Hyrum Smith as Peacemaker.
Saturday, 31.—In the morning Brother Hyrum Smith came in and said he had been much troubled all night and had not slept any, that something was wrong. While talking, Brother William Smith came in, according to my request last night. Brother Hyrum said that he must go to the store. I invited him to stay. He said he would go and do his business and return. He did so. While he was gone Brother William introduced the subject of our difficulty at the Council. I told him I did not want to converse upon the subject until Hyrum returned. He soon came in. I then proposed to relate the occurrences of the Council before named, and wherein I had been out of the way I would confess it, and ask his forgiveness, and then he should relate his story, and make confession wherein he had done wrong, and then leave it to Brother Hyrum Smith and Brother Parrish to decide the matter between us, and I would agree to the decision and be satisfied therewith.
The Rebellion of William Smith.
William observed that he had not done wrong, and that I was always determined to carry my points whether right or wrong, and therefore he would not stand an equal chance with me. This was an insult, but I did not reply to him in a harsh manner, knowing his excitable disposition, but tried to reason with him and show him the propriety of a compliance with my request. I finally succeeded with the assistance of Brother Hyrum, in obtaining his assent to the proposition that I had made. I then related my story, and wherein I had been wrong I confessed it, and asked his forgiveness. After I got through he made his statements, justifying himself throughout in transgressing the order of the Council, and treating the authority of the Presidency with contempt. After he had got through Brother Hyrum began to make some remarks in the spirit of meekness. He (William) became enraged. I joined Brother Hyrum in trying to calm his stormy feelings, but to no purpose, he insisted that we intended to add abuse to injury, his passion increased, he arose abruptly, declared that he wanted no more to do with us. He rushed out at the door. We tried to prevail on him to stop, but all to no purpose. He went away in a passion, and soon after sent his license to me. He went home and spread the leaven of iniquity among my brothers, and especially prejudiced the mind of Brother Samuel. I soon learned that he was in the street exclaiming against me, and no doubt our enemies rejoiced at it. And where the matter will end I know not, but I pray God to forgive him and them, and give them humility and repentance.
The feelings of my heart I cannot express on this occasion, I can only pray my Heavenly Father to open their eyes, that they may discover where they stand, that they may extricate themselves from the snare they have fallen into.
Visit to Shadrach Roundy.
After dinner I rode out in company with my wife and children, Brother Don Carlos and some others. We visited Brother Roundy[[4]] and family, who live near Willoughby. We had an interesting visit. As soon as I returned I was called upon to baptize Samuel Whitney and his wife and daughter. After baptism we returned to their house and offered our thanks in prayer. I obtained a testimony that my brother William would return to the Church, and repair the wrong he had done.
Footnotes
[1]. For this communication see Article 2, chapter 19. (Note.)
[2]. Ebenezer Robinson, afterwards somewhat prominent in the Church in Missouri and Illinois as editor, printer and publisher, was born in the town of Floyd, Oneida County, New York, May 25, 1816; and was the son of Nathan and Mary Robinson. He was already a printer of considerable experience when he came to Kirtland in May, 1835, and began work in the Church printing establishment, then running under the firm name of F. G. Williams & Co., though not a member of the Church. For six months he boarded in the families of Oliver Cowdery, F. G. Williams and the Prophet Joseph. "We found them all very pious, good Christian people," he remarks, "(who) asked a blessing at the table and all attended to family worship morning and evening." (The "Return," Vol. 1, p. 58). Mr. Robinson did not become immediately converted to the Gospel, but conviction gradually dawned upon his mind, and he finally declared his faith and was baptized by the Prophet as stated in the text.