Chapter X (2)

I asked a short time since for the Lord to deliver me out of the
hands of the Governor of Missouri, and if it needs must be to
accomplish it, to {254} take him away; and the next news that came
pouring down from there was, that _Governor Reynolds had shot
himself._ And I would now say, "Beware, O earth, how you fight
against the Saints of God and shed innocent blood; for in the days
of Elijah, his enemies came upon him, and fire was called down from
heaven and destroyed them.

The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last.
Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power
of Elijah is to come after, holding the keys of power, building
the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek
Priesthood upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready;
then Messiah comes to His Temple, which is last of all.

Messiah is above the spirit and power of Elijah, for He made the
world, and was that spiritual rock unto Moses in the wilderness.
Elijah was to come and prepare the way and build up the kingdom
before the coming of the great day of the Lord, although the spirit
of Elias might begin it.

I have asked of the Lord concerning His coming; and while asking
the Lord, He gave a sign and said, "In the days of Noah I set a
bow in the heavens as a sign and token that in any year that the
bow should be seen the Lord would not come; but there should be
seed time and harvest during that year: but whenever you see the
bow withdrawn, it shall be a token that there shall be famine,
pestilence, and great distress among the nations, and that the
coming of the Messiah is not far distant.

But I will take the responsibility upon myself to prophesy in
the name of the Lord, that Christ will not come this year, as
Father Miller has prophesied, for we have seen the bow; and I also
prophesy, in the name of the Lord, that Christ will not come in
forty years; and if God ever spoke by my mouth, He will not come in
that length of time. Brethren, when you go home, write this down,
that it may be remembered.

Jesus Christ never did reveal to any man the precise time that
He would come. Go and read the Scriptures, and you cannot find
anything that specifies the exact hour He would come; and all that
say so are false teachers.

There are some important things concerning the office of the
Messiah in the organization of the world, which I will speak of
hereafter, May God Almighty bless you and pour out His Spirit upon
you, is the prayer of your unworthy servant. Amen.

At half-past three p.m., I met with the Twelve, Bishop Miller and the Temple Committee, in the Nauvoo Mansion.

{255} The following letter from Lyman Wight and others was read:--

_Letter:--Lyman Wight to the First Presidency--Preaching the Gospel
to the Indians and Proposing to Migrate to Texas_.

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Feb. 15, 1844.

_To the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve of the Church
of Christ of Latter-day Saints_.

DEAR BRETHREN,--Through the goodness and mercy of God, the Eternal
Father, and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are
permitted to write and send by a special messenger a concise
account of our lumbering operations, together with the apparent
prospects of the introduction and spread of the Gospel among the
Chippewa and Menomanee Indians, and also the projects of our hearts
in regard to future operations in spreading the Gospel south in
all the extent of America, and the consequences growing out of the
same, all of which we beg leave to submit to your consideration
that we may have your concurrence, or such views as shall be in
accordance with the mind and will of the Lord, and govern ourselves
in accordance therewith.

Since we have been here lumbering, we have had many difficulties
to encounter; but the main hindrance to our successful operations
was the feeding, clothing, and transporting a great many lazy,
idle men, who have not produced anything by their pretended labor,
and thus eating up all that the diligent and honest could produce
by their unceasing application to labor; and we have not yet got
entirely clear of such persons.

But under all these mighty clogs and hindrances, we have been able
to accomplish and have in progress, so that we can deliver in
Nauvoo about one million feet of lumber by the last of July next,
which will be a great deal more than what is necessary to build
the Temple and the Nauvoo House. Besides all this, we have made
valuable improvements here,--all the result of much labor done
under trying circumstances.

We have recently ascertained that the lands from the falls of Black
River to its sources are the property of the Menomanee Indians,
and the general government having urged them to move off the lands
in the vicinity of Green Bay to their own lands. The Indians say
they will, provided the Government will remove all strange Indians
and trespassing white men off their lands; consequently, the agent
and superintendent of Indian Affairs are taking such steps as will
stop all further trespassing on the Indian lands, on the Wisconsin,
Black and Chippewa rivers, under the penalties of the laws relative
to the cases.

{256} We sent Brothers Miller and Daniels, in company with the
principal chief of the Menomanee Indians, overland to the Wisconsin
river, to ascertain more about the matter. They saw the agent;
found him a gruff, austere man, determined to stop all trespassing
on Indian lands.

The Indians are willing to sell privileges to individuals for
lumbering and cutting timber, as they have hitherto done; but the
agent is opposed to it. Thus a difficulty arises between themselves.

Now, as regards the introduction of the Gospel of Christ among the
Indians here, it will require more exertion, to all appearances, to
check the enthusiastic ardor of these our red brethren, until the
full principles of faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shall
be reasoned into their minds, than to urge them on to receive it.
They have great confidence in us.

The country belonging to these northern Indians is a dreary, cold
region, and to a great extent, cranberry marshes, pine barrens, and
swamps, with a small amount of good lands, scarce of game, and only
valuable in mill privileges and facilities for lumbering purposes.

As to mineral resources, they have not been fully developed. There
is no doubt as to the abundance of iron ore, but uncertain as to
quality.

Now, under all these circumstances, a few of us here have
arrived at this conclusion in our minds (such as can undergo all
things,)--that as the Gospel has not been fully opened in all the
South and Southwestern States, as also Texas, Mexico, Brazil, &c.,
together with the West Indian Islands, having produced lumber
enough to build the Temple and Nauvoo House,--also having an
influence over the Indians, so as to induce them to sell their
lands to the United States, and go to a climate southwest, (all
according to the policy of the U. S. Government),--and having also
become convinced that the Church at Nauvoo or in the Eastern States
will not build the Nauvoo House according to the commandment,
neither the Temple in a reasonable time, and that we have, so
far as we have made trials, got means in the south,--we have in
our minds to go to the table-lands of Texas, to a point we may
find to be the most eligible, there locate, and let it be a place
of gathering for all the South (they being incumbered with that
unfortunate race of beings, the negroes); and for us to employ our
time and talents in gathering together means to build according to
the commandments of our God, and spread the Gospel to the nations
according to the will of our Heavenly Father. We, therefore, our
beloved brethren, send our worthy Brother Young, with a few of our
thoughts, on paper, that you may take the subject-matter under
consideration, and return us such instructions as may be according
to the mind and will of the Lord our God.

We have thought it best to sell the mills here, if you think it
expedient. We feel greatly encouraged to spend and be spent in the
cause of Christ, according to the will of our Heavenly Father.

{257} You will, therefore, after due deliberation, send us, by the
hands of Brother Young, such instructions as may be the result of
your deliberations.

Holding ourselves ready under all circumstances in life to try to
do all things whatsoever commanded or instructed to do by those
ordained to direct the officers of the Church of Jesus Christ;
subscribing ourselves yours truly, while life shall endure,

Lyman Wight,

George Miller,

Phineas R. Bird,

Pierce Hawley,

John Young.

Select Committee to write expressly the views of the branch of the
Church at Black River Falls.

Joseph Smith, P. C.,

Brigham Young, P. T.,

Willard Richards, Clerk.

Also a letter to myself from Lyman Wight and others--

_Letter:--Lyman Wight to President Joseph Smith--Suggesting a
Southwest Movement for the Church_.

BLACK RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN TERRITORY,

February 15th, 1844.

_To Joseph Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, and to the Twelve Apostles, greeting:--_

Believing a concert of action in all things in this Church
to be highly important, we deem it necessary, under existing
circumstances, to make you acquainted with our views, feelings, and
temporal and spiritual prospects, as they now exist.

We wrote you last fall a full and complete description of this
country as high as the falls on Black River, without exaggeration,
giving a slight description of the Pinery.

With the exception of several renegades and false brethren, things
passed smoothly until some time in the month of January, when we
were visited by three different tribes of Lamanites upon the most
friendly terms, receiving us as their counselors, both temporal and
spiritual.

The names of those tribes are Menomanees, Chippewa, and
Winnebagoes. They informed us that all the land above the falls
belongs to the Menomanee tribe, and that the agents and the
governor, the general {258} agent in the northwest of all the
Indian affairs, had agreed with them to remove all the lumbermen
from Black River, Chippewa, and Lemanware rivers, by their request;
but after a lengthy conversation with them, they felt to treat us
as their friends, and not their enemies.

We dispatched two messengers--namely, George Miller and Cyrus
Daniels, to go immediately to Wisconsin, where they met with the
agent, who gave them to understand we could get the timber, which
is already cut, at a reasonable rate, and for any future prospect
we will be under the necessity of entering into a contract.

We calculate the present prospect for lumber betwixt this and the
last of July next will be from eight to twelve hundred thousand
feet, which we deem will be all sufficient to finish the two
houses, which will accomplish the mission on which we started to
this country.

We, therefore, as a branch and a member of the body of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chose the following
committee--namely, Lyman Wight, George Miller, Pierce Hawley,
Phineas R. Bird and John Young, to correspond with your reverend
council, giving you our views concerning matters and things, and
requesting your counsel on the same.

This committee views it inexpedient to purchase standing timber on
so rapid and unnavigable a stream for the purpose of making lumber
to gain wealth.

The Lamanites owning this land, notwithstanding their great anxiety
to receive the Gospel and the Book of Mormon, have a strong desire,
if counseled by us so to do, to go south-west, where game is more
plentiful as their only resource here for a living is the pitiful
annuities and proceeds from their pine timber, which timber is the
only inducement to the Government to purchase their lands.

This committee is therefore led to take a brief view of the south
and western part of North America, together with the Floridas,
Texas, West India Islands, and the adjacent islands to the Gulf
of Mexico, together with the Lamanites bordering on the United
Territories from Green Bay to the Mexican Gulf, all crying with one
voice, through the medium of their chiefs, Give us an understanding
of your doctrine and principles, for we perceive that your ways are
equal, and your righteousness far exceeds the righteousness of all
the missionaries that we have yet become acquainted with,--that
your conduct with one another is like that of ours, and that all
your feasts and attendant ceremonies are precisely like ours.

Your servants, the committee, have viewed the Colorado river, with
all its beautiful hills and valleys and fertile soil, with deep
regret, when viewing the countless thousands of inhabitants on
either side thereof, without the knowledge of God or the doctrine
of the Church of Jesus {259} Christ of Latter-day Saints, and say
in their hearts, Would it be expedient to form a mission of those
true and full-blooded Ephraimites, who, from principle, and the
love of the truth, have borne the most extreme burdens, fatigue,
and hunger, to prosecute the mission, to procure lumber sufficient
to build the two houses, to open the door to all the regions which
we have named, which regions have never yet had an opportunity
to hear the Gospel and to be made acquainted with the plan of
salvation? or shall they continue to suffer the fatigues of hunger,
wet and cold, in a rigid, inclement climate, for the pitiful sum
that it shall avail them, after undergoing those hazardous perils?
or shall they, like Timothy and Titus, with Paul, hazard the perils
of the sea and land through the Southern States and West India
Islands, and all the Lamanite world, go forth and proclaim to them
the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and teach them to
build up Zion?

Are there not thousands of the rich planters who would embrace the
Gospel, and, if they had a place to plant their slaves, give all
the proceeds of their yearly labor, if rightly taught, for building
up the kingdom, being directed by the President of the whole Church
to make the right application? We answer, Yes, we believe they
would.

Your servants, the committee, are of the opinion that a concerted
and reciprocity of action between the North and the South would
greatly advance the building up of the kingdom.

The committee is well informed of the Cherokee and the Chocktaw
nations who live between the state of Arkansas and the Colorado
river of the Texans, owning large plantations and thousands of
slaves, and that they are also very desirous to have an interview
with the Elders of this Church, upon the principles of the Book of
Mormon.

This committee is of the opinion that they can choose soldiers for
this expedition who are as undeviating in the principles of the
doctrine of Christ and the Book of Mormon as the sun in his daily
course, and as indefatigable in their exertions in this cause as
the earth is in its daily revolution.

This committee views it as a matter of investigation, whether would
the Southerner, with his slaves and abundance of wealth, do better
to take them to some slave-holding point, keep them in lively
exercise according to his former customs and habits turning over
his yearly proceeds into the hands of the Trustee-in-Trust for the
whole Church, or to abolish slavery and settle himself in a climate
uncongenial to his nature and entirely derogatory to his former
occupations in life?

After having procured the lumber for those two houses, the
committee is of the opinion that the preaching of the Gospel and
raising funds {260} in the south would be a far more speedy way of
accomplishing the work than any other that could be introduced at
the present time.

We, your servants, therefore, will wait patiently the result
of your council, and submit ourselves to the same with all
cheerfulness, our only object being to advance the cause and
kingdom of God, stand ready to take hold wherever your wise council
may consider it to be of the most advantage.

This committee view with deep regret the many different teachings
this Church has received concerning the distribution of their
property, such as raising funds for the printing of tracts,
evidences of the Book of Mormon, and pamphlets of various
descriptions, which we consider has not advanced the cause in the
least degree, but has tended directly to sap the foundation of
building the houses.

We therefore believe that no person embracing the doctrine of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should give any part or
parcel of the property without a direct counsel, written or oral,
from the First Presidency of the Church.

Whereas the committee having appointed George Miller and Lyman
Wight to write the views of the committee, each wrote separate and
apart, having laid the same before the committee, the committee
resolved that both productions be sent without alterations.

We, the committee, conclude by subscribing ourselves your friends
and well-wishers in the Lord, praying a speedy answer from your
worthy council, or the word of the Lord.

LYMAN WIGHT,

GEORGE MILLER,

PHINEAS R. BIRD,

PIERCE HAWLEY,

JOHN YOUNG,

Select Committee to write expressing the views of the branch of the
Church at Black River Falls.

Joseph Smith, Sen., P. C.

Brigham Young, P. T.

William Richards, Clerk.

The brethren went into council on the subject matter of the letters during the evening.

_Monday 11.--_At home till nine; then spent the day in council in the lodge room over Henry Miller's house.

_Special Council Meeting on Wight and Miller Letters_.

Present--Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, Heber C.
Kimball, Willard Richards, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John
Taylor, {261} George A. Smith, William W. Phelps, John M.
Bernhisel, Lucien Woodworth, George Miller, Alexander Badlam, Peter
Haws, Erastus Snow, Reynolds Cahoon, Amos Fielding, Alpheus Cutler,
Levi Richards, Newel K. Whitney, Lorenzo D. Wasson, and William
Clayton, whom I organized into a special council, to take into
consideration the subject matter contained in the above letters,
and also the best policy for this people to adopt to obtain their
rights from the nation and insure protection for themselves and
children; and to secure a resting place in the mountains, or some
uninhabited region, where we can enjoy the liberty of conscience
guaranteed to us by the Constitution of our country, rendered
doubly sacred by the precious blood of our fathers, and denied to
us by the present authorities, who have smuggled themselves into
power in the States and Nation.

Footnotes:

1. Nauvoo was unfortunate in being overrun with pettifogging lawyers at this time, and it was to these, doubtless, that the disparaging remarks of both the Prophet and Hyrum, respecting lawyers referred. It is unfortunate that they did not segregate the pettifoggers from the worthy men of the profession; than whom no class of citizens, and no other profession, render more valuable service to the state.

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