History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 177
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<​June 27​> duce excitement during the ’s visit. He was specially charged to use all the influence he possessed to have the brethren and friends of Joseph remain perfectly calm and quiet inasmuch as they respected the feelings and well being of their Prophet and . Said Joseph;
“our lives have already become jeopardized by revealing the wicked and blood thirsty purposes of our enemies; and for the future we must cease to do so; all we have said about them is truth, but it is not always wise to relate all the truth. Even Jesus the son of God had to refrain from doing so, and to restrain his feelings many times for the safety of himself and followers, and had to conceal the righteous purposes of his heart in relation to many things pertaining to his father’s kingdom. When quite a boy he had all the intelligence necessary to enable him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom he possessed; but he was a boy only, and lacked physical strength even to defend his own person, and was subject to cold, to hunger, and to death. So it is with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; we have the revelation of Jesus, and the knowledge within us is sufficient to organize a righteous government upon the earth, and to give universal peace to all mankind if they would receive it; but we lack the physical strength as did our Savior when a child, to defend our principles, and we have of necessity to be afflicted, persecuted, and smitten, and to [HC 6:608] bear it patiently until Jacob is of age; then he will take care of himself.”
took a list of witnesses names that were wanted for the expected trial on Saturday. When the list was read over a number of names were stricken out, among whom were and <​others​>, it being deemed <​by ​> unnecessary for them to attend. Bro Joseph asked the reason why they should not come. answered, “they may be very good men, but they don’t know enough to answer a question properly.” Bro. Joseph remarked “that is a sufficient reason.”
The prisoners also sent many verbal messages to their families; they were so numerous that proposed writing them all down, fearing might forget; but fastened his eyes upon him, and with a look of penetration said, “ will remember all that we tell him, and he will never forget the occurrences of this day.”
Joseph related the following dream which he had last night:
“I was back in , Ohio, and thought I would take a walk out by myself, and view my old farm, which I found grown up with weeds and brambles, and altogether bearing evidence of neglect and want of culture. I went into the barn which I found without floor or doors, with the weather boarding off, and was altogether in keeping with the farm. While I viewed the desolation around me, and was contemplating how it might be recovered from the curse upon it, there came rushing into the barn a company of furious men, who commenced to pick a quarrel with me. The leader of the party ordered me to leave the barn and <​the​> farm, stating it was none of mine, and that I must give up all hope of ever possessing it. I told him the farm was given me by the Church, and [HC 6:609] although I had not had any use of it for some time back, still I had not sold it, and according to [p. 177]
June 27 duce excitement during the ’s visit. He was specially charged to use all the influence he possessed to have the brethren and friends of Joseph remain perfectly calm and quiet inasmuch as they respected the feelings and well being of their Prophet and . Said Joseph;
“our lives have already become jeopardized by revealing the wicked and blood thirsty purposes of our enemies; and for the future we must cease to do so; all we have said about them is truth, but it is not always wise to relate all the truth. Even Jesus the son of God had to refrain from doing so, and to restrain his feelings many times for the safety of himself and followers, and had to conceal the righteous purposes of his heart in relation to many things pertaining to his father’s kingdom. When quite a boy he had all the intelligence necessary to enable him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom he possessed; but he was a boy only, and lacked physical strength even to defend his own person, and was subject to cold, to hunger, and to death. So it is with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; we have the revelation of Jesus, and the knowledge within us is sufficient to organize a righteous government upon the earth, and to give universal peace to all mankind if they would receive it; but we lack the physical strength as did our Savior when a child, to defend our principles, and we have of necessity to be afflicted, persecuted, and smitten, and to [HC 6:608] bear it patiently until Jacob is of age; then he will take care of himself.”
took a list of witnesses names that were wanted for the expected trial on Saturday. When the list was read over a number of names were stricken out, among whom were and others, it being deemed by unnecessary for them to attend. Bro Joseph asked the reason why they should not come. answered, “they may be very good men, but they don’t know enough to answer a question properly.” Bro. Joseph remarked “that is a sufficient reason.”
The prisoners also sent many verbal messages to their families; they were so numerous that proposed writing them all down, fearing might forget; but fastened his eyes upon him, and with a look of penetration said, “ will remember all that we tell him, and he will never forget the occurrences of this day.”
Joseph related the following dream which he had last night:
“I was back in , Ohio, and thought I would take a walk out by myself, and view my old farm, which I found grown up with weeds and brambles, and altogether bearing evidence of neglect and want of culture. I went into the barn which I found without floor or doors, with the weather boarding off, and was altogether in keeping with the farm. While I viewed the desolation around me, and was contemplating how it might be recovered from the curse upon it, there came rushing into the barn a company of furious men, who commenced to pick a quarrel with me. The leader of the party ordered me to leave the barn and the farm, stating it was none of mine, and that I must give up all hope of ever possessing it. I told him the farm was given me by the Church, and [HC 6:609] although I had not had any use of it for some time back, still I had not sold it, and according to [p. 177]
Page 177