History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

88 THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
9th Joseph and ten elders started down the river in
sixteen canoes, the leaders arriving at Kirtland
the 27th, 18 after having suffered hardship and mortification
through disaffection among the elders. Titus
Billings, who had charge of the church property there,
was ordered to dispose of the lands, and prepare to
remove to Missouri in the following spring, together
with part of the people, and such money as could be
raised. It was provided that those wishing to buy
land in Zion could do so by forwarding the purchasemoney.
The account of the new country written by
Sidney Rigdon did not please Joseph, and he was ordered
to write another; if that should not prove satis-
factory, he was to be deprived of office. 19
On the 12th of September Joseph removed to the
town of Hiram, thirty miles away, and prepared to
begin again the translation of the bible, with Rigdon as
scribe. The farm of Isaac Morley was ordered sold,
while Frederic G. Williams should retain his, for it
was desirable to keep a footing at Kirtland yet for
fifteen thousand dollars. Their common-stock principles appear to be somewhat
similar to those of the shakers.' Howe's Mormonisrn Unveiled, 12S-9.
18 Booth intimates that Smith and Rigdon preferred living in Ohio to enduring
the hardships of Missouri. ' Before they went to Missouri their lan-
guage was, "We shall winter in Ohio but one winter more;" and when in
Missouri, '
' It will be many years before we come here, for the lord has a great
work for us to do in Ohio." And the great work is to make a thorough alteration
of the bible, and invent new revelations, and these are to be sent to
Missouri in order to be printed.' Letter in Howe's Mormonisrn Unveiled,
199.
19 ' Some dispute, of which the nature is not clearly known, appears to have
arisen between Joseph and his friend Sidney Rigdon before their return. It
is probable, from the course of subsequent events, that Sidney, even at this
time, aspired to greater power in the church than suited the prophet, . .
who saw fit to rebuke him by a revelation accusing him of "being exalted in
his heart, and despising the counsel of the lord. They afterward became
reconciled."' Smacker's Mormons, 75-6, confirmed by Millennial Star, v. 149;
Times and Seasons, v. 467. From this time till January 1832, Joseph continued
preaching in various parts of the United States, making converts with
great rapidity. He found it necessary, however, further to check the presumption
of some new and indiscreet converts who also had revelations from
the Lord, which they endeavored to palm off upon the public. Among others,
one W. E. McLellan was rebuked for endeavoring to 'write a commandment
like unto one of the least of the Lord's. ' Mactai/s Mormons, 67-8. See anecdote
of 'The Swamp Angel;' also account of raising the dead by Smith, about this
time. Ward's Mormon Wife, 10-11, 15-24. For text of rebuke, where the
name of the offender is given William E. M'Lellin, see Millennial Star, v. 185-
6; Times and Seasons, v. 496.
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