- When Wars Come, Flee to Zion — Willard Richards (Between circa June 26 and August 4, 1839)
- Using Strategy and Inspiration to Prevent Loss of Life — History of the Church (August 29, 1842)
- Joseph Smith’s Methods for Fighting Enemies — History of the Church (August 29, 1842)
- Opposition Should Be Expected If Opposing Sin — Eliza R. Snow (August 31, 1842)
- War to Commence at South Carolina — William Clayton (April 2, 1843)
When Wars Come, Flee to Zion — Willard Richards (Between circa June 26 and August 4, 1839)
We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object.— when wars come we shall have to flee to Zion. The cry is to make haste.
Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 4 August 1839, as reported by Willard Richards, p. 70, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Using Strategy and Inspiration to Prevent Loss of Life — History of the Church (August 29, 1842)
I had told them formerly about fighting the Missourians, and about fighting alone. I had not fought them with the Sword, or by carnal weapons; I had done it by stratagem, by outwitting them, and there had been no lives lost, and there would be no lives lost if they would hearken to my Council. Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took Council. None had ever been killed who abode by my Council. At Hauns Mill the brethren went contrary to my Council; if they had not, th lives would have been spared. l had been in Nauvoo all the while, and outwitted Bennett’s associates, and attended to my own business in the City all the time.
History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843], p. 1388, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Joseph Smith’s Methods for Fighting Enemies — History of the Church (August 29, 1842)
They would deliver me up Judas like, but a small band of us shall overcome. We dont want or mean to fight with the sword of the flesh, but we will fight with the broad Sword of the Spirit. Our enemies say our Charter and writs of Habeas Corpus are worth nothing. We say they came from the highest authority in the State and we will hold to them. They cannot be disannulled or taken away. l then told the brethren I was going to send all the Elders away, and when the Mob came there would only be women and children to fight and they would be ashamed. I dont want you to fight but to go and gather tens, hundreds, and thousands to fight for you. If oppression comes, I will then shew them that there is a Moses and a Joshua amongst us; and I will fight them, if they dont take off oppression from me. I will do as I have done this time. I will run into the woods. I will fight them in my own way. I will send brother Hyrum to call conferences everywhere throughout the States and let documents be taken along and show to the world the corrupt and oppressive — conduct of Boggs, Carlin, and others, that the public may have the truth laid before them. Let the Twelve send all who will support the character of the Prophet, the Lord’s anointed, and if all who go will support my character, I prophecy in the name of the Lord Jesus, whose servant I am, that you will prosper in your missions. I have the whole plan of the kingdom before me, and no other person has. And as to all that Orson Pratt, Sidney Rigdon, or George W. Robinson can do to prevent me, I can kick them off my heels, as many as you can name, I know what will become of them. I concluded my remarks by saying I have the best of feelings towards my brethren, since this last trouble began, but to the Apostates and enemies, I will give a lashing every opportunity and I will curse them. During the address an indescribable transport of good feeling was manifested by the Assembly and about 380 Elders volunteered to go immediately on the proposed Mission.
History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843], pp. 1388-1389, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Opposition Should Be Expected If Opposing Sin — Eliza R. Snow (August 31, 1842)
He that will war the christian warfare will have the angels of devils and all the infernal powers of darkness continually array’d against him. When wicked and corrupt men oppose, it is a criterion to judge if a man is warring the christian warfare. When all men speak evil of you, blessed are ye, &C. Shall a man be considered bad when men speak evil of him? No! If a man stands and opposes the world of sin, he may expect all things array’d against him.
Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, pp. 81-82, The Joseph Smith Papers.
War to Commence at South Carolina — William Clayton (April 2, 1843)
Once when prest. Joseph was praying ernestly to know concerning the wars which are to preceed the coming of the son of man, he heard a voice proclaim that the first outbreak of general bloodshed would commence at South Carolina — see Revelation
Instruction, 2 April 1843, as Reported by William Clayton, p. 73, The Joseph Smith Papers.
