History of Heber C. Kimball (1801-1868)

Mormon History: 1830 to 1839

History of Heber C. Kimball (1801–1868) (5)

Move to Far West, reports mission to England. Persecutions. Labors on behalf of Joseph and other prisoners at Richmond, Liberty. Assists families leave Missouri. Attends conference of the Twelve in Far West, April 1839. Moves to Quincy, then Commerce. Second mission to England. Nauvoo. Eastern states. Martyrdom.

This sketch is part of the series, "History of Brigham Young," published in the Millennial Star, 1863–1865. It was originally published in the Deseret News in 1858. The title in the Millennial Star is "Synopsis of the History of Heber Chase Kimball."

	¶	SYNOPSIS OF THE HISTORY OF HEBER CHASE KIMBALL.	MS Millennial Star 26, no. 45 (Nov. 5, 1864): 710–713.
	¶	[Part 5]
Church leadership in Far West Arrive Far West July 25, 1838	¶	[711] … As brother Joseph and the most of the Authorities of the Church had removed to Far West, Mo., I took my family and journeyed, mostly by water, via Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and arrived at Far West July 25th.
Heber reports mission	¶	I had a happy meeting with Joseph, Hyrum and Sidney, and some of the Twelve. Joseph told me to preach to the Saints, and give them an account of my mission, and it would cheer them, which I did. The brethren felt deeply interested.
Land, house, cow	¶	Bishop Partridge gave me a lot, and sufficient timber to build a house. While it was erecting, my family lived in a place I built for my cow, about [712] eleven feet square, in which I could hardly stand upright. The brethren were remarkably kind, and contributed to my necessities. Charles Hubbard made me a present of forty acres of timbered land, another brother gave me a cow.
Mobs Saints flee	¶	While the bands of infuriated mobbers were burning the houses and destroying the property of the brethren in Daviess co., I went with the Prophet Joseph, and many of the brethren, to assist them to protect their families and disperse the mob. It was truly heart-rending to see men, women and children, flying in every direction from the fury of their enemies.
Extermination order		The mob forces increased until men from nearly every part of the state joined them, with the Governor (Lilburn W. Boggs) at their head, who ordered into service about 17,000 men, as reported by their officer of the State, for the extermination of the Saints.
Persecutions unparalleled	¶	The murders, house burnings, robberies, rapes, drivings, whippings, imprisonments, chainings and other sufferings and cruelties inflicted upon the people of God, under the illegal orders of Missouri's Executive have been, only in part, laid before the world, and form a page in history, unequalled, unsurpassed, and unparalleled in the history of religious persecutions,—that foulest of crimes! This historic page alone can credit Boggs and his minions with feeding the ministers of the proscribed religion on the flesh of their murdered brethren; the odium of which is shared fully by the professed ministers of different denominations who participated in these vile atrocities! If hell can furnish a parallel, where is it?
Far West surrounded	¶	When Far West was surrounded, I was in line with my brethren, momentarily anticipating the awful tragedy of a blood massacre—my musket was ready; but the Lord spared the most of my brethren, in a way we did not expect.
Surrender Plundered, women ravished	¶	I surrendered my arms and signed a deed of trust while surrounded by these legions of armed fiends, to pay them for murdering my brethren, robbing us of our homes and property, ravishing our wives and daughters, and other like services.
Missouri to be punished	¶	In the name of Jesus Christ I bear testimony that as Missouri has measured to the Latter-day Saints, it shall be measured to her again fourfold, full, running over and pressed down; and I shall see it come to pass.
Richmond jail	¶	I visited President Joseph Smith and his fellow prisoners in Richmond Jail, in company with President Young. Joseph, his brother Hyrum, Sidney Rigdon, and several others were chained together; we could not get the privilege of speaking to them, only to say "how do you do."
Liberty jail	¶	Feb., 1839. I accompanied brothers Brigham Young and Geo. A. Smith to Liberty, and visited Joseph and his brethren in prison we were permitted to have two interviews, and were locked up with them for a short time.
Family to Illinois	¶	14th. I sent my wife and family in company with brother Brigham and others to Illinois; all the property my wife took with her was her little household furniture needed every day; the mob took the rest.
Helps Saints out of Missouri	¶	I tarried to assist the poor Saints to get out of Missouri; and to aid the prisoners; though my communications with them had to be through the prison grates.
Petitions state justices, governor	¶	I visited the Supreme Judges at Jefferson city, accompanied by Theodore Turley, and petitioned them for a writ of Habeas Corpus to relieve the prisoners; showed them copies of the papers by which the prisoners were held; they acknowledged their imprisonment was illegal; but refused to interfere. We also had a petition to the Governor, who being absent, I presented it to the Secretary of State; he was very affable, but like many other officers, had no power to do good.
Liberty jail Joseph: leave Missouri	¶	We returned to Liberty, and reported to Joseph through the grates of the prison the result, he told us to be of good cheer, God would deliver him from prison in due time, and directed us to tell the brethren to keep up their spirits, and get out of Missouri as fast as possible.
Judge King	¶	We then visited Judge Austin A. King, who was greatly enraged at our having presented his illegal papers to the supreme Judges, and treated us very roughly.
Sends $100 to Joseph	¶	When the prisoners were removed to Daviess co., by Judge Kings' orders, I [713] sent $100 to Joseph by Stephen Markham.
Works with committee	¶	I counselled with and aided the committee all I could in removing the wounded, helpless, and poor of the Saints, who were still left;
Richmond prisoners		I also aided P. P. Pratt and the other prisoners at Richmond.
Hides during day		The mob became so bitter against me I was obliged to conceal myself during the day, and operate at night.
12 meet at Far West, April 26, 1839 Moves to Quincy	¶	After attending the Conference at Far West on the morning of the 26th of April, with the Twelve, I accompanied them to Quincy, where I met my family in good health: they had been very kindly treated.
Moves to Commerce	¶	I removed to Hancock co., into the woods about one mile from Commerce, where I built a log house, about sixteen for the square, with my own hands I hewed the puncheons for the floor, and split and made the shingles. Multitudes of Saints were encamped in the vicinity, and here grew up the beautiful city of Nauvoo:
Sickness		many lay sick in consequence of the driving and exposure of the previous winter, and hundreds died. I administered to the sick until disease prostrated me.
Son born	¶	My son David Patten was born August 23, 1839.
Second mission to England Sick	¶	Sept. 18th, 1839. I started in company with President Brigham Young, on my second mission to England, leaving my family sick; we were penniless and nearly helpless with sickness; I suffered exceedingly on the journey, and was several times so ill, that my brethren scarcely expected me to recover.
Visit Kirtland, New York Saints		I visited a few Saints at Kirtland and my relatives in Western New York, and arrived in New York city, where I attended a Conference of the Church, on the 4th of March.
Sail March 9 Arrive April 6, 1840	¶	On the 9th, went on board the Patrick Henry, in company with Elders Brigham Young, Parley P. (h) and Orson Pratt, Geo. A. Smith and Reuben Hedlock, and sailed for Liverpool, where we arrived on the 6th of April.
1671 members	¶	I attended a General Conference of the Saints in Britain, in the Temperance Hall, Preston, 1671 members were represented; although about 400 had apostatized; the work had spread abroad into Manchester, the Potteries, Liverpool, Herefordshire, &c.
Tours mission	¶	I visited all the Branches which I had built up on my former mission, instructed them and set them in order; they rejoiced exceedingly to see me and hear my voice, as their enemies had prophesied that I should never visit them again. I also visited the Saints in Manchester, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire.
London	¶	On the 18th day of August, accompanied by Elders W. Woodruff and George A. Smith, I commenced preaching in London, where we labored since weeks, and established a Branch of eleven members.	MS Millennial Star 26, no. 46(Nov. 12, 1864): 726–728.
Manchester	¶	Sept. 21st. I left London for Manchester, visiting the Branches by the way. I attended Conferences and continued visiting the Branches until the 25th of November, when, in company with President Young, I started for London, visiting Branches laying on our route.
London		I preached in London in President Young with Elder W. Woodruff.
Organize conference	¶	We organized a Conference, February 14th, 1841, consisting of 106 members.
Manchester	¶	[727] I returned to Manchester, and visited the Conferences preparatory to returning to my native land.
Busy	¶	During this Mission I was employed night and day, scarcely allowed the necessary time to rest, preaching in public and in private—teaching the Saints, baptizing and confirming new members; blessing children; organizing Branches and Conferences, administering to the sick and afflicted: many of whom were healed.
April 1841 return	¶	April 20th, 1841. We sailed on the Rochester from Liverpool to New York; we had a favorable passage and arrived on the 20th, of May; from thence we proceeded by Philadelphia and Pittsburg and reached Nauvoo July 1st.
Joseph greets	¶	We were warmly greeted and heartily welcomed by the Prophet.
Nauvoo growth	¶	The timber around my cabin had disappeared, and the limits of the city of Nauvoo had swallowed up the town of Commerce, and extended far beyond my humble habitation. The foundation of the Temple was laid; and the eye could discover in every direction abundant evidence of the industry of the Saints.
City councilman	¶	October 23rd, I was elected a member of the City Council of Nauvoo.
Meetings	¶	I attended the numerous councils of the Twelve and First Presidency, assisted in counseling and locating the Saints—visited the surrounding Branches and preached to them, and administered in my calling whenever opportunity presented.
Mission to Illinois	¶	Sept. 10th, 1842. I started on a mission through Illinois, in company with Elders Brigham Young, George A. Smith and Amasa Lyman (h). We visited the principle places in Illinois, and labored diligently to allay the excitement and correct the public mind in relation to the false statements of Dr. Bennett and others—returned to Nauvoo Nov. 4th.
Son born	¶	January 2nd, 1843. My son, Charles Spaulding, was born.
Mission to the East	¶	April 6th. I was appointed, at the Conference held in Nauvoo, to go on a I mission to the Eastern States, to preach the Gospel, collect Tithing, and dispose of stock in the Nauvoo House Association. I was required to give bonds in the sum or two thousand dollars. President Joseph Smith was my security.
July to October 1843 mission	¶	I started about the first of July; attended Conferences and preached. in the States of Ohio, Penn., New Jersey, New York and Mass., meeting with the Quorum of the Twelve at Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Now York and Boston—arrived at Nauvoo October 22nd; having travelled over 5000 miles.
Meetings, petition federal government	¶	I remained in Nauvoo all winter enjoying the teachings of the Prophet, attending councils, prayer-meetings, and meetings to memorialize the General Government and some of the States, in relation to our wrongs in Missouri, preaching in Nauvoo and the Branches round about, and doing all I could to strengthen the hands of the First Presidency.
Heber delegate to Congress with Lyman Wight	¶	The General Council appointed Lyman Wight and I, Delegates to Washington to present memorials to Congress, for redress of wrongs sustained by the Saints while in Missouri. Joseph gave me a draft for $500.
Brigham, Heber, Lyman to Washington	¶	May 21st, 1844. I took passage on a steamer, in company with President Young, Lyman Wight and a large number of Elders, to St. Louis, from thence took steamer to Pittsburg, where Elder Wight and myself parted with President Young and proceeded to Washington city and presented to the rulers of the nation the petition for redress of grievances.
General Atchison Stephen Douglas	¶	We put up at the National Hotel, which cost us $2 dollars per day. We had an interview with General Atchison and Mr. Douglas, members of Congress, they treated us very politely[.] Mr. Douglas came to our room to see us.
President Tyler absent	¶	We went up to the White House to see President Tyler, but he was absent.
Senate and House	¶	I went into the galleries of the Senate and House of Representatives and witnessed the confusion which reigns there.
Senator Semple	¶	We visited General Semple, Senator from Illinois; he seemed very friendly presented our memorials which were referred to the Senate committee on public lands.
Lyman Wight steamed	¶	Lyman Wight occasionally steamed so freely that I had to lock him up in our room in the hotel, and attend to our business alone.
U.S. Capitol	¶	[728] The Capital is a large and splendid edifice, standing on an eminence surrounded by grounds, ornamented with beautiful trees, walks, shrubbery, iron chairs, statues and fountains.
	¶	June 6th. A full band of music played in the Capital grounds, which attracted thousands who promenaded through the walks, displayed their finery, and perhaps secured customers for the next twelve hours. I recorded "the Lord is with us and the Devil all about."
	¶	I inquired of the Lord what we should do and he revealed to me that Congress had not got it in their hearts to do anything for us and we were at liberty to go away.
Washington Saints	¶	We visited a few Saints who were in Washington and ordained one Elder: the Saints were cold and stupid.
	¶	11th. We went to Wilmington, Del. and preached to the Church—staid with brother Ellis M. Sanders.
Philadelphia	¶	13th. Went to Philadelphia, I bad the chills and fever. Visited William Smith's wife, Caroline, sister of J. M. Grant, who was very sick of dropsy; she was tapped and had two gallons of water taken from her; she came out of her chamber to see me.
	¶	14th. We preached in the evening.
	¶	19th. Wrote a long letter to President Joseph Smith.
Wilmington	¶	21st. returned to Wilmington and attended Conference on the 22nd and 23rd.
Philadelphia	¶	24th. Returned to Philadelphia and visited the Saints.
New York	¶	27th. Went to New York, called at "the Prophet" office.
Boston	¶	28th. Proceeded to Boston and found President Young and Several of the Twelve.
	¶	29th–30th, Attended Conference with my brethren of the Twelve at Boston. Gave counsel to the brethren and instructions on the policy of governments.
Baltimore	¶	July 1st. Attended a convention in the Melodeon. I was chosen a delegate to the Baltimore convention.
	¶	2nd. Attended Conference.
Salem	¶	6th. Went to Salem, there are 30,000 inhabitants: many of the citizens are Kimballs, some of the oldest settlers are of that name.
Philadelphia Martyrdom	¶	9th. Returned to Philadelphia with Elders L. Wight and William Smith; the newspapers were full of the accounts of the massacre of the Prophets; I was not willing to believe it; but it struck me to the heart.
Baltimore	¶	12th. We went to Baltimore in company with Delegates from Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, and put up at the Eagle House. I found a letter from my wife at the Post office informing me that Joseph and Hyrum had given themselves up.
Philadelphia	¶	13th. Returned to Philadelphia.
	¶	14th. Preached to the Saints, and read the news of the massacre of the Prophets.
News from Jedediah M. Grant	¶	15th. Elder J. M. Grant arrived from Nauvoo, and gave us a correct account of the massacre.
Boston	¶	18th. Returned to Boston and met President Young.
Nauvoo, August 6	¶	24th. Left Boston in company with President Young and several of the Twelve, and arrived in Nauvoo August 6th. Having been gone sixty days and travelled 6600 miles.
$1300 for Emma	¶	I brought $1300 home for Joseph, which I gave to Emma.
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