READINGS  IN  EARLY  MORMON  HISTORY
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Springfield, Sangamon Co.

The Sangamo Journal
1841 Articles


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Vol. X. No. 10.                     Springfield, Illinois, January 1, 1841.                     S. Francis.



We would suggest a course for the payment of those men who served against the Mormons. Let those honest individuals who seized upon the property of the Mormons, and who entered their lands and valuable town sites, at $1.25 per acre, be compelled to raise the means to pay the troops; and then let the State have generosity -- no, not generosity -- but justice enough to remunerate the Mormons from their State Treasury for the property of which they were despoiled by the authority of the State. If justice be done, this will be the result.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Vol. X. No. 13.                     Springfield, Illinois, January 19, 1841.                     S. Francis.



"THE  MORMONS."

While Col. Benton, in the Senate of the U. States, is endeavoring to procure an appropriation to pay the troops who served against the Mormons in Missouri, two individuals of that persecuted people have petitioned the House for relief from the outrages committed upon them, and the Mormons generally, by these same troops. The memorial of the Mormons alluded to -- Messrs. Elias Higbey and Rob't. B. Thompson -- states that "they have purchased lands of the general government, lying in the State of Missouri, from which they have been driven with force by the constituted authorities of that State, and prevented from occupying the same" -- (embracing details of the measures employed vy the State for that purpose) -- "for which they pray Congress to provide a remedy." -- This petition was laid before the House on the 21st of December, referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and ordered to be printed. We have received a copy of this document from our Representative -- and as it gives authentic details of the transaction to which it refers, is a document of more than general interest."


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Vol. X. No. 19.                     Springfield, Illinois, February 9, 1841.                     S. Francis.



"NAUVOO."

This city is thus described by a writer in the Upper Mississippian:

This city in the north-western part of Hancock county, Illinois, and was formerly known by the name of Commerce, but has recently received a city charter by the name of Nauvoo, the name given by the Mormons. The town is situated upon a slightly inclined plain, or piece of ground, of from one to two miles in extent, projecting westward into the Mississippi, somewhat in the shape of a man's arm, half bent; presenting a fine appearance for some miles above and below the town. Since the Mormons, or 'Latter Day Saints,' (as they call themselves) were so wantonly driven from their homes and estates in Missouri, by an armed mob, under the excited authorities of that State, these persecuted people have settled in this town, and the adjacent country upon both sides of the Mississippi -- and added from 72 to 100 buildings, mostly neat and painted, spread over a large extent of ground, and covering the plain to the bluffs in the rear. These numerous new, bright looking buildings, scattered about amongst the trees and shrubbery which abound here, present, in warm weather, a delightful appearance. -- Under the shade of some beautiful shrubbery near the river's brink, seats are erected for the accommodation of the society, at their religious meetings. The spot selected is favorable to a calm and serene temper, and a devotional frame of mind.

Nauvoo is said to have a population of about 3000 inhabitants some 300 buildings, several small traders, Tavern keepers, Physicians, and various kinds of mechanics and laborers: and some water craft, among which is a small steam-boat called Nauvoo. The landing, soil and timber about the town, are favorable to its future growth of this interesting and growing town. It has a fine country in its rear, and if too many frones and rogues do not creep in among these generally quiet, industrious and economical people, we may expect to see a very considerable city built up here -- particularly as many of this sect in Europe, are now known to be about removing to this country -- and indeed some two hundred have already arrived at Nauvoo, and the vicinity. Mr. Smith is reported to have said that it is destined to be the largest city in the world! It is some 18 miles above Warsaw, and 6 or 8 below Fort Madison.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Vol. X. No. 22.                     Springfield, Illinois, February 25, 1841.                     S. Francis.



Gen. J. C. Bennet, has been elected Mayor of Nauvoo, under the late act incorporating that city.

Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Vol. X. No. 43.                     Springfield, Illinois, June 18, 1841.                     Whole 511.



The last Register has a long article against the Mormons; not in direct terms, it is true, but still in language that cannot be misunderstood. If not, why does that paper attack Mr. Syuart for being willing to do them an act of injustice. The Mormons have been driven from Missouri and under such circumstances that they thought it their duty to make application to Congress for redress. They are consitituents of Mr. Stuart who was bound, as their Representative to prefer their claims before Congress. Yet for doing this plain act of duty, the Register reads him a lecture. That paper says, "Let Mr. Stuart beware that he does not dig a pit for himself to fall into." Is Mr. Stuart to dig a pit for himself by doing a simple act of justice to a portion of his constituents?

The object of the Register cannot be misunderstood. It is to drag the Mormons into this political contest, thinking by exciting prejudice against them among the citizens of the State, that they may gain votes against Mr. Stuart, because HE HAS BEEN A FRIEND TO THE MORMONS. It seems ominous that this paragraph in the Register make its appearance about the same time that Gov. Carlin is making a movement at Quincy against the Mormons. Is there a concerted movement with the Register and its friends to get up anotehr Mormon war in order to make political capital? If so, we depreciate it. We will ever regrat to see any sect in religion drawn into the political contest of the day. We would be sorry to see prejudice for or against any sect for party purposes -- and for this reason we depreciate this movement of the Register against the Mormons. The creed they believe may be wrong, but in this free country they have the right to worship their Maker in any form their consciences may approve. Their belief is a question between them and their God, and with them as a sect the Register has no right to interfere. Why, then, do they seek to draw them into a party struggle?


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Vol. X. No. 52.                     Springfield, Illinois, August 20, 1841.                     Whole 520.



As the Register seems desirous to misrepresent the facts in relation to the Mormon vote in Hancock county, we will state -- that there were two tickets run for County Commissioner and School Commissioner in that county -- one by the Mormons and the other by the "anti-Mormons." Wilton, the anti-Mormon candidate for Co. Commissioner, received 861 votes -- and his opponent Bagley, 847. (It was supposed that almost the entire mormon vote was cast at Nauvoo, which gave Stuart 448 and Ralston 16). It is not believed that the vote for County Commissioner exhibits the strength of the mormon vote in Hancock -- many persons, not of the mormon faith, having voted for Bagley; but on this point we have no certain knowledge."


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Vol. X. No. 13.                     Springfield, Illinois, November 19, 1841.                     Whole 533.



"THE  TIMES  AND  SEASONS."

This is a monthly publication, issued at Nauvoo, and devoted to the interests of "the Latter Day Saints." From the last number we make a few extracts:

"The brethren are here notified, that our well beloved brother, Hyrum Smith, Patriarch of the church, has erected a comfortable office, opposite his dwelling house, where himself together with his scribe and recorder (James Sloan,) will attend regularly every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, during the entire day, or upon any other day, if urgent circumstances require it, to perform the duties of his high and holy calling.

A copy of the blessings can be received immediately after being pronounced, so that the brethren who live at a distance can have it to take with them."

It appears that the Mormons at Kirtland, Ohio, are about establishing a press at that place, and also design establishing themselves there permanently. Im reference to this matter, the "Times and Seasons," published the following communicatiuon from the "patriarch of the whole church."

"All the saints that dwell in that land are commanded to come away, for this is, 'Thus saith the Lord;' therefore pay out no monies nor properties for houses, nor lands, in that country, for if you do, you will lose them; for the time shall come that you shall not possess them in peace; but shall be scourged with a sore scourge; yet your children may possess them; but not until many years shall pass away; and; as to the organization of that branch of the church, it is not according to the spirit and will of God: and as to the designs of the leading members of that branch relative to the printing press, and the ordaining of Elders, and sending out Elders to beg for the poor, are not according to the will of God; and in these things they shall not prosper, for they have neglected the House of the Lord, the Baptismal Font, in this place, wherein their dead may be redeemed, and the key of knowledge that unfolds the dispensation of the fullness of times may be turned, and the mysteries of God be unfolded, upon which their salvation and the salvation of the world, and the redemption of their dead depends, for 'Thus saith the Lord,' 'there shall not be a general assembly for a general conference assembled together until the House of the Lord shall be finished, and the Baptismal Font, and if we are not diligent the church shall be rejected, and their dead also,' 'saith the Lord,' therefore, dear Brother, any proceedings otherwise than to put forth their hands with their might to do this work, is not according to the will of God, and shall not prosper; therefore tarry, not in any place whatever, but come forth unto this place from all the world, until it is filled up and polished, and sanctified according to my word, saith the Lord, come ye forth from the ends of the earth, that I may hide you from mine indignation that shall scourge the wicked, and then I will send forth and build up Kirtland, and it shall be polished and refined according to my word; therefore, your doings and your organizations, and designs in printing, or any of your councils, are not of me, saith the Lord, even so, Amen
             HYRUM SMITH,
             Patriarch for the whole church."


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Vol. X. No. 17.                     Springfield, Illinois, December 17, 1841.                     Whole 537.



"THE  DEMOCRATIC  STATE  CONVENTION."

Met in this city on Monday last...

"Jo Smith" was nominated, we suppose to cast ridicule upon the Mormons. The delegate who put him in nomination would neither vote for nor withdraw him.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 
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