Quincy Adams Cty Ill
Sept 18th 1839
Dear Friends: Having an opportunity to send by [- -] requires I sit down to give you a sketch of Mormon history. respecting their troubles in Missouri, you have probably read many articles in the papers, but through that channel you cannot become acquainted even with the features of their story The record of the Court is perhaps the only source in Missouri from which the particulars of the transactions in Caldwell county [- - - -] could be obtained, and they are purposefully kept from the [people] to [- - -] for a book that
that as now being published upon the subject of Mormonism in Missouri to furnish you with a regular chain of events I send the account entitled "Mormons vis. So Called" which you may rely on as a correct statement of the difficulties of that people in Jackson county. That they were there persecuted for their belief I can never pretend to deny, as they were not guilty of crimes or misdemeanors. that could render them obnoxious to the people of that county, and if it had been the forces of that county only that they would have had to contend with, then arms would not have been surrendered. Though demanded
by Lieut. Genr. Pitcher at the head of the militia They apprehended that other counties with the countenance of high authority would oppose them if they persisted in maintaining their rights and their fears were not groundless it being subsequently ascertained by confession of Lilburn W. Boggs then Lieut. Governor and residing at Independence, Jackson Co. that it was by his direction that Coln. Pitcher acted in disarming the Mormons This confession was made at the close of a protracted and tedious military trial, ordered by Gov. Dunklin to break Pitcher, and it was [started] as the only alternative
to save him.
On the flight of the Mormons from Jackson the humane citizens of Clay county granted them a home on condition that when respectably and respectfully notified that the community wishd their removal they should comply without resistance. In the winter following Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, and David Whitmer travelled to Kirtland, Ohio, to devise means with the leaders there for the redemption of Zion. (Jackson Cty) A Revelation was received which says in continuation after complaining of the "Jarrings and contentions and strifes and lustful
and covetous desires among" the church in Zion. "And now I will show unto you a Parable that you may know my will concerning the redemption of Zion: A certain nobleman hase a spot of land very choice; and he said unto his servants, go ye into my vineyard, even upon this very choice piece of land and plant twelve olive trees and set watchmen round about them and build a tower that one may overlook the land round about to be a watchman upon the tower, that mine olive trees may not be broken down when the enemy shall come to spoil and take unto them
selves the fruit of my vineyard. Now the Servants of the Nobleman went and did as their lord commanded them" But it seems by the parable that the servants after a while, began to murmur and were slothful and "hearkened not unto the commandment of their lord - and the enemy came by night and broke down the hedge, and the Servants of the Nobleman arose, and were affrighted and fled and the enemy destroyed their works and broke down the olive trees" After upbraiding his servants for their disobedience. "the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his Servants, 'Go and gather
together the residue of my servants who are the strength of mine house which are my warriors, my young men and they that are of middle age also, among all my servants who are the strength of mine house save those only whom I have appointed to tarry and go ye straightway into the land of my vineyard and redeem my vineyard, for it is mine I have bought it with money--therefore get ye straightway unto my land; break down the walls of mine enemies; throw down their towers, and scatter their watchmen, and inasmuch As they gather together
against you avenge me of mine enemies that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and possess the land" The lord of the vineyard also says "and this shall be my seal and blessing upon you a faithful and wise steward in the midst of mine house a ruler in my Kingdom
And his Servant went straightway and done all things what soever his lord commanded him and after many days all things were fulfilled"
In accordance with the interpretation of this parable Joseph Smith called for volunteers and collected about 210 "Warriors"