LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 114
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, April 11, 1838.
1–2, Church positions held by those who are not faithful will be given to others.
1 Verily thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W.
Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can,
and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a
mission unto me next spring, in company with others, even twelve
including himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto all
the world.
Note: Joseph Smith was a false prophet as the mission never occurred.
The Mormons encountered one of the militia's sentries, John Lockart,
with whom the Mormons briefly exchanged words. After Lockhart
reportedly heard a gun snap, he shot at the crowd, hitting Patrick
O'Bannion, the Mormons' scout. O'Bannion later died from this wound.
Lockhart fled down the hill to the militia camp, while the Mormon
company formed a line in three columns, led by David W. Patten, Charles
C. Rich, and Patrick Durfee. Rich later recalled that soon after the
Mormons had formed their lines, the militia "fired upon us with all
their guns". A general firefight commenced, but the militia were
situated behind the riverbank and held the tactically superior
position. Patten decided to charge the militia position, shouting the
Mormon battle cry of "God and Liberty!" The Missourians were without
swords and so broke their lines and fled across the river in all
directions. During his charge, Patten was shot and mortally wounded.
Ebenezer Robinson recalled that Patten had been "brave to a fault, so
much so that he was styled and called 'Captain Fearnought'". Although
it was not immediately realized, Gideon Carter had also been killed,
making a total of three Mormon fatalities and one militiaman fatality.
The Mormons collected their wounded as well as the baggage which
Bogart's unit had left in the camp and made their way back to Far West.
2 For verily thus saith the Lord, that inasmuch as there are those
among you who deny my name, others shall be planted in their stead and
receive their bishopric. Amen.
Note: David Patten was a religious fanatic.
The wounded Patten was carried from the battlefield to the home of
Stephen Winchester, four miles distant. En route he was visited by
Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and his wife. Patten reiterated his
testimony of the church to his visitors. Upon seeing her husband dying,
Ann Patten exclaimed, "Oh God! Oh my husband! How pale you look." His
final words to his wife were, "Whatever you do else, O do not deny the
faith," after which he addressed the others in the room. Moments after
this, about 10 p.m., he died. Regarding Patten's death, Joseph Smith
said, "There lies a man who has done just as he said he would—he has
laid down his life for his friends." Patten was buried in an unmarked
grave on October 27, 1838, in Far West, Missouri.