Page:The Rocky Mountain Saints.djvu/75

Rh commanded them to go to Missouri, went there himself, and dedicated to "the Lord" the land "promised to believers for an everlasting inheritance," gave some portion of his time to furnishing the world with an inspired translation of the New Testament, and successfully defended himself in two lawsuits, which were instigated by "the wicked," who "sought to persecute him."

In 1832 the work extended over the States, and many converts were added to the new Church. The missionaries had no compensation, but whenever one was required, Joseph could with the greatest facility call an elder to labour in "the Lord's" vineyard. It was nothing to him at what sacrifice this might be done. It was "a day of sacrifice," and the greater that was the nobler the reward in the world to come. The labour that is hired is limited, but the labour of the Mormon elders was never over. This was the secret of their successful preaching. There was no boundary to their harvest field, they were commanded to "thrust in the sickle and reap," wherever there was a call for help or wherever the Spirit might direct. Thus influenced and undeterred by any difficulty the elders travelled everywhere. They braved every danger, faced a frowning world, rejoiced in tribulation, blessed the Saints, cursed their enemies, and sang and shouted: "The kingdom is come, glory, glory, hallelujah!"

Meanwhile Joseph was not idle. On the 16th of February, while he and Sidney were engaged in the translation of the Bible, they claim to have beheld a great vision. They saw "many things unspeakable and unlawful to be uttered," and at the same time "many great and marvellous things that they were commanded to write while they were yet in the Spirit."

About the end of March, Joseph and Sidney were very roughly treated by a mob who tarred and feathered them both. The mobbers were very cruel, and tried to force some poisonous liquid down Joseph's throat, but the phial was broken against his teeth, and the contents spilt. They then leaped on his chest and trampled him with their feet till they thought he was dead. The Mormon historian says that Joseph's spirit left his body during the outrage, but afterwards returned and re-took possession. Sidney was not served quite so badly,