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Address delivered at upper floor of Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Ill. on Wednesday November 29, 1843
Source: Manuscript History of the Church
Appeal to Vermont Militia

Joseph Smith, the Mayor, made some remarks, and his Appeal to the Green Mount Boys was read by William W. Phelps.

¶ . . . P. P. Pratt offered to deliver the president's appeal to the "Green Mountain Boys" to all the large towns in New York if he could have a copy. The President offered a copy, and it was voted that Elder Pratt shall have the mission granted him, and voted in addition that he go to all the towns in Vermont. . . .

Joseph Tried to Restrain Violence in Missouri

¶ The Mayor spoke; said he rose to make a confession, that he used all his influence to prevent the brethren from fighting when mobbed in Missouri. If I did wrong I will not do so any more. It was a suggestion of the head, he would never do so again, but when the Mobs came upon you, kill them; I never will restrain you again but will go and help you. . . . 1

¶ Mayor spoke again if I do not stand with those who will stand by me in the hour of trouble and danger, without faltering I give you leave to shoot me.

¶ Mayor read a letter in reply to one he wrote to Henry Clay . . . .

Memorial to Congress - States Rights Evil

¶ Motioned by Joseph Smith that every man in the meeting who could wield a pen write an address to his mother country--carried

¶ Mayor read the Memorial to Congress--The State rights doctrine are what feed mobs,--they are a dead carcass, a stink and they shall ascend up as a stink offering in the nose of the Almighty.

¶ They shall be oppressed as they have oppressed us, not by Mormons but by others in power, they shall drink a drink offering, the bitterest dregs not from the Mormons but from a meaner source than themselves. God shall curse them.

¶ Adjourned till next Monday evening early candle light.

Notes

1. This is hyperbole. Several sermon texts following this address make that clear. Joseph Smith always appealed to legitimate civil authority whenever it could be done. During the Missouri troubles, the Mormons engaged in some offensive actions, but these were provoked by the fears of and the reality of, an alliance with mob and civil authorities. During Smith's tenure in Nauvoo, the Legion was never employed in more than sham battles.

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