pacific address by the prophet—the mob ask god to bless their work of massacre—looking to the west—a sublim sermon—apostates and their work—joseph indicted for polygamy.
joseph had endeavored by every means in his power to create pacific feelings between the saints and the other citizens of illinois. he addressed many communications to the public, in which he counseled for good sense and good order.
one of his appeals for peace was written on the 17th of february, 1844. that same day an anti-mormon convention was held at carthage, the object being to devise ways and means for expelling the saints from the state as they had been driven from missouri. among the resolutions adopted by the meeting was one appointing the 9th day of march following as a day of fasting and prayer, whereon the pious of all the sectarians were to supplicate heaven to aid their efforts against the prophet and his people. the inciters of this convention purposed that it should inaugurate a massacre; and yet they were so blasphemous as to pretend to ask the aid of the almighty! their real supplication, however, was addressed—not to the realms of light, but to the prince of darkness.
on sunday, the 25th day of february, in a meeting at the assembly room of the saints in nauvoo, joseph prophesied that in five years the saints would be out of the power of their old enemies, whether apostates or of the world, and he asked the brethren to record the prediction.
about this time he was inspired to direct the glance of the apostles to the western slope where he said the people of god might establish themselves anew, worship after their own sincere convictions, and work out the grand social problems of modern life. this subject was present in his mind and often upon his lips during the brief remainder of his earthly existence. frequent councils were held and he directed the organization of an exploring expedition to venture beyond the rocky mountains, to seek a home for a righteous people denied every right of citizenship within the boundaries of the united states then existing. his purpose was not to sever the saints from this sublime republic by any emigration; he saw that this country's domain must soon stretch from ocean to ocean. the entire land of north and south america was the zion of the lord, and the people might settle in any spot where peace could be enjoyed, always remembering that in the due time of the almighty the center stake must be built up.
work was stopped on the nauvoo house by the prophet's direction and every effort concentrated upon the temple. he determined that the structure should be fitted to receive the worshiping saints of the most high before they should go into voluntary exile or submit to expatriation. and though he did not live to see the consummation of this purpose, it was literally fulfilled. and though he did not live to see the exodus of the saints nor to send out the first pioneer party of explorers, his inspired suggestion was carried out, and through it his prediction was fulfilled that the saints in five years should be beyond the power of their old enemies.
in march, the prophet addressed a memorial to congress, asking for the passage of an ordinance to protect citizens of the united states emigrating into the western regions. his purpose was to advance, under national authority, beyond the western boundary of the united states and establish american citizens in this vast domain preparatory to the hour when it should become annexed to our country. he drafted the ordinance, and in its provisions he betrayed his usual grandeur of purpose.
a special conference was held, beginning on the 6th day of april, 1844, at which joseph addressed a congregation of twenty thousand people. he chose for his subject the death of elder king follett, who had died a few days before, and he uplifted the souls of the congregation to a higher comprehension of the glory which comes after death to the faithful. his address ceased to be a mere eulogy of an individual, and became a revelation of eternal truths concerning the glories of immortality. the address occupied three hours and a half in delivery, and the multitude were held spellbound by its power. the prophet seemed to rise above the world. it was as if the light of heaven already encircled his physical being. in a few weeks he was to pass through the portals of the tomb into the radiance beyond, and he wanted his brethren to grasp some of the sublimities comprehended by his own inspired soul. those who heard that sermon never forgot its power. those who read it today think of it as an exhibition of superhuman power and eloquence.
the judas spirit manifested itself in nauvoo in the spring of 1844. alarmed by the prophet's declaration that there was a right-hand brutus near him, some of the men who were willing to betray him feared that their machinations were discovered and that vengeance might be wreaked upon them. william law and william marks both feared or affected to fear for their lives. they made complaint which reached the ears of the prophet, and he ordered an investigation in which they were allowed the fullest license to examine witnesses. the result was to show to them how utterly groundless was their fear; but further it showed to all the saints that these men were not faithful. the people said:
is it possible that brother law or brother marks is a traitor and would deliver joseph into the hands of his enemies in missouri? if not, what can be the meaning of this? the righteous are as bold as a lion.
joseph merely quoted:
the wicked flee when no man pursueth.
but from this time on he knew from what quarter to expect the kiss of judas. jealousy of the prophet, and their personal impurity led several leading men to apostasy and to a thirst for joseph's blood. among them were william law, wilson law, chauncey l. higbee, francis m. higbee and robert d. foster. they became his avowed enemies; but in secret sympathy with them were sidney rigdon, william marks and austin a. cowles.
william law was the leader of the movement. he declared that joseph was a fallen prophet, and he attempted to set up a church of his own. the apostates sought by every means in their power to precipitate bloodshed in nauvoo. they flagrantly violated the law; insulted, abused and threatened the officers; usurped official prerogatives; attempted to shoot joseph; and spread throughout the country, and even beyond its confines, the most wicked misrepresentations and complaints concerning joseph and the municipal administration of nauvoo.
the prophet had long known of their treachery and had warned the saints that judases were in their midst, without naming the individuals. he knew that in a little time the traitors would betray themselves. when this expectation of the prophet was realized and the saints were enabled to see the perfidy of these men, they were excommunicated.
after this it seemed as if satan was turned loose in their souls. having no longer any profit in concealment they blazoned forth their hatred for the prophet and their own iniquities. some of them confessed that they knew that their sins were finding them out and that they would soon have no reputation to lose anyhow, and therefore they would persecute the prophet and try to drag him down with them. at this time anonymous letters threatening the lives of joseph and hyrum were received and every conceivable annoyance was perpetrated upon them.
the missionary labor had not slackened. while satan was moving the powers of earth and the infernal regions to slay the prophet, despoil the city and break the growing strength of righteousness, missionaries were being sent into every field. under date of friday, may 17, 1844, the prophet records among other similar events, that elder franklin d. richards, then a faithful youth and later a renowned apostle of the church, was ordained a high priest and set apart to go on a mission to england.
on saturday, the 25th day of may, 1844, the prophet was informed that he had been indicted at carthage for the alleged offenses of polygamy and perjury on the testimony of william law and others. two days later, learning that warrants were out for him from the circuit court upon these indictments, he determined to proceed to carthage and give himself up. he had a double purpose to serve in this action. he desired as usual to show his respect for law and legal process; and he wanted to avoid having a carthage mob come into nauvoo to serve the writs. at carthage he was informed by charles foster and other apostates, who repented their purpose for the moment that a plot had been laid for his death and that it was determined that he should not leave that place alive. he secured lawyers and endeavored to have his case brought forward for trial; but the prosecution insisted upon delay and secured a postponement until the next term. in the meantime joseph was to be released on bail satisfactory to the sheriff; and that officer told him to go his way without bonds until called upon.
his friends gathered around him when he prepared to depart for home, and by this means his life was saved, for armed men threatened him and tried by force and stratagem to detain him in carthage until after dark that they might the better accomplish the assassination. but he knew their plot and departed, riding joe duncan and accompanied by hyrum and others, and reached home at 9 o'clock that evening.