Debt

Mormon History 1830-1844

Debt

Parley runs from debt
August 1830 Flees constable to Palmyra	¶	One of the four [Lamanite missionaries], by the name of Parley P. Pratt, has been a resident of the township of Russia, Lorain co., Ohio, for three or four years last past, until August last, when he was authorized to preach by the sect called Rigdonites, in this vicinity. The next day after receiving this eldership, he ran away from a constable, and numerous creditors, and made his way to Canaan, Columbia co., N.Y. Not being able to gain any proselytes (one young brother of his excepted,) he lays his course up the Erie canal as far as Palmyra, where he finds this new Bible, and the men that are with him.—	Letter to the editor dated Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio, Nov. 26, 1830 to the editor of the Milan Free Press (Huron County), reprinted in PT, Dec. 14, 1830. The Palmyra Reflector also picked it up Feb. 14, 1831. The author also discussed Parley's beliefs with him and concludes, "This and much more equally absurd, was advanced by these deluded mortals, and can and will, if required, be attested by at least twelve substantial witnesses." Oliver Cowdery baptized Parley [Sept. 1] in Seneca Lake. He was confirmed and ordained an elder the same day. ¶ Parley P. Pratt (h)
		It was rumored that said Pratt was expected through this place [Amherst], and an officer was kept ready to arrest him for debt. He was accordingly arrested, tried, and judgment rendered against him: and at the same time an execution served on him for cost, on suits tried before he fled to the east.
		Said Pratt in July last, sold property belonging to one of his neighbors to the amount of several dollars. This neighbor hearing he was in this place came to see him while he was under the officer's care, and requested a settlement. He, Pratt, refused to do anything about it, "unless his Heavenly Father directed him,"— (these were his words.)
		After waiting a suitable time, he was told if he did not settle the business, he would be taken with a State warrant. He still refused and a warrant was issued; but before it could be given to the officer, he had, by falsifying his word, escaped from the Constable and fled to the woods, and is now at large, to deceive and lead silly women and more silly men astray.
Forbid debt
February 9, 1831		Thou Shalt not contract any debts with them & again the Elders and Bishop Shall councel together and by the direction of the Spirit do as it must needs by necessary.—	Book B, answer to Question 5th. Book of Commandments 44:55 reads, " Thou shalt contract no debts with the world, except thou art commanded. And again, the elders and bishop, shall counsel together, and they shall do by the direction of the Spirit as it must needs be necessary." The entire passage is omitted in the 1835 D&C. ¶ D&C 42:1–73.

Edward's pickle
February 9, 1831		The conference last year, gave him a tremendous shock, from which with difficulty he recovered. The law of the church enjoins, that no debt with the world shall be contracted. But a thousand acres of land in the town of Thompson could be purchased for one half its value, and he was commanded to secure it; and in order to do it, he was under the necessity to contract a debt to the world. He hesitated, but the command was repeated, "you must secure the land."	¶Ezra Booth Letters (7) conference last year [sic]: Minutes of Feb. 9, 1831

Fudge debt
September 11, 1831	27	Behold, it is said in my laws, or forbidden, to get in debt to thine enemies;	¶ D&C 64:27
I do what I want	28	[38] But behold, it is not said at any time that the Lord should not take when he please, and pay as seemeth him good.
You do what I want	29	Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord's errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord's business.
To get inheritance in Zion	30	And he hath set you to provide for his saints in these last days, that they may obtain an inheritance in the land of Zion.
You will get it	31	And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.

Edward pay all debts
December 4, 1831 Edward to pay Kirtland debts	13	And he who hath not wherewith to pay, an account shall be taken and handed over to the bishop of Zion, who shall pay the debt out of that which the Lord shall put into his hands.	¶ D&C 72 bishop of Zion: Edward Partridge
December 4, 1831 Edward to pay Kirtland debts	14	And the labors of the faithful who labor in spiritual things … shall answer the debt unto the bishop in Zion;	¶ D&C 72 bishop of Zion: Edward Partridge
And literary stewards	20	And again, let my servants who are appointed as stewards over the literary concerns of my church have claim for assistance upon the bishop or bishops in all things—	Literary Firm
And publication costs	21	That the revelations may be published, and go forth unto the ends of the earth; that they also may obtain funds which shall benefit the church in all things;

United Firm debt
January 11, 1834 Pray for relief of the United Firm		Joseph, Frederick, Oliver, Orson Hyde (h), and John Johnson pray, among other things "that the Lord would provide in the order of his providence, the bishop of this church with means sufficient to discharge every debt that the order [United Firm] owes, in due season, that the church may not be brought into disrepute and the saints be afflicted by the hands of their enemies."	TS 6 no. 13 (July 15, 1845): 963.

Kirtland debt
March 17, 1834 Raise $2,000 for Kirtland debt		[Purpose of the meeting in Avon, New York:] Also, to devise means, or obtain moneys for the relief of the brethren in Kirtland; say Two Thousand Dollars, which sum will deliver Kirtland from Debt for the present,	¶ Minutes of Mar. 17, 1834
		Joseph proposes that Father Bosley and Brother McWithey go with him to see if the could persuade Brother Perry to furnish the $2,000. The brethren vote that Brother R. Orton, Father Bosley, Father Nickerson, and Father McWithey do everything they can to get the money. They "firmly" believe that they can raise it by the first of April.
		Vote for Orson Hyde (h) to remain and preach in the area until the money is raised, then take it to Kirtland.

Vendor for Kirtland temple Sells farm on 30-day note Promptly paid		I resolved to have no controversy or words with the Mormons on the subject of their belief—to deal with and treat them the same as I did the rest of the world. My dealings with them were quite large. I sold them some two hundred dollars worth of lumber, much of it for the Temple. I also sold them my farm, took $275.00 in notes, signed by President Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, payable in thirty days after demand, which they redeemed without the delay of thirty days, much against the will and determination of Rigdon.	Crary reminiscence, 21. Source
Joseph intercedes		After I had exhausted all arguments with Rigdon, and given up all hope of success, Smith spoke for the first time and said: ‘President Rigdon, I have known Mr. Crary for some time, and I believe him to be straight and honorable, and I think we had better redeem his paper.’ Rigdon then paid the money without another word.
Joseph's manner Intellectual superior to Sidney		Joseph Smith was said to be ignorant and illiterate, but contact with mankind and native ability had given him polished manners, and his language, so far as I was qualified to judge, was correct, forcible, right to the point, and convincing. From my acquaintance and dealings with him, I considered him far superior to the educated Rigdon in intellectual ability.