[Joseph Smith] Several thousand persons attend a meeting in which Hyrum Smith and William Law speak on the upcoming election. Hyrum says that the Mormons must support the Democrat, Hoge, because God has revealed it to him. William Law says that this is impossible because Joseph has promised his vote to the Whig, Cyrus Walker. (1)
[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, August 5th [several lines left blank] 4 P.M. G[eorge] J. Adams, Hyrum, and W[illia]m Law spoke on the Election of Hoge and Walker. (2)
-- August 5th 1843
[High Council Minutes]
Council met according to adjournment at Hiram's office No buisness before the Council.
Adjd till next Saturday the 12th at 2 o'clock P.M.
Hosea Stout Clerk. (3)
-- Aug 6, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 6th Sunday In the fore part of the day I attended meeting of the Millerites in company with Elder Young & others. Mr Litz preached from Jer 24 ch. concerning the good & bad figs. In speaking of the Covenant made to Abraham in giving him the land of Canaan he said it was not to seeds but seed which was Christ. So the land belong to Jesus Christ & not the Jews. But Jesus Christ had rented it to the Jews at 6 per cent or for evry 10th & the ownly terms on which it was given to the Jews, & that they were robing God all the while. Will a man rob God &c? & the Land was taken away from the Jews & who shall have the land? Not the Jews the natural seed, But those that are Baptised into Jesus Christ & his spiritual Children. The kingdom was to be taken from the Jews & given to a Nation Bringing forth the fruits there of which will take place when Christ Come with his Church & Body & will then take Jerrusalem. (Why did he not say that it has already be
en given to the gentiles & they have also fallen [-]?)
The Jews as a nation will not go to the land of Jerrusalem & when Jesus Christ Comes the Jews will No more be his people. I will admit that the Jews will go with the other Nations against Jerrusalem to Battle against the Lord & his Saints & fight against Jerrusalem & the Lord shall go forth & fight against the Nations & the Jews among the rest & that the Jews will fight against Jerrusalem. If the Jews ever go to Jerrusalem they will not go as Jews but all Christians as Christ Body &c &c.
The above was the arguments presented by the milerite to do away with the literal fulfillment of the Bible concerning the return of the Jews & the rebuilding of Jerrusalem. But most of his arguments were fals & groundless.
In the Afternoon we met with the Saints In the canaanite Church in Julia Ann st. About 300 Saints were present. Meeting was opened by Elder Grant & Elder B Young Addressed the Congregation to Considerable length & laid a good foundation.
Among other things said that a man or woman may ask of God & get a witness & testimony from God concerning any work or messenger that is sent unto them. But if a person asks for a thing that does not concern him, such as governing the Church what shall the prophet or the Twelve do &c? He will not get an answer. If he does it will not be from God.
He also remarked in Conversation or inquired who had the Melchezedek priesthood. That if any in the Church had it he did not know it. For any person to have the fulness of that priesthood must be a king & a Priest. A person may have a portion of that Priesthood the same as Governors or Judges of England have power from the King to transact business but yet he is not the king of England. A person may be anointed king & priest before they receive their kingdom &c.
At the close of the meeting I returned to Br Hammers & in the evening Elder O. Pratt Preached & was followed by few remarks from Elder G A Smith. (4)
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith preached to the Saints about politics and the current elections. (5)
[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, August 6th /Emma started for St. Louis/ Zebedee Coltrin prayed. P[arley] P. Pratt preached on testimony. After sermon Joseph (for he came to the stand soon after Parly commenced) said he would preach his sermon next Sunday. He was not able to day. Would speak of another subject. [Regarding] The elections he was above the kingdoms of the world for he spake no laws [to the church to influence the election].
"I have not come to tell you /to/ vote this way, that way, or the other in relation to National matters. I want it to [go] abroad to the whole world that every man should stand on his own merits. The Lord has not given me Revelation concerning politics. I have not asked the Lord for it. I am a third party [and] stand independant and alone. I desire to see all parties protected in their rights. In relation to Mr. Walker, he is 9 Whig candidate, a high minded man.
"Mr. Walker has not hung on to my coat tail to gain his election as some have said. I am going to give a testimony but not for electioneering purposes. Before Mr. Walker come to Nauvoo rumor come up that he might become a candidate for Congress. Says I, he is an old friend [and] I will vote for him. When Mr. Walker come to my house, I voluntarily told him I was going to vote for him. When I dictated to him the laws of Nauvoo, he received them on my testimony. The rascals took Walker['Is and Montgomery['s] security [bond] /when I was arrested/. Walker made Reynolds come to me and beg my pardon for abuse /he gave me/ and /through his men/ took his pistols from the rascals and withdrew all claim to your vote and influence if it will be detrimental to your interest as a people.
"Bro[ther] Hiram tells me this morning that he has had a testimony that it will be better for this people to vote for Hoge. I never knew Hiram say he ever had a revelation and it failed. [I] Never told Bro[ther] Law to tell my private feelings. (Let God speak and all men hold their peace) I utterly forbid these political demagog[u]es from using my name hereafter forever.
"It is my settled feeling that if Gov[ernor] Ford erred in granting a writ against me it is of the head and not of the heart, and I authorize all men to say I am a personal friend of Gov[ernor] Ford.
"A cap to Parley's Sermon. Every word that proceedeth from the mouth of Jehovah has such an influence over the human mind, the logical mind that it is convincing without /other/ testimony. Faith cometh by hearing.
"If 10,000 men testify to a truth, [men whom] you know, would it add to your faith? No, or will 1,000 testimonies destroy your knowledge of a fact? No. I do not want anyone to tell I am a prophet or attempt to prove my word. I prophecy in the name of God Almighty. They shall bear off the palm."
Hyrum Smith explained at some length concerning the election. (2)
Footnotes:
1 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
3 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
4 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
5 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
LDS History Timeline
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