Chapter I (1)

AN ESTIMATE OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH AS A RELIGIOUS LEADER--ANTI-MORMON MEETING AT CARTHAGE--HISTORICAL SKETCH--IMPORTANT CONFERENCE OF THE TWELVE HELD IN BOSTON.

_Friday, September 1, 1843._--A conference was held in Buffalo, New York, Elder John P. Greene presiding; Wm. H. Folsom, [1] clerk: 13 branches, 1 High Priest, 58 {2} Elders, 2 Teachers, 1 Deacon, and 247 members were represented.

I attended the meeting of the High Council as a witness in the case of Cowles [2] vs. George J. Adams. Charges not sustained.

_Saturday, 2._--I was not well, and therefore adjourned Mayor's Court.

_Sunday, 3._--I attended council with my brother Hyrum, Newel B. Whitney, Willard Richards, William Law and William Marks, and gave instructions to the brethren in relation to things in futurity.

A tremendous storm at Chester, Penn. The creek rose twenty-three feet in two hours, and swept away all the bridges, many factories and houses, and upwards of twenty persons drowned.

A conference was held at Hayward's Hotel, Manchester, England.

_Minutes of the Manchester Conference, held 3rd of September, 1843._

Charles Miller, President; William Walker, Clerk. Present: 1
Patriarch, 1 High Priest, 25 Elders, 40 Priests, 21 Teachers, and 4
Deacons.

Total number of members represented was as follows: 1,549 members,
including 44 Elders, 99 Priests, 56 Teachers, 22 Deacons. Baptized
since last general conference, 80; cut off, 29; emigrated, 18;
removed, 26; died, 4.

_Monday, 4._--Attended mayor's court and tried three cases--viz.,

City _versus_ A. Dodge, S. Dodge, and Luther Purtelow.

The two first I fined five dollars, and the last one dollar and costs. One, p.m., called and gave licence for {3} a circus performance, which I attended with my family until five, p.m.

I copy from the_ New York Sun_ as follows:--

"JOE SMITH, THE MORMON PROPHET." [3]

This Joe Smith must be set down as an extraordinary character, a
prophet-hero, as Carlyle might call him. He is one of the great men
of this age, and in future history will rank with those who, in one
way or another, have stamped their impress strongly on society.

Nothing can be more plebeian, in seeming, than this Joe Smith.
Little of dignity is there in his cognomen; but few in this age
have done such deeds, and performed such apparent miracles. It
is no small thing, in the blaze of this nineteenth century, to
give to men a new revelation, found a new religion, establish new
forms of worship, to build a city, with new laws, institutions,
and orders of architecture,--to establish ecclesiastic, civil and
military jurisdiction, found colleges, send out missionaries, and
make proselytes in two hemispheres: yet all this has been done by
Joe Smith, and that against every sort of opposition, ridicule
and persecution. This sect has its martyrs also; and the spirit
in which they were imprisoned and murdered in Missouri, does not
appear to have differed much from that which has attended religious
persecutions in all ages of the world.

That Joe Smith, the founder of the Mormons, is a man of great
talent, a deep thinker, and eloquent speaker, an able writer, and
a man of great mental power, no one can doubt who has watched his
career. That his followers are deceived, we all believe; but,
should the inherent corruptions of Mormonism fail to develop
themselves sufficiently to convince its followers of their error,
where will the thing end? A great military despotism is growing
up in the fertile West, increasing faster in proportion, than
the surrounding population, spreading its influence around, and
marshalling multitudes under its banners, causing serious alarm to
every patriot.

What is the reason that men are so blind that they cannot or will not see the hand of the Lord in His work of the last days!

_Tuesday, 5._--Went to the office at nine, a.m., with Mr. Hamilton, of Carthage, who had obtained a deed from {4} the sheriff of the county for lot 2, block 103, in the city of Nauvoo, for taxes, although I had previously paid them; which is another specimen of the oppression, injustice, and rascality of Mr. Collector Bagby, who by such foul means robs me and other Saints, and abuses all who come unfortunately in his power.

I requested my clerk to make out a bill of fare for the "Mansion."

The ship _Metoka_ sailed from Liverpool with a company of Saints on board.

_Wednesday, 6.--_I went to the recorder's about half past six, a.m., and found him in bed.

Held mayor's court in the case, "City _versus_ Joseph Owen."

_Anti-Mormon Meeting at Carthage, Seat of Hancock, County Illinois._ [4]

Meeting convened pursuant to adjournment. The former chairman [5] not being present.

Edson Whitney, Esq., was called to the chair, and the meeting being organized, the following preamble and resolutions were submitted by the committee, and unanimously adopted:--

PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.

This meeting having convened for the purpose of taking under
advisement a subject of vital importance not only to this county,
but to all the surrounding counties, regret that we are necessarily
and irresistibly forced to the conclusion that a certain class
of people have obtruded themselves upon us, calling themselves
Mormons, or Latter-day Saints, and under the sacred garb of
Christianity, assumed, as we honestly believe, that they may the
more easily, under such a cloak, perpetrate the most lawless and
diabolical deeds that have ever, in any age of the world, disgraced
the human species.

In evidence of the above charge, we find them yielding implicit
obedience to the ostensible head and founder of this sect, who
is a pretended prophet of the Lord, and under this Heaven-daring
assumption {5} claiming to set aside, by his vile and blasphemous
lies, all those moral and religious institutions which have been
established by the Bible, and which have in all ages been cherished
by men as the only means of maintaining those social blessings
which are so indispensably necessary for our happiness.

We believe that such an individual, regardless as he must be of
his obligations to God, and at the same time entertaining the most
absolute contempt for the laws of man, cannot fail to become a
most dangerous character, especially when he shall have been able
to place himself at the head of a numerous horde, either equally
reckless and unprincipled as himself, or else made his pliant tools
by the most absurd credulity that has astonished the world since
its foundation.

In the opinion of this meeting, a crisis has arrived, when many
of the evils to be expected from a state of things so threatening
have transpired. We feel convinced that circumstances have even now
occurred which prove to us most conclusively that Joseph Smith, the
false Prophet before alluded to, has evinced, in many instances,
a most shameless disregard for all the forms and restraints of
law, by boldly and presumptuously calling in question the acts
of certain officers, who had fearlessly discharged the duties
absolutely imposed upon them by the laws, particularly when they
have come in contact with his own sordid and selfish interests.

He has been heard to threaten--nay, he _has_ committed violence
upon the person of an officer, because that officer dared honestly
to do his duties according to law.

He has caused his city council to pass laws contrary to the laws of
the state, and subversive of the rights of citizens of this state.

Citizens have been arrested, tried and punished for breaches of
those mock laws, from time to time, in such manner, that they have
been compelled to the humiliating necessity of seeking an asylum
elsewhere, in order to escape the tyranny and oppression of this
modern Caligula.

He has caused the writ of _habeas corpus_ to be issued by the
municipal court of the city of Nauvoo, in a case not provided for
in the charter of this city, and indeed contrary to the letter of
that instrument; and, himself a prisoner, arrested under grave
charges made by a neighboring state, brought before said court,
tried, and acquitted; thereby securing his own rescue from the
custody of the law.

Citizens from the adjoining counties have been denied the right to
regain property stolen and taken to Nauvoo, even after they have
discovered both the thief and the property; and themselves, under
the most frivolous pretenses, arrested, fined, and other property
rifled from them, to satisfy the mock judgments and costs of his
cormorant officers.

{6} Persons upon whom stolen property has been found in the city of
Nauvoo, have been brought before this religio-political chief; and
he, in the capacity of mayor of the city, has refused to convict,
where the cases have been most clear and palpable.

We have had men of the most vicious and abominable habits
imposed upon us to fill our most important county offices, by
his dictum, in order, as we verily believe, that he may the more
certainly control our destinies, and render himself, through the
instrumentality of these base creatures of his ill-directed power,
as absolutely a despot over the citizens of this county as he now
is over the serfs of his own servile clan.

And, to crown all, he claims to merge all religion, all law, and
both moral and political justice, in the knavish pretension that
he receives fresh from heaven divine instructions in all matters
pertaining to these things; thereby making his own depraved will
the rule by which he would have all men governed.

He has caused large bodies of his ragamuffin soldiery to arm
themselves, and turn out in pursuit of officers legally authorized
to arrest himself; he being charged with high crimes and
misdemeanors committed in the state of Missouri, and these officers
arrested by the vilest hypocrisy, and placed in duress, that he
might enable himself to march triumphantly into Nauvoo, and bid
defiance to the laws of the land.

In view of the above grievances, this meeting feel that it is
their bounden duty to resist, by every laudable means, all such
unwarrantable attacks upon their liberties. Therefore--

_Resolved,_ 1st. That inasmuch as we honestly believe that the
combination of people calling themselves Mormons, or Latter-day
Saints, have given strong indications, in their recent movements,
that they are unwilling to submit to the ordinary restraints of
law, we are therefore forced to the conclusion that the time is not
far distant when the citizens of this country will be compelled to
assert their rights in some way.

_Resolved,_ 2nd. That while we would deprecate anything like
lawless violence, without justifiable cause, yet we pledge
ourselves in the most solemn manner to resist all the wrongs which
may be hereafter attempted to be imposed on this community by the
Mormons, to the utmost of our ability,--peaceably, if we can, but
forcibly, if we must.

_Resolved,_ 3rd. That in the event of our being forced into a
collision with that people, we pledge ourselves that we will stand
by and support each other in every emergency up to the death.

_Resolved,_ 4th. That we believe that it is also the interest
of our friends in the neighboring counties and also neighboring
states to begin to take a firm and decided stand against the high
pretension and base designs of this latter-day would-be Mahomet.

{7} _Resolved,_ 5th. That provided we must necessarily, for the
well-being of this community, the protection of our dearest rights,
and the preservation of our excellent institutions, adopt measures
to humble the pride and arrogance of that audacious despot; we
therefore call upon all good and honest men, without distinction of
party or place, to come to the rescue.

_Resolved,_ 6th. That we pledge ourselves in the most determined
manner that if the authorities of the State of Missouri shall make
another demand for the body of Joseph Smith, and our Governor
shall issue another warrant to stand ready at all times to serve
the officer into whose hands such warrant may come, as a _posse_,
in order that it may not be said of us, in future, that the most
outrageous culprits have been suffered "to go unwhipped of justice."

_Resolved,_ 7th. That a corresponding committee be appointed to
communicate with the different parts of this county, and also with
other counties; and we would also recommend to all surrounding
counties to appoint like committees for the purpose of a mutual
interchange of views in regard to the subjects embraced in these
proceedings.

_Resolved,_ 8th. That as it has been too common for several years
past for politicians of both political parties, not only of this
county, but likewise of the state, to go to Nauvoo and truckle
to the heads of the Mormon clan for their influence, we pledge
ourselves that we will not support any man of either party in
future who shall thus debase himself.

_Resolved,_ 9th. That if the Mormons carry out the threats they
have made in regards to the lives of several of our citizens, we
will, if failing to obtain speedy redress from the laws of the
land, take summary and signal vengeance upon them as a people.

_Resolved,_ 10th. That when the Government ceases to afford
protection, the citizens of course fall back upon their original
inherent right of self-defense.

In pursuance of the 7th resolution, the following gentlemen
were appointed to act as a central corresponding committee at
Carthage--namely, Captain Robert F. Smith, Major T. J. Bartlet,
Harmon T. Wilson, Frank A. Worrel, and Walter Bagby.

On motion of Henry Stevens, it was ordered that committees,
consisting of two persons, be appointed in each election precinct
of this county, for the purpose of communicating with the central
committee at Carthage; and that those two may add to their number
at discretion.

On motion of Daniel Beaver, it was made the duty of the person
whose name stands first on the list of each committee to act as
chairman; and that all communications from the other committees, or
from any other sources shall be added.

{8} The following gentlemen were then appointed by the chair as
committees in the several precincts, to wit:--

_Green Plains_--Edson Whitney and Levi Williams.

_Bear Creek_--William White and Andrew Moore.

_Chili_--Stephen Owen and Arthur Morgan.

_Augusta_--William D. Abernethy and Alexander Oliver.

_Saint Mary's_--William Darnell and Daniel Beaver.

_Fountain Green_--Thomas Geddis and S. H. Tyler.

_La Harpe_--Jesse Gilmer and Charles Comstock.

_Camp Creek_--James Graham and Thomas Harris.

_Appanooce_--John McCanley and John R. Atherton.

_Montebello_--Samuel Steel and Benjamin B. Gates.

_Warsaw_--Thomas C. Sharp and Mark Aldrich.

On motion of Levi Williams, Colonel Root, of McDonough county, was
added to the central corresponding committee of Carthage.

On motion of Henry Newton, Esq.,

_Resolved,_ That the central committee of correspondence act as a
general committee of supervision; and, in case of a contingency
occurring requiring aid, that they immediately call on the precinct
committees and upon all others favorable to our cause to furnish
such aid as the exigency of the case may require.

On the motion of Charles C. Stevens, the following supplementary
resolutions were unanimously adopted:--

_Resolved,_ That the president of this meeting be requested to
communicate with the Governor of Missouri, and respectfully request
him to make another demand upon the authorities of this state for
the body of Joseph Smith, commonly called the Mormon Prophet;
and in the event of a requisition and an order for his arrest
and delivery to the proper officers of the state of Missouri, we
offer our services to enforce said order, and pledge ourselves to
sustain the supremacy of the laws at all hazards and under all
circumstances.

_Resolved,_ That a copy of the proceedings of this meeting be
forwarded to the publisher of the _Warsaw Message, Quincy Whig,_
and _Quincy Herald,_ for publication, with a request to them to add
a note, soliciting all editors friendly to our cause in this state,
Missouri, and Iowa Territory, to copy.

It was then moved and seconded, That this meeting adjourn, subject
to the call of the central corresponding committee.

Edson Whitney, Chairman.

W. D. Abernethy, Secretary.

Editors throughout Illinois, Missouri, Iowa Territory, friendly to
the Anti-Mormon cause, are requested to publish the proceedings, in
today's paper, of a meeting held at Carthage on the 6th instant.

{9} _Thursday, 7.--_I took home the letter written to Harrisburg [6] for the Church History, a small fragment of which only has been preserved, and is as follows:--

_Historical Sketch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints._

Messrs. Editors,--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
was founded upon direct revelation, as the true Church of God
has ever been, according to the Scriptures (Amos 3:7, and Acts
1:2); and through the will and blessings of God, I have been an
instrument in his hands, thus far, to move forward the cause of
Zion: therefore, in order to fulfill the solicitations of your
letter of July last, I shall commence with my life.

[Then follows a brief historical sketch of the Church from the
birth of the Prophet to the settlement of the Saints at Nauvoo,
much in the strain of the _"Wentworth Letter"_ already published in
this HISTORY, (Vol. IV, Ch. XXXI); and for the reason that all the
historical data in this I. Daniel Rupp sketch is contained in the
_Wentworth Letter,_ it is thought unnecessary to reproduce it here,
excepting the closing paragraphs which deal with conditions and
prospects at Nauvoo, on the date at which we have arrived in our
HISTORY, viz. September, 1843.--Editor.]

Nauvoo, upon every point connected with increase and prosperity
has exceeded the most sanguine expectations of thousands. It now
contains near 3,500 houses, and more than 15,000 inhabitants.
The charter contains, among its important powers, privileges or
immunities, a grant for "The University of Nauvoo," with the same
liberal powers of the city, where all the arts and sciences will
grow with the growth and strengthen the strength of this beloved
city of the Saints of the last days.

Another very commendatory provision of the charter is that that
portion of the citizens subject to military duty are organized
into a body of independent military men, styled the "Nauvoo
Legion," whose highest officer holds the rank and is commissioned
lieutenant-general. This Legion, like other independent bodies of
troops in this Republican Government, is at the disposal of the
Governor of the state, and President of the United States. There is
also an act of incorporation for an Agricultural and Manufacturing
Association, as well as the Nauvoo House Association.

Since the organization of this Church, its progress has been rapid,
and its gain in numbers regular. Besides these United States, where
{10} nearly every place of notoriety has heard the glad tidings
of the Gospel of the Son of God, England, Ireland and Scotland
have shared largely in the fullness of the everlasting Gospel, and
thousands have already gathered with their kindred Saints to this
the corner stone of Zion. Missionaries of this Church have gone
to the East Indies, to Australia, Germany, Constantinople, Egypt,
Palestine, the islands of the Pacific, and are now preparing to
open the door in the extensive dominions of Russia.

There is no correct data by which the exact number of members
composing this now extensive and still extending Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints can be known. Should it be supposed at
150,000, it might still be short of the truth.

Believing the Bible to say what it means and mean what it says,
and guided by revelation, according to the ancient order of the
fathers, to whom came what little light we enjoy, and circumscribed
only by the eternal limits of truth, this Church must continue the
even tenor of its way.

Called at the office, and administered the laying on of hands to Sister Partington and her two children.

Dreadful conflagration at Stuhlweissenburg, in Hungary. About six hundred houses destroyed.

_Friday, 8.--_My wife being sick, I was at home all day.

Stephen Markham started for Dixon with the court papers in relation to the writ of habeas corpus, and as a witness.

I directed William Clayton to go to Augusta, Iowa, to get a deed signed by Mr. Moffit for the steamer _Maid of Iowa_.

Muster day of the first cohort.

The Twelve held a meeting in Boylston Hall, Boston. Present--Elders Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, Wilford Woodruff, John E. Page.

_Saturday, 9.--_My wife a little more comfortable. William Clayton went to Augusta, got the deed signed by Mr. Moffit and his wife, and returned in the evening.

General training of the Nauvoo Legion.

The quorum of the Twelve met the church in Boston, at Boylston Hall, in conference. Sixteen branches were represented, containing 878 members. A great deal of {11} valuable instruction was given by the Twelve, and the hall, a very large one, was crowded. A number were baptized during conference, which lasted three days. The minutes of conference I here insert:--

_Important Conference of the Twelve, Held at Boylston Hall, Boston,
September 9, 1843._

Present of the Quorum of the Twelve--Elders Brigham Young, Heber C.
Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Orson Hyde, John E. Page,
Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith.

[_Reported by Wilford Woodruff._]

Conference opened with prayer by Elder George A. Smith.

After the various branches in the New England States were
represented, Elder P. P. Pratt made a few remarks, of which the
following is a synopsis:

Some Elders tell us that they have taught the gathering according
to the Scriptures. But it is not sufficient to teach the principle
from the Scriptures alone; for if there was no other guide, the
people would be left in doubt as to whether they should gather to
Jerusalem, Africa, America, or elsewhere. It is right to teach the
gathering according to the Scriptures, although some predictions
of the Prophets are obscure; but we are not left to them alone.
We know and all the Saints ought to know that God has appointed a
place and time of gathering and has raised up a Prophet to bring
it about, of which we are witnesses. Our message is that we are
witnesses of the fulfillment of the predictions of the Prophets.

We have not to lay down a long, round-about [system] of arguments
and calculations. The specific time and place are pointed out, the
stakes are driven, the foundations of the city and temple are laid,
and a people already gathered. We therefore know where to go; and
to reject the revelations of God, which have pointed out these
things to us, only brings condemnation. If this is not the case,
then our faith is vain, and our works and hopes are vain also.

We worship a God who can inspire His servants to tell the people
what to do. We have already got the opinions of men enough
concerning the coming of Jesus Christ; but we need the voice of a
Prophet in such a case and we have it. I am willing to risk my all
upon it: and if the Elders understand the principle of gathering,
and teach it correctly, the people will have the correct spirit of
the gathering.

It is time we come out and declared boldly and definitely what God
had for the people. We want more than opinions--we want your works.
He has said he would send a Prophet to prepare the way. And {12}
let me ask these profound sectarians, why He has not done it? If
the angels found a God in heaven able to give instructions, shield
them from sword and famine, &c., why have we not found Him? Let
the teachers bear the message they are entrusted with; and if the
people wish then for Scripture, tell them that their message is in
fulfillment of prophecy; but let them have the whole message.

Elder E. P. Maginn said he for one had taught the gathering
according to the Scriptures; but he considered all modern
revelations Scripture as well as those given anciently.

Elder Brigham Young addressed the meeting on the subject of our
faith. We hear the Elders represent the feeling of the brethren
concerning the gathering. This is right. The Spirit of the Lord
Jesus Christ is a gathering spirit. Its tendency is to gather the
virtuous and good, the honest and meek of the earth, and, in fine,
the Saints of God. The time has come when the Lord is determined
to fulfill his purposes. The people are apt to say that if they
had lived in the days of Jesus Christ they would have received His
work. But judge ye if the people are better now than then. They are
not. When the full, set time was come, the Lord came in the flesh
to do His work, whether the people were prepared or not; and He
would not have come at all, if He had waited till the people were
prepared to receive Him. It was decreed from all eternity that He
should come, and He came. The people were not prepared then, nor
are they any more prepared now. And now the full set time has come
for the Lord God Almighty to set His hand to redeem Israel. We are
not bound to make the people believe, but we are bound to preach
the Gospel; and having done this, our garments are clear.

The Lord does not require every soul to leave his home as soon as
He believes. Some may be wanted to go to the isles of the sea, and
some to go north, and some south. But He _does_ require them to
hearken to counsel, and follow that course which He points out,
whether to gather or stay to do some other work.

The Spirit of the Lord and His work are on the alert, and those who
keep up with the work must be on the alert also. The Spirit of the
Lord will leave them who sit down and refuse to obey. When the Lord
says, "Gather yourselves together," why do you ask Him what for?
Had you not rather enjoy the society of Saints than sinners whom
you cannot love? Is it not the principle of the Saints to mingle
together and promote the great cause in which they are engaged?

Perhaps some of you are ready to ask, "Cannot the Lord save us as
well where we are as to gather together?" Yes, if the Lord says
so. But if He commands us to come out and gather together, He will
not save us by staying at home. Have you not received the Gospel?
Yes. {13} Then do you believe what we say? Have you not received
the Holy Ghost, by receiving the Gospel which we have brought unto
you? Yes, thousands have; and it stands as a testimony that God has
got a Prophet on the earth. You might have been baptized seventy
times seven in any way except the way God had ordained and pointed
out, and you would not have received the Holy Ghost. This also is a
testimony to you.

Are you engaged with us in this great work? "Yes, certainly," you
answer, "heart and hand." "Can we do any good?" Yes, you can. The
sectarian world send the Bible to the nations of the earth. The
poor among them put sixpence, fifty cents or a dollar into the box
to carry out that object; and can the Latter-day Saints do nothing?
Let them do what God requires. He has required that we should build
a house unto His name, that the ordinances and blessings of His
kingdom may be revealed, and that the Elders may be endowed, go
forth and gather together the blood of Ephraim--the people of God,
from the ends of the earth.

Can you get an endowment in Boston or anywhere, except where God
appoints? No, only in that place which God has pointed out. Now,
query--Could Moses have obtained the law if he had stayed in
the midst of the children of Israel, instead of going up on to
the mountain? The Lord said, "Go and do so and so; stand before
Pharaoh; pull off thy shoes, for the place is holy." Moses obeyed,
and obtained blessings which he would not have received if he had
been disobedient.

Has the Lord spoken in these last days, and required us to build
Him a house? Then why query about it? If He has spoken, it is
enough. I do not care whether the people gather or not, if they
don't want to do so. I do not wish to save the people against their
will. I want them to choose whether they will gather and be saved
with the righteous, or remain with the wicked and be damned. I
would like to have all people bow down to the Lord Jesus Christ;
but it is one of the decrees of the Lord that all persons shall act
upon their agency, which was the case even with the angels who fell
from heaven.

Now, will you help us to build the Nauvoo House and Temple? If so,
you will be blessed: if not, we will build it without you. And if
you don't hearken, you will not have the Spirit of the Lord; for
the Spirit of the Lord is on the move.

The Apostles tried to gather the people together in their day.
Christ said He would gather the Jews oft as a hen gathereth her
chickens under her wings, but they would not. Neither God nor
angels care whether men hear or forbear: they will carry on their
work; for the full, set time is come for God to set up His kingdom,
and we go about it. We must build a house, and get an endowment,
preach the gospel, {14} warn the people, gather the Saints, build
up Zion, finish our work, and be prepared for the coming of Christ.

Now, we want to send four missionaries to the Pacific Islands,
and we want a little clothing, and beds, and money to pay their
passage. Can you do something for them? This is not all. We want
you to give all you have to spare towards building the Temple.
We shall be able to build it, if we have to work with a sword in
one hand. But perhaps you are afraid you will not have enough for
yourself, when you get there; yet how easy it is for the Lord to
take it away from you by fire or otherwise!

Elder Maginn had an ivory cane. I asked him for it, but he declined
making me a present of it. Not long after, he had it stolen from
him in a crowd, and it now does neither of us any good. Perhaps
your purse may slip through your pocket, or you may lose your
property; for the Lord can give and take away. Jacob, with his
faith, obtained all the best cattle his father-in-law had.

If I had a wife and ten children, I would give all my money to
build the Temple and Nauvoo House, and I would trust in God for
their support. Yet I will be richer for it; for God would prosper
me in business. Men are apt to serve God on Sunday, and neglect Him
all the week. Who blesses you and all the people? God. But do the
people acknowledge the hand of God in all these things? No; they
turn away from Him, and do not acknowledge Him, or realize from
whom their blessings flow. They know not who blesses them. It never
comes into their hearts. So with the farmer. The blessings are
constantly flowing to him, and he considers not whence they come.

Let me tell you a secret. When the Lord shakes the earth, and every
valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made
low, He will bring gold for brass, silver for iron, brass for wood,
and iron for stones. Then you will have no use for gold, for money
and gods as you now have. You will not care so much about it; but
the Lord will think as much of it then as now.

But now we want some of the gods of the Gentiles--some of the
gold and silver to build the Temple and Nauvoo House for the
accommodation of the kings, princes and nobles of the earth, when
they come to inquire after the wisdom of Zion, that they may have
a place for their entertainment, and for the weary traveler to be
refreshed. Let us have your gold to take to Nauvoo for this purpose.

Is there wisdom in Zion? We think so, and the world begins to think
so. Let the world come forward and translate the plates that have
of late come forth, [7] if they have wisdom to do it. The Lord {15}
intends to take away the gods of the Gentiles: He pulleth down and
He buildeth up at His own pleasure.

Sacrifice your gods for the building up of Zion. Administer of your
substance. Send our missionaries to the islands of the seas. Don't
be afraid of a dollar, or a hundred dollars, or even a thousand
dollars. I would not. I have made a sacrifice of all I possessed
a good many times. I am richer the more I give; for the Lord has
promised and does reward me a hundredfold; and if I sacrifice all
for the cause of God, no good thing will be withheld from me. I
have taken this course to get rich. I have given all I had, and
God has given many blessings in consequence. If I am too bold in
asking, be too bold in giving. I ask, expecting to receive. Put
your shoulders to the wheel with all your might. Give your all, and
become rich by receiving a hundredfold.

Adjourned until half-past two o'clock, when the meeting was opened
by singing.

Prayer by Elder Parley P. Pratt. Singing.

Elder Parley P. Pratt said: I have a few remarks to make concerning
the subject spoken of in the forenoon by Elder Brigham Young, who
said we wanted all your gold, silver, and precious things. We not
only want your all as pertaining to gold, silver, &c., but we want
you, your wives and children, and all you have to be engaged in the
work of the Lord.

I don't know that I can give you a better pattern of what we want
than the case of Joseph in Egypt. Israelites will get all they
can. They are very great to go ahead. The Egyptians believed in
dreams; and by the peculiar gift of interpretation of dreams,
Joseph entered into a great scheme of speculation. He used the gift
of interpretation to become great in the eyes of the Egyptians. He
obtained great political influence, came out with gold ornaments,
and rode in the king's chariot in great splendor. He laid up corn
in great abundance during the seven years of plenty; and when the
famine came, he got all their gold, silver, cattle, land, property,
and, finally their persons. * * *

God is the origin of power--the Sovereign. He made the people and
the earth, and He has the right to reign. There will be good times
and good government, when the world will acknowledge the God of
heaven as the Lawgiver, and not till then; and if I could live
under His government, I should be thankful, although I am a real
Republican in principle, and would rather live under the voice of
the people than the voice of one man. But it will be for the good
and happiness of man when that government is established, which we
pray for when we say, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven;" and until that time arrives we must pray for
it.

{16} This Joseph in Egypt--the speculator--what a great and good
man he was! I love him, I admire his course, and I believe a little
of his blood is in my veins. But had Joseph been like the religious
world at the present day--had he said he had got religion and done
with the world, he would not have rode the king's horse, worn his
robe, or had to do with gold and silver; and he would have done
no good, built no storehouses, and saved no corn, for fear of
speculation.

But he acted differently. And there is an ancient prediction
respecting our modern prophet, Joseph--namely, that a prophet and
seer should be raised up, and those who seek to destroy him shall
be confounded. This has proved true. Upwards of thirty law suits
have been brought against the Lord's anointed, and his persecutors
have as often been confounded. He has been raised and supported
according to the prophecy, to do a work on the earth, and the Lord
has been with him. Every weapon formed against him has been broken.
He has overcome all the lawsuits which have been brought against
him, and no accusation has been sustained against him; yet he will
lay a plan to speculate as large as ancient Joseph did; he will
have power to buy up all the rest of the world.

What Elder Young said is good. We want all he spoke of, and a great
deal more, We do not want it for ourselves, but for you. We want
you to use it; and we have a Prophet who tells how, when and where
to use it. Take your means and unite your exertions in this work.
We want you to take that course which will save you. Build up a
city and temples, and enjoy them, and do as the Lord tells you, and
hearken to counsel.

We have prophets to tell us what to do, and we should get as much
wisdom as the world. If they want a railroad built, all they have
to do is to open books. The people subscribe stock, a railroad is
soon built, and an income is realized. The Saints ought to be as
well united as the world, and do the things that God has required,
that a great nation may be saved from all nations.

The old gentleman [Satan] that rules the nations has ruled long
enough; and if I were an infidel, I would like to have the Lord
raise up a Joseph, or a Daniel, or a Mordecai, or an Esther, to
obtain political, temporal, and spiritual power, and cause a change
for the good of the world. Thank heaven, he has begun to raise them
up. He has raised up another Joseph to do the great work of God,
and it will continue on until the saying goes forth that the Lord
has built up Zion.

The kingdom of God must be established, and it will be. I read that
gold, silver, power, thrones, and dominions will be connected with
the great work of God in the last days. Then let us wake up {17} to
see what God says shall come to pass, and let us enlarge our hearts
and prepare for the great and glorious work.

Do the Saints here in Boston know that they are identified with
the laying of the foundation, and establishing of a great and
mighty kingdom, which is to include all the great and glorious work
to be fulfilled in the last dispensation and fullness of times?
And I prophesy, in the name of the Lord, that whether the Saints
of Boston or any other place, stand for it or rise against it,
numberless millions will celebrate that day when the foundation of
this work was laid.

Elder George A. Smith said: I am pleased with the many remarks
which have been made this day. You can easily see a similarity
between the two Josephs, and the revelations that are given for the
salvation of the present generation. Joseph in Egypt, a savior of
his father's house and the Egyptians: Joseph [Smith] at this day
holds the keys of salvation not only to the Gentiles, but also to
the house of Israel.

I do not know but some may have reflections different from my own.
I will, however, show how the Lord deals with mankind. Some may
say, "Who can believe that God who dwells in heaven will condescend
to speak to the people about building Him a house in this day of
religion and science?"

This may be considered simple in the eyes of many; but the day
was when the salvation or damnation of the whole world hung upon
as small a circumstance. "Noah, by faith, being warned of God of
things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the
saving of his house, by which he condemned the world, and became
heir of the righteous which is by faith."

Had the editors of this day lived then, I think they would have
said and written more against it than they have against Joseph
Smith and the revelations he has received and published.

We find God was in the habit of telling men to do many simple
things, even to the giving of a law concerning the protection of
birds' nests. You talk about God condescending to speak of small
things in the last days, but it is only as it was in the days of
Moses; for we read in the Bible how God commanded the children of
Israel, when they found a bird's nest, (Deut. XXII:7) not to take
the dam with the young: "But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go,
and take the young to thee." Why? "That it may be well with thee,
and that thou mayst prolong thy days."

We see from this, that however small and simple the commandments of
God appear to be, they are great in their results. Connecting this
with the law of God to Israel concerning the eating of locusts,
beetles and grasshoppers (Leviticus XI:22). "Even these of them ye
may {18} eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after
his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after
his kind."

Is this as small business for the Lord to talk about as it is for
Him to command the Saints to build a tavern or boarding house for
visitors who constantly go to Nauvoo, which, when done, will do
much good for the spreading of the work to all nations. What good
could arise from a law of God permitting the eating of beetles and
grasshoppers, I cannot say.

All the prophecies have aimed at the gathering of the people, and
saving them in the last days. But it is better never to have known
the Master's will than to know it and not perform it; and my advice
is, If you cannot take hold of the work and go through the whole
course, stop and go no further. If you have not courage to go on at
the expense of all things, it is better to turn back.

We do not want to deceive you. Our traditions have taught us to be
very religious, to wear long faces, never to tell an amusing story,
nor to laugh, &c. This was the case with the long-faced Christians
in Missouri, and they were the first to strike a dagger to our
hearts. It is better for a man to act out what he is than to be a
hypocrite. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father,
is this," says James, "to visit the fatherless and widows in their
affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

I do not like that religion which lies in a man's long face, or his
coat or his hat. If I wear a strange hat, it is not because of my
religion: for where the religion of a man is in the shape of a hat
or coat, it is not very extensive anywhere else.

Some of the Elders want to appear very big, and to be called great
preachers; but whenever I have seen them trying to preach something
large and mysterious, to get a name, I have concluded they have yet
much to learn. I have been eleven years a member of this Church,
and was a believer two years before I entered it; and during
that time I have seen many Elders who like to preach large and
mysterious sermons.

As many are desirous of hearing mysteries, I will rehearse a short
sermon of mysteries for their edification. Elder Kimball has had a
long standing in the Church. He has preached much, done much good,
brought many souls into the kingdom, had great influence, and is
considered the most successful minister among us.

Elder Amasa Lyman and myself went into Pike county, Illinois,
to preach where the Elders had preached all the mysteries about
beasts, heads and horns. They wanted us to preach mysteries. We
told them we were not qualified to preach mysteries; but if they
would send for Elder Kimball he would preach them. So they sent
about forty miles {19} for Elder Kimball, and brought him down, they
were so anxious to hear mysteries.

When he came, he had a large congregation assembled. He arose and
remarked that he understood they had sent for him to come and
preach the mysteries to them. "I am well qualified, and fully
competent to do it, and am happy to have the privilege. I want
the attention of all." When every mind was stretched and eager to
learn these great mysteries he said, "The first mystery I shall
present before you is this, 'Look at Elder Amasa Lyman; he needs
a pair of pantaloons and a new hat. But it appears you do not see
it; consequently I want to open your eyes and reveal to you a
great mystery; for an Elder in the Church has need of a hat and a
pair of breeches as well as yourselves, and _especially_ when the
Saints _know_ he is so much in need of them!'" He preached a few
more mysteries of the same nature, and the result of this sermon
was that Elder Lyman got a pair of pants and a new hat, and Elder
Kimball and myself each a barrel of flour for our families.

Elder Brigham Young arose and said: I will make an apology for my
remarks in the former part of the day. Some may think I spoke very
plainly; but the object I had in view was to teach you your duty,
as I am aware the people are not made to feel it; and the apology I
have to make is this: I will turn Thomsonian doctor, and give the
composition without cream and sugar,--it matters not whether I get
friends or foes. If this work does not live, I do not want to live;
for it is my life, my joy, my all; and if it sinks, God knows I do
not want to swim.

I wish you to understand this--that he that gathereth not with
us scattereth, and they have not the Spirit of God. We live in
anticipation of the day when mobs cannot harm us, and they who have
tasted the bitter cup feel to realize this hope. Wake up, ye Elders
of Israel who have sought to build yourselves up, and not the
kingdom of God, and put on your sword. Wake up, ye that have daubed
with untempered mortar! Hearken and hear me; for I say unto you, in
the name of Jesus Christ, that if you do not help us to build the
Temple and the Nauvoo House, you shall not inherit the land of Zion.

If you do not help to build up Zion and the cause of God, and help
me and my brethren on our way when we want to go on the Lord's
business, you shall not partake of the blessings which are laid
up in store for the Saints. Many Elders seek to build themselves
up, and not the work of the Lord. They will say "Put gold rings on
my fingers; give me what I want;" and they care nothing about the
Temple. This they should not do. I will not allow myself to do so;
and when any one does this, no matter who he may be, even though
he was one {20} of the Twelve, he will not prosper. Those of the
Twelve and others of the Elders who have apostatized, I have known
their hearts and their breathings. I have known their movements
although they thought I did not know much. But I knew all about
them; and when I see men preaching to build themselves up, and not
Zion, I know what it will end in. But you may say you are young.
I don't care if you are. Are you old enough to know what you are
about? If so, preach and labor for the building up of the city of
Zion; concentrate your means and influence there, and not scatter
abroad. Instead of which, some of the Elders appear to be dumb and
lazy, and care for nothing but themselves.

Now, ye Elders, will you be faithful? If not, you will not be
chosen, for the day of choosing is at the door. Why be afraid of
a sacrifice? I have given my all many times, and am willing to do
it again. I would be glad to hear the Lord say through His servant
Joseph, "Let my servant Brigham give again all that he has," I
would obey it in a moment, if it took the last coat off my back.

A hymn was sung.

Elder Kimball arose and said: I get up of necessity to say a few
words. I am unwell, but I feel the importance of this work. I
have been a member of this Church twelve years. I came out of the
Baptist church and joined this with all my heart, as I was seeking
after truth. I have passed through everything but death; in fact
I have been brought into situations even worse than death. It has
been my lot and privilege to sacrifice all I possessed from time to
time; and we have come here to call for help to build the Temple
and Nauvoo House. I have spent thirty dollars to get here, and have
collected fifteen and that with much difficulty.

We were commanded of the Lord to come: but it seems as though
but few felt interested in it. Here I see four brethren going as
missionaries to the Sandwich Islands, and destitute of means to
help themselves. I could weep for them. I feel interested in this
great work. We are seeking to bring about a work that could never
before be performed.

When the time is brought about that we are to receive our
inheritances, the more faithful we are, the larger will be our
reward. We have come out to reap, but do we have time to reap new
grain? No; for it takes all our time to try to save that which is
already reaped.

We have reapers in the field, and we are trying to save the wheat.
We want to get it on the barn floor, so that we may thrash it.
We have come after it to warn you. You think Elder Young put the
flail on rather heavy; but it is nothing to be compared with the
thrashing you will get in Zion, and those who have the hardest
heads will, of {21} course, have to be thrashed the hardest. But
don't be troubled about the chaff when it comes to the barn, for
God will prepare a great winnowing mill which will blow all the
chaff away, and the wheat will be found before the mill: then it
has to go through the smut machine, then ground, then put through
the bolting machine, and many will bolt in going through. I speak
in parables. I compare the Saints to a good cow. When you milk
her clean, she will always have an abundance of milk to give; but
if you only milk her a little, and don't strip her, she will soon
dry up. So with the Saints: if they do but little in building up
Zion, they soon have but little to do with. This was the case in
Cincinnati.

The night before arriving at Cincinnati, I had a dream while on the
steamboat. I dreamt that I had a wagon with a rack on it, and an
individual with me. We were going to a field of wheat of mine that
had been cut, bound and shocked up, in order to haul into the barn.
When we came to the field, I jumped off the wagon, and got over the
fence to examine it, pulled off the cap sheaf, and behold it was
oats. Pulling the bundles apart, I found there were clusters of
rats. On further examination I found clusters of mice, and the oats
were all eaten up.

In my dream I was going to haul in wheat, but to my astonishment it
was oats, and they were all eaten up by the rats and mice.

I thought these rats and mice were the Elders and official members
who had been in and lain on the Church at Cincinnati--lived on the
wheat--eaten it up instead of building up new branches; so that
when the Twelve came along, they could not get anything for the
Temple or Nauvoo House, or hardly a place to stay. The rats had
eaten up the wheat, so we had to go to the world for a home to stay
while we were there.