HAROLD B. LEE LIBRARY ■ ;_ PROVO, UTAH
THE
Q^J^i
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF •
'ARLEY PARKER PRATT;
ONE OF THE
TWELVE APOSTLES
OF THE
burch ni ^^asus Etoist af Latte-Bay SamtS;
r
KMERAt IN» HIS
LIFE, MINISTRY AND TRAVELS,
ITH EXTRACTS, IN PROSE AND VERSE, FROM HIS MISCELLANEOUS
WRITINGS.
Edited by his Son, Parley P. Pratt.
ILLUSTRATED.
SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION.
" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; Yea, saith the Spirit, that .evmay rest from their labors ; and their ivorks do follow them."— Rev. xiv. 13.
CHICAGO: PUBLISHED FOR PRATT BROS. By law, king & LAW,
278 Michigan Atentte. 1888.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18T4,
By Parley P. Pratt,
In tLe Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
THE LIBiUKY
PREFACE.
IN publishing this volume I am discharging a duty solemnly imposed* upon me by my lamented father, just before his departiu'e on his last mission to the United States.
It affords me great pleasure to present the Autobiography of the late Author to his relatives, his numerous friends, and to the general reader.
The writer is well and favorably known through his " Yoice of "Warning,"' his "Key to Theology," and other productions of his pen, as well as through his personal labors. He was one of the first Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, ha^dng been called by revelation and ordained to that office by the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. He was intimately associated with the martjTS Joseph and Hyrum, with Presidents B. Young and H. C. Kimball, and other leading men, almost from the first rise of the Church : his history, there- fore, was so interwoven with that of the Church, that many of the most interesting sketches of Church history will be found therein.
The following pages, which embrace his life, ministry and travels, and some of his best miscellaneous Avritings in prose and verse, are the productions of his o^vn pen.
He spared no pains to make the work a rehable record, and one that would be acceptable to all lovers of truth. It is written in the author's happiest style. He was an early pioneer of the Great West, and travelled extensively in different countries.
4 PREFACE .
His life was one of indefatigable labor, varied and com- plicated, crowded with public labors and responsibilities, and full of strange and extraordinary events — a life mingled with the extremes of joy and sorrow — or, in the writer's own words, " a truly eventful one."
With confidence and satisfaction I submit this work to the reader, feeling assured that it will stand upon its own merits. I also have an earnest and sincere desire that it may be the means, through the blessing of God, of accomplishing much good.
In editing the work I have been kindly assisted by the author's personal friend, Elder John Taylor, to whom I feel deeply indebted.
The work embraces a period of history of fifty years — from the author's boyhood to the time of his betrayal, by apostates, into the hands of his enemies, and martyrdom.
The writer, in his second preface to his "Voice of Warning," in 1846, gave expression to the following sentiment : " Should the author be called to sacrifice his life for the cause of truth, he will have the consolation that it will be said of lum, as it was said of Abel, " He being dead yet s^eaketh."
Editor.
Salt Lake City, Dec., 1813.
To The Public.
THE circumstances attending tlie death of our beloved and much, esteemed Apostle, Parley Parker Pratt, rendered it impossible for him to complete and prepare for publication the work in which he had for many years been engaged, which is now presented to the public.
The general history and incidents were recorded in various forms of manuscript, some in book form, some in loose leaves, whilst others were extracts from the " Millennial Star "' and other publications, yet they needed collating and revising pre- paratory to their publication.
The deceased, as appears above, had laid upon his eldest son, P. P. Pratt, the responsibility of publishing his history in case anything should happen to prevent himself from doing it.
At the solicitation of Brother Pratt I undertook the task of assisting to collate and revise the work preparatory to publica- tion. I found, as I expected it to be, quite an undertaking. But, as Bro. Parley brought the gospel to and baptized me, and as I have always entertained for him the most profound regard, I esteemed it a duty, due alike to gratitude and respect, to assist in having him properly presented before the community.
In the revision the changes are very few and unimportant, the meaning being rigidly adhered to, and the original, so far as pos- sible, preserved intact His doctrines and general views are left unchanged, as he was always considered sound in doctrinal points.
6 TO THE PUBLIC.
The multitudinous reminiscences manifested in his eventful life exhibit a true and living faith in God and his religion — an honesty of purpose, an inflexible will, and an unflagging, inde- fatigable industry and perseverance. He possessed a compre- hensive mind, coujjled with a sound judgment. He manifested an indomitable fortitude under the most trying circumstances, and in adversity and trials, as well as in prosperity, exhibited an example worthy of praise and emulation. He was indeed a true Latter-Day Saint, an honorable Apostle, a good and kind hus- band, an affectionate father, a true friend, and an honest man.
From various premonitions which he had during his last visit with me in New York, I was satisfied that, when I took my last sad leave of him in that city, I should never see his face again in the flesh. These presentiments were but too speedily and sadly fulfilled. He has gone — but has left a name and a fame that will live throughout time and burst forth in eternity ; and in the morning of the first resurrection, when the opening heavens shall reveal the Son of God, and he shall proclaim, " I am the resurrection and the life," when Death shall deliver up the dead, I expect to meet Bro. Parley in the resurrection of the jiLst.
John Taylor.
CONTENTS.
PAGEf.
CHAPTER I.— Parentage:— Childhood:— Youth:— Education:— Early Impressions :— Jouruey Westward :— Making a New Farm in the Wilderness of Oswego 1'^ to 21
CHAPTER II.— Thoughts on ReUgion :— Join the Baptist Church :
—Strange Perversion of a Scripture Promise 22 to 25
CHAPTER III.— Reverses:— Loss of our Farm:- Strange Resolve:
—Travels West:— Forest Life :— Another New Farm 26 to 28
CHAPTER IV.— Revisit Canaan, N. T. :— Interesting Meeting :—
Marriage :— Return to my Forest Home 29 to 30
CHAPTER V. — Our Home :— New Sect :— Progressive Rehgious Yiews : — Unexpected Meeting : — Dialogue : — Forsake My Home:— Jornney to New York :— Pubhc Ministry :— Strange Book: — Fkst Interview with a Latter-Day Samt 31 to 41
CHAPTER VI. — Interestmg Meetings : — Second Interview -n^th Hyrum Smith:— Visit to the Church in Seneca County:— Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination :— Ministry Among my Kindred:- Baptism of my Brother Orson:— Wonderful Sign in the Heavens :— Return to Western New York:— First Interview with Joseph Smith :— Description of his Person and
Abihties .
42 to 48
CHAPTER VII.— Mission to the Western States :— Visit to the
■" ludia'usT- Wonderful Success in Kirtland, Ohio:— Journey
Westward :— Great Excitement and Anxiety to Hear the Fulness of the Gospel: — Imprisonment: — Mock Trial: — Escape :— Preaching :— Success :— Visit the Wyandots :— Journey Resinned :— Great Hardships :— Arrival on the Fron- tiers of Missouri ^^^ ^^
CHAPTER Vin.— Visit the Delawares of Kansas :— Interview with the Chief and CouncU :— Speech and Reply:— Great Excite-
8 CONTENTS.
PAQB8.
ment : — Opposition from Missionaries : — Compelled to Leave the Indian Country : — Ministry in Jackson County : — Council in Independence : — Return Eastward : — Disguise : — Hospitality of a Family of the Saints: — Dialogue: — Sickness: — Reunion with President Joseph Smith: — Mission to the Shakers : — Min- istry Among the Churches: — False Spirits: — Inquire of the Lord : — Mode of Receiving Revelations 5G to 66
CHAPTER IX. — Revelation on False Spirits :— Ministry Among the Churches : — Remarkable Miracle of Healing : — Arrival of Emigrant Saints from New York: — Severe Disappointment.. 67 to 71
CHAPTER X. — Conference at Kirtland: — Revelation of the High ^"■■"'''■■PTiMClluod : — Ordinations to the Same: — Appointment of
Missions through the Western States: — Return "Westward, ^
Accompanied by my Brother Orson: — Our Success by the Way : — Arrival at the Frontiers : — Sickness : — Remarkable Conversion of Newel Knight : — A Dream 72 to 77
CHAPTER XI. — Attend Conference : — Instantaneous Healing : — Return Eastward : — Description of the Inhabitants on the South Side of the Missouri River : — Strange Manifestation : — Arrive at St. Louis : — Preaching and Entertainment : — Arrive at Yandalia : — Reception : — Exposure in Crossing an Over- flowed Bottom : — Dialogue : — Hospitahty of a Preacher : — Deaf Landlord :— Meet my Wife 78 to 84
CHAPTgS::^^' — Mission in Ohio : — Start to Western Missouri : — Incidents hy the Way : — Discourse on Board a Steamer on the Fourth of July : — Its Effect : — Arrival on the Frontiers : — Farming : — Extortion : — Mission in Missouri and IlUnois : — Treatment by Infidels : — Great Success in Illinois : — Opposi- tion from Baptist Ministers : — Outlines of Mr. Peck's Speech and my Reply : — Result : — Return Home : — A Voice from the Dead 85 to 98
CHAPTER XIII.— Prosperity of the Church :— School in Zion:— Revelation: — Mob: — Destruction of Fruiting OflBce: — Defence: — Prisoners : — Journey to Lexington : — A Dream: — Its Fulfil- ment:— Battle: — Defeat of tlio Robbers: — A Miracle: — De- * fence Construed into Murder : — Gov. Boggs and Militia Join the Mob: — Church Driven from the County: — Plunderings
CONTENTS. 9
PAGES.
and Burnings : — Insurrections : — Signs in the Heavens : — Action of the Governor: — Attorney-General Driven from Court : — Refugees Settle in the North : — A Bandit Chief made Governor 98 to 113
CHAPTER XIV.— Labors in lOay County :— Conference :— Appoint- ment to a Tedious Joiirney: — A Case of Healing: — Arrive at Kirtland : — Revelation : — Travel Eastward, in Company with President Joseph Smith : — Conference in Geneseo : — Pleasing Reminiscence: — President Smith and Others Return Home : — Visit Sackett's Harbor : — Crowded Meeting : — Re- quested to Visit the Sick: — A Little Boy Healed: -^^3^-' tisms, etc. : — Miraculous Gifts : — Lying Priests and Rabble : — Visit my Parents in jCanaan, N. Y. : — Return to Kirtland,. 114 to 121
CHAPTER XV.— An Army :— A Long March :— Recruits :— A Voice : — Camp Arrives in Missouri : — Delegation to the Go- vernor : — Interview : — Return to Camp : — Council : — Great Storm and Flood : — A Battle Providentially Prevented : — Cholera : — Army Disbanded : — Sudden Destruction : — Labor with my Hands : — Journey to Ohio : — Labor and Ministry : — Accusations: — Repau- to Kirtiand : — Interview with the Pre- sident : — His Action on the Matter : — Calling and Ordination of a Quorum of Twelve Apostles : — My Ordination, Blessing and Charge : — Charge to the Quorum 122 to 136
CHAPTER XVI.— Return to New Portage:— Fire:— Return to Kirt- land:— Mob: — Journey Eastward, as far as Maine: — Return to Boston: — Removal to Kirtland: — A Temple: — School, Endowments, Prophecyings, Visions, etc.: — Visit from Brother H. C. Kimball and Others : — My "Wife Healed and Blessed : — A Remarkable Prophecy and its Fulfilment: — Mission to Canada : — Falls of Niagara : — Reflections 137 to 144
CHAPTER XVn. — Journey Resumed : — Ministry : — Striking Answer to Prayer : — Arrival at Toronto : — John Taylor : — Visit the Rehgious Ministers, the Sheriff, and the Pubhc Market, Seeking for an Opening, but in Vain : — Secret Prayer : — About to leave the City — God Sends a Widow to Receive Me : — Great Faith : — Eyes of the Blind Opened : — Great Excite- ment and Gainsayings : — Pubhc Preacliing : — Find a People Prepared to Receive the Message 145 to 154
10 CONTENTS.
PAQBS.
CHAPTER XVIII.— Crowded Meeting :— Discourse :— Baptize the People and Organize a Church: — Spread of the Work: — Firat Visit to the Country : ^Opposition : — Remarkable Suc- cess : — Return to Kirtland : — Return with my Wife to Toronto : — Meetings at Mr. Lamphere's : — A Woman Healed and Evil Spirits Rebuked : — Mr. Lamareux : — A Meeting : — A Challenge : — Discussion Held in the Open Air : — Great Crowd : — Opening Propositions by Elder 0. Hyde : — Result of the Discussion 155 to 171
CHAPTER XIX. — A Vision : — Remarkable Signs in the Heavens : — A False Prophet : — A Dream : — Impression : — Prayer : — Interpretation Given in a Second Dream : — Attend Mr. Caird's Meeting : — He Shows Himself to be a Railer and a Liar : — We Challenge Him to an Investigation : — He Visits Toronto : — We Return There : — Continues His Opposition : — Refusing to Meet Us: — Great Meetings: — Excitement: — Text : — Summary of the Discourse Proving Him a False Teacher: — He Retires to Private Life: — Return to Kirtland: —Birth of My First Born 172 to 180
CHAPTER XX. — Two Items of Prophecy :— Death of my Wife: An Open Vision Forewarning Her of Her Death : — Burial : Description of Her Person and Character : — Reflections : Return to Canada : — Selection for an English Mission Jarrings in the Church : — Apostacy : — Temptation : — Deliver- ance : — Mission to New York City : — The Voice of Warn- ing : — Its Success : — EngUsh Mission : — Remarkable Pro- phecy:— Several Instances of Healing: — Spread of the Work in the City and Country 181 to 188
CHAPTER XXI. — Remove to Missouri : — National Anniversary at Far West : — Corner Stone of a Temple : — Insurrections : — Defence : — Attack on De Witt, Carroll County : — Mob Chap- lain : — Surrender and Flight of the Citizens of De Witt : — Action of the Governor : — General Defence : — Battle of Crooked River : — Death of Colonel Patten : — Defence Con- strued into Murder and Treason : — Muster of State Forces Against the " Mormons," with Orders for Extermination : — General Lucas, with Four Thousand Men, Menaces Far West 189 to 202
CONTENTS. 11
PAGES.
CHAPTER XXII. — Exterminating Order i-^-Betrajal and Imprison ment of Joseph Smith and Others : — Camp of the Enemy : — I I The HowUngs of the Damned : — The Enemy Boast of the Highest Crimes : — Secret Inquisitory Trial of the Prison- ers : — Sentence of Death ! — How Reversed : — A Judas : — Surrender of Far "West : — Attempt to Assassinate the Prisoners : — Farewell Scenes : — Captives Removed to Jack- son Coimty : — General Clark Demands the Prisoners : — Refusal to Surrender them : — Cross the Missouri River : — Visitors : — Preaching in Camp by President Smith : — Arrive at Independence: — Pubhc Exhibition of the Prisoners 203 to 212
CHAPTER XXIIL— Treatment of the Prisoners:— Visit the Temple Lot : — Gain my Freedom : — Temptation : — Voluntary Return to Bondage: — Leave Independence: — Conduct of the Guards: — Fall into the Hands of Col. Price and Guards: — Arrive at Richmond: — Chains: — Interview with Gen. Clark: — Dia- logue : — Inconceivable Absurdities 21 3 to 218
CHAPTER XXIV.— Massacre at Haun's MiU 219 to 224
CHAPTER XXV. — Speech of Major-General Clark, Delivered at Far West while its Citizens were held as Prisoners, No- vember, 1838 225 to 226
CHAPTER XXVI. — The Prisoners : — Second Interview with Gene- ral Clark: — Inquisition: — Sickness of Elder Rigdon: — Colonel Price and Guards: — ^Their^ Conduct;— Rebuke_,_by_ Joseph Smith: — Trial: — Similarity between King Herod and Go- vernor Boggs : — Judge Austin A. King in Open Court Threatens a "Wholesale Extermination of the "Mormons:" — Other Prisoners Obtained by Stratagem : — Advice of General Doniphan, Attorney for the Prisoners : — Decision : — Disposal of the Prisoners : — Fhght of the Church to IlUnois : — Con- duct of the Outlaws : — My Family Visits me in Prison. ... 227 to 134
CHAPTER XXVIL— Legislative Action on the Subject 235 to 237
CHAPTER XXVIIL— Joseph Smith and his Fellow Prisoners in Clay County : — Mock Trial in the County of Davies : — Final Escape : — Their Arrival in Illinois 238 to 244
12 CONTENTS.
PAGES.
CHAPTER XXIX.— Farewell Scenes :— Departure of the Last Rem- nant of the Exiles : — Court : — Release of Two of the Prison- ers : — Reflections in Prison 245 to 250
CHAPTER XXX.— Letter . to Judge Austin A. King 251 to 254
CHAPTER XXXI.— The Prison:— Fare :— Conduct of the Guards: — A Strange Couple : — My Wife Visits the Prison : — Fasting and Prayer: — An Important Question: — Vision: — A Minis- tering Spirit: — The Question Answered: — Visit from Judge King : — Change of Venue : — Handcuffs : — Departure from the Prison: — Journey: — Arrival in Columbia, Boone County: — Enter Another Prison: — Treatment: — Arrival of Friends: — News from my Family: — Impressions of the Spirit: — Plan and Preparations for Escape : — Fourth of July Celebration : — Flag: — Pubhc Dmner: — Now's the Day: — Our Friends take Leave : — Rendezvous 255 to 270
CHAPTER XXXIL — Description of the Prison :— Ladies in the Prison: — Evening of a Public Day: — Song: — Obstinate Coffee Pot: — Order of Attack: — Escape: — Race: — Great Excite- ment:— Our Friends in the Thicket: — Prisoners Gain the Thicket : — FHght : — Encounter : — Climb a Tree : — Faint : — Prayers : — Night Favors us at Last : — Loss of my Horse : — Journey on Foot : — Reflections 271 to280
CHAPTER XXXIII.— Dawn :— Bewildered in a Forest :— Beautiful Valley: — Escape of Phelps: — Dialogue: — His Final Escape and Arrival in IlUnois: — Fate of our Two Friends: — Inter- view between my Brother Orson and my "Wife : — She Pre- pares for my Reception: — Disappointment: — Excitement: — Search: — Suspense: — Scenes at the Prison: — Treatment of Mrs. Phelps: — Mr. FoUett Retaken: — His Return to Prison: — Chains: — Escape of Mrs. Phelps: — Finale of Luman and Phila 281 to 289
CHAPTER XXXIV. — Reminiscence : — Resume my "Wanderings : — Lost Again : — Storm : — Conversation : — Suspicious Characters : — Lost in a Swamp : — Strange River : — Retrace my Steps : — Cross the River : — "Wild Scenery : — Strange Bedfellow : — Dawn : — Reach the Mississippi : — Cross the River in a
CONTENTS. 13
FA6ES.
Canoe :— Land on an Island :— Entangled in the Thickets :— Reembaik : — Land in Illmois : — An Old Acquaintance: — Arrive at Quincy 290 to 310
CHAPTER XXXV.— Opinions of the Press:— Extracts from the "Columbia Patriot:" — "Banner of Liberty:" — "Boone's Lick Democrat :"— " Saturday News :"— " Missouri Repubhcan :" — "New York Sun:" — "Quincy Argus:" — Mmutes of a Public Meeting in Quincy: — "New York Commercial Advertiser;" — Public Meeting in New York:— Closing Remarks 311 to 322
CHAPTER XXXVL— Congratulations :— Remove to Nauvoo :— Meet jvvith_^esidenlSnutfc.aad -Other .EeUow Sufferers :— President Smith^,, Reproof for the Elder8^:—Toils:— Start for England:
Arrival in Detroit: — Visit my Brother Anson and Parents:
Arrive in New York: — Visit Philadelphia and "Washing- ton:—Meet President Smith :— Great Meeting :— Preaching by V S. Rigdon and President Smith :— Success in New York :— \ Farewell Song :— Sail for England :— Reflections 323 to 334
CHAPTER XXXVIL— General Conference at Preston, England :— Pubhshing Committee: — Editorial Appointment: — First Num- ber of the " Millennial Star " Issued : — My own Ministry in Manchester and Vicinity :— New Hymn Book:— Action of Congress on the Missouri Tragedies 335 to 340
CHAPTER XXXVIII. — General Conference at Manchester :— Ordi- nations and Appointments :— Return to New York : — Meet with my Family : — Visit to the State of Maine : — A Dream and its Fulfilment: — Embark Again for England: — Conse- quence of Looking Back: — Safe Arrival in England: — Resume the Editorial Duties : — Reflections 341 t j 345
CHAPTER TYXTX. — Visit and Ministry in Bolton :— Conduct of two Methodist Priests :— Arrest and Trial :— Emigration :— General Conference at Manchester :— Council of the Twelve : — Charter the ship " Tyrean:"-" Philosophy of the Re- surrection:"—Emigration on the Ship " Chaos:"— Visit to the Isle of Man : — ^Visit to Norwich : — Mob 346 to 355
CHAPTER XL. — Notice for a General Conference : — Extract of a Letter from Elder Orson Hyde in Jerusalem : — Extracts from my Farewell Address 356 to 360
14 CONTENTS.
FAfiES.
CHAPTER XLI. — ^Vessels Chartered: — Emigration: — Sail for New Orleans on the "Emerald:" — Passage: — Land in New Orleans : — Charter of a Steamer : — Historical Letter : — Journey and Arrival at Nauvoo : — Mission with Joseph Smith :— Visit to Chester 361 to 366
CHAPTER XLn. — Miscellaneous "Writings : — Mission to the East: — Impressions of the Spirit : — Martj-rdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith : — Spirit of Exultation : — Return to Nauvoo : —Sidney Rigdon Disfellowshipped 367 to 373
CHAPTER XLni.— Eastern Mission : —Return : — Mobocracy : — Labor in the Temple : — Expulsion from Nauvoo : — Cross the Mississippi: — Garden Grove: — Mount Pisga: — Council Bluffs: — Mormon Battalion : — "Winter Quarters : — Mission to England with Elders Orson Hyde and John Taylor : — Conference at Manchester : — Tour through the Kingdom 374 to 386
CHAPTER XLIY.— An Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-Day Saints, was in the Island of Cfreai Britain for the GospeVs sake ; and being in the Spirit on the 24th of November, 1846, addressed the follovnng words of comfort to his dearly beloved Wife and Family, dicelling in tents, in the Camp of Israel, at Council Bluffs, Missouri Territory, North America ; where they and twenty thousand others were banished by the civilized Christians of the United States for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus 387 to 393
CHAPTER XLV.— Return ynXh. Elder John Taylor to America:— Arrival at "Winter Quarters: — Camp Starts for the Rocky Mountains : — Meet the Pioneers : — Arrival in Great Salt Lake Valley :— Visit to Utah and Great Salt Lake 394 to 403
CHAPTER XLA'I.— Spring of 1848 :— Scarcity of Provisions :— "Harvest Peast:"' — Arrival of President Young and Com- pany : — Gold Fever : — Explore Southern Utah 404 to 413
CHAPTER XLVII.— Start on my Pacific Mission :— Sketch of the Journey: — Attacked by Indians: — Crossing the Desert: — Arrival at Los Angelos 414 to 426
CHAPTER XLVin.— Los Angelos :— Catholic Celebration of Corpus Christi : — Arrival in San Francisco : — Letter to President Brigham Young : — Family Letter 427 to 439
CONTENTS. 15
FACES.
CHAPTER XLIX.— Valparaiso : — Quillota :— Letter to President
Brigham Young 440 to 451
CHAPTER L. — Arrival in San Francisco: — Return to Salt Lake City: — Second Mission to the Pacific: — Articles from the Press 452 to 465
CHAPTER LI.— Reply to the Rev. Mr. Briggs on the Subject of the Expediency of the Reappointment of His Excellency Governor Young, of Utah 466 to 473
CHAPTER LII. — Statements Pertaining to the History of Joseph Smith: — Return to Utah: — Home Mission: — Attend the Legislature at Fillmore : — The Standard of Zion : — Return to Salt Lake City 474 to 483
CHAPTER LIII.— Journal of Eastern Mission 484 to 494
CHAPTER LIV.— Family Letters : — " My Fiftieth Year :" — Re- sponse by John Taylor 495 to 502
APPENDIX i
GENEALOGY ^y
CHAPTER I.
Parentage : — Childhood : — Youth : — Education : — EarW Impressions : — Journey "Westv\-ard : — Making a Xew Farm in the Wilderness of Oswego.
T)AELET PAEKEE PEATT, the subject and author -^ of these sketches, and third son of Jared and Charity Pratt, of Canaan, Cohimbia County, New York, was born April 12, 1807, hi Bm-hngton, Otsego County, is^. Y.*
Of my early youth I shall say but little. My father was a hard working man, and generally occupied in agricultural pursuits; and, although limited in education, he sometimes taught school, and even vocal music.
He was a man of excellent morals ; and he exerted him- self diligently, by stem example as well as precept, to instill into the minds of his children every principle of integrity, honesty, honor and virtue.
He taught us to venerate om- Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, His prophets and Apostles, as well as the Scriptures wTitten by them; wliile at the same time he* belonged to no religious sect, and was careful to preserve his children li-ee from all prejudice in favor of or against any particular denomination, into which the so-called Christian world was then unhappily divided.
We frequently attended public worsliip, vrith Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists in turn, or, as circumstances ren- dered convenient — having equal respect for these several forms of worship and their adherents. Though my father did sometimes manifest a decided disapprobation of a hire-
* For genealogj- iu full see Appendix. 2
18 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF I'AKLEY P. PRATT.
ling clergy, who seemed, in liis estimatiou, to prefer the learning and -vrisdoin of man to the gifts and power of the Holy Ghost.
His means to edncate his children were very limited; but that excellent systeiu of common school education early established in the Eastern and Middle States afforded to them, in common with others, an opportunity to learn, and even to become familiar with the four great branches, which are the foimdation of literatm-e and the sciences.
My opportunity, even in these institutions, was far more limited than most of the youths of my country, on account of my time being mostly required in physical exertion to assist in sustaining the family of my father.
But I always loved a book. If I worked hard, a book was in my hand in the morning while others were sitting down to breakfast ; the same at noon ; if I had a few moments, a book ! a book ! A book at evening, while others slept or sported ; a book on Sundays ; a book at every leisiu'e moment of my life.
At the age of seven years my mother gave me lessons to read in the Scriptures ; I read of Joseph in Egypt, — his dreams, his se^^itude, his temptation and exaltation ; his kindness and affection for his father and brethren. All this inspii'ed me with love, and with the noblest sentiments ever phmted in the bosom of man.
I read of David and Goliah ; — of Saul and Samuel ; — of Samson and the Philistines : — aU these inspired me with hatred to the deeds of evil doers and love for good men and their deeds.
After this I read of Jesus and his Apostles ; and O, how I loved them ! How I longed to ftiU at the feet of Jesus ; to worship him, or to offer my life for his.
At about twehe years of age I read of the first resur- rection, as described by John the Apostle, in the 20th chap, of his Revelations ; how they, martyrs of Jesus, and those who kept his commandments would liA'e and reign
AUTOBIOGBAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 19
with Christ it thoiusaud years, while the rest of tlie dead lived uot agam till the thousand years were euded. O, what an impression this made on my mind ; I retired to rest alter an evening spent in this wayj but I eould not sleep. I felt a longing desire and an inexpressible anxiety to secme to myself a part in a resvuTection so glorious. I felt a weight of worlds, — of eternal worlds resting upon me ; for fear I might still remain in uncertainty, and at last fall short and still sleep on in the cold embrace of death ; while the great, the good, the blessed and the holy of this world would awake from the gloom of the graxe and be renovated, tilled with life and joy, and enter upon life with all its Joys : while for a thousand years their busy, happy tribes should trample on my sleeping dust, and still my si^irit wait in dread suspense, impatient of its doom. I tried to pray ; but O, how weak !
At the age of fifteen I was separated from my father's house, and placed as an assistant on a farm, with a gentle- man by the name of YN'illiam S. Herrick.
TIms gentleman and his family were exemplary members of the Presbyterian Chm-ch ; and better, kinder, or more agreeable people are seldom met with in this wicked world. They treated me as if I had been an oidy son, instead of a hired servant.
I was with them eight ■ months, during which time our mutual affection for eacli other increased; and I felt grieved when my time expii-ed and duty called me elsewhere.
During the whiter follo^^ing, being in the sixteenth year of my age, I boarded with one of my aunts (my fathers sister), named Van Cott ; she was an excellent and kind- hearted woman, and acted as a mother to me. This winter _I spent mostly at school, and it was my last oppoituiuty to
- improve my education by any means, except my own un-
- aided exertion — at least for many years.
In this school, by close application, I ma<le such extra- ordinary progress that the teacher often spoke of me to the
20 AUTOBIOGRA.PHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
whole school, and exhorted them to learn as Parley Pratt did ; — said he (to some of them who were more loud of mischief than of study), if you would learn as he does, you would become men of wisdom and talent in the world ; ])ut if you continue the course you have done you will remain in obscurity and unknown ; while he will be known, and fill important stations in society. I do not mention these circumstances by way of boasting- ; but simply because they are true. How little did I then realize, or even dream of the station I should be called to fill.
Again the spring returned ; — I was sixteen years of age. I left the school of my boyhood forever, and commenced again a life of toil. I assisted my cousin, William Pratt, in the cultivation of the farm of my aunt (where I had boarded the ])revious winter) until September, when I started a journey to the West, in company with my brother William, in search of some spot of ground in the wilderness which we might prepare as our future home.
We travelled about two hundred miles on foot, and at length selected a spot for a farm in the woods, about two miles from Oswego, a small to^v^l situated on Lake Ontario, in the State of New York. We pm^chased seventy acres of land, which was covered Avitli an immense growth of timber, principally beech, maple and hemlock. For this we bargained with one Mr. Morgan, and agreed to pay four dollars per acre, in four annual payments vrith in- terest— paying some seventy dollars in hand.
We then repaired again to the East, and, by dint of hard labor, endeavored to earn the money. Wages were very low, and at length my brother William entirely failed in raising his part of the money for oiu* next installment.
The next spring found me in the employment of a wealthy farmer, by the name of Eliphet Bristol, in the neighbor- hood of my aunt Van Cott's. Here I experienced no kind- ness ; no friendship from my employer or his family. I always commenced work before sunrise, and continued till
AUTOBIOaRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 21
(lark ; losing only three days in eight months. I was then but a lad — being only seventeen years of age — and stood in need of fatherly and motherly care and comfort. But they treated a laborer as a machine ; not as a human being, possessed of feelings and sympathies in common with his species, TTo/A- / Work ! WORK ! you are hired to work. A man that is j)aid for his work should never be weary, faint, or sick ; or expect a kind look or word. He agrees to work ; we agree to pay him ; that is suflicient. He needs no kindness, no affection, no smiles, no encourage- ment of any kind. Such was their spirit towards me dur- ing this eight months of toil. I was glad when the time exi)ired ; I felt like one released fiom prison. I took my wages, and was accompanied by my father to our place in Oswego. Here I paid all my hard earnings to meet the yearly instalhnent due on the land — reserving merely enough to purchase two axes. We then commenced to chop and clear the heavy timber all the time that we could command, extra of earning oui- board. It was a cold, snow^ winter, such as is usual in the northern part of New York. But we earned our living, and chopped and cleared ten acres during the winter and spring ; this we smrounded with a fence of rails, and planted with wheat and Indian corn, being in hopes to meet the next j)ay- meut Avith the avails of our harvest.
CHAPTER II.
Thoughts on Rehgion: — Jom the Baptist Church: — Sti'ange Perversion of a Scriptiu'e Promise.
T"T was during" these toils in the wiklerness that my mind -*- was drawn out from tiaie to time on tlie things of God and eternity. I felt deeply anxious to he saved from my sins, and to secure an interest in that world '' where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." I attended public worship with a society of Bai>tists who had em])loyed one W. A. Scranton for their minister 5 he was a scholar from Hamilton Seminary (an institution where young men are educated for the ministry).
I said to my father one day while we were laboring to- gether in the forest: "Father, how is it there is so manifest a difference between the ancient and modern discii)les of Jesus Cluist aud their doctruies ? If, for instance, I had lived in the days of the Apostles, and believed in Jesus Christ, and had manifested a wish to become his (liscijde, Peter or his brethren would have said to me, '• liepent and he baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for REMISSION OF SINS, and you SHALL receive tlie gift of the Holy Ghost.'' I should then have known definitely and jjrecisely what to do to be saved. Whereas, noic we go to the religious minister for instruction, and he tells us we must experience a mys- terious, indefinite and undefinable something called religion before we can repent and be baptized acceptably. But, if we inquire how, or by what means we are to come at this experience, he cannot tell us definitely ; but will tell us that it is the work of God in the soul ; which he will accomplish
r.
AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 23
ill his own due time, foi' his owii elect; and that we can do nothing acceptably till this is done. That even our jirayers and repentance, and all our good works are sin; so long as this work of God is not done within us. ^ " Now, father," said I, " how is this % I beUeve in Jesus ; 1 wish to serve him and keep his commandments; 1 love him: He has commanded all men to repent and be baptized, and has promised to remit the sins of all those who obey the gospel ordinances, and to pour out the Holy Spirit upon them. Yet, if I apply to the Presbyterians they will sprinkle some water in my face instead of baptizing me. If I go t6 the Methodists it is the same. And if I go to the Baptists they will not baptize me for renmsion of »im, that I may receive the gift of the Holy Ghost ; but they will re- quue of me to relate an experie)we, and to tell of some time and place where I had already experienced that which I am oiily seeking for, and have not found. This, of course,^! cannot do ; and, therefore, they will not receive me unto baptism. How, then, can I observe the ordinances of God and keep his commandments ?"
To these inquiries my father could give no satisfactory answer ; but observed that times and circumstances had changed. With this I was not satisfied, of course; for who had a right to change the ordinances, transgiess the lav/, or break the covenant of the everlasting gospel I Such were my thoughts.
I still continued to ])onder upon these things, and to search the Scriptures to learn how to be saved. I found the same principles and practice tliroughout the history of the Apostles, the Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles, Ephesiaus, Corinthians, Romans, the l^^thiopian eunuch, Saul of Tarsus, the jailor and his household, all were baptised when they beUeved in Jesus Christ and repented of their sins; and this as an ordinance connected with remission of their shis and the gift of tlie Holy Ghost. What, then, should I do '? Where lind one who was commissioned from heaven,
24 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP PARLEY P. PRATT.
and would administer salvation to me! I could only go to the Baptists ; but I lacked that " experience of re- ligmi^^ which they always required. However, I resolved to try.
1 accordingly appeared before tliem at their monthly meeting, or council, and requested to be bai)tized; they inquired into my experience ; I related to them my firm belief in Christ, and my Avisli to serve God, without being able to tell them of any particular expeiience of religion. They finally consulted together 5 and caiue to the conclusion that I had been converted, whether 1 knew it myself or not, and a time was appointed for my baptism — a month or two thence. Here I again realised the difference. In an- cient times persons were baptized immediately on profession of their faith ; now they were subjected to a delay of weeks or months.
At length the time arrived, and I was baptized by Mr. Scranton, and duly initiated into the Baptist society ; being about eighteen years of age. I felt some satisfaction in obeying this one ordinance; but still I was aware that aU was not right, — that much was wanting to constitute a Christian, or a Church of Christ.
I endeavored to pray much, and to attend meetings strictly; I also endeavored to keep the commandments of Jesus as well as I could.
Mr. Scranton came to the house where I boarded to preach at a certain time, and I inqiured of him what Jesus meant when he said, " these signs shall foUow them that believe." He replied, that it meant these signs should follow the Apostles only.
This did not satisfy me; for it was a plain and manifest perversion of common sense and language easy to be un- derstood. It was as much as to say: Go ye into aU the world and i)reach the gospel to the Apostles ; and the Apostles that believe and are baptised sliall be saved ; and the Apostles that believe not shall be damned ; and these
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
25
signs shall follow the Apo.stles that believe. Thus, by logi- cal cousisteucy, coutiiiiiig- the whole commissiou and gospel to the Apostles, with all its benelits, by the same rule that we would couhue the promise of the sigus following to them.
CHAPTER III.
Reverses: — Loss of our Farm: — Strange Resolve: — Travels West: — Forest Life: — Another New Farm.
rpiME passed ; liarvest came ; a fine crop, but no market ; -L and consequently the pajTuent came due on our land and there was no means of pa;yTnent.
The winter rolled roimd; spring came again; and with it a j)rosecution on the part of Mr. Morgan for money due on land.
The consequence was that all oiu- hard earnings, and all our improvements in the ^vilderness, were wrested fi'om us in a moment. Mr. Morgan retained the land, the improve- ments and the money paid.
Weary and disconsolate, I left the country and my father, who took charge of our crops and all unsettled business.
I spent a few months with my uncles, Ira and Allen Pratt, in AVayne county, N. Y., and in the autumn of 182G I resolved to bid farewell to the civilized world — where I had met with little else but disappointment, sorrow and imrewarded toil ; and where sectarian divisions disg-usted and ignorance perjjlexed me — and to spend the remainder of my days in the solitudes of the great west, among the natives of the forest.
There, at least, thought I, there will be no buying and selling of lands, — no law to sweep all the hard earnings of years to pay a small debt, — no wranglings about sects, and creeds, and doctrines. I will vriii the confidence of the red man ; I will learn his language ; I will tell him of Jesus ; I will read to him the Scriptures; I will teach him the aits
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PEATT.
d)
of peace; to hate war, to love his neighbor, to fear and love God, and to cultivate the eaith. Such were my reso- lutions.
In October, 182G, I took leave of my friends and started westward. I paid most of my money in Rochester for a small pocket Bible, and continued my journey as far as Buffalo. At this place I engaged a passage for Detroit, on board a steamer; as I had no money, I agreed to work for the same.
After a rough passage and many delays, I was at length driven by stress of weather to laaid at Erie, in Pennsyl- vania ; from whence I travelled by land till I came to a small settlement about thii'ty miles west of Cleveland, in the State of Qhio. The rainy season of November had now set in ; the country was covered with a dense forest, with here and there a small opening" made by the settlers, and the surface of the earth one vast scene of mud and mire; so that travelling was now very difficult, if not im- practicable.
Alone in a land of strangers, without home or money, and not yet twenty years of age, I became discour- aged, and concluded to stop for the winter ; I pro- duced a gun from one of the neighbors ; worked and earned an axe, some breadstuff and other little extras, and retired two miles into a dense forest and prepared a small hut, or cabin, for the winter. Some leaves and stiaw in my cabin served for my lodging, and a good fire kept me warm. A stream near my door quenched my thirst; and fat a enison, with a little bread from the settlements, sustained me for food. The storms of Mdnter raged around me ; the wind shook the forest, the Avolf howled in the distance, and the owl chimed in harshly to comi^lete the doleful music which seemed to sooth me, or bid me welcome ; to this holy retreat. But in my httle cabin the fire blazed l)leasantly, and the Holy Scriptures and a few other books ; occupied my horns of solitude. Among the few books in '
28
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PAELEY P. PKATT.
my cabin, were McKeiizie's travels iu the Northwest, and Lewis and Chirk\s tonr up the Missouri and dowTi the Cohmibia rivers.
Spring- came on again ; the woods were pleasant, the llowers bloomed in their richest variety, the birds sung pleasantly in the groves ; and, strange to say, my mind had become attached to my new abode. I agam bargained for a piece of forest land ; again promised to pay in a few yeais, and again commenced to clear a farm and build a house.
I was now twenty years of age.
I resolved to make some improvements and preparations, and then retiun to my native country, from which I had been absent several years. There was one there whom my heart had long loved, and from whom I would not have been so long separated, except by misfortune.
CHAPTER IV.
Revisit Canaan, N. Y. : — Interesting Meeting : — Marriage : — Return to my
Forest Home.
IT was the Fourth of July, 1827. The morning was beautiful and gay, the sun rose without a cloud over the pine-clad hills of my native land, where in boyhood I had often toiled and sported, just as I came within a mile of the farm of my good old aunt Van Cott, of Canaan,' Columbia County, after an absence of three years. I had, durmg this time, exchanged the features of the bashful boy for those of the man ; smd, instead of a laughing careless countenance, a forehead of marble and a cheek of rose, stern care had marked me as her child, and the sun had given a shade of brown to my features; these, added to a heavy growth of beard and whiskers, disguised me so far that I could pass through the neighborhood of people, known and familiar to me, unnoticed and un- known.
With a quick step, a beating heart, and an intense, in- describable feeling of joy, sorrow, hope, despondency and happiness, I approached the door of Mr. Halsey, and knocked •, it was opened by an aged female, a stranger to me ; I entered, and inquired for Miss Thankful Halsey — in a moment more she had me by the hand, with a look of welcome which showed she had not forgotten me.
I spent the day and evening with her; explained to her all my losses, my poverty and prospects, and the lone re- treat where I had spent the previous ^vinter ; and the preparations I had made for a future home. I also opened
30
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
my religious views to her, and my desire, which 1 some- times had, to try and teach the red mau.
" In Aiew of all these things," said I to her, *' If you still love me and desire to share my fortime you are worthy to be my wife. If not, we will agree to be fiiends for- ever ; but part to meet no more in time." " I have loved you during three years' absence," said she, " and' I never can be happy without you."
I repau'ed to my aunt's — found the usual welcome. xy:ter visiting my mother and kindred, for a few days, I saw my old fi'iend William S. Herrick, where I had been em- ployed five years before. He was very anxious to employ me again ; and finding I was willing, he discharged a hand he had already, and gave me double wages. I remained in his employ till October, and found the same kind re- ception as formerly.
On the 9th of September, 1827, Parley P. Pratt and Thankful Halsey were solemnly united in the bonds of matiimony, l)y Elder Palmer, Minister of the Baptist Ch^u•ch, in Canaan, Columbia County, ]S^. Y.
In October we took leave of our friends in Canaan and took passage for the West. We hired a conveyance to Albany, and then took passage for Buffalo on a canal boat; and from there on board a schooner ; passing i\\) Lake Erie we landed in safety at the mouth of Black Elver, in Ohio, and within ten miles of my place. jly wife had some money, which we paid in for the land I had piu'chased. The following spring found me I'l years of age, married and settled in a log dwelling, in the midst of a small clearing made with my own hands, in the place where I had spent the previous winter in solitude.
roRKST HOME.
(CHAPTER Y.
Our Home: — New Sect: — Progressive Religious Views: — Unexpected Meet- ing:— Dialogue: — Forsake My Home: — Journey to New York: — Public Ministry: — Strange Book: — First Interview with a Latter-Day Saint.
I7IGHTEEX iiiouths had passed siuce our settlemeut iu -*— ' the wilderness. The forest had been displaced by. the hibors of the first settlers for some distance around our cottage. A small frame house was now our dwelling, a garden and a beautiful meadow were seen in front, flowers in rich profusion were clustering about our door and win- dows ; while in the background were seen a thriving young orchard of apple and jjeach trees, and fields of grain extending in the distance, beyond which the forest still stood uj) in its own i)rimeval grandeur, as a wall to boimd the vision and guard the lovely scene. Other houses and farms were also in view, and some twenty children were returning from the school actually kept by my wife, upon the very sjiot where two years before I had lived for months without seeing a hiuuan being. About this time one Mr. Sidney Eigdon came into the neighborhood as a preacher, and it was rumored that he was a kind of Reformed Baptist, who, with Mr. Alexander Campbell, of Virginia, a Mr. Scott, and some other gifted men, had dis- sented from the regular Baptists, from whom they differed much in doctrine. At lengtli I went to hear him, and what was my astonishment when I found he preached faith in Jesus Christ, repentance towards God, and baptism for remission c»f sins, with tlie promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost to all who would come forward, with all their hearts, and obey this doctrine !
32 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
Here was the ancient gospel in due form. Here were the very principles which I had discovered years before; but could find no one to minister in. But still one great hnk was wanting to complete the chain of the ancient order of things; and that was, the authority to minister in holy things— the apostleship, the power which should accompany ; the form. This thought occurred to me as soon as I heard Mr. Rigdon make proclamation of the gospel.
Peter proclaimed this gospel, and baptized for remission of sins, and promised the g-ift of the Holy Ghost, because he was commissioned so to do by a crucified and risen Saviour. But who is Mr. Eigdou ! Who is Mr. Campbell ? Who commissioned them? Who baptized them for remis- sion of sins? A¥ho ordaiued them to stand up as Peter? Of coiu\se they were baptized by the Baptists, and ordained by them, and yet they had now left them because they did not administer the true gospel. And it was plain that the Baptists could not claim the apostolic office by succession, in a regular, unbroken chain from the Apostles of old, . preserving the gospel in its purity, and the ordinances ^ unchanged, fi^om the very fact that they were now living in the perversion of some, and the entke neglect of others of these ordinances; this being the very ground of differ- ence between the old Baptists and these Reformers.
Again, these Reformers claimed no new commission by revelation, or vision fi^om the Lord, while they had not the least shadow of claim by succession.
It might be said, then, with propriety : ^' Peter I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?"
However, we were thankful for even the forms of truth, as none could claim the power, and authority, and gifts of the Holy Ghost — at least so far as we knew.
After hearing Mr. Rigdon several times, I came out, with a number of others, and embraced the truths which he taught. We were organized into a society, and frequently met for public worship.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 33
About this time I took it upon mc to imi)art to my neighbors, from time to time, both in public aud iu private, the light I liad received from the Scriptures concerning the gospel, and also concerning the fulfilment of the things spoken hj the holy prophets. I did not claim any authority as a minister 5 I felt the lack in this respect; but I felt in duty bound to eidighten mankind, so far as ' ■ God had enlightened me. j
At the commencement of 1830, I felt drawn out iu an extraordinary manner to search the prophets, and to pray for an understanding of the same. My prayers were soon answered, even beyond my expectations ; the pro])hecies of the holy prophets were opened to my view; I began to understand the things which were coming on the earth — the restoration of Israel, the coming of the Messiah, and the glory that should follow. I was so astonished at the darkness of myself aud mankind on these subjects that I coidd exclaim with the i^rophet : siu-ely, '^ darkness covers J^- the earth, and gross darhmss the peopled
I was all swallowed up in these things. I felt con- strained to devote my time in enlightening my fellow men on these important truths, and in warning them to prepare for 'the coming of the. Lord.
My brother William, who journeyed to the West with me in my seventeenth year, had now been missing to the family for five years, and was supposed to be dead. About the time he disappeared and was lost sight of, he was known to leave the city of ISew York, where he had been employed, and to pass up the Hudson on a steamer. He was heard of no more ; and, as a notice appeared in the papers of the same date that a young gentleman by the name of William Pratt was drowned in the Hudson, on his way up the river, our parents and the family had given him up for lost.
One morning, as I was absent from home on business, about two miles distant, I heard of him; and that he
3
34 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
was then residing about ten miles from me. On hearing this I ran neariy the whole distance on foot, and in about two hours had him by the hand. He was much surprised, although he had heard of a man of my name living in the neighborhood -, but could not believe it was me. We had each of us taken our chance amid the hard- ships and toils of a new country for years, and at last found ourselves together about six hundred miles from oiu" starting point.
Tliis was a joy fill and unexpected meeting of two broth- ers. He immediately accompanied me home, and was in- troduced to my wife and our little farm in the wilder- ness, where we spent some days together. He admired my wife ; but above all my farm. " Brother Parley," said he, " how have you done all this ? When we were last together you had no wife, no farm, no house, no orchard, and now you are here with everything smiling around you." I replied, that hard work had accomplished it all. And, continued I, we are now about to leave this quiet home which we have toiled so hard to make, and, perhaps, never see it again. " How so ? " said he, with much sui^mse, and somewhat of disappointment. I then unfolded to him the gospel and . i)rophecies as they had been opened to me, and told him that the spirit of these things had wrought so powerfully on my mind of late that I could not rest ; — that I could no longer be con- tented to dwell in quiet and retirement on my farm, while I had light to impart to mankind, of which I knew they were in a great measure ignorant. " But," said he, " if I had fifty acres of land, a comfortable house, a flue or- chard, a beautiful garden, Avith meadow land, grain, and above all, such ])eautiful flowers and so valuable a house- keeper as you have, and all these things the work of our own hands, I am sure I would stay and enjoy the same while I lived ; and the world jnight go on its own jog, and its own way, for aU me. Besides, how are you
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PABLEY P. PRATT. 35
to get your living f ' This is yoiir all ; you have toiled for years to obtain it, and why not now continue to eujoj' it ?" " William," said I, " I see plainly you know but little of my circumstances — of the changes which have taken place with me since we j)arted five yeais ago, nor how vastly wealthy I have become within that time. Why, sir, I liaAC bank bills enough, on the ^ery best institutions in the world, to sustain myself and family whOe we live."
" Indeeil,'' said he, " well, I should like to see some of them ; I hope they are genuine." " Certainly," I replied, " there is no doubt of that. They are true bills and founded on capital that will never fail, though heaven and earth should pass away. Of this I will convince you in a moment."
I then uidocked my treasury and drew from thence a large ])ocket book, full of promissory notes like the follow- ing : " Whoever shaJl forsnJce father or mother, brethren or sw- ters, houses or lands, wife or children, for my salie and the gospeVs, shall receive an hundred fold in this life, ami in the tcorld to come life everlasting.''^ " If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, yon shall ash what yon will in my name and I will give it you.'''' " All things are possible to him that believeth.^^
" ]S"ow, William," said I, " are these the words of Jesus Christ, or are they not V' " They certaudy are," said he, " I always believed the New Testament."
" Then you admit they are genuine bills I"
"I do."
'' Is the signer able to meet his engagements ?"
'' He certaiidy is."
" Is he willing f '
''He is."
" Well, then, [ aiii going to fulfil the conditions to the letter on my part. I feel called ui)on by the Holy Ghost to forsake my house and home for the gospel's
36 AUTOBIOGRA-PHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
sake; and I mil do it, placin,' both feet tirm oa these promises with nothing else to rely upon." " If I sink, they are false."
uif I am sustained, they are true. I Avill pnt them to the test. Experiment shall now establish the truth ot Christ's promises, or the truth of infideUty."
a Well" said he, "try it, if you will; but, for my part, although I always believed the Bible, I would not dare believe it UteraUy, and reaUy stand upon its promises, with no other prop."
We parted. He to his business, I to my preparations for a mission which should only end ^vith my life.
In August l.s:>0, I had closed my business, completed ray arrangements, and we bid adieu to our .vilderness home and never saw it afterwards.
On settling up, at a gTeat sacrifice of property, we had about ten dollars left hi cash. With this small sum, we launched forth into the wide world, determining first to visit our native place, on our mission, and then such other places as I might be led to by the Holy Spmt.
We made our way to Cleveland, 30 miles. We then took passage on a schooner for Buifalo, a distance ot 200 miles We had- a fan- wind, and the captain, being short of hands, gave me the helm, the sails being aU set, and turned in. I steered the vessel the most of the day, with no other person on deck. Of course, our passage cost us little besides my labor. Landing in Buifalo, we engaged our passage for Albany on a canal boat, distance 360 mdes. This, including board, cost all our money and some articles
of clothing. '
Arriving at Rochester, I informed my wife that, not- withstandmg our passage being paid through the whole distance, yet I must leave the boat and her to pursue her passage to our friends; while I would stop awhile in this region. Why, I did not know; but so it was plainly manifest by the Spirit tG me. I said to her, "we part
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 37
for a season ; go and visit oiu' friends in our native place ; 1 will conic soon^ but how soon I know not ; for 1 liave a work to do in this region of country, and what it is, or how long it will take to perform it, I know" not; but I will (;ouie when it is performed."
My wife would have objected to this; but she had seen the hand of God so plainly manifest in His dealings with me many times, that she dare not op])ose the things man- ifest to me by His spirit.
She, therefore, consented; and I accompanied her as far as Newark, a small towai upwards of 100 miles irom Buffalo, and then took leave of her, and of the boat.
It was early in the morning, just at the dawn of day, 1 walked ten miles into the country, and stopped to break- fast with a Mr. Wells. I proposed to i)reach in the evening. Mr. Wells readily accompanied me tlirough the neighborhood to visit the ]>eople, and circulate the ai)- pointment.
We visited an old Baptist deacon by the name of Ham- lin. After hearing of our api)ointment for evening, he began to tell of a hoolc, a strange book, a VERY STRANGE BOGKi in his possession, which had been just published. This book, he said, purported to have been originally written on plates either of gold or brass, by a branch of the tribes of Israel; and to have been discovered and translated by a young man near Palmyra, in the State of New York, by the aid of visions, or the ministry of angels. I inquired of him how or where the book was to be obtained. He promised me the pe- rusal of it, at his house the next day, if I woiUd call. I felt a strange interest in the book. I preached that evening to a small audience, who ai)peared to be interest- ed in the truths which I endeavored to unfold to them in a clear and lucid manner from the Scrij^tures. Next morning I called at his house, where, for the first time, my eyes beheld the "BOOK OF MORMON,"— that book
38 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
of books — tliat record which reveals the antiquities of the ^^ Xeiv World^^ back to the remotest a<;es, and wJiich un- fokls the destiny of its people and the world for all time to come; — that Book which contains the fidness of the gospel of a crucihed and risen Eedeemer ; — that Book which reveals a lost remnant of Joseph, and which Avas the prin- cipal means, in the hands of God, of directing the enthe course of my future life.
I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its being found and translated. After this I commenced its contents by course, I read all day ; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food ; sleep was a burden when the night came, fen- I i^re- ferred reading to sleep.
As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as jjlaiu- ly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists. My joy was now full, as it were, and I re- joiced sufficiently to more than pay me for all the sor- rows, sacrifices and toUs of my life. . I soon determined to see the young man who had been the instrument of its discovery and translation.
I accordingly visited the village of Palmyra, and inquii^ed for the residence of Mr. Joseph Smith. I found it some two or three miles from the village. As I approached the house at the close of the day I overtook a man who was driving some cows, and inquu-ed of him for Mr. Joseph Smith, the translator of the " Book of Mormon.'''' He in- formed me that he now resided in Pennsylvania 5 some one hundred miles distant. I inquired for his father, or for any of the family. He told me that his father had gone a jour- ney ; but that his residence was a small house just before me ; and, said he, I am his brother. It was Mr. Hyrum Smith. I informed him of the interest I felt in the Book, and of my desire to learn more about it. He welcomed me
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 39
to liis liouse, aud we spent tbe night together ; for neither of us felt disi^osed to sleep. AVe conversed most of the night, diu'ing which I nnfolded to him much ot my experi- ence in my jsearch after truth, and my success so far ; to- gether with that which I felt was lacking, viz : a commis- sioned priesthood, or apostleship to minister in the ordi- nances of God.
He also unfolded to me the jjarticulars of the discovery of the Book ; its translation ; the rise of the Church of Lat- ter-Day Saints, and the commission of his brother Joseph, and others, by revelation and the ministering of angels, by which the apostleshii) and authority had been again restored to the earth. After duly weighing the whole matter in my mind I saw clearly that these things were true ; and that myself and the whole world were without baptism, and without the ministry and ordinances of God; and that the whole world had been in this condition since the days that inspiration and revelation had ceased — in short, that this was a new dispensation or commission^ in fulfilment of jjro- phecy, and for the restoration of Israel, and to prepare the way before the second coming of the Lord.
In the morning I was compelled to take leave of this worthy man and his family — as I had to hasten back a distance of thirty miles, on foot, to fulfill an api)ointment in the evening. As we parted he kindly presented me with a copy of the Book of Mormon. I had not yet comi^leted its perusal, and was glad indeed to possess a copy of my own. I travelled on a few miles, and, stopping to rest, I com- menced again to read the book. To my great joy I found that Jesus Christ, in his glorified resurrected body, had ap- peared to the remnant of Josei^h on the continent of America, soon after his resurrection and ascension into heaven ; and that he also administered, in j^ersou, to the ten lost tribes ; and that through his ijersoual ministry in these countries his gospel was revealed and written in countries and among nations entirely nnkncjwn to the Jew- ish apostles.
40 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
Thus revealed, wiitteu, liauded dowii and i)reserved, till revealed in this age by the angels of God, it had, of course, escaped the corni])tions of the great and abominable chui'cli ; and been preseix cd in purity.
This discovery greatly eidarged my heart, and filled my soul with joy and gladness. I esteemed the Book, or the information contained in it, more than all the riches of the world. Yes; I verily believe that I would not at that time have exchanged the knowledge 1 then possessed, for a legal title to all the beautiful farms, houses, A'illages and property which passed in review before me, on my journey through one of the most flourishing settlements of western New York.
Surely, thought I, Jesus had other sheep, as he said to his Apostles of old; and here they were, in the wilderness of the world called new. And they heard the voice of the Good Shepherd of Israel ; and he brought them to liis fold. Truly, thought I, he Avas not sent (in jjerson) save to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, as he told the woman of Canaan ; and here were a x)ortion of them. Truly, thought 1, the angels sung with the spirit and with the understantliug when they declared : " We bring you glad tidings of great joy, n-hich shall he to ALL PEOPLE."
In his mortal tabernacle he confined his ministry and that of his Apostles to the land of Judea ; but afterwards, released from the bonds of mortal liie, or rather death, and clothed Avith an innnortal body, and with organs strong and lasting as the immortal mind, he possessed all power in heaven and on earth ; he was then enabled to extend his ministry to heaven, eai-th or heU. He could take the wings of the morning, and, with the speed of Ught, make his way to the Heaven of Heavens; and converse and comicil among the sons of God ; or receive council from his Father in Heaven ; or, lea\ing again the starry worlds, he could descend to the daik and gloomy abodes of the
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
41
spirits in prisou and ineach to them the gospel — bui\sting- oil' their shackles and unlocking- their prison doors ; while these once dark abodes were now brilUant with light, and, instead of prison groans, Avere heard joji'ul acclamations of deliverance to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound ; or coming again to visit the earth, he couhl soar away beyond the waves and tem- pests, which liad before set bounds to the geographical knowledge of man, and stood up as an impregnable barrier to the intercourse of imtious ; and there, in other tribes and tongues, make known the riches of his gTace, and his triumph over death.
And when ages had passed, and nations slumbered in the dust — when cruelts' and bloodshed had blotted almost every trace of priesthood and apostleship from the earth; when saints had been worn out and overcome; times, laws and ordinances changed; the Bible itself robbed of its plainness ; and all things darkened and corrupted ; a pure and faithful record of his ministry to other nations is forthcoming from among the archives of the dead, to re- veal the " mystery of iniquity ;" to speak, as with a voice of thunder, in rebuking the e^il and revealing the fulness of the gosi^el. Such was the Book of Mormon — such its effect upon the startling nations.
CHAPTER VI.
Interesting Meetings : — Second Interview with Hj-nun Smith : — Visit to the Church in Seneca Count}': — Baptism, Confinnation, and Ordination: — Ministr}' among my Kindred: — Baptism of my Brother Orson: — Wonder- ful Sign in tlie Heavens: — Return to Western New York: — First Inter- view with Joseph Smitli: — Description of liis Person and Abilities.
HAVING rested awhile and perused this sacred book by tlie roadside, I again walked on.
In the eveuuig I arrived in time to lill my appointment. I met a crowded house, and laid before them many interest- ing' truths, which were listened to with dee^) interest.
The next evening I had another appointment, and the people came out in great numbers, and were filled with the si)iiit of interest and inquiry.
They urged me very much to continue my discourses among tliem ; but I felt to minister no more till I had attended to some important duties for myself. 1 had now found men on earth commissioned to preach, baptize, ordain to the ministry, etc., and I determined to obey the fulness of the gospel ^^'ithout delay. I should have done so at the first interview with Elder Hyrum Smith 5 but these two api^ointments were already out, and thirty miles' travel required all the time I had.
I now returned immediately to Hj'rum Smith's residence, and demanded baptism at his hands. I tarried with him one night, and the next day we walked some twenty-five miles to the residence of Mr. Whitmer, in Seneca County. Here we arrived in the evening, and found a most A^'elcome reception.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 43
This wa« the t'aiiiilyj several of whose names were attached to the Book of Mormon as witnesses — Mr. Joseph Smith having- translated mnch of the book in Whitmer's chamber.
I found the Httle branch of the cliurch in this place full of joy, faith, humility and charity. We rested that night, and on the next day, being about the 1st of Sep- tember, 1830, I was baptized by the hand of an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ, by the name of Oliver Cowdery. This took place in Seneca Lake, a beautiful and transparent sheet of water in AVestern islew York.
A meeting was held the same evening, and after suig- ing a hymn and prayer, Elder Cowdery and others pro- ceeded to lay their hands upon my head in the name of Jesus, for the gift of the Holy Ghost. After which I was ordained to the office of an Elder in the Church, which included authority to preach,' baptize, administer the sacia- ment, administer the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands in the name of Jesus Christ, and to take the lead of meetings of worship.
I now felt that I liad authority in the ministry.
On the next Sabbath 1 preached to a large concourse of people, assembled at the house of a Mr. Burroughs. The Holy Ghost came upon nie mightily. I si)oke the word of God with power, reasoning out of the Scriptures and the Book of Mormon. The people were convinced, overwhelmed in tears, and four heads of families came forward, exjiress- ing their faith, and were baptized.
My work was now comi)leted, for which 1 took leave of my wife aiul the canal boat some two or three weeks previous.
I now took leave of the little branch of the church Avith which I had been associated, and i)ursued my journey to the land of iny fathers and of my boyhood.
I found my wife in health and spii'its, enjoying herself with her friends. I also found my father and mother,
44 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
friends and kindred, and, among others, my good old aunt aud cousins, at the old homestead, where I always found a welcome reception.
This was a pleasant and retired mountain valley, con- sisting of a beautiful faiin and a small and convenient house, out-buildings, orchard, meadow, etc., encu'cled on the south, west and north with a curve of hills, consisting of farming lands and j^astm^e, and tlieir summits and bosoms partially clothed with a beautiful forest of pine and chest- nut; while the scene opened to the southeast in a descend- ing landscape to a beautiful vale of some miles in extent, filled with nourishing farms and dwellings, and watered by a winduig stream ; while far beyond stretched other hilla and pine-clad mountains, and the spire of a church aud a small town were seen nestling among the hills at two miles distance.
This was the residence of my aunt Van Cott, and the place where I had spent some of the happiest seasons of my youth. My aunt had three children — an only son, and two daughters. These were now in the bloom of early youth, and were fast advancing to a state of matu- rity. Her husband had died at an early day, after an illness of seven years; and here lived the widow and or- phans, surrounded with peace and plenty, blooming with health, and smiling with iimocence and joy. Retired from the throng of busy, boisterous life, and strangers to most of its woes, ills and corruptions, the stranger who hap- pened there was welcome ; the hungry were fed, the naked were clothed, and, above all, the kindied found a hearty reception. In short, it was a spot, in all re- spects, adapted to retirement and contemplation, where the poet and the novelist would find a thousand things to please the imagination, aud to swell their favorite volumes.
In this visit to my native place, there was one family greatly missed by me. I felt keenly the disappointment at not seeing them — that of my old employer, Wm. S. Her.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 45
rick. He had moved to the AVest, aud his house was occupied by strangers.
I now commenced my Libors in good earnest. I ad- dressed crowded audiences abnost every day, and the peo- ple, who had known me from a child, seemed astonished — knowing that I had had but Uttle opportunity of acquir- ing knowledge by study ; and while many were interested in the truth, some began to be tilled with envy, and with a lying, persecuting spirit. My father, mother, aunt Van Cott, and many others, believed the truth in part; but my brother Orson, a youth of nineteen years, received it with all his heart, and was baptized at that time, and has ever since spent his days in the ministry.
It was duiing my labors in these parts, in the autumn of 1830, that a very singTdar and extraordinary sign was shown in the heavens, which I will here describe.
I had been on a %isit to a singular people called Shak- ers, at New Lebanon, about seven miles from my aunt Van Cott's, and was retiu'ning that distance, on foot, on a beautiful evening of September. The sky was without a cloud; the stars shone out beautifully, and all nature seemed reposing in quiet, as I pursued my solitary way, wrapt in deep meditations on the iiredicti<Mis of the holy prophets ; the signs of the times ; the approaching advent of the Messiah, to reign on the earth, and the important revelations of the Book of Mormon; my heart filled with gratitude to God that He had opened the eyes of my understanding to receive the ti'uth, and with sorrow for the blindness of those who lightly rejected the same, when my attention was aroused by a sudden api^earance of a biilliant light which shone around me, above the brightness of the sun. I cast my eyes upward to inquire from whence the light came, when I perceived a long- chain of light extended in the heavens, very bright, and of a deep fiery red. It at first stood stationary in a horizontal position; at length bending in the centre, the
46 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PAULEY P. PBATT.
two ends approached each other with a rapid movement, so as to form an exact square. In this position it again remained stationary for some time, perhaps a minute, and then again the ends approached each other with the same rapidity, and again ceased to move, remaining stationary, for perhaps a minute, in the form of a compass ; it then commenced a third movement in the same manner, and closed like the closing of a compass, the whole forming a straight line like a chain doubled. It again remained stationary for a minute, and then faded away.
I fell upon my knees in the street, and thanked the Lord for so marvellous a sign of the coming of the Son of Man.
Some persons may smile at tliis, and say that aU these exact movements were l)y chance; but, for my part, I could as soon believe that the letters of the alphabet woidd be formed by chance, and be placed so as to spell my name, as to believe that these signs (known only to the wi^e) could be formed and shown forth by chance.
Eenewed in spirit and tilled with joy I now j)ursued my way, and arrived at my aunt Van Cott's, not weary, but refreslied with a long walk, and deep communion with myself and God.
Ha\dng lifted a warning voice to midtitudes in aU this region of country, I now took leave, and repaired again to the western part of New York, and to the body of the Church.
On our arrival, we found that brother Joseph Smith, the translator of the Book of Mormon, had returned from Pennsylvania to his father's residence in Manchester, near Palmyra, and here I had the pleasure of seeing him for the first time.
He received me with a liearty welcome, and Avitli that frank and kind manner so universal with him in after years.
On Sunday we held meeting at his house; the two
Born. December 23, 1805. COPIED FROM "T.IVERPOOT, ROUTE-''
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 47
large rooms were filled with attentive listeiiers, aiid he lii\'iterl me to preach. I did so, and afterwards listened with interest to a discourse from his own mouth, filled Avith intelligence and wisdom. We repaired from the ineet- ing to the Avater^s edge, and, at his request, I baptized several persons, 'j President Josejih Smith was in person tall and well built, strong and active j of a light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, very little beard, and of an expression peculiar to himself, on which the eye naturally rested with inter- est, and Avas ncA'er weary of beholding. His countenance was CA-er mild, affable, beaming Avith intelligence and be- nevolence; mingled with a look of interest and an uncon- cious smile, or cheerfulness, and entirely free from all restraint or affectation of graA^ty; and there was some- thmg connected with the serene and steady penetrating glance of his eye, as if he would penetrate the deepest^ abyss of the human heart, gaze into eternity, penetrate the heaA-ens, and comprehend all worlds.
He possessed a noble boldness and independence of character; his manner was easy and lamiliar ; his rebuke terrible as the lion; his benevolence unbounded as tlie ocean; his intelligence universal, and his language abound- ing in original eloquence peculiar to himself— not pohshed —not studied— not smoothed and softened by education and refined by art; but floAAdng forth in its oa\ti native simplicity, and profusely abounding in A^ariety of subject and manner. He interested and edified, while, at the same time, he amused and entertained his audience; and none listened to him that were ever weary Avifeh his discourse. I haA'e even known him to retain a congregation of wil- ling and anxious listeners for many hours together, in the midst of cold or sunshine, rain or AAdnd, while they were laughing atone moment and weeping the next. Even his most bitter enemies were generally overcome, if he could once get their ears.
48
AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
I have kno\vii hiiu when cliained and .suiromided with armed niiu'derers and assassins who were heaphig- upon him every possible insult and abuse, rise up in the majesty of a son of God and rebuke them, in the name of Jesus Christ, till they quailed before him, dropped their weapons, and, on theii- knees, begged his pardon, and ceased their
abuse.
In short, in him the characters of a Daniel and a Cy- rus were wonderfxdly l>lended. The gifts, wisdom and devotion of a Daniel were united with the boldness, ■ courage, temperance, perseverance and generosity of a Cyrus. And had he been spared a martyr's fate till mature manhood and age, he was certainly endued with powers and ability to have revolutionized the world in many respects, and to have transmitted to posterity a name associated with more brilliant and glorious acts than has yet fallen to the lot of mortal. As it is, his works wiU live to endless ages, and mmumbered millions yet unborn will mention his name with honor, as a noble instrument in the hands of God, who, during his short and youthful career, laid the foundation of that kingdom spoken of by Daniel, the prophet, which should break in pieces all other kingdoms and stand forever.
But I will not forestall the reader. 1 have yet to speak of him in my history, imder many and varying circmn stances, in which I have necessarily been associated with him, up to the latest year of his life.
CHAPTER YII.
Mission to the Western States .-Visit to the Indians : -Wonderful Suc^ cess m Kirtland, OJiio .-Journey Westward :-Greut Excitement and Anxiety to Hear the Fulness of the Gospel .-Imprisonment: -Mock Trial .-Escape :-Preaching :-Success .-Visit the Wyandots :- Journey Resumed :-Great Hardships :-Arrival on the Frontiers of Missouri.
TT was now October, 1830. A revelation had been given -L through the month of this Prophet, Seer and Trans- latm-, m which Elders Oliver Cowdery, Peter T^^litmer Ziba Peterson and myself were appointed to go into the wilderness, throngh the western States, and to the Indian 7'T^^Ji^^^"^ arrangements for my wife in the family of the IVhitmers, we took leave of onr friends and the church late hi October, and started on foot
After travelling for some days we called on an Indian nation at or near Buitalo ; and spent part of a dav with them, instructing them in the knowledge of the record of their torefathers. We were kindly received, and much in- terest was manifested by them on hearing this news We made a present of two copies of the Book of Mormon to certain of them who could read, and repaired to Butfalo. Thence we contmued our journey, for about two huncfred mdes and at length called on Mr. Eigdon, my former friend and instructor, m the Eeformed Baptist Society. He^received us corcUally and entertained us with hospi-
rZ^^'T r''""*'^ ^^^ "^^^ ^ ^««k «f ^^«^'^on, and re ated to him the history of the same. He was much
interested, and promised a thorough perusal of the book.
50 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
We tarried in this region for some time, and devoted our time to the ministry, and ^dsiting from house to house. At length Mr. Rigdon and many others became con- vinced that they had no authority to minister in the or- dinances of God; and that they had not been legally baptized and ordained. They, therefore, came forward and . were baptized by us, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.
The news of our coming was soon noised abroad, and the news of the discovery of the Book of Mormon and the marvellous events connected with it. The mtexest and excitement now became general in Kii^tland, and in all the region round about. The people thronged us night and day, msomuch that we had no thne for rest or retkement. Meetings were convened in different neigh- borhoods, and multitudes came together soliciting our at- tendance; while thousands flocked about us daily; some to be taught, some for curiosity, some to obey the gos- pel, and some to dispute or resist it. , • ,
In two or three weeks from our arrival in the neigh- borhood with the news, we had baptized one hundred and twenty-seven soids, and this number soon increased to one thousand. The disciples were lilled with joy and glad- 'ness- while rage and lying was abundantly manitested by .'gainsayers; faith was strong, joy was great, and perse- cution heavy. tv/t^^i^.t We proceeded to ordain Sidney Rigdon, Isaac Morlej^ John Murdock, Lyman Wight, Edward Partridge and many others to the ministry; and, leading them to take care of the chm-ches and to minister the gospel, we took leave of the saints and contihued oiu^ journey.
Fifty miles west of Kirtland, we had occasion to pass through the neighborhood where I first settled m tire wilderness, after my marriage. We found the people all excited with the news of the great work we had been
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
51
the humble iiistnuiients of doing in Kirtlaud and vicinity Some Avished to learn and obey the fulness of the gos- pel-were ready to entertain us and hear us preach Others were lilled with envy, rage and lying.
We had stopped for the night at the house of Simeon Carter, by whom we were kindly received, and were in the act of reading to him and explaining the Book of Mormon, when there came a knock at the door, and an officer entered with a warrant from a magistrate by the name of Bymgton, to arrest me on a very fi-ivolous charge. I dropped the Book of Mormon in Carter's house, and went with him some two miles, in a dark, muddy road ; one of the brethren accompanied me. We arrived at the place of trial late in the evening; found false witnesses in attendance, and a Judge who boasted of his intention to thrust us into prison, for the purpose of testing the powers of our apostleship, as he called it • although I was only an Elder in the Church The Jndge boasting thus, and the .yitnesses being entirely felse ni then- testimony, I concluded to make no defence, but to^ treat the whole matter with contempt.
I was soon ordered to prison, or to pav a sum of money which I had not in ths world. It was now a late hour, and I was stiU retained in court, tantaHzed, abused and urged to settle the matter, to all of which I made no reply for some time. This greatly exhausted their patience. It was near midnight. I now caUed on brother Peterson to sing a hymn in the cornet. We sun<v '^ O how happy are they." This exasperated them stiu'more and they pressed us greatly to settle the business, by paying the money.
I then observed as foUows : ^' May it please the court' I have one proposal to make for a final settlement of the thmgs that seem to trouble you. It is this : if the wit- .lesses who. have given testimony in the case .vill repent ot their ftilse swearing, and tlie magistrate of his unjust
52
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLKY P. PRATT.
and wicked iudgment and of his persecution, blackguard- ism and abuse, and all kneel dowu together, we will pray for you, that God might forgive you in these matters. ''My big bull dog pray for me," says the Judge. "The devil help us," exclaimed another. They now urged me for some time to pay the money ; but got no further answer.
The comt adjourned, and I was conducted to a pub ic house over the way, and locked in till morning; the prison being some miles distant. .
In the morning the officer appeared and took me to breakfast; this over, we sat waitmg in the inn for all things to be ready to conduct me to prison. In the mean time my fellow traveUers came past on their jour- ney, and called to see me. I told them in an under tone to pursue their journey and leave me to manage my own affairs, promising to overtake them soon. They
^' After sitting awhile by the fire in charge of the officer, 1 requested to step out. I walked out into the public square accompanied by him. Said I, "Mr. Peabody, are you good at a raceJ" "^^o," said he, "but my big bull dog is, and he has been ti-ained to assist me m my office these several years; he will take any man down at my biddino" "WeU, Mr. Peabody, you compelled me to go a mileri have gone with you two miles. You have given me an opportunity to preach, sing, and have also enter- tained me with lodghig and breakfast. I must now go on my joumey ; if you are good at a race you can accom- pany me. I thank you for all your kindness-good day,
''^" then started on- my journey, while he stood amazed and not able to step one foot before the other. Seeing this, I halted, turned to him and again invited him to a race He still stood amazed. I then renewed my exer^ ■ tLs, and soon hicreased my speed to somethmg like that
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 53
Of a deer. He did not awake from his astonishment sufficiently to start in pm-suit till I had gahied, perhaps, two hnndred yards. I had already leaped a fence, and was making- my way thri^ugh a held to the forest on the right of the road. He now came hallooing- after me, and shonting- to his dog to seize me. The dog, being one of the largest I ever saw, came close on my footsteps with all his fury; the officer behind still in pursuit, clapping his hands and hallooing-, " stu-boy, stu-boy— take him Watch— lay hold of him, I say— down with him," and pointing his finger in the direction I was running. The dog was fast overtaking me, and in the act of leaping upon me, when, quick as lightning, the thought struck me, to assist the officer, in sending tlie dog- with all fury to the forest a little distance before me. I pointed my finger in that direction, clapped my hands, and shouted in imitation of the officer. The dog hastened past me with redoubled speed towards the forest 5 being urged by the officer and myself, and both of us rimuing in the same direction.
Gainmg the forest, I soon lost sight of the officer and dog, and have not seen them sincaTi took a back com^se, crossed the road, took round mto" the Adlderness, on the left, and made the road again in time to cross a bridge over Verihiliou liiver, where 1 was hailed by half a dozen men, who had been anxiously waiting oiu' arrival to that part of the country, and who urged me very earnestly to stop and preach. I told them that I could not then' do it, for an officer was on my track. I passed on six mUes fiu-ther, through mud and rain, and overtook the brethren, and preached the same evenmg to a crowded aucUence,' among whom we were well entertained.
The Book of Mormon, which I dropped at the house of Simeon Carter, when taken by the officer, was bv these circumstances left xnth him. He read it with attention. It wrought deeply upon his mind, and he went fifty miles
54 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF TARLKY P. PRATT.
to the Church we had left hi Kirtland, and was there baptized and ordahied an Ekler. He then returned to his home and commenced to preach and baptize. A church of about sixty members was soon organized in the phice where I had played such a trick of deception on the dog". AVe now pursued our jom^ney for some days, and at length arrived in Sandusky, in the western part of Ohio. Here resided a tribe, or nation of Indians, (-ailed vv yan- dots, on whom we called, and with whom we spent several days We were well received, and had an opportnnity ot laying before them the record of their forefathers, which we did They rejoiced in the tidings, bid us God speed, and desired us to write to them in relation to our success among the tribes further west, who had already removed to the Indian territory, where these expected soon to go.
Taking an affectionate leave of this people, we contmued our journey to Cincinnati. In this city we spent several days, and preached to many of the people, but without much success. About the 20th of December we took pas- sage on a steamer for St. Louis. In a few days we arrived at the mouth of the Ohio, and iinding the river blocked ' with ice, the boat did not proceed further. We therefore landed and pursued our jouiney on foot for two hundred miles, to the neighborhood of St. Louis.
We lialted for a few days in Illinois, about twenty mile^ from St. Louis, on account of a dreadful storm of ram and snow, which lasted for a week or more, during which the snow fell in some places near three feet deep. Although in the midst of strangers, we were kindly entertained, found many friends, and preached to large congregations m seve- ral neighborhoods.
In the beginning of 1831 we renewed our journey •, and, passing through St. Louis and St. Charles, ^ve travelled on foot for three hundred miles tlirough vast praines and through trackless wilds of snow-no beaten road; houses few and far between; and the bleak northwest wind always
ATTTOBIOGrEAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 65
blowing ill our faces with a keeimess which would almost take the skin oft" the face. We travelled for whole days, froui morning till night, without a house or fire, wading in snow to the knees at every step, and the cold so intense that the snow did not melt on the south side of the houses, even in the mid-day sun, for nearly six weeks. We carried on oui' backs oui' changes of clothing, several books, and corn bread and raw pork. We often eat our frozen bread and pork by the way, when the bread would be so frozen that Ave could not bite or penetrate any part of it but the outside crust.
After much fatigue and some sufi'ering we all arrived in Independence, in the county of Jackson, on the extreme western frontiers of Missouri, and of the United States.
This was about fifteen himdred miles from where we started, and we had performed most of the joui-ney on foot, through a wilderness Comitry, in the worst season of the year, occupying about four months, during which we ^ad preached .the gospel to tens of thousands of Gentiles and two nations of Indians; baptizing, confirmuig and organizing many hundreds of people into churches of Latter- Day Saints.
This was the first mission performed by the Elders of the Church in any of the States west of Kew York, and A\e were the first members of the same which were ever on this frontier.
CHAPTER VIII.
Visit the Delawares of Kansas : -Interne w with the Chief and Council : -Speech and Reply: -Great Excitement :— Opposition from Missionaries :— Compelled to Leave the Indian Country ^-Ministry hi Jaclcson County -.-Council in Independence.— Return Eastward : -Disguise :-Hospitahty of a Family of the Saints — Dialogue •.— Sickness .—Reunion with Pres. Joseph Smith :— Mission to the Shakers —Ministry Among the Churches :— False Spirits :- Inquire of the Lord :— ilode of Receiving Revelations.
TWO of our number now commenced work as tailors in the viUage of Independence, while the others crossed the frontier line and commenced a mission among the La- manites, or Indians.
Passing through the tribe of Shawnees we tarried one night with them, and the next day crossed the Kansas river and entered among the Delawares. We immediately in- quired for the residence of the principal Chief, and were soon introduced to an aged and venerable looking man, who had long stood at the head of the Delawares, and been looked up to as the Great Grandfather, or Sachem of ten nations or tribes.
He was seated on a sofa of furs, skins and blankets, before a fire in the centre of his lodge ; which was a com- fortable cabin, consisting of two large rooms.
His wives were neatly dressed, partly in calicoes and partly in skins; and wore a vast amount of silver orna- ments. As we entered his cabin he took us by the hand with a hearty welcome, and then motioned us to be seated on a pleasant seat of blankets, or robes. His wives, at his bidding, set before us a tin pan full of beans and corn
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 57
boiled up together, which proved to be good etitiug 5 although three of us made use alternately of the same woodeu spoou.
There was an interpreter present and through him we commenced to make kno^ni our errand, and to tell him of the Book of Mormon. We asked him to call the council of his nation together and give us a hearing in fidl. He promised to consider on it till next day, in the mean time recommending us to a certain Mr. Pool for entertain- ment; this was their blacksmith, employed by government. The man entertained us kindly and comfortably. Next morning we again called on Mr. Anderson, the old chief, and explained to him something of the Book. He was at first unwilling to call his council; made several excuses, and finally refused; as he had ever been opposed to the introduction of missionaries among his tribe.
We continued the conversation a little longer, till he at last began to understand the natiu-e of the Book. He then changed his mind; became suddenly interested, and re- quested us to proceed no further with our conversation till he could call a council. He despatched a messenger, and in about an hour had some forty men collected around us in his lodge, who, after shaking us by the hand, were seated in silence; and in a grave and dignified manner awaited the announcement of what we had to offer. The chief then requested us to proceed; or rather, begin where we began before, and to complete our communication. Elder Cowdery then commenced as follows :
"Aged Chief and Venerable Coimcil of the Delaware na- tion; we are glad of this opportunity to address you as oiu' red brethren and friends. We have travelled a long distance fiom towards the rising sun to bring you glad news; we have travelled the wilderness, crossed the deep and wide rivers, and waded in the deep snows, and in the face of the storms of winter, to communicate to you great knowledge which has lately come to our ears and hearts;
58 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
and which will do the red iiuiii good as well as the pale
face.
"Once the red men were many; they occupied the country from sea to sea— tioii! the rising to the setting smi ; the whole land was theirs ; the Great Spirit gave it to them, and no pale faces dwelt among them. But now they are few in nvunbers ; their possessions are smaU, and the pale faces are many.
"Thousands of moons ago, when the red men's fore- fathers dwelt in peace and possessed this whole land, the Great Spirit talked with them, and revealed His law and His wll, and much knowledge to their wise men and pro])hets. This they wrote in a Book; together with their history, and the things which should befall theii- childi-en in the latter days.
"This Book was written on plates of gold, and handed down from father to son for many ages and generations.
" It was then that the peoide prospered, and were strong and mighty ; they cidtivated the earth ; built buildings and cities, and abounded in all good things, as the pale taces
now do.
" But they became wicked ; they killed one another and
shed much blood ; they killed their prophets and wise men,
and sought to destroy the Book. The Great Spirit became
angry, and would speak to them no more; they had no
more good and wise dreams; no more visions; no more
angels sent among them by the Great Spiiit; and the
Lord commanded Mormon and Moroni, their last ^vise men
and prophets, to hide the Book in the earth, that it might
be preserved in safety, and be found and made known in
the latter day to the pale faces who should possess the
land; that they might again make it known to the red
man; in order to restore them to the knowledge of the
will of the Great Spirit and to His favor. And if the red
man wouhl then receive this Book and learn the things
written in it, and do according thereunto, they should be
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 59
restored to all their rights and privileges ; should cease to fight and kill one another ; should become one people ; cultivate the earth in peace, in common with the pale faces, who were willing to believe and obey the same book, and be good men and live in peace.
Then should the red men become great, and have plenty to eat and §pod clothes to wear, and should be in favor with the Great Spirit and be his children, while he would be their Great Father, and talk with them, and raise up projjhets and wise and good men amongst them again, who should teaoh them many things.
" This Book, which contained these things, was hid in- the earth by Moroni, in a hill called by him, Cumorah, which hill is now in the State of i^ew York, near the village of Pahnyra, in Ontario county.
"In that neighborhood there lived a young man named Joseph Smith, who prayed to the Great Spirit much, in order that he might know the truth; and the Great Spiiit sent an angel to him, and told him where this Book was hid by Moroni; and commanded him to go and get it. He accordingly went to the place, and dug in the earth, and found the Book written on golden plates.
" But it was written in the language of the forefathers of the red man; therefore this young man, being a pale face, could not understand it; but the angel told him and showed him, and gave him knowledge of the language, and how to interpret the Book. So he interpreted it into the language of the pale faces, and wrote it on paper, and caused it to be printed, and published thousands of copies of it among them; and then sent us to tlie red men to bring some copies of it to them, and to tell them this news. So we have now come from him, and here is a copy of the Book, which we now present to our red friend, the chief of the Delawares, and which we hope he will cause to be read and known among his tribe; it will do them good."
60 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
We then i)resented him witb a Book of Mormon.
There was a i)ause in the comicil, and some conversa- tion in their own tongue, alter v/hich the chief made the following reply :
" We feel truly thankful to our white friends who have come so far, and been at such pains to tell us good news, and especially this new neAvs concerning the Book of our forefathers; it makes us glad in here" — placing his hand on his heart.
" It is now winter, we are new settlers in this place ; the snow is deep, our cattle and horses are djing, our wigwams are poor; we have much to do in the spring — to build houses, and fence and make farms ; but we will build a council house, and meet together, and you shall read to us and teach us more concerning the Book of our fathers and the v/ill of the Great Spirit."
We again lodged at Mr. Pool's, told him of the Book, had a very pleasant interview with him, and he became a believer and advocate for the Book, and served as an interpreter.
We continued for several days to instruct the old chief and many of his tiibe. The interest became mcjre and more intense on their part, from day to day, until at length nearly the whole tribe began to leel a spirit of inquiry and excitement on the subject.
We found several among them who could read, and to them we gave copies of the Book, explaining to them that it was the Book of their forefathers.
Some began to rejoice exceedingly, and took great pains to tell the news to others, in their own language.
The excitement now reached the frontier settlements in Missouri, and stirred up the jealousy and envy of the Indian agents and sectarian missionaries to that degree that we were soon ordered out of the Indian country as disturbers of the ])eace ; and even threatened with the military in case of non-compliance.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 61
We accordingly departed from the Indian country, and came over the line, and commenced laboring- in Jackson County, Missouri, among the whites. We were well re- ceived, and listened to by many; and some were baptized and added to the Church.
Thus ended our first Indian Mission, in which we had preached the gospel in its fulness, and distributed the record of their forefathers among tlu"ee tribes, viz. : the Catteraugus Indians, near Buffalo, N. Y., the Wyandots of Ohio, and the Delawares west of Missouri.
We trust that at some future day, when the servants of God go forth in power to the remnant of Joseph, some precious seed will be foimd growing in their hearts, which was sown by us in that early day. '^t was now the 14th of February, 1831. The cold north wind which had blown for several weeks, accompanied with very severe weather, had begiui to give place to a milder breeze from the south; and the deep snows were fast settling down, with ev^ery prospect of returning spring.
Elders Cowdery, Whitmer, Peterson, myself, and F. G. Williams, who accompanied us from Kirtland, now assem- bled in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, and came to the conclusion that one of our number had better re- turn to the church in Ohio, and perhaps to head quar- ters in New York, in order to communicate with the Presidency, report ourselves, pay a visit to the numerous chuiches we had organized on our outward journey, raid also to procure more books.
For this laborious enterprise I was selected by the voice of my four brethren. I accordingly took leave of them, and of our friends in that country, and started on foot.
In nine days I arrived at St. Louis, distance three hundred miles. It was now the latter i)art of February; the snow had disappeared, the rivers were breaking up, and the whole country inundated as it were Avith mud and water. 1 spent a few days with a friend in the
62 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
country, at the same place we had tarried on the way out: and then took a steamer in St. Louis bound for Cincinnati, where I landed in safety after a passage of one week. From Cincinnati I travelled on foot to St^png^'ille, Ohio, forty miles from Kirtland.
This last walk consisted of some two hundred and fifty miles, over very bad, muddy road; and for some days I had found myself much fatigued, and quite out of health. Hearing of some brethren in Strongville, I determined to inquire them out, and try theii- hospitality to a sick and weary stranger without making myself known.
I accordingly approached the house of an old gentleman by the name of Coltrin, about sundown, and inquired if they could entertain a weary stranger who had no money. The old gentleman cast his eyes upon me, and beheld a weary, weather-beaten traveller; soiled with the toil of a long journey; besmeared with mud, eyes hitlamed with pain, long beard, and a ^dsage lengthened by sickness and extreme fatig-ue. After a moment's hesitation he bade me welcome, and invited me into his house. Several ladies were at tea. I addressed them as a stranger who had come to partake of their hospitality for the night.
They received me with a smile of welcome, and immedi- ately insisted on my sitting down to tea, during which something like the following conversation took place :—
" Stranger, where are you from ? you certainly look weary ; you must have travelled a long distance!"
'• Yes ; I am from beyond the frontiers of Missouri ; a distance of twelve hundred miles."
"Ah, indeed! Did you hear anything of the four great prophets out that way!"
" Prophets ! Wliat proi>liets ?"
" Why, four men — strange men — who came through this countrs- and preached, and baptized hundreds of people; and, after ordaining Elders and organizing churches, they continued on westward, as we suppose, to the fi"ontiers
ATT'I'OBIOGEAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 63
on a mission to the Indians ; and we lia,ve never heard from them since. Ent the great Avork commenced by them still rolls on. It commenced last fall in Kirtlaud, and has spread for a hundred miles around ; thousands have em- braced it, and among others ourselves and nuiny in this neighborhood."
" But what did they preach ? And why do you <;all them prophets ?"
" ^Vhy they opened the Scriptures in a wonderful man- ner ; show^ed the people plainly of many things to come ; opened the doctrine of Christ, as we never understood it before; and, among other things, they introduced a very extraordinary Book, which, they said, was an ancient record of the forefathers of the Indian tribes.
" How were they dressed, and in what style did they travel !"
"They were dressed plainly and comely, very neat in their persons, and each one w^ore a hat of a drab color, low round crow^u and broad brim, after the manner of tJie. Shakers, so it is said ; for we had not the privilege of seeing them ourselves.
"However, these fashioned hats were not a peculiarity of this people; but were given to each of them by the Shakers, at the time they passed through this country ; so they wore them. As to their style of travelling, they sometimes go on foot, sometimes in a carriage, and some- times, perhaps, by water ; but they provide themselves with neither purse nor scrip for their jom^ney, neither shoes nor two coats apiece."
"Well, from your description of these four men I think I have seen them on the frontiers of Missouri. They had commenced a mission in the Indian territory ; but were compelled by the United States agents, influenced, no donbt, by missionaries, to depart from the Indian country, although well received by the Indians themselves."
" You saw then, then f
64 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
" 1 did."
" Were they well f '
" 1 belieA'e they were all in good health and spiiits."
" Will tliey return soon ? O, Avho would not give the world to see them !"
^' AVell, I am one of them, and the others you may, perhaps, see."
" You one of them ! God bless j on. What is your name !"
" My name is Parley P. Pratt, one of the four men you ha Ye descriljed, but not much of a prophet ; and as to a sight of me in my present plight, I think it would not be worth half a world."
The rest of the conversation I cannot write, for all spoke, all laughed, and all rejoiced at once.
The next morning I found myself unable to arise from my bed, being severely attacked with the measles.
I came near dying, and was confined for one or two weeks among them, being scarcely able to raise my head. I was watched over night and day, and had all the care that a man could have in his father's house.
As I recovered in part, being still very weak, I was provided with a horse, on which I amved at Kirtland.
Hundreds of the saints now crowded around to welcome me J and to inquire after my brethren whom I had left in Missouri.
. Here also I again met President Joseph Smith, who had, duiing our absence, come up from the State of Xew York.
I found the churches in Ohio had increased to more than a thousand members, and those in Xew York to several hundred.
I also heard from my wife, from whom I had been absent about six mouths. The news was that the whole Church in the State of New York, including herself (for she had joined during my absence), was about to remove
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF TARLEY P. PRATT. 65
to Ohio in the opening spring. I, therefore, was advised to proceed no farther eastward, but to await their arrivjj.
After visiting the saints a few days, I commenced to labor with my hands; but the Lord would not suffer me to continue long in this occupation.
Some time in March, 1 was commanded of the Lord, in connection with S. Rigdon and L. Copley, to visit a people called the Shakers,* and preach the gospel unto them.
We fulfilled this mission, as we were commanded, in a settle- ment of this strange people, near Cleveland, Ohio; but they utterly refused to hear or obey the gospel. After this I paid a visit to the churches round about Kirtland.
As I went forth among the different branches, some very strange spiritual operations were manifested, which were disgusting, rather than edifying. Some persons would seem to swoon away, and make unseemly gestures, and be drawn or disfigured in their countenances. Others would fall into ecstacies, and be drawn into contortions, cramp, fits, etc. Others would seem to have visions and revelations, which were not edifying, and which were not congenial to the doctrine and spirit of the gospel. In short, a false and lying spirit seemed to be creeping into the Church.
All these things were new and strange to me, and had originated in the Church during our absence, and previous to the arrival of President Joseph Smith from :Mew York. Feeling oiu' weakness and inexperience, and lest we should err in judgment concerning these spiritual pheno- meuf^, myself, John Murdock, and several other Elders, went to Joseph Smith, and asked him to inquire of the Lord concerning these spirits or manifestations.
After we had joined in prayer in his translating room, he dictated in our presence the following revelation:— (Each sentence was uttered slowly and very distinctly, and with a pause between each, sufficiently long for it to be recorded, by an ordinary writer, in long hand.
♦ See Book of Doctrine and Covenants, section 66.
K f 0
66
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
This was the manner in which all his written revelations were dictated and written. There was never any hesitation, reviewing, or reading back, in order to keep the run of the subject; neither did any of these communications undergo revisions, interlinings, or corrections. As he dic- tated them so they stood, so far as I have mtnessed; and I was present to witness the dictation of several commu- nications of several pages each.
This inquiry was made and the answer given in May, 1831.)
CHAPTEE IX.
Revelation on False Spirits :— i^Iinistry Among the Churches :— Remarkable
Miracle of Healuig : — Arrival of P^migrant Saints from New York :
Severe Disappointment.
"TTEAEKEN, O ye Elders of my Cliurch, and give ear,
-L-*- to the voice of the living God ; attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you, according as ye have asked and arc agreed, as touching the Church, and the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth. Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, de- ceiv-ing the world; and also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
"Behold, I, the Lord, have looked upon you, and have seen abominations in the Church that possess my name; but blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or • in death ; for they shall inherit eternal life. But woe unto them that are deceivers and hyi^ocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I vdll bring them to judgment.
'' Behold, I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, and have deceived some, which has given the ad- versary power; but, behold, such shall be reclaimed ;' but the h^\7)0Ciites shall be detected and cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will ; and woe unto them who are cut off from my Church, ior the same are overcome of the worhl ; wherefore, let every man beware, lest he do that which is ]iot in trutii and righteousness before me.
" And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the Elders of His Church, and let us reason together,
68 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
that ye may imderstaml : Let us reason— even as a man reasonetli— one witli another, lace to face; now, when a man reasoneth, he is understood of man, because he rea- soneth as a man; even so will I, tlio Lord, reason with you, that you may understand: wherefore, I, the Lord, asketh you this question, unto Avhat were ye ordained? VTo preach my gospel by the Spiiit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth; and then re- iceived ye spirits which yo co^ild not understand, and re- jceived them to be of God, and in this are ye justified? Behold, ye shall answer this question yourselves; never- theless, I will be merciful unto yon ; he that is Aveak among you, hereafter, shall be made strong.
"Yerily I s;iy unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word* of truth by the Comforter, in the spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the spirit^of truth, or some other way? And_i^j^be_bx_ some .other wajj U_be not of God. xVnd,' again, he that receiveth the word ~or'truth~'""doth he receive it by the spii'it of truth, or some other way ? If it be some other way, it be not of God ; therefore, why is it that ye cannot un- derstand, and know that he that receiveth the word by the spirit of truth, receiveth it as it is preached by the spirit of truth?
"Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understandeth one another, and both are edified and re- joice together; and that which doth not edify, is not of God, and is darkness; that which is of God is hght, and he that receiveth light and contmueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. And, again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you; for he that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is least, and the servant of all; wherefore, he is possessor of aU things, for all
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 69
things are subject imto him, both in Heaven aud on the earth; the life aud the Kght, the spirit and the power sent forth by the will of the Father fchrougli Jesus Christ, his Son ; but no man is possessor of all things, except he be purilled and cleansed from all sin ; and if ye are puri- li('d and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will ill tlie name of Jesus, and it shall be done; but, know this, it sliall be given you what you shall ask, and as ye are appoiiited to tlie head, the spirits shall be sub- ject unto you.
"Wherefore, it shall come to pass, that if you behold"^ a spirit manifested that you caunot understand, and you receive not that spirit, ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus, and if he give not unto you that spirit, that you may know that it is not of God ; and it shall be given unto you power over that s])irit, and you shall proclaim against that spirit with a loud voice, that it is not of God ; not with railing accusation, that ye be not overcome ; neither with boasting, nor rejoicing, lest you be seized thei^ewith ; he that receiveth of God, let him account it of God, and let him rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive, and by giving heed and do- ing these things which ye have received, and Vv^hich ye shall hereafter receive, and the kingdom is given you of the Father, and power to overcome all things which is not ordained of Him; and, behold, verily I say unto you, blessed are you who are now hearing these words of mine from the mouth of my servant, for your sins are forgiven you.
"Let my servant, Joseph Wakefield, in whom I am pleased, aud my servant. Parley P. Pratt, go forth among the churches and strengthen them by the word of ex- hortation ; and also my servant, John Corrill, or as many of my servants as are ordained unto this office, and let them labor in the vineyard; and let no man hijider them of doing that which I have appointed unto them ; where-
70 AITTOBIOGIIAPHY Oi' PA111.EY 1\ PRATT.
fore, in this tMug, my servant, Edward Partridge, is not' justified 5 nevertheless, let hhii repent and he sliuU he for- given. Behold, ye are little children, aud ye cannot bear all things now ; ye must grow in grace and in the knowl- edge of the truth. Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that ray Father hath given rae ; and none of them that my Father hath given me shall he lost ; and the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me ; and, inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you ; wlierefore, I aiti in your midst, and I am the good Shepherd (and the stone of Israel ; he that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall), and the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready ; even so. Amen."
In obedience to the foregoing, Joseph Wakefield and myself visited the several branches of the Church, rebuke- ing the wrong spirits which had crept in among them, setting in order things that were wanting; ordaining Eld- ers and other officers; baptizing such as believed and re- pented of their sins; administering the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, in the name of Jesus Christ; laying hands on little children and blessing them; praying for the sick, and comforting the affticted, etc. On some occasions we assembled fifty or sixty little child- ren in one circle, in the midst of the assembly of the saints, and laid oiu' hands upon them all, and prayed for them, and blessed them in the name of Jesus.
Thus my time passed sweetly and swiftly away for some weeks. I was sometimes in the society of Presi- dent Smith, in Kirtland, and of the saints in that place, and sometimes in the branches abroad.
About this time a young lady, by the name of Chloe Smith, being a member of the Church, was lying very low with a lingering fever, with a family who occupied,, one
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 1l
of the houses on the farm of Isaac Morley, in Kirtland. Many of the Church had visited and prayed with her, but all to no effect ; she seemed at the point of death, but would not consent to have a physician. This greatly enraged her relatives, who had cast her out because she belonged to the Chmch, and wlio, together with many of the peo- ple of the neighborliood, were gToatly stirred up to anger, saying, "These wicked deceivers mil let her lie and die without a physician, because of their superstitions; and if they do, we will prosecute them for so doing." These were daily watching for lier last breath, with many threats.
Under these circumstances, Joseph Smith and P. P. Pratt, with several other Elders, called to see her. She was so low that no one had been allowed for some days previ- ous to speak above a whisper, and even the door of the Urj; dwelling was muffled with cloths to prevent a noise.
The Elders kneeled down and prayed vocally all around, each in turn; after which President Smith arose, went to the bedside, took her by the hand, and said unto her "with a loud voice. " In the name of Jesus Christ arise and walk !" She immediately arose, was dressed by a woman in at- tendance, when she walked to a chair before the fire, and was seated and joined in singing a hymn. The house was thronged with people in a few moments, and the yoiutg lady arose and shook hands with eaeh as they came in ; and from that minute she was perfectly restored to health.
Some time in May, 1831, the Chiu"ch arrived with their families from the State of New York, to settle in Kirt- land; but, to my inexi^ressible disapi^ointment, my wife had not come with them, but had gone to spend the summer in the East with her friends. It was now too late to go to her, as the time was near when I was in dutj^ bound to return to my fellow laborers in Missouri. To be so long absent from her, and then undertake a second journey with- out seeing her, was a severe trial, but God gave me grace to overcome my feelings, for his sake and the gospel's.
CHAPTER X.
Cojiference at Kirtland: — Revelation of the High Priesthood: — Ordinations to the Same: — Appointment of Missions through the Western States: — Re- turn Westsvard, Accompanied by my Brother OrSon: — Our Success hy the Way : — Arrival at the Frontiers : — Sickness : — Remarkable Conversion of Newel Knight : — A Dream.
ON the sixth of June, 1831, a general conference was con- vened at Kirtland, consisting of all the Elders, far and near, who could he got together. In this conference much instruction was given by President Smith, who spake in great power, as he was moved by the Holy Ghost ; and the spirit of power and of testimony rested down upon the Elders in a marvellous manner. "Here also were some strange mamfestations of false spirits, which were immedi- ately rebuked.
Several were then selected by revelation, through Pres- dent Smith, and ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of the Son of God; which is after the order of Melchisedec. This was the first occasion in which this priesthood had been revealed and conferred u})on the Eld- ers in this dispensation, although the office of an Elder is the same in a certain degi'ee, but not in the ftilness. On this occasion I was ordained to this holy ordinance and calling by President Smith.
After these things, and the business of the conference was over, myself and Orson Pratt were appointed by levelation to i)erform a mission together, through the West- ern States, and to meet the brethren I had left in Jack- son County, Missoiu'i ; and many others also who w ere
(J/>t-^o^ (/ij^.M:^' <£e^.
EORN SiPTJMBcR 19. ISM, Died October 3, 1881.
COPIED FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 73
sent ill a similar mauiier, txvo aud t^vo tLrou^li the \Ve«teru States, and avIio vrere aU appointed to meet in Jackson County, Missomi, aud hold the next conference.*
Soon after the conference my brother and myself com- menced our jomney without any means to bear our ex- penses. We travelled through the States of Ohio,- Indiana, Illinois and .Ai:. . ouri, in the midst of the heat of summer on toot, and faithfully preached the gospel in many parts ol all these States. We suliered the hardships incident to a new and, in many places, unsettled coiuitry, such as him- ger, tlm-st, fatigue, etc. We arrived in upper Missouri' in September, having baptized many people and organized branches of the Church in several parts of Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. On oiu^ arrival we found a considerable set- tlement of the brethren from Ohio, who had immigrated dm-mg the summer and taken up their residence in Jack- son County. President Smith, and many of the Elders, had been there and held a conference, and, having organized a Stake of Zion, pointed out and consecrated certain gromids for a city and temple, they had again retui-ned to the East. With them, the brethi^n whom I had lelt. there the pre- vious winter, had also retimied.
I felt somewhat disappointed in uot meeting with the brethi^en; but was consoled with the reflection that I had been dihgent in preaching the gospel on my journey, while others had hm-ried thi-ough the country, perhaps, without tarrj-iug to do much good.
I was now taken sick with the fever and ague, owing to the exposures of the cUmate through wliich we liad travelled. I sulfered extremely for several months; being brought N-ery low with fever, and with other afflictions.
I tarried mostly with a branch of the Church commonly called the Colesville branch. They had removed from Coles- ville, in the State of Xew York, and settled on the borders of a fertile prairie, about twelve miles west of the ^^Ilage
* See revelation. Book of Doctrine and Covenants, Section 66.
H AUTOBIOGRA-PHY OF PARLEY V. PRATT.
of Indepeuclence, and near the boundaries which divide the State of Missouri from the Indian Territory. They con- sisted of about sixty souls, and were under the presidency of a faithfnl and zealous Elder by the name of Newel Knight— an account of Avliose miraculous conversion we here record, as extracted from the life of Joseph Smith, pub- lished in the MiUennial Star, vol. 4, p. 110:
'^ Dui-ing this month of April, I (Joseph Smith) went on a visit to the residence of Mr. Joseph Eaiight, of Coles- \ille. Broom county, N. Y., with whom and his family I had been previously acquainted, and whose name I liave above mentioned as haAiug been so kind and thoughtful towards us wliile translating the Book of Mormon. Mr. Knight and his family were Universalists ; but were willing to reason with me upon my religious Aiews, and were, as usual, friendly and hospitable. We held several meetings in the neighborhood; we had many friends and some enemies. Our meetings were well attended, and many began to pray fervently to Almighty God that He would give them wis- dom to understand the trath. Among those who attended oui' meetings regularly was Newel Knight, son of Joseph Knight. He and I had many serious conversations on the important subject of man's eternal salvation. We were in the habit of praying much at our meetmgs, and Newel had said that he would try and take up his cross and pray vocally during meetmg ; but when we agaui met together he rather excused hunself. I tried to prevail upon him, making use of the figure, supposing that he should get into a mud hole would he not try to help himself out? And that we were willing now to help him out of the mud hole. He replied, 'that pro\ided he had got into a mud hole through carelessness, he would rather wait and get out himself than have others to help him, and so he would wait until he should get into the woods by hiinself and there he woidd pray.' Accordingly he deferred praying until next morning, when he retired into the woods, where,
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP PARLEY P. PRATT. 75
accordiug- to his own account afterwards, be made several attempts to pray, but could scarcely do so— feeling- that he ]iad not done liis duty, but that he should Iuiac prayed in the presence of others. He began to feel uneasy, and continued to feel worse both in mind and body until, upon reaching his own house, his appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much. He requested lier to go and bring me to him. I went and found him suffering very much in his mind, and his body acted upon in a very strange manner. His visage and limbs distorted and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to imagine; and finally, he was caught up off the floor of the apartment and tossed about most fearfully. His situation was soon made known to his neighbors and relatives, and in a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had got to- gether to witness the scene. After he had thus suffered for a time, I succeeded in getting hold of him by the hand, when ahnost immediately . he spoke to me, and with very great earnestness requested of me that I should cast the devil out of him; saying, 'that he knew that he was in him, and that he also knew that I could cast him out.' I replied, 'if you know that I can it shall be done,' and then, almost unconsciously, I rebuked the devil, and com- manded him in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from him ; when immediately Newel spoke out and said, ' that he saw the devil leave him and vanish from his sight.' *
" The scene was now entirely changed ; for as soon as the devil had departed from our friend his countenance became natural ; his distortions of body ceased ; and almost immediately the Spirit of the Lord descended upon him, and the ^^sions of eternity were opened to his view. He after- wards related his experience as follows :
* This was the first miracle which was done in this Church, or by any member of it, and it was done not by man nor the power of man, but it was done by God, and by the power of godliness ; therefore, let the honor and the praise, the dominion and the ?lory, be ascribed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
76 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP PARLEY P. PRATT.
" ' I now began to feel a most pleasing sensation resting upon me, and immediately the visions of Heaven were opened to my ^new. I felt myself attracted upward, and^ remained for some time enrapt in contemplation, insomuch that I knew not what was going on in the room. By-and- by I felt some weight pressing upon my shoulder and the side of my head, which served to recaU me to a sense of my situation, and I found that the Spirit of the Lord had actually caught me up off the floor, and that my shoulder and head were pressing against the beams.'
" All this was witnessed by many, to their great astonish- ment and satisfaction, when they saw the de^il thus cast out and the power of God and His holy Spirit thus made manifest. So soon as consciousness retimied, his bodily weakness was such that we were obliged to lay him upon his bed and wait upon him for some time. As may be expected, such a scene as this contributed much to make believers of those who witnessed it ; and, finaUy, the greater part of them became members of the Church."
This Coles^iUe branch was among the first organised by Joseph Smith, and constituted the first settlers of the mem- bers of the Church in Mssouri. They had arrived late in the summer, and cut some hay for their cattle, sowed a little grain, and prepared some ground for cultivation, and were engaged during the fall and winter in building log cabins, etc. The winter was cold, and for some time about ten families lived in one log cabin, whicli was open and unfinished, while the frozen gTOund served for a floor. Our food consisted of beef and a little bread made of corn, which had been grated into coarse meal by rubbing the ears on a tin grater. This was rather an inconvenient way of living for a sick person ; but it was for the gospel's sake, and all were very clieerful and happy.
We enjoyed many happy seasons in our prayer and other meetings, and the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us, and even on the httle childien, insomuch that many of
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT,
77
eight, ten or twelve years of age spake, and prayed, and prophesied in onr meetings and in our family ^yorship. There was a spirit of peace and union, and love and good will manifested in this little Church in the wilderness, the memory of which will be ever dear to my heart.
It was during my long illness in this dreary winter that I had the following dream or vision : I thought I saw myself dressed in a clean and beautiful linen robe, white as snow, and extending from the neck downward in beautiful folds. On either breast were lines of golden writing, in large Eoman letters, about a third of an inch in length, and the lines extending Ixoni the centre of the breast on each side six or eight inches long. The upper line on each side appeared larger and more beautiful or conspicuous than the others ; one of these lines was : " Holy Prophet," and the other was : " Xew Jerusalem."
On awaking from this dream I immediately called to mind the words of the Saviour to John the Eevelator : " He tJwt overcometh icill I make a pillar in the temple of my God, ami he shall go no more out ; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the City of my God, which is N'eic Jerusalem J''
This dream certainly encouraged me, and enabled me to bear my sickness, privation and long absence from my wife and former friends more patiently.
CHAPTER XI.
Attend Conference :-In8tantaneous Healing : -Return Eastward : -Description of the Inhabitants on the Sonth Side of the Missouri Kiver : -Strange Manifestation :-Arrive at St. Louis : -Preaching and Entertainment :- Arrive at Vandaha :-Reception :-Exposure in Crossing an Overflowed Bottom :-Dialogue:-Hospitality of a Preacher :-Deaf Landlord :- Meet my Wife. ^
QOME time in February, 1832, a Conference t^s held k^ by Bishop Partridge and the EhU^rs remaining in this part of the country. ' Jo this Conference I was determined to go, though very feeble and almost unable to sit up. I was assisted on to a horse, and rode twelve miles. I kept my bed during the Conference; but at the close, several Elders being about to take their journey to Ohio, I determined to go with them. I requested the Elders, therefore, to lay then- hands on me and pray. They did so. I was instantly healed, and the next morning started, in company with Elder Levi Hancock, a journey of twelve hundred miles on foot.
I gained strength at every step, and the second evening, after wading through the snow about six inches deep for some ten miles, I was enabled to address a congregation for the first time in several months.
I now parted with Levi Hancock, aijd had John Mur- dock for a fellow traveller. We passed down the south side of the Missouri river, among 'a thin settlement of peo- ple—mostly very ignorant but extremely hospitable. Some families were entirely dressed in skins, without any other clothing; including ladies young and old. Buildings were generally without glass windows, and the door open in
u
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 79
winter for a light. We preached, and warned the people, and tanght them as well as we could.
While ministering in these settlements, and exposed to a heavy snow storm, brother John Murdock was taken sick with a heavy fever 5 this caused us to stop early in the day among strangers, in a smaU log cabin consisting of one room ; we held a meeting in the evening, and then had a bed made down on the floor, before the fire. Be- • fore morning brother Murdock was much better, but I was seized with a most dreadful chHl, followed by a heavy turn of fever; morning found me unable to rise or speak. As the bed was in the way, they Hfted it by the four corners, Avith me on it, and placed it in the back part of the room, on another bed. Here I lay, entirely help- less with a burning fever, during whifch I distinctly heard a dialogue between John Murdock and the lady of the house; she upbraiding us as imposters thrown upon them at this inclement season, while they were out of milling and of wood, and but illy prepared for such a burden^ that one was sick the night before, and now the otlicr was taken down; ^at it was six miles to the next house, deep snow and no road broke, and we would probably be on their hands for weeks. ,
To these inhospitable remarks brother Murdock mildly rephed, trying to soothe the woman; reasoning with her, and teUmg her that brother Parley would soon be better,' and then we would go our way.
This dialogue gave me such a sense of unwelcome, and I pitied brother Murdock to that degree for having to stay with such spirits on my account, ^liat I felt I could endiu-e it no longer. With the utmost effort I roused myself sufficiently to call brother Murdock to my bed, whispering to him to lay hands on me unobserved, so as not to Ije seen or overheard. He did so; I then asked him to give me a drink of water. Tl^e effort had been too much, I swooned away w hile he was gone for the
80 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
water; he coiM hardly arouse me sufficiently to drmk of if it was like waking ti-om the dead. I drank ot it bounded on my feet, dressed myself, put on my shoes and hat, and told him I was ready to start. The famdy al ma^veUed; one exclaimed, "what a strange disease; it could not be fever, and then be cured m an mstant. We gave no exTlanations, but started on our journey up a .steep hill, in the deep snow, in the nddst of theii^ lu-g- ings to stay to breakfast, or at least have a cup ot coliee. I said nothing, but thought to myself: ye hypocrites, to murmiu- as you have, and then ask me to stay and eat
We traveUed on for some miles nearly in silence-i waiting aU the while for brother Mui^dock to make some remarks refening to our inhospitable treatment, and the dialogue vnth the mistress of the house.
At last I broke silence. Said I, "Brother Mmxlock, how did vou feel to be so talked to by that woman? I thought vou bore it with great patience, and I pitied you fi-om m/ heart, or I never should have had faith and coura-e to be thus healed and start my joiu-ney.'
He^replied that no such conversation had occiured be- tween him and the laxly, nor had she uttered one word indicative of any such inhospitable feehng.
uWeU" said I, "I heard it articulated in plam Engbsh by some two persons, perfectly imitating her voice and yours; it was no imagination, or raging debnum ot a fever. I can swear I heard a conversation to that effect
for a length of time.
"If it was not the lady and yourself, then it was some- thing fi'om an imdsible world, which clearly revealed to me the spuit of oiu: hostess."
We reached the next house; I was a well uian ; lound good quarters, and we were kindly and hospitably enter- tained for some days. _
l>„rsumg our joiu^ey, we arrived at St. Lo.us were kiudly received by some citizens of that place, and held
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
81
meetiug- ^nth them. They couveyed us over the Mis- sissippi free of charge, au<l we coiitiiiued om- joiu'ney preaching by the way. We arrived at length at Vanda- lia, the then capital of Illinois. Here we were invited to a hotel, where we sojourned free of charge, and preached to a good audience in the Presbyterian meeting house ^ext mornuig resuming our journey, we crossed the Okah river on a bridge, but the bottoms for two or three miles were overflowed to various depths, fi-om six inches to thi-ee or fom- feet, and frozen oyer, except in the main channels, with a coat of ice, which we had to break by liftmg our feet to the surface at every step. This occu- pied some hoiu's and called into requisition our utmost strength, and sometimes we were entirely covered with water. At length we got through in safety and came to a house where we warmed and dried our clothes and took some whiskey. Om^ legs and feet had lost aU feel- ing, became benumbed, and were dreadfidly bruised and cut with the ice.
On the next day we had to cross a plain fifteen miles ill length, without a house, a tree, or any kind of shelter- a cold northwest wind was-blo^ving, and the gromid cov- ered with snow and ice. We had made two or three mdes mto the plain when I was attacked with a severe return of my old complaint, which had confined me so many months in Jaekson County, and from which I had recovered by a miracle at the outset of this journev-I mean the fever and ague.
I travelled and shook, and shook and travelled till 1 could stand it no longer j I vomited severely several times, and finaUy fell down on the snow, overwhelmed with lever, and became helpless and nearly insensible. This ^5^as about seven or eight miles from the nearest house.
Brother John Murdock laid his hands on me and prayed ui the name of Jesus; and, taking me by the hand, he commanded me with a loud voice, saving: ^' In the name
82 AUTOBIOUBAPHY OF PAKLEV V PRATT.
Of Jesns of Nazareth arise and walk!" I attempted t« arise, I staggered a few pa«es, aud was about falling agam when I immd my fever suddenly depart and n,y strength come. I walked at the rate of about tmir mdes per hour, arrived at a house, aud was sick no more.
We continued om jowney, preaehmg Dy the ™>, and crossing the Wabash at Vincennes, we stopped m that ~y for several days, drawing crowded houses Here 7r2t with Elders Dustin and Bebee, who left Jackson County, Misscm, when we did, and for the same pm-pose. uWeU, brethren, how do you do i" said we *« them. uTole^bly weU; only we have spent ten do"^- -«^ .hich was given us by the Bishop when we stax^d, and we have sold books and spent the avails of them , and besides this we have been compeUed to '^--- ■;» ^^ in a certain branch of the Ch.n-ch, and have spent that Tlso; and we think it hard to travel for the pubUe good flTid tliis at our own cliarges."
till said I, ''and how is tMsf we have not yet spent the first cent since we left the Church in Ja(.kson County ; lorfhaU we have any occasion for any spendmg money for weeks to come. ^^^Iere did you stay last night f a In the large village of Washington." "Did you preach to the people!" "Yes; ill the Court House." "Did 'they charge you for your keeping^" .^ "Yes A dollar and a quarter."
"Well, we are going there to-night, and, although entire strangers, we shall he well entertained free of charge, preach or no preach.''
"How do you do it?" said they.
<'0 we hold up OOT heads like honest men; go to the test houses, caU for the best they have, inake knowr. mu- cluing, pray with, or preach to them, ask for then- bd on tatiug leave, but they wUl take nothing from us; but always invite us to caU again."
AUTOBlOGrRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 83
'' AVeU, they will not treat you so in Washington to- night; you will have to pay a good round sum." "WeU, we shall see."
We took leave of them and of the good people where we had been preaching, having first sent an appointment by the mail carrier, that if the inhabitants of AVashiug- ton would get together we would address them that even- ing.
We entered the town at dark, stopped at a hotel, called for lodging and supper and a room for ourselves ; and asked the landlord if a meeting had been got up for us. He said the mail carrier brought the news of our appoint- ment, but he believed it had been neglected to be given out ; was very sorry, made many apologies, and still offered to have the bell rung and the people assembled if we mshed. We told him we were glad of an oppottunity to rest, and did not wish a meeting at so late an hour.
We retu-ed to our room and made no fiu-ther acquaint- ance. I^ext morning on takmg leave, vre asked what was to pay. He answered, " not an3i:hing," said we vrere wel- come to his hospitality at any time, and bid us call again.
Lea\ing Washington, we were next entertained by a very hospitable preacher of the Christian order, whose name I have forgotten. We tarried at his house a week or two, and preached to crowded congregations in all the region ; he frequently going with us to introduce us and open the way. While here, having a Uttle leisiu'o between appointments, I went alone and on foot to the town of Madison, about nine miles from his house. My design was to get out an appointment and preach, which came to pass the same evening in the following manner : I stepped into a hotel, they were all at dinner, I placed the Book of Mormon on a public table and sat down to read a newspaper ; soon the boarders came out, and one by one looked at the Book, and inquired whose it was ; soon the landlord came out, who I learned was so very deaf that
84
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
one coiild only be heard by placing mouth to ear and shouting at the very top of the voice. He caught up the Book and inquired, " Whose is this ?" I arose, placed my arm round his neck, and my mouth close to his ear, and shouted. ''It is Mi>'e, and I have co^ie to Preach!!" This was so loud that it almost alarmed the town. He welcomed me to entertainment free of charge, had the Court House opened, the to^^^^ notified, and cvenuig found me in the judge's seat, a reporter in the clerk's desk, and a crowded audience. I had good Uberty and aU seemed much interested.
GinXG OUT AX APPOINTMENT.
After a few days we resumed oiu' journey, and in May arrived in Kirtland, where I again met my wife after an absence of one year and seven months.
CHAPTER XII.
Mission in Ohio : — Start to Western Missouri : — Incidents by the Wsty : — Dis- course on Board a Steamer on the 4th of July : — Its Effect : — Arrival on the Frontiers : — -Famiing : — Extortion : — Mission in Missouri and Illinois : — Treatment by Infidels :— Great Success in Illinois : — Opposition from Bap- tist Ministers : — Outlines of Mr. Peck's Speech and my Reply : — Result : — ■ Return Home : — A Voice from the Dead.
I SHALL not attempt to describe our feelings or our joy 5 these tilings are known by experience, not by language. I found her health much impaired, and she had long suffered from complaints of the nature of con- sumption ; but she was now reduced still further by her anxious solicitude about my long absence.
When she found herself once more in the quiet enjoy- ment of my society, she gradually resumed her wonted cheerfulness, and began to enjoy better health ; but still she was far from being well.
After spending a few weeks at home, I performed a short mission in the southeastern part of Ohio, and again returned, having travelled on foot in the heat of summer about three hundred miles. In this mission I met with no success in the ministry, owing to the prejudice, ignorance and bigotry of the i^eople, who either would not hear at all, or else heard in a careless manner, and went away with the same indifterence as they came.
I now determined to take my wife and our little effects and remove to Western Missouri. To bear the expenses of this long journey my wife had some sixty dollars, which she brought with her from the east, and certain men also
86 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP PARLEY P. PRATT.
put into my hands sums of money to be expended in lands and improvements in that country. With brother Joseph's counsel and blessing I bade farewell to Kirtland.
We toolc a stage (;oach for the Ohio Eiver, thence by steamer to St. Louis, and again by steamer up the Mis- souri. 1 took a steerage passage among the poorer class, and was dressed more like a laborer than a public minister. However, the throng of passengers on the boat learned by some means that I was a preacher, and on tlie 4th of July they pressed me very hard to address them in the cabin in honor of our national anniversary. I refused for awhile; but at length complied, on conditions that steerage passengers, boat hands, firemen, and all classes, black or white, should have the privilege of assembling in the cabin, to hear the discourse.
This was readily complied with, and very soon a large assembly was convened and in waiting, consisting of ladies and gentlemen, lawyers, merchants, farmers, servants, waiters and colored gentlemen.
I presented myself before this motley assembly in a plain coat of gray satinet, and bowed respectfully. All tried to be grave, but a smile, a sneer, a look of contempt would now and then escape from some of the more genteel por- tion of the assembly, as if they would say, " Can any good thing come out of Nazuretli,^^ or, in otlier words, can so j^laiu a man be possessed of knowledge sufficient to entertain such an assembly on so important an occasion as the 4th of July, and this, too, wdthout lueparing a discourse beforehand!
I read a chapter; all was serious attention. I offered up a prayer ; all was deep interest. I commenced a discourse, and nearly all were in tears. I introdu(!ed the Book of Mormon as a record of ancient America ; I dwelt upon its history and i)rophetic declarations, now being verified by the erection of free institutions in this great country, and their gromng influence. I spoke of the general prosperity and resouice.s of the country, acknowledging the
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 87
hand of Providence in the same ; warned them against national pride, ambition, and injustice ; exhorted them, in common with all citizens, to use the utmost diligence to preserve the general i)eace and the pure influence of our national institutions; and to improve in hght, intelligence and love, without which we, too, might be brought down to destiaiction like the Israelites and Nephites of old; and our bones and ruined cities and monuments alone be left to other people, as theirs were left to us, as a testimony of our greatness which would have passed away. I also showed them from the Book of Mormon that we were destined to remain forever as a blessed and free people on this land, on conditions of keeping the commandments of Jesus Christ, and that our settlements and commerce would soon extend to the vast shores of the Pacific ocean, and our ensign stand out to the nations as a standard inviting them to a banquet of freedom, peace and i)lenty.
After meeting I was pressed upon to come into the cabin for the rest of the passage. And even when we changed boats at Louisville, such was the influence of my fellow passengers, that the gentlemen's and also the ladies' cabin and board was free to me without money or price. One gentleman offered as high as ten dollars for a copy of the Book of Mormon; but, unluckily, I had none with me.
Arriving at the Colesville branch, on the western bound- aries of the State (where I had spent the previous winter in sickness and poverty), about the 1st of August, 1832, we commenced cutting hay, building, purchasing and plant- ing land, and making every j)reparation to receive those who had sent funds for this piu-pose. During the months of August and September I had, with a little help, secured about fifteen tons of hay, and x^^^t into the ground fifteen acres of wheat, besides building a log house and doing something at fencing, etc. These exertions in the heat of the season brought on a severe illness, in which I was
88 AUTOBIOaEAPHY OF PAULEY P. PRATT.
nigh unto death ; but I was again restored in a few days by the laying on of hands and prayer in the name of Jesus. About this time Le^ns Abbott arrived Avith his family from Kirtland, and having sent some money by me, partly to aid in my expenses, and partly for the purpose of making improvements, he became dissatisfied and demanded the utmost farthing. This took everthing I had done ; — my wheat on the gTOund, my hay, my cows all but one, and left me entirely destitute, after aU my laborious exer- tions. At this brother Abbott seemed satisfied, and thought he had got quite rich, and turned his money to good advantage ; but the curse of God rested upon all his property as was soon manifest.
The next winter I took a mission in company with Elder Wniiam E. McLellin down through the State of JMissouri and into Illinois, crossing the Mississippi at Clarksvilie.
As we approached Clarksvilie, we were told by several of the inhabitants near, not to attempt a meeting or any reUgious instruction there, for they were a hardened and ureclaimable set of blasphemers and infidels, given to gambling, drinldng and cursing, etc. ; and that many dif- ferent orders of the clergy had attempted in vam to reclaim them, or even to get a hearing. Before entering the town we ascended a mountain and cried mightily unto the Lord that He would open our way, and move upon the hearts of the people to receive us and hear the Word.
We then entered the town and called at a hotel. We told the landlord that we had come in the name of Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to the people, being sent by him Avithout piu^se or scrip. " WeU," said he, " you are welcome to my house and to such fare as we have ; and we will meet together and hear your rehgion, and if it proves to be better than ours we aWU embrace it ; for we confess that our religion is to fiddle and dance, and eat and drink, and be merry, and gamble and swear a little ; and we believe this is better than priestcraft."
ATTTOBIOGKAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 89
We replied that we would try them anyhow. So a meeting was convened ; we preached, had good attention, and much of a candid spirit of iuquuy was manifest, and we were treated with hospitality and friendship, and even ferried over the river free ; and this was more than those religious sectaries would do, who had warned us against them.
Passing over the river, the next day we came to Green County, Illinois ; and as the day drew to a close we be- gan to circulate an appointment as we travelled along a thick settlement of thrifty farmers, for preaching in a school house in the neighborhood that evening.
As we sat by the highway side to rest oiu'selves, an old farmer rode past on horseback, and halted to ask if we were travellers. We re])lied that we were travelling to preach the gospel, and had an ai)pointment that eve- ning at the school house just ahead, and invited him to come and hear.
" No," said he, '^T have not attended a religious meet- ing this live years ; I have long been disgusted and tired of \)riestcraft and religious ignorance and division, and have concluded to stand aloof from it all."
" Well, we are as much opposed to these things as you can be, and, therefore, have come to preach the gospel, and show the knowledge of God in its ancient purity, being instructed and sent of Him without purse or scrip. So come and hear us,"
" O ! indeed, if that is the case, I will."
So he came ; the house was crowded with Baptists, Methodists, TJniversalists, Non-professors, Infidels, etc.
We preached. After meeting, a Baptist minister by the name of John Kussell, a very learned and influential man, invited us to tarry in the neighborhood and continue to preach ; he said his house shoidd be oiu- home, and he called a vote of the people whether they wished us to preach more. The vote was unanimous in the affirmative.
90 ATTTOBIOGBAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
We tarried in the iieigliboiiiood some two inoutlis, and preached daily in all that region to vast laukitude.s, both in town and country, in the grove, and in school houses, barns and dwellings.
All parties were our hearers and friends, and con- tributed libeially to our wants ; aud the old farmer, whose name was Calvin, who had not been to meeting before for five years, became a constant hearer, and opened his house for our home. He was very wealthy, aud bade us welcome to shoes, clothing, or anything we needed ; many Infidels, Universahsts, etc., did the same.
In this neighborhood there lived a Baptist minister by the name of Dotson, who opjjosed us with much zeal, from time to time, both in i^ublic and in private, and from house to house.
He said the Book of Mormon was a fable ; a silly fool- ish mixture of matter, possessing no iuterest, and that he coidd write a better book himself. However, his princi- pal objection was, that God coidd give no new revelation — the New Testament contained all the knowledge that God had in store for man, and there was nothing re- mainiug unrevealed.
We asked him to open the New Testament and read to us the history and destiny of the American continent and its inhabitants, and the origin and lineage of the same; also, the history of the ten tribes of Israel, and where they now were. We also asked him to read to us from that book his own commission, and that of other ministers of this age to preach the gospel. But he could do none of these things ; but still uisisted that there was no subject worthy of new revelation, and that no revela- tion could be given.
Said I, " Mr. Dotson, relate to me your experience and call to the ministry ?"
" Well," he replied, " I will do so, seemg that it is you, friend Pratt ; for you are able to bear it, and to compre-
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 91
hend soinetliing about it ; but I have never told it to my own members; and I dare not, for they would not believe me.'-
"Well, Mr. Dotsou, be particular on the manner and means by which j^ou were called to the ministry."
" Why, sir," said he, "J was called hy a vocal voice from Heaven.''''
"Well, Mr. Dotson, tliere is one exception to your gen- eral rule. We come to you with a new revelation, and you reject it ; because there can be no new revelation ; ajid yet you profess to have a new revelation, God having spoken from the heavens and called you^ and commissioned you to preach eighteen hundred years after the New Testament was written, and all revelation hnished ! How is this ?
" The New Testament no where calls you by name ; neither makes mention of you as a minister of the gospel; but new revelation does, if we are to believe you. And yet you would teach yoiu' hearers and us, and all the world, to disbelieve all modern revelation merely because it is new. Consequently, we are all bound by your own rule to reject your call to the ministry, and to believe it is a lie."
He could say no more.
At another time he was at Mr. Eussel's with us, and, in presence of Mr. R. and others, was opposing the Book of Mormon with all his power.
We asked him to listen while we read a chapter in it. He did so, and was melted into tears, and so affected and confounded that he coidd not utter a word for some time. He then, on recovering, asked us to his house, and opened the door for us to preach in his neighborhood. We did so, and were kindly entertained by him.
But after this, he again hardened his heart, and finding his opijosition all in vain, he wrote a letter to the Rev. Mr. Peck, of Rock Spring, some sixty miles distant, inform- ing him that the " Mormons " were about to take Green County, and requesting his immediate attendance.
92 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
This Mr. Peck was a man of note, as one of the early settlers of lUinois, and one of its fii'st missionaries. He had labored for many years in that new conutry and in Mis- soim, and was now Editor of a paper devoted to Baptist
principles.
This gentleman was soon forthcoming, and commenced his public addresses among the people, to try to convmce them of the great errors we had taught.
He said, there were no antiquities in America; no ruined cities, buildings, monuments, inscriptions, mounds, or fortifi- cations, to show the existence of such a people as the Book of Mormon described.
He also said, that there were no domestic animals such as the cow, the ox, or the horse, found here when Euro- peans first discovered the coimtry. He then inquii-ed how these animals became extinct since the destruction of the
Nephites.
He said fiuther, that the fortifications and mounds of this country were nothing more than the works of i^ature.
He then warned the people against the study of the prophetic parts of the Old and New Testaments, observing that these mysterious prophecies were directly calculated to lead them into delusion and bewilderment; that the best way to read and understand prophecy was, to read it back- wards—that is to say, after it is fulfilled; that it was never designed to be understood before it came to pass.
He also taught that the MiUennium was already com- menced, and that Jesus Christ would not come, in person, tiU the great and last judgment ; and that the Millennium must first continue a year for each day of the thousand years, spoken of by John the Eevelator, etc.
A meeting was held for the purpose of replying to him 5 the people came out in great numbers.
I then replied in substance as follows:
a My hearers :— The Kev. Mr. Peck is a great man. He is a man of age and varied experience and learning. I am but
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 93
a youth, inferior to him ui all these respects. I reverence his gray liaii's ; I respect his learning ; I admire his talents and ingenuity; and I feel a delicacy in replying to him; and nothing but a love for the truth and a hatred of er- ror and falsehood, could induce me to come in contact with him before the public ; l)ut where truth and salvation are at stake I cannot shrink from duty, in consideration of age or talent ; I cannot spare the man, even if he were my father.
" To do away the Book of Mormon, we are called upon to believe that the temples, statues, pyramids, sculptures, monujueutg, engra'sangs, mounds and fortitications, now in ruins on the American continent, are all the works of Na- tui'e in her plaj^ful moments ; that the bones of slumber- ing nations were never clothed upon Anth flesh, and that their sleeping dust was never animated with life.
" This is too monsti'ous ; it is too marvellous, too miracu- lous for our credulity ; we can never believe that these things are the works of Nature, luiaided by hiunan art ; we are not so fond of the marvellous.
"Again, we are told that no cows or oxen were here when Europeans first came to the country. I would ask what the wild buflalo are, if they are not the cattle of the ancient inhabitants ? 1 would ask how horse tracks came to be imbedded in the petrified rock of Kentucky, without a horse to make them I And if no race of ani- mals could become extinct, which once existed hen-, I would ask Mr. Peck either to produce a living mam- moth, or annihilate his bones. But, perhaps, the reverend gentleman would say that those bones, too, were the works of nature, and that the huge animal they seem to represent never existed.
"Again, my hearers, we are warned against the study of prophecy. We are told that a careful perasal of the prophecies, which the reverend gentleman is pleased to call '■ mysteriousj^ is a principal cause of our delusion
94 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
and Windness; aud that the prophecies were ouly designed to- be read and understood after they were fultiUed.
" We will apply this nJe, aud learn its workings by prac- tical experience.
"The people at the time of the flood adopted this rule, all save eight souls. Mr. Peck's thex^logy was then almost cathohc. The universal world (save eight) were disposed to remam in ignorance as to the meaning of prophecy till after its fulfilment. The result was that they knew not until the flood came and swept them aU away 5 then they coidd understand.
" The people of Sodom were all of Mr. Peck's faith— aU save Lot and his family ; they also perished unawares.
"The Jews also were of this same school — I mean those who perished in the siege of Jerusalem, in fulfilment of the prophecy of Jesus Christ, recorded in the 21st chap- ter of Luke.
"And permit me here to remind my hearers that this ancient system of theolog-y, will certainly prevail to an al- most universal extent at the time of the coming of the Son of Man. For Jesus liimself testified that, as it was in the days of :N^oah and in the days of Lot, so shoidd it be m the days of the coming of the Son of Man. I would here pause and congTatidate my reverend friend on the glorious and popular prospects before him. Certain it is that most of the world vnW, at some future day, be of his faith in this respect ; they wiU let the prophecies of the Holy Scriptures alone, and not attempt to under- stand them until after their fulfilment. "But we are of another school.
"We believe in Jesus, who said ^search the Scrij)ti(rcs ^' we believe with Peter, tliat we have a more siu-e word of prophecy, unto which we do well to take heed, as unto a liglit shining in a dark place : until the day dawn, and the day star arise in our hearts.
"We believe the Apostle when he says that, ' whateo-
AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF PARLEY T. PRATT. 95
ever was written aforetime was written for onr profit and learning; tliat, we tlirongli patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.' We wish to l3e chiklren of the light and not of darkness; that that day come not upon us unawares. In short we wish, like Timothy of old, to understand the Scriptures from our very child- hood; considering that they are able to make us wise unto salvatioii, through faith in Christ Jesus.
"Again, we are told that the world is in the enjoyment of the Millennium, or thousand years of rest, spoken of by John, the Eevelator.
" Of course then Satan is bound, and does not tempt any man. The martyrs of Jesus, and those who kept his commandments are raised from the dead, and are now present on the earth reigning with Jesus Clu-ist. The nations learn war no more, none are in ignorance, none in darkness, the knowledge of God covers the earth as the waters do the seas. The cow and the leopard, the kid and the bear, the wolf and the lamb, the lion, the serpent and the little child, all dwell together in peace. For such events the prophets have described in connection with the Millennium.
" But the great announcement of all— the most important conuuunication made to us by Mr. Peck is concerning the time of the second coming of Jesus Christ. It was now ascertained by him to be postponed till the great and last day; and that we are to liave a Millennium of three hundred and sixty-Jive thousand l years first, before Christ comes. Only think ! ' three htimTred and sixty-fire thousand P Why, according to this calculation the world is yet in its' infancy ; we are early in the morning of creation. The , great day of the existence of the world tas only dawned- ^ a long and glorious race is yet before the generations of - man. What is the age of Adam or Methuselah! ^Tiat ' the few fleet years of the earth's existence, compared to the time yet to come before its end! ~'
96 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PAELEY P. PRATT.
" O, ye holy apostles and saints of old, had you been in possession of the knowledge of the astounding facts now announced by this reverend gentleman, you woidd never have warned mankind so repeatedly to be ready for the great day of the Lord, for it was soon at hand.
''And had Jesus Christ known this fact, he would never have warnetl the world of the danger of that day coming on them unawares. He and his Apostles would have said: it is yet far — very far off. The Millennium must fli'st dawn, and then continue three hundred and sixty-five thousand years; and then, - behold, I wHl come to judge the world.
"But, my hearers, please read the prophet Zechariah on this subject, chap. 14.
"We are there informed that 'Jesus Christ will come, and all the saints with him,'— that he will 'set his feet on the Mount of OUves;' that he will 'deliver the Jews and Jerusalem from their enemies;' that he will 'destroy those who are in the seige against that city;' and that he will 'reign as a king over all the earth, from that time forth; and there shall be one Lord and his name
one.'
"Now, if he comes and all the saints with him, it can- not be his first coming. If he comes to fight for the Jews and overthrow their enemies, it cannot be his fii'st coming. If the Mount of Ohves rends in twain at the same time, and opens so as to form a great valley in the place thereof, it lias no connection with his first coming.
"Again, if he comes to reign as a ^Eing over all the eatih,'' it can have no allusion to the last judgment, — the end of the earth. Consequently, if Zechariah has told the truth, we are to expect the coudug of Jesus Christ dis- tinct from his first coming; unconnected 's\atli the last judgment, at the very commencement of his reign of a thousand years, which we call the MiUenniimi; but wliich, Mr. Peck says, has commenced, entirely independent of any
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 07
such event. But what can Ave expect of a man when he comments upon the prophecies, while at the same time he contends that none can understand them until after their fulfilment.
"Of course, my hearers, he himself acts upon the prin- ciple which he lays down to others; and if he does, he never studies, never searches the prophecies, acknowledges himself in darkness on all subjects connected with unful- filled prophecy; expects to remain so, and expects his hearers to do the same.
"O, my beloved friends, have the people of this western country been led in darkness for so many years by learned and reverened gentlemen! are they mlling to remain in darkness now, when the veil is withdrawn, and his folly made manifest before all the people, and this too by his own Avords, uttered in presence of you all ?
"If so, folloAV him, and cleave to him as your teacher. But if not, we exhort you to hold fast the truth as we have delivered it to you; come forward this day, and obey the ordinances of God; seek for the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, and continue to search the Scriptures for more light, and God vnll bless you forever. Amen."
After this meeting some of the Baptists and others came forward and were baptized, and joined the Church of the Saints; and the people in general remained stead- fast in the faith, and were unmoved by the exertions of Messrs. Peck and Dotson.
This tilled them with envy, and they soon began to manifest a lying and abusive spirit to such a degree that all the people coidd see and distingiiish plainly between the spirits of truth and error.
Mr. Peck soon took leave and retired home, and we con- tinued oiu- mission.
Hundreds of the people were convinced of the truth, but the hearts of many were too much set on the world to obey the gospel ; we, therefore, baptized only a few of the
98 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
people, and organized a smaU society, and about the first of June took leave and returned home. - Having rested myself a few days, I now commenced again to cultivate the earth. I plowed about six acres of gTound for wheat, and was busy from day to day m the woods, preparing timber to fence the same, when the foUowing dream, or night rision, was given me :
A man came to me and called me with a loud voice: "Parley, Parley." I answered, "Here am I." Said he, "Cease splitting rails, for the Lord has prepared you for a greater work." I answered, "Whereby shall I know that this message is from the Lord?" He replied, "Follow me, and I will show you."
I followed him for some distance along a long path, and . at last came to a place of ancient sepulchres, where many of the Nephites of old had been buried. One of these opened,— the flesh of the man withered away; he became Uke a skeleton, and passed do^^i into the grave. I understood and knew by the spmt, that this signified that it was the voice of one from the dead which had spoken to me. I therefore exclaimed, "It is enough; I know the message is of the Lord; return unto me, that we may converse together." He then came forth out of the grave, was again clothed upon with a body like a man, and he talked with me, and told me many things.
I awoke the next morning, and thought of my dream, but I was necessitated, as I thought, to finish my fence and sow my crop before I ceased to labor Avith my hands. I, therefore, continued to make and haul rails from the woods. I perfected my fence and sowed my crop, but I ne^•er reaped; I never saw the wheat after it was more than three inches high.
CHAPTER XIII.
Prosperity of the Church: — Scliool in Zion: — Revelation: — Mob: — Destruction of ^ Printing Office : — Defence : — Prisoners : — Journey to Lexington : — A Dream: — Its Fullllment: — Battle :-^Defeat of the Robbers: — A Miracle: — Defence Construed into Murder: — Gov. Boggs and Militia Join the Mob. — Church Driven from the County: — Plunderings and Burnings: — Insur- rections:— Signs in the Heavens: — Action of the Governor: — Attorney- General Driven from Court: — Refugees Settle m the North: — A Bandit Chief Made Governor.
XT was now the summer of 1833, Immigration had poured -*- into the County of Jac-kson in great numbers; and the Chiu'ch in that county now numbered upwards of one thousand souls. These had all purchased lands and paid for them, and most of them were improving in buildings and in cultivation. Peace and plenty had crowned their labors, and the wilderness became a fruitful field, and the solitary place began to bud and blossom as the rose.
They lived in peace and quiet ; no laAvsuits with each other or with the world; few or no debts were contracted; few promises broken ; there were no thieves, robbers, or miu'derers ; few or no idlers ; all seemed to worshi^j God with a ready heart. On Sundays the people assembled to preach, pray, sing, and receive the ordinances of God. Other days all seemed busy in the various i)ursuits of industry. In short, there has seldom, if ever, been a happier people upon the earth than the Chm^ch of the Saints now were.
In the latter part of summer and in the autumn, I devoted almost my entire time in ministering among the churches ; holding meetings ; ^asiting the sick • comforting
100 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
the afflicted, and giving counsel. A school of Elders was also organized, over which I was called to preside. This class to the number of aboiit sixty, met for instruction once a week. The place of meeting was in the open air, under some tall trees, in a retired place in the wilderness where we prayed, preached and prophesied, and exercised ourselves in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Here great blessings were poured out, and many great and marvellous things were manifested and taught. The Lord gave me great wisdom, and enabled me to teach and edify the Elders and comfort and encourage them in their prepara- tions for the great work which lay before ns. I was also much edified and strengthened. To attend this school I had to travel on Ibc^t, and sometimes with bare ffeet at that, about six mUes. This I did once a week, besides visitmg and preaching in five or six branches a week.
While thus engaged, and in answer to our eoiTespond- ence with the Prophet, Joseph Smith, at Kirtland, Ohio the following revelation was sent to ns by hnn, dated
August, 1833 :
"Verily I say unto you, my friends, I speak unto you with my voice, even the voice of my Spirit; that I may show unto you my will conceinuig your brethren m the land of Zion ; many of whom are truly humble, and are seeking diligently to learn wisdom and to find truth; verily, verily I say mito you, blessed are such for they shall obtain ; for I, the Lord, showeth mercy unto all the meek, and upon all whomsoever I will, that I may be justified when I shall bring them into judgment.
" Behold, I say unto you, concerning the school ui Zion, I the Lord am well pleased that there should be a school in Zion ; and also with nty servant. Parley P. Pratt, for he abideth in me ; and inasmuch as he continueth to abide in me he shall continue to preside over the school in the land of Zion until I shall give unto hiin other command- ments ; and I will bless him with a multiplicity of bless-
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 101
ings in e>:])ouiu1iiig- all Scriptiu'es and mysteries to the edification of the school and of the Church in Ziou, and to the residue of the school I, the Lord, am willing to show mercy ; nevertheless, there are those that must needs be chastened, and their works shall be made known. The axe is laid at the root of the ti'ees, and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be hewn down and cast into the fire ; I, the Lord have spoken it. Yerily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, aiul are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are wilhng to observe their covenants by sacrifice ; yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command, they are all accepted of me, for I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a verj' fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream that jieldeth much precious fruit.
" Verily I say imto you, that it is my will that an house should be built unto me in the land of Zion, like unto the pattern which I have given you ; yea, let it be built speedily by the tithing of my people ; behold, this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands ; that there may be an house built unto me for the salvation of Zion, for a place of thanksgi\dng for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices, that they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry in theory, in principle, and in doctrine; in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you.
" And inasmuch as my people build an house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it that it be not defiled. My glory shall rest upon it ; yea, and my presence shall be there ; for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God ; but if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there for I will not come into unholy temples.
102 AUTOBIOGrKAPHY OF PARLEY P. PKATT.
" And uow behold, if Zion do these things she shall prosper and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible ; and the nations of the earth shall honor her and shall say, surely Zion is the city of our God ; and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place ; for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there, and He hath sworn by the power of His might to be her salvation and her high tower ; therefore, verily thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion, THE PURE IN HEART ; therefore let Zion rejoice while all the wicked shall mourn ; for behold, and lo ! vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungo<lly as the whhl- wind, and who shall esca])e it ? The Lord's s<;ourge shall pass over by night and by day, and the report thereof shall vex all people ; yet it shall not be stayed until the Lord come ; for the hidignation of the Lord is kindled against theu' abominations and all their wicked works ; nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her ; but if she observes not to do whatsoever I have commanded her, I Avill visit her, accordmg to all her works, with sore afflic- tion ; with pestilence ; with Y)lag-ue ; with sword ; with vengeance ; with devouring lire ; nevertheless, let it be read this once in their ears, that I, the Lord, have accepted of their oftering ; and if she sin no more none of these things shall come upon her, and I T\ill bless her with blessings, and uniltiply a multi]>licity of blessings upon her and upon her generations forever and ever, saith the Lord your God. Amen."
This revelation was not complied ^ith by the leaders and Church in Missouri, as a whole ; notwithstanding many were humble and faithfid. Therefore, the threatened judg- ment was poured out to the uttermost, as the history of the five following years will show.
That portion of the inhabitants of Jackson County which did not belong to the Church, became jealous of our
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 103
growing iutlueuce and numbers. Political demagogues were afraid we should rule the county ; and religious priests and bigots felt that we were powerful rivals, and about to excel all other societies in the State in numbers, and in power and influence.
These feelings, and the false statements and influences growing out of them, ga\ e rise to the organization of a company of outlaws, wliose avowed object was to drive the Church of the Saints from the county.
These were composed of lawyers, magistrates, county officers, civil and military ; religious ministers, and great numbers of the ignorant and uninformed portion of the population, whose prejudices were easily aroused.
They commenced operations by assembling in great num- bers, destroying a printing office and its materials ; de- molishing dwelluigs and stores, and plundering the con- tents and strewing them in the street ; cutting open feather beds, breaking furniture, destroying fences and crops, whipijiug, threatening and variously abusing men, women and cliildren, etc.
The saints submitted to these outrages for a time in all patience, without defence or resistance of any kind, supposing that the public authorities would of course put a stop to them, as in duty bound.
But they were soon convinced to the contrary, and were compelled to take up arms for defence ; and also to make the most \igorous exertions to prosecute accorduig to law. We assembled in small bodies in difterent neigh- borhoods, and stood on guard during the nights, being ready to march in a moment to any place of attack.
I had the command of about sixty men who were thus assembled in the Colesville branch ; and rendezvoused in some log buildings during a very raijiy time.
It was evening. I was out in the act of posting giiards a short distance from the dwellings, when two men assailed us, armed with guns and pistols ; and supposing it against
104 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
OUT principles to make any defence, they attacked the guards. I was without arms, but stepped forward to inter- fere between tlieni, when one of them drew his gun back- wards, and, with both hands, struck the barrel of it across the top of my head. I staggered back, but did not fall ; the blood came streaming down my face, and I was for an instant stunned by the blow ; but, recovering myself, I called help from the house and disarmed them, and put them under guard till morning. Their arms were then restored, and they let go in peace.
The taking of these two men proved a preventive against an attack that night. Thej' were the advance of a party of men who were about to coiue upon the settle ment, but were disconcerted by this means.
On the next day, about sunset, myself and a Mr. Marsh set out on horseback to visit the Circuit Judge at Lexington, a distance of some forty miles. We were un- der the necessity of travelling the most private paths across the country, in order to avoid our enemies ; but we had a most faithful pilot, an old resident of the country, wlio knew every crook and turn of the different paths.
We had ridden but a few miles when it became so ex- cessively dark that we could not see each other, or dis- tinguish any object. Our pilot dismounted several times and tried to feel his way. We were at last compelled to halt for some time, until it cleared and became a little lighter ; but the rain began to fall in torrents, and continued all the latter part of the night. We soon be- came drenched, and every thread about us perfectly wet; but still we dare not stop for any refreshment or shelter, until day dawned, when we found ourselves forty miles fiom home and at the door of a friend, where we break- fasted and refreshed ourselves.
We then repaired to Lexington, and made oath before Judge Kyland of the outrages committed upon us, but
AUTOBIOaRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 1()5
were refused a warrant. The Judge advised us to fight and kill the outlaws whenever they came ui)on us. We then returned to the place where we breakfasted, and, night coining on, we retired to bed. Having been with- out slee}) for the three i)re\aous nights, and much of the time drenched with rain, this, together with the severe wound 1 had leceived, caused me to feel much exhausted. No sooner had sleep enfolded me in her kind emlbrace than a vision opened before me.
I was in Jackson County; heard the sound of firearms, a*id saw the killed and wounded lying in their blood. At this I awoke from slumber, and awakmg Mr Marsh and the family with whom we lodged, I told them what I had seen and heard in my dream, and that I was sure a battle had just occurred.
Next morning we pursued oiu' journey homeward with feelings of anxiety indescribable. Every ofl&cer of the peace had abandoned us to our fate ; and it seemed as if there was no alternative but for men, women and children to be exter- minated. As we rode on, ruminating ui)on these things, a man met us from Independence, who told us there was a battle raging when he left ; and how it had terminated he knew not.
This only heightened our feelings of anxiety and sus- pense. We were every instant drawing nearer to the spot where we might find our friends alive and victorious, or dead, or perhaps in bondage, in the hands of a worse than savage enemy.
On coming within four miles of Independence, we ven- tured to inquire the distance at a certain house ; this we did in order to pass as strangers, and also, in hopes to learn some news ; the man seemed frightened, and inquired where we were from. We replied, from Lexington. Said he, " Have you heard what has happened f We replied, '^ That we had heard there was some difficulty, but of all the par- ticulars we had not been informed." " Why," said he, " the Mormons have ns, and have killed six men."
106 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
We then passed on, and as soon as we were ont of sight we left the road and took into the woods.
Taking a circnitous route, through thickets of hazel in- terwoven ^ith graiJe vine, we came in sight of Independ- ence, after some difficulty and entanglement, and advanced towards it ; but seeing jiarties of armed men advancing towards us, we wheeled about, and retreating a distance, tunied again into the woods, and, galloping about a half mile, reached the tents of our fiiends.
But wluit was our astonishment when we found our brethren without arms, having surrendered them to the enemy !
The truth was this : The same evening that I dreamed of the battle, a large body of the outlaws had marched to a certain settlement, where they had before committed many outrages, and commenced to unroof dwellings, destroy pro I)erty, and threaten and abuse women and children. While some sixty men were thus engaged, and theii- horses quietly regaling themselves in the cornfields of the brethren, about thirtj- of our men marched upon them, and drove them from the field. Several were severely if not mortally wounded on both sides 5 and one young man of the Church died of his wounds the next day — his name was Barber.
In the battle brother Philo Dibble, of Ohio, was shot in the body through his waistband ; the ball remained in hun. He bled much inwardly, and, in a day or two his bowels were so tilled with blood and so inflamed that he was about to die, or, rather, he had been slowly djiug from the time he was wounded. The smell of himself had become intol- erable to him and those about him. At leng-th Elder Newel Knight administered to him, by the lajing on of hands, in the name of Jesus ; his hands had scarcely touched his head when he felt an operation jienetrating his whole system sis if it had been a purifying fire. He im- mediately disciiarged several quarts of blood and connip- tion, among which was the ball mth which he had been
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. 107
wounded. He was instantly healed, and went to work cliop- ping wood. He remained an able bodied man, a bard worker, and even did military duty for many years after. He is still living in Davis County, Utah.
The next morning, Nov. 5, armed men were assembled in Independence from every part of the county. These joined the outlaws, and called themseh^es militia, and placed them- selves under the. command of Lieutenant-Governor Boggs and a colonel by the name of Pitcher. Thus organized, manned and officered, they were a formidable band of out- laws; capable of murder, or any other violence or outrage which would accomplish their purpose; which was to drive the people of the Church from the county, and plunder their property and possess their lands.
Very early the same morning, several volunteers united their forces from different branches of the Church and marched towards Independence, in order to defend their brethren and friends. When within a short distance from the town they halted, and were soon informed that the mihtia were called out tbr their protection ; but in this they did not place confidence; for they saw that the armed body congregated had joined with the mobbers and outlaws, and were one with them to carry out their murderous purjioses. On communicating with the leaders, Boggs and Pitcher, it was found that there was no alternative but for the Church to leave the county forthwith, ^and deliver up their arms, and certain men to be tried for murder, said to have been committed in the battle the previous evening.
Rather than have submitted to these outrageous require- ments the saints would willingly have shed their blood; but they knew that if they resisted this mob, the hes of the designing and the prejudice of the ignorant would construe their resistance into a violation of law, and thus bring cer- tain destruction upon them ; therefore, they surrendered their arms and agreed to leave the county forthwith. The men who were demanded as prisoners were also surrendered
108 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PAKLEY P. PRATT.
and imprisoned, but were dismissed in a day or two with- out trial.
A few hours after the surrender we arrived at the camp of our brethren on oiu- return from Lexington.
The struggle was now o\'er, our liberties were gone, our homes to be deserted and possessed by a lawless banditti; and all this in the United States of America.
The sun was then setting, and twelve miles separated me from my family 5 but I determined to reach home that night. My horse being weary I started on foot, and walked through the wilderness in darkness 5 avoiding the road lest I should fall into the liauds of the enemy.
I arrived home about the middle of the night, and fur- nishing my wife with a horse, we matle our escape ui safety.
When night again overtook us we were on the bank of the Missouri Eiver, which diNided between Jackson and Clay Counties. Here we camped for the night, as we could nof cross the ferry till morning. Next morning we crossed the river, and formed an encampment amid the cottonwoods on its bank.
While we thus made our escape companies of ruffians were ranging the county in every diiection ; bursting into houses without fear, knowing that the people were dis- armed ; fi'ightening women and children, and threatening to kill them if they did not flee immediately. At the head of one of these parties appeared the ^ev. Isaac McCoy (a noted Baptist missionary to the Indians), with gun in hand, ordering the people to leave their homes immediately and siurender everything in the shai^e of arms.
Other iiretended ])reachers of the gospel took part in the persecution — speaking of the Church as the common enemies of mankin<l, and exulting in their aflfiictions. ■ On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, the "jtli and 0th of Nov- ember, women and children fled in every direction. One
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party of al)oiit one himdreil and fifty fled to the i)iairie, where they wandered for several days, mostly without food; and nothing but the open firmament for their shelter. Other parties fled towards the Missouri River. During the dispersion of women and children, parties were hunt- ing the men, firing upon some, tying up and whipping others, and some they pm'sued several mUes.
Thursday, November 7. The shore began to be lined on both sides of the ferrj' ^rith men, women and children; goods, wagons, boxes, provisions, etc., while the ferry was constantly employed ; and when night again closed ui)on us the Cottonwood bottom had much the appearance of a camp meeting. Himdreds of people were seen in every direction, some in tents an<l some in the oi>en air around their fires, Avhile the rain descended in torrents. Hus-
THE EXODUS.
no AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
bands were inquiring for their wives, wives for their husbands ; parents for children, and children for par- ents. Some had the good fortune to escape with their families, household goods, and some pro\asions; while others knew not the fate of their friends, and had lost all their goods. The scene was indescribable, and, I am sure, would have melted the hearts of any people on the earth, except our blind oppressors, and a blind and ignorant community.
Next day our company still increased, and we were prin- cipally engaged in felling cottonwood trees and erecting them into small cabins. The next night being clear, we began to enjoy some degree of comfort.
About two o'clock the next morning we were called up by the cry of signs in the heavens. We arose, and to our great astonishment all the firmament seemed enveloped in splendid fire, works, as if every star in the broad ex- panse had been hurled from its course, and sent lawless through the wilds of ether. Thousands of bright meteors were shooting through space in every direction, with long trains of light following in their course. This lasted for sevt /* i hours, and was only closed by the dawni of the rising sun. Every heart was filled ^^'itll joy at this ma- jestic display of signs and wonders, showing the near approach of the coming of the Son of God.
All our goods were lett behind ; but 1 (obtained some of them afterwards at the risk of my life. But all my pro- visions for the winter were destroyed or stolen, and my graui left growing on the gTOund for my enemies to har- vest. My house was afterwards burned, and my fruit trees and improvements destroyed or plundered. ly short, every member of the society was driven from the county, and fields of corn were ravagetl and destroyed ; stacks of wheat burned, household goods plimdered, and improve- ments and every kind of property destroyed. One of this banditti afterwards boasted to one of the brethren that,
AUTUBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT. Ill
acconling to theii- own 'account of the matter, the number of houses bm-ned was two hundred and three.
The Saints who tied took refuge in the adjoining comi- ties, mostly in Clay County, which received them with some degree of kindness. Those Avho fled to the coimty of Yan Buren were again di-iven and compelled to flee; and those who fled to Lafayette County were soon expelled, or the most part of them, and had to move to wherever they could find protection,
^Vhen the news of these outrages reached the Governor of the State, courts of inquiry, both civil and military, were ordered by him, but nothing effectual was ever done to restore our rights, or to protect us in the least. It is true the Attorney-General, and a military escort imder Colonel, aftero-ards General Doniphan, and our witnesses went to Jackson County and demanded indictments; but the court refused to do anything in the case, an<l the military, Attorney-General and witnesses were mobbed out of the coimty; and thus that matter ended.
The Governor also ordered them to restore the arms of which they robbed us, but they never were restored. Even oiu- lands were robbed of their timber, and either occupied by our enemies for years or left desolate. Soon after Jackson County had rebelled against the laws and consti- tution of the General and State governments, several of the adjacent counties followed the example, by justifying her proceedings, and by opposing the Saints in settling among them. The counties of Clay, Eay, Clinton and various others, held pubUc meetings, the tenor of which was to deprive the members of our society of the rights of citizenship, strive them from among them, and to compel them to settle only in such places as these outlaws shoidd dictate; and even at that time some of their proceedings Avent so far as to publicly threaten to drive the whole so- ciety from the State. The excuses they offered for these outrages were:
112 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PARLEY P. PRATT.
First: The society were guilty principally of beiug east- ern or northern people.
Secondly : They were giiilty of some slight variations in manners and language from the other citizens of the State, who were mostly from the South.
Thirdly: Their religious principles differed in some im- portant i)articulars from most other societies.
Fourthly: They were guilty of immigrating rapidly from the different States, and of purchasing large quantities of land, and of being more enterprising and industrious than their neighbors.
Fifthly : Some of them were guilty of poverty — especially those who had been driven, from time to time, and robbed of their all. And,
Lastly : They were said to be guilty of believing in the present Government administration of Indian affaii's, viz. : that the land west of the Mississippi, which Goverment had deeded in fee simple to the immigrating tribes, was destined by Providence for their permanent homes.
All these crimes were charged upon our society, in the public proceedings of the several counties, and were deemed sufficient to Justify their unlawful proceedings against us. The reader may smile at this statement, but the public joiu'uals of Lrpi)er Missouri in 1835, actually piinted charges and declarations against us, of the tenor of the foregoing.
By these wicked j^roceedings our i)eoi)le Avere once more compelled to remove, at a great sacrifice of property, and were at last permitted to settle in the noi'th of Bay County, where, by the next legisbitiire, they were organ- ized into the counties Ox Caldwell and Davies. Here again they exercised the utmost industry and enterprise, and these wild regions soon presented a more tiourishing aspect than the oldest counties of the State.
In the meantime, the majority of the State so far coun- tenanced these outrages that they actually elected Lilbiun W. lioggs (one of the oldest actors in the scenes of Jack-
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This/
son County, who had assisted in murder and phmder, and the expulsion of twelve hundred citizens, in 1833) for Gov- ernor of the State, and placed him in the executive chair, ~^ instead of suspending him by the neck, between the heav- A- ens and the earth, as his crimes justly merited movement may be said to have put an end to liberty, law and government in that State. About this time. Colonel Lucas, a leader of the banditti, was elected Major-General, instead of being hung for treason and murder. And Moses Wilson, another leader of the mob, was elected Brigadier- General; and others were advanced accordmgly. These all very readily received their commissions from their accom- plice, Governor Boggs, and thus corruption, rebellion and conspiracy had spread on every side, being fostered and encouraged by a large majority of the State; and thus the treason became general.
In the meantime, our society had greatly increased by a rapid immigration, and having long felt the withering hand of oppression from so corrupt an administration, they had endeavored to organize themselves, both civil and military, in the counties where they comj)osed the major-