Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838 [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); unidentified handwriting; 126 pages; Eugene Morrow Violette Collection, State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia.
foot— and I became afraid to speak my own mind— I objected to <the> so course of , in refference to this Danite band & that Joseph Smith Jr rather I thought, upheld him & would not allow any objections to him— After the return of the mormons from , I heard Jos Smith Jr and <in presence of> in a conversation say they had applied <that an application had been made> to the <& that they understood that he> who would give them no assistance, & they were determined to withstand the mob, they were greatly incensed against certain families <persons> in & . and <said> they meant <intended> to rid the counties of them <& of the mob> in the course of that week, on this was on sunday morning, and in the course of the day instructions were given that a <to meet> the next day, (monday).— On monday Jos Smith Jr made a speech, and some resolutions were passed purporting that those persons who would not engage in their undertaking— their property should be consecrated to the use of those who did engage in their undertaking— On Sunday in his discourse J Smith Jr, in his discourse spoke of persons taking at some times, what at other times it would be rong to take— and gave as an example the case of David eating the Shew-bread, & also of the Saviour & his apostles plucking the ears of corn & eating as they passed thro. the corn-field.— He supposed the prejudices of the pharasees & jews were so great <against the Saviour> that they would give them nothing to eat & they took that method to get it— On the monday when the resolutions above refered to were entered into, in a speech said, that those who were unwilling to go into the war, they ought to be put upon their horses with guns & bayonets, and forced into the [p. [32]]