William B. Smith
Far West Mass Meeting, 30 March 1879
William B. Smith
MASS MEETING AT FAR WEST, MO
30 March 1879
Joseph [Smith III] and Henry [A. Stebbins, Secretary]: - Meeting held at Far West on the Temple lot, - as per notice in a previous letter. March 30th, at 11 o'clock met on the temple ground; a fair representation of the Saints from the vicinity of the place where, over forty years ago, a corner stone was laid for the purpose of rearing a temple unto the name of the Most High God. Previous notice having been given of this meeting, by the presiding Elder of the Far West branch in sufficient time for outsiders as well as for the Church in the vicinity to have due notice of the services, brethren were in attendance from the Delano branch, and from all parts of the adjacent country, to be on the ground at the beginning of the service. Notice was also given that William B. Smith, a brother of the Martyred Prophet would speak to the people, standing upon the corner stone that was laid upon the temple lot. This notice, and appointment brought in a large percentage of the outside world, to witness what might be said by the prophet's brother, upon so conspicuous an occasion. I am happy to state that those citizens present, who do not claim a kindred fellowship with us in the Church, seemed to take a deep interest in the meeting, and listened with attention to the preached word, and at the closing up of the meeting voted with the Saints in the adoption of certain resolutions, which were read at the closing of the services; a copy of which I herewith send to the Herald.
At 11 o'clock I took my stand upon the corner stone, after singing, and a prayer by Bro. Thomas J. Franklin. I read from 1 Cor. 15:29. "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?"
In connection with this statement made by Paul on the subject of baptism for the dead, I called the attention of the congregation to Paul's testimony, to his Ephesian brethren, on the dispensation of the fullness of times, Eph. 1:10. Showing that the doctrine of baptizing for the dead must have been at some previous time in the history of the ancient Church of Christ, an ordinance in the church. But, as by some means this subject of baptism for the dead had been lost from the knowledge of the world, it might be expected that in the dispensation when all things, both in heaven and upon earth, should be gathered in one, that this ordinance would again be restored to the Church. It wag for this reason also, that these Saints of latter days build temples, in order to prepare a place for the administration of ordinances that belong in the order of the holy priesthood. And it was for this object also, that this corner stone was planted in this town of Far West, under the direction and superintendency of Joseph, the Martyr, in 1836-37 [1838]. Here still lies this corner stone upon this sacred spot of earth, once dedicated to God by solemn prayer. And still the Lord's dwelling place is here, as in all the congregations of the Saints; and the time will come when God's name will be honored here and upon this sacred spot of earth, in a temple reared up by human hands in honor to his name. For God's purposes ripen fast, and all his words must and will be fulfilled. In his own due time will all these things be accomplished.
In conclusion of my remarks in the forenoon session, I read from Book of Covenants, page three hundred and twenty-six, to the closing paragraph of Joseph Smith's letter written on the subject of baptism for the dead, and the welding together of the links of the present and past dispensations; holding the keys of power in the knowledge to be revealed concerning our dead; and the means by which salvation might reach them, that they with us might be made perfect and saved with us in the kingdom of God.
Meeting was dismissed by singing and prayer for intermission of one hour for lunch.
At two o'clock preaching again assisted by Bro. Bozarth, Elder Terry and Elder Gomer Griffiths. Elder Bozarth opened meeting by prayer; after which Elder Terry from the Delano Branch, preached a most interesting discourse From James 1:22, 23. He was followed by Elder Gomer Griffiths. After them I made some concluding remarks concerning Zion and the promised land, as pointed out by the prophets, and given by God as portrayed in the blessing of Jacob upon his son Joseph, many thousand years ago. And further, in token that the mob spirit had so far disappeared from the State of Missouri as to offer an asylum of peace for the Church in this land of Far West; and to give a fuller expression of the feeling and sentiment of the Church at Far West and of the people generally, the following preamble and resolutions were read to the people assembled, and placed before them for acceptance, or to be rejected, as the case might be. Liberty was given for remarks. Elder W. T. Bozarth rose and said, that the subject matter set forth in the resolutions offered by Bro. William B. Smith, met his hearty approval, and that so far as he understood the sentiments and feelings of the Church, the preamble and resolutions correspond to the teachings and doctrine taught by the leaders and heads of the Church, and therefore he would move that the preamble and resolutions be adopted by this meeting. The motion being duly seconded, it was put to vote and carried unanimously, the outside world taking part in the voting. The assembly adjourned to meet again at some future time at the same place, as the good Lord in his providence might direct. "Give us room that we may dwell" was sung, making the air resound with the music of one the glorious songs of Zion. Brother Bozarth offered the closing prayer.
The following is a copy of the preamble and resolutions passed at a mass meeting, held at Far West, by the Church, and the people of Caldwell county, Missouri, Sunday, March 30th, 1879:
"Whereas, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was expelled from the State of Missouri in 1838-39, by executive authority under mob rule; and whereas, the Church of the Saints having entered many thousand acres of land for which they paid their money in silver and gold, in this county of Caldwell; and, whereas, the Saints after having expended hundreds of thousands of dollars in the purchase of lands, mailing improvements, building houses, and devoting much labor in opening new farms among strangers, and in a strange land; and, whereas, according to the sacred order of our Church government, we, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, assembled here to-day, en masse, do most sincerely regret our losses, and the great sacrifice of life and property, that fell to the lot of the Church that we are here to-day to represent; and, whereas, we, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, esteem this spot of earth sacred; this Temple Lot where lies this corner-stone, that was laid with honors due to the sacredness of those Church rights and ordinances, wherein the worship and name of God are revered; not only in temples built with human hands, but honored and revered in the hearts of all men who are true believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ; and, whereas, this corner stone was laid here on this Temple Lot, over forty years ago, and consecrated to God by solemn prayer; and at a time when the blood of the Saints was made to drench this Missouri soil, in a land of boasted freedom, and yet by mob rule the Church of Christ was driven to seek an asylum in a more congenial clime; and, whereas, the principal causes that led to this expulsion of the Saints from this county of Caldwell and State of Missouri, have ceased to exist, since the emancipation of slaves, from the State; and, whereas, a more civilized spirit has taken possession of the masses of the people of the State of Missouri; therefore,
"Resolved, that this meeting of the citizens of Caldwell county and Church of Jesus Christ, invite our brethren in the east and elsewhere, to emigrate to this land and secure their inheritances in Zion, by purchase; and, further,
"Resolved, that we, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, are a separate und distinct class of worshippers from that body of Mormons located in Utah, known as the Polygamic Mormons; and, further,
"Resolved, that we, as the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, deem it proper that we embody in these resolutions, for the benefit of our neighbors, and the world of mankind generally, the fact, that we, as a Church, have no fellowship whatever for that class of people, as we regard them as apostates from the faith; and therefore not worthy the confidence of any people. And further,
"Resolved, that these resolutions and the minutes of this meeting be sent to the Herald Office, at Piano, Illinois, with the request that they be published in the Herald for the benefit of the Saints abroad; as there is now a good time for those who wish to locate near the temple ground, on easy and cheap terms for obtaining farms. There are also splendid locations near the City of Far West that are now for sale, that have not been moved by the plow for many years. And for timber there is plenty of it; and water. Come then, ye Saints of latter days, and possess the goodly land by purchase, and none to molest or make you afraid."
These facts I know. Amen. Wm. B. Smith.
[Herald, Vol. 26 (1879): 355-356.]
For more information on facilities and events at the Far West Cultural Center:
