fire can scathe a green tree

Fire Can Scathe A Green Tree

by

John Ernest Clausen III

!

Cedar Fort © 2012 Watchman BooksDistribution Publications

John Erenst Clausen III110 S 6000 W #2 Petersboro, UT 84325435 755-7178 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Chapter One • Fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God

Chapter Two • Rubbing Shoulders With Uncertainty

Chapter Three • Unlawful Paper

Chapter Four • Essential Truths of God

Chapter Five • Before the Vineyard of Corruption

Clausen Fire Can Scathe A Green Tree! 1

Chapter One • Fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God

Illustrious portents given of worthy bearers and passed on are those wondrous fruits of a true nature how we should become. In their plainness, sometimes noticed or chased out by ignorance or unbelief are as marks on hedges which may prevent our references from a vantage point we think not of, to have been so clear. Though it had ever been in plain sight for us to take notice of temporally or spiritu-ally.

King David's inspired Ancient Language reads,"I have seen the wicked in great power, and spread-ing himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” 1

Where Patriarchs have been no natural man can contrive a corollary to dismiss there is a power greater than their own view. Or that in time they too, might overcome their own weaknesses were they to allow themselves to rely on a more consecrated spiritual life. Restored Truths are ever present amidst authorized disciples of a living Advocate of our Father, even whom created all that ever was from the beginning or will ever become.

Words depicting a lessening of reliance on spiritual truths were once placed allegorically, "Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters. And she had strong rods for the scepters of them that bare rule, and her stature was ex-alted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches. But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them. And now she is planted in the wilder-ness, in a dry and thirsty ground. And fire is gone out of the rod of her branches, which hath no strong rod to be a scepter to rule.“ 2

To a more greater depth of the unconscionable are these compilations of scenes and events in this book; intended to shake off the nature of a rebellious mind. Set as it were in the words of a Prophet for which I have embraced to have long needed be out in the open. A sequester or subsequent context ac-curately does tell this story, unconditionally. Invariably my sole purpose writing an conciliated book.

When the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ had commenced; which attributed greatly to the instrumentality of a prophet named Joseph Smith Junior. The words of John Taylor whom said, "...and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified." 3

Clausen Fire Can Scathe A Green Tree! 2

Chapter Two • Rubbing Shoulders With Uncertainty

This story begins on June 24 in 1844 approximately 11:45 p.m. at the southeast corner of Main and Washington Streets in Carthage, Illinois roughly two hundred paces before the Hamilton House Hotel overlooking Carthage Jail Square with two Carthage companies.

Dismounting from their steeds the Nauvoo city council members form a human barrier with Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, William Marks, Samuel H. Smith, Daniel H.Wells, William W. Phelps, Dimick B. Huntington, John S. Fullmer, and Newel K. Whitney to the center thereof. With all of Nauvoo's nine councilors affixed to the outer flank namely Samuel Bennett, John Taylor, Benjamin Warrington, Char-les C. Rich, John T. Barnett, William Edwards, Don Carlos Smith, John P. Greene, Dr.Willard Rich-ards, and Vinson Knight in order to pass through threshold of the Hotel satisfactorily.

Lt Frank Worell's Carthage Grays were encamped in quartered array throughout as many rods as an eye can view. All the while even in the presence of sixty state militiamen captained by Capt. Dunn re-maining on their steeds in case of an incident. Though abjectly drawn out, some few of Lt. Worells' entourage had aroused outbursts or jocular commentary toward them as they passed through. Espe-cially with Brig. Gen. Miner R. Deming on the receiving end awaiting their arrival before a meeting is to be made with Governor Ford.

Steering from a Regiment Gray is touted, " 'Where's the danged Prophet?' " Right after follows an-other Gray in response, " 'Stand away, you McDonough boys, and let us shoot the dang Mormons!' " Further away reeling, " 'Go'l—dang you, old Joe, we've got you now!' " Alongside Hotel's entryway, " 'Clear the way, let us have a view of Joe Smith, the Prophet of God.'" astride the threshold, "'He has seen the last of Nauvoo! We'll use him up now!' " 1

By this time Joseph Smith braces himself hard fast directly toward these closer ranks as if they had been unjustly out of rank formation and clearly in insubordination as they had followed them all two hundred paces from the Square.

Joseph confers, " ' ...I can see what is in your hearts, and will tell you what I see. I can see that you thirst for blood, and nothing by my blood, will satisfy you. It is not for crime of any description that I and my brethren are thus continually, persecuted and harassed by our enemies, but there are other mo-tives, and some of them, I have expressed so far as relate to myself, and inasmuch as you and the peo-ple thirst for blood, and sorrow to your entire satisfaction. Your souls shall be perfectly satiated with blood, and many of you who are now present shall have an opportunity to face the cannon’s mouth from sources you think not of and those people that desire this great evil upon me and my brethren shall be filled with sorrow because of the scenes of desolation and distress that await them. They shall seek for peace and shall not be able to find it. Gentlemen, you will find what I have told you to be true.'" 2 He then pivoting his footing northward to address McDonough Division, "'You shall not die a natural death; the judgements of the Almighty shall overtake you; the wolves shall eat the flesh from your bones and the ravens shall pluck out your eyes.' " 3

Clausen Fire Can Scathe A Green Tree! 3!

Tensions belie their standing orders to assemble there. After acknowledging such an unwarranted commotion outside, Governor Ford throws up the window of his hotel room and averts any more dis-ruption in behalf of his guests brief reception.

Governor Ford exhorts, " 'Gentlemen, I know your great anxiety to see Mr. Smith, which is natural enough, but it is quite too late tonight for you to have any opportunity; but I assure you, gentlemen, you shall have the privilege tomorrow morning, as I will cause him to pass before the troops upon the square, and I now wish you with this assurance, quietly and peaceably to return to your quarters.' " 4

A distanced voice reposes, " 'Hurrah, for Tom Ford.' "

At this very hour the Hamilton Hotel and Tavern have within its confines oblique meeting places where they allow proclivities for unions of state-wide interest groups to hold private gatherings. One such drawing room ominously located above the lobby is positioned for curious plans headed by Jo-seph H. Jackson including William and Wilson Law, Robert and Charles Foster, aligned with Francis and Chauncey Higbee, William Marks, Augustine Spencer, Austin Cowles, Henry Norton and all within an elaborate room inside this Hamilton Hotel. All present hold their position as they anticipate what might be said in the preceding to be shared by their Governor for his guests reception.

On timely serendipity while infantrymen fill up the foyer of the lobby, just behind their bodyguards and Nauvoo Council only keeping their distances slightly for respect of rank. Joseph Smith being aware of their idle curiosity of why he agreed to meet with Governor Ford in the first place. Strikes up a conversation with all of the infantrymen.

" 'Gentlemen, is there anything in my appearance would indicate that I was the desperate character my enemies represent me to be?' "

"'No Sir! (looks at others) your appearance would indicate the very contrary General Smith; but we cannot see what is in your heart, neither can we tell what are your intentions.'" 5

Brigadier General ventures upstairs into Governor Ford's Suite just as Thomas Ford issues an order for to accommodate his guests by his adigent confidant, Col. Geddes.

Ford directs, "Col.Thomas Geddes I want you to go below to remove visitors from the premises while chain of command ensures they be dismissed."

Brg. Gen.Deming interjects, " I suggest you escort all visitors out of the building in formation—in earnest, while the Governor and I join our guests for a briefing on the next days business. Yes, Colonel Geddes, procure the confines; see that these men remove from their assembly and are returned to their encampments, immediately."

"Yes Sir! Colonel solutes General Deming. Brg. Gen. Miner R. Deming returns the solute to Col. Geddes.

Thomas Ford extends a hand to the General. saying, "I thank you, General Deming, for your assis-tance providing them due reception."


"In your own words to Judge Morrison—'that, nothing short of this can vindicate the dignity of vio-lated law, and allay the just excitement of the people.' I thought it my duty to levy these regulations 'en masse'."

"I did say that—in the context of a threat by insubordinate occupations. Particularly, as I understand only ten minutes before these gentlemen arrived; your Regiment had thrown up their arms and sword in an uproarious manner."

"Memory serves me, Sir, that they were to arrive by ten o'clock as you sequestered they do. Here it is now after midnight. The McDonough Division were disbanding to return to their homes by this time. Only they instead, chose to request an audience with your guests." said with eyebrows raised.

"I hand picked these Carthage Grays—and I will disband these Militia clear back to Warsaw if nec-essary to keep the peace, here. Now, Captain Dunn's Dragoons will assist me to Nauvoo, when we're gone. I'll see you downstairs, General." They exit suite.

Continuing toward his guests, the Governor is taken aside by a memory of an historical past, over-come with a newer approach he declares his thoughts while Brg. Gen Deming exits through lobby en-trance to oversee the Colonel's success with the men. Ambitiously, the Governor welcomes his guests in private while the night ensues with an agreement to travel with him back to Nauvoo the next morn-ing provided he might meet with an equal pleading proposal over affairs of the surrendering of state owned arms in Nauvoo.

" 'Mayor Smith, you have my protection as I have promised. If tomorrow we can come to some agreement, you may accompany me to Nauvoo to assure full satisfaction of our citizens' co-operation to explore all allegations pending any wrongs against the State; should they engage us.' " 6

"Governor, our journey was interrupted by Captain Dunn's riders informing us of their orders to secure state arms of our Legion, that your excellency intended to use the militia of the state to discour-age any further unrest." 7

"Judge Jess B. Thomas made reasonably clear exactly what we're up against in Hancock County circuit court jurisdiction. (moves closer) May I ask for your company to be reduced to a handful as a prerequisite to peace?"

"In order to abate an insurrection of justice, these city officers have granted writs of Habeas Corpus and adjudicated due process. A handful of libelous individuals have elicited penurious misrepresenta-tion, have proven to become a disturber among common men. And you have asked for good men to be removed from my company."

Governor Ford’s throat tightens,"Brigadier General Deming has consented to offer his protection with your Council deliberations; so long as you are willing to go before any justice of the peace in Hancock County—except Justice Morrison." 8


"We will convene on the morrow, then. As you stated before them, to come to some agreement after which we shall accompany you to Nauvoo." nudges Hyrum agreeable.

Colonel Geddes and Brigadier General Deming have infantry scattered around those individuals escorted from Hamilton Hotel. With all their mordacious mischief built up they are reprimanded into an subordinate posture by the upper command.

Col Geddes declares, "These people from Nauvoo came on their own accord and revere the Liberty of honorable citizens. Boys! will you submit to an arrest for trifling an offense?"

Militiaman's face lowly tilted, "No."

Sullenly Colonel retorts, "Then load your pieces with ball!" 9

"Why were we dismissed from our muster when the Governor arrived?" he returns

Brg. Gen Deming interrupts,"I gave the order—you can not countermand my say on it. Now, I have heard enough of your insolence for one night. YOU WILL DISBAND! and either return to your homes or I WILL HOLD A COURT MARTIAL for the entire McDonagh Regiment—is that clear?"

Militiaman hunches over with, "YES SIR!" Disgruntled into a disheveled state with humiliation in full view of other infantrymen; they submit to remove from their post, fleeing aghast, intrepid upon on their various pathos.

Alluding to a latent element of occurrences is that no guest is even remotely made aware of the meeting taking place on the upper level of the Hotel. Its resonance can not be felt or detected no matter how much repartee is being exchanged on the lower level. Charged by their treachery in publications conjoining their cause as a union of jackals they spin a plot to dismantle the Charter of Nauvoo once and for all. From the first wave of rippled angst came a tiff about night guards in Nauvoo to protect it from Missouri rabble. As a second wave city ordinance violations gave sway to excommunications exposing them, whom once while improperly rooted in leadership organization pressed against it.

Another wave drove an mere mechanical press into oblivion. No good thing ever came out of libel-ous contempt on a grand scale. Actually, as far back as the early seventeen hundreds when an East-erner settled near Illinois to operate a printing press he lost his press as it had been vandalized. There had been twenty such destroyed or stolen presses in this part of the Midwest before that Expositor Press ever got any attention or notoriety.

The embers of corruption will seemingly never fully be snuffed out as long as mobocrats have a vote under the tables of free thinking men. Unless, some greater power can over turn them before they get to go to their priest craft designs to achieve their extreme ends.


Chapter Three • Unlawful Paper

Our story continues in the morning, seventh hour on the day of June 25th, 1844 the Nauvoo Coun-cil members all gathered with attorneys James W. Woods and Hugh T. Reid listening to the minutes from a preceding with Justice Robert F. Smith, where they plead for next term in Hancock county cir-cuit court on a charge of "riot" matters confronting an Expositor Press.

Attorney James Woods exclaims, " '...unless the prisoners could have appeared before the justice without being present in person or by counsel. their appointed Judge has a post with his own company among the Carthage Greys. Any valid mitimus should have included more details such as a State Seal with the Governor's signature.’ " 1

" '...necessarily postponed, by reason of the absence of material witnesses. A month ago when Judge Morrison decreed it, we determined we would appear before him.’" 2 Joseph continuing, "You'll have to excuse me, gentlemen. My interview with Treasurer William Flood is about to get under way in the next room." Joseph exits to keep his official duty.

As he enters into the appointed room he is greeted by U.S. Receiver of Public Funds, William G. Flood, cordially."The messenger stated there was an urgent matter you had to see me about, Mr. Flood?"

"Yes, Mayor Smith, both the Constable and I have been deliberating what to do. It seems a bond has been issued out against you pending a writ granted on the oath of Augustine Spencer. I'm so glad you made the effort to see me."

Joseph removes from their presence to reconvene with his council and attorneys in the adjoining room. Constable David Bettisworth remains to discuss further a matter connected with yesterdays court preceding which had pressed him so while Judge R. F. Smith had auspiciously been presiding.

Outside, the Governor assembles troops to form a hollow square in front of Court House. Standing on a table to be heard head address them. Arousing such feelings of indignation against his invited guests person before he would fulfill his promise in Herodian fashion. He quipped, " 'Do Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith pose a threat to your way of life by levying war against this state? Indeed, they do. Nauvoo Legion must be disbanded at all hazard. So I have taken the Liberty to disarm their state owned arms by executive order. I go to Nauvoo, today, for the express purpose of uprooting their seat of power that it not populate or over run its bounds obtaining old settlers claims for their own gain or profit. Although they are dangerous men in the community, and may be guilty of all that you might have alleged against them, still, they are in the hands of the law, which now must have its course. So when you come to muster be it however this injunction af-fects your own, remember that the law will yet protect the common weal and punish whom it will.’" 3

Joseph concludes meeting stating they resume after his meeting with Governor Ford.


In from the morning muster Thomas Ford visits Brig. Gen. Deming's quarters where guests Smiths were staying to invite them to join him for a walk through the mustered company on the square. They complied being subjected to demonstrate how to separate their usual public parlance from their pur-ported militaristic manner of protocol when before troops. Afterward, the guests from Nauvoo, re-turned to their two provided Suites. All had been quite that morning until a messenger came with news that the Greys revolted and were under guard by Brig. Gen. Deming for the time. Joseph urged all to stay close at hand. More news entered stating a Warsaw Company was advancing on Carthage on their own. Then Joseph was visited by US Marshal Mr. Prentice affirming what Cyrus Wheelock had in-formed him about nearly fourteen hours ago. "'How John A Hicks stated to him that a contingent group was determined to shed the blood of Joseph Smith by not only himself, but by the Laws, Higbees, Fos-ters, Joseph H. Jackson, and many others. That they were housed in Hamilton Inn. And they were go-ing to Nauvoo to plunder ."

At four o'clock Joseph, Hyrum and thirteen others were taken before Robert F. Smith to be tried on the riot charge already brought before Judge Thomas Morrison. Chauncey L Higbee, one of the prose-cutors, moved an adjournment. Joseph's lawyers objected to an adjournment, and said that the court was not authorized to take recognizance without their acknowledging their guilt, or having witnesses to prove it, and we admit the press was destroyed by order of the Mayor, it having been condemned by the City Council as a nuisance. Attorney, Hugh Thompson Reid stated that the law quoted by the prosecution belonged to civil, not criminal cases. The prosecution insisted to have a commission of the crime acknowledged. After a good deal of resistance on the part of the prosecution, court asked if the parties admitted that there was sufficient cause to bind over, and the counsel for the defense admitted there was, and offered to enter into cognizance in the common form, in order to prevent, if possible, any increase of excitement. Then Court acknowledged the admission and ordered recognizance mean-ing five hundred dollars for each member of the Council and its related defendants of the case. Over reaching charge.

Judge Smith, the only magistrate who could grant subpoenas for witnesses also being a Captain of the Carthage Greys, made himself unavailable for reasonable defense if not purposely to prevent the appearing of the defendant's witnesses to reach a verdict. By this elicit non action suggests these repre-sentatives of the law felt that due process in this case seemed less important than treason had in the previous allegation, reprehensibly.

As some strong ties for picking up vital information didn't involve couriers or lawmen. One witness came through about six-thirty, namely Nauvoo's Captain Dan Jones. He related, " 'Wilson Law, whilst endeavoring to get another warrant against Joseph Smith for treason, declared that while Mr Smith once preached from Daniel 2:44, said that the kingdom referred to was already set up, and that he was the king; over it.' " 4

Also, that Joseph H. Jackson with others of the mob agreeable had declared, " 'That they had eight-een accusations against Joseph, and as one failed, they would try another to detain him there, and that they had had so much trouble and hazard, and worked so hard in getting him to Carthage, that they would not let him get out of it alive.'"He said, Jackson pointed to his pistols and said, " 'The balls are


in there that will decide the case.’ ” 5 Joseph Smith thanks Captain Jones for his report and prepares himself for his meeting.

An hour passed, The other guests signed their bonds, said their farewells, then proceeded on to Nauvoo allowing those remaining to conduct their business expecting their return. Governor Ford en-ters Joseph and Hyrum's quarters with readiness to redress wrongs. John Taylor who had already vis-ited with the Governor was asked to record the minutes of the interview, accompanied by John P Green (City Marshall) who would conduct it.

Opening with," 'General Smith...the press in the United States is looked upon as the great bulwark of American freedom, and its destruction in Nauvoo was a high-handed measure manifesting a disposi-tion on your part to suppress the liberty of speech and of the press; this with the requisition of a writ, I conceive to be the principle cause of difficulty, and you are represented to me as turbulent and defiant of the laws and institutions of your country.' " 6

" 'Governor Ford...upon investigating the matter, we found that our City Charter gave us power to remove all nuisances, and furthermore, upon consulting Blackstone upon what might be considered a nuisance, I believe that a libelous and filthy press may be considered a nuisance and abated as such. Here, then, one of the most eminent English barristers, whose works are considered standard with us, declares that a libelous press may be considered a nuisance; and our own character, given us by the legislature of this State, gives us the power to remove nuisances; and by ordering that press abated as a nuisance, we conceived that we were acting strictly in accordance with law. We made that order in our corporate capacity, and the City Marshall carried it out. It is possible there may have been some better way, but I must confess that I could not see it. In relation to the writ served upon us, we were willing to abide the consequences of our acts, but were unwilling, in answering a writ of that kind, to submit to illegal exaction sought to be imposed upon us under the pretense of law, when we knew they were in open violation of it. ... What right had that Constable to refuse our request? He had none according to the law, for you know, Governor Ford, that the statue law in Illinois is, that parties served with the writ shall go before him who issued it, or some other justice of the peace. Why, then, should we be dragged to Carthage, where the law does not compel us to go? Does not this look like many others of our prosecutions with which you are acquainted? And had we not a right to expect foul play? This very act was a breach of law on his part—an assumption of power that did not belong to him, and an at-tempt, at least, to deprive us of our legal and constitutional rights and privileges. What could we do under the circumstances different from what we did do? We sued for and obtained a writ of habeas corpus from Municipal Court, by which we were delivered from the hands of Constable Bettisworth, and brought before and acquitted by the Municipal Court. After our acquittal, in a conversation with Judge Thomas, although he considered the acts of these men illegal, he advised, that to satisfy the peo-ple, we had better go before another magistrate who was not in our Church. ...we went before Esquire Wells, with whom you are well acquainted; both parties were present, witnesses were called, on both sides, the case was fully investigated, and we were again dismissed. ...And when you, Sir, required us to come out here, we came, not because it was legal, but because you required it of us, and we were desirous of showing to you and to all men that we shrank not from the most rigid investigation of our acts. We certainly did expect other treatment than to be immured in a jail at the instance of these men, and I think, from your plighted faith, we had a right to, after disbanding our own forces, and putting


ourselves entirely in your hands; and now, having fulfilled my part, sir, as a man and an American citi-zen, I call upon you Governor Ford, and think I have a right to do so, to deliver us from this place, and rescue us from this outrage that is sought to be practiced upon us by a set of infamous scoundrels. ' " 7

" 'But you have placed men under arrest, detained men as prisoners, and given passes to others, some of which I have seen.' " Governor redoubles.

John P Green suggests," 'Perhaps I can explain. Since these difficulties have commenced, our city has been placed under a very rigid police guard; in addition to this, frequent guards have been placed outside of the city to prevent any sudden surprise and those guards have questioned suspected or sus-picious persons as to their business. To strangers, in some instances, passes have been given, to pre-vent difficulty in passing those guards. It is some of those passes that you have seen. No person , sir, has been imprisoned without legal cause in our city.' "8

" 'Why did you not give a more speedy answer to the posse I sent out?' "asked Governor

" '..Your letter showed anything but an amicable spirit. It took some time for us to weigh duly these matters. ..We were consulting for a large people, vast interests were at stake.We had been outrageously imposed upon, and knew not how far we could trust anyone; besides, a question necessarily arose, how shall we come? Your request was that we should come unarmed. It became a matter of serious impor-tance to decide how far promises could be trusted, and how far we were safe from mob violence.' " 9

Col. Geddes inserts, " 'It surely did look from all I have heard, a general spirit of violence and mo-bocracy that here prevails, that it was not safe for you to come unprotected.' " 10

" '..They were too hasty; but I suppose they found themselves bound by their orders. I think, too, there is a great deal of truth in what you say, and your reasoning is plausible; yet, I must beg leave to differ from you in relation to acts of the City Council. That council, in my opinion, had not right to act in a legislative capacity, and in that of the judiciary. They should have passed a law in relation to the matter, and then the Municipal Court, upon complaint, could have removed it; but for the City Council to take upon themselves the law-making and the execution of the laws, in my opinion, was wrong; be-sides, these men ought to have had a hearing before their property was destroyed; to destroy it without was an infringement of their rights; besides, it is so contrary to the feelings of the American people to interfere with the press. ...' " said Governor. 11

" 'Governor Ford, ...You state that you think it would have been better for us to have submitted to the requisition of Constable Bettisworth, and to have gone to Carthage. Do you not know, sir, that writ was served at the instance of an anti-Mormon mob, who had passed resolutions and published them to the effect that they would exterminate the Mormon leaders; and are you not informed that Captain An-derson was not only threatened when coming to Nauvoo, but had a gun fired at his boat by this said mob at Warsaw, when coming up to Nauvoo, and that this very thing was made use of as a means to get us into their hands, and we could not, without taking an armed force with us, go there without, ac-cording to their published declarations, going into the jaws of death?' " 12


" 'I see—I see.' " inclines, Governor.

"’Furthermore, in relation to the press, you say that you differ with me in opinion; be it so, the thing after all is a legal difficulty, and courts I should judge competent to decide on the matter. If our act was illegal, we are willing to meet it; and although I cannot see a distinction that you draw about the acts of the City Council, and what difference it could have made in point of fact, law, or justice, between the City Council's acting together or separate, instead of with the councilors. Yet, if it is deemed that we did a wrong in destroying that press, we refuse not to pay for it. We are desirous to fulfill the law in every particular, and are responsible for our acts. ..Had it been a civil suit, this of course would have been proper; but there was a flagrant violation of every principle of right, a nuisance, and it was abated on the same principle that any nuisance, stench, or putrefied carcass would have been removed. Our first step, therefore, was to stop the foul, noisome, filthy sheet, and then, the next, in our opinion would have been to have prosecuted the men for a breach of public decency. ...' " 13

" 'I am in hopes that you will be acquitted; but if I go, I will certainly take you along. I do not, how-ever, apprehend danger. I think you are perfectly safe, either here or anywhere else. I can not, however, interfere with the law. I am placed in peculiar circumstances and seem to be blamed by all parties.' " 14

" 'Governor Ford, I ask for nothing but what is legal. I have a right to expect protection, at least from you; independent of law, you have pledged your faith, and that of the State, for my protection, and I wish to go to Nauvoo.' " 15

" 'And you shall have protection, General Smith. I did not make this promise without consulting my officers, who all pledged their honor to its fulfillment. I don not know that I shall go tomorrow to Nauvoo, but if I do, I will take you along.' " 16

The Governor, Colonel and City Marshall bid them well exiting from their guests suite. Some passes were given to the guards on the square before Governor Ford and company went to dinner. Jo-seph and Hyrum await the others resume their counselors meeting. "’Knock, Knock, Knock.' " Hyrum opens the Suite door to find Constable Bettisworth as if he had been expected.

"Only a Midnight Judge would contrive such bare-faced, illegal, tyrannical proceedings as you have gotten caught up in." said Joseph.

"Sign the bond or you must come with me to jail house. Its that simple." Constable argued.

"We will have to clear this with the Governor, first. Until we have had counsel with the Governor, we will remain as we are in Brig. Gen. Deming's Suite." said James Woods.

"I have been sworn to deliver these two gentlemen over to the authorities, today. And there is only five more minutes that I will allow be taken up to set the matter straight." bemoaned Constable.


The councilman leaves out of the suite only to return within fifteen additional minutes before con-fronting the Constable again. They meet outside the suite to reach a decision.

James Woods declares, "In view of his Excellency, Mr. Ford's decision, we move to complaisance. I will ask you to stay here until I have had reasonable counsel with my clientele."

"Where's the hurry—you've had me here since sunrise anyway? A few more minutes, and they'll be my responsibility to carry out these orders." Constable shrugs.

Once inside, the attorney confers,"Thomas said that he did not think it within the sphere of his duty to interfere, as they were in the hands of the civil law, and there-fore he had not the power to stay process, or the due course of law, and that he could not interrupt a civil officer in the discharge of his duty. But the efficacy of those words are riddled with illegal innuendo. He's been an associate-justice of the Supreme Court. And too, he was appealed to by Captain Robert F Smith to know what he must do. As magistrate, Judge Smith has only thrown the brazen poker into the fire with this false commital. Governor Ford on the other hand, acting as Commander-in-Chief by consent is forging 'De facto incar-ceration' through arbitrary and capricious deliberation. Which is reasonable cause for an appeal to a Higher Court. In effect, he interposes, an order to one of his Captains being a Magistrate to draw up a condition of habeas corpus which action impinges on his own oath of office. An illegal proceeding, I might add, presupposes endangerment to the detainees. My advice is to seek an appellate action be taken this Saturday when your case comes up for examination. Mr. Reid and I will be available. But I suggest that Orville Hickman Browning represent your defense. For he honorably serves his oath."

John Taylor adds," 'As I was informed of this illegal proceeding, I went immediately to the Gover-nor and informed him of it; whether he was apprised of it before or not, I do not know, but my opinion is that he was. I represented to him the character of the parties who had made oath, the outrageous na-ture of the charge, the indignity offered to men in the position which they occupied, and that he knew very well that it was a vexatious prosecution, and that they were not guilty of any such thing.'"17 Brig. Gen Deming's Suite door opens while Constable Bettisworth enters in at the same time hold-ing the very document being discussed by the counsel. Repeals decided, now agreeing with ones ad-versary while thou art in the way with him was still the more true excellent way to quell a deliberate act of defiance. What a price for sacrifice it was to be.

Bettisworth hammers, "As appointed by circuit court of Hancock County, a bond in the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars is so set; for the arrest of all present until a trial is set. And you are to accompany me over to the Jail House–directly."

Joseph sighed, "Let me see that mittimus, Constable. These are my counsel. (proof reads document) We already appeared before a Justice Wells and were acquitted under warrant for the same charge posted, that of treason against the state on oath of Augustine Spencer." 18

"Lieutenant General Smith! There are two mittimus on my person (hands other document to Hy-rum) similarly in your brother's case; its only sworn out by one, Henry O Norton. You both will ac-company me over to the jail house."


Hyrum reads over the writ while the others in the room begin to stand, as their meeting is inter-rupted by Governor Ford with Brigadier-General Deming entering the conference room. Precariously rattled by this purported authority, as the Constable stands aside them while approaching the two brothers that he might assist them out into the street. Hyrum sets both documents into the lawyers' pouch. He with Joseph, and their Nauvoo Council consecutively head for the Foyer to approach an outer proscenium of the Hamilton Hotel.

Stephen Markham joins Joseph on his left, Capt. Dan Jones joins Hyrum on his right; next, both brothers lock arms with Brig-Gen Deming, William W. Phelps, Elder John Taylor, Dr. Willard Rich-ards and John S. Fullmer follow stride for stride behind in line. Governor Ford leads ahead of the pro-cession with two columns of his guard providing protection as promised. Stephen Markham and Capt. Dan Jones hold back with their walking sticks as a safety measure, yielding what had previously been demonstrated whilst random attempts were made to interfere with their promenade formation. They soon come upon the Debtor's Apartment just to the right on the Square. Jailer motions to his guards. They push off the porched-in area and stand in a line side by side. 19

"I'm George W. Stigall, welcome to our Carthage Jailhouse Square, Gentlemen."

Governor Ford precludes "I will be expecting to visit with Joseph tomorrow morning on my return from Nauvoo. Please keep them safe with those assigned to you, on your best report; shall I receive them."

George shakes the Governor's hand, "I will command they do. May your escorts be prompt, then."

"Colonel Geddes, dispense your men. General Deming and I have some matters of state to discuss with the locals and will be delayed before leaving just up on sixteen hundred."

"Gentlemen in our custody, to my left are our dedicated deputies (gesture toward:) this is, Franklin Rhodes, next to him, Levi Street, then here's Joseph Hawley (an official of Carthage), and this is Wil-liam Baldwin (an excellent marksman), also are; Anthony Barkman (newly deputized) , with Adams County (also newly deputized), and last but not least, Clabourn Wilson (long with us)."

Eight remaining representatives of the Nauvoo Council are then given an express tour discovering that another Officer not present is Lt. Frank Worrell as his wife labors for the preparation of meals served in the Carthage Jail. The jailer decides after one night in a limited barred cell with hay filled floor and mattresses he could better accommodate them, transferring them from the Debtors Parlor re-alizing that they would be in court before the week is out.


Chapter Four • Essential Truths of God

Our story continues in the morning, eighth hour on the day of June 26th, 1844, inside Sheriff George Stigall's quarters; Joseph and company are visited by men closest to their affiliation. Joseph dictates to Willard Richards a letter of inquiry to Oliver Hickman Brown.

Joseph states,"'Sir–I would again solicit your Excellency for an interview having been much disap-pointed the past evening. I hope you will not deny me this privilege any longer than your public du-ties shall absolutely require. We have been committed under a false mittimus, and consequently the proceedings are illegal, and we desire the time may be hastened when all things shall be made right, and we relieved from this imprisonment.'"

Dr Richards asks, " Is there a post script attached?"

"'Post Script!-Please send an answer per bearer. Your Servant, Joseph Smith.'"

Willard Richards completes copies of orders from Joseph to his constituents in Nauvoo; thereby is then interjected by more insight. That as long as passes were readily being issued to Joseph's associ-ates perhaps they might see their families again on the day of the trial.

Joseph relates,"'I have had a good deal of anxiety about my safety since I left Nauvoo, which I never had before when I was under arrest. I could not help those feelings, and they have depressed me.' Fortifying this door jamb has done us well; served its purpose. I'm grateful for this act of service by friends like, Captain Jones and Colonel Markham's efforts in our behalf." 1

Hyrum follows,"'They say, let us go home, boys, for I will not fight any longer against these men.' "

"'Could my brother, Hyrum, but be liberated, it would not matter so much about me. Poor Rigdon, I'm glad he is gone to Pittsburg out of the way; were he to preside he would lead the Church to de-struction in less than five years.'" said Joseph. 2

At half past five, Patriarch John Smith from Macedonia appears tired as was seen by Joseph through the debtor's apartment window. The road thronged with mob ties such that three of them snapped their guns at him, and he was threatened by many others who recognized him. The Gray guard denies him access while Joseph threw up the slat then calls down to them, abruptly before it es-calates into a brawl without due jurisprudence.

"'Let the old gentlemen come in, he is my uncle,'"

Guard Barkman growls,"'We don't care who the hell he is uncle to—he should not go in.'"

" 'You will not hinder so old and infirm a man as he is from coming, in, Come in, uncle;' " said Jo-seph.


Searching him further they retract, letting him pass through into the upper apartment without a permit slip. Others remove from their conversations or annunciations to welcome a long revered uncle and friend.

" 'Don't you think you should get out of the hands of your enemies, Joseph?' "

" 'My brother Hyrum thinks I shall. I wish you would tell the brethren in Macedonia that they can see by this, that it has not been safe for me to visit them; and tell them, Almon W. Babbitt I want him to come and assist me as an attorney at my expected trial tomorrow before Captain R. F. Smith.' " 3

At eight, on the evening of June 26,1944 Nauvoo City Marshall, John P Green, with attorneys, James Woods, and Hugh Reid meet with their comrades to discuss pre-trial details. City Marshall has positioned himself between Joseph, Hyrum and John Fullmer by the latched shut door. He relates an incident which he had picked up on as a witness.

"A formidable circumstance was revealed to me, today—Joseph, which concerns all here. Shared by Col Geddes with the Governor on their return from visiting the Jail. Thomas declared, " 'Oh, its all nonsense; you will have to drive these Mormons out yet! Colonel then said,"'If we undertake that, governor; when the proper time comes, will you interfere?'" "'No, I will not, (thinking a little further) he added,'until you are through.' " 4

James Woods muses by the window while City Marshall concludes his full report to the brethren then turns to face Joseph and hurriedly exclaims,"Governor Ford, has met with his officers and de-cided that he would leave for Nauvoo at first light on the morrow."

Joseph poised,"Well then—we'll have safe passage back into Nauvoo by his invitation."

"That's just my point,"said Woods "He's not to be trusted–he hasn't kept the peaceable integrity of his oath of office. Instead, while we were in conference, yesterday. He rallied a muster by an uproari-ous methodology which by instilling egregious fulminations upon the hearts of those troops had only primed them up before asking you gentlemen to walk through their hollowed square formation. By his leaving those two McDonough companies, he will continue to bring endangerment upon incarcerates whether by order or decree."

Hugh T. Reid recalls,"Curiously, a source has informed me that Governor Ford has issued a direct injunction upon his person if said Captain Robert F Smith fails to protect the prisoners. His exact words were,"'to guard the jail strictly, at the peril of his life until the Governors return from Nauvoo.'" 5

John Smith vocally steadies their foregoing reports with his own observance on how they should proceed by keeping them in remembrance of receding compulsory acts,


"There is less consternation over the safety of our saints than for sworn affidavits and prosecutions detaining you here. Marshals are all in place and couriers have been a great safeguard so long as they can continue. We Saints face atrocity more readily than those corruptible firebrands what make evil designs to be their cause with powder and ball."

Joseph affirms," Out of those two attempts Constable Bettisworth had made to have us released back into his custody by order of Justice Robert F Smith. He let us meet with him only to inform us that an official trial will be granted set for Saturday June 29th. I have corresponded with them whom I feel are capable men. We'll prepare for trial."

Captain Dan Jones with Stephen Markham approach door to secure its latch when their meeting concludes while Joseph and Hyrum bid their uncle their farewells. Woods and Reid return to their suite in Hamilton's Hotel as John Smith rides back to Macedonia. A prayer is given by John Taylor. The door remains open. Then Joseph commences to bare witness of the living gospel to the guards.

Hyrum then reads scripture aloud from two places from Alma in the Book of Mormon."'And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them.'"

"Both Alma with Amulek were freed in an instant from those bounds in Ammonihah all for the Gospel's sake." Hyrum said.

"'And it came to pass that so great was their fear that they fell to the earth, and did not obtain the outer door of the prison; and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, so that they fell to the earth; and the chief judge, and the lawyers, and priests, and teachers, who smote upon Alma and Amulek, were slain by the fall thereof. And Alma and Amulek came forth out of the prison, and they were not hurt; for the Lord had granted unto them 'power, according to their faith which was in Christ. And they straightway came forth out of the prison; and they were loosed from their bands; and the prison had fallen to the earth, and every soul within the walls thereof, save it were Alma and Amulek, was slain and they straightway came forth into the City.'" 6

"You, good brother, do now have correspondence being entrusted to rightful authority weighing upon the hour for our deliverance." encourages Hyrum

Joseph declares, "'Isaiah has it—'To bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness from the prison house.' 7 Seek ye Hyrum to these things, heavenward."

Seated on the upper level hall is Joseph Hawley whom Joseph strikes up a conversation while Hy-rum is reading aloud to his left. Guard Hawley places his undivided attention toward his new friend-ship with the prophet. This leads to Joseph's testimony about to be shared. What follows is an illustri-ous witness of a Divine Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Joseph gestures out of the room noticing Joseph Hawley's interest in their discussion, "I perceive from your eagerness to listen-in our points just might be what is troubling you."

"Oh, I am, but what are Laws of a just Lord and Kingdom? Or of an Heavenly God?" Joseph replies, "He of whom you do speak is our Lord Jesus Christ.” “ 'We believe that God conde-scended to speak from the heavens and declare His will concerning the human family, to give them just and holy laws, to regulate their conduct, and guide them in a direct way, that in due time He might take them to Himself, and make them joints heirs with His Son. But when this fact is admitted, that the immediate will of heaven is contained in the Scriptures, are we not bound as rational creatures to live in accordance to all its precepts? Will the mere admission, that this is the will of heaven ever benefit us if we do not comply with all its teachings? Do we not offer violence to the Supreme Intelligence of heaven, when we admit the truth of his teachings, and do not obey them? Do we not descend below our own knowledge, and the better wisdom which heaven has endowed us with, by such a course of conduct? ' " 8

Joseph Hawley returns,"As early as seventeen eighty-seven when this Northwest Ordinance opened up settlement from Kaskaskia to Cahokia, rampant flippery has crowed out any regard for scripture known to them. Respect for the law is not here."

"'For these reasons, if we have direct revelations given us from heaven, surely those revelations were never given to be trifled with, without the trifler's incurring displeasure and vengeance upon his own head, if there is any justice in heaven; and that there is must be admitted by every individual who admits the truth and force of God's teachings, His blessing and cursings, as contained in the sacred volume.'" 9

"That's a might powerful promise to lay up in those teachings of our Lord."guard Hawley admits."Joseph, What was the late Judge Elias Higbee like? Did his sons mind him, but now abate the founda-tion which he stood for just to defy his memory?"

Joseph replies, "..I will give you a more painful thought. Suppose you have an idea of a resurrec-tion, and yet know nothing at all of the Gospel, nor comprehend one principle of the order of heaven, but find yourselves disappointed—yes, at last find yourselves disappointed in every hope or anticipa-tion, when the decision goes forth from the lips of the Almighty. Would not this be a greater disap-pointment—a more painful thought than annihilation? ..What would it profit us to come unto the spir-its of the just men, but to learn and come up to the standard of their knowledge..where Judge Higbee has gone?" 10

Clabourn Wilson climbs up the stairs to relieve officer Hawley on his watch only to find Joseph standing in the doorway engaged in casual conversation with like inquisitiveness.

"Higbees—do you mean Augustine Spenser's two spies who wreak havoc for a living? I saw the both of them, Francis and Chauncey in the Hamilton Hotel last night, upper floor along with Thomas Sharp himself and about nine others, all fixing for some mischief."


As Joseph Smith warmly responds, Clabourn Wilson exchanges places with lead officer Joseph Hawley lending to a lighter understanding on a subject at hand by his hindrance.

"Their father, the late, Esquire Elias Higbee was whom we were referring to, Clabourn. I am sure a report of that nature would well stead serve your Sheriff Stigall."

"Josiah Thomas—I just remembered, who when first here from the East, came to set up a Printer's Press. And for twenty years couldn't keep his business. It seems those estranged citizens repeatedly vandalizing his print shop amounted to they foregoing news by press. I'm sorry, I thought you had counsel with you, or were preparing for litigation concerns."

Officer Hawley interjects, "Please excuse, Clabourn, as he's been on our back lot. And was not aware just when those gentlemen had left to return back toward Hamilton Inn."

"He certainly has a pulse of acumen within his countenance better than most among you. Are you well read, brother Clabourn?" Joseph asked.

"Much read—only not in ways by which you're asking of me. For I know little of Bible in my free time. Wherein does your faith differ from other sects?" replies Clabourn.

"In that we believe the Bible, and all other sects profess to believe their interpretations of the Bible, and their creeds." 11

Clabourn asks,"How did that Book of Mormon come into your faith instead of any other sect?"

Officer Hawley makes a gesture to remain on post by asking Clabourn. ' if it'd be alright'.

"The Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers of our western tribes of Indians; having been found through the ministration of an holy angel, and translated into our own language by the gift and power of God, after having been hid up in the earth for the last fourteen hundred years, containing the word of God which was delivered unto them. By it we learn that our western tribes of Indians are de-scendants from that Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and that the land of America is a promised land unto them, and unto it all the tribes of Israel will come, with as many of the Gentiles as shall comply with requisitions of the new covenant. But the tribe of Judah will return to old Jerusalem. The city of Zion spoken of by David, in the one hundred and second Psalm will be built upon the land of America. 'And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; and then they will be delivered from the overflowing scourge that shall pass through the land. But Judah shall obtain deliverance at Jerusalem.’These are testimonies that the Good Shepard will put forth His own sheep, and lead them out from all nations where they have been scattered in a cloudy and dark day, to Zion, and Jerusalem; besides many more testimonies which might be brought." 12


Officer Hawley's absence from making his usual rounds draws other of the guards from their ap-pointed posts which causes two more guards to mobilize on that upper floor hall. William Baldwin and Adams County bring an new definition to the element of surprise.

"Adams—now, you,William. That only leaves Franklin, Levi, and Anthony minding the grounds." declares, Officer Hawley.

"We sensed, something was going on that piqued our curiosity such that we should meet." retorts William.

Adams adds, "Sheriff said he'd be back to check grounds about midnight. Those Greys may not be all that ingenuous. High ground is advantageous when dealing with powder and ball, anyway.""What's so important you couldn't make the rounds this time?" said William.

Officer Hawley purposes, "Mr Smith, Clabourn, and I, are having a discussion about a Gospel Res-toration and other things pertaining to it. Its really interesting to here him speak from his heart on all these points. I suggest for your sake; you pose any comments you have in mind at this time, directly to him. That we might all then benefit."

"I'd like to know just what that is—a restored Gospel. What happened to the old Gospel? What was the old Gospel? Was that the doctrine taught by Apostles in Jerusalem?"asks Adams.

Joseph smiles, "These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the Melchize-dek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by the Holy Prophets be brought to pass? It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses' day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued. It may be asked by some, what is the necessity for sacrifice, since the Great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which, if repentance, baptism, and faith existed prior to the days of Christ, what necessity for them since that time? The Priesthood has descended in a regular line from father to son, through their successive gen-erations." 13

Joseph affirms."The first principle of the Gospel is to know the character of God, a second one, is to enable man to advance, a third principle, is to evince exactness in honor and obedience unto the end of your days." 14

"Joseph—when I asked about how that other book came to be; you 'mentioned by the ministration of an Holy angel'. Are we to prepare to be in like administrations before our final days catch up on us?" inquires Clabourn.


The others look at one another in eager anticipation for what might be his answer or how it might apply to their own exemplary predilections expounded by belief.

Joseph explains,"...There are two kinds of beings in Heaven, the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spir-its—the other a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ be-came a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in the sepulcher) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part of His mission, without which He could not have perfected His work, or entered into His rest. After His resurrection He appeared as an angel to his disciples. Translated bodies cannot enter into their rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for future missions. The angel that appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a translated or resur-rected body [i.e.; personage]. Jesus Christ went in body after His resurrection, to minister to resur-rected bodies. There has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the present time. The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching. It is no more incredible that God should save the dead, than that he should raise the dead." 15

William wrestles with a point not mentioned, "Where is the Kingdom of God; should we be able to enter into our rest? Are we not less than the dust of the earth without baptism in our embodiment?"

"Some say the kingdom of God was not set up on the earth until the day of Pentecost, and that John did not preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. But I say, in the name of the Lord, that the kingdom of God was set up on the earth from the days of Adam to the present time, whenever there has been a righteous man on earth unto whom God revealed His word and gave power and authority to administer in His name. And where there is a priest of God—a minister who has the power and authority from God to administer in the ordinances of the gospel and officiate in the priesthood of God—there is the kingdom of God. And, in the consequence of rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the prophets whom God hath sent, the judgments of God have rested upon people, cities, and na-tions, in various ages of the world, which was the case with cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, that were destroyed for rejecting the Prophets." 16

"Joseph continues, "...Again he says, 'Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God;' and, heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.' If a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he can get into the kingdom of God. It is evident the kingdom of God was on the earth, and John prepared subjects for the kingdom, by preaching of the Gospel to them and baptizing them, and he prepared the way before the Savior, or came as a forerun-ner, and prepared subjects for the preaching of Christ; and Christ preached through Jerusalem, on the same ground where John had preached and when the apostles were raised up, they worked in Jerusa-lem, and Jesus commanded them to tarry there until they were endowed with power from on high. Had they not work to do in Jerusalem? They did work, and prepared a people for the Pentecost. The king-dom of God was with them before the day of Pentecost, as well as afterward ; and it was also with John, and he preached the same Gospel and baptism that Jesus and the apostles preached after him. The endowment was to prepare the disciples for their missions unto the world." 17


"Whenever men can find out the will of God and find an administrator legally authorized from God, there is the kingdom of God; but where these are not, the kingdom of God is not. All ordinances, sys-tems, and administrations on the earth are of no use to the children of men, unless they are ordained and authorized of God; for nothing will save a man but a legal administrator; for none others will be acknowledged either by God or angels. I know what I say; I understand my mission and business. God Almighty is my shield; and what can a man do if God is my friend? I shall not be sacrificed until my time comes; then I shall be offered freely. All flesh is as grass, and a governor is no better than other men; when he dies he is but a bag of dust. I thank God for preserving me from my enemies; I have no enemies but for the truth's sake. I have no desire but to do all men good. I feel to pray for all men. We don't ask any people to throw away good they have got; we only ask them to come and get some more. What if all the world should embrace the Gospel? They would then see eye to eye and the blessings of God would be poured out upon the people, which is the desire of my whole soul. Amen." 18

Within hearing range of the men assembled, Hyrum's reading aloud in scripture further echos Jo-seph' s concluding remarks, "Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen." 19

Willard Richards stayed up writing until his last candle left him in the dark. Upon the discharge of a gun in the night, Joseph moved from the bed to the floor. Reclining near Dan Jones, the Prophet asked the Welshman if he was afraid to die and promised him he would yet fill a mission to his native land.

Jones recorded that he was awakened about midnight by "heavy treads as of soldiery close by," and heard someone whisper near the window below, "Who, and how many shall go in?" Dan saw a "large number of men in front of the prison," and gave the alarm as they rushed up the stairs to the door of the room. But hearing the prisoners moving about, and Joseph yell out, "Come ye assassins we are ready for you, and would as willingly die now as at daylight," the intruders left the jail, straightway."


Chapter Five • Before the Vineyard of Corruption

Our story convenes in the morning, eighth hour on the day of June 27th, 1844, a change of com-mand had brought an additional company back from the Governor's entourage so to make the two day lay over decision less impending to his detainee's vital welfare. Captain (Judge) R. F. Smith was per-plexed with drudgery orders to protect the jail house detainees until the Governor was to return back earlier than expected. Nauvoo's vulnerability was becoming lesser so, hour by hour as the Governor's presence, though tedious or uncompromising; in turn had staved off what plans were to be imple-mented by a corruptible clandestine committee of lawless zealots who would be cut off at every turn. A list was comprised by Cyrus Wheelock of potential witnesses to be called for Saturday's trial. There were many eliminated in view of unfavorable associations made with incredulous dissidents. The morning before, Joseph warned against exposing evil as by comparative restraint to known ways when under the rules of engagement for counsel. Less than two weeks ago the prophet had a dream which summed up intentions amounting to irrefragable consequences by the likes of Dr. Foster, Chauncey Higbee, Wilson Law, and William Law. All the while, Joseph being assisted by his guardian angel. As for a seer to most appreciatively share his interpretation of such insightful dreams; only reaffirms that there are not any unpretentious traits on his person. Pure wisdom may thus be characterized by an bro-ken heart and a contrite spirit in its truest place before him. Revealed knowledge, a third characteristic of this man equitably proves him truthful, patient, benevolent, long suffering, without guile, and an one of integrity of the highest caliber. An especial other dream opened up the eyes of his understand-ing when the prophet Joseph Smith Junior awakened this tender day of which he later shared with his brethren in the course of it. All of the brethren corresponded with their families by courier messengers using the passes delivered by the Governor as was promised them.

What may have been unfounded factors were loose ends like: First, for starters, a guard Anthony Barkman, whom felt no prompting to come up stairs nor did he demonstrate any friendship qualities among his comrades when guarding Carthage Jail Square. He had been placed into Sheriff Stigalls' employ indirectly, by a commissioned writ of Colonel Levi Williams honing a suspicion he had of the Governor's plans to set all detainee's free at the nearest possible slip up after Ford's campaign's Gold-ens Point rendezvous.

Second, how on the day of incarceration, Constable Bettisworth returned, twice, to Carthage Jail Square requesting Sheriff Stigall return the prisoner's back into his custody. As events unfolded he'd been an accomplice with a newly elected Governor of Missouri.

Third, a peculiarity of commonplace concealed factors was the fact that Frank and Luella Worell were indentured to the jail house; she cooked the meals on the premises for the tenants and he was a Captain in the Carthage Greys on the Square. Frank A Worell 's elicit reputation for the past settlement Era is replete with countless grievances documenting him to have been an instigator and a disturber; leading raiding parties to drive Latter-day Saints from their homes in well over seven counties from Missouri to Illinois.


Apart from fanning coveted embers of atrocity from which these disgruntled underlings would take upon themselves in sworn secrecy; they would supersede any intervention on a part of the Governor-ship just to cover their riveted identifiable malefactor affiliations. How to act on these insidious deeds of ruination to make bare the branch of a green tree ready to be executed by a flint, they knew not. But with alarm, angst, and an inveterate prejudice. A rite of passage would find its way into the actions of an corruptible band of drifters with a price on their heads, yet, who would answer to no one.

After two hours of morning activity about twenty past ten o'clock Joseph is conferring Cyrus Wheelock on an important business matter while Sheriff George Stigall and seven other men are spread through out the square; the sheriff at the gate under a Street lamp seated on a bench, two on front porch one on each corniced rail, two at the foot of fencing next to a tree line, and one on each side remaining through out the Carthage Jail Square.

Joseph equates," 'We desired our counsel to the commanders of the Legion to avoid all military dis-play, or any other movement calculated to use all the influence you possess to have the brethren and as they respect the feelings and well-being of their Prophet and Patriarch.' " 1

" ' The last thing I said to the Governor was, you must be aware by this time that the prisoners have no fears in relation to any lawful demands made against them, but you have heard sufficient to justify you in the belief that their enemies would destroy them if they had them in their power; and now, sir, I am about to leave for Nauvoo, and I fear for those men; they are safe as regards the law, but they are not safe from the hands of traitors, and midnight assassins who thirst for their blood and have deter-mined to spill it; and under these circumstances I leave with a heavy heart. His reply was 'I was never in such a dilemma in my life; but your friends shall be protected, and have a fair trial by the law; in this pledge I am not alone; I have obtained the pledge of the whole of the army to sustain me.' " reports Cyrus. 2

Cyrus reaches into the depths of his cloak to reveal two six shooters, places them into Joseph's hands with a keen glean over his shoulder viewing the entry way with an eye on the guard's station on a chair. "Would any of you like to have these?" he inquires.

Whereupon Joseph replied, " ‘Yes, give them to me; and procure several more pistols or revolvers, and bring them to Carthage for the use of the brethren should they seem to be required.’ "

Joseph then hands the single barrel pistol to his brother Hyrum. That had been given him earlier by John S. Fullmer; carefully hid in his boot when searched by the guards. Joseph returns, “ ‘Cyrus, you must at once, in your arrival; seek to instill harmony among our Nauvoo residents. As for the Nauvoo Legion see there should be no military display when the governor should visit Nauvoo.’ ” " 'You may use this.' " suggests Joseph. Hyrum takes the revolver into his hands.

" 'I hate to use such things or to see them used.' " Hyrum replies.


" 'So do I, "but we may want to help the guard defend the prison.’ " “ ‘Cyrus, we entrust you with this list of witnesses' names excepting Alpheus Cutler, Hiram Kimball and Reynolds Cahoon.' "

" ' They may be very good men, but they don't know enough to answer a question properly.' " adds Hyrum

" ' That is sufficient reason.' " remarked Joseph 3 Joseph and Hyrum secure their arms while Cy-rus replaces the list to the pocket where he had the revolver hid. Dr. Willard Richards moves from the window, sits at left of table . John Taylor sitting across from him writing in a historical registry. Joseph and Hyrum join next to them around an inconspicuous writing table. Dr. Richards has a confession.

" ' President, all morning you been sharing great wisdom with our distinguished brother Wheelock; I propose writing them all down, so Cyrus might not forget them.' "

Hyrum fastens his eyes upon Willard, and administers a look of affirmed joy. "’Brother Wheelock will remember all that we tell him, and he will never forget the occurrences of this day.’ " assures Hyrum. 4

Joseph reflects, " ' I had, last night, a dream beyond all mention, I was back in Kirtland, Ohio, and thought I would take a walk out by myself, and view my old farm, which I found grown up with weeds and brambles, and altogether bearing evidence of neglect and want of culture. I went into the barn, which I found without floor or doors, with the weather-boarding off, and was altogether in keeping with the farm. While I viewed the desolation around me, and was contemplating how it might be re-covered from the curse upon it, there came rushing into the barn a company of furious men, who commenced to pick a quarrel with me. The leader of the party ordered me to leave the barn and farm, stating it was none of mine, and that I must give up all hope of ever possessing it. I told him the farm was given me by the Church, and although I had not had any use of it for some time back, still I had not sold it, according to righteous principles it belonged to me or the Church. He then grew furious and began to rail upon me, and threaten me, and said it never did belong to me nor to the Church. I then told him that I did not think it worth contending about, that I had no desire to live upon it in its present state, and if he thought he had a better right I would not quarrel with him about it but leave; but my assurance that I would not trouble him at present did not seem to satisfy him, as he seemed de-termined to quarrel with me, and threatened me with the destruction of my body. While he was thus engaged, pouring out his bitter words upon me, a rabble rushed in and nearly filled the barn, drew out their knives, and began to quarrel among themselves for the premises, and for a moment forgot me, at which time I took the opportunity to walk out of the barn about up to my ankles in mud. When I was a little distance from the barn, I heard them screeching and screaming in a very distressed manner, as it appeared they had engaged in a general fight with their knives. While they were thus engaged, the dream or vision ended. ' " Joseph concludes. 5

Mr. Southwick, a southerner interested in the Mormons moving to Texas, who had spent the night with the prisoners in the jail, attended an anti-Mormon meeting at Hamilton's Hotel. The purpose of the gathering was to "take into consideration the best way to stop Joseph and Hyrum Smith's career. saying,"If he did not get into the Presidential chair this election, he would be sure to the next time."6


It was proposed that if Illinois and Missouri would join forces to kill the Mormon leader "they would not be brought to justice for it." There were delegates at the meeting from"every state of the Union except three." The gathering suddenly broke up when a guard reported Markham coming up the stairs. In the ensuing confusion, Southwick picked up the minutes of the meeting, later read them to Markham, and promised him the original after he made a copy. 7

Stephen Markham knocks at the door and draws their attention to the nature of a dinner hour soon with, himself and Almon W. Babbitt. Almon settling next to Joseph. While John Taylor bids them well, and chooses to dine below with Stephen Markham. "President, your messenger has arrived. Since, it is the dinner hour. I elect that I will dine downstairs with brother John Taylor should he accept, and join me, there. If you don't mind?" declares Stephen Markham.

"Venerable Sir, we bid you do so. Then come join us here, brother Babbitt—best regards to you John Taylor."

"I'd be delighted to. Brethren. Incidentally, I thought you should know, President; Orrin P. Rockwell confirms his report that William and Wilson Law along with William Marks were all together respon-sible for the rein of terror which has been brought upon the countryside."

" ' Let this be a key not exempt to be dealt with. That in all your trials, troubles, temptations, afflic-tions, bonds, imprisonments and death, see to it that you do not betray Heaven, that you do not betray Jesus Christ, that you do not betray the brethren, that you do not betray the revelations of God, whether in the Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine and Covenants, or any other that ever was or will be given and revealed unto man in this world or that which is to come. Yea, in all your kicking and floundering, see to it that you do not this thing, lest innocent blood be found upon your skirts, and you go down to hell. All other sins are not to be compared to sinning against the Holy Ghost, and proving a traitor to the brethren.' " 8 Joseph expounds as their compatriots depart for their own reminiscences, below.

Hyrum, on Almon's left encourages his confidence in what was said. "Was Captain Jones's de-meanor extraordinary when he asked you to come in his place?"

" I made it a point to him that I had to have my day with the Governor most congenially as such. That I wanted very much to go in his place, so I could relay that meeting to the prophet. Captain Jones was quite preoccupied and agreeable to the idea, So here I am. ' He said to the Governor, before leav-ing Carthage he was stopped by Frank Worell, his exact words were , " 'We have had too much trouble to bring Old Joe here to let him ever escape alive, and unless you want to die with him you had better leave before sundown. . . . You'll see that I can prophesy better than Old Joe, for neither he nor his brother, nor anyone who will remain with them will see the sun set today.' " he had told him what had occurred in the night, the shot heard by all, and what he had heard while coming to see him, and ear-nestly solicited him to avert the danger. His Excellency replied, 'You are unnecessarily alarmed for the safety of your friends, sir, the people are not that cruel.' Irritated by such a remark, Capt. Dan Jones urged the necessity of placing better men to guard them than professed assassins, and said, The broth-ers Smith are American citizens, and have surrendered themselves to your Excellency upon your


pledging your honor for their safety; they are also Master Masons, and as such I demand of you pro-tection of their lives. Governor Ford's face turned pale, and Dan Jones remarked, —˜If you do not do this, I have but one more desire, and that is if you leave their lives in the hands of those men to be sac-rificed'" " 'What is that, sir?" Governor asked in a hurried tone. "It is," said Jones, 'that the Almighty will preserve my life to a proper time and place, that I may testify that you have been timely warned of their danger.' " reports Almon. 9 "It is well enough done. Almon, I would like you to write these correspondences before Jailor Sti-gall arrives with dinner rations enough to feed an entire company." said Joseph.

Almon pulls out writing materials from his pouch and compiles words. Joseph stands close to the window to give him thought. Then dictates two letters for him to carry out of the confines.

" ' The first, is addressed to Major General Jonathan Dunham. 'SIR!"Our position is simple, we are as lambs before the slaughter. I urge you to call out the Legion and march on the jail immediately. When Frank A. Worrell's decisions have their fruition, you will know Carthage has fallen. Colonel Buckmaster and Thomas Ford are well aware of the consequences of Worrell's seditious actions. He should be avoided at all costs to the cause for our people. Good speed, Commander! Lieutenant Gen-eral Joseph Smith.' " 10

" ' Captain Jones will see to this order when I meet him.' What about this other correspondence?"

" ' Second, addressed to O. H. Browning. SIR! Myself and brother Hyrum are in jail on charge of treason, to come up for examination on Saturday morning, 29th instructive, and we request your pro-fessional services at that time, on our defense, without fail. Most respectively, your servant, JOSEPH SMITH P.S."'There is no cause of action, for we have not been guilty of any crime, neither is there any just cause of suspicion against us; but certain circumstances make your attendance very necessary.' "

" ' I'll deliver this one, myself, President.' " adds Almon.

John Taylor and Stephen Markham are seated to dine at a table in the guards quarters on first notice joined with Franklin Rhodes and Levi Street whom they eventually engage in gospel discussion while they dutifully mind their posts. With they're enthusiasm raised, roused changes to their whole way of thinking on what a a gospel was. Relieved from plain talk, as two gentlemen welled up in deep ex-changes causes they begin to appreciate their own lives and become less inhibited to share their own beliefs, openly with them.

Stephen suggests, "If only we could appoint Daniel Garn and Josiah Arnold to guard this house. Then we’d be certain of our brethren’s position before their arraignment on Saturday.”

“There is no doubt in my mind, since when Dr. Bernhisel and I found ourselves face to face with Joseph H. Jackson as we came here, hoping to meet with the Governor by his request. When we finally did get in to speak with him he was very much in league with the lot of them,Thomas Sharp, Chauncey Higbee, Wilson Law, including William Marks. They attempted to split us up as bailiffs for incarcerate Daniel Garn. I made every word on those documents we brought, heard; all while they rebutted, me.”


“So that business with his Excellency had become a ruse to remind us how far they will go.”

“ ‘I merely pointed out in consequence of the excitement prevailing, it would be extremely unsafe to bring Joseph, here. Were our forces and those of our enemies to this proximity the most probable result would be a collision. In reply to this, the Governor ‘strenuously advised us not to bring arms, and pledged his faith as Governor, and the faith of the state, that we should be protected and that he would guarantee our perfect safety.’ ” 10 John redounds.

Guard Franklin Rhodes standing by a window of the guard’s quarters interrupts the two gentlemen, “Speechified theories, isn’t going to to sway that band from Warsaw heading our way. Sharp’s band are in a huff about the Governor’s presence in Nauvoo; Carthage is surely becoming a nest for vipers.”

Stephen fends off his suggestion, “One of Dunham’s companies were sent to be there, in Warsaw. My report came straight from there; an young man claims he saw and heard eighty-nine, agreeable. They jumped onto their steeds and were charging toward Carthage to do the deed Tom Sharp asked. Joseph did counsel us, that it is not always wise to expose evil amidst berated temperaments.”

“Might I suggest, brother Markham, interpreting Joseph’s declaration on our first night, here, where he stated, ‘...Your souls shall be perfectly satiated with blood, and many of you who are now present shall have an opportunity to face the cannon mouth from sources you think not of.’ Joseph entrusted us with an non retaliatory charge from which we will hold fast to. Look if you will, at what the Psalmist, David issued, ‘..He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved Kings for their sakes; touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm, Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph who was sold for a servant, Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid with iron; Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.’ 11 Tried and true, withstanding every hazard have been our dear prophet Joseph and our patriarch Hyrum, whom to this day, remain unspotted from sins of this or any other generation that shall declare His truths.”

Adams County enters from the North side Debtors Parlor entrance; vocalizing ablaze penchant to speak with anyone he wasn’t familiar. “If there’s a decent word more than two hundred fifty rods dis-tance from these confines. I’d welcome the mere thought of it. Just to savor it. Some kind word—.”

Guard Rhodes poised,“Oh he’s been spending too much time around ‘old man Hamilton’. That eras-able soul can turn a yarn into a nugget of doom while making those involved pay for his chicanery.”

John adds,“ ’We are the offspring of God, are we not? And being the God and Father of the spirits of all flesh, and having made a world for all flesh to inhabit, and having made provision for the suste-nance of that flesh, for their food, clothing, comfort, convenience and happiness, and given them intel-ligence and told them to go forth and manipulate the abundance of nature to their use, has he not a right to lead and direct us, to ask obedience to his law? Would that not be a legitimate right, when we reflect upon it? The world says, No, he has no right; ‘I am my own master; I am an independent being;


I will take my own course.. I am a free man; I will be damned if I don’t do as I please.’ Well, I will tell you another part of that story. You will be damned if you do act as you please, unless you please to do and to keep the laws of God. We cannot violate his laws with impunity nor trample under foot these eternal principles which exist in all nature. If all nature is compelled to be governed by law or suffer loss, why not man? We cannot run our own way and have the blessing of God. Every one who at-tempts it will find he is mistaken. God will withdraw his Spirit from such, and they will be left to themselves to wander in the dark, and go down to perdition. It is expected of us that we shall move on a higher plane, that we shall feel that we are the children of God, that God is our Father, and he will not be dishonored by disobedient children, or by those who fight against his laws and his priesthood. He expects us to live our religion, to obey His laws and keep His commandments.’ ” 12

"Gentlemen, I took the liberty of using my own cookery that you might be fed as close to the hour as useful. Please, accept my offerings at this time." enters, Luella Worrel as she had the duty of attend-ing to the Debtor's Parlor tenants. She sets in order the dishes and place settings for a mid-day meal.

Sheriff Stigall and his son enter after Luella, "Good Sirs! May I introduce to you my son, Henry. He can be a great little helper when the conditions call for him to be."

"We decided we would visit together, down here for the afternoon. That boy looks very resourceful. Pleased to meet you, young man." said Stephen

Grabbing a ladle to serve up in bowls a wholesome meal, "I have met with no finer of men than in the company of you people." admits young Henry.

"Stephen, 'God expects to have a people who will be men of clean hands and pure hearts, who with hold their hands from the receiving of bribes, ...who will be men of truth and integrity and virtue, and who will pursue a course that will be approved by the Gods in the eternal worlds, and by all honorable and upright men that ever did live or that now live, and having taken upon us the profession of saint-hood, he expects us to be Saints, not in name, not in theory, but in reality.' " 13

Luella affixes doilies on trays with accoutrements in order that the Sheriff and his son can portion up into bowls and carry on. They proceed carefully climbing the narrow stairs into the upper room of the Jail House. The two gentlemen conversely continue to embrace doctrinal parlance while Luella muses in thought with head bowed in reverence while awaiting in the twinkle of the moment for some relevance pertaining to what she had been taught from her constrained differentiation or viewpoint. She knew a world through the eyes of a vigilante who carried some considerable positioning as one chief marauder astride her own servile nature. By which their deliberation soon evoked idle curiosity.

Almon affixes seals to correspondences, automatically shuffles letters into riding pouch. Afterward as the Sheriff and his son finish serving Joseph, Hyrum and their guests; they exit through the Parlor. Two companies gather in a muster eight miles from Buchanan Street, leaving only remaining Carthage Greys twenty to fifty-five rods away on the Square. Joseph watches from the window while Almon leads out back for Nauvoo. Governor Ford reaches Nauvoo and gathers all to assemble as he might address them in a public setting they receive him cooperatively.


Thomas Ford extols, " ’A great crime has been done by destroying the Expositor press and placing the city under martial law, and a severe atonement must be made, so prepare your minds for the emer-gency. . . . I know there is a great prejudice against you on account of your peculiar religion, but you ought to be praying Saints, not military Saints. Depend upon it, a little more misbehavior from the citi-zens, and the torch, which is already lighted, will be applied, the city may be reduced to ashes, and ex-termination would inevitably follow. Let me see a show of hands who would obey the law even if it were in direct opposition to your Prophet?’ " 14

If ever any words were more corrupt that did seethe from the viper's own tongue as he stood before a body of Saints and reduced them to an expendable decree without cause. What an auspicious sense of proprietary entente between the willful and laissez faire impetuous he imposed. One might have held Thomas Ford's role at this point in time as an outright arbiter of sedition. After near an hour, Dr. Willard Richards pleas, " ' Joseph, I can not continue sitting up, something has been added to my portion in this meal that's made me faint.' "

" ' Brother Markham, as you have a pass from the Governor to go in and out of the jail, go and get the doctor some thing that he needs to settle his stomach.' " said Joseph.

Stephen exits for medicinals re-entering on to the square he is countermanded by one Boyd Stewart who edges Markhams' upper arm with the butt of his flintlock-ignited musket blistering with augury claims," ' Old man, you have got to leave town in five minutes!' "

" ' I shall not do it neither can you drive me, you can kill me but you cannot drive me.' "

Stephen engages a parry by knife point with his left hand knocking him down with his right, Boyd then howls. All the Carthage Grays rally round him with their guns and bayonet spouting, “ ‘You have got to leave town forthwith or you will be a dead man in a short time.’ ”

They proceed to make passes at him with their bayonets whilst he parries them off in the same fash-ion; all-in-total, twelve to one. He bolsters them on his right, but forcibly they get so close that he has no chance eagle with the whole company urging them on.

Ortois Hamilton, the Inn Keeper comes to him and urges,” ‘You had better go home as you would only get killed if you remained. You can do the prisoners no good, And I will bring you your horse.’ ”exits.

Stephen replies, “ ‘I was not going home.’ “ Ortois returns bringing his horse, holding up its reins as two heavier Greys force him into the stirrups allowing others to place their bayonets on him with their points splayed until his blood fills his shoes, they then formed a hollow square around him marching him into the timber. 15 He heads in the direction of the city of Nauvoo. Hyrum curious about the mili-tia troops changes, witnesses Stephan's struggle from room's window as well as George D. Grant's at-tempt to gain admittance only to be turned away, roughly at the behest of more interrogation.


"Sorry, brother Richards we'll have to give you a blessing," the new militia have just escorted Col. Markham out of town at their behest. Brother Grant was denied entry carrying the pouch." witnesses Hyrum.

Joseph and John join Hyrum around table for an ordinance to be administered while Dr. Richards remains seated. Calmed by assurance of the company he's kept.

"Willard D. Richards we place our hands upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood give you a blessing with this anointing oil. Doing so, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen."officiates Hyrum.

Hyrum exchanges places with Joseph all others with their hands upon his head for the final blessing administered in the ordinance.

"Willard D. Richards, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood we do bless you with the ca-pacity, if heeded, to over come hospitality's gesture. Endure it well to labor and know a long prosper-ous life. You have the ability to forestall a Laity from Sedition which weak men have brought upon the church. Stand Firm in these matters. Be faithful through a few trials that you may know the greater good has been given. We bless you in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen." discloses Joseph.

John Taylor offers a warm hand shake to Dr. Richards and visits the window for a thought. The Smiths in turn, request he use his gift of song to commemorate the day. He accepts the invitation with enthusiasm. The brothers Smith join Willard around table while John muses at movements outside window. John makes no mention of what he see's from the window as he engages song at a whistle, before vocalizing it's lyric.

And ate, but gave me part again;Mine was an angel's portion then;For while I fed with eager hasteThe crust was manna to my taste.

I spied him where a fountain burstClear from the rock; his strength was gone;The heedless water mocked his thirst;He heard it, saw it hurrying on—I ran and raised the sufferer up;Thrice from the stream he drained my cup;Dipped, and returned it running o'er;I drank, and never thirsted more.

'Twas night; the floods were out; it blewA winter-hurricane aloof;I heard his voice abroad, and flewTo bid him welcome to my roof.


I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest ;I laid him on my couch to rest;Then made the earth my bed, and seemedIn Eden's garden while I dreamed.

Stripped, wounded, beaten nigh to death,I found him by the highway side;I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,Revived his spirit and suppliedWine, oil, refreshment—he was healed;I had myself a wound concealed ; But from that hour forgot the smart,And peace bound up my broken heart.In prison I saw him next,—condemnedTo meet a traitor's doom at morn;The tide of lying tongues I stemmed.

And honored him 'mid shame and scorn.My friendship's utmost zeal to try,He asked if I for him would die;,The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill,But the free spirit cried, "I will."

Then in a moment to my view,The stranger darted from disguise ;The tokens in his hands I knew;The Savior stood before mine eyes.He spake, and my poor name he named—"Of me thou hast not been ashamed;These deeds shall my memorial be;Fear not, thou didst them unto me."

Shortly thereafter Hyrum asked him to sing the song again, to which he replied: "Brother Hyrum, I do not feel like singing."

"Oh, never mind; commence singing and you will get the spirit of it." begged, Hyrum.

Suddenly, a knock at the door stirs these gentlemen’s curiosity when Sheriff Stigall reports to them of some commotion occurring in this town that wasn't usual.

"I have it from a Mathews fella, that Captains: Thomas Sharp and Mark Aldrich are tools and pup-pets of Tommy Ford. That they have plans to march upon Carthage." 16


"I'm more concerned for the well being of Joseph H. Jackson, or William and Wilson Law, even all whom conspire against the truths which had been given of them. Amen to the Priesthood or authority of those men." said Joseph.

"You people have given us so much to think about these few days. If you get your trial on Satur-day, we will plead you innocent of any crimes." confides Sheriff Stigall.

" When you have the opportunity to speak publicly on matters of this nature; see that you include honesty first most in dealing with it. Be you without any ire. Steady those that will rend you asunder your position." volunteers Joseph.

"Namely, I have been pistol whipped to satisfy the demands of their own justice." claims Sheriff Stigall.

"You could join ranks in our Legion under the auspices of our Captain Jonathan Dunham who has five hundred infantry men at his espousal."adds Joseph.

"What about those 'sons of thunder' we're always reminded of; those rough riders on the plains?"

"They're laid low for a season. Until it's time they search the Rocky Mountains there about; to make a refuge for the people of Nauvoo."

" ' This whole lock-up is not what we had any say over. We were ordered to by writ of Steven A. Douglas and the State of Illinois. We usually guard things like the Armory or Munition Depots.' " ad-mits Sheriff Stigall.

"George Stigall, have you news for us from Governor Ford?"

" ' Stephen Markham just got himself surrounded by a mob, who drove him out of town.' 16 He could answer that, seeing as he just rode off in that direction."

" ' When we have been properly served, justice will not satisfy the leagues of those seditious min-ions left on Carthage Square.' "

" ' Might I suggest, then that we assist you and your company into the cell below? ' It may, with a few steal plates, which I have; work as a fortress in a manner of speaking?"

" 'After supper we will go in.' " Joseph replies turning to Willard for consoling.

" ' Lt. Worrell will not approve another change of location.' As you will." Sheriff reminds him as he heads back down the stairs and Joseph confers with his council.

" ' Brother Richards, if we go into the cell, will you go with us?' " Joseph inquires.


" ' Brother Joseph, you did not ask me to cross the river with you, you did not ask me to come to Carthage with you, you did not ask me to come to jail with you, and do you think I would forsake you now? But I will tell you what I will do; if you are condemned to be hung for treason, I will be hung in your stead, and you shall go free.' " 18

" ' You cannot.' "

" 'I will.' " Willard begins to examine himself.

"Thou shalt obtain mercy, Will, in the Kingdom of my Father." Joseph affirms.

"Take thou joy in these things, that you may know the greater good our Father hath." Hyrum con-tributes.

" ‘Brother Joseph, if you will permit it, and say the word, I will have you out of this prison in five hours, if the jail has to come down to do it. We might choose to go to Nauvoo, collect a sufficient force of the brethren to deliberate us from this unlawful outrage upon us. ’ " 19 proposed John Taylor.

Joseph refused to sanction such a course. A brief moment of meditation follows their advice. John Taylor puts away his writing tablet preparing to transfer into the barred room. Willard contemplating a future aim. Only to find this to be without warning nothing short of.

Some rods West from Carthage Jail Square a local home maker observes from her back porch when shaking the dust from a rug; a line of men swift paced, embarking from the woods, entered along the fence line on Jail Square property.

"Follow the property line, stay together, don't give me excuses for a fight, mete the line!" said John Cahoon Elliot.

"I wouldn't be here if there was any other motive than a clear shot." said John Wills.

There faces painted with pot ash and white pentagram markings. Two stood out to be over six foot tall. Held back for a few minutes whilst their group could steady a planned course. Bolting extensively across a back lot, where they careened a West walk until their paramount overtook their march.

She warns others with a vociferous shout, " ' It's the Mormons, they've come to free Joseph Smith.'" She drops her rug and darts off onto Walnut street to tell neighbors the news.

Seconds pass before guards could pair off, to fire off a shot. Pulling together lost them a vantage point for they were not expert marksmen aside from the Officer and Jailer. Downsized by three pairs, the drifter party was already entering on to the Square. A fleeting opportunity to fill their faces with buckshot had passed right over them. Now they were asked to drop their arms or they would take them from them.

"Watch their knees split in two when we rush them with artillery." spouts William Voorhees.


"My brother's gone—it shouldn't be long before we see that Mormon leader's lasting post and maim him, once and for all." claims William Gallagher.

"Just get them into one place, I'll shoot them down with a single blow." notes Corporal Townsend.

"Will you pop that dead bolt now? I don't have to tell you—put your weight into it!” said John Ca-hoon Elliot.

These sultry actions were unlike any they might have engaged in on a field of battle. When the rab-ble took up the guards' arms for their own use, all steps were but an instant.

"Two of us must hold up here_in case we get found." urges Corporal Townsend.

"No, I'm going to the head. You and Antioch Mills stay. Keep your arms ready on our signal!" di-rects John Cahoon Elliot. Once the door was thrown back as he darts to the head, places the first ball through the closed door eliminating any mystery about the door being unstable. He had signaled them toward the basement where most entered, froward in disgust before competing to jump the stairs out of disbelief. Major Allen was to detain the others while a shot was fired on the padlock. Commotion from aft a door jamb made for a distraction before they could free the lock. Had there been a fire door in-stalled the ball and powder might have been averted, altogether. Doctor Richards clasps to Dan Jones' cane while the large hickory cane left him by Stephan Markham ends up in John Taylor's grip.

"We're here now, LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS!" blasts, Corporal Townsend

Preparing to push-in the door,"Uhnn__!" Antioch Mills well over six feet tall, sighs.

Motions to let him through tapping high up to the Indian's shoulder,"Gimme me a shot!" says John Wills.

John Taylor at the window, eyes a hundred contingents by the well charging forward. The other three bolster the door at the jamb, Smith brothers draw weapons from their clothing. Joseph's first shot disengages John Will's outer arm as he backs off in deep pain. William Gallagher pushes his way for-ward to receive a second shot which careens the side of his face. William Voorhees reaches over him only to receive a third shot hitting him in his shoulder forcing him to recline in anguish. Still, a forth ball maims Antioch preventing him from advancing beyond his position to the right of the door jamb. Two more shots keep them at bay; fired from Joseph's defense point right of jamb. Officer Hawley fires back at the small company of intruders followed by six other guns from his guards. The door jamb holds, Hyrum recumbent mid-room hunched low, Joseph anticipates window fire and gestures for John and Willard left of the door onto the West wall while a shot through the lock pierces Hyrum at the shoulder blade upwards; after a more severe ball from below took a path through the floor boards into his face, another from the window stops cold embedded in his timepiece, right vest pocket. 'I'm A Dead Man.' " honing his last breath, Hyrum Smith. He manages to lay face up under the East window.


Joseph falls to Hyrum with a deep look of sympathy. " 'Oh, my poor, dear brother Hyrum.' "

" ' That's right, Brother Taylor, parry them off as well as you can.' " 20

Shots in mock return-fire are made. John manages to (through the opening with a smoke filled hall) beat off the rushing crowd with his cane. Shouts of desecration ensue further as streams like cannon fire fill the room. Dr. Richards switches places with John when he makes way toward the East win-dow. John takes a bullet toward his mid-thigh from the door, then falls across window sill. Only to be thrown back into room by a ball which comes up from the yard, lodged into his watch in his vest pocket. Then followed by two more, one into the left arm and one in the left wrist. " 'I am shot.' de-clares John Taylor. A round fires up through a window hitting his watch in the breast pocket of his vest as he hits the floor; animates to reach the bed taking three more balls (below left knee, left arm above wrist, left hip) imagining how if he survived he would exist an invalid.

Joseph Smith Jr., seeing there was not safety in the room, thinking it might save the lives of others if he could escape from the room, turned calmly from the door, dropped his pistols upon the floor, say-ing," ’there, defend yourselves as well as you can.’ "

Joseph then half leaps into the window to avert off attacks, catches two balls from the door in the back as a third ball enters his chest while on the window's ledge. His feet follow him to break his fall while he still has the energy to proclaim," ' Oh Lord, My God!' " 21

A disgruntled Carthage Grey shouts, " ' He has leaped from the window.' "

He breaks his fall on impact, rises from his knees then is still fired upon until his frame could bare it no further and is resigned to lay his body to rest against the well sitting upright. Vaguely making wandering glances about the mob which was thirsting after his life. 22 Thereby a prophet's stricken frame remained solemn there upon the earth. As near two hundred outsiders from Missouri to Warsaw continued their fire. Offset about twenty paces away on horseback as he had just arrived from Warsaw, was a Colonel Levi Williams in all his brash demise whom instinctively raises his hand to cease the firing and to call they to all disband as there was no further business on that day.

By this time, smoke of powder had blurred any view by a milieu to possess one. After which inno-cent blood would have a consequence, respite an evil design of containment. Reprehensibly snuffing out the flames of a green tree can naturally strip it that it would lay bare from atrophy. Much like the plain things of the words of Life. When they shall have had their place in you, and are never to be chased out by someone else in unbelief.

Overshadowing these Mid-Nineteenth Century claims by former older settlers of sorts continues to evade the full design of their enacting by the lofty intents of their hearts. Exactly when, how, and why in their reasoning what they could conceal from former-day authorities; they would ultimately have to answer for to a higher authority or burn dry.


An restorative eventuality requires a sincere pure green bough, figuratively speaking, as unencum-bered as will withstand a believer's prowess in the annuls for their full fruition. In order for account-ability to carry the weight of a well rooted tree one must acquire a well spring of faith. Its moisture is a symbol consecrating a green tree ready for harvest. By cultivating a goodly seed, vital to its survival as its progressing through a Gospel driven life-style; predetermines a perfect stewardship over this vine.

Whereby an ominous seed can quicken such friction required to migrate its moisture. An undue accountability goes unchecked, the bough loses out its fire, eventually unable to carry the necessary moisture to maintain the wholeness of an green tree's growth cycle. Separate out these essential ele-ments from your vineyard then decay or spiritual death will consume it. An emblem attributes mois-ture here, which represents embodiment or continually having the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

In retrospect of John Taylors' words: " '...and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified.' " 23

Hence, The Law of the Harvest in its essence, carries forth a weight of vital importance. To em-body our eventual report once we have been nurtured, tendered, and spiritually pruned up through our full potential; attaining while retaining from precept to covenant all the Laws appertaining by our faithfulness. Obtaining an everlasting promise exuberant before the finisher of our faith. Of which He shall have on record. Taking into account an acceptable way in which we had repented, were baptized for a remission of sins, had received the Holy Ghost, then grew to progress and become as He is. Or in other words, to be judged by the fruits of our labors with all our days intact. Attributing righteousness to be our fortifier while this genesis process unfolds. A complete consecrated vineyard so manifested.

Deciduous fruits cast along the wayside can decay to a degree of ubiquitous influence and bemoan a contagious vitriol so widespread as to corrupt an entire vineyard. Thomas Sharp of Warsaw, Illinois, masterminded a set of events leading to such benign conditions; broken, withered, he contumely drew from what had been rooted out branches of aridity infused by an appetite from weaknesses of attrition.

“..Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and who’s heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilder-ness, in a salt land and not inhabited.“Aridisols are metaphorically prevalent amidst controvertible prideful men who’s yield merely will consist of salinization rather than sustainable mineral deposits. Or in the sense of human reasoning, foment atrocious acts, negating consequences for his own actions. “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?


I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and accord-ing to the fruit of his doings.” 24 Failed hearts in a strict sense hedged the way before coalescence left its marks on human history. What rises with they who chose gall to be their penchant will; determines reprehensible fruition. All the while a cursed vineyard of corruption tendered by unclean hands; en-cumbers conditions which over time invites briars and brambles, dried and withered root systems, worn and rotten shoots that were once vital sources for infused enrichment. Where did go out the fire of the rod of her branches? You now, whom have the words of Life; see that you not chase them out by your unbelief. Nor live without them in your heart or within your minds eye. They will be to you like a fountain flowing into Eternal Life. And will be the means by which you shall obtain that which was so promised them whom have come forth in the Fullness of Times. By this witness of these things which all prophets from before the foundation of this world have ever made manifest. Likened through spirit borne testimonies; their words spring forth upon the day of your maturation that you might partake of.

What became of the cursed persecutors after they had their wayward deed satisfied? A witness named Parley P. Pratt related, “‘…A man named Townsend, living in Iowa, near Fort Madison, was one of the mob who assaulted and forced in the jail door. The pistol discharged by Joseph Smith wounded him in the arm, near the shoulder, and it continued to rot without healing until it was taken off, and even then it would not heal. About six months after he was shot Mrs. Lawn saw his arm and dressed it. He was then gradually rotting and dying with the wound. He stayed overnight with Mrs. Lawn's Father, and groaned through the night without sleeping. He asked the old gentleman what he thought of Joseph Smith being a prophet? He replied that he did not know. 'Well,' said Townsend, 'I know he was a prophet of God! And, oh that I had stayed at home and minded my own business, and then I would not have lost my life and been tormented with a guilty conscience, and with this dreadful wound, which none can heal! He died two or three months afterwards, having literally rotted alive!… Col. Buck-master of the Missouri mob, who helped to drive, plunder and murder the Mormons, died in the hospi-tal at Sacramento, 1849. Beckwith had the care of him; he was eaten with worms-a large black-headed kind of maggot-which passed through him by myriads, seemingly a half pint at a time! Before he died these maggots were crawling out of his mouth and nose! He literally totted alive! Even the flesh on his legs burst open and fell from the bones! They gathered up the rotten mass in a blanket and buried him, without awaiting a coffin! A William Gallagher, one of the Missouri mob, died in the same hospital about the same time, and under the care of Mr. Beckwith. His face and jaw on one side literally rotted, and half of his face actually fell off! One eye rotted out, and half his nose, mouth and jaw fell from the bones! The doctor scraped the bones, and unlocked and took out his jaw from the joint round to the center of the chin. The rot and maggots continued to eat till they ate through the large jugular vein of his neck, and he bled to death! He, as well as Townsend, stank so previous to their death, that they had to be placed in rooms by themselves, and was almost impossible to endure their presence, and the flies could not be kept from blowing them while alive!‘ “ 25

An elder, Henry G. Boyle has been quoted as saying,"…While in California on a mission in the year 1855-56, and laboring on the Russian River, near where Healdsburg now stands, I often heard of an old mobocrat by the name of Kogan, or Cougan, who lived in that vicinity, and who boasted of hav-ing helped to murder Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage. He often sent a request to me to visit him and proferred to tell me all about the manner of the death of the Prophet. A few months afterwards I


heard that Mr. Cougan was stricken with some very singular disease. So peculiar was his case, that many people came to see him. He grew worse and worse, and lay for three months seemingly at the point of death. He suffered excruciatingly, and constantly prayed to die. He also begged his friends to put an end to his suffering, by taking his life, and even sought an opportunity to commit suicide, but was prevented by those waiting upon him. Many physicians visited him, and declared they never saw anything like his case. Many of the people in the neighborhood said, 'If such is the end of those who kill the prophets and mob and drive the Saints, then may we be delivered from such a fearful and terri-ble calamity. 26

When Joseph’s prophesy about the fate of those that confronted him in front of the Hamilton Inn upon his arrival to Carthage was fulfilled in three years time the story went like this, “Illinois was asked to furnish four regiments of volunteers, and these men of western Illinois were quick to volun-teer. A large part of them were among the 3,720 Illinois recruits who fought in northeaster and central Mexico. On the 22nd and 23rd of February 1847, two of the Illinois regiments along with a regiment from Kentucky, engaged 17,000 soldiers in Santa Ana’s army in the battle of Buena Vista. Although outnumbered almost four to one, the American soldier held their own the first day. On the morning of the second day they seemed to gain the advantage on the left flank of the Mexicans, and led a wild charge against the retreating enemy. Suddenly they discovered that they had been led into a trap as they were charged by 12,000 of Santa Ana’s regulars. The Americans retreated into a narrow gorge in the Mexican Territory where the sides were so steep and covered with loose pebbles that they were hardly able to stand up. The Mexican army surrounded the top of the gorge and saturated the terrain with their gunfire. Suddenly American cannons began fire from behind the American lines and cleared the Mexican Calvary from the north gorge. The Mexicans then made a wild bayonet charge down the sides of that gorge, and to escape their attack the Americans had to retreat directly into the cannon fire from their own troops at the mount of that gorge. Thereby many of them died from their own artillery fire, in fulfillment of Joseph’s statement to those that were among the two companies scattered in Car-thage that fateful night of their arrival to enter the Hamilton Hotel in 1844.

Holding to what these that felt they would be an exception to the Laws of the Harvest, declaratively ‘Who it is that has corrupted my vineyard?’ will certainly abdicate their place in willful prominence. In truth and in no other light shall be that which has been achieved by prophets or laborers for the King-dom of Heaven. These servants set forth enriched cultivation in order that the faithful could withstand the long day of Restoration. Times and Seasons which have been the most prosperous have filled those numerous shoots from the out cropping after an alacrity has taken claim of its able fruitful branch.

Undergrowth possessing some degenerative nature had spread throughout Hancock County. Their tyranny triggered an osmosis of infused atrophy which denuded their designs before an ill recombinant aggression had escalated into scrofulous random acts of violence. Taking from it in its weakened state the fire of reason which once did accompany the common weal among them. Particularly unspeakable upheaval prerequisite to fulfillment of other prophesy attached to the revealed wisdom of Joseph’s day.

Earlier pruning from the Green Tree officially recondite to popular opinion misconstrued viable ally allegiances of men having served on the counsel in Nauvoo; by which resignations were tantamount to an admission of guilt, disfellowship being only an eclectic formality. Tender branches can obviate dire


circumstances, can stay clear of entangling recesses where attritional relapse may reduce their growth. Allegedly, wavering shoots from whence that light was taken from, relegate a form of degeneracy two times greater juxtaposed; can and will scathe a green tree which flourishes amidst her embodiment.

Joseph and Hyrum Smith’s innocence in John Taylor’s description ‘and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the State of Illinois with the broken faith of the State as pledged by the governor’ or ‘a shield on which armorial bearings are depicted and displayed and stood for; is symbolized by a shield of faith retaining a full witness that the everlasting gospel is true. ‘Gazelam (Joseph Smith) shines forth in darkness unto light‘ is a servant of God and of a true vine springing up unto everlasting life. 27


Chapter One 1 Psalm 37:352 Ezekiel19:10-14 3 Doctrine & Covenants 135:6

Chapter Two1 Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed. B.H. Roberts, Comprehensive Edition Vol 2 Chap. 55:250

2 Ibid., Chapter 56:256

3 DTSDiary of Thomas Steed, a british convert who traveled in the Milo Andrus’ company 1850 , ie Crossing the Plains:Paragraph 4 One afternoon our camp stopped earlier than usual. I stole away about two miles to the bluffs, to see where those people came from who were swept out to such an alarming extent. Such a horrible scene as I beheld I hope never to see again; the graves of the cholera victims were there, with head-boards bearing their names, who were from Missouri; but the hyenas had dug open the graves, dragged the cadavers out and devoured the flesh from their bones; the ravens had plucked out their eyes, and their bloody long skeletons lay stretched out on the ground. That awful sight shocked my feelings beyond ex-pression. I did not take note of their names, unfortunately, but I remembered many were of the mobbers of Missouri, who had so cruelly treated our peo-ple. Then I recalled the prophecy of Joseph Smith: “And you shall not die a natural death; the judgements of the Almighty shall overtake you; the wolves shall eat the flesh from your bones and the ravens shall pluck out your eyes.“ And I saw it literally fulfilled; but our captain had forbidden us to go to their camps and I dared not mention what I had seen to anyone. I am perhaps the only witness who saw that prophecy fulfilled. This was between Fort Kearney and the crossing of the South Platte.



6 Nauvoo Neighbor, extra of June 30, 1844 (Proclamation of Governor Ford to People of the State of Illinois)

7 Hyrum then said to Abram C. Hodge, "You go on into Carthage and see what is going on, and hear what is said on this matter." Joseph and his company then returned with Captain Dunn, and arrived in Nauvoo at half-past two p. m. When Hodge arrived at Carthage, he met with Rev. Mr. Dodge, who had some time previously been very kindly treated by Hyrum. He warned Hodge that as sure as Joseph and Hyrum came to Carthage, they would be killed. Hodge also saw Hamilton, the innkeeper, who, pointing to the Carthage Greys, said, "Hodge, there are the boys that will settle you Mormons." Hodge replied, "We can take as many men as there are there out of the Nauvoo Legion, and they would not be missed." When the fact of the order for the state arms was known in Nauvoo, many of the brethren looked upon it as another preparation for a Missouri massacre; nevertheless, as Joseph requested that it should be complied with, they very unwillingly gave up the arms. About 6 p.m., when all the states' arms were collected, and the company were ready to start, Captain Dunn and Quartermaster-General Buckmaster made a short speech, expressing their gratitude at the peaceable conduct of the citizens of Nauvoo, and that while they thus conducted themselves they would protect them. It appears that Governor Ford feared that the Nauvoo Legion, although disbanded, might avenge any outrage that might hereafter be committed on the persons of their leaders, and so thought he had better disarm them as he had previously disbanded them; yet the mob was suffered to retain their portion of the state's arms, even when within a half day's march of Nauvoo, and they in a threatening and hostile attitude, while the Nauvoo Legion had not evinced the least disposition whatever, except to defend their city in case it should be attacked; and they had not set a foot outside the limits of the corporation.Willard Richards' Account of the Arrest and Impris-onment of Joseph Smith (June 22-25, 1844)

8 Ibid. Chapter 56:257

9 Gregg’s History of Hancock County, page 372

Chapter Three1 Ibid., Chapter 56:258

2 Times and Seasons, of July 1, 1844, vol.5 no. 12 (Copy of the mittimus containing the false statement is given in length)

3 Millennial Star, Vol. 24, p. 332. 2nd Compilation was made by the Church Historian, extending from the June 22 to August 8, 1844.


4 Millennial Star, Vol. 24, p. 332. 2nd Compilation was made by the Church Historian, extending from the June 22 to August 8, 1844.

5 Ibid., Vol. 24, p. 332. 2nd Compilation was made by the Church Historian, extending from the June 22 to August 8, 1844.

6 STPJS Joseph Fielding Smith, Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith., Sec. 6:432-33

7 STPJS Ibid., Sec. 6:434-36

8 STPJS Ibid., Sec. 6:436



11 STPJS Ibid., Sec. 6:436-37 12 STPJS Ibid., Sec. 6:437





17 Ibid., Chap. 56:258

18 Ibid., Chap. 56:257

19 Ibid., Chap. 56:259

Chapter Four

1 Church Historian’s Compilation, Millennial Star, vol. 24, page 422

2 Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints vol. 6, page 592

3 Greg’s History of Hancock County, page 372

4 Ibid., Chap. 56:260

5 Willard Richards' Account of the Arrest and Imprisonment of Joseph Smith (June 22-25, 1844)


6 Alma 8:31

7 Isaiah 42:7

8 STPJS Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith., Sec. 2:66-67











19 Ether:15:34

Chapter Five

1 Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 6 Chapter 33-34, p. 602

2 Joseph Smith, Ibid., Vol. 6 Chapter33, page 603




6 Daniel Tyler, Introduction of Tyler’s Mormon Battalion, page 33

7 Dean C. Jessee, Journal of Mormon History Vol. 8, page 11, (1981)



9 Joseph Smith, Ibid., Vol. 6 Chapter 33, page 608

10 Ibid., Chapter 32, page 592


12 John Taylor, Obedience A Sacred Duty:Disobedience to the Laws of God brings harmful consequences, Chapter 4, page 32-33 also; The Gospel Kingdom, page 230

13 G. Homer Durham, The Gospel Kingdom (1943) , page 33

14Joseph Smith, Ibid., Vol. 6 Chapter 33, page 614

15 Jessie, Dean, Journal of Mormon History Vol. 8, 1981, page 11; footnote 14







22 Orson F Witney, The Mormon Prophet’s Tragedy, page 75 paragraph 3

23 Doctrine & Covenants 135:6

24 Jeremiah 17:5-8, 9,10

25 Pratt, Parley P. , Autobiography of, pages 474-477

26 Henry G. Boyle, The Martyrs, pages 112-114

27 Alma37:23, Hoyt W. Brewster Jr, D&C Encyclopedia, page 204


A

Absence: 5, 11.

Acrimony: 3-4, 8-9, 23-24, 29-30.

Admission, 17.

Adversary: 7, 10, 15, 22, 25.

Alma: 16, 38.

Angel: beings in Heaven, 18, 20.

Apostasy: 17.

B

Babbit, Almon: 15, 23-25.

Baptism: 20.

Belief: 17, 26.

Bettisworth, David: 7, 10-12, 16.

Book of Mormon: 2, 16, 18, 25, 36.

Buckmaster, Quartermaster-Colonel: 26, 37.

C

Christ, Jesus:16-21, 24, 26, 30.

Citizen, Local: 28.

Council, Nauvoo: 3, 7, 9, 11, 13.

D

Deming. Brigadier General Minor Reginald: 3-6, 8, 13.

Detainee: 12, 15.

Disappointment: 5, 9, 15, 17, 23, 25, 29, 37-38.

Disingenuous: 15.

Dunham, Captain Johnathan: 5, 25, 27.


EElliot, John Cahoon: 28, 33-34.

Embodiment: 20, 36, 39.

F Flood, William G: 7.

Ford, Gov. Thomas: 4, 7, 9, 29.

Foster, Dr: 4, 8, 22.

Fullmer, John S: 3, 13, 15.

G

Gallagher, William: 33, 37.

Garn, Daniel: 26.

Geddes, Col.Thomas: 4-6, 13, 15.

Gospel, of Jesus Christ: three principles: 19.

Green, John P: 3, 9-10.

H

Habeas Corpus: 5, 12.

Hamilton, Ortois: 27, 29.

Hawley, Joseph: 13, 16-19, 20.

Hicks, Robert A: 8.

Higbee, Judge Elias: 16-17.

Higbee, Frances: 5, 8, 15, 21.

Higbee, Chauncey: 5, 8, 15, 21.

I

Intrigue: 5, 7, 11, 15, 29, 33-35.

J

Jackson, Joseph H: 4, 8, 26, 32.

Jones, Capt.Dan: 8, 13, 14, 25, 26.

Juxtaposition: 3, 7, 15, 26, 32, 35.


K

Knight, Vinson: 3.

L

Law: 10, 11, 12.

Law, Wilson: 4, 8.

Law, William: 4.

M

Markham, Stephen: 13, 14, 26-28, 32, 34.

Masons, Master: 26.

Mathews, David: 31.

McDonough Division: 3, 5, 6.

Melchizedek: 19, 20, 30, 31.

Mills, Antioch:

N

Non-lawful Detainment: 8-13.

O

Ordinance: 19, 29-30.

P

Patriarch: 2, 14, 23, 27.

Prentice, US Marshal: 8.

Priesthood: 19, 28, 30-31.

Q

Questions, Gospel: heaven’s teachings, order of 17, a hidden account 18, a restored Gospel 19, heavenly beings, ordinances of the priesthood 20, administrative authority of God 21, endure all things 25, the human family 17, 27-28, sainthood 28.

R

Restoration,Gospel: 2, 19.

Richards, Dr.Willard: 3, 13, 24, 29-30, 32.


S

Smith, Hyrum: 2, 3, 6-8, 11, 13, 14-16, 30-31, 33-34.

Smith, Joseph: 2-5, 7-12, 13-21, 22-26, 28-29, 32-33, 35.

Smith, John: 14-16.

Smith, Robert F: 7, 12, 14, 16, 22.

Southwick, Mr.: 24-25.

Spencer, Augustine: 4, 7, 12.

Stigall, George: 13-14, 22, 28, 30-32,

Stigall, Henry C: 28.

Supreme Intelligence: 17.

T

Taylor, John: 2, 3, 9, 12-13, 25-28, 30-31, 33, 35, 36.

Thomas, Jessie B: 5.

Thomas, Josiah: 18.

Townsend, Corporal: 34, 37.

U

Usurp: 3, 7, 15, 22, 24-25, 29.

V

Voorhees, William: 33, 34.

W

Wheelock, Cyrus: 8, 22-24.

Wills, John: 33-34.

Worrell, Lt. Frank: 3, 13, 22, 25, 32.

Y

Yielding: 36.

Z

Zion: 18.


Fire Can Scathe A Green Tree John Ernest Clausen III

As a scholar of music and theater through Brigham Young University-Idaho then Utah State University a first inspired play which was in 1992 submitted for Literature and Belief writing contest a BYU Letters Program in which he obtained a critique.

While at USU in a production of Cyrano de Bergerac his creativity in two roles pre-pared him to better appreciate a wide interest in Biographical research. For seven years he had prepared a script based on Powder Keg and The Life of Porter Rockwell. When a written rendition of his screenplay had attached to it an epilogue of scene work which revered those tragic last days in Carthage. As an author he has decided to delve further in-depth to better represent what present day thinking could understand about Joseph Smith’s instrumental role in the cradle of the Restoration of the Everlasting Gospel.

J Ernest Clausen grew up in upper Northwest Illinois. And has faithfully served a few callings up through his twelve years as a Priesthood chorister in Petersboro, UT. His past associates such as Hugh Nibley, and Ezra Taft Benson profoundly determined for him a course in which he must consider in order to best represent what is important.These insights are within a heart felt context for publication, inviting all to be a witness.


fire can scathe a green tree

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