Footnotes
This serialized history drew on the journals herein beginning with the 4 July 1855 issue of the Deseret News and with the 3 January 1857 issue of the LDS Millennial Star.
The labels on the spines of the four volumes read respectively as follows: “Joseph Smith’s Journal—1842–3 by Willard Richards” (book 1); “Joseph Smith’s Journal by W. Richards 1843” (book 2); “Joseph Smith’s Journal by W. Richards 1843–4” (book 3); and “W. Richards’ Journal 1844 Vol. 4” (book 4). Richards kept JS’s journal in the front of book 4, and after JS’s death Richards kept his own journal in the back of the volume.
“Schedule of Church Records, Nauvoo 1846,” [1], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.
Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.
“Inventory. Historian’s Office. 4th April 1855,” [1]; “Contents of the Historian and Recorder’s Office G. S. L. City July 1858,” 2; “Index of Records and Journals in the Historian’s Office 1878,” [11]–[12], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL; Johnson, Register of the Joseph Smith Collection, 7.
Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.
Johnson, Jeffery O. Register of the Joseph Smith Collection in the Church Archives, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Historical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1973.
Footnotes
Historical Introduction to JS, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842.
Source Note to JS, Journal, 1835–1836; Source Note to JS, Journal, Mar.–Sept. 1838.
See Appendix 3.
The account of Rigdon’s sermon printed in the Times and Seasons clarifies this principle: “We were maturing plans fourteen years ago which we can now tell. . . . Let fourteen years experience of the church tell the story. The church never would have been here, if we had not done as we did in secret. . . . Do not be astonished then if we even yet have secret meetings; asking God for things for your benefit.” (“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 May 1844, 5:523–524.)
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
TEXT: Possibly “slipt”.
Other accounts of Rigdon’s speech clarify Willard Richards’s record here. Wilford Woodruff’s account, for example, reads: “The things that were done in secret in the begining are now seen openly and their is nothing secret now but what all will know in time to come, I am aware their is many things I did not Hint at I will speak of them now, I have seen the time when the Presidency of the Church sitting now before me, were locked up with me in secret places waiting upon God, we did not go out at all but to eat &c But it was soon found out, & a mob came, saying God damn you to Hell, & threatend our lives, it was at this time we sat for hours in the Visions of heaven around the throne of God & gazed upon the scenes of Eternity. One evening a Mexican called upon us & he went out armed to see to see a dozen armed men in the corner of the fence, he wanted to shoot them, after wards the mob came in & broke the door, took me & dragd me out through the streets by my heels with my head pounding over the frozen ground, Another company took presiden[t] Smith, & tar & featherd him, they tried to turn Aquiphortos [aqua fortis] down our throats this is the reason why we were in secret under lock & key.” The mobbing that Rigdon recounted took place the night of 25 March 1832. (Woodruff, Journal, 6 Apr. 1844, underlining in original; JS History, vol. A-1, 205–208; see also General Church Minutes, Clayton copy, 6 Apr. 1844, 8–9; and Bullock copy, 6 Apr. 1844, 5 [second numbering].)
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
Other accounts of Rigdon’s speech complete Willard Richards’s partial sentence here. Wilford Woodruff’s account, for example, reads: “Their is men Standing in your midst who are not afraid of men or devels & men whos mouths cannot be stop[p]ed unless you take their lives. For they will speak in defence of the innocent of virtue & truth while they live. Their is men in your midst who have learned their is a great God who can do as he pleases take up the Hills as a little thing, & such men do not fear death. They know about Heaven. They have seen it & know all about it. Their is men in your midst which you must Sustain or go to Hell. Save them & you save yourselves. Reject them & you go to Hell. . . . You have just men among you & the reason is because God has taught them chose & ordained them & this is the reason why they are so. You have men in your midst who will not turn to the right hand or left. If you are in their path you must get out. You cannot Cort by favor or welth or any thing els. They do not ask Poleticians kings or people for favor. They ask God for it alone. If the world make them rich or poor they never ask for it.” (Woodruff, Journal, 6 Apr. 1844; see also General Church Minutes, Clayton copy, 6 Apr. 1844, 9–10; and Bullock copy, 6 Apr. 1844, 1–2 [second numbering].)
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.