CHAPTER X.
Mormons in Missouri, Far West

About this time an opinion was propagated among them, that they should never
taste death, if they had sufficient faith. They were commanded to have little or
no connection with those who had not embraced their faith, and everything must
be done within themselves. Even the wine which they used at their communion,
they were ordered to make from cider and other materials. All diseases and
sickness among them were to be cured by the Elders, and by the use of herbs --
denouncing the Physicians of the world, and their medicines, as enemies to the
human race.
They had one or two root doctors among them, for whose benefit it is presumed
the Lord made known his will, if at all. Notwithstanding, the prophet himself was
the first one to break over the rules he had received from the Lord. Being much
alarmed for the fate of his "elect lady," in an obstetrical cas e, he applied to the
world, (after all the Mormon remedies had failed,) for an eminent physician. This
gave dissatisfaction to some of the followers, but like everything else, was easily
smoothed over.
About the last of March, a young man about 20 years of age, by the name of
Dota, became suddenly ill and died. He was duly commissioned, after their
manner, to preach, was very active and zealous in the cause, and so fully did he
believe in the divine mission and miraculous powers of Smith, that he had a firm
expectation of living in the world a thousand years. This he made known to a near
relation of his, about four weeks before his disease. Five days before he expired,
he was suddenly attacked with an inflammation in the bowels. He was immediately
removed
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to the residence of his parents, living in the neighborhood, who had no faith in
the Mormon remedies for the cure of diseases. No persuasion, however, could
induce the young man to have a physician called, so strongly was he impressed
with the supernatural powers of Smith. Several of the Elders assembled around
the sick man, where they continued to encourage him to persevere, and
ministering to his delusion, by telling him that he was getting better, and would
soon be well, till they saw he was about to expire, when they left him to his fate.
Smith was sent for soon after he was taken sick, and proceeded towards the
house of Dota, to heal him, but soon returned back, saying that he had received
a commandment not to "cast pearl[s] before swine." He, however, visited the
sick man a day or two after, and protested against calling a physician, saying
that he would get well. A physician was finally called, a few hours before he
expired, who told him he had fallen a victim to his delusions. When the young man
discovered that death was nigh, his faith in Smith's pretensions seemed to
forsake him. He said, "what a wonderful mistake I have made." Addressing himself
to an old man of the Mormon faith, he said, "you are a friend to every body -- I
must shake hands with you -- this is a lesson which I have learnt by actual
experience, by which you ought to profit, but with me it is too late."
The Mormons soon began to assemble in considerable numbers at and about
Kirtland, the supposed "eternal inheritance," and those who were able, bought
land; but the greater part of their dupes had thus far been the poor and needy,
and came there with a view of enjoying all things "in common," as such doctrine
had gone forth. Many, however, found out their mistake after their arrival; and
the revelation appeared to be only that the prophet and some of his relations
should be supported by the church. --
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In consequence of their inability to purchase lands adjoining head-quarters, they
were scattered about in several townships, much exposed to "wild beasts," and
subject to have their faith shaken by the influence of reason. Several renounced
it. They were daily running to the prophet with queries and doubts which were
constantly arising upon their minds. He generally satisfied them by explaining;
nevertheless, they annoyed him much, and the necessity of withdrawing them
from the influences which surrounded them, became apparent; hence, their
removal to Missouri, where they could, in time, purchase all the land which they
should need at a low rate, and become a "distinct people."
As before noticed, Cowdery and his companions, proceeded on to the west, with
the avowed intention of converting the Indians, under a command of the Lord. On
their way they tried their skill on several tribes, but made no proselytes, although
their deluded brethren at home could daily see them, in visions, baptizing whole
tribes. They finally arrived at the western line of the State of Missouri, late in the
fall of 1830, with the intention of proceeding into the Indian country, but were
stopped by the agents of the general government, under an act of Congress, to
prevent the white people from trading or settling among them. They then took up
their winter quarters in the village of Independence, about 12 miles from the
State line. Here they obtained employment during the winter. In the following
spring, one of them returned to Kirtland, with a flattering account of the country
about Independence. About the 1st of June, the prophet assembled all his
followers, for the purpose of a great meeting, at which time it was given out that
marvelous events were to take place. Here many new attempts were made by
Smith to perform miracles and otherwise deceive his followers. Previous to this
time, it should be remarked, nearly all the Mormonites
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had arrived from the State of New York, under a revelation, of course, to take
possession of the "promised land." There were, in all, about fifty families. At the
above mentioned meeting a long revelation was manufactured, commanding all the
leading men and Elders to depart forthwith for the western part of Missouri,
naming each one separately, informing them that only two should go together,
and that every two should take separate roads, preaching by the way. Only
about two weeks were allowed them to make preparations for the journey, and
most of them left what business they had to be closed by others. Some left large
families, with their crops upon the ground, &c. &c., and embarked for a distant
land, from which they have not yet returned. For further particulars of this
expedition, its objects and return, we shall refer the reader to the statements of
an eye-witness, who was one of the party, which are given at length hereafter,
(see Booth's Letters.)
On arriving at the village of Independence, they proceeded to purchase a lot of
land, upon which the prophet directed Rigdon and Cowdery to perform the mock
ceremony of laying the corner stone of a city, which he called Zion. Of the future
prosperity and magnificence of this city, many marvelous revelations were had by
the prophet and many more marvelous conjectures formed by his dupes. Among
others, it was said that it would in a few years exceed in splendor every thing
known in ancient times. Its streets were to be paved with gold; all that escaped
the general destruction which was soon to take place, would there assemble with
all their wealth; the ten lost tribes of Israel had been discovered in their retreat,
in the vicinity of the North Pole, where they had for ages been seclude d by
immense barriers of ice, and became vastly rice; the ice in a few years was to be
melted away, when those tribes, with St. John and some of the Nephites, which
the Book
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of Mormon had immortalized, would be seen making their appearance in the new
city, loaded with immense quantities of gold and silver. Whether the prophet
himself ever declared these things had been revealed to him, or that he had seen
them through his magic stone, or silver spectacles, we will not say; but that such
stories and hundreds of others equally absurd, were told by those who were in
daily intercourse with him, as being events which would probably take place, are
susceptible of proof.
The prophet and his life-guard of Elders, stayed in their city about two weeks.
Revelations were had for a part of them to return to Ohio, a part to stay and take
charge of the city, and a part to commence preaching "in the region round
about." Much dissatisfaction was manifested by some of the dupes, as to the
selection of the site, and the general appearance of the country. Smith, Rigdon
and Cowdery returned to the old head-quarters in Kirtland. -- Their followers
immediately commenced selling their lands, mostly at great sacrifice, and made
preparations for emigrating up the Missouri. All were now anxious to sell, instead
of buying more land in Ohio. A special command was given to seventeen families,
who had settled in one township, some three months previous, to depart
forthwith to the promised land, who obeyed orders, leaving their crops to those
who owned the land. Besides a great variety of special revelations relating to
individuals, and other matters, a general one was given to the proselytes to sell
their lands and other property and repair to Missouri as fast as possible, but not
in haste. Accordingly, many went during the year, making sacrifices of property,
(those few of them who had any,) in proportion to their faith and their anxiety to
be upon their "eternal inheritance." In the mean time, thirty of forty "Elders" were
sent off in various directions in pursuit of proselytes. This year passed off with
a gradual
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increase, and considerable wealth was drawn in, so that they began to boast of
a capital stock of ten or fifteen thousand dollars.
Their common stock principles appear to be somewhat similar to those of the
Shakers. Each one, however, is allowed to "manage his own affairs in his own
way," until he arrives in Missouri. There the Bishop resides; he has supreme
command in all property matters, according to the revelations given by the
prophet. The one relating to this branch of business reads in these words
"If thou lovest me, thou shalt serve me and keep my
commandments; and behold, thou shalt consecrate all thy
properties, that which thou hast unto me, with a covenant and a
deed which cannot be broken; and they shall be laid before the
Bishop of my church, and two of the Elders, such as he shall
appoint and set apart for that purpose. And it shall come to pass,
that the Bishop of my Church, after that he has received the
properties of my Church, that it cannot be taken from the Church,
he shall appoint every man a steward over his own property, or
that which he has received, inasmuch as is sufficient for himself
and family; and the residue shall be kept to administer to him who
has not, that every man may receive according as he stands in
need; and the residue shall be kept in my store-house, to
administer to the poor and needy, as shall be appointed by the
Elders of the Church and Bishop; and for the purpose of purchasing
land, and the building up of the New Jerusalem, which is hereafter
to be revealed; that my covenant people may be gathered in one,
in the day that I shall come to my temple: and this I do for the
salvation of my people. And it shall come to pass, that he that
sinneth and repenteth not, shall be cast out, and shall not receive
again that which he has consecrated unto me: For it shall come to
pass, that which I spake by the mouths of my prophets shall be
fulfilled; for
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I will consecrate the riches of the Gentiles, unto my people which
are of the house of Israel."
The next year commenced with something like a change of operations. Instead
of selling their possessions in Ohio, they again began to buy up improved land,
mills and water privileges. It would seem that the Missouri country began to look
rather dreary to the prophet and his head men, supposing that they could not
enjoy their power there as well as in Ohio. They could not think of undergoing the
hardships and privations incident to a new country. Besides, the people there
were not much disposed to encourage the emigration of such an army of fanatics
-- and their "Lamanite" brethren under Gen. Black Hawk, were about that time
commencing a war upon the whites.
They, therefore, continued to extend their impositions by sending abroad every
thing that could walk, no matter how ignorant, if they had learnt the tales and
vagaries of their leaders. All that were so sent, were dubbed Elders or High
Priests, and furnished with a commission, purporting to have been dictated by the
Lord to the Prophet. These requisites being added to their credulity, they were
of course inspired will all necessary self-sufficiency, zeal and impudence. They
were thus prepared to declare that every thing which they stated or imagined,
was absolutely true -- for the Spirit had so informed them. Many of them actually
carried their power of discerning spirits, and their enthusiasm, so far that they
frequently declared, that if Smith and all his witnesses were now to come forward
and say that his pretensions were a wicked deception, they would not believe a
word of it -- because the Spirit had shown that it was true. Here again, the
intelligent mind will readily discover one of the principal sources of all error and
delusion. Here is the sure refuge, the fast hold, of every impostor. This
something, which is the Spirit, or the Holy Spirit, has been the
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standing, unequivocal, incontrovertible and true witness for at least 24 false
Messiahs, for Mahomet, who is considered the prince of impostors, and for nearly
fifty others who have come with pretended commissions from Heaven. They all
had, or may still have, numerous followers, whose faith was wrought and
confirmed by what they suppose to be the Spirit.
During the year 1832, considerable progress was made in writing out, and revising
the Old and New Testaments, which the prophet pretended to do by inspiration,
or by the guidance of the Spirit. In this business, most of his leisure hours were
occupied, Rigdon acting as his scribe. They say that the Scriptures, in their
present form, retain but little of their original purity and beauty, having been so
often copied and translated by unskillful hands. The whole of the old Bible is now
said to be ready for the press, in its amended form, and will be forthcoming, as
soon as the state of their finances will permit. The curious, perhaps, may be
anxious to learn what alterations the prophet has made in the numerous verses
and chapters which he has copied into his book of Mormon, almost verbatim, and
especially the thirteen chapters of Isaiah.
Revelations and commandments still continue to be received. Visions were
frequently had, and extraordinary prophecies given out verbally by Smith, to his
followers, to strengthen and prolong their faith. Although he has assumed the
name and title of prophet, he is very cautious how he commits himself. His
predictions are always found far off, equivocal, and ambiguous, and always relate
to some events which every one supposes to be quite probable, and delivered in
such a way, that their failure is susceptible of an easy explanation, but if he
happens to guess right, in any case, it is immediately placed to his credit as a
true prophecy. We will give but a single specimen of this
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branch of his business: After the Cholera had eased its ravages in New York, in
1832, Smith prophesied it would return the ensuing year, with much greater
severity and violence, and nearly depopulate the city. From the known character
of that disease, its return was apprehended by most people, and with more fatal
effects. This was thought by our modern prophet, to be too good an opportunity
to pass unimproved, for establishing his reputation as a true prophet of God. But
the prediction wholly failed.