 |
| The
high council in Zion issues a public appeal for assistance from all honorable,
freedom-loving men, warning if this blatant violation of state and federal
constitutions prevails, no one will be safe from religious persecution
in the future. |
| Mormons
have been directed by revelation to build a place of refuge
in Jackson County §, but Missourians drove them out. The Mormons
petitioned
the governor and the president for redress, to no avail. They met with
Jackson county represent, who offered to buy out the Mormons at double
market value § (which the Mormons could not accept because
of their religious beliefs); or sell all non-Mormon lands at double value,
which the Mormons
could not afford. Mormons countered with an offer to buy out the other side
in a year—after
being compensated for their losses §. An appeal
for peace §. Constitutional rights. Appeal to scripture
§. Mormons believe in obeying the law, are forbidden
to shed blood §. |
|
|
|
AN APPEAL. |
|
EMS 2, no. 23 (Aug. 1834), 183–184. |
| Religious
persecutions |
¶ |
WHEREAS the church of
Christ, recently styled the church of the Latter Day Saints, contumeliously
called "Mormons," or "Mormonites," has suffered many
privations, afflictions, persecutions and losses on account of the religious
belief and faith of its members, |
|
contumeliously: reproachfully, insolently |
| Revealed
word of God |
|
which belief and faith
are founded in the revealed word of God, as recorded in the holy bible,
or the book of Mormon the revelations and commandments of our Savior, Jesus
Christ; |
|
|
Revelation
to build Zion in Missouri
To be a place of refuge |
|
and whereas the said
church, by revelation, commenced removing to the western boundaries of the
State of Missouri, where lands were purchased of the Government, and where
it was calculated to purchase of those who were unwilling to reside with
the church as a society, all lands that could be bought, for the purpose
of building up a holy city unto God, a New Jerusalem, a place which we were
desirous to call ZION, as we believe, a place of refuge from the scourges
and plagues, which are so often mentioned in the bible, by the prophets
and apostles, that should be poured out upon the earth in the last days;
|
|
|
| Persecution
without provocation |
|
and whereas the inhabitants
of Jackson county, Missouri, have leagued and combined against the said
church, and have driven the saints from their lands, and took their arms
from them, and burned down many of their houses, without any provocation;
|
|
Outrage
in Jackson County (1) |
| Petitioned
governor and president for redress |
|
and whereas we have
petitioned the Governor of this State, and the President of the United States,
for redress of wrongs, (the law being put to defiance in Jackson county,)
and for redemption of rights, that we might be legally re-possessed of our
lands and property; |
|
|
| Jackson
citizens threaten war |
|
and whereas the said
inhabitants of Jackson county, have not only bound themselves to keep us
out of that county, but have armed themselves, "cap a pie," and
even with cannon, for war; |
|
cap-a-pie:
from head to foot |
| Mormons
have armed themselves |
|
and whereas our people,
residing in the Upper Missouri, have recently armed themselves for military
duty and self defence, seeing their arms taken from them by the inhabitants
of Jackson county, were purposely kept from them; |
|
|
| New
arrivals armed |
|
and whereas a number
of the members of the church in the east, have emigrated to this region
of country, to settle and join their brethren, with arms to answer the military
law; |
|
|
| Counties
disturbed |
|
which has created some
excitement among the inhabitants of the upper counties of this State: |
|
|
Peaceable
intent
Meet Jackson committee for compromise |
|
whereupon, to show
that our object was only the peaceable possession of our rights and property,
and to purchase more land in the regions round about, we met a committee
from Jackson county for a compromise; |
|
|
| Also
Clay county |
|
and our emigrating brethren
met some gentlemen from Clay and other counties to satisfy them that their
motives were good, and their object peace, which they did; |
|
|
Jackson
proposal: to buy or sell land
Selling unacceptable according to revelations |
|
and whereas the propositions
of the Jackson committee could not be accepted on our part, because they
proposed to "buy or sell," and to sell our land would amount to
a denial of our faith, as that land is the place where the Zion of God shall
stand, according to our faith and belief in the revelations of God, and
upon which Israel shall be gathered according to the prophets:— |
|
|
Doubled
price unfair
30:1 ratio would require $600,000 to buy out entire county in 30 days
Intent to prevent Mormon settlement in Jackson |
|
and secondly the propositions
were unfair, notwithstanding they offered double price for our lands, in
thirty days, or sell theirs at the same rate, for this plain reason, that
the whole large county of Jackson would be as thirty to one, or nearly so,
in comparison with the matter in question, and, in supposition, for one
thousand dollars, two thousand dollars to our people, was asking for three
hundred thousand dollars, the exorbitant sum of six hundred thousand dollars,
taking the land rich and poor, in thirty days! with the reproachable, vicious,
un-american, and unconstitutional proviso, that the committee, on our part,
would bind themselves, "that no Mormon should ever settle in Jackson
county:" |
|
|
| Mormons
proposed to buy out gentiles in a year after compensation |
|
and whereas our committee
proposed to the said Jackson committee, (if they would not grant us our
rights otherwise,) that our people would buy the land of those that were
unwilling to live among our people, in that county, and pay them in one
year, they allowing the amount of damage we have sustained, in the loss
of a printing office, apparatus, and book work, houses, property, &c.
to come out of the purchase money, but no answer returned; |
|
|
| Lay
case before the public |
|
and whereas, to show
our honest intentions, and awaken the sympathy of the friends of virtue,
humanity, and equal rights, it becomes our duty to lay our case before the
world, to be weighed in the balances of public opinion: -- |
|
|
| Appeal
for peace |
¶ |
Now, THEREFORE, as citizens
of the United States, and leading elders in the church of the Latter Day
Saints, residing in the State of Missouri, in behalf of the church, we,
the undersigned, do make this solemn APPEAL to the people and constituted
authorities of this nation, and to the ends of the earth, FOR PEACE: |
|
|
| Constitutional
rights of freedom of religion |
|
that we may have the
privilege of enjoying our religious rights and immunities and worship God
according to the dictates of our own consciences, as guaranteed to every
citizen by the constitutions of the National and State governments. |
|
|
| Want
to return to Jackson |
|
That, although the laws
have been broken, and are defied in Jackson county, we may be enabled to
regain and enjoy our rights and property, agreeable to law in this boasted
land of liberty. |
|
|
Little
hope for justice in Jackson
Appeal to the world |
¶ |
Since the disgraceful
combination of the inhabitants of Jackson county, has set the law at defiance,
and put all hopes of criminal prosecution, against them, in that vicinage,
beyond the reach of Judge and Jury, and left us but a distant expectation
of civil remuneration, for the great amount of damage we have sustained,
necessity compels us to complain to the world. |
|
|
| Plea
for sympathy, patriotism |
|
And if our case and
calamity are not sufficient to excite the commiseration of the humane, and
open the hearts of the generous, and fire the spirits of the patriotic,
then has sympathy lost herself in the wilderness, and justice fled from
power; then has the dignity of the ermine shrunk at the gigantic front of
a mob, and the sacred mantle of freedom been caught up to heaven where the
weary are at rest, and the wicked cannot come. |
|
|
| Lord
commanded purchase of land in western Missouri |
¶ |
To be obedient to the
commandments of our Lord and Savior, some of the heads of the church commenced
purchasing lands in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, according
to the revelation of God, for the city of Zion. |
|
|
| No
law broken or right infringed |
|
In doing which no law
was evaded; no rights infringed, nor no principle of religion neglected,
but the laudable foundation of a glorious work begun, for the salvation
of mankind, in the last days, agreeable to our faith, and according to the
promises in the sacred scriptures of God. |
|
|
| Freedom
of religion should protect |
¶ |
We verily believed,
knowing that the National and State constitutions, and the statute laws
of the land, and the commandments of the Lord, allowed all men to worship
as they pleased that we should be protected, not only by all the law of
a free republic, but by every republican throughout the realms of freedom. |
|
|
Prophets:
mountain of the Lord's house, all nations to flow to it
Zion: the law; Jerusalem: the word of the Lord |
¶ |
The holy prophets had
declared, "that it should come to pass in the last days, that the mountain
of the Lord's house should be established in the top of the mountains, and
should be exalted above the hills, and ALL nations should flow unto it.
And many people should go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain
of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his
ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the
law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." |
|
¶ Isaiah
2:2–4 |
| Prophet
Joel on remnant to gather to Mount Zion |
|
And again it was said
by Joel, seemingly to strengthen the faith of the Latter Day Saints in the
above, "That whosoever should call on the name of the Lord should [184]
be delivered: for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, shall be deliverance,
as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."
|
|
¶ Joel
2:32 |
| Book
of Mormon on New Jerusalem |
|
The book of Mormon,
which we hold equally sacred with the bible, says, "that a New Jerusalem
should be built up on this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph,
for the which things there has been a type." |
|
¶ Ether
13:1–13 |
Biblical
prophets spoke of a New Jerusalem
All nations invited |
|
In fact all the prophets
from Moses to John the revelator, have spoken concerning these things, and
in all good faith, by direct revelation from the Lord, as in days of old,
we commenced the glorious work, that a holy city, a New Jerusalem, even
Zion, might be built up and a temple reared in this generation, whereunto,
as saith the Lord, all nations should be invited. |
|
|
| First
the rich and learned are invited, then day of power |
|
Firstly the rich and
the learned, the wise and noble; and after that cometh the day of his power:
|
|
|
| Jackson
persecution |
|
but the inhabitants
of Jackson county arrayed themselves against us, because of our faith and
belief, and destroyed our printing establishment to prevent the spread of
the work, and drove men, women, and children from their lands, houses and
homes, to perish in the approaching winter; while every blast carried the
wailing of women and the shrieks of children, across the wide spread prairies,
sufficiently horrible to draw tears from the savage, or melt a heart of
stone! |
|
|
Seek
peace, good of all
|
¶ |
Now, that the world
may know, that our faith in the work and word of the Lord, is firm and unshaken,
and to show all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, that our object is
good, for the good of all, we come before the great family of mankind, for
peace, and ask their hospitality and assistance for our comfort, and the
preservation of our persons and property, and solicit their charity for
the great cause of God. |
|
|
| Slandered |
|
We are well aware,
that many slanderous reports, and ridiculous stories, are in circulation,
against our religion and society, but as wise men will hear both sides and
then judge, we sincerely hope and trust, that the still small voice of truth,
will be heard, and our great revelations read and candidly compared with
the prophecies of the bible, that the great cause of our Redeemer, may be
supported by a liberal share of public opinion, as well as the unseen power
of God. |
|
|
| Believe
in obeying the laws of the land |
¶ |
It will be seen by a
reference to the book of commandments, page 135, that the Lord has said
to the church, and we mean to live by his words, "Let no man break
the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to
break the laws of the land;" |
|
D&C
58:21, August 1831 |
Deserve
protection
Call on world |
|
therefore, as the people
of God, we come before the world and claim protection, by law, from the
common officers of justice, in every neighborhood where our people may be:
we claim the same at the hands of the governors of the several States, and
of the President of the United States, and of the friends of humanity and
justice, in every clime and country on the globe. |
|
|
| Deprived
of rights |
¶ |
By the desperate acts
of the inhabitants of Jackson county, many hundreds of American citizens
are deprived of their lands and rights; |
|
|
| False
reports |
|
and
it is reported that we mean to regain our possessions, and even Jackson
county, "by the shedding of blood." |
|
|
|
|
But if any man will
take the pains to read the 153rd page of the book of commandments, he will
find it there said, |
|
|
| Obtain Zion by purchase or blood,
not blood |
|
Wherefore the land
of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase, or by blood, otherwise there
is none inheritance for you. And if by purchase, behold you are blessed:
and if by blood, as YOU ARE FORBIDDEN TO SHED BLOOD, lo, your enemies are
upon you, and you shall be scourged from city to city and from synagogue
to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance: |
|
D&C
63:29–31, August
30 or 31, 1831 |
| Willing
to purchase lands of any who do not want to live with us |
|
so we declare, that
we have ever meant, and now mean, to purchase the land of our inheritance,
like all other honest men, of the government, and of those who would rather
sell their farms than live in our society. |
|
|
| Help
us obtain our rights |
|
And, as thousands have
done before us, we solicit the aid of the children of men, and of government,
to help us obtain our rights in Jackson county, and the land whereon the
Zion of God, according to our faith, shall stand, in the last days, for
the salvation and gathering of Israel. |
|
|
No
need to fear us
City of refuge |
¶ |
Let no man be alarmed
because our society has commenced gathering to build a city and a house
for the Lord, as a refuge from present evils and coming calamities. |
|
|
| Forefathers
sought religious freedom |
|
Our forefathers came
to the goodly land of America, to shun persecution and enjoy their religious
opinions and rights, as they thought proper; |
|
|
| Lord
provided for the rights of all |
|
and the Lord, after
much tribulation, blessed them, and has said, that we should continue to
importune for redress and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed
as rulers, and are in authority over us, according to the laws and constitution
of the people, which he has suffered to be established, and should be maintained
for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; |
|
|
| Individual
accountability |
|
that every man may
act in doctrine and in principle, pertaining to futurity, according to the
moral agency which he has given unto them; that every man may be accountable
for his own sins in the day of judgment. |
|
|
Wise
men raised up by the Lord
US redeemed with blood |
|
And for this purpose
he has established the constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men
whom he raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding
of blood. |
|
|
Seek
redress and redemption from rulers
Right to travel |
¶ |
Now we seek peace, and
ask our rights, even "redress and redemption," at the hands of
the rulers of this nation; not only our lands and property in Jackson county,
but for free trade with all men, and unmolested immigration to any part
of the Union, and for our inherent right to worship God as we please. |
|
|
|
|
We ask the restoration
of these rights because they have been taken from us, or abridged, by the
violence and usurpation of the inhabitants of Jackson county. |
|
|
Amenable
to laws
Right to travel |
|
As a people we hold
ourselves amenable to the laws of the land, and while the government remains
as it is, the right to emigrate from State to State; from territory to territory;
from county to county, and from vicinity to vicinity, is open to all men
of whatever trade or creed, without hindrance or molestation; |
|
|
| Right
to bear arms |
|
and as long as we are
justifiable & honest in the eyes of the law, we claim it, whether we
remove by single families, or in bodies of hundreds, with that of carrying
the necessary arms and accouterments for military duty. |
|
|
Appeal
to honest men who love country
God rewards men for their works |
|
And we believe that
all honest men, who love their country and their country's glory, and have
a wish to see the law magnified and made honorable, will not only help perpetuate
the great legacy of freedom, which came unimpaired from the hands of our
venerable fathers, to us, but they will also protect us from insult and
injury, and aid the work of God, that they may reap a reward in the regions
of bliss, when all men receive according to their works. |
|
|
All
honorable means
We are honest citizens |
¶ |
In relation to our distress,
from the want of our lands in Jackson county, and for the want of the property
destroyed by fire and water, rather than do any act contrary to law, we
solemnly appeal to the people with whom we tarry, for protection from insult
and harm, and for the comforts of life by labor or otherwise, while we seek
peace and satisfaction of our enemies through every possible and honorable
means which humanity can dictate, or philanthropy urge, or religion require.
We are citizens of this republic, and we ask our rights as republicans,
not merely in our restoration to our lands and property in Jackson county,
Missouri, but in being considered honest in our faith, honest in our deal,
and honest before God, till, by due course of law we may be proved otherwise
reserving the right of every man's being held amenable to the proper authority
for his own crimes and sins. |
|
|
Example
of true believers
Precedent for society
Methodist next? Catholics?
|
¶ |
"Crowns won by blood,
by blood must be maintained," and to avoid blood and strife, and more
fully satisfy the world, that our object is peace and good will to all mankind,
we hereby APPEAL for peace to the ends of the earth, and ask the protection
of all people, while we use every fair means in our power to obtain our
rights and immunities without force: setting an example for all true believers,
that we will not yield our faith and principles for any earthly consideration,
whereby a precedent might be established, that a majority may crush any
religious sect with impunity; knowing, that if we give up our rights in
Jackson county, farewell to society! farewell to region! farewell to right!
farewell to property! farewell to life! The fate of our church now might
become the fate of the Methodists next week, the Catholics next month, and
the overthrow of all societies next year; leaving nation after nation a
wide waste where reason and friendship once were! |
|
|
Another
object is the salvation of souls
|
¶ |
Another and the great
object which we mean to help accomplish, is the salvation of the souls of
men. And to bring to pass such a glorious work, like many other religious
denominations, in all ages, we shall license elders to preach the everlasting
gospel to all nations, according to the great commandment of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, as recorded in St. Matthew: |
|
|
| Jesus
sent out missionaries |
|
Go ye, therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end
of the world. |
|
Matthew 28:19 |
| Gathering
Israel, preparing the world |
¶ |
Thus we shall send laborers
into the Lord's vineyard to gather the wheat, and prepare the earth against
the day when desolations shall be poured out without measure; and as it
now is, and ever has been considered one of the most honorable and glorious
employments of men, to carry good tidings to the nations, so we shall expect
the clemency of all men, while we go forth, for the last time, to gather
Israel for the glory of God, that he may suddenly come to his temple; that
all nations may come and worship in his presence, when there shall be none
to molest or make afraid, but the earth shall be filled with his knowledge
and glory. |
|
|
| Gathering
predicted by Isaiah |
¶ |
We live in an age of
fearful imagination. With all the sincerity that common men are endowed
with, the saints have labored, without pay, to instruct the people of the
United States, that the GATHERING had commenced in the western boundaries
of Missouri, to build a holy city, where, as may be seen, in the 18th chapter
of Isaiah, |
|
|
|
|
the present should
be brought unto the Lord of hosts, of a people scattered and peeled, and
from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out
and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place
of the name of the Lord of hosts the mount Zion; |
|
"¶ In
that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a
people scattered and peeled, and
from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted
out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to
the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion." Isaiah 18:7
Lot's wife looks back and is turned into a pillar of salt in Genesis 19. |
|
|
and how few have come
forth rejoicing that the hour of redemption was near! and some that came
have turned away, which may cause thousands to exclaim: amid the general
confusion and fright of the times, "Remember Lots wife!" |
|
| Lord
to gather Israel |
¶ |
It would be a matter
of supererogation to labor to show the truth of the gathering of the children
of Israel in these last days: For the prophet told us long ago, |
|
supererogation:
the act or process or an instance of performing more than is required
by duty or obligation. |
|
|
That it should no more
be said, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of
the land of Egypt: but The Lord liveth that brought up the children of
Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had
driven them, |
|
Jeremiah
16:14–15 |
|
|
and so it must be for
the honor and glory of God. |
|
|
Founded
on Bible, Book of Mormon, direction revelation
Pure principles |
¶ |
The faith and religion
of the Latter Day Saints, are founded upon the old scriptures, the book
of Mormon, and direct revelation from God, and while every event that transpires
around us, is evidence of the truth of them, and an index that the great
and terrible day of the Lord is near, we intreat the philanthropist, the
moralest, and the honorable men of all creeds, and sects, to read our publications,
to examine the bible, the book of Mormon, and the commandments, and listen
to the fulness of the gospel, and judge whether we are entitled to the credit
of the world, for honest motives, and pure principles. |
|
|
| Bad
omen over this generation |
¶ |
A cloud of bad omen
seems to hang over this generation. Men start up at the impulse of the moment
and defy and outstrip all law, while the destroyer is also abroad in the
earth wasting flesh without measure, and one can stay his course: |
|
|
Portentous
times
Don't reject word of the Lord |
|
In the midst of such
portentous times, we feel an anxious desire to prepare, and help others
prepare, for coming events; and we candidly believe that no honest man,
will put forth his hand to stop the work of the Lord, or persecute the saints.
In the name of Jesus we intreat the people of this nation to pause before
they reject the words of the Lord, or his servants: These, like all flesh
may be imperfect, but God is pure hear ye him! |
|
|
Peace
and protection
Charity and benevolence
Land of peace
Pillar of heaven: "Repent and live"
"Kingdom of heaven at hand" in blood on cross
"Eternal life …" |
¶ |
While we ask peace and
protection for the saints, wherever they may be, we also solicit the charity
and benevolence of all the worthy on earth, to purchase the righteous a
holy home, a place of rest, and a land of peace, believing that no man who
knows he has a soul, will keep back his mite, but cast it in for the benefit
of Zion; thus, when time is no longer, he, with all the ransomed of the
Lord, may stand, in the fullness of joy, and view the grand pillar of heaven,
which was built by the faith and charity of the saints, beginning at Adam,
with this motto in the base: "Repent and live;" surrounded with
a beautiful circle sign, supported by a cross, about midway up its lofty
column, staring the world in letters of blood: "The kingdom of heaven
is at hand," and finished with a plain top, towering up in the midst
of the celestial world, around which is written, by the finger of Jehovah:
"Eternal life is the greatest gift of God." |
|
|
Not
deluded fanatics
Our fathers hoped for independence and liberty |
¶ |
Although we may fail
to show all men the truth of the fulness of the gospel, yet we hope to be
able to convince some, that we are neither deluded, nor fanatics, but, like
other men, have a claim on the world for land, and for a living, as good
and as great as our venerable fathers had for Independence and liberty:
|
|
|
False
reports
God has been our help |
¶ |
That though the world
has been made to believe, by false reports and vague stories, that the saints,
(called Mormons,) were meaner than the savages, still God has been our help
in time of trouble, and has provided for us in due season; and to use the
language of Pope, he has let the work "Spread undivided," and
"operate unspent." |
|
|
| For
honor of our country, government, appeal for peace, spread gospel, glory
of God |
¶ |
For the honor of our
beloved country, and the continuation of its free Government, we APPEAL
for peace; for an example of forbearance, and the diffusion of the everlasting
gospel, we appeal to the humanity of all nations; and for the glory of God,
before whom we must all answer for the deeds done in life, and for the hope
of holiness hereafter, we mean to remain faithful to the end, continuing
to pray to the Lord to spare us, and the people, from whatever is evil,
and not calculated to humble us, and prepare us for his presence and glory:
at the same time beseeching him, in the name of Jesus, to extend his blessings
to whom he will, and his mercy to all, till, by righteousness the kingdoms
of this world become fair as the sun and clear as the moon. |
|
|
|
¶ |
|
W.
W. PHELPS,
PARLEY P. PRATT (h),
DAVID WHITMER,
LYMAN WIGHT (h) (swh),
JOHN WHITMER,
NEWEL KNIGHT, |
EDWARD
PARTRIDGE,
THOMAS B. MARSH (h),
JOHN CORRILL,
SIMEON CARTER,
ISAAC MORLEY,
CALVIN BEEBE. |
|
|
| |
|
Zion's Camp
Missouri 1834
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|