should support the presidency in all their designs right or rong.— that whatever they said was to be obeyed, and whoever opposed the presidency in what they said or <​desired​> done, should be expeled the , or have their lives taken. The three composing the presidency was at one of those meetings, and to satisfy the people <​ called on​> <​Jos Smith Jr who​> they gave them a pledges that if they led them into a difficulty, he would give them his head for a foot ball— and that it was the will of God these things should be so. The teacher, and and active— agent of the Society was , and his teachings were approved of by the presidecy. further taught as a part of their obligation, that if any one betrayed the secret designs of the society, they should be killed and <​laid aside &​> nothing said about it: I heard s sermon, commonly called the salt sermon, and its purport & design was about as other witnesses have stated <​them​> before me— When process was filed against Jos Smith Jr and others, before me in my office as clerk of circuit court: for trespass, Jos Smith Jr told me not to issue that writ. that he did not intend to submit <​to​> it; that it was a vexatious thing & I had a right to Judge of it— and that he would me see me out in it. <​who was not a defendant in that suit​> also joined him in this promise <​if​> I would not issue it. <​this was​>— Previous to the last term of the circuit, and <​court I​> know of . I considered myself not as proper judge, as to whether it was a vexatious suit or not. Jos Smith Jr, said it was a vexatious thing, & that he would not suffer it to be issued— and I felt myself intimidated and [p. [51]]