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Discourse, 24 March 1844–A, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff

Source Note

JS, Discourse, [
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
, Hancock Co., IL, 24 Mar. 1844]. Featured version inscribed [ca. 24 Mar. 1844] in Wilford Woodruff, Journal, vol. 5, 1 Jan. 1843–31 Dec. 1844, p. [214]; handwriting of
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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; Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff.

Historical Introduction

On 24 March 1844, JS delivered a discourse to
Latter-day Saints

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

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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
, Illinois, informing those gathered of a plot against his life and the lives of his family members. Nauvoo residents
Merinus G. Eaton

22 Mar. 1812–? Lived in Seneca, Ontario Co., New York, by June 1842. Indicted for “passing and having in possesion Counterfeit bank bills,” Aug. 1842, in Ontario Co. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by Jan. 1844. Commissioned aide-de-camp to JS in ...

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and
Abiathar Williams

10 June 1806–28 Feb. 1875. Physician. Born in Cazenovia, Madison Co., New York. Son of Isaiah Williams and Ann Mattison. Married first Abiah Mackson, 10 Nov. 1825, in Cazenovia. Married second Harriet Sanford, 3 Mar. 1827. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois...

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had previously made JS aware of the conspiracy. According to later affidavits made by Eaton and Williams, they had attended a secret meeting with the conspirators on or around 15 March.
1

Eaton and Williams made their affidavits before Justice of the Peace Daniel H. Wells. Eaton’s and Williams’s affidavits were published in the 17 April 1844 issue of the Nauvoo Neighbor. (Abiathar Williams, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, and Merinus G. Eaton, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2]; see also JS, Journal, 17 Apr. 1844.)


Williams stated that
Joseph H. Jackson

?–? Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by fall 1842. Moved to Carthage, Hancock Co., winter 1842–1843. Returned to Nauvoo, spring 1843. Hired to sell land for JS, 20 May 1843. Appointed aide-de-camp to lieutenant general in Nauvoo Legion, by 5 Jan. 1844...

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had invited Williams and Eaton to the meeting with
Robert D. Foster

14 Mar. 1811–1 Feb. 1878. Justice of the peace, physician, land speculator. Born in Braunston, Northamptonshire, England. Son of John Foster and Jane Knibb. Married Sarah Phinney, 18 July 1837, at Medina Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of ...

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,
Chauncey L. Higbee

7 Sept. 1821–7 Dec. 1884. Lawyer, banker, politician, judge. Born in Tate Township, Clermont Co., Ohio. Son of Elias Higbee and Sarah Elizabeth Ward. Lived in Fulton, Hamilton Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832...

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, and brothers
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....

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, all of whom had increasingly strained relationships with JS. Williams also stated that Jackson told him that “he should not be surprised if in two weeks there should not be one of the Smith family left alive in Nauvoo.”
2

Abiathar Williams, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2].


Eaton recounted a discussion in the meeting about putting a stop to the “spiritual wife system” and reported hearing the fears and threats of the men present. He also stated that later on 15 March he heard Jackson say that “the Laws were ready to enter into a secret conspiracy tooth and nails.”
3

Merinus G. Eaton, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2].


Eaton told JS about the conspiracy on 23 March, perhaps the same day that Williams talked to JS about it.
4

JS, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844.


In the Sunday meeting held on 24 March 1844, JS spoke from a stand in the unfinished
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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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
.
5

JS, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844.


In his discourse, he explicitly identified
Higbee

7 Sept. 1821–7 Dec. 1884. Lawyer, banker, politician, judge. Born in Tate Township, Clermont Co., Ohio. Son of Elias Higbee and Sarah Elizabeth Ward. Lived in Fulton, Hamilton Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832...

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,
Foster

14 Mar. 1811–1 Feb. 1878. Justice of the peace, physician, land speculator. Born in Braunston, Northamptonshire, England. Son of John Foster and Jane Knibb. Married Sarah Phinney, 18 July 1837, at Medina Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of ...

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,
Jackson

?–? Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by fall 1842. Moved to Carthage, Hancock Co., winter 1842–1843. Returned to Nauvoo, spring 1843. Hired to sell land for JS, 20 May 1843. Appointed aide-de-camp to lieutenant general in Nauvoo Legion, by 5 Jan. 1844...

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, and the Law brothers as being involved in the conspiracy. JS relayed what he had been told about the plot to take the lives of his family members and threatened to expose what he knew about the conspirators.
Apostle

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

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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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recorded an account of JS’s discourse in his journal.
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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and
Thomas Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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also recorded brief summaries of JS’s remarks.
6

Richards wrote in JS’s journal entry of the same day an account from JS’s perspective: “On the stand I related what was told me yesterday by Mr [Merinus G.] Eaton. that Wm. Law. Wilson Law. R[obert] D. Foster. Chaunc[e]y L. Higbee. & Joseph [H.] Jackson had held a caucus, desig[n]ing to destroy all the Smith family in a few weeks.” Bullock similarly recorded in his own journal that “Joseph spoke about a conspiracy to kill him— he said he would not say anything about the characters of the Laws, [Joseph H.] Jackson, Dr. [Robert D.] Foster, or [Chauncey L.] Higbee— but if he was driven to it, he would tell all he knew.” (JS, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844; Historian’s Office, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844.)


The Woodruff account is featured here.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Eaton and Williams made their affidavits before Justice of the Peace Daniel H. Wells. Eaton’s and Williams’s affidavits were published in the 17 April 1844 issue of the Nauvoo Neighbor. (Abiathar Williams, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, and Merinus G. Eaton, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2]; see also JS, Journal, 17 Apr. 1844.)

  2. [2]

    Abiathar Williams, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2].

  3. [3]

    Merinus G. Eaton, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2].

  4. [4]

    JS, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844.

  5. [5]

    JS, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844.

  6. [6]

    Richards wrote in JS’s journal entry of the same day an account from JS’s perspective: “On the stand I related what was told me yesterday by Mr [Merinus G.] Eaton. that Wm. Law. Wilson Law. R[obert] D. Foster. Chaunc[e]y L. Higbee. & Joseph [H.] Jackson had held a caucus, desig[n]ing to destroy all the Smith family in a few weeks.” Bullock similarly recorded in his own journal that “Joseph spoke about a conspiracy to kill him— he said he would not say anything about the characters of the Laws, [Joseph H.] Jackson, Dr. [Robert D.] Foster, or [Chauncey L.] Higbee— but if he was driven to it, he would tell all he knew.” (JS, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844; Historian’s Office, Journal, 24 Mar. 1844.)

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Discourse, 24 March 1844–A, as Reported by Willard Richards Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 4, 1 March–22 June 1844
*Discourse, 24 March 1844–A, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff
Discourse, 24 March 1844–A, as Reported by Thomas Bullock History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [214]

I have been informed by two gentleman that a conspiricy is got up in this place for the purpose of taking the life of
President

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

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Joseph Smith his family and all the Smith family, & the heads of the
Church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
, one of the gentleman will give his namme to the public & the other wishes it to be hid for the present they will both testify to it on oath & make an affidavit upon it the names of the persons revealed at the head of the conspiracy are as follows: (
Chancy Higby [Chauncey L. Higbee]

7 Sept. 1821–7 Dec. 1884. Lawyer, banker, politician, judge. Born in Tate Township, Clermont Co., Ohio. Son of Elias Higbee and Sarah Elizabeth Ward. Lived in Fulton, Hamilton Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832...

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Dr [Robert D.] Foster

14 Mar. 1811–1 Feb. 1878. Justice of the peace, physician, land speculator. Born in Braunston, Northamptonshire, England. Son of John Foster and Jane Knibb. Married Sarah Phinney, 18 July 1837, at Medina Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of ...

View Full Bio
,
Mr [Joseph H.] Jackson

?–? Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by fall 1842. Moved to Carthage, Hancock Co., winter 1842–1843. Returned to Nauvoo, spring 1843. Hired to sell land for JS, 20 May 1843. Appointed aide-de-camp to lieutenant general in Nauvoo Legion, by 5 Jan. 1844...

View Full Bio
,
Wm

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...

View Full Bio
&
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
) And the lies that
Higby

7 Sept. 1821–7 Dec. 1884. Lawyer, banker, politician, judge. Born in Tate Township, Clermont Co., Ohio. Son of Elias Higbee and Sarah Elizabeth Ward. Lived in Fulton, Hamilton Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1832...

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has hatched up as a foundation to work upon is, he says that I had mens heads cut off in
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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& that I had a sword run through the hearts of the people that I wanted to kill & put out of the way.
1

The version of this accusation in Abiathar Williams’s affidavit did not attach this alleged event to Missouri. According to Williams, “Joseph H. Jackson further said that Chancy Higbee had said that he the said Chancy Higbee had seen men tied hand and foot and run through the heart with a sword, and their heads taken off, and then buried; and he durst not say a word.” (Abiathar Williams, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2].)


I wont sware out a warrent against them for I dont fear any of them they would not scare of<​f​> an old setting hen. I intend to publish all the iniquity that I know of <​them​> If I am guilty I am ready to bear it. their is honor among enemies I am willing to do any thing for the good of the people, I will give the names of one of the gentleman who have divulged the plot His name is
[Merinus G.] Eaton

22 Mar. 1812–? Lived in Seneca, Ontario Co., New York, by June 1842. Indicted for “passing and having in possesion Counterfeit bank bills,” Aug. 1842, in Ontario Co. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by Jan. 1844. Commissioned aide-de-camp to JS in ...

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, he will sware to it he is a bold fellow.
Jackson

?–? Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, by fall 1842. Moved to Carthage, Hancock Co., winter 1842–1843. Returned to Nauvoo, spring 1843. Hired to sell land for JS, 20 May 1843. Appointed aide-de-camp to lieutenant general in Nauvoo Legion, by 5 Jan. 1844...

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said a Smith should not be alive 2 weeks not over two months any how;
2

Abiathar Williams’s affidavit said that he heard Jackson say two weeks. Merinus G. Eaton’s affidavit said he heard Jackson say “he should not be surprised if there should be a real muss and an insurrection in the city in less than two months, and that if a disturbance should take place the Carthagenians and others would come and help them.” (Abiathar Williams, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, and Merinus G. Eaton, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2].)


As concerning the Character of these men I will say nothing about it now, but if I hear any thing more from them on this subject I will tell what I know about them) [p. [214]]
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Editorial Title
Discourse, 24 March 1844–A, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff
ID #
1306
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
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  • Wilford Woodruff

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    The version of this accusation in Abiathar Williams’s affidavit did not attach this alleged event to Missouri. According to Williams, “Joseph H. Jackson further said that Chancy Higbee had said that he the said Chancy Higbee had seen men tied hand and foot and run through the heart with a sword, and their heads taken off, and then buried; and he durst not say a word.” (Abiathar Williams, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2].)

  2. [2]

    Abiathar Williams’s affidavit said that he heard Jackson say two weeks. Merinus G. Eaton’s affidavit said he heard Jackson say “he should not be surprised if there should be a real muss and an insurrection in the city in less than two months, and that if a disturbance should take place the Carthagenians and others would come and help them.” (Abiathar Williams, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, and Merinus G. Eaton, Hancock Co., IL, Affidavit, 27 Mar. 1844, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Apr. 1844, [2].)

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