History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

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THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
sequel demonstrated the fact to be, it might well be
doubted whether they were guilty of treason."
With the Nauvoo Legion at their back, the two
brothers voluntarily placed themselves in the power of
the governor who, demanding and accepting their
surrender, though doubting their guilt, nevertheless
declared that they were not his prisoners, but the prisoners
of the constable and jailer. Leaving two companies
to guard the jail, he disbanded the main body of
his troops, and proceeding to Nauvoo, addressed the
people, beseeching them to abide by the law. "They
claimed," he says, "to be a law-abiding people; and
insisted that as they looked to the law alone for their
protection, so were they careful themselves to observe
its provisions. Upon the conclusion of my address, I
proposed to take a vote on the question, whether they
would strictly observe the laws, even in opposition to
their prophet and leaders. The vote was unanimous
in favor of this proposition." The governor then set
forth for Carthage, and such in substance is his report
when viewed in the most favorable light. 30
It is related that as Joseph set forth to deliver
himself up to the authorities he exclaimed: "I am
going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as
a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of
offence toward God and toward all men. I shall
die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me, He was
murdered in cold blood." 31 Nevertheless, for a moment
he hesitated. Should he offer himself a willing
sacrifice, or should he endeavor to escape out of their
hands? Thus meditating, he crossed the river thinking
30 Message, ut supra. The above appear to be the facts of the case, so far
as they can be sifted from a lengthy report, which consists mainly of apology
or explanation of what the governor did or left undone.
81 Smith's Doc. and Cov., app. 335. The same morning he read in the
fifth chapter of Ether, 'And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that
he would give unto the gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it
came to pass that the Lord said unto me, If they have not charity it mattereth
not unto you, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments are clean.
And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even
unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of
my father.'