--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - B. F. Cummings collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 18 number: 5 published: 1915-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "B. F. Cummings, \"The Prophet's Last Letters,\" *Improvement Era* 18, no. 5 (March 1915): 388–392." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1805unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1805unse start_page: 388 end_page: 392 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1915-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1805unse publication_year: 1915 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1915, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Prophet's Last Letters The Prophet's Last Letters BY B. F. CUMMINGS One day in June, 1909, while I was laboring as a missionary in Independence, Mo., and editing Liahona, The Elders' Journal, Mr. Frederick M. Smith, one of the first presidency of the Re-organized church, called me up over the telephone and invited me to come to his of- fice, saying he had something to show me which would in- terestme. I had often met Mr. Smith and we were on excellent terms. immediately went to the I office,which was only a short distance from that of Liahona, The Elders' Journal, and on entering was pleasantly re- ceived. On a large office table were placed the manuscipt of the Book of Mormon, claimed by the Re-organized church to be the "original," but which, as a matter of fact, is a B. F. CUMMINGS printer'scopy of the original and the manuscript of the in- spired revision of the Bible. In the latter I was greatly interested. It was of foolscap paper and made a package three or four inches thick. It bore evidence of having been written at different times and by different scribes. Most of it had been written on paper that had never been cut through the center as a writer would do now-a-days. A quarter or a half a quire of paper, folded in the center in the old-fashioned way, was stitched through the "saddle" or fold, and thus fastened in the form of a book. Sometimes stocking yarn had been used for stitching. Some of these quarter or half quires were enclosed in covers made of a newspaper. Part of a newspaper thus used contained an advertisement dated, 1838. In those days news print paper was far more durable than it is now. I was permitted to handle the manuscript and scan its pages, THE PROPHET'S LAST LETTERS 389 but of course anything like a critical examination of it was out of the question within the time at my disposal. As I was turning its leaves I came to a page on which was written in a bold hand and large letters, bolder and larger than the rest of the writing on that page, this sentence, which, unless memory is at fault, I here reproduce verbatim "The Song of Solomon is not inspired writing." Mr. Smith produced and permitted me to examine a number of letters written by his grandfather, the Prophet Joseph. From several of them the autograph signatures had been clipped, by relic hunters, Mr. Smith explained but some of them still bore ; the Prophet's signature. Two of these had for me such a pathetic interest, and were, in my judgment, of such great historical value, that I ventured to request Mr. Smith to have his stenographer make copies of them for me. My request was cheerfully complied with, and a typewritten copy of each letter was handed me. One of them, the first one reproduced below, was entirely new to me but the contents of the second one did not seem so, and yet I could not remember having read it. I asked Mr. Smith if these letters had ever been published, and he replied that, to the best of his knowledge neither of them had ever appeared in print. I cannot learn that the first one was ever printed, and believe that it never was but the second one has been. It appears in the "History of ; Joseph Smith," published in the Deseret News, nearly half a century ago, and it forms a part of an installment of the. History of the Mormon Church, by Brigham H. Roberts, which appeared in Americana for August, 1911. The stenographer and I carefully compared the copies of both letters with the originals so as to preserve the latter verbatim et literatim. In transcribing these copies for use in this article I have preserved the wording faithfully, but have made a few technical corrections. I give the letters in the order of their dates the ; first one is as follows Safety, June 23rd, Emma Smith: Brother Lewis has some money of mine H. C. — Kimball has $1000 in his hands of mine, Brother Neff, Lancaster Co., — Pa. ,$400. You may sell the Quincy property, or any property that belongs to me you can find anything about, for your support and chil- dren and mother's. Do not despair if God ever opens a door that is ; possible for me I will see you again. I do not know where I shall go or what I shall do, but shall, if possible, endeavor to go to the city of Washington. May God Almighty bless you and the children and mother and all my friends. My heart bleeds. No more at present. If you con- clude to go to Kirtland, Cincinnati, or any other place, I wish you would contrive to inform me this evening. Joseph Smith. P. S. — Tf in your power, T want you should help Dr. Richards' family. 390 IMPROVEMENT ERA This letter is dated from "Safety," a hiding place in which the Prophet had taken refuge, and which he took care to avoid disclosing to any enemy into whose hands the letter by any mis- chance might fall. Such precaution was made necessary by the fact that many who professed to be his friends were, in reality, his enemies. The year (1844) is omitted from the date. A study of this letter is a pathetic and impressive revealment of the state of the Prophet's mind at the moment when it was written. That it was penned hurriedly, even abruptly, is plain enough. His love for his wife and children, and his mother, and his anxiety to provide for them, are vividly portrayed and in ; the portrayal he shows how little hope he has that he will escape from his enemies for this letter has much the character of a will. ; It virtually makes his wife his executrix, as it authorizes her to dispose of his property for the support of herself and their chil- dren, and his aged mother. "Do not despair if God ever opens ; a door that is possible for me, I will see you again." This sentence is a plain intimation that he was aware of his impending death. "I do not know where I shall go or what I shall do, but shall, if endeavor to go to the city of Washington." Betrayed possible, and hunted, the light of revelation for the time being failing to show his next step, how he, in these words, recalls the night the Savior spent in Gethsemane But his own danger and sufferings ! did not for a moment divert his thoughts from his loved ones and his brethren. This is strikingly proved by the postscript in which he charges his wife to aid Dr. Richards' family, if in her power to do so. He means Dr. Willard Richards, who narrowly escaped death with him four days later in Carthage jail. •"My heart bleeds." Not for himself, but for his family and his people. Grand, magnanimous and magnificent soul that he was! He knew by the gift of prophecy that the Church must leaveNauvoo and flee to the Rocky mountains but he did not ; know what would become of his wife and children. Would they go back to Kirtland, or seek refuge in Cincinnati, or where would they go? If his wife had any plans he was eager to be informed of them forthwith. God had commanded him, more than once, to petition the sources of earthly power for protection for himself and his peo- nle and it is clear that this commandment was in his mind, even ; in this dark hour, and that by it was inspired his purpose, most difficultof accomplishment, to make his way to the capital of the nation, there to implore the national government to protect his peo- ple from the mob violence that threatened their extermination. The next day after this letter was written, he yielded to the urgings of some of his friends and returned to Nauvoo, where he permitted himself to be taken into custody. Tl IIC PROPHET'S I. AST LETTERS 391 The second letter is as follows Carthage Jail, June 27tli, 1844. 20 past 8 a. m. Dear Emma: The Governor continues courtesies, and per- his mits us to see our friends. We hear this morning that the Governor will not go down with his troops today (to Nauvoo) as was anticipated last evening, but if he does come down with his troops you will be protected; and I want you to tell Brother Dunham to instruct the people to stay at home and attend to their own business; and let there be no groups or gathering together, unless by permission of the Governor they are called together to receive communications from the Governor, which would please our people. But let the Governor direct. Bro. Dunham of course will obey the Government officers, and render them the assistance they require. There is no danger of any "exterminating order." Should there be a mutiny among the troops (which we do not anticipate, excitement is abating), a part will remain loyal, and stand for the defense of the state and our rights. There is one principle which is eternal: It ts the duty of a!! men to protect their lives and the lives of their households whenever necessity requires; and no person has a right to forbid it. Should the last extreme arrive, — but 1 anticipate no such extreme. But cau- — tion is the parent of safety. Joseph Smith. P. S. Dear Emma: I am very much resigned to my lot, know- in? that I am justified and have done the best that could be done. Give my love to the children and all my friends, Mr. Brower and all who inquire after me; and as for treason, I know that T have not committed any. and they cannot prove one appearance of anything of the kind, so you need not have any fears that any harm can hap- pen to us on that score. May God bless you all. Amen. Joseph Smith. p s.— 20 minutes to 10. T just learned that the Governor is about to disband his troops — all but a guard to protect us and the peace— and come himself to Nauvoo and deliver a speech to the people. This is right as I suppose. It will be noted that this letter was written at twenty minutes past eight o'clock in the morning' of the day on which the martyr- dom of the Prophet and Patriarch occurred, but whether it was begun or finished at that exact time seems uncertain. The main part of the letter is in the handwriting of Dr. Willard Richards, ^n Mr. Smith told me, but the first postscript, and T believe the second, are in the handwriting of the Prophet. The two signatures are his autographs. The second postscript was written at twenty minutes before km o'clock, probably the last minute before the letter was handed to the messenger who was to convev it to Nauvoo, and records the very htest news that had reached the Prophet's ears relative to the steps Governor Ford was about to take. this letter was finished between seven and eight hours As before the Prophet was shot, it is probably the last he ever either wrote, dictated or signed. This circumstance alone would im- part to it profound interest and great value. Put a study of .its 392 IMTROVIvMENT l-.RA contents vastly increases its significance. It shows the state of the Prophet's mind, up to the very hour of his death, in regard to reverence for law and authority, and respect for officials who represent the one and exercise the other. He gives explicit instructions to the effect that the people in Nauvoo "attend to their own business," and do not gather in groups on the streets, nor form assemblages elsewhere, "unless by permission of the Governor they are called together to receive communications from the Governor." The Prophet seems to think such a proceeding "would please our people." But he explicitly says : "Let the Governor direct." It was a critical hour, and the Prophet was extremely anxious that the Saints should avoid doing or saying anything that could possibly increase the prevailing tension and excitement. "Bro. Dunham," to whom the Prophet's instructions were specially directed, was Major-General Jonathan Dunham, com- manding officer of the Nauvoo Legion. He is explicitly instructed to "obev the orders of the Government officers, and render them the assistance they require." Tn this, almost the very last recorded sentiment of the Prophet Joseph Smith, he shows his love for the law, his respect for its officers, and his desire that his people obev them and assist them in the performance of their duties. Coupled with this sentiment, however, he lays down "one principle which is eternal :It is the duty of all men to protect their lives and the lives of their households whenever necessitv requires, and no person has a right to forbid it." Both the courage and righteousness of this declaration must inspire every just and unbiased mind with admiration for its author, especially when the circumstances under which it was made are considered. Note the closing disjointed words "Should the last extreme : arrive — — but / anticipate no such extreme but caution is the parent of safety." How much the Prophet feared, and how nuic'n he foresaw, are partly disclosed and partly concealed by these words. Into the first postscript great thoughts are crowded. "I am very much resigned to my lot." On his way to Carthage, two davs before, he had said : "I go like a lamb to the slaughter." He knew what his lot was to be. "I am justified and have done the best that could be done." Here he records the judgment of his conscience on his course, a judgment of complete acquittal, which millions of the honest in heart throughout the world will yet con- firm, as thousands who knew him and his works best have done already. He tells his wife to give his love to their children. In jail, nnd in momentary danger of assassination, his heart reaches out after his children and imt only them but his friends. ; How