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Private Notes
On the afternoon of October 30, 1838, a vigilante force of more than two hundred armed men attacked and raided the small settlement known as Hawn’s Mill in eastern Caldwell County, Missouri. The premeditated assault left seventeen Mormon men and boys dead and more than a dozen others wounded. But those who remained had little time to mourn their loss. Afraid of another attack, short of help, and facing unseasonably cold temperatures, the shocked survivors quickly buried fourteen of their dead in an unfinished dry well. During the weeks and months that followed, life at Hawn’s Mill was bleak, especially for the women and children whose husbands and fathers had been killed or wounded. Those left behind struggled to provide for their families. Yet the experiences of the Latter-day Saints at Hawn’s Mill exemplify incredible faith, courage, and commitment in the midst of terrible tragedy. Their stories touch the deepest of sympathies, inspire faith, and strengthen testimony, and they should never be forgotten. But why did the attack occur? Who was involved? And did the Saints at Hawn’s Mill disobey Joseph Smith’s counsel? These and other telling questions are explained and clarified in this first-of-a-kind DVD devoted exclusively to helping viewers understand the massacre at Hawn’s Mill.
The Relief Society was never intended to be just a class for the women in the ward who did not have a calling elsewhere. Its intended purpose was much more exalted—bolder and nobler. The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo was organized under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith. From March to August of 1842, he met with the sisters six times, teaching them doctrine and giving them counsel, inspiration, and purpose. They were to be, he said, "a select society separate from all of the evils of the world, choice, virtuous, and holy," whose purpose was to "save souls" and to care for the poor and the needy. Emma Smith, the elect lady, was chosen as their leader. In their organizational meeting, with her prophet husband standing by, she declared, "We are going to do something extraordinary." And so it has come to pass. This History of the Saints one-hour documentary presentation takes you back to 1842 and the very beginnings of Relief Society, where Joseph Smith imparted the purpose, the vision, and the place of women in the Restoration: a place where "Charity Never Faileth." This documentary is hosted by Ruth Todd and features interviews with current and past Relief Society leaders and scholars on Latter-day Saint women's history.
In conducting the interviews for "I Now Turn the Key to You" with these wonderful women there was so much edifying material shared that could not be included in the documentary. Each woman brought her own expertise and perspective to the subject of Joseph Smith and the Origins of Relief Society. Therefore, the producers wanted to make this material available for study and consideration. The following are selected excerpts from the interviews.
It has been described as “one of the finest expressions of human compassion in American history.” In 1839, the Mormons were a people in flight, having been ordered out of the State of Missouri by the edict of the Governor. More than 7000 refugees fleeing in the dead of winter—and where could they go? Who would take them in? They came to the only arms open to them. The citizens of Quincy, Illinois opened their homes and hearts to a people in perilous straits—the Mormons. This is the story—seldom told–of one of the greatest rescues in 19th century American history.
Each year, wards and stakes around the world “go on trek,” reenacting and living out the experiences of the handcart pioneers of 1856. As part of those treks, the focus often turns to the Willie and Martin handcart companies of late 1856, who were caught in early winter snows and who suffered beyond all description. As interesting and compelling as their story is, and as much as they deserve our honor, theirs does not accurately represent the entire handcart experience. Altogether, there were ten handcart companies, and the whole of their trail experience is a fascinating story worthy of our consideration. This DVD brings you stories from the journals of handcart pioneers whose experiences represent the typical life on the trail for those who came to Zion pulling handcarts.
The Book of Mormon is a miracle! It is truly a marvelous work and a wonder brought forth by the gift and power of God. Not just Joseph Smith, but no man in that age or now could have authored the work. It is too deep, too complex, too much for the mind and intellect of any one man. In short, it is a miracle. In this History of the Saints special presentation, we present the expertise and witness of some of the world’s most informed scholars on the Book of Mormon. They will discuss the history and origins of the text, the Book as literature, its doctrine and intertextuality, its translation and printing. Even the claims of the book archaeologically and anthropologically will be examined. This fascinating documentary special is a must-see for all who have an interest in the Book of Mormon.
Amasa Mason Lyman represents a life mostly forgotten in Church History, yet he figured prominently in Nauvoo as a member of the First Presidency, in Utah as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, and on numerous missions around the world. When he was excommunicated in 1870 it was as though history forgot his dedicated service and sacrifice for the Kingdom. This biographical documentary tells the story of Elder Lyman from his conversion to his first memorable meeting with the Prophet Joseph Smith, from his service in the Temple at Nauvoo through his numerous assignments as a member of the Twelve. It describes the circumstances of his excommunication and climaxes with the tender and inspiring story of his reinstatement as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a witness of the far-reaching power of the atonement.
Lucy Mack Smith — mother of the Prophet of the Restoration, Joseph Smith Jr. — was born during the American Revolution and by her very nature had the determined spirit of independence. She also witnessed the Second Great Awakening in America that caused so many to seek after God. These influences, coupled with a faithful upbringing, created in Lucy Mack Smith a singular personality and character, one well-suited to rear the Prophet who would restore all truth to the earth. That alone was monumental, but her influence extended well beyond the formative years of her children. The historical record bears out the profound respect shown her both by her family and by the body of the Saints. Not only did she prove herself an exemplary mother and companion, but she was a fierce witness and defender of the faith. This documentary gives new insight into the life story of Lucy Mack Smith — First Mother of the Restoration.
In December 1847, a ragged band of soldiers known as the Mormon Battalion made their way into the Latter-day Saint settlement of Kanesville, Iowa, to be reunited with the families they had left behind for voluntary service in the United States Army. These pages, full of compelling narrative and rich visuals, bring to life the history of this unusual military unit with all of its faith, sacrifice, and unflagging service. So significant was their contribution that upon their return, President Brigham Young called for a jubilee celebration in their honor, proclaiming their offering to be a salvation to the Latter-day Saints at a crucial time in their history, as well as the history of the nation. This fascinating story, too long neglected and too little understood, will humble and inspire you as you take in this volume worthy of generations.
Those who pulled handcarts across the plains are looked at today as great examples of faith— but what many may not realize is that the handcart was an even bigger test of faith for those who pulled them. This unusual conveyance represented more than just a cumbersome two- wheeled burden. It represented a wrenching test of obedience. Would they come—the rich and the poor, from all over the world—at the prophet’s call? Would they give away all but seventeen pounds of this world’s goods? And would they come by handcart? There were those both in and out of the Church who mocked the prophet, ridiculed the plan, and tried to stop the obedient. But the faithful came anyway—more than three thousand of them in ten companies of handcarts from 1856 to 1860. Their story is as unusual and as powerful as their mode of conveyance was different. This History of the Saints special documentary DVD presentation tells their compelling story.
September 22, 1823, Palmyra, 17 year-old Joseph Smith Jr. was called by name by a messenger sent from the presence of the Lord. He called himself Moroni and told Joseph that God had a work for him to do and that his name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds and tongues. Now, nearly two centuries later the controversies regarding Joseph Smith and early Church history have crossed generational lines, all international boundaries, and reached many families. The question is ultimately the same that it has always been, is Joseph Smith a prophet of God or a fraud and a charlatan? Was he an honest man or a liar? This History of the Saints presentation speaks to those who have concerns about Church history and particularly, Joseph Smith as a prophet, a man, and a historical figure.
This episode tells the story of the momentous days and weeks immediately after the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith. Critical decisions were made and dramas played out that set the course of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for generations to come. Scholars interviewed include: Richard E. Bennett, William G. Hartley, Glen M. Leonard, Ronald K. Esplin, Susan Easton Black, Susan Sessions Rugh.
As with the ancients, the Latter-day Saints are a temple building people. First there was the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio where the Lord revealed himself. Then others were planned in Independence and Far West Missouri that the Saints were unable to complete. Then in October of 1840, the Prophet Joseph Smith announced they would build another Temple; this one in Nauvoo, Illinois. This episode tells the story of the Nauvoo Temple. Scholars interviewed include: Richard E. Bennett, William G. Hartley, Glen M. Leonard, Richard O. Cowan, Susan Easton Black, Don F. Colvin.
Brigham Young governed the LDS Church for 33 years - longer than any other man. He died August 29, 1877 in Salt Lake City, UT. This episode is the story of the legacy and last days of President Brigham Young.
President Gordon B. Hinckley called the First Vision "The hinge pin on which this whole cause turns....Everything turns on the reality of the First Vision." In this episode of History of the Saints we tell the story of that monumental and foundational theophany that is so important to Mormonism.
Young Joseph Smith read from the Bible in the spring of 1820 and the history of this world was indisputably and dramatically altered. It may be assumed that everyone in 1820 had a Bible and that it had always been there - and in English, but of course as this episode of History of the Saints will show that was not the case. This episode tells the story of the rise of the King James Bible from the original authors to the time of Joseph Smith.
Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "The Restoration of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in these latter days together with the advance preparation of conditions which made it possible, was indeed a divine drama which had many stages and many scenes, some of which were world shaking." What were some of those moments of providential history that prepared the way for the latter-day restoration? That is this episode of History of the Saints.
President Brigham Young said of Joseph Smith, "The Lord had his eyes upon him and upon his father and upon his father's father and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham... He has watched that family and that blood as it had circulated from its foundation to the birth of that man." (DBY 108) This episode of History of the Saints is about the ancestors of Joseph Smith and how that heritage influenced him.
Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack were married January 24, 1796 at Tunbridge, Vermont. They began their life together with a $1000 wedding present and part ownership of a "handsome" farm, but within a few years they had lost that farm. Those early New England years were difficult enough that by 1816 Father Smith would seek his fortunes in a new land. This is the story of the early years of the Smith family and those circumstances that took them to Palmyra, New York.
Palmyra, New York was first settled in 1789 and was called Swift's Landing after its founder, General John Swift. Then in 1796 the name was changed to Palmyra. By the summer of 1816, word had spread of cheap productive farmland in Palmyra. It was a place of promise and a thriving and growing community. The Smith's were settled in the village of Palmyra by the spring of 1817. This is the story of those early years in Palmyra leading up to the First Vision.
Joseph Smith said, "At about the age of twelve years my mind became seriously impressed with regard to the all important concerns for the welfare of my immortal soul, which led me to searching....I pondered many things in my heart concerning the situation of the world of mankind - the contentions and divisions." This episode of History of the Saints is about that world - the world of 1820, and how it led and prepared Joseph Smith for his experience in the Sacred Grove.
Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son in the spring of 1820 in answer to his earnest prayer. However, while it may have been the resolution for his personal crisis of faith it marked the beginning of the crisis of persecution that would follow him the rest of his life. This episode of History of the Saints deals with the aftermath of that Vision and what Joseph described as "the space of time which intervened between the time I had the Vision and the year, eighteen hundred and twenty-three."
September 21, 1823, 17-year old Joseph Smith Jr. learned from the angel Moroni of the ancient record buried in a hill not far from his home. He expected to receive that record when he went to the hill. He could not have known that it would take four years of instruction and intelligence before he would be able to receive it. This episode of History of the Saints tells the story of those years of preparation.
One of those whose contribution to the Restoration was incalculable was Emma Hale. A revelation, now known as Doctrine and Covenants 25, referred to her as "an elect lady whom I have called." Emma was Joseph Smith's wife, companion and confidant. This episode of History of the Saints is about her, her family, and those early years.
It was just after midnight on September 22, 1827, when Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma, journeyed to the Hill Cumorah and there Joseph received the Gold Plates from the angel Moroni. This episode deals with the story of those who tried every exertion to get the plates from Joseph.
By February 1828, Joseph and Emma Smith were living in Harmony, Pennsylvania on the Isaac Hale farm. Joseph had copied some of the characters from the Gold plates and by means of the Urim and Thummim had translated a few. This episode tells the story of Martin Harris coming to Harmony and taking a copy of some of the characters, with the translation thereof, and going to New York City to present them to the learned men.
In this episode of History of the Saints we tell the story of the Lost Manuscript of the Book of Mormon - the so-called 116 pages - the Book of Lehi. What happened and what did it mean?
It was in the evening of April 5, 1829 when two visitors came to the door of Joseph and Emma Smith's small cabin in Harmony, Pennsylvania. They had traveled 130 miles down from Manchester, New York in adverse weather. The two visitors were Samuel Harrison Smith, Joseph's younger brother and the other was 23-year old Oliver Cowdery. Oliver was coming as a man with a purpose. This episode of History of the Saints is the story of the early years of Oliver Cowdery.
It was Tuesday April 7, 1829, in Harmony, Pennsylvania when 23-year old Joseph Smith and 22-year old Oliver Cowdery began translating the gold plates delivered by the angel Moroni. By July 1st, a span of 85 days, they would produce the 588 pages of the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon. That is the story of the episode of History of the Saints.
Joseph Smith once said, [The Melchizedek Priesthood] "is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the Plan of Salvation, and every important matter is revealed from heaven." This episode of History of the Saints is about the restoration of the Priesthoods.
Joseph Smith completed the translation of the present Book of Mormon text between April 7, 1829 and July 1, 1829. When all things if its origins are considered, the Book of Mormon is a marvelous work and a wonder - indeed - a miracle. That is this episode of History of the Saints.
"Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom this work shall come, that we through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record....We beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes." So testified Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris - the Three Witnesses. This episode of History of the Saints is the story of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon.
From the very beginning it had been Joseph Smith's intent to publish the Book of Mormon to the world. There would be 5,000 copies of a book with more than 500 pages, bound in leather, and on frontier America that was a daunting and expensive undertaking. Who could they get to print it? This episode of History of the Saints tells that story.
It was August 1829 when Hyrum Smith, with Peter Whitmer Jr. acting as bodyguard, delivered 24 pages of the printer's manuscript of the Book of Mormon to the printing establishment of Egbert B. Grandin. And the work of printing the Book of Mormon began. It would take about seven months to print, but before it could be printed it had to be punctuated and paragraphed. This episode of History of the Saints is the story of the details in printing the Book of Mormon.
In a revelation to Joseph Smith in the summer of 1828, the Lord said, "If this generation harden not their hearts, I will establish my Church among them." The promise was that the Lord would restore his Church once more among them and Joseph and his brethren anxiously awaited that fulfillment. Then came Tuesday, April 6, 1830, and the formal organization of the Church. This episode tells that story.
In August 1829, Martin Harris, a prosperous Palmyra farmer, entered into an agreement with Egbert B. Grandin of Palmyra, a printer, that he would pay for the printing of 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon for $3,000, an enormous sum of money for the time and difficult to come by, and to secure that agreement Martin would put up his farm as collateral - all of it. And in the end Martin gave all of it for the Book of Mormon. This episode of History of the Saints is the story of Martin Harris and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.
On April 6, 1830, the Church of Christ was organized once again upon the earth. On the very day of that organization a revelation was received that outlined principles for the governing of the Church - Doctrine and Covenants 21. From that time forward revelations continued to come instructing the Saints on how the great Latter-day work was to be conducted. "In the revelations one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew," through his servant Joseph Smith, Jr. This episode of History of the Saints is about some of those early revelations.
Joseph Smith, Jr. had been raised in a Bible-reading family amid a Bible-fearing culture. Of course it was an integral part of his life. In the course of translating the Book of Mormon he learned that many plain and precious truths had been taken from the Bible and must needs be restored, and that is our story of this episode of History of the Saints.
It was September 1830 when Joseph Smith received a revelation that we now know as Section 28. In that revelation the Lord says to Oliver Cowdery, "And now behold I say unto you that you shall go unto the Lamanites and preach my Gospel unto them and inasmuch as they receive thy teachings thou shalt cause my Church to be established among them." This would prove to be the first missionary call of its kind - to a specific place for an extended period of time. This episode of History of the Saints is about that first historic missionary journey.
October 1830, Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Ziba Peterson, and Peter Whitmer, Jr., the four missionaries called to preach to the Lamanites, set out on their journey to Indian lands west of the Missouri River. Along the way they stopped in the Kirtland area of northern Ohio where they found thousands eager to hear them. They baptized more than 125 people - and then, by the end of November 1830, they were once more on their way west. This episode of History of the Saints is the story of their journey to and experiences among the Lamanites in Indian territory.
In 1843 in Nauvoo, Joseph Smith would say, "the main object of the gathering was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto his people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom." He was speaking of the Gathering. It was the winter of 1830-31, when the call was sounded for the saints in New York to gather "to the Ohio" that they might escape the power of the enemy. In this History of the Saints we will talk about that gathering - whey they were leaving New York, where they were going and how they got there.
This special edition of History of the Saints returns us to the Joseph Smith Papers. The Joseph Smith Papers have been called the single most historical project of our time. In those published volumes of all the known documents relating to the ministry of Joseph Smith the Prophet are published and explained. In this episode we feature Volume 1 of the Documents Series. In this landmark volume are published those documents from the Prophet's ministry from the earliest known in July 1828 through June 1831. Documents are critical to history, for if there are no documents there is not history, and if there is no history the people have no memory.
This special presentation of History of the Saints returns us once again to the Joseph Smith Papers for a glance into the newly released second volume of the Documents series. This volume begins in July 1831, with Joseph Smith deeply involved in founding the City of Zion in Jackson County, Missouri and carries us forward to January 1833 and the inauguration of the School of the Prophets in Kirtland. In between, the documents reveal the Prophet Joseph Smith overcoming opposition and struggling to lead an ever expanding Church. In November 1832, Joseph wrote to William W. Phelps and said "Brother William in the love of God... I will proceed to unfold to you some of the feelings of my heart." And that is what the documents in this volume do - unfold the Prophet's feelings in the midst of his brethren.
In 1987, President Ezra Taft Benson stated the following, "The Doctrine and Covenants brings men to Christ's kingdom, even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...The Book of Mormon is the 'keystpne' of our religion, the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone." [In Conference Report, April 1987, 105] In this episode of History of the Saints we will tell the story of the origins of the Doctrine and Covenants.
December 1832, the Lord commanded the Latter-day Saints to establish a house. By January 1836, the Kirtland House of the Lord was in the final stages of construction. Much effort and sacrifice had been expended to build it. The Prophet Joseph explained, "the house of the Lord must be prepared, and the solemn assembly called and organized in it according to the order of the House of God." The winter of 1835-1836 was a time of intense preparation for great things to come. This episode of History of the Saints is about that preparation and the commencement of what has come to be called a "Season of Pentecost."
In March of 1836 Elijah Abel was ordained an elder. Then in December 1836, he was ordained a seventy by Zegedee Coltrin. Elijah Abel was black. There have been black Latter-day saints from the beginning and there has never been a time since at least 1836, when there wasn't a man of African descent holding the priesthood. This episode of History of the Saints is about those first black saints and the priesthood.
To the Latter-day Saints the Book of Abraham is scripture. It is a record originating with the ancient Patriarch Abraham and translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith, beginning in 1835. And while there is much of the history of the Book of Abraham and how it came to be that we do not know, because a documentary record either does not exist or hasn't yet been found, there is much we do not know. This episode of the History of the Saints is about the origins of the Book of Abraham.
To the Latter-day Saints the temple is literally the house of God. It is a place of worship, of learning, of covenants. A place where ordinances manifest the power of godliness to men. The first temple constructed in this dispensation was the Kirtland House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio. In this episode of History of the Saints we will tell you the story of the day of dedication - Sunday, March 27, 1836.
Up until the dedication which took place on March 27, 1836, it was called the Kirtland House of the Lord. After the dedication it more commonly came to be known as the Kirtland Temple. This was a Pentecostal season for the Church - a time of Jubilee. Many saw visions and enjoyed marvelous spiritual gifts. And yet greater things lay in store. The Almighty had commanded the Church to call their solemn assembly where they might be endowed with power. This episode of History of the Saints tells the story of the Lord's coming to His temple.
Money! It requires money and resources to run a Church, and it seems in those early days there was never enough. Individuals such as Martin Harris, John Tanner, Polly Voce, Vienna Jacques, and others who generously contributed were a godsend in their time. This episode of History of the Saints is about the early financial concerns of the Church and particularly, the beginnings of the Kirtland Safety Society.
The Kirtland Safety Society was created by Joseph Smith and his associates to help with the Church's debts and to prosper the saints while building up Kirtland. In its establishment they followed the banking precedents and protocols of the day. They began selling stock in October of 1836 and it was originally incorporated on November 2, 1836. There were great hopes that this would bring a measure of financial independence and prosperity to the Saints. But of course, as we shall show, opposition arose almost from the bank's inception.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a missionary-minded Church and has been from the beginning. It was in the Kirtland period that missionary endeavors became more formalized and empowered. In this episode of History of the Saints we will talk about some of those early missionaries, where they served, and the impact of their work.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a divine mandate to take the restored gospel into all the world, and it is the Quorum of the Twelve who hold those keys to unlock the doors of nations. June 4, 1837, Joseph Smith the Prophet approached Heber C. Kimball in the Kirtland Temple and said, "The Spirit of the Lord has whispered to me, 'Let my servant Heber go to England and proclaim my gospel and open the door of salvation to that nation." Though Heber struggled mightily to feel worthy of the call he had received, nonetheless, on June 11 he met with the First Presidency and was set apart as the first Latter-day Saint missionary to travel abroad. Orson Hyde, Willard Richards and others would accompany him. They departed June 13, 1837 for New York. This episode of History of the Saints tells the story of that first mission to England.
In 1831, The Almighty had said, "I, the Lord, will retain a stronghold in the land of Kirtland for five years." By the summer of 1837, that time was past and there were problems for the Church in Kirtland and more especially for the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is hard to say what or who was to blame but one thing is fairly certain - the Kirtland Safety Society seemed to be the catalyst. This episode of History of the Saints is about the last days of the Church in Kirtland.
In the fall of 1834 a small army of Latter-day Saints led by the Prophet Joseph Smith attempted to restore the saints to their land in Jackson County. Those efforts proved futile. Then in April 1838, Joseph Smith fled Kirtland and went to the newly founded Latter-day Saint settlement of Far West in northern Missouri. How did Far West come to be? What happened in that interim time between the forced exodus of Jackson County and the saint's settlement of Caldwell County? That is this episode of History of the Saints.
The Latter-day Saints were driven from Jackson County, Missouri in 1833 by violent mobs. They remained in Clay County, Missouri until July 1836 when they began purchasing land in northern Missouri. The when the citizens of Clay County ordered the Mormons out in the summer of 1836, the Saints began moving north onto new and open land that would become Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman. Caldwell County was created in December 1836 by the Missouri legislature as a place set aside for the Mormons. This episode of History of the SAints tells the fascinating story of the founding of Far West, and those first dramatic months.
Far West, Missouri was settled by the Latter-day Saints beginning in 1836. It became the headquarters of the Church in March 1838 when the First Presidency located there from Kirtland, Ohio. And though it is startling how little remains today of the Saint's presence there, yet many gathered there and Far West was an important period of Church history, albeit brief.
Far West, Missouri was first surveyed in 1823, and inhabited by white men in 1831. By 1836, the Latter-day Saints had purchased this area and changed the name from Shoal Creek to Far West. And while this place is often remembered as a place of great trial and terrible suffering, there were many wonderful things that happened here worth remembering. In this episode of History of the Saints we will tell what some of those things are.
Far West, Missouri.... The Lord called this land Zion (D&C 117:9). When you look out across this beautiful landscape it is hard to imagine that 5,000 to 8,000 Latter-day Saints once lived here. This is by the Lord's own declaration, a holy land where great things are yet to happen. In this episode we will tell you more of the wonderful things that happened here, such as the revelations received here and the beginning of the official history of the Church.
Adam-ondi-Ahman is one of those rare places on earth rich with history that has happened and will yet happen. It is a history that reaches back to the days of Father Adam, forward into the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and into the future when a great meeting will be convened here in preparation for the Lord's Second Coming. In this episode of History of the Saints we will tell you the fascinating story of this place of disarming wonder.
In an editorial dated May 4, 1838, Joseph Smith and his brethren said this, "In this place, the church is as pleasantly situated as could be expected...few people on earth have endured the same degree of persecution, with the same patience. Nothing discouraged by the great afflictions and tribulations which they have had to endure for Christ's sake. They united with all their powers, to turn a solitary place into a fruitful field." Indeed, the Latter-day Saints in Far West, Missouri were pleasantly situated in the summer of 1838. It was observed that as if by magic they had converted the wild prairies into cultivated fields. But the peace and prosperity of the Saints was about to change.
Notwithstanding the saints had prospered in northern Missouri in the summer of 1838, it had come at a price. Certain old settlers in Missouri, especially in Daviess County resented their presence and made it known. This episode of History of the Saints is about that rising anger and those events that put the match to the tinder.
It was August 6, 1838, when Latter-day Saints were attacked in the small community of Gallatin, Missouri while trying to vote in local elections. This event marked the beginning of open hostilities that had been brewing throughout much of the state. It would eventually erupt in war between the Latter-day Saints as a religious body and the organized and legally constituted militia forces of the State of Missouri. In this episode of History of the Saints we will tell you the story of the siege of DeWitt.
By October 1838, conflict between Mormons and non-Mormons in northwest Missouri had reached a fever pitch. Armed aggressions against the Saints had placed them in an awful predicament. If they turned the other cheek they would be mobbed and driven as had been proved out in DeWitt, but if they fought in defense of their rights, families, and property, they risked the loss of good will among those not sympathetic to the mob, and the anger of the entire state would be arrayed against them. And again, they would likely still lose their homes and property. Both the Book of Mormon and the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants revealed not only were they justified in fighting in defense of their families and homes, but it was their sacred duty. Looking back, they had lost property in New York, Ohio, and in other parts of Missouri. The question - after all we have endured do we at last stand and fight for what is ours or do we walk away? This episode of History of the Saints tells the story of the Battle of Crooked River.
It was at Hawn's Mill, Missouri that there occurred one of the worst atrocities in Mormon history, and when considering the modern descendants of those who once lived here, it is a story too often critically misunderstood. This episode of History of the Saints is about the massacre and martyrdom at Hawn's Mill.
October 1838, Governor Lilburn W. Boggs was in Jefferson City, Missouri receiving reports of hostilities between Mormons and non-Mormons in northern Missouri. It had become so bad that he had called out the state militia to restore peace. Then October 27, he received word from harried messengers of the battle of Crooked River in which it was reported that the Mormons had attacked and slaughtered an entire company of Missouri Militia, and that volunteers were needed to "stop the devastation which is menaced by these infuriated fanatics." For Boggs, it was enough. It was deemed "an outrage beyond all belief," and the Governor would act accordingly, and thence would come Executive Order #44 - The infamous Extermination Order, and from it would come terrible consequences. This episode of History of the Saints tells the story of the fall of Far West.
Joseph Smith and his brethren were betrayed and arrested on October 31, 1838. That night they were court martialed and sentenced to be shot the next day. Alexander Doniphan refused to obey that order and those men would live. This episode of History of the Saints tells that story of Joseph Smith's journey to the doors of the jail at Liberty, Clay County, MIssouri.
It was November 1838 when Circuit Court Judge Austin A. King bound over Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight, Sidney Rigdon, Caleb Baldwin, and Alexander McRae to the county jail in Liberty, Clay County Missouri. They entered the jail on December 1, 1838 and would remain until April 6, 1839. Meanwhile, the saints were driven from the state by the authority of the Governor’s extermination order. In this episode of History of the Saints we will tell the story of Liberty Jail.
The city of Far West is under siege. Missouri militia forces have occupied the city. Joseph Smith and a number of other men have been arrested and carried south. Those men remaining have been humiliated and illegally forced to surrender their arms. Those in the outlying areas have been ordered to gather into Far West, and, they have been ordered to leave the State. This episode of History of the Saints is the story of the forced exodus of the Mormons from northern Missouri in the winter of 1838-39.
It was December 1, 1838 when Joseph Smith and others were locked in the jail at Liberty, Clay County, Missouri. They were being held, pending a hearing to determine their guilt, in a dungeon cell 14 feet square. It was a miserable, filthy place; anything but a temple in environment, yet out of it came, in the end, things most holy. This episode of History of the Saints is our final chapter in the story of Liberty Jail. We begin January 25, 1839, when the prisoners were brought before Judge Joel Turnham on the strength of a writ of habeas corpus.
Fayette, Kirtland, Independence, Far West, Nauvoo—all of these were at one time or another, Church centers. There is, however, another center that is seldom discussed, and that because the Saints were there for only a short time—Quincy, Illinois. This episode is about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Quincy, Illinois. We begin with the story of Levi Hancock, one of the last to leave Missouri in the winter of 1839.
While Joseph Smith was a prisoner in Liberty Jail there was a serious effort mounted to persuade the Latter-day Saints never to gather again but to spread out in the town and villages along the Mississippi River, mix with the people, read their Book of Mormon and be good saints, but do not gather. Every time we do,’ was the thought, ‘our enemies come upon us.’ But Joseph and the Almighty felt differently. The Lord has always and will always gather his people to bestow upon them his greatest blessings. This episode of History of the Saints is about the gathering of the Latter-day Saints to Hancock County, Illinois and the tiny village of Commerce that would become the mighty city of Nauvoo.
The area that would become Nauvoo was, in the summer of 1839 a swampy, mosquito infested, overgrown bottom land. It was a deathly sickly hole,” Joseph called it. Most became ill, and many died. It was at this time that the power of the Almighty was made manifest in a most remarkable way.
A little known but very important episode in Latter-day Saint History– It was November 29, 1838 when Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet entered the White House in Washington D.C. and stood before United States President Martin Van Buren and presented him with letters of introduction and a plea for help. This episode of History of the Saints is about that meeting—why was Joseph there and what happened.
November 29, 1839, Washington DC, Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee meet with United States President Martin Van Buren and request his help in obtaining some form of redress from losses in the State of Missouri. Van Buren reportedly rebuffs their request. They then turn their efforts toward allies in Congress. This is that story.
There are events in the course of history that look small and insignificant to mortal eyes, but in the eternal perspective are of much greater import. When we talk about historical happenings that had far-reaching impact on the course of the Church and its forward progress, surely the mission of the Quorum of the Twelve to England in 1840-41 is one of those. This episode of History of the Saints is about that mission and those many struggles of the apostles to even reach England.
John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff arrived in Liverpool January 11, 1840. They went out and began to labor. Then on April 6, 1840 five other members of the Twelve Apostles arrived. A conference was called for April 15 in Preston and from there the apostles went to work. In this episode of History of the Saints we will talk about their time in England—where they served, what was accomplished, and the lasting impact their service would have.
While most of the Quorum of the Twelve was in the British Isles laboring as missionaries, two members—Orson Hyde and John E Page, were assigned to a different field of labor. They were called to preach to the Jews and dedicate the land of Palestine for the return of the Jews. This episode of History of the Saints is about that one of the two who answered that call– Orson Hyde.
May 4, 1842 on the upper floor of Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Joseph administered the first temple endowments of this dispensation. In this episode of History of the Saints we will discuss the historical events of the restoration of the Endowment, bearing in mind the sacred nature of the subject.
It was January 19, 1841 when Joseph Smith received a revelation. In that revelation the Lord declared, “I command you, all ye my saints, to build a house unto me.” The cornerstone ceremony was held on April 6, 1841 and from that point forward the saints labored to complete it. Joseph Smith yearned for its completion. He would not live to see it. This episode of History of the Saints is about the beginnings of the Nauvoo Temple.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the ancient Church of Christ restored anew in this modern day, along with all of the necessary doctrines, keys, and authorities also restored that work for the saving of mankind. With all that had been restored by 1842 there were still things coming through the Prophet Joseph Smith of monumental importance, such as temple ordinances and the organization of the women of the Church. This episode of History of the Saints is about the prophetic beginnings of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo.
First extermination and then extradition. Relations between the Mormons and the state of Missouri did not improve once the saints were driven out. There were deep animosities on both sides and both sides continued to pursue what they considered as justice. In the case of the Mormons it was redress and restitution. In the case of Missouri it was to extradite Joseph, in other words, take him back to Missouri to be dealt with. This episode of History of the Saints begins the story of the three attempts of the state of Missouri to extradite Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet.
In our last episode we discussed the State of Missouri's attempt to extradite the Prophet Joseph Smith and get him back across the River. Joseph maintained that there would be no justice for him in Missouri and if he was ever taken back he would be murdered. Missouri failed in it's first attempt but they persisted relentlessly in pursuing the Prophet - two more times - and that is the story of this episode of History of the Saints.
One of the most controversial and difficult principles ever revealed and restored by the Almighty was plural marriage. And while monogamy was and is the Lord's standard in marriage there was a time when plural marriage was commanded to be practiced by the Latter-day Saints. This episode of History of the Saints tells the story of plural marriage in Nauvoo.
Plural marriage or bigamy was against the law in Illinois in the 1840's. Because of that Joseph implemented the commandment to practice plural marriage in the strictest confidentiality, and then only to those he could trust.
The Latter-day Saints had been repeatedly denied protection and redress by officers of government at all levels, and the newest crop of presidential candidates in 1844 promised not to do any better. Therefore, Joseph Smith allowed himself to be declared a candidate for President of the United States in 1844. With such matters upon his mind, we come to March 11, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois, Joseph Smith organized a council that he and others saw as the beginning of the government of the literal kingdom of God on earth. The council, known as the Council of the Kingdom of God, or, as more commonly called, The Council of Fifty, because it had roughly fifty members, operated under the Prophet's direction until his martyrdom less than four months later. Why was it formed? To protect the rights of all men!
The winter and spring of 1843-44 was a difficult time in Nauvoo. The enemies of Joseph Smith and the saints were closing in and gaining power. Joseph knew his time was at hand, that he would not live to see age 40. Knowing this, the Prophet met frequently with members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to instruct them and give them the keys necessary to carry on. It was in such a meeting in March 1844, that the Prophet charged the Twelve with their priorities to govern the Church after his death, explaining that he had conferred upon them all the ordinances, authority, and keys necessary to do so, "I roll the burden and responsibility of leading this church off from my shoulders on to yours. Now, round up your shoulders and stand under it like men; for the Lord is going to let me rest awhile." This episode of History of the Saints is about the martyrdom on Joseph Smith.
