A Family Debates the Succession - Printed in the Northern Islander

NORTHERN  ISLANDER

VOL. 4.] Voree, W. T., Thursday, Aug. 16, 1855. [No. 75.

CORRESPONDENCE.

G.S.L. City, U. T., May 25, ’55.

DEAR SON AND DAUGHTER:--I received your letter, dated March 15, from Canada. I was glad to hear of your health and that of your family. We had not heard from you for some three years, not knowing how to account for it, for we had written frequently to you, but when we received your letter the mystery was solved. Stephen and Horace also received letters from you.

But let me assure you we were no little astonished at the strange course you have taken. I should not have given credit to the report had it come in some other way.—But, strange to say, how it is that the different spirits operate on individuals. One is induced to believe Strang, another Baneemy, another Gladden Bishop, another Rigdon, and another Brewster.—These all have their votaries, all firm in the different faiths, all zealous in their own way, all serving God according to their different faiths, views and opinions.

Now here comes the question—are all right, let us travel on, and make the best of life we can, with as little persecution as possible, and get into a good country where the good things of this world abound in rich abundance. But reflections pass through my mind something like these: Shall I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease, whilst others fought to win the prize, and sailed the cloudy seas?

If I am not much mistaken the saints have got to pass through narrow places, where the priests will have to stand between the porch and the altar, and say, Lord, spare thy people, and give not thy heritage to the heathen.—What the views of Mr. Strang are in regard to this matter I have not been informed, neither am I acquainted with the general views of doctrine advanced by the Strangites.

You stated that you was just as willing that brother James should be a prophet as brother Young.—For my own part I am willing to receive him whom the Lord has set apart to lead this people. The question would now arise who that person is, among all the prophets. For my part, as I am a follower of Brigham, I shall advocate his authority to the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The first evidence I received that Brigham was the true successor of Joseph, was on the day when Sidney set up his claim for the Presidency. Brigham’s countenance, his voice, gestures and everything truly represented the martyred prophet in such a striking manner I shall never forget.—I was convinced by the spirit of the Lord that the mantle of Joseph had fallen on Brigham.

From that day to this I have all the time seen undisputable evidence of the course that church has taken is pleasing in the sight of the Lord. I have had every opportunity to see the course President Young has taken to promote the interest of this people. He is kind, merciful and forbearing, when there is any hopes of reformation. His course has ever been steadfast. The confidential friend of Joseph, and the man Joseph did place in charge to guide the church, and to carry out the measures and designs contemplated by Joseph.

I have the testimony of mother Smith, while in private converse with Joseph and the Twelve.—Now, said he, I am going to take my rest for a while, and I now place upon your shoulders the responsibility of bearing off the kingdom. Little did I think, said she, he was going to be martyred. She closed her remarks by bursting into tears.

I have no doubt but you feel honest in your opinion, but honesty may not always prove a man right. Many of the sectarians are honest as we are in their religion, but their sincerity will not save them.

Do not be offended when I show you the rock on which you ran aground. You recollect the word went out by Benson and Grant for the saints to gather to the Valley, en mass. This you did not comply with, which you might have done. Remember that the disobedience of one commandment will pave the way for a false spirit to enter. When once entered it will lead to every wrong imagination, and it is not easy to discern the difference. Satan is ingenious. He will come with many truths.—Where it not so, no one would believe him. Paul said: Many spirits are gone out into the world, therefore try them. Now if they were easily discerned there would be no need to try them, for it would be visible to every one.

You cited us to the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. All who have come out since the beginning have dealt largely on the Book of Covenants, the Book of Mormon, Bible, &c. All these are good, but the spirit of God is ahead of all of them; it is continual progression, hence the stream is never as high as the fountain.

The valley of the mountains is the place for the people of God to gather to, where the house of the Lord is to be raised in the tops of the mountains, where all nations are to gather to. This is truly the chambers where the people are to be hid in when the overflowing scourge shall pass. Our strength is the mountain of rocks.

According to the signs of the times the calamities have commenced. War, famine and pestilence have begun to make their appearance in various parts of the world. Remember that the day is not far distant when war will be poured out upon all nations, and our own beloved land will be deluged in blood, and he that will not take up his sword against his neighbor must needs flee to Zion. Therefore I would advise and exhort you to tarry not in all the plain, lest sudden destruction await you.

I would like to write many things to you, but I cannot do it in one letter. I would like to give you a description of the country, &c. The valleys are rich and very productive. It is far superior to Illinois or Missouri for wheat, and corn grows well. Potatoes are raised in any quantity. There is also abundance of fish. The public work is rapidly progressing.—Every one seems willing to pay their tithing. The work is rolling on with rapidity. The elders are in almost all parts of the earth, gathering out the honest in heart. Truly the fig tree begins to show forth the signs of our redemption. When you see these things, lift up your heads and rejoice.

Sarah, my second wife, has two daughters. One is 27 months old, the other 3 months. Mother knows no difference between Sarah’s children and her own.

I want you to write to us as soon as you receive this. Speak freely. You are speaking to your friends; those who feel for your present and eternal welfare. Look well to who you follow, lest sorrow should overtake you when you think not. We were in great expectation of seeing you and family this fall, but how uncertain are all earthly expectations. My prayer to God is that you may return.

Mother wishes to hear what Jane’s testimony was to convince her of the truth of Strangism.—Please write. Send me something on doctrine, and everything else you can think of that will be interesting to us. I should like to get one of your papers now and then. My family all send their love to you.

Yours in the gospel,

WM. HICKENLOOPER.

REPLY.

St. James, Mich., July 25, ’55.

DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER:--I take my pen in hand after so much delay, to answer your letter, dated May 25th, which came to hand the 10th inst. It found us all well, and enjoying a glorious Conference meeting. I received letters from Belinda, Horace and Stephen.

I shall, in answering you, endeavor to take up each question by itself, and look at it carefully, as far as doctrinal points are concerned. One is induced to believe in Strang, another Baneemy, another Gladden Bishop, another Rigdon, another Brewster. These are all zealous in their own way.

Now the question is, say you, are all right, or are some wrong? I answer, no; there can be only one right way; there can be a legion wrong ways. How then shall we try them? By the written word, is the reasonable conclusion. This is the only means by which we can solve these questions.

We all may say we are possessed with the holy spirit. So the professor of any religion, no matter how erroneous, will not in any wise admit he is devoid of the holy spirit. So we see that if it is better than the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants, as you have related, nevertheless it must be in accordance with the written word of God, as is found in any of those books.

Now let us carefully examine the word of God, as it is recorded, not anybody’s assertion, and see if any of the above individuals have come in by the door. And while we are going through with the examination, we will class Brigham Young with the rest, and try him also by the word, and see who it is that is weighed in the balance and found wanting.

“And this ye shall know assuredly, that there is none other appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations, until he be taken, if he abide in me.”—D. & C. sec. 14, par. 1. As much as to say that when or at the time he was taken there is another appointed.

Now we will see how many pretended to receive revelations before Joseph’s death. Baneemy claims to have been appointed ten years before. Gladden Bishop claimed to have received revelations eight or ten years before, and was tried and cut off from the church, as was well known.—Brewster claimed to have received revelations some few years before his death, and his father took him to show his revelations to Joseph, and god reproved. Sidney ceased to go in accordance to the word of the Lord through Joseph in the time of his life, and for several years before the prophet was martyred, as was well known to the church; for Joseph was heard repeatedly to say he had carried him on his back as long as he would. Yet he stood as Joseph’s counselor at his death—stood the highest in authority—yet he did not claim to have been appointed, but rather wished to be chosen guardian for the church. Consequently we will set them all down as usurpers.

Now the question at issue is, which of the two, Mr. Young or Mr. Strang, or whether either.—Mr. Young stated at the August Conference that Joseph stood in his own place, and always will.—He also said the Twelve stand in their own place, and always will. Then, I ask, why was brother David Patten’s place filled by another? And if the High Priests and Seventies stand in their place, and always will, where, I ask, will the priesthood be then when this generation is dead? We draw the inference that it will be where it was when or after the Apostles fell asleep—gone to heaven, and the church into the wilderness, to be consigned to Popery.

He also stated or made this broad assertion: Let no one presume for a moment that the place of Joseph will be filled by another. When God has said, expressly, (if Joseph be true,) that if he (Joseph) be taken, I (the Lord) will plant another in his stead.—Sec. 11, p. 4. Now another is not twelve. Which told the truth, Mr. Young or the Lord through Mr. Smith? I shall leave that for you to infer.

I will drop this part at this time, as I treated quite lengthy in my former letter. And as Mr. Young does not nor never did claim to have been appointed by Joseph, neither received the ordination from the hands of angel, but after about four years, in which time he stood with the Twelve to lead, and then was appointed by the minority of the people assembled together at Council Bluffs, I shall show beyond successful contradiction by your own arguments that he is an usurper, and has acted as such ever since Joseph’s death.

In the Deseret News, extra, in a revelation purporting to have come from God through Joseph in 1843, it is stated that there can but one stand on the earth at one time holding the sealing power; which is, of course, the highest authority of the priesthood on earth, that whatsoever power it has to bind on earth it has to bind in heaven, &c. Now admitting your argument to be true for a moment, for argument’s sake, that Joseph did say to the Twelve in private council, a few months prior to his death, that he was going to rest for a while, and I now place upon your shoulders the responsibility of bearing off the kingdom to the nations of the earth, what does it imply? That he conferred that high power upon them equally, of which there can but one stand upon the earth at a time holding it, as is stated in the Deseret News, extra?

And if they equally held it, which they did if the declaration conferred it upon one it did upon them all equally, one as much as the other, why in the name of truth, I ask, did Brigham Young, after standing with the Twelve holding that authority for four years after Joseph’s martyrdom, take the authority to himself, thereby usurping the power to lead the church? Or, in other words, if you claim that Mr. Young held it all the time from the time Joseph was with them in that council unto the present, I ask again which of the two, Mr. Smith or Mr. Young, held it from the time of that council until his (Mr. Smith’s) death?

I wish, if you please, you will answer these questions according to the book. That he placed no more authority upon them than they had before is evident, for from the declaration you say was given to them, it is nothing more than is conferred upon an Apostle, and the responsibility of bearing off the kingdom to the nations of the earth.

So you see he was rather reproving them for not doing their duty. Instead of conferring additional power upon them, they got a reproof for not carrying out that great responsibility that was upon their shoulders of bearing the kingdom to the nations. He had it resting upon him, and gave them to understand he should do their duty no longer. They had it to do themselves; therefore throwing if off from his shoulders. In saying they should bear off the kingdom did not confer power to lead the church.

Because Mr. Young had tried to mimic Joseph for several years before his death, and on his return from Boston after his (Joseph’s) martyrdom even went and got a dentist to take out a tooth on the same side that Joseph lost one, to make himself appear as much like him as possible, that even his voice, gestures and likeness would seem like Joseph, and did, at the August Conference, as you related, which was evidence to you that he was the man Joseph appointed, yet it is no evidence without he had come in at the gate, and been ordained, as the Lord had told Joseph before; which was by angel. Sec. 50, p. 2, 3. Given Sept., 1832.

No person does or ever did set up any claim to have been called by revelation of God, and ordained by the hands of angels as the successor of Joseph in the prophetic office, except James J. Strang.—That he is thus called and sent, he presents strong evidence. And as that is the only mode pointed out in the scriptures and the revelations to come into that office, unless he is the rightful prophet, there is none, and consequently the Mormon institution must fall to the ground.

Mr. Strang’s views in regard to the saints being drawn into narrow places is somewhat like yours, and more especially of that people (if saints they can be called) being in such straitened circumstances that if they are delivered at all it will be by the power and influence of that priest and prophet that God has called by his own voice, and anointed and sent under the hand of his angels, and said to him that he should bring salvation when there was no arm to deliver, and that he should break the yoke [Page 213] of the unjust ruler; that they should flee away, but the way of peace they should not find.

I hope you will not be offended when I show you the rock upon which we both run aground. You no doubt remember at the August Conference, of 1844, that the question was asked by Brigham Young, after many remarks were made preparatory to the question, whether we would have a prophet, or the Twelve to lead us, or Sidney Rigdon.

You and I there raised our hands in favor of the Twelve, thereby rejecting God’s prophet, whom he had called and sent by the ministering of angels. And God was just, for he is a God of truth, and cannot lie. He was just I say in fulfillment of his sacred and divine word by his servant Joseph, to remove us together with that people out of their place; or, in other words, he promised that if they would adhere to the words of those men whom he appointed to lead them they should not be moved out of their place. D. & C. sec. 103, p. 13. Evidence sufficient to show that even if they did adhere to Joseph’s teachings unto his death, and were not moved out of their place, that after his death they rejected God’s prophet and were moved out of their place.

Heber C. Kimball and others of the Twelve, at the April Conference, 1845, and at other times, said they were the most obedient people that ever existed. Why were they removed out of their place? Was it because the arm of God is shortened, that he cannot save? Or was it because they obeyed the voice of men, whom God did not appoint to be their leaders?

The promise is express that if they will obey they shall not be removed, and if they will not obey they shall be cursed. We were removed, and bitterly have we been cursed. Yes, we had to flee from fire and from the sword; and finally from the cannon’s mouth. I think you remember well the night that we fled before them, in which you carried your sick daughter helpless, yes, in the jaws of death, as it were, on a one horse wagon, wrapped in blankets, who is now my affectionate wife, and is the mother of four lovely and promising children.

We went with the loss of our property, and have wandered in darkness. But thanks be to the Lord, I have beheld the true light upon the Islands, that have waited for his law. Yes, without inhabitant, as the prophet declared of old, for God’s law, and finally is now settling up with the saints, who have the law of the Lord recorded in a book, that they may read it all their days, and that it may be written upon their hearts, that they may not forget it.

I must say something upon that rock, as you represented, upon which I run aground. About eight months before Benson and Grant came back to the Bluffs, Orson Hyde gave council for all that were in rather poor circumstances to remove north, and take up claims, and assured them they should be blessed with a plenty of means by so doing to go west with by the time they were required to go, intimating at the time they would stay there several years.

The Bishops also went, in pursuance of his council, to settle the poor on who should come from the old country. Those claims were to be held as church property. In the fall and winter following here came Benson and Grant, hurrah for the Valley, en mass.—For thus saith the spirit, said Orson Hyde eight or ten months before, go north and settle, and you shall be blessed.

Why all this change in opposition? Who don’t know that a man in inferior circumstances can’t go on to a new place and better [?????] tell you how it was. The U. S. officers went there, and Brigham was so harsh with them that on their return to Washington they made unfavorable report, as Brigham well knew it would be. So he sent Benson, Grant and others to gather up en mass, for they feared trouble. Why did they not know by the spirit that they would not have trouble at that time, so as to carry out the former measures? I will tell you. They were led by the spirit, but it happened to be the spirit of man that they were directed by. It is nothing miraculous either that a people who have a man made prophet, should be led by the spirit of man.

Say Jane, “Mother wants to know what evidence I have of the truth of Strangism.” She says the testimony she received under their preaching, and the strong evidence they brought from the scriptures and revelations was one evidence. Another was, she prayed that if it was right the Lord would send a man to buy our place and property, and in a few days a man came would not give it up until he bought it, and first we knew we were ready to start. It was not as it had been formerly, when we tried to fix to go there, all unfavorable, when we were as fervent in prayer as at this time, desiring to do what God would have us to do. This is another evidence.

She says she has another evidence. It was impressed upon her mind that if we did not go to Beaver Island that she would die in a short time. And upon the morning of the day we started, after we got partly loaded up, the devil told us we had better go and make a claim and settle down. Bro. Hickey came to our house, he being the Apostle that was sent to preach with us that winter.—He was impressed by the spirit, and spoke out and said that if we did not go she would die, and he should never see her again. She then said this had been the impression of her mind for some months, but she had told no one of it, not even me; but that she then was confident it would be so if we did not obey the voice of the good shepherd, which was to go. We accordingly hitched up and started.

I have mailed you a paper, and shall forward one from time to time. I wish you would send one of the Deseret News occasionally. I shall answer Belinda’s letter. I cannot write all I want to in one letter. Write to us when you receive this. I remain as ever yours affectionately.

S. S. THORNTON.

Joseph Smith on the Trek West

GOING INTO THE WILDERNESS.

The Apostates have boasted so much of carrying out Joseph’s measures that it may not be amiss to give the saints one chapter of his opinions about the Church going to the west.

   The Quincy Whig of Sept. 24th 1842, contains the following, which we believe is the first Revelation ever given for this Church to go into the wilderness. Read it an then read what Joseph says on the subject.

JOE SMITH--If he will listen to a word from us we would advise him to locate his New Jerusalem away to the far west, in the Oregon Country, and there to build his temple and govern the Saints in his own way.  In that case the advantages would be two fold; for himself and followers he would procure peace and quietness; for there would be no danger of their molestation in the enjoyment of their peculiar notions in that distant country: - to the government, the location of himself and followers would be an advantage, because it greatly needs settlers in that region;  and doubtless Government would do something right handsome for Joseph in the grant of a gift of lands, &c, if he would guarantee the emigration of any number of settlers.

REMARKS.--So much hypocrisy, so barefaced an attempt at wholesale murder, has not even been contemplated by another paper in the United States, however servile, mean, debased or licentious.  Locate the Mormons in Oregon, only think of it. After the Society has lost in Missouri, some one or two millions of dollars, besides many valuable lives;-- after they have builded a temple in Ohio at a cost of sixty or seventy thousand dollars, and after they have commenced a beautiful city at an expense of at least two or three millions of dollars in Illinois:  when their numbers in all parts of the world amount to probably between one and two hundred thousand persons, without the least possible chance under the depreciated state of the currency, and the general stagnation of business to dispose of any property, but never mind, go to Oregon! --Take your journey, men, women, and children, on horses, mules and asses, for wagons will not pass over the Rocky mountains this many years to come, and a passage round Cape Horn, of twenty thousand miles, would be too long a trip and too expensive; therefore go on horseback and on mule back, and those who are fortunate enough to escape famine and flood, will have an excellent chance to fight among the thirty or forty tribes of Indians; - and should any get to Oregon, there are from ten to twenty thousand; breeds of all nations, Americans, English, Russian, French, Spanish, New Hollanders, Tahetians, Chinese, &c, who are every thing but refined society, and they will settle the matter of Mormonism, forever, and we, the Editors of the Quincy Whig and all others that believe as we do, will live on the plunder you leave behind as have our contemporaries in Missouri.  

Sense, feeling humanity and kindred consanguinity as members of a great and growing nation would shudder at the thought of even supposing that men women and children, on account of the religion of Jesus Christ should be asked to exile themselves from their happy country, rights and privileges.  Yea strange, wicked, wild and outrageous, would have been considered a proposition for one or two hundred thousand people to abandon ALL for a wilderness five thousand miles off full of savages.  It seems to me that nothing but the heart of a beast, would ever have conceived such a mode of extermination, ruin and death.  

But this much is certain, as said the Apostle of old; “for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height or depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord”--nor willingly from our homes, unless it comes with a thus saith the Lord, though we may meet with Pharaohs, Nebuchadnezars, Neros, Boggses and a host of others equally destitute of compassion or mercy.--Times & Seasons, Oct. 15, 1842.

          Joseph Smith, Editor.

Going to Oregon or going to California we look upon as much the same thing.  California probably has the finest climate but Oregon is the most prosperous country and the easiest of access.  I hope this may settle the question, who is carrying out Joseph’s measures, and who are apostates.  Let not the Apostates any longer steal the livery of the Prophet to serve the Devil in.

But did not Joseph contrive the California scheme a little before his death?  No, nor at any other time.  He contrived  a scheme for twenty-five men without families to take a mission among the Indians and take measures for establishing a stake among them at which they could have the Gospel preached and be taught in the arts of civilization.  Quite another thing from taking out thousands of women and children to perish by famine, flood and Indian war.  What he did devise would have been accomplished before now but for apostate usurpation, and shall be soon in spite of it.

VOREE   HERALD

VOL. 1.] Voree, W. T., Thursday, February, 1846. [No. 3.

“Truth Shall Prevail”

UPDATE:

Let us not think for a moment that Brighamites would allow Joseph Smith to remain ambiguous on the topic. They would soon be able to produce an earlier contradictory statement in the form of the now discredited Rocky Mountain Prophecy. What other evidence of their appointment by God will they find pencilled into the margins of history next?

The Testimonies of the Smith Family and Church Leaders to the Calling of James J. Strang

Mrs. Lucy Smith's Testimony. 

In a letter of Lucy Smith, the mother of the prophet Joseph, to Ruben Miller.

Nauvoo, May 11, 1846.

My Dear Son-

For so I must call you; as the church has passed through much affection, and it pains my heart that it should suffer more. The Twelve (Brighamites) have abused my son William, and trampled upon my children, and have also treated me with contempt. Now mark it, these men are not right. God has not sent them to lead this kingdom. I am satisfied that Joseph appointed James J. Strang. It is verily so. Now, Brother Reuben, I exhort you for the love you have for the truth, to hear my voice, and warn the saints concerning these things, and your reward shall be doubled in the heavenly world. 

This from your mother, Lucy Smith,

"Mother in Israel."

This is to certify that we, the undersigned. members of the Smith family, fully accord with the sentiments expressed above.

W.J. Salisbury,

Catherine Salisbury,

Arthur Milliken,

Lucy Milliken.

William Smith's Testimony.

William Smith was the brother of Joseph Smith and one of the twelve Apostles at the time of Joseph's death.

I have, since I returned to Nauvoo last, been apprised for the first time of an appointment made by brother Joseph to James J. Strang.

On hearing this I took pains to gather all the evidence that could be adduced, to see if there was any foundation at all for the claims of Mr. Strang. I called in to see Sister Emma to inquire concerning the appointment. Sister Emma says that Joseph received a letter from Mr. Strang. Hyrum was present, and he called in John P. Green; at first Joseph thought all was not right, but Hyrum thought otherwise. They talked over matters awhile and came to the conclusion that Joseph would write a letter; so Joseph and Brother Green went out for that purpose.

Emma also states that her son Joseph saw a woman come into a room in Far West, Mo. and told him this church would go to Voree; the boy was only eight years old. Joseph, his father, was in jail at the time. The boy remembers the vision, etc. Joseph, before he was martyred, when on his way from the temple hill home, saw a vision, and his mother recollects that when he came home he put his hands upon his eyes and prayed that the vision might pass, and that he stated that he heard as it were music in the heavens, but the notes were low and sad as though they sounded the requiem of martyred prophets.

I remember myself that Joseph said: 'My work is almost done; I feel that I shall rule a mighty host, but not in this world; the wolves are on the scent,; etc. Joseph bid his wife and mother farewell, saying: I am going as a lamb to the slaughter'; this was his impression. And I further state that Joseph did not appoint the Twelve as his successor, and I was in the last council with him and had an opportunity of hearing and knowing his sentiments in regard to these things.

I also heard Joseph say that should the time ever come that Brigham Young and Hover C. Kimbal would lead this church, that they would lead it to hell. This was said in the hearing of sister Emma Smith. The whole Smith family of Joseph stock join in sustaining J. J. Strang.

It is to remembered that, soon after Joseph and Hyrum's death, brother Green died, and he was heard by numerous individuals to say that Joseph had appointed Strang. 

William Smith.

This is to certify that the Smith family do believe in the appointment of J. J. Strang.
William Smith, Patriarch.
Lucy Smith, Mother in Israel.
Arthur Milliken.
Nancy Milliken.
W. J. Salisbury.
Catherine Salisbury.
Sophronia McLerie.
Nauvoo, March 1st. 1846.

The following is a further testimony of William Smith:

WILLIAM SMITH.

The apostates in Nauvoo kept up the story all winter that William Smith, and all the Smith family, would go west with them in the spring; but during all the same period they kept up a continual fire of their small artillery against his moral character.

Apostasy is always alike.  The pseudoes (Pseudo [pronounced su-do,] is of Greek derivation, and signifies false, counterfeit, spurious.)  have the same way of doing business.  They are intending to have William, and all the Smiths, though they have kept up a continual crash of scandal on his devoted head for months past.

When President Strang was in Philadelphia, the Brighamites got an article inserted in the Public Ledger, saying that William did not acknowledge Strang as President or Prophet of the Mormon church.  He immediately called on the editor, and had inserted in that paper a letter from William, in which he not only recognizes President Strang, but states distinctly that God has shown to him, by revelation, that James J. Strang is called of  Him to stand at the head of this dispensation.

Now, the pseudoes, after scandalizing him till his friends hardly dare defend him, have suddenly put out the boast that William was with them.  If he was half as bad as they call him he ought to be.  But for their satisfaction we publish the following:---

"City of Voree, Wisconsin, July 28th, 1846."
"To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."

"Beloved Brethren:--

Inheriting as I do the office of Patriarch by lineal descent from my progenitors, and having been ordained there unto by the First Presidency, and being therefore fully invested with the Patriarchal authority, I deem it necessary at this time to address you a few lines for the confirmation of your faith in the great work of the last days.

As to the claims of brother James J. Strang as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Prophet, Seer and Revelator, I entertain no doubt whatever, as his appointment by my brother Joseph, and his confirmation by angelic administration is in strict accordance with the Law of God by revelation; for so Jehovah hath revealed it to me, and I, therefore, as your spiritual Father, bear witness to you all of the truth of these declarations; and as God has revealed to me his appointment of Brother Strang to said station, and the investing him with all Keys and powers of the Priesthood, I rejoice that I am able to confirm your faith for God is now working gloriously for Zion.

City of Voree, Wis., July 28, 1846.

A Letter of William Smith

Nauvoo, May 11th 1846
Dear Brother Hedlock,

I sit down a few moments to send a line to you, by the hand of Brother fielding.  I have been always on good terms with you, and I hope we ever shall be, but the time has come when all the faithful elders should speak out.  I saw your wife the other day poor and broken hearted; she has now gone to Galena to get a living.  The Twelve and the brethren here have done all they could to ruin her; and gone off and left her to look out for herself, such is the charity of these men.  The Twelve are not the appointed of God, to lead the church. James J. Strang has the appointment, and we have evidence of it.  The whole Smith family excepting Hyrum’s widow uphold Strang, and say this wilderness move is not of God.  Do set the saints in order in England.  My love to all the faithful. The family join in these sentiments.
WM Smith.

John E. Page's Testimony 

John E. Page was one of the twelve apostles at the time of Joseph Smith's death.

My former letter to Brother Strang, acknowledging the theory of his claims, having been published in the [Voree] Herald, I wish to add this testimony to all the faithful; that having visited and traveled with him, and minutely investigated all the evidences produced in his favor, as well as against him, I have been compelled to acknowledge him as a prophet of God placed at the head of this dispensation.

First-Because he alone claims the authority according to the law of God.

Second-Because his conduct is fitting of that high calling.

Third-Because his teachings carry with them the witness of the spirit.

Fourth-Because he produces the proper works of a seer.

Fifth-Because the evidence that he receives revelation from God is stronger than can be produced to the like fact in favor of any other man from the beginning of the world to this present moment.

The Report of High Priest Samuel Shaw

High Priest Samuel Shaw, accompanied by Elder Aaron Hook and others, returned from Nauvoo, and Shaw reported in part of the Mission to that place. This is his report:

They visited brethren wherever they found them on the way, and they nearly all received their testimony. At Nauvoo, the nature of their mission transpired the first Sunday after arrival and created a tremendous excitement. They applied for permission of those in possession to address the people in the Temple. To this they received no definite answer.

The people followed them and compelled them to preach in the streets. In so doing, they read to them the epistle of James J. Strang, the letter of Joseph Smith, and the testimony of the four witnesses [to the Voree Plates].

Some of the Nauvoo police came out and attempted to get up a riot, but they departed from among the crowd and escaped.

They continued to teach publickly and privately from day to day, and many received the truth from them.

The Sunday following, Moses Smith was suffered to speak to the people in the Temple. A great effort was made to defeat the effect of his words by clamor, ridicule, and out-cry, in the midst of which they voted by acclamation to cut him off from the Church.

Votes were also carried by acclamation to cut off Samuel Shaw, James J. Strang, and Aaron Smith. Shaw was present but not allowed to speak.

This effort was an entire failure. An under-current of better feeling could be seen throughout the congregation. The excitement in the city increased from day and inquiries were frequent.

They also preached in various places round about, and their testimony was received by most of the brethren. Several Elders joined them in preaching. He left the rest of the mission engaged in the work, and very much prospered in turning the brethren to righteousness.

TESTIMONY.

I, Jonathan Sumner, do hereby testify, that I was present at the Conference held in Nauvoo, soon after the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, which was called by those who sought to place Sidney Rigdon at the head of the Church, while in conversation with a squad of Elders talking on the question of Rigdon’s right to lead.--John P. Green, Marshall of the City, said they need not trouble themselves about it, for Joseph had appointed one to stand in his stead.  I asked him why he was not here to take his place.  He said he was not ready, but would be there after a time.  I asked him where he lived; and he said up North a considerable distance.  I asked his name and he said Strang, James J. Strang.  I asked what sort of a man, and he said a young man.  I then asked whether he had ever been in Nauvoo, and he said he had been and that Joseph baptized him.

              JONATHAN SUMNER.
Voree, June 30th, 1846.
     Signed in the presence of,
          Benjamin C. Ellsworth,
          George Eberson,
          Phineas Wright.

Note--John P. Green, died very mysteriously a few days after the statement above made by him.