History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

196 BRIGHAM YOUNG SUCCEEDS JOSEPH.
and took refuge at Dublin, Indiana, where he was soon
afterward joined by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon.
Thence, in company with the former, he went to Missouri,
arriving at Far West a short time before the
massacre at Haun's Mill. Once more Brigham was
compelled to flee for his life, and now betook himself
to Quincy, where he raised means to aid the destitute
brethren in leaving Missouri, 8 and directed the first
settlement of the saints in Illinois, the prophet Joseph,
Parley P. Pratt, and others being then in prison.
By revelation of July 8, 1838, 9 it was ordered that
eleven of the quorum should " depart to go over the
great waters, and there promulgate my gospel, the
fulness thereof, and bear record of my name. Let
them take leave of my saints in the city Far West, on
the 26th day of April next; on the building spot of my
house, saith the Lord." As the twelve had been banished
from Missouri and could not return with safety,
many of the church dignitaries urged that the latter
part of this revelation should not be fulfilled. "But,"
says Brigham, " I felt differently, and so did those of
the quorum who were with me." The affairs of the
church were now in the hands of the twelve, and their
president was not the man to shrink from danger.
" The Lord had spoken, and it was their duty to obey."
The quorum started forth, and reaching Far West
toward the end of April, hid themselves in a grove.
Between midnight of the 25th and dawn of the 26th
of the mob, and the spirit that prevailed in the apostates, who threatened to
destroy me because I would proclaim publicly and privately that I knew, by
the power of the holy ghost, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the most
high God, and had not transgressed and fallen, as apostates declared.' Id., 84.
8 * I held a meeting with the brethren of the twelve and the members of
the church in Quincy, on the 17th of March, when a letter was read to the
people from the committee, on behalf of the saints at Far West, who were
left destitute of the means to move. Though the brethren were poor and
stripped of almost everything, yet they manifested a spirit of willingness to
do their utmost, offering to sell their hats, coats, and shoes to accomplish the
object. At the close of the meeting $i>0 was collected in money and several
teams were subscribed to go and bring the brethren. ' Id. , 89-90.
9 This is the date given in Doctrine and Covenants, 381 (ed. S. L. City,
1876). See also Linforth's Route 'row. Liverpool, 112, note. Tullidge gives
July 8, 1836. Life of Brigham Youmj, 90.