Mormon History 1830-1844

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1838 Affadavits of Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Hyde
Thomas B. Marsh, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, having fled the violence in Daviess and Caldwell counties, testifies October 24, 1838 in Richmond, Ray county, that a company of Mormons under Apostle David Patten had burned Gallatin, that Danites planned to burn Buncombe and perhaps Liberty and Richmond; that Joseph believes his prophecies are superior to the laws of the land, and so forth. Orson Hyde knows most of Marsh's statements to be true, believes the rest.
The Battle of Crooked River takes place the next day in Ray county, and on October 27, 1838, Governor Lilliburn W. Boggs issues his infamous extermination order.
Danite oath: right or wrong

They have among them a company consisting of all that are considered true Mormons, called the Danites, who have taken an oath to support the heads of the church in all things that they say or do, whether right or wrong.

  History of the Church, 3:167.
Many Danites against oath  

Many, however, of this band are much dissatisfied with this oath, as being against moral and religious principles.

   
Destruction Company to destroy Buncombe, Liberty, Richmond  

On Saturday last, I am informed by the Mormons, that they had a meeting at Far West, at which they appointed a company of twelve, by the name of the "Destruction Company," for the purpose of burning and destroying, and that if the people of Buncombe came to do mischief upon the people of Caldwell, and committed depredations upon the Mormons, they were to burn Buncombe; and if the people of Clay and Ray made any movement against them, this destroying company were to burn Liberty and Richmond. * * * *

  Buncombe: Bunkham's Strip

Asterisks in HC version.
   

The Prophet inculcates the notion, and it is bled by every true Mormon, that Smith's prophecies are superior to the laws of the land. I heard the Prophet say that he would yet tread down his enemies, and walk over their dead bodies; and if he was not let alone, he would be a second Mohammed to this generation, and that he would make it one gore of blood from the Rocky mountains to the Atlantic ocean; that like Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was "the Alcoran or the Sword."

  Alcoran (Alkoran): Koran.
Smith plans to take the nation and the world  

The plan of said Smith, the prophet, is to take this State, and he professes to his people to intend taking the United States, and ultimately the whole world. …

  Sidney, 235 provides this sentence omitted from HC.
Superior to laws of the land  

The prophet inculcates the notion, and it is believed by every true Mormon, that Smith's prophecies are superior to the laws of the land. <

   
A second Mohamet

Joseph or the Sword
 

I have heard the prophet say that he should yet tread down his enemies, and walk over their dead bodies; that if he was not let alone he would be a second Mohamet to this generation, and that he would make it one gore of blood from the Rocky mountains to the Atlantic ocean that like Mohomet, whose motto, in treating for peace, was "The Alcoran or the Sword," so should it be eventually with us, "Joseph Smith or the Sword." These last statements were made during the last summer.

   
300–400 armed men at Adam-ondi-Ahman  

The number of armed men at Adam-ondi-Ahman was between three and four hundred.

   
    Thomas B. Marsh    
   

Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day herein written.

   
    Henry Jacobs,    
    J. P. Ray county, Missouri    
   

Richmond, Missouri, October 24, 1848.

   
Orson Hyde affirms   AFFIDAVIT OF ORSON HYDE.    
   

The most of the statements in the foregoing disclosure I know to be true; the remainder I believe to be true.

  Orson Hyde deeply regretted signing this affidavit. ¶ History of Orson Hyde.
    Orson Hyde    
   

Richmond, October 24, 1838

   
   

Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day above written.

   
    Henry Jacobs, J. P.    
       

Thomas B. Marsh (h)
Orson Hyde

Orson Hyde (h)
Primary sources
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