Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838, Copy [State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason]
Source Note
Minutes and Testimonies, , Ray Co., MO, 12–29 Nov. 1838, State of MO v. Gates et al. for Treason (Fifth Judicial Circuit of MO 1838). Copied ca. late 1838–ca. early 1839; unidentified handwriting; fifty-seven pages; Mormon War Papers, MSA.
“Where as in all bodies laws are necessary, for the permanancy, safety, and well being of society, We the members of the society of the daughter of Zion, do agree to regulate ourselves under such laws as on righteousness shall be deemed necessary for the preservation of our holy religion, and of our most sacred rights, and the rights of our wives and children. But to be explicit on the subject, it is especially our object, to support and defend the rights confered on us by our venerable sires, who purchased them with the pledges of their lives, their fortunes, & their sacred honours— And now to prove ourselves worthy of the liberty confered on us by them, in the providence of God, we do agree to be governed by such laws, as shall perpetuate these high priviledges, of which we know ourselves to be the rightful possessors, and of which priviledges wicked and designing men have tried to deprive us, by all manner of evil, and that purely in consequence of the tenacity we have manifested in the discharge of our duty towards our God, who had given us those rights and priviledges, and a right in common with others to dwell on this Land— But we not having the priviledges of others allowed unto us. have determined, like unto our fathers to resist tyranny whether it be in kings, or in people It is all alike unto us— our rights we must have, and our rights we shall have in the name of Israels God.
Article 1st
All power belongs originally, and legitimately to the people, and they have a right to dispose of it as they shall deem fit— But as it is inconvenient, and impossible to convene the people in all cases the legislative powers have been given by them from time to time unto the hands of a representation, composed of delegates from the people themselves— This is and has been the law, both in civil and religious bodies, and is the true principle
Article 2nd
The executive power shall be vested in the president of the whole church and his counsellors—
Article 3rd
The legislative powers shall reside in the president and his counsellors together, and with the generals and [p. [8]]