-- Dec 26, 1842
[Joseph Smith] Voluntarily surrenders to arrest in Nauvoo on the far-fetched Missouri charge of attempted assassination of Lilburn W. Boggs. (1)
[Lucy Mack Smith] Second arrest in Boggs case. (2)
[Lucy Mack Smith] On advice from Governor Ford, Joseph gives himself up on the Missouri charges of attempting to assassinate Boggs and goes to Springfield, Illinois. He is released because he cannot be tried in Missouri for a crime (ordering a murder) committed in Illinois. (3)
December 26th Held court. Sis[ter] Morey [was the] defendant. [Joseph] had consultation with [Nauvoo Legion] Gen[eral] Wilson W. Law and was arrested by him on Proclamation of Gov[ernor] Carlin [for extradition to Missouri]. Elders [Henry G.] Sherwood and [William] Clayton started for Carthage after Habeus Corpus to carry him to Springfield.//Visited Sis[ter] Morey in custody of Sec[retary Richards] and prescribed for her afflictions. Spoke very highly of Lobelia [an herb], good in its place, was one of the works of God. But like the power of God or any good, it become an evil when improperly used. Had lear[ne]d the use and value [of Lobelia] by his own experience.//[At] Home. Sister Emma sick, had another chill. Had a consultation concerning her with Secretary [Richards]. While walking up Main St[reet], Joseph asked Bro[ther] Tully if he had ought against him? He replied, "I have not." Bro[ther] Morey gave Joseph a walking stick consisting of whole ivory top and sperm-whale tooth body with mahogany interstice. *
[Wilford Woodruff] 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Spent the time in the printing office. This closes the year of 1842. Thus year after year is rolling away into eternity. The commencing of the year found me in the city of London & the end in Nauvoo, Printing.
As the Lord has been merciful & preserved my family & my own life from death, so may the Lord Still preserved us for the year to Come from Death, Sickness & evry evil & enable us to do the will of God & overcom the world. (4)
-- Dec 27, 1842
Joseph Smith is arrested again as an accessory in the attempted murder of Gov. Boggs. He is taken into custody again in Nauvoo (5 Jan. 1843) out of the hands of arresting officers and is again acquitted. (5)
-- Dec 28th 1842
[High Council Minutes]
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of a charge prefered before me and sustained.
Nauvoo, Jany 11th 1843. Jonathan H. Hale.
Bishop of the ninth Ward in the City of Nauvoo."
Two were appointed to speak on the case Viz, Leonard Soby and Elias Higbee.
After the case had been investigated at some length & the pleadings were over, the President decided that the charge was not sustained which was sanctioned unanimously by the Councellores.
The piece written by the Clerk as Resolved by the last council was then read & accepted.
Adjourned till next Saturday the 21st at 9 o'clock at this place Hirums office to attend to Special buisness.
Hosea Stout Clerk. (6)
--1842 December 28
28th Slept with sec[retary Richards] on buffalo [skin]. After retiring I [Joseph] stated that the purifying of the sons of Levi was by giving unto them intel[l]igence that we are not capable of meditating /on/ and receiving all the intel[l]igence which belongs to an immortal state. It is to[o] powerful for our faculties.//Started at 8 o'clock. (Sis[ter] Durphy's daughter tarried and Bro[ther] W[illia]m Smith, wife, and little daughter accompanied). Before starting Joseph related his [dream]. Was by a beautiful stream of water. Saw a noble handsome fish. Threw it out. Soon after saw more, threw them out and soon a great many and threw them out a great abundance, and sent for salt to salt them down and salted them.//Arrived at Rushville Bell Tavern by Mrs. Stevenson 3 P.M. 20 miles. After supper Joseph with a part of the co[mpany] spent the eve[ning] with Mrs. Brown. Joseph stated that to touch the Nauvoo Charter was no better than highway robbery. That since the creation there never had been a repeal of a perpetual charter by God, angels, or man and that he never would submit to lowering our charter but they might bring others up to it. After returning to the tavern, Joseph was measured 6 feet, Hiram 6 [feet], Hunter 6 [feet], Wilson Law 6 [feet], 3/4 in[ches], and Moffit 6 [feet], 1/2 [inches]. *
-- 29Dec42
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Remarks to group delivered at "Captain Dutche's" on December 29,
Gen law asked why the Sun was masculine & ^moonfemini[n]e? ^JosephThe root of masculine is st[r]onger & of feminine weaker - Sun is a governing planet to certain planets while the moon borrows her light from the sun & is less or weaker - &c - Let the Government of Mo. redress the wrongs she has don to the mormons or let the curse follow them from generation to generation till the do - when ^Iwasw [sic] going up to Missouri in Co with Elder Rigdon & our families we arrived at Paris. Illinois on a extreme cold day. to go forward was 14 miles to a house. & back was nearly as far we applied to all the taverns for admission in vain. we were mormons & could not be received such was the cold that in one hour we must have perished. we plead for our women & children in vain we councelled together & the brethern agreed to stand by me.
& we concluded we might as well die fighting as freeze to death. I went into a tavern & plead our cause to get admission. The Landlord said he could not keep us for love or money. I told him we must & would stay let the consequence be what it might. for we must stay or perish. the Landlord said they had heard the mormons were very bad people & the inhabitants of the Paris had combined not to have any thing to do with them but we might stary. I told him we would stay but no thanks to him.
& we went in & all the taverns, I have enough to take the town & if we must freeze we will freeze by the burning of these houses = The taverns were then opened & we were accomadated. & received many apologies in the morning from the inhabitants for their abusive treatment. (7)
-- Dec 29, 1842
En route to Springfield, Illinois. Joseph Smith and his company traveled 32 miles in the cold. (8)
-- 30Dec42
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Joseph on Slavery
Experiences in Missouri
Millennial Conditions (7)
-- 29th
Started 20 [minutes past] 9. Arrived [at] Capt[ain] Dutches [at] 4 P.M., Lomour 32 mi[les]. After supper Gen[eral] Law asked why the Sun was masculine and /Moon/ feminine? /Joseph/ [said], "The root of Masculine is stronger and of feminine weaker. [The] Sun is a governing planet to certain planets, while the moon borrows her light from the sun and is less or weaker &c.//"Let the Government of M[iss]o[uri] redress the wrongs she has don[e] to the Mormons or let the curse follow them from generation to generation till they do.//'"When /I [Joseph]/ was going up to Missouri in co[mpany] with Elder [Sidney] Rigdon and our families we arrived at Paris, Illinois on a[n] extreme cold day. To go forward was 14 mil[e]s to a house and backward nearly as far. We applied to all the taverns for admission in vain. We were Mormons and could not be received. Such was the cold that in one hour we must have perished. We plead for our women and children in vain. We councelled together and the brethren agreed to stand by me. We concluded we might as well die fighting as freeze to death.//"I [Joseph] went into a tavern and plead our cause to get admission. The Landlord said he could not keep us for love or money. I told him we must and would stay. Let the consequen[c]e be what it might. For we must stay or perish. The Landlord said they had heard the Mormons were very bad people and the inhabitants of Paris had combined not to have any thing to do with them but we might stay. I told him we would stay, but no thanks to him and we went in and all the taverns I have men enough to take the town and if we must freeze we will freeze by the burning of there [their] houses. The taverns were then opened and we were accommodated and received ma/n/y apologies in the morning from the inhabitants for their abusive treatment."//(It was reported through the county that a camp of the Mormons stole an acre of corn of one man in the neighborhood of Terra Haut [Terre Haute, Indiana]).//[We had] Much good music on the piano with singing in the evening. *
--December 30th
Started at 8 [A.M.]. Broke one of the carriages and were detained awhile. Arrived [in Springfield] at Judge [James] Adams [at] 2 1/2 o'clock. Joseph said he had decided that he would not vote for a Slave holder. It is giving them power and if they could obtain sufficient power and get a religious peak against any religionists they would subdue them and compel our children to mix with their Slaves.//[Question] By Elder [Orson] Hyde, "What would you advice a man to do who come in the [Church] having a hundred slaves?" Joseph [replied], "I have always advised such to bring their slaves into a free country, set them free, Educate them and give them their equal rights. Should the slaves be organized into an independent government, they would become quarrelsome. It would not be wisdom."//(The remainder of the co[mpany] arrived 3 1/2 P.M.) All the party supped at Judge Adams. Justin Butterfield, Esqu[ire], District Att[orne]y of the United States for Illinois, was introduced by Judge Adams.//Bro[ther] W[illia]m Smith stated that [James M.] Pittman, Sheriff of Adams county had been here some days but whither he had the writ against Joseph or not, tis supposed he has it. Conversation continued on the writ and proclamation. Butterfield said that Judge Pope would close the court on the morrow. Had continued it 2 or 3 days on account of Joseph's case and [said] he should try the case on its merits and not on any technicality. When Pittman entered the Secretary's office, Trumbull asked him if he had the writ. He replied with a smile, "It will be forth coming."//It was decided by the council that the old writ should be had if possible in the morning by some one beside Pittman [and] Joseph be arrested thereon and by Habeus Corpus brought before Judge Pope in the morning and he would go clear, and Said Joseph, "Let me have a happy new years."//Conversation then turned on Missouri. Joseph stated that he never had done military duty in his life, was taken prisoner of war at Far West in his own door yard. The man who took me thrust my little boy (who was clinging to my garments) from me by his sword saying, "God Damn you, get away you little rascal or I will run you through."//I [Joseph] was condem[ne]d by court martial to be shot at 8 o'clock in the Morning. There were 18 Priests in the court martial. Gen[eral Alexander] Donithan [Doniphan] said it was cold blooded murder [and] would have nothing to do with it and marched of[f]. His Brigade were marched to Jackson Co[unty]. The soldiers refused to obey orders and we were returned and thrust in Prison by Gen[eral] Clark's orders.//[We were] kept 6 mo[nths] and 5 days with little food and no bed except a little straw, suffered much with cold, without [due] p[r]ocess on charge of Treason, Larceny, and Stealing. [We] had [a] mock trial. Witnesses sworn at the point of [a] bayonet. King sent summons by Bogard, [a] Methodist Priest. [They] took 50 of our witnesses and put them in Prisons and then 20 more. We got one witness by beckoning through the window. He was thrust out of court and 2 or 3 soldiers [were sent] after to kill him. King was expostulated with. He replied, "Gentlemen you are Mormons and I have pledged myself to exterminate you from the state [in] 1839."//[We were] afterwards tried by Jury who were our guards at night, 2 sober at a time. [They swore,] "God damn God and Methodist[s] &c. and God damn Mormons."//When we escaped I was the worst off. Hiram got one of my boots and I jumped into the mud, put on my boots without working and when I got to water after going over 15 mi[les] [of] Prarie, my boots are full of blood. When I arrived at shore opposite Quincy, I saw a man talking with Gov[ernor] Carlin who said, "God damn Joe Smith, if I could get my eyes on him I'd fix him." A ferry beckoned me and I put off immediately.//[George M.] Hinkle ordered a retreat. I rode through and ordered them to stand, 300 against 3,000. A truce came and [they] said, "We want Clemenson and wife and [blank]. We will protect them. We will massacre all the rest." They refused to go. I said, "Go tell the army to retreat in 5 minutes or we'll give them hell" and they run.//Ex-Gov[ernor] Carlin told Butterfield a few days since at Springfield he thought Joseph Smith had left Nauvoo. He was there 3 weeks ago with long beard and slouch hat to bye [buy] a Bowie knife and some one present knew him and he had gone off.//Joseph said to Judge Adams that Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign over the earth, but not dwell on the earth. [They will] visit it when they please or when necessary to govern it. There will be wicked men /on/ the earth during the 1,000 years. The heathen nations who will not come up to worship will be destroyed.//Joseph gave a lecture on medicine. [He said,] "Salt, vinegar and pepper given internally and plunging in the river when the paroxysms begin will cure the cholora." *
-- 1842
Church Membership at end of year: 23,564
New Converts : 3,708
Percent Change from previous year: 18.67% (9)
-- 31Dec42
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Conversation with Governor Ford at Springfield, Ill.
on December 31,
... conversation about Nauvoo & ^gov. said he was not a regionist Joseph said to the Governor I have no creed to circumscribe my mind therefore the people do not like me because I do not cannot curcumscribe my mind to their creeds. well said the gov. from reports we had [?] to think the mormons were a peculiar people. differnt from other people. having horns or something of the kind. but I find they look like other people ...
after supper a conversation was had on the Nauvoo charter, Joseph Prophecied that before 5 years roled around Judge Douglass will acknowledge that it would have been better for him to have followed his council - Douglass had been stating to Gen Law & El. Taylor that it was possible to revoke political chaters but not company charters Joseph argued if a legislature has power to grant a charter for 10 years it has no power to revoke it tell expiration thereof, the same principle will hold good for 20 years or for 100 years - & also for a perpetual charter. it cannot be revoked in time.1 John Darby, came in said he was going to california Joseph said I will say as the prophet said to Hezikiah go & prosper - but ye shall not return in peace. Brewster may set out for california but he will not get there unless some body shall pick him up by the way feed him &c - - - Brewster showed me the manuscript, I enquired of the Lord & the Lord told me the book was not true. it was no
t of him. If God ever called me, or spoke by my mouth.
or gave me a revelation he never gave revelations to that Brewster Boy or any of the Brewster race (7)
--1842 December 31
December 31st 1842 9 A.M. Esqu[ire] Butterfield came in [and] said [Sherriff] Pittman told Sec[retary] of State that King had the writ and he had shewed his [Butterfield's] letter to King. /He/ said he [King] was coming up some time and he would bring it. Joseph Signed a pitition to Gov[ernor] Ford for a new writ that his case might be tried ther[e]on.//11 A.M. Esq[ui]r[e] Butterfield called with Deputy Jerold Maxey having the Gov[ernor]'s writ and Habeus Corpus. The parties repaired immediately to Messr. Edwards and Butterfield's office where Butterfield read a Petition to Judge [Nathaniel] Pope of the U[nited] S[tates] C[ircuit] C[ourt] and Joseph Signed it. Present W[illia]m F. Elkin, Sheriff of Sangomo Co[unty], entered court Room before Judge Pope.//11 1/2 A.M. Heard several decisions in Bankruptcy, when Esq[ui]r[e] Butterfield read the pititions of Joseph. [He] next stated that the writ and warrant was different from the requisition of the Gov[ernor] [of] M[iss]o[uri]. [He] then read Gov[ernor] Ford's Warrant, then Watson's affidavit, next Gov[ernor] Reynold's Requisition on Gov[ernor] of Illinois, next Proclamation of Gov[ernor] Carlin shewing that Reynolds (with all defference to the Gov[ernor] of M[iss]o[uri]) has made a false statement as nothing appears in the affidavit to show that said Smith ever was in M[iss]o[uri during the attempt on Governor Boggs's life or that Joseph had attempted to flee justice].//Esqu[i]r[e] B[utterfield] said all the authority for transportation of prisoners from one state to another rests on the Constitution and the Law of Congress. We ask for Habeus Corpus because the papers are false and because we can prove that Joseph Smith was in this State at the time of the commission of the crime. Writ is granted, when will it be returned? Esq[uire] B[utterfield] instant[iat]e[d]. It was returned in one minute and served and Joseph walked up to the bar.//After a few minut[e]s delay, Esq[ui]r[e] B[utterfield] read the Habeus Corbus and moved the court take bail till the court hear the case. Judge [asked], "Is the prisoner in custody of court or officers?" Butterfield [replied], "Of the court" and [then] read the Law. Court thought proper to take bail though it was only a misdemeanor.//Gen[eral] Adams and Gen[eral] Law were bailed in the sum of $4,000 [and] $2,000 each. Monday was set for Trial. Court rose and as the co[mpany] dispersed (for the room was crowded) and came to the bottom [of the stairs] a row commenced [with] swearing &c. which was quelled by interference of the Marshall after we had tarried above a few minutes.///One or two rowdies - See Note A, page 74/ [Note A from page 74 is included here and follows:] /See page 23/ Note A[:] As Gen[eral Law came to the head of the stairs, Some men observed, "There goes [Joseph] Smith the Prophet and a great looking man he is." And (said another) "As damned a rascal as ever lived." Then Hyrum replied, "And a good many Ditto." "Yes," said the man, "Ditto, D[itt]o. God Damn you and any one that takes his part is as damned a rascal as he is." Then at the foot of the stairs, [General] Law says, "I am the man and I take his part." "You are a damned rascal to[o]." "/You are/ a Liying /schondrel/," said the man /Law/. /The man/began to take of[f] his clothes and went out in the street and the Marshall interfered. Much credit is due to Mr. Prentice the Marshall for his diligence in quelling the mob. [End of Note A.]//Twenty /mi[nutes]/ [past] one, Esq[ui]r[e] B[utterfield] accompanied Joseph to the Governor's room who was sick. Said he had a requisition for renewal of Prosecution in the old case of Treason against Missouri, but I [Joseph] happended to know it was all dead.//Dined with Esq[ui]r[e] Butterfield at American House. Returned to Gov[ernor]'s Room. Present Mr. Scommon and Mr. Shields. [We had] conversation about Nauvoo and /Gov[ernor] said he was not a regionist/. Joseph said to the Governor, "I have no creed to circumscribe my mind. Therefore the people do not like me because I do not, cannot circumscribe my mind to their creeds."//"Well," said the Gov[ernor], "from reports we had reason to think the Mormons were a peculiar people. Different from other people having horns or something of the kind, but I find they look like other people. Indeed I think Mr. Smith is a very good looking man."//Mr. Scommon enquired about the Terible sign[s] &c. Mr. Shields proposed a question about the [Nauvoo] Legion. [He wanted to know] /if it was to subdue the state Janisarly [janissary]?/ Joseph replied, "We have raised up a Legion to defend the state."//2 P.M. Returned to Judge Adams. Mr. W[illia]m Prentice [the] Marshall was very friendly and expressed much sorrow that he could not have the care of Gen[eral] Smith. Joseph appointed Elders Hyde and Tayler to preach on the Morrow. Dr. Gray called for an introduction and Mr. Taylor also.//After supper conversation was had on the Nauvoo Charter. Joseph Prophecied that before 5 years rol[l]ed [a]round Judge [Stephen A.] D[o]uglass will acknowledge that it would have been better for him to have followed his [Joseph's] council. D[o]uglass had been stating to Gen[eral] Law and El[der] Taylor that it was possible to revoke political charters but not co/mpany/ charters.//Joseph argued, "If a legislature has power to grant a charter for 10 years and has no power to revoke it till the expiration thereof, the same principle will hold good for 20 years and for 100 years and also for a perpetual charter. It cannot be revoked in time."//John Darby came in, said he was going to California. Joseph Said, "I will say as the prophet said to Hezekiah go and prosper, but ye shall not return in peace. [James C.] Brewster [leader of a Mormon schismatic group] may set out for California but he will not get there unless some body shall pick him up by the way [and] feed him &c. Brewster showed me [Joseph] the Manuscripts [of his revelations]. He /I/ enquired of the Lord and the Lord told me the book was not true. It was not of him. If God ever cal[l]ed me, or spoke by my mouth, or gave me a revelation, he never gave revelations to that Brewster Boy or any of the Brewster race."//In the P.M. a team ran away and went past the State house, when the cry was raised, "Joe Smith is running away," which produced great excitement and produced a sudden adjournment of the House of Rep[resentative]s.
Footnotes:
1 - Highlights in the Prophet's Life, Ensign, June 1994
2 - Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced
3 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
4 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
5 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47"
6 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
7 - The Parallel Joseph,
http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
8 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
9 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
* - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1842-43
LDS History Timeline
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