Part 33 (1/2)
Heber's full heart responded as follows:
”O G.o.d, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ wilt Thou bless her with peace and with a long life; and when Thou shalt see fit to take her, let Thy servant go with her; and dwell with each other throughout all eternity; that no power shall ever separate us from each other; for Thou, O G.o.d, knowest we love each other with pure hearts. Still, we are willing to leave each other from time to time, to preach Thy word to the children of men. Now, O G.o.d, hear Thy servant, and let us have the desires of our hearts; for we want to live together, and die, and be buried, and rise and reign together in Thy kingdom with our dear children; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen.”
This tender interchange of affection, be it remembered, was after Heber and Vilate had embraced the principle of plural marriage; a point which fails to sustain the position a.s.sumed by most Christian philosophers, as to the ”brutalizing and debasing effects of Mormon polygamy.”
Here is another little gem of Vilate's, written several years later:
LINES WRITTEN BY VILATE KIMBALL TO HER COMPANION HEBER C. KIMBALL.
”No being round the s.p.a.cious earth Beneath the vaulted arch of heaven, Divides my love, or draws it thence, From him to whom my heart is given.
”Like the frail ivy to the oak, Drawn closer, by the tempest riven, Through sorrow's flood he'll bear me up And light with smiles my way to heaven.
”The gift was on the altar laid; The plighted vow on earth was given; The seal eternal has been made, And by his side I'll reign in heaven.
WINTER QUARTERS, January 17, 1847.”
The last verse of this beautiful little poem delicately tells the whole story of the sacrifice made by this n.o.ble and devoted pair, and the reward of their fidelity in accepting the great principle whose ”seal eternal” had bound them together for time and all eternity.
The Apostles returned from their mission to the east on the 22nd of October, 1843. Heber's purely missionary labors were drawing to a close. The hour of the Prophet's martyrdom was approaching, and upon the shoulders of the Twelve, as the First Presidents of the Church, was about to roll the burden of the kingdom of the latter days.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
HEBER'S LAST MISSION TO THE GENTILES--JOSEPH SMITH A CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES--THE APOSTLES HIS ELECTIONEERERS--THE MARTYRDOM--RETURN OF THE TWELVE TO NAUVOO.
On the 21st of May of the fateful year 1844, Heber C. Kimball left Nauvoo on his last mission to the Gentiles. He accompanied President Brigham Young and other Apostles and Elders, about one hundred in all.
The object of their mission was unique. It was to present to the nation the name of Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the United States.
The steamer _Osprey_, on which the Elders took pa.s.sage for St. Louis, left the wharf at Nauvoo amid the cheers and acclamations of those on sh.o.r.e, who shouted: ”Joseph Smith, the next President of the United States!”
Alas! little knew those faithful souls, who went forth full of hope and patriotism that bright May morning, that they had looked their last upon the living features of their beloved Prophet, whom they were thus offering as a political savior to the nation; that within six weeks, while they were yet absent on their errand, a deed would be done which, for cruelty and atrocity, and for fearful consequences upon the guilty--shedders of innocent blood!--must stand without a parallel in the annals of modern crime.
Doubtless there was a destiny in the absence from the Prophet's side, at such a time, of men like Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young. Of all those about him, upon these men, as upon two pillars of power, Joseph at that time most leaned. Of the original Twelve Apostles, according to the Prophet's own testimony, this twain alone had never ”lifted up their heels against him.” Satan knew best when to strike, and chose the fell moment to lay his fatal snare when Brigham, Heber and others of Joseph's wisest counselors were away. G.o.d had so ordered and permitted.
St. Louis was reached by the Apostles on the 22nd of May. Calling the Church together in that city, Elders Young and Kimball instructed them spiritually and politically. The Saints there numbered nearly seven hundred souls. Thence, a journey of thirteen days brought them to the capital of the nation.
Heber C. Kimball and Lyman Wight were now traveling together.
Following is a digest of their letters to the Prophet, Elder Wight acting as scribe:
”We have got a pet.i.tion signed, with our names attached, in behalf of the Church, asking for a remuneration for our losses, and not for our rights, or redress, for they would not receive such a pet.i.tion from us. It was thought by Judge Semple, Judge Douglas, General Atchison, and Major Hughes, that our pet.i.tion would carry if it was not too late in the season. Judge Semple handed it to the committee on public lands. He said he would do the best he could for us. General Atchison is of the opinion if we could sue the state of Missouri for redress of grievances, that there was virtue enough in the state to answer our demands, 'for,' said he, '_they are ashamed of their conduct_.' Douglas and Semple are of the same opinion. Brother Kimball and myself spared no pains during our stay at Was.h.i.+ngton. We left on the 11th inst. for Wilmington, Delaware. Thence journeying to Philadelphia on the 13th.
”On the 21st we shall attend conference at Wilmington, and go thence to New York and Boston, and so continue from place to place until we shall have accomplished the mission appointed unto us. *
* * Just returned from Wilmington Conference, accompanied by several of the brethren and sisters who went from this place. We can truly say that this was one of the most pleasant trips in our life. We went down on the steamer _Balloon_, and returned by railway.
”Our Conference commenced on Sat.u.r.day, the 22nd. The brethren came in from the adjacent country, and after much instruction from Brothers Kimball and Wight, we took a vote to know whether they would go whithersoever the Presidency, Patriarch and Twelve went, should it be to Oregon, Texas or California, or any other place directed by the wisdom of Almighty G.o.d. The Saints, numbering about one hundred, rose to their feet and exclaimed, 'whithersoever they go, we go,' without a dissenting voice. This was truly an interesting meeting. We have not the least idea that any one will back out; they are nearly all men of wealth and have commenced this morning to offer all surplus property for sale, that whenever you say go, they are ready. We ordained ten as promising young Elders as we ever laid hands upon. They pledged themselves to start this week and go through the state of Delaware from house to house, and proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
”On Sabbath, the 23rd, we preached alternately to a large and respectable congregation, and left the warmest of friends in that place, both in and out of the Church.