History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

154 THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
cancelled, old debts forgiven. 13 There were no great
riches among them; yet he who had nothing could
not be called poor amid such surroundings. Head
over all, temporal and spiritual, was Joseph Smith,
not only prophet and president, but general and
mayor. 14 He had now approached the summit of his
career, and for a brief space was permitted to enjoy
his fame, wealth, and power in some degree of quiet.
They were salutary lessons that the prophet and
his people had received in Missouri, and for a time
their speech and manner were less arrogant than of
old. But soon prosper^ was far greater here than
ever before, and as with Israel of old the chastisements
of the Lord were soon forgotten. From the
moment they crossed the river from Missouri into
Illinois their position as men and members of the
commonwealth was changed. In the one state they
were regarded as fanatics, dangerous to the government
and to the people, having associated assassins to
do their bidding, and holding to a doctrine of divine
inheritance with regard to all that country; in the
13 'At the conference in April 1840, the prophet delivered a lengthy address
upon the history and condition of the saints. He reminded the brethren
that all had suffered alike for the sake of the gospel. The rich and the
poor had been brought to a common level by persecution; that many of the
brethren were owing debts that they had been forced to contract in order to
get out of Missouri alive. He considered it was unchristian-like for the
brethren to demand the payment of such debts; that he did not wish to
screen any one from the just payment of his debts, but he did think that it
would be for the glory of the kingdom if the people would, of their own will,
freely forgive each other for all their existing indebtedness, one to the other,
then renew their covenants with almighty God and with each other; refrain
from evil, and live their religion; by this means, God's holy spirit would support
and bless the people. The people were then asked if they were in favor
of thus bringing about the year of jubilee. All that felt so inclined were
asked to make it known by raising their hands; every hand in the audience
was raised.' The prophet then declared all debts of the saints, to and from
each other, forgiven and cancelled. He then gave the following words of
advice to the people: 'I wish you all to know that because you were justified
in taking property from your enemies while engaged in war in Missouri,
which was needed to support you, there is now a different condition of things
existing. We are no longer at war, and you must stop stealing. When the
right time conies we will go in force and take the whole state of Missouri. It
belongs to us as an inheritance; but I want no more petty stealing. ' Lee's
MormonUm, 110-11.
"Smith was first mayor. Feb. 1, 1841, Bennett was elected mayor and
80 continued till May 19, 1842, when Smith again assumed the office.