Joseph Fielding Receives a Letter from Heber C. Kimball with News from America

Transcription

1 The World of Joseph Fielding: Chapter 14 Joseph Writes Hannah from Manchester After eir tearful separation in March, 1839, Joseph Fielding wrote Hannah a letter from Manchester, which began wi e words, All is well, All is well. He added, You know and approve of e work in which I am engaged, and at if you bear e cross wi me, you 1 shall also wear e crown wi me. Joseph en told Hannah of e progress of e missionary work. He had preached ree times on a recent Sunday in Bolton. There were two Primitive [Meodist] Preachers from a distance, one said he would open his door for us at any time, said is was e right way and ere was no oer.... Bo seemed well satisfied. He continued, Pray for me, my love, at I may be faiful and useful, and so shall you do your part in e great and important Work, and we will at last rejoice togeer in e Kingdom of God; never was anying more needed since e world stood an e Gospel is now.... and remember at Joseph is ever e same wheer present or absent, in life or in dea. Joseph Fielding Receives a Letter from Heber C. Kimball wi News from America In early April of 1839, Joseph received a letter from Elder Kimball who told him of e extreme difficulties being faced by e members of e Church in Missouri and at Joseph and Hyrum were still in jail. Joseph wrote, My dear Sisters have had great Affliction rough e Winter. 2 Elder Kimball warned Joseph Fielding at Orson Hyde had reatened to return to England and pull down what he had built up here. Joseph was determined to unite e British saints so at a visit by Orson would not deter em from eir fai. It was clear from is journal entry on April 24 at Joseph had already been informed of Willard Richard s call to e Quorum of e Twelve Apostles, alough Joseph remained president of e mission. He wrote: I desire to do right before God and to be found faiful, since I understand at Broer Richards is to be ordained to e Apostleship, and as he has much greater Fai and Wisdom, and e Lord makes his Will known to him in almost everying. I feel it difficult to act in my Place, as above him yet I durst not give up my Place, ough I feel to be noing myself. 3 Joseph and Hyrum Smi Escape Liberty Jail and Leave Missouri During is same time period of early April of 1839, Stephen Markham carried one hundred dollars to e men in jail in Missouri, who had by is time been moved to Daviess County. Several trials were held, one in which Broer Markham was not allowed to testify, but a second in which he was. After at trial, ten men rushed Stephen and reatened to kill him. Family Preston, Manchester and Liverpool form a triangle wi approximately 30 mile sides.

2 traditions of Stephen Markham s physical prowess are apparently not exaggerated, because Markham told em he could kill e whole of em at one blow apiece, and drove em off... [ey] went home after eir guns to shoot Markham.... Stephen Markham spent at night wi e prophet and oer men in jail, believing it was safer ere an anywhere else. He arose at dawn and left on horseback before e mob returned, staying nearby in e small community of Tenney s Grove where ere were still a few members of e Church. 4 On e night of April 15, after having been transferred to anoer jail in Boone County, e sheriff provided e prisoners wi two horses. Four of e guards deliberately drank whisky until ey fell asleep, and a fif guard helped e prisoners saddle e horses and sent em off in e night. Wiin ten days, Joseph, Hyrum and eir associates arrived in Quincy. However, for e next few weeks e sheriff and guards were treated wi great brutality by e Missourians, alough never convicted of any crime. 5 Apostles Return to Far West, Missouri to Fulfill Prophecy While Joseph Smi was still in jail, e leaders of e Church met in Quincy in April to discuss what to do about e revelation concerning e apostles meeting in Far West on e 26 of at mon. Apostle Wilford Woodruff wrote: The Missourians had sworn by all e gods of eternity at if every oer revelation given rough Joseph Smi were fulfilled, at [one] should not be, for e day and date being given ey declared at it should fail. The general feeling in e Church, so far as I know, was at, under e circumstances, it was impossible to accomplish e word; and e Lord would accept e will for e deed. This was e feeling of Faer Smi, e faer of e Prophet. Joseph was not wi us [at is meeting], he was in chains in Missouri, for his religion. When President Young asked e question of e Twelve, Breren, what will you do about is? e reply was, The Lord has spoken and it is for us to obey. We felt at e Lord God had given e commandment and we had fai to go forward and accomplish it, feeling at it was His business wheer we lived or died in its accomplishment. We started for Missouri. There were two wagons. I had one and took Broer [Orson] Pratt and President Young in mine; Broer Cutler, one of e building committee, had e oer. 6 Elder Taylor wrote at ey returned to Far West via different routes. 7 Shortly after midnight, in e early hours of April 26, Stephen Markham met e apostles at e temple lot in Far West. Several oer members of e Church attended is meeting, including Theodore Turley. During e meeting, ose deemed to be apostates still living in Missouri were Alough reatened wi dea, e apostles, including Wilford Woodruff, agreed to return to Far West on April 26, 1839.

3 excommunicated in abstentia. The list included e names of Isaac Russell and members of his family who had joined e Church in Canada, including his sister Isabella Walton. John Goodson 8 was also among ose excommunicated. All of e apostles present prayed in turn, including Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, John E. Page, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and newly-called George A. Smi, Joseph Smi s cousin. It was a brilliant, moonlit night, and out on e still air ey sang a hymn, Adam-ondi-Ahman, which remains in today s LDS hymnal. Alpheus Cutler, head of e church building committee, rolled a large stone into place at e soueast corner, and en ey adjourned. 9 As ey departed Far West, Theodore Turley saw e home of Isaac Russell. He briefly left e group and knocked on Isaac s door, calling his name: His wife answered, Come in, it is Broer Turley. Russell replied, It is not; he left here two weeks ago, and appeared quite alarmed, but on finding it was Broer Turley, asked him to sit down, but e latter replied, I cannot, I shall lose my company. Who is your company? enquired Russell. The Twelve, replied Broer Turley. Isaac was astonished, and Theodore continued, Yes don t you know at is is e twenty-six, and e day e Twelve were to take leave of eir friends on e foundation of e Lord s house, to go to e islands of e sea? The revelation is now fulfilled, and I am going wi em. 10 Four years later Jacob Peart, by en having emigrated to Nauvoo, would write Isaac Russell, who was remained in Missouri until his dea: And now my noble friend and cousin, I feel to say to you in e name of e Lord, You have left e work. You have turned aside from what you taught me, which has caused me much grief, yea, it has wounded me in e tenderest part, but I have said enough. I forbear. The great part of e Alston Church is now at Nauvoo... The work is rolling on bo in America and e ear.... I should feel glad to see you here. 11 Joseph Smi Returns to His Family in Illinois Upon returning to Quincy, e apostles met e prophet Joseph Smi, who had been greeted amidst e congratulations of [his] friends, and e embraces of [his] family. 12 As Joseph and Hyrum Smi fled eir captors in Missouri, property in and around Commerce, Illinois was purchased from funds obtained from e sale of e Missouri properties handled by Stephen Markham. Joseph Smi and oers began moving ere in May and e area was soon 13 renamed Nauvoo. Many Church members worked on farms and even bought property in Hancock and surrounding counties. In e next few years, several stakes were organized up and 14 down e Mississippi River. The stake in Kirtland was reorganized, where many of ose fleeing Missouri chose to settle. Branches and stakes would soon be organized as far away as Philadelphia, New York and Boston

4 Mary Fielding Smi Writes Her Broer Joseph Fielding in England 16 In June of 1839, Mary Fielding Smi wrote to Joseph and Hannah in Preston. After reporting at she had recovered from her long illness, she added: It is now little more an a mon since e Lord, in his marvelous power, returned my dear husband, wi e rest of e breren, to eir families, in tolerable heal. We are now living in Commerce, on e bank of e great Mississippi river. The situation is very pleasant; you would be much pleased to see it. How long we may be permitted to enjoy it I know not; but e Lord knows what is best for us. I feel but little concerned about where I am, if I can keep my mind staid upon God; for, you know in is ere is perfect peace. I believe e Lord is overruling all ings for our good. I suppose our enemies look upon us wi astonishment and disappointment. Mary sent her letter wi one of e departing missionaries, so it was unlikely at Joseph received it for six mons. Elder Pratt, After Escaping from Prison, Plans to Join e Apostles in England 17 Elder Kimball wrote a letter to Joseph Fielding describing is time period. He told of his joy in finding Elder Pratt in Quincy after Parley s escape from prison. Heber had just relocated his family and belongings to Nauvoo but he returned to Quincy as soon as he heard e news at Parley was free. Heber and Parley worked togeer to move Parley s family to Nauvoo. Their intention was to settle Elder Pratt s family quickly so e two men could leave for e East in order to travel wi e apostles for eir upcoming mission to England. Even at is early date, Elder Kimball spoke to Joseph Fielding of a route of immigration which would prove beneficial to British Saints. He described e location of Commerce in relation to St. Louis and New Orleans, believing at sailing to e Gulf port and traveling to Nauvoo by steamboat up e Mississippi River would only take eight days. Heber had recently traveled by steamboat from Quincy to Nauvoo and had written about his short voyage, including e presence of several Native Americans who traveled alongside e steamer in eir canoes but en boarded e vessel. He described eir sparse dress but casually mentioned at he could speak to em in eir native tongue. Elder Kimball also stated at e work was progressing despite e trials e Saints had faced: The work of God is rolling on in is land in every direction. While I was in Quincy I was baptizing almost every day. I had calls in every direction to preach; I have to plead off and tell em I must go to England. They say, We can t spare you. Elder Kimball ended his letter wi a statement of hope and encouragement: The Saints are flocking from e East in great numbers. We would ink naturally, e Saints would be discouraged. It does not make any difference wi em. The more ey drive e more ey kindle e flame. I want to have you read is to e Saints and tell -221-

5 em to pray for my arrival and my breren. Give my love to all e Saints, and take a great share yourselves. This letter from Elder Kimball to e mission presidency was referenced in Joseph Fielding s journal: Letter from our beloved Broer, H. C. Kimball, dated Quincy, May 30 wi some good news from afar. The Lord is wi his Saints in Mercy as well as judgment. Bro. Joseph & 4 oers were set free from Prison on e 5 of April, and rough e Mercy of God got to Quincy.... The Work is still rolling on; my 2 Sisters well, etc. The news greatly encouraged Joseph. He wrote: The Lord is indeed laying e foundation of a great Work.... The Church has been purifyed by e Afflictions rough which it has had to pass....all ings are going on toward e Accomplishment of e purposes of God. 18 Joseph Fielding Continues wi Missionary Work During e period of severe difficulties in e States, Joseph Fielding continued to proselyte in England. In e spring of 1839 Joseph wrote at he had left Preston to visit some of e surrounding branches. On one particular Saturday he walked nine miles to Chorley and en eleven miles to Bolton. The next morning he walked fast and reached his intended destination in time for e meeting, only to learn at e elder assigned to preach at day had taken ill. Joseph felt directed and sustained by e Lord in his efforts and preached ree sermons at day. The next day he traveled by train to Manchester and found all well [t]here. 19 Thoughts of his good friend Orson Hyde falling away distressed him and he wrote: I see a great Work before me, a long storm to weaer. Some of e Mighty are fallen. The ought often arises, how shall I get rough? My hope and trust are in e Lord. 20 A letter to Hannah from is period survives. Joseph might have been inking of Orson, but in context Joseph wrote of ose who had not been faiful. These ings cause me to weep and mourn before e Lord, and rob use of my Sleep, but I console myself wi e ought at I will be faiful myself if no one else is. 21 Joseph took e opportunity in is letter to reassure Hannah of his love for her. He acknowledged at it was difficult for him to be away, but reassured her, It will be for e Lord s sake, be not cast down my Love but pray for me at e Lord may still bless me, and he will still bless ee. He told her, since I wrote you last I have felt much of e presence of God, and much of e Power of his Spirit. Knowing she was soon due to deliver eir first child, he wrote her a poem: -222-

6 Oh God my heavenly bless The Partner of my Heart Preserve her in y Righteousness Thy Love to her impart. Let Peace Divine inspire her Hand And heavenly Wisdom give And while eternal ages roll May us togeer live. Timoy Matews Preaches in Liverpool During is same time frame, in e spring of 1839, e Reverend Timoy Matews began building a congregation in Liverpool where he would travel to preach. It appears at he had joined wi Robert Aitken and was preaching in his chapel on Hope Street. 22 In 1839, Timoy Matews traveled to Liverpool to preach in is Hope Street Chapel to Robert Aitken s congregation. Joseph Fielding Bore Witness at He was Sent to America to Meet Joseph Smi Joseph wrote his broer-in-law at e end of May, bearing testimony of a few particular principles of e Mormon Church, such as Priesood auority, e great apostasy after e dea of e apostles as foretold by Paul, and e Kingdom of God and covenants. In is letter Joseph testified at e Lord sent him to America for is very purpose, to meet Joseph Smi and learn of e Restored Gospel. 23 Willard Richards Visits Alston In early June, Joseph Fielding received a second letter from Elder Kimball. This was e letter which had been written mons earlier when Heber felt it important to warn Joseph Fielding at Isaac Russell might be attempting to lead e Alston Branch members astray. Elder Kimball prefaced his letter by informing Joseph at despite eir great trials, where ten ousand LDS members had been forced to evacuate Missouri, many were being baptized and one hundred and fifty men were being sent on missions. Elder Kimball en asked Joseph to visit Alston and attend to e spiritual needs of e members. Joseph wrote: Broer Richards and myself were preparing to go to Manchester when we got is letter, but at is time we changed our Course; he went to Alston 2 Days after, and I to Manchester. He soon found at Broer K. was right. I have stated before at Elder Russell had written to Alston directing em to send 2 of eir Breren on to Zion to purchase Land, etc. for em. He had a Council wi e Canada members, etc. He had written anoer and a ird of later date, Jan , in -223-

7 which he enjoins great secrecy. None must know of it except a few of e choice ones of em, none of us, and pronounces a Woe upon any one who shall divulge e Secret. The Letter is too long to transcribe here, but we have it in our Possession it exactly agrees wi Bro. K s Statement; professes at he, Elder R. has received Revelation from God, etc. It was well indeed at Bro. Richards went over; ey were going astray sure enough, and because of e Wo ey did not like to send to us on e Matter. Bro. Richards took a copy, or an Extract from Bro. K s letter, obtained Russell s and read em to e Officers and en to e Church. Their hearts were set on Russell, but ey were soon convinced of e tru of e matter. 24 Orson Hyde Returns to e Church Not long after Willard Richards returned to Preston after handling e issues in Alston, a meeting was held in Quincy, Illinois, in June, wi Joseph Smi presiding. On is occasion, Orson Hyde was restored to full fellowship in e Church and to a position in e Quorum of e Twelve Apostles. Wilford Woodruff wrote at Elder Hyde made an humble Confession & acknowledgment of his sins. 25 Orson would later write of his role in e tragic events in Missouri: Wi me it was a day of affliction and darkness. I sinned against God and my breren. I acted foolishly. I will not allude to any causes for doing save one, which was, at I did not possess e light of e Holy Ghost. I lost not my standing in e Church, however, yet not because I was wory to retain it, but because God and his servants were merciful. Everlasting anks to God, and may his servants ever find mercy. Broers Hyrum Smi and H. C. Kimball, men of noted kindness of heart, spake to me words of encouragement and comfort in e hour of my greatest sorrow... I seek pardon of all whom I have offended Orson s short dismissal from e Quorum of e Twelve Apostles would open e door for John Taylor to succeed him in seniority. Thus, when e First Presidency was reorganized in 1875 before e dea of Brigham Young in 1877, John Taylor became e senior apostle and president of e Quorum of e Twelve Apostles, not Orson Hyde. But at was decades in e future. Joseph Fielding wrote at in his travels at summer, he visited Bolton again. There he confirmed Nehemiah Greenhalgh to e Aaronic Priesood and ordained him a teacher. Joseph mentioned at Robert Greenhalgh was also chosen, but rough diffidence could not take e 27 office. This was not a time in e Church where one could come and sit in a pew and en quietly leave by e back door. Quite a bit was expected of new members, especially ose ordained to e priesood. These men, from e beginning, were not only asked to speak and teach in meetings, but were sent on short missions to preach to outlying areas

8 Rachel Fielding is Born in June, 1839 In early July, Joseph Fielding wrote: On Thursday last, June 27, 1839, about 10 o clock a.m. my Wife was delivered of a Daughter. In is as in all ings e Lord has been very kind to us. She had suffered some, in little, while Pregnant, but was as well as usual till early in e Morning and by about 10 had gotten rough her trouble. Truly e Blessing of God was upon her. The next day at Noon she got downstairs until Night. On Saturday she ran down Stairs wi e Child in her Arms as if she ailed noing; on Sunday walked near half a Mile to Meeting. Many were surprised at is. One or two of e Elders [had previously] told her she should not take any harm. She had fai herself. When she got into e Meeting she rejoiced even to tears. She took no hurt, is well and e Child also, e Lord be praised. When I look at e dealings of God wi me I feel lost in wonder, love and Praise; yet when I ink at I hold e Office of High Priest in is Land, I feel to tremble at e Responsibility at rests upon me. I wish I could know exactly what e Lord inks of me or what I am in his Sight. 29 Joseph was forty-two years old. Hannah was irty. Little Rachel, named after her faer s moer, was born at 8 Kirkham Sou Street in Preston. She would live to be seventy-five years old and have irteen children and fifty-eight grandchildren. One of Rachel s granddaughters, twentyyear-old Ida May Burton, would marry twenty-six-year-old Collins Telle Cannon, e son of Apostle George Q. Cannon. However in 1839, young George was a twelve-year-old boy living wi his parents near e docks in Liverpool. Some of Rachel s great-grandchildren are alive today. Thousands of Rachel s and her two sisters great-great-grandchildren are alive, many wi great-grandchildren of eir own. Joseph s patriarchal blessing was fulfilled in great force, considering it was given to a irty-nine-year-old unmarried man. The Apostles Head to England Rachel Fielding, born during her faer s mission in England in 1839 lived until 1914, dying in her home in Ogden. The apostles began making preparations to leave Illinois for England. John Taylor was able to house Leonora and eir ree little children in e log barracks west across e river from Nauvoo, in Iowa Territory. He left Illinois on August 8 after dedicating his wife and family to Ida May Burton, one of 58 grandchildren of Rachel Fielding Burton, married a son of George Q. Cannon in 1915.

9 e care of e Lord. He wrote: The ought of e hardships ey had just endured, e uncertainty of eir continuing in e house ey en occupied and at only a solitary room e prevalence of disease, e poverty of e breren, eir insecurity from mobs, togeer wi e uncertainty of what might take place during my absence produced feelings of no ordinary character. These solicitations, paternal and conjugal, were enhanced also by e time and distance at was to separate us. But e ought of going for at e command of e God of Israel to revisit my native land, to unfold e principles of eternal tru and make known e ings at God had revealed for e salvation of e world, overcame every oer feeling. 30 Elder Taylor traveled wi Wilford Woodruff, who had been quite ill and had remarked at he felt and looked more like a subject for a dissecting room an a missionary. As ey left e new Nauvoo settlement, ey passed Elder Pratt who was working wi Elder Kimball on a log house. Elder Pratt gave em a coin purse, albeit an empty one. Elder Kimball gave em a dollar to rectify at situation. Elders Pratt and Kimball would leave Illinois later. Elder Pratt carried a letter from David Rogers, who hoped at news of his joining e Church could be given to his daughter Susanna, who had married an Italian revolutionary in New York City before he and his wife Mara had joined e Church. Susanna and her husband currently lived in London. 31 The two missionaries separated, wi Elder Woodruff heading directly to New York. Elder Taylor traveled by foot, wagon and horseback for several weeks, preaching along e way and relying on e kindness of strangers to assist him, which he received in abundance. In Dayton, Ohio, Elder Taylor encountered, to his surprise, Elder George A. Smi who had 32 traveled for a time wi Theodore Turley. Theodore had left his wife and six children in Nauvoo in order to serve is mission wi e apostles. Elder Smi had room in his wagon allowing em to travel east togeer to Kirtland. There ey met Brigham Young and Elder Kimball. Upon arriving in New York City, ey stayed wi Elder Parley P. Pratt, who had been sent by Joseph Smi to preside over e large branch ere. Elder Woodruff had arrived quite some time before John Taylor. 33 A Long Summer in England In 1839, many of e apostles made eir way from Nauvoo 1600 miles to New York before sailing to England. As Joseph waited for e apostles to arrive in England, he wrote of e difficulties in leading e Church, mentioning a former member, an Enemy who was once a Friend. He wrote of criticisms oers had against him and of difficult counsel he d had to give to a member. He concluded, When e Breren come from America, it will be to release me. I will en turn humble Servant again, indicating ese problems would become someone else s

10 However, e apostles arrival was mons away. Shortly after becoming a faer, Joseph visited his sister Mara. James, wi whom Mara lived, entered e room: As soon as he came in he asked how it was wi our Sisters in America. I told him ey were suffering great Persecution wi e Saints. He could not bear is; said he should ink it a good ing if e Lord suffered us to be afflicted till we should see e awful delusion we had got into, etc. etc. He began to talk very hard against e Book of Mormon, Joseph Smi, etc. in a violent manner. I felt I could not sit to hear it, so rose up, took my hat, told em ey must excuse me for I could not hear such talk, shook hands & left e House. It seemed my Broer was troubled at is, and soon came up to my Lodgings to speak of it again, but his Conversation is very unsatisfactory. 35 Perhaps discouraged in e heat of e summer, and burdened wi many responsibilities, Joseph en wrote: The Church in Preston is in a peaceable State at present, but I greatly fear a lukewarm Spirit, and have cautioned em against it. The Elders are diligent in going out to preach, and also in e Streets in Preston. Our Congregation here does not increase. There are not many at desire to learn sound Doctrine, but few will take up eir Cross & follow Jesus Christ, and e Seed at does take Root is not all on good Ground. Joseph, looking at e branches outside which he needed to visit, wrote: I never felt so much tempted to stay wi my Wife as at is time. It is not nature s choice to leave my family and go out into a World like is....i intend to go out today. It is two Weeks tomorrow since e Bir of e Child. Nature says, How can you leave em? but e Lord says if I cannot, I am not fit for e Kingdom; if I do I shall have a reward. 36 Joseph Fielding Visits e Home of William and Mary Ann Greenhalgh Joseph left e next day, July 11, when baby Rachel was two weeks old, and spent a mon traveling outside of Preston to visit e various branches. He wrote, I went to Chorley. Stopt at Bro. Wm. Greenhalgh s, indicating at he spent e night ere. By is time he surely knew William and his wife Mary Ann 37 well, and he had recently mentioned William s broers in his journal. These are important details, because at is point, in 1839 when Joseph is married wi a new daughter, he is completely unaware at in just a few years Mary Ann Greenhalgh will show up alone in Nauvoo. Today, Joseph s descendants know at Mary Ann would become his plural wife, but at e time Joseph wrote at he stopped at eir home, he had no idea what e future would bring. Mary Ann Peake Greenhalgh was born in Deane, about 11 miles from Manchester. Joseph Fielding spent a night in eir home in Chorley

11 Mary Ann Peake had married William Greenhalgh in 1823 in Deane, about eleven miles outside of Manchester, where Mary Ann had been raised in a large family. Her parents, Robert and Dinah 38 Walker Peake, were still alive and helped to care for eir children and grandchildren. William was an engineer, likely highly skilled, who kept e machinery in Manchester s cotton factories operating. In 1839 William and Mary Ann were e parents of ree sons. The oldest, Joseph, was a young teenager. Robert was ten. A ird son, Thomas, was four. A toddler daughter had died a few years earlier. On is particular journey, Joseph wrote of an unusual experience while at Manchester: Found e Saints ere doing well, e Work going on steadyly. Tuesday Eve preached in e Street. Spoke of e Ministrations of Angels and of e Book of Mormon. When I had done speaking a Man named Ramsdale, a Professor of Religion, wished to speak and ask some questions. I told him to wait till we had done. He en told e People he had someing to say to em, and wished em to wait. As soon as we had concluded he began to ask what testimony I had of e tru of e Book of Mormon. I told him living Witnesses, etc. He said we ought to prove it by Miracles, as e Bible was, and wished he could see and he would read some to em. His friends soon got him a Chair [to stand on] and a Candle & he began to read to em of e Day of Pentecost, e Gift of Tongues, etc; read as long as he pleased, shewing at e Bible was proved by Miracles, etc. When he ceased I stood on his Chair & by his light read in e Book of Mormon of Christ ministering to e Nephies, etc. etc. and shewed at if Miracles were a Proof of one ey were of e oer also. Many were delighted at it. I bore my testimony to e Tru of e Book... I spoke again for some time & ey listened attentively. When I had done he spoke again; said he cursed e B of M wi all his Might. 39 Mr. Ramsdale and his group approached Joseph e following Tuesday, and a ird Tuesday, but Joseph would no longer engage em. Mr. Ramsdale called him a coward, but Joseph and oer members met in a house where Francis Moon, his companion on at trip, preached. The Ramsdale followers sung and prayed as if worshiping God, yet eir Talk was such at e Neighbors saw eir wickedness and determined at e Police should stop em as ey only came to disturb us. 40 While on is same mon-long missionary tour in July of 1839, Joseph wrote about a spiritual experience he had at e time of e ordination of John Moon. The names of Moon family members were occasionally mentioned in Joseph s journal. This was a strong and faiful family in e Church, and Joseph began to rely on em more and more. Joseph Fielding and William Clayton had recently traveled to Eccleston to give a blessing to John s faer, Matias Moon, who had been ill. They had left him well. A few weeks later John gave up his Business to go out into e Work. John, who had earlier been ordained a priest, met Joseph and William in Manchester

12 Joseph Fielding wrote: As soon as we got ere it struck me at he might be ordained an Elder... I mentioned to Bro. Clayton at we might ordain him privately. He approved it but I ought we would mention it to Bro. Richards & wrote him. He approved, only said at perhaps to do it publicly would be best, perhaps in Preston next time he came ere, so we let it rest. 41 However, on July 25 ey received a letter from some members in Burslem, forty miles sou, who said at ere were several longing to be baptised. The two presiding elders decided Broer Clayton should travel to Burslem, but felt it important at John Moon be ordained to e Melchizedek priesood before William s departure. Missionaries Visit e Potteries Burslem was one of six towns in e Staffordshire area, one ird of e way from Preston to London. Because of e local production of e materials needed to make pottery, is area became famous for producing high-quality vases, pottery, and dishes. For example, e world-famous Wedgewood potters originated in is area. The missionaries had tried for some time to establish a branch ere, wiout success, and Broer Clayton s visit to Burslem would be yet one more attempt. 42 Joseph Fielding wrote: Preston is 60 miles nor of e Potteries. London is 150 miles sou. I went over to Bro. Clayton's lodgings for at Purpose, but when I got ere found a Letter from Bro. Richards, part of which said us: I don't know how it is, but it has been much impressed on my Mind is forenoon at you should lay your hands on Bro. Moon and ordain him an Elder to e World privately. This gave us much Satisfaction. We retired, prayed, and laid our hands upon him; had a Blessed time. He is a Man of an excellent Spirit. Bro. Clayton went off. We had laid our hands on him and given him our Blessing. 43 William Clayton was married to Ru Moon, a member of e large Moon family, many of whom had joined e LDS Church. William himself was descended from a heroic French soldier, Robert de Clayton, who served under William e Conqueror, and most of e members of his large family, including his parents, joined e Church and would later emigrate. The parents of two young daughters, William and Ru Clayton would eventually enjoy a large family, wi most of 44 eir children being born in Utah. Joseph Fielding ought highly of William Clayton and mentioned him on one occasion in context wi a problem wi some of e members of e Manchester Branch who had attempted to live in e fashion of a United Order, a trend which was popular wi many religious groups at e time

13 Joseph wrote: The Broer who first proposed it was sincere and willing to help his Breren, But Men it seems cannot live togeer in is way yet, nor does it appear at God ever intended ey should live as one Family in one house. They have learned a good lesson, ey will not do so again, but seem very humble and teachable... The Saints in Manchester are very loving; ey love Bro. Clayton raer too much.... He is well calculated to open new Doors; e Lord blesses him greatly. If he keeps humble he will do well and become a mighty man in e Work. 45 Willard Richards Becomes a Faer Willard Richards had not traveled during July because Jennetta gave bir to a little boy on e 17. Elder Kimball had left word at e child, if a boy, should be named after him. However, Jennetta wanted to name e baby John after her faer, The baby was given e name Heber John, but called John, which pleased Jennetta s parents. Joseph Fielding felt it was inappropriate to name a baby after John Richards, a man who he described as a Wicked Persecutor. 46 August 1839: Joseph and William Clayton Travel to e Branches Outside Preston In August Joseph traveled wi William Clayton to e Ribchester Branch, where ey read a recent letter from Elder Kimball about good conditions in e Church in e States. They visited Clieroe and en continued traveling to Downham. Joseph wrote: There was a good feeling. The Saints were glad to see us... about 22 members. We felt ankful to see em so well. On Friday visited em at eir Houses. Joseph and Broer Clayton took e opportunity to climb Pendle Hill again, and en visited e members in Chatburn, which by is time was a large branch of eighty-five. At e conclusion of is trip, ey stopped at Waddington Mill, where The Saints came togeer from several Parts, to e Number of perhaps We left em, bo Parties sorry to part so soon. They en visited Chaigley, where e Saints had met from several Places. William Clayton spoke for some time, and en ey took care of Church business, advancing men in e priesood. One man was disciplined for a time because his girlfriend was expecting a baby and her faer was upset about e situation. Despite e challenges ey faced on is trip, Joseph wrote, feeling ankful for e Goodness of God toward us and his Saints. We see at e Gospel will gaer up all e upright in heart & none but em will come into e Kingdom of God. In e next paragraph Joseph added ese words: I love my Breren; ey are a choice set of Men. We seem to recognize is as being e Word of God more & more & at e work must receive it or be lost. The folly of e traditions of Babylon begins to appear to e World. Lord, roll on y Work

14 More Good News from America In September e British presidency received anoer welcome letter from dear Bro. Heber C. Kimball, dated Commerce, July 25, wi Good news. Elder Kimball explained at e Church had been able to acquire twenty ousand acres in Illinois and e members of e Church had moved ere. On e 20 read it to e Saints in Manchester. 48 In late September William Clayton accompanied Joseph Fielding to Preston to visit wi Robert Aitken. Joseph reminded any reader of his journal as to who is man was by adding, e Man who...in his Pulpit prayed God to smite us. Joseph described eir conversation, writing at Mr. Aitken knew he was not called of God, so he assumed at no one else was. He was waiting for some Manifestation from God, but would not read e Book of Mormon. He said at he believed we were good Men; had heard a good Character of me even from ose who did not hold wi us. They listened to Mr. Aitken preach at evening. While his sermon was stirring, Joseph wrote: Joseph wrote: He left em where he found em... shewed... e apostasy of e Gentiles, etc., but shewed em no way of escape. This did e Saints good who heard him. They saw what 49 was wanting, viz, e Gospel of Christ. [The Church] has been in a depressed state; e Powers of Darkness have been heavy upon it. The Enemy, I suppose, sees e Elders on eir Way to is Land. I long to see em; we want some Apostalic Power to stand against our Enemies. 50 Joseph felt very unwory and in his journal asked e Lord to strengen him. On September 20, Willard Richards returned from Burslem in e Potteries and updated Joseph on e members ere. Joseph wrote, Says it is a hard Place, was nigh giving it up but inks 51 ere are some in at Region yet at will come in. Has left Bro. John Moon ere. Francis Moon, John s cousin, was preaching in Burnley, a town twenty-five miles from Preston and which Joseph Fielding visited regularly. Joseph Fielding Moves e Mission Headquarters to Manchester The following mon Joseph and Hannah moved to Manchester where ey were greeted warmly by e members ere: This cheers my Spirits. Almost all e Saints look at me wi a Smile. The Lord is wonderfully kind to me. Sometimes is is a temptation; at I am not afflicted as some of my Breren are. My Wife is comfortable, e Lord blesses her & our Child... We often speak of e goodness of God to us. We have wanted for noing yet & have always or 52 nearly so had someing to help e needy

15 In e middle of October John Moon returned from Burslem, in e Potteries. Joseph wrote: [He was] almost worn out wi preaching... He says many come to hear in at Part but not many obey as yet; eir prejudice is raer softening. 53 Joseph en told of a miraculous experience. A sister by e name of Kaarine had a dream in which she saw a local Aitkenite minister by e name of Newcome praying to God at he would send some relief to his Family who were wanting Bread... Kaarine visited em e next day and asked e wife, if it were not so. She was much astonished at such a Question, but said it was so indeed. She gave her part of what she had & left her; she was very ankful. Kaarine told Joseph at she knew of anoer preacher, also an Aitkenite, who was in a desperate situation. Joseph wrote, It seems at e Hand of e Lord is against Mr. Aitkin s 54 Church, since he publicly called on God to smite us. Later in October Joseph observed at The fai of e Saints is growing; ey are often healed by e Power of God. He d enjoyed a good day at particular day in Manchester, even ough some from oer churches had tried to argue wi him. We refused to meddle wi em.... Joseph en wrote, It is remarkable at e Devil is sending his Servants to preach e Tru. They see e little Stone is shaking em.... Mr. Matews still is baptising & laying on hands for confirmation, yet says he has not Auority from e Lord to do it. 55 Missionary Work in England Continues as The Missionaries Wait for e Apostles Joseph Fielding had been very busy in October and described many of his and Broer Richards activities, alough Willard was in Stockport and Joseph was in Manchester. While aware at e apostles were coming but e time frame was not clear, Joseph wrote, Had a good Day; felt great Love to God & his Saints; e feeling in e Church good, too.... In Bolton e following week he and Broer Richards ordained Robert Greenhalgh an elder and Nehemiah Greenhalgh a priest. In December Nehemiah sought out Joseph in Manchester. Had let some of e Saints have Goods from his shop but ey weren t paying eir bill and he could no longer continue doing is. He was concerned for himself and also for e members of e Branch. 56 Joseph again mentioned missionary work in e Potteries. Bro. Clayton had come a few Days before from Burslem, had walked 36 miles; his feel were sore and quite lame. It was intended at John Moon would return to Burslem, but his faer Matias was near dea, and he was unable to leave him. 57 John Fielding Dies in Tragic Accident st On November 21 Joseph Fielding wrote of a family tragedy: My Broer John Fielding died rough an Accident wi a new Chaff-cutting Machine

16 He had got rich had all he could wish for. I wrote to him once since I came to England, 58 and he sent me a severe letter, inviting me to his house on Condition at I would renounce my Fai. He was highly esteemed among e Meodists, because of his Money, I suppose. His Riches have killed him. I look upon his Letter as a poor farewell, but leave e Matter wi Him who will do all ings right. I ink at if I had gone to his Neighborhood to preach, he would have been my greatest Opposer. 59 Joseph en referred to a letter he had received from James, still in Preston, informing him of e rd accident. A second letter followed, dated e 23 of November, telling Joseph at John had died. James Fielding wrote: My dear Broer, I conclude at you received e note I addressed to you two days ago containing e intelligence of our dear Broer John s accident. You will erefore be in some measure prepared for e still more painful intelligence I have now to communicate. A letter arrived yesterday informing us at ere existed no ground of hope for dear broer s recovery as a mortification had already taken place. And we is morning received a letter from Mr. Maysy e Wesleyan Preacher in e St Neots Circuit written from Graveley by Sister s request informing us at our dear Broer John departed is life at about twelve o clock on Thursday (e 21 inst). We have as yet no particulars as to what transpired relating to our broer s state of mind; furer an Mrs. Osborne, stating at when he was sensible he was very happy and Mr. Maysy says at ere is no doubt of his being happy in Glory. Alough we cannot but feel keenly on account of is sudden and distressing bereavement yet e bitter cup is in some degree sweetened by e consoling rough at ere long we may ro grace hope to meet our beloved friend and Broer in at place where sin and sorrow shall be no more. O What a loud call is is to be ready every hour I feel an inward assurance at is painful dispensation will be overruled to e Glory of God and e good of e whole family. Sister Mara is just setting off for Graveley by e Railway and inks of stopping a mon or six weeks. She unites wi me in sincere love to you And believes me to remain your ever affectionate Broer not in e Mormon fai but in e fai of e N. Testament. Jas. Fielding P S Our dear Broer s funeral takes place tomorrow, e time is short but we learned it was impossible for him to be kept longer. 60 Joseph did not miss e insult James included before e post script and recorded it in his journal

17 John Fielding was forty-eight when he died. His widow Ann Osborne was forty-ree, wi her eight children still at home, including irteen-year-old twins and a ten-year-old son. Ann was left wi e custody of two hundred and forty-five acres, which she continued to manage wi irteen hired hands for ree decades. She lived irty-five more years, never remarrying. 61 Joseph Fielding Receives More Harsh Criticism from Timoy Matews During is time of mourning, Joseph received a harsh letter from Timoy Matews, who had been preaching in Liverpool. It appears at Reverend Matews was unaware of e passing of John Fielding. Joseph wrote at his letter was, full of hard Speeches against e Book of Mormon, and e whole Work, calling all a Fable, and e Men at e head wicked men, and said at many Prayers were offered up for my deliverance from e Delusion, etc. Joseph sent a reply wi a friend which informed him of John Fielding s dea. The friend returned wi e information at Timoy seemed sorry he had written to me as he did. In 1839, England s train system was in pieces. In traveling to Graveley after John Fielding s dea, Mara Ibbotson Fielding Watson would have been able to travel by various trains and coaches to Graveley. However, apparently Timoy could not let go. Joseph wrote at Timoy en said is was e greatest delusion at ever came from hell. Joseph was mystified, saying at Timoy was preaching as near e same ings, such as gifts of e Spirit, baptism and confirmation. Joseph replied to him again. I did not fail to testify to him of e Tru as I had done repeatedly before. 62 England s Train System is Born During e communications concerning John s dea, it became clear at Mara was going to travel from Preston to Graveley by train. In 1839, England s wonderful train system, which vastly improved travel roughout e country, was in its infancy, wi sections completed and operated between various communities by local agencies. The Preston train station had opened in 1838, one of e first in e country. Graveley did not have a train station at at time, nor did St. Neots. Mara would have traveled as far as she could and en taken a coach e rest of e way. Missionaries Arrive in England from e United States rd On December 3, ree American missionaries arrived in Liverpool after a four week crossing of e Atlantic: Hiram Clark, Alexander Wright and Samuel Mulliner. They had left Nauvoo wi Elder Pratt, but Parley was delayed in New York printing pamphlets, and he and Elder Woodruff sent e ree men ahead. These new missionaries brought word at e apostles would soon be arriving

18 The ree missionaries did not have papers from e apostles, which concerned Joseph Fielding. He wrote: The 3 breren came here wiout direct Letters of Introduction, as we ought ey should have had... but we soon saw testimony enough to justify our receiving em as true men... I felt a great love for e 3 Breren. 63 Joseph had previously met Alexander Wright, as he had attended a meeting at his home in Charleton. Joseph wrote: They tarried in Preston 8 or 10 Days, and en Bros. Wright & Mulliner started off for Scotland, eir native Place. The Saints are much encouraged by eir coming. Many of e World disputed at any would come, and some of e Church raer feared. We find at e accounts of e Sufferings of e Saints are true indeed, but yet I feel better about em an I expected, and e Prospect generally ere is plenty of proof at e Lord is wi His People, even e People of is Church, and I rejoice greatly in it. The Work is great & I feel myself very weak, but my Prayer is at e Lord of e Harvest would send for Laborers into his Vineyard. 64 Shortly before Christmas, Joseph wrote at William Clayton was finally having some success in e Potteries. Four men had been ordained to e priesood. There is great excitement in at Part. 65 After e departure of e two missionaries for Scotland, Joseph took Hiram Clark wi him to visit e norern branches. He wrote: Had meetings each Day for a Week; found em in a fair way. They & we were much edifyed wi our Visit. 3 were baptised in Chatburn where Bro. Kimball once baptized 25 in one Day. 66 They returned on Christmas Day only to find Willard Richard s infant son dying of smallpox. After many prayers, e baby passed away e next morning. Chapter 14 Endnotes Pages : 1.This letter from Joseph Fielding to Hannah Greenwood Fielding was dated 27 March 1839, and is found in e Family History Library as MS 749 f Joseph Fielding Diary, page Joseph Fielding Diary, page History of e Church, Volume III, pages , History of e Church, Volume III, pages

19 6.Journal of Discourses, Volume 13: Life of John Taylor, page An interesting document has been preserved in e Isaac Russell Correspondence Collection, MSS 497, at BYU s nd Special Collections. This is a handwritten account by William Dawson written on December 22, 1888, forty- eight years after e event in question e placing of e cornerstone at e Far West Temple Lot. William was a nephew of Isaac Russell and a broer-in-law to John Goodson. However, William remained faiful to e LDS Church, participated in e rescue of e handcart companies in e winter of 1856, and raised a large family in Lehi, Utah. He testified to a Utah County notary at he was present at e Temple Lot on e night of e 25 and morning of e 26, and at Isaac Russell and John Goodson were also present, which is in direct conflict wi oer accounts. William also referred to e company of Canadian members, which he only called Emigrants. He stated at Joseph Smi himself had told Isaac to lead em to Far West, but amidst rumors of mobs who reatened em, ey would not leave eir campground, even ough Isaac did everying he could to convince em to travel to safety. 9.History of e Church, Volume III, pages Life of John Taylor, pages Joseph Fielding received news of ese excommunications on July 26, He wrote, Bro. Isaac Russel was cut off from e Church. His Sister, Isabella Walton, e person who first received Elder P. P. Pratt into her House in Toronto, Upper Canada, was cut off, and also his Sister, Frances Dawson and John Goodson who left e Work in England, and several oers. I. Russell sets himself up as a Prophet, and says Bro. Joseph is fallen and all at follow him. It is well to know his former disposition as it shews e Danger of following our own desires instead of going by e Order of God; is was his manner. Joseph Fielding Diary, page History of e Church, Volume III, pages Faiful LDS families remaining in Tenney s Grove left Missouri in e company of e apostles. 11.This letter, dated January 26, 1843, was written by Jacob Peart in Nauvoo to Isaac Russell in care of Mr. John Dawson near Richmond, Missouri. John Dawson was Isaac s broer-in-law. A transcription is held at BYU s Special Collections, MSS Life of John Taylor, page 67. History of e Church, Volume III, page History of e Church, Volume III, page History of e Church, Volume III, page Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise, by Glen Leonard, pages 70-73, Deseret Book: This letter, referred to earlier, is part of e Joseph Fielding Correspondence in BYU s Special Collection, MSS This letter is dated 25 July 1839, from Commerce, and was written to Bros. Joseph Fielding and Willard Richards, William Clayton, and to all e faiful Elders in Christ Jesus our Lord, Heber C. Kimball sends greetings, and to all e Saints in Great Britain. A copy of is letter is held in Special Collections at BYU s Harold B. Lee Library. The title of e collection is Correspondence, Oer/Fielding, Joseph MSS Joseph Fielding Diary, page Joseph Fielding Diary, page Joseph Fielding Diary, page

20 21.This letter is dated 8 April 1839 and is part of e Joseph Fielding collection at BYU s Special Collections, MSS In Joseph s 1839 letter to Hannah, dated 8 April, he mentioned at Mr. Matews was preaching in Liverpool and baptized several persons ere. In Mormons in Early Victorian Britain, page 50, Malcolm R. Thorp states, Matews became e Aitkenite minister of e Hope Street, Liverpool, congregation. A website titled Liverpool Picturebook has a post about Churches and Religions in Liverpool, and included an old photograph of e chapel Robert Aitken used. 23.This letter, dated May 29, 1839, is addressed to Dear Sir, but internal comments, such as his accusation to e recipient at he had previously vowed to no longer baptize infants, and e mention of his sister Mrs. Matews, indicates e letter was sent to e Reverend Matews. This letter is part of e Joseph Fielding Correspondence held at BYU Special Collections, MSS 670. It is very difficult to read, wi much of e letter being written 180 degrees on e page across sentences. I have extracted elements which are relevant. 24.Joseph Fielding Diary, page 36, dated June 9, History of e Church, Volume III, pages Waiting for World s End: The Diaries of Wilford Woodruff, by Wilford Woodruff and Susan Staker, page 22, Signature Books: June 27 I spent e day in Commerce in Council wi e Presidency & Twelve. We had an interesting day. Joseph [Smi] was president of e Council. Broer Orson Hide was restored to e Church and e quorum of e Twelve in full fellowship by a full vote of e Council, after making an humble Confession & acknowledgment of his sins etc. 26.Autobiography of Orson Hyde. 27.Joseph Fielding Diary, page 34. In a letter dated 8 April 1839, Joseph wrote Hannah in Preston from Manchester. He mentioned at Nehemiah Greenhalgh had been ordained a teacher and Robert Greenhalgh had declined e ordination to be priest. He abbreviated eir names, strongly indicating to me at he was aware at Hannah knew e Greenhalgh family. This letter is part of e Joseph Fielding collection at BYU s Special Collections, MSS During e mission my husband and I served in West Africa in , a member of our Area Presidency, Elder H. Ross Workman, told me of a time when he gave personal instruction to a Nigerian stake president and en asked him to teach it to e members of his stake during e upcoming conference. President Workman en sat quietly during e meeting and observed how is man filled at assignment. That particular incident had not gone well, and Elder Workman said it impressed upon him e need for himself, as a leader, to give his instructions more clearly. He said at he had learned at a member did not truly understand a principle or doctrine until he could in turn clearly teach it. As a result, he had developed his pattern of teaching and en watching e student re-teach it. As I am studying Joseph Fielding s journal and reading of ese new converts, and comparing at in my mind wi e early Church records I have seen of is time period and ese areas, of who confirmed and baptized, of who is leading congregations, I better understand e purpose of a lay ministry. This is not because e Lord is short of ministers. This process strengens e testimony of e new convert and his family. 29.Joseph Fielding Diary, page Life of John Taylor, pages In Search of Living Water, e Biography of Susanna Mehetable Rogers Sangiovanni Pickett Keate, by Jane Rae Fuller Topham, page Life of John Taylor, pages History of Theodore Turley. 33.Life of John Taylor, pages