Chapter XIX. Speculation and Apostacy

"Something New." Sending the Apostles to the Nations. The British Mission Opened. A Significant Revelation. Historical Matters. Fall of Far West and Imprisonment of the Prophet.

"About this time," says Joseph, "the spirit of speculation in lands and property of all kinds, which was so prevalent throughout the whole nation, was taking deep root in the church. As the fruits of this spirit, evil surmisings, fault-finding, disunion, dissension, and apostacy followed in quick succession, and it seemed as though all the powers of earth and hell were combining their influence in an especial manner to overthrow the church, * * * and many became disaffected towards me as though i were the sole cause of those very evils I was most strenuously striving against, and which were actually brought upon us by the brethren not giving heed to my counsel.

" No quorum in the church was entirely free from the influence of those false spirits who were striving against me for the mastery. Even some of the Twelve were so far lost to their high and responsible calline as to beoqn to take sides, secretly, with the enemy.

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LIFE OF JOSEPH THE PROPHET,

"In this state of things God revealed to me that something new must be done for the salvation of his church. And on or about the ist of June, 1837, Heber C. Kimball, one of the Twelve, was set apart by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, prayer and the laying on of hands of the first presidency, to preside over a mission to England, to be the first foreign mission of the church of Christ in the last days."

Concerning this very important mission and crisis of the church, Heber C. Kimball says:

"On or about the ist of June, 1837, the prophet Joseph came to me while I was seated in the front stand, above the sacrament table on the Melchisedek side of the Temple, in Kirtland, and whispering to me, said, ' Brother Heber, the spirit of the Lord has whispered to me, Let my servant Heber go to England and proclaim my gospel and open the door of salvation to that nation.'

" The idea of being appointed to such an important mission was almost more than I could bear up under. I truly felt my weakness and unworthiness, yet the moment I understood the will of my heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that he would support me by his almighty power."

In accordance with this appointment, Heber, with Orson Hyde, Willard Richards and Joseph Fielding, who had been added to the apostolic embassy, set out for New York on the 13th of June.

It is proper to here state that many of Heber's brethren openly dissuaded him from undertaking this mission, offering every discouragement that

could be suggested. But although added to these there were serious financial embarrassments to be overcome, Heber and his brethren went dauntlessly forward, and, embarking at New York on the 1st of July, they reached Liverpool on the 20th of the same month, after a pleasant and healthful voyage. Proceeding thence to Preston, a city about thirty miles distant, they were permitted to occupy the pulpit of the Rev. James Fielding, on the afternoon and evening of Sunday, July 23d. "Thus," says Joseph, "was the key turned, and the door opened to the inhabitants of England. "

The Prophet, continuing his narrative, says, "The same day that the gospel was first preached in England I received the following word of the Lord unto Thomas B. Marsh, concerning the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb :

Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Thomas, I have heard thy prayers, and thine alms have come up as a memorial before me, in behalf of those thy brethren who were chosen to bear testimony of my name, and to send it abroad among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, and ordained through the instrumentality of my servants.

Verily I say unto you, there have been some few things in thine heart and with thee with which I, the Lord, was not well pleased ; nevertheless, inasmuch as thou hast abased thyself thou shalt be exalted ; therefore all thy sins are forgiven thee. Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face, and thou shalt bear record of my name, not only unto the Gentiles, but also unto the Jews; and thou shalt send forth my word unto the ends of the earth.

Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning,

and day after day let thy warning voice go forth, and when the nigfht cometh, let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber because of thy speech.

Let thy habitation be known in Zion,and remove not thy house, for I, the Lord, have a great work for thee to do, in publishing my name among the children of men ; therefore, gird up thy loins for the work. Let thy feet be shod also, for thou art chosen, and thy path lieth among the mountains, and among many nations; and by thy word many high ones shall be brought low, and by thy word many low ones shall be exalted. Thy voice shall be a rebuke unto the transgressor, and at thy rebuke let the tongue of the slanderer cease its perverseness.

Be thou humble, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give the answer to thy prayers. I know thy heart, and have heard thy prayers concerning thy brethren. Be not partial towards them in love above many others, but let thy love be for them as for thyself; and let thy love abound unto all men, and unto all who love thy name. And pray for thy brethren of the twelve. Admonish them sharply for my name's sake, and let them be admonished for all their sins, and be ye faithful before me unto my name. And after their temptations, and much tribulations, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and- 1 will heal them.

Now, I say unto you, and what I say unto you, I say unto all the twelve, Arise and gird up your loins, take up your cross, follow me, and feed my sheep. Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph, for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him ; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come.

Verily I say unto you, my servant Thomas, Thou

art the man whom I have chosen to hold the keys of my kingdom (as pertaining to the twelve) abroad among all nations, that thou mayest be my servant to unlock the door of the kingdom in all places where my servant Joseph, and my servant Sidney, and my servant Hyrum, cannot come; for on them have I laid the burden of all the churches for a little season ; wherefore, withersoever they shall send you, go ye, and I will be with you ; and in whatsoever place be shall proclaim my name, an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my word ; whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those (the first presidency) whom I have sent, whom I have made counsellors for my name's sake unto you.

And again, I say unto you, That whosoever ye shall send in my name, by the voice of your brethren, the twelve, duly recommended and authorized by you, shall have power to open the door of my kingdom unto any nation whithersoever ye shall send them, inasmuch as they shall humble themselves before me, and abide in my word, and hearken to the voice of my spirit.

Verily, verily I say unto you, Darkness coverth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face. Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation, and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.

And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord. First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.

Therefore, see to it that ye trouble not yourselves concerning the affairs of my church in this place, saith the Lord ; but purify your hearts before me, and then go ye into all the world, and preach my gospel unto every creature who has not received it, and he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not, and is not baptized, shall be damned.

For unto you (the twelve), and those (the first presidency) who are appointed with you, to be your counsellors, and your leaders, is the power of this priesthood given, for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fullness of times, which power you hold in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time from the beginning of the creation ; for verily I say unto you, the keys of the dispensation which ye have received, have come down from the fathers ; and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you.

Verily I say unto you, Behold how great is your calling. Cleanse your hearts and your garments, lest the blood of this generation be required at your hands. Be faithful until I come, for I come quickly, and my reward is with me to recompense every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega. Amen.

It will be seen that this singular revelation was addressed to the president of the " Twelve Apostles of the Lamb." Thomas B. Marsh, through the order of seniority, is filling that position ; but mark what follows. The man whom the revelation is addressed to has a " path " which " lieth among the mountains." At that moment Brigham Young came forward, and in all his actions seemed decidedly to affirm, "Joseph, I am that man, not Thomas. Give me the

keys which have come down from the fathers, for they belong to me." Joseph knew his St. Peter then ; and he gave him the keys. The marked fact of that period is that Brigham revealed himself, and wrested the keys of the presidency of the Twelve from the hands of Thomas B. Marsh, and fulfilled that revelation to the letter. Take from that revelation the points concerning the personality of Thomas B. Marsh, and see how exactly does the remainder apply to the character, mission, and life of Brigham Young.

Mark also the following, from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, concerning the man who was to be raised up from among the brethren who should lead modern Israel like unto Moses, and whose " path lieth among the mountains:"

" Behold, I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come by power: therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel; for ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham, and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched out arm : and as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be."

" Thursday, July 27th," says Joseph, "I started from Kirtland, in company with elders Rigdon and Marsh, for the purpose of visiting the saints in Canada."

Here it should be noticed that Brigham Young, on coming into the church in 1832, immediately journeyed into Canada, in quest of his brother

Joseph Young, who at that time was there in the capacity of a Methodist minister; and he twice returned to Canada on mission, building up branches of the church there. After this, in the Spring of 1836, Apostle Parley P. Pratt went to the city of Toronto and accomplished a great work in Upper Canada. Joseph Fielding and sisters were there baptized by him, and through the Fielding family the work obtained a footing in England; Joseph Fielding, as we have seen, being one of the missionaries to that land, while his brother's church in Preston was the first place in which the apostles preached, and from that brother's flock was organized the first branch of the Latter-day Church in England.

But undoubtedly Parley's greatest result in Canada was the baptism of John Taylor (now President of the Twelve, and successor of Brigham Young). To visit the church under Elder Taylor was Joseph's purpose in going to Upper Canada at that period.

Returning to Kirtland about the last of August, Joseph dispatched by the hand of Thomas B. Marsh a letter to the church in Zion, setting forth the embarrassments and dissensions in the church in Kirtland, and inclosing a minute of the summary proceedings by which the eruption had been grappled with, and recommending the same to the church in Zion in case of a similar contingency.

The letter and minutes referred to are, like many other interesting documents of that period, necessarily omitted from this work; but they are here mentioned for the purpose of calling attention to the magnitude of the difficulties that then so far menaced

the church as to finally cause the falling away of Thomas B. Marsh. But it may be supplementally stated of him that he thirty years afterwards came up to the mountains to die amongst the saints.

Just such an example occurred in the ministry of Jesus at Jerusalem, insomuch that he, turning to Peter and the more stable of his apostles, said, " Will ye also go away?" and Peter answered, "Lord, whither shall we go seeing thou hast the words of eternal life ?"

Omitting much of the detail of those times, let us follow Joseph to Far West, Mo. May 18th, 1838, he says:

" I left Far West, in company with Sidney Rigdon, T. B. Marsh, D. W. Patten, Bishop Partridge, E. Higbee, S. Carter, Alanson Ripley, and many others, for the purpose of visiting the north country and laying off a stake of Zion, making locations, and laying claims to facilitate the gathering of the saints, and for the benefit of the poor, in upbuilding the church of God."

Pursuing their journey for two days, they reached a point on Grand River, which they proceeded to locate and lay claim to for a city plot, and which the brethren named Spring Hill, "but," says Joseph, " by the mouth of the Lord it was named Adam-ondi-ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the ancient of days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the Prophet."

The party remained in this vicinity about eight days, exploring, surveying, and locating lands, and the new city of Adam-ondi-ahman thereafter received considerable attention from the Prophet.

The 4th of July was made the occasion for a grand celebration by the saints in Far West, which included in its ceremonies the laying of the several corner-stones of the contemplated " Lord's House," and was brilliantly sustained by music and the military.

In the meantime the saints in Kirtland, admonished by vision and prophecy, determined to gather to Far West; and on the 5th of July they pitched their tents near the temple, and on the following morning moved out, five hundred and fifteen strong.

On the 8th, with a touch of the genuine spirit of the Ancient, Joseph wrote in his epistle to the authorities at Kirtland : " Is there not room enough upon the mountains of Adam-ondi-ahman, and upon the plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the land where Adam dwelt, that you should covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the more weighty matters ? Therefore come up hither unto the land of my people, even Zion."

On that same day was also given that particular revelation to the Twelve, so often the subject of historical sermons by the apostles in after days ; for Missouri gave a formal " challenge to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," that " though all the rest of Joe Smith's revelations should be fulfilled this one should not." As will be presently seen, when the State of Missouri cast Joseph into prison, Brigham and the other apostles took up the challenge. The revelation is as follows :

"Verily, thus saith the Lord, let a conference be held immediately, let the Twelve be organized, and

let men be appointed to supply the place of those who are fallen. Let my servant Thomas remain for a season in the land of Zion, to publish my word. Let the residue continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families, and an effectual door shall be opened for them, from henceforth; and next Spring let them depart to go over the great waters, and there promulgate my gospel, the fullness thereof, and bear record of my name. Let them take leave of my saints in the city of Far West, on the 26th day of April next, on the building spot of my house, saith the Lord.

Let my servant John Taylor, and also my servant John E. Page, and also my servant Wilford Woodruff, and also my servant Willard Richards be appointed to fill the places of those who have fallen, and be officially notified of their appointment.

On Sunday, July 29th, Elders Kimball and Hyde, having just returned from England, preached at Far West.

The saints were now rapidly gathering from Canada, and Ohio, and elsewhere, to Far West ; but Zion had to obey her own law. Westward her course. Destined for the mountains from which the 'Tittle stone" is to roll back upon the "Image." Their providence was driving the saints "out of Babylon." All Missouri rose in arms against them. To the climax of those events we must hasten, for the full history of them is a volume in itself.

The famous battle of Crooked River was fought, in which Apostle Patten and young O'Banion fell ; the horrible massacre at Haun's Mill, and other

appalling atrocities were perpetrated ; and as Joseph stood over the remains of the first apostolic martyr of the latter-days, he exclaimed, "There lies a man who has done just as he said he would — he has laid down his life for his friends." Such an example could but touch the heart of Joseph deeply, for in his own soul was the prophecy of a similar fate. Immediately came the following:

Headquarters Militia, City of Jefferson, Mo., Oct. 27, 1838. Sir:

Since the order of the morning to you, directing you to cause four hundred mounted men to be raised within your division, I have received by Amos Rees, Esq., and Wiley E. Williams, Esq., one of my aids, information of the most appalling character, which changes the whole face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude of open and avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made war upon the people of this State. Your orders are, therefore, to hasten your operations and endeavor to reach Richmond, Ray Co., with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated, or driven from the State, if necessary, for the public good. Their outrages are beyond all description. If you can increase your force, you are authorized to do so to any extent you may think necessary. I have just issued orders to Major-General Wallock.of Marion Co., to raise five hundred men, and to march them to the northern part of Davies, and there to unite with Gen. Doniphan, of Clay, who has been ordered with five hundred men to proceed to the same point, for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have been directed to communicate with you by express ; you can also communicate

with them if you find it necessary Instead, therefore, of proceeding, as at first directed, to reinstate the citizens of Davies in their homes, you will proceed immediately to Richmond, and there operate against the Mormons. Brigadier-General Parks, of Ray, has been ordered to have four hundred men of his brigade in readiness to join you at Richmond. The whole force will be placed under your command.

L. W. Boggs, Gov. and Commander-in-Chief. To General Clark.

Great excitement now prevailed, and mobs were heard of in every direction. House-burning and general spoliation of the Mormon settlers was indulged in indiscriminately, and the affairs of the saints seemed to be culminating in a fearful doom.

Of the final fall of Far West, Joseph relates:

" On the 30th of October a large company of armed soldiery were seen approaching Far West. They came up near to the town, and then drew back about a mile, and encamped for the night. We were informed that they were militia, ordered out by the Governor for the purpose of stopping our proceedings, it having been represented to his Excellency, by wicked and designing men from Davies, that we were the aggressors, and had committed outrages in Davies, &c. They had not yet got the Governor's order of extermination, which, I believe, did not arrive till the next day.

"Wednesday, 31st. The militia of Far West guarded the city the past night, and threw up a temporary fortification of wagons, timber, &c, on the south. The sisters, many of them, were engaged

in gathering up their most valuable effects, fearing a terrible battle in the morning, and that the houses might be fired, and they obliged to flee, the enemy being five to one against us.

"About eight o'clock a flag was sent, which was met by several of our people, and it was hoped that matters would be satisfactorily arranged after the officers had heard a true statement of all the circumstances. Colonel Hinkle went to meet the flaof, and secretly made an engagement, ist. To give up their [the church's] leaders to be tried and punished; 2d. To make an appropriation of their property— all who had taken up arms — to the payment of their debts, and indemnity for damage done by them ; 3d. That the balance should leave the State, and be protected out by the militia, but be permitted to remain under protection until further orders were received from the Commander-in-Chief; 4th. To give up the arms of every description, to be receipted for.

"The enemy was reinforced by about one thousand five hundred men to-day, and news of the destruction of property by the mob reached us from every quarter.

" Towards evening I was waited upon by Colonel Hinkle, who stated that the officers of the militia desired to have an interview with me and some others, hoping that the difficulties might be settled without having occasion to carry into effect the exterminating orders which they had received from the Governor. I immediately complied with the request, and in company with elders Rigdon and Pratt, Colonel Wight and George W. Robinson,

went into the camp of the militia. But judge of my surprise, when, instead of being treated with that respect which is due from one citizen to another, we were taken as prisoners of war, and were treated with the utmost contempt. The officers would not converse with us, and the soldiers, almost to a man, insulted us as much as they felt disposed, breathing out threats against me and my companions. I cannot begin to tell the scene which I there witnessed. The loud cries and yells of more than one thousand voices, which rent the air and could be heard for miles, and the horrid and blasphemous threats and curses which were poured upon us in torrents, were enough to appall the stoutest heart. In the evening we had to lie down on the cold ground, surrounded by a strong guard, who were only kept back by the power of God from depriving us of life. We petitioned the officers to know why we were thus treated, but they utterly refused to give us any answer or to converse with us. * * *

"Thursday, Nov. ist. Brothers Hyrum Smith and Amasa Lyman were brought prisoners into camp. They held a court-martial and sentenced us to be shot, on Friday morning, on the public square. * * * However, notwithstanding their sentence and determination, they were not permitted to carry their murderous sentence into execution. * * * The militia then went into the town, and without any restraint whatever plundered the houses and abused the innocent and unoffending inhabitants. They went to my house and drove my family out of doors. * * * Gen. Lucas ordered the Caldwell militia to give up their arms, and the brethren gave

them up, — their own property, which no government on earth had a right to require. * * * We were taken to the town, into the public square, and before our departure from Far West, were, after much entreaty, permitted to see our families, being attended all the while with a strong guard. * * * I was then taken back to camp, and then with Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, Amasa Lyman, and George W. Robinson, was started off for Independence, Jackson Co., and encamped at night on Crooked River, under a strong guard commanded by Generals Lucas and Wilson."

The Prophet is now a prisoner for the "testimony of Jesus."