TO EMMA SMITH
1838 NOVEMBER 4

ALS. Joseph Smith, Independence, Missouri, to Emma Smith, Far West, Missouri, 4 November 1838, 3 pp., RLDS Church Archives, Independence, Missouri.

The conflict between Mormons and Missourians that precipitated the expulsion of the Saints from Jackson County in 1833 flared again in northern Missouri in 1838. Beginning with an election-day confrontation at Gallatin, Daviess County, on 6 August, acts of violence, fed by bigotry and misunderstanding, proceeded in somber succession, culminating on 27 October with Governor Lilburn Boggs's order to militia units that "the Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State." Three days later an army of some twenty-five hundred state militia, led by General Samuel D. Lucas, approached the Mormon community of Far West with its five hundred defenders for what appeared to be a final showdown.532

On 31 October, in an effort to defuse the tense situation, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, and George W. Robinson approached the camp of General Lucas under a flag of truce only to be seized and held as prisoners.533 Parley P. Pratt recalled: "We were marched into camp surrounded by thousands of savage looking beings, many of whom were dressed and painted like Indian warriors. These all set up a constant yell, like so many bloodhounds let loose upon their prey, as if they had achieved one of the most miraculous victories that ever graced the annals of the world."534

The next day, after Hyrum Smith and Amasa Lyman were also confined and an order to execute the prisoners was refused by General Alexander Doniphan, General Lucas ordered his men to take the Mormon leaders to his fourth division militia headquarters in Independence, where they arrived on 4 November in the midst of a driving rain. Parley Pratt described the situation: "We were provided with a comfortable house, and a noble fire, as the storm was very severe. There we spent the time in conversation with the throngs who flocked to see us until supper, when we were guarded to a hotel and a splendid supper was set before us. After refreshing ourselves we were guarded back to our house and provided with papers and writing materials and candles and Br. Smith, Br. Robinson and myself now sit at the same stand scribbling each to our respective families while Brs. Wight, Rigdon, Hiram Smith, and Br. Lyman are in conversation with the visitors and guards. . . . Indeed were it not for the absence of our families we should almost forget that we are prisoners. We believe that this journey saved our lives from the hands of furious men and will result in good."535

The following is the letter written by Joseph Smith to his wife on this occasion:

November 4th 1838
Indipenda[n]ce Jackson Co Mo

My dear and beloved companion, of my bosam, in tribulation, and affliction, I woud inform you that I am well, and I am that we are all of us in good spirits as regards our own fate, we have been protected by the Jackson County boys, in the most genteel manner, and arrived here in <the> midst of a splended perade, this a little after noon, instead <of> going to J goal [jail] we have a good house provided for us and the kindst treatment, I have great anxiety about you, and my lovely children, my heart morns <and> bleeds for the brotheren, and sisters, and for the slain <of the> people of God, I Colonal Hinkle,536 proved to be a trator, to the Church, he is worse than a hull537 who betraid the army at detroit, he decoyed <us> unawares God reward him, I Jhon Carl538 told <general Wilson> was a going told general, wilson,539 that he was a going to leave the Church, general Willson says he thinks much less of him now then before, why I mention this is to have you careful not to trust them, if we are permited to be stay any time here, we <have> obtained a promice that they we may have our families brought to us, what God may do do for us I do not kow know but I hope for the best always in all s circumstances although I go unto death, I will trust in God, what outrages may be committed by the mob I know not, but expect there will be but little <or> no restraint Oh may God have mercy on us, [p. 1] when we arrived at the river last night an express came to gene[r]al Willson from geneal Clark of Howard County540 claiming the right of command ordering us back where <or what place> God only knows, and there is some feelings betwen the offercers,541 I do not know where it will end, it <is> said by some that general Clark, is determined to exterminateng God has spared some of us thus far perhaps he will extend mercy in some degree toward us <yet> some of the people of this place have told me that some of the mormans may settle in this county as others <men> do the peg I have some hopes that some thing may turn out for good to the afflicted saints, I want you to stay where you are untill you here from me again, I may send for you to bl bring you to me, I cannot learn much for certainty in the situation that I am in, and can only pray for deliverance, untill it is meeted out, and take every thing as it comes, with patience and fortitude, I hope you will be faithful and true to every trust, I cant write much in my situa[t]ion, conduct all matters as your circumstances and necesities require, may God give you wisdom and prudance and sobriety which <I> have every reason to believe you will, those little <childrens> are subjects of my meditation continually, tell them that Father is yet alive, God grant that he may see them again Oh Emma for God sake [p. 2] do not forsake me nor the truth but remember me, if I do <not> meet you again in this life may God grant that we may <may we> meet in heaven, I cannot express my feelings, my heart is full, Farewell Oh my kind and affectionate Emma I am yours forever your Hu[s]band and true friend

[Joseph Smith, Jr.]

To Mrs Emma Smith
Far West Mo
Coldwell Co. Mo-