[Joseph Smith] Joseph dines with Emma and W. W. Phelps. When Joseph praises Emma for cooking in great quantities, Phelps says that Joseph should do as Bonaparte did and just have a small table. Emma says, "Mr. Smith is a bigger man than Bonaparte; he can never eat without his friends." Joseph says, "That is the wisest thing l ever heard you say." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:165-66.) (1)
[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, January 4th 1844 At home. Another Tempest in a tea pot about nothing at all. W[illia]m Marks thought somebody had concluded he was the Brutus or doe head. Leonard Soby made affidavit that Warren Smith had said something about Law and Marks. Se[e] affidavit.
Took dinner in the North room. I was remarking to Bro[ther] Phelps what a kind, provident wife I had. That when I wanted a little bread and milk she would load the table with so many good things it would destroy my appetite. At this moment Emma came in and Bro[ther] Phelps in continuation of the conversation said, "You must do as [Napoleon] Bonaparte did [and] have a little table, just large enough for yourself and your order thereon." Mrs Smith replied, "Mr. Smith is a bigger man than Bonaparte. He can never eat without his friends." I remarked, "That is the wisest thing I ever heard you say." (2)
-- Jan 5, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 5th We had a snow storm commenced in the evening. I spent the time settleing accounts. (3)
[Brigham Young] --5-- I went to La Harpe, and counselled with and preached to the Saints. (4)
At another meeting with Nauvoo Police William Law says he, Wilson Law, William Marks, and Leonard Soby feel threatened by the police. Joseph Smith denies that they are in peril. That night Joseph Smith "Dreamed about 2 serpents swallowing each tail foremost." (5)
William Law: Condemned obliquely by Joseph Smith Jr. as "a Brutus" at organization of Nauvoo police 29 Dec. 1843 (police said 5 Jan. 1844 that the Brutus was William Law ) (6)
[Joseph Smith] Joseph dreams of "2 serpents swallowing each other tail foremost." During the cold night some people had built a fire on the shore opposite Stake President William Marks's house. Marks swears before the city council that the fire was a warning against his life. It is charged that Joseph's statement about a "Judas" was a signal to the forty special policemen to take certain action against traitorist brothers. Thirty policemen swear that they were never given any special or private instructions. After many testimonies, Wilson Law says, "I am Joseph's friend: he has no better friend in the world: I am ready to lay down my life for him." Joseph records his own thoughts: "What can be the matter with these men? Is it that . . . hit pigeons always flutter, that drowning men catch at straws, or that Presidents Law and Marks are absolutely traitors to the Church, that my remarks should produce such an excitement in their minds. Can it be possible that the traitor whom P
orter Rockwellreports to me as being in correspondence with my Missouri enemies, is one of my quorum?" (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:166-70.) (1)
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith dreamed the night before that two serpents were swallowing each other by the tail, but gave no explanation for this dream in his history. (7)
[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, January 5th 1844 At home. 12 noon City Council. All about nothing at all. /W[illia]m Marks afraid Joseph had given some Saint[s the impression he was the traitor and that this] untruth [was communicated] to the police [who warmed themselves all night by a fire they had built just outside Marks's house.]
/4 1/2 [P.M.] adjourned. 5 went to my office. Bro[ther] Phelps made out commission for Joseph H. Jackson and Mariner J. Eaton as my aids as L[i]eut[enant] General. Returned home. [Spoke with] A number of gentlemen who had put up [boarded] with me and others. I sent for Bro[ther] Phelps who come in and read my letter to J[ohn] C. Calhoun. Dreamed about 2 serpents swallowing each tail foremost. [several lines left blank]
Commenced Snowing a little before sunset and continued all night. (2)
-- Jan 5, 1844 (Friday)
Wm. Marks, president of the Nauvoo Stake of Zion, being alarmed on account of a fire being kindled near his house, made statements before the city council; his fears were unfounded. (8)
-- Jan 6, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 6th Is several inches of snow on the ground. I went to the upper landing after wood. (3)
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, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
3 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
4 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
5 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower
6 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power
7 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0
8 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
LDS History Timeline
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