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Discourse, 6 May 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards

Source Note

JS, Discourse, [, IL, 6 May 1843]. Featured version inscribed [ca. 6 May 1843] in JS, Journal, 1842–1844, bk. 2, p. [193]; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS, Journal, 1842–1844.

Historical Introduction

At a parade of the on 6 May 1843 near , Illinois, JS delivered a discourse on the rights of innocent sufferers. Legion regulations required the city militia to hold a “general parade” each May and September “in, or near the City of Nauvoo.” At 9:30 a.m., JS, as the legion’s lieutenant general, rode on horseback in front of the marching troops, who were accompanied by the legion band. A group of twelve women, led by JS’s wife , rode horseback in the parade. The procession marched to the open prairie near JS’s , approximately three miles east of Nauvoo. Despite cold and windy weather, the troops performed evolutions, or drills, and presented their uniforms, arms, and other equipment for inspection. Brigadier General of the territorial militia and two unnamed Army officers were present. The two officers reportedly “expressed great satisfaction” with the legion’s “appearance and evolutions.”
JS gave his short discourse in the early afternoon. He recounted previous petitions to government officials for protection from vigilante oppression and responses from officials stating that they had no power to protect the Saints. JS condemned such responses and vowed to defend the innocent. According to , JS delivered his remarks “with warmth & lively feeling.” Around 2:00 p.m., the legion disbanded and returned to .
JS’s scribe wrote an account of the discourse in JS’s journal. The account’s retrospective language indicates that it was written after the fact, possibly at JS’s dictation. , Willard’s brother, also wrote an account of the discourse, presumably after the fact from notes taken at the time or from memory or both. Both accounts are featured here.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 12 Mar. 1842, 12.

    Nauvoo Legion Minute Book, 1843–1844. Nauvoo Legion, Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430, fd. 1.

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 6 May 1843.

  3. [3]

    “Military,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 10 May 1843, [2].

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  4. [4]

    JS, Journal, 6 May 1843; “Military,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 10 May 1843, [2]; Levi Richards, Journal, 6 May 1843.

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

    Richards, Levi. Journals, 1840–1853. Levi Richards, Papers, 1837–1867. CHL. MS 1284, box 1.

  5. [5]

    Levi Richards, Journal, 6 May 1843.

    Richards, Levi. Journals, 1840–1853. Levi Richards, Papers, 1837–1867. CHL. MS 1284, box 1.

  6. [6]

    JS, Journal, 6 May 1843.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Discourse, 6 May 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards
Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 2, 10 March 1843–14 July 1843 *Discourse, 6 May 1843, as Reported by Levi Richards History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [193]

In my remark told the . when we have petitiond those in power to for assistance they have always told us they had no power to help us, damn such power.— when they give me power to protect the innocent <​I will never say I can do nothing​>. I will ex[er]cise that power <​for their good.—​>— So help me God. [p. [193]]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page [193]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Discourse, 6 May 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards
ID #
1060
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D12:279–280
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    By this time, church leaders and members had petitioned state and national leaders several times in an unsuccessful effort to receive compensation for property losses stemming from vigilante violence against church members in Missouri during 1833 and 1838–1839. (See, for example, “To His Excellency, Daniel Dunkin,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Dec. 1833, 114–115; Sidney Gilbert et al., Liberty, MO, to Andrew Jackson, Washington DC, 10 Apr. 1834, William W. Phelps, Collection of Missouri Documents, CHL; Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840; and Elias Higbee et al., Memorial to Congress, 10 Jan. 1842, photocopy, Material relating to Mormon Expulsion from Missouri, CHL.)

    The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.

    Phelps, William W. Collection of Missouri Documents, 1833–1837. CHL. MS 657.

    Material Relating to Mormon Expulsion from Missouri, 1839–1843. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2145.

  2. [2]

    In 1839, JS met with United States president Martin Van Buren to seek support for the church’s memorial to Congress asking for redress of losses incurred in the 1838 Missouri conflict. Van Buren reportedly responded, “What can I do? I can do nothing for you,— if I do any thing, I shall come in contact with the whole State of Missouri.” (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839; see also McBride, “When Joseph Smith Met Martin Van Buren,” 150–158.)

    McBride, Spencer W. Pulpit and Nation: Clergymen and the Politics of Revolutionary America. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2017.

  3. [3]

    On 11 March 1843, JS reported having a dream in which a man came to him, stating that a “mob force” was going to attack him and requesting JS’s protection. JS asked for documentation that the mob was the aggressor and promised to “raise a force sufficent for his protection.” (JS, Journal, 11 Mar. and 2 Apr. 1843.)

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