Upper Room Es Richards House, City of Joseph,
Dr Brother Woodruff: We sit down to acknowledge the receipt of your letters containing some en-
quiries in regard to your business &c in England, and it being just one year this day since the massacre
of our beloved brethren Joseph & Hyrum we have concluded to spend the day in conversation, council and
prayer, and, also to write an answer to your letters, well knowing that a little information from
this place must be acceptable to you at all times, for we feel it is a source of comfort to us to hear of
your prosperity. (The members of the quorum of the Twelve who are in Nauvoo, the Bishops, and
one or two others have met regularly twice a week on Sunday and thursday evenings for some time
back to offer up our prayers and thanksgivings agreeably to the order of the Holy Priesthood for the
salvation and peace of the saints; and also that the Lord would over-rule all matters, so that we
might be permitted to dwell in peace, untill we could finish the Temple, and the Nauvoo House,
and the brethren get their endowment. For this we have supplicated by night and by day, and hitherto
we have been prospered in a manner beyond our most sanguine expectations (We have never
failed in our meetings to ask God to over rule the courts which have lately been held in this county,
so that the enemy might have no power to drag any of us to Carthage, or otherwise harass and perplex
us with writs &c. and especially, previous to the extra session of the court which commenced on
tuesday last we have felt to pray that the hand of God might rest heavily on Judge Young, the
lawyers and the mobocrats, that they might have no power to do any thing against the truth but
for it, and you will see by this letter that God has answered our prayers and granted the desires
of our hearts.) Another subject for which we have constantly supplicated is the welfare and
success of our dear brethren in England, brother Parley in New York, the brethren on the Islands
of the Pacific, (and cousin Lemuel in the west) These with our petitions for the sick in our midst (especially
sister Jenetta Richards who has been nigh unto death for some time past (but is now recovering slowly) the prosperity
of the Temple and Nauvoo House; and also that God would preserve us from internal bevils [devils], has been the theme of
our prayers from time to time, and we are happy to say that God has heard and answered our prayers, and done
all things well. The most perfect union, peace and good feeling has invariably prevailed in our little councils which
still continues. It seems like a foretaste of celestial enjoymant, and millenial glory. (The names of the brethren who
have composed this council, are as follows: President B. Young, H. C. Kimball, J. Taylor, O. Pratt, W. Richards, O. Hyde,
G. A. Smith, A. Lyman & J. E. Page of the Twelve. (N. K. Whitney & G. Miller, Trustees; father John Smith, Patriarch, and
Josh Young, L. Richards, W. Clayton & J. C. Kingsbury.) -- (At the May term of the Carthage court the trial of the men
indicted for the murder of brother Joseph came on, which occupied nearly the whole session. It occupied three or four days to
impannel a jury on account of the lawyers on the part of the defence challenging every person selected, untill they
succeeded in getting a jury of their own cloth. The Judge proved himself as much a friend to the mobocrats as if he
was one with them, and ruled the court decidedly in their favor; and although the evidence produced was abundantly
sufficient not only to hang those indicted, but also a number of the witnesses themselves, yet the jury brought in
a verdict of "not guilty," and the murderers were acquitted on this case. The court adjourned and appointed the
24th inst. to try the murderers in the case of brother Hyrom. Er [Elder] G. D. Watt attended court and took minutes of all
the evidence and speeches on both sides, which will be published the earliest opportunity and you will then
see, how much justice and virtue there is in the Judges and courts of our land. This matter was decided as we
supposed it would be, for we consider that it belongs to God and his people to avenge the blood of his servants.
We did not expect the laws of the land would do it. During the sitting of this court there were officers hear near all
the time with writs and subpoena's for the brethren, but they could not find any body they wanted, and the mob
were completely foiled in every attempt to bring trouble upon us. Our prayers were answered and we gave God thanks.
The court met pursuant to adjournment on tuesday last to try those indicted for the murder of brother Hyrum. Soon
after dinner a quarrel arose in the Court House between the Sheriff (Genl Deming) and Doctor Samuel Marshall, an old
mobacrat; on account of some difficulty in the land sales. Marshall abused Deming and threatened him severely.
Deming tried to get away from him and backed out towards the office door, but Marshall followed him in a
threatening attitude, and attempted to seize him by the collar, till finally when they got to the door, Deming
very deliberately took out of his pocket, a six barrelled revolving pistol, and let his antagonist have the
contents of one barrel. The ball struck Marshall in the abdomen. He lived about fifteen minutes and
then departed to receive his reward in hell. Deming was cool as the summers morning. He immediately
surrendered himself, and was locked up in one of the offices of the Court House. This circumstance produced
a tremendous excitement. The mobocrats sent their rumers through the county threatening to kill Deming
before morning, and also to kill every Jack Mormon in the county but in this they were dissapointed
for they could not possibly raise a mob sufficient to meet the few friends Deming had in Carthage. An
inquest was held on the body and all the jury except Daniel H. Wells gave in their verdict of wilful murder,
but Wells would not consent to it. They finally had Deming indicted before a grand jury for wilful, premeditated
murder in the first degree, and the court has been occupied till the present in arguing whether Deming shall
be admitted to bail till next court, and the result is, he is admitted to bail, and no doubt on account of his being
indicted for wilful murder he will be acquitted. The trial for the murder of brother Hyrum was dismissed
for want of a prosecution, and the court has had to adjourn, without doing a single thing, only cause one of the
mobocrats to be sent to his own place. The judge has been sick all the time and acts like a person who has about
lost his reason, more like a fool than a judge. So you will perceive this storm has blown over just as we desired
and the saints enjoy peace and prosperity. Demings course has produced a feeling of terror in the breasts of the mobocrats
and they are quailed and unable to raise a breeze. They have tried during the week to serve writs on a member
of the brethren here, but have not done any thing. We are all safe, and the court is over. We have mentioned these
particulars to show you that God is with us, and has kindly preserved us, and brought us safe through every storm.
The corner cap stone of the Temple was laid by the Twelve, on Saturday morning the 24th of May at 6 o clock, in the
presence of many saints. It would have pleased you to have heard the hossannas on that occasion, and to have
witnessed the short but interesting ceremony. The frame work of the roof is all on the building and the
next week the brethren expect to go to putting on the shingles. The frame work around the foundation of the
Tower is all up and the first timbers for the Tower itself was raised this day. The new stone Font is mostly cut
and the first stone was laid to day at about 4 o clock. We expect in about five or six weeks the attic story of the
Temple, and the Font will be all finished and ready for dedication, and just as soon as they are ready we shall
dedicate them, (and go to work giving the brethren their endowments.) We have all the lumber for the Temple on the
ground, and over 100,000 pine shingles for the roof. The lead for the eaves and the Tin for the dome of the Tower
is all bought. We have paid near $4000 this spring for Lumber, and near $1000. for lead and tin and have
as yet lacked nothing. There is the most perfect union prevailing amongst the saints, and every man seems determined
to do all he can to roll on the works of the Temple as fast as possible. E[lde]r Hyde started East about ten days ago to purchase
the cloth for the Tabernacle, and E[lde]r Egan is gone to St Louis to buy about $125 of Hemp to make the cords for it
The brethren are clearing the ground around the Temple, and we expect to have the Tabernacle reared so as to be ready to
meet in this fall. We are building a stone wall around the Temple block eight feet high and about five feet thick
at the base. The wall on the north side is already pretty much built. The most of the wood work for the Temple is
finished; all the window frame and sash are made, and the glaziers are ready to set the glass which we expect here in a
few days. The frame and ornamental work of the Tower is all ready to put up, and the whole is far under way.
The Nauvoo House committee have reorganized and the saints have appointed E[lde]rs A. Lyman & G. A. Smith on that
committee in the place of L. Wight & J. Snider.
a large quantity of brick are all ready made for the Nauvoo House and
considerable means on hand to prosecute the works. We calculate to have it covered in before winter.
The arsenal is ready for the roof timbers, and the timber on the ground. We have also a pretty good stock
of furniture, ready to adorn the inside of the arsenal as soon as it is ready) (We have the necessaries both of
the small tribe and large, all in good order ready to talk when needed. We have 4 good peacemakers, all right.)
There are many good buildings erecting in different parts of the City. among the rest is one for mother Smith, which the Trustees
are building. There is not much sickness in the place, and there never was a more prosperous time among the saints
in general since the work commenced. (The course of E[lde]r Wm Smith since his return to Nauvoo has not been
such as we could have wished. He seems to think he ought to be president of the church, and since he was ordained a
Patriarch to the whole church he has endeavored to get up an influence among the saints to persuade them that the office
of Patriarch necessarily makes him president. We think to the contrary, knowing better and therefore but a very few that
will listen to him for a moment. He seems determined to cause us trouble, but our prayers continually ascend up to our
heavenly father to overrule William and save him if possible. However we know that God is with his servant Brigham
and will sustain him in his place, and we have no fears but the saints will do likewise, should it come to a trial.
G. J. Adams has been cut off from the church for adulterous and dishonest conduct. He embezzled money which
was sent from the East for the Temple. Since he was cut off, he has organized a church at Augusta, I. L. and appointed
Jared Carter president of the stake, and Leeman Gibbs (the man that tormented brother Parley so in prison) for
Patriarch. Since that time his friends have forsook him, in answer to our prayers, and he is now selling his
furniture and every thing he has to pay his debts contracted to make scenery for his theatre, and we
are informed he is about to leave for the East.
We hear little concerning Rigdonism of late, but have an idea that they have had such hot times in and
about Pittsburgh, that they have cooled off. They make no proselytes only among apostate Mormons.
Our cousin Lemuel in the west feel well towards us. We have lately heard from them and all things look right there
Your little boy is quite well and cheerful, as also your brother in laws family. The families of the Twelve
are all well except Dr Richards lady and she is recovering. - Nauvoo or more properly the City of Joseph
looks like a paradise. all the lots and land which has hitherto been vacant & unoccupied have been enclosed this spring
and planted with grain and vegetables, which makes it look more like a garden of gardens than a city and the
season has been so favorable, the prospect is there will be enough raised within the limits of the corporation to
supply the inhabitants with, corn, potatoes &c. Hundreds of acres of praire land have also been enclosed and is now
under good cultivation, blooming with corn, wheat, potatoes and many other necessaries of life
A great many strangers are constantly pouring in to view the Temple and the City. They express their astonishment and
surprise to see the rapid progress of the Temple and the beauty and grandeur of Mormon works. Many brethren
are moving in from abroad who seem highly delighted with the place and all its appendages.
In regard to your matter we have only to say that we approve of your printing the Doctrine and covenants in England
and would also wish you to continue the publication of the star and such other works as may be considered necessary.
We also think it best for the Elders to tarry in England, untill we can send Elders from here to supply
their places who will not need to return for their endowments
We now conclude with our best wishes and prayers for your health and prosperity, with that of your
family and those associated with you. Please remember us to brothers Clark and Hedlock and their
families, and all the brethren with you, and believe us to be as ever, yours in the bonds of the everlasting
covenant of truth and righteousness. Brigham Young
P.S. Sunday June 29th This day the 28th quorum of the seventies has been organized and is nearly
full. There are 27 quorums duly organized, and all appear united in the same interest and firm
in the faith. Brother Milton Holmes is remembered by us in his station. He has been appointed
one of the presidents of one of the quorums of seventies.
We have just learned that all G. J. Adams' friends in Augusta has turned against him and he has
fled to parts unknown, leaving his debts unpaid. There is no peace for the wicked is there? B. Y.
[sideways text]
E[lde]r W. Woodruff
36 Chapel St
Liperpool
President Brigham Young
June 27th 1845