6 August 1843 (Sunday Morning). Temple Stand

[1] Zebedee Coltrin [2] prayed. P. P. Pratt preached on testimony. after Sermon. Joseph (for he came to the Stand soon after Parly commenced.) said he would preach his sermon next Sunday he was not able to day.—would speak of another subject.—the Election [3] he was above the kingdoms of the world for he had no laws.—I have not come to tell you to vote this way, that way, or the other in relation to National matters I want it to abroad to the whole world that every man should stand on his own merits. the Lord has not given me Revelation concerning politics.—I have not asked the Lord for it.—I am a third party stand independent and alone—I desire to see all parties protected in their rights.—as I have to have in relation to Mr Walker. [4] he is a whig candidate a high minded man.

Mr Walker has not hung on to my coat tail to gain his election as some have said. I am going to give a testimony but not for electioneering purposes. before Mr Walker come to Nauvoo rumor come up that he might become a candidate for congress. says I he is an old friend I will vote for him.—when Mr Walker come to my house, I voluntarily told him I was going to vote for him. When I dictated to him the laws of Nauvoo, he received them on my testimony.—the rascals took Walkers & Montgomery [5] security when I was arrested Walker made Reynolds [6] come to me & beg my pardon for abuse he gave me & though his men took the pistols from the rascals, & withdrew all claim to your vote & influence if it will be detrimental to your interest as a people.

Bro Hiram tells me this morning that he has had a testimony that it will be better for this people to vote for hoge. [7] & I never knew Hiram say he ever had a revelation & it failed. Never told Bro Law [8] to tell my private feelings. [9] (Let God speak and all men hold their peace.) and I utterly forbid these polotical demagogues from using my name hereafter forever.—

It is my settled feeling that if gov Ford erred in granting a writ against me it is of the head and not of the heart. and I authorize all men to say I am a personal friend of gov ford.

A Cap to Parleys [10] Sermon

every word that proceedeth from the mouth of Jehovah has such an influence over the human mind the logical mind that it is convincing without other testimony. faith cometh by hearing. [11]

If 10000 men testify to a truth you know would it add to your faith? No, or will 1000 testimonies destroy your knowledge of a fact.? No.—I do not want anyone to tell I am a prophet or attempt to prove my word [12] I Prophecy in the name of God Almighty they shall bear off the palm.

William Clayton Diary

Prest. J. made some remarks on the election showing that he had taken no part in it. stated that Hyrum had had a manifestation that it was for our interest to vote for Hoge.

Levi Richards Diary

6 At the stand near the Temple heard B P Pratt lecture on the principle of evidence—cap________by Joseph,—that truth carrys its own influence & reccomends itself &c.

Willard Richards Diary

Meeting A.M. Parley. Joseph Hyrum Phelps & Walker.

—6 August 1843

Notes

[1] See History of the Church, 5:526. Not in Teachings. The original source for the History of the Church account is the Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards. The reports of William Clayton, Levi Richards, and Willard Richards (personal diary) are here published for the first time.

[2] Zebedee Coltrin (1804-87). Baptized in January 1831, Coltrin gave a life of service to the Church.

[3] The Illinois State election was held on 7 August 1843, the day after this discourse.

[4] Cyrus Walker.

[5] Mr. Montgomery was a law student and Cyrus Walker's son-in-law.

[6] Joseph H. Reynolds.

[7] Joseph Pendleton Hoge (1810-91), a Democrat, served as United States Congressman for Illinois 1843-47. He later served as Judge of the San Francisco Superior Court.

[8] William Law.

[9] Possibly William Law had informed others that Joseph Smith actually supported Joseph P. Hoge for United States Congressman, even though he had promised his vote to Cyrus Walker in June 1843. Walker refused to give legal aid to the Prophet until the Prophet promised to vote for him. Walker mistakenly believed that he would have the Mormon vote if he had the Prophet's vote.

[10] That is, to put finishing touches on Parley P. Pratt's sermon, which had been delivered before the Prophet's.

[11] Romans 10:17.

[12] See the 16 July 1843 (2) and 23 July 1843 discourses.