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| History §. Documents §. Aftermath §. |
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| History |
| Ohio (May 1–16, 1834) |
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The advance company of twenty leaves Kirtland on May 1, 1834. On Sunday, Joseph Smith gathers his Kirtland company of a hundred on May 4 and seals them up to eternal life. Equipage, money pool, organization. Ohio encampments. Bread shortage. Book of Mormon battlefield. Members conceal their identities. |
| Indiana (May 17–24, 1834) |
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Rebellious Sylvester Smith. Joseph warns of a scourge, horses founder, recover as promised (except Sylvester's). Despite rumors of violence, the camp passes through Indianapolis without incident. Joseph's concealed. |
| Illinois (May 25–June 1, 1834) |
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Wiggler water. Rattlesnakes lesson. Guardian angels. Scourge prophecy. War games. Joseph to be treated equally. Springfield. Horse colic medicine. $100 donation. Jackson Sabbath, 200–300 attend, listen to Elders speak from various perspectives. |
| Illinois (June 2–4, 1834) |
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Ancient burial mounds. Skeletal souveniers. Zelph, the white Lamanite general. Prophecy: Camp members will "die like sheep with the rot" if they don't repent. Wealthy gentleman offers jobs. Honey and ham. Magistrate puts preacher in his place. Preacher does an about face. Rumor of 400-man mob in Missouri. Short of provisions. Joseph warns of snake eggs, but men eat and get sick. Crossing the Mississippi. Joseph writes Emma. Camp numbers 170 men. Public respectful except occasional insults from spies. |
| Missouri (June 5–16, 1834) |
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Camp crosses into Missouri. Joseph, Sylvester Smith, and the menacing dog . Spies pass but cannot see the Camp. Allred settlement at Salt River. Joined by Hyrum Smith and Lyman Wight company from Michigan and Illinois, bringing total to 205 men. Sword exercise. Reorganization. Drill and target practice. Family members accompany the Camp. Peace standard. Joseph shoots a squirrel. Heber C. Kimball's horses get loose—blame. Governor refuses to help resettle refugees. Rations low. Grand River crossing. Martin Harris chastized for handling snakes. |
| Missouri (June 16–20, 1834) |
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Grand River crossing. Zebedee Coltrin's ill-humor. Martin Harris chastized for handling snakes. Jackson County leaders drowned in providential storm. Lyman Wight refuses Hyrum's order, repents. Rattlers carried out of camp. Waist-deep mud. Food shortage. Vigilantes, but Joseph is calm. Brigham's rattler. Richmond warning. Farmer feeds the Camp. Fishing River encampment. Vigilantes warn 60 are ready attack. Providential thunderstorm foils mob. |
| Missouri (June 21–27, 1834) |
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Shaken by the hailstorm, Ray County emissaries are won over by Joseph's assurances. Fishing River revelation postpones redemption of Zion, disillusioning some. Liberty encampment. Cholera. Joseph and Hyrum sick. Camp members to spread out. |
| Missouri (June 28–July 3, 1834) |
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Sick are cared for in the Wight and Whitmers homes. Pepper tea, whiskey and flour remedies. Joseph and Hyrum sick. Heber C. Kimball tries jumping and "thrashing about." Many leave June 30. Cold water treatment. Men employed making bricks. Covenant ends epidemic. High council organized. Sixty-eight sick, fourteen deaths. Camp discharged. Lords accepts Camp's "offering." |
| Documents |
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| W. W.
Phelps to the Star, May 1, 1834 |
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W. W. Phelps writes that in late
April a report that Mormons were coming to take their lands brings the mob
out for war. They burn most of the 170 Mormon structures. Depredations in
Clay county. Some non-Mormons leaving Jackson. Only God can stop the mob. |
| Joseph Smith
to Emma, June 4, 1834 |
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Arriving at the Mississippi, Joseph
writes that Emma that the Camp is in good condition, enemies believe the
camp is much larger than the real number of 170; hope to meet up with Hyrum
Smith and Lyman Wight contingent at Salt River. |
| Gov.
Dunklin's Reservations (June 6, 1834) |
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Governor Dunklin hopes
for a compromise between the Mormons and Jackson county citizens. Failing
that, he will have to enforce the law. Must remain out of negotiations to
retain impartiality. Law is on the side of the Mormons, but they cannot
enter the state armed without his consent. |
| John
Corrill to the Star, June 14, 1834 |
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John Corrill writes
in mid-June that Jackson county mob leaders spread word that the Mormons
are coming, burn remaining Mormon property and blame it on the Mormons.
Hundreds of armed men ready to repel any Mormon attempt to return; agitating
citizens of Clay County. Some residents leaving Jackson. Mormon intentions
purely defensive, governor assurres protection. |
| Hiram
Winters Recollection of Zion's Camp |
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Twelve
men receive two pounds of deer meat and two pounds of bread, which
proves more than enough. The First Presidency heals Burr Riggs, who
had been found stiff as a board. |
| July 1834 Appeal |
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The high council in Zion issues
a public appeal for assistance from all honorable, freedom-loving men,
warning if this blatant violation of state and federal constitutions prevails,
no one will be safe from religious persecution in the future. |
| Aftermath |
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Minutes
of August 11, 1834 |
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Council of high priests and elders
hear Sylvester Smith's accusations
of "criminal conduct" by Joseph Smith during Zion's Camp. Joseph
is exonerated. Sylvester's confession is to be published and the branches
notified. |
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Minutes of August 21, 1834 |
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Council approves article vindicating
Joseph Smith's conduct on Zion's Camp, signed by sixteen members, to be
published in the Evening and Morning Star and circulated as a broadside. |
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Minutes of August 28, 1834 |
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Bishop Whitney convenes high council
to try Sylvester Smith for his accusations against Joseph Smith. The prophet's
conduct in Zion's Camp is upheld and Sylvester Smith is rebuked. |
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Minutes of August 29, 1834 |
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Concluding testimony in the Sylvester
Smith case—he is blamed for confrontations with Joseph Smith during
Zion's Camp: insubordination, threatening Joseph's dog, arguing with him,
refusing to share bread. Joseph didn't steal a quilt, it was given to him.
Sylvester to publish confession. Detailed terms dictated. Sylvester signs
statement under duress. |
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Sylvester Smith's Published Confession |
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Difficulties between Sylvester Smith
and Joseph Smith arose during Zion's Camp. Sylvester complained to council,
which found Joseph's conduct blameless. Sylvester perfectly satisfied,
regrets trouble he caused with his accusations. Testifies the work is true
and must endure. Published in the October issue of the Messenger and
Advocate. |
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