Chapter 3.
Our conference for the mission convened April 6 and 7, 1862, in Galland's Grove, and owing to extremely bad weather, it was quite small and uninteresting. Returning home, April 16, we found our house had been robbed during our absence, and concluded if any were in such straits as to rob an unsalaried missionary and his family, they pos-
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sibly needed what they obtained, even though they got it by crime, and so we "let the dead bury their dead" and went about our Master's business.
The thirtieth day of April I located my family in Little Sioux on property Brother S. W. Condit proposed to give me for the work's sake, but which we declined for the reason that we had farm properties both at East Paw Paw and Amboy, and for other reasons. The Saints and friends were very kind, and were generous in proportion to their means. This was generally the case all through the mission; but many were poor, and the country was new and afforded a common livelihood only by hard work and close economy. But love and unity prevailed.
Little Sioux had been one of the roughest, wickedest towns on the Missouri River, for its size; but after the branch was organized there it became noted for its temperance, orderliness, and thrift. In the month of May I preached the word with good results in Little Sioux, Galland's Grove, Preparation, and Belvidere, assisted by Elders S. W. Condit and J. A. Mclntosh, and the Lord added to the church a few in all these places.
June 7 to 9 a conference was held near Council Bluffs, in the North Star Branch. There were about one thousand persons in attendance on Sunday, and from first to last unity and love ruled, and the Lord blessed the services by his Spirit. The conference arranged for two-day meetings at many points, good results having followed similar meetings the previous year.
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An excellent two-day meeting was held at Raglan, northwest of Magnolia, June 28 and 29, Elders Ebenezer Page, Jehiel Savage, J. A. Mclntosh, and Silas W. Condit assisting in the services. At this meeting Elders Condit and Mclntosh bore testimony in the Spirit, with much assurance, to the prophetic mission of Joseph the Seer, also that his son Joseph was, his successor.
On the Fourth of July, on invitation, I took part in the celebration exercises at Calhoun and used the opportunity in setting forth the need and the duty of loyalty to our nation by all its citizens. These were critical times, for the land was full of contention. The population of the "Missouri slope," on either side of the river, was made up largely of people from the Southern and Middle States, many of whom sympathized with those in rebellion to our national government, and not a few of our church members were tinctured with similar sentiments, thereby making our duties both onerous and trying, however clearly we saw them. But by patient, forbearing, persuasive efforts, and by thorough and timely appeals to the teachings of the standard books of the church, and especially to the revelations and miscellaneous teachings of Joseph the Seer having a bearing upon the need of loyalty to civil governments and the evils of rebellion, in all of which we were ably assisted by some of the ministry, prominent among whom were Elders Charles Derry and E. C. Briggs, unity and ardent fellowship were maintained among the Saints, and the fiery ordeal of our national tribu-
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lations was passed without any rupture in the church, and with but little or no bitterness, proving that to be a good Saint one must be a good citizen.
The leading features of the preaching in these times, as ever before, were the righteousness of Christ as set forth in his personal ministry and in that of the apostles, as recorded in sacred writ, and that a dutiful, spiritual life was of first importance.
The two-day meetings were seasons of edification and refreshing, as were others also. In one that we held in the Boyer Branch, August 16, 17, and 18, a large number were baptized, and of the prayer-meeting on Sunday I wrote the following in my diary: "Had a glorious prayer-meeting; the presence of the Lord by the power of his Spirit was sensibly felt by many. The gifts of prophecy, tongues and interpretation, were manifest in a good degree, edifying and cheering the Saints."
In the latter part of August, a Brother William Lewis, lately returned from Utah, had baptized some in North Pigeon Branch and failed to use the form of words prescribed in the church standards, thereby causing doubts and controversy. This coming to my attention, I counseled that the form of words provided should be strictly observed both in baptism and partaking the sacrament. This gave satisfaction to all but the erring elder, he persisting in his error and refusing my advice.
How natural (and harmful) for self-willed mortals to stiffly maintain erroneous ideas and reject the counsels plainly written and given of God! This
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brother's misstep led him to another wherein he stated that I preached that electro-magnetism was of the Devil, when in fact I had said that Satan was "the prince of the power of the air," using electro-magnetism (a force of nature) for bad purposes, as do wicked men also.
September 1 found Brother Charles Derry and me at Wheeler's Grove, he to have a discussion with a Reverend Roberts, a Campbellite; but the latter, doubtless esteeming prudence the better part of valor, failed to appear. Faithful efforts resulted in planting the work at this point in a good way.
On the 5th, 6th, and 7th we held a series of meetings in Crescent City, assisted by Brother C. G. Mclntosh. The prayer and testimony-meetings were largely attended and very spiritual, the Lord confirming the word with signs following. Five were added to the church by baptism.
The Indian massacre in Minnesota, one of the most heartrending known to history, occurred in August previous, and now (September 8) rumors came that the Indians had broken out along the Missouri Valley, in Minnesota, directly north of us, and the excitement and confusion arising from this was most intense. We counseled prudence and quietness, with watching and prayer, and my diary notes say: "I instructed the Saints, in view of Indian difficulties, that it was right and proper to defend themselves and their neighbors and promptly aid in maintaining law and order."
It was rumored, and some believed it, that the Confederates had incited the Minnesota massacre
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and were also instigating the northern and western tribes of Indians to ravage the unprotected borders of the West so as to draw away the Union armies from the South. Happily this proved untrue, but not until the whole western country had been thrown into a state of intense fear and excitement. On the 9th I reached home, Little Sioux, and found the people, with the exception of the Saints, greatly troubled and full of evil forebodings. But the latter, under the wise counsels of Elders Condit, Garnet, and others, had been called together to have prayer and consult as to the best methods to pursue. In answer to fervent prayer, the Spirit testified, in power, that the rumors of an Indian outbreak up north were not true, and instructed the Saints to be faithful and fear not, promising therein safety and guidance. I advised the Saints to assist by all proper means in maintaining law and order and to protect themselves and neighbors if occasion should require.
At this juncture the State authorities issued a call for volunteers to protect the frontiers, and I advised our young men and middle-aged to enroll in the mounted "home guards" for military duty under the requisition of the governor. To this there was a fair response, though some were so strongly opposed to bearing arms that it required patient effort to overcome their scruples.
On the 12th we held a fast-meeting, and during the exercises the Holy Spirit, through prophecy, tongues and interpretation, said that God had given and would give the president of the mission wisdom
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to counsel aright with regard to the course best to pursue in relation to the enlistment of our young men, and that as many as would go forth and be faithful he would preserve and bless. The work of enlistment went on rapidly at Little Sioux, Bigler's Grove, Galland's Grove, and about Denison, so that in a short time the quota was filled and some of our members were installed in responsible offices. Showing my faith by my works, I cheerfully gave my saddle-horse for service to Brother Parker Condit and took my chances to get around my mission field as best I could until the "guards" returned in the spring of 1863, they, in the meantime, during their service, having neither seen an Indian nor even a moccasin track! The health of the volunteers was good, and they received ample pay for their service.
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On the twenty-seventh day of- September, 1862, President Joseph Smith. Bishop I. L. Rogers, Elders James Blakeslee, J. Harvey Blakeslee, George Rarick, and C. G. Lanphear came to Little Sioux from Illinois, via Council Bluffs, en route to the fall conference at Galland's Grove, leaving Elder John Shippy at the North Star Branch. These continued their visit, preaching the word, till October 4 (this being their first call at Little Sioux), and on that day we all started for conference and that night held services at Bigler's Grove
Passing on to Galland's Grove the 5th, conference was organized the 6th, choosing Joseph Smith president and J. W. Gillen and Charles Derry clerks. The attendance was large, the ministerial
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reports very encouraging, showing large accessions to the church and that the Lord aided and sustained the ministry most satisfactorily, and that "the gifts and graces of the Spirit attended their ministrations in a great measure, proving the work to be of God." Conference decided it proper that "the precise form of words given in the law" should be used in baptism, and that other words should not be used "in place of the words of God."
Elder J. W. Briggs said to this conference: "It has been my fortune to be a witness of the renewal of this latter-day work, and I am prepared to testify that it is, and will be, the church and kingdom of God; and I am willing to preach the gospel in any place where I may be called. This work is all . beneath the heavens that can engross my attention. My all is identified with and wrapped up in it. I am the church's servant, and if it says to me, 'Go here,' or 'Go there,' I am ready." (See Herald, volume 3, page 118.)
As a specimen of the spirit and wisdom of teachings of the church in these times, I present the following :
"The President [Joseph Smith] then occupied the stand, and said: There are some suggestions I wish to bring before the people; one is, to practice the golden rule. As a body we are poor, yet there are none really indigent, I trust, nor any very rich. It behooves every one to see that there are none suffering for the comforts of life in the branches where they reside, neither should we confine ourselves to the church, but extend aid to all
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that need, as far as we can. We are, also, to avoid every appearance of evil, and dancing has that appearance and should be avoided. It may be a recreation if rightly used; but it is not according to the spirit of the work, and should be avoided. We must learn to deny ourselves of useless pleasures. Remember, he that conquereth himself is as he that taketh a city. True charity is to avoid everything that would be a snare, or cause our brother to offend. Avoid, above all, whisky drinking. Shakespeare said it was folly for a man to take into his system that which would steal away his brains. Avoid the use of foolish, useless bywords. When a man takes an oath in conversation he only shows his want of confidence in his own veracity. The man that will give way to oaths will give way to anger, and who • can estimate the amount of evil done by angry words? Endeavor to govern your temper, or you never can rule successfully at home or abroad. The man that is the subject of his passions is the weakest of men.
"Another evil is the circulation of scandal about our neighbors. Every time a supposition is told, it is added upon until it assumes such a form that the man who first started it does not know it. We may enjoy it for the time, but as the frog in the fable said, 'What is fun to you is death to me'; so what may be mere pastime to us is death, yea, worse than death to our neighbors. It may take them years of arduous, honest toil, to outlive our scandal; yea, a lifetime may not suffice to wipe out the stain. Then let us keep our tongue as with a bridle.
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"Again, Jesus taught us the principle of forgiveness. Can we ask our Father to forgive us when we will not forgive our brother that has trespassed against us? It may be if we had been in the position of our neighbor, we should have done as he did. Then let us exercise that true charity which is the pure spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and be assured that the measure we mete unto others shall be meted unto us again.
"Now, in regard to the establishment of a press. Where are the means to come from? The law of tithing has been adverted to. That law has been abused more than any other law in the church. There is no exaction in the church of God. It must all be a free-will offering, as much so as when you presented yourselves at the waters of baptism. It was of. your own free will and choice; God accepts no other offering. There is no power in the church to exact a dime from any man. The idea that there was this power has led the shepherds to fleece the flock. But just so far as you will voluntarily loose the hands of those that are tied, and do all you can for the rolling forth of the work of God, so will be your reward. There is no inconsistency in the gospel; every principle harmonizes with every other principle in the same. Then let us try to understand our stewardship. God has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out more blessings upon us than we are able to contain. His promises are the security given for our service and our offerings unto him; then, as Dean Swift once remarked, 'With the liberal man. God will deal
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liberally. Now, if you like the security, down with the dust.' Bring forth your offerings that the word of the Lord may go forth to the ends of the earth, and Israel be gathered home."-Saints' Herald, volume 3, pages 118, 119.
To this we add the following:
Elder Baldwin said: "I came here for good and not evil, and am grateful for the present opportunity. If I am possessed of errors, small or great, I will give two errors for one truth. I have been a witness of the work of the last days thirty-two years, on the eighth of January next. I attended the first June conference, and was ordained by the special direction of Joseph to the high priesthood. I attended the second General Conference, held at Orange, and at the third conference held at Amherst. It did me good to hear Elder Briggs relate the facts of Joseph being ordained to the presidency of the high priesthood" as plainly as I could state them. I saw the doings of the church, and the mob in Jackson and Caldwell Counties, Missouri, and in Nauvoo, until the Prophet was taken away. With the books in my hand, I could not follow the Twelve. I could not get testimony to follow them to Salt Lake. What could I do? I could not practice their doctrines. I felt that we needed all the light we could obtain to guide us in this darkness. I tried to take the things in this book (Book of Covenants) for my guide, and studied the revelations that I might not miss the grand pole-star. It has done me good to hear our present beloved Joseph state the course we should have taken. He calls upon
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all scattered Israel to return to the words of the Lord; and I feel that this doctrine will lead us on to eternal life.
"I found an organization under Alpheus Cutler, on Silver Creek. I then removed to Manti where the present organization was established. He (Cutler) was ordained president of the high priesthood. I baptized some forty members, on the Botany, into the same. Some of them went to Salt Lake; but, thank God, there is a good sprinkling of them in this reorganization. Well, we took the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants for our guide; those, together with the Constitution, are the foundation upon which we built. With respect to our President here (meaning Joseph), I have heard Father Cutler say that when he (Joseph) took his place, he would sweep the world. Our people have always held that Joseph's family had rights, and that they would possess those rights sometime. I have been highly gratified with the spirit and teachings of the brethren and conference. If we (the Cutlerites), as a people, have missed the pole-star, I think we are honest enough to return and live; and I can say sincerely. Lord, send by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. When first Joseph came, he had to make many amendments until he had set the whole in proper order."
Elder W. W. Blair said: "I and- Elder E. C. Briggs visited that people on Farm Creek. Calvin Beebe was president of the branch. Brother Beebe went and inquired of the Lord, and obtained a
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testimony, and on the next day he told the people he knew we were servants of God. Brother James Badham spoke in tongues, and the interpretations were that this work was true; and that the Cutlerite branch would unite with us in time, and that a great work would be accomplished in this region. We went to Manti and tried to learn the nature of their organization, but failed. We inquired of the Lord and obtained that knowledge, and also a testimony that in time they would unite with us."- Saints' Herald, volume 3, pages 133, 134.
Of this conference the clerk had this to say:
"I must here say that we had a glorious time. A great many people were present, eager to catch the words of life. The words of Jesus Christ were fully exemplified: 'My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me.' Hearts that had for the last seventeen years beat with anxious desires, and offered up many fervent prayers that the rightful 'heir' to the holy priesthood might stand in his place as the shepherd of the flock of God, were now amply ^>* repaid. They forgot their toils and their wanderings, and raised their songs of praise and adoration to the Most High. Many tongues were inspired with the pentecostal power to utter precious promises from the God of Israel concerning the work of the last days, and -also concerning our brethren and sisters in Utah; that their bands should soon be broken, and that they should return to the true fold and the true shepherd. Parents that had children there, and children that had parents, etc., were comforted with the blessed assur-
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ance that their prayers should be answered and that their tears had not flown for them in vain.
"It was a rich treat to see those whose heads blossomed with age, and who had stood shoulder to the wheel in the days of Joseph the First, ready again with their influence and their all to roll on this work, which was fitly compared by J. W. Briggs as 'a wheel within a wheel,' to bring about the final restitution of all things. Near thirty persons were received into the church during conference, and many returned to their homes with a determination to lead their families and friends into 'the good old paths,' that they might find rest to their souls.
"President Smith and Elder Blakeslee preached on Sunday before the conference opened; but I was sick, and could not get any report of the same. Prayer-meetings were held every evening during the conference, and great were the blessings enjoyed. The gifts of the Holy Spirit were enjoyed to such a degree that many old Saints said that they had never seen such great manifestations before." -Saints' Herald, volume 3, page 134.
At this conference steps were taken to procure the first press owned by the church. The ministry went to their various fields resolute, cheered, and strengthened, firmly united in the love of Christ.
Agreeable to conference appointment (October 6-9, 1862), I called the attention of the western Saints to the need of funds to purchase a printing-press, and office fixtures, and a hearty, prompt response was made.
Calls for ministerial services were so numerous
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and pressing that it was no unusual thing for the missionaries, many of them, to hold meetings five or ten times each week during the fall, winter, and early spring months, besides visiting investigators wherever opportunity could be found.
Prior to the last conference a short time, a Mrs. Dow, a Baptist lady, living on the Boyer -River, related to Brother and Sister Uriah Roundy, and probably others, that she dreamed of seeing Brother Joseph Smith in a meeting, hearing him read a portion of Isaiah, and seeing him assist in administering the sacrament, and she felt confident she would know him when she met him. She attended the conference on a Sunday, and claimed she there saw and heard just as shown her in the dream.
Brother Charles Derry having been appointed a mission to England, a successful effort was made to get his family satisfactorily located in the Glen-wood Branch and procure some means to aid him on his way. Passing through Raglan, Boomer, Crescent, North Star, Council Bluffs, Glenwood, and Nephi Branches, I joined him at Manti, December 12, assisted him in holding meetings until the 16th, and on that morning, at Brother S. S. Wilcox's, after a season of fervent prayer, we gave him the parting hand, assured by the Spirit's presence that all was well and would result well for Brother Derry and the work intrusted to him.
From Manti I went to a branch' then recently organized by Brother Derry on Plum Creek, seven miles north of Sidney, and tarried with Brother John Leeka. This brother and his family united
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with the church in Eastern Iowa and moved into Nauvoo prior to the death of Joseph the Seer, became fairly well acquainted with the Seer and his wife, and continued to reside there till the exodus in 1846, when he and his family went west with the Saints under the leadership of Brigham Young and the Twelve to the Missouri River, though advised by Sister Emma Smith not to do so; remained there a short season, and seeing and hearing so much of evil in both doctrine and practice, and the chief men of the church being foremost in these matters, his confidence was shaken, his faith wavered, and he quietly folded his tent, gathered his family, and departed, sad, sorrowful, and with but little or no hope. Turning his attention to business, and having fair success, he by and by became the owner of fine mill and farm properties where he now resides; but he abjured and rejected all forms of religion, though treating all people with respect and kindness.
He continued this way till in 1861 and 1862, when, on hearing that a young Sister Hendrickson had a copy of the Saints' Herald containing the revelation on the Rebellion, given through Joseph the Seer in December, 1832, he sent and borrowed it with others. He had heard Joseph the Seer, in Nauvoo, say the Lord had revealed to him that there would be a rebellion of the Southern States. After reading the revelation he also read other matter in the Heralds sent him, some of which set forth the latter-day apostasy and the remedy for it, while others set forth the true doctrine of the church
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and the history of the rise and progress of the Reorganization. Presently he took steps to investigate still further, and on reading in the Book of Mormon that the Spirit of God leads to prayer, and to do good, he felt much encouraged, for he knew he now desired to pray to God and to do good to all. But he had feared that his former unbelief and rejection of all forms of religion would for ever debar him from the blessings of God and the privileges of the church. These texts fitted his case and inspired him with hope, and not long afterwards Brother Charles Derry, by request, preached a series of sermons there and finally organized a branch, Brother Leeka and his wife being among the first to receive the work.
The Lord greatly blessed the branch, and Brother Leeka was among the first to receive the gifts of the Spirit, and at this writing he is watching and waiting for the Master's summons to join his departed companion and hosts of loved ones gone before. Since those times a large number have been obedient to the faith in that branch, men and women of excellent repute, influential for good, a large proportion of them born and reared there or in that vicinity. "Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart," for he has said, "Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
From December 20 to January 19 my time was devoted to preaching and counseling in the Nephi, Glenwood, and Crescent City Branches, all of them dwelling in unity and enjoying both the gifts and
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fruits of the Spirit. During this time (January 17, 1863,) I organized a branch in Magnolia, of nine members.
Owing to extreme views held by a few over zealous members in respect to the gift of healing by the prayer of faith, we found it needful to teach the Saints that God requires his people to neglect no means he has ordained by which to alleviate and restore the afflicted, and that, therefore, they should be diligent in using wisely and skillfully the means the Lord has furnished in nature, for the God of nature is the God of revelation; and I appealed to both revelation and history, as well as to personal observation, in support of this position, meeting with some opposition on the part of a few.
About this time a very decided effort was made by some to promulgate and practically introduce "all things common" in respect to property matters, they citing the practice of the primitive saints (Acts 2: 44; 4: 32; also Book of Mormon) as proof that it was good and ordained of God. Others with myself taught that there was no commandment authorizing such an order of things; that the tendency of it was in the direction of idleness, carelessness, and general disorder, and that it was in conflict with the fact of man's personal agency, personal responsibility and accountability, also that Jesus plainly taught the principle of separate stewardships in the kingdom of heaven, making each, person, severally, accountable for the number of "talents" committed to him as set forth in Matthew 25: 14-30; and further, that Joseph the Seer, whom
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God called and qualified to organize and set in order his church in these last days, rejected the "all things common" theory, in Kirtland, and proclaimed the principle of separate stewardships, including personal accountability to God and the church. After due investigation and reflection, general unity prevailed in this matter, and thus a theory tending to division and discord gave place to order and the love of the Lord.
Spiritualism, under the guise and name of "mental alchemy," was introduced in Western Iowa by crafty men and women, lecturers and mediums, and attracted much attention, a few of the Saints getting bewildered and deceived by it for a season. A Brother John Johnson had a daughter (not a member of the church) who became a highly developed medium, claimed to practice medicine by direction of the spirits of the dead, and under the nervous and mental strain incident to that system she became completely prostrated, and her father and mother visited her when in that condition. Upon one occasion, when her mother was at her bedside, the daughter went into a so-called clairvoyant state, and, addressing her mother by what purported to be the spirit of her mother's sister left in England, she imitated her speech and manners quite perfectly, talking of things known to the mother but not to the daughter, and thereby led the mother to believe that the said sister was indeed dead, but present in spirit form; Brother John-son, as if enlightened specially by the Spirit of God for the occasion, said to his weeping companion,
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"This is a cunning device of Satan. I don't believe your sister is dead. I will write at once and learn." But the transformation in respect to voice, and manner, and style of speech, coupled with statements about which the mother knew but the daughter did not know, quite deluded the mother for the time being. But Brother Johnson, true to his promise, wrote at once for information about the sister whose spirit, it was claimed, possessed and communicated through the daughter, and in due time received a letter written by the hand of the very sister said to be dead!
This occurrence, of a piece with many others which blinded and misled some in those times, was wrought as we then believed and taught, by lying, familiar spirits, such as are described in holy writ, and such as the word of God declares will abound in the last days and deceive and ruin many.
We devoted needed time, as wisdom directed, during these trying times, in explaining spiritual things, of different kinds, as set forth in scripture and authentic history and as was being currently observed; for "they also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine."-Isaiah 29: 24.
The Wednesday evening prayer-meeting of February 18, 1863, at Little Sioux, was a season of notable interest, the Spirit of the Lord being present to comfort and instruct, also "revealing hidden things which no man knew." We were told with much assurance that "elders shall be sent to Europe from the spring conference." And Elders J. W.
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Briggs and Jeremiah Jeremiah were sent, as the conference minutes for that date show.
The first days of March I labored in the Plum Hollow Branch and at Fisher's Grove, and on the llth we organized a branch at the latter place, Wheeler Baldwin presiding, S. S. Wilcox priest and clerk, and George Reals teacher.
The latter told me, at that time, that he heard Joseph the Seer say, at Brother Anson Matthews', near Table Grove, McDonough County, Illinois, in June, 1839, that "he sometimes thought he would be killed by his enemies, and that if he should be, his son Joseph would carry on the work of the church in his place."
On the twelfth day of March, Brethren S. S. Wilcox and George Redfield assisted me in administering to a woman, Mrs. Harriet Weach, not yet a member of the church-who had been sorely afflicted by a complication of diseases (prominent among which was chronic dyspepsia), and it pleased God to heal her straightway, so that with others she was baptized four days later, and soon regained her flesh and strength in full.
On the 13th Brother William Redfield and I called on old Father Alpheus Cutler. During this call he reiterated what he said to me and others on a former occasion, that he never claimed to be the successor of Joseph the Seer. He also said that a certain quorum of seven, arranged and set apart by Joseph the Seer in Nauvoo, of which he and Brother William Marks were members, had no con
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trol over spiritual affairs, but related to temporal concerns, chiefly of a local nature.
On investigation then and since, I learned that Father Cutler (and some of his adherents) claimed that "young Joseph" ought to have come to him, consulted him, and have been ordained by him. Claims of a similar sort have been rather common with all or nearly all the factions. A noted character among the Brighamites said to me in 1869 that "little Joseph should have come to Brother Brigham and had him put his hands upon him and give him the keys."
On Sunday the 15th I attended the Cutlerite meeting at eleven and at two in our own meeting, proceeded to examine and refute claims and statements in respect to church affairs made in the Cutlerite meeting, and was greatly blessed of God by the power and light of the Spirit, many believing, and the next day I baptized seven, by whom, and nine I baptized two days before and others who had united previously, a strong and effective branch was established.
On the 17th, Brother Willie Redfield accompanying me, I took stage for Leon, Iowa, reached Decatur City at four o'clock, the 18th, from whence we walked to Brother George Morey's, fifteen miles, reaching there the morning of the 19th, and found that Brother Morey, who had waited for me till he concluded I would not call on him going east, had gone east the day before. This was well, as subsequent events proved; for sometimes, it is evident,
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"there's a destiny that shapes our ends, rough hew them as we will."
Politics and sectionalism had now reached a condition of great bitterness. The border counties of Iowa had many "rebel sympathizers" within them, and it is proper to say, not a few of these were formerly mobbers of the Mormons in Missouri, or the children of. The mobbers, and these facts were known and talked of by the Saints, their children and friends. On the 20th I preached on the need of cultivating a spirit of toleration toward political opponents, to honor and pray for those in authority, and to do good to and pray for such as were enemies of the Saints, and in this the Saints generally, if not universally, acquiesced heartily.
I was the guest of Ebenezer Robinson the night of the 20th, also the day of the 21st. He told me he very recently had a vision concerning me and my coming, knew I would. Soon be there with the Saints; and told Sister George Morey and others so. This had previously been told me by Sister Morey, on my arrival the 19th instant. I now copy from my diary:
"Saturday, March 21, 1863.-To-day am at Brother E. Robinson's. Stayed with them last night. Brother Robinson tells me that he is with us heart and hand. I explained to himself and wife the first and second paragraphs of section fourteen [43] in Doctrine and Covenants. In the afternoon, while at prayer previous to administering to Sister Robinson, and while administering, Brother Robinson received testimony that Joseph is his father's is his father's
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successor and said he was perfectly satisfied." To this he added that the testimony he received was the same (or similar) to that he received concerning the truth of the Book of Mormon.
Held services the 22d and 23d, a number united with the church, and the 24th went with Brother David Morey to Corydon, and on the 25th Brother Redfield and I walked twenty-five miles to Centerville. On the 26th we took stage for Eddyville, via Moravia and Albia, arriving the 27th, whence we went by railroad to Belfast, String Prairie, and Montrose, preaching at the two latter places, and then calling at Nauvoo and Colchester, Illinois. In all these places we found much interest gaining fairly. While at the latter place Brother Arthur Millikin, the husband of Lucy, the youngest sister of Joseph the Seer, told us that Brigham Young in a council at his (Millikin's) house in Nauvoo, soon after the death of the Seer, stated that he knew that "little Joseph" would eventually be the president of the church, but that he strenuously counseled the Saints to say nothing of that matter lest the Gentiles destroy the lad.
Conference convened in Goldman's Hall, Amboy, Illinois, April 6, Joseph Smith presiding. On that day President Joseph Smith prophesied that those who taught polygamy, or its like, should speak with stammering tongue, and not have the blessings of the faithful elders. We have since seen this fulfilled in some who were once prominent ministers, but whose names we need not mention.
On the 8th the revelation given in March, 1863,
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calling William Marks to be a counselor to Joseph Smith, the President of the church, was presented and read to the conference, and after due deliberation it was accepted by unanimous vote.
Conference gave the conduct of the press, including Herald and printing-business, into the hands of President Joseph Smith and Bishop 1. L. Rogers.
In his report, Brother E. C. Briggs said: "Since I last reported . . . I went around among the branches in Western Iowa, and found that great progress had been made there. In Raglan Branch I baptized ten, and I believe that more than one thousand have been added within a year."
President Joseph said: "Some say that polygamy will be a doctrine of this church; but I take this opportunity to say that I utterly discard the doctrine in every shape and form, and under all circumstances whatever. . . . Some have said that James J. Strang laid his hands on my head and ordained me as his successor while I was in bed. I say that the statement is not true."
On the 7th Elders E. C. Briggs and C. G. McIntosh were appointed missions to Utah, Nevada, and California.
On the 8th Brother William Marks was ordained a counselor to President Joseph Smith. The ordination was under the hands of President Joseph Smith, J. W. and E. C. Briggs.
The entire session was marked by unity, earnestness, and an ardent desire to forward the work of the Lord.
After spring conference, on request, I visited
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and labored in the branches in Fox River Valley, including Mission, reorganizing the latter, by vote, April 14, and on the 23d started for my home in Little Sioux, going by way of Ottumwa, and then by stage and on foot via the branch ten miles south of Leon, Iowa. Tarried there, preaching till the 27th, when by vote we reorganized the (Little River) branch. Elder George Morey was chosen president, Eli Steele priest, D. B. Morey teacher, and William Alden clerk.
On the 28th I baptized Ebenezer Robinson and his wife, Angeline E.; A. W. Moffett and wife, Lydia Ann; Robert Booth, Elizabeth Jordan, and Miss Sarah L. Alden. I had baptized three on the 26th, one on the 27th, and on the 29th I baptized eleven, twenty-two in all-, and the Saints seemed united and spiritual. We give the above details for reasons that may appear later on. May 1 found me in Bedford, Iowa, traveling -by coach with a Reverend ____, a Campbellite. On entering the coach the night before at Leon this gentleman learned I was a minister of the Latter Day Saints' denomination, and he at once set about correcting the doctrinal errors by which, he said, I had been deluded. All -night long he belabored me with Scripture texts and Campbellite logic, as opportunity offered, and I patiently listened and mentally took notes. It then came my time, and during that May Day the reverend heard so much of the doctrine and history of the Saints that, when I parted with him in the evening at Brother William Matthew's hotel, in Fisher's Grove, he bade me an
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affectionate good bye, also bade me God-speed, and expressed a hearty desire to investigate the faith still further, for he found his system of faith weak and faulty and perceived that there were vastly more primitive Christianity, more harmony with Scriptural truth, and more sound, practical sense in what the world calls Mormonism than he and many others thought possible. Giving this man a patient, respectful hearing secured the same from him and resulted in making him a friend, at least, and probably a defender, if not an advocate, of the faith of the Saints.
While at Fisher's Grove, on May 6, 1 baptized a number of those once prominent Cutlerites, namely: William Redfield and wife, Thaddeus Cutler, Sr., and wife, Nicholas Taylor and wife, B. B. Anderson, and Miss Maria Cutler.
On the 9th, en route home, I called on the branch in Council Bluffs and found it in a divided state, owing to intermeddling and officiousness on the part of ministers who claimed that, by virtue of their high grade of office, they had the right to set in order the branch and its officers, not only with out, but contrary to, the wishes of the branch and its officers. This, we taught, was both impolitic and unlawful, for none but those chosen and appointed to that work had authority to interfere with branch affairs, and they must do so only as requested or permitted by the majority of the branch, or its officers.
On Tuesday, the 12th, I reached home, and about one o'clock, Saturday morning, the 16th, Brother
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S. W. Condit and I were called to administer to a young man whose parents and family had recently moved into Little Sioux. The case was a peculiar one. He seemed to be suffering the agonies of an extreme attack of bilious colic, his family thinking that to be his affliction. Immediately on entering the room, where his father and brother were supporting him in their arms, the family all being present, we laid our hands on him and fervently prayed for his healing. In a moment he quieted down, was laid on a trundle-bed, and apparently went to sleep. The parents said he had been afflicted with spells of that kind during the past fourteen years and physicians differed as to what the affliction -really was, but all, or nearly all, said it would terminate fatally at no distant time. On reaching the street Brother Condit and myself concluded the case was a most unusual one, and that the trouble was not at an end. About four hours afterwards we were called again, and on reaching the house met Brother David Gamet, who had been called to assist. It was now fairly light, and the appearance of the young man, with what we had heard of the case, led us to each engage in prayer before administering to him, and while engaged in prayer the Holy Spirit testified that an evil spirit vexed the young man. When we stated that fact to the family, just half of them believed with us, and the others disbelieved. After anointing and sealing with prayer, he, as before, quieted down, and apparently went to sleep, and was at least heedless of his surroundings until near noon on Sunday the 17th, when we
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prayed for him again with results similar to what had occurred before. In the evening, growing worse, he was administered to again, Brethren Condit, Gamet, and Mitchell assisting. On this occasion we requested every person not fully in faith with us who believed him vexed with Satanic power, to please withdraw from the room, that no unbelief might be present to hinder, citing the fact that Jesus and the apostles taught, that unity of faith was essential in such cases, and that unbelief hindered, as in Mark 5: 40; Luke 8: 51; Acts 9: 40; Matthew 13: 58; 17: 20; Hebrews 11: 6, etc. After a season of united, fervent prayer, we administered to him; the Spirit of the Lord was present in manifest power, and in a moment he was fully released and restored, his speech came to him all right, and, arising to his feet he said, "I am all right now." Since that time, when annoyed and perplexed, at times he had been afflicted somewhat similarly. But always faithful administration by elders who understand the case has brought relief-all in the name of Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all the honor and the glory.
On the 23d I attended a regularly appointed business-meeting in Galland's Grove. Certain ministers had interfered with the rights and duties of the presiding elder, and I instructed those present that the high priests, seventies, and elders, residing in a branch, were simply members of that branch, but were not branch officers and therefore had no authority to dictate in respect to branch affairs nor attempt to set it in order, for that was placed in
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the hands of the legally chosen branch officers selected by vote-"common consent"-of those constituting the branch, and that if they needed aid they should took to their next presiding officer, the president of the district. To sustain this position, the law of the church and precedents touching the case from church history were presented, and what threatened to be a bitter cause of controversy and division gave place to the order, "let every man stand in his own office and labor in his own calling," and unity and fellowship were both restored and strengthened, and the branch grew apace in numbers and in spiritual gifts and graces.
From the 28th till June 6 Brother E. C. Briggs and I were engaged in procuring team and wagon and fitting out the missionaries for the Utah and California mission. On this last date a special conference met near Council Bluffs, with large attendance. There were fourteen two-day meetings appointed in the Western Iowa District.
After some discussion conference decided that district presidents were the proper officers for branches or their officers to apply to for counsel and aid in setting branch affairs in order:
"After singing and prayer it was decided that transient high priests, seventies, and elders had no right to go into branches and attempt to set them in order, that that business belonged to those who were set apart and sent by conferences for that purpose. The decisions of a High Council in Zion and a Solemn Assembly in Kirtland, were cited as precedents governing the case. Said decisions are
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found in Times and Seasons, volume 5, page 738. The elders were exhorted to preach the gospel and let mysteries alone. "-Saints' Herald, volume 4, page 28:
The decision was generally thought to be correct, and all heartily acquiesced in it.
Elder Wheeler Baldwin "bore a strong testimony to the truth of the Reorganization and said he had not enjoyed the Spirit and power of God so much for the past thirty years as he had since he united with this work last March. The power of the Spirit was with the branch at Manti (Fisher's Grove), and he hoped to see many more unite with them soon."
This conference and the Western. Iowa District aided promptly and liberally in fitting out the missionaries going to Utah and California, Brethren E. C. Briggs and Alexander McCord, who proceeded at once to their field of labor, going with a team of mules and light spring wagon over the inhospitable plains near eleven hundred miles to Salt Lake City.
From this till August 1 I was busily engaged in the ministry and had excellent success. Much was being said on the subject of "equality in temporal things" in some quarters, and it fell to my lot to explain that principle in a special conference near Brother Alfred Bybee's, above Crescent City, and in doing so I cited the fact (generally overlooked by over zealous advocates), that it is a many sided subject, and that wisdom demands that it be viewed on each and all sides; that "needs, wants," and
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many other "circumstances,", including qualifications and abilities, must be placed under consideration when investigating it, for notwithstanding Jesus proposed that his servants should be equal, yet "unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according his several ability"; also that the Saints are called to be "one in Christ Jesus," yet they have "gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us," and that this fact is briefly set forth in these words given through Joseph the Seer, in Doctrine and Covenants 51: 1, when providing for the organization and settlement of the Saints in the land of Zion according to the law of the celestial kingdom: "Wherefore let my servant Edward Partridge, and those whom he has chosen, in whom I am well pleased, appoint unto this people their portion, every man equal according to their families, according to their circumstances, and their
wants and needs."
The "wants" and "needs" and "circumstances" connected with the individual, the nature of his business, stewardship, capabilities, and everything else that affects him and his work, must enter into the account and be considered, for these are the grounds upon which "equality" was and is to be established.
On mature thought and careful investigation as to what "equality" was and is in the sight of the Lord, some concluded they had erred in regard to it and so let their "zeal without knowledge" cool down.
At a prayer-meeting in Little Sioux, August 12,
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the Spirit of the Lord testified in power that wisdom would be given those called to lead his people.
The two-day meetings held during the summer and fall resulted well, many souls were added to the church, the labors of the ministry were harmonized, the Saints increased in unity and in spiritual things, and the religious prejudices of their neighbors were largely overcome.
On the second day of October, at Brother Jonathan Haywood's, I met Brethren Joseph, A. H., and David H. Smith, also a Brother William Davis, all just in from Nauvoo, Illinois. Conference convened on the 6th, about five miles east of Council Bluffs, and Joseph Smith was chosen to preside. Reports showed large increase in membership and excellent conditions spiritually. On question it was decided that a branch president has no right to delegate his presiding authority to any one, but that when he is absent the next in branch authority presides; nevertheless that a branch president has the right to call others to his assistance in ministering in word and ordinance.
President Smith said the elders should preach the gospel, and not tear down others; that they should build upon the sure foundation and teach by example-be sure to preach the gospel and not politics, for the latter was no part of their business as ministers.
Brother A. H. Smith was appointed to travel and preach with me the ensuing fall and winter.
"Lewd fellows of the baser sort," because the conference would not suffer them to sell strong
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drinks near by, threatened to raid the grounds at night. Captain Frost, learning of this, kindly tendered the services of his company of "home guards," and they patrolled the conference grounds at night, and peace and the best of order prevailed.
Going with Brother Joseph and company, we made the tour of Crescent City, Little Sioux, Bigler's Grove, Galland's Grove, Union Grove, Council Bluffs, Plum Hollow, and Manti. In all, or nearly all of these places, President Smith counseled the Saints to fix themselves in permanent, happy homes, as best they could, and to the extent of their ability. He had made that a special point in his first trip to the West, the year before, for the reason (as we well knew, and deplored, and sought to correct) many thought the time to gather into one locality was just at hand, and that therefore it was not wise and proper to invest to much extent in real estate. President Smith and his colleagues advised the Saints to secure all the lands they could, practicably, and then "make thereon convenient, attractive homes, and settle down as if to remain a thousand years." Some thought he was inexperienced and not yet well instructed in relation to the gathering of the Saints, and so did not profit by the advice, but others did. The following I wrote to the Herald:
"On Friday, October 16, 1 was with the brethren at Galland's Grove. We stopped at the house of Brother Alexander McCord. That night Joseph had a remarkable night vision, which he told me in the morning. He said: 'I saw in my dream a
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woman, whom I was to receive into my charge, and under my watchcare and counsel, and she was almost wild, having been held captive a long season by barbarians, who had degraded and dishonored her. She was nearly naked. The clothes that were upon her were tattered and torn, and very filthy withal, and her whole appearance was that of extreme wretchedness. In her pitiable condition, she looked with distrust upon all around her, especially on me, apparently fearing lest 1, too, would abuse and disgrace her. My heart was deeply moved with her deplorable condition. I ordered that she be washed, her hair combed, and suitable apparel be given her, including clean underclothes. My request having been complied with, I now saw her again. But how changed, how entirely different from what I saw her last. Her garments now were of spotless purity, her eye beamed with joy and delight, her fears and misgivings were entirely banished, and she expressed- her unbounded gratitude to me as her friend and benefactor, while she clasped her arms around my neck and imprinted upon my cheek a multitude of kisses with all the tender affection of a mother.'
"I said, when I heard it, that the dream or vision was of the Lord, and that the woman was the church, her captors a corrupt ministry, her wild, ragged, dirty condition represented her sinful, demoralized state, her distrust represents what is being said by many of the Saints in Europe and America, that is, that by and by Joseph will lead into the same corrupt doctrines and practices as Brigham Young,
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Strang, and others. The clothing in clean apparel represents the redeeming of the Saints by righteousness; the balance is easily understood. How plain this points out Joseph's mission and what will be done! On Saturday, the 17th, Joseph preached from Psalm 84: 10: 'I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. In his explication of the text, he showed that the term house, here used, was a figure expressive of the church of Christ, and that the term doorkeeper was likewise a figure, meaning the gospel ministry. His remarks upon the qualifications essential for the ministry were highly instructive and edifying. The latter part of his discourse was upon the righteousness of the individual. He showed by a correct, cogent line of reasoning, that men's professions of righteousness were valueless, except they, in their manner of life, were comfortable to the law of God, and that we arise in the scale of righteousness by our righteous deeds. His sermon proved him fully equal to the important and hallowed duty of pointing the Saints to the 'old paths, where is the good way,' from which they have strayed in the cloudy and dark day, and it will long be remembered by those who heard it."-Saints' Herald, volume 5, pages 55, 56.
When we were at Manti, October 23 to 26, we had large attendance at our services.
On Sunday night, the 25th, Joseph was expected to preach, but after the opening exercises rose and said: "The Spirit testifies that we ought to hold a prayer- and testimony-meeting." The presiding
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others had advised the purchase from Colonel Cochran, of Council Bluffs, of a large body of excellent timber in Galland's- Grove, which he offered chiefly on time at easy prices, and also advised the securing of lands on the Boyer, the Mosquitoes, and the Nishnabotna Rivers, all of which could have been accomplished cheaply and safely had there been united faith in and compliance with the advice of those called to counsel and lead the church in those times.
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