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
Under date of July 18, came another "revelation" (Sec. 120), declaring
that the tithings "shall be disposed of by a Council, composed of the
First Presidency of my church, and of the Bishop and his council, and by
my High Council." The first meeting of this body decided "that the First
Presidency should keep all their property that they could dispose of to
advantage for their support, and the remainder be put into the hands
of the Bishop, according to the commandments."* The coolness of this
proceeding in excepting Smith and Rigdon from the obligation to pay a
tithe is worthy of admiration.
* Ibid., Vol. XVI, p. 204.
CHAPTER VII. -- BEGINNING OF ACTIVE HOSTILITIES
Smith had shown his dominating spirit as soon as he arrived at Far West.
In April, 1838, he announced a "revelation" (Sec. 115), commanding the
building of a house of worship there, the work to begin on July 4, the
speedy building up of that city, and the establishment of Stakes in the
regions round about. This last requirement showed once more Smith's lack
of judgment, and it became a source of irritation to the non-Mormons,
as it was thought to foreshadow a design to control the neighboring
counties. Hyde says that Smith and Rigdon deliberately planned the
scattering of the Saints beyond the borders of Clay County with a view
to political power.*
* Hyde's "Mormonism," p. 203.
In accordance with this scheme, a "revelation" of May 19 (Sec. 116),
directed the founding of a town on Grand River in Daviess County,
twenty-five miles northwest of Far West. This settlement was to be
called "Adam-ondi-Ahman," "because it is the place where Adam shall come
to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by
Daniel the Prophet." The "revelation" further explains that, three years
before his death, Adam called a number of high priests and all of his
posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and
there blessed them. Lee (who, following the common pronunciation, writes
the name "Adam-on-Diamond") expresses the belief, which Smith instilled
into his followers, that it "was at the point where Adam came and
settled and blessed his posterity, after being driven from the Garden
of Eden. There Adam and Eve tarried for several years, and engaged in
tilling the soil." By order of the Presidency, another town was
started in Carroll County, where the Saints had been living in peace.
Immediately the new settlement was looked upon as a possible rival
of Gallatin, the county seat, and the non-Mormons made known their
objections.
* "Mormonism Unveiled," p. 91.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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