Besides, Sidney Rigdon, one of the three first presidents, was alive, to press his claims to the leadership, and not a few of the Saints openly favored his ambitious pretensions.
Who was to decide in such a controversy, and how was the right man to be known?
G.o.d had provided the way.
Elder Rigdon, on hearing of the martyrdom, had come in haste from Pittsburgh, whither he had retired some months before from the troubles and turmoils of persecuted Saint-life in Nauvoo, to offer himself as the "guardian" and "great leader" whom he declared was necessary to save Israel. Thus, the true shepherd, having "laid down his life for the sheep," the false one returned when the wolves had fled and the danger was thought to be over, to seize the laurels which another"s valor had won. And this, forsooth, was the comforting message that he bore to the affrighted people:
"The anti-Mormons have got you! You can"t stay in the country!
Everything is in confusion! You can do nothing! You lack a great leader! You want a head; and unless you unite upon that head you"re blown to the four winds. The anti-Mormons will carry the election. A guardian must be chosen."
Such was the situation at Nauvoo when Brigham, Heber and their companions returned. Parley P. Pratt and George A. Smith had arrived some time before.
The great day came which Sidney Rigdon had set apart for the choosing of a guardian for the Church--August 8th, 1844. Sidney had spoken, urging his own claims as "the identical man whom all the prophets had written and sung about" with their eyes upon that very hour and occasion; which vain-glorious remark provoked from Parley P. Pratt the humorous retort that he, himself, was "the identical man that the prophets had not sung or written one word about." Brigham Young was now addressing the vast congregation which a.s.sembled on that memorable day, in the grove where the Prophet had so often given the word of the Lord to Israel:
"If the people want Brother Rigdon to lead them, they may have him,"
Brigham declared. "But I say unto you, the Twelve have the keys of the kingdom of G.o.d in all the world. The Twelve are pointed out by the finger of G.o.d. Here is Brigham; have his knees ever faltered? Have his lips ever quivered? Here is Heber and the rest of the Twelve, an independent body, who have the keys of the Priesthood, the keys of the kingdom of G.o.d to deliver to all the world; this is true, so help me G.o.d! They stand next to Joseph, and are the First Presidency of the Church."
It was the voice of "one having authority." The dullest ear could detect the difference between such tones, such words, trembling with power, and the vain and empty babblings of the special pleader, Sidney. Which of these men the Spirit had chosen, was already manifest to the pure in heart among that mighty mult.i.tude.
But a still more marvelous manifestation awaited them. As Brigham proceeded his whole being became transfigured; his face shone like an angel"s; his form seemed to dilate and expand, as though he were being lifted from the floor; his voice changed; his look, his very manner was that of another.
IT WAS JOSEPH, NOT BRIGHAM, WHO WAS SPEAKING!
Thousands saw it and testified of its truth. The mantle of the dead Prophet had fallen upon the shoulders of the living. Joseph, from behind the vail, had pointed out his own successor. G.o.d spake that day through Brigham Young, "and all the people said Amen!"
No truer friend had Brigham Young than Heber C. Kimball.[A] "Brother Brigham" had been his choice from the first, for he knew that he was the chosen of the Almighty, and as he had before stood by Joseph, he now stood firm at the side of his successor, a pillar of faith and power not to be broken.
[Footnote A: Heber often said that his love for Brigham exceeded his love for any member of his own family.]
CHAPTER L.
THE WORK MOVES ON IN SPITE OF PERSECUTION AND APOSTASY--THE NAUVOO TEMPLE FINISHED AND DEDICATED--THE SAINTS PREPARE FOR THEIR REMOVAL TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
The work of G.o.d was only expedited by the efforts made for its overthrow. The Apostles continued to send out missionaries to the nations, and hurried on the completion of the Temple.
Elder Rigdon, after his ineffectual attempt to seize the leadership of the Church, had returned to Pittsburg, to nurse, as best he might, his wounded pride and disappointed ambition. Many, like him, were apostatizing and dividing into factions, but the main body of the Saints, "taking the Holy Spirit for their guide," stood true to Brigham and the Twelve. The Spirit was poured out mightily upon the faithful, and the good work, in spite of persecution and apostasy, went rolling on.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Residences of Church leaders in Nauvoo.]
It soon became evident to the enemy that the death of the Prophet, so far from destroying, or even impeding Mormonism, had only given it fresh impetus, an energy which they feared, if allowed to increase, might prove irresistible. They therefore renewed the attack, Brigham, Heber and the Twelve now being the especial objects of their animus.
Does not this fact, alone, tell where lay the authority?
The chief inciters of the opposition were the Laws, the Fosters, and the Higbees, apostates who had betrayed and sacrificed Joseph and Hyrum, with others who now joined them in their warfare against the Twelve. The most strenuous efforts were made, generally under cover of law, to get President Young into their power; and even his life, it is said, was attempted by the midnight a.s.sa.s.sin. Knowing their fell purpose, and remembering the fate of the martyrs, Joseph and Hyrum, who had tested the virtue of official pledges and the protecting majesty of the law in Illinois, Brigham and Heber wisely determined not to be taken.
From their secret retreats, where they were compelled to hide, at times, from the malice of their would-be destroyers, the Apostles came forth, on the morning of Sat.u.r.day, the 24th of May, 1845, to lay the cap-stone on the south-east corner of the Temple. The edifice was in due time completed and dedicated, and many of the Elders and Saints received their endowments within its sacred walls.
The incident which gave rise to the story of "Bogus Brigham," with which many of our readers are no doubt familiar, happened about this time. The sheriff from Carthage was at the door of the Temple to arrest President Young, who was inside the building. Bishop William Miller, who resembled the President, throwing on Heber C. Kimball"s cloak, (mistaking it for Brigham"s, which was of the same size and color) sallied out and was arrested in his stead and taken to Carthage. The _ruse_ worked so well that it was not discovered until after their arrival at the anti-Mormon headquarters, where "Bill Miller" was recognized, and the wrath and discomfiture of his captors knew no bounds. The real Brigham was, of course, by that time, well out of the way and laughing at the chagrin of his persecutors.
In the meantime, preparations were in progress for the exodus. The anti-Mormons were clamoring for the removal of the entire community of Latter-day Saints from the state, and they, seeing no alternative but to comply with this outrageous demand, or experience a repet.i.tion of the murderous scenes of Missouri, had resolved to again sacrifice their homes and seek a land of peace and liberty in the wilds of the savage west.
Before coming to the conclusion to thus expatriate themselves, the Saints, through their leaders, had pet.i.tioned the President of the United States, James K. Polk, and the Governors of all the states excepting Missouri and Illinois, for aid and protection from the efforts of those who were plotting their destruction. But the appeal was in vain. The Church leaders then entered into negotiations with their enemies, of the nature of which the following doc.u.ment will testify:
"NAUVOO, ILLINOIS, Oct. 1st, 1845.
"_To Gen. J. Hardin, W. B. Warren, S. A. Douglas and J. A.
McDougal:_
"MESSRS:--In reply to your letter of this date, requesting us "to submit the facts and intentions stated by us in writing, in order that you may lay them before the Governor and people of the state," we would refer you to our communication of the 24th ult.
to the "Quincy Committee," etc., a copy of which is herewith enclosed.
"In addition to this we would say that we had commenced making arrangements to remove from the country previous to the recent disturbances; that we have four companies, of one hundred families each, and six more companies now organizing, of the same number each, preparatory to a removal.
"That one thousand families, including the Twelve, the High Council, the trustees and general authorities of the Church, are fully determined to remove in the spring, independent of the contingencies of selling our property; and that this company will comprise from five to six thousand souls.
"That the Church, as a body, desire to remove with us, and will, if sales can be effected so as to raise the necessary means.
"That the organization of the Church we represent is such that there never can exist but one head or presidency at any one time.
And all good members wish to be with the organization: and all are determined to remove to some distant point where we shall neither infringe nor be infringed upon, so soon as time and means will permit.
"That we have some hundreds of farms and some two thousand houses for sale in this city and county, and we request all good citizens to a.s.sist in the disposal of our property.
"That we do not expect to find purchasers for our temple and other public buildings; but we are willing to rent them to a respectable community who may inhabit the city.
"That we wish it distinctly understood that although we may not find purchasers for our property, we will not sacrifice it, nor give it away, or suffer it illegally to be wrested from us.
"That we do not intend to sow any wheat this fall, and should we all sell, we shall not put in any more crops of any description.
"That as soon as practicable, we will appoint committees for this city, La Harpe, Macedonia, Bear Creek and all necessary places in the county, to give information to purchasers.
"That if these testimonies are not sufficient to satisfy any people that we are in earnest, we will soon give them a sign that cannot be mistaken--WE WILL LEAVE THEM.
"In behalf of the Council, respectfully yours, etc.,
"BRIGHAM YOUNG, President, "WILLARD RICHARDS, Clerk."
Agreeable to the terms of this covenant, which satisfied the commissioners named, and for a time also satisfied the anti-Mormons whom they represented, the Saints, trusting in G.o.d, and hoping little from their cruel and inhuman oppressors, were now preparing for the exodus of the Church and its pilgrimage to the Rocky Mountains--an event foreseen and predicted by the Prophet Joseph in August, 1842.
CHAPTER LI.
THE EXODUS--HEBER"S PROPHECY FULFILLED--EVACUATION OF NAUVOO--THE CAMP OF ISRAEL ON SUGAR CREEK--BRIGHAM AND HEBER LEAD THE CHURCH WESTWARD--ARRIVAL AT THE MISSOURI RIVER.