Chapter XII

must be such as are spoken and understood by human beings somewhere: otherwise the names of "tongues" or languages will not attach to them. But they are a mere gibberish. If these people had the "gift of tongues," as they impudently assert, how much more consistent with rationality, and worthy of the Deity, would it appear for them to show it forth and test its true character, before an audience of French or Spanish, or some of the numerous Indian tribes in our country, all speaking different tongues, and to whom they profess to be more especially sent? No -- such an attempt would explode the whole system of folly and delusion. It would seem that they would much rather be talking their nonsense to each other, and declaring it to the world as an extraordinary manifestation of the power of God.

The difficulties which had been for some time accumulating between the inhabitants of Missouri and the followers of Smith, began now to assume a more serious aspect. About a year previous, a small newspaper had been started at Independence, in which were published, monthly, the orders and decrees of the prophet, which were called revelations, together with all the other wild and fanatical dogmas of the sect. Like pilgrims to the tomb of Mahomet, they continued to wend their way from different parts, to the "promised land." To accomplish this journey was the

height of their ambition. They really supposed their prophet had at that place opened the very gates of Heaven to them, and nothing else was necessary to insure all temporal and spiritual blessings, but their arrival there. Those of them who did not choose to sacrifice their property, however, stayed behind, leaving the poor, and those not encumbered with property, to be the pioneers. Their numbers, men, women and children, were now about 1200 in Jackson county. Besides the printing apparatus, they had also a mercantile establishment, (denominated the "Lord's Store House,") and some mechanic shops in Independence. This village was made their head quarters, although their converts had effected small settlements in different parts of the country. Smith had appointed as his Bishops, one Edward Partridge, a very honest and industrious hatter, of Painesville, Ohio, who had, withal, a comfortable stock of the good things of the world. He was stationed at Independence, and had the sole control of all the temporal and spiritual affairs of the colony, always obedient, however, to the revelations promulgated by Smith, who still sat perched upon his throne, in Kirtland, with Rigdon, and most of his family connexions.

Under these circumstances, the people of Jackson Co., became somewhat excited and alarmed for their civil rights. Enmity had been for some time increasing, till finally an open rupture ensued. On the 20th July, 1833, a meeting was held of 400 or 500 persons, at Independence. They avowed their object to be, to take some effectual means to rid themselves if their fanatical neighbors. Col. Richard Simpson was appointed Chairman, and Col. J.D. Lucas and J.H. Flournoy, Postmaster, Secretaries. A Committee was then appointed to report an address to the public, in relation to the object of the meeting. This Committee soon after submitted an address, which was unanimously adopted.

The address represented that the Mormonites in that county numbered about 1200 souls, -- that each successive spring and autumn poured forth its swarms among them, with a gradual falling off of their characters, until they had nearly reached the low condition of the black population -- that the citizens were daily told that they were to be cut off, and their lands appropriated to the Mormons for inheritances -- that they sometimes said this was to be accomplished either by the destroying angel, or by their own power, under the direction of God. The said Committee expressed their fears, that, should this population continue to increase they would soon have all the offices in the county in their hands; and that the lives and property of the other citizens would be insecure, under the administration of men who are so ignorant and superstitious as to believe that they have been the subjects if miraculous and supernatural cures, professing to hold converse with God and Angels, -- possessing and exercising the gift of divination and unknown tongues, and are withal so poor, as to be unable to procure bread and meat. The Committee further state, that "one of the means resorted to by them, in order to drive us to emigrate, is an indirect invitation to the free brethren of color in Illinois, to come like the rest, to the land of Zion." In conclusion, the Committee say, "of their pretended revelations from Heaven, their personal intercourse with God and his angels -- the maladies they pretend to heal, by the laying on of hands, and the contemptible gibberish with which they habitually profane the Sabbath, and which they dignify by the appellation of "unknown tongues," we have nothing to say. Vengeance belongs to God alone. But as to the other matters set forth in this paper, we feel called upon by every consideration of self-preservation, good society, public morals, and the fair prospect, if not blasted in the germ, that awaits this young and beautiful country, at once to declare: --

"1st. That no Mormon shall in future move and settle in this county.

"2d. That those now here, who shall give a definite pledge of their intention, within a reasonable time, to remove out of the county, shall be allowed to remain unmolested until they shall have sufficient time to sell their property, and close their business without any sacrifice.

"3d. That the editor of the "Star," be required forthwith to close his office, and discontinue the business of printing in this county: and as to all other stores and shops belonging to the sect, their owners must in every case comply with the terms strictly, agreeably to the 2d article of this declaration: and upon failure, prompt and efficient measures will be taken to close the same.

"4th. That the Mormon leaders here, are required to use their influence in preventing any further emigration of their distant brethren to this country, and counsel and advise their brethren to comply with the above requisitions.

"5th. That those who fail to comply with the above requisitions, be referred to those of their brethren who have the gift of tongues, to inform them of the lot that awaits them."

After the propositions of the Committee had been considered and adopted, it was "Resolved, That a committee of twelve be appointed forthwith to wait on the Mormon leaders, and see that the foregoing requisitions be strictly complied with by them; and upon their refusal, that the said Committee do as the organ of the county, inform them that it is our unwavering determination and fixed purpose, after the fullest consideration of all the consequences and responsibilities under which we act, to use such means as shall insure their complete and full adoption; and that said Committee, so far as may be in their power, report to this present meeting."

The Committee of twelve were appointed, composed of the most prominent men in the county, both civil and military. After an adjournment of two hours, the meeting again convened, and the Committee reported that they had called upon the Editor, the Bishop, and the "keeper of the Lord's Store House," and others, "who declined giving any direct answer, to the requisitions made of them, and wished an unreasonable time for consideration, not only with their brethren here, but the prophet in Ohio." Whereupon, it was unanimously resolved by the meeting, that the printing office should be razed to the ground, and the type and press secured. This is said, by the meeting, to have been accomplished with but little noise or disturbance, or any personal injury. The Mormon account, however, is, that there was a great tumult, books and printed sheets destroyed, the Bishop and one other person tarred and feathered, and that the keeper of the Store was compelled to pack up his goods and close his door.

The meeting was then adjourned for three days, when a much larger assemblage took place. Another Committee of seventeen was then appointed to wait upon the Mormon leaders, who had intimated a wish to have a conference. -- In two hours this committee reported to the meeting, that they had entered into an amicable agreement with them, in writing, and that they had assured the editor of the Star that whenever he was ready to remove, the amount of all his losses should be paid to him by the citizens. The contract was in the following words:

Memorandum of an agreement between the undersigned of the Mormon society, in Jackson County, Missouri, and a Committee appointed by a public meeting of the citizens of said County, made the 22d day of July, 1833:

It is understood that the undersigned members of the society do give their solemn pledges each for himself, as follows, to wit:

That Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps. Wm. McClelland, Edward Partridge, Lyman Wight, Simeon Carter, Peter and John Whitmer, and Harvey Whitlock, shall remove with their families out of this county, on or before the 1st day of January next; and that they, as well as the two hereinafter mentioned, use all their influence to induce all the brethren now here, to remove as soon as possible -- one half, say, by the 1st of January next, and all by the 1st of April next; to advise and try all means in their power to stop any more of their sect from moving to this county; and as to those now on the road, they will use their influence to prevent them settling permanently in this county, that they shall only make arrangements for their temporary shelter, till a new location is agreed on for the Society. John Carol and Algernon Gilbert are allowed to remain as general agents to wind up the business of the Society, so long as necessity shall require: -- and said Gilbert may sell out his merchandize now on hand, but is to make no new importations.

The Star is not again to be published -- nor a press set up by any of the Society in this county.

If the said Edward Partridge, and W. W. Phelps move their families by the 1st of January, as aforesaid, that they themselves will be allowed to go and come in order to transact and wind up their business.

The Committee pledge themselves to use all their influence to prevent any violence being used, so long as a compliance with the foregoing terms are observed by the parties concerned, to which agreement is subscribed the names of the above named Committee, as also those of the Mormon brethren named in the Report as having been present."

Tranquility was thus measurably restored for a time. -- The Mormons made no pretensions for removing, but applied to the Governor for relief. He informed them that

he could furnish them no aid in the business, until they had resorted to the laws, and ascertained that they could not be enforced. They, therefore, commenced civil suits for the loss of property. From this proceeding the citizens began to conclude that the Mormons did not intend to perform any part of their stipulation, and about the last of October, the people of the county again commenced depredations. Forty or fifty made an attack upon a small portion, about ten miles from the head-quarters, unroofed several houses, whipped some of the men, and frightened some of the women and children. The next night attacks were made upon another branch, and upon the "Lord's Store House," and the dwelling of its keeper, in Independence. For two or three days following, several parties met each other with fire arms, in which two of the citizens and one of the Mormons were killed. The Mormons were finally compelled to cross the Missouri river into Clay county.

These proceedings, on the part of the people of Jackson county, were in total disregard of all law, and must be condemned by all. They were wholly at war with every principle of right, and the genius of our institutions. Outrages can never be justified upon any ground, although the reasons which induced them, ought to be stated. Among the Mormon fanatics, as among every other combination, there are the prudent and the imprudent -- some who are very civil agreeable citizens, and some who are extremely intolerant, unmannerly, bigoted and supercilious -- priding themselves greatly upon their being supposed the peculiar favorites of Heaven, and their possession of greater light than all the world besides. These latter it is who deal out the anathemas, disclose the secret plottings, and expose the fanatical notions and opinions which have been conceived by the leaders of this sect. The Mormons have endeavored to inculcate the belief, as extensively as possible,

that their difficulties with the people of Jackson county, have arisen solely on account of their religion -- because they were more pure and holy than any of their neighbors, and for that reason alone, they have been persecuted as were the Apostles of old. This we are not disposed to believe. Their first salutations to every community that does not believe their book and pretensions, are, that destruction awaits them for their unbelief -- that there has been no Christian church upon earth for 1400 years -- no one has had any authority to administer ordinances till Smith dug out his golden bible -- that he is the appointed one of God, to re-establish a church, and all that do not come to him for power and instructions will be damned. Add to this, some among them frequently boast of their increasing strength, and that consequently they will soon be enabled to possess themselves of all the secular power of the country, as they already have the spiritual. This they calculate to accomplish by concentrating their forces in particular neighborhoods. We have been credibly informed that Rigdon has given it as his opinion that the Mormons will be able to elect a member of Congress in five years, and that in three years they would take the offices in the town of Kirtland. They say that when they get the secular power into their hands, every thing will be performed by immediate revelations from God. We shall then have Pope Joseph the First, and his hierarchy.

Such things have been thrown out, and have no doubt, had a strong agency in bringing about the outrages in Missouri.

Again, one of their articles of faith is, that the Indians of North America, in a very few years, will be converted to Mormonism, and through rivers of blood will again take possession of their ancient "inheritance," As their bible pretends to be a record of the aborigines, every

effort will be made to inculcate a belief in it among them. To facilitate this project, was one strong ground for their establishing themselves in Missouri, knowing that the general government was taking active measures to remove all the Indians west of the Mississippi. Were it possible, therefore, for Mormonism to be inculcated among the tribes of the west, a religious spirit would be easily excited. -- One of the imaginary prophets in the Book of Mormon, says that such events will take place. He says. "Therefore, I write unto you, Gentiles, (the whites,) and also unto you, house of Israel, (the Indians,) when the work shall commence (Mormonism) that ye shall be about to return to the land of your inheritance." Again, in speaking to the Indians, "Know ye that ye are of the House of Israel. Know ye that you must lay down your weapons of war, and delight no more in the shedding of blood, and take them not again, save it be that God shall command you" -- (through the mouth of Smith.) He also prophesyed that they should be "driven and scattered by the Gentiles," and after that the Lord would remember his covenant with Abraham. -- And then, "O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God -- therefore, repent ye, lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob (meaning the Indians) shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you to pieces, and there is none to deliver."