While Spencer may have been referring to Jews, he probably was speaking of American Indians as Jews, since Mormons viewed Indians as part of the house of Israel. In the April 1845 church conference, Brigham Young stated, “[A]s they [the Gentiles] have rejected the fulness of the gospel by killing the prophet of the last days, we turn to the Jews and the house of Israel.” (“The Conference,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 16 Apr. 1845, [2].)

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

For information on the council called by the Creek, the neighbors to the Cherokee, see the editorial note preceding the entry for 18 Mar. 1845.