November 25, 1834, Hon. J. T. V. Thompson, a Missouri State Senator, wrote W. W. Phelps as follows:

"JEFFERSON CITY.

"Dear Sir:-I will say to you, that your case with the Jackson people has been mentioned to the highest officer of the State, the Governor. He speaks of it in his message and so much of his message will be referred to a committee. I am not able to say what will be

Thompson's letter

their report, but I will write you again. "I have the honor, etc.

Dunklin's

"J. T. V. THOMPSON." -Millennial Star, vol. 15, p. 185.

The extract from Governor Dunklin's message referred to in the above letter is as follows:"In July, 1833, a large portion of the citizens of Jackson County organized themselves and entered into resolutions to expel from that county a religious sect called Mormessage. mons, who had become obnoxious to them. In November following they effected their object, not however without the loss of several lives. In the judicial inquiry into these outrages, the civil authorities who had cognizance of them deemed it proper to have a military guard for the

God in his glory. Then for brass the Lord will bring gold, and for iron silver, and for wood brass. Then the saints' officers will be peace, and their exactors righteousness: and then the land will be worth possessing and the world fit to live in.

With all these glories ahead, who would fail to seek them? Who would idle or revel away a few years of fleshly gratification, and lose a thousand years' happiness, and an eternity of glory? Who would serve the Devil to be a demon in darkness, when by pleasing the Savior and keeping his commandments he may be a son of God in the celestial world, where praise, and glory, and power, and dominion have an eternal now for space and duration, and the best from worlds to expand and beautify their sublimity? O that the whole empire of God might shout, None! But it will not be so, for Satan spreads himself and copes with thousands that must welter in woe unutterable, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. Alas, alas, alas, for their fate! Who knows it?

Men of God, from this let us learn to take oil in our lamps from the great Spirit-fountain above, and light them in the blaze of that noble fire, where a Hancock, a Jefferson, and a Washington lit their tapers, that while there is a hope in heaven, or a gleam on earth, we may not covet this world, nor fear death, but, as Peter, as Paul, as James, die for the sake of righteousness, having fought the good fight, and overcome through grace: Amen. As ever, W. W. PHELPS.

To Oliver Cowdery, Esq.

purpose of giving protection during the progress of the trials. This was ordered, and the Attorney General was requested to give his attention during the investigation, both of which were performed, but all to no purpose. As yet none have been punished for these outrages, and it is believed that under our present laws conviction for any violence committed upon a Mormon cannot be had in Jackson County. These unfortunate people are now forbidden to take possession of their homes; and the principal part of them, I am informed, are at this time living in an adjoining county, in a great measure, upon the charity of its citizens. It is for you to determine what amendments the laws may require so as to guard against such acts of violence for the future." Messenger and Advocate, vol. 1, p. 41.

Phelps to
Thompson.

On December 11, W. W. Phelps wrote Hon. J. T. V. Thompson in answer to his of November 25, and received answer from Messrs. Thompson and Atchison. Of this and the closing scenes of the year Joseph writes:

"On the 11th Elder Phelps wrote from Liberty, Clay County, to J. T. V. Thompson, Jefferson City - in reply to his letter of the 25th November - expressive of thankfulness to His Excellency for introducing the sufferings of the saints in his message; also asking counsel 'whether it would avail anything for the society to petition his honorable body (the Legislature) for an act to reinstate them in their rights,' etc.; and requesting him to confer with his friends and His Exceliency on the subject, and give an early answer.

"About the middle of the month the message of Governor Dunklin, of Missouri, to the Legislature, arrived at Kirtland, was read with great interest, and revived the hopes of the church for the scattered brethren of Jackson County.

Elder Phelps wrote again to Esquire Thompson, on the 18th, as follows:

"Dear Sir:- By this mail I have forwarded to Captain Atchison, of the Lower House, a petition and documents, on the subject of our rights in Jackson County. He will hand them to you for the Senate, when through in the House. I shall be greatly obliged if you will lay them before your

honorable body; and any information you may require, or even personal attendance, write, and you shall have it if in my power. As a people, all we ask, is our rights.

reply.

"With esteem, etc.,

"W. W. PHELPS.'

"On the 20th Messrs. Thompson and Atchison wrote Elder Phelps from the Senate Chamber,' acknowledging the Thompson's receipt of his letter, stating that the committee on the Governor's message had not reported, and recommending the saints to get up a petition to the legislature, with as many signatures as possible, promising their assistance and influence to obtain redress of grievance. A petition was accordingly forwarded; but, without bringing anything to pass for the relief of the saints in Missouri, the year closed."-- Millennial Star, vol. 15, p. 204.

:

CHAPTER 21.

1835.

EVENTS OF 1835 KIMBALL'S TESTIMONY-CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE -LECTURES-ADVICE TO TANNER-CAMP OF ZION-CHOOSING THE TWELVE-CHARGE TO THE TWELVE-A COUNCIL-CHOOSING THE SEVENTY THE SACRAMENT- BLESSINGS CONFERENCES OF THE TWELVE-IRVINGITES-PUBLIC MEETINGS-A GRAND COUNCIL-THE TW LVE DEPART-LITERARY CONCERNS-WORK OF THE TWELVE-AFFAIRS OF ZION-MR. HEWITT-THE TWELVE IN THE EAST-MUMMIES-THE TWELVE AGAIN-PROGRESS.

Events of 1835.

In the early part of the year 1835 some very important events transpired in the church at Kirtland. The organiza. tion of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and of the Quorum of Seventy as auxiliaries to them in their work, is of very great importance in the history of the church. The events of the first two or three months of 1835 are given quite fully in the history of Joseph Smith as published in the Millennial Star, volume 15. We will give our readers the benefit of this account copied from that journal.

We think, however, that it is our duty to record the fact that the Messenger and Advocate, published monthly during the same period of time, at Kirtland, Ohio, by F. G. Williams and Company, and edited by Oliver Cowdery, makes no mention of these events. It is strange that a church periodical published at the same place, and edited by one of the principal actors, should not have mentioned events of so much importance.

There is no question but that such quorums were organized about that time, and from corroborative testimony we think they were organized at the place and dates given in this account; though as it was not published until nearly nine years after the death of Joseph Smith, we think it possible that the details were enlarged upon; nor can we vouch for the absolute correctness of all the teachings here recorded, though in the main we think them correct.

It will be seen that the following testimony by H. C. Kimball correspond with the history as pub testimony. lished. Kimball in his journal writes:

Kimball's

"Most of us continued about six weeks, when a meeting was called for the camp of Zion to be assembled, to receive what was called a Zion's blessing. After being assembled, the Presidency having duly organized the meeting, told us there were twelve men to be chosen, to be called the Twelve Apostles or Traveling High Council. . . .

"It was far from my expectation of being one of the number, as heretofore I had known nothing about it, not having had the privilege of seeing the revelations, as they were not printed. I will now mention their names as they were first chosen: Lyman Johnson, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, David W. Patten, Luke Johnson, William E. McLellin, Orson Hyde, William Smith, John F. Boynton, Orson Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, and Parley P. Pratt. After having expressed our feelings on this occasion, we were severally called into the stand, and there received our ordinations, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. These brethren ordained us to the apostleship, and predicted many things which should come to pass, that we should have power to heal the sick, cast out devils, raise the dead, give sight to the blind, have power to remove mountains, and all things should be subject to us through the name of Jesus Christ, and angels should minister unto us, and many more things too numerous to mention. After we had been thus ordained by these brethren, the First Presidency laid their hands on us, and confirmed these blessings and ordination, and likewise predicted many things which should come to pass.

"After being chosen there being but nine of us present, we assembled from time to time as opportunity would permit, and received such instruction as the Lord would bestow upon us, and truly he blessed us with his Spirit, and inspired his prophet to speak for our edification. One evening when we were assembled to receive instruction, the revelation contained in the third section of the Book of Doc. trine and Covenants, on Priesthood, was given to Brother