Life of David W. Patten, the First Apostolic MartyrWilson, Lycurgus A. (Lycurgus Arnold)
History
Life of David W. Patten, the First Apostolic Martyr
Wilson, Lycurgus A. (Lycurgus Arnold)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Apostles -- Biography; Patten, David W., 1799-1838
"Brother Smoot traveled with me constantly till the 21st of April, when
he had the privilege of meeting with Elder David W. Patten, who had
come direct from Kirtland, and who had been ordained one of the Twelve
Apostles.
"It was a happy meeting. He gave us an account of the endowments at
Kirtland, the glorious blessings received, the ministration of angels,
the organization of the Twelve Apostles and Seventies, and informed me
that I was appointed a member of the second quorum of Seventies. All of
this was glorious news to me, and caused my heart to rejoice.
"On the 27th of May we were joined by Elder Warren Parrish, direct from
Kirtland. We had a happy time together.
"On the 28th, we held a conference at Brother Seth Utley's, where were
represented all the branches of the Church in the South.
"I was ordained on the 31st of May a member of the second quorum of
Seventies under the hands of David W. Patten and Warren Parrish.
"At the close of the conference we separated for a short time. Elders
Patten and Parrish labored in Tennessee, Brother Smoot and myself in
Kentucky. On the 9th of June we all met at Damon Creek Branch, where
Brother Patten baptized two. One was Father Henry Thomas, who had been
a revolutionary soldier under General Washington, and father of Daniel
and Henry Thomas.
"A warrant was issued, on the oath of a priest, against D. W. Patten,
W. Parrish and myself. We were accused in the warrant of the great
'crime' of testifying that Christ would come in this generation, and
that we promised the Holy Ghost to those whom we baptized. Brothers
Patten and Parrish were taken on the 19th of June. I being in another
county, escaped being arrested. The brethren were put under two
thousand dollars bonds to appear at court. Albert Petty and Seth Utley
were their bondsmen.
"They were tried on the 22nd of June.
"They plead their own cause. Although men came forward and testified
they did receive the Holy Ghost after they were baptized, the brethren
were condemned; but were finally released by paying the expenses of the
mob court.
"There was one peculiar circumstance connected with this trial by a mob
court, which was armed to the teeth. When the trial was through with,
the people were not willing to permit more than one to speak. Warren
Parrish had said but few words, and they were not willing to let David
Patten speak. But he, feeling the injustice of the court, and being
filled with the power of God, arose to his feet and delivered a speech
of about twenty minutes, holding them spell-bound while he told them of
their wickedness and the abominations that they were guilty of, also of
the curse of God that awaited them, if they did not repent, for taking
up two harmless, inoffensive men for preaching the Gospel of Christ.
"When he had got through his speech the judge said, 'You must be armed
with secret weapons, or you would not talk in this fearless manner to
an armed court.'
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