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Show Page 97 daughter and the Prophet, but he had also offered in the newspapers to disclaim any connection with Bennett. Bennett's credit had clearly run out in Nauvoo, but in January he made a final attempt by letter to draw Orson and Sidney into collusion to kidnap Joseph Smith and return him for "trial" in Missouri. The tone of the letter is peculiar, implying that some sort of understanding existed among them. He addressed them as "dear friends" and quite openly admitted that he was meeting with some Missouri officials who would attempt the extradition of Joseph Smith: "Dear friends: - It is a long time since I have written to you, and I should now much desire to see you, but I leave tonight for Missouri to meet the messenger charged with the arrest of Joseph Smith...and others, for murder, burglary, treason, etc...New proceedings have been gotten up on the old charges, and no habeas corpus can save them...The war goes bravely on; and, although Smith thinks he is now safe, the enemy is near, even at the door...nothing can save Joseph on a new requisition ...he must go to Missouri; but he shall not be harmed if he is not guilty; but he is a murderer, and must suffer the penalty of the law...I hope that both your kind and amiable families are well...Please write me at Independence immediately..." 44 When Rigdon, who had read the letter first, passed it to Orson, he was revolted at the villain's presumption. Orson lost no time in presenting it to Joseph Smith. This brought an end to the wintry hardness between them, and five days later, on January 20, 1843, Joseph called a council of the Twelve and announced that Orson "had confessed his sins and manifested deep repentance." To Orson, things had come clear - he wanted no part of Bennett's "works of darkness," and he and Sarah both stepped into the freezing river to be baptized again under the hand of Joseph Smith. Orson was also returned to his "former standing in the Quorum of Twelve," implying complete exoneration and agreement between himself and Joseph. The Prophet took Amasa Lyman into the First Presidency as a ppimeplnrr thus permitting Orson to take his place once again in the |
