[Brigham Young Journal] at 1/2 to 12- I attended a general meeting of the official members of the church held in the 2nd story of the Temple which I had ordered for the purose of arrainging the affairs of the church prior to our exit from this place-- The meeting having been organized- previous to my coming by A. W. Babbit & C.C. Rich whom I sent for that purpose O. Pratt was nominated to take the chair & D. Candland Clerk carried by unamious consent of the assembly & the object of the meeting had also been stated but in order that entire satisfaction should be produced-- I arose & said I wish the Brethren to understand correctly the designs of appointing those Trustees- we do not instead dropping the present Trustees but we appoint 5 more to act in concert with Bishop Whitney & Miller & take charge of the church as well as individual property & this we do for the accommodation & convenance of those that are obliged to leave - for safety- also- to have them ( the P. Trustees) take the place of Bishop Whitney & Miller in their absence that the work of the Lord may continue here- that is the finishing of the Temple & Nauvoo House & the disposing of Property & fitting of the Saints & sending them out after us - but to return as regard the old Trustees (Whitney & Miller) I will never give them a quit claim- or Suffer them to resign their commission by my consent-Where ever we go we want them with us -& they shall be the Trustees wherever we go- but it is wisdom to take the course that we are proposing to you- the old Bishops will leave soon in all probbity & it is advisable to appoint & leave some good substantial efficient men to act for & in behalf of the church & people - I want Br. Whitney & Miller here & while we are I will Speak designs relative to our journey West- we intend to start a company of young men & some few Families- perhaps within a few weeks this company will go until we can find a good location beyond the borders of the united states & there stop & put in a summer crop-- that we me may have something to subsist upon= & there remain until we shall-- can make further discoveries -- We have been forced to take this step-& that too by Men that holds the Keys of Power I find no fault with the Law or constitution under which we live it is good enough- but I despise the abuse of those Laws - God ! & Men & Angels abhor it. I hop to find a place, where no self righteous Neighbors can say that we are obnoxious to them-- I exhort you not to be self important- we have covenants to remove the Poor that are worthy this we will do God - & being our helper- walk Humbly before the Lord be upright & sustain yourselves & learn that you are engaged in an important move- If any should want to stay Let them do it Pause- & should any want to go with us-- that are not members let them have the privilege & bid them welcome-for I consider every man that is a true republican- as Bone of my Bone of my Bone & flesh of my flesh & if any one wishes to follow Sidney Wm Smith J. J. Strang I say go away & will all cut them off from the church & let them take their course for salvation- I know where the Power of the Priesthood lies- But now I will drop the subject of the out laws - & refer to the enemy of all righetousness who- seek our downfall= he has sent bogus Factory & lying eire in abtescne medium- through the- country by wholesale - that we making Spurious Coin- & exchanging it by waggon loads- as Land office money & a thousand other lies all of which I pronounce to be a base fabricated lie - Nevertheless we may have to suffer repeiate wrones in consiquence of those falsehoods that are & will be circulated about us - but my Faith is that God ! Rule the elements - & the Prince & Power of the air- will be Stayed while the Lord will fight our battles- as in the days of Moses=We will see deliberance brought to pass- although there may be blood shed frequently still this must needs be that the scriptures might be fulfild- it is but a small mater for a saint to lay his life down if he is only prepared to receive his change- when he takes his exit from this world he goes into the Society of disembodied Spirits - & there become one of those that wait the rescuction of the body- if Humility and Faithfulness has characterized your live- you will find your state much better than the present- I say the time will come & many of you shall see it when the purposes the Lord will be carried out upon the Heads of those who has committed ungodly- deeds upon his Saints They so will not be permitted to run at large as they now do - neither will you be permitted to use the Name of the Deity in vain as you have in times done the more knowledge that you will have the less inclination you will have to diveation from the law of God- This Nation is fearful that we will turn the world upside down & accomplish wonderful things in the Land - & in fact they have reason to fear for their Kings & Nobleman & the wise among them have been confounded by them in our Ministerial Body-though confounded it is hard to convince them of the Truth-when we leave here fear & Terror seezis them least when we leave them that we will convert the savages of the Forest & say that we shall not teach them the principles of civilization & domestical usages -or not I say we will & further we would yet bring salvation to this Nation if they would cease their hostitilites & repent- The Lord has said, that he would fight our Battles & if this Nation shall still continue to be actuated towards with a persecuting spirit- vengeance shall come from the Lord & not from me- upon this Nation until they shal be uterly wasted- but I intend to Preach & do all the good that I can- I was informed this morning that some persons were advocating the - folly & nonsense of J. J. Strang- Now if they wish to follow him let them go, they are at liberty to as they please= I want no person to follow us contrary to their wishes - thierfore let no one go off & say that they are in danger of their lives- amongst us because- that we differ in opinion this is not so- Mr. J. Strang represent Jos Smith as the Stone & Shepherd of Israel of & that he Strang is his Successor in office-this is certainly an obserd idea- & comes in contrast with Joseph views relative to the matter (He Jos) Says in the Book of Doctrine & covenants & so does the scriptures- that christ is the shepherd & stone of Israel - & not Jos nor Strang & however I will not comsumre time no talking such nonsense it is not worth the Short Jorney of a mans Horse yet there are those that tire on the way & wish to rest to rest - they think that they have gone far Enough but those that endure to the End I think will get the crown When the time comes our Pioneers to start then there will be no cesation of gathering for we must gather up the House of Israel- & every man will have his Penny for his services let there be no feelings- about this matter should you not be first- we are laying a Foundation for you all that will bring you all up in rememberence before the Lord- in his own due time & none of you will be neglected-- I have one request to make of all the Saints that expect to emigrate with us & that is - that they do just as they are asked by their leaders with thire property & means - they are apointed to arrange that matter & if you will do this thing I tell you now-- there shall never be a lack in this church we want the captains of 100's to borrow or raise out of their $1.000- out of their companies remember that from the head go are nourished-- if any man can say that he has been wronged out of his money by the bishop let him speak & it shall be restored to him again but I know that is not so - Keep your money in circulation - & you will do good & will be blest in so doeing retain it when the poor are crying for bread & it will prove a curse to you- be honorable in all your dealings promp & punctual to pay all your debts & restore confidence & let promptiness & Punctuality be the standard with you- & the very God of Peace will pour out blessings upon that cannot have room enough to receive- The chairman then arose & proceeded to the nominations of the Trustee at t
his junction A. W. Babbitt- proseed to me that we drop J. B. Backenstos one of the proposed committee & take an other (not by-- objection however) & let a part of the committee act as Trustees for the Nauvoo House upon which I spoke a few words more we intind to finish the Temple & the Nauvoo House as far as putting on the Roof & putting in the windows & we shall drop all Political opperattions & church government= after (we the 12 leaves here) by so doing we can preserve our public buildings from the torch- I propose that all the saints will lay down their property & for the building the Temple and the Nauvoo House & help the Poor away such as must go in the first company -- (Temple Trustees & Nauvoo House)
I then nominated Almon W. Babbitt & Joseph L. Heaywood & John S. Fulmer be the Trustees for the Temple & Henry M. Miller & John M. Bernhisel be the-- Trustees & committe for the Nauvoo House- carried without a desenting vote- on motion the meeting adjourned at 2 P. M. after which I assended the stairs which led up into the celestial departments caled at the Dining room & took some refreshments- then repaired to room No. 1. where I continued at the Alter till near midnight.
[source: Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
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