History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 6Smith, Joseph, Jr.
History
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 6
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
We will be in peace with all men, so long as they will mind their
own business and let us alone. Even "Peace with Missouri" shall
be the motto of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
from this {151} time forth, if they will stop their persecution
and oppressive warfare against us. Let them alone, for they stink
in the nostrils of the Almighty: let them alone. Porter Rockwell
has come home clear. A Missouri grand jury could not find a bill
against him even in Jackson county; and that proves me clear of the
charge of being accessory of shooting Lilburn W. Boggs. Many of our
difficulties from the State of Missouri are hurled upon us through
the influence of some of our near neighbors.
Governor Ford has boasted of being a law-abiding man. A governor
certainly should be law-abiding. It is therefore our best policy to
acquaint the Executive, by affidavits, of every violation of our
rights, so that when the onset comes, he will be obliged by law to
send the militia to our support. Let us keep cool as a cucumber on
a frosty morning. Do not be excited. Say nothing about Missouri's
oppression. "A soft answer turns away wrath but grievous words stir
up anger," therefore we "poor pussy" this generation.
Keep a strict account of the time you serve as policemen. Have
the ordinances of the city always in your possession, and study
them, sad ferret out all grogshops, gambling-houses, brothels, and
disorderly conduct; and if a transgressor resists, cuff his ears.
If anyone lifts a weapon or presents a pistol at you, take his
life, if need be, to preserve your own; but enforce the ordinances,
and preserve the peace of the city, and take care of your own
lives. Let no horses be taken away out of the city, or anything
else stolen, if you can help it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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