JOURNAL ENTRY
1838 MARCH 13

MS Joseph Smith, "Scriptory Book," pp. 16-17, in hand of George W. Robinson, Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Archives.

Feelings against Joseph Smith in Kirtland, Ohio, reached such proportions by January 1838 that Joseph was forced to leave the town to save his life. According to his history, "A new year dawned upon the Church in Kirtland in all the bitterness of the spirit of apostate mobocracy; which continued to rage and grow hotter and hotter, until Elder [Sidney] Rigdon and myself were obliged to flee from its deadly influence. . . . On the evening of the 12th of January, about ten o'clock, we left Kirtland, on horseback, to escape mob violence, which was about to burst upon us under the color of legal process to cover the hellish designs of our enemies, and to save themselves from the just judgment of the law."527 A short time later Joseph and Sidney were joined by their families at Norton, Ohio.

Destitute and traveling in extremely inclement weather, Joseph and his family arrived in Far West, Missouri, on 13 March. A month later he began dictating a record of his experience, beginning with his arrival in Missouri, to his clerk George W. Robinson, who wrote it down in a volume he titled "The Scriptory Book of Joseph Smith Jr., President of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latterday Saints in all the World." Robinson had been appointed general church recorder at a conference in Kirtland the previous September. On 6 April 1838, his appointment was reaffirmed by the vote of the Church in Far West, and in addition he was named "scribe for the first presidency."528Six days later Robinson began writing at Joseph Smith's dictation the volume that has become an important documentary source for events involving Joseph Smith and the Church in Missouri between 13 March and 10 September 1838.

The Scriptory Book consists of journal entries describing the Prophet's activities. These entries are interspersed with copies of revelations, letters, and other documents of historical value. With the exception of the first two pages, the journal portion of the record was written by Robinson as he observed Joseph's comings and goings. The beginning entry, dictated by Joseph Smith, is presented here, followed by a letter to Church leaders still in Kirtland recorded in the same volume dated 29 March.

On the 13th day of March I with my family and some others arrived within 8 milds of Far West and put up at brother Barnerds to tarry for the night. Here we ware meet by an escort of bretheren from the town who came to make us welcome to their little Zion. On the next day as we ware about entering the town Many of the bretheren came out to meet us who also withe open armes welcomed us to their boosoms. We were immediately received under the hospitable roof of George W. Harris*3 who treated us with all kindness possible. here we refreshed ourselves withe much sattisfaction after our long and tedious Journey and the bretheren braught in such necessaries as we stood in need of for our presant comfort and necessities.

After being here two or three days my Brother Samuel arrived with his family an[d] shortly after his arrival while walking with him & cirtain other bretheren the following sentiments occured to my mind.

Motto of the Church of Christ of Latterday Saints

The Constitution of our country formed by the Fathers of Liberty.

Peace and good order in society Love to God and good will to man.

All good and wholesome Laws; And virtue and truth above all things

And Aristarchy live forever! ! !

But Wo, to tyrants, Mobs, Aristocracy, Anarchy and Toryism: And all those who invent or seek out unrighteous and vexatious lawsuits under the pretext or color of law or office, either religious or political.

Exalt the standard of Democracy! Down [p. 16] with that of Priestcraft, and let all the people say Amen! that the blood of our Fathers may not cry from the ground against us.

Sacred is the Memory of that Blood which baught for us our liberty.

Signed
Joseph Smith Jr
Thomas B. Marsh
D. W. Patten
Brigham Youngs
Samuel H. Smith
Geo. W. Robinson
George M. Hinkle
John Corrill