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Collection Name The history and travels of Zion's Camp, 1882
Collection Description The history and travels of Zion's camp, 1882
Collection Number MS 1193
Collection Page 1-124
Source Link The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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People

Browse people Wilford Woodruff mentioned in this document.

Name
Count
209 mentions
Scriptural Figure
1 mention
4 mentions
Scriptural Figure
8 mentions
Scriptural Figure
David Rice Atchison
11 Aug 1807 - 26 Jan 1886
1 mention
Host

Calvin Bebe
1 Jul 1800 - 17 Jul 1861
1 mention
Samuel Bent
19 Jul 1778 - 16 Aug 1846
10 mentions
Zion's Camp
Henry Brown
7 Mar 1808 - 24 Apr 1852
Samuel W. Brown
1 Feb 1801 - 13 Sep 1882
3 mentions
Zion's Camp
2 mentions
1 mention
Zion's Camp
John Sims Carter
1797 - 25 Jun 1834
10 mentions
Zion's Camp
Simeon D. Carter
7 Jun 1794 - 3 Feb 1869
22 mentions
Family
1 mention
Zion's Camp
1 mention
Zebedee Coltrin
7 Sep 1804 - 21 Jul 1887
43 mentions
Missionary
Oliver Cowdery
3 Oct 1806 - 3 Mar 1850
130 mentions
Apostle
1 mention
Historical Figure
John Davis
30 Nov 1814 - 6 Apr 1841
10 mentions
1840 British Convert, United Brethren
Alexander William Doniphan
9 Jul 1808 - 8 Aug 1887
Daniel Dunklin
14 Jan 1790 - 25 Jul 1844
2 mentions
Zion's Camp
Elijah Fordham
12 Apr 1798 - 9 Sep 1879
James Foster
1 Apr 1786 - 12 Dec 1846
2 mentions
Zion's Camp
Joseph Hancock
7 May 1822 - 18 Jul 1924
4 mentions
Zion's Camp
Levi Ward Hancock
7 Apr 1803 - 10 Jun 1882
35 mentions
Zion's Camp
Solomon Hancock
15 Aug 1793 - 2 Dec 1847
Martin Harris
18 May 1783 - 10 Jul 1875
17 mentions
Zion's Camp
2 mentions
Zion's Camp
Milton Holmes
16 Jan 1811 - 30 Apr 1881
218 mentions
Maine Mission
Orson Hyde
8 Jan 1805 - 28 Nov 1878
693 mentions
Apostle
Seth Warren Ingalls
aft. 1790- abt. 1834
Levi Jackman
28 Jul 1797 - 23 Jul 1876
Luke Johnson
3 Nov 1807 - 8 Dec 1861
73 mentions
Apostle
Lyman Eugene Johnson
24 Oct 1811 - 20 Dec 1859
19 mentions
Apostle
3 mentions
Zion's Camp
2 mentions
Zion's Camp
Heber Chase Kimball
14 Jun 1801 - 22 Jun 1868
1455 mentions
Apostle
3 mentions
Zion's Camp
1 mention
1 mention
Samuel D. Lucas
19 Jul 1799 - 23 Feb 1868
Amasa Mason Lyman
30 Mar 1813 - 4 Feb 1877
298 mentions
Apostle
102 mentions
Apostle
Moses Martin
1812-1899
5 mentions
Zion's Camp
William Earl McLellin
18 Jan 1806 - 14 Apr 1883
28 mentions
Apostle
Isaac Morley
11 Mar 1786 - 24 Jun 1865
John Murdock
15 Jul 1792 - 23 Dec 1871
Joseph Bates Noble
14 Jan 1810 - 17 Aug 1900
Roger Orton
1799-1851
6 mentions
Zion's Camp
John Davis Parker
22 Nov 1799 - 27 Feb 1891
5 mentions
Zion's Camp
2 mentions
Zion's Camp
Edward Partridge
27 Aug 1793 - 27 May 1840
William Wines Phelps
17 Feb 1792 - 7 Mar 1872
Orson Pratt
19 Sep 1811 - 3 Oct 1881
1082 mentions
Apostle
Parley Parker Pratt
12 Apr 1807 - 13 May 1857
548 mentions
Apostle
Thankful Halsey Hand Pratt
18 Mar 1797 - 25 Mar 1837
1 mention
Sidney Rigdon
19 Feb 1793 - 14 Jul 1876
1 mention
John Ferguson Ryland
2 Nov 1797 - 10 Sep 1873
Ruth Daggett Vose Sayers
26 Feb 1808 - 18 Aug 1884
3 mentions
1 mention
George Albert Smith
26 Jun 1817 - 1 Sep 1875
1431 mentions
Apostle, Missionary
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb 1800 - 27 Jun 1844
422 mentions
Apostle
3 mentions
Zion's Camp
Jesse Johnson Smith
6 Oct 1808 - 1 Jul 1834
Joseph Smith (Jr.)
23 Dec 1805 - 27 Jun 1844
Lyman Smith
1812-1836
1 mention
Zion's Camp
Sylvester Smith
25 Mar 1806 - 22 Feb 1880
Willard Trowbridge Snow
6 May 1811 - 21 Aug 1853
16 mentions
Zion's Camp
Zerubbabel Snow
29 Mar 1809 - 27 Sep 1888
27 mentions
Zion's Camp
Ezra Thayer
1791-1862
16 mentions
Zion's Camp
1 mention
Zion's Camp
1 mention
Nathan Ayres West
10 Apr 1808 - 8 May 1888
David Whitmer
7 Jan 1805 - 25 Jan 1888
51 mentions
Apostle
John Whitmer
27 Aug 1802 - 11 Jul 1878
Harriet Benton Wight
19 Mar 1801 - 26 Feb 1889
Lyman Wight
9 May 1796 - 31 Mar 1858
197 mentions
Apostle
Eber Wilcox
1806-1834
4 mentions
Zion's Camp
Frederick Granger Williams
28 Oct 1787 - 10 Oct 1842
Azmon Woodruff, b. 1802
29 Nov 1802 - 14 Jan 1889
362 mentions
Family
Brigham Young
1 Jun 1801 - 29 Aug 1877
3430 mentions
Apostle, Family
Joseph Young
7 Apr 1797 - 16 Jul 1881

Places

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Quotes

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Bishop Partridge called a council of the Authorities of the Church in Zion and who called for volunteers of two men to go to Kirtland to see the Prophet Joseph and ask council about what course to pursue; and as no one volentered Parley P. Pratt steped forward and sayed he would go. Bishop Partridge asked what situation he was in to go; He sayed he had a coat in the world, his family wife lay sick and destitute but he was ready to go. Lyman Wight was the next one volenter; when asked how he was situated and if he had means to go, he said
~ Wilford Woodruff
One evening while Wilford Woodruff, Milton Homes, and sevral of the brotherin were with the Prophet in his house he sayed "I want some money to help fit out Zion and I know that I shall have it." In the morning Brother Joseph Received a letter from Sister Vose of Boston, containing $250. He took the money out of the
~ Wilford Woodruff
letter and showed it to the brotherin, present and said, "Did I not tell you [blank] last night that I would soon have some money and here it is."
~ Wilford Woodruff

On Sunday the 27 of April the saints met togather and held a testamony meeting, and many of the elders spoke and bore their testimony, among the number was Sidney Rigdon, Brigham Young, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdry, and also Joseph Smith the Prophet who closed by saying "Brothering we are laying the foundation of a great work and you know it not, you comprehend it not. The work we are engaged in will grow, spread, and increase untill it will fill the land: it will go from sea to sea it will fill the Rocky Mountains: all nations will hear it: it will fill its destiny; It is the work of Almighty God, and he will maintain and defend it." Wilford Woodruff sayed in his journal it appears to me there was more light made manifest in that meeting parta ining ^to^ the gospel and kingdom of God than I had ever received from the whole Secter- rian world.
~ Wilford Woodruff
Every night before retireing to rest at the sound of the trumpet we bowed before the Lord, in the several tents; and presented our thank and offerings with prayer and supplications; and at the sound of the morning trumpet every man was again on his knees before the Lord, imploring his blessings for the day. Our journey was like the ancient Jaredites pitching our tents by the way.
~ Wilford Woodruff
Friday the 16th, About nine oclock while I was riding on a wagon with brother Hiram, Ezra Thair and Gorge A. Smith; we came into a place of thick woods of recent growth, when I told them I felt much deprest in spirits, and lonesome, and that there had been a great deal of
~ Wilford Woodruff
At dinner time some of the brotherin expressed considerable fear, on account of milk sickness with which the people were troubled dureing our route; many were afraid to use milk or butter, and appealed to me, to know if it was not dangerous; I told them to use all they could get, untill they were told it was sick. Some expressed fears that it might be sold to us by our enemies for the purpose of doing us injury; I told them not to fear, that if they whould follow council, and use all they could get from friends or enemies it whould do them good and none should be sick in consequense of it; and although we passed through naberhoods where
~ Wilford Woodruff
While passing through Dayton, Ohio great anxiety was manifested; various reports of our numbers and designs having gone before us; some of the inhabidents inquired of the company where we were going from, Captin Brigham Young replied, from every [illegible] place but this, [illegible] and we will soon be from this. Where are you gowing? To the west. We forded the Maumee river with our baggage wagons, and most of the men waded through the water. Some ten or eleven gentlemen came over from Dayton to ascertain our numbers, which they reported at least six hundred. These gentlemen inquired of many in the camp where we were from, and where we were gowing, and what was our business. They returned to Dayton and reported that every man in the company was a gentleman, and gave a respectful answer to every question asked, but they could not ascertain where they were gowing, and what their business was.
~ Wilford Woodruff
This evening there was a difficulty between some of the brotherin, and Sylvester Smith on occasion of which I was called to deside in the matter; finding a rebell- ous spirit in Sylvester Smith, and to
~ Wilford Woodruff
At night we encamped a few miles west of Indianapplias. There had previously been so many reports that we never should be permitted to pass through that place, and that the Governer whould have us dispersed. Some of the brotherin were afraid we might have difficulty there, but I had told them in the name of the Lord we should not be disturbed, and that we should pass Indianipplas, without the people knowing it, when we neared the place, many got into the wagons and seperating some little distance passed through the city
~ Wilford Woodruff
I exhorted the brotherin not to kill a serpant, bird, or animal of any kind during our journey, unless it was nessary to preserve ourselves from hunger. I had frequently spoken upon this subject, when on a certain occasion I came up to the brotherin who were watching a squrrel on a tree, and to prove them, and to know if they whould heed my council. I took one of their guns, shot the squrrel and passed on, leaving the squrrel on the ground. Br. Orson Hyde, who was just behind came up, picked up the squrrel and said, "We will cook this, that nothing may be lost."
~ Wilford Woodruff
them alone; dont hurt them, how will the serpant ever loose its vermin, while the servants of God possess the same dispasition, and con- tinue to make war upon him. Men must become humble before the brute creation, and when men lose their virtuous dispasition, and seek to destroy the animal race, the lion and the lamb can dwell together, and the suckling child play with the serpant in safety.["] The brother- in took the serpants carefully on sticks, and carried them acrossed the creek.
~ Wilford Woodruff
Not withstanding our enemies were continually breathing threats of vialence we did not fear, neither did we hesitate to prasecute our journey, for God was with us, and his angels were before us; and the faith of our little band was unwavering. We knew that angels were our companions, for we seen them.
~ Wilford Woodruff
I asked him to accompany us to Missouri, he replied "I cannot." He went and stayed with the spies at a tavern over night, who said they had followed us three hundred miles on purpose to take some advan- tage of us. May 31, 1834 ~ Saturday Saturday 31st. In the morning this same brother came to me and said, "I whould be mighty glad to go with you, but my business is such I cannot; will a hundred dollars do you any good." I replied "Yes it will, for we are short of money" He ame- diately mounted his horse and rode towards Springfield, and within an hour after the camp had started, he returned and said to me "I am mighty sorry I cannot go with you here is a hundred dollars, and if I had, had a few days notice I whould halve got more."
~ Wilford Woodruff
Dr. Willams came down from Jacksonville with the people, attended meeting and returned with them. In the evening after supper, he left Jacksonville and returned to camp, and reported that the people universally (who had visited the camp) expressed the highest satisfaction, with the treatment and entertainment, and the good order that prevailed in our midst, that one gentlemen said he had vissited the camp, and presumed he had questioned about one hundred of the men, and had receieved polite answers to all of his questions, but could not ascertain who they were, where they were gowing, or what were their business, and I believe them a fine set of fellows or a pack of damn knaves and I cannot tell for my life which. Another intellagent gentlemen remarked that he did not believe there was a collage in the United States, that could turn out such an aloquent set of preachers, as he had heard that day in the camp. Dr. Willams said he had heard hundred of such like remarks at Jacksonville, and the most perfect good humor prevailed throughout the town.
~ Wilford Woodruff
Dureing our travels we visited sevral of the mounds which had been thrown up by the ancient inhabidants of this country, and this morning I went up on a high mound near the river accompanied by many of the brotherin. From this mound we could over-look the tops of the trees, and view the prairie on eather side of the
~ Wilford Woodruff
Levi Hancock repeats what ^Joseph^ said, in our tent, "I want you to remember what I say to you, the Lord is gowing to give us dry weather now till we get through, he has given us rain, that we might have water on the prairie, you will see the mercy of God in our favor all the way through
~ Wilford Woodruff
Brother Joseph called the camp togather, and after giving them instructions, standing on a wagon wheel, he prophesied unto the camp, and said the Lord had proved to him, that there whould be a scourage visit the camp in consiquince of the fractious, and unruly spirit that
~ Wilford Woodruff
We had just retired to rest, when the picket guard announced, Luke Johnson. He came into our tent, and made his report. He had visited a number of influential men, among the rest a baptist minister, who expressed great anxiety that our company should be stopped, and went to the Magistrate to inquire if there was not some law or pretense for stopping us. He (the priest) said to the Magistiate, that the com- pany marched, and had guns like an army, they pitched their tents by the side of the road; they set out guards, and let no body pass into their camp at night, and they are Mormons; and I believe they are gowing to kill the people up in Jackson County, Missouri, and retake their lands. The Magistrate replied, "If you were traveling, and did not want to put up at public houses, or there was none in that country, whould you not camp by the roadside in a tent; and if you were afraid that your horses, or property whould be stolen in a strange country; whould
~ Wilford Woodruff
We were short of provisions, having little else but Indian meal; and no water axcept the river, which we carried across the Mississippi. Many of the company had the dispasition to scatter in the woods for hunting, but I advised them to the contrary. Some of the brotherin went on to the sand bar, and got a quantity of turtles eggs as they supposed, I told them they were snake eggs, and they must not eat them, but some of the brotherin thought they knew more than I did about it, and still presisted in declairing that they were turtles eggs, I said they were snakes eggs, "eat snakes eggs will you, the man that eats them will be sorry for it; you will be sick." Notwithstand- ing all I said sevral brotherin did eat them and were sick all the day after
~ Wilford Woodruff
While at this place, Sylvester Smith rebelled against the order of the
~ Wilford Woodruff
We resumed our journey, and at night encamped in a yard in a maple grove, near the creek. The
~ Wilford Woodruff
One of the camp walked on ahead to procure some milk; A number of men armed with guns met him and said, "Here is one damed mormon alone lets kill him," but at the same instant discovered a number of others just coming over the hill, when they immediately rode off in great haste.
~ Wilford Woodruff
One of the camp walked on ahead to procure some milk; A number of men armed with guns met him and said, "Here is one damed mormon alone lets kill him," but at the same instant discovered a number of others just coming over the hill, when they immediately rode off in great haste.
~ Wilford Woodruff
Levi Hancock says, "while here I worked on guns, I also made a flag staff and put on it a white flag tipped with red and put it on my wagon, and put on it an eagle, and printed on it in large letters Peace; and as we went through the settlements, many whould come, and look at my flag and say peace, and walk off.
~ Levi Hancock
One night we camped in the middle of a prairie without water; one man took a spade and said, ["]Who knows but I can find water here." and dug a small hole, which soon filled with good water; when the brotherin saw this, they said it was as much a miracle as for Moses to bring water out of the rock
~ Wilford Woodruff
Here brother James Forster was taken sick, I proposed to him to remain behind he said, "Brother Joseph let me go with you if I die on the road." I told him in the name of the Lord if that was his faith, to go on his bed in the wagon and he whould get better every day untill he recovered, which was literally fulfilled.
~ Wilford Woodruff
This morning was exceedingly hot, no air stirring, and traveling in the thick woods, a thunder shower coming on, the brotherin caught all the water they could on the brims of their hats, and not catching enough to satisfy their thirst, they drank out of horsetracks.
~ Wilford Woodruff
Martin Harris having boasted to the brotherin that he could handle snakes with perfect safety, While fooling with a blue snake with his
~ Wilford Woodruff
We can say for ourselves and in behalf of our brotherin that peace is what we desire, and what we dispose to cultivate with all men, and to effect peace we feel disposed to use all our influence as far as it whould be required at our hands, as free common citizens of the United States, and as fears have been expressed that we designed to commence hostilities against the inhabitants of Jackson County, we have pledged ourselves to them, and to the hospitable Citizens of Clay County that we will not, neither had designed as a people to commence hostilities against the afore said Citizens of Jackson County, or any other people.
~ Wilford Woodruff
the mob held possession of a much larger quantity of land than the Saints and that they only offered thirty days for the payment having previously rob[b]ed them of nearly every thing that they had, it whould be readily seen that they were only making a sham to cover their previous unlawful conduct, but the tempest of an immediate conflict seemed to be checked and the Jackson Mob to the number of about fifteen with Samual E. Owens and James Campbell, at their head started for Independance Jackson County to raise an army sufficient to meet me before I could get into Clay County. Campbell swore as he adjusted his pistols in his holsters, "The Eagles and Turkey buzzards shall eat my flesh if I do not fire Joe Smith and his army so that their skin will not hold shucks before two days are passed. They went to the ferry and undertook to cross the Missouri River after dark and the Angel of God saw fit to sink the boat about the middle of the river, and seven out of twelve that attempted to cross were drowned. Thus suddenly and justly went to their own place by water. Campbell was among the missing he floated down the river some four or five miles, and lodged upon a pile of drift wood
~ Wilford Woodruff
We were informed here that a party of men were gathering togeth- er on the Missouri River with the in- tention of attacking us that night. The prairie ahead of us was twenty-three miles long without any timber or pal- atable wholesome water. Some of the brethren wished to stop near the timber and were about making arrangements to pitch their tents. We had but little provisions; I proposed to get some wood and water to carry with us and go on
~ Joseph Smith
When I arrived where the camp had pitched their tents and viewed our unsafe location con- sidering the danger of an attack from our enemies, I almost forgot my sickness, went some distance in the brush, bowed down and prayed my heavenly father to suffer no evil to come upon us, but keep us safely through the night. I obtained an assurance that we should be safe until morning. Notwithstanding the fact that about 50 of the Jackson County mob crossed the Lemington Fer- ry that evening for the purpose of joining the Clay County mob and of making an attack upon us, all was quiet in the camp through the night.
~ Joseph Smith
While the brethren were mak- ing their bed in Capt. Brigham Young's tent, one of them discovered a very musical rattle snake which they were about to kill. Capt. Young told them not to hurt it, but to carry it out of
~ Joseph Smith
Thursday 19th. At daybreak feeling that we were in a very unsafe situation, I counselled the camp to move forward without delay and con- tinue a lively march for about nine miles where we stopped for breakfast. While passing through Richmond, Br. Luke Johnson observed a black woman in a gentleman's garden near the road. She beckoned to him and said, "Come here massa"; she was evidently much agitated in her feelings. He went up to the fence and she said to him, "There is a company of men laying in wait here who are calcula- ting to kill you this morning as you pass through.["] We halted for breakfast on an eminance near a farm-house. The owner furnished us with a large quantity of milk which gave a great relish to our bacon and corn dodger which our company had purchased that morning. When we asked the price of his milk he replied, "He is a mean
~ Joseph Smith
During the day the Jackson Co- unty mob to the number of about 200 made arrangements to cross the Missouri River above the mouth of Fishing River at William's Ferry, into Clay County and be ready to meet the Richmond mob near Fishing River ford for our utter destruction. But after the first scow load of about forty had been taken across the river, the scow in returning was met by a squall and had great difficulty in reaching the Jackson side by dark. Wilford Woodruff states that "when
~ Joseph Smith
The storm was tre- mendous—wind and rain, hail and thunder met them in great wrath and soon softened their direful courage and frustrated all their designs "to kill Joe Smith and his army." Instead of continuing firing, which they commenced, they crowded under wagons, into hol- low trees, filled one old shanty &c. and when the storm was over their ammu- nition was soaked; and the party in Clay County were extremely anxious in the morning to return to Jackson having experienced the pitiless peltings of the storm all night. And as soon as arrangements could be made this
~ Wilford Woodruff
While in this situation, on Saturday, 21st, Col. Sconce with two other leading men from Ray County came to see us desiring to know what our intentions were; "for" says he, "I see that there is an al- mighty power that protects this people; for I started from Richmond, Ray Coun- ty, with a company of armed men having a fixed determination to destroy you; but was kept back by the storm and was not able to reach you." When he entered our camp he was seized with such a trembling that he was obliged to sit down to compose himself; and when he had made known the ob- ject of their visit, I arose and address- ing them gave a relation of the suf- ferings of the Saints in Jackson Coun- ty, and also of our persecutions gener- ally, and what we had suffered
~ Wilford Woodruff
Previous to crossing the Mississippi, I had called the camp together and told them that in consequence of the disobedience of some, who had been unwilling to listen to my words, but had rebelled, God had decreed that sickness should come upon the camp and if they did not repent and hum- ble themselves before God, they should die like sheep with the rot; that I was sorry but could not help it; the scourge must come, repentance and humility may mitigate the chastisement but cannot altogether avert it, as there were some who would not give heed to my words.
~ Joseph Smith
At the commencement I attempted to lay on hands for their recovery but I quickly learned by painful experience that when the great Jehovah decrees destruction upon any people and makes known his determination, man must not attempt to stay his hand. The moment I attempted to rebuke the disease, I was attacked; it seized upon me like the talons of a hawk, and I said to the brethren if I had had my work done, you would have had to tumble me into the ground without a coffin; and had I not desisted I must have saved the life of my brother by the sacrifice of my own.
~ Joseph Smith
At the commencement I attempted to lay on hands for their recovery but I quickly learned by painful experience that when the great Jehovah decrees destruction upon any people and makes known his determination, man must not attempt to stay his hand. The moment I attempted to rebuke the disease, I was attacked; it seized upon me like the talons of a hawk, and I said to the brethren if I had had my work done, you would have had to tumble me into the ground without a coffin; and had I not desisted I must have saved the life of my brother by the sacrifice of my own.
~ Joseph Smith
I left Rush Creek in company with David Whitmer and two other brethren for the western part of Clay County. While traveling we called at the house of Mr. Moss for a drink of water. The woman of the house shouted from the door that they had no water for Mormons—that they were afraid of the Cholera &c; at the same time throwing out her arms as if defending herself from the cholera in the form of a personage. We turned and departed according to the command- ment, and before a week had passed the cholera entered that house and that woman and three others of the family were dead.
~ Joseph Smith
When the cholera made its appearance, Elder John S. Carter was one of the first who stepped forward to rebuke it, and upon this was instantly seized, and be- came the first victim in the camp. He died about 6 o'clock in the afternoon; and Seth Hitchcock died in about thirty min- utes after. (and Erastus Rudd died about the same moment although half a mile distant; he was buried by Jesse Smith, Geo. A. Smith and two or three others; while burying him Jesse Smith was
~ Joseph Smith
A company of our people exceeding two hundred men arrived in this county the 19th inst. and encamped about twelve miles from Liberty, where they were met by several gentlemen from this and Ray County, who went by request of the people to ascertain the motives and de- signs of our people in approaching this county; and as the deputation was com- posed of gentlemen who appeared to
~ Wilford Woodruff
The cholera continued its ravages about four days when a remedy for purging, vom- iting and cramping was discovered; name- ly: dipping the person afflicted in cold water
~ Joseph Smith
W. Woodruff says, I was present at the meeting of Joseph with his brethren at Lyman Wights and the Prophet seemed more bowed down with sorrow at the loss of his brethren than I ever saw him in my life. At the same time he was clothed with the Spirit of God and with humility; and when all the Brethren
~ Wilford Woodruff
On the first of July Jesse J. Smith died. I crossed the Missouri River in company with a few friends into Jackson County, to set my feet once more on the "goodly land;" and on the 2nd I went down near Liberty and visited the brethren. A considerable number of the camp met me at Lyman Wight's. I told them if they would humble themselves before the Lord and covenant to keep His command- ments, and obey my counsel, the plague should be stayed from that hour and there should not be another case of the cholera among them. The brethren covenanted to that effect and the plague was stayed.
~ Joseph Smith
In the first place it is not our intention to commit hostilities against any man or set of men. It is not our intention to in- jure any mans person or property except in defending ourselves. Our flag has been exhibited to the above gentlemen who will be able to describe it. Our men were not taken from any manufacturing establishment. It is our intention go back upon our Lands in Jackson County by order of the Executive of the State, if possible. We have brought our arms with us for the purpose of self defence, as it is well known to almost every man of the State that we have every reason to put ourselves in an attitude of defence, consider- ing the abuse we have suffered in Jackson County. We are anxious for a settlement of the difficulties existing between us upon hon- orable and Constitutional principles.
~ Joseph Smith
We want to live in peace with all men; and equal rights is all we ask. We wish to become permanent citizens of this state and wish to bear our proportion in support of the govern- ment and to be protected by its laws. If the above propositions are complied with, we are willing to give security on our part; and we shall want the same of the people of Jackson County for the performance of this agreement. We do not wish to settle down in a body except where we can purchase the lands with money; for to take possession by conquest, or the shedding of blood, is entirely foreign to our feelings. The shedding of blood we shall not be guilty of until all just and honorable means among men prove insufficient to restore peace.
~ Joseph Smith
After singing and prayer, I gave the Council such instructions in relation to their high cal- ling, as would enable them to proceed to min- ister in their office, agreeable to the pattern here- tofore given; read the revelation on the subject, and told them that if I should now be taken away, I had accomplished the great work the Lord had laid upon me, and that which I had desired of the Lord; and that I had done my duty in organizing the High Council, through which council the will of the Lord might be known on all important occasions, in the building up of Zion, and establishing truth in the earth.
~ Joseph Smith
Now, therefore, as citizens of the United States and leading Elders in the Church of the Latter-Day Saints residing in the state of Missouri, in behalf of the Church we the undersigned do make this solemn appeal to the people and constituted authorities of this nation and to the ends of the earth, for Peace; that we may have the privilege of enjoying our religious rights and immu- nities and worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences as guaran- teed to every citizen by the constitutions of the national and State governments. That although the laws have been broken arend are defied in Jackson County, we may be enabled to re- gain and enjoy our rights and property agree- able to law in this boasted land of liberty.
~ First Presidency and High Council
To be obedient to the commandments of our Lord and Savior, some of the leaders of the Church commenced purchasing lands in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri ac- cording to the revelations of God, for the city of Zion: in doing which no law was evaded, no rights infringed nor no principle of reli- gion neglected but the laudable foundation of a glorious work begun for the salvation of mankind in the last days agreeable to our faith and according to the promises in the sacred Scriptures of God.
~ First Presidency and High Council
Now that the world may know that our faith in the work and word of the Lord is firm and unshaken, and to show all nations, kindreds, tongues and people that our object
~ Joseph Smith
It will be seen by a reference to the Book of Commandments, page 135, that the Lord has said to the Church, and we meant to live by his words, "Let no man break the law of the land, for he that keepeth the Laws of God, hath no need to break the laws of the land;" therefore as the people of God, we come before the world and claim protection by law from the common officers of justice in every neighborhood where our people may be; we claim the same at the hands of the governors of the several States and of the President of the United States, and of
~ Joseph Smith
By the desperate acts of the inhabitants of Jackson County, many hundreds of American Citizens are deprived of their lands and rights; and it is reported that we mean to regain our posses- sions, and even Jackson County "by the shedding of blood"; but if any man will take the pains to read the 1353rd page of the Book of Commandments he will find it there said, "Wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase, or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. And if by purchase behold you are blessed; and if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood lo! your enemies are upon you and you shall be scourged from city to city and from synagogue to syna- gogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance." So we declare that we have even meant, and now mean to purchase the land of our inheritance like all other honest men of the government and of those who would rather sell their farms than live in our society. And as thousands have done before us, we solicit the aid of the children of men, and of government to help us obtain our rights in Jackson County and the land whereon the Zion of God, according to our faith, shall stand in
~ Joseph Smith
Let no man be alarmed because our soci- ety has commenced gathering to build a city and a house for the Lord as a refuge from present evils and coming calamities. Our fore- fathers came to the goodly land of America to shun persecution and enjory their religious opinions and rights as they thought proper; and the Lord after much tribulation blessed them and has said that we should continue to importune for redress and redemption by the hands of those who are placed as ruler and are in authority over us, according to the laws and constitution of the people, which he has suf- fered to be establish and should be maintain- ed for the rights and protection of all flesh according to just and holy principles; that every man act in doctrine and in principle pertaining to futurity according to the moral agency which the has given unto them; that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of Judgment; and for this purpose he has established the constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom he raised up unto this very purpose, and re- deemed the land by the shedding of blood.
~ Joseph Smith
Now we seek peace, and ask our rights even regress and redemption at the hands of the rulers of this nation; not only our lands and property in Jackson County but for free trade with all men and unmolested emigra- tion to any part of the Union, and for our inherent right to worship God as we please. We ask the rights because they have been taken from us, or abridged by the violence and usurpation of the inhabitants of Jackson County. As a people we hold ourselves amenable to the laws of the land, and while the government remains as it is, the right to emigrate from State to State: from Territory to Territory: from county to county, and from vicinity to vicinity, is open to all men of whatsoever trade or creed, without hindrance or molestation; and as long as we are justifiable and honest in the eyes of the law, we claim it, whether we remove by single families or in bodies of hundreds, with that of carrying the necessary arms and accou- trements for military duty; and we believe that all honest men who love their country and their country's glory and have a wish to see the law magnified and made honorable, will not only help perpetuate the great legacy of freedom that came unimparired from the
~ Joseph Smith
Another and the great object which we mean to help accomplish is the salvation of the souls of men; and to bring to pass such a glorious work, like many other religious denomi- nations in all ages, we shall license Elders to preach the everlasting Gospel to all nations according to the great commandment of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as recorded in
~ Joseph Smith
The faith and religion of the Latter-Day Saints, are founded upon the old Scriptures, the Book of Mormon, and direct revelation
~ Joseph Smith
In the midst of such portentious times, we feel an anxious desire to prepare, and help others prepare for coming events; and we candidly believe that no honest man will put forth his hand to stop the work of the Lord, or persecute the Saints. In the name of Jesus, we entreat the peo- ple of this nation to pause before they reject the words of the Lord, or his servants: These, like all flesh, may be imperfect "But God is
~ Joseph Smith
While we ask peace and protection for the Saints, wherever they may be, we also solicit the charity and benevolence of all the worthy on earth, to purchase the righteous a holy home, a place of rest and a land of peace, believing that no man who knows he has a soul will keep back his mite, but cast it in for the benefit of Zion; thus when time is no longer, he with all the ransomed of the Lord may stand in the fulness of joy, and view the grand pillar of Heaven, which was built by the faith and charity of the Saints, beginning at Adam with this motto in the base "Repent and live" surrounded with a beautiful circle sign supported by a cross, about midway up its lofty column, staring the world in letters of blood "The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand" and finished with a plain top, towering up in the midst of the celestial world, around which is written by the finger of Jehovah: "Eternal Life is the great- est gift of God."
~ Joseph Smith
Although we may fail to show all men the truth of the fulness of the Gospel, yet we hope to be able to convince some that we are neither deluded nor fanatics, but like other men have a claim on the world for land
~ Joseph Smith
For the honor of our beloved country and the continuation of its free government, we appeal for peace; for an example of forbearance, and the diffusion of the everlasting Gospel, we appeal to the humanity of all nations; and for the glory of God, before whom we must all answer for the deeds done in life, and for the hope of holiness hereafter, we mean to remain faith- ful to the end, continuing to pray to the Lord to spare us and the people from whatever is evil and not calculated to humble us, and prepare us for His presence and glory: at the same time beseeching Him in the name of Jesus to extend His blessings to whom he will, and his mercy to all, till, by righteousness the kingdoms of this world become fair as the sun and clear as the moon.
~ Joseph Smith