<24.> Sunday 24. At 10 a. m. met at the near the [HC 6:271] . The following very brief outline of the speeches is from the Journal of
“President Joseph Smith addressed the people; the following is the substance of what I heard him say:—
I have been informed by two gentlemen that a conspiracy is [p. 1936]
<March 24.> got up in this place for the purpose of taking the life of President Joseph Smith, his family, and all the Smith family, and the heads of the church, one of the gentlemen will give his name to the public, and the other wishes it to be hid for the present, they will both testify to it on oath and make an affidavit upon it. the names of the persons revealed at the head of the conspiracy are as follows , Dr. , Mr. , and . And the lies that has hatched up as a foundation to work upon are, he says that I had men’s heads cut off in , and that I had a sword run through the hearts of the people that I wanted to kill and put out of the way. I won’t swear out a warrant against <them> for I don’t fear any of them, they would not scare off an old sitting hen. I intend to publish all the iniquity that I know of them. If I am guilty I am ready to bear it. There is sometimes honor among enemies. I am willing to do anything for the good of the people. I will give the name of one of the gentlemen who have divulged the plot, his name is , he will swear to it, he is a bold fellow. said a Smith should not be alive <in> two weeks, not over two months anyhow. Concerning the character of these men, I will say nothing about it now, but if I hear anything more from them on this subject, I will tell what I know about them.
Elder addressed the people as follows:—
While listening to Prest. Smith’s remarks, I thought of a figure i.e. If a Physician was going to dissect a body, he would not be likely to begin at the limbs, but cut the head off first. So the Adversary of the Saints has laid a plan to cut off the head of the church with the intention of scattering and destroying the whole body. It was so in the days of Jesus christ; the enemies of truth sought to kill him, that the body might be destroyed; which was also the case in the days of Elijah, Daniel, and many of the ancients. I once heard a man say who was opposed to this work “that it might be true, but it gave Joseph Smith power.’ True, said I, but if his power be subordinate to the power of God, it is right. If a man set up a kingdom by the power of God, then let others seek power from the same source. God sets up kingdoms and pulls down kingdoms; [HC 6:272] this makes men mad who will not submit to the kingdom of God. We all know the result of the power of Moses, who was the representative of God. Judging from what is past, how will it be when God sets up his kingdom in the last days? Whether there is a conspiracy now or not I don’t know; but no doubt there will be, if not now; for it has always been so. In the days of the Nephites, they had their Gadianton robbers. I have not any doubt but that the Apostates will join with the other wicked powers to try to put down the power of God and I am glad to have the power of the kingdom of God tested; and when it is fully tried, it will stand. I care not what sacrifice I am called to make for such a kingdom; if it is friends, wealth, or even life at the purchase of such a kingdom it is cheap. Did the ancient Apostles, Prophets, [p. 1937]
<March 24.> or Saints who died, pay too much for that kingdom? They did not. It is necessary that men be put in possession of the knowledge and mysteries of the kingdom of God in order to sin as far as they wish— that they may go to the highest pitch. How often men lay down their lives for their country, and other purposes, how much better then to die for the cause of Zion. Good and righteous men will administer justice and rebuke evil. The Church should be cleansed from bad men; and the Lord will take his own way to cleanse the church. We should lift up our voice against wickedness of all kinds. But will the rulers of our land do it? No, they will not; they will be cowards until there is no man to fight, and then be brave; when Government will not do it. Some man should take the helm of Government that will do it. Will it be called treason, if the God of Heaven should set up a kingdom? May the Lord give you more and more of his Spirit, light, and intelligence, until you are cemented together in union and love, Amen.
Elder addressed the meeting.
Prest. Joseph Smith again arose and said: In relation to the power over the minds of mankind which I hold, I would say it is in consequence of the power of truth in the doctrines which I have been an instrument in the hands of God of presenting unto them, and not because of any compulsion on my part. I wish to ask if ever I got any of it unfairly? If I have not reproved you in the gate? I ask did I ever exercise any compulsion over any man? Did I not give him the liberty of disbelieving any doctrine I have preached if he saw fit? Why do not my enemies strike a blow at the doctrine? They cannot do it, it is truth and I defy all men to upset it. I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness ‘repent ye of your sins and prepare the way for the coming of the son of man, for the kingdom of God has come unto you [HC 6:273] and henceforth the axe is laid unto the root of the tree, and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit. God Almighty (and not Joe Smith) shall hew it down and cast it into the fire’.”
After meeting I rode out with . The trees begin to bud forth.
In <the> evening— held a conversation with a large company of friends at my door.
Elder R. H. Kinnamon writes, that during the last 22 months he has baptized over 100 persons while on a Mission in and N. Carolina— organized two branches in , and calls are continually made for preaching in every direction.
I copy a letter written by Dr. to Gen. .
“ March 24. 1844. Dear . I wrote you on the 4th. inst. in reply to yours of the 1st. Ultimo, also, to inform you of the decision of your friends in , in nominating you for the Vice Presidency of the .
Since that date it has occurred to me that you are not a native of the , consequently we might expect objections [p. 1938]
<March 24> would be made to your election on Constitutional principles; which we shall be obliged to submit to, unless there be some method of avoiding it which we are unacquainted with, and that constitutionally as our Magna charta must be supported.
I suggested the idea to the Council and it was decided that I should write you and state the case requesting a communication from you on this subject.
You are the man of our choice, as facts have already proved to you, but if we cannot be gratified we must look elsewhere though as yet we are quite undecided as to the man.
Your friends here expect you will not alter your course, in relation to this matter; though you may not get the title of Vice President, yet, there are other stations, where you may render as important service to the country, and as valuable to yourself.
and I am further authorized by Gen. Smith to say to , Go-a-head and make all the wake you can. Get Gen. Smith elected President and name your office; only permit him Pharaoh-like to be greatest in the throne, as all former Prophets have been. will you go it?—
Circumstances of a peculiarly interesting character are in progress, relative to which if carried out, may open a field capacious enough for your contemplation and operations for the time being should your inclinations lead you towards that delightful climate for a little season:— The full development of which I am not at liberty to write at this time.
Suffice it to say if by your exertion you can help save the nation by electing Gen. Smith— You will find business to your satisfaction afterwards.
In the mean time let me hear from you often— while I remain
Yours truly
.
