History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

CHAPTER VI.
THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
1840-1844.
The City of Nauvoo—Its Temple and University—The Nauvoo Legion—The
Mormons in Illinois—Evil Eeports—Revelation on
Polygamy—Its Reception and Practice—The Prophet a Candidate
for the Presidency—The ' Nauvoo Expositor ' Joseph Arrested—Governor
Ford and his Measures—Joseph and Hyrum
Proceed to Carthage—Their Imprisonment— The Governor's
Pledge—Assassination of the Prophet and his Brother—Character
of Joseph Smith—A Panic at Carthage—Addresses of Richards
and Taylor—Peaceful Attitude of the Mormons
To the saints it is indeed a place of refuge, the
city of Nauvoo, the Holy City, the City of Joseph. 1
It stands on rolling land, covering a bed of limestone
yielding excellent building material, and bordered on
three sides by the river which here makes a majestic
curve, and is nearly two miles in width. The aborigines
were not indifferent to the advantages of the
spot, as the presence of their mounds testifies. In
area it is three miles by four. The city is regularly
laid out in streets at right angles, of convenient width,
along which are scattered neat, whitewashed log cabins,
also frame, brick, and stone houses, with grounds and
gardens. It is incorporated by charter, 2 and contains
the best institutions of the latest civilization; in the
1 'Among the more zealous Mormons, it became the fashion at this time
(1845) to disuse the word Nauvoo, and to call the place the holy city, or tho
city of Joseph.' Mackay's The Mormons, 191.
2 The charter granted by the legislature was sitmed by Gov. Carlin Sept.
16, 1S40, to take effect Feb. 1, 1S41. ' So artfully framed that it was found
that the state government was practically superseded within the Mormon corporation.
Under the judicial clause its courts were supreme.' McBride in
International Review, Feb. 1SS2. Charters were also granted to the university
and the Nauvoo legion. Times and Seasons, ii. 2S1.
(143)
—