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Times and Seasons.
Edited by Ebenezer Robinson, et al. 6 vols. Commerce, Illinois,
and Nauvoo, Illinois, 1839-1846.Carmack, John K.
Times and Seasons, Vol.1, p.164-165
The court at last closed, on the 29th of November, after a
session of two weeks, and three days, and during most of the
time we were closely confined in chains. At the close of the
court, and some few days before it closed, there were a
considerable number of those who had been arrested by Gen. Clark
released. Out of that number was Amasa Lyman, Esq. who was one
of the seven, who had been carried to Jackson county, and from
thence to Ray. They were either all released, or admitted to
bail, except Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, Hyrum Smith, Alexander
McRay, Joseph Smith, Jr. and Sidney Rigdon; who were sent to
Liberty, Clay co. to jail, to stand their trial for treason and
murder. The treason, for having whipped the mob out of Daviess
co. and taking their cannon from them; and the murder, for the
man killed in the Bogart battle. Also Parley P Pratt, Morris
Phelps, Luman Gibbs, Darwin Chase, and Norman Shearer; who
were put into Richmond jail, to stand their trial, for the same
crimes. At this time the Legislature had commenced its session,
and a Memorial was presented to the senate and house of
Representatives, to obtain a committee to investigate the whole
affair pertaining to the Governor's order, the operations of the
mob, and the conduct and operations of the Militia, while at Far
West.
After much legislation, disputation and controversy, and angry
speechifying; as the papers of Missouri, published at the time,
abundantly testify. the petition and memorial, were laid on the
table, until the July following; thus utterly refusing to grant
the memorialists, their request; thereby refusing to investigate
the subject; and thus it stands until this day, uninvestigated
by any legal authority. After we were cast into prison, we heard
nothing but threatenings, that if any Judge or Jury, or court of
any kind, should clear any of us, that we should never get out
of the State alive. This soon determined our course; and that
was, to escape out of their hands as soon as we could; and by
any means we could. After we had been some length of time in
prison, we demanded a writ of Habeas Corpus of Judge Turnham,
one of the county Judges; which with some considerable
reluctance, was granted. Great threatenings were made at this
time by the mob. that if any of us were liberated we should
never get out of the county alive. After the investigation one
of our number was released from prison by the decision of the
Judge; the remainder were committed to jail. He also returned
with them until a favorable opportunity offered which through
the friendship of the Sheriff. Mr. Samuel Hadley, and the
jailor, Mr. Samuel Tillery, he was let out of the jail secretly,
in the night, and being solemnly warned by them to be out of the
state with as little delay as possible, he made his escape.
Being pursued by a body of armed men, it was through the
direction of a kind providence that he escaped out of their
hands and safely arrived in Quincy, This was in February, A. D.
1839.
In the May following, the remainder that were in the Liberty
Jail, were taken to Daviess county to be tried by a grand jury
of the principal mobbers, in order to see if a bill of
indictment, could be found as could be expected from the
characters of the jury. Bills were found, they obtained a change
of venue to Boon county, accordingly the Sheriff of Daviess
county, with guards, started to take them from Daviess to Boon
county. On their way after journeying a day or two, one evening
the guard got drunk they left them, and also made their escape
to Quincy, Illinois.
Those that were in Ray County Jail were brought to trial, but no
bill of indictment was found against Darwin Chase and Norman
Shearer, and they were released and sent home. A bill was found
against Parley P. Pratt, Morris Phelps, and Luman Gibbs
for murder, and also a man by the name of King Follet for
robbery. -- They also obtained a change of venue to Boon co.,
and were carried thither and put into jail and there remained
until the fourth of July. At this time the town was all hilarity
and mirth at the celebration. They also made a flag and had it
placed over the jail doors. In the evening when the Jailor
brought in their suppers, they walked out at the door: that is,
Parley P. Pratt, Morris Phelps, and King Follett; Luman Gibbs
continued, the others were closely pursued and Follett was
retaken and carried back; but the other two effected their
escape to the state of Illinois. Some time afterwards King
Follett had his trial and was acquitted. Luman Gibbs remains in
prison unto this day, 26th October, 1839.
As to those that were left in the Counties of Caldwell and
Daviess, they were making all possible exertions to get away all
winter, contrary to the stipulations of Gen. Clark and Lucas,
granting them the privilege of staying until spring. Bodies of
armed men were riding through the town of Far West in the County
of Caldwell, threatening death to them if they were not out in
the month of February, and otherwise insulting them. They
continued however to exert themselves with all possible means in
their power; many of them had no teams or wagons. Having been
robbed, yes completely robbed of all they had, great exertions
therefore had to be made by those who had means. Through great
exertions and timely perseverance they succeeded in getting them
safely into the State of Illinois, where we all are now and
where we have met with a kind reception.
Public meetings were held in Quincy; contributions raised to
assist the suffering, and every exertion which humanity dictated
was made for our relief. But still we are, as a people, poor and
destitute. We have been robbed of our all and many of us are
without houses, living in tents and wagons. In consequence of
our exposure, we have suffered this summer much sickness and
numbers have died, and our prospects for the ensuring winter are
gloomy. But gloomy as they are, still we are not discouraged. A
large majority of us are farmers, but our teams, as well as our
flocks and herds and all our farming materials were taken from
us. Many who were independent, are now working by days works, to
maintain their families, numbers of them old men, sixty years
old and upwards. -- Such is our true situation, and as such we
make our Appeal to the American People.
Times and Seasons Vol. 1, No. 3. Commerce, Illinois January
1840
We have received a copy of the history of the late persecution
in Missouri, written by P. P. Pratt, while imprisoned in that
State; published at Detroit, Michigan. It contains 84 pages
written in a concise and comprehensive manner; beginning with
the outrages of Jackson county, he exhibits the most conspicuous
characters' in their unhallowed conduct from that time, until
the whole society of the saints were driven from the State. It
contains an account of his miraculous escape from prison, also
the escape of Elder Morris Phelps, at the same time. We
could say much in favor of the style and boldness of the writer,
but this is not our object; the plain unvarnished statement of
facts, which can be demonstrated by thousands; is what pleases
us, though it's but a small pamphlet, yet we would that all ears
were made to hear it, and that every true Republican would awake
from the slumber that has so long pervaded this Republic, and no
longer suffer innocence to groan under the lash of murderers and
tyrants, and would raise the standard of "equal rights," and
bring to condign punishment, those that have trampled with
impunity upon our wholesome constitution, and made laws and
Justice a mere by-word.
TIMES AND SEASONS
CITY OF NAUVOO
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1841.
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THE LATE PROCEEDINGS.
Much anxiety, undoubtedly, exists in the minds of the saints
respecting the late proceedings in reference to Pres. Joseph
Smith, and many reports have been circulated calculated to
mislead the public mind. We shall, therefore, give a brief
account of the proceedings as far as they have come under our
notice.
On Saturday, the 5th inst., as Pres. Joseph Smith was on his
return from Quincy, to which place he had accompanied Pres.
Hyrum Smith and William Law, on their mission to the East, he
was arrested, at the Bear Creek Hotel, by two officers of
Justice, on a warrant from Gov. Carlin, to deliver him up to the
authorities of Missouri. He accordingly returned to Quincy, and
obtained a writ of [habeas corpus] before C. A. Warren, Esq.,
Master in Chancery; and Judge Douglass happening to come to
Quincy that evening, appointed to give a hearing on the Tuesday
following, in Monmouth, Warren county, where the court was then
sitting. On Sunday evening, he returned to Nauvoo in charge of
the officers, and on Monday morning started for Monmouth,
accompanied by several of his friends. On arriving at that place
we found great excitement prevailing in the public and, and
great curiosity was manifested by the citizens, who were
extremely anxious to obtain a sight of the prophet.
On Tuesday morning, Mr. Little, or the defence, motioned that
the case of Mr. Smith should be taken up, but was objected to by
the States attorney pro tem, on account of his not being
prepared, not having had sufficient notice of the trial. It was
accordingly, by mutual consent, postponed until Wednesday
morning.
Tuesday evening, great excitement prevailed, & the citizens
employed several attorney stop plead against the defendant.
At an early hour on Wednesday morning, the Court House was
filled with spectators desirous to hear the proceedings.
Mr. Morrison on behalf of the people wished for time to send to
Springfield for the indictment, it not being found with the rest
of the papers.
This course would have delayed the proceedings, and as it was
not important to the issue, the attorneys for the defence
admitted that there was an indictment, so, that the
investigation might proceed.
Mr. Warren, for the defence, then read the petition of the
Defendant, which stated that he was unlawfully held in custody,
and that the indictment in Missouri was obtained by fraud,
bribery, and duress, all of which he was prepared to prove.
Mr. Little then called upon the following witnesses viz:
Morris Phelps, Elias Higbee, Reynolds Cahoon and George W.
Robinson who were sworn. The council on the opposite side,
objected to hearing evidence on the merits of the case, as they
could not go beyond the indictment. Upon this a warm and long
discussion occurred, which occupied the attention of the Court
through the entire day.
All the Lawyers on the opposite side excepting two viz: Messrs.
Knowlton and Jennings, confined themselves to the merits of the
case, and conducted themselves as gentlemen; but it was plainly
evident that the design of the gentlemen above named, was to
excite the public mind still more on the subject, and inflame
the passions of the people against the defendant and his
religion.
The council on behalf of the defence, acted nobly and honorably,
and stood up in defence of the persecuted, in a manner worthy of
high minded and honorable gentlemen. Some had even been told,
that if they engaged on the side of the defence, they need never
look to the citizens of that county for any political favors.
But they were not to be overawed by the popular clamor, or be
detered from an act of public duty by any insinuations or
threats whatever, and staed, that if they had not before
determined to take a part in the defence, they, after hearing
the threats of the community, were now fully determined to
discharge their duty. The council for the defence spoke well,
without exception, and strongly urged the legality of the court
examining testimony to prove that they whole proceedings on the
part of Missouri, were base an illegal, and that the indictment
was obtained through fraud, bribery, and corruption. The court,
after hearing the coucil, adjourned about half past 10 o'clock
P.M. thursday morning, the court was opened about 8 o'clock,
when the Judge delivered his opinion on the case.
He said, that the write once being returned to the executive, by
the Sheriff of Hancock county was dead and stood in the same
relationship as any other writ which might issue from the
Circuit Court and consequently the defendant could not be held
in custody on that writ.
The other point, whether evidence in the case was admissable or
not, he would not at that time decide, as it involved great and
important considerations, relative to the future conduct of the
different states. There being no precedent as far as they had
access to authorities, to guide them; but he would endeavor to
examine the subject and avail himself of all the authorities
which could be obtained on the subject before he would decide
that point. But on the other, the defendant must be liberated.
This decision was received with satisfaction by the brethren,
and all those whose minds were free from prejudice.
It is now decided that before another writ can issue, a new
demand must be made by the Governor of Missouri. -- Whether such
a demand will be made or not, we do not know, but we should
imagine not. We should think that Missouri has already earned
disgrace enough, and that she would be pleased if that foul
stain which now rest upon her, was wiped from her escutcheon. We
are not informed that there has been any new demand made for the
defendant or others since the reign of Governor Boggs, nor do we
believe that Governor Reynolds ever will. And we hope, that on
the part of the executive of this state, these proceedings will
drop, and never more be revived. What good can result from such
prosecutions we cannot imagine. Surely the saints have been
persecuted enough; they have been trampled upon long enough by
the citizens of Missouri, and we believe they never would have
made the demand for any of our brethren, if a demand had not
been made for some of their citizens who had forcibly abducted
several of our brethren, and without even the form of a trial,
tied them up, whipt, and otherwise abused them.
lt is not that the parties shrink from a fair and impartial
investigation, far from it: this is what we desire, but can that
be obtained in Missouri, where mobs are suffered to roam in
despite of the laws and its administrators, and can with
impunity commit murder and arson, upon the defenceless Mormons
and no one to bring them to justice? We say no! In Missouri mobs
are above the laws. They know no other bounds to their vengeance
than what their wicked and vile passions dictate. For instance,
the murder on Shoal creek of seventeen persons, who were moving
into the country, who had committed no offence against the laws,
but because of their religious tenets, were butchered in cold
blood. And, we would ask where are the perpetrators? They are
there yet and can unblushingly boast of their bloody achievement
in that vicinity, and yet there has been no attempt to have them
arrested and brought to trial. Why then are people so sensitive
upon the subject of Joseph Smith and others, being given up to
the Missourians? Does it arise from a sense of justice and of
right, or is it because of their religion?
The conduct of our persecutors answers the question.
But what have the Saints done in Missouri for which they must
suffer such persecutions?
They have after being threatened, abused, sued, harassed by
mobs, and after appealing to the authorities in vain, dared to
stand up in their own defence and in that of liberty and the
laws -- They have resisted oppression and injustice by every
lawful means, and when they did so; they were obliged by
executive power to leave their inheritances. These things are
true, and can be substantiated, and whatever we have to suffer
in consequence thereof, we can appeal to him "that searcheth the
hearts and trieth the reins of the children of men" and say,
"Thou who knowest all things, knowest that these things are
true.'
We do not ask for sympathy, but fair and impartial justice from
all, which, if we obtain we shall feel satisfied.
Times and Seasons Vol. 5, No. 20. Nauvoo, Illinois Nov. 2,
1844
President B. Young then appeared and proceeded to select men
from the high priest's quorum, to go abroad in all the
congressional districts of the United States, to preside over
the branches of the church, as follows:
David Evans, A. O. Smoot, Edson Whipple, Harvey Green, J.S.
Fulmer, J.G. Divine, J.H. Johnson, Lester Brooks, J.B. Nobles,
Rufus Fisher, D.B. Huntington, Joseph Holbrook, John Lawson,
Abel Lamb, J.H. Hale
G.D. Watt, J.W. Johnson, L.T. Coons, J.L. Robinson, Howard
Corey, M. Serrine, Pelatiah Brown, Jefferson Hunt, Lorenzo Snow,
William Snow, Noah Packard, A.L. Rippets, J.C. Kingsbury, Jacob
Foutz, Peter Haws
Thomas Gates, Simeon Carter, Albert Brown, Levi Gifford, Elijah
Fordham, Edward Fisher, Franklin D. Richards, Isaac Clark, J.S.
Holman, Wandell Mace, Charles Thompson, John Murdock, John
Chase, A.L. Lamoreaux, E.T. Benson, Thomas Grover, C.L. Whitney,
Addison Everett, Moses Clawson, William Parks
George Colson, H.W. Miller, Isaac Higbee, Daniel Carns, E.H.
Groves, G.P. Dykes, Willard Snow, Wm. Felshaw, Winslow Farr,
Shadrach Roundy, S.B. Stoddard, E.D. Wolley, Solomon Hancock,
Abraham Palmer, James Brown, R. McBride, W.D. Pratt, Martin H.
Peck, Morris Phelps, D. McArthur, Archibald Patten, L.H.
Ferry, Charles Crisman, Lyman Stoddard, Arnold Stevens, David
Fulmer, Joseph Allen, Andrew Perkins, Daniel Carter, Wm. G.
Perkins, Graham Coltrin, D.H. Redfield, Titus Billings, Harvey
Olumstead, Daniel Stanton
President Young explained the object for which these high
priests were being sent out, and informed then that it was not
the design to go out and tarry six months and then return, but
to go and settle down, where they can take their families and
tarry until the Temple is built, and then come and get their
endowment, and return to their families and build up a stake as
large as this.
Times and Seasons
No. 8. Nauvoo, Illinois, April 15, 1844. Whole No. 92
The following is a list of the names
of the elders who are appointed to the several states, together
with their appointments. Those who are numbered with the figures
1 and 2, will take the presidency of the several states to which
they are appointed.
MAINE.
Josiah Butterfield 1st
Jonathan H. Hale
Ellridge Tufts 2nd
Henry Herriman
Sylvester B. Stoddard John Moon
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Willard Snow 1st
Harley Morey
Howard Egan 2nd
David Clough
Alvin Cooley
Calvin Reed
John S. Twiss
Chillon Mack
Charles A. Adams
Isaac Burton
Pethuel Miller
Israel Barlow
Abraham D. Boynton
MASSACHUSETTS.
Daniel Spencer 1st
George Lloyd
Milton F. Bartlett
Orlando D. Hovey
Daniel Loveland
Nathaniel Ashby
Joseph J. Woodbury
Samuel P. Hoyt
Wm. H. Woodbury
Daniel W. Gardner
John R. Blauchard
RHODE ISLAND.
William Seabury 1st
Thomas McTaggert
Melvin Wilbur
CONEECTICUT.
E.H. Davis 1st
Q.S. Sparks
VERMONT.
Erastus Snow 1st
Warren Snow
William Ide
Dominicus Carter
Denman Cornish
Levi Hancock
Jeremiah Hatch
Alfred Cordon
Martin Titus
Charles Snow
William Haight
James Snow
John D. Chase
A.M. Harding
Josiah H. Perry
Isaac Houston
NEW YORK.
Charles Wandell 1st Wm. Newland
Marcellus Bates 2d
Allen Wait
Truman Gillett
Wm. H. Parshall
A.A. Farnbam
C.H. Whoelock
Edmund Ellsworth Timothy
B. Foot
Gregory Bentley
George W. Fowler
Homer C. Hoit
Henery L. Cook
Issac Chase
Wm. W. Dryer
Simeon A. Dunn
Elijah Reed
Daniel Shearer
Solon Foster
James W. Phippin
Hiram Bennett
James H. Van Natta Chandler
Holbrook
Samuel P. Bacon
Lyman Hall
Bradford Elliot
Wm. Felshaw
J.R.G. Phelps
Daniel Fisher
John Tanner
Martin H. Tanner
Thomas E. Fuller
Gilbert D. Goldsmith
O.M. Duel
Charles Thompson
Samuel White
B.C. Ellsworth
Wm. R.R. Stowell
Archibald Bates
Wm.D. Pratt
David Pettegrew
Marcellus McKown Ellis
Eames
Horace S. Eldridge
NEW JERSEY.
Ezra T. Benson 1st John
Pack
PENNSYLVANIA.
David Yearsley 1st
Wm. P. McIntire
Edson Whipple 2nd Jacob
Zundall
John Duncan
Orin D. Farlin
Stephen Post
Henry Mower
G.W. Crouse
George Chamberlain
Jacob Shoemaker
Thomas Hess
Stephen Winchester A.J. Glaefke
Hyrum Nyman
Henry Deane
J.M Cole
James Downing
Charles Warner
DELAWARE.
John Jones
Warren Snow
Jonathan O. Duke Justus Mone
MARYLAND.
Jacob Hamblin
Lyman Stoddard
Patrick Norris
VIRGINIA.
Benj. Winchester 1st
James Park
Seabert C. Shelton 2nd A.W. Whitney
George D. Watt 3rd
Pleasant Ewell
Chapman Duncan
W.E. Higginbottom
Joseph King
John F. Petts
Peter Fife
Alfred B. Lambson
Robert Hamilton
David Evans
NORTH CAROLINA.
A. McRae 1st
John Holt
Aaron Razer 2nd
John Houston
Thomas Guymon
James Sanderson
George Watt
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Alonzo LeBaron 1st John M. Emell
Wm. D. Lyman
Ekells Truly
Wm. Smith
GEORGIA.
Morgan L. Gardner Isaac
Beebee
Miles Anderson
S.E. Carpenter
KENTUCKY.
John D. Lee 1st
D.D. Hunt
D.H. Rogers
M.B. Welton
Samuel B. Frost
Horace B. Owens
John O. Angus
Joseph Holbrook
Charles Spry
Hiram W. Mikesell
John H. Reid
Garrett W. Mikesell
Wm. Watkins
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TENNESSEE.
A.O. Smoot 1st
Alfred Bell
Alphonzo Young 2nd Armstead Moffit
W.W. Riley
David P. Rainey
Amos Davis
James Holt
Libeus T. Coons
Warren Smith
Jackson Smith
John J. Sasnett
Wm. P. Vance
Joseph Younger
H.D. Buys
George W. Langely
Alfred D. Young
George Penn
J.J. Caststeel
Henry B. Jacobs
Joseph A. Kelting
John L. Fullmer
Jonathan Hampton Joseph
Monut
ALABAMA.
Benjamin Clapp 1st George W.
Brandon
Lorenzo D. Butler
Thomas J. Brandon
MISSISSIPPI.
John B. Walker
Ethan Barrows
Daniel Tyler
LOUISIANA.
J.B. Bosworth 1st
John Kelly
Wm. Nelson
George Pew
Henry H. Wilson
Lorenzo Moore
ARKANSAS.
Andrew A. Timmons Darwin Chase
John A. McIntosh
Nathaniel Lovett
OHIO
Lorenzo Snow 1st
L.O. Littlefield
Lester Brooks 2nd
John M. Powers
Alfred Brown
Milo Andrus
John J. Riser
John Lovelace
James Carroll
Wm. H. Folsom
John Cooper
Loren Babitt
Simeon Carter
Elijah Newman
John Nichols
Milton Stow
David Jones
Edson Barney
Nathaniel Childs
Hiram Dayton
Jesse Johnson
Lysander Dayton
John A. Casper
Jacob Morris
Joseph Rose
Ezra Strong
Wm. Brothers
J.M. Emmett
Jared Porter
Allen Tulley
John W. Roberts
Phinehas H. Young
Wm. Batson
S.P. Hutchins
George C. Riser
Joseph H. Foster
Clark Rewis
Nathan T. Porter
B.W. Wilson
Ezra Vincent
A.W. Condit
INDIANA.
Amasa Lyman 1st
Urban Stewart
George P. Dykes 2nd Washington Lemon
A.L. Lamoreaux
Edward Carlin
Charles Hopkins
Lorenzo Young
F.M. Edwards
Wm. Snow
Salmon Warner
Nathan Tanner
Franklin D. Richards Wm.
Martindale
Samuel W. Richards Henry Elliot
John Mackly
Aaron Farr
James Newberry
John Jones
Abraham Palmer
Frederick Ott
John G. Smith
MICHIGAN.
C.C. Rich 1st
David Savage
Harvey Green 2nd I.
Van Deuzen
Thomas Dunn
Graham Coltrin
R.D. Sprague
Samuel Parker
Joseph Curtis
Jeremiah Curtis
Zebedee Coltrin
Charles W. Hubbard
Reuben W. Strong
Stephen D. Willard
Levi N. Kendall
Wm. Gribble
Wm. Savage
ILLINOIS.
Elisha H. Groves 1st John Vance
Morris Phelps 2nd Samuel
Mulliner
E.R. Swackhammer John
Gould
H. Omstead
Zenos H. Gurley
Galena
H.W. Barnes
Jefferson Hunt
Hiram Mott
J.L. Burnham
David Candland
David J. Kershner
W.A. Duncan
Nathaniel Levett
Wm. O. Clark
John Lawrence
Almon Bathrick
Nathan A. West
Philip H. Buzzard
Levi Jackman
Zachariah Hardy
Abel Lamb
John Hammond
Joward Corey
George W. Hickerson Stephen Markham
Daniel Allen
Levi Stewart
David Judah
James Graham
Thomas Dobson
Timothy S. Hoyt
James Nelson
Duncan McArthur
David Lewis
MISSOURI.
Andrew H. Perkins 1st William Corey
John Lowry 2nd
O.M. Allen
William G. Rule
Wm. H. Jordan
WISCONSIN TERRITORY.
S.H. Briggs
FREE.
F. Nickerson 1st
L.S. Nickerson
A.C. Nickerson
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Those elders who are
numbered in the fore going list, to preside over the different
states, will appoint conferences in all places in their several
states where opportunities present, and will attend ALL the
conferences, or send experienced and able elders -- who will
preach the truth in righteousness, and present before the people
"General Smith's views of the power and policy of the General
Government" and seek diligently to get up electors who will go
for him for the presidency. All the elders will be faithful in
preaching the gospel in its simplicity, and beauty, in all
meekness, humility, long suffering and prayerfulness; and the
Twelve will devote the season to travelling, and will attend as
many conferences as possible.
506
Elder B. Winchester is instructed to pass through Mississippi,
Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia, to
visit the churches, hold conferences and preside over them.
BRIGHAM YOUNG, Pres.
Times and Seasons Vol. 3, No. 9. Nauvoo, Illinois Mar. 1,
1842 Whole No.45
To H.C. KIMBALL.
For the Times and Seasons.
OBITUARY.
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of our highly
esteemed and worthy sister, LAURA PHELPS, consort of Morris
Phelps, who departed this life Feb. 2d, in the 36th year of her
age. She was warned of her approaching dissolution, and desired
her companion to have her remains conveyed to Nauvoo, and there
be interred with her old tried friends, who, with her, had
passed through many trials, and afflictions, and had their days
shortened by the unparalleled cruelties which had been heaped
upon them. She was one of the first who embraced the gospel,
consequently suffered much persecution from her friends; but by
leaving them, and also her father's family, to be gathered with
the Saints, she manifested to the world that no sacrifice was
too great for her to make for the cause which she had espoused.
She was one of the number driven from Jackson county, in 1833,
at which time she suffered many privations, but her mind was
calm and unruffled, for she had a firm reliance on Him whose arm
is able to save all who put their trust in Him. During our
persecutions in Mo. in '39, she endeared herself to many of her
friends by her acts of kindness, and in many instances her
conduct was truly heroic. When my life was sought at Richmond,
and my brethren in prison had great anxiety on my account, she
interceded with my pursuers, who were nearly thirty in number,
and actually convinced them that I was another person,
altogether, and the pursuit was stopped. She, afterwards, in
company with her brother, left her home in Iowa Territory,
together with her tender offspring, and traveled a distance of
nearly two hundred miles on horseback, to assist in the
deliverance of her companion, or devise means whereby he and his
brethren might make their escape from Prison; which thing was
effected, and she left among a savage horde to suffer such
abuses as they saw fit to inflict upon her, but through the
goodness of God she was delivered from their hands and returned
in peace to the bosom of her family and friends. Much might be
said of the character of our deceased friend, but our paper will
not permit us to be lengthy in our eulogies on the dead. We have
penned the above acts to be handed down to future generations as
a memorial of her, for her faith, her patience, and her
integrity to her friends and her religion.
Cowdery, Oliver, et al., eds.
Messenger and Advocate: The Latter Day Saints' Messenger and
Advocate. 3 vols. Kirtland, Ohio: F. G. Williams & Co., et
al., October 1834 to August 1837. Electronic text prepared by
the Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young
University, 1991.
Kirtland Dec. 22, 1835.
Dear brother in the Lord:
I left Clay co. Mo. Sept. 11, 1834, in company with elder M.
[Morris] Phelps, on a mission to publish glad tidings of great
joy to the inhabitants of the earth: we journeyed and preached
for the space of four months and four days held forty one
meetings, baptized 16 and ordained one elder, and one teacher in
Calhoon co. Ill. From this place travelled in company with elder
A. [Amasa] Lyman, held thirty eight meetings, and baptized 6 in
Madison co. Ill. Travelled alone, held twenty five meetings,
baptized 10, and ordained one elder and one priest in Madison
co. Ill.
Met elder Isaac Higbee in Clinton co. Ill. on the first of May,
1835. We travelled and proclaimed the gospel fifty six times,
baptized 46, and ordained three elders in Hamilton co. Ill.
Arrived in Kirtland the 11 day of August, 1835. Went to work on
the house of the Lord, worked 51 days.
Left Kirtland on the 15 day of Oct. in company with elder G.
[George] M. Hinckle, to publish salvation to the inhabitants of
the earth. Travelled about two hundred miles, preached sixty
times, and built up a small church in the towns of Bedford and
Independence, Cuyahoga co. Ohio, consisting of 12 members, Thurs
through the grace of god, I have labored for better than a year,
in company with the above named elders, and I hope that the Lord
will remember in mercy, the inhabitants among whom we have
labored, and bring many of them, to see the error of their ways;
and obey the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the
Lord keep and preserve those," who have been born into the
kingdom of our God, blameless unto his kingdom and coming.
Yours in the bonds of love,
ELISHA H. GROVES
KIRTLAND, OHIO, AUGUST, 1835.
From the letters of the Elders abroad we make the following
extracts:
Elder C. [Charles] Rich writes from Tazwell co. Ill. "I have
just returned from the north part of this state, where I have
been laboring in company with Elder M. [Morris] Phelps for a few
weeks past. We were opposed by the missionaries: but succeeded
in establishing a church in Cook co. comprising nine members. I
have baptized one since my arrival at home; and there are more
enquiring, and are friendly to the cause of truth."
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