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Show 110 shall kill the infernal scoundrels. They may have 'Sebastopol' after it is vacated, but they cannot have it before, according to my present feelings .... If anyone sends out word that the army may come in, and that we are not going to fight them, send word at the same time that if they come in to annoy us while we are hastening away, we will send them to hell, God being our helper.... Our Elders are willing and many are over-anxious to fight, and I also would be for killing, if I was crowded into a corner and could not back out. But I would sooner see this city laid in ashes, than to lose one good Elder. The new gathering in the southwest desert was probably to be indefinite. While it is true, Young stated, "we may come back here," the inference is that we may also not come back. The destruction of Salt Lake City and other settlements would seem to indicate the Mormons were serious about leaving the Wasatch Front rather permanently. Brigham Young told the people that they would soon have better homes and gardens than the ones they destroy. "The buildings I now have do not begin to satisfy me," he claimed. He also asserted that a trek in the wilderness would be good for the health of the Saints. Young then attacked those who would accuse him of misleading the people: Many may say, "br Brigham, perhaps you are mistaken;! you are liable to err, and if the mob should not come, after all, and we should burn up our houses and learn that the Government had actually countermanded their orders and that no armies are coming to Utah, it would be a needless destruction.... How easy it is for men to be mistaken, and we think a Prophet may be mistaken once in a while." I am just as willing as the Lord, if he is disposed to make me make mistakes, and it is none of the business of any other |
