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
"Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children
are scattered.... And, behold, there is none other place appointed than
that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place
appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the
gathering of my saints, until the day cometh when there is found no more
room for them."
The "revelation" then stated the Lord's will "concerning the
redemption of Zion" in the form of a long parable which contained these
instructions:--
"And go ye straightway into the land of my vineyard, and redeem my
vineyard, for it is mine, I have bought it with money.
"Therefore get ye straightway unto my land; break down the walls of mine
enemies; throw down their tower and scatter their watchmen;
"And inasmuch as they gather together against you, avenge me of mine
enemies, that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and
possess the land."
This "revelation" was industriously circulated in printed form among the
churches of Ohio and the East, and so great was the demand for copies
that they sold for one dollar each. The only construction to be placed
upon it was that Smith proposed to make good his predictions by means
of an armed force led against the people of Missouri. This view soon had
confirmation.
The arrival of P. P. Pratt and Lyman Wight in Kirtland in February,
1834, was followed by a "revelation" (Sec. 103) promising an outpouring
of God's wrath on those who had expelled the brethren from their
Missouri possessions, and declaring that "the redemption of Zion must
needs come by power," and that Smith was to lead them, as Moses led the
children of Israel.
In obedience to this direction there was assembled a military
organization, known in church history as "The Army of Zion." Recruiters,
led by Smith and Rigdon, visited the Eastern states, and by May 1 some
two hundred men had assembled at Kirtland ready to march to Missouri to
aid their brethren.*
* There are three detailed accounts of this expedition, one in
Smith's autobiography, another in H. C. Kimball's journal in Times and
Seasons, Vol. 6, and another in Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled," procured
from one of the accompanying sharpshooters.
The Army of Zion, as it called itself, was not an impressive one in
appearance. Military experience was not required of the recruits; but
no one seems to have been accepted who was not in possession of a weapon
and at least $5 in cash. The weapons ranged from butcher knives and
rusty swords to pistols, muskets, and rifles. Smith himself carried a
fine sword, a brace of pistols (purchased on six months' credit), and
a rifle, and had four horses allotted to him. He had himself elected
treasurer of the expedition, and to him was intrusted all the money of
the men, to be disbursed as his judgment dictated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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