what 
 incendiary had begun ia October 1848, and what wiion frateinity tried to repair in 
 lb50. We resign without miu-muring to that catastrophe. 
 
 '* There now remains nothing of the gigantic work of the Mormons, except the 
 west fac'% strongly united by its sides to another wall in the iiuerior part, and sur- 
 mounted ly an arch ; between the two walls at the north and south are the two tow- 
 ers or seal (»f the staircases." 
 
THE EXODUS OF THE MORMONS. 195 
 
 and this, though made in view of no such appalling exigency, they 
 now with one accord set themselves together to carry out. 
 
 Here begins the touching period of Mormon history ; on which, 
 but that it is for me a hackneyed subject, I should be glad to dwell, 
 were it only for the proof it has afforded of the strictly material value 
 to communities of an active common faith, and its haj>py illustrations 
 of the power of the spirit of Christian fraternity to relieve the deepest 
 of human suffering. I may assume that it has already fully claimed 
 the public sympathy. 
 
 Delayed thus by their own wants, and by their exertions to pro- 
 vide for the wants of others, it was not till the month of June that 
 the advance of the emigrant comj)anies arrived at the Missouri. 
 
 This body, I remember, 1 had to join there, ascending the river 
 for the purpose from Fort Leavenworth, which was at that time our 
 frontier post. The fort was the interesting rendezvous of the army of 
 the West, and the head-quarters of its gallant chief, Stephen F. Kear- 
 ney, whose guest and friend I account it ray honour to have been. 
 Many as were the reports daily received at the garrison from all por- 
 tions of the Indian territory, it was a significant fact how little authentic 
 intelligence was to be obtained concerning the Mormons. Even the 
 region in which they were to be sought after, was a question not 
 attempted to be designated with accuracy, except by what are very 
 often called in the West, *' Mormon stories," none of which bore any 
 sifting. One of these averred, that a party of Mormons in spangled 
 crimson robes of office, headed b}^ one in black velvet and silver, had 
 been teaching a Jewish pow-wow to the medicine men of the Sauks 
 and Foxes. Another averred that they were going about in buffalo 
 robe short frocks, imitative of the costume of JSaint John preaching 
 baptism and the instance of the kingdom of heaven among the lowas. 
 To believe one report, ammunition and whiskey had been received by 
 Indian braves at the hands of an elder with a flowing white beard, 
 who spoke 'ndlan, he alleged, because he had the gift of tongues, this, 
 as far north as the country of the Yanketon Sioux. According to 
 another, yet whi-jh professed to be derived officially from at least one 
 Indian sub-agent, the Mormons had distributed the scarlet uniforms 
 of H. B. M.'s servants among the Pottawatamies, and had carried into 
 the country twelve })ieces of brass cannon, which were counted by a 
 traveller as they were rafted across the East Fork of Grand River, 
 one of the northern tributaries of the Missouri. The narrators of 
 these pleasant stories were at variance as to the position of the Mor- 
 mons, by a couple of hundred leagues ; but they harmonized in the 
 warning, that to seek certain of the leading camps would be to meet 
 the treatment of a spy. 
 
196 THE MORMONS. 
 
 Almost at the outset of my journey from Fort Leavenworth while 
 yet upon the edge of the Indian border, I had the good fortune to 
 fall in with a couple of thin-necked sallow persons, in patchwork pan- 
 taloons, conducting northward waggon loads of Indian corn, which 
 they had obtained, according to their own account, in barter from a 
 squatter for some silver spoons and a feather bed. Their character was 
 disclosed by their eager request of a bite from my wallet ; in default 
 of which, after a somewhat su])eifluous scriptural grace, they made 
 an imperfect lunch before me oif the softer of their corn ears, eating 
 the grains as horses do, from the cob. I took their advice to follow up 
 the Missouri ; somewhere not far from which, in the Pottawatamie coun- 
 try, they were sure I would encounter one of their advancing companies. 
 
 I had bad weather on the road. Excessive heats, varied only 
 by repeated drenching thunder squalls, knocked up my horse, my 
 only travelling companion ; and otherwise added to the ordinary hard- 
 ships of a kind of life to which I was as yet little accustomed. I 
 suffered a sense of discomfort, therefore, amounting to physical nos- 
 talgia, and was, in fact, wearied to death of the staring silence of the 
 prairie, before I came upon the objects of my search. 
 
 They were collected a little distance above the Pottawatamie 
 agency. The hills of the " High Prairie" crowding in upon the river 
 at this point, and overhanging it, appear of an unusual and command- 
 ing elevation. They are called the Council Bluffs, a name given them 
 with another meaning, but well illustrated by the picturesque congress 
 of their high and mighty summits. To the south of them, a rich 
 alluvial Hat of considerable width follows down the ^lissouri, some 
 eight miles, to where it is lost from view at a turn, which forms the 
 site of the Indian tow^n of Point aux Poules. Across the river from 
 this spot the hills recur again, but are skirted at their base by as 
 much low ground as suffices for a landing. 
 
 This landing, and the large flat or bottom on the east side of the 
 river, were crowded w^ith covered carts and waggons ; and each one 
 of the Council Bluff hills opposite was crowned with its own great 
 camp, gay with bright white canvass, and alive with the busy stir 
 of swarming occupants. In the clear blue morning air, the smoke 
 streamed up from more than a thousand cooking fires. Countless 
 roads and by-paths chequered all manner of geometric figures on the 
 hill sides. Herd boys were dozing upon the slopes ; sheep and horses, 
 cows -and oxen, were feeding around them, and other herds in the 
 luxuriant meadow of the then swollen river. From a single point I 
 counted four tliousand head of cattle in view at one time. As 1 ap- 
 proached the camps, it seemed to me the children there were to prove 
 still more numerous. Along a little creek I had to cross were women 
 
THE EXODUS OF THE MORMONS. 197 
 
 in greater force than hhmchisseuses upon the Seine, washing anl 
 rinsing all manner of white muslins, red flannels, and parti-colom-ed 
 calicoes, and hanging them to bleach upon a greater area of grass and 
 bushes than we can display in all our Washington Square. 
 
 Hastening by these, I saluted a group of noisy boys, whose 
 purely vernacular cries had for me an invincible home-savouring 
 attraction. It was one of them, a bright faced lad, who, hurrying on 
 his jacket and trousers, fresh from bathing in the creek, first assured 
 me I was at my right destination. He was a mere child ; but he told 
 me of his own accord where I had best go seek my welcome, and took 
 my horse's bridle to help me to pass a morass, the bridge over which 
 he allegr^d to be unsafe. 
 
 There was something joyous for me in my free rambles about 
 this vast body of pilgrims. I could range the wild country wherever I 
 listed, under safeguard of their moving host. Not only in the main camps 
 was all stir and life, but in every direction, it seemed to me, I could 
 follow " Mormon roads," and find them beaten hard, and even dusty, 
 by the tread and wear of the cattle and vehicles of emigrants labouring 
 over them. By day, I would overtake and pass, one after another, 
 what amounted to an army train of them ; and at night, if I encamj e 1 
 at the places where the timber and running water were found toge- 
 ther, I was almost sure to be within call of some camp or other, or at 
 least within siglit of its watch-fires. Wherever I was compelled to 
 tarry I was certain to find shelter and hospitality, scant, indeed, but 
 never stinted, and always honest and kind. After a recent unavoid- 
 able association with the border inhabitants of Western Missouri 
 and Iowa, the vile scum which our own societj^, to apply the words of 
 an admirable gentleman and eminent divine, " like the great ocean 
 washes upon its frontier shores," 1 can scarcely describe the gratifica- 
 tion I felt in associating again with persons who were almost all of 
 Eastern American origin — persons of refined and cleanly habits and 
 decent language — and in observing their peculiar and interesting 
 mode of life ; while every day seemed to bring with it its own especial 
 incidents, fruitful in the illustration of habits and character. 
 
 It was during the period of which I have just spoken, that the 
 Mormon battalion of five hundred and twenty men was recruited and 
 marched for the Pacific coast. 
 
 At the commencement of the Mexican war, the President con- 
 sidered it desirable to march a body of reliable infantry to California 
 at as early a period as practicable, and the known hardiliood and 
 habits of discipline of the Mormons Avere suj)posed peculiarly to fit 
 them for this service. As California was supposed also to be their 
 ultimate destination, the long march might cost them less than other 
 
198 THE MORxMONS. 
 
 citizens. They were accordingly invited to furnish a battalion of 
 volunteers early in the month of July. 
 
 The call could hardly have been more inconveniently timed. 
 The young, and those who could best have been spared, were then 
 away from the main body, either with pioneer companies in the van, 
 or, their faith unannounced, seeking work and food about the north- 
 western settlements, to support them till the return of the season for 
 commencing emigration. The force was, therefore, to be recruited 
 from among fathers of families, and others, whose presence it was most 
 desirable to retain. 
 
 There were some, too, wbo could not view the invitation without 
 jealousy. They had twice been persuaded by (State) Government 
 authorities in Illinois and Missouri, to give up their arms on some 
 special appeals to their patriutic confidence, and had then been left to 
 the malice of their enemies. And now they were asked, in the midst 
 of the Indian country, to surrender over five hundred of their best 
 men for a war march of thousands of miles to California, without the 
 hope of return till after the conquest of that country. Could they 
 view such a proposition with favour ? 
 
 But the feeling of country triumphed. The Union had never 
 wronged them : " You shall have your battalion at once, if it has to 
 be a class of our elders," said one, himself a ruling elder. A central 
 " mass meeting" for council, some harangues at the more remotely 
 scattered camps, an American flag brought out from a storehouse of 
 things rescued, and hoisted to the top of a tree mast, and in three 
 days the force was reported, mustered, organized, and ready to march. 
 
 There was no sentimental aflfection at their leave-taking. The 
 afternoon before was appropriated to a farewell ball ; and a more merry 
 dancing rout I have never seen, though the company went without 
 refreshments, and their ball-room was of the most primitive. It was 
 the custom, whenever the larger camps rested for a few days together, 
 to make great arbours, or boweries, as they called them, of poles and 
 brush and wattling, as places of shelter for their meetings of devotion 
 or conference. In one of these, where the ground had been trodden 
 firm and hard by the worshippers of the popular Father Taylor's 
 precinct, was gathered now the mirth and beauty of the Mormon Israel. 
 
 If anything told the Mormons had been bred to other lives, it 
 was the appearance of the women, as they assembled here. Before 
 their flight, they had sold their watches and trinkets as the most 
 available resource for raising ready money ; and hence, like their 
 partners, who wore waistcoats cut with useless watchpockets, they, 
 although their ears were pierced and bore the loop-marks of rejected 
 pendants, were without ear-rings, finger-rings, chains, or brooches. 
 
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 199 
 
 Except such ornaments, however, they lacked nothing most becoming 
 the attire of decoi ous maidens. The neatly darned white stocking, 
 and clean bright petticoat, the artistically clear-starclied collar and 
 chemisette, the something faded, only because too well washed, lawn 
 or gingham gown, that fitted modishly to the waist of its pretty 
 wearer — these, if any of them spoke of poverty, spoke of a poverty 
 that had known its better days. 
 
 With the rest attended the Elders of the Church within call, in- 
 cluding nearly all the chiefs of the High Council, with their wives 
 and children. They, the gravest and most trouble worn, seemed the 
 most anxious of any to be first to throw off the burden of heavy 
 thoughts. Their leading off the dancing in a great double cotillion was 
 the signal bade the festivity commence. To the canto of debonnair 
 violins, the cheer of horns, the jingle of sleigh-bells, and the y v!al 
 snoring of the tambourine, they did dance ! None of your minuets or 
 other mortuary processions of gentles m etiquette, tight shoes, and 
 pinching gloves, but the spirited and scientific displays of our vene- 
 rated and merry grandparents, who were not above following the 
 fiddle to the Fox- Chase Inn or Gardens of Gray's Ferry. French 
 fours, Copenhagen jigs, Virginia reels, and the like forgotten figures, 
 executed with the spirit of people too happy to be slow, or bashful, or 
 constrained. Light hearts, lithe fingers, and light feet, had it their 
 own way from an early hour till after the sun had dipped behind the 
 sharp sky line of the Omaha hills. Silence was then called, and a 
 well-cultivated mezzo-soprano voice, belonging to a young lady with 
 fair face and dark eyes, gave, with quartette accompaniment, a little 
 song, the notes of which I have been unsuccessful in repeated efforts 
 to obtain since, — a version of the text, touching to all eartlJy wan- 
 derers : — 
 
 "By the rivers of B;ib3'lon we sat clown and wept : 
 We wept when we remember Zion." 
 
 There was danger of some expression of feeling when the song 
 w^as over, for it had begun to draw tears ; but breaking the quiet with 
 his hard voice, an Elder asked the blessing of Heaven on all who, 
 with purity of heart, and brotherhood of spirit, had mingled in that 
 society, and then all dispersed, hastening to cover from the falling 
 dews. All, 1 remember, but some splendid Indians, who, in cardinal 
 scarlet blankets and feathered leggings, had been making foreground 
 figures for the dancing rings, like those in Mr. West's picture of our 
 Philadelphia Treaty, and staring their inability to comjirehend the 
 wonderful performances. These loitered to the last, as if unwilling 
 to seek their abject homes. 
 
 Well as I knew the peculiar fondness of the Mormons for music, 
 
200 THE MORMONS. 
 
 their orchestra in ser\'iee on this occasion astonished me by its num- 
 bers and fine drill. The story was, that an eloquent Mormon mis- 
 sionary had converted its members in a body at an English town, a 
 stronghold of the sect, and that they took up their trumpets, trom- 
 bones, drums, and hautboys together, and followed him to America. 
 
 When the refugees from Nauvoo were hastening to part with 
 their table-ware, jeweller}^ and almost every other fragment of metal 
 wealth they possessed that was not iron, they had never a thought of 
 giving up the instruments of this favourite band. And when the 
 battalion was enlisted, though high inducements were offered some of 
 the performers to accompany it, they all refused. Their fortunes 
 went with the Camp of the Tabernacle. They had led the Farewell 
 Service in the Kauvoo Temple. Their office now was to guide the 
 monster choruses and Sunday hymns ; and like the trumpets of silver 
 made of a whole piece " for the calling of the assembly, and for the 
 journeying of the camps," to knoll the people in to church. Some of 
 their wind instruments, indeed, were uncommonly full and pure- 
 toned, and in that clear dry air could be heard to a great distance. It 
 had the strangest effect in the world, to listen to their sweet music 
 winding over the uninhabited country. Something in the style of a 
 Moravian death-tone blown at daybreak, but altogether unique. It 
 might be when you were hunting a ford over the Great Platte, the 
 dreariest of all wild rivers, perplexed among the far-reaching sand- 
 bars and curlew shallows of its shifting bed : — the wand rising would 
 bring you the first faint thought of a melody ; and, as you listened, 
 borne dow^i upon the gust that swept past you a cloud of the dry 
 sifted sands, you recognised it — perhaps a home-loved theme of Ilenrj'- 
 Prodi or Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn Bartholdy, away there in the 
 Indian Marches ! 
 
 Tlie battalion gone, the host again moved on. The tents, which 
 had gathered on the hill summits, like white birds hesitating to ven- 
 ture on the long flight over the river, were struck one after another, 
 and the dwellers in them and their waggons, and their cattle, hastened 
 down to cross it at a ferry in the valley, which they made ply night 
 and day. A little beyond the landing, they formed their companies, 
 and made their preparations for the last and longest stage of their 
 journey. It was a more serious matter to cross the mountains then 
 than now, that the thirst of our people for the gold of California has 
 made the region between tliem and their desire such literally trodden 
 ground. 
 
 Thanks to tliis wonderful movement, I may dismiss an effort to 
 describe the incidents of emigrant life upon the Plains, presuming that 
 you have been made more than familiar with them already, by the 
 
EMIGRANT LIFE ON THE PEAIRIES. 
 
 201 
 
 many repeated descriptions of which they have been the subject. 
 The desert march, the ford, the quicksand, the Indian battle, the bison 
 chase, the prairie fire : — the adventures of the Mormons comprised 
 every variety of these varieties ; but I could not hope to invest them 
 with the interest of novelty. The character of their every-day life, its 
 routine and conduct, alone offered any exclusive or marked peculiarity. 
 Their romantic devotional observances^ and their admirable concert 
 of purpose and action, met the eye at once. After these the stranger 
 was most struck, perhaps, by the strict order of march, the uncon- 
 fused closing up to meet attack, the skilful securing of the cattle upon 
 the halt, the system with w4nch the watches were set at night to 
 guard them and the lines oi corral — with other similar circumstances 
 indicative of the maintenance of a high state of discipline. Every ten 
 of their waggons was under the cai-e of a captain. This captain of ten, 
 
 Mormon Tabernacle Camp. 
 
 as they termed him, obeyed a captain cf fifty ; who, in turn, obeyed 
 his captain of a hundred, or directly a member of what they call the 
 High Coimcil of the Church. AH these were responsible and deter- 
 mined men, approved of by the people for their courage, discretion, 
 and experience. So well recognised were the results of this organiza- 
 
20-2 THE MORMONS. 
 
 tion, that bands of hostile Indians have passed by comparative small 
 parties of Mormons, to attack much larger, but less compact bodies of 
 other emigrants. 
 
 The most striking feature, however, of the Mormon emigration, 
 was undoubtedly their formation of the Tabernacle Camps, and tem- 
 porary Stakes, or Settlements, which renewed, in the sleeping soli- 
 tudes everywhere along their road, the cheering signs of intelligent 
 and hopeful life. 
 
 I will make this remark plainer by describing to you one of these 
 camps, with the daily routine of its inhabitants. I select at random, 
 for my purpose, a large camp upon the delta between the Nebraska 
 and Missouri, in the territory disputed between the Omaha and Otto 
 and Missouri Indians. It remained pitched here for nearly two 
 months, during which period I resided in it. 
 
 It was situated near the Petit Papillon, or Little Butterfly 
 River, and upon some finely-rounded hills that encircle a favourite cool 
 spring. On each of these a square was marked out ; and the waggons, 
 as they arrived, took their positions along its four sides in double 
 rows, so as to leave a roomy street or passage-way between them. 
 The tents were disposed also in rows, at intervals, between the waggons. 
 The cattle were folded in high-fenced yards outside. The quadrangle 
 inside was left vacant fur the sake of ventilation, and the streets 
 covered in with leafy arbour work, and kept scrupulously clean, 
 formed a shaded cloister walk. This was the place of exercise for 
 slowly recovering invalids, the day-home of the infants, and the even- 
 ing promenade of all. 
 
 From the first formation of the camp, all its inhabitants were 
 constantly and laboriously occupied. Many of them were highly 
 educated mechanics, and seemed only to need a day's anticipated rest 
 to engage them at the forge, loom, or turning- lathe, upon some needed 
 chore of work. A Mormon gunsmith is the inventor of the excellent 
 repeating rifle, that loads by slides instead of cylinders ; and one of the 
 neatest finished fire-arms I have ever seen was of this kind, wrought 
 from scraps of old iron, and inlaid with the silver of a couple of half- 
 dollars, under a hot July sun, in a spot where the average height of 
 the grass was above the workman's shoulders. I have seen a cobbler, 
 after the halt of his party on the march, hunting along the river 
 bank for a lap-stone, in the twilight, that he might finish a famous 
 boot-sole by the camp fire ; and I have had a piece of cloth, the woul 
 of which was sheared, and dyed, and spun, and woven, during a pro- 
 gress over three hundred miles. 
 
 Their more interesting occupations, however, were those grow- 
 ing out of their peculiar circumstances and position. The chiefs were 
 
DISTRESS OF THE TEOPLE. 203 
 
 seldom without some curious affair on hand to settle with the restless 
 Indians ; while the immense labour and responsibility of the conduct 
 of their unwieldy moving army, and the commissariat of its hundreds 
 of famishing poor, also devolved upon them. They had good men 
 they called Bishops, whose special office it was to look up the cases 
 of extremest sufferins: ; and their relief parties were out night and 
 day to scour over every trail. 
 
 At this time — say two months before the final expulsion from 
 Nauvoo — there were already, along three hundred miles of the road 
 between that city and our Papillon camp, over two thousand emigrat- 
 ing waggons, besides a large number of nondescript turn-outs, the 
 motley make-shifts of poverty, from the unsuitably heavy cart, that 
 lumbered on mysteriously, with its sick driver hidden under its coun- 
 terpane cover, to the crazy two-wheeled trundle, such as our own 
 poor employ for the conveyance of their slop-barrels ; this pulled 
 along, it may be, by a little dry, dogged heifer, and rigged up only to 
 drag some such light weight as a baby, a sack of meal, or a pack of 
 clothes and bedding. 
 
 Some of them were in distress from losses upon the way. A 
 strong trait of the Murmons was their kindness to their brute de- 
 pendents, and particularly to their beasts of draught. They gave 
 them the holiday of the Sabbath whenever it came round. I believe 
 they would have washed them with old wine, after the example of the 
 emigrant Carthaginians, had they had any. Still, in the Slave- 
 coast heats, under which the animals had to move, they sometimes 
 foundered. Sometimes, too, they strayed off in the night, or were 
 mired in morasses, or oftener were stolen by Indians, who found 
 market covert for such plunder among the horse-thief whites of the 
 frontier. But the great mass of these pilgrims of the desert was 
 made up of poor folks, who had flt;d in destitution from Nauvoo, and 
 been refused a resting-place by the people of Iowa. 
 
 It is difficult fully to understand the state of helplessness in which 
 some of these would arrive, after accomplishing a journey of such 
 extent, under circumstances of so much privation and peril. The 
 fact was, they seemed to believe that all their trouble would be at an 
 end if they could only come up with their comrades at the great camps. 
 For this they calculated their resources, among which their power of 
 endurance was by much the largest and most reliable item, and they 
 were not disappointed if they arrived with these utterly exhausted. 
 
 I remember a signal instance of this at the Papillon Camp : 
 
 It was that of a joyous hearted, clever fellow, whose songs and 
 fiddle-tunes were the Ufe and delight of Nauvoo in its merry days. I 
 forget his story, and how exactly it fell about, that, after a Mormon's 
 
S04 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 full peck of troubles, lie started after us, with his wife and little ones, 
 from some '* lying-down place " in the Indian country, where he had 
 contended with an attack of a serious malady. He was just conva- 
 lescent, and the fatigue of marching on foot again, with a child on 
 his hack, speedily brought on a relapse. But his anxiety to reach a 
 place where he could expect to meet fiiends with slielter and food, 
 was such that he only pressed on the harder. Probably for more 
 than a week of the dog-star weather he laboured on under a high 
 fever, walking every day till he was entirely exhausted. 
 
 His limbs failed him then ; but his corn-age holding out, he got 
 into his covered cart, on top of its freight of baggage, and made them 
 drive him on while he lay down. They could hardly believe how ill 
 he was, he talked on so cheerfully : " Tm nothing on earth ailing 
 but home-sick. I'm cured the very minute I get to camp and see the 
 brethren." 
 
 Not being able thus to watch his course, he lost his way, and had 
 to regain it through a wretched tract of low meadow-prairie, where 
 there were no trees to break the noon, no water hut what was ague- 
 sweet or hracki*li. By the time he got back to the trail of the high 
 prairie, he was, in his own phrase, pretty far gone. Yet he was 
 i-esolute in his purpose as ever, and to a party he fell in with avowed 
 his intention to be cured at the camp, *' and nowhere else." He even 
 jested with them, comparing his jolting couch to a summer cot in a 
 white-washed cock-loft. *' But Til make them take me down," he 
 said, "and give me a dip in the river wli^i I get there. All I care 
 for is to see the brethren.*' 
 
 His determined bearing rallied the spirits of his travelling house- 
 h.old, and they kept on their way till he was within a few hours' 
 journey of the camp. He entered on his last day's jwirney with the 
 energy of increased hope. 
 
 I remember that day well, for in the evening I mounted a tired 
 horse to go a short errand, and in mere pity had to turn back 
 before I had walked him a couple of hundred yards. Nothing 
 seemed to draw life from the languid air but the cloud of gnats and 
 stinging midges; and long after sun-down it was so hot that the 
 sheep lay on their stomachs panting, and the cattle strove to lap 
 wind like hard-fagged hunting-dogs. In camp'l had spent the day 
 in watching the invalids, and the rest hunting the shade under the 
 waggon-bodies, and veering about them like the shadows round the 
 sun-dial. I know I thought myself wretched enough to be of their 
 company. 
 
 Poor Merryman had all that heat to bear, with the mere pretence 
 of an awning to screen out the sun from his close muslin cock-loft. 
 
ADVENTURES IN THE INDIAN TEERITORY. 205 
 
 He did not fail till somewhere hard upon noon. lie then began 
 to grow restless, to know accurately the distance travelled. He made 
 them give him water, too, much more frequently ; and when they 
 stopped for this purpose, asked a number of ob&cure questions. A 
 little after this he discovered himself that a film had come over his 
 eyes. He confessed that this was discouraging, but said, with stub- 
 born resignation, that if denied to see the brethren, he still should 
 hear the sound of their voices. 
 
 After this, which was when he was hardly three miles from our 
 camp, he lay very quiet, as if husbanding his strength ; but when he 
 had made, as is thought, a full mile further, being interrogated by the 
 woman that was driving, whether she should stop, he answered her, 
 as she avers, '* No, no — go on !" 
 
 The anecdote ends badly. They brought him in dead, I think 
 about five o'clock in the afternoon. He had on his clean clothes, as 
 he had dressed himself in the morning, looking forward to his arrival. 
 
 Beside the common duty of guiding and assisting these unfor- 
 tunates, the companies in the van united in providing the highway 
 for the entire body of emigrants. The Mormons have laid out for 
 themselves a road through the Indian territory, over four hundred 
 leagues in length, with substantial, well-built bridges, fit for the pas- 
 sage of heavy artillery, over all the streams, except a few great rivers 
 where they have established permanent ferries. The nearest unfin- 
 ished bridging to the Papillon Camp was that of the Corne a Cerf, or 
 Elk-horn, a tributary of the Platte, distant, may be, a couple of 
 hours' march. Here, in what seemed to be an incredibly short space 
 of time, there rose the seven great piers and abutments of a bridge, 
 such as might challenge honours for the entire public-spirited popula- 
 tion of Lower Virginia. The party detailed to the task worked in 
 the broiling sun, in water beyond depth, and up to their necks, as if 
 engaged in the perpetration of some pointed and delightful practical 
 joke. The chief sj)ort lay in floating along with the logs, cut from 
 the overhanging timber up the stream, guiding them till they reached 
 their destination, and then plunging them under water in the precise 
 spot where they were to be secured. This the laughing engineers 
 would execute with the agility of happy, diving ducks. 
 
 Our nearest ferry was that over the Missouri. Nearly opposite 
 Pull Point, or Point aux Poules, a trading post of the American Fur 
 Company, and village of the Pottawatamies, they had gained a 
 favourable crossing by making a deep cut for the road through the 
 steep right bank. And here, without intermission, their flat-bottomed 
 scows plied, crowded with the waggons, and cows, and sheep, and 
 children, and furniture of the emigrants, who, in waiting thtir turn, 
 
206 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 made the woods around smoke with their crowding camp fires. But 
 no such good fortune as a gratuitous passage awaited the heavy 
 cattle, of whom, with the others, no less than thirty thousand were 
 at this time on their way westward ; these were made to earn it by 
 swimming. 
 
 Formation of a Bridg-e. 
 
 A heavy freshet had at tliis time swollen the river to a width, as I 
 should judge, of something like a mile and a half, and dashed past 
 its fierce current, rushing, gurgling, and eddying, as if thrown fiom 
 a mill-race, or scriptural fountain of the deep. Its aspect did not 
 invite the oxen to their duty, and the labour was to force them to it. 
 They were gathered in little troops upon the shore, and diiven for- 
 ward till they lost their footing. As they turned their heads to return, 
 they encountered the combined opposition ot a clamorous crowd of 
 bystanders, vieing with each other in the pungent administration 
 of inhospitable affront. Then rose their hubbub ; their geeing and 
 wooing, and hawing ; their yelhng, and yelping, a,nd screaming ; their 
 
FORDING THE MISSOURI. 
 
 207 
 
 ■f 
 
 hooting, and hissing, and pelting. The 
 rearmo>t steers would hesitate to brave such 
 a rebuif ; halting they would impede the 
 return of the outermost; they all would 
 waver ; wavering for a moment, the current 
 would sweep them together downward. At 
 this juncture a fearless youngster, climbing 
 upon some brave bull in the front rank, would 
 urge him boldly forth into the stream ; the 
 rest then surely followed ; a few moments 
 '^\' saw them struggling in mid current ; a few more, and they 
 ":' \" ~" were safely landed on the opposite shore. The driver's was 
 the sought-after post of honour here ; and sometimes, when repeated 
 failures have urged them to emulation, I have seen the youths, in 
 stepping from back to back of the stiuggling monsters, or swiujming 
 in among their battling hoofs, display feats of address and hardihood, 
 that would have made Franconi's or the Madrid bull-ring vibrate with 
 bravos of applause. But in the hours after hours that I have watched 
 this sport at the ferry side, I never heard an oath, or the language 
 of quarrel, or knew it provoke the least sign ofdl feeling. 
 
 After the sorrowful word was given out to halt, and make pre- 
 parations fer winter, a chief labour became the making hay ; and with 
 everyday dawn brigades of mowers would take up tlie march to their 
 positions in chosen meadows, a prettier sight than a charge of cavalry, 
 as they laid their swarths, whule companies uf scythes abreast. Be- 
 fore this time the manliest, as well as most general daily labour, was 
 the herding of tlie cattle ; the only wealth of the Mormons, and more 
 
'20S THE MORMONS. 
 
 and more cherished by them, with the increasing pastoral character 
 of their hves. A camp could not be pitched in any spot without soon 
 exhausting the freshness of the pasture around it ; and it became an 
 ever-recurring task to guide the cattle, in unbroken droves, to the 
 nearest places where it was still fresh and fattening.' Sometimes it 
 was necessary to go farther, to distant ranges which were known as 
 feeding grounds of the buffalo. About these there were sure to prowl 
 parties of thievish Indians ; and each drove therefore had its escort of 
 mounted men and boys, who learned self-reliance and heroism, while- 
 on night guard alone, among the silent hills. But generally the cattle 
 were driven from the camp at the dawn of morning, and brought back 
 thousands together in the evening, to be picketed in the great corral 
 or enclosure, where beeves, bulls, cows, and oxen, with the horses, 
 mules, hogs, calves, sheep, and human beings, could all look together 
 upon the red watch-fires, with the feeling of security, when aroused 
 by the Indian stampede, or the bowlings of the prairie wolves at 
 moonrise. 
 
 When they set about building their winter houses, too, the Mor- 
 mons went into quite considerable timbering operations, and performed 
 desperate feats of carpentry. They did not come ornamental gentle- 
 men or raw apprentices, to extemporize new versions of Robinson 
 Crusoe. It was a comfort to notice the readiness with which they 
 turned their hands to wood-craft ; some of them, though I believe 
 these had generally been bred carpenters, wheelwrights, or more 
 particularly boat-builders, quite outdoing the most notable voyageurs 
 in the use of the axe. One of these would fell a tree, strip off its 
 bark, cut and split up the trunk in piles of plank, scantling, or shingles; 
 make posts, and pins, and pales — everything wanted almost, of the 
 branches; and treat his toil from first to last with more sportive 
 flourish than a school-boy whittling his shingle. 
 
 Inside the camp, the chief labours were assigned to the women. 
 From the moment, when after the halt, the lines had been laid, the 
 spring- wells dug out, and the ovens and fire-places built, though the 
 men still assumed to set the guards and enforce the regulations of 
 police, the Empire of the Tented Town was with the better sex. They 
 were the chief comforters of the severest sufferers, the kind nurses who 
 gave them in their sickness those dear attentions with which pauperism 
 is hardly poor, and which the greatest wealth often fails to buy ; and 
 they were a nation of most wonderful managers. They could hardly be 
 called housewives in etymological strictness ; but it was plain that 
 they had once been such, and most distinguished ones. Their art availed 
 them in their changed aff"airs. With almost their entire culinary 
 material, limited to the milk of their cows, some store of meal or flour, 
 
HEROISM OF THE WOMEN. 
 
 S09 
 
 ''^ 
 
 ^+ 
 
 Mormon Mowers. 
 
 and a very few condiments, they brought their thousand and one 
 receipts into play with a success that outdid for their families the 
 miracle of the Hebrew widow's cruise. They learned to make butter 
 on a march by the dashing of the waggon, and so nicely to calculate 
 the working of barm in the jolting heats, that as soon after the halt 
 as an oven could be dug in the hill-side and heated, their well- kneaded 
 loaf was ready for baking, and produced good leavened bread for 
 supper. I have no doubt the api)etizing zest, their humble lore 
 succeeded in imparting to diet which was both simple and meagre, 
 availed materially for the health as well as the comfort of the people. 
 
 But the first duty of the Mormon women was, through all change 
 of place and fortune, to keep alive the altar fire of home. Whatever 
 their manifold labours for the day, it was their effort to complete them 
 against the sacred hour of evening fall ; for, by that time, all the out- 
 workers, scouts, ferrymen, or bridgemen, road-makers, herdsmen, or 
 hay-makers, had finished their tasks, and come in to their rest ; and 
 before the last smoke of the supper-fire curled up, reddening in the 
 glow of sunset, a hundred chimes of cattle bells announced their 
 looked-for approach across the open hills, and the women went out 
 to meet them at the camp gates, and with their children in their laps 
 sat by them at the cherished family meal, and talked over the events 
 of the well- spent day. 
 
 But every day closed, as every day began, with an invocation of 
 
 N 
 
210 THE MORMONS. 
 
 the Divine favour ; without which, indeed, no Mormon seemed to dare 
 to lay him down to rest. With tlie first shining of the stars, laughter 
 and loud talking hushed, the neighbour went his way, you heard the 
 last hymn sung, and then the thousand-voiced murmur of prayer was 
 heard like bubbling water falling down the hills. 
 
 There was no austerity, however, about the religion of Mormon- 
 ism. Their fasting and penance, it is no jest to say, was altogether 
 involuntary ; they made no merit of that. They ke])t the Sabbath 
 with considerable strictness ; they were too close copyists of the wan- 
 derers of Israel in other respects not to have learned, like them, the value 
 of this most admirable of the Egypto-Mosaic institutions. But the 
 rest of the week their religion was independent of ritual observance. 
 They had the sort of strong stomached faith that is still found embalmed 
 in sheltered spots of Catholic Italy and Spain, with the spirit of the 
 believing or dark ages. It w^as altogether too strongly ielt to be 
 dependent on intellectual ingenuity or careful caution of the ridiculous. 
 It mixed itself up fearlessly with the common transactions of their 
 every day life, and only to give them liveliness and colour. 
 
 If any passages of life bear better than others a double interpre- 
 tation, they are the adventures of travel and of the field. What old 
 persons call discomforts and discouraging mishaps, are the very ele- 
 ments to the young and sanguine, of what they are willing to term 
 fun. The Mormons took the young and hopeful side. They could make 
 sport and frolic of their trials, and often turn right sharp suffering into 
 right round laughter against themselves. I certainly heard more jests 
 and Joe Millers while in this Papillon Camp than I am likely to hear 
 in all the remainder of my days. 
 
 This, too, was at a time of serious affliction. Besides the ordi- 
 nary suffering from insufficient food and shelter, distressing and mortal 
 sickness, exacerbated, if not originated by these causes, was greatly 
 prevalent. 
 
 In the camp nearest us on the west, which was that of the 
 bridging party near the Corne^ the number of its inhabitants being 
 small enough to invite computation, I found, as early as the 31st of 
 July, that 37 per cent, of its inhabitants were down with the fever, 
 and a sort of strange scorbutic disease, frequently fatal, which they 
 namefd the Black Canker. The camps to the east of us, which were 
 all on the eastern side of the Missouri, were vet worse fated. 
 
 The climate of 'the entire upper "Misery Bottom," as they term 
 it, is, during a considerable part of summer and autumn, singularly 
 pestiferous. Its rich soil, which is to a depth far beyond the reach of 
 the plough as flat as the earth of kitchen garden, or compost heap, is 
 annually the force-bed of a vegetation as rank as that of the tropics. 
 
THE PLAGUE IN THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 211 
 
 To render Its fatal fertility the greater, it is everywhere freely watered 
 by springs and creeks, and larger streams, that flow into it from both 
 sides. In the season of drought, when the sun enters Virgo, these dry 
 down till they run impure as open sewers, exposing to the day foul 
 broad flats, mere quagmires of black dirt, stretching along for miles, 
 unvaried, except by the limbs of half-buried carrion, tree trunks, or 
 by occasional yellow pools of what the children call frog spawn ; all 
 together steaming up thick vapours redolent of the savour of death. 
 
 The same is the habit of tiie Great River. In the beginning ot 
 August, its shores hardly could contain the millions of forest logs, and 
 tens of billions of gallons of turbid water that came rushing down to- 
 gether from its mountain head-gates. But before the month was out, 
 the freshet had all passed by ; the rivei- diminished one half, threaded 
 feebly southward through the centre of the valley, and the mud of its 
 channel, baked and creased, made a wide tile pavement between tlie 
 choking crowd of reeds and sedgy grasses, and wet stalked weeds, and 
 growths of marsh meadow flowers, the garden homes at this tainted 
 season of venom, crazy snakes, and the fresher ooze by the water's 
 edge, which stank in the sun like a naked muscle shoal. 
 
 Then the plague raged. I have no meuns of ascertaining the mor- 
 tality of the Indians who inhabited the Bottom. In 1^45, the year 
 l)revious, which was not more unhealthy, they lost one-ninth of their 
 number in about two months. Tlie Mormons were scourged severely. 
 The exceeding mortality among some of them was no doubt in the main 
 attributable to the low state to which their systems had been brought 
 by long-continued endurance of want and hardship. It is to be remem- 
 bered also that they were the first turners up of the prairie sod, and 
 that this of itself made them liable to the sickness of new countries. 
 It was where their agricultural operations had been most considerable, 
 and in situations on the left bank of the river, where t!ie prevalent 
 south-west winds wafted to them the miasmata of its shores, that dis- 
 ease was most rife. 
 
 In some of these, the fever prevailed to such an extent that hardly 
 any escaped it. They let their cows go unmilked ; they wanted for 
 voices to raise the psalm of Sundays ; the few who were able to keep 
 their feet, went about among the tents and waggons with food and 
 water, like nurses through the wards of an infirmary. Here, at one 
 time, the digging got behind hand ; burials were slow ; and youmiiiht 
 see women sit in the open tents keeping the flies oft' their dead chil- 
 dren, some time after decomposition had set in. 
 
 In our own camp, for a part of August and September, things wore 
 an unpleasant aspect enough. Its situation was one much praised for 
 its comparative salubrity ; but perhaps on this account the number of 
 
212 THE MORMONS. 
 
 cases of fever among us was increased bj the hurrying arrival from 
 other localities of parties in whom the virus leaven of disease was 
 fermented by forced travel. 
 
 But I am excused sufficiently the attempt to get up for your enter- 
 tainment here any circumstantial picture of horrors, by the fact, that 
 at the most interesting season, I was incapacitated for nice observation 
 by an attack of fever — mine was what they call the congestive — that it 
 required the utmost use of all my faculties to recover from. I still kept 
 my tent in the camp line ; but, for as much as a'month, had very small 
 notion of what went on among my neighbours. I recollect overhear- 
 ing a lamentation over some dear baby, that its mother no* doubt 
 thought the destroying angel should have been specially instructed to 
 spare. 
 
 I wish, too, for mv own sake, I could forget how imperfectly, one 
 day, I mourned the decease of a poor Saint, who, by clamour, rendered 
 his vicinity troublesome. He no doubt endured great pain ; for he 
 groaned shockingly till death came to his relief. He interfered with 
 my own hard gained slumbers, and I was glad when death did relieve 
 him 
 
 Before my attack, I was fond of conversing with an amiable old 
 man, I think English born, who, having then recently buried his only 
 daughter and grandson, used to be seen sitting out before his tent, 
 resting his sorrowful forehead on his hands, joined over a smooth white 
 oak staff. I missed him when I got about again ; probably he had 
 been my moaning neighbour. 
 
 So, too, having been much exercised in my dreams at this time, 
 by the vision of dismal processions, such as might have been formed 
 by the union in line of all the forlornest and ugliest of the struggling 
 fugitives from Nauvoo, I happen to recall, as I write, that I had some 
 knowledge somewhere of one of our new comers, for whom the night- 
 mare revived, and repeated without intermission, the torment of his 
 trying journey. As he lay feeding life with long drawn breaths, he 
 muttered, " Where's next water ? Team— give out ! Hot, hot — God, 
 it's hot : Stop the waggon — stop the waggon — stop, stop the wag- 
 gon ! " They woke him ; — to his own content — but I believe returning 
 sleep ever renewed his distressing visions, till the sounder slumber 
 came on from which no earthly hand or voice could rouse him : into 
 which, I hope, he did not carry them. 
 
 In a half dreamy way, 1 remember, or think I remember, a crowd 
 of phantoms like these. I recall but one fact, however, going far in 
 })roof of a considerable mortality. Earlier in the season, while going 
 westward with the intention of passing the Rocky Mountains that 
 summer, I had opened with the assistance of Mormon spades and sho- 
 
ARRIVAL OF FUGITIVES FRO:\r NAUVOO. 213 
 
 vels, a large mound on a commanding elevation, tlie tomb of a war- 
 rior of the ancient race ; and continuing on my way, bad left a deep 
 trench excavated entirely through it. Returning fever-struck to the 
 Papillon Camp, I found it planted close by this spot. It was just 
 forming as I arrived ; the first waggon, if I mistake not, having but 
 a day or two halted into place. My first airing upon my convales- 
 cence took me to the mound, which, probably to save digging, had 
 been re- adapted to its original purpose. In this brief interval, they 
 had filled the trench with bodies, and furrowed the ground with 
 graves around it, like the ploughing of a field. 
 
 The lengthened sqjourn of the Mormons in this insalubrious region, 
 w\as imposed upon them by circumstances which I must now ad- 
 vert to. 
 
 Though the season was late when they first crossed the Missouri, 
 some of them moved forward with great hopefulness, full of the notion 
 of viewing and choosing their new homes that year. But the van 
 had only reached Grand Island and the Pawnee villages, when tlit-y 
 were overtaken by more ill news from Nauvoo. Before the summer 
 closed, their enemies set upon the last remnant ot those who were 
 left behind in Illinois. They were a few lingerers, who could not be 
 persuaded but there might yet be time for them to gather up their 
 worldly goods before removing, some weakly mothers and their infants, 
 a few delicate young girls, and many cripples and bereaved and sick 
 people. These had remained under shelter, according to the Mormon 
 statement at least, by virtue of an express covenant in their behalf. 
 If there was such a covenant, it was broken. A vindictive war was 
 waged ujion them, from which the weakest fled in scattered parties, 
 leaving the rest to make a reluctant and almost ludicrously unavailing 
 defence till the 17th day of September, when one thousand six hun- 
 dred and twenty-five troops entered Nauvoo, and drove all forth who 
 had not retreated before that time. 
 
 Like the wounded birds of a flock fired into toward nightfall, they 
 came straggling on with faltering steps,, many of them without bag or 
 baggage, beast or barrow, all asking shelter or burial, and forcing a 
 fresh repartition of the already divided rations of their friends. It 
 was plain now that every energy must be taxed to prevent the entire 
 expedition from perishing. Further emigration for the time was out 
 of the question, and the whole people prepared themselves for encoun- 
 tering another winter on the prairie. 
 
 Happily for the main body, they found themselves at this juncture 
 among Indians, who were amicably disposed. The lands on both 
 sides of the Missouri in particular were owned by the Pottawatamies 
 and Omahas, two tribes whom unjust treatment by our United States, 
 
^1 i THE :WOR.MONS. 
 
 liad the effect of rendering most auspiciously hospitable to strangers 
 ■whom they regarded as persecuted like themselves. 
 
 The Pottawatamies, on the eastern side, are a nation from whom 
 the United States bought some years ago a number of hundred thou- 
 sand acres of the finest lands they have ever brought into market. 
 Whatever the bargain was, the sellers were not content with it ; the 
 people saying, their leaders were cheated, made drunk, bribed, and all 
 manner of naughty things besides. No doubt this was quite as much 
 of a libel on the fair fame of this particular Indian treaty, as such 
 stories generally are ; for the land to which the tribe was removed in 
 pursuance of it, was admirably adapted to enforce habits of civilized 
 thrift. It was smooth prairie, wanting in timber, and of course in 
 game ;' and the humane and philanthropic might rejoice therefore that 
 necessity would soon indoctrinate its inhabitants into the practice of 
 figriculture. An impracticable few, who may have thought these advan- 
 tages more than compensated by the insalubrity of their allotted resting- 
 I)lace, fled to the extreme wilds, where they could find deer and woods, 
 and rocks, and running water, and where, I believe, they are roaming 
 to this day. The remainder, being what the political vocabulary 
 design'ates on such occasions as Friendly Indians, were driven — 
 marched is the word— galley-slaves are marched thus to Barcelona 
 and Toulon — marched from the Mississippi to the Missouri, and planted 
 there. Discontented and unhappy, they had hardly begun to form an 
 attachment for this new soil, when they were persuaded to change it 
 for their present Fever Patch, upon the Kaw or Kansas River. They 
 were under this second sentence of transportation when the Mormons 
 arrived among them. 
 
 They were pleased with the Mormons. They would have been 
 pleased with any whites who would net cheat them, nor sell them 
 whiskey, nor whip them for their poor gipsy habits, nor bear them- 
 selves indecently toward their women, many of whom, among the 
 Pottawatamies, especially those of nearly unmixed French descent, 
 are singularly comely, and some of them educated. But all Indians 
 have something like a sentiment of reverence for the insane, and 
 admire those who sacrifice, without apparent motive, their worldly- 
 welfare to the triumph of an idea. They understand the meaning of 
 what they call a great vow, and think it the duty of the right-minded 
 to lighten the votary's penance under it. To this feeling they united 
 the sympathy of fellow-sufferers for those who could talk to them of 
 thsir own Illinois, and tell the story how from it they also had been 
 ruthlessly expelled. 
 
 Their hospitality was sincere, almost delicate. Fanny Le Clerc, 
 the spoiled child of the great brave, Pied Riehe> interpreter of the 
 
INTERVIIlW with the INDIANS. 215 
 
 Nation, would have the pale-face, Miss Devine, learn duetts with her 
 to the guitar ; and the daughter of substantial Joseph La Framboise, 
 the interpreter of the United States, — she died of the fever that sum- 
 mer, — welcomed all tlie nicest young Mormon Kitties and Lizzies, and 
 Jennies and Susans, to a coffee- feast at her father's house, which was 
 probably the best cabin in the river village. They made the Mormons 
 at home there and elsewhere. Upon all their lands they formally gave 
 them leave to tarry just so long as should suit their own good pleasuie. 
 
 The affair, of course, furnished material for a solemn council. 
 Under the auspices of an officer of the United States, their chiefs were 
 summoned, in the form befitting great occasions, to meat in the dirty 
 yard of one Mr. P. A. Sarpy's log trading house, at their village. They 
 came in grand toilet, moving in their fantastic attire with so much 
 aplomb and genteel measure, that the stranger found it difficult not 
 to believe them high-born gentlemen, attending a costumed ball. 
 Their aristocratically thin legs, of which they displayed fully the usual 
 Indian proportion, aided this illusion. There is something too, at all 
 times, very mock-Indian in the theatrical French millinery tie of the 
 Pottawatamie turban ; while it is next to impossible for a sober white 
 man, at first sight, to believe that the red, green, black, blue and 
 yellow cosmetics, with which he sees such grave personages so vari- 
 ously dotted, diapered, cancelled and arabesqued, are worn by them 
 in any mood but one of the deepest and most desperate quizzing. 
 From the time of their first squat upon the ground, to the final break- 
 ing up of the council circle, they sustained their characters with 
 equal self-possession and address. 
 
 1 will not take it upon myself to describe their order of ceremonies. 
 Indeed, I ought not, since I have never been able to view the habits 
 and customs of our Aborigines in any other light than that of a reluc- 
 tant and sorrowful subject of jest. Besides, in this instance, the 
 displays of pow-wow and eloquence were both probably moderated by 
 the conduct of the entire transaction on temperance principles. I 
 therefoi-e content myself with observing, generally, that the proceed- 
 ings were such as every way became the grandeur of the parties 
 interested, and the magnitude of the interests involved. When the 
 Ked Men had indulged to satiety in tobacco smoke from their peace- 
 pi])es, and in what they love still better, their peculiar metaphoric 
 rhodomontade, which, beginning with the celestial bodies, and coursing 
 doNvnwards over the grandest sublunary objects, always managed to 
 alight at last on their Grand Father Polk, and the tenderness lor him 
 of his affectionate coloured childi-en. All the solemn funny fellows 
 present, who played the part of chiefs, signed formal articles of con- 
 vention with their unpronounceable nan^s. 
 
216 THE MORMONS. 
 
 The renowned chief, Pled Riche — he was surnamed Le Clerc on 
 account of his remarkable scholarship — then rose, and said : — 
 
 •' SIy Mormon Brethren,— The Pottawatamie came sad and tired into 
 this unhealthy Missouri Bottom, not many years back, when he was taken 
 from his beautiful country beyond the j\lississippi, which had abundant game, 
 and timber, and clear water everywhere. Now you are driven away the same 
 from your lodges and lands there^and the graves e«f your people. So we have 
 both suffered. We must help one another, and the Grreat Spirit will help us 
 both. You are now free to cut and use all the wood you may wish. You 
 can make all your improvements,, and live on any part of our actual land not 
 occupieil by us. Because one suffers, ami does- not deserve it, it is no reason 
 he shall suffer always, I say. We may live to see all right yet» However, 
 if we do not,, our children will. — Eon jour J^ 
 
 And thus ended the pageant. I give this speech as a morsel of 
 real Indian. It was recited to me after the treaty by the PottaAvatamie 
 orator in French, which language he spoke with elegance. Bon jour 
 is the French, Indian, and English hail and farewell of the Pottawa- 
 tamies. 
 
 The other entertainers of the Mormons at this time, the Omaha", 
 or Mahaws, are one of the union tribes of tlie Grand Prairie. Theij* 
 Great Father, the United States, has found it inconvenient to protect 
 so remote a dependency against the overpowering league of the Dah- 
 cotahs or Sioux, and has jiKlged it dangerous, at the same time, to 
 allow them to protect themselves, by entering into a confederation with 
 others. Under the pressure of this paternal embarrassment and re 
 straint, it has therefore happened most natuially, that this tribe, once 
 a powerful and valued ally of ours, has been reduced to a band of 
 little more than a hundred families ; and these, a few years more will 
 entirely extinguish. When I was among them, they were so ill fed, 
 that their protruding high cheek hones gave them the air of a tribe of 
 consumptives. The buffalo had left them, and no good ranges lay 
 within several hundred miles reach. Hardly any other game found 
 cover on their land. What little there was they were short of ammu- 
 nition to kill. Their annuity from the United States Avas trifling. 
 They made next to nothing at thieving. They had planted some 
 corn in their awkward Indian fashion, but through fear of ambush 
 dared not venture o"flt to harvest it. A chief resource for them the 
 winter previous had been the spoliation of their neighbours, the 
 Prairie Field Mice. 
 
 These interesting little people, more industrious and thrifty than 
 the Mahaws, garner u[> in the neat little cellars of their underground 
 homes, the small seeds or beans of the wood pea vine, which are 
 black and hard, but quite nutritious. Gathering them one by one. 
 
THE [NDFAN TRIBES OF THE TRATRIES. 217 
 
 a single mouse will thus collect as much as half a pint, which hef'ore 
 the cold weather sets in he piles away in a dry and frost-proof exca- 
 vation, cleverly thatched and covered in. The Omaha animal, who, 
 like enough, may have idled during all the season the mouse was 
 amassing his toilsome treasure, finds this subterranean granary to give 
 out a certain peculiar cavernous vibration, when briskly tapped upon 
 above the ground. He wanders about, therefore, striking with a wand 
 in hopeful spots ; and as soon as he hears tlie hollow sound he knows, 
 uneartlis the little retired capitalist, along with his winter's hope. 
 Mouse wakes up from his nap to starve, and Mahaw swallows several 
 rehshing mouthfuls. 
 
 But the mouse has his revenge in the powerful Sioux, who wages 
 against his Avretched red brother an almost bootless but exterminating 
 warfare. He robs him of his poor human peltry. One of my friends 
 was offered for sale a Sioux scalp of Omaha, " with grey hair nearly 
 as long as a white horse's taiL" 
 
 The pauper Omahas were ready to solicit as a favour the residence 
 of white protectors among them. The Mormons harvested and stored 
 away for them their crops of maize ; with all their own poverty, they 
 spared them food enough besides, from time- to time, to save them from 
 absolutely starving ; and their entrenched camp, to the north of the 
 Omaha villages,, served as a sort of breakwater between them and the 
 destroying rush of the Sioux^ 
 
 This was the Head Quarters of the Mormon Camps of Israel. The 
 miles of rich prairie enclosed and sowed with the grain they could 
 contrive to spare, and the houses, stacks, and cattle shelters, had the 
 seeming of an entire county, with its people and improvements trans- 
 planted there unbroken. On a pretty plateau, overlooking the river, 
 they built more than seven hundred houses in a single town, neatly 
 laid out with highways and byways, and fortified with breast- work, 
 stockade, and blockhouses. It had, too, its place of worship, " Taber- 
 nacle of the Congregation," and various large workshops, and mills 
 and factories, provided with water power. 
 
 They had no camp or settlement of equal size in the Pottawatamie 
 country. There was less to apprehend here from Indian invasion ; 
 and the people scattered themselves, therefore, along the rivers and 
 streams, and in the timber-groves, wherever they found inviting loca- 
 lities for farming operations. In this way many of them acquired 
 what have since proved to be valuable pre-emption rights. 
 
 Upon the Pottawatamie lands, scattered through the border regions 
 of Missouri and Jowa, in the Sauk and Fox country, a few among the 
 lowas, among the Poncahs in a great company upon the banks of the 
 L'Eau qui Coule, or Running Water River, and at the Omaha winter- 
 
21 
 
 THE MOKMONS. 
 
 quarters ; — the Mormons sustained tliemselves through the heavy 
 winter of 1846-1847. It was the severest of their trials ; and if I 
 aimed at rhetorical effect, I would be bound to offer you a minute 
 narrative of its progress, as a sort of climax to my history. But I 
 have, I think, given you enough of the Mormon's sorrows. We are 
 all of us content to sympathize with a certain extent of suffering ; but 
 very few can bear the recurring yet scarcely varied narrative of ano- 
 ther's distress without something of impatience. The world is full of 
 griefs, and we cannot afford to extend too large a share of our charity, 
 or even our commiseration in a single quarter. 
 
 This winter was the turning-point of the Mormon fortunes : those 
 who lived through it were spared to witness the gradual return of 
 better times ; and they now liken it to the passing of a dreary night, 
 since which they have watched the coming of a steadily brightening 
 day. 
 
 Before the grass-growth of 1847, a body of one hundred and forty- 
 three picked men, with seventy waggons, drawn by their best hoises, 
 left the Omaha quarters under the command of the members of the 
 High Council who had wintered there. They carried with them little 
 but seed and farming implements, their aim being to plant spring crops 
 at their ultimate destination. They relied on their rifles to give them 
 food, but rarely left their road in search of game. They made long 
 daily marches, and moved with as much rapidity as possible. 
 
 Pass of the Stauding Eock. 
 
AERIVAL AT THE GREAT SALT LAKE VALLEY. '219 
 
 Against the season when ordinary emigration passes the Missouri, 
 they were ah-eady through the South Pass ; and a couple of sliort 
 days' travel beyond it, entered upon the more arduous })ortion of 
 their journey. It lay, in earnest, through the Rocky Mountains. 
 They turned Fremont's Peak, Long's Peak, the Twins, and other 
 King summits, but had to force their way over other mountains ot the 
 rugged Utah range, sometimes following the stony bed of torrents, 
 the head waters of some of the mightiest rivers of our continent, and 
 sometimes literally cutting their road through heavy and ragged 
 timber. They arrived at the grand basin of the Great Salt Lake 
 mucli exhausted, but without losing a man, and in time to plant for a 
 partial autumn harvest. 
 
 Another party started after these pioneers, from the Omaha winter 
 quarters, in the summer. They had 566 waggons, and carried large 
 quantities of grain, which they were able to put in the ground before 
 it froze. 
 
 The same season also, these were joined by a part of the Bat- 
 talion, and other members of the Church, who came eastward from 
 Cahfornia and the Sandwich Islands. Together, they fortified them- 
 selves strongly with sunbrick wall and blockhouses, and living safely 
 through the winter, were able to tend crops that yielded ample pro- 
 vision for the ensuing year. 
 
 In 1848, nearly all the remaining men^bers of the Church left the 
 Missouri country in a succession of powerful bands, invigorated aiid 
 enriched by their abundant harvests there ; and tiiat year so fully 
 established their Commonwealth of the New Covenant, the future 
 State of Deseret. 
 
 I may not undertake to describe to you, in a single lecture, the 
 geography of Deseret, and its great basin. Were 1 to consider the 
 face of the country, its military position, or its climate, and its natural 
 productions, each head, I am confident, would claim more time than 
 you have now to spare me ; for Deseret is emphatically a new country; 
 new in its own characteristic features, newer still in its bringing 
 together within its limits the most inconsistent peculiarities of other 
 countries. I cannot aptly compare it to any. Descend from ,the 
 mountains, where you have the scenery and climate of Switzerland, 
 to seek the sky of your choice among the many climates of Italy, and 
 you may find welling out of the same hills the freezing springs of 
 Mexico and the hot springs of Iceland, both together coursing their 
 way to the Salt Sea of Palestine, in the plain below. The pages of 
 Malte Brun provide me with a less truthful parallel to it than those 
 which describe the happy Valley of Rasselas, or the Continent of 
 Balnibarbi. 
 
2-20 THE MORMONS. 
 
 Let me, tlien, press on with my history, durhig the few minutes 
 that remain for me. 
 
 Only two events have occurred to menace seriously the establish- 
 ment at Deseret : the first threatened to destroy its crops, the other 
 to break it up altogether* 
 
 The shores of the Salt Lake are infested by a sort of insect pest, 
 which claims a vile resemblance to the locust of the Syrian Dead Sea. 
 Wingless, dumpy, black, swollen-heajcled,^ with bulging eyes in cases 
 like goggles, mounted upon legs of steel wire and clock spring, and 
 with a general personal appearance that justified the Mormons in com- 
 paring him to a cross of the spider and the bufi:alo, the Deseret cricket 
 comes down from the mountains at a certain season of the year, in 
 voracious and desolating myriads. It was just at this season that the 
 first crops of the new settlers were in the full glory of their youthful 
 green. The assailants could not be repulsed. The Mormons, after 
 their fashion, prayed and fought, and fought and prayed, but to no 
 purpose ; the " Black Philistines'^ mowed their way even with the 
 ground, leaving it as if touched with an acid, or burnt by fire. 
 
 But an unlooked-for ally came to the rescue. Vast armies of 
 bright birds, before strangers to the valley, hastened across the lake 
 from some unknown quarter,, and gorged themselves upon the well- 
 fatted enemy. They were snow-white, with little heads, and clear, 
 dark eyes, and little feet, and long wings, that arched in flight " like 
 an angel's." At first the Mormons thought they were new enemies to 
 j)lague them ; but when they found them hostile only to the locusts, 
 they were careful not to molest them in their friendly oflice ; and to this 
 end declared a heavy fine against all who should kill or annoy them 
 with fire-arms. The gulls soon grew to be tame as the poultry ; and 
 the delighted little children learned to call them their pigeons. They 
 disappeared every evening beyond the lake ; but, returning with sunrise, 
 continued their welcome visitings till the crickets were all exterminated. 
 
 This curious incident recurred the following year, with this-varia- 
 tion, that in 1849 the gulls came earlier, and saved the wheat crops 
 from all harm whatever. 
 
 A severer trial than the visit of the cricket locusts threatened 
 Deseret, in the discovery of the gold of California. It was due to a 
 party of the Mormon Battalion recruited on the Missouri, who, on 
 their way home, found employment at New Helvetia. They Avere 
 digging a mill race there, and threw up the gold dust with their shovels. 
 You all know the crazy fever that broke out as soon as this was an- 
 nounced. It infected every one through California. Where the gold 
 was discovered, at Sutters and around, the standing grain was left 
 uncut ; whites, Indians, and mustees, all set them to gathering gold, 
 
MORMON PRUDENCE AND PROSPERITY. Qiil 
 
 every other labour forsaken, as if the first comers could rob the casket 
 of all that it contained. The disbanded soldiers came to the valley ; 
 they showed their poor companions pieces of the yellow treasure they 
 had gained ; and the cry was raised, " To California ! To the Gold 
 of Ophir, our brethren have discovered ! To California !" 
 
 Some of you have, perhaps, come across the half ironic instruc- 
 tions of the heads of the Church to the faithful outside the Valley : — 
 
 " The TRUE USE of gold is for paving streets, covering houses, 
 and making culinary dishes ; and when the Saints shall have preached 
 t^e Gospel, raised grain, and built up cities enough, the Lord will 
 oj)en up the way for a supply of gold, to the perfect satisfaction of his 
 people. Until then, let them not be over- anxious, for the treasures of 
 the earth are in the Lord's storehouse, and he will open the doors 
 thereof when and where he pleases." 
 
 The enlightened virtue of their rulers saved the ])eople and the 
 fortunes of Deseret. A few only went away — and they were asked 
 in kindness never to return. The rest remained to be healthy and 
 happy, to " raise grain and build up cities." 
 
 The history of the IMormons has ever since been the unbroken 
 record of the most wonderful prosperity. It has looked as though 
 the elements of fortune, obedient to a law of natural reaction, were 
 struggling to compensate to them their undue share of suffering. 
 They may be pardoned for deeming it miraculous. But, in truth, the 
 economist accounts for it all, who explains to us the speedy recupe- 
 ration of cities, laid in ruin by flood, fire, and earthquake. During 
 its years of trial, Mormon labour has subsisted on insufficient capital, 
 and under many trials, but it has subsisted, and survives them now, as 
 intelligent and powerful as ever it was at Nauvoo ; with this differ- 
 ence, that it has in the meantime been educated to habits of un- 
 matched thrift, energy, and endurance, and has been transplanted to a 
 situation ^^here it is in every respect more productive. Moreover, 
 during all the period of their journe}', while some have gained by 
 jtractice in handicraft, and the experience of repeated essays at their 
 vai-ious halting-places, the minds of all have been busy framing designs 
 and planning the improvements they -have since found opportunity to 
 execute. 
 
 The territory of the Mormons is unequalled as a stock-raising 
 country. The finest pastures of Lombardy are not more estimable 
 than those on the east side of the Utah Lake and Jordan River. We 
 find here that cereal anomaly, the Bunch grass. Li May, when the 
 other grasses push, this fine plant dries upon its sta.'k, and becomes 
 a light yellow straw, full of favour and nourishment. It continues 
 thus, through what are the dry months of the climate, till January, 
 
2 '2 "2 THE MORMONS. 
 
 and tlien starts with a vigorous grovvth, like that of our own winter 
 Avheat in April, which keep on till the return of another May. 
 Whether as straw or grass, the cattle fatten on it the year round. . 
 The numerous little dells and sheltered spots that are found in the 
 mountains, are excellent sheep-walks ; it is said that the wool which 
 is grown upon them is of an unusually fine pile and soft texture. 
 Hogs fatten on a succulent hulb or tuber, called the Seacoe, or See- 
 gose Root, which I hope Avill soon be naturalized with us. It is 
 highly esteemed as a table vegetable by Mormons and Indians, and I 
 remark that they are cultivating it with interest at the French Gardeji 
 of Plants. The emigrant poultry have taken the best care of each 
 other, only needing liberty to provide themselves Avith every other 
 blessing. 
 
 The Mormons have also been singularly happy in their Indian 
 relations. They have not made the common mistake of supposing 
 savages insensible to courtesy of demeanour ; but, being taught by 
 their religion to regard them all as decayed brethren, have always 
 treated the silly, wicked souls with kind-hearted civility. Though 
 their outlay for tobacco, wampum, and vermillion has been of the 
 verj'- smallest, yet they have never failed to purchase what goodwill 
 they have wanted. 
 
 Hence it happens that in their Land of Promise they are on the best 
 of terms with all theCanaanites,and Hittites.and Hivites.and Amorites, 
 and Gergashites, and Perizzites, and Jebusites, within its borders ; 
 while they " maintain their cherished relations of amity with the rest 
 of mankind," who, in their case, include a sort of latest remnant of the 
 primeval primates, called the Root Diggers. The Diggers, who in 
 statui-e, strength, and general personal a{»peai-ance, may be likened to 
 a society of old negro women, are only to be dreaded for their exceed- 
 ing ugliness. The tribes that rob and murder in war, and otherwise 
 live more like white men, are however numerous all around them. 
 
 Fortunately, upon the marauding expeditions, and in matters that 
 affect their freebooting relations generally, they all obey the great 
 war-chief of the tribe called the Utahs, in the heart of whose proper 
 territory the Mormon settlements are comprehended. 
 
 If accounts are true, the Utahs are brave fellows. They differ 
 obviously from the deceased nations, to whose estates we have taken 
 it upon ourselves to administer. They ride strong, well-limbed Spa- 
 nish horses, not ponies ; bear well-cut rifles, not shot-guns, across their 
 saddle-bows, and are not without some idea of military discipline. 
 They carry their forays far into the Mexican States, laying the inha- 
 bitants under contribution, and taking captive persons of condition, 
 whom they hold to ransom. They are, as yet at least, little given to 
 
THE UTAH CHIEF 'Z'2'] 
 
 drink ; some of them manifest considerable desire to acquire useful 
 knowledge ; and they are attached to their own infidel notions of 
 religion, making long journeys to the ancient cities of the Colorado, 
 to worship among the ruined temples there. The Soldan of these red 
 Paynims, too, their great war chief, is not without his knightly graces. 
 According to some of the Mormons, he is the paragon of Indians. 
 His name, translated to diminish its excellence as an exercise in 
 Prosody, is Walker. He is a fine figure of a man, in the prime of 
 life. He excels in various manly exercises, is a crack shot, a rough 
 rider, and a great judge of horse-flesh. 
 
 He is besides very clever, in our sense of the word. He is a pecu- 
 liarly eloquent master of the graceful alphabet of pantomime, which 
 stranger tribes employ to communicate with one another. He has 
 picked up some English, and is familiar with Spanish and several 
 Indian tongues. He rather affects the fine gentleman. AVhen it is 
 his pleasure to extend his riding excursions into Mexico, to inflict or 
 threaten outrage, or to receive the instalments of his black mail salarj^ 
 he will take offence if the poor people there fail to kill their fattest 
 beeves, and adopt other measures to show him obsequious and dis- 
 tinguished attention. He has more than one black- eyed mistress 
 there, according to his own account, to whom he makes love in her 
 own language. His dress is a full suit of the richest broadcloth, gene- 
 rally brown, cut in European fashion, with a shining beaver hat, and 
 fine cambric shirt. To these he adds his own gaudy Indian trim- 
 mings, and in this way contrives, they say, to look superbly, when he 
 rides at the head of his troop, whose richly caparisoned horses, with 
 their embroidered saddles and harness, shine and tinkle as they prance 
 under the weight of gay metal ornaments. 
 
 With all his wild-cat fierceness. Walker is perfectly velvet-pawed 
 to the Mormons. There is a queer story about his being influenced 
 in their favour by a dream. It is the fact, that from the first he has 
 received the Mormon exiles into his kingdom with a generosity that, 
 in its limited sphere, transcends that of the Grand Monarch to the 
 English Jacobites. He rejoices to give them the information- they 
 want about the character of the country under his rule, advies with 
 them as to the advantages of particular localities, and wherever they 
 choose to make their settlements, guarantees them personal safety, 
 and immunity from depredation. 
 
 From the first, therefore, the Mormons have had little or nothing 
 to do in Deseret, but attend to their mechanical and strictly agricultural 
 pursuits. They have made several successful settlements ; the farthest 
 north, at what they term Brownsville, is above forty miles ; and the 
 farthest south, in a valley called the Sanpeech, two hundred miles from 
 
2'24 THE MORMONS. 
 
 that first formed. A duplicate of the Lake Tiberias, or Genesarctb, 
 empties its waters into the imiocent Dead Sea of Deseret, bj a tine 
 river, to which the Mormons have given the name — it was impossible 
 to give it any other — of the Western Jordan. 
 
 It was on the right bank of the stream, at a choice spot upon a 
 rich table land, traversed by a great company of exhaustless streams 
 falling from the highlands, that the Pioneer band of Mormons, coming 
 out of the mountains in the night, pitched their first camp in the 
 Valley, and consecrated the ground. Curiously enough, this very spot 
 proved the most favourable site for their chief settlement, and after 
 exploring the whole country, they have founded on it their city of the 
 New Hierusalem. Its houses are spread to command as much as 
 possible the farms, which are laid out in wards or cantons, with 
 a common fence to each ward. The farms in wheat already cover 
 a space greater than tiie district of Columbia, over all of which 
 tliey have completed the canals, and other arrangements, for boun- 
 tiful irrigation, after the manner of the cultivators of the East. The 
 houses are distributed over an area nearly as great as the City of 
 Kevv Y'ork. 
 
 They have little thought as yet of luxury in their public buildings; 
 but they will soon have nearly completed a large common public store- 
 many house and granary, and a great sized public bath-house. One 
 of the wonderful thermal springs of the valley, a white sulphur- Avater, 
 of the temperature of 102° Fahrenheit, with a head " the thickness of 
 a man's body," they have already brought into the town for this 
 purpose ; and all have learned the habit of indulging in it. They have 
 besides a yellow brick meeting-house, one hundred feet by sixty, in 
 which they gather on Sundays and in the week-day evenings ; but 
 this is only a temporary structure. They have reserved a summit 
 level in the heart of the city, for the site of a Temple far superior to 
 that of Nauvoo, which, in the days of their future wealth and power, 
 is to be the landmark of the Basin, and goal of future pilgrims. 
 
 They mean to seek no other resting-place. After pitching camps 
 enough to exhaust many times over the chapter of names in 33rd 
 Numbers, they have at last come to their Promised Land, and, 
 " behold, it is a good land and large, and flowing with milk and 
 honey ;" and here again for them, as at Nauvoo, the forge smokes and 
 the anvil rings, and whirring wheels go round. Again has returned 
 the merry sport of childhood, and tJie evening quiet of old age, and 
 again dear house-pet flowers bloom in garden plots round happy homes. 
 
 It is to these homes, in the heart of our American Alps, like the 
 holy people of the Grand Saint Bernard, they hold out their welcome 
 to the passing traveller. Some of you have probably seen, in the St. 
 
CALIFOKNIAN EMIGRANTS. 225 
 
 Louis papers, the repeated votes of thanks to them of companies of 
 emigrants to Cahfornia. These are often reduced to great straits after 
 passing Fort-Laramie, and turn aside to seek the Salt Lake Colony in 
 pitiable plights of fatigue and destitution. The road, after leaving 
 the Oregon trace, is one of increasing difficulty ; and when the last 
 mountain has been crossed, passes along the bottom of a deep Canon, 
 whose scenery is of an almost terrific gloom. It is a defile that I trust 
 no Mormon Martin Hofer of this Western Tyrol will be called to 
 consecrate to liberty with blood. At every turn, the overhanging 
 clifiTs threaten to break down upon the little torrent river that has 
 worn its way at their base. Indeed, the narrow ravine is so serrated 
 by this stream, that the road crosses it from one side to the other, 
 something like forty times in the last five miles. At the end of the 
 ravine, the emigrant comes abruptly out of the dark pass into the 
 lighted valley, on an even bench or terrace of its upper table-land. 
 1^0 wonder if he loses his self-control here. A ravishing panoramic 
 landscape opens out below him, blue, and green, and gold, and pearl ; 
 a great sea with hilly islands, rivers, a lake, and broad sheets ot 
 grassy plain, all set, as in a silver-chased cup, within mountains whose 
 peaks of perpetual snow are burnished by a dazzling sun. It is less 
 these, however, than the foreground of old country farms, with their 
 stacks, and thatchings, and stock, and the central city, smoking from 
 its chimneys, and swarming with working inhabitants, that tries the 
 msn of fatigue-broken nerves. The " Californeys" scream, they sing, 
 they give three cheers, and do not count them ; a few have prayed, 
 more swear, some fall on their faces, and cry outright. News arrived 
 a few days since from a poor townsman of ours, a journeyman saddler, 
 that used to work up Market Street beyond Broad, by name Gillian, 
 who sought the Valley, his cattle given out, and himself broke down 
 and half heart-broken. The recluse Mormons fed and housed him and 
 his party, and he made his way through to the gold diggings with 
 restored health and strength. To Gillian's credit for manhood, should 
 perhaps be cited his own allegation, that he first whistled through his 
 fingers various popular nocturnal, street, circus, and theatre calls ; but 
 it is certain that, Avhen my tidings speak of him, which was when he 
 ■was afterwards hospitably entreated by a Mormon, whom he knew 
 ten years ago as one of our Chester county farmers, he was completely 
 dissolved into something not far from the hysterics, and wept on till 
 the tears ran down his dusty beard. 
 
 Several hundred emigrants, in more or less distress, received gra- 
 tuitous assistance last year from the Mormons. 
 
 Their community must go on thriving. They are to be the chief 
 workers and contractors upon *' Whitney's Railroad," or whatever 
 
 
 
22b* THE MORMONS. 
 
 scheme is to unite the Atlantic and Pacific byway of the South Pass; 
 and their valley must be its central station. They have already raised 
 a " Perpetual Fund" for " the final fulfilment of the covenant made by 
 the Saints in the Temple at Nauvoo," which ** is not to cease till all the 
 poor are brought to the Valley." All the poor still lingering behind, 
 will be brought there ; so at an early period, will tlie fifty thousand 
 communicants, the Church already numbers in Great Britain, with all 
 the other " increase among the Gentiles." Their place of rendezvous 
 will be upon what were formerly the Pottawatamie lands. The in- 
 terests of the state have been admirably cared for. It now comprises 
 the thriving counties of " Fremont" and " Pottawatamie," in which 
 the Mormons still number a majority of the inhabitants. Their chief 
 town is growing rapidly, already boasting over three thousand inhabi- 
 tants, with nineteen large merchants' stores, the mail lines and five 
 regular steam-packets running to it, and other western evidences of 
 prosperity ; besides a fine Music Hall and public buildings, and the 
 printing establishment of a very ably edited newspaper, The Frontier 
 Guardian. 
 
 It is probably the best station on the Missouri for commencing the 
 overland journey to Orpgon and California ; as travellers can follow 
 directly from it the Mormon road, which, in addition to other advan- 
 tages, proves to be more salubrious than those to the south of it. 
 Large numbers are expected to arrive at this point from England 
 during the present spring, on their way to the Salt Lake. They will 
 repay their welcome ; for every working person gained to the hive of 
 their " Honey State" counts as added wealth. So far, the Mormons 
 write in congratulation, that they have not among them "a single 
 loafer, rich or poor, idle gentleman, or lazy vagabond." They are no 
 communists ; but their experience has tauglit them the gain of joint- 
 stock to capital, and combination to labour, — perhaps something more; 
 for I remark they have recently made arrangements "to classify their 
 mechanics, " which is probably a step in the right direction. They 
 will be successful manufacturers, for their vigorous land-locked in- 
 dustry cannot be tampered with by protection. They have no gold — 
 they have not hunted for it ; but they have found wealth of other 
 valuable minerals : rock-salt enough to do the curing of the world, — 
 " We'll salt the Union for you," they write, " if you can't preserve it 
 in any other way ;" perhaps coal ; excellent ores of iron everywhere. 
 They are near enough, however, to the Californian Sierra to be the 
 chief quartermasters of its miners ; and they will dig their own gold 
 in their unlimited fields of admirably fertile Jand. I should only 
 invite your incredulity, and the disgust of the Horticultural Society, 
 ,by giving you certain measurements of mammoth beets, turnips, 
 
A FESTltAL AT DESERET. 227 
 
 pumpkins, and garden vegetables, in my possession. In that country 
 where stock thrives care-free, — where a poor man's thirty-two potatoes 
 saved can return him eighteen bushels, and two and a-half bushels of 
 wheat sown yield three hundred and fifty bushels in a season, — or 
 where an average crop of wheat on irrigated lands is fifty bushels to 
 the acre ; the farmer's part is hardly to be despised. Certainly it will 
 not be under a continuance of the present prices-current of the region, 
 wheat at four dollars the bushel, and flour twelve dollars the cwt., 
 with a ready market. 
 
 The recent letters from Deseret interest me in one thing more. 
 They are eloquent in describing the anniversary of the Pioneers' ar- 
 rival in the Valley. It was the 24th of July ; and they have ordained 
 that that day shall be commemorated in future, like our 21st of 
 December, as their Forefathers' Day. The noble Walker attended as 
 an invited guest, with two hundred of his best-dressed mounted cava- 
 liers, who stalked their guns, and took up their places at the cere- 
 monies and banquet, with the quiet precision of soldiers marched to 
 mass. The Great Band was there, too, that had helped their humble 
 hymns through all the wanderings of the wilderness. Through the 
 many trying marches of 1846, — through the fierce winter ordeal that 
 followed, and the long journey after over plain and mounta'n, — it had 
 gone unbroken without the loss of any of its members. As they set 
 out from England, and as they set out from Illinois, so they all came 
 into the Valley together, and together sounded the first glad notes of 
 triumph when the Salt Lake City was founded. It was their right to 
 lead the psalm of praise. Anthem, song, and dance, — all the innocent 
 and thankful frolic of the day owed them its chief zest. " They never 
 were in finer key." The people felt their sorrows ended. Far West, 
 their old settlement in Missouri, and Nauvoo ; with their wealth and 
 ease, like " Pithom and Ramses, treasure cities built for Pharaoh," 
 went awhile forgotten. Less than four years had restored them 
 every comfort that they needed. Their entertainment, the contribu- 
 tion of all, I have no doubt was rea,lly sumptuous. It was spread on 
 broad buffet tables, about fourteen hundred feet in length, at which 
 they took their seats by turns, while they kept them heaped with 
 ornamented delicacies, " butter of kine, and milk, with fat of lambs, 
 with the fat of kidneys of wheat ;" "and the cucumbers, and the 
 melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic, and the remem- 
 bered fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely." They seem unable to 
 dilate with too much pride upon the show it made. 
 
 " To behold the tables," says one that I quote from literally, " to 
 behold them filling the Bowery and all adjoining grounds, loaded with 
 all luxui'ies of the fields and gardens, and nearly all the varieties that 
 
228 
 
 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 any vegetable market in the world could produce, and to see the seats 
 around those tables filled and refilled by a people who had been de- 
 prived of those luxuries for years by the cruel hand of o])pression, and 
 freely offering seats to every stranger within their borders, — and 
 this, too, in the Valley of the Mountains, over a thousand miles from 
 civilization, where, two years before, nought was to be found save the 
 wild root of the prairie and the mountain cricket ; was a theme of 
 unbounded thanksgiving and praise to the Giver of all Good, as the 
 dawning of a day when the Children of the Kingdom can sit under 
 their own vines and fig-trees, and inhabit their own houses, having 
 none to make them afraid. May the time be hastened when the 
 scattered It^rael itiay partake of such like banquets from the gardens 
 of Josej)h." 
 
 Pass in the Sierra Nevada, (near the Great Salt Lake Valley.) 
 
Great Salt Lake City. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 BrighamIoung s Address TO the Saints throughout the World— Mission 
 oftheTwelve Apostles— The Gathering— Utah Territory— Mormonism 
 IN Great Britain— Emigration from Liverpool— Agriculture and thk 
 Arts in the Salt Lake Valley— Reports by recent Travellers of the 
 prosperity of the new Colony. 
 
 The narrative of Colonel Kane, which has been impugned by many 
 persons in America as giving too favourable an account of the Mor- 
 mons, relates to the most important incident in the history of tke sect. 
 We have reproduced it in extenso, not only for its interest, but 
 because it is the only consecutive account of the exodus of the 
 Mormons, from Nauvoo to the Valley of the Salt Lake, which 
 
230 
 
 THE MOKMONS. 
 
 has been given to the world. Colonel Kane, in a postscript to his 
 pamphlet, reiterates tlie truth of all he has stated, and bears a cordial 
 testimony to the virtues of the men with whom he made the long and 
 painful journey through the wilderness. Having now traced the rise 
 and progress of this extraordinary religion, of which the chief inci- 
 dents have been enacted in America, we enter upon a new portion of 
 our subject, and proceed to show what the Mormons have accomplished 
 in the Great Salt Lake Valley, the means they have adopted to gather 
 the " Saints " into that place from all parts of the world, and the 
 developments, both social and doctrinal, which have resulted since the 
 Church has been under the guidance of Brigham Young and Orson 
 Pratt. 
 
 Prior to the arrival of the several detachments of the Mormon 
 people at the Salt Lake, the following general epistle from the coun- 
 cil of the Twelve Apostles was addressed *' to the Saints throughout 
 the earth," from Council Bluffs, the half-way station of the long over- 
 land journey to California : — 
 
 " Beloved Brkthren, — At no period since the organization of the Church 
 on the 6th of April, 1830, have the Saints been so extensively scattered, and 
 tlieir means of receiving information from tlie proper source so limited, as 
 since their expulsion from Illinois ; and the time has now arrived when it will 
 be profitable for you to receive, by our epistle, such information and instruc- 
 tion as the Father hath in store, and which he has mi\de manifest by his 
 Spirit. 
 
 "Knowing the designs of our enemies, we left Nauvoo in February, 1846, 
 with a large pioneer company, for the purpose of finding a place where the 
 Saints might gather and dwell in peace. The season was very unfavourable ; 
 and the repeated and excessive rains, and scarcity of provisions, retarded our 
 progress, and compelled us to leave a portion of the camp in the wilderness, 
 at a place we called Garden Grove, composed of an enclosure for an extensive 
 farm and sixteen houses, the fruits of our labour ; and soon after, from similar 
 causes, we located another place called Mount Pisgah, leaving another por- 
 tion of the camp ; and after searching the route, making the road and bridges 
 over a multitude of streams, for more than three hundred miles, mostly on 
 lands then occupied by the Pottawatamie Indians, and since vacated in favour 
 of the United States, lying on the south and west, and included within the 
 boundary of Iowa, we arrived near Council Bluffs, on the Missouri Eiver, dur- 
 ing the latter part of June, where we were met by Captain J. Allen, from Fort 
 Leavenworth, soliciting us to enlist five hundred men into the service of the 
 United- States. To this call of our country we promptly responded ; and before 
 the middle of July more than five hundred of the Brethren were embodied in 
 the * Mormon Battalion,' and on their march for California, by way of Fort 
 Leavenworth, under command of Lieut.- Colonel J. Allen, leaving hundreds of 
 waggons, teams, and families, destitute of protectors and guardians, on the open 
 
EPISTLE TO THE SAINTS. ^31 
 
 prairie, in a savage country, far from the abodes of civilized life, and farther 
 still from an}' place where they might hope to locate. 
 
 "Our camp, although aware of a cold northern winter approaching, with all 
 attendant evils, — famine, risk of life in an unhealthy climate, Indian depreda- 
 tions, and everything of a like nature that would tend to make life gloomy, 
 — responded to this call of the President with all the alacrity that is due from 
 children to a parent ; and when the strength of our camp had taken its de- 
 parture in the battalion, the aged, the infirm, the widow, and the fatherless 
 that remained, full of hope and buoyant with faith, determined to prosecute 
 their journey ; a small portion of which went as far west as the Pawnee Mission, 
 where, finding it too late to pass the mountains, they turned aside to winter on 
 the bank of the Missouri, at the mouth of the Running Water, about two 
 Imndred and fifty miles north-west of the ]\[issouri settlements ; while the far 
 more extensive and feeble numbers located at this place, called by us AVinter 
 Quarters, where upwards of seven hundred houses W'ere built in the short space 
 of about three months ; while the great majority located on Pottawatamie lands. 
 In July there were more than two thousand emigrating waggons between this 
 and Nauvoo. 
 
 "In September 1846, an infuriated mob, clad in all the horrors of war, fell 
 on the Saints who had still remained at Nauvoo for want of means to remove, 
 murdered some, and drove the remainder across the jMississippi into Iowa, 
 where, destitute of houses, tents, clothing, or money, they received tempo- 
 rary assistance from some benevolent souls in Quincy, St. Louis, and other 
 places, whose name will ever be remembered with gratitude. But at that 
 period the Saints were obliged to scatter to the north, south, east, and west, 
 wherever they could find shelter and procure employment. And hard as it 
 was to write it, it must ever remain a truth on the page of history, that while 
 the flower of Israel's camp were sustaining the wing of the American eagle by 
 their influence and arms in a foreign country, their brothers, sisters, fathers, 
 mothers, and children, were driven by mob violence from a free and inde- 
 pendent State of the same national republic, and were compelled to flee from 
 the fire, the sword, the musket, and the cannon's mouth, as from the demon 
 of death. From that time to this the Latter -Day Saints have been roaming 
 without home from Canada to New Orleans, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, 
 Ocean, and have taken up their abode in foreign lands. Their property in 
 Handcock county, Illinois, was little or no better than confiscated. Many of 
 their houses were burned by the mob, and they were obliged to leave most of 
 those that remained without sale, and those who bargained sold almost for a . 
 song ; for the influence of their enemies was to cause such a diminution in 
 property, that from a handsome estate was seldom realized enough to remove 
 the family comfortably away ; and thousands have since been wandering to and 
 fro, destitute, aflflicted, and distressed for the common necessaries of life, or 
 unable to endure, have sickened and died by hundreds, while the temple of 
 the Lord is left solitary in the midst of our enemies, an enduring monument 
 of the diligence and integrity of the Saints. 
 
 ** Lieut.-Colonel Allen died at Fort Leavenworth, much lamented by the 
 
2 3 '2 THE MOKMONS. 
 
 * Mormon Battalion,' who proceeded en route by way of Santa Fe, from whence 
 a small portion, who w'ere sick, returned to Pueblo to winter ; while the 
 remainder continued their march, mostly on half I'ations, or meat without 
 salt, making new roads, digging deep wells in the desert, levelling mountains, 
 performing severe labours, and undergoing the utmost fatigue and hardship 
 ever endured by infantry, as reported by Colonel Cooke, their commanding 
 officer, and arrived in California, in the neighbourhood of San Diego, with 
 the loss of very few men. 
 
 "Soon after the battalion left the Bluffs, three of our Council took their 
 departure for England, where they spent the winter, preaching and setting 
 in order all things pertaining to the Church, and returned to this place in the 
 spring of 1847, as did also the camp from Panining Water for provisions. 
 
 " On April 14, the remainder of the Council, in company of one hundred 
 and forty-three pioneers, left this place in search of a location, and making 
 a new road, a majority of more than one thousand miles westward, arrived at 
 the Great Basin in the latter part of July, where we found a beautiful valley 
 of some twenty by thirty miles in extent, with a lofty range of mountains on 
 the east, capped with perpetual snow, and a beautiful line of mountains on 
 the west, watered with daily showers ; the Utah Lake on the south, hid by a 
 range of hills ; north-west extending as flir as the eye can reach, interspersed 
 with lofty islands, and a continuation of the valley ; or opening on the north, 
 extending along the eastern shore about sixty miles to the mouth of Bear 
 Biver. The soil of the valley appeared good, but will require irrigation to 
 promote vegetation, though there are many small streams emptying in from tbe 
 mountains, and the Western Jordan (Utah Outlet) passes througli from south 
 to north. The climate is warm, dry, and healthy ; good salt abounds at the 
 lake ; warm, hot, and cold springs are common ; mill sites excellent ; but the 
 valley is destitute of timber. The box, the fir, the pine, the sugar-maple, &c. 
 Inay be found on the mountains sufficient for immediate consumption, or until 
 more can grow. 
 
 "In this valley we located a site for a city, to be called the Oreat Salt Lake 
 City, of the Great Basin, North America ; and, for the convenience of the 
 Saints, instituted and located the Great Basin Post-office at this point. The 
 city is surveyed in blocks of ten acres, eight lots to a block with streets eight 
 rods wide, crossing at right angles. One block is reserved for a temple, and 
 several more in different parts of the city for public grounds. 
 
 " Soon after our arrival in the valley, we were joined by that portion of the 
 battalion who had been stationed at Bueblo, and a small camp of the Saints 
 from Mississippi, who had wintered at the same place, who united with the 
 pioneers in ploughing, planting, and sowing near 100 acres, with a great 
 variety of seeds, and in laying the foundation of a row of houses around a ten- 
 acre block, and nearly completing the same on one side. Materials for brick 
 and stone buildings are abundant. 
 
 "After tarrying four or five weeks, most of the pioneers commenced their 
 return, nearly destitute of provision, accompanied by a part of the battalion, 
 who were quite destitute, except a very small quantity of beef, which was soon 
 
EPISTLE TO THE SAINTS. 233 
 
 exhausted. The company had to depend for their suhsistence on wild beasts, 
 such as buffalo, deer, antelope, &c., which most of the way were very scarce, 
 and many obtained were exceedingly poor and unwholesome. Between the 
 Grreen and Sweetwater Rivgrs, we met 566 waggons of the emigrating Saints 
 on their way to the valley, at our last encampment with whom we had fifty 
 horses and mules stolen by the Indians ; and a few days after we were attacked 
 by a large war party of Sioux, who drove off many of our horses, but most of 
 these we recovered. Our route was by Fort Bridger, the South Pass, Fort 
 John (Loraine), and from thence on the north bank of the Platte, to Winter 
 Quarters, where we arrived on the 31st of October, all well ; having performed 
 this long and tedious journey, with ox as well as horse teams, and with little 
 food except wild flesh, without losing a single man, although many were sick 
 when they left in the spring, inasmuch as they were unable to walk until we 
 had travelled more than one half of the outward distance. 
 
 On the 11th inslant, fifteen of the battalion arrived from California, with 
 a pilot from the valley, having suffered much on their return from cold and 
 hunger, with no provisions part of the way but a little horse-flesh of the worst 
 kind. From these Brethren we received intelligence that the battalion was 
 discharged in California in Jul}', agreeably to the time of their enlistment; 
 that a portion of the battalion, constituting a company under Captain Davis, 
 had re-enlisted to sustain a military post in California ; that many had com- 
 menced labour to procure means to return ; that a small portion had come on 
 to the Great Salt Lake City, where they found the emigrants which we passed 
 in the mountains alive and in good health and spirits, except three deaths ; 
 and that some of the battalion who had left the valley with them, had stopped 
 on the Sweetwater, searching for buffalo, who with others, in all about thirty, 
 arrived here on the 18th instant, penniless and destitute, having suffered much 
 from cold and hunger, subsisting on their worn-out mules and horses. 
 
 "All who possibly could went to the valley this season ; and the Saints now 
 in this vicinity have had to depend on their own resources in labour for their 
 sustenance, which, on account of the absence of those engaged in the gwern- 
 ment service, the sickness that has prevailed in camp, and the destruction of 
 the cattle by the Indians, consists mostly of corn, with a few garden vegetables. 
 "The Saints in this vicinity are bearing their privations in meekness and 
 patience, and making all their exertions to their removal westward. Their 
 hearts and all their labours are towards the setting sun, for they desire to be 
 so far removed from those who have been their oppressors, that there shtiU be 
 an everlasting barrier between them and future persecution ; and although, as 
 a people, we have been driven from state to state, and although Joseph and 
 Hyrum, our Prophet and Patriarch, were murdered in. culd blood, while in 
 Government duress, and under the immediate control, inspection, and super- 
 vision of the Governor and Government offices, we know, and feel assured that 
 there are many honest, noble, and patriotic souls now living under that govern- 
 ment, and under other similar governments in the sister states of the great 
 confederacy, who would loathe the shedding of innocent blood, and were it iu 
 their power, would wipe the stain from the nation. 
 
234 THE MORMONS. 
 
 ' * If sucli would clear their garments in the public eye and before God, they 
 must speak out ; they must proclaim to the world their innocence, and their 
 hatred and detestation of such atrocious and unheiird-of acts. But with this we 
 have nothino; to do ; only we love honesty and right wherever we find them ; 
 the cause is between them, their countr}', and their God : and we again re- 
 iterate what we have often said, and what we liave ever shown by our conduct, 
 that, notwithstanding all our privations and sufferings, we are more ready than 
 any portion of the community to sustain the constitutional institutions of our 
 mother country, and will do the utmost for them if permitted : and we say to 
 all Saints throughout the earth. Be submissive to the law that protects you in 
 your person, rights, and property, in whatever nation or kingdom you are ; 
 and suffer wrong rather than do wrong. This we have ever done, and mean. 
 still to continue to do. We anticipate, as soon as circumstances will permit, 
 to petition for a territorial government in the Great Basin. 
 
 " In compliance with the wishes of the sub-agents, we expect to vacate the 
 Omaha lands in the spring. Thus, brethren, we have given you a brief idea of 
 what has transpired among us since we left N^auvoo ; the present situation of 
 the Saints in this vicinity ; and of our feelings and views in general, as pre- 
 paratory to the reply which we are about to give to the cry of the Saints from 
 all quarters, What shall we do? 
 
 " Gather yourselves together speed!]}-, near to this place, on the east side 
 of the Missouri Biver, and, if possible, be ready to start from hence by the 1st 
 of May next, or as soon as grass is sufficiently grown, and go to the Great 
 Salt Lake City, with bread-stuff sufficient to sustain you until you can raise 
 grain the following season. Let the Saints who have been driven and scat- 
 tered from Nauvoo, and all others in the Western States, gather immediately 
 to the east bank of the river, bringing with them all the young stock, of 
 various kinds, they possibly can ; and let all the Saints in the United States 
 and Canada gather to the same place, by the first spring navigation, or as 
 soon as tliey can, bringing their money, goods, and effects with them ; and, 
 so far as they can consistently, gather young stock by the way, which is much 
 needed here, and will be ready sale. And when here, let all who can, go directly 
 over the mountains ; and those who cannot, let them go immediately to work 
 at making improvements, raising grain and stock, on the lands recently va- 
 cated by the Pottawatamie Indians, and owned by the United States, and by 
 industry they can soon gather sufficient means to prosecute their journey. 
 In a year or two their young cattle will grow into teams; by interchange of 
 labour they can raise their own grain and provisions, and build their own 
 waggons ; and by sale of their improvements to citizens who will gladly come 
 and occupy, they can replenish their clothing, and thus speedily and comfort- 
 ably procure an outfit. All Saints who are coming on this route will do well 
 to furnish themselves with woollen or winter, instead of summer clothing, 
 generally, as they will be exposed to many chilling blasts before they pass the 
 mountain heights. 
 
 " We have named the Pottawatamie lands as the best place for the Brethren 
 to assemble on the route, because the journey is so very long, that they must 
 
THE GATHERING TO THE NEW ZION. 235 
 
 have a stoppii\<;-place, and this is the nearest point to their final destination, 
 which makes it not only desirable, but necessary ; and, as it is a wilderness 
 country, it will not infringe on the rights and privileges of any one : and yet 
 it is so near Western IMissouri, that a few days' travel will give them an op- 
 portunity of trade, if necessity requires, and this is the best general rendezvous 
 that now presents, without intruding on the rights of others. 
 
 " To the Saints in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and adjacent islands 
 and countries, we say. Emigrate as speedily as possible to this vicinity, look- 
 ing to, and following the counsel of, the Presidency at Liverpool ; shipping to 
 New Orleans, and from thence direct to Council Bluf!s, which will save much 
 expense. Those who have but little means, and little or no labour, will soon 
 exhaust that means if they remain where they are ; therefore, it is wisdom 
 that they remove without delay ; for here is land, on which, by their labour, 
 they can speedily better tlieir condition for their further journey. And to all 
 Saints in any country bordering upon the Atlantic we would say. Pursue the 
 same course ; come immediately and prepare to go west : bringing with you 
 all kinds of choice seeds of grain, vegetables, fruits, shrubbery, trees, and 
 vines, everything that will please the eye, gladden the heart, or cheer the 
 soul of man, that grows upon the face of the whole earth ; also the best stock 
 of beast, bird, and fowl of every kind ; also the best tools of every description, 
 and machinery for spinning, or weaving, and dressing cotton, wool, flax, and 
 silk, «fcc., &c., or models and descriptions of the same, by which they can con- 
 struct them; and the same in relation to all kinds of farming utensils and 
 husbandry, such as corn shellers, grain threshers and cleaners, smut machines, 
 mills, and every implement and article within their knowledge, that shall tend 
 to promote the comfort, health, happiness, or prosperity of any people. So 
 far as it can be consistently done, bring models, and drafts, and let the machi- 
 nery be built where it is used, which will save great expense in transportation, 
 particularly in heavy machinery, and tools and implements generally. 
 
 "The Brethren must recollect that from this point they pass through a 
 savage country, and their safety depends on good fire-arms and plenty of 
 ammunition ; and then they may have their teams run off in open daylight, 
 as we have had, unless they shall watch closely and continually. 
 
 "The Presidents of the various branches will cause this epistle to be read 
 to those under their counsel, and give such instruction in accordance therewith 
 as the Spirit shall dictate ; teaching them to live by every principle of right- 
 eousness, walk humbly before God, doing his will in all things, that they 
 may have his Spirit to lead them and assist them speedily to the gathering 
 place of his Saints. 
 
 "Let the Seventies, High Priests, Elders, Priests, Teachers, and Deacons 
 report themselves immediately on their arrival at the Blufi's to the presidency 
 of their respective quorum if present, and if not, to the presidency or council 
 of the place, that their names may be registered with their quorum, and that 
 they may be known among their Brethren. 
 
 "It is the duty of all parents to train up their children in the way they 
 should go, instructing them in every correct principle so fast as they are 
 
236 THE MORMONS. 
 
 capable of receiving, and setting an example worthy of imitation : for the 
 Lord holds parents responsible for the conduct of their children until they 
 arrive at the years of accountability before him ; and the parents will have to 
 answer for all misdemeanors arising through their neglect. ]\Iothers should 
 teach their little ones to pray as soon as they are able to talk. Presiding 
 Elders should be particular to instruct parents concerning their duty, and 
 Teachers and Deacons should see that they do it. 
 
 " It is very desirable that all the Saints should improve every opportunity 
 of securing at least a copy of every valuable treatise on education, every book, 
 map, chart, or diagram that may contain interesting, useful, and attractive 
 matter, to gain the attention of children and cause them to love to learn to 
 read ; and also every historical, mathematical, philosophical, geographical, 
 geological, astronomical, scientific, practical, and all other variety of useful 
 and interesting writings, maps, &c., to ])resent to the general Church Re- 
 corder when they shall arrive at their destination— from which important and 
 interesting matter may be gleaned to compile the most valuable works on 
 every science and subject, for the benefit of the rising generation. 
 
 " We have a printing-press ; and any who can take good printing or writing 
 paper to the Valley, will be blessing themselves and the Church. We also 
 want all kinds of mathematical and philosophical instruments, together with 
 all rare specimens of natural curiosities and works of art that can be gathered 
 and brought to the Valley, where, and from which, the rising generation can 
 receive instruction ; and if the Saints will be diligent in these matters, we will 
 soon have the best, the most useful, and attractive museum on the earth. 
 
 "Let every Elder keep a journal, and gather historical foots concerning the 
 Church or world, with specific dates, and present the same to the Historian ; 
 also let the presiding officer of every emigrating company, imraediately on 
 arrival, see that his clerk presents the Recorder with a perfect list of the 
 names of every soul, the number of waggons, teams, and every living thing in 
 his camp ; and let the Saints organize at, and travel from, the Pottawatamie 
 district, according to the pattern which will there be given them. 
 
 " Since the murder of President Joseph Smith, many false prophets and 
 false teachers have arisen, and tried to deceive many, during which time we 
 have mostly tarried with the body of the Church, or been seeking a new loca- 
 tion, leaving those prophets and teachers to run their race undisturbed, who 
 have died natural deaths or committed suicide ; and we now, having it in 
 contemplation soon to reorganize the Church according to the original pat- 
 tern, with a First Presidency and Patriarch, feel that it will be the privilege of 
 the Twelve, ere long, to spread abroad among the nations, not to hinder the 
 gathering, but to preach the Gospel, and push the people — the honest in 
 heart — together from the four quarters of the earth. 
 
 " The Saints in Western California who choose are at liberty to remain, 
 and all who may hereafter arrive on the Western coast may exercise their pri- 
 vilege of tarrying in that vicinity or of coming to head-quarters. 
 
 " The Saints in the Society and other Islands of the Pacific Ocean are at 
 liberty to tarry where they are for the time being, or until further notice ; and 
 
THE GATHERING TO THE IsEW ZION. 237 
 
 we will send them more ElJers as soon as we can. But if a few of their young 
 or middle-aged intelligent brethren wish to visit us at the Basin, we bid them 
 God speed, and shall be happy to see them. 
 
 " The Saints in Australia, China, and the East Indies generally, will do well 
 to ship to the most convenient port in the United States, and from thence 
 mnke to this point, and pursue the same course as do others ; or, if they find 
 it more convenient, they may ship to Western California. 
 
 "We wish the travelling Elders throughout the world to remember the re- 
 velations of the Doctrine and Covenants, and say nought to this generation but 
 repentance ; and if men have faith to repent, lead them into the waters of 
 baptism, lay your hands upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, con- 
 firm them in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, comfort their 
 hearts, teach them the principles of righteousness and uprightness between 
 man and man, administer to them bread and wine, in the remembrance of the 
 death of Jesus Christ ; and if they want further information, tell them to flee 
 to Zion. There the servants of God will be ready to wait upon them, and 
 teach them all things that pertain to salvation ; and anything beyond this in 
 your teaching cometh of evil ; for it is not required at your hands, but leadeth 
 you into snares and temptations, which tendeth to condemnation. Shoidd any 
 ask, Where is Zion? tell them in America; and if any ask, Whitt is Zion? 
 tell them the pure in heart. 
 
 •' It is the duty of the rich Saints everywhere to assist the poor, according 
 to their ability, to gather ; and if they choose, with a covenant and promise 
 that the poor thus helped, shall repay as soon as they are able. It is also the 
 duty of the rich, those who have the intelligence and the means, to come home 
 forthwith and establish factories and all kinds of machinery that will tend to 
 give employment to the poor, and produce those articles which are necessary 
 for the comfort, convenience, health, and happiness of the people ; and no one 
 need to be at a loss concerning his duty in these matters, if he will walk so 
 humbly before God as to keep the sniivll still whisperings of the Holy Ghost 
 within him continually. 
 
 "Let all Saints who love God more than their own dear selves — and none 
 else are Saints — gather without delay to the place appointed, bringing their 
 gold, their silver, their copper, their zinc, their tin, and brass, and iron, and 
 choice steel, and ivory, and precious stones ; their curiosities of science, of 
 art, of nature, and everything in their possession or within their reach, to 
 build in strength and stability, to beautify, to adorn, to embellish, to delight, 
 and to cast a fragrance over, the house of the Lord; with sweet instruments 
 of music and melody, and songs, and fragrance, and sweet odours, and beau- 
 tiful colours ; whether it be in precious jewels, or minerals, or choice ores, or 
 in wisdom and knowledge or understanding, manifested in carved work or 
 curious workmanship of the box, the fir, and pine tree, or anything that ever 
 was, or is, or is to be, for the exaltation, glory, honour, and salvation of the 
 living and the dead, for time and for all eternity. Come, then, walking in 
 righteousness before God, and your labour shall be accepted; and kings will 
 be your nursing fathers, and queens will be your nursing mothers, and the 
 
238 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 glorj of the whole earth shall be yours, in connection with all those who shall 
 keep the commandments of God; or else the Bible, those ancient prophets 
 who prophesied from generation to generation, and which the present gene- 
 ration profess to believe, must fail ; for the time has come for the Saints to go 
 up to the mountains of the Lord's house, and help to establish it upon the 
 tops of the mountains ; and the name of the Lord will be there, and the glory 
 of the Lord will be there, and the excellency of the Lord will be there, and 
 the honour of the Lord will be there, and the exaltation of his Saints will be 
 there, and they will be held as in the hollow of his hand, and be hid as in the 
 cleft of the rock when the overflowing scourge of Jehovah shall go through 
 to depopulate the earth and lay waste the nations because of their wickedness, 
 and cleanse the land from pollution and blood. 
 
 " We are at peace with all nations, with all kingdoms, with all powers, with 
 all governments, with all authorities under the whole heavens, except the king- 
 dom and power of darkness, which are from beneath, and are ready to stretch 
 forth our arms to the four quarters of the globe, extending salvation to every 
 honest soul ; for our mission in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is from sea to sea, 
 and from the river to the ends of the earth ; and the blessing of the Lord is 
 upon us ; and when every other arm shall fail, the power of the Almighty will 
 be manifest in our behalf; for we ask nothing but what is right, we want no- 
 thing but what is right, and God has said that our strength shall be equal to 
 our day ; and we invite all presidents, and emperors, and kings, and princes, 
 and nobles, and governors, and rulers, and judges, and all nations, kindreds, 
 tongues, and people under the whole heavens, to come and help us to build a 
 house to the name of the God of Jacob, — a place of peace, a city of rest, a 
 habitation for the oppressed of every clime, even for those that love their 
 neighbour as they do themselves, and who are willing to do, God being our 
 helper ; and we will help every one that will help to sustain good and M'hole- 
 some laws for the protection of virtue and punishment of vice. 
 
 " The kingdom which we are establishing is not of this world, but is the 
 kingdom of the great God. It is the fruits of righteousness, of peace, of salva- 
 tion to every soul that will receive it, from Adam down to his latest posterity. Our 
 good-will is towards all men, and we desire their salvation in time and eternity ; 
 and we will do them good as far as God will give us the power, and men will 
 permit us the privilege ; and we will harm no man ; but if men will rise against 
 the power of the Almighty, to overthrow his cause, let them know assuredly 
 that they are running on the bosses of Jehovah's buckler, and, as God lives, 
 they will be overthrown. 
 
 "Come, then, ye Saints; come, then, ye honourable men of the earth; 
 come, then, ye wise, ye learned, ye rich, ye noble, according to the riches, and 
 wisdom, and knowledge of the great Jehovah ; from all nations, and kindreds, 
 and kingdoms, and tongues, and people, and dialects on the face of the whole 
 earth, and join the standard of Emmanuel, and help us to build up the kingdom 
 of God, and establish the principles of truth, life, and salvation, and you shall 
 receive your reward among the sanctified, when the Lord Jesus Christ cometh 
 to make up his jewels ; and no power on earth or in hell can prevail against you. 
 
THE DESEEET STATE. 239 
 
 " The kingdom of God consists in correct principles ; and it mattereth not 
 what a man's religious faith is, whether he be a Presbyterian, or a Methodist, or a 
 Baptist, or a Latter-Day Saint or ' jMorraon,' or a Campbellite, or a Catholic, or 
 Episcopalian, or Mahometan, or even Pagan, or anything else. If he will bow 
 the knee, and with his tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, and will support 
 good and wholesome laws for the regulation of society, we hail him as a brother, 
 and will stand by him as he stands by us in these things ; for every man's re- 
 ligious faith is a matter between his own soul and his God alone. But if he 
 shall deny the Jesus, if he shall curse God, if he shall indulge in debauchery, 
 and drunkenness, and crime, if he shall lie, and swear, and steal, if he shall 
 take the name of the great God in vain, and commit all manner of abomina- 
 tions, he shall have no place in our midst ; for we have long sought to find a 
 people that will work righteousness, that will distribute justice equally, that 
 will acknowledge God in all their ways, that will regard those sacred laws and 
 ordinances which are recorded in that sacred book called the Bible, which we 
 verily believe, and which we proclaim to the ends of the earth. 
 
 " We ask no pre-eminence, we want no pre-emhience ; but where God has 
 us, there we will stand, and that is, to be one with our brethren : and our bre- 
 thren are those that keep the commandments of God, that do the will of our 
 Father who is in heaven ; and by them we stand, and with them we will dwell 
 in time and in eternity. 
 
 " Come, then, ye Saints of Latter Day, and all ye great and small, wise and 
 foolish, rich and poor, noble and ignoble, exalted and persecuted, rulers and 
 ruled of the earth, who love virtue and hate vice, and help us to do this work 
 which the Lord hath required at our hands ; and inasmuch as the glory of the 
 latter house shall exceed that of the former, your reward shall be an hundred- 
 fold, and your rest shall be glorious. Our universal motto is, ' Peace with 
 God, and good-will to all men.'" 
 
 For the first twelvemonth of their residence in the Salt Lake 
 Valley, as has already been described by Colonel Kane, the Mormons 
 had sufficient to occupy themselves in clearin:^ their farms, and in 
 establishing their relations with their new neighbours, the Utah In- 
 dians. Their next care was to organize themselves, not only as a 
 religious community, but as a State claiming admission into the Ame- 
 rican Union. For this purpose a constitution was drawn up and pro- 
 mulgated. 
 
 The preamble, which is as follows, shows the geographical position 
 and limits of the proposed Mormon State : — 
 
 "THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NEW STATE OF DESERET. 
 
 ' ' Whereas a large number of the Citizens of the United States, before and 
 since the treaty of peace with the Republic of Mexico, emigrated to and set- 
 tled in that portion of the territory of the United States lying west of the 
 Piocky Mountains, and in the great interior basin of Upper California : and 
 
240 THE MORMONS. 
 
 "Whereas, by reason of said treaty, all civil organization originating- 
 from the Republic of Mexico became abrogated ; and 
 
 "Whereas, the Congress of the United States has failed to provide a form 
 of civil government for the territory so acquired, or any portion thereof; and 
 
 "Whereas civil government and laws are necessary for the security, 
 peace, and prosperity of society ; and 
 
 " Whereas, it is a fundamental principle in all the Republican governments, 
 that all political power is inherent in the people; and governments instituted 
 for their protection, security, and benefit, should emanate from the same — 
 
 *■' Therefore, your Committee beg leave to recommend the adoption of the 
 following constitution, until the Congress of the United States shall otherwise 
 provide for the government of the territory hereinafter named and described. 
 
 "We, the people, grateful to the Supreme Being fur the blessings hitherto 
 enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those 
 blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the 
 name of the State of Deseret ; including all the territory of the United States 
 within the following boundaries, to wit :— commencing at the 33rd degree of 
 north latitude, where it crosses the 108th degree of longitude, west of Green- 
 wich ; tltence running south and west to the northern boundary of Mexico ; 
 thence west to, and down the main channel of the Clila River, on the northern 
 line of Mexico, and on the northern boundary of Lower California to the 
 Pacific Ocean ; thence along the coast north-westerly to 1 18 degrees 30 minutes 
 of west longitude; thence north to where said line intersects the dividing- 
 ridge of the Sierra Nevada mountains ; thence north along the summit of the 
 Sierra Nevada mountains to the- dividing range of mountains that separates 
 the waters flowing into the Columbia River— from the waters rimning into 
 the Great Basin ; thence easterly, along the dividing range of mountains that 
 separates said waters flowing into the Columbia River on the north from the 
 waters flowing into the Great Basin on the south, to the summit of the Wind 
 River chain of mountains ; thence south-east and south, by the dividing range 
 of mountains that separate the waters flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from 
 the waters flowing info the Gulf of California; to the place of beginning, as 
 set forth in a map drawn by Charles Preuss, and published by order of the 
 Senate of the United States, in 1848," &c. 
 
 It appears, however, that the general Government of the United 
 States has not seen fit to accord to the Mormons the exact boundaries 
 which they desire — that it ignores the name of Deseret, and prefers 
 that of Utah — and is anxious to deprive the Mormons of the coast 
 line claimed in this document, and to shut them up in the table-land 
 among the mountains. Accordingly, in the first section of the bill 
 passed by Congress, we find it enacted that the new territory is 
 " bounded on the Avest by the State of California ; on the north by the 
 territory of Oregon ; and on the east and south by the dividing ridge 
 which separates the waters flowing into the Great Basin from those 
 flowing into the Colorado River and the Gulf of California." 
 
TEIE GREAT SALT LAKE. 
 
 241 
 
 By the same bill, a territorial government for Utah Avas appointed ; 
 and in October 1850, the President of the United States, with the advice 
 and consent of the Senate, nominated Mr. Brigham Young to be its 
 Governor, and six other persons to the subordinate offices of Secretary, 
 Chief Justice, Associate Justice, Attorney-General, and States-Mar- 
 shal. Out of these seven, four are members of the Mormon Church. 
 
 Plan of the Great Salt Lake. 
 
 " The spot on which the Mormons are now settled," says the 
 Cincinnati Atlas, " is, geographically, one of the most interesting in 
 the Western world. There is no other just like it, that we recollect, 
 on the globe. Look at the map a little east of the Great Salt Lake, 
 and just south of the South-west Pass, and you will see in the north- 
 east comer of California the summit level of the waters which flow 
 
24-2 THE 3ior.iroNS 
 
 on the North American continent. It must be four thousand feet, 
 perhaps more, above the level of the AtUintic. In this sequestered 
 corner, in a vale hidden among mountains and Lakes, are the Mor- 
 mons; and there rise the mighty rivers, than which no continent has 
 greater. Within a stone's throw ahnost of one another he the head 
 springs of the Sweetwater and Green Rivers. The former flows 
 into the Pkitte River ; that into the .Missouri, and that into the 
 Mississippi, and tliat into the Gulf of Mexico, and becomes a part of 
 the Gulf Stream, laving the shores of distant lands. The latter, the 
 Green River, flows into the Colorado, the Colorado into the Gulf of 
 California, and is mingled with the Pacific. The one flows more than 
 two thousand five hundred miles, the other more than one thousand 
 five hundred. These flow into tropical regions. Just north of the 
 same spot are the head streams of Snake River, which flows into the 
 Columbia, near latitude 46°, after a course of one thousand miles. 
 Just south are the sources of the Rio Grande, which, after winding 
 one thousand seven hundred miles, finds the Gulf of Mexico. It is a 
 remarkable point in the earth's surface where the Mormons are ; and, 
 locked in by mountains and lakes, they will probably remain, and 
 constitute a new and peculiar colony." 
 
 After having drawn up a constitution, declaring Deseret a fi-ee 
 and not a Slave State, and trusting to the chances of politics and poli- 
 tical parties to fix their exact boundaries, the next thing to be accom- 
 plished by their leaders was to gather their people together. Before 
 a *' territory " under the protection of the United States Government 
 can claim admission into the Union as a State, its population must 
 amount to sixty thousand ; and to bring their number to this point 
 has been the great Avork in which the Mormon leaders have been inces- 
 santly occupied since 1 b48. 
 
 Several emissaries or *' Apostles " of the sect were despatched to 
 Europe at the commencement of 1850, to " gather " the European 
 Saints to the New Zion. Not the least remarkable circumstances in 
 Mormon history are the faith and zeal of their missionaries. They 
 start without money, or, as they express it, " without purse and scrip," 
 and trust to Providence for their subsistence, feeling assured that '* He 
 who provideth for the sparrows will provide for them." Some have 
 proceeded to Germany, to Italy, to France, to Norway, and to Prussia, 
 in total ignorance of the languages of those countries, but trusting to 
 pick up by the way sufficient knowledge to answer their purpose. 
 Little success, however, has attended them upon the Continent. The 
 strongholds of the sect are in England, Wales, and Scotland ; fully 
 thirty thousand people in Great Britain are members of their Church, 
 and there is not a large town in which they have not a congregation. 
 
MOKMONISM IN GRp]AT BRITAIN. 243 
 
 At the Mormon conferences held throughout the British Isles, in 
 June, 1850, the number of Mormons in England and Scotland was re- 
 ported at 27, 863, —of whom there were in London, 2,529 ; in Man- 
 chester, 2,787 ; in Liverpool, 1,018 ; in Glasgow, 1,846 ; in Sheffield, 
 ],929 ; in Edinburgh, 1,331 ; in Birmingham, 1,909 ; and in Wales, 
 4,342. The report of June, 1851, showed a still further increase ; 
 and detailed some particulars of the growth of the sect, which we pre- 
 sent in the words of that document. 
 
 "In 1837, one year before the Saints reached Nauvoo, Elders K. C. 
 Kimball and Orson Hyde, together with several others, landed at 
 Liverpool, friendless and destitute. They separated, and went forth 
 preaching into the towns on either side. Preston first heard and 
 obeyed the principles of truth. In eight months, seven hundred 
 members met in conference in that town, rejoicing in the power and 
 privilege of the Gospel. In a very short time, several counties, among 
 which were Yorkshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Stafford, Gloucester, 
 Worcester, and Hereford, had heard and received the servants of God. 
 Thus the Church increased ; so that, in 1840, after three years' labour, 
 the general conference reported 3,626 members, and 383 in the priest- 
 hood, making in all 4,019 Saints. But such triumphant success was 
 not confined to England. Scotland enjoyed a portion ; and Ireland 
 was also made to rejoice ; and Wales testified by her thousands how 
 the Church had progressed in that province. In Scotland, the blood- 
 cemented pyramid of bigotry and superstition had been triumphantly 
 attacked, although sustained by tlie proverbial wariness of the Scotch. 
 The conference established in Edinburgh, notwithstanding that hun- 
 dreds had removed and hundreds more emigrated, still represented more 
 than 1,500 members. Glasgow was also proclaimed, and over 2,063 
 members were now revelling in the enjoyment of the spirit of truth. 
 In 1851, more than 3,530 had obeyed the mandates of Heaven, and 
 thousands had besides emigrated to the gathering place of the Saints. 
 As to Ireland, it was not until 1850 that Dublin had heard the prin- 
 ciples of truth ; he was, however, glad to say that a small branch had 
 been established in that city. In Wales, their success was still more 
 great and glorious. In 1851, the number of Saints in the principality 
 was 4,848, including officers. The statistics of January last showed 
 there were, altogether, in the United Kingdom, 42 conferences, 602 
 branches, 22 seventies, 12 high priests, 1,761 elders, 1,590 priests, 
 1,226 teachers, 682 deacons, and 25,454 members, making a total of 
 30,747 Saints. During the last fourteen years, more than 50,000 had 
 been baptized in England, of which nearly 17,000 had emigrated from 
 her shores to Z ion." 
 ^ We gather from other sources that for the two years prior to the 
 
244 
 
 THE MORMOxNS. 
 
 death of Joseph Smith, thirteen vessels, wholly engaged by the Mor- 
 mons for the emigration of their people, quitted Liverpool for New. 
 Orleans,— the largest number proceeding by one vessel being three 
 hundred and fourteen, and the smallest sixty. During the year 1850, 
 the Mormon emigration amounted to nearly two thousand five hun- 
 dred. Being desirous to know something of the class of persons who 
 emigrate under Mormon auspices to estabhsh themselves in the Salt 
 Lake City, and to ascertain from what parts of the country their ranks 
 were principally recruited, the writer made inquiries at the office in 
 Liverpool of Messrs. Pilkington and Wilson, the ship()ing-agents for 
 the New Orleans packets. The principal manager of this branch of 
 their business, who is thus thrown into frequent intercourse with the 
 Mormons, furnished the following statement : — > 
 
 " With regard to * Mormon' Emigration, and the class of persons 
 of which it is composed, they are principally farmers and mechanics, 
 Avith some few clerks, surgeons, &c. They are generally intelligent 
 and well-behaved, and many of them are highly respectable. Since 
 the 1 St of October — when, according to the new act, a note of the trades, 
 professions, and avocations of emigrants, was first required to be taken 
 by the emigration officer — until March in the present year, the follow 
 
 Emisrrur.ts i-oin;: on roard. 
 
MORMON EMIGRATION Q4-5 
 
 iiig seems to be the numbers of each who have gone out in onr sliips, 
 as far as I can ascertain. I find in our books the names of sixteen 
 miners, twenty engineers, nineteen farmers, one hundred and eight 
 labourers, ten joiners, twenty-five power-loom Aveavers, fifteen shoe- 
 makers, twelve smiths, nineteen tailors, eight watch-makers, twenty- 
 five stone-masons, five butchers, four bakers, four potters, ten painters, 
 seven shipwrights, four iron-moulders, three basket-makers, five 
 dyers, five ropers, four paper- makers, four glass-cutters, five nailors, 
 five saddlers, six sawyers, four gunmakers, &c. These emigrants 
 generally take with them the implements necessary to pursue their 
 occupation in the Salt Lake Valley ; and it is no unusual thing to per- 
 ceive (previous to the ship leaving the dock) a watchmaker with his 
 tools spread out upon liis box, busy examining and repairing the 
 watches of the 'brethren,' or a cutler displaying to his fellow-pas- 
 sengers samples of his handicraft which he is bringing out with him. 
 Of course the stock thus taken out is small, when })laced in the scale 
 with the speculations of commercial men ; but, judging from the 
 enormous quantity of boxes generally taken by these people, in the 
 aggregate it is large indeed. Many of these families have four, five, 
 or six boxes, bound and hooped with iron, marked, ' Not wanted on 
 the passage,' and which are stowed down in the ship's hold ; these all 
 contain implements of husbandry or trade. I have seen, with Mor- 
 mons on board ship, a piano placed before one berth, and opposite the 
 very next, a travelling cutler's machine for grinding knives, &c. Indeed 
 it is a general complaint with captains, that the quantity of luggage 
 put on board with Mormons quite takes them by surprise, and often 
 sinks the ships upwards of an inch deeper in the water than they would 
 otherwise have allowed her to go. Their provisions are always sup- 
 plied by their agent here, of 'the very best description, and more than 
 ample ; for while the law requires that a certain quantity shall be put 
 on board for each passenger, the Mormon superior {)uts, in all cases, 
 twenty pounds per head above this quantity, and, in addition, a supply 
 of butter and cheese. Everything is good. The bread always is good, 
 frequently better than that used by the ship. The surplus ]>rovisions 
 are given to the passengers on their arrival at New Orleans, and distri- 
 buted by their superiors to each family in proportion to its numbers. 
 As to the localities from which they come, the majority are from the 
 manufacturing districts — Birmingham, Sheflield, the Potteries, <fcc. 
 [Scotland and Wales have also dispatched a large quantity. When the 
 Scotch or Welsh determine on going, it is generally in large com- 
 panies. It may perhaps be worthy of remark, that no Irish ' Saints' 
 have yet made their appearance. The Mormons have the greatest 
 objections against going in any ship carrying other passengers than 
 
246 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 The Farewell. 
 
 themselves ; and when such is the case, they invariably stij>ulate that 
 a partition shall be erected across the ship's lower decks, so as to sepa- 
 rate them from all other passengers. 
 
 " The means taken by this people for the preservation of order and 
 cleanliness on board are admirable, and worthy of imitation. Their 
 first act, on arrival here, is to hold a general meeting, at which they 
 appoint a ' president of the company,' and ' six committee-men.' 
 The president exercises a complete superintendence over everything 
 connected with the passengers ; he allots the berth, settles disputes, 
 attends to all wants, complaints, or inquiries, whether for or by the 
 passent^ers ; advises each how to proceed the most economically, whe- 
 ther in purchasing provisions, bedding, or other articles ; and he being 
 in constant communication with the superiors here, the people are 
 thus safely guarded from the hands of * Man-catchers' and all others 
 of the many who frequent our quays, and whose profession it is to 
 entrap and prey upon the unwary stranger. The duty of the com- 
 mittee-men is to assist in getting the luggage on board, and to make 
 a proper arrangement in the ship, &lg. They also stand sentinel alter- 
 nately at the hatchway day and night, during the period the ship 
 remains in dock, to prevent the intrusion of strangers. To show how 
 effectually this is done, I may just mention that while in every ship 
 
REGULATIONS ON SHIPBOARD. 
 
 247 
 
 taking the oeneral class of emigrants, persons are found concealed on 
 board, or ' stow-aways,' in no instance has such been the case in a ship 
 wholly laden with Mormons. To those acquainted with the slovenly and 
 dirty arrangements of emigrants on shipboard, those of the Mormons, 
 for the preservation of decency and morality, will appear deserving ot 
 the highest commendation. Each berth, or at least a great majority 
 of the berths, has its little curtain sprfead before it, so as to prevent the 
 inmates from being seen, and also to enable them to dress and undress 
 behind it. In allotting the berths, the members of each family are 
 placed in the berths next each other ; and in case the passengers are 
 from different parts — say from England and Scotland— the Scotch are 
 berthed on one side of tlie ship, the English on the other. The duties 
 of the president and committee do not cease after the ship leaves dock, 
 but are continued during the whole voyage. The president still exer- 
 cises his superintendence over the general conduct of the passengers, 
 the delivery of provisions, water, &lc. The committee act at sea as 
 police. Three of them take each side of the between decks, and see 
 that every person is in bed by eight o'clock in the evening, and in the 
 morning that every passenger is up, the beds made, and the rubbish 
 swept together, hauled up in buckets, and thrown overboard before seven 
 o'clock. It is remarkable the implicit obedience which is paid by the 
 passengers to those whom they thus elect over them ; their slightest 
 
 Scene between DeLks 
 
248 
 
 THE MORMONS 
 
 Jiew Orleans. 
 
 word is la-r, always respected, and cheerfully obeyed ; in their social 
 intercourse they address each other as * brother' and ' sister ;' and with 
 regard to their care of the things entrusted to their charge, I have 
 been told by an American captain who carried them, that having 
 delivered to their committee a quantity ol water which he had told 
 tliem was to serve for three days, he found at the end of the third 
 day a fourth day's supply left ; whereas had he given it into the charge 
 of one of his sailors for distribution, it would not have lasted the three 
 days. From my knowledge of the emigration at present going on from 
 Liverpool, I can truly say that it would, indeed, be not only con- 
 ducive to the comfort and health, but would absolutely save the lives 
 of many who now die on shipboard, could the same rules for cleanli- 
 ness, order, &c., be introduced amongst the general class of emigrants 
 who leave this port for America." 
 
 The following particulars respecting the route of the emigrants 
 aftir their arrival at New Orleans will conclude this part of the sub- 
 
THE OVERLAND JOURNEY. 
 
 249 
 
 ject. After remaining a few days in New Orleans, the emigrants 
 start in companies, sometimes of two or three hundred or more, to St. 
 Louis, by steamboat on tlie Mississippi. The distance is J,30U miles. 
 The next stage, also by steamboat, is a distance of 800 miles from St. 
 Louis to the settlements of Council Bluffs, already mentioned. Here 
 they either remain to fatten their young cattle on the prairies, or 
 squat upon the rich lands until they are ready to go forward to the 
 Great Salt Lake City. The distance from Council Bluffs to their 
 final destination is 1,030 miles. The emigrants travel in ox-teams, 
 and their large caravans present a singular spectacle. These waggons 
 are sometimes drawn by as many as six or eight oxen, and there are 
 frequently 600 waggons in the procession. Each is so arranged as to 
 comprise a bed-room and sitting-room. They dine on the road-side, 
 giving their cattle, in the meantime, an hour's grazing in the prairies. 
 They take three months to complete the journey from New Orleans 
 to the Salt Lake City, and being supplied with necessary provisions 
 'purchased at St. Louis, they trust for their luxuries to the occasiona 
 
 Wl^^^^s^ 
 
 St. LodiS. 
 
 proceeds ot the chase, in pursuing which the male emigrants amuse 
 themselves on the way. They trade with the Indians as they go, 
 exchanging fire-arms and ammunition for buffalo robes and peltries. -s' 
 
 * We learn, as these sheets are passing through the press, that the Mormon emi- 
 gration will for the future be conducted across the Isthmus of Panama, or round by 
 Cape Horn. 
 
S50 
 
 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 Mormon Caravan crossing' the Prairies. 
 
 The Mormons established a perpetual emigration fund in 1849, 
 the nature and objects of which were stated in an epistle from Brig- 
 ham Young to Mr. Orson Pratt, at that time their emigration agent 
 in Liverpool : — 
 
 " Great Salt Lake Cittj, Oct. 14, 1849. 
 
 "Dear Brother, — You will learn from our General Epistle the princi- 
 pal events occurring with us, but we have thought proper to write you more 
 particularly in relation to some matters of general interest, in an especial 
 manner, the perpetual emigration fund for the poor Saints. This fund, we 
 wish all to understand, is perpetual, and in order to be kept good, will need 
 constant accessions. To further this end, we expect all who are benefited by 
 its operations will be willing to reimburse that amount as soon as they are 
 able, facilities for which will very soon after their arrival here present them- 
 selves in the shape of public works ; donations will also continue to be taken 
 from all parts of the world, and expended for the gathering of the poor Saints- 
 This is no Joint Stock Company arrangement, but free donations. Your 
 office in Liverpool is the place of deposit for all funds received, either for this 
 or the tithing funds, for all Europe, and you will not pay out, only upon our 
 order, and to such persons as we shall direct. We wish to have machinery ot 
 all kinds introduced in these valleys as soon as practicable. If you commence 
 operations now, before you can get men to engage in the business, the matei-ial 
 lor cotton and woollen factories will be produced. Our settlements another 
 
MOEMON PROSPERITY. 251 
 
 season will extend over the rim of the basin, where we can raise the cotton, 
 the sugar-cane, rice, &c. Therefore, if you can find those who will engage in 
 manufacturing cloth for this market in the Valley, we want you should let 
 these cotton factory proprietors, operatives and all, with all the necessary 
 fixtures, come to this place. We have a carrying company started, who will 
 accommodate all emigrants to this place with passage and freight from Mis- 
 souri River ; they need not be obliged, under this arrangement, to buy oxen 
 and waggons when they arrive there, and can be immediately transported 
 through the entire route. We have considered it policy for us to collect 
 tithing in money, instead of labour, as heretofore, therefore we employ con- 
 stant hands upon our public works, and pay them the money, or such things 
 as they need for themselves and families. We, therefore, have appointed 
 Joseph L. Heywood and Edwin D. Woolley, our agents, to go east and pur- 
 chase such things as we need to supply our public works with, such as are 
 necessary, such as glass, nails, paint, &c,, and furnish workmen ; these 
 agents will probably cull upon you from Boston for funds — if they should, you 
 will send them accordingly. It is distinctly understood that these arrange- 
 ments are entirely disconnected with the Perpetual Emigrating Fund ; that is 
 sacred to its proper use in gathering the poor Sa'nts. Our true policy is, to 
 do our own wcrk, make our own goods as soon as possible ; therefore, do all 
 you can to further the emigration of artisans and mechanics of all kinds ; also 
 continue to collect tithing. 
 
 "Our beloved Brother Franklin D. Eichards, who is appointed to go on 
 a mission to England, will co-operate with you, and give you more particular 
 items, policy, &c. 
 
 "With sentiments of the highest esteem, love, and kindness, we remain 
 your brethren in the new and everlasting covenant, 
 
 "Brigham Youxg. 
 
 "P.S. We want a company ol woollen manufacturers to come with 
 machinery, and take our wool fiom the sheep, and convert it into the best 
 clothes — and the wool is ready. We want a company of cotton manufacturers, 
 who will convert cotton into cloth and calico, &c., and we will raise the cotton 
 before the machinery can be ready. We want a company of potters ; we need 
 them. The clay is ready, and dishes wanted. Send a company of each, if 
 possible, next spring. Silk manufacturers and all others will follow in rapid 
 succession. We want some men to start a furnace forthwith ; the coal, iron, 
 and moulders are waiting. 
 
 **B. Y." 
 
 It will be seen, from the foregoing statements, that tlie Mormons 
 have made a great movement in advance since the death of Joseph 
 Smith. California has been their golden land, and the source of their 
 present prosperity and hope in the future. 
 
 " When the Saints were about leaving Nauvoo," says an epistle in 
 the Millennial Star, " Heber C. Kimball prophesied that in five years 
 they would be better off than at this time. Little more than three 
 
252 THE MOHMOXS ' 
 
 .years iiave elapsed when we beliold the poor exiled Mormons in flourish 
 ing circumstances, counting among their riches a thousand hills and 
 valleys, situate in the most remarkable, interesting, and ausjiicious 
 portion of the globe ; having the fountains of rivers that must speedily 
 command the commerce of the world, in the midst of their territories. 
 Thus the banishment of the church has become her freedom, the 
 greatest boon her opponents could confer, and the glad signal for her 
 to arise and shine. Forcibly ejected from the mother country on her 
 arrival at the age of puberty, and thrown back upon her own unaided 
 resources, the development of her wonderful constitution, capabilities, 
 and organization, strike the whole w^orld with astonishment and ad- 
 miration ; they who have plundered, robbed, and driven her into the 
 wilderness, and thought she was dead, now turn their eyes, and disco- 
 ver, to their great surprise, that she lives, and nobly aspires to power, 
 honour, might, majesty, glory, and dominion. She has triumphed 
 over every form of persecution and every species of ci-uelty. Under 
 circumstances the most extraordinary and discouraging, she has 
 proved herself not a whit behind the very first and foremost in all the 
 characteristics necessary to constitute a great people. She has earned 
 a title to a fair name and place amongst the nations. Yes, Zion is 
 firmly established in the strongholds of the land. Riches unknown 
 are at her disposal. And it is to be hoped that her oppressors will 
 rejoice over her no more ; and that no w^eapon formed against her 
 shall prosj)er. Every one is aware of the impracticability of subduing 
 a brave people, entrenched in the fastnesses of the mountains. A 
 nation of mountaineers is not easily subjected. Even our enemies 
 begin to acknowledge the manifest natural advantages and rising 
 importance of the peculiar locality of the city 'sought out,' and ar« 
 not backward in foretelling the proud and enviable station we must 
 shortly occupy. They look to her for support, and think of calculating 
 on her assistance, whom they have driven to the last extremity. 
 
 *' All things work together for good. When an iron highway 
 shall be east up in the desert, not only will the flight of the righteous 
 bs greatly facilitated, but the kings, nobles, and rulers of the earth, 
 with the great men, will flock to the city of refuge, painfully aware 
 that in Zion alone will be found peace and safety. The signs of the 
 times augur an unparalleled growth for the city in the midst of the 
 everlasting hills." 
 
 The following additional particulars, with reference to the Great 
 Salt Lake City, are of interest : — 
 
 " The Nauvoo Legion," says a general epistle to the Saints, signed 
 by Brigham Young, and dated on the l.'2th of October last, "has be?n 
 reorganised in the Valley, and it would have been a source of ioy to 
 
PROGRESS OF DESERET. 253 
 
 the Saints throughout the earth, could they have witnessed its move- 
 ments on the day of its great parade ; to see a whole army of mighty 
 men in martial array, ground their arras, not by command, but simply 
 by request, repair to the temple blocii, and with pick and spade open 
 the foundation for a place of worship, and erect the pilasters, beams, 
 and roof, so that we now have a commodious edifice, one hundred feet 
 by sixty, with brick walls, where we assemble with the Saints from 
 Sabbath to Sabbath, and almost every evening in the week, to teach, 
 counsel, and devise ways and means for the prosperity of the kingdom 
 of God ; and we feel thankful that we have a better house or bowery 
 for public worship the coming winter, than we have heretofore had 
 any winter in this dispensation. 
 
 '* Thousands of emigrants from the States to the gold mines have 
 passed through our city this season, leaving large quantities of domes- 
 tic clothing, waggons, &c., in exchange for horses and mules, which 
 exchange has been a mutual blessing to both parties. 
 
 "Tlie direct emigration of the Saints to this place will be some 
 five or six hundred waggons this season ; besides, many who came in 
 search of gold, have heard the Gospel for the first time, and will go no 
 further, having believed and been baptized. 
 
 " On the 28th September, fourteen or fifteen of the brethren arrived 
 from the gold country, some of whom were very comfortably supplied 
 with the precious metal, and others, who had been sick, came as 
 destitute as they went on the ship Brooklyn in 1846. That there is 
 plenty of gold in Western California is beyond doubt, but the valley 
 of the Sacramento is an unhealthy place, and the Saints can be better 
 employed in raising grain, and building houses in this vicinity, than 
 digging for gold in the Sacramento, unless they are counselled so 
 to do. 
 
 " The grain crops in the valley have been good this season ; wheat, 
 barley, oats, rye, and peas, more particularly. The late corn and buck- 
 wheat, and some lesser grains and vegetables, have been materially 
 injured by the recent frosts ; and some early corn in Brownsville, forty 
 miles north, a month since ; and the buckwheat was severely damaged 
 by hail at the Utah settlement, sixty miles south, about three weeks 
 since ; but we have great occasion for thanksgiving to Him who giveth 
 the increase, that he has blest our labours, so that with prudence we 
 shall have a comfortable supply for ourselves, and our brethren on the 
 way, who may be in need, until another harvest ; but we feel the need 
 of more labourei's, for more efficient help, and multiplied means of 
 farming and building at this place. We want men. Brethren, come 
 from the States, from the nations, come ! and help us to build and 
 grow, until wc can say, 'Enough — the valleys of Ephraim are full.' " 
 
254 
 
 THE MORMONS. 
 
 The following letter from a Mormon to his father in England, gives 
 some additional particulars of the city, and the journey overland from 
 New York : — 
 
 " City of the Great Salt Lake, Rocky Mountains, Oct., 1849. 
 " My dear Father,— I scarcely know how to commence the chequered 
 history of my journey from New York, but will endeavour to give you a very 
 abbreviated account, reserving my journal until we again meet, which happiness 
 will, I trust, yet be permitted to us. We started twenty-four in number, on 
 10th of March, armed and equipped for a long and toilsome journey. During 
 the first part, having the advantage of hotels, we were very merry, and 
 enjoyed ourselves amazingly ; but this was not to last long, as we had yet to 
 experience the toils of a camp life. We travelled some 1,000 miles up in the 
 
 "^,. "^ll-^^-'e='^^=^--> 
 
 Cave in Rock on the Ohio. 
 
 Mississippi and Ohio rivers, in American steamers, a mode ot transit I am by 
 no means partial to, as I was in a fever of apprehension the whole time, the 
 accidents on these rivers being innumerable. They arise from ' snags' (pieces 
 of timber sticking up in the muddy waters), from fire, collision, and bursting 
 of the thin boilers, which are placed under the saloon. This part of our 
 travel was, however, accomplished, with only the loss of a few goods ; and 
 in tlie early part of May our mules were purchased, and we were ready for a 
 start across the prairie. Our party had four waggons, each drawn by eight 
 
LETTER FHOM A MORMON EMIGRANT. 255 
 
 mules ; and, in addition, we rode upon these combinations of all that is 
 stupid, spiteful, and obstinate. For some little time I enjoyed the change — 
 the novelty of this predatory mode of life. At daybreak we left our tents, 
 were soon busy around the camp fire, preparing breakfast. Our stores did 
 not admit of much variety ; coffee, bacon, and hard biscuit, forming the 
 staple of our provisions. The weather soon became oppressively hot, the 
 thermometer rising to 100^ and 110^. This was rendered very trying by the 
 entire absence of shade upon this ocean of land ; indeed, these vast plains 
 closely resemble in atmospheric phenomena, and in the appearance of the 
 ground, the dry bed of some mighty sea. The heat, with the quality of our 
 food, soon produced bilious fever, and before our journey thus far was 
 accomplished, half our number had suffered^' rom this complaint. We were 
 much mistaken in believing the route a healthy one, the road being marked 
 with the graves of victims to the Californian fever. Turning over the leaves 
 of my journal, I find the following account of a night in the prairie, and only 
 one of many similar: — June 19: We had not been an hour in our tents 
 before one of the dreadful storms swept over us ; the horizon was of the 
 deepest purple, illumined occasionally by flashes of forked lightning, the 
 accompanying rain resembling, at the distance at which we stood, a rugged 
 cloud descending to the earth. I cannot describe the startling effoct of the 
 thunder — each clap resembling some immense cannon, shaking the very 
 earth. I have a full perception of the sublimity and grandeur of these 
 storms, but cannot attempt an adequate description. When the storm 
 reached the tent it was blown over, and we were left to seek shelter in the 
 best way we could. I dragged my coverings under a waggon, but soon found 
 I was lying in a pool of water, with saturated blankets. I then crawled into 
 a waggon, and in a cramped position, bitten horribly by mosquitoes, I passed 
 an emphatically miserable night. 
 
 "About the middle of June I was taken ill, and, with slight interrup- 
 tions, continued so till we reached this ' city.' You will perhaps imagine 
 that, being so styled, it resembles an English city ; but it is only in prospect. 
 The houses are either of logs, or built of mud bricks, called 'dobies,' and, 
 but in a few instances, are not larger than one or two rooms ; but time 
 will accomplish much for this energetic and faithful people. Each house 
 stands in an acre and a quarter of garden ground, eight lots in a block, 
 forming squares. The streets, which are wide, are to Ix; lined with trees, 
 with a canal, for the purpose of irrigation, running through the centre. As 
 our waggon entered this beautiful valley, with the long absent comforts of a 
 home in prospect, I experienced a considerable change for the better ; and 
 when, to my surprise and gratitude, I met a pious, kind, and intelligent 
 artist, and a countryman also, who took me, emaciated, sick, and dirty, to 
 his humble home, my happiness seemed completed. You must, from their 
 own works, read the history of the Jlormonites, and you will then learn how 
 this despised people have been persecuted and drivt-n from place to place, 
 until they have at length found a haven in the all but inaccessible valley of 
 the Rocky Mountains, where are gathered together, almost from every nation. 
 
256 THE MORMONS. 
 
 some ] 0,000 of those who felt happy in sacrificing all that the world holds' 
 dear for the sake of their faith ; and after struggling with innumerable diffi- 
 culties and hardships, are building their temple in the wilderness, and are 
 rapidly increasing both in spiritual and temporal wealth, having a Church 
 organized according to the New Testament pattern, and endeavouring to live 
 by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of the Lord. The land here 
 is most fruitful — I am told it produces 80 bushels of wheat to the acre ; and 
 vines, delicious melons, with other fruits and vegetables, grow in profusion. 
 A city lot — that is, one acre and a quarter — may be purchased at one dollar 
 fifty cents, and would produce food sufficient or my wants the whole year. 
 No man with ordinary intelligence can be poor in such a place ; and then, 
 glorious privilege ! he can be free from the harassments and perplexities which 
 continually destroy the peace of those who live in an artificial state of society. 
 "When recruited, in order to accomplish the remaining 600 miles, the 
 distance that still intervened between the city and California, the waggons 
 were sold, and ten of our number started for their original destination, through 
 mountains covered with snow, with a prospect of being slain by Indians, or 
 of feeding either upon their mules or each other. The other thirteen re- 
 mained, earned their living in different ways until later in the season, and 
 have since started upon a southern route of 1,600 miles, for the gold mines, 
 leaving me still too unwell to accompany them." 
 
 A correspondent of the New York Tribune, writing under the 
 date of July 8, 1849, gives the following account of the state of affairs 
 at the new Mormon city : — 
 
 " The company of gold-diggers which I have the honour to com- 
 mand, arrived here on the 3rd instant, and judge our feelings when, 
 after some twelve hundred miles of travel through an uncultivated 
 desert, and the last one hundred miles of the distance through and 
 among lofty mountains, and narrow and difficult ravines, we found 
 ourselves suddenly, and almost unexpectedly, in a comparative para- 
 dise. 
 
 *' We descended the last mountain by a passage excessively steep 
 and abrupt, and continued our gradual descent through a narrow canon 
 for five or six miles, when, suddenly emerging from the pass, an ex- 
 tensive and cultivated valley opened before us, at the same instant that 
 we caught a glimpse of the distant bosom of the Great Salt Lake, 
 which lay expanded before us to the westward, at the distance of some 
 twenty miles. 
 
 " Descending the table-land which bordered the valley, extensive 
 herds of cattle, horses, and sheep, were grazing in every direction, 
 reminding us of that home and civilization from which we had so 
 widely departed— for as yet the fields and houses were in the distance. 
 Passing over some miles of pasture land, we at length found ourselves 
 in a broad and fenced street, extending westward in a straight line 
 
CDRRliSPJNDENCE FllO.M THE GREAT SALT LAKE CITY. 257 
 
 for several miles. Houses of wood or sun-dried brick were thickly 
 clustered in the vale before us, some thousands in number, and occu- 
 ]»ying a spot about as large as the city of New York. The whole 
 space for miles, excepting the streets and houses, was in a high state 
 of cultivatiyn. Fields of yellow wheat stood waiting for the harvest, 
 and Indian corn, potatoes, oats, flax, and all kinds of garden vege- 
 tables, were growing in profusion, and seemed about in the same state 
 of forwardness as in the same latitude in the States. 
 
 '* At first sight of all these signs of cultivation in the wilderness, 
 we were transported with wonder and pleasure. Some wept, some 
 gave three cheers, some laughed, and some ran and fairly danced for 
 joy — while all felt inexpressibly happy to find themselves once more 
 amid scenes which mark the progress of advancing civilization. We 
 passed on amid scenes like these, expecting every moment to come 
 to some commercial centre, some business point in this great metro- 
 polis of the mountains ; but we were disappointed. No hotel, sign- 
 post, cake and beer shop, barber pole, market house, grocery, provision, 
 diy goods, or hardware store distinguished one part of the town from 
 another, not even a bakery or mechanic's sign was anywhere dis- 
 cernible. 
 
 " Here, then, was something new : an entire people reduced to a 
 level, and all living by their labour — all cultivating the earth, or 
 following some branch of physical industry. At first I thought it 
 was an exfieriment, an order of things established purposely to carr 
 out the principles of * Sociahsm ' or * Mormonism. ' In short, I thought 
 it very much like Owenism personified. However, on inquiry, I 
 found that a combination of seemingly unavoidable circumstances had 
 produced this singular state of afl^airs. There were no hotels, because 
 there had been no travel ; no barbers' shops, because every one chose 
 to shave himstlF, and no one had time to shave his neighbour ; no 
 stores, because they had no goods to sell, nor time to traffic ; no centre 
 of business, because all were too busy to make a centre. 
 
 "There was abimdance of mechanics ' shops, of dressmakers, milli- 
 ners, and tailors, &lc. ; but they needed no sign, nor had they time to 
 paint or erect one, for they were crowded with business. Beside 
 their several trades, all must cultivate the land or die ; for the coun- 
 try was new, and no cultivation but their own within a thousand miles. 
 Every one had his lot, and built on it ; every one cultivated it, and 
 perhaps a small farm in the distance. 
 
 " And the strangest of all was, that this great city, extending over 
 several square miles, had been erected, and every house and fence 
 made, within nine or ttn months of the time of our arrival ; while at 
 >d bridges were erecled over the principal strcau*s. 
 
Q58 THE M()i;.Muxs. 
 
 an, I the country settlements extended nearly one hundred miles up 
 and down the valley. 
 
 " This territory, state, or, as some term it, * Mormon Empire,' 
 mrvy justly be considered as one of the greatest prodigies of our time, 
 and, in comparison with its age, the most gigantic of all republics in 
 existence ; being only its second year since the first seed of cultivation 
 "vva? planted, or the first civilized habitation commenced. If tliese 
 ])eople were such thieves and robbers as their enemies represented them 
 in the States, I must think they have greatly reformed in point of 
 industry since coming to the mountains. 
 
 " I this day attended worship with them in the open air. Some 
 thousands of Avell-dressed, intelligent-looking peoide assembled ; some 
 on foot, some in carriages, and on horseback. Many were neatly, 
 and even fashionably clad. The beauty and neatness of the ladies 
 reminded me of some of our best congregations in New York. They 
 had a choir of both sexes, Avho ])erformed extremely well, accompanied 
 by a band who played well on almost every musical instrument of 
 modern invention. Peals of the n;ost sweet, sacred, and solemn 
 music filled the air, after which, a solemn prayer was offered by 
 Mr. Grant (a Latter-Day Saint), of Philadelphia. Then followed 
 various business advertisements, read by the clerk. Among these 
 I remember a call of the seventeenth ward, by its presiding Uishop, 
 to some business meeting ; a call for a meeting of the thirty-second 
 quorum of the seventy ; and a meeting of the oflScers of the second 
 Cohort of the military legion, &lc. he. 
 
 ■ "After this, came a lengthy discourse from Mr. Brigham Young, 
 president of the society, partaking somewhat of politics, much of 
 religion and philosophy, and a little on the subject of gold, showing 
 the wealth, strength, and glory of England, growing out of her coal 
 mines, iron, and industry ; and the weakness, corruption, and degra- 
 dation of Spanish America, Spain, &c., growing out of her gold, 
 silver, <t;c., and her idle habits. 
 
 *' Every one seemed interested and pleased with his remarks, and 
 all appeared to be contented to stay at home and pursue a persevering 
 industry, although mountains of gold were near them. The able 
 sj>eaker painted in lively colours the ruin which would be brought 
 upon the United States by gold, and boldly predicted that they would 
 be overthrown because they had killed the prophets, stoned and 
 rejected those who were sent to call them to repentance, and finally 
 plundered and driven the Church of the Saints from their midst, and 
 burned and desolated their city and temple. He said God had a 
 leckoning with that people, and gold would be the instrument of 
 their overthrow. The constitutions and laws were good — in fact, tlie 
 
BRIGHAM YOUNG AS A PKSACHER. 259 
 
 best in the world ; but the administrators were corrupt, and the laws 
 and constitutions were not carried out. Therefore they must fall, 
 lie further observed, that the people here would petition to be organ- 
 ized into a territory under that same government, notwithstanding 
 its abuses, and that, if granted, they would stand by the constitution 
 and laws of the United States ; while at the same time he denounced 
 their corruption and abuses. 
 
 " ' But,' said the speaker, * we ask no odds of them, whether they 
 grant us our petition or not ! We never will ask any odds of a nation 
 who has driven us from our homes. If they grant us our rights, well; 
 if not, well ; they can do no more than they have done. They^ and 
 ourselves, and all men, are in the hands of the great God, who will 
 govern all things for good, and all will be right, and work together 
 ior good to them that serve God.' 
 
 " Such, in part, was the discourse to which we listened in tlie 
 strongholds of the mountains. The Mormons are not dead, nor is 
 their spirit broken. And, if I mistake not, there is a noble, daring, 
 stern, and democratic spirit swelling in their bosoms, which will 
 people these mountains with a race of independent men, and influence 
 the destiny of our country and the world for a hundred generations. 
 In their religion they seem charitable, devoted, and sincere ; in their 
 politics, bold, daring, and determined ; in their domestic circle, quiet, 
 • affectionate, and happy ; while in industry, skill, and intelligence, 
 they have few equals, and no superiors on the earth. 
 
 " 1 had many strange feelings while contemplating this new civi- 
 lization growing up so suddenly in the wilderness. I almost wished 
 I could awake from my golden dream, and find it but a dream ; while 
 I pursued my domestic duties as quiet, as happy, and contented as 
 this strange people." 
 
 A more recent correspondent of a New York newspaper also de- 
 scribes the rising condition of the Great Salt Lake City : — 
 
 " It is now three years since the Mormons arrived in Salt Lako 
 Valley, and their progress in laying out a city, buildings, fencing 
 farms, raising crops, &c., is truly wonderful to behold ; and is but 
 another striking demonstration of the indefatigable enterprise, in- 
 dustry, and perseverance of the Anglo-Saxon race. 
 
 '• The city is laid out into about twenty different wards, and covers 
 an area of three square miles. It already contains about one thou- 
 sand houses, nearly one story and a half high, built of adobe, or sun- 
 burnt brick. A fine stream of cold water rushes down from the 
 mountains, which is distributed in ditches through every street in the 
 city, through the gardens, and to the doors of the dwellings, where it 
 is used for culinary and other purposes. The ground whereon the 
 
260 THE MORMONS. 
 
 ciiy is built is sloping, which affords a great fall for the water, the 
 current tlirough the ditches running at the rate of about ' four knots 
 an hour,' and keeps up a continual supply of fresh water from the 
 mountains. The valley where the city stands is quite ' handsome,' 
 running east and west. The city is situate about three miles from the 
 Timpanagos Mountains on the east, within five of the Utah outlet on 
 the south-east, and within twenty miles from a range of mountains on 
 the south, and within twenty- two miles of the Great Salt Lake. Its 
 population is about five thousand, that of the valley ten thousand, ex- 
 clusive of ihe city. The Mormons are now building a neat stone 
 State House, two stories high, and its dimensions are forty by ninety 
 feet. Most of the city is fenced, every half square mile beino; under 
 one enclosure, almost every foot of the ground (except where the 
 house stands) being occupied in grain and vegetables. There are 
 several stores kept here. Mechanics of different trades are bu.^ily 
 engaged. The Mormons, take them as a body, I truly believe are a 
 most industrious people, and, I confess, as intelligent as any I have 
 met with, either in the east or the west. It is true they are a little 
 fanatical about their religious views, which is not at all strange when 
 compared with the majority of religious denominations in the east. 
 But let no man be deceived in his estimation of the people who have 
 settled here. Any people who have the courage to travel over plains, 
 rivers, and mountains, for twelve hundred miles, such probably as can- 
 not be travelled over in any other part of the world, to settle in a region 
 which scarcely ever received the tread of any but the wild savage and 
 beasts who roam the wilderness, must be possessed of indomitable 
 energy which is but rarely met with. 
 
 " Brigham Young, the president of the Mormon Church here (and 
 to whom I had a letter of introduction), is a man about forty years of 
 age, of light complexion, ordinary height, but rather corpulent. He 
 exercises a vast influence among the Mormons, probably more than 
 any other man, and I think stands nearly in the same position as their 
 Saint, Joseph Smith. He is a man of considerable intelligence, and I 
 think has seen a good deal of the world. The greatest fault I can find 
 with his preaching is, that he is almost too egotistical. Instead of 
 taking a text from the Good Book, and if possible showing that the 
 Book of Mormon is the true road, he confines himself altogether to 
 giving accounts of their persecuted Church in bygone days, and in 
 * showing up' its present enemies. I have heard him preach twice, 
 and have had several private conversations with him. In private, 
 he is very sociable and talkative, joking and laughing as heartily as 
 anybody." 
 
 The latest traveller through the Great Salt Lake Valley, who has 
 
AN F.NGLTSH TRAVELLER AT DESERET. 261 
 
 ^uLlislied an account of his journey, is Mr. William Kelly, the 
 author of Excursions in California. In this very entertaining work 
 he thus descrihes his first view of the New Mormon City : — 
 
 "Instead of a charming valley beautifully diversified with wood 
 and water, there was a' bald, level plain, extending over to the base 
 of the Utah range on the other side, without bush or bramble to cast 
 a shade from the scorching rays of a flaming sun, that blazed with a 
 twofold intensity, reflected by the lofty ranges by which the plain is 
 bounded. Some miles to the north lay the Great Salt Lake, glisten- 
 ing in radiance like a sheet of crystals, in strange contrast with the 
 dark and sombre Utah range that stretch along its western shores. At 
 first the city was not visible, but on passing over a piece of table-land 
 the new capital of the Mormons became revealed — not, I m«st admit, 
 with any very striking eficct, for it was too young as yet to boast the 
 stately ornaments of spire and dome, which first attract the eye of the 
 anxious traveller. We saw from here, with great distinctness, the 
 plan of the place, which had nothing novel or peculiar about it, laid 
 out in very wide, regular streets, radiating from a large space in the 
 centre, where there appeared the basement and tall scaffolding-poles 
 of an immense building in progress of erection. The houses were far 
 apart, each being allotted a space for gardens and enclosure, which 
 caused it to cover a very large space of ground. 
 
 "We were soon discovered coming down tlie slope, and as we 
 entered the precincts of the town, the inhabitants oame to the front of 
 their houses, hut showed no disposition to open an acquaintance account, 
 believing us to be an exclusively American caravan- So soon, how- 
 ever, as they were undeceived, they came about us in great numbers, 
 inquiring what we had to disj^^ose of They were neat and well clad, 
 their children tidy, the rosy glow of health and robustness mantling 
 on the cheeks of all, while the softer tints of female loveliness pre- 
 vailed to a degree that goes far to prove tliose ' Latter-Day Saints' 
 have very correct notions of angelic perfectability. We politely 
 declined several courteous offers of gratuitous lodging, selecting our 
 quarters in a luxuriant meadow at the north end of the city ; but had 
 not our tents well pitched, when we had loads of presents — butter, 
 milk, small cheeses, eggs, and vegetables, which we received reluc- 
 tantly, not having any equivalent returns to make, except in money, 
 which they altogether declined ; in fact, the only thing we had in 
 superabundance was preserved apples and peaches, a portion of which 
 we presented to one of the elders, who gave a delightful party in the 
 evening, at which all our folk were present. We found a very large 
 and joyous throng assembled ; the house turned inside out to make 
 more room on the occasion, with gaiety, unembarrassed by ceremony. 
 
26-2 THE MORMONS. 
 
 animating the whole, making me almost fancy I. was spending the 
 evening amongst the crowded haunts of the old world, instead of a 
 sequestered valley, lying between the Utah and Timpanagos Moun- 
 tains. After tea was served, 
 
 " ' There were the sounds of dancing feet 
 Mingling with the tones of music sweet ;" 
 or, as Dermot MacFig would say, 
 
 *' • We shook a loose toe, 
 
 AVhile he humoured the bow." 
 Keeping it up to a late hour, perfectly enraptured with the ]\rormoii 
 ladies, and Mormon hospitality. 
 
 " I was not aware before that polygamy was sanctioned by their 
 creed, beyond a species of ethereal Platonism which accorded to its 
 especial saints chosen partners, called ' spiritual wives ;' but I now 
 found that these, contrary to one's ordinary notions of spiritualism, 
 gave birth to cherubs and unfledged angels. When our party arrived 
 we ware introduced to a staid, matronly-looking lady as Mrs. ****, 
 and as we proceeded up the room, to a blooming young creature, a 
 fitting mother for a celestial progeny, as the other Mrs. ****, without 
 any worldly or spiritual distinction whatsoever. At first, I thought 
 it a misconception ; but inquiry confirmed the fact of there being two 
 mistresses in the same establishment, both with terrestrial habits and 
 duties to perform, which 1 found afterwards to be the case in other 
 instances, where the parties could lay no claim to any particular 
 saintliness. 
 
 *' On Saturday morning, we had a very early levee at our tents, with 
 fresh milk, butter, fowls, and eggs, and a light wacrgon in attendance, 
 with a side of beef, a carcase of mutton, and a veal, — all of superior 
 quality ; the latter articles for sale professionally, but certainly on 
 most moderate terms, — the prime joints not averaging over one penny 
 per pound. The other matters we were forced to accept, and gave to 
 the donors what we could afibrd of coffee, sugar, and tobacco, which 
 w^ere not to be had in the city for the last two months. In addition 
 to those timely presents, we got all our washing done in the very best 
 style of art. After breakfast we went out returning visits, and were 
 most graciously received in every quarter. The houses are small, 
 principally of brick, built up only as temporary abodes, until the more 
 urgent and important matter of inclosure and cultivation are attended 
 to ; but I never saw anything to surpass the ingenuity of arrangement 
 with which they are fitted up, and the scrupulous cleanliness with 
 which they are kept. There were tradesmen and artizans of all de- 
 scriptions, but no regular stores or workshops, except forges. Still, 
 Irom the shoeing of a waggon to the mending of a watch, there was 
 
A SUNDAY AT DKSElir.T. t2(i3 
 
 no difficulty experienced in gettino; it done, as clieap and as well j'ut 
 out of hand as in any other city in America. Notwithstandinor the 
 o})pressive temperature, they were all hard at woi-k at their tiades, 
 and ahroad in the fields, weedin<j, moulding, and irrigatinor ; and it 
 certainly speaks volumes for their energy and industry, to see the 
 quantity of land they have fenced in, and the breadth under cultiva- 
 tion, considering the very short time since they had founded the settle- 
 ment in 1847. There was ample promise of an abundant harvest, in 
 magnificent crops of wheat, maize, potatoes, and every description of 
 garden vegetable, all of wliicli require irrigation, as there is little or 
 no rain in this region, a salt-lake shower being estimated at a drop 
 to each inhabitant. They have numerous herds of the finest cattle, 
 droves of excellent sheep, with horses and mules enough, and to spare; 
 but very few pigs, persons having them being obliged to keep them 
 chained, as the fences are not close enough to prevent them damaging 
 the crops. However, they have legions of superior poultry, so that 
 they live in the most plentiful manner possible. We exchanged and 
 ])urchased some mules and horses on very favourable terms, knowing ' 
 we would stand in need of strong teams in crossing the Sierra Nevada. 
 
 '* On Sunday morning early we went to the hot springs, a mile 
 beyond the town, where the authorities were erecting a handsome and 
 commodious building, and had a glorious bath, in sulphur water, at 
 a temperature just as high as could be comfortably endured, drinking, 
 too, of the stream as it gushed from the hill-side in a thick volume, 
 being told it possessed certain medicinal properties of which we all 
 stood in need. The Mormons made a boast of their good health, and 
 attribute it to bathing in those springs, many that 1 met declaring 
 they came to the ^^alley perfect cripples, and were restored to their 
 health and agility by frequenting them. 
 
 *' After bathing, we dressed in our best attire, and prepared to attend 
 the Mormon service, held for the pi-esent in the large space adjoining 
 the intended temple, which is only just above the foundations, but will 
 be a structure of stupendous proportions ; and, if finished according 
 to the plan, of surpassing elegance. I went early, and found a 
 rostrum, in front of which there were rows of stools and chairs for 
 the townfolk ; those from the country, avIio arrived in great numbers, 
 in light waggons, sitting on chairs, took up their stations in their ve- 
 hicles in the background, after unharnessing the horses. There was 
 a very large and most respectable congregation ; the ladies attired in 
 rich and becoming costumes, each with parasols ; and I hope I may 
 say, without any imputation of profanity, a more betwitching assem- 
 blage of the sex it has rarely been my lot to look ui)on. iJefore the 
 religious ceremony commenced, five men mounted the rostrum, who 
 
204 THE MOEMONS, 
 
 vcoro, as I learned, the weekly committee of inspection. The chn'r- 
 nian read his general report of the prospects and proceedings of the 
 colony, and then read a list of those deserving of particular com- 
 mendation for their superior husbandry, the extent of their fencing, 
 and other improvements, which was followed ^y the black list, enume- 
 rntlng the idle, slothful, and unlmproving portion of the community, 
 who were held up to reprobation ; and threatened, in default of certain 
 tasks allotted them being finished at the next visit, to be deprived of 
 their lots, and expelled the community. The reading of these lists 
 produced an evident sensation, and, 1 am satisfied, stimulate the 
 industrious to extra exertion, and goad the lazy to work in self- 
 defence. This over, another, * the gentleman in black,' got up, and 
 without any form of service or prefatory prayer, read aloud a text 
 from the Book of Mormon, and commenced a sermon, or discourse, 
 de nndtis rebus et quihnsdam aliis, taking a fling at the various other 
 religions, showing them up by invidious comparison with the creed of 
 the Valley. He then pointed out the way to arrive at Mormon sanc- 
 tity, in which there was nothing objectionable as laid down, and 
 exhorted the congregation, not only as they valued their salvation, 
 but their crops, to so demean themselves, and endeavour to propitiate 
 the favour and indulgence of the Supreme Being, calling to mind that, 
 in the year of righteousness (last year) he sent sea-gulls, a bird never 
 before known to visit the valley, to devour the crickets, who would 
 otherwise, from their numbers, have annihilated all vegetation.^" 
 
 " lie then adverted to the barbarous treatment they received at the 
 hands of the Americans, forgetting to avow his charitable forgiveness, 
 and expressed a belief that their avarice would yet induce them to 
 covet their possessions in Salt Lake ; but he entertained a hope that 
 the Mormons by that time would be strong enough to guard and 
 maintain their rights and independence. J^e talked of the gold of 
 California, which he said was discovered by Mormon energy, but the 
 freely abandoned it to American cupidity, as they (the Mormons) did 
 not desire such worldly aggrandizement. 
 
 *' The affairs of Churcli and State here go strictly hand in hand, 
 the elders of the Church being the magistrates and functionaries in 
 all civil and criminal matters, the framers of the law and chancellors 
 of the exchequer, with whom it is expected that every member of the 
 community will lodge whatever wealth they may acquire beyond their 
 immediate wants, taking treasury notes of acknowledgment. 
 
 * It is surprising the Mormons, who are, as a class, a most astute and reasoning 
 people, can be gulled and gammoned after this fashion, for sea-gulls are met all across 
 the plains, and were seen in the Valley the first time Colonel Fremont visited it, in 
 1845, two years before the Mormons thought of settling there. 
 
MORMON GOLD IIAItVKST. 265 
 
 " There are no written laws among fhem; but trespasses, oui- 
 rages, and such matters, are taken cognizance of by the elders, and 
 adjudicated on summarily, according to conscience, fines and public 
 flogging being the punishments most in vogue. The authorities have 
 a mint, from which they issue gold coin only ; it is plain, but massive, 
 without any alloy. 
 
 " There are, as far as I could hear or judge, about 5,000 inhabit- 
 ants in the town, and 7,000 more in the settlements, which extend 
 forty miles each way — north to the Weber, and south towards Utah 
 Jjake. The valley, at its greatest width, is not over fifteen miles, and 
 I think seven would be a fair average. Its soil is a rich black loam, 
 and is watered, besides the Jordan, which flows through its centre 
 from Utah to Salt Lake, by innumerable springs of good water, and 
 streamlets flowing from the snowy mountains ; but it has a naked, 
 bleak look for want of timber, which renders the eflects of the sun 
 next thing to unbearable. The city is situated on the south-east end 
 of the lake, about nine miles from its shores." 
 
 Brigham Young, in a paragraph previously quoted, talks magnllo- 
 quently of gold as being only fit for the paving of streets and the 
 roofing of houses ; but it appears that the sect has been so successful 
 at the diggings of California, as well as at the more profitable dig- 
 gings of the soil of a grain and fruit produce country, that they have 
 put aside 3 J tons, or 94,080 ounces, of gold, gathered in California, 
 for the purpose of " gathering" the poor Saints from England and 
 other parts of Europe, as well as from the remote districts of the 
 American Union, into the Great Salt Lake Valley. At ^£4 an ounce, 
 this would amount to £'370,330. It is possible that they may have 
 exaggerated their resources in this respect. The gold coinage of their 
 new State of Deseret has been already struck. The five-dollar pieces 
 are of pure Californian gold, without alloy, and somewhat smaller, 
 but much heavier, than a sovereign. The reverse bears the inscription, 
 " Holiness to the Lord," surmounting the eye of Jehovah, and a cap 
 somewhat like a mitre, both very rudely executed. The obverse bears 
 two hands joined, and the Avords, *' Five dollars." The two and a 
 half dollar pieces are precisely similar. 
 
 Mormon Gold Coin. 
 
Bfiii^^S-V V \ \ '''' 
 
 Ceremony of Confinnatian. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 MORMONISM ITS PRESENT StATE, AND SoCIAL, POLITICAL, AND RELIGIOUS 
 
 Aspect. 
 
 In traciiif^ the history of the rise and progress of Mormonism, and 
 detailing the varied fortunes of the founders and leaders of the new 
 faith, as well as of the large community who have recognised Josejih 
 Smith as the prophet of God, and his Book of Mormon as a new 
 Bible, we have necessarily omitted to notice many controversial point-?, 
 in order that the continuity of the narrative might not be broken. 
 Having concluded this portion of the work, we proceed to the con- 
 sideration of the present state of Mormonism, and to the arguments 
 by which its divinity is asserted by the men who believe in it. 
 
 The discovery of the Book of Mormon is connected, hy the be- 
 lievers in it, with certain scripture doctrines and prophecies concerning 
 the Latter Days. Hence, indeed, the designation of the sect, as 
 the Church of the Latter-Day Saints. Here, we have to admire the 
 
THE BOOK OF MORMON. 267 
 
 cleverness of tlie case which they have contrived to make out for 
 themselves. The wonder is, that so much plausible evidence should 
 be collectible in support of the most transparent pious fraud ever 
 attempted to be palmed off on the credulity of mankind. However, 
 so it is ; and it is " writ down in our duty " to say a few words on 
 this curious point. 
 
 In treating of this subject, in his pamphlet on the Divine Auihen- 
 ticity of the Book of Mormon, Mr. Orson Pratt, by far the ablest 
 -writer whom Mormonism has produced, commences by a triumphant re- 
 capitulation of the means by which he has reduced his opponents to the 
 necessity of asserting a mere negation in defence of their disbelief. 
 Secure in the strength of his affirmative position, he characteristically 
 defies *' all the powers of priestcraft, editors, and the infernal regions 
 combined," to disprove his *'vast amount of most incontestible evi- 
 dences," by which it has been " abundantly " testified that "the Book 
 of Mormon has been confirmed by the voice of the Lord, by the 
 ministry of angels, by heavenly visions, or by the miraculous gifts 
 and powers of the Holy Ghost, unto tens of thousands of witnesses." 
 Nay, he boldly declares, that "if any one will follow the steps of 
 demonstration which he has pointed out, he will know with the same 
 certainty that it is a revelation from God, that a geometrician has 
 when he follows the rules of demonstration in relation to any parti- 
 cular problem." 
 
 Such being the state of the argument, Mr. Orson Pratt professes 
 to feel that he need call no further witnesses ; but, nevertheless, for 
 the sake of completeness, he summons the prophets into court. He 
 takes the last fiist. St. John on Patmos (Revelations, xiv. 6, 7, 8), 
 and his vision of an angel " having the everlasting Gospel to preach 
 unto them that dwell on the earth," in the latter days, which, of 
 course, is none other than the all-needed New Revelation contained 
 in the **Book of Mormon," with the restoration of the Gospel priest- 
 hood, its gifts, powers, and blessings. Hitherto the world has had a 
 history (in the New Testament) of the Gospel, but not its enjoy- 
 ment. That the angel was to preach his Everlasting Gospel " to 
 every nation, kindred, tongue, and people," shows that they were to 
 be previously destitute of it, as they have been practically. Now, 
 the " Book of Mormon " contains the Everlasting Gospel in all its 
 fulness ; moreover, it has been revealed to the inhabitants of earth by 
 " an angel." Q. E. D. 
 
 Corollary. — " The only people that do testify that the Gospel 
 has been restored to the earth by an angel are the Latter-Day Saints ; 
 therefore, if the Gospel is restored, the Latter-Day Saints are the 
 only people to whom it is restored ; all others testify that it has not 
 
268 THE MORMONS. 
 
 been restored to them. If the only people who do testify to the 
 restoration of the Gospel by an angel be impostors, then all nations 
 must still be in darkness, without the Gospel, and without a Christian 
 Church, and must remain so until the angel is sent in fulfilment of 
 John's prediction." 
 
 Again. The Church of the Latter-Day Saints is none other than 
 the Stone foretold by Daniel to smite the Image upon its feet of iron 
 and clay. The [Mormon] proof follows : — 
 
 *' The nations of modern Europe, including England and the Gen- 
 tile nations of America, compose the legs, and feet, and toes of the 
 Image, while the other portions of the Image Avill be found mostly 
 among the Asiatic nations. The geographical position of the Image 
 is from east to west ; its head is found in Asia, and its toes in Europe 
 and America. When the kingdom of God is set up, it must be some- 
 where near the western extremity of this great Image, for the toes 
 and feet are first broken by it, and afterwards all the other portions, 
 from which we learn that its advancement is from west to east. The 
 jtrogress of the kingdoms of the world has been from east to west ; 
 the progress of the kingdom of God is from west to east, in a retro- 
 grade direction. This stone, according to Daniel (ii. 45), is to be 
 
 * CUT OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT HANDS,' * Cut OUt of the moun- 
 tain,' signifies its location before any part of the Image is broken. 
 The present location of the Latter-Day Church is in the valleys among 
 the Rocky Mountains; this appears to be its appropriate position, 
 according to prophecy. The stone is to be ' cut out without hands : ' 
 this signifies that it is a kingdom, not formed by the will of man, but 
 by the will of God ; human wisdom has no hand in its formation ; it 
 is ' the God of Heaven ' that sets it up, and by him it will be sustained 
 and never be destroyed, nor broken to pieces, nor left to other people. 
 *' The kingdoms of the world made war upon the saints of the 
 former-day kingdom and prevailed against tliem, and overcame them, 
 and rooted them out of the earth, so that the kingdom no longer 
 existed among the nations ; not so with the Latter-Day kingdom ; for 
 it will prevail against the kingdoms of the world, until they shall, as 
 Daniel says, ' become like the chaff of the summer thrashing-floors 
 and the wind carry them away, that no place shall be found for them; 
 and the stone that smote the Image shall become a great mountain, 
 and fill the whole earth' (Daniel ii. 35). * And then shall the king- 
 dom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole 
 heaven, be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose 
 kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and 
 obey him' (Daniel vii. 27). The events predicted by Daniel are the 
 same as the events predicted by John ; Daniel says a kingdom shall 
 
THE BOOK OF MOKMON. 269 
 
 be set tip : John tells us by what means, namely, through the ever- 
 lasting Gospel revealed by an angel. Daniel says, when the kingdom 
 of God is set up, that the kingdoms of the world shall be broken in 
 pieces : John says, that when the everlasting Gospel has been restored 
 and preached to the nations, that then is 'the hour of God's judgment' 
 — the downfall of Babylon. Both of these writers beheld the same 
 great events, but described them in different language. That which was 
 predicted by those two inspired men is now being fulfilled. The angel 
 has appeared — the Gospel is restored — the khigdom is set up — its loca- 
 tion is among the mountains, and shortly the balance of these predic- 
 tions will also be fulfilled to the very letter, and not one jot or tittle 
 shall fail, until the earth shall rest from wickedness, and ' the king- 
 doms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ.' " 
 But the great proof of all, according to the believers in Joseph 
 Smith and his book, is derived from the 29th chapter of Isaiah, and 
 his prophecy concerning Ariel therein contained, particularly the latter 
 part of the second verse — " And it shall be unto me as Ariel, "-i-- 
 Taking advantage of the current translation, which seems to compare 
 by the word '* it," some other place to Ariel, the Mormon writer con- 
 tends that another nation than Jerusalem, suffering similar judgments, 
 is intended. The rest of the argument must be taken in Mr. Orson 
 Pratt's own words : — 
 
 " In the three following verses, the Lord describes more fully the 
 second event ; he says, * And I will camp against thee round about, 
 and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts 
 against thee. And thou shalt be brought down, and shall speak out 
 of tlie ground, and thy speech shall he low out of the dust, and thy voice 
 shall he as of one tliat hath a familiar spirit, out of the grounds, and thy 
 speech shall whisper out of the dust. Moreover, the multitude of thy 
 strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible 
 ones shall be as chaff that passeth away ; yea, it shall be at an instant 
 suddenly.' These predictions of Isaiah could not refer to Ariel, or 
 Jerusalem, because their speech has not been * out of the ground,' or 
 or ' low out of the dust,' but it refers to the remnant of Joseph who were 
 destroyed in America upwards of fourteen hundred years ago. The 
 Book of Mormon describes their downfall, and truly it was great and 
 . terrible. At the crucifixion of Christ, * the multitude of their terrible 
 ones,' as Isaiah predicted, ' became as chaff that passed away,' and it 
 took place, as he further predicts, ' at an instant suddenly.' Many of 
 their great and magnificent cities were destroyed by fire, others by 
 earthquakes, others by being sunk and buried in the depths of the 
 
 * It is believed that the coirect translation of the passage is, " And it shall indeed 
 be au Ariel (a stout Hon) to me," a play upon the name. 
 
S70 THE :\ion^[oxs. 
 
 earth. This siuUlen destruction came upon them because they had 
 stoned and killed the prophets sent amonjr them. Between three and 
 four hundred years after Christ, they again fell into great wickedness, 
 and the principal nation fell in battle. Forts were raised in all parts 
 of the laud, the remains of which may be seen at the present day. 
 ]\Iillions of the peojile perished in battle, and they suffered just as the 
 Lord foretold by Isaiah, ' And I will camp against thee round about, 
 and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts 
 against thee, and thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of 
 the ground,' ttc. This remnant of Joseph in their distress and de- 
 struction, became unto the Lord AS Ariel. As the Roman army lay 
 siege to Ariel, and brought upon her great distress and sorrow, so did 
 the contending nations of ancient America bring upon each other the 
 most direful scenes of blood and carnage. Therefore the Lord could, 
 with the greatest propriety, when speaking in reference to this event, 
 declare that ' it shall be unto me as Ariel.' 
 
 *' One of the most marvellous things connected with this prediction 
 is, that after the nation should be brought down, they should 'speak 
 out of the ground.' This is mentioned or repeated four times in the 
 same verse. Never was a ]U'opiiecy more truly fulfilled than this, in 
 tlie coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith took that 
 sacred history ' out of the ground.' It is the voice of the ancient ])ro- 
 phets of America speaking ' out of the ground.' Their speech *is low 
 out of the dust ;' it speaks in a most familiar manner of the doings of 
 bygone ages ; it is the voice of those who slumber in the dust. It is 
 the voice of prophets speaking from the dead, crying repentance in the 
 ears of the living. In what manner could a nation, after they were 
 brought down and destroyed, ' si)eak out of the ground ?' Could their 
 dead bodies, or their dust, or their ashes speak ? Yerily, no : they can 
 only speak by their writings, or their books that they wrote while 
 living. Their voice, or speech, or words, can only ' speak out of the 
 ground, or 'whisper out of the dust,' by their books or writings being 
 discovered. Therefore, Isaiah further snys, in the eleventh and twelfth 
 verses, ' And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a 
 book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying. 
 Read this, I pray thee ; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed -, and 
 the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying. Read this, I 
 ])ray thee; and he saith, I am not learned.' 
 
 " After obtaining the Book of Alormon through the ministry of the 
 angel ' out ot the ground,' Mr. Smith transcribed some of the original 
 cliaracters upon paper, and sent them by the hands of Martin Harris, 
 a farmer, to the city of New York, where they were presented to Pro- 
 fessor Anthon, a man deeply learned in both ancient and modern lau- 
 
THE BOOK OF MORMON. 271 
 
 pfiiafres. Mr. Harris very anxiously requested the learned Professor to 
 read it, but he replied that he could not. None of the learned have as 
 yet been able to decipher the characters and hieroglyphics which are 
 found among the ancient ruins, in almost every part of America. The 
 written language of ancient America is a sealed language to this 
 generation." 
 
 The story is then told of Professor Anthon's considering the appli- 
 cation made to him as "a hoax," and particularly because of the 
 " sinojular medley" presented by the alleged letters, which were arranged 
 in columns like the Chinese mode of writing. In this it would now 
 appear that Professor Anthon judged too hastily. Some American 
 glyphs discovered by Professor Ratinesque, and of which fac-similes 
 Avere given in liis Asiatic Journal for 183:2 (two years after the pub- 
 lication of the Book of Mormon), agree very much with the description 
 of the specimen as shown to him by the Mormon emissary. Thus, we 
 are told by Professor Rafinesque that "the glyplis ot Otolum are 
 Avritten from top to bottom, like the Chinese, or from side to side, 
 indifferently, like the Egyptian and the Demotic Lybian. Although 
 the most common way of writing the groups is in rows, and each group 
 separated, yet we find some formed, as it were, in oblong squares or 
 tablets, like those of Egypt." The glyphs found by the Professor in 
 Mexico, were arranged in columns, being forty-six in number. These 
 the learned Professor denominates " the elements of the glyphs of Oto- 
 lum," and he suiiposes that by the combination of these elements, Avords 
 and sentences AA^ere formed, constituting the Avritten language of tiie 
 ancient nations of that vast continent. By an inspection of the fac-simile 
 of these forty-six elementary glyphs, aa^c find all the particulars which 
 Professor Anthon ascribes to the characters, which, he says Martin 
 Harris, a " ]>lain-looking countryman" presented to him. The "Greek, 
 Hebrew, and all sorts of letters," inverted and in different positions, 
 " with sundry delineations of half moons," planets, suns, "and other 
 natural objects, ' ' are found among these forty-six elements. This "plain- 
 looking countryn.an," according to Professor Antlion's testimony, got, 
 says Mr. Orson Pratt, " seme three or four years the start of Professor 
 Rafinesque, and jjresented him Avith the genuine elementary glyphs 
 years before the Asiatic Journal made them jiublic ; and Avhat is still 
 more remarkable, 'the characters,' Pi'ofessor Anthon says, 'Avee 
 arranged in columns, like the Chinese mode of writing,' Avhich exactly 
 cori-esponds Avith what i'rofessor Ratinesque testifies, as quoted above, 
 in relation to the glyphs of Otolum. We see nothing in Professor 
 Anthon's statement that proves the characters presented to him to be a 
 'hoax,' as he teniis it ; unless, indeed, he considei'S their exact resem- 
 blance to the glyphs of Otolum, and their being arranged in the ri::ht 
 
272 THE MORMONS. 
 
 kinil of columns, is a * hoax.' But, as Joseph Smith was an unlearned 
 young man, living in the country, where he had not access to the 
 writings and discoveries of antiquarians, he would be entirely incapable 
 of forging the true and genLuine glyphs of ancient America ; therefore 
 we consider this testimony of Professor Anthon, coming as it does 
 from an avowed enemy of the Book of Mormon, to be a great collateral 
 evidence in its favour. Professor Rafinesque says, as we have already 
 quoted, that * the glyphs of Otolum are written from top to bottom, 
 like the Chinese, or from side to side, inditferently, like the Egyptian/ 
 Now the most of the Book of Mormon was written from side to side, 
 like the Egyptian. Indeed, it was written in the ancient Egyptian, 
 reformed by the remnant of the tribe of Joseph. " 
 
 Other glyphs have since been found, as we l^^arn from the follow- 
 ing statement which appeared in the Times and Seasons : — 
 
 "On the 16th of April, 1843, a respectable merchant, by the name of 
 Eobert Wiley, commenced digging in a large momid near this place ; he ex- 
 cavated to the depth of ten feet, and came to rock. About that time the rain 
 began to fall, and he abandoned the work. On the 23rd, he and quite a 
 number of the citizens, with myself, repaired to the mound, and after making 
 ample opening, we found plenty of rock, the most of which appeared as though 
 it had been strongly burned ; and after removing full two feet of said rock, 
 we found plenty of charcoal and ashes, also human bones, that appeared as 
 though they had been burned ; and near the eciphalon a bundle was found that 
 consisted of Six Plates of Brass, of a bell shape, each having a hole near 
 the small end, and a ring through them all, and clasped with two clasps. The 
 ring and clasps appeared to be iron, very much oxidated : the plates first 
 appeared to be copper, and had the appearance of being covered with characters. 
 It was agreed by the company that I should cleimse the plates. Accordingly, 
 I took them to my house, washed them with soap and water, and a woollen 
 cloth ; but finding them not yet cleansed, I treated them with dilute sulphuric 
 acid, which made ihem perfectly clean, on which it appeared that they were com- 
 pletely covered with characters, that none, as yet, have been able to read. Wish- 
 ing that the world might know the hidden things as fast as they come to li^iht, 1 
 was induced to state the fiicts, hoping that you would give them an insertion 
 in your excellent paper, for we all feel anxious to know the tiue meaning of 
 the phites ; and publishing the facts might lead to the true translation. They 
 were found, I judge, more than twelve feet below the surface of the top of the 
 mound. 
 
 "I am, most respectfully, a citizen of Kinderhook, 
 
 "W. P. Harris, M.D." 
 
 The following certificate was forwarded for publication at the same 
 time : — 
 
 "We, citizens of Kinderhook, whose names are annexed, do certify and 
 dcchire, that on the 23rd of April, 1843, while excavating a large mound in 
 
AKCIENT GLYPHS. 
 
 273 
 
 this vicinity ]\Ir. Wiley took from said mound six brass plates, of a bell shape, 
 covered with ancient characters. Said j)lates were very much oxidated. The 
 bauds and rings on said plates mouldered into dust on a slight pressure. 
 
 " Egbert Wiley. Gr. W. F. Ward. Fayette GtRUBb. 
 
 George Dickensox. J. E. Sharp. W. P. Harris. 
 
 W. Longxecker. Ira S. Curtis. W. Fugate." 
 
 ^^^ "f 
 
 
 R 
 
 A^ ^ ^ 
 
 Ancient Glyph. 
 
 Of one of the last glyphs we are enabled to present an engraved 
 copy, which will allow the reader to judge of their character for 
 himself. We have now to do with the manner in which the Mormons 
 apply the supposed possession of some such plates as these by Joseph 
 Smith to Isaiah's prophecy respecting Ariel, as interpreted by the 
 Latter-Day Saints in their own favour. We therefore proceed with 
 Mr. Orson Pratt's statement : — 
 
 " Isaiah says, as we have already quoted, that * the vision of all is 
 become unto you as the words of a book that 'is sealed, which men 
 deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee ; and he 
 saith, I cannot, for it is sealed.' Mark this prediction ; the Book 
 itself was not to be delivered to the learned, but only ' the WOUDS of a 
 
^74 THE MORMONS. 
 
 Book ;' this was literally fulfilled In the event Avhicli has already hecn 
 described, as clearly testified of, not only by the ' plain-lookinii; ctmn- 
 tryman,' namely, Martin Harris, but by the learned Professor Anthoii 
 himself. 
 
 *' But Isaiah informs us, in the next verse (12), that the book itself 
 shall he delivered to the unlearned. He says, ' And the book is de- 
 livered to him that is not learned, saying. Read this, I pray thee ; and 
 he saith, I am not learned.' This was fulfilled when the angel of the 
 Lord delivered the Book into the hands of Mr. Smith ; though unlearned 
 in every language but his own mother tongue, yet he was commanded 
 to read or translate the Book. Feeling his own incapacity to read 
 such a book, he said to the Lord, in the words of Isaiah, ' I am not 
 learned.' When he made this excuse, the Lord answered him in 
 the words of Isaiah, next verses (13, 14), ' Wherefore, the Lord said, 
 forasmuch as this people draw near me Avith their mouth, and with 
 their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from mc, anil 
 their fear toward me is taught by the precei)t of men ; therefore, 
 behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even 
 a marvellous work and a wonder ; for the wisdom of their wise men 
 shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid,' 
 What woids could better pourtray the powerless apostate condition of 
 modern Christendom than this description ? and what words could be 
 more descriptive of the ' marvellous work and a wonder,' than to say, 
 that, the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding 
 of their prudent men shall be hid ?' W^hat could be mure marvellous 
 and wonderful, than for the Lord to cause an unlearned youth to r»ad 
 cr translate a book which the wisdom of the most wise and learned 
 could not read ? Surely the Lord's ways are not as our ways, and 
 bis thoughts are not as our thoughts ; for the wisdom of the world 
 is foolishness in the sight of God ; he bringeth forth by his power the 
 hidden things of his wisdom through the meek, the simple, and the 
 unlearned, while he rejecteth the wisdom and learning of men, because 
 of their piile and highmindedness." 
 
 To us it is clear that the reply, — *' I cannot, for it is sealed," fully 
 proves that the Prophet meant that the book itself, not the words 
 only, were delivered to the learned. But we are not here showing 
 the truth or the contraiy of the Mormon argument, but its ingenuity, 
 which, sometimes, is best shown where it is the most evidently false. 
 Besides, we must not pause on the way, and the subject is not ex- 
 hausted. Hear, then, again, Mr. Orson Pratt, the " learned apostle" 
 of Mormonism : — 
 
 " Isaiah, in the ninth and tenth verses, has given a further descrip- 
 tion of the condition of all the nations, addressing himself to them, he 
 
THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAH, 275 
 
 exclaims, * Stay yourselves and wonder ; cry ye out, and cry ; tliey 
 are di unken, but not with wine ; they stagger, but not with strong 
 drink ; for the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep 
 sleep, and hath closed your eyes ; the prophets and your rulers, the 
 seers hath he covered, and the vision of all is become unto you as the 
 words of a Book that is sealed,' <fec. Here we i)erceive the dark and 
 benighted condition of the multitude of all the nations ; at the time 
 
 * the words of tlie Book ' should ' speak out of the ground ' ' the spirit 
 of deep sleep ' was to be poured out upon them ; they were to be 
 drunken and stagger, but not with wine nor with strong drink ; the 
 prophets and seers were to be covered from them ; and ' the vision of 
 all,' that is, the revelations of all the holy prophets and seers, con> 
 tained either in the Bible or any other place, were to become as the 
 words of the sealed Book of Mormon. If they understood ' the vision 
 of all ' who have spoken in past ages by the spirit of prophecy, they 
 w^oidd not be 'drunken,' nor 'stagger,' nor be in a 'deep sleep,' but 
 all nations are drunken with the wine of the wratli of the fornication 
 of great Babylon ; they see not, neither do they understand the judg- 
 ments which are about to befall them. As the learned Professor 
 Anthon could not read ' the words of the Book ' pi-esented to him 
 because it was a sealed book — a language not understood by the 
 learned— so with ' the multitude of all the nations ' in regard to ' the 
 vision of all the prophets and seers ;' they are covered ; they are not 
 understood any more than the words of the sealed Book were under- 
 stood by the learned. When the events of Scripture prophecy are so 
 clearly fulfilled before their eyes, they will not even then perceive it ; 
 when the wisdom of the wise and learned perishes, and a mar- 
 vellous work and a wonder is performed, in causing the unlearned to 
 read the Book, the nations will not take it to heart ; though, as Isaiah 
 says, they will ' stay themselves and wonder,' and ' cry out and cry,' 
 because of tlie Book which ' speaks out of the ground ;' yet, because 
 they are drunken with every species of wickedness and abominations, 
 and because they ' draw near to the Lord with their mouths and with 
 their lips, while their hearts are removed far from him, and because 
 they are taught by the i)recepts of men they will reject it, and in so 
 doing, they will reject the Lord's great and last warning message to 
 man, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.' Because they 
 despise so great a work, they * shall be visited,' as Isaiah says, * with 
 storm and tempest,' and 'earthquakes,' and ' the flame of devouring 
 fire.' 
 
 " As another evidence that the Book of which Isaiah speaks, was 
 to come forth in the latter times, he says, in the seventeenth verse, 
 
 * Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a 
 
27G THE MORMO!:S. 
 
 fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as the forest?' 
 Eighteenth verse : ' And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the 
 Eook, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of 
 darkness.' This Book could not mean the New Testament, for when 
 that was written, it was about the time that Lebanon was to be for- 
 saken by the Jews, and become a desolation, a forest or Avilderness, for 
 many generations. * Upon the land of my people shall come up 
 thorns and briers ' (Isaiah, xxxii. 13). Hence, the land of Palestine, 
 which includes Lebanon, was, when the New Testament was written, 
 about to be cursed. But immediately after the unlearned should read 
 the Book, ' Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruit- 
 ful field shall be esteemed as the forest.' The Book, therefore, that 
 Isaiah prophecies of, is to come forth just before the great day of the 
 restoration of Israel to their own lands ; at Avhich time Lebanon, and 
 all the land of Canaan, is again to be blessed, while the fruitful field, 
 occupied by the nations of the Gentiles, ' will be esteemed as a forest ;' 
 the multitude of the nations of the Gentiles are to perish, and their 
 lands, Avhich are now like a fruitful field, are to be left desolate of 
 inhabitants, and become as Lebanon has been for many generations 
 past ; while Lebanon shall again be occupied by Israel, and ' be turned 
 into a fruitful field.' These great events could not take place until 
 the Lord should first bring forth a book out of the ground. 
 
 *"And, in that day, shall the deaf hear the uords of the Booh.'' 
 This has already been literally fulfilled. Those who Avere so deaf that 
 they could not hear the loudest sound, have had their ears opened to 
 hear the glorious and most precious words of the Book of Mormon, 
 and it has been done by the power of God and not of man. 'And the 
 e/jes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.'' This has 
 also been literally fulfilled, as abundantly testified of in the fifth num- 
 ber of this series. ' The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord.' 
 Now, during the long night of darkness, there have been some humble 
 meek persons, who have had a degree of light ; but as the Church of 
 Christ had fled from the earth, there was no one that had authority to 
 baptize or administer the ordinances of the Gospel to those meek per- 
 sons ; therefore, their joy was very imperfect : but Isaiah says, when 
 the Book is revealed, ' the meek shall increase their joy in the Lord.' 
 This is what the Book is calculated to produce ; for by its contents 
 the meek learn that the time is at hand for them to inherit the earth, 
 according to the blessing of our Saviour on the mount : ' Blessed are 
 the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.' This will be fulfilled after 
 all the wicked nations are destroyed. ' And the poor among men shall 
 rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.' This also is promised as a result 
 of the revelation of the Book, and the means by which it is to be 
 
THE PROPHECY OF EZEKIEL. )^ I i 
 
 effected is by a general overthrow of the wicked ; as, &ays Isaiah, ' For 
 the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and 
 all that watch for iniquity are cut off; that make a man an ofi'ender 
 for a word, and lay a snare for him that i-eproveth in the gate, and 
 turn aside the just*fbr a thing of nought.' how plainly it is de- 
 clared that judgment was soon to fall upon all the wicked after the 
 appearance of this Book— this marvellous work and a wonder ! And 
 how plainly it is also declared that the deaf, the blind, the meek, 
 and the poor among men were to be greatly benefited by the 
 Book ! " 
 
 But the prophetic argument of the Mormons has wider ramifications. 
 Not alone Isaiah, but Ezekiel, is produced as a Avitness : — 
 
 " We have already shown from Isaiah that the house of Jacob 
 never could be restored, until God should bring forth ullook, and that, 
 too, ' out of the ground ; ' and, until the deaf should hear the words of 
 it. It will next be shown from the testimony of Ezekiel, that the 
 Book which is to perform so great a work for Israel, was really and 
 truly to be a record of Joseph. Ezekiel says (xxxvii.), ' The Word of 
 the Lord came again unto me, saying. Moreover, thou son of man, 
 take thee one stick, and write upon it, for Judah, and for the children 
 of Israel, his companions ; then take another stick, and write upon it, 
 for Joseph the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his 
 con)panions : and join them one to another into one stick, and they 
 shall become one in tliine hand. And when the children of thy people 
 shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou mean- 
 est by these? Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I 
 will take the stick of Joseph which is (shall be) in the hand of 
 Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his felloAvs, and will put them with 
 him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they 
 shall be one in mine hand. And the sticks Avhereon thou writest shall 
 be in thine hand before their eyes.' 
 
 " It was customary in ancient days to write upon parchment, and 
 roll the same upon stichs, and such reading sticks or rolls were called 
 hooJiS. All the i3rophecies of Jeremiah, from the days of Josiah down 
 to the fourth year of Jehoikim were written in one of tliese rolls 
 (Jeremiah xxxvi., 1, 2). This 'roll' of the writings of Jeremiah, is 
 called a ' book' in the 8th, 10th, llth, and 13th verses: hence, the 
 terms 7-oU and hook are synonymous. If, then, a reading-stick or roll 
 containing writings, is called ' a book,' we can all understand the 
 meaning of the word of the Lord to Ezekiel ; it was a clear and beau- 
 tiful representation of the union of two books in the hand of the Lord. 
 Ezekiel was commanded first, to write upon one stick, \for Judah and 
 for the cJiihlreii of Israel Jiis companions.' This was a representation 
 
278 THE MOEMONS. 
 
 of the Bible whi'cli is the record of Judah. * Then take another sticTi, 
 and write upon it, for Joseph, the sticli of Ephraim, and for all the 
 house of Israel his com}mmons/ This was a representation of the 
 Book of Mormon, which is the record of Joseph written in ancient 
 America. * And join them one to another into one stick, and they shall 
 become one in thine hand.' This was a representation of the union of 
 the records of the two nations. In the interpretation of the meaninoj 
 of tlie two sticks, the Lord says that He himself * uill take the stick 
 of Joseph' and put it ' ivith the stick of Judah.' Therefore, we learn 
 by this that the stick of Joseph was not found united witli the stick 
 of Judah by accident, but it was a work which the Lord himself 
 sliould perform. Hence, he further says, ' TJiey shall he one in mine 
 hand.' Therefore, the two writings becominir one in Ezekiel's liand, 
 was a most beautiful representation of the two writings which should 
 become one in the Lord's hand. 
 
 " Having learned by Ezekiel that the Lord God will take the stick 
 of Joseph, and ptlt with it the stick of Judah, and make them one in 
 his hand ; let us next inquire what events are to follow the union of 
 these two writings. The Lord farther declaT-es, ' And the stick 
 whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. And 
 say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, T will take the chil- 
 dren of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and 
 will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land, 
 and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains 
 of Israel ; and one king shall be king to them all ; and they shall be 
 1)0 more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms 
 any more at all ; neither shall they defile themselves any more with 
 their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their 
 transgressions ; but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, 
 wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them : so shall they be my 
 people, and I will be their God.' We learn from this, that the great 
 object the Lord has in view, in bringing forth the book of Joseph, and 
 uniting it with the Bible, is to gather Israel never more to be scat- 
 tered. Thus we see that both Isaiah and Ezekiel have spoken of the 
 same great and marvellous events ; one declares that the house of 
 Jacob should never again * wax pale ' or * be made ashamed ' in the 
 day that a certain book should make its appearance ; the other de- 
 clares, that the whole house of Israel should be restored to their own 
 lands, and should never again be divided into two nations, in the day 
 that the Lord should put the writings of Joseph with the writings of 
 Judah, Take the testimony .of Isaiah and Ezekiel in connection with 
 the testimony of Moses, concerning the 'precious things of heaven,' 
 which should be given on the land of Joseph, and join this with the 
 
MORMON CHARGES AGAINST ALL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. 279 
 
 testimony of John concerning the restoration of tlie Gospel by an 
 angel, and the testimony of Daniel concerning the stone cut from the 
 mountain without hands, representing the latter-day kingdom of God, 
 and we liave, by a combination of all these testimonies, prophetic 
 evidences of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon, wliich 
 should convince the most incredulous, and destroy Atheism out of 
 existence." 
 
 Such is the argument of the great Mormon Apostle ! After all, 
 however, it is designed exclusively for the profane. He himself needs 
 it not ; he has higher, more immediate evidence. — This ! 
 
 " And I now bear my humble testimony to all the nations of the 
 earth, who shall read this series of pamphlets, that the Book of Mor- 
 mon is a divine revelation, for the voice of the Lord hath declared ic 
 unto me." 
 
 But we must proceed, however, with our abstract of the theology 
 of the Mormons, as it has grown out of and upon the Book of Mor- 
 mon, as invented by Joscpli Smith ; and as it has been developed by 
 the acuter men, such as Orson Bratt, who succeeded him in the njan- 
 agement of the sect. 
 
 Bor the last fourteen hundred years, according to the persuasion of 
 the ]\[urmon, the Church has been in a state of suspended animation. 
 Mr. Orson Bratt, too, would i)rove the allegation out of the mouths of 
 Christian controversialists themselves. *' We believe," lie states, in 
 *• Remarkable Vision.-," No. 6, '* that there has been a general and 
 awful ajjostacy from the religion of the New Testament, s;j that all the 
 known world have been left for centuries without the Church of Christ 
 among them ; without a priesthood authorized of God to administer 
 ordinances ; that every one of the churches has perverted the gospel ; 
 some in one way, and some in another. For instance, almost every 
 church has done away ' immersion for remission of sins.' Those few 
 who have practised it for remission of sins, have done away the ordi- 
 nance of the ' laying on of hands' upon baptized believers for the gift 
 of the Holy Ghost. Again, the few who have practised the last ordi- 
 nance have perverted the first, or have done away the ancient gifts, 
 powers, and blessings, which flow from the Holy Spirit, or have said 
 to inspired apostles and prophets, we have no need of you in the body 
 in these days. Those few, again, who have believed in, and contended 
 i'or, the miraculous gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit, have perverted 
 the ordinances or done them away. Thus all the churches preach 
 false doctrines and pervert the gospel, and instead of having authority 
 from God to administer its ordinances they are under the curse of 
 God for perverting it." 
 
 In corroboration of these views, we are reminded that Brotestants 
 
280 
 
 THE MOEMOXS. 
 
 Orson Pratt. 
 
 charge on the churches of Ptome and Greece tlie sin of apostacy, and 
 Ptoman Catholics have charged with heresy ah reformed churches: — 
 mutual recriminations which involve the predicated period of four- 
 teen hundred years in the charge brought against it by the Mor- 
 mon prophet. Mr. Pratt, indee<;l, in his " Divine Authenticity of 
 the Book of Mormon," boldly declares, that "the whole Romish, 
 Greek, and Protestant ministry, from the Pope down, through every 
 grade of office, are as destitute of authority from God, as the 
 Devil and his angels." And this state of things (he says), was 
 prophesied by Paul, in the memorable words, that " the day of 
 Christ shall not come, except there come a falling away first," and 
 by other apostles in many texts of Scripture. Ths Mormons admit 
 that the churches which have existed from the first century "have 
 all had a form of godliness, while denying the power ; and they yet 
 stand in the same predicament." 
 
 " Such," says Mr. Pratt, in the work just alluded to, "such was 
 to be the religion of the latter ages, as prophetically described by the 
 ancient apostles ; and such is the religion of the Papal, Greek, and 
 Protestant churches of the nineteenth century. The predictions were 
 uttered eighteen centuries ago, and modern Christendom exhibits a 
 most perliect fulfilment. Instead of having apostles, prophets, and 
 
ORSON PRATT ON THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. 281 
 
 Other inspired men in the church now, receiving visions, dreams, 
 reveUitions, ministry of angels, and ])i'Ophecies tor the calling of 
 officers, and for the government of the church,— they have a wicked, 
 corrupt, uninspired pope, or uninspired archbishops, bishops, cler- 
 gymen, <fcc., who have a great variety of corrupt forms of Godli- 
 ness, but utterly deny the gift of revelation, and every other mira- 
 culous power which always characterised Christ's Church. These 
 man-made, powerless, hypocritical false teachers, ' make merchan- 
 dise of the people,' by preacJiing for large salaries, amounting in 
 many instances to tens of thousands of pounds sterling annually. 
 They and their deluded followers are reprobate concerning the faith 
 once delivered to the Saints. The faith which once quenched the 
 violence of fire, stopped the mouths of lions, divided waters, and 
 controlled the powers of nature, is discarded as unnecessary. The 
 faith that inspired men with the gift of revelation— that opened 
 the heavens and laid hold on mysteries that were not lawful to be 
 uttered— that unfolded the visions of the past and future— and that 
 called down the angels of heaven to eat and drink with men on 
 earth,— is denied as being attainable in this age. The sound doc- 
 trine taught by the apostles which put mankind in the possession 
 of these glorious gifts and powers cannot now be endured. The 
 doctrines, commands, fables, traditions, and creeds, of uninspired 
 men, are now substituted in the place of direct inspiration from God. 
 * They are ever learning, but are never able to come to the know- 
 ledge of the truth.' Guess work, conjecture, opinion, and, perhaps, 
 in some instances, a belief in regard to the truth, are all that they 
 attain to, Avhlle a knowledge they do not obtain, because they deny 
 new revelation, the only means of obtaining it. This great multitude 
 of false teachers who have found their way into all nations, deceiving 
 millions, ' resist the truth,' contend against the miraculous powers of 
 the gospel, and reject inspired men, as ' Jannes and Jambres ' — the 
 magicians, did Moses ; but ' their folly shall be made manifest unto 
 all men, as theirs also was ;' yea, all nations shall see the righteous 
 judgments which shall speedily be executed upon them, for they shall, 
 like Pharaoh's host, perish quickly from the earth." 
 
 Pursuing this course of logic, in connection Avith the evidence ot 
 history, Mr. Orson Pratt argues that it is neither unscriptural nor 
 unreasonable to expect more revelation ; and that, in fact, more reve- 
 lation is necessary. This, however, is an argument in behalf ot 
 modern visions and prophecyings, and but little in favour of the 
 Book of Alormon, which, like the Scriptures in general, deals with the 
 past, not with the present. And this, as we have before remarked, 
 is the main proposition about which the Mormon advocate is sohci- 
 
282 THE MORMONS. 
 
 tous. That proposition he uses both negatively and affirmatively. 
 Negatively, as against all churches preceding his own : — e, g. 
 
 " As the Church of England and other Protestants do not profess 
 to have received any new commission by revelation, but, on the con- 
 trary, require their followers to reject everything of the kind, it may 
 be asked, how did they get their authority ? It will be replied, that 
 they received it from WicklifFe, Cranmer, Luther, Calvin, and various 
 other dissenters from the Papal Church. But where did those dis- 
 senters get theirs from ? They answer, from the Roman Catholics. 
 But the Catholics excommunicated them as heretics ; and surely if 
 they had power to impart authority, they had power to take it away. 
 Therefore, if the Ptomish Church had any authority, the Protestants, 
 being excommunicated, can hold none from that source. But if the 
 Catholics hold authority, they must be the true church, and con- 
 sequently the Pi-otestants must be apostates ; but, on the other 
 liand, if the Catholics are not the true church, they can have no 
 authority themselves, and therefore could not impart any to others. 
 Now the Church of England states in one of her homilies, * that laitif 
 and elergy, learned and unlearned, men and tvomen, and children of all 
 ages, sects, and degrees, of Whole Christendom, have been at once 
 buried in The Most Abominable Idolatry, (a most dreadful thing 
 
 to think,) and that for the space OF EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS OR MORE. 
 
 Wesley in his 94th sermon states the same in substance ; he says, 
 ' The real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were 
 no lonoer to be found in the Christian Ciuu-ch, was, because the Chris- 
 tians ivere turned heathens again, and had only a dead form left.^ If, 
 then, the ' whole of Christendom,' without one exception, have been 
 ' buried in the most abominable idolatry for upwards of eight hun- 
 dred years,' as the Church of England declares, and if they, because 
 they are destitute of the gifts, are not even now Christians, but 
 heathens, as Wesley asserts, we ask where the authority was during 
 the eight hundred years, and where is it now ? Surely God would 
 not recognise 'the most abominable idolaters,' as holding authority ; 
 if so, the authority of the worshippers of Juggernaut must be as valid 
 as that of idolatrous Christendom. But the idolatry of * the whole of 
 Christendom' must have been more corrupt, according to the Church 
 of England, than that of other idolators : for they call it ' the most 
 abominable idolatry, ' and most positively declare that there was no 
 exception of either clergy or laity — of either man, woman, or child — 
 all were buried in it. This being the case, (and we feel no disposi- 
 tion to dispute it,) there could have been no possible channel on the 
 whole earth through wdiich authority could have been transferred 
 from the apostles to our day. Therefore, as Wesley says, all Chris- 
 
RELIGIOUS ASPECTS OF MOEMONISil. 283 
 
 tendom are, sure enough, * heathens,' having no more authority nor 
 power than the idolatrous pagans. If, then, the ' whole of Christen- 
 dom ' have been without authority and power ' for eight hundred 
 years and upwards,' we ask, when was the authority restored ? how 
 w^as it restored ? and to what man or •peoj)le was it restored ? It 
 could not have been restored to the papal churches, for they do not 
 proless that any s.icli restoration has been made to them ; it could 
 not have been re.:5tored to the Church of England and other Pro- 
 testants, for they do not admit of any later revelation than the ISew 
 Testament; consequently their own admissions prove most clearly 
 that the whole of Christendom are without an authorized ministry ; 
 therefore it is indispensably necessary that more revelation should be 
 given to restore the authority to the earth and «all men to the ministry 
 again, as in ancient days." 
 
 ' The Mormon writer uses the same proposition affirmatively as jus- 
 tifying the creation and ordination of official persons in the new church 
 of Latter-Day Saints. Revelation, he says, is also necessary to point 
 out their duties. " Without continued revelation the officers of the 
 church can do nothing." " The apostles, and Jesus Christ himself, 
 were under the same necessity in their time." Peter himself was one 
 *'of those visionary characters so much despised by modern religionists." 
 
 So far the philosophical historian may recognise in these Mormon 
 doctrines the spirit of reaction against that ultra-Protestant opposition 
 to mysticism of which Luther set the example. We therefoi-e cannot 
 do better than sum up the entire argument in the words of its clever 
 though mistaken advocate. 
 
 " New revelation is the very life and soul of the religion of heaven, 
 — that it is indispensably necessary for the calling of all officers in 
 the church, — that without it, the officers can never be instructed in 
 the various duties of their callings, — that where the spirit of revela- 
 tion does not exist, the church cannot be. comforted and taught in all 
 wisdom and knowledge, — cannot be properly reproved and chastened 
 according to the mind of God, — cannot obtain promise, for themselves, 
 but are dependent upon the promises made through the ancients. 
 Without new revelation the people are like a blind man groping his 
 way in total darkness, not knowing the dangers that beset his path. 
 Without prophets and revelators, darkness hangs over the future, — 
 no city, peoide, or nation, understand what awaits them. Without 
 new revelation, no people know of the approaching earthquake — of 
 the deadly plague— of the terrible war— of the withering famine— and 
 of the fearful judgments of the Almighty which hang over their de- 
 voted heads. When the voice of living prophets and apostles are no 
 longer heard in the land— there is an end of perfecting and edifying 
 
Q84 
 
 THE ]\rOEMOXS. 
 
 the saints — there is a speedy end to the ' work of the ministry '— tliere 
 is an end to the obtaining of that knowledge so necessary to eternal 
 life— there is an end to all that is great, and grand, and glorious, 
 pertaining to the religion of heaven — there is an end to the very ex- 
 istence of the church of Christ on the earth— there is an end to salva- 
 tion in the celestial kingdom. 
 
 From this statement, the dogma that "the Bible and tradition, 
 without further revelation, are an insufficient guide," natm-ally fol- 
 lows as a corollary. Some of the illustrations of this insufficiency are 
 pregnant of suggestion. For instance, has the following any con- 
 nexion with the spiritual wife doctrine, which, notwithstanding many 
 denials, we are bound, on the authority of Air. Kelly and many other 
 persons, to believe to ba practised by at least some of the Mormons. 
 
 '* There are many things practised by both Romish and Protestant 
 churches which the Scrii)tures do not clearly reveal, therefore they 
 must both of them consider that the Scriptures are not a sufficient 
 guide. We are informed in Scripture that marriage is ordained of 
 God, but we are not informed in Scrljjture who has the right to offi- 
 ciate in this ceremony. Who can tell from the New Testament any- 
 tliing about the order to be observed in relation to this subject ? We 
 read that " what God hath joined together let no man put asunder ! ' 
 but through what ])articular office does God join together the sexes in 
 matrimony ? Can laymen officiate ? Can those out of the church offi- 
 ciate ? Can a woman officiate ? Can the parties join themselves toge- 
 ther In matrimony, in the name of the Lord ? Who can answer these 
 questions from the Bible alone ? No one. The Bible does not guide 
 the church in this important ordinance." 
 
 Similar questions are asked in the same manner as to all other 
 ordinances of the church, baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, ordi- 
 nation, &c., with similar result. The writer then condescends to be 
 jocose ; and asks, 
 
 " Furthermore, wdiere in the Bible does it say that the king and 
 people of England ought to revolt from the Romish Church, and form 
 a church of their own by act of parliament ? If tlie Bible wei-e a 
 sufficient guide, why Avas an act of jiarliament necessary as another 
 guide to form the English Church ? If the Bible were a sufficient 
 guide, why was another book made, called the ' Book of Connnon 
 Prayer,' and the people compelled to give heed to it under pain of 
 banishment, and even death itself? If the articles of religion, con- 
 tained in the New Testament, were a sufficient guide, why were ' Thirty 
 Nine Articles' more enforced upon the peoj^le by acts of parliament, 
 and the people butchered and murdered because they could not con- 
 scientiously comply with them ? It is certain that this newly-formed- 
 
THE BOOK OF DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS. 285 
 
 parliament-made church considered the Bible to be very deficient as 
 a guide, or they never would have resorted to such bloodthirsty mur- 
 derous measures to establish other books in addition to the Bible. 
 
 " Again, what part of the Bible has established the salaries of the 
 different officers of the church ? If it be necessary that preachers 
 should have wages, how much shall it be ? How much more shall an 
 apostle get than a prophet ? If a bishop get from ten to twenty thou- 
 sand pounds for one year's preaching, liow much should an inspired 
 ai)0Stle or prophet get ? or how much should some of the lower officers 
 have ? The New Testament does not tell us the amount of wages reli- 
 gious hirelings should have, therefore, if it be important to know, 
 the Bible is an insufficient guide. It says, however, that apostles 
 should * take neither purse nor scrip,' but it leaves us entirely in the 
 dark, as to how much bishops, archbishops, and other officers should 
 have. Would it not be a wise plan for an act of parliament to in- 
 ci-ease their wages a little, lest they suffer ? We see plainly that the 
 Bible is not a sufficient guide in many, very many points, as the doings 
 of the whole Protestant world most plainly declaie." 
 
 Practical as all these questions are, and enforced with talent and 
 eloquence not to be despised by any candid writer, they leave the 
 divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon much where they found 
 it. Accordingly, no attempt is made by Mr. Orson Pratt, to argue that 
 question, by reference to internal evidence either of that book or of 
 the Bible, or to suj^port either by tradition or argument, but only 
 b}'- testimon}'. And that testimony is the story of the angel and the 
 discovery of the buried plates already related. We are to accept the 
 testimony of Joseph Smith and his witnesses ; the Moimons will 
 give us no other. For the rest, they report to every si)ecies of forensic 
 recrimination. 
 
 This mode of argument is open to much suspicion. It indicates 
 a bad cause. It is a jdea in extenuation, not a proof of non-guilti- 
 ness. It is the justification of one pious fraud by the allegation of 
 another. To a considerable extent, however, the justification has 
 succeeded, and we are presented with a new church claiming imme- 
 diate revelation with its specific doctrines, officers, and orders. 
 
 These, for the most part, are to be found in another Mormon 
 book, already frequently mentioned, and of Avhich the full title is as 
 follows : — 
 
 " The Book of Doctrine and Covenants, of the Church of Jesus 
 Christ of , Latter-Day Saints, selected from the Revelations of God, 
 by Joseph Smith, President. Liverpool : Orson Pratt.- 
 
 * This and the' other numerous controversial tracts of the Mormons may he 
 obtained at their Depot, 35 Jewin Street, Aldersgale Street, London. 
 
286 THE MOKMOXS. 
 
 This work commences with seven lectures on the siihject of faith, 
 said originally to Jiave been delivered before a class of the elders, in 
 Kirtland, Ohio ; and certainly marked by considerable acumen. On 
 this point Mr. Bowes, tlie author of a pamphlet entitled *' Mormon- 
 ism Exposed," and a public debater against the Saints in the manu- 
 fcicturing districts in Ei)gland, has not been fortunate in attacking 
 their theology. He charges them with ignorance of the word faith 
 — he has only proved his own. Faith, he says, iscrerliting testimony, 
 and asks, "What testimony God had to credit?" — and therefore 
 concludes that faith is not an attribute of God but of believers. Mr. 
 Bowes has here confounded speculative belief with practical faith. 
 With the Mormons, on the contrary, "faith is the principle of power,'' 
 both human and divine. " The principle of jiower," say they, "which 
 existed in the bosom of God, by which the worlds were framed, was 
 faitli ; and it is by reason of this principle of power existing in the 
 Deity, that all created things exist ; so that all things in heaven, on 
 earth, of under the earth exist by reason of faith as it existed in 
 Him." It is to the credit of the Mormons that, considering faith in its 
 jiractical aspects, they have brought it to bear on the actual business 
 of life, and used it as the coi-ner- stone of the social edifice, though re- 
 jected by other builders of churches and of states. 
 
 It is because the Mormons accept faith as a practical im])ulse 
 rather than as a speculative acqu"escence, that they regard the living 
 prophet with even more esteem than his pi-ojdiecy, and derive the 
 authenticity of the book rather from the institution of the church, 
 than found the church upon the book. They sympathise moie 
 strongly with the Roman Catholic view in relation to the Bible than 
 with the Protestant. The church to both is the living witness 
 and interpreter of the dead letter in old documents. W^ith them, 
 there still exists fellowship between God and man ; with them, 
 the being of the former is testified by immediate inspiration ; 
 and the believing recipient is, as of old, " the teniple of the Holy 
 Ghost." 
 
 i\o\x, other and more generally-esteemed men than Joseph Smith 
 — men whom the world has accepted as philosophers have yearned, 
 in these latter days, to supply the void which they felt to exist as a 
 want in modern Christendom. Luther's reformation in Europe was 
 directly opposed to the mystical spirit which lies concealed in the 
 bosom of all religious communities, and which, though the great re- 
 former sought to extinguish it, continues still unquenched to the 
 present time, and, as his biography proves, was not absent in his 
 deeper moods from his own mental operations. The Chillingworth 
 doctrine ot " the Bible, and the Bible alone, being the religion of 
 
MORMON IDEA OF " FAITH." 287 
 
 Protestants," had a tendency to substitute for the idohitry of the 
 priest the idohatry of the book ; and, indeed, it was a favourite tenet, 
 and, strange as it may appear, the boast of the orthodox, that " there 
 Avas no vision in the land. " The time for miraculous conmiunication 
 was passed for ever. The oreat American sage, Mr. Emerson, felt 
 the burthen of the Protestant yoke in this particidar ; and, in one of 
 bis lectures, declares that its teaching is equivalent to an admission 
 that " God is dead " in respect to the human race at the present 
 time. Now this is a conclusion against which the thinking man will 
 reasonably revolt. Nor is much education required to perceive its 
 fallacy. The self- instructed man would be one of the first to perceive 
 it. No wonder, then, that in some part of the Christian v/orld, 
 there should be a Joseph Smith, who would be deeply atiected with 
 such perception ; and, pursuing the practical tendencies of a Avorking- 
 man, should seek to carry out its results in connexion with the 
 actual conditions and relations of the social state, collectively and 
 individually. 
 
 To accomplish such an end, the first thing to be done is, to destroy 
 the Bibliolatry that impedes it. The infidel sought to do this by 
 invalidating the Scriptures ; but modern sages have proposed, on 
 the other hand, to invest the whole range of literature with Divine 
 sanctions, and to accept poets and philosophers as everywhere and 
 always inspired. Joseph Smith adopted a more compact method. 
 He set up a second Bible to partake the honours of the first ; and 
 having thus divided the homage, and thereby weakened the idolatry, 
 he prepared the way for the acceptance of new pretensions. A third 
 Bible was now possible, which should record the origin, progress, 
 and full establishment of a new dispensation entrusted to his own 
 personal conduct as a prophet. 
 
 The lecturer " on Faith " in the Book of Doctrine proceeds to ask, 
 *' Who cannot see, then, that salvation is the effect of faith ? for, 
 as we have previously observed, all the heavenly beings work by this 
 ])rinciple ; and it is because they are able so to do that they are 
 saved, for nothing but this could save them. And this is the lesson 
 •which the God of heaven, by the mouth of all his holy prophets, lias 
 been endeavouring to teach to the world. Hence we are told, that 
 without faith it is impossible to please God ; and that salvation is of 
 faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be 
 sure to all the seed. Pv,omans iv. 16. And that Israel, who followed 
 after the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righte- 
 ousness. Wherefore ? Because they sought it not by faith, but as 
 it w^ere by the works of the law ; for they stumbled at that stum- 
 bling stone. Romans ix. 32. And Jesus said unto the man who 
 
288 THE MORMONS. 
 
 brouf^ht his son to him, to get the devil who tormented him cast out, 
 * If tliou canst beUeve, all things are possible to him that believeth.' 
 Mark ix. 23. These, with a multitude of other scriptures which 
 might be quoted, ph^inly set forth the light in which the Saviour, as 
 •well as the Former- Day Saints, viewed the plan of salvation. That 
 it was a system of faith — it begins with faith, and continues by 
 faith ; and every blessing which is obtained in relation to it, is the 
 effect of faith, whether it pertains to this life or that Avhich is to 
 come. To this all the revelations of God bear witness. If there 
 were children of promise, they were the effects of faith, not even the 
 Saviour of the world excepted. * Blessed is she that believeth,' 
 said Elizabeth to Mary, Avhen she w^nt to visit her, ' for there shall 
 be a performance of the things which Avere told her of the Lord.' 
 Luke i. 45. Nor Avas the birth of John the Baptist the less a matter 
 of faith ; for in order that his father Zacharias might believe, he was 
 struck dumb. And through the whole history of the scheme of life 
 and salvation, it is a matter of faith : every man received according 
 to his faith — according as his faith was, so Avere his blessings and 
 privileges ; and nothing Avas Avithheld from him Avhen his faith Avas 
 sufficient to receive it. He could stop the mouths of lions, quench 
 the violence of fire, escape the edge of the sword, Avax valiant in 
 fight, and put to flight the armies of the aliens ; Avomen could, by 
 their faith, receive their dead children to life again ; in a Avord, tlieie 
 Avas nothing impossible Avith them Avho had iaith. All things Avere 
 in subjection to the Former-Day Saints, according as their faith Avas. 
 By their faith they could obtain heavenly visions, the ministering of 
 angels, have knowledge of the spirits of just men made perfect, of the 
 general assembly and church of the first born, Avhose names are 
 Avritten in heaven, of God the Judge of all, of Jesus the Mediator of 
 the new coA'enant, and become familiar Avith the third heavens, see 
 and hear things Avhicli AA^ere not only unutterable, but Avere unlaAvlul 
 to utter." 
 
 These lectures are followed by sections entitled, " Doctrines and 
 Con^iandments," Avhich are given us from "the Lord, to his ser- 
 vants of the Church, of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." In the 
 second section the origin of the church is thus dated. 
 
 "1. The rise of the church of Christ in these last days, being one 
 thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly or- 
 ganized and established agreeably to the laws of our country, by the 
 Avill and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the 
 sixth day of the month Avhich is called April ; Avhich commandments 
 Avere given to Joseph Smith, jun., who Avas called of God, and or- 
 
" DOCTRINES AND COMMANDMENTS." 289 
 
 dained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church ; 
 and to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of 
 Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained 
 under his hand ; and this according to the grace of our Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and for ever. 
 Amen. 
 
 " 2. After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had 
 received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vani- 
 ties of the world ; but after repenting, and humbling himself sin- 
 cerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy angel, 
 whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure 
 and white above all other whiteness ; and gave unto him command- 
 ments which inspired him ; and gave him power from on high, by 
 the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of 
 Mormon, which contains a record of a fallen people, and the ful- 
 ness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews 
 also, which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by 
 the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them, 
 proving to the world that the Holy Scriptures are true, and that 
 God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and 
 generation, as well as in generations of old, thereby showing that 
 he is the same God yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Amen." 
 
 We are then instructed in those particulars in which it was above 
 stated the Scriptures are an insufficient guide. 
 
 " 7. And again, by icaij of commandment to the church concerning 
 the manner of baptism. — All those who humble themselves before 
 God, and desire to be baptized and come forth with broken hearts 
 and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have 
 truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them 
 the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the 
 end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the 
 spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by 
 baptism into his church. 
 
 *' 8. The duty of the -elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members 
 of the church of Christ. — An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling 
 to baptize and to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons, 
 and to administer bread and wine — the emblems of the flesh and 
 blood of Christ — and to confirm those who are baptized into the 
 church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the 
 Holy Ghost, according to the Scriptures ; and to teach, expound, 
 exhort, baptize, and watch over the church ; and to confirm the 
 church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy 
 Ghost, and to take the lead of all meetings. 
 
 s 
 
290 THE MORMONS. 
 
 " 9. The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by 
 the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of 
 God. 
 
 "10. The priest's duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and 
 baptize, and administer the sacrament, and visit the house of each 
 member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret, and attend 
 to all family duties ; and he may also ordain other priests, teachers, 
 and deacons. And he is to take the lead of meetings when there is 
 no elder present ; but when there is an elder present, he is only to 
 preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and visit tlie house of 
 each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret, and 
 attend to all family duties. In all these duties the priest is to assist 
 the elder if occasion requires. 
 
 '* 11. The teacher's duty is to Avatch over the church always, and 
 be with and strengthen them, and see that there is no iniquity in 
 the church — neither hardness with each other — neither lying, back- 
 biting, nor evil speaking ; and see that the church meet together 
 often, and also see that all the members do their duty ; and he is to 
 take the lead of meetings in the absence of the elder priest — and is 
 to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, 
 if occasion requires ; but neither teachers nor deacons have authority 
 to baptize, administer the sacrament, or lay on hands ; they are, 
 however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach and invite all to come 
 unto Christ. 
 
 ** 12. Every elder, priest, teacher, or deacon, is to be ordained 
 according to the gifts and callings of God unto him : and he is to be 
 ordained by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is in the one who 
 ordains him. 
 
 *' 13. The several elders, composing this church of Christ, are to 
 meet in conference once in three months, or from time to time as 
 said conferences shall direct or appoint ; and said conferences are 
 to do whatever church business is necessary to be done at the 
 time. 
 
 " 14. The elders are to receive their licenses from other elders, 
 by vote of the church to which they belong, or from the confer- 
 ences. 
 
 *' 15. Each priest, teacher, or deacon, who is ordained by a priest, 
 may take a certificate from him at the time, which certificate, when 
 presented to an elder, shall entitle him to a license, which shall 
 authorize him to perform the duties of his calling, or he may receive 
 it from a conference. 
 
 " 16. No person is to be ordained to any office in 'this church, 
 where tliere is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the 
 
DOCTRINES AND COMMANDMENTS. 
 
 291 
 
 vote of that church ; but the presiding elders, travelhng bishops, 
 high counsellors, higli priests, and elders, mav have the privilege 
 of ordaining, where there is no branch of the church that a vote may 
 be called. 
 
 ** 17. Every president of the high piiesthood, (or presiding elder,) 
 bishop, high counsellor, and high priest, is to be ordained by the 
 direction of a high council or general conference. 
 
 ** 18. The duty of the members after they are received by baptism. — 
 The elders or priests are to have a sufficient time to expound all 
 things concerning the chuich of Christ to their understanding, pre- 
 vious to their partaking ot the sacrament and being confirmed by 
 the laying on of the hands of the elders, so that all things may be 
 done in order. And the members shall manifest before the church, 
 and also before the elders, by a godly walk and conversation, that 
 they are worthy of it, that there may be works and faith agreeable to 
 the Holy Scriptures — walking in huliness before tlie Lord. 
 
 Ceremony oi Baptisiii. 
 
292 THE MORMONS. 
 
 ** 19. Every member of the Church of Christ having children, is 
 to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their 
 hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in 
 his name. 
 
 "20. No one can be received into the church of Christ, unless he 
 has arrived unto the years of accountability before God, and is capable 
 of repentance. 
 
 "21. Baptism is to be administered in the following manner 
 unto all those who repent : — The person who is called of God, and 
 has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the 
 water with the person who has presented him or herself for bap- 
 tism, and shall say, calling him or her by name — Having been 
 commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Fa- 
 ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall 
 he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of 
 the water. 
 
 " 22. It is expedient that the church meet together often, to par- 
 take of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus ; and the 
 elder or priest shall administer it ; and after this manner shall he 
 administer it — he shall kneel with the church and call upon the 
 Father in solemn prayer, saying — God, the eternal Father, we ask 
 thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this 
 bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in 
 remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, God, 
 the eternal Father, tliat they are willing to take upon them the name 
 of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments 
 which he has given them, that they may always have his spirit to be 
 with tiiem. Amen. 
 
 " 23. The manner of administering the wine. He shall take the 
 cup also, and say — God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the 
 name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the 
 souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remem- 
 brance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them ; that they 
 may witness unto thee, God, the eternal Father ; that they do 
 always remember him, that they may have his spirit to be with 
 them. Amen." 
 
 In Section III. we are presented with still more important 
 matter. 
 
 " 1 . There are, in the Church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchi- 
 sedek and the Aaronic, including the Levitical priesthood. Why the 
 first is called the Melchisedek priesthood, is because Melchisedek was 
 such a great high priest. Before his day it was called the holy priesU 
 hood, afler the order of the Son of God; but out of respect or reve- 
 
PRIESTHOOD AND OFFICE-BEARERS. 293 
 
 1-ence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent 
 repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that 
 priesthood after Melchisedek, or the Melehisedek priesthood. 
 
 *' 2. All other authorities or offices in the Church are appendages 
 to this priesthood ; but there are two "divisions or grand heads— one 
 in the Melchisedek priesthood, and the other in the Aaronic, or Levi- 
 tical priesthood. 
 
 " 3. The office of an elder comes under the priesthood of Melchi- 
 sedek. The Melchisedek priesthood holds the right of presidency, 
 and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all 
 ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things. 
 
 " 4. The presidency of the high priesthood, after the order of 
 Melchisedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church. 
 
 " 5. High priests after the order of the Melchisedek priesthood have 
 a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the 
 presidency, in administering spiritual things ; and also in the office of 
 an elder, priest (of the Levitical order), teacher, deacon, and member. 
 
 " 6. An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the high 
 priest is not present. 
 
 " 7. The high priest and elder are to administer in spiritual things, 
 agreeably to the covenants and commandments of the church ; and 
 they have a right to officiate in all these offices of the church when 
 there are no higher authorities present. 
 
 " 8. The second priesthood is called the priesthood of Aaron, be- 
 cause it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their 
 generations. Why it is called the lesser priesthood, is because it is 
 an appendage to the greater or the Melchisedek priesthood, and has 
 power in administering outward ordinances. The bishopric is the 
 presidency of this priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the 
 same. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of 
 this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron. But as 
 a high priest of the Melchisedek priesthood has authority to officiate 
 in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of bishop when 
 no literal descendant of Aaron can be found, provided he is called 
 and set apart and ordained unto this power by the hands of the presi- 
 dency of the Melchisedek priesthood. 
 
 " 9. The power and authority of the higher or ^lelchisedek priest- 
 hood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church — 
 to have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of 
 heaven — to have the heavens opened unto them— to commune with 
 the general assembly and church of the first-born, and to enjoy the 
 communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the Mediator 
 of the new covenant. 
 
'^04 THE MORMONS. 
 
 " 10. The power and aiithoi ity of the lesser or Aaronic priesthood, 
 ig to hold the keys of the niini.'jteriiig of angels, and to administer, in 
 ( utward ordinances, the letter of the gospel — the baptism of repent- 
 ance for the remission of sins, agreeably to the covenants and com- 
 mandments. 
 
 " 11. Of necessity there are presidents, or presiding offices growing 
 out of, or appointed of or from among those who are ordained to the 
 seve?'al offices in these two ])riesthoods. Of the Melchisedek priest- 
 hood, three presiding high priests, chosen by the body, appointed and 
 ordained to that office, and nj)held by the confidence, faith, and 
 prayer of the chnrch, form a quorum of the j)residency of the church. 
 The twelve travelling counsellors are called to be the twelve apostles, 
 or especial witi esses of the name of Christ in all the world ; thus dif- 
 fering from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling. 
 And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three 
 presidents previously mentioned. The seventy are also called to 
 preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and 
 in all the world. Thus differing from other officers in the church in 
 the duties of their calling ; and they form a quorum equal in autho- 
 rity to that of the twelve especial witnesses or apostles just n.imed. 
 And every decision made by either of these quorums, must be by the 
 unanimous voice of the same ; that is, every member in each quorum 
 must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make iheir decisions of the 
 same power or validity one with the other. (A majority may form a 
 quorum, when circumstances render it impossible to be otherwise.) 
 Unless this is the case, their decisions are not entitled to the same 
 blessings which the decisions of a quorum of three presidents were 
 anciently, who were ordained after the ordtr of Melchisedek, and 
 were righteous and holy men. The decisions of these quorums, or 
 either of them, are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and 
 lowliness of heart, meekness and long-suffering, and in faith, and 
 virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly 
 kindness, and charity ; because the promise is, if these things abound 
 in them, they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord. 
 And in case that any decision of these quorums is made in unrighte- 
 ousness, it may be brought before a general assembly of the several 
 quorums, which constitute the spiritual authorities of the church, 
 otherwise there can be no appeal from their decision. 
 
 " 12. The twelve area travelling presiding high council, to officiate 
 in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the presidency of the 
 church, agreeably to tlie iustitutiun of heaven ; to build up the church, 
 and reguUite all the affairs of the same in all nations ; first unto the 
 Gentiles, and secondly unto the Jews. 
 
PRIESTHOOD AND OFFICE-BEARERS. 295 
 
 " 13. The seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the 
 direction of the twelve or the travelhng high council, in huilding up 
 the church aad regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations — 
 first unto the Gentiles, and then unto the Jews ; the twelve being sent 
 out, holding the keys, to open the door by the proclamation of the 
 gospel of Jesus Christ— and first unto the Gentiles, and then unto 
 the Jews. 
 
 " 14. The standing high councils, at the stakes of Zion, form a 
 quorum, equal in authority, in the affairs of the church, in all their 
 decisions, to the quorum of the presidency, or to the travelling high 
 council. 
 
 " 15. The liigh council in Zion forms a quorum equal in authority, 
 in the affairs of the church, in all their decisions, to the councils of 
 the twelve at the stakes of Zion. 
 
 " 10. It is the duty of the travelling high council to call upon tbe 
 seventy, when they need assistance, to fill the several calls for preach- 
 ing and administering the gospel, instead of any others. 
 
 "17. It is the duty of the twelve, in all large branches of the 
 church, to ordain evangelical ministers, as they shall be designated 
 unto them by revelation. 
 
 '*18. The order of this ])riesthood, was confirmed to be handed 
 down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants 
 of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made. This order 
 was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage in the 
 following manner : — 
 
 "19. From Adam to Seth, who was ordained by Adam at the 
 age of 69 years, and was blessed by him three years previous to his 
 (Adam's) death, and received the promise of God by his father, that 
 his posterity should be the chosen of the Lord, and that they should 
 be unreserved unto the end of the earth, because he (Seth) was a per- 
 fect man, and his likeness was the express likeness of his father's, 
 insomuch that he seemed to be like unto his father in all things, and 
 could be distinguished from him only by his age. 
 
 " 20. Enos was ordained at the age of 134 years and four months, 
 by the hand of Adam. ^ 
 
 "21. God called upon Cainan in the Avilderness, in the fortieth 
 year of his age, and he met Adam in journeying to the place Shedol- 
 amak. He was 87 years old when he received his ordination. 
 
 " 22. Mahalaleel was 49(3 years and seven days old when he was 
 ordained by the hand of Adam, who also blessed him. 
 
 "23. Jared was 200 years old when he was ordained under the 
 hand of Adam, who also blessed him. 
 
 •' 24. Enoch was 25 years old when he was ordained under the 
 
296 THE MORMONS. 
 
 hand of Adam, and he was 65 and Adam blessed him. And he saw 
 the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continu- 
 ally ; and he walked with God 365 years, making him 430 years old 
 when he was translated. 
 
 **25. Methuselah was 100 years old when he was ordained under 
 the hand of Adam. 
 
 **26. Lamech Avas 32 years old when he was ordained under the 
 hand of Seth. 
 
 "27. Noah was 10 years old when he was ordained under the 
 hand of Methuselah. 
 
 " 28. Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, 
 Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were 
 all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, 
 into the valley of Adam-ondiahman, and there bestowed upon them 
 his last blessing. And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose 
 up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the Prince, the Arch- 
 angel. And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said 
 nnto him, I have set thee to be at the head — a multitude of nations 
 shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them for ever. 
 
 "29. And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation, and 
 notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy 
 Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest 
 generation. These things were all written in the book of .Enoch, and 
 are to be testified of in due time. 
 
 " 30. It is the duty of the twelve, also, to ordain and set in order 
 all the other officers of the church, agreeably to the revelation which 
 says, — 
 
 "31. To the church of Christ in the land of Zion, in addition to 
 the church laws respecting church business — Verily, I say unto you, 
 says the Lord of hosts, there must nee Is be presiding elders to pre- 
 side over those who are of the office of an elder ; and also priests to 
 preside over those who are of the office of a priest, and also teachers 
 to preside over those who are of the office of a teacher in like manner, 
 and also the deacons : wherefore, from deacon to teacher, and from 
 teacher to priest, and from priest to elder, severally as they are ap- 
 pointed, according to the covenants and commandments of the church. 
 Then comes the high priesthood, which is the greatest of all ; where- 
 fore it must needs be that one be appointed of the high priesthood to 
 preside over the priesthood, and he shall be called president of the 
 high priesthood of the church ; or, in other words, the presiding high' 
 priest over the high priesthood of the church. From the same comes 
 the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the church, by 
 the laying on of the hands. 
 
PRIESTHOOD AND OFFICE-BEARERS. 297* 
 
 " 32. Wherefore the office of a hishop is not equal unto it ; for the 
 office of a bishop is in administering all temporal things ; neverthe- 
 less a bishop must be chosen from the high priesthood, unless he is 
 a literal descendant of Aaron ; for unless he is a literal descendant of 
 Aaron he cannot hold the keys of that priesthood. Nevertheless, a 
 high priest that is after the order of Melchisedek, may be set apart 
 unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of them 
 by the spirit of truth, and also to be a judge in Israel, to do the busi- 
 ness of the church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors, upon testi- 
 mony as it shall be laid before him according to the laws, by the 
 assistance of his counsellors whom he has chosen, or will choose 
 among the elders of the church. This is the duty of a bishop who is 
 not a literal descendant of Aaron, but has been ordained to the high 
 priesthood after the order of Melchisedek. 
 
 "33. Thus shall he be a judge, even a common judge" among the 
 inhabitants of Zion, or in a state of Zion, or in any branch of the 
 church where he shall be set apart unto this ministry, until the bor- 
 ders of Zion are enlarged, and it becomes necessary to have other 
 bishops or judg-fes in Zion, or elsewhere ; and inasmuch as there are 
 other bishops appointed they shall act in the same office. 
 
 ** 34. But a literal descendant of Aaron has a legal right to the 
 presidency of this priesthood, to the keys of this ministry, to act in 
 the office of bishop independently, without counsellors, except in a 
 case where a president of the high priesthood, after the order of 
 Melchisedek, is tried, to sit as a judge in Israel. And the decision ot 
 either of these councils, agreeably to the commandment which says, 
 
 " 35. Again, verily I say unto you, the most important business of 
 the church, and the most difficult cases of the church, inasmuch as 
 there is not satisfaction upon the decision of the bishop or judges, it 
 shall be handed over and carried up unto the council of the church, 
 before the presidency of the high priesthood ; and the presidency of the 
 council of the high priesthood shall have power to call other high 
 priests, even twelve, to assist as counsellors ; and thus the presidency 
 of the high priesthood and its counsellors shall have power to decide 
 upon testimony according" to the laws of the church. And after this 
 decision it shall be had in remembrance no more before the Lord ; for 
 this is the highest council of the church of God, and a final decision 
 upon controversies in spiritual matters. 
 
 ** 36. There is not any person belonging to the church who is exempt 
 from this council of the church. 
 
 " 37. And inasmuch as a president of the high priesthood shall 
 transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council 
 of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counsellors of the high 
 
298 THE MORMONS. 
 
 priestliood ; and their decision upon his head shall be an end of con- 
 troversy concerning him. Thus, none shall be exempted from the 
 justice and the laws of God, that all things may be done in order and 
 in solemnity before him, according to truth and righteousness. 
 
 *' 38. And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over 
 the office of a deacon is to pre?ide over twelve deacons, to sit in council 
 with them, and to teach them their duty— edifying one another, as it 
 is given according to the covenants. 
 
 "39. And also the duty of the president over the office of the 
 teachers is to preside over twenty- four of the teachers, and to sit in 
 council with them, teaching them the duties of their office, as given 
 in the covenants. 
 
 ** 40. Also the duty of the president over the priesthood of Aaron 
 is to preside over forty-eight priests, and sit in council with them, to 
 teach them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants. 
 Tliis president is to be a bit hop ; for this is one of the duties of this 
 priesthood. 
 
 *'41. Again the duty of the president over the office of elders is to 
 preside over ninety-six elders, and to sit in council with them, and to 
 teach them according to the covenants. This presidency is a distinct 
 one from that of the seventy, and is designed for those who do not 
 travel into ail the world. 
 
 " 42. And again, the duty of the president of the cffice of the high 
 priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto 
 Moses. Behold, here is wisdom ; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a 
 translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows 
 upon the head of the church. 
 
 "43. And it is according to the vision, showing the order of the 
 seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, 
 chosen out of the number of the seventy ; and the seventh president 
 of these presidents is to }ireside over the six ; and these seven presi- 
 dents are to choose other seventy besides the Srst seventy, to whom 
 they belong, and are to pi-eside over them ; and also other sevent}'', 
 until seven times seventy, if the labour in the vineyard of necessity 
 requires it. And these seventy are to be travelling ministers unto the 
 Gentiles first, and also unto the Jews ; whereas other officers of the 
 church, who belong not unto the twelve, neither to the seventy, are 
 not under the responsibility to travel among all nations, but are to 
 travel as their circumstances shall allow, notwithstanding they may 
 hold as high and lesponsible offices in the church. 
 
 '* 44. Wherefore now let every man learn his duty, and to act in 
 the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is 
 slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not 
 
MORMON MATERIALISM. 299 
 
 his duty and shows himself not approved, shall not be counted 
 worth V to stand. Even so. Amen." 
 
 The importance of the above extract will atone for its length. It 
 contains nearly the whole of the Mormon Ecclesiastical Polity. 
 Subsequent sections make provision for the most minute particulars 
 — relative not only to things sacred, but tilings secular — such as 
 farm and store taking, printing and publishing of books, building 
 and the raising of the requisite funds. 
 
 These, of course, have excited much ridicule. Certain technical 
 religious doctrines have also met with little mercy from Mormon 
 antagonists. It h sufficient here to allude to their distinctive tenets 
 on prophecy, the religious and divine right of revenge, the baptism of 
 the dead, and the revived Roman Catholic dogma of Baptismal 
 Regeneration. It is possibly more important to consider at its due 
 length the philosophical system promulgated by Mr. Orson Pratt, 
 whose name we have already mentioned, as the learned apostle of 
 the Mormon pretensions. 
 
 According to the " Lectures on Faith," and in accordance with the 
 high tone assumed by the Mormons in their Materialism, they 
 invariably give a literal interpretation to the Hebrew Scriptures. 
 That is their cardinal point, — no mysticism ; — the plain meaning of 
 plain words. 
 
 God, by the Mormons, is described through his personal attributes, 
 and these, again, are resolved into corporeal characteristics. " The 
 first thought that there ever existed in the mind of any individual 
 that there was such a being as a God, who had created and did 
 uphold all things," was owing to and " by reason of the manifestation 
 which he first made to our fadier, Adam, when he stood in his 
 presence, and conversed with him face to face, at the time of his 
 creation." 
 
 This materialistic view makes the Mormon very angry with the 
 Orthodox dogma, that commences the thirty-nine art'cles of the 
 Church of England. The Mormon author of " The Absurdities of 
 Immaterialism"* expresses his contempt of the article in question, in 
 these terms : — *' The Immaterialist says, there is such a substance as 
 God, but it is ivithout parts — (first of the 30 Articles ; also. Art. 
 Methodist Discipline ,)" and on all such Immaterialism the Mormons 
 unscrupulously stamp the brand of Atheism. Of Atheists, they tell 
 us, there are two classes in the world — one denying the existence of 
 God in the most positive language ; the other denying his existence 
 in duration or space. One says, " There is no God ;" the other says, 
 
 * Ahsurdil'ies of Immaterialism ; or, A Reply to T. W. P. Taylder's Pamphlet, en- 
 titled," The Materialism of the Mormons or Latter-day Saints, Examined and Exposed." 
 
300 THE MORMONS. 
 
 *' God is not here or there, any more than he exists now and then." 
 The Infidel says, adds the writer, " God does not exist anywhere." 
 The Immateriahst says, " He exists nowhere." Upon the ingenuity or 
 absurdity of these statements it is needless to remark. 
 
 " The Immateriahst," says Mr. Orson Pratt, " only differs from the 
 other class of atheists, by clothing an indivisible unextended Nothing 
 with the powers of a God. One class," continues Mr. Pratt, " believes 
 in no God ; the other chass believes that Nothing is God, and wor- 
 ships it as such. There is no twisting away from this. The most 
 profound philosopher in all the ranks of modern Christianity, cannot 
 extricate the Immateriahst from atheism. He cannot show the least 
 difference between the idea represented by the word Nothing, and the 
 idea represented by that which is unextended, indivisible, and without 
 parts, having no relation to space or time. All the philosophers of 
 the universe could not give a better or more correct definition of 
 Nothing. And yet this is the God worshipped by tlie Church of Eng- 
 land — the Methodists — and milhons of other atheistical idolaters, 
 according to their own definitions, as recorded in their respective 
 articles of faith. An open Atheist is not so dangerous as the Atheist 
 who couches his atheistical doctrines under the head of ' Articles of 
 Religion.' The first stands out with open colours, and boldly avows 
 his infidelity ; the latter, under the sacred garb of leligion, draws into 
 his yawning vortex the unhappy millions who are persuaded to be- 
 lieve in, and worship an unextended indivisible nothiny without parts, 
 deified into a god. A pious Atheist is much more serviceable in 
 building up the kingdom of darkness than one who openly, and with- 
 out any deception, avows his infidelity. 
 
 " No wonder that this modern god has wrought no miracles and 
 given no revelations since his followers invented their ' Articles of 
 Religion.' A being without parts must be entirely powerless, and 
 can perform no miracles. Nothing can be communicated from such a 
 being ; for, if nothing give nothing, nothing will be received. If, at 
 death, his followers are to be made like him, they will enjoy, with 
 some of the modern Pagans, all the beauties of annihilation. To be 
 made like him ! Admirable thought ! How transcendantly sublime to 
 behold an innumerable multitude of unextended nothings, casting their 
 crowns at the feet of the great, inextended, infinite Nothing, filling all 
 space, and yet ' without parts ! ' There will be no danger of quarrelling 
 for want of room ; for the Rev. David James says, ' Ten thousand 
 spirits might be brought together into the smallest compass imaginable, 
 and there exist without any inconvenience for want of room. As 
 materiality,' continues he, * forms no property of a spirit, the space 
 which is sufficient for one must be amply sufficient for myriads, yea, 
 
MORMON MATERIALISM. 301 
 
 for all that exist.'* According to this, all the spirits that exist, 'could 
 be brought together into the smallest compass imaginable ;' or, in other 
 words, into no compass at all ; for, he says, a spirit occupies ' no room, 
 and fills no space. ' What an admirable description of Nothing ! No- 
 thing occupies no room, and fills no space. If myriads of Nothings 
 were ' brought together into the smallest compass imaginable,' they 
 could 'there exist without any inconvenience for want of room.' 
 Everything which the Immaterialist says, of the existence of spirit, 
 will apply, without any variation, to the existence of Nothing. If he 
 says that his god cannot exist * Here' or ' There,' the same is true of 
 Nothing. If he affirms that he cannot exist ' Now ' and ' Then,' the 
 same can, in all truth, be affirmed of Nothing. If he declares that he 
 is ' unextended,' so is Nothing, If he asserts that he is ' indivisible,' 
 and ' tvithout jmrts,' so is Nothing. If he declares that a spirit ' occu- 
 pies no room and fills no s})ace,' neither does Nothing. If he says a 
 spirit is ' Notvhere,' so is Nothing. All that he affirms of the one, can, 
 in like manner, and with equal truth, be affirmed of the other. In- 
 deed, they are only two words, each of which express precisely the 
 same idea. There is no more absurdity in calling Nothing a substance, 
 and clothing it with Almighty powers, than there is in making a sub- 
 stance out of that which is precisely like nothing, and imagining it to 
 have Almighty powers. Therefore, an immaterial God is a deified 
 Nothing, and all his worshippers are atheistical idolators." 
 
 Skilfully, however, as the Mormon writer puts his argument, it 
 has no novelty. The celebrated Soame Jenyns, whose life was 
 written by Dr. Johnson, has anticipated the whole of it. He (like the 
 Mormon in regard to an Immaterial substance) supposed that he had 
 disproved the existence of Eternity, by proving that its definition was 
 identical with that of Nothing. It is true, that both the Mormon's 
 " Immaterial Substance" and Jenyns' "Eternity" suffer under this 
 apparent confutation. After all, the controversy only regards a 
 matter of definition : What is nothing ? Mr. Orson Pratt presents.us 
 with a series of " six definitions,'' as so many aids to the exposition 
 of his own idea. Here they are: — 
 
 Definition 1. — SpACE is magnitude, susceptible of division. 
 
 Definition 2. — A PoiNT is the negative of space, or the zero at which a 
 
 magnimde begins or terminates ; it is not susceptible of division. 
 Definition 3. — Dui^ATiON is not magnitude, but time susceptible of division. 
 Definition 4. — An I^■STANT is the negative of duration, or the zero at 
 
 which duration begins or terminates ; it is not susceptible of division. 
 Definition 5. — Matter is something that occupies space between any two 
 
 * Rev. David James on the Trinity, in Unitarianisra Confuted. Lect. YIL, page 383. 
 
302 THE MORMOKS. 
 
 instants, and is susceptible of division, and of being removed from one 
 portion of space to anotlier. 
 Definition 6.— NOTHING is the nec^ative of space, of duration, and of mat- 
 ter ; it is the zero of all existence. 
 
 A Point, Instant, and Nothincr, here enjoy an identity of defini- 
 tion. Neither of these are " susceptible of division." It is scarcely 
 conceivable how an elaborate thinker, such as Mr. Orson Pratt evi- 
 dently is, could thus have committed himself, by actually recognisinjr 
 the Idea, not of one Substance only, but of three Substances " without 
 Parts." A *' Point," an " Instant," and a " Nothing," — each insus- 
 ceptible of division? He appears not to have been aware that he had 
 readied the conception of the most abstract Bein:?, in thus identifying 
 it with Nothing, an Instant, and a Po-nt, and had made an Affirma- 
 tion of which a Euclid or a Hegel might be })roud ; that, in fact, he 
 had proved tiie very case that he sought to subvert, and demon- 
 strated -that he could not conduct his argument without inferring, 
 and indeed presuming, the existence of that " Substance without Parts," 
 against which he was expressing such a holy horror, when proposed 
 to his belief in the language of a system different from his own. 
 
 Philosophers wlio have been led, in their investigation of truth, 
 not by a desire to establish the system of the Mormons, but to inter- 
 pret the system of the universe by the light of a Divine intelligence, 
 have, from Plato to Oken, recognised the difficulty which so puzzles 
 the Mormon materialists. But they have seen in it only a proof that 
 the Substances so identified with Nothing, are not such as can be 
 identified with any Thing — that is, Avith aught that occupies place or 
 time ; that therefore, they cannot be properly called Things at all ; 
 and that a higher term must be found to distinguish them from all 
 possible objects of sense, and to class them in a *' cage of rushes," a 
 category of their own. In fact, the mind has been justly led, by 
 contemplations such as these, to the apprehension of the idea of Being 
 in. itself, which, though in the carnal conception, identical with 
 nothing, is the basis, the boundary, the origin, and the terminus of 
 all; at once the "Zero of all existence," and the plenum. It is in 
 this sense, that we may understand the leading postulate of Hegel, 
 that " Seyn und nicht ist dasselben." *' Being and Notliiny is the 
 same.''' 
 
 The Mormons have shown themselves, in accordance witli their 
 Materialism, to be practical political economists. The ordinary states- 
 man is too apt, in the affairs of the world, to m ike little account of 
 men of their order of mind. Yet have they be.n, at all times, the 
 men of a crisis — the fomenters of revolutions — tlie authors of new 
 dispensations. Pious frauds to such individuals are no more than 
 
DEATHS OF THE WITNESSES. 303 
 
 legal fictions to the lawyer. They serve them in the place of axioms 
 and postulates ; they are assumptions which enable them to take the 
 first step in the practical argument which they mean to maintain 
 against the world. To them they are unquestionable data, and the 
 more supernatural their character the more unquestionable do they 
 become. Frequently there is some shadow of a fact, which serves as 
 the original basis ; this soon, however, becomes modified into fiction ; 
 and ultimately completed in a well-rounded mytli. 
 
 Whatever Joseph Smith may have heen, the present race of 
 Mormons are satisfied with him. They say — *' There is our state- 
 ment ; there are the witnesses ; there is tlie hook." Armed with 
 these credentials, the Apostles of the new belief have at last founded 
 not only a Church, but a State. 
 
 The longer the original imposture has remained before the world, 
 the more difficult it has become to overthrow it. Joseph Smith was 
 slain, and it acquired sanctity in the eyes of his followers. Other 
 witnesses drop off*, and the myth becomes more and more mythologi- 
 cal. Thus, we learn from an obituary in the Millennial Star (July 1st, 
 1850), that one of the "three witnesses" has lately died. "Elder 
 Wallace informs us, that Oliver Cowdery died last February, of 
 consumption. Brother Cowdery is one of the * three witnesses ' to 
 the Book of Mormon. For rebellious conduct he was expelled from 
 the Church some years since. Although he stood aloof from the 
 Church for several years, he never, in a single instance, cast the least 
 doubt on the truth of his former testimony. Sometime in 1847 or 
 1848, he sought to be re-admitted to the fellowship of the Saints. His 
 return to the fold was hailed with great joy by the Saints, who still 
 remembered him with a kindly recollection, as one who had suffered 
 much in the first rise of the Church. He has now gone the way of 
 all the earth. May he rest in peace, to come forth in the morning of 
 the first resurrection unto eternal life, is the earnest desire of all 
 Saints." 
 
 A similar record will shortly, in the natural course of things, be 
 made of the other witnesses ; the seal of the grave will be set upon their 
 testimony ; and thus Mormonism — even if Sidney Rigdon should 
 divulge his secrets — will, to the hearts of thousands, Avho would be- 
 lieve it on far less evidence — stand as firm as Buddhism stands, or Ma- 
 homedanism, or any other false creed, which millions believe to be true. 
 
 The objections to Mormonism, however, are not of a purely doc- 
 trinal character, or dependent upon the truth or falsehood of the 
 Book of Mormon. It is alleged that the Mormons both tolerate and 
 practice polygamy and seduction. This charge has been made against 
 them in many quarters. 
 
304 THE MOKMONS. 
 
 According to Mr. Bowes, the author of the pamphlet from which we 
 have already quoted, the social life of the Mormons is an extensive and 
 well organized system of licentiousness. Joseph Smith, he tells us, 
 taught a system of polygamy ; that he sought to seduce Nancy Rigdon, 
 Sarah M. Pratt, and others ; that, in some instances, he was re- 
 pulsed, in otliers, he succeeded. Joseph Smith is also accused of 
 having endeavoured to secure Martha H. Brotherton, once of Man- 
 chester, for his friend Brigham Young ; in both cases attempting to 
 influence his victims by. persuading them that he had received a 
 revelation from God, justifying adultery, seduction, and other sins. 
 A letter from Martha Brotherton sets forth the whole charge against 
 Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and if to be believed, proves it : — 
 
 " I had been at Nauvoo near three weeks, during which time my 
 father's family received frequent visits from Elders Brigham Young 
 and Heber C. Kimball, two of the Mormon Apostles ; when, early one 
 morning, they both came to my brother-in-law's (John M'll wrick's) 
 house, at which place 1 then was on a visit, and particularly requested 
 me to go and spend a few days with them. I told them I could not 
 at that time, as my brother-in-law was not at home ; however, they 
 urged me to go the next day, and spend one day with them. The day 
 being fine, I accordingly went. * ^f. * ij; He led me up some 
 stairs to a small room, the door of which was locked, and on it the 
 following inscription: 'Positively no admittance.' He observed, 
 * Ah ! brother Joseph must be sick, for, strange to say, he is not here. 
 Come down into the tithing-office, Martha.' He then left me in the 
 tithing-office, and went out, I know not where. In this office were 
 two men writing, one of whom, William Clayton, I had seen in Eng- 
 land ; the other I did not know. Young came in, and seated himself 
 before me, and asked where Kimball was. I said he had gone out. 
 He said it Avas all right. Soon after, Joseph came in, and spoke to 
 one of the clerks, and then went up stairs, followed by Young. 
 Immediately after, Kimball came in. ' Now, Martha,' said he, ' the 
 Prophet has come ; come up stairs. ' I went, and we found Young and 
 the Prophet alone. I was introduced to the Propliet by Young. 
 Joseph offered me his seat ; and, to my astonishment, the moment I 
 was seated, Joseph and Kimball walked out of the room, and left me 
 with Young, who arose, locked the door, closed the window, and 
 drew the curtain. He then came and sat before me, and said, ' This 
 is our private room, Martha.' * Indeed, sir,' said I, * I must be 
 highly honoured to be permitted to enter it.' He smiled, and then 
 proceeded — ' Sister Martha, I want to ask you a few questions ; will 
 you answer them ?' 'Yes, Sir,' said I. * * t^ '^ * To come to 
 the point more closely,' said he, 'have not you an affection iot 
 
THE "SPIRnuAL WIFE '" SYSTl'.M. 005' 
 
 me, that, were it lawful and right, you could accept of me for your 
 husband and companion ?'****»! therefore said, * If it 
 was lawful and right, perhaps I might ; but you know, sir, it is not.* 
 
 • Well, but,' said he, ' brother Joseph has had a revelation from God 
 that it is lawful and right for a man to have two wives; for, as it 
 was in the days of Abraham, so it shall be in these last days, and 
 Avhoever is the first that is willing to take up the cross will receive 
 the greatest blessings; and if you will accept of me, I will take 
 you straight to the celestial kingdom ; and if you will have 
 me in this world, I will have you in that which is to come, 
 and brother Joseph will marry us here to-day, and you can 
 go home this evening, and your parents will not know anything 
 about it.' ' Sir,' said I, ' I should eot like to do anything of 
 the kind without the permission of my parents.' * * » » 
 'Well,' said he, 'I will have a kiss, any how,' and then rose, and 
 said he would bring Joseph. He then unlocked the door, and too'k 
 the key, and locked me up alone. He was absent about ten minutes, 
 and then returned with Joseph. 'Well,' said Young, 'sister Martha 
 would be wilhng if she knew it was lawful and right before God.' 
 ' Well, Martha,' said Joseph, ' it is lawful and right before God — I 
 know it is. Look here, sis. ; don't you believe in me?' I did not 
 answer. * Well, Martha,' said Joseph, 'just go a-head, and do "as 
 Brigham wants you to — he is the best mai4 in the world, except me.' 
 *0!' said Brigham, 'then you are as good.' 'Yes,' said Joseph. 
 
 * Well,' said Young, ' we believe Joseph to be a Prophet. I have 
 known him near eight years, and always found him the same.' * Yes,' 
 said Joseph, ' and I know that this is lawful and right before Ood, 
 and if there is any sin in it, I will answer for it before God ; and I 
 have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever I bind on earth is 
 bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven ; 
 and if you will accept of Brigham, you shall be blessed — God shall 
 bless you, and my blessing shall rest upon you ; and if you will be 
 led by him you will do well ; for I know Brigham will take cane of 
 you ; and if he don't do his duty to you, come to oie and I will make 
 him ; and if you do not like it in a month or two, ccane to me, and I 
 will make you free again ; and if he turns you oflf, I will take 
 you on.'" 
 
 Another deposition, sworn by Melissa Schindle, describes similar 
 practices. Mr. Bowes also describes certain hidden orgies practised ia 
 tlie Nauvoo Temple, which are sufficiently suspicious. The state- 
 ment is sworn to by J. M. Gee Van Dusen and Maria Van Dusen, 
 who profess to have been initiated into the mysteries. The seventh 
 degree in the Temple relates to *'the Spiritual Wife Doctiiue." 
 
 T 
 
300 THF. MORMON'S. 
 
 " Those Avho have attained to this ore taught," say these witnesses, 
 " that they are no more under obhgations to tlieir husband, if tliey 
 have one, and it is their privilege to leave their lawful husband, and 
 take another ;" and, *' it is the privilege of some kings to have seores,- 
 yes, hundreds of queens, especially the King of kings, Brigharn 
 Young, the present Mormon god in California, — Cor devil, I should 
 say, fori have reason to believe he is the wickedest man now on the 
 face of the earth ;) and, further, as we are all made kings and queens 
 by this secret farce, the foundation for a kingdom is laid also. And 
 here is the secret of the Spiritual Wife Doctrine : — Their kingdom is 
 to consist in their own j)Osterity, and the more wives the greater 
 opportunity of getting a large kingdom, of. course ; so it is an object 
 to one Avho holds this doctrine sacred, as thousands do, to get all the 
 women he can, consequently it subjects that portion, o£ the female sex 
 which he has influence over eventually to literal ruin." 
 
 This reason, which may hold good for polygamy, obviously does 
 not for adultery or fornication, into one or both of which the S}»iri- 
 tual Wife practice resolves itself. There is in such an erroneous, 
 argument, ground for suspicion of, prejudice in relation to the state- 
 ment adduced as it-s basis. And as the Mormon authorities posi- 
 tively deny that Joseph Smith was guilty of the charge often alleged 
 ill justificating his murder, it is a motive of caution in the le- 
 ceipt of evidence. We must remember, too, that Smith universally, 
 in all his letters, revelations, and sjieeches, denounced adultery and 
 fornication. Subject as ail founders of religious systems are to ca- 
 lumny, we cannot resist the doubt that there may have been misie- 
 presentation and exaggeration,, both as to the character of Joseph 
 Smith and the cause of his untimely end. At any rate, and under 
 any circumstances, it is impossible to justify the acts of his enemies, 
 either in the persecution of his followers, or in the circumstances of 
 his death. The fanaticism that destroyed him is to be condemned 
 quite as strongly as his own. 
 
 It is further stated, that the Mormon candidate for holy orders, 
 among other promises, makes oath, that he '* will never touch a 
 daughter of Adam, unless she be given him of the Lord," — thus con- 
 secrating licentiousness with the holiest sanctions. But- it must be 
 remarked that these charges are given under cover of " secret revela- 
 tions of the church— none but the faithful being permitted to have 
 the privilege" of prostituting the daughters and wives of their 
 friends and acquaintances. It is affirmed, on this covert evidence, 
 that the Mormons " teach that this system is what we are to under- 
 stand by the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." We are 
 further told, that there is an institution of "Cloistered Saints," 
 
THE SPIRITUAL WIFE DOCTRINE 307 
 
 wliich forms tlie " highest or Jer of the Mormon harem, and is com- 
 posed of women, whether married or unmarried, as secret spiritual 
 wives." This is Mr. Bowes 's statement ; who Hkewise requires us to 
 believe that ** When an apostle, high priest, elder, or scribe, conceives 
 an affection for a female, and has ascertained her viewi on the subject, 
 he communicates confidentially to the prophet his love affair, and 
 requests him to inquire of the Lord whether or not it would be right 
 and proper for him to take unto himself this woman for his spiritual 
 wife. It is no obstacle whatever to this spiritual marriage if one or 
 both of the parties should happen to have a husband or wife already 
 united to them according to the laws of the land." 
 ' " The prophet," continues Mr. Bowes, ''puts this singular question 
 to the Lord, and, if he receives an answer in the affirmative, which is 
 always the case where the parties are in favour with the president, 
 the parties assemble in the lodge-room, accompanied by a duly au- 
 thorized administrator, and place themselves, kneeling, before the 
 altar ; the administrator commences the ceremony by saying : — 
 ' '** You, separately and jointly, in the name of Jesus Christ, the 
 Son of God, do solemnly covenant and agree that you will not dis- 
 close any matter relating to the saci-ed act now in })rogress of con- 
 summation, whereby any Gentile shall come to a knowledge of the 
 secret purposes of this ordeir, or whereby tiie saints may suffer 
 persecution, your lives being the forfeit.' " 
 
 After the vow of assen-t is given by each of the pair, the adminis- 
 trator proceeds to pronounce them *' one Jiesh, in the name of the 
 Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." 
 ' -* The parties," it is said, by the same authority, "leave the 
 cloister with generally a firm belief, at least on the part of the female, 
 in the sacredness and validity of the ceremonial, and consider them- 
 selves as united in spiritual marriage, the duties and privileges of 
 which are in no particular different from those of any other mari-iage 
 covenant." 
 
 Among the stray statements quoted on more or less evidence 
 touching this subject, we find that William Arrowsmith, before men- 
 tioned, "talked to Joseph Smith about Martha Brotherton's case. 
 Smith did not deny what Martha relates, but stated that Brigham 
 Young and he did it to try her, as they had heard an evil report of 
 Iter." We are told, also, upon the same sort of authority, that 
 *' Whelock," another Mormon leader, married three wives, the first 
 Parish, the second Rose. Grand jury took him up for bigamy. He 
 married a decent girl at Birmingham, and she would have to live with 
 the American wives educated in bad families. 
 
 Accusations like these naturally lead us to look into- the recognised ■ 
 
?){)S THK :\IORMOXS. 
 
 documents of tlie Moi-mons themselves for coiroboration and support.- 
 We turn, accordingly, to " The Book of Doctrines and Covenants," 
 for such articles of law and regulation as may relate to these alleged 
 jiractices. These revelations, it should be observed, notwithstanding 
 the limitation in the title page, are not all given to Joseph Smith, 
 but are extended to divers of his apostles likewise. In one purporting 
 10 be received by Martin Harris, the opulent Mormon already spoken 
 of as one of the witnesses, and who is warned in it " not to covet" his 
 " own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of 
 Mormon," we find this admonition published — "And again I com- 
 mand thee, that thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor seek 
 thy neighbour's life." Not less explicit is the rerelation vouchsafed 
 to Joseph Smith himself. 
 
 '* And again, I say, thou shalt not kill ; but he that killelh shall 
 die. Thou shalt not steal ; and he that stealeth and will not repent, 
 shall be cast out. Thou shalt not lie ; he that lieth and will not re- 
 pent, shall be cast out. Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and 
 shalt cleave unto her and none else ; and he that looketh upon a 
 Avoman to lust after her, shall deny the faith, and shall not have the 
 Spirit, and if he repents not, he shall be cast out. Thou shalt not 
 commit adultery ; and he that committeth adultery and repenteth not 
 shall be cast out ; but he that has committed adultery and repents 
 with all his heart, and forsaketh it, and doeth it no more, tliou shalt 
 forgive ; but if he doeth it again, he shall not be forgiven, but shall 
 be cast out. Thou shalt not speak evil of thy neighbour, nor do him 
 any harm. Thou knowest my laws concerning these things are given 
 in my scriptures ; he that sinneth and repenteth not, shall be cast 
 out. 
 
 " And, verily I say unto you, as I have said before, he that looketh 
 on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery, in 
 their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith 
 and shall feaf : wherefore I, the Lord, have said that the fearful, and 
 the unbelieving, and all liars, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, 
 and the whoremonger, and the sorcerer, shall have their part in 
 that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second 
 death. Verily I say, that they shall not have part in the first resur- 
 rection." 
 
 Here, too, is an ordinance directing the manner of proceeding with 
 adulterers : — 
 
 " And if any man or woman shall commit adultery, he or she shall 
 be tried before two elders of the church or moie, and every word shall 
 1)0 established against him or her by two witnesses of the church, and 
 not of the enemy ; but if there are more than two witnesses it is 
 
MORAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF MORMONISM. 309 
 
 better. But he or slie shall be condemned by the mouth of two wit- 
 nesses, and the elders shall lay the ease before the church, and ti.e 
 church shall lift up their hands against him or her, that they may be 
 dealt with according to the law of God. And if it can be, it is neces- 
 sary that the bishop is present also. And thus ye shall do in all 
 cases which shall come before you." 
 
 Here is another with the same purport, but including the forni- 
 cator. 
 
 ** Behold, verily I say unto you, that whatever persons among you 
 having put away their companions for the cause of fornication, or, in 
 other words, if they shall testify before you in all lowliness of heirt 
 that this is the case, ye shall not cast them out from among you ; but 
 if ye shall find that any persons have left their companions for the 
 sake of adulteiy, and they themselves are the offenders, and their 
 companions are living, they shall be cast out from among you. And 
 again, I say unto you, that ye shall be watchful and careful, with all 
 inquiry, that ye receive none such among you if they are married ; 
 and if they are not married, they shall repent of all their sins, or ye 
 shall not receive them." 
 
 Here, likewise, is an ordinance relating to marriage. 
 
 *' And again, I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is 
 not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man ; 
 Avherefore it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain 
 shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of 
 its creation, and that it might be filled with the measure of man, ac- 
 cording to his creation before the world was made." 
 
 Finally, the charge with which we are dealing is met In a direct 
 and positive manner, as follows : — 
 
 " All legal contracts of marriage made before a person is baptized 
 into this church should be held sacred and fulfilled. Inasmuch as 
 this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornica- 
 tion and polygamy; we declare that we believe that one man should 
 have one wife ; and one woman but one husband, except in case of 
 death, when either is at liberty to marry again. It is not right to 
 persuade a woman to be baptized contrary to the will of her husband ; 
 neither is it lawful to influence her to leave her husband. All children 
 are bound by law to obey their parents ; and to influence them to 
 embrace any religious faith, or be baptized, or leave their ])arents 
 without their consent, is unlawful and unjust. We believe that hus- 
 bands, parents, and masters, who exercise control over their wives, 
 children, and servants, and prevent theni from embracing the truth, 
 will have to answer for that sin." 
 
 Several of the Epistles which are to be found scattered through 
 
310 THE MORMONS. 
 
 the publications of the sect, show that those in authority are actuated 
 by an earnest desire to remove all cause for scandal in reference even 
 to the most ordinary intercourse between the sexes ; and if they are to 
 be judged by their writings, we may assume that their efforts are con- 
 tinually directed towards the attainment of a higher system of morality 
 than that commonly in vogue. For instance, in a letter to the Saints 
 by Orson Pratt and Orson Spencer, we find the writers addressing 
 those under their charge in the following terms : — ■ 
 
 " The sharp edge of persecution is whetted to miwonied keenness by lewd 
 men, who turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, and bring scandal and 
 stigma upon that priesthood which is ordained to save the human family. 
 When one member of the priesthood is polKited, however obscure, the whole 
 body is sickened by the contagion. Speedy amputation often becomes painfully 
 necessary. All heaven is pervaded with one common spirit of indignation. 
 We feel as though something like fratricide, or slaying of our brethren, had 
 been iittempted : the wound is in the house of our friends. But Zion will not 
 always mourn. Judgment is now given into her hand, and tho workers of 
 iniquity shall be cut off, and the stench of their detestable deeds will follow 
 them; and when the seducer's and adulterer's bones are mouldering in the 
 dust, the scent of his abominable deeds will bring upon his memory the bitter 
 imprecations of the righteous. While the law of God has been but imj)erfectly 
 appreciated, even by many of the. Church, these things may have been bear- 
 able through false tradition ; yet, the time is now when the cloak of charity 
 cannot, and will not, screen such offenders. Two instances of gross lewdness 
 have occurred among the elders of this land, and we have strictly enjoined the 
 prohibition of their re-baptism or reunion with the Church, without a verbal 
 application to the First Pi-esidency, residing far distant in Zion. Although 
 the spirit of seduction and lewdness has occasionally invaded the Church in 
 its purest state, it has never obtained a particle of fellowship, neither will it 
 do so in any future time, from any faithful servant of God. And we distinctly 
 say to the Saints in Britain, let no artifice or cunningly devised tale ever be 
 regarded as any apology for tliis gross immorality. No grade of office what- 
 ever will ever authorise any one to teach or practise this abomination. This 
 Church is a purifier, and will refine its members as silver; and men must not 
 think to bring into its sacred enclosure the abominations of the Gentiles, who 
 are an adulterous and wicked generation — strange children — conceived in siu 
 and shapen in iniquity. 
 
 ' ' Not so with the Church of the living God. Their marriage vows are 
 sacred, and cannot be violated with impunity : their offspring are legitimate, 
 and not bastards conceived in sin, but holy unto the Lord ; and the man or 
 woman in this Church that contributes to illegitimacy, thereby entailing 
 upon his or her offs{»-ing the curse of exclusion from the congregation of the 
 Lord, to the third g^eneration, he or she that does it becomes detestable in 
 the eyes ot the Lord and all good people, and their condemnation will not 
 slumber. Let none be deceived in this matter, for the eyes of the Lord will 
 
MORAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF MORMONISM. 311 
 
 penetrate every work, and the spirit that is confirmed upon the Saints wilt 
 bear witness against all such like abominations, and no work of iniquity will 
 or can possibly escape detection in due time. The nations of the earth are 
 corrupt and abominable in these things ; but they that bear the message of 
 tile Lord must be clean : they must keep themselves undefiled, or share in the 
 plagues of Babylon. Pitiable is the condition of that man who has made 
 commerce of the gifts of the priesthood, like Esau. His strength is gone, 
 like unto Sampson's when shorn of his locks, and he becomes an easy prey to 
 his enemies. Who then, among the sons and daughters of men, will lay hold 
 upon the skirts of such fallen reprobates in order to obtain salvation ? Let 
 those who have already spotted their garments with these Gentile practices, 
 prove a sufficient ensample to deter all others. Let the beacon-light of a few 
 examples keep others from the rocks and quicksands where scattered wrecks 
 fearfully i-emonstrate and warn ! 
 
 " Dear brethren, no false delicacy shall forbid us frona speaking plainly to 
 you upon this subject. Lust, when it is conceived, bringeth forth sin. The 
 pure in heart have no occasion to mistake this infallible precursor and ante- 
 cedent to sin : it is easily discoverable. It is only when the invading foe is 
 welcomed and cherished that sin can ever be the result. iHere is opportunity 
 iifforded for to consider, reflect, and beware! Whatever of sexual manners, 
 dress, or intimacy is known to cherish forbidden or ungo«vernable lusts, may 
 be as surely known to produce sin. The familiar usages of one 'nation may 
 not be equally compatible with the ptirity of another people, accu«toraed to 
 other usages! We do not complain of the maimers and dres^ of any nation, 
 so lung as they are compatible with purity and die law of God. The saluta- 
 tion by kissing was practised in the Jewish natioR, and it was tolerated among 
 the members of the primitive Church of Christ ; but it was by no 'means a 
 law or necessary duty. 
 
 " The first transgression introduced the necessity of a covering, and urged 
 the importance of fresh laws regulating acts of decency. Perfect purity would 
 require no law to determine what is modest or what is perilous to A'irtue. 
 The law is made for transgressors. When men <3an keep themselves pure in 
 body, soul, and spirit, they then become as wise virgins, and emerge into the 
 perfect law of boundless liberty. No person can be a successful candidate 
 for the celestial prize that does not keep the law in all these respects. Men 
 must learn to approximate to that state of perfect puriiy in which the law is 
 written upon their hearts, so as to supersede the necessity of outward ordi- 
 nances which will perish with the using.. 
 
 "The pure in heart, who are fully established in the law of continency, 
 might use the ancient salutation of a holy kiss, and other innocent familiarities 
 of a kindred nature, with perfect impunity. But not so with all. We have 
 need to write unto some, even as carnal and babes in Christ. Such have not 
 already attained that steadfastness to which the Gospel calls them. 'Wliat 
 then ? Is it not better that the strong bear the infirmities of the weak, and 
 forego any practice that may cause their brotlier to ofttjnd ? 
 
 *' We therefore think it wisj and expedient, and give it as our counsel ac* 
 
312: THE MORMO>'S. 
 
 cbrdinoly, to the English Saints, to abstain entirely from these unbecoming 
 familiarities through which some have been already led into gross transgrebsiun. 
 "If the elders wish to save their congregations, and obtahi a good degree 
 for themselves and others in the kingdom of God, let them abstain, rather, 
 from all appearance of evil. Let those familiarities which are often the 
 legitimate expressicm of innocence and the purest love, be avoided, because 
 they may be spoken evil of by those that are without, and because the inex- 
 perienced confidence of young members is liable to be betrayed, and made a 
 bait to folly and crime. We write unto presidents of conferences as unto 
 wise men, to whom a hint will be sufficient, and who will readily understand 
 >vhat the will of the Lord is in such matters. We do not-wish to multiply 
 arbitrary laws among a people that are destined by the grace of God, and 
 their own trustworthiness, to rise above all law into the region of ineffable 
 light, purity, and glory. But we do, nevertheless, intend to establish laws 
 against the invasion of the unruly and transgressors. And we wish the 
 elders and holy women who are mothers to co-operate with us against the 
 intrusion of Gentile abominations. And we do declare, with all sobriety 
 in the fear of God, and by the authority we hold from God in the holy priest- 
 hood, that a curse shall rest upon transgressors, who, with kiiowing wicked- 
 ness, shall hereafter violate the laws of virtue and chastity. This is the 
 voice of the priesthood in Zion, and the voice of God, from the foundation 
 of the world. Hear it, oh ye Saints throughout the British isles and adjacent 
 cr'untries ! While God is gathering, and will continue to gather his sons 
 from afar, and his daughters from the ends of the earth, he will not tolerate 
 the obstruction of the great and last gathering by the abominations of repror 
 bates, that have been cast out as refuse silver, and by their slanderous tales 
 of abomination, palmed upon his infant cause." 
 
 In the Third General Epistle of the Presidency we find some regu- 
 lations which redound highly to the credit of the Mormon authorities. 
 But leaving the question of the polygamy and seduction alleged to 
 have been, or to be still practised by the Mormons, to he decided by 
 the reader, upon the evidence on both sides which we have producetl, 
 we proceed to other points. 
 
 •'Many brethren having gone to the Gold Mines, and many are about going, 
 and all * by counsel,' as they say, and, no doubt, truly. A few have gone ac- 
 cording to the advice of those whose right it is to counsel the Saints, and such 
 are right, inasmuch as they do right : but much the greater portion have gone 
 according to the counsel of their own wills and covetous feelings. Such might 
 have done more good by staying in the Valley, and labouring to prepare the 
 way for the reception of the brethren ; but it is not too late for them to do 
 good and be saved, if they will do right in their present sphere of action, 
 although they will not get so great a reward as they would have done had they 
 performed the greater good. 
 
 " If, at the mines they will listen to the counsel of those men who have been 
 appointed to counsel them, and they return to work righteousness, and do as tl]ty 
 
SOCIAL ASPECTS OF MORMONISM. 313 
 
 would be done unto, and acknowledge God in all their waj'P, they nuiy yet 
 attain unto oreat glory; but if they shall cease to hearken to counsel, and 
 make gold their god, and I'eturn among the Saints, filled with avarice, ami 
 refuse to lend, or give, or suffer their money to be used unless they can make 
 a great speculation theieby, and will see their poor brethren, who iiave toiled 
 all the day, in want and in perplexity, and they will not relieve, but keep the 
 dust corroding in their purses, it had been better for them if a mill-stone had 
 been hanged about their necks, and they had been drowned in the depths of 
 the sea, before they had departed from the right ways of the Lord ; for if tluy 
 shall continue thus to harden their hearts, and to shut up their bowels of 
 compassion against the needy, they will go down to the pit with all idolators, in a 
 moment they are not aware, with as little pity as they have manifested to their 
 poor brethren, who would have borrowed of them but have been sent empty away. 
 " Gold is good in its place— it is good in the hands of a good man to do 
 good with, but in the hands of a wicked man, it often proves a curse instead 
 of a blessing. Gold is a good servant, but a miserable, blind, and helpless 
 god, and at last will have to be piirified by fire, with all its followers." 
 
 Now, it would be easy to. charge tlie cupidity of the individuals 
 here reproved on the Mormon community, hut it would be manifestly 
 unjust. We must recognise in. such aberrations the inevitable struggle 
 between self-will and newlj-estaUished law. Further provision is 
 made against the evil complained of in the following express rules 
 and statement : — 
 
 ^'Elders Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich will continue their operations 
 at Western California, according to previous instructions, and not only keep 
 an accurate account of all tithings and of the general proceedings of all 
 faithlul brethren, that we may know of their good works, and hail them as 
 brethren when we meet, but keep a perfect history of all who profess to be 
 Saints and do not follow their counsel, pay tithing, and do their duty, and 
 •report the same to us every mail, that they and their works may be entered in 
 a book of remembrance in Zion, that they may be judged therefrom, and not 
 impose upon the faithful; for it is not uncommon for men to say, 'I can do 
 more good if I go to the mines, than I can to stay here,' and we want to 
 prove such, and know whether they are true men or liars. 
 
 " When men, professing to be brethren, go to the mines according to their own 
 counsel, we want them to stay until they are satisfied — until they have obtained 
 enough to make them comfortable, ai^d have some to do good with and a disposi- 
 tion to use it for that purpose, and not rim back here in a few months, lock up 
 their gold, boast how much they have made, doing no good themselves, and hin- 
 dering everybody else from doing good over whom they have an influence ; curiae 
 God, deny the Holy Ghost, and when spring opens, run to the mines again, as 
 some have done. Let such men remember that they are not wanted in our midst ; 
 for unless they speedily repent, the wrath of an offended Creator will suddenly 
 overtake them, and no power can stay it. Let such leave their carcases wheic 
 they do their work ; Ave want not our burial-grounds polluted with such 
 hypocrites ; but we have it in our hearts to bless all men who will do right. 
 
314 THE MOPwMONS. 
 
 whatever their occupation, and our arms are ever open to embrace such, and 
 we pray for all men who are ignorant, or out of the right way, that our 
 Heavenly Father will give them his spirit, that they may learn and do right." 
 
 Some other points of social economy are touched on with like 
 wisdom ; such as the emigration fund, and the estahlishment of the 
 Deseret University. 
 
 " We would urge upon all Saints the importance of keeping in view the 
 Perpetual Emigrating Fund, and of adding thereto, all in their power, the 
 present season ; for every succeeding year will be more and more eventful in the 
 progress of the work of God, and mure and more Snint-s will be ready, and want 
 to gather to Zion. We warmly anticipate that such will be the interest felt, and 
 the funds collected in the British Isles, that we can eemnwnce bringing forward 
 the Saints, from that region, one year hence.; and the Bresidency in England 
 will take special care to be ready to act on future instractions on the subject. 
 
 "Elders of Israel, be faithful in your calling, feed fchejsheep, feed the lambs 
 of the tlock, and proclaim the gospel in all simplicity, meekness, and love, 
 whenever you have the opportunity as it shall be gi\en you by the power of 
 the Holy Ghost which y<»u will always have for your counsellor if you are 
 faithful ; and let all the Saints give diligent heed unto the counsel of those 
 who are over them in the Lord, upholding them by the prayer of iaith, keeping 
 themselves pure and humble, and they will never lack wisdom from above, 
 and by faith and works search out your way to Z'ion. 
 
 " Several elders have been appointed missions to England, Scotland, the 
 Society Islands, the States, and Western California, as will be seen by the 
 minutes of the General Conference of the 6th of April, to which we refer for 
 particulars concerning any business then transacted. 
 
 "We are happy in saying to all, that a brighter day is dawning on the intel- 
 lectual prosperity of Zion ; that the University recently established by the State 
 of Deseret, bids fair to accomplish the olject for which it was instituted ; that it 
 is under the supervision of faithful and intelligent men, who will consider no 
 labour too great to carry out the wishes and greatest possible good of those for 
 whose beneHt the institution was founded : and we earnestly solicit the co-opera- 
 tion of all the Saints, and particularly the elders in all nations, to gather, as they 
 may have the opportunity, books in all languages, and on every science, appara- 
 tus, and rare specimens of art and nature, and everything that may tend to 
 beautify and make useful ; and forward or bring the same to the Regents of our 
 University, for the benefit of all such as may hereafter seek intelligence at 
 iheir hands." 
 
 Mr. Orson Pratt, in an "Epistle to the Saints throughout Great 
 Britain," is solicitous for the purification of both the state and church 
 from unworthy members. The following are extracts : — 
 
 •' About two years have elapsed since I was appointed to preside over the 
 Saints in this land. I have endeavoured, during the time, to inform myself cour 
 cerning your oon<iition, and to offer such counsel as I thought best adiipted to 
 ^our circumstanuen. If, in the multiplicity of business which has pressed my 
 
LOCAL ASPECTS OF MOKMONISM. 315 
 
 mind, I have at any time erred, it has not been intentionally. It has been my 
 constant prayer and study to know the will of God concerning you. It afFord=> 
 me great pleasure to know that the churehes have greatly flourished since I hive 
 been in your midst, and that many thousands have been added to your numbers. 
 Peace and union have also prevailed in almost every branch ; Avhile the Holy 
 Spirit has been abundantly poured forth upon you, as is evident from the miracu- 
 lous manifestation of the healing power, together with numerous other blessings 
 enjoyed throughout the land, 'ihese tokens of the goodness of God towards his 
 Saints are calculated to make the faithful servants of God rejoice. 
 
 " The wise and judicious management displayed by the presidents of confer- 
 ences, and the travelling elders under them, has been the principal means in the 
 hands of God in extending the cause of truth in the British Isles. The extensiv^ 
 circulation of the printed word has also given an impetus to the rolling of the 
 great wheel of salvation. Strictness of discipline in plucking off dead branches 
 — in purifying the church of corrupt members — and in laying the axe at the 
 very root of every species of wickedness, has also had a powerful tendency to 
 strengthen and confirm the meek and humble, and to enlighten the eyes nf the 
 honest inquirer. 
 
 " Let the presiding elders of every conference endeavour to inform their minds 
 relative to the condition of every branch under their respective j urisdictions. See 
 whether your flocks are in a healthy condition or not. The Lord has made you 
 the shepherds over his sheep ; if you lose the sheep, or suffer them to perish 
 through your neglect, they will be required at your hands. Teach the presidents 
 of branches to look diligently after all the members. Counsel them to enforce 
 strict discipline, and to root out all backbiting and evil-speaking one against 
 another ; for this is a great evil, and tends to quarrels, divisions, strifes, apostacy, 
 and ileath. If the backbiter or evil-speaker will not, after proper admonitions, 
 reform and cease his evil practices, let fellowship be withdrawn from him, and 
 let all know that the church of God is not the place to injure and devour one 
 another. If any officer or member under your charge be found teaching or prac- 
 tising unvirtuous doctrines, let him be dealt with strictly by the law of God ; and 
 if the president of a conference shall transgress, or teacher practise any iniquity, 
 let the same be reported to us, accompanied with the proper evidences ; and if 
 one of the Twelve, or the president of the Saints in Great Britain, shall transgress 
 the law of virtue, and teach or practise unrighteousness, let the presidents of con- 
 ferences inquire into the same, and collect the testimonies thereof, and forthwith 
 transmit the documents unto the First Presidency at head quarters, that all may 
 be dealt with according to the law of heaven. The time is come when too much 
 light and knowledge have Leen given to the Saints for them to suffer themselves 
 to be imposed upon by men who are carried away with their lusts. And we say, 
 in the name of the Lord, that the displeasure of heaven shall overtake the aduL 
 terer unless he speedily repent, and his name shall be blotted out from among 
 the people of God. * Woe unto them that commit whoredoms, saith the Lord 
 God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell.' Woe unto them who 
 shall betray the confidence reposed in them, and shall make use of their authority 
 to seduce and lead astray ignorant and silly women, for, except they repent, their 
 authority ihall perish quickly like the dry stubble before the devouring flame. 
 
"SIB 'J'HE MORMONS. 
 
 Woe unto them who lie and bear false witness a<>ainst their bi other or sister to 
 their injurj ; it were better for then', that they were sunk in the depths of the 
 mighty ocean than to offend the children of God. Woe unto them who steal, for 
 their deeds shall be made manifest, ami justice and judgment shall lay hold on 
 them in an hour they think not. Woe unto them who love slander, and will not 
 cease to speak evil of their brother and sister, for they shall be hated of Cloil and 
 man, and their hopes shall wither away and perish. Woe imto all those amontj 
 the Saints who shall turn from their righteousness and do iniquity, for the great 
 day of the Lord is at hand, and their portion shall be among hypocrites and un- 
 believers." 
 
 Such languaire as this in their public doeunients, togethor with the 
 recorded facts of the excision and exconunuiiication of offending mem- 
 bers, would seem to exonerate the Moimon system from the vices 
 of Mormon member.^. They also prove, whatever may have been 
 the moi-al state of Mormon society in time j)ast, that it lias al- 
 ready greatly improved. And as to the accusations against their 
 founders, even when made by undoubtedly pious men, the Mormons 
 have an indisputably valid answer^ which they have thus worded for 
 themsel ves. 
 
 " Pious men, who prayed often and fasted frequently, afhrnied 
 that Jesus and His apostles were foul inijiostors, vile sabbath- 
 breakers, gluttons, \vinc-bil)bers, treasonable })ersons, not fit to live. 
 Do you judge Jesus by the testimony of pious enemies ? No, you 
 judge his character, <fcc., by the testimony of friends. Pursue the 
 game line of judgment towards Joseph Smith, and the issue is 
 trium})h : his bosom burned with a love to humanity, manly, frank, 
 and Godlike. You believe in the testimony of Moses as to the won- 
 ders recorded in the Pentateuch, yet Moses killed the Egyptian and 
 hid his body in the sand ! Joseph Smith irever did anything like 
 that. You believe and receive the Psalms and Proverbs, yet David 
 and Solomon sinned fotdly and fearfully. Let your reason and 
 common sense speak and judge righteous judgment. A false [)ro])het 
 will ever teach something false : Joseph taught in perfect accordance 
 with Scri}.ture, just as a true prophet must do.'' 
 
 The enmity excited an;iong the pious, too, had its natural ground 
 in the peculiar doctrines taught by the new sect. These we will 
 ,also take in their own words : — 
 
 " Some of the leading characteristics of the Latter-Day Gospel were 
 as follows : It declared all the earth, Christian, Jew, Heathen, aiid 
 Pagan, to be living in wickedness, unbelief, and without a knowledge 
 of God. It declared that the religion of Jesus established upon the 
 earth in the days of the primitive apostles, had been long perveited 
 hito hunmn institutions, without either the form or power, and con- 
 
OPrOSITTON TO MOHMOMSXr, 317 
 
 sequently were not acknowledged of God. It declared, that all* those 
 calling themselves Christians in the nineteenth century, were nothinor 
 less than idolators, and living under a broken covenant. It declared 
 that God had now spoken from the heavens, and given a commission 
 to man to go forth and usher in the dispensation of the fulness of 
 times, by opening the kingdom of God to Gentile and Jew. It de- 
 clared that all who would not humble themselves, and go forth and 
 he baptized for a remission of their sins, and have the imposition of 
 hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, by those whom God had 
 called, would never enter into the kingdom of God, or be saved with 
 an everlasting salvation. It declared that all who were without pro- 
 phets and apostles — the spirit of inspiration and immediate revelation 
 fi-om God, together with the Holy Ghost, which would enable men 
 to dreaiii dreams, see visions, and proj)hecy ; speak in unknown 
 tongues, and work miracles ; were not yet fellow-citizens with the 
 Saints, or of the household of God. It declared that this was the 
 stone cut out of the mountain without hands, spoken of by Daniel 
 and the prophets, and that it would roll on until every hostile power 
 upon the earth had fallen before it, and it had become a great king- 
 dom and filled the whole earth. Let us here pause, and inquire : 
 Was there anything in all this, to pamper the prejudices of the 
 public mind, and thereby gain the applause of the world ? On the 
 contrary, it is obvious, that had the inhabitants of some other world 
 laid their heads togetlier, to concoct such a story to palm upon this 
 world, as would stir up the bitterest spirit of hatred and persecution, 
 they could not have hit upon one more effectual than the principles 
 embodied in the Latter-Day Gospel. 
 
 *' We accordingly find that the gospel met the opposition and con- 
 tempt naturally to be expected. No sooner was its first proclama- 
 tion made, than both earth and hell were in a stew to find adequate 
 means to put a stop to such a work ; all manner of lies and slan- 
 derous reports were put in circulation to the prejudice of those who 
 obeyed it, everywhere. The whole artillery of the learned world was 
 I»ut in requisition to bolster up such lies and slanders, and men were 
 warned, both from pulpit and }>res3, to beware of the impostors. The 
 servants of the Lord knew and felt they were so treated; but still 
 they preached and still they determined to know, and to glory in no- 
 thing else. Why this, if they were impostors, they must have 
 yielded to the contempt called forth. But no, they preached it, 
 and succeeded. And yet Jew and Gentile hated it. What could 
 carry it above that hatred but the power of God ? For, as was to be 
 expected from a religion of this description, making such pretensions, 
 and with a world hostile and already enti'enched in power, it met 
 
818 THE MORMONS. 
 
 "with most formidable opposition and violent pei*secution from nil 
 ranks, orders, classes, and individuals whose interests Avere endan- 
 gered or craft disturbed. From governors, rulers, inferior magis- 
 trates ; from priests and the whole train of idolatrous worshippers ; 
 from a lawless rabble multitude, the victim and sport of every ])assion 
 a!)d prejudice ; the ready instruments of party violence ; the easy 
 dupes of designing men, and the tumultuous and eager executioners 
 of wrath, against those who had become the object of their hatred. 
 That the Latter-Day Saints have suffered horrible persecutions is a 
 fact not to be denied, after all the publications upon the subject, and 
 the thousands of living witnesses who at this moment attest its 
 truth, and mourn over their martyred relatives. 
 
 •' As an outline of what is contained in our records upon this sub- 
 ject, we may notice, that no sooner were a few thousands of the 
 Saints settled on the western frontiers of Missouri, having provided 
 themselves with comfortable, and many of them with large posses- 
 sions, and having by industry greatly improved their estates, and 
 were beginning to enjoy something like real comfort, than the stoi'rn 
 that had been brewing against them in the hearts of their enemies 
 broke out with uncontroUalile force ; and large bodies of Christians, 
 armed with the powers of mobocracy, and headed by their ministers, 
 with the Bible in one hand and the sword in the other, endeavoured 
 to annihilate the poor, peaceful, unoffending Latter-Day Saints ; and 
 in the most savage, barbarous manner did they drive them from their 
 lands and possessions in the midst of a severe North American winter, 
 burning their dwelling-houses and other buildings, murdering them 
 and their families, first ravishing and then murdering their wives 
 and daughters. Li one case nineteen of tljem had hid themselves in an 
 old smithy, but their ruthless pursuers found them out and butchered 
 them to a man ; and just when about to leave, thinking that the work 
 of slaughter was done in this place, one of them discovered a little 
 boy hid behind the bellows ; him they dragged forth, and while his 
 little eyes and hands were raised to heaven in earnest entreaty that, 
 these Christian savages might have mercy upon him, one of them, in 
 whose heart the last spark of humanity was not wholly extinguished, 
 ventured to plead for the life of the little boy ; but the ready reply of 
 one and all was, ' Away with him ; d— n him, if he lives he'Jl be a- 
 Mormon like his father,' and a ball from a gun quickly scattered his 
 brains upon the floor. ■ ' 
 
 " My heart sickens, and the blood freezes in my veins while I write,, 
 and while I contemplate the worse than savage, atrocities inflicted, 
 upon the most law-abiding, peac^il, unoftending peojde that ever 
 graced the footstool of God. Yes,— they -drove them from their 
 
CONCLUSION. 319 
 
 liomes, their lands, and their possessions. Stript, wounded, and 
 beaten, thej were compelled to flee from all they had in or of the 
 worM', in the midst of a very rigorous winter. It would have sick- 
 ened the heart of the wildest savage of the forest to see their young 
 infants, their oldi men and women, their sick and infirm, with matiy 
 of their women suffering from the pangs oF child-birth, many of them 
 too premature to- look,, or even hope for their recovery, lying scattered 
 here and there across the bare prairies, without the slightest covering 
 to shelter them from the pitiless pelting storm-, or the bitter ffost and 
 ^ow:; so that many more were they who fell martyrs to the incle- 
 meney of winter, than they who perished by the STVord, and much more 
 bitter and torturing to the feelings was their fate. 
 
 ■^'■It will not be expected that I could write one-thousandth part of 
 the- sufferings of the Saints at the period alluded to, neither is it my 
 present intention so to do; suffice it to say, that the readiest pen, or 
 tlie most eloquent tongue, would come fur short of the reality. To 
 know would be to have felt ; and even then the knowledge would be 
 all your own — you could not commmiicate it to another. 
 
 '*But the question now is, did these- cruelties destroy the work of 
 God ? No, — so fdr from' destroying, it did not so much as retard it 
 a single moment. Nay, it went on with accelerated speed ; and at the 
 very moment the Saints were being butciiered for the testimony of 
 Jesus and the word of God^ that testimony was boldly and undaunt- 
 edly borne throughout all parts of the land. Is it possible to look 
 Upon fcicts like these, and- still hold the idea that these poor perse- 
 cuted people were impostors,, or under a delusion ? Reasoning fioni 
 such a state of things, and the results flowing from it, we cannot, as 
 reasonable beings, hold the idea a single moment. They must either 
 have obtained a knowledge of that God whom to know is life eternal, 
 ani which served to support their sinking spirits, and bear them up 
 imder all tliey were called upon to sufi'er, or thej' must have given way 
 to the popular wrath, and thrown up. their imposture as a thing alto- 
 gether unfit to succeed in the world.." 
 
 We have now brought to a close the few observations which we 
 have thought it necessary to. make upon the evidence by which th3 
 present believers, in the mission. of Joseph Smith support his claims; 
 as well as upon the theology which has gradually grown out of the 
 remarkable imposture, of which tlie Book of Mormon is the root. We 
 have, at the same time, investigated the cliarges of vice and crimi- 
 nality brought against Smith and his disciples. We have also con- 
 sidered Mormonism as a social and secular institution, which already 
 plays a very note-worthy part, botE-in this country and in America. 
 The West has had its prophet as well as the East ; and whatever may 
 
o<0 THE ilOP.M'jNS. 
 
 have been the original character of the man, the sect which he founded' 
 has arrived at such a growth, that no arguments founded upon thei 
 fraud or absurdity of his pretensions will be of the slightest avail in- 
 preventing the development of Mormonism. The sect— estabHshed< 
 in its own home — treats all adverse criticism with the same indiffer- 
 ence as the Mahometans or Buddhists show to all who impugn the 
 truth of their religions. They pity the objectors — treat their argu- 
 ments either as folly or blasphemy, and entrench themselves in the 
 impregnable fortress of their own faith. If this were not the natural 
 course of things, and strictl}'^ in accordance with all experience, there 
 would at this time be but one form of religion in the world. That 
 there are many forms of religion, each of which believes itself, and it 
 alone— to be the true one, may explain, though it will not justify, the 
 faith and position of the Latter-Day Saints. Whatever the world 
 may say of the Mormons, the Mormons may say of themselves, that 
 they have succeeded in establishing the third political system that 
 has grown out of Christianity. The Pope, the Queen of England, 
 and Brigham Young, are alike heads of States and of Churches : and,, 
 what is perhaps as remarkable a fact, the only State Church in 
 America is that which has been founded by Joseph Smith. 
 
 The great impetus given to the trade and population of the Pacific, 
 by the discovery of the golden treasures of California, — a discovery 
 partly owing to the Mormons — will doubtless lead to a more rapid, 
 development of the resources of the new and peculiar community of 
 Deseret or Utah, than might otherwise have been anticipated. Their 
 ])ast history has been a singular one. Their future history promises 
 to be even more remarkable. 
 
 VUetelly and Co., Printers and Engravers, 135 Fleet Street, London. 
 
Date Due 
 
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