Chapter XIII

Introduction of the Gospel in the Isle of Man--The Nauvoo Charter.

_Wednesday, October 21, 1840_.--Elder Lorenzo Snow arrived in Manchester, England, from Nauvoo.

_Thursday, 22_.--The committee appointed by the general conference of the Church at Nauvoo on the 3rd inst., (my brother Hyrum presiding) organized a Stake at Lima this evening, by appointing Isaac Morley, president; John Murdock and Walter Cox, his counselors; also a Bishop's Court composed of Gardner Snow, Clark Hulet and Henry Dean, with James C. Snow, clerk.

_Friday, 23_.--Gardner Snow was ordained Bishop under the hands of Hyrum Smith.

_Sunday, 25_.--The committee organized a Stake at Quincy. The presidency were Daniel Stanton, Stephen Jones and Ezra T. Benson; the latter was ordained a High Priest; also bishop and counselors, George W. Crouse, Azariah Dustin, and Sylvester B. Stoddard.

_Tuesday, 27_.--The committee organized a Stake called Mount Hope, at the steam mills, Columbus, Adams county. President and counselors were Abel Lamb, Sherman Gilbert and John Smith. Bishop and counselors, were Daniel A. Miller, Isaac Clark, and John Allen; Simeon J. Comfort, clerk.

At Freedom Stake, near Payson, Adams county, Henry W. Miller, Duncan McArthur, and William Tenney were appointed to preside. Bishop and counselors, Matthew Leach, Horra Kimball, and Jacob Foutz.

_Wednesday 28_.--[On this date a long communication {234} was sent to the editors of the _Times and Seasons_ signed by Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith, detailing their visit to various places in London, but as the communication does not in any way bear upon the incidents of the history of the Church, it is thought unnecessary to publish the letter _in extenso_. The following paragraph from the letter, however, it is thought should be preserved, because it refers to the liberty the Elders of the Church incidentally enjoyed while engaged in the ministry; and also because it breathes that spirit of liberty in the pursuit of knowledge characteristic of the work of God in the last days.--Editors.]

We consider it perfectly consistent with our calling, with reason
and revelation that we should form a knowledge of kingdoms and
countries whether at home or abroad, whether ancient or modern,
whether of things past or present or to come; whether it be in
heaven, earth or hell, air or seas; or whether we obtain this
knowledge by being local or traveling, by study or by faith, by
dreams or by visions, by revelation or by prophecy, it mattereth
not unto us; if we can but obtain a correct [view of] principles,
and knowledge of things as they are, in their true light, past,
present and to come. It is under such a view of things that we are
endeavoring to avail ourselves of every opportunity in our travels
among the nations of the earth, to record an account of things as
they pass under our observation.

_Thursday, 29_.--Elder Woodruff preached twice in London, and baptized three.

_Friday, 30_.--Elder Lorenzo Snow had a discussion with Mr. Barker, a Methodist minister, at Hill Top, near Birmingham, and baptized two.

_Sunday, 31_.--I copy the following from the _Manx Liberal_ of this date:

Mormonism in the Isle of Man.

_To the Editor of the Manx Liberal_:

Sir--I feel rather surprised and chagrined that the modern
delusion, viz., "Mormonism," should have made such rapid strides
in this town, hitherto considered exempt from the many systems of
irreligious creeds which abound in England, America, and elsewhere.
I had thought that {235} the powerful and argumentative addresses
of the dissenting ministers would have checked such a gross piece
of imposition in its infancy, and thus prevented the great mass of
our town's people from becoming dupes of designing knaves, "and
being led away by every wind of doctrine." Above all, I imagined
the two pamphlets issued by that holy, religious and devout man of
God, Mr. Hays, Wesleyan minister, (to which connection I have the
happiness and honor to belong) would have been quite sufficient
to prove the fallacy of such a system, and prevent its further
spread. But, sir, alas! alas! the case is quite the reverse;
numbers continually flock to the Wellington room, and listen with
eagerness to the principles there advocated. The members of our
society (Methodists) seem to be most conspicuous in sanctioning and
promoting this vile and abominable doctrine.

Oh, sir, the result to our connection will be dreadful! the havoc
tremendous; just think of the majority of our _leading_ and
intelligent men aiding and abetting a cause of this description!
Oh, sir, lamentable and heart-rending to witness the beaming
countenances, and smiles of approbation displayed recently at
Taylor's meeting! I could enumerate a host of our members who
regularly attend those anti-Christian meetings; but I will just
mention, with your permission, the names of a few who attended one
of the last meetings. (Here followed a list of names.)

O! Mr. Editor! I quake for the consequence; such a wholesale
conversion to Mormonism was never before witnessed in any town or
country. What will become of our society? What will become of our
class meetings? What will become of our brethren in the faith? And
above all, what will become of poor Mr. Hays [1] that nice and
humble man, who so nobly stood forward to expose the errors of the
Mormon system; God bless him and preserve him from want! But, Mr.
Editor, what makes the case worse is, that a rumor is prevalent
that all these pious men are to be baptized! That is duly immersed
in the salt water of Douglas Bay, by that abominable creature,
Taylor! Surely, there must be something enchanting about the vile
man. Immersion! (my hand shakes while I write) and in winter, too!
Oh, sir! the thought chills my very soul; surely this American
dipper intends to drown them; he can have no other object in view,
therefore, brethren of the Methodist society, beware! Drowning is
not to be envied, and that too in your sins. Besides, what would
the venerable John Wesley, (if he {236} were alive) say to such
conduct? What will the conference say? And what will the world say?
I leave these questions to yourselves to answer. In conclusion,
brethren, I recommend you to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest
the things which belong to your eternal peace, and listen no longer
to the follies of men.

A Staunch Wesleyan.

Duke Street, Douglas, 29th Oct.

_Sunday, November 1, 1840_.--The committee organized a Stake, Geneva, Morgan county, Illinois, and called it Geneva Stake; presidents--William Bosley, Howard S. Smith, and Samuel Fowler. Bishop's Court--Gardner Clark, Moses Clare, and David Orton.

Elder Levi Richards arrived in Manchester.

_Tuesday, 3_.--The English bombarded St. Jean D'Acre, during which a powder magazine exploded, killing over two thousand men.

_Thursday, 5_.--The committee organized a Stake of the Church at Springfield; presidents--Edwin P. Merriam, Isaac H. Bishop, and Arnold Stephens. Bishop's Court--Abraham Palmer, Henry Stephens, and Jonathan Palmer.

_Monday, 9_.--Elder George A. Smith received counsel to leave London and go to Staffordshire for his health, as he had injured his lungs by preaching in the streets, so that he discharged considerable blood from them.

_Tuesday, 10_.--Elder Smith took leave of Elder Woodruff and traveled to Birmingham, met Elder Alfred Cordon, preached and baptized five in the evening.

[Sidenote: Opposition to the Work in England.]

_Thursday, 12_.--The _Weekly Dispatch_, England, having published a sarcastic article against the Saints in that country, and blaming the Bishop of Gloucester, and his tithe-fattened clergy for allowing the "Mormons" to delude and baptize five hundred in his Diocese, Elder Wilford Woodruff replied to this, but the _Dispatch_ refused to publish his reply.

_Saturday, 21_.--Elders Young, Kimball and Richards, visited the Church at Bolton.

{237} _Thursday, 26_.--Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and George A. Smith preached to the Saints in Hanley this day, and on the 27th at Stoke-upon-Trent.

_Saturday, 28_.--Elders Young and Kimball left for London.

Elders Elias Higbee and Robert B. Thompson, the committee appointed at the October Conference, wrote a petition to Congress for the redress of the grievances of the Latter-day Saints in Missouri, setting forth their wrongs and sufferings, in substance the same as my petition in connection with Elias Higbee and Sidney Rigdon, of the 28th day of November, 1839.

_Thursday, December 3_.--Elders Young, Kimball and Woodruff visited the tower of London, the Horse Armory, Jewel Room and the Thames Tunnel.

_Friday, 4_.--Elders Young and Woodruff visited Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.

[Sidenote: Excommunication of Sidney Roberts.]

There was a conference in New York City, Elder Orson Hyde presiding. The revelations of Elder Sidney Roberts were objected to, which were that a certain brother must give him a suit of clothes, and a gold watch, the best that could be had, also his saluting the sisters with holy kiss. Elder Roberts justified himself in these things. Much good counsel was given him, but he said he knew the revelations he had received were from God, and would make no confession; consequently the conference cut him off, and demanded his license, which he refused to give up.

Elder John Taylor has been preaching and baptizing for some time in the Isle of Man, where the work is now progressing.

_Saturday, 5_.--Elder Brigham Young writes as follows:

_Letter of Brigham Young to the Presidency, Detailing Movements of
the Mission in England_.

No. 40, Ironmonger Row, St. Luke's, December 5th, 1840.

Beloved Brethren--I have just returned from a walk with Brothers
Kimball and Woodruff. We have only been as far as St. Paul's and
{238} returned by Smithfield Market about three miles. Brother
Kimball and myself had fine weather for our journey here; it was a
beautiful day that we left Macclesfield for Burslem. We found the
brethren in Macclesfield in good spirits, and in a good state as
to appearance. They appear to be well suited with Brother James
Galley; I think he will be a useful man in this kingdom. We found
Brother George A. Smith in Burslem, not in the best of health. He
is like the rest of us, the climate does not agree with him; he is
affected with a bleeding at the lungs. We stayed with him at the
Potteries. I preached two evenings. The Church is in a good state;
some of the members have a pretty hard time of it. Brother Smith
will stay there for the present.

Saturday, 28th, left for the next stopping place in Grets Green,
where we spent the Sabbath. On Saturday evening we called to see
Sister Roden, Father Patrick's daughter; she was very glad to see
us, and wanted we should stay all night. Her husband was very
kind to us, and bid us or other Elders welcome to his house at
any time. We could not stay; took tea with them, and agreed to
send Elder Lorenzo Snow there if he could come; blessed them, and
left them. I preached in the morning to the Saints in Grets Green,
stayed afternoon meeting, and then walked to Birmingham; was very
tired; heard Elder Snow preach; he is a nice young man, I think.
Brother Kimball also spoke to the people after Brother Snow had
got through. We found Brother Robert Williams here; he opened the
meeting; he seems to be full of the Spirit.

On Monday at 12 o'clock, Brother Kimball and myself took the
railway. Brother Williams started on foot for London. We arrived
here on Monday evening about six o'clock; found Brother Woodruff
well and in good spirits. We have been pretty busy since we have
been here.

Brigham Young.

A great part of the city of Messina, Sicily, was this day destroyed by an earthquake. Such was the force of the first shock that the inhabitants of the town were buried in an instant beneath the ruins.

_Sunday, 6_.--Elders Young and Kimball preached in Barratt's Academy, London, and administered the sacrament in the evening.

[Sidenote: Elder Taylor's Defense of the Work.]

_Monday, 7_.--Elder John Taylor issued his third pamphlet in defense of the truth, against the attacks of the Rev. Robert Hays, Wesleyan Minister, Douglas, Isle of Man; the three containing thirty-five pages of closely printed matter, {239} which are a complete expose of the corruptions of the Wesleyan priesthood, and a clear illustration of the truth of the Latter-day work.

Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Wilford Woodruff, visited the Anatomical Department of the College of Surgeons, London.

_Wednesday, 9_.--Elders Young and Kimball visited St. Paul's Cathedral, the Monument, London and Southwark Bridges and also the British Museum.

_Thursday, 10_.--Elder Levi Richards left Manchester for Herefordshire.

_Sunday, 13_.--I attended the High Council at my office. Robert D. Foster was on trial for lying, slandering the authorities of the Church, profane swearing, etc. Witness was examined in part and trial adjourned to the 20th.

_Monday, 14_.--Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith dissolved co-partnership. The _Times and Seasons_ is to be continued by Don Carlos Smith.

_Wednesday, 16_.--This day the act chartering the "City of Nauvoo," the "Nauvoo Legion," and the "University of the City of Nauvoo," was signed by the Governor, having previously passed the House and Senate. Following is the act _in extenso_.

An Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo.