Discourse, 30 June 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff
Source Note
JS, Discourse, [, Hancock Co., IL, 30 June 1843]. Featured version copied [ca. 30 June 1843] in Wilford Woodruff, Journal, vol. 5, 1 Jan. 1843–31 Dec. 1844, pp. [54]–[63]; handwriting of . For more complete source information, see the source note for Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff.
& when they will get out I dont know perhaps when some others may, However you may feel about the high hand of oppression, I wish you to restrain your hand from violence. <against those men who arestd me> My word is at stake a hair of their heads shall not be harmed, My life is pledged to carry out this great work I know how readily you are to do right you have done great things & manifested your love in flying to my assistance on this occasion I could not have done better myself, And I Bless you in the name of the Lord with all Blessings may you not have to suffer as you have heretofore. I know the Almighty will bless all good men he will bless you: and the time has come when their shall be such a flocking to the standard of Liberty as never has been, Nor never shall be here after. what an erie [era?] of things has commenced Shall the Prophecys be esstablished by the Sword; Shall we allways bear, No. Will not the State of Stay her hand in her unhallowed persecutions against the Saints; if not, I restrain you not any longer; I say in the name of Jesus Christ I this day turn the key [drawing of a key] that opens the heavens to restrain you no longer from this time forth. I will lead you to battle & if you are not afraid to die & feel disposed to spill your Blood in your own defence you will not offend me, Be not the aggressor bear untill they strike on the one cheek offer the other & they will be sure to strike that, then defend yourselves & God shall bear you off. Will any part of say we shall not have our rights treat them as strangers & not friends & let them go to Hell say some we will mob you, mob & be damed, if I under the ne[c]essity of giving up our charted [p. [57]]