B. H. Roberts - Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 2

CHAPTER XL

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CHURCH IN ILLINOISUNCERTAINTYCOMMERCENAUVOO

THERE is nothing in our church annals which indicates the objective point to which the saints intended to move when they began their flight from Missouri. Was it the intention of the main body of the church to move back to northern Ohio that led them eastward? The temple was there, and some still had claims upon lands in that vicinity. Others had come from points still further east, and from Canada. Was it their intention to return to their former homes, and was the church, if not on the eve of disintegration, at least upon the eve of seeing its membership scattered and the attempt to live together as a community for the exemplification of those principles for which the church stood, abandoned? There was much in the unsettled circumstances of the people to justify such a thought. It would seem also that as late as the 25th of March, 1839, President Joseph Smith had no definite plan to suggest as to a location for the people, then fleeing from Missouri, and taking temporary refuge in western Illinois. Under the date given the Prophet wrote from Liberty prison:

"Now brethren, concerning the places for the location of the saints, we cannot counsel you as we could if we were present with you; and as to the things that were written heretofore, we did not consider them anything very binding, therefore we now say once for all, that we think it most proper that the general affairs of the church, which are necessary to be considered, while your humble servant remains in bondage, should be transacted by a general conference of the most faithful and the most respectable of the authorities of the church, and a minute of those transactions may be kept, and forwarded from time to time, to your humble servant; and if there should be any corrections by the word of the Lord, they shall be freely transmitted, and your humble servant will approve all things whatsoever is acceptable unto God."

THE PROPHET UNDAUNTED

Yet it is clear that the Prophet's mind was undaunted, and that he was still determined to hold his people together as a community, and resume the work where it had been halted by the calamities that had befallen the church in Missouri. "I would suggest," said he in the communication above alluded to, "for the consideration of the conference, its being carefully and wisely understood by the council or conference that our brethren scattered abroad, who understand the spirit of the gathering, that they fall into the places and refuge of safety that God shall open unto them, between Kirtland and Far West. Those from the east and from the west, and from the far countries, let them fall in somewhere between those two boundaries, in the most safe and quiet places they can find; and let this be the present understanding, until God shall open a more effectual door for us for further considerations."

The Prophet further suggested for the consideration of the conference "that there be no organization of large bodies upon common stock principles in property, or of large companies or firms, until the Lord shall signify it in a proper manner, as it opens such a dreadful field for the avaricious, the indolent, and the corrupt-hearted to prey upon the innocent and virtuous, and honest."

This was all in the way of plans for settlement that had been devised.

QUINCY, ILLINOISKINDLY RECEPTION OF THE SAINTS

The principal point of exodus from Missouri was Quincy, Illinois. This place was chosen, doubtless, because it was in the direct line of the movement eastward, and also because of its ferriage facilities. Quincy is located on the east bank of the Mississippi on a limestone bluff, one hundred and twenty-five feet above low water mark. Quincy bay is an arm of the river and affords a natural harbor for river craft. Three years after the arrival of the first white settlers, 1825, it was laid out a town. It was not made a town, however, until 1834; in 1839 it became an incorporated city.

A kind reception was given to the exiled saints by the people of Quincy and vicinity. At this first meeting all that was done was to pass a resolution, to the effect that the people called the Latter-day Saints were in a situation requiring the aid of the people of Quincy. A committee of eight was appointed to call a general meeting of both citizens and "Mormons," and to receive a statement from the latter of their condition, with a view to having their necessities relieved. The second meeting was held in the courthouse, and the special committee appointed at the first meeting reported its labors. The committee had received statements from Sidney Rigdon and others in relation to the expulsion of the Latter-day Saints from Missouri, and suggested a series of resolutions setting forth that the exiled strangers were entitled to the sympathy and aid of the people of Quincy; that a numerous committee, composed of individuals from every part of the town, be appointed to allay the prejudices of the misguided citizens of Quincy, and explain that it was not the design of the exiles to lower the wages of the laboring classes, but to secure something to save them from starvation; that a standing committed be appointed to relieve, so far as in their power, the wants of the destitute and homeless; and to use their utmost endeavors to procure employment for those who were able and willing to labor. The report closed by saying:

"We recommend to all the citizens of Quincy that in all their intercourse with the strangers, they use and observe a becoming decorum and delicacy, and be particularly careful not to indulge in any conversation or expression calculated to wound their feelings, or in any way to reflect upon those who, by every law of humanity, are entitled to our sympathy and commiseration."

This good work begun by the Democratic Association was continued by them for some time, and substantial assistance was given to the suffering exiles through these exertions. At a subsequent meeting of the association the following resolutions were adopted:

THE RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE EXPOUNDED

"That we regard the right of conscience as natural and inalienable, and the most sacredly guaranteed by the Constitution of our free government;

That we regard the acts of all mobs in violation of law; and those who compose them individually responsible, both to the laws of God and man, for every depredation committed upon the property, rights, or life of any citizen;

That the inhabitants upon the western frontier of the state of Missouri, in their late persecution of the people denominated 'Mormons,' have violated the sacred rights of conscience and every law of justice and humanity;

That the governor of Missouri, in refusing protection to this class of people, when pressed upon by a heartless mob, and turning upon them a band of unprincipled militia, with orders encouraging their extermination, has brought a lasting disgrace upon the state over which he presides."