Mormon History
Inflammatory July 4th Sermon - 1838
Fourth of July in Far West - 1838
July 4, 2007
By Sharon Lindbloom
On the 4th of July, 1838 the Mormons, gathered in Far West, Missouri,
held a celebration. The following is an excerpt from former BYU
historian Stephen C. LeSueur’s book, The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri,
pages 49-53.
“…at their Fourth of July celebration in Far West, the Mormons staged
an ostentatious display of their military force and announced their
intention to resist all persecution and mob violence. Several thousand
people attended the festivities. [Joseph] Smith presided over the
events of the day, which included a parade of the Danite militia, a
review of the military band by the Danite generals, the laying of the
cornerstone of the Far West temple, and an oration by Sidney Rigdon.
Rigdon’s speech represented the highlight of their celebration. …
“After seeing the Church nearly destroyed by apostates in Kirtland
[Ohio], Rigdon had come to Missouri with a fierce determination to
eradicate all dissent. Perhaps Mormonism’s finest orator, he could stir
great excitement with his impassioned speeches. His Salt Sermon in June
had spurred the Danites to expel the dissenters from Caldwell County.
Now, on the Fourth of July, Sidney Rigdon prepared to announce the
Mormons’ ‘declaration of independence from mobs.’
“During his speech Rigdon made the usual references to patriotism, the
Founding Fathers, and liberty. He also declared his belief in the
separation of church and state. Rigdon then issued a provocative
warning to the enemies of the Church. After describing at length the
persecution endured by the Saints over the years, he declared that they
would endure it no more.
“‘We take God and all the holy angels to witness this day, that we warn
all men in the name of Jesus Christ, to come on us no more forever, for
from this hour, we will bear it no more, our rights shall no more be
trampled on with impunity. The man or the set of men, who attempts it,
does it at the expense of their lives. And that mob that comes on us to
disturb us; it shall be between us and them a war of extermination, for
we will follow them, till the last drop of their blood is spilled, or
else they will have to exterminate us: for we will carry the seal of
war to their own houses, and their own families, and one party or the
other shall be utterly destroyed. –Remember it then all MEN.
“‘We will never be the aggressors, we will infringe on the rights of no
people; but shall stand for our own until death. We claim our own
rights, and are willing that all others shall enjoy theirs.
“‘No man shall be at liberty to come into our streets, to threaten us
with mobs, for if he does, he shall atone for it before he leaves the
place, neither shall he be at liberty, to vilify and slander any of us,
for suffer it we will not in this place.
“‘We therefore, take all men to record this day, that we proclaim our
liberty on this day, as did our fathers. And we pledge this day to one
another, our fortunes, our lives, and our sacred honors, to be
delivered from the persecutions which we have had to endure, for the
last nine years, or nearly that. Neither will we indulge any man, or
set of men, in instituting vexatious law suits against us, to cheat us
out of our just rights, if they attempt it we say wo be unto them.
“‘We this day then proclaim ourselves free, with a purpose and a
determination, that never can be broken, “no never! no never!! NO
NEVER”!!!’
“At the conclusion the Mormon people waved their hats high above their
heads and shouted, ‘Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna to God and the Lamb!’
“The Saints’ spontaneous, enthusiastic response to Rigdon’s speech
pleased their leaders. Joseph Smith and his counselors had carefully
prepared the speech and afterward had it published and distributed to
their people. Smith recommended that all Church members buy a copy. ‘We
are absolutely determined no longer to bear [persecution], come life or
come death,’ the Prophet wrote in the August issue of the Elders’
Journal, ‘for to be mobbed any more without taking vengeance, we will
not.’ …
“The evidence suggests, however, that the Mormon leaders’ fear of
violence was exaggerated, even unfounded, at that time. The journals
and reminiscences of the Saints do not mention any trouble with
non-Mormons prior to the Fourth of July oration…
“Most Missourians were not aware of any unusual strain in their
relations with the Mormons. Many believed that interaction between the
two groups had become remarkably friendly. Rigdon’s warnings therefore
surprised and alarmed Missouri settlers, who interpreted the speech as
an open, defiant declaration of Mormon intentions to set themselves
outside the law…
“Reports of Rigdon’s speech spread through the upper counties,
increasing suspicions of and reviving old prejudices against the
Saints. Mormon leaders had issued the statement as a defensive measure,
prompted by their history of persecution. Although they wanted to
frighten anyone who might threaten them, they did not intend to begin a
conflict with their non-Mormon neighbors. The Missourians, believing
the Mormons had no reason to fear persecution from them, interpreted
Rigdon’s vigorous warnings as a threat against the citizens and law in
northwestern Missouri.”
Real conflict between the Mormons and the Missourians began a short
time later. Three months after Rigdon’s speech, at the height of the
conflict now known as the Mormon War in Missouri, the governor of that
state used the Mormons’ own words when, in response to an armed Mormon
attack against a Missouri State Militia, Governor Boggs ordered, “The
Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven
from the State if necessary for the public peace–their outrages are
beyond all description.” (LeSueur, 152)