Chapter XII

THE AUTHORITIES OF NAUVOO VS. THE HIGBEES, ET. AL--DEDICATION OF THE MASONIC HALL--THE CHURCH CONFERENCE OF APRIL, 1844--ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT SIDNEY RIGDON; DITTO PATRIARCH HYRUM SMITH--HISTORICAL RESUME, AND BUILDING THE TEMPLE.

_Monday, April 1, 1844.--_In the court-room in the Mansion, Mr. J. Easton was brought up as being accessory to whipping Chism, [a negro]. Referred the case to Alderman Wells. On investigation, it appeared to the satisfaction of the court that he had been on trial for the same offense before Robert D. Foster, and acquitted.

I extract from the _Neighbor_:--

_Comment on the Negro Chism's Case_.

After the court dismissed the case, General Smith fearlessly stated
that he believed that it was a plot on the part of those who were
instrumental in getting up the previous trial to thwart the ends
of justice and screen the prisoner from the condemnation he justly
deserves. Mr. Foster then stated, by way of an apology, that at the
time he issued the warrant he did not know that the prisoner was
under an arrest, or that there was any process out against him.

We hope, for the honor of such a man as Mr. Foster, that his
statement is true. Mr. Foster, however, called upon one of his
jurors, Mr. Carn, to corroborate what he had said; but, to our
astonishment, be replied that when Mr. Foster summoned him to
appear and act as a juryman, he was not informed what case he was
to act upon, nor did he learn until he entered the office, where he
acted according to the evidence given; but believed then, as well
as now, that it was a sham trial, and a mere mockery of justice. We
state facts as they are, and let the public judge for themselves.

{285} The statement of the negro was that Messrs. Easton,
Townsend, and Lawyer W. H. J. Marr were the persons engaged in
this diabolical affair. Mr. Gibbs, one of the witnesses against
Townsend, believed the above persons were engaged in it; but as
a negro knows nothing in this state, and Mr. Gibbs could not
positively swear to it, of course we don't know; but we have our
opinion, and so have the public. We don't remember ever having seen
more indignation manifest than was manifested on this occasion,
and the public mind is not satisfied at the turn affairs have
taken. Lynch law will not do in Nauvoo, and those who engage in
it must expect to be visited by the wrath of an indignant people,
not according to the rule of Judge Lynch, but according to law and
equity.

It was thought best to acquit Easton and leave the case to the Circuit Court.

[Sidenote: The Higbee Brothers in Trouble.]

Francis M. Higbee and Chauncey L. Higbee were brought up before Esquire Wells for assaulting the police, and acquitted. Chauncey L. Higbee a lawyer, was brought before Daniel H. Wells Esq., on the charge of using abusive language to and insulting the city marshal while in the discharge of his official duty. He was fined ten dollars.

Also Robert D. Foster, Esq., was taken before Isaac Higbee, J. P., and fined ten dollars, for a breach of the ordinance pertaining to gambling, &c.

We are sorry to find that our lawyers and magistrates should be taking the lead among gamblers and disorderly persons, and be numbered among the law-breakers, rather than supporting virtue, law, and the dignity of the city.

[Sidenote: Counter move of the Higbees.]

_Tuesday, 2.--_At home, somewhat unwell, and kept my house this fine day. John P. Greene, marshal; Andrew Lytle, and John Lytle, policemen, were arrested by a warrant issued by Robert D. Foster, on complaint of Francis M. Higbee, for false imprisonment. As the case was going to trial, the prisoners were taken by John D. Parker, with a writ of_ habeas corpus_ before the Municipal Court; and tomorrow, at one, p.m., was fixed for trial.

{286} _Wednesday, 3.--_At one, p.m., presided in a special session of the Municipal Court, with Aldermen William Marks, Newel K. Whitney, Orson Spencer, George W. Harris, Gustavus Hills, George A. Smith, and Samuel Bennett as Associate-Justices. John P. Greene, Andrew Lytle, and John Lytle were brought up on _habeas corpus_ having been taken from the officer who held them on a writ issued by Robert D. Foster, before whom they had been arraigned on the complaint of Chauncey L. Higbee, charged with false imprisonment.

Joel S. Miles, Andrew Lytle, John Lytle, John P. Greene, and Robert D. Foster were sworn, gave testimony in the case, and the court decided that Greene and the two Lytles be discharged, and that Chauncey L. Higbee is a very disorderly person; that this case on _habeas corpus_ originated in a malicious and vexatious suit, instituted by Chauncey L. Higbee against the petitioners now discharged; and that said Higbee pay the costs.

Warm and cloudy.

[Sidenote: Conference in New York.]

A conference was held in the city of New York; Elder William Smith presiding, and Elder William H. Miles, clerk. Fifteen branches were represented, containing 566 members, including 3 High Priests, 26 Elders, 15 Priests, 16 Teachers, and 9 Deacons.

_Thursday, 14.--_In a general council in the assembly room from nine to twelve, a.m., and from one to four, p.m.

I was visited by eleven Indians, who wanted counsel, and had an impressive interview.

Elder Orson Hyde was in the council, and left immediately for Washington. [1]

{287} A company of Saints arrived on the steamer _St. Croix_.

Showery day.

[Sidenote: Dedication Masonic Temple.]

_Friday, 5.--_Attended the dedication of the Masonic Temple, which was attended by about 550 members of the Masonic fraternity from various parts of the world. A procession was formed at Henry Miller's house, and was accompanied by the Nauvoo Brass Band to the hall. The dedicatory ceremonies were performed by the Worshipful Master Hyrum Smith. Elder Erastus Snow delivered an able Masonic address. Dr. Goforth and I also addressed the assembly. All the visiting Masons were furnished a dinner at the Masonic Hall at the expense of the Nauvoo Lodge. The building is admitted to be the most substantial and best finished Masonic Temple in the Western States. It has been erected under the direction of Mr. Lucius N. Scovil.

In consequence of ill health, I deferred preaching the funeral sermon of King Follett until Sunday. Elder Amasa Lyman addressed a very large assembly at the stand.

_General Conference Minutes of the Church, April, 1844_.

Conference met pursuant to adjournment. Present--President Joseph
Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and William Marks. Of the
Twelve--Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Wilford
Woodruff, John Taylor, and George A. Smith.

The members of the High Council, an immense number of Elders, an a
very large concourse of people.

Presidents Joseph and Hyrum Smith came to the stand at a quarter
past ten o'clock, when the meeting was called to order by Elder
Brigham Young. The choir sang a hymn, after which

_Opening Address of President Joseph Smith_.

President Joseph Smith rose to state to the congregation the
nature of the business which would have to come before them.
He stated that it had been expected by some that the little
petty difficulties which have existed would be brought up and
investigated before this conference, but {288} it will not be
the case: these things are of too trivial a nature to occupy the
attention of so large a body. I intend to give you some instruction
on the principles of eternal truth, but will defer it until others
have spoken, in consequence of the weakness of my lungs. The
Elders will give you instruction; and then, if necessary, I will
offer such corrections as may be proper to all up the interstices.
Those who feel desirous of sowing the seeds of discord will be
disappointed on this occasion. It is our purpose to build up and
establish the principles of righteousness, and not to break down
and destroy. The Great Jehovah has ever been with me, and the
wisdom of God will direct me in the seventh hour. I feel in closer
communion and better standing with God than ever I felt before in
my life, and I am glad of this opportunity to appear in your midst.
I thank God for the glorious day that He has given us. In so large
a congregation it is necessary that the greatest order and decorum
be observed. I request this at your hands, and believe that you
will all keep good order.

Prayer was offered by W. W. Phelps, after which the choir sang a
hymn.

_Elder Sidney Rigdon_.

Elder Sidney Rigdon then rose and said: It is with no ordinary
degree of satisfaction I enjoy this privilege this morning. Want
of health and other circumstances have kept me in silence for
nearly the last five years. It can hardly be expected that when
the violence of sickness has used its influence, and the seeds
of disease have so long preyed upon me, that I can rise before
this congregation, only in weakness. I am now come forth from
a bed of sickness, and have enough of strength left to appear
here for the first time in my true character. I have not come
before a conference for the last five years in my true character.
I shall consider this important privilege sacred in my family
history during life. I hardly promise myself lungs to make this
congregation hear me. I shall do the best I can, and the greatest
can do no more.

The circumstance by which we are now surrounded point out the
principles of my discourse--the history of this Church, which I
have known from its infancy. My text is--"Behold the Church of God
of the last days." I do not know that I can find it in the Bible.
I do not think it necessary to have Paul to make a text for me;
I can make a text for myself. I recollect in the year 1830 I met
the whole Church of Christ in a little old log-house about 20 feet
square, near Waterloo, N.Y., and we began to talk about the kingdom
of God as if we had the world at our command. We talked with great
confidence, and {289} talked big things. Although we were not many
people, we had big feelings.

We knew fourteen years ago that the Church would become as large
as it is today. We were as big then as we ever shall be. We began
to talk like men in authority and power. We looked upon the men of
the earth as grasshoppers. If we did not see this people, we saw
by vision the Church of God, a thousand times larger. And when men
would say we wanted to upset the Government, although we were not
enough to well man a farm, or meet a woman with a milk-pail, all
the Elders, all the members met in conference in a room twenty feet
square.

I recollect Elder Phelps being put in jail for reading the Book of
Mormon. He came to see us, and expressed great astonishment, and
left us, apparently pondering in his heart. He afterwards came to
Kirtland, Ohio, and said he was a convert. Many things were taught,
believed, and preached then, which have since come to pass. We knew
the whole world would laugh at us; so we concealed ourselves, and
there was much excitement about our secret meetings, charging us
with designs against the Government, and with laying plans to get
money, &c., which never existed in the hearts of any one else [_i.
e._, but in the hearts of their accusers]. And if we had talked in
public, we should have been ridiculed more than we were. The world,
being entirely ignorant of the testimony of the Prophets, and
without knowledge of what God was about to do, treated all we said
with pretended contempt and much ridicule, and had they heard all
we said, it would have made worse for us.

We talked about the people coming as doves to the windows; and that
nations should flock unto it; that they should come bending to the
standard of Jesus, saying, "Our fathers have taught falsehoods and
things in which there is no profit," and of whole nations being
born in one day. We talked such big things that men could not bear
them, and they not only ridiculed us for what we did say in public,
but threatened and inflicted much personal abuse; and if they had
heard all we said, their violence would have been insupportable.
God had great things to say for the salvation of the world, which,
if they had been told the public, would have brought persecution
upon us unto death: so we were obliged to retire to our secret
chamber and commune ourselves with God. If we had told the people
what our eyes behold this day, we should not have been believed;
but the rascals would have shed our blood if we had only told them
what we believed. There we sat in secret and beheld the glorious
visions and powers of the kingdom of heaven pass and repass. We had
not a mighty congregation to shelter us. If a mob came upon us, we
had to run and hide ourselves to save our lives.

{290} The time has now come to tell why we held secret meetings. We
were maturing plans fourteen years ago which we can now tell. Were
we maturing plans to corrupt the world, to destroy the peace of
society? No. Let fourteen years' experience of the Church tell the
story. The Church never would have been here if we had not done as
we did in secret. The cry of "False prophet and imposter!" rolled
upon us. I do not know that anything has taken place in the history
of this Church which we did not then believe. It was written
upon our hearts and never could be taken away. It was indelibly
engraved; no power beneath yonder heavens could obliterate it. This
was the period when God laid the foundation of the Church, and He
laid it firmly, truly, and upon eternal truth.

If any man says it is not the work of God, I know he lies. Some of
you who know you have a house, how long would it take to make you
reason yourselves into a belief that you have no house where you
now reside with your family? Neither have we any power whereby we
can ever persuade ourselves that this is not the Church of God. We
do not care who sinks or swims, or opposes, but we know here is
the Church of God, and I have authority before God for saying so.
I have the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy. I
have slept with it,--I have walked with it. The idea has never been
out of my heart for a moment, and I will reap the glory of it when
I leave this world. I defy men and hell and devils to put it out of
my heart. I defy all, and will triumph in spite of them.

I know God. I have gazed upon the glory of God, the throne, visions
and glories of God, and the visions of eternity in days gone by.
What is a man of God to do, when he sees all the madness, wrath and
follies of our persecutors? He will do as God does--he will sit and
laugh. * * * These were the beginning of good days--shut up in a
room eating nothing but dry johnny-cake and buttermilk. Every man
who had a little farm or clothes, sold them and distributed what he
had among the rest, and did the best he could. I had a little to
eat--little to wear, and yet it was the beginning of good days.

Some say "I want plenty to eat, plenty to drink, plenty to wear,
and a good house to live in;" and, say they, then I will believe. But
God will not give it until you have proved yourselves unto Him.

No wonder, then, that we should be joyful today. If the people will
do as they are told, I will tell you what to do. Get the visions
of heaven, and seek not what you shall eat or what you shall
drink, but seek the will of God. Get into the presence of God, and
then you will have johnny-cake and milk-and-water no more. Would
you not be astonished if even now we should tell the glories and
privileges of the Saints of God to you and to the world? We should
be ridiculed; and {291} no wonder we shut it up in secret. If we
were to tell you when Jehovah is looked upon, lo it is beauty, it
is heaven, it is felicity to look upon Jehovah. I should marvel if
it were otherwise. If a man tells you one glory or one message, he
is learning another at the same time. Do not be astonished, then,
if we even yet have secret meetings, asking God for things for your
benefit.

Do not be afraid. Go back to the commencement of this Church, and
see what was concocted then. There was no evil concocted when
we first held secret meetings, and it is the same now. Has God
forgotten to be gracious, to be merciful to mankind? Did He ever
concoct anything that was devilish for mankind? He could not do it.
I never am afraid of God or man concocting anything to hurt me.
I have faith to detect men, even if they did. I would ask God to
detect them, and hold them fast before they should do it. I am not
afraid of men or devils. I have none of those fears, jealousies,
dreads, forebodings, surmisings, &c. I put my trust in God, and
whatever God does for me is only for my salvation.

A man is a bad teamster who runs his team in the worst road. What
I have already said is only to prepare the way. [Here five of the
Pottawattomie tribe appeared with their interpreter, and were
assisted to the stand by the President.] I am going to tell of
something that surprised me at the beginning of the Church. I have
handled, heard, seen and known things which I have not yet told.

After the Church began to grow, it was favored with marvelously
wise men. They had so much wisdom that they could dispute what God
said, and what His servant said. They were opposed to virtue. They
would say they had revelations and visions, and were as certain
that the Lord had given it as I was that the devil had.

He referred to the children of Israel who were snivelling and
murmuring about their leeks and onions, &c., &c.; and so it is in
these last days; some men are always yelling about what the Church
believes and opposing every good thing.

I want devils to gratify themselves; and if howling, yelling and
yelping will do you any good, do it till you are all damned.

If calling us devils, &c., will do you any good, let us have the
whole of it, and you can then go on your way to hell without a
grunt.

We hear these things ever since the Church existed. They have come
up with us; they have had so much more wisdom, they knew all about
the kingdom before God revealed it, and they know all things before
they were heard; they understand more than God knows. We gather of
all kinds. If we get all nations, we get all wisdom, cunning, and
everything else.

The sectarians cannot be as wise as we are, for they have only got
{292} man's plans, the devil's plans, and, the best of all, we have
God's plan.

I do not know whether there are any of these wise men here this
morning or not; I have merely given this as a part of the history
of this Church. I am disposed to give some reasons why salvation
only belongs to the kingdom of God, and to that alone.

I will endeavor to show why salvation belongs to us more
peculiarly, in contradistinction to all other bodies. Will this be
clear enough?

I discover one thing: Mankind have labored under one universal
mistake about this--viz., salvation was distinct from government;
_i. e_., that I can build a Church without government, and that
thing have power to save me!

When God sets up a system of salvation He sets up a system of
government. When I speak of a government, I mean what I say. I mean
a government that shall rule over temporal and spiritual affairs.

Every man is a government of himself, and infringes upon no
government. A man is not an honorable man, if he is not above all
law and above government.

I see in our town we have need of government. Some study law only
for the purpose of seeing how many feuds, how many broils they can
kick up, how much they can disturb the peace of the public without
breaking the law, and then say--"I know my rights, and will have
them;" "I did not know it was the marshal, or I would not have done
it."

He is no gentleman. Gentlemen would not insult a poor man in the
street, but would bow to him, as much as those who appear more
respectable. No marshal or any one else, should pull me up. We
ought to live a great way within the circle of the laws of the land
would live far above all law.

The law of God is far more righteous than the laws of the land. The
kingdom of God does not interfere with the laws of the land, but
keeps itself by its own laws. (Reported by Elder Thomas Bullock.)

Elder Rigdon stopped to refresh himself. The choir sang hymn 104.

Elder John Taylor, being called upon to address the congregation,
said--It gives me pleasure to meet and associate with so large
an assemblage of the Saints. I always feel at home among the
brethren. I consider them the honorable of the earth; and if I can
do anything to conduce to their happiness, or that will in anywise
tend to their edification, I am satisfied.

I therefore address this congregation with cheerfulness and
pleasure, and if by unfolding any of the principles of truth that I
am in possession {293} of, or laying before you anything pertaining
to the kingdom--if my ideas will enlarge your minds, or produce
beneficial results to any, I shall consider myself on this, as on
all other occasions, amply repaid.

Many things have been spoken by Elder Rigdon concerning the early
history of this Church. There is no person who has searched the
oracles of eternal truth, but his mind will be touched with the
remarks made by our venerable friend, which unfold the dispensation
of Jehovah, and have a tendency to produce the most thrilling
feelings in the bosoms of many who are this day present, and
to promote our general edification. He traces with pleasure on
the historic page--the rise of nations, kingdoms and empires.
Historians dwell with great minuteness on the heroic deeds, the
chivalrous acts, the dangers and deliverances, the tact, bravery,
and heroism of their chieftains, generals and governments.

We, as Republicans, look back to the time when this nation was
under the iron rule of Great Britain, and groaned under the power,
tyranny and oppression of that powerful nation. We trace with
delight the name of a Washington, a Jefferson, a LaFayette, and an
Adams, in whose bosoms burned the spark of liberty. These themes
are dwelt upon with delight by our legislators, our governors and
presidents; they are subjects which fire our souls with patriotic
ardor.

But if these things animate them so much, how much more great,
noble and exalted are the things laid before us! They were engaged
in founding kingdoms and empires that were destined to dissolution
and decay; and although many of them were great, formidable and
powerful, they now exist only in name. Their cloud-capped towers,
their solemn temples, are dissolved, and nothing now remains of
their former magnificence or ancient grandeur but a few dilapidated
buildings and broken columns. A few shattered fragments remain to
tell to this and to other generations the perishable nature of
earthly pomp and worldly glory.

They were engaged in founding empires and establishing kingdoms
and powers that had in themselves the seeds of destruction, and
were destined to decay. We are laying the foundation of a kingdom
that shall last forever--that shall bloom in time and blossom in
eternity. We are engaged in a greater work than ever occupied the
attention of mortals. We live in a day that prophets and kings
desired to see, but died without the sight.

When we hear the history of the rise of this kingdom from one who
has been with it from its infancy--from the lips of our venerable
friend who has taken an active part in all the history of the
Church, can we {294} be surprised if he should feel animated, and
that his soul should burn with heavenly zeal? We see in him a man
of God who can contemplate the glories of heaven, the visions of
eternity, and yet who looks forward to the opening glories which
the great Elohim has manifested to him pertaining to righteousness
and peace--a man who now beholds the things roll on which he has
long since beheld in prophetic vision.

Most men have established themselves in authority by laying
desolate other kingdoms and the destruction of other powers. Their
kingdoms have been founded in blood, and supported in tyranny and
oppression. The greatest chieftains of the earth have obtained
their glory--if glory it can be called--by blood, carnage and ruin.
One nation has been built up at the expense and ruin of another,
and one man has been made at the expense of another; and yet these
great men were called honorable for their inglorious deeds of
rapine. They have slain their thousands, and caused the orphans to
weep and the widows to mourn.

Men did these things because they could do it--because they had
power to desolate nations, and spread terror and desolation.
They have made themselves immortal as great men. The patriots of
this country had indeed a laudable object in view--a plausible
excuse for the course they took. They stood in defense of their
rights, liberty and freedom. But where are now those principles
of freedom? Where are the laws that protect all men in their
religious opinions? Where the laws that say, "A man shall worship
God according to the dictates of his own conscience?" What say ye,
ye Saints--ye who are exiles in the land of liberty? How came you
here? Can you in this land of equal right return in safety to your
possessions in Missouri? No. You are exiles from thence, and there
is no power, no voice, no arm to redress your grievance. Is this
the gracious boon for which your fathers fought and struggled and
died? Shades of the venerable dead, could you but gaze upon this
scene, and witness tens of thousands of Americans in exile on
Columbia's soil--if pity could touch your bosoms, how you would
mourn for the oppressed! If indignation, how would you curse the
heartless wretches that have so desecrated and polluted the temple
of liberty? "How has the gold become dim, and the fine gold, how
has it changed." Let it not be told among the monarchs of Europe,
lest they laugh and say, "Ha; so would we have it."

Ye Saints, never let it go abroad that ye are exiles in the land of
liberty, lest ye disgrace your republic in the eyes of the nations
of the earth; but tell it to those who robbed and plundered and
refused to give you your rights. Tell your rulers that all their
deeds of fame are tarnished, and their glory is departed.

{295} Are we now, indeed, in a land of liberty, of freedom, of
equal rights? Would to God I could answer, Yes. But no, no, I
cannot! They have robbed us, we are stripped of our possessions,
many of our friends are slain, and our government says, "Your cause
is just, but we can do nothing for you."

Hear it, ye great men, we are here in exile! Here are thousands of
men in bondage in a land of liberty--of freedom! If ye have any
patriotism, shake off your fetters and come and proclaim us free,
and give us our rights. I speak of this government as being one of
the best or governments--as one of the greatest and purest; and
yet, what a melancholy picture! O ye venerable fathers who fought
for your liberty, blush for your children, and mourn, mourn over
your country's shame! We are now talking about a government which
sets herself up as a pattern for the nations of the earth, and yet,
oh, what a picture! If this is the best, the most patriotic, the
most free, what is the situation of the rest?

Here we speak with national pride of a Washington, a LaFayette, a
Monroe and a Jefferson, who fought for their liberties, achieved
one of the greatest victories ever won; and scarcely has one
generation passed away before fifteen thousand citizens petition
government for redress of their wrongs, and they turn a deaf ear to
their cry.

Let us compare this with the Church of Christ. Fourteen years
ago a few men assembled in a log cabin; they saw the visions of
heaven, and gazed upon the eternal world; they looked through the
rent vista of futurity, and beheld the glories of eternity; they
were planting those principles which were concocted in the bosom
of Jehovah; they were laying a foundation for the salvation of the
world, and those principles which they then planted have not yet
begun to dwindle; but the fire still burns in their bones; the
principles are planted in different nations and are wafted on every
breeze.

When I gaze upon this company of men, I see those who are actuated
by patriotic and noble principles, who will stand up in defense
of the oppressed, of whatever country, nation, color or clime. I
see it in their countenances. It is planted by the Spirit of God.
They have received it from the great Elohim, and all the power or
influence of mobs, priestcraft or corrupt men cannot quench it.
It will burn. It is comprehensive as the designs of God, and as
expansive as the universe and reaches to all the world. No matter
whether it was an Indian, a negro, or any other man or set of men
that are oppressed, you would stand forth in their defense.

I say unto you, continue to cherish those principles. Let them
expand. And if the tree of liberty has been blasted in this
nation--if it has been gnawed by worms, and already blight has
overspread it, we {296} will stand up in defense of our liberties,
and proclaim ourselves free in time and in eternity.

The choir, by request, sang, "O stop and tell me, Red Man." After
prayer by Elder John P. Greene, the meeting was adjourned for one
hour.

Footnotes:

1. The object of his mission was to assist Elders Orson Pratt and John E. Page in getting President Smith's Memorial, asking to be appointed "a member of the U. S. Army" and to be authorized to raise one hundred thousand armed volunteers to police the inter-mountain and Pacific coast west from Oregon to Texas.

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