Description
Let Them Take Leave
In April 1838, the Lord gave a revelation to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Far West, Missouri, saying, “Let them take leave of my Saints in the city of Far West, on the twenty-sixth day of April next, on the building-spot of my house, saith the Lord.”
When that command had been given, all was calm in Far West. The Saints were enjoying their new homes in a new land—in a county set aside for them. The prospects were encouraging and hopeful, but that fall war broke out between the Saints and their neighbors in Missouri. More specifically, the State of Missouri called up troops and declared war on the Saints.
By the authority of the State’s governor, the Saints were conquered and ordered out of Missouri. In the process, their lands, homes, and property were taken. Men were beaten, women were raped, and children were murdered and abused. The depravity and evil of the mobs were shocking.
In the end, the Saints were driven from the state, Joseph Smith and others were imprisoned in Liberty Jail, and once again, the Saints were refugees. They took shelter in Quincy, Illinois and began to regroup.
But the April revelation still stood. It had not been revoked. Brigham Young now stood as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Should he take his quorum and return to Missouri, or should they count the will for the deed and stay where they were safe? The history states:
“Brigham Young insisted that the apostles return to Far West and fulfill the Lord’s commandment to the letter. Several church leaders in Quincy believed it was no longer necessary for the apostles to obey the revelation and thought it was foolish to return to a place where mobs had sworn to kill the Saints. Surely, they reasoned, the Lord would not expect them to risk their lives traveling hundreds of miles into enemy territory and back when they were needed so badly in Illinois.”
The Twelve discussed it and made the decision to go. President Young said, “The Lord God has spoken. It is our duty to obey and leave the event in His hands.”
It took them seven days to make the journey. Along the way they met Elder John E. Page who was fleeing Missouri with his family. Together, they arrived in Far West on the moonlit night of April 25. Heber C. Kimball stepped out of hiding and greeted them. All was quiet. The city was virtually abandoned and the grass was overgrown in the streets.
As the sun began to rise on the morning of April 26, the Apostles went to the Temple site where they placed a foundation stone, and thereon ordained Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith as members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They conducted other business, then sang the hymn Adam-ondi-Ahman, put the stone back where they found it and left the state.
The commandment stood fulfilled—notwithstanding the danger—the Lord’s will was done. This is faith—going forward in obedience in the face of trial and threat.
Source: Saints Chapter 33
