TO EMMA SMITH
1842 AUGUST 16

FC. Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, to Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, 16 August 1842, in "The Book of the Law of the Lord," MS, pp. 173-75, in hand of William Clayton, LDS Church Archives.

When an unknown assailant shot Lilburn W. Boggs at his Independence, Missouri, home on 6 May 1842, seriously wounding the Missouri ex-governor, the Mormons became prime suspects because of Boggs's role in driving the Saints from that state four years earlier. Upon recovering sufficiently, Boggs accused Joseph Smith and Orrin Porter Rockwell of the crime and urged Missouri authorities to extradite them to Missouri for trial. His request fell upon receptive ears, and on 8 August Joseph Smith and Porter Rockwell were taken into custody in Nauvoo by an Adams County deputy sheriff sent by Illinois Governor Thomas Carlin. Sensing the danger of his situation, Joseph immediately appealed to the Nauvoo municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus. In the face of this complication, the sheriff departed for Quincy to determine the legality of the Nauvoo court to act in the case. Upon his departure, he left the arrested men in the custody of the Nauvoo city marshal but failed to leave the original writ of arrest, the only legal means of detaining the prisoners. Consequently, when the sheriff returned, his prisoners were gone. To Joseph Smith the arrest attempt was a case of harassment with no legal basis. This claim justified his remaining out of sight until the matter could be resolved by an impartial court.

On 11 August while in hiding with his Uncle John Smith across the Mississippi River in Zarahemla, Joseph sent word for trusted friends to meet him on the island in the river that night. At this meeting, those in attendance decided that the Prophet should be taken to Edward Sagers's place via the river and Wiggins's farm on the northeast outskirts of Nauvoo. While there on the 16th, word came of the sheriff's renewed determination to serve his warrant, even if he had to "search every house in the city" to do it.643 In the face of increased danger, plans were made for Joseph to leave on a moment's notice for the Wisconsin pine country.644 In this setting, Joseph wrote on August 16 to his wife Emma and to Wilson Law, recently appointed major general of the Nauvoo Legion's first cohort.

Nauvoo, August 16, 1842.

My Dear Emma:—

I embrace this opportunity to express to you some of my feelings this morning. First of all, I take the liberty to tender you my sincere thanks for the two interesting and consoling visits that you have made me during my almost exiled situation. Tongue cannot express the gratitude of my heart, for the warm and true-hearted friendship you have manifested in these things toward me. The time has passed away since you left me, very agreeably; thus far, my mind being perfectly reconciled to my fate, let it be what it may. I have been kept from melancholy and dumps, by the kind-heartedness of brother [Erastus] Derby, and his interesting chit-chat from time to time, which has called my mind from the more strong contemplations of things, and subjects that would have preyed more earnestly upon my feelings. Last night in the night brother Hyrum, [George] Miller, [William] Law, & others came to see us. They seemed much agitated, and expressed some fears in consequence of some manouverings and some flying reports which they had heard in relation to our safety; but after relating what it was, I was able to comprehend the whole matter to my entire satisfaction, and did not feel at all alarmed or uneasy. They think, however, that the Militia will be called out to search the city, and if this should be the case I would be much safer for the time being at a little distance off, until Governor Carlin could get weary and be made ashamed of his corrupt and unhallowed proceedings. I had supposed, however, that if there were any serious operations taking by the governor; that Judge [James H.] Ralston or Brother [David S.] Hollister would have notified us; and cannot believe that any thing very serious is to be apprehended, untill we obtain information from a source that can be relied on. I have consulted wether it is best for you to go to Quincy, and see the Governor; but on the whole, he is a fool; and the impressions that are suggested to my mind, are, that it will be of no use; and the more we notice him, and flatter him, the more eager he will be for out destruction. You may write to him, whatever you see proper, but to go and see him, I do not give my consent at present. Brother Miller again suggested to me the propriety of my accompanying him to the Pine woods, and then he return, and bring you [p. 173] and the children. My mind will eternally revolt at every suggestion of that kind. More especially since the dream and vision that was manifested to me on the last night. My safety is with you, if you want to have it so. Any thing more or less than this cometh of evil. My feelings and council I think ought to be abided. If I go to the Pine country, you shall go along with me, and the children; and if you and the children go not with me, I don't go. I do not wish to exile myself for the sake of my own life, I would rather fight it out. It is for your sakes, therefore, that I would do such a thing. I will go with you then, in the same carriage and on Horse back, from time to time, as occasion may require; for I am not willing to trust you, in the hands of those who cannot feel the same interest for you, that I feel; to be subject to the caprice, temptations, or notions of anybody whatever. And I must say that I am pre-possessed somewhat, with the notion of going to the Pine country any how; for I am tired of the mean, low, and unhallowed vulgarity, of some portions of the society in which we live; and I think if I could have a respite of about six months with my family, it would be a savor of life unto life, with my house. Nevertheless if it were possible I would like to live here in peace and wind up my business; but if it should be ascertained to a dead certainty that there is no other remedy, then we will round up our shoulders and cheerfully endure it; and this will be the plan. Let my horse, saddle, saddle-bags, and valice to put some shirts and clothing in, be sent to me. Let brother Derby and Miller take a horse and put it into my Buggy with a trunk containing my heavier clothes, shoes and boots, &c. and let brother Taylor accompany us to his fathers, and there we will tarry, taking every precaution to keep out of the hands of the enemy, untill you can arrive with the children. Let brother Hyrum bring you. Let Lorain [Lorin Walker] and brother [William] Clayton come along and bring all the writings and papers, books and histories, for we shall want a scribe in order that we may pour upon the world the truth like the Lava from Mount Vesuvius. Then, let all the goods, household furniture, clothes and Store Goods that can be procured be put on the Boat, and let 20 or 30 of the best men that we can find be put on board to man it; and let them meet us at Prairie Du Chien; and from thence, we will wend our way like larks up the Mississippi untill the touring mountains and rocks, shall remind us of the places of our nativity, and shall look like safety and home; and then we will bid defiance to the world, to [Thomas] Carlin, [Lilburn] Boggs, [John C.] Bennett, and all their whorish whores, and motly clan, that [p. 174] follow in their wake, Missouri not excepted; and until the damnation of hell rolls upon them, by the voice, and dread thunders, and trump of the eternal God; then, in that day will we not shout in the victory and be crowned with eternal joys, for the battles we have fought, having kept the faith and overcome the world. Tell the children that it is well with their father, as yet; and that he remains in fervent prayer to Almighty God for the safety of himself, and for you, and for them. Tell Mother Smith that it shall be well with her son, whether in life or in death; for thus saith the Lord God. Tell her that I remember her all the while, as well as Lucy and all the rest; they all must be of good cheer. Tell Hyrum to be sure and not fail to carry out my instructions, but at the same time if the Militia does not come, and we should get any favorable information, all may be well yet. Yours in haste, your affectionate husband until death, through all eternity for evermore,

Joseph Smith

P. S. I want you to write to Lorenzo Wasson, and get him to make affidavit to all he knows about Bennett and forward it. I also want you to ascertain from Hyrum wether he will conform to what I have requested. And you must write me an answer per bearer, giving me all the news you have, and what is the appearance of things this morning.

J.S.