Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"Smith, Joseph Fielding
History
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History
The Senate, of course, adopted this resolution, and this brought to an
end the appeal of the Latter-day Saints for redress of their wrongs
while in Missouri.[4] The Saints had the satisfaction of knowing they
had complied with the command of the Lord, wherein he instructed
them to appeal for redress, first at the feet of the judge, then the
governor and then the President of the United States. The matter was
now to be left in the hand of the Great Judge who had promised, under
the circumstances as they had developed, to "come forth out of his
hiding place, and in his fury vex the nation" (Doc. and Cov. 101:89).
The Resolutions of the April Conference
At the general conference of the Church held April 6-8, 1840, a set
of resolutions were adopted approving of the labors of the Church
committee who visited Washington, and condemning the action of the
senate in the rejection of the consideration of the wrongs of the
Saints. Some of the items in which the resolutions disagree with
the action of Congress are as follows: The failure to consider the
petition was subversive to the rights of a free people, and justly
called for the disapprobation of all the supporters and lovers of good
government. The judiciary committee stated in their report, "that
our memorial aggravates the case of our oppressors," and at the same
time they said they had "not examined into the truth or falsehood
of the facts mentioned." This was deemed by the petitioners a great
insult to their "good sense, better judgment and intelligence," when
numerous affidavits were laid before the committee to prove that the
Saints could go into the State of Missouri only in opposition to the
exterminating order of the governor, and at the risk of their lives.
Moreover, that exterminating order was before the committee for
consideration, it was a direct infraction of the Constitution of the
United States. The failure of the committee to investigate the actions
of the governor and other officers of Missouri, was "turning a deaf
ear to the cries of widows, orphans, and innocent blood, which had
been shed," and was "no less than seconding the proceedings of that
murderous clan, whose deeds are recorded in heaven, and justly call
down upon their heads the righteous judgments of an offended God." The
thanks of the Saints were extended to Governors Lucas of Iowa, and
Carlin of Illinois, for their sympathy and aid, also to the citizens of
Illinois for their kind, liberal and generous conduct. The delegates
were instructed to continue their endeavors to obtain redress, and the
resolutions closed with the following appeal: "And if all hopes of
obtaining satisfaction for the injuries done us be entirely blasted,
that they (the delegates) then appeal our case to the Court of Heaven,
believing that the Great Jehovah, who rules over the destiny of
nations, and who notices the falling sparrows, will undoubtedly redress
our wrongs, and ere long avenge us of our adversaries."[5]
Return of the Prodigals
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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