The remarkable brothers of the Prophet Brigham Young He said the file included the notes of a Mormon historian who, at the request of church leaders, conducted a confidential investigation of the massacre in 1892. enableHover: false, The massacre stands out not only for its gruesomeness but also for the act of treachery that preceded it. In August 1877, within a week of becoming ill, Brigham Young unexpectedly died. During the period just before the massacre, known as the Mormon Reformation, Mormon teachings were dramatic and strident. It was enough for him, and many of his closest associates too, that the solemn assembly had worked Gods will. Rigdon spoke with all the eloquence possible for a man to have, recalled George Romney, who was in the congregation. He concluded with what should have been a portentous warning: Brethren, the Lord bids me hasten the work in which we are engaged. From Nauvoo, he took a side trip to Kirtland, Ohio, where Mormonism had first really begun to mold him. to offer up the signs and pray to our heavenly father to deliver his people. It had been the cord which bound the people together. [68] Some of their soulful petitions were pleas to return the Apostles back to the city. [47] Declaration of the Twelve, about 1844; see also Church Historians Office, General Church Minutes, September 8, 1844. One of Josephs revelations declared such a gathering to be the highest authority in the Churchthe collective inspiration of leaders and members (D&C 107:32). In order to go on speaking, he stepped out into the congregation and stood on a wagon bed either opposite to the speakers stand or to one side. Yet no narrative has a daily summary of what went on using the rich documents compiled at the time or the growing body of historical literature on the topic. [1][2] Evidence as to whether or not Young ordered the attack on the migrant column is conflicted. On Sept. 11, 1857, a group of California-bound pioneers camping in southern Utah were murdered by a Mormon militia and its Indian allies. The high priests were seated nearby to the right. The result was a letter that the Churchs eastern newspaper, the Prophet, soon published. Looking back, the reasons appear clear. For the moment, this question of family succession was not pressing. On that occasion, there had been an assembly of about sixty menprobably a meeting of the Council of Fifty and the Twelve Apostles with others. In short, there were many things that Young did not say because they were neither appropriate nor timely. [68] Allen, One Mans Nauvoo, 47, 48n29. The succession of 1844 was not simply about appointing a man or group of men to lead the Church. And when the Book of Mormon was published and the Church organized in 1830, Brigham Young heard rumors of these eventsand soon read the Book of Mormonbecause he was by then supporting his family with a carpentry mill at Mendon, only 13 miles away. [117] Brigham Young, journal, August 8, 1844, Church History Library. [67] Quinn, Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum (Holy Order), 184245, appendix 4, in Mormon Hierarchy, 491519; Anderson and Bergera, eds., Joseph Smiths Quorum of the Anointed, 8082. At the Apostles meeting, Elder Kimball, probably acting on a decision made the previous day, instructed Clayton to pay Emma Smith $1000 to quiet the simmering trustee-in-trust matter. For instance, Joseph Smith was once attacked by an apostate from the Church, William Law, who "attempted to kill Joseph and fired a pistol at him six times at close range. But their hopes and wishes, like those of Jesus disciples before Calvary, did not permit them to accept the last charge at face value. People may have deferred to Richards for another reason. Joseph Smith was a candidate for the United States presidency and had chosen Rigdon as a running mate. It was one of the worst American civilian atrocities of the 19th century. Around this formal assembly were other Saints, many standing. Sometimes their meetings merged into a single assemblyan informal fusion of the three or four groupsand as a result there were disorderly lines of authority. He went on to become a missionary in England. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- the Mormon church -- has steadfastly denied responsibility, first blaming Indians and later a rogue church official for the crime. Some important scene is near to take place. During the several years before his death, Joseph Smith had introduced a breathtaking array of new doctrines and practices: The plurality of gods, new temple ordinances, new theocratic practices, and even plural marriage. This Nauvoo package was known unevenly among the Saints, according to Esplin. As we look at the different positions leading men and women took on what the Church should be, we also learn more about early Mormonism and its leaders. [2] Statement of George Edmunds, a longtime settler, in Berry, Mormon Settlement in Illinois, 97. In an 1858 report to the federal Indian commissioner, Young blamed local Indians and, by implication, the United States government, whose ''fatal policy,'' he wrote, ''treats the Indians like the wolves, or other ferocious beasts.''. He was convinced that he, as President of the Twelve, had authority to lead the Church, or to at least name Josephs successor. The officially stated cause of death was appendicitis, although those close to him believed that his sudden illness showed signs of arsenic poisoning. Kirtland was also the place where he began his friendship with Joseph Smith, which became the lodestone for the rest of Youngs life. [100] While grieving and a bit uncertain, they also appeared hopeful. The coming election might bring into office anti-Mormons who might further hurt the Saints. If he could have had his way, he would have postponed the assembly for more mourning. You lack a great leader, he said. The U.S. posted bounties of $500 each for the capture of Haight, Higbee, and Stewart, and prosecutors chose not to pursue their cases against Dame, Willden, and Adair. $('#twitter-entry-meta-14456').sharrre({ Whatever the reason, the political campaign was neither a stunt nor a symbolic gesture, one historian concluded. Young was given many other prominent duties as he became one of Smiths closest colaborers. The idea that Young had been transformed (or transfigured) by the spirit of Joseph Smith became one of the great traditions of Latter-day Saint history. He did marry one wife and had children of his own. Whatever else happened on that afternoonthe mysteries of spiritual feeling and experiences can only be narrated but not verified by the historianthe people had been drawn together and for the moment had assurance. There was a terrible irony working. No shorthand reporter was present during the assembly, and surviving records preserve only sporadic phrases and sentences. [115] These memories were remarkable for their detail and their number, and they are hard to put aside. [118] Many years later, President Woodruff wrote that this highly celebrated day in August 1844 and Brigham Youngs role in the succession became the pivot on which the rest of Latter-day Saint history turnedand he was right. There were five stalwart brothers in the John Young family. ''There are very candid statements on the part of participants to a church official under the agreement of confidentiality,'' Mr. Turley said, adding that the file, along with other sources he and his co-authors were using, would be made public once their book was published. When Young spoke to the people, he tried to catch this spirit. My narrative is a reconstruction based upon these five sources. Rigdon would have the opportunity of speaking before the Churchs local and general leaders. Moreover, Whitney believed the office of trustee was inseparably tied to the Presidency. (Salt Lake City and Provo, UT: Deseret Book and Brigham Young University Press, 2002), 273. We shall do all we can [with the campaign], he told Richards, and leave the event with God. [40]. [59] Clayton, Intimate Chronicle, 13739. Had he ever faltered? With Rigdon was his son-in-law, Ebenezer Robinson, who had been asked to begin a new Latter-day Saint newspaper. [14] Church Historians Office, General Church Minutes, September 8, 1844. After the massacre, Young stated in public forums that God had taken vengeance on the BakerFancher party. According to Brigham Young, a few of the select group met twice every day . Brigham's Destroying Angel -- Chapter Two - utlm.org Federal investigators suspected Brigham Young of having had a hand in the crime but failed to produce sufficient evidence to convict him. [57] Since these materials were written weeks and even years after the succession controversy and may represent a later view of events, they require some skepticism. The 44-year-old Dancing On [], The Chick-Fil-A Gay Kiss-Ins Have Started Will They Help? But on the question of who would manage the succession, there was no compromise. Several years later when his colleagues reminded him of his error, Young was disbelieving. Brigham Young-Second President of the Church '', That conclusion is vigorously disputed by three Mormon church historians, who vow their own history of the massacre, to be published by Oxford University Press in 2004, will exonerate Young. At the Churchs October 1843 conference, Joseph Smith suggested that Rigdon might step down, and Smith appears to have questioned his loyalty. By the middle of July, she threatened that she would do the church all the injury she could if a new trustee-in-trust were appointed without her approval. Grant Building Both Bishop Newel K. Whitney and Charles C. Rich had come to his home with news and questions. [82] But the last charge had not singled Young outSmith had spoken expansively about most members of the Twelve and some members of the Council of Fifty having the full blessings of the endowment or patriarchal power. Provo, UT 84602 [43] Church Historians Office, History of the Church, August 14, 1844, 7:26667; Brigham Young, journal, July 14, 1844, Brigham Young Office Files, 18321878, Church History Library; Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, July 9 and 14, 1844, Church History Library. Young's message of reply to Haight, dated September 10, 1857, read: In regard to emigration trains passing through our settlements, we must not interfere with them until they are first notified to keep away. [25], The best that the Apostles could do was to meet with Rigdon the following day. His closest disciples accepted this view. He died of appendicitis in August of 1877. Jump to Subtopic: Question: Why did Emma Smith and Brigham Young dislike one another? In contrast, there was the strong figure of Brigham Young. [23] In 1870, Young excommunicated some of the participants, including Haight and Lee, from the LDS Church. [78] For the Apostles, there was no turning back. He knew the Churchs business as well as anyone in the city and had a reputation for good judgment and good works. The knowledge of how George A. Smith felt towards the emigrants, and his telling me that he had a long talk with Haight on the subject, made me certain that it was the wish of the Church authorities, that Fancher and his train should be wiped out, and knowing all this, I did not doubt then, and I do not doubt it now, either, that Haight was acting by full authority from the Church leaders, and that the orders he gave to me were just the orders that he had been directed to give, when he ordered me to raise the Indians and have them attack the emigrants.[27]. Mormon historian Juanita Brooks believes that the letter demonstrates that Young "did not order the massacre, and would have prevented it if he could. In this case, he argues, Young saw bloodshed as a righteous act, one that would avenge the Arkansas murder of the apostle, Pratt, and send a sober warning to the United States government about the risks of invading the Mormon state. The day would come when he would see one hundred tons of metal per second thrown at the enemies of God, and that the blood would be to the horses bridles. At that time, Rigdon expected to walk into the palace of Queen Victoria and lead her out by the nose. [20]. enableTracking: true, More explosive was the conduct of Emma Smith, the Prophets widow, who was determined that the familys property should not be swallowed by the Churchs claimsJoseph had mixed personal and official accounts and many of his debts were unresolved. While flipping through his fiances baby album, Tyler West recognized a familiar face in one of the photographs: his mother holding new-born Kelsey Poll after helping with her delivery. [18], Some said that as many as six thousand Saints were at the meeting grounds east of the rising temple that Sunday. [19] Church Historians Office, History of the Church, August 4, 1844, 7: addenda, p. 10; also found in Selected Collections from the Archives, http://ldsarch.lib.byu.edu/CD Volume 1/Disc1/v7/seg17.htm. } Brigham Young and the Mountain Meadows Massacre - Wikipedia [51] Church Historians Office, General Church Minutes, December 5, 1847; see also Brigham Young to Orson Spencer, January 23, 1848, Brigham Young Papers. }); [8], Rigdon arrived in Pittsburgh on June 28, the day after the murder of the Smith brothers, and spoke to the local people several times before rumors of the assassination began to catch up with him. Federal investigators suspected Brigham Young of having had a hand in the crime but failed to produce sufficient evidence to convict him. enableTracking: true, [41] But the mail was not getting throughin either direction. He wanted the people to know that he had no special claims because he had served as Joseph Smiths recent (but unsustained) counselor. [109] Joseph Smith to W. W. Phelps, July 31, 1832, Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, ed. "A Man of God and a Good Kind Father" - BYU Studies Elder Wilford Woodruff probably spoke for his fellow Apostles with a curt dismissal. Can we see pic of female inserting a tampon? If a dog is 199 in dog years how old is it in people years? 1 (January 1909): 34. [7] By summer the best of the Latter-day Saint talent was barnstorming through the United States to support Smiths candidacy. When section 107 was given in 1835, few regarded it as a blueprint for the Apostles successionor for that matter, that the revelation established the Twelve as the Churchs second most important quorum. The authoritative secondary sources are Klaus J. Hansen, Quest for Empire: The Political Kingdom of God and the Council of Fifty in Mormon History (East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press, 1967); D. Michael Quinn, The Council of Fifty and its Members, 1844 to 1845, BYU Studies 20, no. api.openPopup('linkedin'); Elders were to the right of the seventies, and the sisters were on the left. Speech of Elder Orson Hyde, Delivered Before the High Priests Quorum, in Nauvoo, April 27th, 1845 (City of Joseph, IL: John Taylor, 1845), 27. facebook: true Well, well! On Wednesday, August 7the fifth day of the succession crisisthe Apostles spent much of the day huddled in conference at John Taylors house. This child [Young himself] will manage this flock for a season. [89] Young complained of a hurrying Spirit and spoke of the true Organization of the Church, which required a formal voting by the people in a special seating arrangement. The exhaustion of the past month had caught up with him. [73] But these few members held in their bosom knowledge of the explosive ideas of plural marriage and the temporal kingdom. Clayton reported that the Saints were discussing four or five possible successors to Smith in his twin offices as Church President and trustee-in-trust. ''The emigrants fell victim to Brigham Young's decision to stage a violent incident that would demonstrate his power to control the Indians of the Great Basin and to stop travel on the most important overland roads.''. The Apostles were left to do their own counselling, Pratt said sourly. [71] Heber C. Kimball to Parley P. Pratt, June 17, 1842, Parley P. Pratt Papers, Church History Library. Young decided to go although the meeting had already started. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. As part of Young's vision of a pre-millennial "Kingdom of God," Young established colonies along the California and Old Spanish Trails, where Mormon officials governed as leaders of church, state, and military. twitter: true The question arose by Bro[ther] Pack [his companion] who will now lead the Church, Benson later wrote. (Ann Lee had helped found the Believers in Christs Second Appearing, or Shakers, a century before.) The Apostles gathered at Richardss office, but Young did not show up. [45] Brigham Young, Remarks Before a Family Gathering, December 25, 1857, Brigham Young Papers, Church History Library. [30] Things seemed to be settling down. Emma opposed the stopgap idea of having Clayton serve until the Apostles returned, and during July repeatedly inserted herself into the trustee-in-trust issue. [108] In Kirtland, he had once declared that Gods keys no longer rested with Joseph Smith or perhaps even in the Church. See also Van Wagoner, Making of a Mormon Myth, 9. Did Brigham Young conspire to murder Joseph Smith? : r/exmormon - Reddit [92] Woodruff gave his reading of the situation: In consequence of some excitement among the People and a disposition by some spirits to try to divide the Church, it was thought best to attend to the business of the Church in the afternoon. [93]. Roberts wondered why Young had not given a more scriptural defense. [20] Church Historians Office, History of the Church, August 4, 1844, 7: addenda, p. 10. It is for discussions centered around agreements, disagreements, and observations about other people, whether specifically or collectively, within the Mormon/Exmormon community. The Apostles sent Pratt to find out why. Pratt found Rigdon talking to a Nauvoo outsider not very far from Taylors home. [65] Allen, One Mans Nauvoo, 47; Devery S. Anderson and Gary James Bergera, eds., Joseph Smiths Quorum of the Anointed, 18421845: A Documentary History (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2005), 8082. A decade later, Eliza's 1861 anthem to Brigham Young echoed the same themes: O God, bless Brigham Young; Then a light touch of the whip got the calmed animals to lift the wagon, and the Norwegians went ahead with their journeyto the surprise and amusement of the passengers in the coach. Young settled in Salt Lake City. One might suppose him to be a sectarian God, without body, parts or passionshis center everywhere and his circumference no where. If Young thought Smiths election prospects were dim, he did not acknowledge it. He was the ninth of eleven children, growing up in an unsettled frontier environment characterized by frequent family moves to various communities throughout upstate New York. [16] Van Wagoner, Making of a Mormon Myth, 5; see also Andrew F. Ehat, Joseph Smiths Introduction of Temple Ordinances and the 1844 Mormon Succession Question (masters thesis, Brigham Young University, 1982), 197. DarkestGrandKnight 1 yr. ago Neither Young nor others who spoke on Thursday afternoon, Roberts believed, offered a discussion of the relationship of the respective presiding councils. [105] Roberts wanted a defense based upon Joseph Smiths revelation on Church government, now published as section 107 in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Council of Fifty sought to redress past wrongs, increase the Churchs political influence, and expand Mormonisms borders into the American West. Marks had granted two extra days and was unwilling to go further. Did Brigham Young Order a Massacre? - True West Magazine Life Young was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the seventh child of John Young and Abigail Howe. Some skeptical historians have a different view. Every Latter-day Saint knows the importance of the six days in August 1844 when Brigham Young and the Twelve Apostles were sustained at Nauvoo as Joseph Smith's successors. What does exist are several dozen reminiscences describing events that took place. As with circumstances surrounding the agonizing and mysterious death of Brigham Young, allegations have been made over the years that Samuel, too, was the victim of deliberate poisoning deviously administered by those angling for power in the time period following the assassination of Joseph Smith. The 62-year-old said actors should not be restricted , Twink Power + J.D. [36] Manuscript History of Brigham Young, May 10 and 15, 1844, 165. . It was a time when he could sling mountains. [111]. According to Rigdon, the death of Joseph Smith had not dissolved the First Presidency. Chris Porras Lvl 2 2020-01-16 21:23:43 This answer is: Hide Comment (1) Anonymous Lvl 1 2020-06-20 23:08:03 Was not referring. The seats were crowded and the business going forward when Abigail Folsom, a feminist and abolitionist, staged a protest. [85] People were concerned about the succession. [61] James B. Allen, One Mans Nauvoo: William Claytons Experience in Mormon Illinois, Journal of Mormon History 6 (1979): 5758n57. Best Answer Copy No. Process of transferring data to a storage medium? The meeting was what Latter-day Saints later called a solemn assembly, the Churchs highest authority on matters of teaching and doctrine. Later, others came to believe that Smith's son, Joseph Smith III, was the rightful successor under the doctrine of lineal succession. If you happen to be named Brown or Jones or Spendlove or Lewis or Young or any name, it doesn't matter who your ancestors are. Neighbors had mistreated the Saints from the beginning. Young slept in the bed while Woodruff, who was grieving the Prophets death, slept in a large chair and did his best to shield his convulsive tears. [26], On Monday evening, whether because of his excitable personality or perhaps by strategy, Rigdon paced furiously before the Church leaders. He had lost his position as prophet, seer, and revelator due to unfaithfulness. [101], Youngs speech had humor, anecdotes, and some bite directed at his opponents. After hearing Rigdon, he was unwilling to wait for the coming week. For more accounts of the mantle of Joseph, see Jorgensens full article. [24] Church Historians Office, General Church Minutes, September 8, 1844; Speech of Elder Orson Hyde, 1213. My head felt as tho my head [would] crack. His thoughts went everywhere. Brigham Young Jr. 1 language Tools Brigham Young Jr. (December 18, 1836 - April 11, 1903) served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1899 until his death. 3 (July 1873): 284. Seventeen children, all under 7, were spared. The Apostles concluded their meetings on August 7 with a decision: a general assembly would be convened within the week on Tuesday, August 13, at 10:00 a.m. How I due want to see you and [the children]. [5] Rigdon had a new duty: Joseph wanted him to raise up a branch of Saints at Pittsburgh. More decisive to its fate, the Fancher party was said to have incited the murderous wrath of local Indians by poisoning their wells and livestock. [87] Speech of Elder Orson Hyde, 1314. Andy Towle August 3, 2012. He found them dead and cold to the things of God. Continuing his trip, Young visited his brother, John Young, and also his sister, Nancy Kent, who lived in Chester, Ohio. In particular, Youngs earlier religious experience at Peterborough, New Hampshire, had a major role in the events that unfolded. Did he wish to awaken the country to Mormonism and to its past grievances? [117] He recognized as well as any modern social scientist the power of memory to transform events and give memories details and meaning. It is something that has been partially experienced and thoroughly documented by many individuals around the world. Brigham Young was a man well acquainted with life and death. Was not referring to his death, just the stabbing. [102] Brigham Young, journal, August 8, 1844, Church History Library. Later in the day, Elder Woodruffs letter with the same news arrived. "John D. Lee Arrested". After taking a grate share of my love to your self then deal it out to others as you plese. [37], Once in Boston, his routine included the familiar duties of traveling and preaching. He also believed that at some point a new First Presidency of three men would be required, though he was willing to let that issue rest for the moment. api.simulateClick(); Poisoning of Samuel H. Smith - Joseph Smith's Brother Notes "Charley": Law and reason said that the two men should come from different states and even different parts of the country. Young died in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory at the age of 80. But privately it gave context to the events surrounding the succession. ''There is no evidence the Indians had weapons required for a slaughter of this magnitude,'' she said. [1] In 1830, Young was contacted by Samuel H. Smith, a missionary in the recently established Latter Day Saint movement. There were underground issues, too. The answer came to him like revelation: The keys of the kingdom [are] here. He brought his hand to his knee to make the point. Brigham Young to Isaac C. Haight, 10 September 1857, Letterpress Copybook 3:82728, Brigham Young Office Files, LDS Church Archives. 28. For your visual edification here is a photograph of Brigham Morris Young, son of Brigham Young, in drag as Italian opera diva Madam Pattirini, circa 1901. B. H. Roberts, 2nd ed. The death of one or a dozen could not destroy the priesthood, he told the local Saints, nor hinder the work of the Lord from spreading throughout all nations. [43]. [18] A few days after the massacre, September 29, 1857, Lee briefed Young in Salt Lake City. [87] The people had not seen him for almost four months, and many were unaware he had returned. [92] Church Historians Office, General Church Minutes, December 5, 1847. Brigham Young Biography Facts Conflicts History February 16 Family Member 11. . He then headed for Boston, the center of his operations for the next several months. This address, however, lacked order. During these councils, Smith had laid out the endowment or temple rituals step-by-step, the capstone of his revelation. At first he was not in the angle of their vision, and they turned at the sound of his voice. [8] This letter has yet to be found,[9] but accounts say that it asked Young what, if anything, should be done with the BakerFancher party camped at nearby Mountain Meadows. episode 33 How do tarsiers care for their young? But as this has not yet been done, what is the church to do? From left to right: Lorenzo Dow, Brigham, Phineas H., Joseph, and John. Said one Saint, The twelve have been ordained[,] sealed and anointed[,] in fine have received all the Power necessary to preside. It was a matter of ordinationand more. Does Robin Williams play George Washington in dodge commercial? They held two meetings early in the day. [18] Church Historians Office, General Church Minutes, September 8, 1844; Speech of Elder Orson Hyde, 1112. But it also taught, blessed, and uplifted. [107] It was during these years that Smith had given them the full endowment and the commission to lead out in his absence.
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