History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 5Smith, Joseph, Jr.
History
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 5
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
I do not think to mention the particulars of the history of that sacred
night, which shall forever be remembered by me; but the names of the
faithful are what I wish to record in this place. These I have met in
prosperity, and they were my friends; and I now meet them in adversity,
and they are still my warmer friends. These love the God that I serve;
they love the truths that I promulgate; they love those virtuous,
and those holy doctrines that I cherish in my bosom with the warmest
feelings of my heart, and with that zeal which cannot be denied. I
love friendship and truth; I love virtue and law; I love the God of
Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob; and they are my brethren, and I shall
live; {109} and because I live they shall live also. These are not the
only ones who have administered to my necessity and whom the Lord will
bless. There is Brother John D. Parker and Brother Amasa Lyman, and
Brother Wilson Law, and Brother Henry G. Sherwood. My heart feels to
reciprocate the unwearied kindnesses that have been bestowed upon me by
these men. They are men of noble stature, of noble hands, and of noble
deeds; possessing noble, and daring, and giant hearts and souls. There
is Brother Joseph B. Noble also, I would call up in remembrance before
the Lord. There is Brother Samuel H. Smith, a natural brother--he is
even as Hyrum. There is Brother Arthur Millikin also, who married my
youngest sister, Lucy: he is a faithful, an honest, and an upright man.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Gratitude.]
While I call up in remembrance before the Lord these men, I would be
doing injustice to those who rowed me in the skiff up the river that
night, after I parted with the lovely group--who brought me to this my
safe, and lonely, and private retreat--Brother Jonathan Dunham, and the
other, whose name I do not know. Many were the thoughts that swelled
my aching heart, while they were toiling faithfully with their oars.
They complained not of hardship and fatigue to secure my safety. My
heart would have been harder than an adamantine stone, if I had not
prayed for them with anxious and fervent desire. I did so, and the
still small voice whispered to my soul: These, that share your toils
with such faithful hearts, shall reign with you in the kingdom of their
God; but I parted with them in silence, and came to my retreat. I hope
I shall see them again, that I may toil for them, and administer to
their comfort also. They shall not want a friend while I live; my heart
shall love those, and my hands shall toil for those, who love and toil
for me, and shall ever be found faithful to my friends. Shall I be
ungrateful? Verily no! God forbid!
I design to continue this subject at a future time.
{110}
CHAPTER VI.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN JOSEPH SMITH AND WILSON LAW, ET AL.--THE
PROPHET ON THE ATTITUDE OF GOVERNOR CARLIN TOWARDS HIMSELF AND THE
SAINTS--REVIVAL OF THE ZEAL OF SIDNEY RIGDON--THE PROPHET'S BLESSINGS
UPON HIS FRIENDS.
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