History of Lyman Wight (1796-1858)

Mormon History 1830-1844

Joseph

Bios

History of Lyman Wight (1796–1858)

Member of Isaac Morley's common-stock society in Kirtland, baptized in 1830, vision of the Son 1831, establishes Cincinnati branch 1831, commander of Mormon forces 1833, Zion's Camp, Adam-ondi-Ahman stake presidency, Liberty jail with Joseph and Hyrum, Iowa stake presidency, apostle 1841, campaigns for Joseph 1844. 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.
	HISTORY OF LYMAN WIGHT.	MS 27, no. 29 (July 22, 1865): 455–457.
Birth in New York, 1796 War of 1812	Lyman Wight, the son of Levi Wight and Sarah Corbon, was born in the township of Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, on the 9th day of May, 1796. He served the Republic in the war of 1812–15 with Great Britain.	MS 27, no. 29 (July 22, 1865): 455–457.
Isaac Morley's common-stock farm	He united with Isaac Morley and others in forming a society in Kirtland, Ohio, conducted on the common stock principle, being one phase in the rise and progress of the Campbellite church.	Except among Sidney Rigdon's followers, I have seen no no indication that "common stock" families were organized among any Campbellite churches. In this regard, Sidney was influenced by Robert Owen, not Alexander Campbell. Sidney Rigdon, 50.
Baptized, elder 1830 High priesthood 1831 Missouri mission 1831	He was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ, by Oliver Cowdery in 1830, and was soon afterwards ordained to the office of an Elder. He was ordained to the office of High Priest by Joseph Smith at the June Conference in Kirtland, 1831. While at that Conference, he testified he had a vision and saw the Savior. He went to Missouri in 1831 by revelation.	Minutes of June 3–6, 1831 Lyman's Vision and the Man of Sin In the spring of 1831 Lyman and Orson Pratt served a mission west of Kirtland. ¶ Orson Pratt (h1)
Cincinnati mission 1831 Builds a branch of a hundred	He soon after went to Cincinnati on a mission to preach the gospel. On arriving in that city he called at a hotel and engaged his board for several weeks. The landlord asked him if he was a merchant. He said, "No." He asked him what his business was. He replied, he was a preacher of the gospel. He asked him what order he belonged to. He answered, he was after the order of Melchizedek. He created so much curiosity that they wished to hear him preach. He told them that was his business, and if they would open the courthouse, he would do so willingly. They obtained the house, and he delivered a series of lectures and built up a branch of the Church and baptized upwards of one hundred.
Higbees Fishing preacher	The family of Higbees were among the first baptized; they were fishermen and Brother Wight would fish with them through the day and preach at night. One evening he went from the fish net to the courthouse and stood on the top of a stove barefooted, with his trousers rolled up to his knees and his shirt sleeves up to his elbows, and preached two hours. Some of the people remarked, "He preaches the truth, though he does not look much like a preacher."
Converts with him in Jackson county 1833	Many that he baptized went to Jackson county, Missouri, and were with him through the persecution of 1833. During that persecution, he was a dread to his enemies and a terror to evil-doers, and his life was often sought after.
Commands Mormon forces Escapes mob	He commanded the brethren in Jackson county in their defense against the mob. In one instance he was chased by seven men about six miles; they were fully armed and came upon him so suddenly that he had to mount his horse with a blind bridle, without any saddle or arms, except a pocket knife. His horse being fleet, he escaped by out-running them and leaping a deep wide ditch, where none of his pursuers dared follow.
July 23. 1833 agreement to leave Jackson by 1834	On the 23rd day of July, 1833, he signed an agreement with others that the Saints would leave Jackson county before the first day of January, 1834; but before that time they were all driven out.	For the document (written July 2) and aftermath, see ¶ Missouri Persecutions (1833-1834) (2).
Bishop Partridge calls for volunteers	After the Saints were driven out of Jackson county into Clay county, volunteers were called for to go and visit the Prophet in Kirtland. Several of the Elders were asked by Edward Partridge if they could go; but they made excuses.
Lyman volunteers, then Parley	Lyman Wight then stepped forward and said he could go as well as not. The Bishop asked him what situation his family was in. He replied, his wife lay by the side of a log in the woods with a child three days old, and he had three days' provisions on hand; so he thought he could go very well. P. P. Pratt next volunteered, and they went together to Kirtland in February, 1834.
Joseph's revelation to redeem Zion	On their arrival at Kirtland, the Prophet obtained the word of the Lord, and they were commanded to gather up the strength of the Lord's house to go up to Zion, and it was the will of the Lord that there should be five hundred men, but not to go up short of one hundred.	¶ D&C 103:30-33, February 24, 1834.
Lyman raises volunteers in Pennsylvania, New York	In fulfillment of this commandment, Lyman Wight went through Pennsylvania, and on the [456] 15th day of March, he attended a Conference at Avon, New York;
Michigan, Indiana, Illinois Join Zion's Camp at Salt River	he also went through Michigan, northern Indiana and Illinois, and assisted Hyrum Smith in gathering up a company of eighteen, who joined Zion's Camp at Salt river, Missouri, June the 8th, where the camp was reorganized, and Lyman Wight was appointed the second officer. He walked the whole journey from Michigan to Clay county without stockings on his feet.	¶ Heber C. Kimball (h2)
Gives discharges	By the appointment of Joseph Smith, he gave a written discharge to each member of the camp when they were dismissed.	HC 2:123.
High council	July 3. [1834]—He was ordained one of the High Council of Missouri.	Minutes of July 3, 1834 Minutes of July 7, 1834
July 1834 peace proclamation	He was one of the signers of an appeal to the world making a proclamation of peace in Missouri, July, 1834.
Makes bricks	He spent the summer of 1834 in Clay county, Missouri. He took a job of making 100,000 bricks, and building a large brick-house for Col. Michael Arthur in Clay County; Wilford Woodruff (h1), Milton Holmes, Heman T. Hyde and Stephen and Benjamin Winchester, labored for him through the season.	Wilford Woodruff lived with Lyman Wight on Arthur's property. They began brick work about the first of July. Meetings of the high council and elders council met here, as did the branch, which met in Lyman's house. WWJ 1:12–13.
Kirtland endowment	He was counselled to go to Kirtland and get his endowments. He started in the fall of 1835, and preached his way through to Kirtland, baptizing such as would receive his testimony.
Richmond, Indiana mob threatens tar and feathers	While on the journey he called at the city of Richmond, Indiana, and gave out an appointment to preach in the court house. He walked through the city, and being a stranger was unknown; but wherever he went, the people were blackguarding the "Mormons," and many declared they would tar and feather the preacher when he came to meeting that night.
	At the time of appointment brother Wight was at his post. There being no light provided, he went and bought candles and lighted the room. The house was soon filled with men who brought tar and feathers for the "Mormon" Elder.
Wins over mob	He preached about two hours, reproving them most severely for their meanness, wickedness and mobocratic spirit. At the close of the meeting he said, "If there is a gentleman in this congregation, I wish he would invite me to stay with him overnight." Whereupon, a gentleman stepped forward and tendered him an invitation, which he willingly accepted. His host said, "Mr Wight, it is astonishing how you have become so well acquainted with the people here, for you have described them very correctly." He was kindly entertained and furnished with money in the morning to aid him on his journey.
Kirtland	He spent the winter of 1835–6 in Kirtland, and received his endowment.
Missouri 1836	He returned to Missouri in 1836.
False doctrine	D. W. Patten (h) preferred a charge against brother Wight for teaching false doctrine. He was tried before the High Council at Far West, April the 24th, 1837; and it was decided that he did teach false doctrine. He made the required acknowledgements.	Lyman taught that the church was under a telestial law, the Doctrine and Covenants was a telestial law, but the Book of Commandments was celestial. Minutes of April 24, 1837
Opposes W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer	He opposed the selling of land in Jackson county, Mo., and considered W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer in transgression for selling theirs.	Minutes of January 26, 1838
Stake presidency	June 28, 1838, he was chosen and ordained the second counsellor to John Smith, President of the Stake at Adam-ondi-Ahman, by Joseph Smith.	Minutes of June 28, 1838
Sheriff of Daviess county schemes	Sheriff Morgan, of Davies[s] county, had agitated the people of the surrounding counties, by asserting that he had writs against Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight which he could not serve without endangering his life. He invited the people to assemble together in Davies [sic] county with their arms, so that he could summon them as a "posse comitatus" to make the arrests, the real design being to murder Joseph and Lyman, as they had not offered any resistance, neither had the Sheriff made any attempt to arrest them. They went before Justice A. A. King, at Ragland's [John Raglin] farm, to allay this excitement, and gave bonds in the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars for their appearance in court.
Atchison's militia protects	Lyman subsequently went before three mobocratic magistrates, under the protection of General Atchison's militia, and gave bonds for his appearance in court, in the sum of one thousand dollars, on a charge of misdemeanor. This examination was had in Atchison's camp at Netherton Spring, in Davies county, surrounded by several hundreds of the mob, and about one hundred militia. His life [457] was repeatedly threatened, and it required the energy of Generals Atchison and Doniphan to prevent his murder. At the close of the examination, he asked for thirty writs against members of the mob, but was refused.
Colonel in Caldwell militia	He was commissioned a Colonel in the militia of Caldwell county previous to his removal to Davies [sic] , and in Davies he commanded his brethren while defending themselves against the mob.
Fall of Far West Taken with Joseph and Hyrum and others	In Oct. 1838, after learning that Far West was surrounded by a mob, he raised fifty-three volunteers in Adam-ondi-Ahman (25 miles distant,) and repaired immediately to Far West to aid in its defense, where, with Joseph and Hyrum Smith and others, he was betrayed into the hands of his enemies, by Colonel George M. Hinkle, on the 31st; and was sentenced by a court-martial to be shot the next morning (November 1st) at 8 o'clock.
Moses Wilson urges betrayal	During the evening, General Moses Wilson took him out by himself, and tried to induce him to betray Joseph Smith, and swear falsely against him; at which time the following conversation took place.
General Wilson ultimatum	General Wilson said, "Colonel Wight, we have nothing against you, only that you are associated with Joseph Smith. He is our enemy and a damned rascal, and would take any plan he could to kill us. You are a damned fine fellow; and if you will come out and swear against him, we will spare your life, and give you any office you want; and if you don't do it, you will be shot tomorrow at 8 o'clock."
Lyman defends Joseph	Col. Wight replied, "General Wilson, you are entirely mistaken in your man, both in regard to myself and Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith is not an enemy to mankind, he is not your enemy; but is as good a friend as you have got. Had it not been for him, you would have been in hell long ago, for I should have sent you there by cutting your throat, and no other man but Joseph Smith could have prevented me and you may thank him for your life. And, now, if you will give me the boys I brought from Adam-ondi-Ahman yesterday, I will whip your whole army."
	Wilson said, "Wight, you are a strange man; but if you will not accept my proposal, you will be shot tomorrow morning at 8."
"Shoot and be damned."	Colonel Wight replied, "Shoot and be damned."
True and courageous	This was the true character of Lyman Wight; he was true as the sun to Joseph Smith, and would die for his friends.	MS 27, no. 30 (July 29, 1865): 471–472.
Liberty jail Human flesh Escape April 16, 1839	He was taken to Jackson county with Joseph, Hyrum and other prisoners. They were chained together, and fed on human flesh in prison by their Christian guards, and he continued to suffer with his brethren until the 15th day of April, 1839, when he started with Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Alexander McRae and Caleb Baldwin and guard, to go to jail in Columbia, Boone county; but on the night of the 16th, the sheriff fell asleep, the guard got drunk, and the prisoners left them, and went to their families and friends in Illinois.
Iowa stake presidency 1840	Oct. 20, 1840, brothers Lyman Wight and Reynolds Cahoon were appointed counsellors to John Smith, President of the Saints in Iowa Territory.
Nauvoo House	Jan. 19, 1841, he was appointed one of the Nauvoo House Association.
Apostle 1841	He was called and appointed, at the April Conference following to be one of the Twelve Apostles, in the place of David W. Patten (h), who fell a martyr at Crooked River in Mo.	Ordained April 8, 1841 by Joseph Smith.
Major general in Illinois militia	He was commissioned a Brevet Major General of the Illinois Militia by Governor Thomas Carlin.
Rebaptizes 200 Kirtland Saints	He went to Kirtland in 1842, and rebaptized about two hundred of the cold, dead members of the Church, and brought many of them to Nauvoo.
Liberty jail testimony "Mormon beef"	July 1st, 1843, he was examined as a witness before the municipal court of Nauvoo, and gave a plain, unvarnished account of the persecution against the Saints in Missouri, and of the sufferings of Joseph Smith and his fellow prisoners, concerning which he said, "We were committed to Liberty jail, under the care of Samuel Tillery, Jailor; we were received with a shout of indignation and scorn by the populace. The jailer sent for a mittimus some days after. His tender mercies were intolerable; he fed us on a scanty allowance of filthy and unpalatable food, and for five days on human flesh; from extreme hunger I was compelled to eat it." The guards inquired, "How do you like Mormon beef?"
Pinery	During the winter of 1843–4, he was employed in the pine country, at [472] Black River, Wisconsin Territory, superintending the procuring of lumber for the Temple and Nauvoo House.
Texas plans	In a letter directed to the Presidency and Twelve, dated Black River Falls, February 15, 1844, he wrote his views about preaching to the Indians, and going to Texas.
1844 mission	In the spring of 1844, he started on a mission through the Eastern States, and was appointed one of the delegates of the Baltimore Convention. He delivered a speech on Bunker Hill, on General Joseph Smith's claims to the Presidency of the United States; and on hearing of the death of Joseph, he returned to Nauvoo with the Twelve.
Declaration of independence	After his return to Nauvoo, he said, "I would not turn my hand over to be one of the Twelve; the day was, when there was somebody to control me, but that day is past."
	Lyman Wight (swh) Lyman Wight Journal Biographies