The Story of the Mormons, from the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901Linn, William Alexander
History
The Story of the Mormons, from the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901
Linn, William Alexander
Latter Day Saints -- History; Utah -- History
As a result of a conference with this committee, a written agreement was
entered into, signed by the committee and the Mormons named in it, to
this effect: That Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, W. E. McLellin, Edward
Partridge, John Wright, Simeon Carter, Peter and John Whitmer, and
Harvey Whitlock, with their families, should move from the county by
January 1 next, and use their influence to induce their fellow-Mormons
in the county to do likewise--one half by January 1 and all by April
1--and to prevent further immigration of the brethren; John Corrill
and A. S. Gilbert to remain as agents to wind up the business of the
society, Gilbert to be allowed to sell out his goods on hand; no Mormon
paper to be published in the county; Partridge and Phelps to be allowed
to go and come after January 1, in winding up their business, if their
families were removed by that time; the committee pledging themselves
to use their influence to prevent further violence, and assuring Phelps
that "whenever he was ready to move, the amount of all his losses in the
printing house should be paid to him by the citizens." In view of this
arrangement there was no further trouble for more than two months.
The Mormon leaders had, however, no intention of carrying out their part
of this undertaking. Corrill, in a letter to Oliver Cowdery written in
December, 1833, said that the agreement was made, "supposing that before
the time arrived the mob would see their error and stop the violence,
or that some means might be employed so that we could stay in peace."*
Oliver Cowdery was sent at once to Kirtland to advise with the church
officers there. On his arrival, early in August, a council was convened,
and it was decided that legal measures should be taken to establish
the rights of the Saints in Missouri. Smith directed that they should
neither sell their lands nor move out of Jackson County, save those who
had signed the agreement.** It was also decided to send Orson Hyde and
John Gould to Missouri "with advice to the Saints in their unfortunate
situation through the late outrage of the mob."***
* Evening and Morning Star, January, 1834
** Elder Williams's Letter, Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 519.
*** Millennial Star, Vol. XIV, p. 504.
To strengthen the courage of the flock in Missouri, Smith gave forth at
Kirtland, under date of August 2, 1833, a "revelation" (Sec. 97), "in
answer to our correspondence with the prophet," says P. P. Pratt,* in
which the Lord was represented as saying, "Surely, Zion is the city of
our God, and surely Zion cannot fail, NEITHER BE MOVED OUT OF HER PLACE;
for God is there, and the hand of God is there, and he has sworn by the
power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower." The same
"revelation" directed that the Temple should be built speedily by
means of tithing, and threatened Zion with pestilence, plague, sword,
vengeance, and devouring fire unless she obeyed the Lord's commands.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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