Eighteen hundred years after the crucifixion of our Savior, His Church in this last dispensation celebrated4 the third anniversary of its establishment. The ceremonies took place on the 6th day of April, 1833, on the banks of the Big Blue River in the western part of Jackson County, Missouri. Few as were the Saints then gathered in the land Zion, the event was impressive in its solemn recall of the past, and sublime5 in its exalted6 promise for the future of Christ's people. Joseph himself was not there; but eighty men who had received the Priesthood and also many other members of the Church were present to enjoy this reawakening in modern times of the power of the Son of God.
This was not to be the only reawakening. The spirit of insensate murder which Jesus had encountered and which had culminated7 on Calvary was aroused in all its intensity8 against these His humble9 and chosen followers10 in the latter days. In the same month which witnessed the glorious reunion of the Saints, a mob, consisting of three hundred men, congregated11 at Independence and swore with much blasphemy12 to drive the people of God from their homes in that region and to destroy that branch of the Church. News of these dreadful threats was brought to the leading Elders at Independence; and in solemn assemblage they prayed that God would stay the hand of the wicked. The supplication13 was granted for a time; and the drunken rabble14 became filled with mutual15 hatred16 and distrust, so that they scattered17 from the meeting and carousing18 place, mingling19 with their maledictions against the Saints much vile20 language and many execrations concerning each other.
When the Prophet learned of these manifestations21 in Jackson County, he was filled with much concern for his brethren; but his duty as commanded by the Lord required for a time his presence at Kirtland and in the East. And at Kirtland, despite the poverty of the people and the menace made by a wicked world against them, preparations were made to build the house unto the Lord as required in the revelations.
The spirit of persecution22 which raged was doubtless permitted, if for no other reason than that it had the effect to purify the Church, and the members were also admonished23 thereby24 to sweep all unworthiness from their midst and to exclude from Church membership all wilful25 and persistent26 wrong-doers. Few and poor as were the Saints, it was the rule that no man, whatever his attainments27 or wealth, should retain his fellowship if his conduct proved that his soul was vile. It was not and is not now the practice of the Latter-day Saints to cover the sins of their members from the gaze of an unbelieving world, and to harbor the wrong-doer rather than to subject the entire body to the reproach of scoffers. With charity such as Christ commanded for all the frailties28 of a humanity struggling toward goodness, the Church has ever been an uncompromising punisher of wilful wickedness. In June, 1833, one Doctor P. Hurlburt was tried by the council of High Priests upon a charge of impure29 conduct with women while acting30 as a missionary31 in the East; and although he contested the case, as he desired for his own selfish purposes to continue for a time in relation with the Church, his guilt32 was fully33 established, he was cut off and the world was warned against him as an insidious34 enemy of female chastity. This man Hurlburt, being filled with hatred by the exposure of his true nature, showed himself a vindictive35 enemy of the Prophet and the Church, and in later times his name became associated with the notorious Spaulding story, and with threats and attempts upon Joseph's life.
It was by such men, dishonorable apostates36, suborned and aided by a jealous clergy37, that the early falsehoods were propagated and the early persecutions were incited38 against the Church which would not condone40 their impurities41. And it is the wicked untruth, started in that age and added to by the same class of men in later times, which is circulated to-day and which deceives the world concerning a people whose sole desire is to live in purity and in peace with all mankind. It was then, as it is now, noted42 that, in many instances, the charges against Latter-day Saints have varied43 according to the varied character of their originators. Men whose profession is divining for money, whose trade is deceiving human souls to gratify their own avarice44, joined in the cry that Joseph Smith and his fellow Apostles were selfish seekers after the things of this world. Men whose souls felt no repugnance45 to the butchery of defenseless men, pure women and innocent little children originated the awful lie that murder was practiced and condoned46 by this Church. Impure wretches47, looking with lustful48 eyes upon females, originated the untruth that woman was degraded and her virtue49 held in light esteem50 by the Latter-day Saints; and among the most prominent persecutors and prosecutors51 of this people have been lechers. Dishonest and disreputable men circulated the absurd falsehood that Joseph Smith and his followers sought to despoil52 others of their possessions instead of acquiring homes by the labors53 of their own hands. It is one of the most peculiar54 experiences of the Saints that in most instances the charge brought against them has been one of which the originator would himself be glad to be guilty.
So it was at Independence in the summer of 1833.
The first effort of the mob failed. They lacked a leader sufficiently55 base to unite them in their plans for robbery and murder. But in July of that year a man named Pixley, a paid agent of a sectarian Missionary Society, was dwelling56 in that region under the pretense57 of helping58 the Indians to the light of Christianity. He defamed the Saints to their fellow citizens of Missouri and sent malicious lies to the eastern states to stir up the older communities of the nation to a feeling of dislike. He misrepresented the Saints to the Indians and to the wilder white men of the border, with the hope to inflame59 these ungoverned and lawless people to attack and destroy the little handful of church members. The number of the Saints in the center stake of Zion at this time was twelve hundred. They were law-abiding and industrious60. But they were intent upon the work commanded of the Lord, and they did not assimilate readily nor join in unworthy pursuits with the surrounding people, white and red and black. This self-isolation or exclusiveness constituted their sole offense61. It is not surprising that the Saints should have striven to keep their skirts clean from close contact with the vicious element abounding62 there, nor that this same vicious element should have been easily aroused against a people so singular in their demeanor63, and so unworldly in their lives and aspirations64.
Pixley, himself the teacher of a false religion, proclaimed against Joseph Smith as a false prophet. Pixley, himself the leader of deceived converts, proclaimed against the Saints as deluded65 followers. Pixley, himself a dishonest creature, proclaimed that the purpose of the Saints was to steal the possessions of other settlers, to steal their negroes, or to incite39 them to run away. The Latter-day Saints were men from the eastern states—Yankees—and consequently open to the suspicion of being Abolitionists. In upper Missouri in those days no charge could be made that would arouse more intense hatred and violence than that of being an Abolitionist. The mere66 whisper of such a suspicion was sufficient to inflame anger and arouse a mob. By such cries, Pixley and others of his kind induced every dissolute idler in that region to join in an onslaught for plunder67. They all hoped to safely annihilate68 the Church and to seize the lands of the Saints under cover of a Pharisaical cry, "False prophets, deluded followers, idle vagabonds, land thieves!" With this man Pixley were united professed69 ministers of the gospel, officers of the law, politicians and many individuals of less personal importance if not less vindictiveness70. They succeeded in so exciting the public mind that a mass meeting to devise some unlawful plan against the Saints was held at Independence, on the 20th day of July, 1833, at which a great horde71 of five hundred persons were in attendance. Not only were the scum of that wild region gathered, but men holding high official positions were also present, for individuals with political aspirations are often ready to join the lowest and most depraved in any popular movement. Amazing as it may seem, Lieutenant-Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, the second officer of the State of Missouri, was personally cognizant of the proceedings72 and aided every movement against the Saints.
Colonel Richard Simpson was chairman of the meeting, and James H. Flournoy and Colonel Samuel D. Lucas were secretaries. A committee appointed for the purpose prepared and presented a manifesto73, which was adopted by the meeting. It denounced the Saints for their poverty and for their peculiar religious belief, but it did not dare to charge a single specific violation74 of law against them. It closed with the declaration that no Latter-day Saint should in future be permitted to settle in Jackson County; that such as then resided there should remove; that the Evening and Morning Star should no longer be published, and the business of printing by the Saints should be discontinued in that county; and "that those who failed to comply with this requisition are to refer to those of their brethren who have the gift of divination75 and of unknown tongues to inform them of the lot that awaits them."
Not a single voice was recorded against the adoption76 of this infamous77 edict. It was unanimously accepted; and immediately a committee of thirteen persons was appointed to see that the decree was enforced. The space of two hours was allowed by the meeting for the delivery of the terms of this manifesto to the presiding officers of the Church, for their answer to this demand, and for the return of the committee to the meeting. Scant78 time, indeed, for the expatriation of twelve hundred law-abiding men, women and children! The Saints asked for delay for a pitiful ten days, in which to consider the awful decree. The answer was, "Fifteen minutes are enough."
The mob were terribly, murderously earnest. When the committee returned to the re-convened meeting after a lapse79 of that brief two hours, they reported that the leaders of the Saints and the editor of the paper had asked time for consultation80, not only among themselves but with their fellow believers and the Presidency81 of the Church in Ohio. A yell of hate greeted this announcement, and the meeting instantly and unanimously resolved to wreak82 instant vengeance83 upon the Saints and the paper. Headed by a red flag to signify their bloody84 purpose and their defiance85 of law, they rushed upon their prey86. The house of William W. Phelps, the editor, containing the printing establishment, was razed87 to the ground. His press and type and other materials were seized and carried away by the mob. The papers and books were destroyed, and the family and furniture of the editor were cast off the premises88. An infant child of Elder Phelps was dangerously ill in his wife's arms, but mother and babe were thrust out as brutally89 as the rest. An attack was made upon the store for the purpose of plundering90 it, but the mob was induced to forego their purpose to engage in more sanguinary delights. Bishop Edward Partridge and Charles Allen were stripped and tarred and feathered, because they would not deny the truth nor agree to leave the county at once. With the tar3 was mixed some powerful acid which burned their flesh frightfully. Several of the brethren were threatened with whipping and even worse. But it was growing dark and the mob concluded that enough had been done for one time; so the mass meeting, which this inhuman91 rabble was called, adjourned92 for three days until the 23rd of July, 1833. And Lilburn W. Boggs addressed some of the Saints saying, "You now know what our Jackson boys can do, and you must leave the country."
Even a greater number of people assembled on the 23rd of July, as agreed, to renew the persecution of the poor Saints. A new committee was appointed to consult again with the presiding officers of the Church; and, not being entirely93 dead to humanity, this committee agreed to give the Saints time—one half until the 1st day of January, 1834, and the remainder until the 1st day of April, of the same year, in which to remove themselves from Jackson County. Further, it was settled that the Star was not to be again published nor a press set up by any Latter-day Saint in the county, and that any members of the Church then journeying toward Jackson County should be stopped on the road and only permitted to have a temporary shelter until such time as all the Saints could remove from Jackson County to some new gathering94 place. A solemn pledge was given by the Committee that, meanwhile, the people should not be again assailed95. The mass meeting, upon receiving this report, ratified96 it in a formal manner. Concluding that their great mission—to which they had devoted97 "their bodily powers, their lives, fortunes and sacred honors"—had been accomplished98 the rabble adjourned sine die. [1]
Oliver Cowdery was at once dispatched to Kirtland with full information. When the Prophet Joseph heard of this wanton attack upon the Church and the sad situation of the people at Independence, he wrote, "Man may torment99 the body; but God in return will punish the soul."
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1
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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culminated
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| v.达到极点( culminate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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blasphemy
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| n.亵渎，渎神 | |
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supplication
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| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
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rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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carousing
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| v.痛饮，闹饮欢宴( carouse的现在分词 ) | |
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mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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manifestations
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| n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式） | |
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persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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23
admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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27
attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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28
frailties
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| n.脆弱( frailty的名词复数 )；虚弱；（性格或行为上的）弱点；缺点 | |
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impure
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| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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32
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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apostates
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| n.放弃原来信仰的人( apostate的名词复数 )；叛教者；脱党者；反叛者 | |
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clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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38
incited
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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incite
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| v.引起，激动，煽动 | |
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40
condone
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| v.宽恕；原谅 | |
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impurities
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| 不纯( impurity的名词复数 )； 不洁； 淫秽； 杂质 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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45
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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46
condoned
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| v.容忍，宽恕，原谅( condone的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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lustful
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| a.贪婪的；渴望的 | |
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49
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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prosecutors
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| 检举人( prosecutor的名词复数 )； 告发人； 起诉人； 公诉人 | |
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52
despoil
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| v.夺取，抢夺 | |
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labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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54
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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pretense
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| n.矫饰，做作，借口 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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inflame
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| v.使燃烧；使极度激动；使发炎 | |
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industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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deluded
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| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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annihilate
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| v.使无效；毁灭；取消 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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vindictiveness
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| 恶毒；怀恨在心 | |
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horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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manifesto
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| n.宣言，声明 | |
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violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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divination
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| n.占卜，预测 | |
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adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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presidency
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| n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期) | |
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82
wreak
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| v.发泄；报复 | |
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83
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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84
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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85
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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86
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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87
razed
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| v.彻底摧毁，将…夷为平地( raze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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89
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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90
plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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91
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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92
adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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94
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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95
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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96
ratified
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| v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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98
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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99
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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