CHAPTER XIII.

War in Jackson County, Zion

After the conflict had subsided in Jackson Co., two or three High Priests repaired
with all possible speed to the prophet in Kirtland, magnifying greatly the events
that had taken place. These new, unexpected and extraordinary circumstances,
must be met in an extraordinary manner. --
They were trying times, requiring the combined wisdom of the prophet and his
head men, in bringing out a revelation upon the subject, which would astonish his
dupes and strengthen their faith in the imposition, which had been so far shaken
in many, that they proposed selling their new "eternal inheritance," in Jackson
County, for a "mess of pottage." But the prophet more readily discovered the new
advantages that would ultimately accrue to his cause, by a little perseverance.
He well knew that the laws would not continue to be violated in our country for
any length of time, and that he and his followers would, in the end, be the
greatest gainers, by the cry of persecution which they could raise, and by
showing to the world, in their ultimate triumph, that the Lord was on their side
and directed all their movements in putting their enemies to flight. The following
was accordingly issued from their press in Kirtland, in the form of a handbill:
Verily, I say unto you, concerning your brethren who ha ve been
afflicted and persecuted, and cast out from the land of their
inheritance. I the Lord hath suffered the affliction to come upon
them, wherewith they have been afflicted in consequence of their
transgressions; yet, I will own them, and they shall be mine in that
day when I shall come to make up my jewels.
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Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried, even as
Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son; for all
those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be
sanctified.
Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and contentions, and
envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among
them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.
They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God;
therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers,
to answer them in the day of their trouble. In the day of their
peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their
trouble, of necessity they feel after me.
Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are
filled with compassion towards them. I will not utterly cast them
off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy. I have sworn,
and the decree hath gone forth by a former commandment which
I have given unto you, that I would let fall the sword of mine
indignation in behalf of my people; and even as I have said, it shall
come to pass. Mine indignation is soon to be poured out without
measure upon all nations; and this will I do when the cup of their
iniquity is full.
And in that day all who are found upon the watch-tower, or in
other words, all mine Israel, shall be saved. And they that have
been scattered shall be gathered; and all they who have mourned
shall be comforted; and all they who have given their lives for my
name shall be crowned.
Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all
flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God. Zion shall
not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are
scattered, they that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return,
and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs
of everlasting
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joy, to build up the waste places of Zion. And all these things that
the prophets might be fulfilled.
And, behold, there is none other place 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; and then I
have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be
called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion.
Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and
worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather
together, and stand in holy places; and prepare for the revelation
which is to come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in
my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all
flesh shall see me together. And every corruptible thing, both of
man, or the beasts of the field, or of the fowls of heaven or of the
fish of the sea, that dwell upon all the face of the earth, shall be
consumed; and also, that of element shall melt with fervent heat;
and all things shall become new, that my glory may dwell upon all
the earth.
And in that day the enmity of man, and the enmity of beasts; yea,
the enmity of all flesh, shall cease from before my face. And in
that day whatsoever any man shall ask, it shall be given unto him.
And in that day satan shall not have power to tempt any man. And
there shall be no sorrow because there is no death. In that day an
infant shall not die until he is old; and his life shall be as the age
of a tree; and when he dies he shall not sleep, (that is to say in
the earth,) he shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and
shall be caught up, and his rest shall be glorious.
Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come,
he shall reveal all things; hings which have passed, and hidden
things which no man knew, things of
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the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end
thereof; things most precious, things that are above, and things
that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth,
and in heaven. And all they who suffer persecution for my name,
and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives
for my sake, yet shall they partake of all this glory.
Therefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is
not full, but in me your joy is full. Therefore, care not for the body,
neither the life of the body; but care for the soul, and for the life
of the soul: and seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience
ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life.
When men are called into mine everlasting gospel, and covenant
with an everlasting covenant, they are accounted as the salt of
the earth, and the savor of men. Therefore, if that salt of the
earth lose its savor, behold, it is thenceforth good for nothing, only
to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. Behold, here is
wisdom concerning the children of Zion; even many, but not all:
they were found transgressors, therefore they must needs be
chastened. He that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that
abaseth himself shall be exalted.
And now, I will show unto you a parable, that you may know my
will concerning the redemption of Zion. A certain nobleman had a
spot of land, very choice; and he said unto his servants, go ye
unto my vineyard; even upon this very choice piece of land, and
plant twelve olive trees; and set watchmen round about them, and
build a tower, that one may overlook the land round about, to be
a watchman upon the tower, that mine olive trees may not be
broken down, when the enemy shall come to spoil, and take upon
themselves the fruit of my vineyard.
Now, the servants of the nobleman went and did as
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their lord commanded them; and planted the olive trees, and built
a hedge round about, and set watchmen, and began to build a
tower. And while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they
began to say among themselves, and what need hath my lord of
this tower? And consulted for a long time, saying among
themselves, What need hath my lord of this tower? seeing this is
a time of peace! -- Might not this money be given to the
exchangers? for there is no need of these things!
And while they were at variance one with another, they became
very slothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of
their lord: and the enemy came by night, and broke down the
hedge, and the servants of the nobleman arose, and were
affrighted, and fled: and the enemy destroyed their works, and
broke down the olive trees.
Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the vineyard, called upon
his servants, and said unto them, Why! what is the cause of this
great evil? Ought ye not to have done even as I commanded you,
and after ye had planted the vineyard, and built the hedge round
about, and set watchmen upon the walls thereof, built the tower
also, and set a watchman upon the tower? and watched for my
vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest the enemy should come
upon you, and behold, the watchman upon the tower would have
seen the enemy while he was yet afar off: and then ye could have
made ready and kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge
thereof, and saved my vineyard from the hands of the destroyer.
And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants, Go and
gather together the residue of my servants; and take all the
strength of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and
they that are of middle age also, among all my servants, who are
the strength of mine house, save those only whom I have
appointed to tarry; and go ye
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straightway unto 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.
And the servant said unto his lord, when shall these things be? And
he said unto his servant, when I will: go ye straightway, do all
things whatsoever I have commanded you; and this shall be my
seal and blessing upon you: A faithful and wise steward in the
midst of mine house: -- A ruler in my kingdom.
And his servant went straightway, and did all things whatsoever
his lord commanded him, and after many days all things were
fulfilled.
Again, verily I say unto you I will show unto you wisdom in me
concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be
guided in a right and proper way for their salvation, that the work
of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may
build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of
harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled. Therefore,
I must gather together my people according to the parable of the
wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the
garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory
when I shall come in the kingdom of my father, to reward every
man according as his work shall be, while the tares shall be bound
in bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be burned
with unquenchable fire.
Therefore, a commandment I give unto all the churches, that they
shall continue to gather together unto the places which I have
appointed: nevertheless, as I have said
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unto you in a former commandment, let not your gathering be in
haste, nor by flight; but let all things be prepared before you, and
in order that all things be prepared before you, observe the
commandments which I have given concerning these things, which
saith, or teacheth, to purchase all the lands with money, which
can be purchased for money, in the region round about the land
which I have appointed to be the land of Zion, for the beginning of
the gathering of my saints; all the land which can be purchased in
Jackson county, and the counties round about, and leave the
residue in mine hand.
Now, verily I say unto you, let all the churches gather together all
their moneys; let these things be done in their time, be not in
haste; and observe to have all things prepared before you. And let
honorable men be appointed, even wise men, and send them to
purchase these lands; and every church in the eastern countries
when they are built up, if they will hearken unto this counsel, they
may buy lands and gather together upon them, in this way they
may establish Zion. There is even now already in store a sufficient;
yea, even abundance, to redeem Zion, and establish her waste
places no more to be thrown down, were the churches who call
themselves after my name willing to hearken to my voice. And
again I say unto you, those who have been scattered by their
enemies, it is my will that they should continue to importune for
redress, and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed as
rulers, and are in authority over you according to the laws and
constitution of the people which I have suffered to be established,
and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh,
according to just and holy principles, that every man act in
doctrine, and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the
moral agency which I have given unto him that every man may be
accountable for his own
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sins in the day of judgment. Therefore, it is not right that any man
should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I
established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men
whom I have raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the
land by the shedding of blood.
Now, unto what shall I liken the children of Zion? I will liken them
unto the parable of the woman and the unjust judge, (for men
ought always to pray and not to faint,) which saith, There was in
a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man. And
there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him, saying,
avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while, but
afterward he said within himself, though I fear not God, nor regard
man, yet because this widow troubleth me I will avenge her, lest
by her continual coming she weary me. -- Thus will I liken the
children of Zion.
Let them importune at the feet of the judge; and if he heed them
not, let them importune at the feet of the governor; and if the
governor heed them not, let them importune at the feet of the
president; and if the president heed them not, then will the Lord
arise and come forth out of his hiding place, and in his fury vex the
nation; and in his hot displeasure, and in his fierce anger, in his
time, cut off these wicked, unfaithful and unjust stewards, and
appoint them their portion among hypocrites and unbelievers; even
in outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and
gnashing of teeth. Pray ye therefore, that their ears may be
opened unto your cries, that I may be merciful unto them, that
these things may not come upon them.
What I have said unto you must needs be that all men may be left
without excuse; and that wise men and rulers may hear and know
that which they have never considered; that I may proceed to
bring to pass my act, my strange act, and perform my work. That
men may discern between the righteous and the wicked, saith your
God.
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And, again I say unto you, it is contrary to my commandment, and
my will, that my servant Sidney G. [Gilbert] should sell my store
house, which I have appointed unto my people, into the hands of
mine enemies. Let not that which I have appointed, be polluted by
mine enemies, by the consent of those who call themselves after
my name; for this is a very sore and grievous sin against me, and
against my people, in consequence of those things which I have
decreed, and which are soon to befall the nations.
Therefore, it is my will that my people should claim and hold claim,
upon that which I have appointed unto them, though they should
not be permitted to dwell thereon; nevertheless, I do not say they
shall not dwell thereon; for inasmuch as they bring forth fruit and
works meet for my kingdom, they shall dwell thereon; they shall
build, and another shall not inherit it: they shall plant vineyards,
and they shall eat the fruits thereof; even so. Amen.
On the publication of this proclamation, it was taken up by all their priests and
carried to all their congregations, some of which were actually sold for one dollar
per copy. Preparations immediately began to be made for a crusade to their Holy
Land, to drive out the infidels. As it was hinted in the revelation, "All the strength
of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of
middle age also, among all my servants, who are the strength of mine house,"
began to make ready for battle. -- Old muskets, rifles, pistols, rusty swords and
butcher knives, were soon put in a state of repair and scoured up. Some were
borrowed, and some were bought, on a credit, if possible, and others were
manufactured by their own mechanics. The 1st of May following being finally fixed
upon, as the time of setting out on the crusade, "my warriors," which were
scattered in most of the Eastern and Northern States, previous to that time,
began to assemble at the quarters of
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the Prophet in Kirtland, preparatory to marching. Several places further west,
were also selected for rendezvous, to those living in that direction. All the faithful
pressed forward; but the services of some were refused by the prophet, in
consequence of their not being able, from their own resources, to furnish some
instrument of death and five dollars in cash. Old men, invalids, and females, not
of the 'strength of mine house,' who could not endure the toils and hardships of
a pedestrian excursion of 1000 miles, felt it to be a great privilege to contribute
liberally, in the way of funds, and the materiel of war. Poor fanatical females, who
could save no more than a shilling per day, by their exertions, threw in all they
could raise, for the purpose of helping on with the expedition, and, as they
supposed, thereby securing the smiles and blessings of the Lord.
About the first of May the grand army of fanitics, commenced its march, in small
detachments, from the different places of concentration. On the 3d, the Prophet,
with a life guard, of about 80 men, the elite of his army, left his quarters in
Kirtland, with a few baggage wagons, containing their arms, amunition, stores,
&c.
The day before his departure, being Sunday, the Prophet had a general meeting
of his troops and all the brethren in the neighborhood, on which occasion he and
his vicegerant, Rigdon harangued them to deeds of valor, to perseverance, and
to a renewal of their faith in his commandments -- dwelling largely, of course, on
ancient persecutions of the Christians -- their own persecution, and the beauties
of martyrdom, as sure passports to glory -- assuring them that they should all
return, safe and sound, if they followed his instructions. On the morning of their
departure, a meeting was assembled, and proceeded to business, after the
"manner of the world," by appointing the Prophet Chairman, and Cowdery
Secretary. Whereupon, Rigdon
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moved that they hereafter assume the title and name of the "Church of the
Latter Day Saints," discarding the name of Mormonite, which they began to
consider rather a reproach. This was carried unanimously, of course. What their
particular object was in the movement, at that particular crisis, we have not been
able to understand, unless for the purpose of denying, in the most positive terms,
as they passed through the country, that they belonged to the sect known as
Mormonites, thereby deceiving the people as to their true character, objects and
intentions. But why was not this question settled, as all others are, by a
revelation. The Lord had before given them directions not to vhew tobbacco, nor
feed corn to their horses; but in the important matter of giving them a name, by
which they were ever after to be known, he had wholly refused to interfer, or
they had not time to ask him.
During the progress of these preparations, the brethren in Missouri waited
patiently the coming of the "liberating army," or some new revelations, not daring
to take any steps which their circumstances or necessities might seem to require.
In the month of February, several of the Elders , at their request, were escorted
back to Independence, by a company of the militia from another county, by the
order of the Governor of the State, for the purpose of testifying before the court
then sitting for Jackson county, against those who had been concerned in the
former outrages and riots. After staying one night under the protection of the
gaurds, they were, in the morning informed, by the public prosecutor, that no
indictments would be had, for the reason that the members of the Grand Jury
were more or less implicated. Neither could any private suits be instituted for the
loss of property, for similar reasons. The Elders were then marched back, it is
said, to the tune of "Yankee Doodle," and set across the Missouri.
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In the mean time, the people of Jackson county were not inattentive to the
premediated attack of Gen. Smith, the Prophet.