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
The Nauvoo of to-day is a town of only 1321 inhabitants. The people are
largely of German origin, and the leading occupation is fruit growing.
The site of the Temple is occupied by two modern buildings. A part of
Nauvoo House is still standing, as are Brigham Young's former residence,
Joseph Smith's "new mansion," and other houses which Mormons occupied.
The Mormons in Iowa were no more popular with their non-Mormon neighbors
there than were those in Illinois, and after the murders by the Hodges,
and other crimes charged to the brethren, a mass meeting of Lee County
inhabitants was held, which adopted resolutions declaring that the
Mormons and the old settlers could not live together and that the
Mormons must depart, citizens being requested to aid in this movement
by exchanging property with the emigrants. In 1847 the last of these
objectionable citizens left the county.
BOOK V. -- THE MIGRATION TO UTAH
CHAPTER I. -- PREPARATIONS FOR THE LONG MARCH
Two things may be accepted as facts with regard to the migration of the
Mormons westward from Illinois: first, that they would not have moved
had they not been compelled to; and second, that they did not know
definitely where they were going when they started. Although Joseph
Smith showed an uncertainty of his position by his instruction that
the Twelve should look for a place in California or Oregon to which his
people might move, he considered this removal so remote a possibility
that he was at the same time beginning his campaign for the presidency
of the United States. As late as the spring of 1845, removal was
considered by the leaders as only an alternative. In April, Brigham
Young, Willard Richards, the two Pratts, and others issued an address
to President Polk, which was sent to the governors of all the states
but Illinois and Missouri, setting forth their previous trials, and
containing this declaration:--"In the name of Israel's God, and by
virtue of multiplied ties of country and kindred, we ask your friendly
interposition in our favor. Will it be too much for us to ask you to
convene a special session of Congress and furnish us an asylum where we
can enjoy our rights of conscience and religion unmolested? Or will you,
in special message to that body when convened, recommend a remonstrance
against such unhallowed acts of oppression and expatriation as this
people have continued to receive from the states of Missouri and
Illinois? Or will you favor us by your personal influence and by your
official rank? Or will you express your views concerning what is called
the Great Western Measure of colonizing the Latter-Day Saints in Oregon,
the Northwestern Territory, or some location remote from the states,
where the hand of oppression will not crush every noble principle
and extinguish every patriotic feeling?" After the publication of the
correspondence between the Hardin commission and the Mormon authorities,
Orson Pratt issued an appeal "to American citizens," in which, referring
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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