Discourse, 26 May 1844, as Compiled by Leo Hawkins

Source Note

JS, Discourse,
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Hancock Co., IL, 26 May 1844; handwriting of
Leo Hawkins
19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...
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with insertions by
Thomas Bullock
23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...
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and Jonathan Grimshaw; dockets in handwriting of Robert L. Campbell and Jonathan Grimshaw; nine pages; JS Collection, CHL.

Document Transcript

Sermon of Joseph the Proph[et]

May 26 1844

Augt. 26th & 27th 1843

Conference Minutes—

May 26. 1844. 10 A.M.

Prest. J. Smith read 11th Ch 2nd Corinthians. My object is to let you know that I am right here on the spot <where> I intend to stay. I, like Paul have been in perils— and oftener than any one in this generation— as Paul boasted— I have suffered more than Paul did— I should be like a fish out of water if I were out of persecution; and <perhaps my brethren think> it requires all this to keep me humble— the Lord has constituted me so curiously that I glory in persecution;— I am not near so humble as if I was not persecuted. If oppression will make a wise man mad, much more a fool.— If they want a beardless boy to whip all the world, I will get on the top of a mountain and crow like a rooster; I shall always beat them— when facts are proved, truth and innocence will prevail at last. My enemies are no philosophers; they think that when they have my spoke under, they will keep me down— but for the fools, I will hold on, and fly over them. God is in the still small voice— in all these affidavits, indictments it is all of the devil— all corruption. Come on ye prosecutors, ye false swearers, all hell boil over, ye burning mountains roll down your lava, for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had [p. [1]]

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I am the only man that ever has been able to keep a whole <church> together since the days of Adams— a <large> majority of the whole have stood by me:— <neither> Paul, John, Peter <n>or Jesus never did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as me— the followers of Jesus ran away from him, the Latter Day Saints never ran away from me yet. You know my daily walk and conversation. I am in the bosom of a virtuous and good family <people>. How I do love to hear the wolves howl: when they can get rid of me, the devil will also go. For the last three years I have a record of all my acts and proceedings <for I have kept several good <faithful> and efficient Clerks in constant employ, they have accompanied me every where & carefully kept my history, and they have written down what I have done, where I have been & what I have said>. they <therefore my enemies> cannot charge me with any day or time <or place but what I have written testimony, to prove my actions, and my enemies>— for <&> they cannot prove any thing against me. They have got wonderful things in the Land of Ham. I think the grand Jury have strained at a gnat and swallowed the camel. A man named says I made <an> affidavits against him &c says I arrested him. I never arrested in my life. He says I made <an> affidavits against him. I never made an affidavits against him in my life. I will prove it at <in> Court. <I will tell you how it was:> last winter I got ready with my children to go to the , to kill hogs. was going to drive. An Englishman came in and [p. [2]]

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wanted a private conversation <with me>. I <told him I> dont <did not> want any private conversations I demand one of you, such an one I am bound to obey any how. Said he I want a warrant against the man who stabbed brr. ; he said it was a man who boarded at ’s. He said it was . It answered his description. I said I have <had> no jurisdiction out of the . He said the man must be arrested, or else he will go away. <I told him:> “You must go to , or .” stepped up and said I am a policeman. I jumped into my carriage and away I went. When I came back, I met . He said you did wrong in arresting . I told him I did not do it. I went over and sat down, and said related the circumstances. He turned round and said Mr Smith I have nothing against you, I am satisfied. He went and supped with me.— He declared in the presence of witnesses that he had nothing against me. I then said I will go over to <> , and testify what the Englishman told me. I told him not to make out that I believe he is the man, but that I believe he is innocent. I don’t want to swear that he is the man , , Hatfield and were present. [p. [3]]

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made made one out in due form, and as I sat down in a bustle the same as I do when one of the Clerks bring a deed for me to sign— read it. I said I can’t swear to that affidavit— I don’t believe it, tear up that paper. agreed to come before and make it up. I did not swear to it. After a while and others came in— they called me up to testify. I told it all, the same as I do here. rose up— <and asked> “do you believe now that I am the man who stabbed .” I replied [“]No sir, I do not now, nor ever did; the magistrate says I did not swear to it.” He considered, and made a public declaration that he was satisfied with me. went before the Grand Jury and swore <that> I did not swear to it: when goes and swears that I swore to it, and that he was in the room— when he was not in, wanted me to stay and have a conversation, asked for the writ and affidavit. He handed them to who read them, and then threw them into the fire. I said you ought not to have burned it, it was my paper. goes to the Grand Jury and swears he did not burn only one <but I say he burnt both>. He [p. [4]]

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burned both. This is a fair sample of the swearing that is going on against me. The last discharge was the 40th. now the 41st 42nd 43rd all through falsehood. Matters of fact are as unprofitable as the gospel, and which I can prove: you will then know who are liars, and who speak <the> truth. I want to retain your friendship on holy grounds— An <another> indictment <has been got up against me.>— it appears an holy prophet has arisen up <and he has testified against me>— the reason is, he is so holy— the Lord knows I do not care how many churches are in the world— as many as believe me,— may— if the doctrine that I preach is true, the tree must be good— I have prophesied things that have come to pass, and can still. Inasmuch as there is a new church, this must be the old<, and of course>— we ought to be set down as orthodox— from orthodox henceforth let all the churches now no longer persecute orthodoxy— I never built out of <upon> any <other> man’s ground. I never told the old Catholic that he was a fallen true prophet God knows then the charges against me are false— I had not been married <scarcely> 5 min. and made one proclamation <of the gospel> before it was reported that I had 7 wives.— I mean to live <and proclaim the truth> as long as I can.— This new holy prophet <()> has gone to and swore that I had told him that I was guilty [p. 5]

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of adultery,— this Spiritual wifeism— <why> a man dares not speak, or wink, for fear of being accused of this— testified before 40 Police<men>, and a whole number <the assembly room full> of witnesses, that he testified under oath, that he never <had> heard, or seen, or knew any thing <immoral or> criminal against me. He testified under oath that he was my friend, and not the Brutus There was a cogitation who was the Brutus.— I had not prophesied against . He swore, under oath, that he was satisfied, that he was ready to lay down his life for me; and now he swears that I have committed adultery— I wish the Grand Jury would tell me who they are— whether it will be a curse or blessing to me.— I am quite tired of the fools asking me.— A man asked me whether the commandment was given that a man may have seven wives;— and now the new prophet has charged me with Adultery. I never had any fuss <with these men> until that Female Relief Society brought out the paper against adulterers and adulteresses— was invited into the Laws’ clique— and and the clique were dissatisfied with that document— and they rush away <and leave the church, and conspire> to take away my life; and because I will not countenance such [p. [6]]

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wickedness <they proclaim that I have been a true prophet, but that> I am now a fallen prophet. has committed murder, robbery, <&> perjury, and I can prove it by half a dozen witnesses got up, and said ‘By God he is innocent;’ and now swears that I am guilty— he threatened my life. There is another , not the prophet, who was cashiered for dishonesty and robbing the government. also swears that I told him I was guilty of adultery. Brother <> can swear to the contrary. I have been chained— I have rattled chains before— <in a dungeon for the truth’s sake.> I am innocent of all these charges, and you can bear witness <of my innocence; for you know me yourselves.> When I love the poor— I ask no favors of the rich— I can go to the cross, I can lay down my life, but don’t forsake me. I want the friendship of my brethren— let us teach the things of Jesus Christ— pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a downfall— be meek and low<ly,> upright and pure; render good for evil— if you bring on yourselves your own destruction, I will complain— It is not right for a man to bear down his neck to the oppressor always. Be humble, <&> patient in all circumstances of life. He shall then triumph more gloriously— What a thing it is for a man to <be accused of> commiting [p. [7]]

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adultery and have<ing> seven wives, when I can only find one

I am the same man, and as innocent as I was 14 years ago, and I can prove them all perjurers. I labored with them, <these apostates myself until I was out of <all manner of> patience,> and then I sent my brother, <> when whom they virtually kicked him out of doors. I then sent Mr Backenstos when they declared that they were my enemies. I told Mr Backenstos when they declared that he might tell Mr <the> Laws if they had any cause against me I would go before the the Church and confess it to the world. He was summoned time and again, but he refused <to come>. and know that I speak the truth.— I cite you to Captain Dunham, <Esquires> , <&> <bror> Hatfield and others for the truth of what I have said. I have said this to let my friends know that I am right— As I grow older, my heart grows tenderer for you. I will <am at all times willing to> give up every thing that I am wanted <to>, in order that you may <is wrong for I wish this people to> have a virtuous leader— I have set your minds at liberty by letting you know the things of Jesus Christ Jesus— when I shrink not from your defence, will you throw me away for a new man who slanders you?— I love you for your reception of me— Have I asked you for your money?— [p. [8]]

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No, you know better. I appeal to the poor. I say cursed be that man or woman who says that I have taken of your money <unjustly.> — will address you. I have nothing in my heart but good feelings. [ 22 lines blank] [p. 9]

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Footnotes

Docket transcribed vertically in left margin in handwriting of Robert L. Campbell.
Docket written vertically in right margin in handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
Cancellation and insertion in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock. The revisions were first made in graphite and then traced over with ink.
Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
Insertion in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.
Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
Cancellation and insertion in graphite in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.
The insertions in this sentence and the following two insertions are in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.
The inserted “&” is in unidentified handwriting, possibly Thomas Bullock.
This and the following three insertions are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
This and the following insertion are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
This and the following insertion are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
Insertion in graphite in unidentified handwriting.
This and the following insertion are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
This and the following insertion are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
This and the following eight insertions are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
Insertion in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.
This and the following two insertions are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
This and the following insertion are in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.
Insertion in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
Insertion in graphite in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.
This and the following insertion are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
Insertion in unidentified handwriting, possibly Jonathan Grimshaw.
This and the following two insertions are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
Insertion in graphite in unidentified handwriting, probably Thomas Bullock. See Matthew 11:29.
This and the following three insertions are in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.
This and the following four insertions are in the handwriting of Jonathan Grimshaw.
The insertions and cancellations in this sentence were made in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock. The revisions were first made in graphite and then later traced over or canceled with ink.
Insertion in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock. On 12 May 1844, during a meeting of the new church led by William Law, Francis M. Higbee “read a series of resolutions” that criticized JS. These resolutions, or a version of them, may have been the same ones later printed in the Nauvoo Expositor on 7 June 1844. Some of the published resolutions characterized JS’s financial dealings as unjust, deceitful, and speculative. (“The New Church,” and “We Stated Last Week,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 15 May 1844, [2]; “Resolutions,” Nauvoo Expositor, 7 June 1844, [2].)

Discourse, 26 May 1844, as Compiled by Leo Hawkins

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