History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

108 THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
ren learned of the outrages which had again occurred
in Jackson county.
Just before his arrival in Clay county, Missouri, a
committee of citizens waited on President Smith and
proposed the purchase of the lands in Jackson county
from which the Mormons had been driven. The offer
was declined, the president and council making the
following proposal in return: Let each side choose
six men, and let the twelve determine the amount of
damages due to the Mormons, and also the value of
the possessions of all those who do not wish to live
near them in peace, and the money shall be paid within
a year. The offer was not accepted. 52
On the 3d of July a high council of twelve was organized
by the head of the church, with David Whitmer
as president and W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer
as assistant presidents. The twelve were: Simeon
Carter, Parley P. Pratt, Win E. McLellan, Calvin
Beebe, Levi Jackman, Solomon Hancock, Christian
Whitmer, Newel Knight, Orson Pratt, Lyman Wight,
Thomas B. Marsh, and John Murdock. Later Phelps
became president of the church in Missouri. In company
with his brother Hyrum, F. G. Williams, and
W. E. McLellan, President Joseph returned to Kirtlandj
arriving about the 1st of August.
" Now, that the world may know that our faith in the
work and word of the Lord is firm and unshaken, and
to shew all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples 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 assurance for our comfort, and the pres-
Hyde, Morraonhm, 202, states that the sect was first called The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Sidney Rigdon at a convention at Kirtland
May 4, 1834. See chap, iii., note 22.
52 When the camp arrived near Salt River, Orson Hyde and Parley P. Pratt
were despatched to Jefferson City to req\iest military aid from Gov. Dunklin,
in repossessing the saints of their lands in Jackson co., which aid was
refused. Pratt's A utobioc/. , 123-4. Upon tlie approach of Smith and his party
the people of Jackson co. held a meeting and sent a committee to Smith with
proposals to buy all the Mormon property in the county. The offer was declined,
and the Mormons in turn offered to buy out the Missourians. See
correspondence in Howe's Mormonism, 164-70.