History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

ATTITUDE OF OFFICIALS.
Dunklin endeavored to uphold the law, but Boggs,
lieutenant-governor, was with the assailants. Wells,
attorney-general, wrote to the council for the church,
the 21st, saying that if they wished to replace their
houses in Jackson county the governor would send
them an adequate force, and if they would organize
themselves into companies, he would supply them
with arms. Application was made accordingly. "It
is a disgrace to the state," writes Judge Ryland,
"for such acts to happen within its limits, and the
disgrace will attach to our official characters if we
neglect to take proper means to insure the punishment
due such offenders." In view of this advice from
the state authorities, the saints resolved to return to
their homes as soon as protection should be afforded
them, and it was ordered by revelation that they
should do so, but with circumspection and not in
haste. 45
All this time President Joseph Smith was at Kirtland,
harassed with anxiety over affairs in Missouri,
still pursuing the usual tenor of his way, and not
knowing what moment like evils might befall him
and histoid there. 48 It was resolved by the first presidency
that the Star should be published at Kirtland
1SG9, 247. 'Several women thus driven from their homes gave birth to children'
in the woods and on the prairies.' Greene's Facte, 18. Pratt says 203
ho ises were "burned, according to the estimate of the enemy.
' 45 On Dec. 15th, Phelps writes to Smith from Clay co. : The situation of the
saints, as scattered, is dubious, and affords a gloomy prospect. .We are in
.
Clay Ray, Lafayette, Jackson, Van Buren, etc. [counties], and cannot hear
from' each other oftener than we do from you. . .The governor is willing to restore
us, but as the constitution gives him no power to guard us when back,
we are not willing to go. The mob swear if we come we shall die! Our people
fare very well, and when they are discreet, little or no persecution is felt.
The militia in the upper counties is in readiness at a moment's warning,
having been ordered out by the governor, to guard a court-martial and court
of inquiry, etc., but we cannot attend a court of inquiry on account of the
expense, until we are restored and protected.' Times and Seasons, vi. 944.
* G Smith wrote to the saints about this time that he had heard they had
surrendered their arms and fled across the river. If this report was true, he
advised them not to recommence hostilities; but if they were still in possession,
they should 'maintain the ground as long as there is a man left. They
were also advised to prosecute to the extent of the law; but must not look
for pecuniary assistance from Kirtland, for matters there were by no means
in a flourishing condition. It was recommended that a tract of land be_purchased
in Clay co. for present necessaries. Times and Seasons, vi. 914-la.
103