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?
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?
Why were the Mormons feared?
•They were becoming populous: 1000 of 3000 county
residents were Mormons. The influx was rapid (1831-1833)
•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?
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 1833
-- 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 1833
-- 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 1833
-- 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 1833
-- 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. 5-6. 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 <shewn unto me,
but there are some things that are plainly> manifest, that has incured
<th[e]> 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 <or
if thy right arm offend thee pluck it of[f] 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, 1834. 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
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: 13* Zion shall be redeemed
101: 2-5* Causes: transgression, the saints need to be
tried
101:6-8 Transgressions listed
101:16* Know that I am God
101:17-18* Zion shall not be moved
101:20* No other place
101:36* Fear not
101:38 Seek the face of the Lord
101:44-62 Parable of the landowner
101:55-56 Zion’s Camp
101:71 Purchase land
Some Important Verses
101: 75* Zion could have been redeemed
101:76 Seek legal channels (also 101:81-90)
101:77,80* Constitution
103:6* Begin to prevail
103:26 My presence shall be with you to avenge
103:31-33 People don’t always do what they’re told
500-300-100
105:3-4* Consecration forgotten
105:5* Law of the celestial kingdom
105:8-9 Not enough support from the church
105:14 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
105:30 Buy land
105:38-40* Sue for peace