“That’s right,” Benjamin said grimly. “An oath that goes something like this: ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I do solemnly obligate myself to keep the secrets of this society called the Daughters of Zion—’ ”
“The Daughters of Zion?”
“Yes. That’s one of their names. It comes from Micah, where it says something like, ‘Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make thy hooves like brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people.’ They also call themselves the ‘Big Fan,’ from the idea of using a fan to separate the wheat from the chaff.” He blew out his breath, glad he was finally sharing this with someone. “They also call themselves the ‘Destroying Angels,’ and another name they’ve chosen is the ‘Danites.’ ”
He started walking again and Nathan fell into step. “But occasionally we call ourselves the Danites. Joseph once said that the armies of Israel are Danites.”
“That’s right. And do you remember why?”
Nathan shrugged. “Sure. He took the name from the book of Daniel. Daniel prophesied that in the last days the Saints would rise up and prepare the world for Christ’s second coming. Since we’re the Latter-day
Saints
, Joseph thought Daniel’s words applied to us.”
“That’s right!” Benjamin said wearily. “Joseph calls our militia the armies of Israel, but you and I both know he’s not just talking about arming ourselves for defense. We’re called to care for the poor. There are companies who watch out for the widows and the weak. That’s what it’s all about. Not just trying to protect ourselves, but to be
Saints
while we do it, like Daniel saw. Right?”
“Right.”
“Well, that’s not what Avard’s saying. He says the name comes from the tribe of Dan. They were the most warlike of the twelve tribes. They were famous for striking against their enemies with swift harshness.”
Nathan’s countenance had turned very grim. “That’s not quite the same thing as Joseph had in mind, is it?”
“No. You think about those names this group is using. Everyone of them carries the idea of vengeance and retribution . . .” He looked away. “And violence.”
“You’re starting to frighten me, Pa. This man who told you this—you believe him?”
Benjamin nodded slowly. “I’ve never seen a man so terrified in my life. Let me finish telling you the kinds of things they’re doing, and you’ll see why. As I said, in their oath they invoke the name of God or Christ. Then they say, ‘I do solemnly obligate myself to keep the secrets of this society and swear never to reveal them. Should I ever do so, I hold my life as forfeiture. I will even commit perjury and suffer the pains of death rather than reveal these secrets. May my body be shot and laid in the dust if I do otherwise.’ ”
He let out his breath in a long, slow exhalation, as if the pain of keeping it inside was gone now. “It
is
frightening, Nathan. They say they’ll pursue a man five thousand miles and kill him if he ever breaks the oath.”
Nathan gave a low whistle. “Does Joseph know any of this?”
“Not yet. I’m telling you, Nathan, Avard is a smooth one. He puts on a good face. And, of course, the oath works! Avard and those who are supporting him swear Joseph has given his approval. But because of the oath, no one dares to ask Joseph if that’s true.” He looked away, the frown deepening. “The brother who told me all this this morning said he thinks that’s why Thomas Marsh and Orson Hyde fled to Richmond.”
Nathan’s chin lifted with a quick snap. “What?” The two Apostles had disappeared two days ago. Everyone knew that Thomas Marsh had never gotten over the bitterness he felt over the incident involving his wife. But Orson Hyde had left a note with a friend telling him they could no longer abide with the conditions in the Church. Two members of the Quorum of the Twelve, gone. It had shaken the members in Far West deeply. “What did Avard have to do with that?”
“This man says the Daughters of Zion threatened them. Since they were no longer faithful, either they left immediately or the Destroying Angels would kill them. He says Avard told his band they weren’t going to tolerate any more apostasy, especially not among those who are called to be Apostles.”
“Are you going to tell Joseph all this?” Nathan asked slowly.
“You bet I am!” Benjamin said, his voice heated. “That’s one reason I agreed to go today. I want to see what Avard has to say. But if any of this is true, and word of it gets out to the Missourians, they’ll have the perfect excuse to come against us.”
Nathan grabbed his arm. “And if Avard and his men find out you know . . .” He peered into his father’s eyes. “You’ve got to be careful, Pa. Real careful.”
Benjamin sighed, and he sounded very much like a tired old man. “Believe me, Nathan, I’ve already thought of that.”
* * *
The place Avard had chosen for his meeting with the captains of the armies of Israel was in a grove of trees along the creek that ran just to the north of Far West. Nathan saw immediately why he had chosen it. Once they entered the trees, they were totally secluded from the eyes of the world.
Avard was a dynamic man, handsome and a touch dashing. He wore a neatly trimmed beard and had flashing dark eyes that were never still—and never met a direct gaze for more than a moment or two. Today he was agitated and excited. There was also some evident nervousness. He barely waited until the last man had sat down on the ground in front of him before he launched into his speech.
“Brethren,” he said, “I have called you here today, as the captains of the various companies of the Danites, because the situation grows worse with every passing moment. It is time for us to act.” He looked around, his face lengthening with studied gravity. “I met with President Sidney Rigdon last night and received authority from him to proceed.”
Nathan jerked around to give his father a questioning look. “I doubt that,” he whispered.
Benjamin raised one eyebrow. “Sidney is just enough of a hothead to give him encouragement,” he whispered back. “But I also think Avard is an outright liar. You don’t know what to believe.”
Benjamin turned and looked at Avard, suddenly angry. “Brother Avard?” he called out. “I have a question. What about Brother Joseph? Does he know what we are doing here?”
For an instant there was open anger on Avard’s face. Then it was quickly masked, and Avard smiled broadly. “Brother Rigdon represents the First Presidency. We act with their blessing.”
Several of the men looked at each other and began to whisper, so Avard went on swiftly. “My brethren, as you have been chosen to be our leading men, our captains to rule over this last kingdom of Jesus Christ—and you have been organized after the ancient order—I have called upon you here today to teach you, and instruct you in the things that pertain to your duty, and to show you what your privileges are, and what they soon will be.
“Know ye not, brethren, that it soon will be your privilege to take your respective companies and go out on a scout on the borders of the settlements, and take to yourselves spoils of the goods of the ungodly Gentiles?”
At that, there was a ripple of surprise as numerous heads came up.
Avard rushed on, more loudly and adding force to his words. “That’s right! For it is written, the riches of the Gentiles shall be consecrated to my people, the house of Israel; and thus you will waste away the Gentiles by robbing and plundering them of their property; and in this way we will build up the kingdom of God, and roll forth the little stone that Daniel saw cut out of the mountain without hands and roll forth until it filled the whole earth.”
“No,” someone muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear, “that’s not right. That’s not what that scripture says.”
“Yes it is!” Avard thundered. “This is the very way that God destines to build up his kingdom in the last days. And there is no need to fear. If any of us should be recognized, who can harm us? For we will stand by each other and defend one another in all things.”
Now the bewildered looks were giving way to dismay and outrage. Avard could tell he was losing them, and he rushed on, desperation making his voice rise in pitch. “If our enemies swear against us, we can swear also. Why do you startle at this, brethren? As the Lord liveth, I would swear to a lie to clear any of you; and if this would not be enough, I would put an enemy under the sand as Moses did the Egyptian. In this way we will consecrate much unto the Lord, and build up his kingdom; and who can stand against us?”
Benjamin stood up. “I stand against you,” he said calmly.
Avard’s eyes narrowed as there was a rumble of agreement with Benjamin. Avard’s voice went cold. “Brother Steed, we have made solemn promises to each other, and if any of us transgress, we will deal with him amongst ourselves. And if any one of this Danite society reveals any of these things of which we speak now, I will put him where the dogs cannot bite him.”
Nathan was on his feet, one fist raised and shaking at Avard. “Are you threatening us?” he shouted. “This is not what Joseph wanted when he called us Danites. What you are suggesting is in open violation of the laws of our country. If we rob and steal and plunder from the Gentiles, we would be robbing our fellow citizens of their rights. That is not according to the language and doctrine of Christ, or of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Several men were on their feet now, but Avard did not back down. “You are wrong, Nathan Steed,” he said tightly. “The laws of our country were not executed in justice. How else would we at this very time be surrounded with mobs and armed thugs? I care not for the laws of this country. This is a different dispensation. This is the dispensation of the fulness of times. The scriptures tell us that in this dispensation the kingdom of God is going to put down all other kingdoms. Then the Lord himself will reign, and no laws but God’s laws will be in force then.”
“God does not set up laws that condone stealing and killing,” a man behind Nathan shouted. “He never has and he never will.”
“Nor does God tolerate secret combinations,” Benjamin said. “The Book of Mormon tells us that secret combinations are a most abominable thing in the sight of God. He does not approve of them, and they cannot exist in the true Church of God.”
Suddenly Avard realized he was not going to win this one. He raised his hands, the unctuous smile reappearing as if by magic. “Brethren, brethren,” he said, “I can see you are not ready for such teachings. Perhaps it is best if we drop the subject for now, although I say again, I have only been acting on the authority of Sidney Rigdon.”
Nathan was still very agitated. “Just like the authority you had when you were in Canada?” he exclaimed.
Avard swung around, his eyes filled with cold fury. “Watch your tongue, young man. You may not like the consequences of being rash.”
“And you may not like the consequences of having us check with Brother Rigdon to see if what you say is true.”
“And with Brother Joseph,” Benjamin said darkly. “I think Brother Joseph will be very interested in what we have learned today.”
* * *
As Joshua walked briskly along the main street of Richmond, the county seat of Ray County, he could barely believe what he was seeing. The streets were packed with people, mostly men and most of those bearing arms.
When word had spread that the Mormons were in a state of general uprising following the torching of their homes by some of the mob, panic had sent virtually every old-time settler in northern Missouri fleeing to Richmond. And with them came the Reverend Mr. Woods and Cornelius Gilliam and the eight hundred wild, undisciplined, and nearly uncontrollable men they called an army.
Joshua pulled a face. At least the Mormons were safe for a time. He wasn’t so sure about the good citizens of Ray County though, what with this much weaponry on display and this much liquor being consumed and this much bragging and boasting going on.
He turned up the walk and entered the courthouse, where General Atchison had set up his headquarters. As he entered the room where the general’s aide was, Joshua saw that the door to the inner office was open. General Atchison was behind his desk. Across from him sat General Parks. “Ah, Captain Steed,” Atchison said when he saw him. “Good. Come in. I want you to hear this.”
Joshua stepped into the office. “What is it, sir?”
“How well do you know the Mormon leaders, Steed?”
That startled Joshua.
Parks was watching him closely. “I understand your family are Mormons living in Far West. That true?”
Joshua nodded curtly. He had told Atchison about his parents first thing, so there would be no surprises. He wasn’t sure why Parks was bringing it up now.
“So, do you know their leaders very well?” Parks asked.
Joshua shook his head slowly. “I know Joseph Smith, of course. We lived in upstate New York, not far from him. I might recognize one or two, but that’s about it.”
“The name Thomas B. Marsh mean anything to you?” Parks asked.
Joshua thought for a moment. “It sounds familiar. My sister got married in August. I was there. A lot of the Church leadership was there.”
“He claims to be the chief Apostle. They have twelve Apostles, you know. Claim they’re just like Christ’s church when it was on earth. Marsh claims he’s the leading Apostle.”
Joshua’s head began to go up and down slowly. “Yes, I think I did meet him that day.”
“So you’d recognize him?” Atchison broke in.
“Probably. Yes, I think so.” Joshua hesitated. “What’s this all about, if I may ask, sir?”
General Atchison picked up a sheet of paper from off his desk. “Marsh came to Richmond about a week ago. Said he’s fed up with the Mormons. Another Apostle, name of Hyde, was with him. Anyway, Marsh went before a justice of the peace this morning and swore out this affidavit.” He handed it across to Joshua. “This is bad. I was hoping the Mormons would be restrained and that we could find a solution to the conflict.” He gave a weary sigh. “Now I don’t know anymore. Go ahead, Captain. Sit down.”
Joshua took the paper and sat down. His eyes dropped to the bottom of the paper, where the signature of Thomas B. Marsh was over the signature of Henry Jacobs, justice of the peace, Ray County. “What does it say?” he asked, looking across at his commanding officer.