Morning Star (41 page)

He studied her face, reached for the plate of bread, and said, “I guess I'm not surprised, come to think of it. Mark's a pretty strong talker.”

She lifted her chin. “Mark didn't influence me. I simply—” She stared at Mark, then looked at her brother. “Tom, after the fascination of everything else wore off, I just came back to where I belonged. I was going to say I chose, but I didn't. It was more like the Lord had my hand and just pulled me back to where I belonged.

“Once I decided, there was no alternative. I felt like I was home.” She leaned across the table to look at Tom. “Do you know the feeling?” When he shook his head, she said, “Well, I didn't, either. I didn't realize all the things I didn't like inside of me would be the very things God would take away. Sin.”

Tom said slowly, “You said ‘fascination.' What do you mean?”

She faced him without flinching. “Witchcraft, Mormonism. They were fascinating, you know. An obsession.”

Mark followed Tom out to the barn and watched him saddle his horse. As Tom swung himself onto the mare, he said, “So Jen's got religion. Did she ever tell you about jumping into the river?”

“No,” Mark said slowly, “and after what happened to Sally, I'd never ask.”

Mark was thinking, as Tom rode down the lane, that his brother-in-law looked as if there was another question he wanted to ask. Jenny and John Mark came out of the house, and Mark watched as the sun caught the baby's bright hair and turned it into a halo.

Mark struggled with thoughts he couldn't allow. At times just knowing about the plural marriage seemed to make it more difficult. If she hadn't told him, could he have put the whole thing out of his mind? He sighed and walked slowly toward his family.

Tuesday evening when Mark rode into the yard, Jenny was sitting on the back steps while John Mark charged about the yard carrying his wooden spoon. She fluttered her fingers at him and he went on to the barn.

When he carried the pail of milk into the kitchen, he said, “I thought you intended coming to the office after Relief Society meeting.”

She looked startled. “Oh, I did. Just forgot. I hope I didn't delay you.” Mark shook his head, wondering but not daring to question. As he put the milk in the kitchen, he added another question to the list in his mind.

That night of the meeting at Higbee's store, nearly frantic with worry, he had questioned her about the delay. She had been short when she answered his question. Briefly, she stated she had been on the roof with Joseph and Clayton.

They were still sitting at the table after dinner when Jenny met his eyes and slowly said, “Today Emma passed around a statement which she had prepared and submitted to the
Nauvoo Neighbor
. Have you seen it?”

He shook his head and waited. Jenny sighed deeply. “In essence it rails against Dr. John C. Bennett's spiritual wife system. Mark, that wasn't his idea!”

“He's accused of it, whether or not he's to blame.”

She continued, “Other than placing the blame on him, it was really a nothing statement. She mentioned polygamy, bigamy, adultery, and so on. One of the women whispered to me that she'd heard Dr. Bennett claim that all the Relief Society women were to be the Prophet's wives.” Lifting her face, she said, “Mark, this is so terrible! There are so
many
women in the group.”

As Mark blew out the lamp and they started up the stairs, he was miserably aware of the questions rising up in his heart. Why did she care how many there were? He watched as Jenny pulled the blanket over John Mark. Would he ever be totally free of the taint Joseph had left on his marriage? He needed that freedom in his life. Strange that it had to be dealt with every day.

He paused in the doorway. “Jenny, I think I'll go down and read for a while.” He turned away from the hurt question in her eyes.

At the end of the week, as Mark rode into Nauvoo, William Law met him with newspaper in hand. “Well, friend,” he said heavily, “the guesses were right. There's a neat little article here in the
Nauvoo Neighbor
detailing nearly everything we discussed at that first meeting at Higbee's.

“There's even a fairly accurate account of Joseph's attempted seduction of Mrs. Foster. No comment by Joseph in the article, just the sublime implication that he is being persecuted.” He shoved the paper into his satchel. “Brother, I think our hand is being forced.”

“What is the next step?” Mark asked slowly.

“Depends,” Law said. “You haven't been suspected yet. So far as Joseph knows you're untainted. That's good, since you're his attorney. I'd like to suggest you keep it that way for the sake of the free flow of information, which we'll need badly.”

“Sooner or later the Angels will be able to link us.”

“Probably, but let's play for time. There's to be a meeting tonight at Higbee's. Stay home, I'll bring you up-to-date later. If need be, I'll ride out to your place.”

He started to turn away and then said, “By the way, Mark, I still believe in the Prophet. I intend with every power of persuasion at my disposal to call Joseph to genuine repentance.”

“It's a waste without confession—at least to the brethren, if not to the whole church. He's in too deep to profess change without it.”

“That could be nasty. What about the presidential election?”

“It would ruin any hopes,” Mark added.

“Nevertheless, it must be done.”

“You've been threatened before.”

“You're referring to the Destroying Angels?” Mark nodded. “Then let me tell you what I intend. Since Joseph won't take my call for reformation seriously, I intend to set up a church of my own. I feel this will force his hand. I've also ordered a printing press. Joseph and I'll be trading tit for tat before June rolls around.

“Also, if there isn't immediate action on Joseph's part, I intend to sue, charging him with adultery.”

Slowly Mark said, “William, you are a very brave man. I'll help you as much as I can. Are you certain I'll be most valuable by keeping my mouth shut?”

He nodded. “By the way, Higbee's suing Joseph for five thousand dollars, charging him with slander.”

Chapter 41

When Mark entered the livery stable that blustery April afternoon, Tom was at the forge and William Law was with him. “Heading for home?” Law asked. Mark nodded as he threw the saddle on his mare, and Law added, “Well, I'd ride with you, but I've an errand that will detain me about fifteen minutes.” His eyes held Mark's.

“I'll see you some other time,” Mark said, leading his horse out. He looked at Tom. “If you're out our way tomorrow, stop for supper.” Tom nodded and reached for a nail.

Mark lingered on the trail until William caught up with him. “Why the secrecy? Tom can keep his mouth shut.”

“Can't risk the information I have. Foster's been gathering a bunch of witnesses to use against Joseph in this trial called against him. Seems Joseph got wind of it and set up a secret council meeting. The outcome? Foster, Wilson, Jane, and I were all excommunicated. Without a hearing,” he added. Mark watched him silently as he slowly shook his head.

“It was really a blow,” Law continued, “but not a one of our group is willing to back down now.”

Slowly Mark said, “By rights I should have been on that council; Joseph didn't say a word to me.”

“The first meeting of our new church will be this next Sabbath,” Law said. “I just wanted you to know, but don't put in an appearance. We still need you where you are.”

By the time Mark reached home, he had decided to say nothing to Jenny for the time being. He kissed her and said, “There's a big parade and speeches in Nauvoo tomorrow. If it isn't too blustery, would you like to go?”

Her face lighted, “Oh, Mark, how nice! What are we celebrating?”

“Nothing that I know of. I think it's just a show of force. You know the Prophet is getting ready to announce his candidacy for the presidency. A parade will raise everyone's spirits.”

The following day was warm and sparkling from the nighttime shower. As they joined the wagons and buggies streaming into Nauvoo, Jenny said, “This parade must be more important than you thought. Look at the people.”

“Finding a place to leave a buggy is getting to be a problem,” Mark said. “I'll let you and John Mark off here in front of the Nauvoo Mansion. Walk toward the business section, and I'll meet you.”

Carrying John Mark, Jenny hurried across the street. A flurry of activity at the front door of the hotel caught her eye, and she paused to watch. Emma, followed by her children, was being helped into a handsome new carriage.

“The grand lady is going to be in the parade too,” the wizened, gray-haired lady at her elbow said. “Do you know when the Prophet's mother will return to Nauvoo? I knew her back in Palmyra days. I'd surely like to visit with her.”

Jenny shook her head. “Nauvoo is getting so big I can't keep up on any of the news. I haven't visited with Lucy Smith for years. Doubt she'd even remember me. So you're from Palmyra. I lived at Manchester for a time.” Jenny searched the woman's face, trying to place her. They continued down the street toward the speaker's stand draped with bunting.

The woman was saying, “My, who would've guessed Palmyra would produce a prophet? I rise up and call myself blessed for knowing him in the beginning years.”

Jenny saw Mark and waved. With a smile she walked away from the woman. Mark said, “Let's stand here, close to the platform. Joseph's on old Charlie; Emma and the carriage as well as the Legion are ready to start. I expect we'll hear the band in another minute.”

He was right. By the time the band passed in front of the platform, the crowd was in a frenzy. Mark, with his lips close to Jenny's ear, said, “This is very military. Hear the drums? They know how to beat life into anything that moves.”

The band was beyond them now and Joseph's horse Charlie appeared. Carefully curried until he resembled black satin, the prancing horse magnified the glory of the Prophet. From the helmet topped with a plume of ostrich feathers, to the glory of his blue coat decorated with heavy gold braid, he was the epitome of the office of lieutenant-general of the Nauvoo Legion.

As he passed, a murmur of appreciation swept the crowd. Looking at the people around her, Jenny smiled, seeing the blind adoration on their faces. But suddenly she frowned. For the first time she perceived Joseph in a new light—the contrast between his grandeur and the threadbare black coats and dingy calico of his adoring subjects.

Long before the last of the Legion had passed, Joseph had taken his place on the platform. The elders were with him. Jenny moved impatiently and shifted John Mark. With a grin Mark took the child, whispering, “Aren't you glad they didn't all march today? It's reported there's four thousand of them now.”

And when the street was once again quiet, hushed and waiting, Joseph stood before them. “What do you all say about today's glory?”

The roar was deafening and a chanting swept the street. “Joseph! Joseph!” came the cry. For a moment Jenny felt separated from it all. A cold chill touched her as she studied the faces of his followers.

Silence descended abruptly, and Joseph lifted his face skyward. “In the scheme of human events, I calculate to be an instrument. By the word of the Lord I shall set up the kingdom of Daniel. Through this act there will be a foundation laid which shall revolutionize the world. But I assure you, my dear brethren, it shall not be by the sword nor gun that I shall possess in the name of this kingdom. No, my friends, in these latter days the power of truth shall press so heavily upon all nations to such an extent that they shall under necessity humble themselves to obey the gospel.” He paused momentarily and then said, “All America, from north to south, from coast to coast, is Zion. It is our inheritance! I am a smooth polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty. He shall give me dominion over all.”

The chant rose again. Jenny concentrated on the words,
There ain't gonna be no war no more, there ain't gonna be no war
. Mark bent over her, whispering, “Little do they know that the Prophet is planning to have an arsenal and to manufacture powder. At the same time his army shall continue to grow.”

During the week Nauvoo subsided back into the usual workaday world. Only those closest to Joseph knew the decisions being made.

Mark walked into his office one morning and discovered it had been turned into a convention hall. During that morning, the puzzle pieces fell abruptly into place.

When he stepped into the assembly of black-coated men, Joseph was standing before them with a handful of papers. Mark noted that Joseph had dressed in black in honor of the occasion.

Nodding at Mark, Joseph said, “I have in my hands copies of the numerous letters written to Congress in an attempt to win attention, support, even recognition of our rights as a beleaguered people. We have had no reply promising satisfaction. Until we are a political force, we shall not win the attention of this country.

“I am convinced we'll be robbed of our constitutional rights until we stamp our feet hard enough to win respect.” He paced the room, saying, “I've contacted every candidate for office, asking their views on our plight and have received no satisfaction from that quarter. Therefore, I shall declare myself candidate for president of the United States of America.”

There was a muffled roar of approval as Hyrum Smith got to his feet. “We want a president—for the people, not for a party!”

Throughout the day the men huddled over the table. A platform was written out, while ideas shot around the room: “Reduce Congress!” “Establish a theodemocracy, where God and the people hold power to conduct affairs in righteousness!” “Bring Texas into the union!” “Abolish slavery!”