Class 21 – Section 121
The Missouri Apostasy and War
The Setting
•The Kirtland Safety Society had dissolved and dissention
was quite general.
•David Whitmer had been the President of Zion, but had
remained in Kirtland for two years.
•W.W. Phelps and John Whitmer, his counselors, had
purchased land in Far West and resold it at a profit.
The Setting
•Oliver Cowdery was the “Associate President, ” but had left
Kirtland for Far West. There he began instigating a number
of lawsuits in behalf of himself and others.
•William E. M’Lellin, John Boynton, Luke Johnson, and
Lyman Johnson of the 12 had become disaffected.
The Setting
•Far West had been established about 18 months before. It
was growing rapidly.
•In March of 1838, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon arrived
from Kirtland.
The Dissenters
•The principal dissenters were Oliver Cowdery, the
Whitmers, W.W. Phelps, and those associated with them.
• The Presidency of Zion was removed from office in
February, 1838. The cause was primarily dereliction of duty
and profiteering from land sales.
The Dissenters
•Accusers included Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, and
George Hinkle. – These considered themselves friends of
Joseph Smith unlike the “Whitmer Group” who opposed the
Prophet.
• W.W. Phelps and John Whitmer were excommunicated in
March.
Causes of Dissent – Debt and Finances
• Oliver Cowdery’s share of church debt in his name was
about $33,000. He had no way of paying it. He sold lands in
Jackson County and instigated lawsuits to defray his debt.
Most of the charges against Oliver Cowdery had a financial
basis.
Causes of Dissent – Debt and Finances
• W.W. Phelps and John Whitmer felt that they were entitled
to some profits for their work in surveying and distributing
lands in Far West. – Others felt that they were trying to steal
funds earmarked for “poor, bleeding Zion.”
Causes of Dissent – Polygamy
• By 1835, perhaps as early as 1831, Joseph Smith had
married Fanny Alger, a serving girl in Joseph’s house.
• For some time, Oliver Cowdery had been aware of the
relationship.
Causes of Dissent – Polygamy
•Oliver could not accept Joseph’s explanation and
considered the “dirty, nasty, filthy affair” nothing more than
adultery.
•He seemed to be one of the few people who really knew
about it, and he and Joseph seemed to have agreed on
what they would say about the matter.
Causes of Dissent – Polygamy
•Fanny Alger left the Smith household in September 1836.
She remarried and refused to discuss her relationship with
Joseph Smith.
Causes of Dissent – Shifting Power
•In the early years of the Church, Oliver Cowdery and the
Whitmers had been key figures. In the course of time, new
levels of church hierarchy left them with less significant
roles.
•Sidney Rigdon seemed to be more visible than even
Joseph Smith.
Causes of Dissent – Shifting Power
•The dissenters did not recognize the authority of the bodies
trying them.
• Oliver Cowdery resigned from the Church rather than be
tried by the High Council.
•David Whitmer never acknowledged his excommunication.
Causes of Dissent – Pride and Humiliation
•All of the dissenters were targets of public humiliation for
financial and other matters. They felt that their honor had
been challenged.
Causes of Dissent – Love of the Gospel
•The dissenters also shared a great love of the church.
They felt the church was in trouble, that Joseph Smith was
no longer in tune with God.
•The easy course would have been to leave. Instead, they
remained near the church while opposing Joseph Smith.
The Dissenters Leave
• In June 1838, Sidney Rigdon delivered a fiery sermon
called the “Salt Sermon” where he likened the dissenters to
salt that had lost it savor and need to be cast out and
trodden down.
• 84 members signed a petition warning Cowdery and the
Whitmers to leave or face dire consequences.
The Dissenters Leave
• Because of this and other threats, Oliver Cowdery, David
Whitmer, and John Whitmer left one night for Richmond.
•Stories of the situation in far West quickly circulated and
helped lead to distrust of the Mormons.
Unilateral Expansion
• Soon after Joseph Smith arrived in Far West, he began
looking for new areas to settle. The principle locations were
Adam-ondi-Ahman in Daviess county to the north and
DeWitt in Carroll County to the East.
•Many Missourians considered this to be a breach of the
agreement to establish Caldwell County – and they became
alarmed.
July 4, 1838
• Grand Fourth of July celebration with military pageantry,
laying of the cornerstones of the Far West Temple,
dedication of the Freedom Pole, and an oration by Sidney
Rigdon.
Far West Temple Site
A Cornerstone
July 4, 1838
We take God and all the holy angels to witness this day,
that we warn all men, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come
on us no more for ever, for from this hour, we will bear it no
more, our rights shall no more be trampled on with impunity.
The man or the set of men who attempt it does it at the
expense of their lives. And that mob that comes on us to
disturb us: it shall be between us and them a war of
extermination, for we will follow them, till the last drop of
their blood is spilled, or else they will have to exterminate
us; for we will carry the seat of war to their own houses, and
their own families, and one party or the other shall be utterly
destroyed. -- Remember it then, all men.
We will never be aggressors, we will infringe on the rights
of no people; but shall stand for our own until death. We
claim our own rights, and are willing that all others shall
enjoy theirs.
July 4, 1838
No man shall be at liberty to come in our streets, to
threaten us with mobs, for if he does, he shall atone for it
before he leaves the place; neither shall he be at liberty to
vilify or slander any of us, for suffer it we will not in this
place.
We therefore take all men to record this day, that we
proclaim liberty on this day, as did our fathers. And we
pledge this day to one another, our fortunes, our lives, and
our sacred honors, to be delivered from the persecutions
which we have had to endure for the last nine years, or
nearly that. Neither will we indulge any man, or set of men,
in instituting vexatious lawsuits against us, to cheat us out
of our just rights. If they attempt it we say, wo be unto them.
We this day then proclaim ourselves free, with a purpose
and a determination, that never can be broken, “no never!
no never!! NO NEVER”!!!
July 4, 1838
•A few days later, the Freedom Pole, a tall wooden flagpole,
was struck by lightning and burned down.
Gallatin
• A local election was to be held on August 6, 1832. The
number of Mormons in Daviess County was approaching
the number of non-Mormons. William Peniston ran as an
anti-Mormon for the State Legislature. He made plans to
intimidate the Mormon voters. The Mormons got wind of it
and came unarmed, but prepared to fight.
Gallatin
• As soon as trouble started, the Mormons through a prearranged sign, entered the fray. Several on both sides were
severely injured.
•Reports of wide-scale injury and deaths soon spread to
surrounding counties. Tensions were extreme.
Gallatin
• The next day, Joseph Smith and a large band of Mormons
from Far West entered Daviess county. They stopped off at
the house of Adam Black, an anti-Mormon Justice of the
Peace, and asked him to sign an agreement to administer
the law fairly and keep the peace. – Afterward Black
maintained he had been forced to sign the affidavit at
gunpoint.
Danites
• Sampson Avard formed a secret society before June 1838.
The original purpose was to drive the dissenters out f
Caldwell County. It was known as the “Brothers of Gideon,”
“the daughters of Zion,” the “Big Fan,” and the “Danite
Band.”
Danites
• After that, the purpose of the Danites was to be a defense
against the mobs, and eventually to steal and plunder from
non-Mormons and then consecrate their plunder to the
Kingdom of God. According to some testimony, they made
oaths to exact revenge on anti-Mormons, to lie to defend
one another, and even to murder, if necessary.
Danites
•On one occasion, Joseph Smith addressed the Danites
and encouraged them in their actions; however, it is doubtful
he really knew what their actions were.
Danites
• The Danites undoubtedly performed a number of
aggressive acts and once their existence was made known,
were accused of many others.
•Following the fall of Far West, Sampson Avard was
excommunicated and church leaders disavowed any
connection with his actions
War Averted
• In September, units of militia under Generals David
Atchison and Alexander Doniphan – both understanding of
the Mormons – were dispatched to settle the conflicts in
Daviess County.
•Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight agreed to go to a
farmhouse just inside Daviess County for a legal hearing.
War Averted
• The judge ordered them to be tried in District Court.
•In the meantime, Lyman Wight mobilized the militia in
Diahman to be ready to defend the town against attack.
•Atchison and Doniphan, however, were able to keep
peace.
The Siege of DeWitt
• Non-Mormons in DeWitt moved to drive the Mormons out
as militia returned from Daviess County. Other militia from
nearby counties congregated as well.
•George Hinkle commanded the Mormon militia in DeWitt
and built up forces there, but the the non-Mormon militia
kept supplies from coming in.
The Siege of DeWitt
• Joseph Smith secretly went to DeWitt and found
conditions deteriorating. The Saints petitioned for help. On
Oct. 9, Gov. Boggs told the parties to fight it out.
•On Oct. 11, the Mormons agreed to abandon DeWitt.
Mormons from other communities were advised to come
into Far West for protection.
Marauding Parties
• As tensions mounted, food and goods in Far West became
somewhat scarce.
•Organized parties went to nearby non-Mormon farms and
brought back “buffalo” and “boars.”
Marauding Parties
•Non-Mormons raided and burned Mormon dwellings and
farms as well.
•The town of Millport in Daviess County was burned. The
Mormons blamed the “old citizens” for burning their own
homes.
Others Leave Far West
• Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Hyde became concerned
about this course of action and voiced opposition. Marsh
refused to join in the action, but was forced to at the threat
of his life.
•The next day, October 18, they left Far West and later
signed an affidavit against Joseph Smith and the Mormons.
Governor Boggs Refuses Aid
• As conditions worsened, General Atchison asked
Governor Boggs to personally come and try to settle
matters. He refuses three times.
Crooked River
• Samuel Bogart, a notorious anti-Mormon commanded
troops along the Ray-Caldwell County border. They entered
Caldwell County twice and took three Mormon men
prisoner.
•A number of Mormons were anxious for the fight to begin.
The bragged of how two would put 10,000 to flight.
Crooked River
• Charles C. Rich and David W. Patten, dubbing himself
“Captain Fearnaught,” led groups of militia to the Ray
County border to protect Mormons living there.
•Near dawn on October 25, Patten’s forces had a chance
encounter with Bogart’s militia. In a brief battle, the
prisoners were freed and Bogart’s men retreated.
Crooked River
• Three Mormons including David W. Patten died.
•Rumors quickly spread that Bogart’s militia had been
massacred and the Mormon’s were going to attack
Richmond.
The Extermination Order
•On October 27, Governor Boggs issued this order: “The
Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be
exterminated or driven from the state, if necessary for the
public good. Their outrages are beyond all description.”
Changes in Command
•Gen. Atchison was relieved of command and Gen. John
Clark appointed to take his place. In the meantime Gen.
Samuel D. Lucas, an anti-Mormon from Jackson County ,
assumed Atchison’s command.
•Lucas was anxious to attack Far West before Clark could
arrive.
Haun’s Mill
•Jacob Haun came into Far West to tell Joseph Smith he
thought he could defend Haun’s Mill, as he could use the
blacksmith’s shop for a fort. Joseph counseled him to come
into far West, but told him in the end to do as he pleased.
•Haun was reported to have told those at the mill that
Joseph Smith consented to their defending the town.
Haun’s Mill
•On October 28 a militia detachment arrived at the mill and
made arrangements to discuss a peace treaty.
•The next day at 4:00 p.m. 240 men attacked the
settlement. The women and most children fled. Many
Mormons were mercilessly killed. Those who fled to the
blacksmith’s shop were massacred by militia firing between
the chinks in the logs. At least 17 were killed.
Shoal Creek Near Haun’s Mill
The Road to Haun’s Mill
The Hills North of Haun’s Mill
Haun’s Mill Marker
Haun’s Mill Townsite
The Fall of Far West
•By October 31, 2000 militia surrounded Far West. The
Mormon militia totaled about 400.
•As the situation worsened, Joseph Smith relieved George
Hinkle of command of the militia and personally took charge
of the defense of Far West.
The Fall of Far West
•Gen. Lucas presented to George Hinkle and others a
proposal that he would not attack if several Mormon leaders
surrender, that Mormon property be sold for damages, and
that the Mormons surrender their arms and leave the state.
•He agreed to let the Mormons consider the plan overnight
if Joseph Smith Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Parley P.
Pratt, and George W. Robinson be taken as hostages until
morning.
The Betrayal
•Joseph Smith and the others agreed to the terms; however,
the prisoners were not allowed to negotiate. Rather, at a
hastily-called trial, which the prisoners were not allowed to
attend, Gen. Lucas found the prisoners guilty of treason and
ordered them to be shot on the Far West town square in the
morning.
The Betrayal
•Alexander Doniphan was ordered to carry out the
executions at sunrise. He flatly refused and told Lucas that
he was marching for Richmond in the morning and if any
harm came to the Mormon leaders, he would hold Lucas
personally responsible. Lucas backed down.
The Betrayal
•The Mormons held George Hinkle, Reed Peck, and John
Corrill responsible for knowingly delivering up the prisoners
to to Lucas unconditionally. The three were
excommunicated and never returned to the church. They all
maintained that they were innocent and felt that the
prisoners understood the conditions of their surrender and
had accepted those conditions.
The Migration
•The Saints were allowed to remain in Missouri through the
winter, but were forbidden to plant crops the following
spring. The main exodus of the Saints began in February
1839 while Joseph and several others remained in prison.