The Missouri PersecutionsRoberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
History
The Missouri Persecutions
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Latter Day Saints -- Missouri -- History -- 19th century
The recommendations of the committee were concurred in by the senate,
January 10th, and on the 16th Mr. Turner introduced a bill providing
such inquiry; making it the duty of the commission when appointed to
inquire into the causes of the disturbances. This bill passed after
amendment, and being reported to the house was, on February 4th, 1839,
laid on the table until July 4th, by 48 to 37.
Pending the expiration of the time for which this bill to inquire into
the causes of the disturbance of the peace in the various counties of
Clay, Ray and Daviess, the history of the "Mormons" of the State is
about as follows:
After the removal from Jackson, and the acceptance of the final
decision, nothing further appears of any settlement being attempted in
Jackson County by the expelled party, or their brethren. Joseph Smith
returned to Kirtland, Ohio, with many others, while some concluded to
remain in the, to them, land of Zion; and these settled in and through
the counties above named.
Things did not long remain in a peaceful condition, however, and it
became apparent that there would again be trouble. To avoid this, if
possible, it appears that some of the leading men among the "Mormons"
were sent to Richmond, Ray County, and made inquiry as to whether the
citizens would be willing that they should settle upon the territory
north of and contiguous to the county of Ray, at that time unorganized.
To this no answer was given, and, taking it for granted that no
objections would be offered, many removed, and Mr. James M. Hunt, in
his "Mormon War," written in 1844, declares that: "Here, for some time,
the Prophet concentrated his followers; houses were erected, as if by
magic--improvements were prosecuted with such rapidity as to promise a
flourishing town and country in a very short time. The country round
about was fast being settled, and undergoing improvements--every month
bringing swarms of deluded fanatics, to forward the designs of their
ambitious leaders."
Settlements were made at Far West; one on Grand River, in Daviess,
called Adam-Ondi-Ahman, and one in Carrol County, called DeWitt. At
these places says, Hunt, "members gathered, improving town and country
rapidly." "It is due the 'Mormons,'" further says this writer, "here to
state, that they were an industrious, agricultural people, or at least
that portion of them who located in the country round about in the
'stakes,'" as these settlements were called by them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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