Settling in Nauvoo - Making Precious Things Plain

Settling in Nauvoo
D&C 124
Smith and Sjodahl said:
“Most of the Saints expelled from
the State of Missouri during the winter
1838–1839, found their way into
Illinois and Iowa. A m ajority of them
went to Quincy, Illinois, about 200
m iles from Far W est, and there they
were kindly and hospitably received.
Governor Carlin of Illinois, legislators,
and private citizens vied with each
other in proffering assistance and
sym pathy.
“Am ong the prom inent citizens
who, at this tim e, extended a helping
hand to the Saints were Daniel H.
W ells, a native of Trenton, New York,
and Dr. Isaac Galland. Daniel H.
W ells was the owner of a tract of land, which he divided into lots and which the exiles were offered,
practically on their own term s. Dr. Galland, also, sold his land at a reasonable price and on the m ost
favorable term s.
“The Prophet arrived at Quincy on the 22nd of April, 1839, and two days after, a Council was
convened and resolutions were passed directing som e of the Saints to go to Zion [Com m erce, which later
becam e Nauvoo], and som e to settle on Dr. Galland’s land, near Com m erce, Ill. This location soon
becam e the central gathering place, and its nam e was changed to Nauvoo.
In the year 1841, when D&C 124 was given, this beautiful city had about 3,000 inhabitants. A charter
had been granted by the Illinois Legislature, by which Nauvoo was given a liberal m unicipal governm ent,
with authority to form a m ilitia and erect a university. A Tem ple was about to be built. The scattered Saints
were gathering, and the settlem ents in Illinois were growing rapidly. The m ission in Great Britain was
highly successful. Such were the general conditions when this Revelation was given. The Church had a
m om ent’s rest. There was calm before the next storm .”
—D&C Commentary, 768
W ilford W oodruff recorded how his fam ily lived when they first cam e to the
Nauvoo area:
“In com pany with Brother Brigham Young and our fam ilies, I left Quincy on
the 15th of May, arriving in Com m erce on the 18th. After an interview with
Joseph, we crossed the river at Montrose, Iowa. President Brigham Young and
m yself, with our fam ilies, occupied one room about fourteen feet square.
Finally Brother Young obtained another room and m oved into it; then Brother
Orson Pratt and fam ily m oved into the sam e room with m yself and fam ily . . .
“It was a very sickly tim e; Joseph had given up his hom e in Com m erce to
the sick, and had a tent pitched in his door-yard and was living in that him self.
The large num ber of saints who had been driven out of Missouri were flocking
into Com m erce, but had no hom es to go to, and were living in wagons, in tents
and on the ground; m any, therefore, were sick through the exposure to which
they were subjected. Brother Joseph had waited on them until he was worn out and nearly sick him self.”
—Cowley, Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life and Labors, 103–104
Joseph Smith Trusted in God
in Temporal Affairs
Philo Dibble said:
Joseph Smith Homestead at Commerce
(Nauvoo)
“W hen Joseph first cam e to Nauvoo, then
called Com m erce, a Mr. W hite living there
proferred to sell him his farm for two thousand
and five hundred dollars. Five hundred dollars of
the am ount to be paid down, and the balance
one year from that tim e. Joseph and the brethren
were talking about this offer when som e of them
said, ‘W e can't buy it, for we lack the m oney.’
“Joseph took out his purse, and em ptying out
its contents, offered a half dollar to one of the
brethren, which he declined accepting, but
Joseph urged him to take it, and then gave each
of the other brethren a sim ilar am ount, which left
him without any. Addressing the brethren he
said: ‘Now you all have m oney, and. I have none; but the tim e will com e when I will have m oney and you
will have none!’
“He then said to Bishop Knight, ‘You go back and buy the farm !’ The bargain was closed and the
obligations drawn up, but how the m oney was going to be raised neither Brother Knight nor the other
brethren could see.
“The next m orning Joseph and several of the brethren went down to Mr. W hite’s to sign the
agreem ent and m ake the first paym ent on the land. A table was brought out with the papers upon it, and
Joseph signed them , m oved back from the table and sat with his head down, as if in thought for a
m om ent. Just then a m an drove up in a carriage and asked if Mr. Sm ith was there. Joseph hearing it, got
up and went to the door.
“The m an said, ‘Good m orning, Mr. Sm ith; I am on a speculation today I want to buy som e land, and I
thought I would com e and see you.’
“Joseph then pointed around where his land lay, but the m an said, ‘I can't go with you today to see the
land. Do you want any m oney this m orning?’
“Joseph replied he would like som e, and when the stranger asked how m uch, he told him five hundred
dollars.
“The m an walked into the house with Joseph, em ptied a sm all sack of gold on the table, and counted
out that am ount. He then handed to Joseph another one hundred dollars saying, ‘Mr. Sm ith, I m ake you a
present of this.’
“After this transpired, Joseph laughed at the brethren and said: ‘You trusted in m oney; but I trusted in
God. Now I have m oney and you have none.’”
—Andrus, They Knew the Prophet, 71–72
Joseph Healing the Sick at Nauvoo:
“A Day of God’s Power”
January 22, 1839
Samuel W. Taylor wrote:
“(Elias) Higbee . . . drove . . . through the heart of the
city to the prophet’s log house near the river . . . The yard
was full of sick people, lying about on quilts and pallets,
sweating with fever while a cloud of mosquitoes, gnats, and
flies preyed on them . . . Tents of new arrivals to Nauvoo
were pitched along the riverbank nearby, and . . . almost
every single tent contained the chills and fever of [malaria].
Emma came to the door and led him inside . . . among sick
people lying in the kitchen and sitting room, then . . . into a
curtained bedroom. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom,
Higbee saw that Joseph himself had been stricken, and
was lying atop the bed sweating with the fever . . . Joseph
opened his eyes. ‘How can I help you, Brother Elias?’ With
an effort he offered his hand. ‘We need more men at the
cemetery, Brother Joseph.’ Joseph sighed. ‘Ah, yes. I can't
lie here while people die. I must attend to the duties of my
office.’
“Clinging to Higbee’s hand, Joseph pulled himself (up)
. . . The prophet braced himself, then led the way from the
bedroom and began administering himself to the waiting
sick, commanding them in the name of Jesus Christ to
arise and be healed. Higbee was awed as one person after
another arose with shining eyes and declared himself
whole. After administering to those in the house and yard, Joseph walked along the bank of the river, healing those
in the tents. Henry G. Sherwood lay seemingly at the point of death, but at Joseph’s command arose and walked.
Benjamin Brown and his entire family climbed from bed when Joseph healed them in the name of the Lord . . .
“Higbee crossed the river with Joseph to Iowa Territory, where at Montrose many of the saints were living . . .
The first quarters visited were those of Brigham Young, who lay prostrate but was healed, and accompanied the
group as Joseph cured other members of the Twelve: Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, and John Taylor.”
—Nightfall at Nauvoo, 36–38
Wilford Woodruff said:
“While I was living in this cabin . . . we experienced, with the Prophet Joseph
Smith, a day of God’s power. . . . On the morning of the 22nd of July, 1839, he arose,
reflecting upon the situation of the Saints of God in their persecutions and afflictions.
He called upon the Lord in prayer, the power of God rested upon him mightily, and as
Jesus healed all the sick around Him in His day, so Joseph, the Prophet of God,
healed all around on this occasion. He healed all in his house and dooryard; then, in
the company with Sidney Rigdon and several of the Twelve, went among the sick lying
on the bank of the river, where he commanded them in a loud voice, in the name of
Jesus Christ, to rise up and be made whole, and they were all healed. When he had
healed all on the east side of the river that were sick, he and his companions crossed
the Mississippi River in a ferry-boat to the west side, where we were, at Montrose. The
first house they went into was President Brigham Young’s. He was sick on his bed at
the time. The Prophet went into his house and healed him, and they all came out
together.
“As they were passing by my door, Brother Joseph said: “Brother Woodruff, follow me.” They crossed the public
square and entered Brother Fordham’s house. Brother Fordham had been dying for an hour, and we expected each
minute would be his last. I felt the spirit of God that was overpowering His Prophet. When we entered the house,
Brother Joseph walked up to Brother Fordham and took him by the right hand, his left hand holding his head. He saw
that Brother Fordham’s eyes were glazed, and that he was speechless and unconscious. After taking his hand, he
looked down into the dying man’s face and said: “Brother Fordham, do you not know me?” At first there was no reply,
but we could all see the effect of the spirit of God resting on the afflicted man. Joseph again spoke, “Elijah, do you
not know me?”
With a low whisper, Brother Fordham answered, “Yes.”
The Prophet then said: “Have you not faith to be healed?”
The answer, which was a little plainer than before, was “I am afraid it is too late. If you had come sooner I think I
might have been.” He had the appearance of a man waking from sleep. It was the sleep of death.
Joseph then said: “Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ?”
“I do, Brother Joseph,” was the reply.
Then the Prophet of God spoke with a loud voice, as in the majesty of Jehovah: “Elijah, I command you, in the
name of Jesus of Nazareth, to arise and be made whole.” The words of the Prophet were not like the words of a
man, but like the voice of God. It seemed to me that the house shook on its foundation. Elijah Fordham leaped from
his bed like a man raised from the dead. A healthy color came to his face and life was manifested in every act. His
feet had been done up in Indian meal poultices; he kicked these off his feet, scattered the contents, then called for
his clothes and put them on. He asked for a bowl of bread and milk, and ate it. He then put on his hat and followed
us into the street, to visit others who were sick. . . . Among the number present were Joseph and Hyrum Smith,
Sidney Rigdon, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith, Parley Pratt, Orson Pratt, and Wilford Woodruff
As soon as we left Brother Fordham’s house, we went into the house of Brother Joseph B. Noble, who was very
low. When we entered the house, Brother Joseph took Brother Noble by the hand, and commanded him, in the
name of Jesus Christ, to arise and be made whole. He did arise, and was healed immediately. The case of Brother
Noble was the last one of healing upon that day. It was the greatest day for the manifestation of the power of God
through the gift of healing since the organization of the Church. When we left Brother Noble’s, the Prophet Joseph,
with those who had accompanied him from the other side, went to the bank of the river to return home.
While waiting for the ferry-boat, a man of the world, knowing of the miracles which had been performed, came to
Joseph and asked him if he would not go and heal twin children of his, about five months old, who were both lying
sick nigh unto death. The Prophet said he could not go; but .. . said he would send some one to heal them; and he
turned to me and said: “You go with the man and heal his children.” He took a red silk handkerchief out of his pocket,
gave it to me, told me to wipe their faces with the handkerchief when I administered to them, and they should be
healed. He also said to me: “As long as you will keep that handkerchief, it shall remain a league between you and
me.” I went with the man, did as the Prophet commanded me, and the children were healed. I have possession of
the handkerchief unto this day.”
—Cowley, Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life and Labors, 104–106
The Prophet’s Example of Forgiveness
In Forgiving Missouri Apostates
His Teachings
The Prophet Joseph Smith said:
“Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready to
forgive our brother on the first intimations of repentance and asking
forgiveness; and should we need forgiveness, our Heavenly Father
would be equally merciful unto us.”
—Address to the Twelve, Tuesday, July 2, 1839, History of the Church, 3:383
“I advise all of you to be careful what you do, or you may by-and-by
find out that you have been deceived. Stay yourselves; do not give
way; don't make any hasty moves; you may be saved. If a spirit of
bitterness is in you, don't be in haste. You may say, “That man is a
sinner!” Well, if he repents, he shall be forgiven. Be cautious; await. When you find a spirit that
wants bloodshed murder the same is not of God, but is of the devil. Out of the abundance of
the heart of man the mouth speaketh.”
—Messages of the First Presidency, 1:222
His Example
During the Nauvoo period, the Prophet had ample opportunity to practice what he had been
preaching when two former apostates came back to him, seeking forgiveness for their actions
in Missouri.
Heber C. Kimball said:
Orson Hyde
“Orson Hyde came to me feeling very sorrowful for the course he
had pursued the past few months; he said it was because of fear
(Brother Hyde was sick just before the Far West troubles
commenced), and now lamented his folly and asked me what he
should do. I told him to give up his school, remove his family and
gather with the Church. He wanted to know if I thought the brethren
would forgive him. I said, 'Yes.' He then asked, 'Will you defend my
case?' And I promised him I would.”
Brother Hyde was forgiven, after a humble confession, and
restored to fellowship. He was also retained in his Apostleship, which he thenceforth magnified
unto the end of his days.
—Life of Heber C. Kimball, 244–245
The Prophet’s forgiveness of W. W. Phelps was even more remarkable, because Phelps
had personally participated in the atrocities at Far West, directing the mobs to the Prophet’s
home, where they threw Emma and the children into the street and took everything of value.
W. W. Phelps now came humbly to the Prophet and begged his forgiveness for what he had
done. The Prophet responded with a heartfelt letter.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said:
“It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your
behavior—-the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was
indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us. One with
whom we had oft taken sweet counsel together, and enjoyed many
refreshing seasons from the Lord-"had it been an enemy, we could
have borne it.” “In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the
day when strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners
entered into his gates, and cast lots upon [Far West], even thou wast
as one of them; but thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy
brother, in the day that he became a stranger, neither shouldst thou
have spoken proudly in the day of distress.”
W. W. Phelps
“However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has
been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. And
having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of
our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of
the adversary, be brought into the liberty of God’s dear children, and
again take your stand among the Saints of the Most High . . .
“Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance
genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of
fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal . . . ‘Come on, dear
brother, since the war is past, for friends at first, are friends again at
last.’ “
—Letter to W.W. Phelps, July 22, 1840, History of the Church, 4:162–164
W. W. Phelps was a firm and loyal friend of the Prophet from that day to the Martyrdom.
Phelps was asked to speak at the funeral where he read one last poem to his good friend the
Prophet Joseph—“Praise to the Man” (Hymns, no. 27). Every time we sing this hymn, or any of
the hymns Phelps wrote, we might remember the lesson on forgiving others which the Prophet
Joseph exemplified so beautifully in his relationship to W. W. Phelps.