Class 15 – Sections 100, 101, 103, 105 Zion Will Yet Be Redeemed

The Mormons were driven out of Jackson County because… They were disliked They were a feared A few leaders were willing whip up emotions There was a precedent for mob action in the South.

Why were the Mormons disliked?

They were from the north – different attitudes toward government, education, slavery – mostly just different. They kept somewhat to themselves. Many rumors followed the Mormons. Their religious beliefs were different.

And the Mormons disliked the Missourians… Drunken, gamblers, poorly educated…

Why were the Mormons feared?

They were becoming populous: 1000 of 3000 county residents were Mormons. The influx was rapid ( ) They were planning on Zion being their central gathering place. They were sometimes boastful – and spoke of the wicked being destroyed.

Why was it easy to turn people against the Mormons?

The people of Jackson County were concerned about the Mormons being opposed to slavery. Jackson County was vulnerable to Indian attack and rumors spread that Mormons were allying with Native Americans. Incoming Mormons were poor and were characterized as impoverished, ignorant, and the dregs of society.

The Beginning of Hostilities – July W.W. Phelps printed an editorial in the Evening and Morning Star that seemed to imply that free negroes should be brought to Independence. -- July 15, circulars were passed around inviting citizens to a meeting at the courthouse on July 20. “An important crisis is at hand…”

The Beginning of Hostilities – July July 20. The meeting demanded that the press must close and every Mormon leave Jackson County. W. W. Phelps and Edward Partridge asked for 10 days to consider their demands. The printing house and Phelps’s house were burned. The Gilbert and Whitney Store was ransacked. Partridge and George Allen were tarred and feathered.

Edward Partridge’s Statement I was taken from my house by the mob, George Simpson being their leader, who escorted me about half a mile to the court-house, on the public square of Independence; and then and there, a few rods from said courthouse, surrounded by hundreds of the mob, I was stripped of my hat, coat, and vest and daubed with tar from head to foot, and then had a quantity of feathers put upon me; and all this because I would not agree to leave the county, and my home where I had lived two years…

Edward Partridge’s Statement "Before tarring and feathering me I was permitted to speak. I told them that the Saints had suffered persecution in all ages of the world; that I had done nothing which ought to offend anyone; that if they abused me they would abuse an innocent person; that I was willing to suffer for the sake of Christ, but to leave the county, I was not then willing to consent to it. I bore my abuse with so much resignation and meekness, that it appeared to astound the multitude, who permitted me to retire in silence, many looking very solemn, their sympathies having been touched as I thought; and as to myself, I was so filled with the Spirit and love of God, that I had no hatred toward my persecutors or anyone else.

Summer July 23. Mormon leaders agreed to leave. -- August 6. Section 98 given. The Saints instructed to renounce war and seek peace. Conditions justifying armed intervention are delineated. -- August 9. Oliver Cowdery arrived in Kirtland with the news from Missouri.

Summer September. Gov. Daniel Dunklin tells the Saints that they can obtain redress through normal legal channels. He will not intervene. -- Sept. – Oct. The Saints hire lawyers from Clay County to consider legal options. -- Oct. 11. Section 100 given. “Zion shall be redeemed…”

The Expulsion from Jackson County -- Oct. 31-Nov. 6. Jackson County citizens retaliate by destroying property, furniture, etc. -- Nov. 4. Battle of Big Blue. 2 Mormons and 1 Missourian killed.

The Expulsion from Jackson County -- Nov The Saints threatened, forced to give up arms. Missourians go house to house to search for Mormon men. -- Nov. 7. Most of the Saints left in Jackson County were camped out on the banks of the Missouri waiting to cross into Clay County.

The Aftermath -- Dec. 10. Joseph Smith personally writes a letter to the brethren in Missouri.

The Dec. 10 Letter I cannot learn from any communication by the spirit to me that Zion has forfeited her claim to a celestial crown notwithstanding the Lord has caused her to be thus afflicted; except it may it may be some individuals who have walked in disobedience and forsaken the new covenants; all such will be made manifest by their works in due time. I have always expected that Zion would suffer sore affliction from what I could learn from the commandments which have been given. but I would remind you of a certain clause in one which says that after much tribulation cometh the

The Dec. 10 Letter blessing. by this and also others, and also one received of late, I know that Zion, in the own due time of the Lord will be redeemed, but how many will be the days of her purification, tribulation and affliction, the Lord has kept hid from my eyes; and when I enquire concerning this subject the voice of the Lord is, Be still, and know that I am God! all those who suffer for my name shall reign with me, and he that layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again. Now there are two things of which I am ignorant and the Lord will not show me-perhaps for a wise purpose in himself. I mean in some

The Dec. 10 Letter respects, and they are these, Why God hath suffered so great calamity to come upon Zion; or what the great moving cause of this great affliction is. These two things and again by what means he will return her back to her inheritance with songs of everlasting Joy upon her head. These two things brethren, are in part kept back that they are not plainly manifest, that has incured displeasure of displeasure the Almighty. when I contemplate upon all things that have been manifested, I am sensable that I aught not to

The Dec. 10 Letter murmer and do not murmer only in this, that those who are innocent are compelled to suffer for the iniquities of the guilty; and I cannot account for this, only on this wise, that the saying of the savior has not been strictly observed: If thy right eye offend thee pluck it out. and cast it from thee.

The Aftermath -- Dec. 16. Section 101 given. Oliver Cowdery: “Good morning Brethren, we have just received news from heaven.” Two parables: the Lord and the watchtower, the importunate widow.

The Aftermath -- Feb 24, Lyman Wight and Parley P. Pratt report to the Kirtland High Council. -- Feb. 24. Section 103 given. Zion’s Camp outlined. Brethren are instructed to go out and seek men willing to go to Zion.

The Need for Zion’s Camp Gov. Dunklin insisted that the Mormons would be treated fairly by normal legal channels. He agreed to protect the Saints as they returned to Jackson County to testify, but would not promise the Saints safe passage back out of Jackson County. The Saints would have to provide that themselves.

Zion’s Camp -- Left Kirtland on May 1. Joseph Smith joined them on May 6. There were about 100 men at the beginning. -- Hyrum Smith joined them with another division later. -- There was a little military order, but not much.

Zion’s Camp -- When the people in Jackson County heard of Zion’s Camp, they burned Mormon houses. -- Joseph was more of a teacher than a general… Prairie rattlesnakes Zelph, the white Lamanite

Zion’s Camp

-- Some contention in camp – especially between Joseph and Sylvester Smith. -- Some problems with disease. -- negotiations began in Liberty on June 16 for either one side or the other to buy out all of Jackson County.

Zion’s Camp -- June 22. All negotiotiations ceased. Gov. Dunklin went back on his promise to protect Saints returning to Jackson County to testify. -- June 23. A cholera epidemic struck camp. Several died including Sidney Gilbert and a cousin of Joseph Smith. Members of the camp returned home in small groups. -- June 24. Joseph Disbanded Zion’s Camp.

Consequences: Politics The Saints had little to do with government and politics in the early years. Now they were anxious to use government and to gain political power to help themselves.

Consequences: Militarism The Saints cared little for any military organization. Now they felt vulnerable and sought to arm and defend themselves. In later years, the Mormons acquired a reputation of being militant.

Consequences: Persecution as a Theme In the early years of the Church, the central “theme” was that the heaves were once a gain open and God had revealed Himself anew to man. Now the theme turned to the persecution of citizens trying to exercise their right to worship as they chose.

Consequences: Public Notice and Sympathy The story of the Saints’ persecution spread throughout the United States. Most were deeply indignant at the behavior of the citizens of Jackson County. Much of Missouri, including many residents of Clay County, were sympathetic with the Mormons.

Consequences: Training of Leaders Zion’s Camp is more of an organized trek than a military maneuver. Many brethren got experience leading bodies of people across the wilderness.

Consequences: Great Stress on Joseph Smith Joseph Smith was only 28 years old. He found himself at the head of a quasi-military group with the entire body looking to him for revelation, direction, and Priesthood power. Some of his brethren died. The Saints in Missouri were left homeless. He suffered from depression at times. He questioned the Lord at times. His anger flared at times. Some Saints began to doubt. Others found greater faith.

Some Important Verses 100: 13100: 13* Zion shall be redeemed 101: : 2-5* Causes: transgression, the saints need to be tried 101:6-8101:6-8 Transgressions listed 101:16101:16* Know that I am God 101: :17-18* Zion shall not be moved 101:20101:20* No other place 101:36101:36* Fear not 101:38101:38 Seek the face of the Lord 101: :44-62 Parable of the landowner 101: :55-56 Zion’s Camp 101:71101:71 Purchase land

Some Important Verses 101: 75101: 75* Zion could have been redeemed 101:76101:76 Seek legal channels (also 101:81-90) 101:77,80101:77,80* Constitution 103:6103:6* Begin to prevail 103:26103:26 My presence shall be with you to avenge 103: :31-33 People don’t always do what they’re told :3-4105:3-4* Consecration forgotten 105:5105:5* Law of the celestial kingdom 105:8-9105:8-9 Not enough support from the church 105:14105:14 The Lord will fight your battles

Some Important Verses 105: : 20 Let those who can, stay in Missouri 105: :24-25* Use wisdom in dealing with your neighbors 105:30105:30 Buy land 105: :38-40* Sue for peace