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
NEWEL K. WHITNEY,
ORSON SPENCER,
JOHN TAYLOR,
JOHN P. GREENE,
GUSTAVE HILLS,
GEORGE W. HARRIS,
JAMES SLOAN, City Recorder.
May 19, 1842.
After I had done all in my power to persuade him to amend his
conduct, and these facts were fully established (not only by
testimony, but by his own confessions) he having acknowledged that
they were true, and seeing no prospects of any satisfaction from
his future life, the hand of fellowship was withdrawn from him as a
member of the Church by the officers; but on account of his earnest
requesting that we would not publish him to the world, we concluded
not to do so at that time, but would let the matter rest until we
saw the effect of what we had already done.
It appears evident that as soon as he perceived that he could no
longer maintain his standing as a member of the Church, nor his
respectability as a citizen, he came to the conclusion to leave the
place, which he has done, and that very abruptly; and had he done
so quietly, and not attempted to deceive the people around him,
his case would not have excited the indignation of the citizens
so much as his real conduct has done. In order to make his case
look plausible, he has reported that he had withdrawn from the
Church because we were not worthy of his society; thus, instead of
manifesting a spirit of repentance, {40} he has to the last proved
himself to be unworthy the confidence or regard of any upright
person, by lying to deceive the innocent, and committing adultery
in the most abominable and degraded manner.
We are credibly informed that he has colleagued with some of our
former wicked persecutors, the Missourians, and has threatened
destruction upon us; but we should naturally suppose that he
would be so much ashamed of himself at the injury he has already
done to those who never injured him, but befriended him in every
possible manner, that he could never dare to lift up his head
before an enlightened public with the design either to misrepresent
or persecute; but be that as it may, we neither dread him nor
his influence, but this much we believe, that unless he is
determined to fill up the measure of his iniquity, and bring sudden
destruction upon himself from the hand of the Almighty, he will be
silent, and never more attempt to injure those concerning whom he
has testified upon oath he knows nothing but that which is good and
virtuous.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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