History Draft [1 January–3 March 1843]
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Source Note
History draft; handwriting of and ; docket in handwriting of Robert L. Campbell; 27 pages; CHL. This manuscript covers the period from 1 January 1843 to 3 March 1843.
- Historical Introduction
Document Transcript
1843
<1> Sunday Morning January 1, 1843, The Speaker of the House of Representatives called on me to say we might have the Hall for preaching this day.— Had a pleasant interview with , , Senater Gillespie & others. In reply to I stated that the most prominet pointsof differe[n]ce in sentiment between the & Sectariens. was that the latter orders <were> all circuscribd [circumscribed] by some peculiar creed, which deprives its members the privilege of beleiving any thing not contained therein; whereas the L. D. Saints have no creed, but are ready to believe all true principles that exist, as they are made manife[s]t from time to time,— at the suggestion of the co. I explained the nature of a prophet. If any person should ask me if I were a prophet I should not deny it. as that would give me the lie; for, according to John “the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Propecy;” therefore if I p[r]ofess to be a witness or teacher, & have not the spirt of prophcy, which is the testimoy of Jesus. I must be a false witness; but if I be a true teacher & witness I must possess the spirit of prophcy. & that constitutes a prophet, & any man who says he is a teacher or preacher of Righteousness, & denies the spirit of propecy, is a lier & the truth is not in him. and by this <key> false teachers & imposters m[a]y be detected. At half past 11. A M. we repared to the Representatives Hall, where preached <from the 3dchapter of malachi> to most of the Members of the Legislature & the various departments of <the> state. I dined with at one. P.M. & at halp [half] past two returned to the Hall & heard preach from Rev. 14 chapter. 6 & 7 verses on the first principles of the Gospel. There was a respectable congregation, who listened with good attentions <notwithstanding the great anxiety to “see the Prophet”>. I supped at Bro Bowman’s where I saw <Sister> Lucy Stringham (who was one of the first fruits of the at N. York.) & many more of the Saints. at 7. I retrnd to .
<2> Monday 2 after breakfasting with , I prophesied in the name of the Lord that I should not go to dead or alive At 9½ A M. repaired to the Court Room, and at 10 court sat. took his seat on the bench accompanid by Several Ladies My case was called up, when , the Attorney General of , requstd the case to be contined till the next morning <day> & wednesday morning was set for my triel.—My Attorney filed some objections to facts referrd to in the [p. 1] <2.> and at half past 10 I repaired to the Senate lobby. and had conversation with Several Gentlemen, dined at the “american House”, As we rose from table Judge [Henry] Brown invited me to his room & informed me he was about publishing a history of . & wished me to furnish a history of the rise & progress of the to add to it. 1½ P.M. returnd to . A gentleman from told that “the General imp[r]ession was that Smith was innocent & it would be a kind of murder to give him up; that he ought to be whipped a little & let go.” It was evident that prejudi[c]e was giving way in the public mind. At 4. . , the Marshall, and some 1/2 a Doz[en] others called to see me. The said it was the first Time during his administration, that the Ladies had attended court on a trial, A peculiarly pleasant & conciliatory feeling prevailed in the company. And invited me to a family dinner when I should be freed. At 5 went to Mr Sollars, with & . enquired the situation of the Negro. I replid they come into the world slaves, mentally & physically. Change their situation with the whites, & they would be like them. They have souls & are subjects of Salvation. Go into . or any city, and find an educated negro. who rides in his carriage, and you will see a being <man> who has risen by the powers of his own mind to his exalted state of respectability. The slaves in are more refined than the presidents, & the black boys will take the shine off of those they brush & wait on. remarked “put them on the level & they will rise above me”. I replied if I raised you to be my Equal and then attempted to oppress you, would you not be indigna[n]t And try to rise above me. There was <as did> , and many others, who said I was a fallen Prophet and they were capable of leading the people. Although I never attempted to oppress them, but had always been lifting them up. Had I any thing to do with the negro. I would confine them by strict law to their own species, & put them on a national Equalization.
Because faith is wanting the fruits are not. No men since the world was, ever had faith without having something along [p. 2] <2.> with it. The ancients “quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, women received their dead.” &c “by faith the “<w>orlds were made”. A man who has none of the gifts has no faith, and he deceives himself if he supposes he has. Faith has been wanting not only among the heathen, but in professed christendom also, so that tongu[e]s, healings, prophecy, & prophets, & Apostles, and all these the gifts and blessings have been wanting.
Some of the company thought I was not a very meek prophet. So I told them “I am meek & lowly in heart” and will personify Jesus for a moment to illustrate the principle; & cried out with a loud voice “Wo unto you ye Docters, Wo unto you ye Lawyers, Wo unto you ye scribes, pharisees, & hypoctes [hypocrites], <&c>” <But> You cannot find the place where I ever went that I found fault with their food, their drink, their house, or their lodging, No Never, and this is what is meant by the meekness & lowliness of Jesus.
Mr Sollars stated that James Mullone of told him he <as> <follows,> <"I> had <have> been to & Seen Jo Smith, the prophet, he has a grey horse & I asked him where he got it, & Jo said. “You see that white cloud?[”] “Yes”. [“]Well as it come along, I got the horse from that cloud,” This is a fair specimen of the ten thousand foolish lies circulated by this generation to bring the truth & its advocates in <to> disrepute.
In reference to <“What is it that inspires> professors of christianity generally, with a hope of Salvation”? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the Devil by which he deceives the whole world. But, said Mr Sollars, “May I not repent and be baptized, & not pay any attention to dreams, visions & other gifts of the Spirit?” I replied suppose I am <travelling and am> hungry and meet with a man & tell him I am hungry; & he tells me to go yonder, there is a house of <for> Entertainme[n]t go and knock; and you must conform to all the rules of the home, or you cannot satisfy your hunger, knock, call for food, sit down & eat; and I go & knock, and ask for food, & sit down to the table, but do not eat, Shall I satisfy my hunger? No! I must eat: the gifts are the food; and “the graces of the Spirit” are the gifts of the Spirit.
When I first commenced this work & had got 2 or 3 individ[u]als [p. 3] <2> to believe, I went <about 30 miles> with . & only one horse between us. to see them, When we arrived a Mob of about a hundred came upon us before we had time to eat, and chased us all night, & we arrived back again, having traveled about 60 mil[e]s in all, and without food, a little after day light. I have often travelled all night to see the brethren, and have often been turned away without food. Then the evening was spent in conve[r]sation & teaching. & closed by singing & prayer. when we parted the bed on the floor & , & myself lay down upon it and enjoyed refreshing rest till morning
<3> Tuesday 3d. After breakfast called on Sister Crane, & blessed her little boy. Joseph Smith, & returned to , where we Conversation with Messrs [M.] Trobridge, , & others on my old case <of treason>
At 9½ went to the court Room. & had conversation with , Owen, , & others. <At 12 returned &> Spent the P.M. at . At dusk the called with subpoenas supoenas. for <my> witnesses [illegible] there <Spent the> evening with the brethren at , in a very Social manner. & prophesied in the name of the Lord that no very formidable opposition would be voiced at my trial on the morrow.— Slept on a soffa, as usual while at .
<4> Wednesday 4 At 9 Oclock A M repaired to the Court Room on the bench & 10 Ladies by his side, when (T. & S. 66) accordingly, all of which will appear on my discharge.
Esqr opened the defense, in an animated speech, referring to my persecution <and made some very pathetic allusions to our sufferings> in followed by , who made the following points.
1st— This court has jurisdiction (T&S 66th) Wendell 212.
In the course of his plea he showed that had subscribid to a lie in his demand for me, as will appear on the paper, and said that “ would not have given up his dog on such a requisition, <*> <* That an attempt should be made to deliver up a man who has never been out of the state Strikes at all the liberty of our institutions. Th His fate to day may be yours tomorrow. I do not think the defendant <ought> under any circumstance to be given up to — It is a matter of history that he & his people have been mudeed [murdered] & driven from the . If he goes there it is only to be merderd, & he had better be sent to the gallows. He is an innocent & unoffending man.— He is like other men. If there is a difference between him & other men it is that this people believe in prophcy, & others do not; the old prophts prophsied in poetry, & the modern in prose.[”]> managed the case very Judiciously. The court Room was crowded the during the whole trial, the utmost decorum & good feeling prevaild, & much prejudice was allayed. was not severe. Apparently saying little more than the notion <his relation relation to> of the case demanded, and no more than would be useful in satisfying the public mind that there had been a fair investigation of the whole matte[r] [p. 4]
<4> Court adjurnd till tomorrow 9. A. M. for <the> making up of opinion immediately retired to his room. in the cou[r]t house & I was invited to an After an introduction to several persons. I retired to & after dinner spent some time in conversation with & .— At 5½ oclok I rode in carrige to his house accompanied by . & . & where I had a very intersing [interesting] visit with & family, , Esquires , & , and many others; partook of a splendid supper, with many interesting anecdotes, & every thing to render the report & visit agreeable. I returned to about 11 oclock.—
<5> Thursday 5th. At 9 AM repaired to the court room. which was crowd[e]d with anxious spect spectators. anxious “to behold the Prophet” which was soon. and hear the opinion <decision> of , who soon made took his seat, accompanied by 1/2 a doz[en] ladies, and gave the following opinion.
“The importance (T.&S 67 &c <To 71>) arrest” The foregoing <That the>
The foregoing opinion was published o[r]iginally in the “Sangemo Journal” At the close I arose and bowed to the court, which adjourn[e]d to 10 oclok tomorrow. I accepted an invitation to see in his Room & Spent an hour in conversation with his honor, in which I explained to him that I did not profess to be a prophet more than every man ought who proffesses to be a preacher of Righteousness, & that the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy, any <and> gave the judge a brief but general view of my principles asked me “to prophe[c]y how many inhabitants would come to ,” I said I will not tell how many inhabitents will come to , but I will tell you what I said when I went to . I told the old inhabitants <people> I would build up a city, & the old inhabitants replied “we will be damned if you can,” So I prophsid <that> I would build up a city, and the inhabitants prophsid I could not.
And we have now about 12000 inhabitants. I will prophcy [prophesy] we will build up a great city, for we have the stakes & have only to fill up the interstices. the was very attentive and agreeable, & requested of me that my secretary would furnish him a copy of his decision for the press.— dined at , and in the PM. visitd , with In the evening, visitd Mr Graws, & Lodged with at , with [p. 5]
<6> Friday 6. In the AM. went with t to see wih , who presented the with a report of his Decision. called on Esq & gave him my <two> notes & surety for of $230.00 cash having paid him $40.00, as fee for his service in my suit. I received visited I took certified copies of the doings of the court, & waited on for his certificate thereto, After which he offered me a little advice, which was that I “should refrain from all political Electioneering. I told him that I always had acted on that principle & provd it by & ; & that the “Mormons’ were driven to union in their Elections by persecution & not by my influence, and that the “mormons” acted on the most perfect Principles of liberty in all their movements,— This day I had considerable conversations in the court room with the Lawyers &c— on various topics and particularly on Religion. ’s wished me well. & hoped I should “not be persecuted any more,” & I blessed him. said I must deposite my discharge & all my papers in the archives of the when it is completed. My discharge here referred to was as follows. commencing <commenced> with my Petition for & closed with the certificate of Gov of , including all the Af[illegible] docume[n]ts relating to my trial, on separate sheets of paper, attached by a blue ribbon & secured by the seal of the court, and read as follows
“Pleas before the Circuit court. (See Document) Gov .
The opinion of , as recorded in this history was copied from the “Sangamo Journal,” & believed to be s opinion as corrected & alterd by him from the report furnished him by My . In his the s opinion on the bench he remarked, like this. “were it my perogative to impeach congress, for any one thing, it would be for granting power for the transportation of fugitives on affidavit & not on indictment alone.” He also proved several severe strictures on the actions of different governors & officers engaged concrnd in my case, but which, I suppose he thought p[r]oper to omit in his printed copy. I received many invitations to visit distinguished Gentlemen in , which time would not permit me to comp[l]y with. Also a ticket from the manager to attend the theatre this evenig, but the play was prevented by the wet wat rain. [p. 6]
<7> Saturday 7th At 8½ A.M. We left for a return to . And arrived at at 4 P.M. Travelling very bad. with snow and mud, & yet so cold as to whiten the horses with frost. while riding this day & composed a <Jubilee> song which they wrote & sung in the evening, & “Dedictd [Dedicated] to all Lovers of Libities [Liberties],” as printed on the first page of the 37th No— of “The Wasp.”
Recent accounts from Alexandria in Egypt, state the Murrain Mortality -[Murrain]- among cattle still continued, & it was calculated that upwards of 200,000 oxen had already died.
<8> Sunday 8th at 8. A.M. We left es. & passing through & Beardtown, <&> crossing the on the ice, arrived at at 4 P.M. After supper I went to Mr ’s, with several of the brethren and spent the evening very agreeably. partly in listening to <examining models drafts of> improvements he had made in some operative & defensive <machinery.>
<9> Monday 9th. At 8½ A.M. Started for ; roads very hard & smoothy & icy. When about 2 miles west of , <at 12½ P.M.> the<horses of the Lar> Large carriage , bolted slipped. & became unmanageable, & horses & carriage, with & in it, wind went off the embankment, some 6 or 8 feet— perpendicular, doing no damage except breaking the top of the <fore axeltre[e]> cariage <and top off the carriage.> It was a remarkable interposition of providence that neither of the brethren were injured in the least. The company agreed that should pay the damage, cut down a small tree, spliced the axle drove on and arrived at s in about 4 P.M. After Supper I visited my Sister , accompanied by & . This was the first time I had visited her in the State of , and the circumstance brought vividly to my mind many things pertaining to my s’ home, of which I spake freely. And particularly of my brother . He was a very handsome man, surpassed by none but Adam & Seth, and of great strength. When two irishmen were fighting, and one was about to gouge the others eyes; took took him by his collar & breeches & threw him over the ring, which was composed of men standing around to witness the fight. — (“While there” said “my heart was pained to see a sister of Joseph’s almost barefoot, & four lovely children entirely so, in the middle of a severe winter. What has not Joseph & his ’s family suffered to bring fourth the work of the Lord in these last Days.”[)] [p. 7] <9> We returd to ’s just before the close of the meeting at the school house where preached, After passing the usual salutations with several who had caled to see me. Singing the Jubilee. &c, retired to rest.
<11 <10>> Tuesday 10th At 8½. AM. We started for , and stopping only to water at the public well in , arrived at my home at 2½ P.M found my family well, who, with many friends assembled to greet us on our safe return. & my freedom. My <aged> came in and got hold of my arm before I saw her, which producd a veray agreable Surprize, on my part, and the Old Lady was overjoyed to behold her Son free once more.
<11> Wednesday 11th I rode out with , this morning, desyning to go to Bro <Isaac> Russel[l]s, and apologize for breaking his carriage on our retun from , but broke a sleigh shoe, & returd home, where I received a visit from a company of Gentlemen & Ladies from , on the , who left 2½ P.M. I directed letters of invitation <to be written> from myself & , for a dinner party, at my home, on Wednesday next. at 10 A M, <to be> directed to, Brothers , , , , , , , , , , H[arvey] Tate , , , , , , , , , & their Ladies; also, Mr , & A & Ladies. And My Mother, , & Sisters . &— ,— On hearing of my invitations for a dinner, The issued the following “Proclamation to the Saints in (Wasp 147) Clerk”
<12> Thursday 12, At home all day.
<13—> Friday 13 At home till near Sun Set, then went to Bro to with, to See Sophia Marks. who was sick; heard her relate her vision or dream of a visit from her Two Brothers who were dead touching the associations & relations of another world.
<14> Saturday 14th. Rode out with in the morning. At 10 A. M. Attended City Council. & in the evening called the Quorum together in my chamber to pray for Sophia Marks, who was very sick.—
<15> Sunday 15. I spent at home with my family.
<16> Monday 16 I was about home— & directed a letter to be written As follows, Janary 16 (L.B <243>) J. S. [p. 8]
<17> Tuesday 17th., being the day <time> appointed by the as a day of <humilatn [humiliation]> fasting, & praise prayer & thanksgivig bofore the grat Eloheim, I attended a public meeting in my own house, which was crowded to overflowi[n]g and meny other meetings were had in various parts of the , which were well attended, and there was great joy among the people that I had once more been delivrd from the grasp of my enemies. In the evening I attended a referen[c]e, with 6 others, on a land case of D— s,—
<18> Wednesday 18th. at 10 A. M. The party invited began to assemble at my house and before 12 they were all present except , & wife, & ’s who was sick. I distributed cards among them, printed for the occasion, containing the Jubileee song. of Brs & . also one by Sister , as on the 96 page, 4 vol. T. & S.— which were sung by the compay in a with the warmest feelings. I then read ’s Letter to Messrs. & of the 10th instant, And told them that shewed me the letter. did not want to have it known that he had any hand in shewing the letter but wanted to keep it a secret, as though he were holding a private correspondence with . but as soon as got the letter he brought it to me, which proves that had no correspondence with & had no fellowship for his works of darkness. I told them I had sent word to by , that before I would be troubled anymore by I would fight first. Conversation continued on various topics until 2 o clock, when 21 sat down to the <dinner> table, and and Myself waited upon them, with other assistants. My room was small, so that but few could be accommodated at a time. 20 set down to the second table which was served as the first, & 18 at the third, among whom were myself & , & 15 at the 4th. table including children & my household. Many interesting anecdotes were related by the compa[n]y, who were very cheerful, & the day passed off very plea[sa]ntly. President was present, although very feeble. This was the first time that he had been out of his house since he was takin sick, letting the weather had been extremely cold. His fever had been so high, severe, that he had lain in an open log house, rather open, without fire, most of the time, when it was so cold that his attendants would freeze their toes & finge[r]s, while fanning him with great coat & mittens on. [p. 9]
<18.> one thing more tended to give a zest to the occasion was that it was 15 years this day since Joseph Smith Jun was maried to . The brethrn dispersed about 6 oclock, with many thanks, & expressions of gratitude. & in the evening I attended the .
<19.> Thurdy 19. I was at home, excepting a short out in the in the A. M.
<20> Friday. 20 visited at this morning, returnd at 10 A M & gave & some instructions about the history, when presented me with the following. I receivd the following communi[c]ation. “From (T. & S. 81. &2) 1843. In To the P M I attended a council of the a[t] s. <Enquire. x> <Dream [illegible]> There were present, , , , , , , , , & Bro .— We had conversation on a great variety of subjects. <I> related dreams &c. <my dream, I dreamed (Q. T. Jan 20) awoke>To dream of flying signifies prosperity & delivrane [deliverance] from Enemies. To dream of swimming in deep water signifies success among many people, and that the wind will be accompanied with power. I told that when he spoke in the name of the Lord it should prove true, but he must not curse the people, rather bless them. <I prophsy> in the name of the Lord <god> as soon as we get the built so that we shall not be obliged to exhaust our means thereon, we will have means to gather the saints by 1000s. & 10s of 1000s. This council was called to investigate the case of , who had <previo[u]sly> been cut off from the Quorum <of the Twelve> for negle[c]t of duty, & had been An Apostle in his place. I told the Council that as there was not a presint, when ’s case came up before, that he was Still a member, that he had not legally been cut off legally, & I would find some other place for , <to which the council agreed.> Said there were but 3 present when was odained, I told them that was Legal when no more could be had. I told the council that from the 6th day of April next I go in for preparing, with all present, for a mission through the , and when we arrive at we will take ship for & so on to all countries where we shall have a mind to go, We must send for , to come home, And have all the quorum to start from this place. Let the 12 be calld in on the 6th of April, and a notice be given for a special confrece [conference] on the platform of the .— If I live, I will yet take these Brethen through [p. 10] <20> the & though the world, and will make just as big a wake as god almighty will let me. <we must send Kings & Quens to , & we will do it> At 3 oclock council adjnd to my house. & at 4. I , & his wife , & in the , & them, in the , to all the authority of his former office <& standi[n]g> in the .
<21> Satudy 21. At home except going out in the with to look at some lots.
<22> Sunday 22. I preached within at the on the Setting up of the Kingdom of God in the Last days The Subject (s Journal P. 48. &) <&c.> X <X No generation was ever saved or destroyed upon dead testimony neither can be, but by living testimony are the are they judged.>
<23> Monday 23. Was at home. except visitting & wrote the Editor of the “Wasp” as follows ‘Dear Sir <(Wasp 155.) Smith>
In the evening rode with to see who was sick at s the old Post office building. up the . returnd from his Mission to .
<24> Sunday 24th, was at home till PM, when I rode out with at eve attended the .
<25> Wednesday 25. Was about home.
<26> Thu[rs]day 26. In the P. M rode to the , and afterward to s
<27> Friday 27 Rode on the Prairie, with . Dined at Bro s.
<28> Saturday 28. Played ball with the brethren a short time, Rode round the with Mr Taylor, a Land Agent from . Some snow fell, the ice began to give way in the river & a steamer that had wintered at went over the rapids to Rapids to .
<29> Sunday 29[th] I preached on attended meeting at the . After realling [reading] the parable of the “Prodigal Son,” & making some preliminary remarks, I stated that there were two items <questions> which had been asked me concerning the last my subject [illegible] the last sabbath which I had promised to answer in public and [illegible] impro◊◊ that opportunity. The questions arose from the saying of Jesus “[3 words illegible] are born of women the[r]e hath not risn a grater <prophet> [4 words illegible] [ne]vertheles he that is least in the kingdom of heaven [4 words illegible] “How was <is it> <that> John <was considered one of the> the greatest of prophets?" ever[2 words illegible] a woman?” [2 words illegible] miracles could not have constituted his greatness for John did no mi◊◊◊les. Three things constitute his greatness. First. He was [illegible] with a diven [divine] mission of prepari[n]g [p. 11] <29> the way. before the face of the Lord. Who ever had such a trust committed to him, before or since? No man! Secondly He was trusted with the important mission & it was required of his hands, to baptize the son of man. Who ever did that? Who ever had so great a privilege & glory? Who ever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, & had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost desend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the Dove, in witness of that administration. The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world. as a a witness for the Holy Ghost. And the Devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, <& is> in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of a dove, but in sign of a dove. <*> <* The Holy Gho[s]t cannot be transformed into a dove, but the sign of the dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed. As the dove was <is> an emblem a token of truth & innocence> Thirdly, John at that time was the only legal administrator, <in the affairs of the kingdom> holding the keys of power, there was <then> on the earth, and holding the keys of power. The Jews had to obey his instructions or be damned, by their own lord; and Ch[r]ist himself fulfilled all righteousness in becoming obedient to the law which he had given to Moses on the mount, and therby magnified it and made it honorable instead of destroying it. The Son of Zachari[a]h wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory, from the Jews, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven, and these three reasons constitu[t]ed him the greatest propet born of a woman.
2[nd] Question. How was the least in the kingdom of heaven greater than he? <In reply I asked> Who did Jesus have reference to as being the least? in the kingdom? Jesus was looked upon as having the least claim in all God’s Kingdom, <and was least intitld to their credulity as a propet.> As though he had said, he that is considerd the least among you is greater than John, that is myself.
In reference to the Prodigal Son, I said it was a subject I had never dwelt upon, that it was understood by many to be one of the intricate subject of the scriptures, and even the in this have preached largely upon it, without having any rule of interpretations. What is the rule of interpretation? Just no interpretation at all; understand it precisely as it reads. I have a key by which I understand the scriptures. I enquire what was the question which drew out the answer from Jesus,or caused Jesus to utter the parable. It is not national, it does not referr to Abraham, Israil or the gentiles, <in a national capacity> as some supposd.— To ascertain its meaning we must dig up the root, & ascertain who it was that drew the saying out of Jesus. [p. 12]
While Jesus was teaching the peple all the publicans & sinners drew near to hear him, and the Pharisees & Scribes murmured saying “this man receiveth sinners & eateth with them.” This is the key word which unlocks the parable of the prodigal son. It was given to annser the murmurings & qustionings. of the Saducees & Pharisees who were querying finding fault & worthy to know saying how is it that this man as great as he pretends to be, eats with publicans & sinners. Jesus was not put to it so but he could have found something to illustrate his subject if he had disigned it for a nation or nations; but he did not, it was for men in an individual capacity, and all straining on this point is a bubble.— “This man receiveth Sinners & eateth with them” And he spoke this parable unto them, what men of you having an hundred sheep (Luke 15. 4 &c <5, 6, 7>.) repenting <repentance>— The hundred sheep represent a 100 Saducees & Pharisees, <as though Jesus had said,> If you Pharisees & Saducees, are in the sheep fold, I have no mission for you. I am sent to look up sheep that are lost, And when I have found <it> him I will carry <back> it home <up> & make joy in heaven. This represents hunting after a few individuals, or one poor publican, which the Pharisees & Sadcees despised. Jesus He also gave them the parable of the woman and her 10 pieces of silver, & how she lost one and searching diligently found it again, which gave more joy among the pries[t]s & n[e]ighbors than the 9 which were not lost. like I say unto you there is joy in the presence of the angels of god over one sinner that repenteth more than over 99 90 & 9 just persons that are so righteous they will be damn’d any how, you cannot save them. [1/4 page blank] [p. 13[a]]
[verso of page 13[a] blank]
<January <Monday> 30> Spent the day at home, At 6 in the evening I presided at <in> the City Council where much business was transacted, the most important of which was, a Bill reported by th <a> Committee, which passed as follows “Laws & Ordinances of the City of (Ordinance Book 151 to 158 inclusive) Mayor”
<Tuesday 31> At home all day— A Severe Snow blow
<Wednesday> 1st February
<Thursday> February 2. 1843 Spent the day at home, the weather extremely cold—towards evening I rode on to the hill to enquire about the Caucas which was there held the previous evening, presiding and Mr. <brother> [Benjamin] Clapp Chief Speaker, reporting that Joseph & had attempted to take away the rights of the Citizens refering to the election of <the> last City Council. I corrected the error and then I returned home—
The Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. It would be better thus “The Spirit maketh intercession for us with strivings that <which> cannot be expressed.”
<Friday 3.> This morning read German; at 11 walked out in the returned at a 1/4 past 12, read proof sheet of Doctrine and Covenants, which was then Stereotyping. brother John Mayberry sent me a cow to assist in bearing my expences to .
<Saturday 4> At home till one oclock afternoon, when I attended the General City Election Caucus at the where all things were amicably settled and mutual good feelings restored to all parties, Brother [Benjamin] Clapp made a public confession for the Speech which he made at a former Caucus, I returned home about four o’clock and in conversation with I told him that I had restored to his former standing in the and that I had concluded to make counsellor to the — In the evening presided in the Municipal Court
<Sunday 5> At home reading German
<Monday 6> Spent the forenoon at the City Election of Mayor Aldermen and Councillors <for the during> for the next two years at brother ’s office— dined at home, one oclock, afternoon, Thomas Moore came in and enquired about a home I blessed him and said God bless you for ever and ever, may the blessings of Abraham Isaac and Jacob rest upon you for ever, and may you sit on thrones high and lifted up, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen: when I returned to the Election Joseph Smith was elected mayor for the City of for the next two years by unanimous vote. , , , and were elected Aldermen , , , , , [p. 13[b]] , , and were elected Councillors.
<Tuesday 7.> <This forenoon> Attended a Council of the Quorum of the at the house of President . This afternoon I sent a search Warrant to ’s for the purpose of obtaining the book of Patriarchal Blessings <given> by Father , which was stolen from — The Warrant was issued on the Affidavit of , and book obtained. In the evening came to my house for an explanation, and I showed <informed> him that the book was the property of the , that it had been Stolen, and after passing thro’ various handshad been secured by while acting as for the Church, at , and should have been given up by him. I have since been informed that <Sister> ’s Wife, had procured the book off her brother, Son of , for the purpose of returning it to the Church, but being under a pledge to her brother not to give up the book until he had seen her again, she had neglected to mention it to me. arrived home from , this evening.
<Wednesday 8.> This morning I read German, and visited with a brother and sister from — who thought that “a Prophet was <is> always a Prophet,” but I told them that a Prophet was a Prophet only, when <he was> acting as such— After dinner brother came in, we had conversation on various subjects— at 4 afternoon I went out with my little to exercise myself, by sliding on the Ice.
<Thursday 9.> Part of the forenoon I spent at the conversing with of and trying to effect a settlement. He promised to let me have some notes on a Paper maker in Louisville, towards paying me and then went off contrary to promise— I also had conversation with Master [Jonathan] Nye, and read several letters, one from Judge and directed the following in reply “ Esqre (L.B. 244) Joseph Smith by his Agent”
Spent most of the day in conversation with and others
<There are two kinds of beings in heaven, viz; Angels who are resurrected personages> (s Journal 53–54) There are three administrators, Angels, Spirits, and Devils, when an Angel appears to you, how will you prove him? ask him to shake hands, if he has flesh and bones, he is an angel, A Spirit hath not flesh and bones— if or the Devil come, how would you determine which it were? should you take hold of his hand you could not feel it, how then will you determine? A true Spirit will not give his hand; the Devil will.
A man came to me in and told me he had seen an Angel, and described his dress. I told him he had seen no angel, and that there was no such dress in heaven. he grew mad and went into the streets and commanded fire to come down out of heaven to consume me— I laughed at him, and old liar he was <said, you are are> one of Baals prophets—your God does not hear you, jump up and cut yourself, and he commanded fire from heaven to consume my house [p. 14] when I was preaching in a Quaker called my <out> for a sign I told him to be still. After Sermon he again asked for a sign. I told the congregation the man was an Adulterer, <that> a wicked and adultrous generation seeketh after a sign, and that the Lord had said to me in a revelation that any man who wanted a sign was an Adulterous person, “it is true,” cried one, “for I caught him in the very act.” which the man afterwards confessed when he was .
A was held at Boylston Hall, , this day, when 14 Branches of the <in and the vicinity> were represented, comprising 793 members, 33 Elders, 43 lesser officers— most of whom had been raised up in about fifteen months. , , , and , and others, took active parts in the Conference
<Friday 10.> After conversation with and others I reviewed the history of the mob in , and my first journey to . At 3 oclock afternoon attended a Council of the at my house, viz , , , , . , , , I requested <that all> business to be presented in short, <briefly and without comments,> with no explanation, and told the Council that I had an interview with this morning, he is a <that he was> delegated by the Inhabitants of (which is 20 miles above this, on the ) to come to and petition that “a talented Mormon Preacher take up his residence with them and they would find him a good house and give him support, with liberty for him to invite as many Mormons to settle in that place as may please so to do.” Council decided that brother Bear go and preach to them—after I suggested that a general meeting be called in the in relation to the Post Office and other things. and that instructed the Council to call to with his family, and to say that he is ordered to come by the , and that he preach no more till he comes.
at 5 o clock I opened a Mayors Court at my house, when Sheriff deputy Sheriff, presented before the Court for stealing goods from the Store of on the 23rd of January, when confesseddeclared before the court that he had been visited many times by the Ancient of days that he sat with <him> on the 9th. 10th. & 11th days of last June, and should sit in Counsel again with <him> the Ancient of Days on tuesday next that he had <had> a mission from him to the four quarters of the world; that he had been and established the twelve of , and had visited them all, except one in the South that he had suffered much for two or three years for want of clothing that he despised a thief except to cloathe himself that he opened the Store of on the 23rd of January and took out the goods then present (several hundred pieces) hid them in the corn field and carried them home from time to time under the same roof with and that no one knew anything about [p. 15] the Robbery but himself. , was once a member of the , but had been cut off a considerable time previous; he declared that the Church never taught him to steal: and I have written his <voluntary> confession here, that others may take warning and so behave themselves in such a manner that they shall not be cut off from the Church; for if they <are, are> do the Sp the Spirit of the living God will depart from them, and they may be left to a worse spirit of delusion and wickedness than even , who never saw the Ancient of Days, or any thing that looked like him but he <I> was bound over on the testimony presented I bound him over to the next Circuit Court for trial in the sum of 5,000 dollars
Saturday 11th. This may <day> had an inteview with and his family, they expressed a willingness to be saved, good feelings prevailed, and we again shook hands together. At 10 o’clock attended the City Council. <I> Prophesied to City Recorder, that it would be better for him ten years hence not to say anything more about fees, and addressed the new Council urging the necessity of their acting upon the principle of liberality, and of releiving the of <from> all unnecessary expences and burthens burdens, and not attempt to improve the , but enact such <ordinances> laws as would promote peace and good order, and the people would improve the Capitalists would come in from all quarters and <build> but mills, Factorys, and Machinery of all kinds. New buildings would arise on every hand, and that would become a great City. I prophecied that if the Council would be liberal in their proceedings they would become rich, and spoke against the principle of pay for every little service rendered and especially of that of committees having extra pay for their services; reproved the Judges of the late Election for not holding the Polls open after six o’clock when there were many waiting to vote. Dr. took an active part in electioneering for the written opposition ticket, and obstructing the passage to the Polls. was elected City Recorder the Council elected City Recorder; Marshall; Treasurer; <approved> as Mayors Clerk, , , Lewis Robison, and Constables; Surveyor; Supervisor of Streets; Coroner; Notary Public; Weigher and Sealer, Market Master; <as> Fire Warden, City Attorney; Market Inspector for the — a Board of Health was established to consist of Joseph Smith , , <and> . The Council resolved that a Market [p. 16] be established in the — it was proposed to build two markets,— and <but> I told the Council that if we began too large we should do nothing, we had better build a small one at once, and the market house to be holden by the Corporation, and if that will <would> support itself we could go on to build another on a larger scale: That the council should hold an influence over the prices of markets so that the poor shall <should> not be oppressed, and that the mechanic should not oppress the Farmer; that the Upper part of the Town had no right to rival those on the . Here on the bank of the was where we first pitched our tents; here was where the first sickness and deaths occurred; here has been the greatest sufferings in the ; we have been the making of the upper part of the town, we have given them the and they ought to be satisfied. We began here first and let the market go out from this part of the , <and> let the Upper part of the Town be marketed by Waggons until they can build a market. and let the first market be established on the rising ground on Main Street about a quarter of a mile from <north of> the . Council continued thro the day.
came to my house to live.
and wrote to come to , and silenced him
<Sunday 12.> Seven or Eight young men came to see me, part of them from the City of . They treated me with the greatest respect— I showed them the fallacy of s data concerning the Coming of Christ at & the end of the world, or as is commonly called millerism, and preached them quite a sermon. I showed them that That error was in the <bible, or the> translation of the bible— that was in want of correct information upon the subject, and that he was not so much to blame as the translators of the Bible I told them the prophecies must <all> be fulfilled the Sun must be darkened and the moon turned into blood and many other signs <more things> before that day <Christ> will <would> come,
<Monday 13> came in early in the morning and gave a brief history of our second visit to , Missouri. I then read a while in German, <and> walked out in the with returning at 12 o’clock Samuel Snyder gave me a bag of flour and Sister Davis one dollar in cash brother called for council— the called and informed me that was trying to get the Post Office and that Dr was the first to sign the Petition . I gave instruction about a bond for a part of a lot to brother John Oakley— a 1/4 before 4 went to the Printing Office with brother — I spent the [p. 17] evening at Elder ’s, in the course of conversation I remarked that those <brethren> who came here having money and purchased without the and without counsel must be cut off— this <with other> observations on the occasion aroused the feelings of brother Dixon from Massachusetts, who was then present, and he appeared in great wrath
I received the following communication “To the Hon ( Journal “/&c”) ”
A letter from the Army dated at “ Missouri states “that on the 14th. Feby. (T. & S 207) unseen”
<Thursday <Tuesday> 14> <Sent to and by him deposited $500 with Genl [Samuel] Leach for Mr. [John] Walsh for land which was between my and the accor agreeable to my letter to .>
Read proof of the Doctrine and Covenants with — read in German from 9½ to 11 forenoon— had the removed from the large room in my house into a small brick building which I directed <had <was> erected> for a Smoke House, designing to use it for a Mayors Office until I could build a new one,— had much conversation with and various individuals— Sold a cow,
<Wednesday 15> This morning I spent some time in changing the top plate of the Office Stove which had been put together wrong: read a libellous letter in the Alton Telegraph written to of concerning , , and the ladies attending my late trial at and published the following letter in the T. & S. “Mr. Editor (T&S 101. <97–98) 99.> Smith” <The following is copied from the Times & Seasons “ Ill. Feb 19 (100.101.) PM”>
I copy the following from the Public Prints “An English Officer writing to his friend in (T&S 96) down” <— O the horrors of Christian warfare>
About 1 o clock afternoon I started for , with [and] & on Sleighs when we came on the Prairie it was so extremely cold— I proposed to to wait till tomorrow, but he chose to go forward, and we arrived in safety at Mr. Rose’s where we had supper and in the evening I gave a long exposition of Millerism, That night slept with
<Thursday 16> After breakfast we proceeded towards :— After travelling five miles & s Sleigh upset.— hurt his hand, an the horse ran away, and we brought him back, after dinner at mills we went to ; and viewed the place which is <and found it> very desirable for a city. when we returned to the place where we dined— prayed, and I preached to a large and attentive audience two hours, (from Rev XIX.10.) and shewed <to> the people proved to the people that any man that denied himself as being a prophet, was not a preacher of righteousness— They opened their eyes and appeared well pleased— when we had returned as far as McQuinn’s Mills turned up to the fence & propo halted [p. 18] and proposed to call.— While waiting a moment ’s horse ( went with our company) which was behind, ran and jumped into our Sleigh as we jumped out, and thence over our horse and the fence, Sleigh and all the Sleigh being still attached to the horse and the fence 8 rails high, and both horses ran over lots and thro<ugh> the woods clearing themselves from the Sleighs and had their frolic out without hurting themselves or drivers. it was truly a wonderful feat, and as a wonderful a deliverance for the parties— We took supper at ’s and I staid at Mr. Rose’s that night. invited the brethren to come to my house on Monday next and <to> chop and pile up my wood
<Friday 17.> returned with me to my house where we arrived about noon, and I enjoyed myself by my own fire side with many of my friends around me the remainder of the day— proposed to give me ¼th. of the city lots in
<Saturday 18> <mostly> About home, & <at> the office— had many calls several called for council on points of Law of called on me— he had hurt his horse, and said it was not the first time he had missed it by not following my advice— while at dinner I remarked to my family and friends present that when the earth was sanctified and became like a sea of glass, it would become one great — <&> the could look in it and see as they are seen
“The &c [blank] Pres.t”
<Sunday 19> The follow Spent most of this day, from in <9> in the morning till midnight in the while <who were> attending to the case of and who were in dispute about their title to certain lands on the after hearing the testimony I explained the laws of the , & & shewed them that had the oldest claim and best right and left it for to say how much should have and the parties shook hands in token of a Settlement of all difficulties The following is copied from the Times & Seasons “ Ill (T&S 100 & 101) P.M.
<Monday 20> About 70 of the brethren came together according to previous notice and drawed and sawed and chopped and split and moved and piled up a large lot of wood in my yard— the day was spent by them in much pleasantry and good humor & feeling A White oak log measuring 5 feet & 4 inches in diameter was cut thro’ with a cross cut saw in 4½ minutes by <bros> & bro [John] Tidwell— This Tree had been previously cut and dr hawled by my own hands <& team>— from 9 to 11 this morning I was reading in German [p. 19] & from 11 to 12 held mayors court in case of <on> v and which was adjourned ten days
Last night had a quantity of Books stolen and found them this afternoon in ’s hay loft— two boys Thomas Morgan & Robert Taylor were arrested on suspicion & brought before me for examination— after a brief investigation the Court adjourned until 10 oclock tomorrow morning while the Court was in Session <I saw> <it it was reported that> two boys were fighting in the Street, near Mills’ Tavern— I looked— saw them & <left the business of the Court> ran over immediately & caught one of the boys (who had begun the fight with Clubs) & then the other & after giving them proper instruction I gave the bystanders a lecture for not interfering in such cases & told them to quell all such disturbances in the Street at the first onset— I returned to the Court & told them that nobody was allowed to fight in but myself—
<In the> This evening ma a called at bro s—
This day presented to the House of Representatives of the a petition signed by 51,000 51863 Citizens of praying Congress to pass such Acts, & propose such amendments to the Constitution, as would separate the Petitioners from all connection with the Institution of Slavery—
<Tuesday 21.> Opened Mayor’s Court at 10 o clock forenoon— <according to adjournment.> [Robert] Taylor was again brought up for stealing and [Thomas] Morgan for receiving the books, and each sentenced to 6 months imprisonment in Jail. at 11 I went to the <&> found <a large assembly &> preaching about the — <after which> Mr <the Architect of the > spoke in defence of my character continued the subject, & said “when I have had a pound of meat or a quart of meal I have divided with the workmen”— (pretty good doctrine for Paganism, said I at this time was not & was called <himself> the Pagan Prophet) “we have had about 300 men on the job & some of the best men in the world; those that have not complained I want them to continue with me, and those that hate Mormonism and every thing else that’s good; I want them to get their pay, and run away as quick as possible.” when had done speaking I addressed the Multitude in substance as follows,
Well, the Pagan Prophet has preached us a pretty good sermon this mo<rning> and I dont <know> that <as> I can better it much, and I feel disposed to break off the yoke of oppression & say what I have a mind to, If the Pagans & the Pagan prophet feel more for our prosperity than we do for ourselves it is curious: I am almost converted to his doctrine, “He has prophesied if these Buildings go down it will curse the place”: I verily know it is true, Let us build the , There may be some speculation about the , says some. Some say because we live on the hill, we must build up this part on the <Hill>. [p. 20]
does that Coat fit you ? “pretty well”! put it on then; This is the way people swell like the toad in the fable, they’l come down under the hill among little folks, and say brother Joseph, how I love you; can I do any thing for you; and then go away secretly and get up opposition, and sing out our names, to strangers & Scoundrels, &c with an evil influence, I want all men to feel for me, when I have shook the bush, and borne the burden and <in the> heat of the day; and if they do not, I speak in Authority; in the name of the Lord God, he shall be dam’d. Some say, <that> the people on the flats are agrandizing themselves by the . but who laid the foundation of the ? Brother Joseph, in the name of the Lord, not for his agrandisement <but> for the good of the whole. Our speculators say our poor folks on the flat are down, & keep them down: How the cheats this man, & that may <man> say the speculators. Those we <who> repeat such things for <are> facts, ought to hide their heads in a hollow punkin, & never take them out.
The first principle brethren <brought> is age into consideration is aggrandisement, some think it unlawful; but it is lawful with any man, while he has a disposition to agrandise all around him. It is a false principle for a man to aggrandise himself at the expence of another. Every thing that God does is to aggrandise his Kingdom, and how does he lay the foundation? Build a Temple to my great name, and call the attention of the great, the Rich, and the noble of the Eart But where shall we lay our heads? in an old log cabin; I will whip , and and evey body else over s head who instead of building the build a great many little skeletons. See ’s Mammoth Skeletons rising all over Town; but there is no flesh on them, they are all for personal interest & aggrandisement, but I do not care how many bones there are in the somebody may come along and clothe them— See the mammoth Bones <of the Elephant> yonder (as I pointed to the big house on Mulholland Street preparing for a Tavern as yet uncovered) the Crocodiles and man Eaters all about the , such as Grog Shops & Card Shops & Counterfeit Shops &c Those who live got up for their own aggrandisement and all for Speculation: for <while> the is neglected. Those who live in Glass Houses should not throw Stones. The building of the is just as sacred in my view as the . I want the built, it must be built our Salvation depends upon it. When men have done what they can, or will do for the , let them do what they can for the . We never can accomplish our work at the expence of another. There is a great deal of murmuring in the about me, but I do not care any thing about it I like to hear it Thunder. [p. 21]
& I like to hear the grumble for the growling dog gets the sorest head, if any man is poor & afflicted let him come and complain to us <& tell of it> but <&> not complain or grumble about it— The finishing of the is like a man finishing a fight; if he gives up he is killed; if he holds out a little longer he may live. Ill tell you a story, a man who could whip his Wife is a Coward. I once fought with a man who had whipped his Wife: it was a hard battle contest, but I still remembered he had whipt his Wife; and this encouraged me and I whipt him till he had enough[.] Brethren carry on to the thus, and you will build it. You will then be on Pisgah’s top & the great men who <will> come from the four quarters of the Earth will pile their gold & silver into it untill you are weary of receiving them, and if you are not careful, you will be liftd lifted up & <become> full of pride; but they will come up & cloke all your former sins and will be ready to destroy yourselves and they will cover up and cloke all your former sins <&> according to the Scripture ◊◊◊ will hide a multitude of sins & you will shine forth fair as the Sun, clear as the moon, & you will become terrible like an army with banners. <I would will say to> Those who have labored on the I woul & cannot get their pay, be patient, & if any more take the means which are set apart for the building of that , and apply it to his own use, let him, let him, he will destroy himself. If any man is hungry let him come to me & I will feed him at my table. If any are hungry or naked dont take away the brick, timber, & em <& materials> that belong to that but come & tell me & I will divide with them to the last morsel & then if the & then if the man is not satisfied I will kick his backside. There is a g
There is a great noise in the & many are saying there cannot be so much smoke without some fire. Well, be it so, if the stories about Joe Smith are true, then the Stories of are true about the Ladies of , & he says that the Ladies are all organized of those who are to be Wives of Joe Smiths Ladies you know whether this is true or not. Tis <It is> of no use living among hogs without a snout— this biting &destroying <devouring> each other— <I cannot, away with it.> For God’s sake stop it. There is one thing more I wish to speak about & that is political economy. It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound & good, & unpopular, that which is unsound. Tis right politically for a man who has influence to use it as <well as> for a man who has no influence to use his: from henceforth [p. 22]
I will use al maintain all the influence I can get[.] In relation to Politics I will speak as a man; but in relation to religion I will speak in authority: if a man lifts a dagger to kill me I will lift my tongue. when I last preached, I heard such a groaning I thought of the Paddy’s Heel <I Eel> when he tried to kill him he could not contrive any <better> way to do it so he put the Eel <it> in the Water to drown him & as he began to come to, “service see” said he “what pain he is in, how he wiggles his tail”. So it is with the Nation, the banks are failing & it is our privilege to say what a currency we want. we want Gold & Silver to build the & . with we want your old nose rings & finger rings & brass kettles no longer: if you have old rags watches guns &c go and peddle them off & bring the hard mettle & if we will do this by popular opinion we shall have a sound currency. Send home all Bank Notes, & take no more paper money: let every man write his neighbor, before he starts to exchange his property for Gold & Silver that he may fulfil the Scriptures & come up to bringing his Gold & Silver with him. I have contemplated these things a long time but the time had not come for me to Speak of them till now. I would not do as the have done; sell Stock for an old Store House where all the people who lived, die; and put that Stock into a man’s hands to go East & purchase rags to come here & build up mammoth bones with.
Dft. History <from Nov 27 till> Dec. 29th 1843
As a political man in the name of old Joe Smith I command the not to sell a Stock in the without the Gold or Silver. We must excuse for he was in when the committee sold Stock for the Store House. but I leave this subject
This meeting was got up by the . The Pagans, Roman Catholics, Methodists, <&> Baptists shall have peace in , only they must be ground in Joe Smiths Mill. I have been in their mill. I was ground in & States in a Presbyterian Smut Machine & the last machine was in : & the last of all I have been thro’ Smut Machine; & those who come here must com go thro’ my Smut Machine & that is my tongue.
As I closed Dr remarked to the Assembly “much good may grow out of a very little, & much good may come out of this. if any man accuses a me of exchanging Stock for rags &c he is mistaken I gave a 1000 dollars” <to this ”> (this he said upon [p. 23] his own responsibility) “and fifty dollars to the , & same to Fulmer, to get Stone to build Joseph a house, & I mean to build a Joseph a house & you may build this, & I will help you. I mean to profit by this: & I will divide the mammoth bones with you. I am guilty of all I have been of which I have been charged. I have signed my name to a petition for to have to have the Post Office. I did not know <of> a petition for Joseph Smith”.
I replied I thought I would make a coat but it dont fit the only in the Post Office; if it does fit any one let them put it on, the bones are Skeletons, & as old Ezekiel said I command that the bones flesh and sinews shall <to> come upon them and <that> they may live be clothed.
February Wednesday 22. At nine this morning brother Abel Owen presented a claim to send of considerable amount against <> & notes of of about $700. for payment, he said he was poor & not unable to labor & wanted something to live on. I told him to burn the papers & I fully would help him. He gave me the papers & I gave him an order on for fifteen dollars worth of provisions, this was a gift, as the was not obligated to pay those debts. I rode about the with during the day & read in German.
The latest accounts from the East Indies state that the Cholera was raging in Burmah, Asia, with <to a> fearful extent, whole villages in the interior have become desolate either by flight or death.
Thursday 23. This morning read German & rode out a few miles on horseback but did not get off my horse. In the afternoon called to collect & Taxes. bro. Dixon called concerning some lost or stolen property I burned twenty three dollars of City Scrip saying <& while it was> burning, said, so may all unsound & uncurrent money go down. Gave my instructions to pay no more Taxes on the Hodgkiss <Hotchkiss> purchase. started for this morning, & commenced preaching in that place
Friday 24. Rode out with , dined abroad, rode to ’s, called on had some conversation about the Post Office & several other matters: returned to my & at 3 o clock walked out with having closed <about this time> hvsing closed In reply to vade mecum or “Go with me” of 20 January last I dictated the following answer which I delivered about this time “To ” (T. & S. 82. 83. 84. <85.>) Joseph Smith”—
Saturday 25 This morning bro. gave me <made me a present of> a Gold Watch— <I> spent the forenoon in the City Council— the Council passed “an ordinance in relation to Internments”: also “An Ordinance in relation to the duties of the City Attorney”: also “An Ordinance concerning a Market on Main Street” [p. 24]
resigned his office as an Alderman & was elected to fill his place
At 3 o clock the Council assembled after an adjournment for dinner, the subject of a sound currency for the having previously arisen I addressed the Council at considerable length giving, amongst others, the following hints.
“Situated as we are, with a flood of emigration (Wasp 178) altogether— I have examined the constitution upon this subject & find my doubts removed. The Constitution is not a Law, but it empowers the people to make Laws for instance the constitution governs the Land of but is not a Law for the People. The constitution tells us what shall not be lawful tender the 10 Section declares that <that people shall not make> nothing but Gold & Silver shall <that nothing else except Gold & Silver shall be> lawful tender but it does not say that even that <this is not saying that Gold & Silver> shall be lawful tender; it only provides that the States may make a law to make Gold & Silver lawful tender I know of no State in the Union that has passed such a law & I am sure that has not. The Legislature has ceded up to us the privilege of enacting such laws as are not inconsistent to <with> the Constitution of the & the State of ; & we stand in the same relation to the State, as the State does to the Union. The clause referred to in the Constitution is for the Legislature, it is not a Law for the People. The different States <& Even Congress itself> have passed many laws diametrically contrary to the Constitution of the . The State of has passed a stay law making property a lawful tender for the payment of debts, & if we have no law on the subject we must be governed by them. Shall we be such fools as to be governed by their laws which are unconstitutional? No! we will make a law for Gold & Silver & then we shall be free from their law <their law ceases & we can collect our> debts. Powers not delegated to the States or reserved from the States are Constitutional Congress The Constitution <Congress The Constitution> acknowledges that the People have all power which the Constitution has not reserved to itself. I am a Lawyer, I am a big lawyer & comprehend Heaven Earth & Hell & can bring <to> <bring> forth knowledge that shall cover up all Lawyers Doctors & every thing else other big bodies This is the doctrine of the Constitution So help me God. The Constitution is not law to us but it makes provision for us whereby we can make laws. Where it provides that no one shall not be hindered from worshipping God according to his own conscience is a law. No Legislator can enact a Law to prohibit it The Constitution provides to regulate bodies of men & not individuals
& Counsellor objected to the ordinance regulating currencies <the currency> from taking immediate effect— & spoke in favor of the Bill— Invited & Dr. who were present to give their opinion on the bill— they both spoke in favor of a Gold & Silver currency & that it take immediate effect in the .
Sunday 26 At home all day— my was sick with an Inflamation of the Lungs & I nursed her with my own hands[.] was carried to Jail [p. 25]
Monday 27. I nursed my most of the day, who continued very sick— went to my issued a search warrant for for brother Dixon to search Fidler’s & ’s houses for a box of stolen shoes
Friday 28 mostly with my and family Mr with whom I became acquainted in called on me & spent the day & night— in the afternoon was somewhat easier, <&> at 4 oclock I went to ’s to dinner.
I saw a notice in the Chicago express that one had seen the sign of the Son of Man, &c, & I wrote to the Editor of the Times & Seasons as follows [“]Sir— (143) <(113)> Smith”
<Wednesday> March 1— 1843 this morning read in German T&S after which I went with the of the to get some provision for [Thomas] Morgan & [Robert] Taylor who on petition of the Inhabitants of the I had directed should work out their punishment on the highways of
called to get a saddle horse this afternoon I instructed my ostler to put the Lieutenant General’s saddle on my horse Jo Duncan & let the ride the Governor on the Lieutenant General’s saddle.
Signed a power of attorney dated the 28 of Feby to to sell all the lands in Henderson County deeded to me by
Thursday March 2nd <The Ship> This mo[rnin]g <at 10 oclock> I resumed the hearing of the adjourned case ass <in> of <vs> ibs the in in mayors Court The Trial continued through the day; & was adjourned till 10 o’clock Tomorrow morig [morning] I spent the eveni[n]g at home with &
<Friday> Ma[r]ch 3[d] 10 O’clock forenoon I resumed the trial of , which continued through the day and evening, till near midnight there were many witnesses examined, also many lawyers, pleas, and much law read. It was a very tedious suit and excited much feeli[n]g amog the people at a 1/4 from 10 oclock in the eve[nin]g I adjourned; till Friday melt at 10 o clock <mor[nin]g> to give my decision on the case. during the that When I returned home found my better and spent an hour with during the recess of the Court in the Afternoon I called at <with> to see who was sick, I <also> called, at ’s about the same time, five teams loaded with grain, and provision as a present from the Brethren in , arrived at my house, which afforded me very seasonable relief and may it be returned upon [p. 26]
Footnotes
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Willard Richards handwriting begins.
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1
See 1 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1433.
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2
See 2 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1433–1435.
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3
See 3 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1435.
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4
See 4 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1435–1437.
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5
This asterisk is keyed to an insertion written in the left margin.
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6
See 5 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1437–1444.
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7
Probably Charles G. McGraw. (JS, Journal, 5 Jan. 1843).
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8
See 6 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1444–1452.
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9
See 7 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1452.
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10
See 8 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1452.
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11
See 9 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1452–1453.
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12
See 10 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1453.
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13
See 11 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1453–1454.
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14
See 12 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1454.
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15
See 13 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1454.
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16
See 14 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1454.
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17
See 15 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1454.
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18
See 16 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1454–1455.
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19
See 17 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1455.
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20
See 18 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1455–1456.
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21
See 19 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1456.
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22
See 20 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1456–1457.
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23
See 21 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1457.
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24
See 22 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1457.
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25
This circled “X” is keyed to an insertion written in the left margin.
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26
See 23 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1457–1458.
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27
See 24 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1458.
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28
See 25 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1458.
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29
See 26 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1458.
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30
See 27 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1458.
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31
See 28 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1458.
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32
Probably Frederick Taylor. (JS, Journal, 28 Jan. 1843.)
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33
See 29 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1458–1459.
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34
TEXT: Large ink blot obscures text throughout the rest of this page. See JS History, vol. D-1, 1458 for the probable reconstruction of the text.
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35
This asterisk is keyed to an insertion written in the left margin.
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36
TEXT: First of two pages numbered “13”.
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37
See 30 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1460–1463.
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Willard Richards handwriting ends; Thomas Bullock begins.
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38
See 31 Jan. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1463.
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39
See 2 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1463–1464.
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40
See 3 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1464.
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41
See 4 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1464.
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42
See 5 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1464.
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43
See 6 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1464.
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Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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44
TEXT: Second of two pages numbered “13”.
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45
See 7 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1464.
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46
See 8 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1464.
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47
See 9 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1464–1466.
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Cancellation and insertion in unidentified handwriting.
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48
See 10 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1466.
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49
Possibly John Bair. (See JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843.)
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50
See 11 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1467.
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Cancellation and insertion in unidentified handwriting.
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Cancellation and insertion in unidentified handwriting.
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51
See 12 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1467–1468.
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52
See 13 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1468.
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53
See 14 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1468.
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54
See 15 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1468–1471.
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55
TEXT: The deleted insertion is enclosed in a circle.
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Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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56
Probably Jeremiah Rose. (See JS, Journal, 15 Feb. 1843.)
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57
See 16–17 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1471.
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All graphite insertions on this page are in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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58
See 16–17 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1471.
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59
See 18 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1471–1472.
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60
See 19 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1472–1473.
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61
See 20 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1473.
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Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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All graphite corrections on this page are in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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62
See 21 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1473–1476.
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Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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All graphite corrections on this page are in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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Cancellation and insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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Cancellation and insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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Cancellation and insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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Cancellation and insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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63
TEXT: At the bottom of the page, there are two lines of canceled text, matching text at the top of page 16: “Robbery | the Robbery but himself”.
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Docket in handwriting of Robert L. Campbell.
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64
Probably David Fullmer.
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65
See 22 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1476.
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Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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66
See 23 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1476.
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All graphite corrections on this page are in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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67
See 24 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1476–1483.
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68
See 25 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1483–1484.
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Unless otherwise specified, all graphite corrections on this page are in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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Graphite insertion probably in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.
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Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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69
See 26 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1484.
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70
See 27 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1484.
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71
Possibly George or Henry Fidler. (See JS, Journal 27 Feb. 1843.)
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72
See 28 Feb. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1484–1486.
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All graphite corrections on this page are in the handwriting of Willard Richards.
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73
See 1 Mar. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1486–1487.
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74
See 2 Mar. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, p. 1487.
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75
See 3 Mar. 1843 entry in JS History, vol. D-1, pp. 1487–1488.
