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  2. Administrative Records, Volume 1, Part 2 Introduction: February–May 1845

Part 2: February–May 1845

Early in the morning on 28 June 1844,
Orrin Porter Rockwell

June 1814–9 June 1878. Ferry operator, herdsman, farmer. Born in Belchertown, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Orin Rockwell and Sarah Witt. Moved to Farmington (later in Manchester), Ontario Co., New York, 1817. Neighbor to JS. Baptized into Church of...

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arrived in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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with the news that JS and
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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had been killed the previous day at
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

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. The news devastated the Latter-day Saints.
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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recorded that “sorrow & gloom was pictured in every countenance and one universal scene of lamentation pervaded the City.” On 3 July, Clayton retrieved the records of the Council of Fifty that he had buried more than a week earlier according to JS’s instructions and discovered they had been damaged. The next day, Independence Day, Clayton wrote that American “liberty is fled” and that the nation was “stained with the blood of innocence.”
1

Clayton, Journal, 28 June and 3–4 July 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Notwithstanding their shock and grief over the loss of the Smith brothers, Latter-day Saints reorganized the church under the leadership of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in August 1844. The reorganization of the Council of Fifty did not take place until February 1845. Events during the intervening months provide essential context for understanding the council’s activities from February to May 1845.
At the time of the murders of JS and
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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, most members of the Council of Fifty were on electioneering missions, primarily in the eastern
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

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. As these scattered members of the council learned the news over the next few weeks, most immediately returned to
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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, including a majority of the Quorum of the Twelve. Indeed, on 28 June a small group in Nauvoo decided to send
Jedediah M. Grant

21 Feb. 1816–1 Dec. 1856. Farmer. Born in Union, Broome Co., New York. Son of Joshua Grant and Athalia Howard. Lived in Springwater, Ontario Co., New York, 1820. Lived in Naples, Ontario Co., 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

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and
George J. Adams

7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

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, both members of the Council of Fifty, to the eastern states to call “the twelve home immediately.”
2

Clayton, Journal, 28 and 30 June 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Although there had been rumors earlier, apparently the first any of the apostles in the East learned of the murders was on 9 July, when
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

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and
Heber C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

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obtained copies of a Boston Times account “containing the solumn & awful information,” though they remained unsure of its truthfulness.
3

Woodruff, Journal, 9 July 1844; Kimball, Journal, 9–10 July 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

On 12 July, Kimball, then in Baltimore, learned in a letter from his wife
Vilate

1 June 1806–22 Oct. 1867. Born in Florida, Montgomery Co., New York. Daughter of Roswell Murray and Susannah Fitch. Moved to Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, by 1810. Moved to Victor, Ontario Co., by 1820. Married Heber Chase Kimball, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon...

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that JS and
Hyrum

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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had traveled to
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

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, and he was thus convinced “that the Brethren ware dead O Lord what feelings we had.”
4

Kimball, Journal, 12 July 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

On 16 July, Woodruff received letters from
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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confirming the deaths, and by then some of the apostles had heard also from either
Grant

21 Feb. 1816–1 Dec. 1856. Farmer. Born in Union, Broome Co., New York. Son of Joshua Grant and Athalia Howard. Lived in Springwater, Ontario Co., New York, 1820. Lived in Naples, Ontario Co., 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

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or
Adams

7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

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.
5

Woodruff, Journal, 16 July 1844; Kimball, Journal, 15 July 1844; Young, Journal, 23 July 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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, who was in
Peterborough

Located in south-central New Hampshire along Contoocook River, eighteen miles north of Massachusetts–New Hampshire border. Founded 1739. Incorporated as town, 1759. Population by 1840 about 2,200. First visited by Latter-day Saint missionaries during 1830s...

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, New Hampshire, with
Orson Pratt

19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...

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, had heard rumors but did not credit them until he received a letter on 16 July. Young later recounted the shock: “I felt then as I never felt bef[ore] . . . I felt as tho my head wo[ul]d. crack.” He momentarily wondered if the deaths of JS and Hyrum Smith meant that “the P[riesthood] [was] taken from the Earth.” An answer to his question, Young recalled, came “like a clap— the keys of the K[ingdom] r [are] here,” meaning with him and the other apostles.
6

Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 12 Feb. 1849; Young, Journal, 16 July 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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and
Pratt

19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...

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left for
Boston

Capital city of Massachusetts, located on eastern seaboard at mouth of Charles River. Founded by Puritans, 1630. Received city charter, 1822. Population in 1820 about 43,000; in 1830 about 61,000; and in 1840 about 93,000. JS’s ancestor Robert Smith emigrated...

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where, on 18 July, they joined
Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

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,
Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

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, and
Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

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. Woodruff wrote an “Epistle of the Twelve” to be published in the Prophet, a church newspaper, instructing “the Elders who have families in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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to go immediately to them & for all the authorities of the church to assemble at Nauvoo for a council.”
7

Woodruff, Journal, 18 July 1844; “Epistle of the Twelve,” Prophet, 27 July 1844, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

The Prophet. New York City, NY. May 1844–Dec. 1845.

Later that day Young gave perhaps his first public comments on JS’s death: “be of good cheer. . . . When God sends a man to do a work all the devils in hell cannot kill him untill he gets through his work, So with Joseph He prepared all things gave the keys to men on the earth and said I may be soon taken from you.”
8

Woodruff, Journal, 18 July 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

After apostle
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

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joined the other men, the six apostles started for
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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on 24 July.
Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

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left the company to visit family in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

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, Ohio, but the others arrived in Nauvoo on 6 August.
9

Woodruff, Journal, 24 July–6 Aug. 1844; Kimball, Journal, 24 July–6 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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’s party joined the four apostles already in Nauvoo—
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

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and
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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, who had been with the Smiths in
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

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jail, and
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

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and
George A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

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, both of whom had already returned from electioneering missions.
10

Richards, Journal, 10 and 28 July 1844; see also Pratt, Autobiography, 368–369; and George A. Smith, Journal, 28 July 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

Smith, George Albert. Journals, 1839–1875. George Albert Smith, Papers. 1834–1877. CHL.

Before the arrival of Young’s company, the apostles in Nauvoo had counseled the Saints to wait for the Twelve to return before making decisions regarding the leadership of the church. Among those requesting action was Council of Fifty member
Alexander Badlam

28 Nov. 1808–30 Nov./1 Dec. 1894. Coachmaker, realtor, inventor, author. Born at Dorchester, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ezra Badlam and Mary Lovis. Married Mary Ann Brannan, ca. 1833, near Saco, York Co., Maine. Participated in Camp of Israel expedition...

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, who urged the apostles in Nauvoo to call together the council to organize the church soon after JS’s death.
11

Minutes, 25 Dec. 1846 and 9 Dec. 1848, Council of Fifty, Papers, 1844–1885, CHL. The final portion of the manuscript history of JS compiled in the 1850s dated this event to 30 July and stated that George Miller joined in Badlam’s request. (JS History, vol. F-1, addenda, 9.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Council of Fifty. Papers, 1844–1885. CHL.

In addition to attending to the business of the church, Richards helped
Lucien Woodworth

3 Apr. 1799–after 1860. Architect, laborer, carpenter. Born in Thetford, Orange Co., Vermont. Married Phebe Watrous. Moved to Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1830; to Missouri, by 1839; and to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1841. Architect of Nauvoo...

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fulfill an assignment given him by the council by drafting a letter in mid-July to
Texas

France established colony in area, 1685. First Spanish settlement created, 1718. After Mexican War of Independence from Spain, 1821, area became part of Mexico and immigration increased. Conflict between Mexican government and Texian residents resulted in...

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president
Sam Houston

2 Mar. 1793–26 July 1863. Clerk, teacher, attorney, politician. Born near Lexington, Rockbridge Co., Virginia. Son of Samuel Houston and Elizabeth Paxton. Moved to Blount Co., Tennessee, ca. 1808. Left home to live with Cherokee Indians. Served in U.S. Infantry...

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asking for resumption of negotiations for a Mormon colony in Texas and sending him copies of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and Parley P. Pratt’s Voice of Warning.
12

Lucien Woodworth, Nauvoo, IL, to Sam Houston, 14 July 1844, draft, Willard Richards, Papers, CHL; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 6 May 1844.


On 3 August, three days before the arrival of
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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’s company,
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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arrived in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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from
Pittsburgh

Also spelled Pittsbourg, Pittsbourgh, and Pittsburg. Major industrial port city in southwestern Pennsylvania. Near location where Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converge to form Ohio River. French established Fort Du Quesne, 1754. British captured fort,...

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, where he had moved in late June on assignment from the Council of Fifty to establish his residency so that he could be the vice presidential candidate in JS’s presidential campaign.
13

Richards, Journal, 3 Aug. 1844; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 6 May 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

At a public meeting the next day, Rigdon proposed that he be the “guardian” of the church in JS’s stead. Nauvoo stake president
William Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

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, sympathetic to Rigdon’s claims, appointed a conference for 8 August to vote on the guardianship proposal.
14

Richards, Journal, 4 Aug. 1844; Clayton, Journal, 4 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Though an active participant in the Council of Fifty, Rigdon had largely been out of public view for much of the Nauvoo era, had generally not functioned in his role as a counselor in the First Presidency, and was not included in other regular councils of church leaders. By contrast, for the previous three years—from the time JS had called a “special conference” on 16 August 1841, soon after many of the apostles returned from their quorum mission to the British Isles—the apostles had worked increasingly closely with JS and
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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to oversee the “business of the church.”
15

Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 16 Aug. 1841; Richards, Journal, 16 Aug. 1841.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Church leaders met on 7 August in the
Seventies Hall

Two-story brick building located at northeast corner of Parley and Bain streets on land donated by Edward and Ann Hunter. Construction began, fall 1843. At least one wall completed, by 16 Mar. 1844. Windstorm toppled wall, 16–17 Mar. 1844. Rebuilt under supervision...

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before the planned public meeting the next day.
Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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, speaking first, declared: “It was shewn to me that this church must be built up to Joseph, and that all the blessings we receive must come through him. I have been ordained a spokesman to Joseph, and I must come to
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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and see that the church was governed in a proper manner. . . . I propose to be a Guardian to the people.”
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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responded by saying he did not care who led the church, “but one thing I must know, and that is what God says about it. I have the keys and the means of obtaining the mind of God on the subject. . . . Joseph conferred upon our heads all the keys and powers belonging to the Apostleship, which he himself held before he was taken away, and no man or set of men can get between Joseph and the Twelve in this world or the world to come. How often has Joseph said to the Twelve, I have laid the foundation; and you must build thereon, for upon your shoulders the kingdom rests.” The meeting ended with an agreement that the Saints and the quorums of the priesthood would assemble on 13 August for a special conference.
16

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 7 Aug. 1844; see also Woodruff, Journal, 7 Aug. 1844; Clayton, Journal, 7 Aug. 1844; and Richards, Journal, 7 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

The Twelve now saw the 8 August meeting, held in a
grove

Before partial completion of Nauvoo temple, all large meetings were held outdoors in groves located near east and west sides of temple site. Had portable stands for speakers. JS referred to area as “temple stand” due to its location on brow of hill.

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near the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

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, as a prayer meeting and most did not attend.
17

In addition to agreeing to postpone the business of the conference until 13 August, Rigdon had earlier assured several of the apostles that “he did not expect the people to choose a guardian” at the 8 August meeting. Instead he merely wanted to “have a prayer meeting.” (Richards, Journal, 5 Aug. 1844.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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, however, used the occasion to present his case. After Rigdon’s unexpected remarks,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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stood. Saying that he regretted the spirit of being in a hurry, Young commented, “I wanted to sit and weep 30 days before the priesthood do business.” He called for all the Saints to reassemble in the afternoon to address the church business that had been scheduled to occur five days later.
18

Carruth and Jensen, “Sidney Rigdon’s Plea to the Saints,” 138; Woodruff, Journal, 8 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Carruth, LaJean Purcell, and Robin Scott Jensen. “Sidney Rigdon’s Plea to the Saints: Transcription of Thomas Bullock’s Shorthand Notes from the August 8, 1844, Morning Meeting.” BYU Studies 53, no. 2 (2014): 121–139.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

In the afternoon session,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
argued that the apostles stood next in authority to JS, from whom they had received the necessary authority for church governance. He pledged that the apostles would build on the foundation laid by JS. Young wrote in his journal that he “lade before them the order of the church and the Power of the Preasthood, after a long and laboras talk of a bout two [h]ours in the open air with the wind blowing, the church was of one hart and one mind they wanted the twelve to lead the church as Br Joseph had dun in his day.”
19

Young, Journal, 8 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

When Young moved for a vote regarding
Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
’s proposal, Rigdon insisted that a vote for the Twelve come first.
Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

View Full Bio
outlined the proposition before the congregation: “do the Saints want the Twelve to Stand as the head, the first Presidency of the church and at the head of this Kingdom in all the world, Stand next to Joseph, walk up into their Calling, hold the Keys of this Kingdom All that are in favor of this in all the congregation of the Saints manifest it by holding up the right hand.” Woodruff recorded, “Their was [a] sea of hands a universal vote.”
20

Woodruff, Journal, 8 Aug. 1844. While Woodruff noted a unanimous vote, Clayton indicated that there were “a few who were dissappointed.” (Clayton, Journal, 8 Aug. 1844.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

At first
Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
seemed to accept this decision. Though invited, he did not attend any of the councils of the Twelve and other church leaders, but he preached at public meetings. The apostles received reports, however, that he was privately seeking to “draw off a party.” In late August they summoned Rigdon and
William Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

View Full Bio
, perhaps his most prominent supporter, to a council. Rigdon declined to attend, but Marks insisted that many of the things the apostles had heard were not true.
21

“Continuation of Elder Rigdon’s Trial,” Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1844, 5:663; Clayton, Journal, 29 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

In early September, when pressed by
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
in a private meeting, Rigdon stated that “he had Power and authority above the twelve did not concider him self bound to thir councel.”
22

Young, Journal, 3 Sept. 1844; Clayton, Journal, 4 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

When three of the apostles then visited him to demand his ministerial license, Rigdon threatened to “expose the Counsels of the Church and Publish all he knew against us he knew the Church had not Been Led By the Spirit to [of] God for Long time.”
23

George A. Smith, Journal, 3 Sept. 1844; see also “Trial of Elder Rigdon,” Times and Seasons, 15 Sept. 1844, 5:653; Clayton, Journal, 4–5 Sept. 1844; Young, Journal, 3 and 6 Sept. 1844; and Kimball, Journal, 6 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, George Albert. Journals, 1839–1875. George Albert Smith, Papers. 1834–1877. CHL.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

The Council of Fifty was presumably one of the councils Rigdon was threatening to “expose,” since it was the only council meeting in the last months of JS’s life that Rigdon regularly attended.
On 5 September,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
and
Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
both denounced
Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
at separate public meetings.
24

See Young, Journal, 5 Sept. 1844; Kimball, Journal, 5 Sept. 1844; and Clayton, Journal, 5 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

By then the Quorum of the Twelve had decided to bring charges against Rigdon in a public ecclesiastical trial. When the trial convened on 8 September, Young explained that the apostles would act as witnesses, not judges; the case would be tried by a council under Bishop
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
. Young and other apostles charged Rigdon with setting up a rival church organization and with performing unauthorized ordinations and temple-related rituals. Young, Hyde,
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

View Full Bio
,
Amasa Lyman

30 Mar. 1813–4 Feb. 1877. Boatman, gunsmith, farmer. Born at Lyman, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Son of Roswell Lyman and Martha Mason. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Lyman E. Johnson, 27 Apr. 1832. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co....

View Full Bio
,
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
, and
Heber C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

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—all members of the Council of Fifty—testified against Rigdon. Hyde stated that JS had given the apostles “all the keys, and all the ordinances . . . and now says he on your shoulder will the responsibility of leading this people rest, for the Lord is going to let me rest a while.”
25

Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 8 Sept. 1844; “Trial of Elder Rigdon,” Times and Seasons, 15 Sept. 1844, 5:647–655; “Continuation of Elder Rigdon’s Trial,” Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1844, 5:660–667; “Conclusion of Elder Rigdon’s Trial,” Times and Seasons, 15 Oct. 1844, 5:685–687. Hyde later prepared a more detailed written statement expanding on this theme, which he read in the 25 March 1845 Council of Fifty meeting. (Orson Hyde, Statement about the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, ca. 25 Mar. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; see also Woodruff, Journal, 25 Aug. 1844.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Rigdon declined to appear at the trial, but
Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

View Full Bio
, after noting that church trials always provided an opportunity for someone to speak in defense of the accused, addressed some of the accusations. At the conclusion of some six hours of meeting, Rigdon and several of his followers (though not Marks) were unanimously excommunicated.
26

Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 8 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

Two days later Rigdon left
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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for
Pittsburgh

Also spelled Pittsbourg, Pittsbourgh, and Pittsburg. Major industrial port city in southwestern Pennsylvania. Near location where Monongahela and Allegheny rivers converge to form Ohio River. French established Fort Du Quesne, 1754. British captured fort,...

More Info
.
27

Kimball, Journal, 10 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
and the Quorum of the Twelve were not the only claimants to authority. In late August, Moses Smith arrived in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
from
Wisconsin Territory

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
with information about
James J. Strang

21 Mar. 1813–ca. 26 June 1856. Teacher, lawyer, newspaper publisher, postmaster. Born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., New York. Son of Clement Strang and Abigail James. Moved to Hanover, Chautauque Co., New York, 1816. Moved to Ellington, Chautauque Co., 1836. Married...

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, who claimed that shortly before his death JS had, in response to revelation, written a letter appointing Strang as JS’s successor. Presenting himself as a new prophet with new revelations, Strang was gathering followers in Voree, Wisconsin.
28

See Jensen, “Mormons Seeking Mormonism,” 115–140.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jensen, Robin Scott. “Mormons Seeking Mormonism: Strangite Success and the Conceptualization of Mormon Ideology, 1844–50.” In Scattering of the Saints: Schism within Mormonism, edited by Newell G. Bringhurst and John C. Hamer, 115–140. Independence, MO: John Whitmer Books, 2007.

The apostles denounced Strang’s letter as a forgery and published a notice announcing Strang’s excommunication and warning of his attempts at “leading the saints astray.”
29

Jacob, Reminiscences and Journal, 8; Kimball, Journal, 26 Aug. 1844; “To the Saints,” Times and Seasons, 2 Sept. 1844, 5:631.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jacob, Norton. Reminiscence and Journal, May 1844–Jan. 1852. CHL. MS 9111.

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Strang

21 Mar. 1813–ca. 26 June 1856. Teacher, lawyer, newspaper publisher, postmaster. Born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., New York. Son of Clement Strang and Abigail James. Moved to Hanover, Chautauque Co., New York, 1816. Moved to Ellington, Chautauque Co., 1836. Married...

View Full Bio
and his followers had little impact in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
through 1844. But his movement gained strength in some outlying areas, and in 1845 several of his adherents sought followers in the Mormon heartland.
Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
and his followers also had less influence in Nauvoo than they had in some of the eastern branches. Both Rigdon and Strang also later sent emissaries to
England

Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...

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, which had the largest concentration of Latter-day Saints outside
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
. Church members who supported JS’s late Nauvoo initiatives and teachings tended to support the Twelve, while those who opposed some of his measures tended to seek alternatives. A key issue for detractors of the Twelve—including Rigdon, Strang, and many of their followers—was plural marriage. The apostles and other church leaders refused to acknowledge plural marriage publicly even as the practice expanded, under the direction of the Twelve, among the Latter-day Saints between JS’s death and the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo.
30

Hales, Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, 1:3, 2:165.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Hales, Brian C. Joseph Smith’s Polygamy. 3 vols. SLC: Greg Kofford Books, 2013.

As events unfolded with
Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
and his supporters, two other members of the Council of Fifty also showed themselves unwilling to act in concert with the Twelve. Both
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
and
James Emmett

22 Feb. 1803–28 Dec. 1852. Farmer, policeman, explorer, miner. Born at Boone Co., Kentucky. Son of Silas Emmett and Elizabeth Trowbridge. Married Phebe Jane Simpson, 13 Apr. 1823. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1831, in Boone Co...

View Full Bio
rejected the priority of finishing the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
, insisted that the best path was to leave the city, and drew off people and resources from Nauvoo against the counsel of the Twelve. Despite
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
’s public denunciation of Wight’s plans, he and the other apostles authorized Wight to leave Nauvoo “with his compa[n]y . . . and carry out the instructions he has received from Joseph,” a reference to Wight’s council-approved plan to lead a company from the
Wisconsin

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
pinery

Also known as the “pinery.” Collective term for regions in Wisconsin where lumbering operations were located, especially along Black, Chippewa, St. Croix, Wisconsin, and Wolf rivers. Latter-day Saints established lumber camps and mills on Black River to provide...

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to
Texas

France established colony in area, 1685. First Spanish settlement created, 1718. After Mexican War of Independence from Spain, 1821, area became part of Mexico and immigration increased. Conflict between Mexican government and Texian residents resulted in...

More Info
.
31

Council of Fifty, “Record,” 6 May 1844.


On 24 August the Twelve and others decided that Wight’s company should go “north into the Colder Country to build a branch” rather than to
Texas

France established colony in area, 1685. First Spanish settlement created, 1718. After Mexican War of Independence from Spain, 1821, area became part of Mexico and immigration increased. Conflict between Mexican government and Texian residents resulted in...

More Info
. Young warned that aside from the “Pine Company . . . not any other soul has the consent of the Twelve to go with them.”
32

Young, Journal, 11 and 18 Aug. 1844; 12 Sept. 1844; Richards, Journal, 12 Aug. 1844; Woodruff, Journal, 18 and 24 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Taking more men and supplies with him than the Twelve had authorized, Wight left Nauvoo on 28 August with plans to winter in
Wisconsin

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
before traveling to Texas the next spring. When a messenger from Young warned Wight in September that he had violated his instructions, Wight dismissed the authority of the other apostles and stated that “the Lord would not accept of the Temple when it was built.”
33

David Clayton to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 24 Sept. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; Clayton, Journal, 26 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Although Young did not at that time censure Wight, the Twelve withdrew fellowship from Emmett, who likewise may have seen his plan to take a party from Nauvoo “into the wilderness” as fulfilling an assignment he had received in the Council of Fifty or from JS.
34

Clayton, Journal, 4 Sept. 1844; Young, Journal, 11 Aug. 1844; see also George A. Smith, Journal, 2 and 9 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Smith, George Albert. Journals, 1839–1875. George Albert Smith, Papers. 1834–1877. CHL.

Later in September, Emmett and his recruits departed from Nauvoo, contrary to the instructions of the Quorum of the Twelve.
35

The Council of Fifty addressed the situations of Wight and Emmett on several occasions in 1845. (See Council of Fifty, “Record,” 4 and 27 Feb. 1845; 29 Apr. 1845.)


In the days, weeks, and months after the 8 August sustaining vote of the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
Saints,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
and the Twelve moved vigorously to set the church in order. On 9 August the Twelve appointed bishops
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
and
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
, both members of the Council of Fifty, to act as trustees-in-trust for the church, overseeing temporal affairs so the Twelve could “attend to the spiritual affers.”
36

Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Nathaniel Felt, Salem, MA, in Brigham Young to Vilate Young, 11 Aug. 1844, photocopy, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Letter, to Vilate Murray Young, 11 Aug. 1844, photocopy. CHL.

Young also proposed “righting up the quorums, giving every one his place.” JS’s presence “super[c]eded the necessity” of a more perfect organization, Young explained, but in his absence all the quorums must be put in order. Soon after, church leaders discussed establishing better oversight of branches in the
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

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outside of Nauvoo and assigned
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

View Full Bio
to travel to
England

Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...

More Info
to oversee church affairs in the British Isles.
37

Richards, Journal, 9 and 12 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

These councils indicated that Young would be less formally involved in political and financial matters than JS had been; whereas JS served as mayor and as trustee-in-trust, Young would do neither.
These meetings also established the pattern that the church would be administered through councils, some involving only the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and others consisting of the Twelve and other church leaders.
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
saw the 8 August vote as authorizing the quorum to govern the church. He wrote in his journal in August something that would be true for months to come: “we continued our councels from day to day to regulate the Buisness of the Church.”
38

Young, Journal, 11 Aug. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Because of his role as
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
recorder,
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

View Full Bio
frequently attended the weekly councils consisting of members of the Twelve, the two trustees, and the temple committee. On 15 August he noted that “a very good feeling prevails in the breasts of the brethren.” Three days later Clayton began to copy the minutes of the Council of Fifty into a small leather-bound volume.
39

Clayton, Journal, 15 and 18 Aug. 1844; 6 and 20 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Gathering resources for construction of the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

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and pushing the project forward remained a central focus of the Twelve over the next several months. The 1 October issue of the Times and Seasons contained an epistle from the Twelve to the church that affirmed the necessity of completing the temple because it touches “our salvation and exaltation, and that of our dead.”
40

Brigham Young, “An Epistle of the Twelve,” Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1844, 5:668.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

The Twelve also continued organizing the priesthood quorums. On 24 September,
Joseph Young

7 Apr. 1797–16 July 1881. Farmer, painter, glazier. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Moved to Auburn, Cayuga Co., New York, before 1830. Joined Methodist church, before Apr. 1832. Baptized into Church...

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, senior president of the Seventy, joined six of the Twelve in selecting presidencies of seven to preside over ten quorums of seventies, each to be composed of seventy men.
41

Kimball, Journal, 24 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

The work of reorganizing the church continued during the church’s 6–8 October general conference.
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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set the tone on the first day by proclaiming it a “test of our fellowship to believe and confess that Joseph lived and died a prophet of God in good standing.” During the second day, church members voted unanimously “to carry out the principles and measures heretofore adopted and laid down by Joseph Smith.” The officers of the church were then presented for a sustaining vote, beginning with Young and the Twelve. After Young was sustained as “president of the quorum of the Twelve, as one of the Twelve and first presidency of the church,” each of the apostles was sustained unanimously. This included the absent
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

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, though only “after some discussion.”
John Smith

16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...

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was sustained as president of the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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stake in the place of
William Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

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, but Marks retained his church membership.
42

“October Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 15 Oct. 1844, 5:683; 1 Nov. 1844, 5:691–692, 696; Young, Journal, 6–8 Oct. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

A week after the conference,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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,
Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

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, and
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

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left
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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for two weeks, and “no one knew whare we ware gon.” They visited outlying branches as far as two hundred miles from
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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“and located another place of gathering for the Saints of God.” Perhaps they sought a nearby place of refuge in case of emergency, but the clerk keeping Young’s journal saw it as one of many future places of gathering, while Nauvoo would remain “the head stake for the Saints to come” to participate in the temple rituals.
43

Kimball, Journal, 14–27 Oct. 1844; Young, Journal, 14 Oct. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

During September and October some areas in
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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were in turmoil because of efforts to arrest those believed to be responsible for the June murders in
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

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. Governor
Thomas Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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had vowed to see justice done despite the depth of anti-Mormon feeling. Anticipating violence, he informed
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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leaders on 8 September that his request for a detachment of
U.S.

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

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troops to be stationed in the county had been declined, leaving him to rely on the support of an uncertain militia. Nonetheless, he was prepared to sustain the laws and “ascertain how far I will be seconded by the Militia.” Ford insisted that he could do nothing directly until after civil process began and then only if arrests were resisted. He advised Mormon leaders to seek warrants from a justice of the peace outside of Nauvoo or to take complaints to the grand jury for indictments that could be tried by the circuit court.
44

Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Willard Richards and William W. Phelps, Nauvoo, IL, 8 Sept. 1844, Willard Richards, Papers, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490.

Despite this advice, on 21 September,
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

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swore out an affidavit before
Aaron Johnson

22 June 1806–10 May 1877. Farmer, gunmaker. Born in Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Didymus Johnson and Ruhamah Stephens. Joined Methodist church, early 1820s. Married Polly Zeruah Kelsey, 13 Sept. 1827, in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut...

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, a justice of the peace in Nauvoo, accusing prominent anti-Mormons
Thomas C. Sharp

25 Sept. 1818–9 Apr. 1894. Teacher, lawyer, newspaper editor and publisher. Born in Mount Holly, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Son of Solomon Sharp and Jemima Budd. Lived at Smyrna, Kent Co., Delaware, June 1830. Moved to Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania...

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and
Levi Williams

18 Apr. 1794–27 Nov. 1860. Postmaster, farmer, military officer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Married Mary (Polly) Reid. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, eventually settling in Green Plains. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Served as captain in ...

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of murder; Johnson issued a warrant for their arrest.
45

John Taylor, Affidavit, 21 Sept. 1844; Warrant for Levi Williams and Thomas C. Sharp, 21 Sept. 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court, Civil and Criminal Files, 1830–1860, State of Illinois v. Williams et al. [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1845], microfilm 1,521,604, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Sharp resisted attempts to arrest him, and his supporters swore “they would not let them be taken law or no law[,] governor or no governor.” Sharp and Williams fled to
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

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, and messengers were sent to raise a force sufficient to prevent the execution of the law.
46

Charles C. Rich, Nauvoo, IL, to Thomas Ford, 26 Sept. 1844, photocopy in editors’ possession.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Rich, Charles C. Letter, Nauvoo, IL, to Thomas Ford, 26 Sept. 1844. Photocopy in editors’ possession.

Faced with such threats, Ford traveled to Nauvoo to assess the situation and began sending state militia to Hancock County to uphold the law. In September, Ford and church leaders agreed to reorganize the Nauvoo Legion to defend Nauvoo and assist in arrest efforts if necessary.
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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had earlier been elected by the troops as lieutenant general of the Legion, a position earlier held by JS, and he now received his commission.
47

Thomas Ford, Commission for Brigham Young, 24 Sept. 1844, CHL; Clayton, Journal, 27 Sept. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Ford, Thomas. Commission to Brigham Young. 24 Sept. 1844. CHL.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Seeking to defuse an increasingly hostile situation,
Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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on 30 September proposed favorable terms for the surrender of
Sharp

25 Sept. 1818–9 Apr. 1894. Teacher, lawyer, newspaper editor and publisher. Born in Mount Holly, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Son of Solomon Sharp and Jemima Budd. Lived at Smyrna, Kent Co., Delaware, June 1830. Moved to Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania...

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and
Williams

18 Apr. 1794–27 Nov. 1860. Postmaster, farmer, military officer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Married Mary (Polly) Reid. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, eventually settling in Green Plains. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Served as captain in ...

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, offering to arrange for their protection and guaranteeing that they would be released on bail.
48

Thomas Ford, Agreement, 30 Sept. 1844, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Ford, Thomas. Agreement, 30 Sept. 1844. CHL.

They accepted the offer and agreed to appear at the next term of the circuit court in October.
49

Recognizance Bond for Levi Williams and Thomas C. Sharp, 2 Oct. 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court, Civil and Criminal Files, 1830–1860, State of Illinois v. Williams et al. [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1845], microfilm 1,521,604, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; for a legal overview of this case, see Oaks and Hill, Carthage Conspiracy, 35–42.


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

Oaks, Dallin H., and Marvin S. Hill. Carthage Conspiracy: The Trial of the Accused Assassins of Joseph Smith. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1975.

Fearing additional conflict, Ford ordered
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
as commander of the Nauvoo Legion to hold in readiness a force to act under the direction of the sheriff if needed to protect the court and witnesses or even Mormon settlements if they were attacked by those opposed to prosecuting the accused murderers.
50

Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young, 9 Oct. 1844, in Clayton, Journal, 26 Oct. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

A
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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grand jury handed down indictments in late October against Sharp, Williams, and seven other men without the eruption of open violence.
51

Indictment, 26 Oct. 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court, Civil and Criminal Files, 1830–1860, State of Illinois v. Williams et al. [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1845], microfilm 1,521,604, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

The grand jury also indicted eleven of the eighteen men who had been arrested for destroying the printing office of the Nauvoo Expositor in June 1844. The trials for those indicted for the murders and those indicted for destroying the printing office were ultimately pushed to the spring session of the court.
52

Clayton, Journal, 20–24 Oct. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

In late 1844 and early 1845,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
and other church leaders faced two other challenges: reports of division and disorder among church branches in the eastern states and a legislative effort to repeal
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
’s charter. En route to his mission in
England

Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...

More Info
,
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

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spent several weeks visiting church branches and sending reports to Young, one of which stated that apostle
William Smith

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

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and
George J. Adams

7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

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, both members of the Council of Fifty, had instigated much of the division, in part through participation in unauthorized plural marriages. Woodruff advised Young to replace Smith as the presiding authority in the eastern states.
53

Wilford Woodruff, Boston, MA, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 9 and 14 Oct. 1844; Wilford Woodruff, Philadelphia, PA, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 3 Dec. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

Even as Woodruff was writing,
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

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was on his way to the East, having been appointed by the Twelve to “take the presidency of all the eastern churches.” As soon as his ailing wife could travel, William Smith, the only surviving Smith brother, was expected back in Nauvoo to be ordained as patriarch to the church in place of his brother
Hyrum

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
.
54

News Item, Times and Seasons, 1 Dec. 1844, 5:727.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Early in December,
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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, a member of the Council of Fifty and representative from
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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to the
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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legislature, alerted
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
of efforts to repeal the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
charter. The expansive city charter, approved in December 1840, had granted authority to form an independent militia (the Nauvoo Legion) and empowered city courts to issue writs of habeas corpus. Without the charter,
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
residents would lack a city government, militia, local court system, and police force. Babbitt reported rumors that
Governor Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
intended to recommend repeal of the charter—or at least the right to maintain a militia. Ford apparently believed that the Mormons could form a separate brigade of the Hancock County militia, since the existence of the Nauvoo Legion terrified “the more ign[or]ant part of community.”
55

Almon Babbitt, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 5 Dec. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

On 17 December, Ford issued a special message advocating repeal of the authorization for the legion and other “obnoxious parts” while retaining the charter as a whole. “I do not see how, ten or twelve thousand people, can well do in a city, without some chartered privileges,” he argued. The Saints should be placed “upon grounds of some equality with other citizens. This is republican and cannot be denied without injustice.”
56

Message of the Governor of the State of Illinois, 21.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Message of the Governor of the State of Illinois, in Relation to the Disturbances in Hancock County, December, 21, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters and Weber, 1844.

Nevertheless, on 19 December the state senate approved a bill repealing the entire charter.
57

Journal of the Senate . . . of Illinois, 19 Dec. 1844, 80–81; Almon Babbitt, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 19 Dec. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Journal of the Senate of the Fourteenth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at Their Regular Session, Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters & Weber, 1844.

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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’s Christmas Day lament “that the Legislature has taken away all our Charters and laid us open to all the raviges of mobs & murderers” was premature, as the rancorous debate in
Springfield

Settled by 1819. Incorporated as town, 1832. Became capital of Illinois, 1837. Incorporated as city, 1840. Sangamon Co. seat. Population in 1840 about 2,600. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in Springfield, Nov. 1840; discontinued...

More Info
continued in the house of representatives for another month.
58

Clayton, Journal, 25 Dec. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

During a leave of absence around Christmas, Babbitt returned to Nauvoo with news that prospects had brightened a little, and he was instructed to contend for the whole charter “for we will never willingly consent to relinquish one jot of it.”
59

Clayton, Journal, 27 Dec. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

In January the house of representatives debated the bill for unconditional repeal that had passed in the senate. The temporary arrest of
Jacob Davis

16 Sept. 1820–25 Dec. 1883. Lawyer, farmer, politician. Born near Staunton, Augusta Co., Virginia. Son of William C. Davis and Sarah (Sallie) Van Lear. Lived at Augusta Co., 1830. Moved to Warsaw, Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1838. Served as Illinois circuit...

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, senator for
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
who had been indicted for the murders of JS and
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
, intensified anti-Mormon feelings in the legislature.
60

Journal of the Senate . . . of Illinois, 26 Dec. 1844, 3, 117–118, 121–122; “Arrest of the Hon. Jacob C. Davis,” Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, 157–158.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Journal of the Senate of the Fourteenth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at Their Regular Session, Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters & Weber, 1844.

Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, at Their Session Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Vol. 1. Springfield, IL: Walters and Weber, 1845.

Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
informed church leaders in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
that if repeal occurred, the Latter-day Saints would immediately appeal in the courts, from lower to higher “until it goes to the Federal Court of the
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
before we give it up.” By the time it had worked its way to the last court, “we shall have accomplished all that the Lord designs for this place,” implying that by then they intended to leave
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
in any event.
61

Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Phineas Young et al., Kirtland, OH, 21 Jan. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

On 23 January,
Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

View Full Bio
reported to Young that “the city charter was repealed also the Legion so that all acts done from this time will be null and void.”
62

Almon Babbitt, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young, 23 Jan. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; see also Jacob B. Backenstos, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young et al., Nauvoo, IL, 25 Jan. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

The next day the house approved the legislation repealing the charter.
63

Journal of the House of Representatives . . . of Illinois, 24 Jan. 1845, 276–277.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Journal of the House of Representatives of the Fourteenth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at Their Regular Session, Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters & Weber, 1844.

On 29 January the bill was signed into law and went into effect.
64

An Act to Repeal the Act Entitled “An Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo,” Approved December 16, 1840 [29 Jan. 1845], Laws of the State of Illinois [1844–1845], pp. 187–188.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Fourteenth General Assembly, at Their Regular Session, Began and Held at Springfield, December 2nd, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters and Weber, 1845.

Though the news spread rapidly,
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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leaders had not received official notice of the repeal when
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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convened on 30 January a “gen[eral] council” of church and city leaders to decide next steps. Comments by church leaders suggested that the repeal removed yet one more tie that had kept the Saints in the
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

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and that the time was nearing when they should have a government of their own. Young declared his desire to leave the nation: “Let the U. S. give us the north part of
Texas

France established colony in area, 1685. First Spanish settlement created, 1718. After Mexican War of Independence from Spain, 1821, area became part of Mexico and immigration increased. Conflict between Mexican government and Texian residents resulted in...

More Info
, let us go where we please, we have N. & S. America
England

Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...

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, Ireland, Scotland, & all the Eastern World.” In the meantime, though, the men decided to proceed with city elections on 3 February in hopes that the repeal would be overturned by the governor or the courts. The council also appointed a committee to gather information—including by writing prominent jurists and politicians for advice—that could be used in an effort to overturn the repeal.
65

Richards, Journal, 30 Jan. 1845; Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 30 Jan. 1845. As examples of the letters, see George Miller, Nauvoo, IL, to Stephen A. Douglas, 31 Jan. 1845, copy; George Miller, Nauvoo, IL, to Thomas Ford, 4 Feb. 1845, copy; and Brigham Young et al., Nauvoo, IL, to Stephen A. Douglas et al., 1 Feb. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

The repeal of the charter as well as renewed threats of violence in
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

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may have prompted
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
and his associates to again turn their attention to the question of where they would go after the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
was finished—and when. In
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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’s view, by late 1844 the
state

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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seemed “filled with wrath against the saints.” The anti-Mormons “are threatening hard again,” he wrote, vowing that “we shall not put in another crop.”
66

Clayton, Journal, 26 Dec. 1844.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

On 7 January, Young and the Twelve met in council to discuss, perhaps for the first time since the Council of Fifty ceased meeting in the spring of 1844, “sending to
Calafornia

Originally part of New Spain. After Mexico declared independence, 1821, area became part of Mexico. American colonization increased, after 1840. By 1841, area was known variously as California, Upper California, Alta California, and New California. Area included...

More Info
.”
67

Richards, Journal, 7 Jan. 1845.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

An expedition could be sent in the spring, but church leaders believed that the temple must be finished and the Saints endowed before large numbers could leave. That plan would be tested if rumored threats by former Mormons
William

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

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and
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
were realized.
George A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

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reported that the Laws were “endeaveri[n]g to Raise a fuss big Enough to Crush the Saints in this C[o]unty they are Preachi[n]g to the mob that if the Temple is done they Cannot Ever drive the Mormons.”
68

George A. Smith, Nauvoo, IL, to Wilford Woodruff, Liverpool, England, 25 Jan. 1845, Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Church leaders now faced the possibility that if they stayed in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
to finish the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
, violence would be unavoidable. Since the death of JS,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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’s statements about finishing the temple and endowing the Saints had been unequivocal. But the prospect of bloodshed concerned him enough that he noted in his journal the threat and his prayer, offered with
Heber C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

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and
Newel Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
, to seek an answer: “I inquaired of the Lord whether we should stay here and finish the templ the ansure was we should.”
69

Young, Journal, 24 Jan. 1845; see also Kimball, Journal, 24 and 25 Jan. 1845.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

From that moment Young displayed no doubt: they would leave Nauvoo, but not until the temple was finished.
In this context of the repeal of the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
charter, discussions to explore settlement sites in the West, and the urgency to complete the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
convened the Council of Fifty on 4 February 1845. From that meeting until 10 May 1845, the council met on fifteen days in a total of twenty-two sessions. The minutes in this period constitute the largest section of the record, in part because the 1845 minutes tend to capture more details of discussion than do the earlier minutes. The longer minutes meant that
Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

View Full Bio
spent considerable time in March and April revising the minutes and copying them into the record books he had begun in August 1844. The council also appears to have functioned differently under Young’s leadership in that members of the Quorum of the Twelve played an even larger role than they had during 1844. In their quorum meetings the apostles discussed some proposals in advance that they then brought to the Council of Fifty for ratification. In addition, during these months the Council of Fifty took a much more active role in making decisions on temporal matters than it had during JS’s lifetime.
After the council adjourned sine die in May,
Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
did not reconvene it until 9 September 1845.
  1. 1

    Clayton, Journal, 28 June and 3–4 July 1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  2. 2

    Clayton, Journal, 28 and 30 June 1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  3. 3

    Woodruff, Journal, 9 July 1844; Kimball, Journal, 9–10 July 1844.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

  4. 4

    Kimball, Journal, 12 July 1844.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

  5. 5

    Woodruff, Journal, 16 July 1844; Kimball, Journal, 15 July 1844; Young, Journal, 23 July 1844.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

  6. 6

    Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 12 Feb. 1849; Young, Journal, 16 July 1844.

    Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

  7. 7

    Woodruff, Journal, 18 July 1844; “Epistle of the Twelve,” Prophet, 27 July 1844, [2].

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    The Prophet. New York City, NY. May 1844–Dec. 1845.

  8. 8

    Woodruff, Journal, 18 July 1844.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  9. 9

    Woodruff, Journal, 24 July–6 Aug. 1844; Kimball, Journal, 24 July–6 Aug. 1844.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

  10. 10

    Richards, Journal, 10 and 28 July 1844; see also Pratt, Autobiography, 368–369; and George A. Smith, Journal, 28 July 1844.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

    Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

    Smith, George Albert. Journals, 1839–1875. George Albert Smith, Papers. 1834–1877. CHL.

  11. 11

    Minutes, 25 Dec. 1846 and 9 Dec. 1848, Council of Fifty, Papers, 1844–1885, CHL. The final portion of the manuscript history of JS compiled in the 1850s dated this event to 30 July and stated that George Miller joined in Badlam’s request. (JS History, vol. F-1, addenda, 9.)

    Council of Fifty. Papers, 1844–1885. CHL.

  12. 12

    Lucien Woodworth, Nauvoo, IL, to Sam Houston, 14 July 1844, draft, Willard Richards, Papers, CHL; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 6 May 1844.

  13. 13

    Richards, Journal, 3 Aug. 1844; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 6 May 1844.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  14. 14

    Richards, Journal, 4 Aug. 1844; Clayton, Journal, 4 Aug. 1844.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  15. 15

    Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 16 Aug. 1841; Richards, Journal, 16 Aug. 1841.

    Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  16. 16

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 7 Aug. 1844; see also Woodruff, Journal, 7 Aug. 1844; Clayton, Journal, 7 Aug. 1844; and Richards, Journal, 7 Aug. 1844.

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  17. 17

    In addition to agreeing to postpone the business of the conference until 13 August, Rigdon had earlier assured several of the apostles that “he did not expect the people to choose a guardian” at the 8 August meeting. Instead he merely wanted to “have a prayer meeting.” (Richards, Journal, 5 Aug. 1844.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  18. 18

    Carruth and Jensen, “Sidney Rigdon’s Plea to the Saints,” 138; Woodruff, Journal, 8 Aug. 1844.

    Carruth, LaJean Purcell, and Robin Scott Jensen. “Sidney Rigdon’s Plea to the Saints: Transcription of Thomas Bullock’s Shorthand Notes from the August 8, 1844, Morning Meeting.” BYU Studies 53, no. 2 (2014): 121–139.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  19. 19

    Young, Journal, 8 Aug. 1844.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

  20. 20

    Woodruff, Journal, 8 Aug. 1844. While Woodruff noted a unanimous vote, Clayton indicated that there were “a few who were dissappointed.” (Clayton, Journal, 8 Aug. 1844.)

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  21. 21

    “Continuation of Elder Rigdon’s Trial,” Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1844, 5:663; Clayton, Journal, 29 Aug. 1844.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  22. 22

    Young, Journal, 3 Sept. 1844; Clayton, Journal, 4 Sept. 1844.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  23. 23

    George A. Smith, Journal, 3 Sept. 1844; see also “Trial of Elder Rigdon,” Times and Seasons, 15 Sept. 1844, 5:653; Clayton, Journal, 4–5 Sept. 1844; Young, Journal, 3 and 6 Sept. 1844; and Kimball, Journal, 6 Sept. 1844.

    Smith, George Albert. Journals, 1839–1875. George Albert Smith, Papers. 1834–1877. CHL.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

  24. 24

    See Young, Journal, 5 Sept. 1844; Kimball, Journal, 5 Sept. 1844; and Clayton, Journal, 5 Sept. 1844.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  25. 25

    Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 8 Sept. 1844; “Trial of Elder Rigdon,” Times and Seasons, 15 Sept. 1844, 5:647–655; “Continuation of Elder Rigdon’s Trial,” Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1844, 5:660–667; “Conclusion of Elder Rigdon’s Trial,” Times and Seasons, 15 Oct. 1844, 5:685–687. Hyde later prepared a more detailed written statement expanding on this theme, which he read in the 25 March 1845 Council of Fifty meeting. (Orson Hyde, Statement about the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, ca. 25 Mar. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; see also Woodruff, Journal, 25 Aug. 1844.)

    Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  26. 26

    Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 8 Sept. 1844.

    Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

  27. 27

    Kimball, Journal, 10 Sept. 1844.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

  28. 28

    See Jensen, “Mormons Seeking Mormonism,” 115–140.

    Jensen, Robin Scott. “Mormons Seeking Mormonism: Strangite Success and the Conceptualization of Mormon Ideology, 1844–50.” In Scattering of the Saints: Schism within Mormonism, edited by Newell G. Bringhurst and John C. Hamer, 115–140. Independence, MO: John Whitmer Books, 2007.

  29. 29

    Jacob, Reminiscences and Journal, 8; Kimball, Journal, 26 Aug. 1844; “To the Saints,” Times and Seasons, 2 Sept. 1844, 5:631.

    Jacob, Norton. Reminiscence and Journal, May 1844–Jan. 1852. CHL. MS 9111.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  30. 30

    Hales, Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, 1:3, 2:165.

    Hales, Brian C. Joseph Smith’s Polygamy. 3 vols. SLC: Greg Kofford Books, 2013.

  31. 31

    Council of Fifty, “Record,” 6 May 1844.

  32. 32

    Young, Journal, 11 and 18 Aug. 1844; 12 Sept. 1844; Richards, Journal, 12 Aug. 1844; Woodruff, Journal, 18 and 24 Aug. 1844.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  33. 33

    David Clayton to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 24 Sept. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; Clayton, Journal, 26 Sept. 1844.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  34. 34

    Clayton, Journal, 4 Sept. 1844; Young, Journal, 11 Aug. 1844; see also George A. Smith, Journal, 2 and 9 Sept. 1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

    Smith, George Albert. Journals, 1839–1875. George Albert Smith, Papers. 1834–1877. CHL.

  35. 35

    The Council of Fifty addressed the situations of Wight and Emmett on several occasions in 1845. (See Council of Fifty, “Record,” 4 and 27 Feb. 1845; 29 Apr. 1845.)

  36. 36

    Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Nathaniel Felt, Salem, MA, in Brigham Young to Vilate Young, 11 Aug. 1844, photocopy, CHL.

    Young, Brigham. Letter, to Vilate Murray Young, 11 Aug. 1844, photocopy. CHL.

  37. 37

    Richards, Journal, 9 and 12 Aug. 1844.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  38. 38

    Young, Journal, 11 Aug. 1844.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

  39. 39

    Clayton, Journal, 15 and 18 Aug. 1844; 6 and 20 Sept. 1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  40. 40

    Brigham Young, “An Epistle of the Twelve,” Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1844, 5:668.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  41. 41

    Kimball, Journal, 24 Sept. 1844.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

  42. 42

    “October Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 15 Oct. 1844, 5:683; 1 Nov. 1844, 5:691–692, 696; Young, Journal, 6–8 Oct. 1844.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

  43. 43

    Kimball, Journal, 14–27 Oct. 1844; Young, Journal, 14 Oct. 1844.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

  44. 44

    Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Willard Richards and William W. Phelps, Nauvoo, IL, 8 Sept. 1844, Willard Richards, Papers, CHL.

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490.

  45. 45

    John Taylor, Affidavit, 21 Sept. 1844; Warrant for Levi Williams and Thomas C. Sharp, 21 Sept. 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court, Civil and Criminal Files, 1830–1860, State of Illinois v. Williams et al. [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1845], microfilm 1,521,604, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  46. 46

    Charles C. Rich, Nauvoo, IL, to Thomas Ford, 26 Sept. 1844, photocopy in editors’ possession.

    Rich, Charles C. Letter, Nauvoo, IL, to Thomas Ford, 26 Sept. 1844. Photocopy in editors’ possession.

  47. 47

    Thomas Ford, Commission for Brigham Young, 24 Sept. 1844, CHL; Clayton, Journal, 27 Sept. 1844.

    Ford, Thomas. Commission to Brigham Young. 24 Sept. 1844. CHL.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  48. 48

    Thomas Ford, Agreement, 30 Sept. 1844, CHL.

    Ford, Thomas. Agreement, 30 Sept. 1844. CHL.

  49. 49

    Recognizance Bond for Levi Williams and Thomas C. Sharp, 2 Oct. 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court, Civil and Criminal Files, 1830–1860, State of Illinois v. Williams et al. [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1845], microfilm 1,521,604, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; for a legal overview of this case, see Oaks and Hill, Carthage Conspiracy, 35–42.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    Oaks, Dallin H., and Marvin S. Hill. Carthage Conspiracy: The Trial of the Accused Assassins of Joseph Smith. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1975.

  50. 50

    Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young, 9 Oct. 1844, in Clayton, Journal, 26 Oct. 1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  51. 51

    Indictment, 26 Oct. 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court, Civil and Criminal Files, 1830–1860, State of Illinois v. Williams et al. [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1845], microfilm 1,521,604, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  52. 52

    Clayton, Journal, 20–24 Oct. 1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  53. 53

    Wilford Woodruff, Boston, MA, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 9 and 14 Oct. 1844; Wilford Woodruff, Philadelphia, PA, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 3 Dec. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  54. 54

    News Item, Times and Seasons, 1 Dec. 1844, 5:727.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  55. 55

    Almon Babbitt, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 5 Dec. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  56. 56

    Message of the Governor of the State of Illinois, 21.

    Message of the Governor of the State of Illinois, in Relation to the Disturbances in Hancock County, December, 21, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters and Weber, 1844.

  57. 57

    Journal of the Senate . . . of Illinois, 19 Dec. 1844, 80–81; Almon Babbitt, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 19 Dec. 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

    Journal of the Senate of the Fourteenth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at Their Regular Session, Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters & Weber, 1844.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  58. 58

    Clayton, Journal, 25 Dec. 1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  59. 59

    Clayton, Journal, 27 Dec. 1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  60. 60

    Journal of the Senate . . . of Illinois, 26 Dec. 1844, 3, 117–118, 121–122; “Arrest of the Hon. Jacob C. Davis,” Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, 157–158.

    Journal of the Senate of the Fourteenth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at Their Regular Session, Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters & Weber, 1844.

    Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, at Their Session Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Vol. 1. Springfield, IL: Walters and Weber, 1845.

  61. 61

    Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Phineas Young et al., Kirtland, OH, 21 Jan. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  62. 62

    Almon Babbitt, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young, 23 Jan. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; see also Jacob B. Backenstos, Springfield, IL, to Brigham Young et al., Nauvoo, IL, 25 Jan. 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  63. 63

    Journal of the House of Representatives . . . of Illinois, 24 Jan. 1845, 276–277.

    Journal of the House of Representatives of the Fourteenth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at Their Regular Session, Begun and Held at Springfield, December 2, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters & Weber, 1844.

  64. 64

    An Act to Repeal the Act Entitled “An Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo,” Approved December 16, 1840 [29 Jan. 1845], Laws of the State of Illinois [1844–1845], pp. 187–188.

    Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Fourteenth General Assembly, at Their Regular Session, Began and Held at Springfield, December 2nd, 1844. Springfield, IL: Walters and Weber, 1845.

  65. 65

    Richards, Journal, 30 Jan. 1845; Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 30 Jan. 1845. As examples of the letters, see George Miller, Nauvoo, IL, to Stephen A. Douglas, 31 Jan. 1845, copy; George Miller, Nauvoo, IL, to Thomas Ford, 4 Feb. 1845, copy; and Brigham Young et al., Nauvoo, IL, to Stephen A. Douglas et al., 1 Feb. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

    Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  66. 66

    Clayton, Journal, 26 Dec. 1844.

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  67. 67

    Richards, Journal, 7 Jan. 1845.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  68. 68

    George A. Smith, Nauvoo, IL, to Wilford Woodruff, Liverpool, England, 25 Jan. 1845, Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, CHL.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  69. 69

    Young, Journal, 24 Jan. 1845; see also Kimball, Journal, 24 and 25 Jan. 1845.

    Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.

    Kimball, Heber C. Journal, Sept. 1842; May 1844–May 1845. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box. 3, fd. 4.

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