Replies

I deeply and sincerely believe that we would have had a vlolent religion, as bad as lslam on the American soil, if he had lived longer. Because he died 'early', m-ism is more moderate than it would have been.

http://www.farwesthistory.com/docco.htm

Document
Containing the
Correspondence, Orders, &C.

In Relation to the Disturbances with the

Mormons;

and the

Evidence

Given before the Hon. Austin A. King, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri, at the Court-house in Richmond,

in a Criminal Court of Inquiry, Begun November 12, 1838,

on the Trial of Joseph Smith, Jr., and Others, for High

Treason and Other Crimes Against the State.
Published By Order of the General Assembly.

Printed at the office of the Boon's Lick Democrat.

Fayette, Missouri:

1841.

EVIDENCE

Sampson Avard - - - - 97

Nehemiah Odle - - - - 108

Capt. Samuel Bogart - - 108

Wyatt Cravens - - - - 109

Maurice [Morris] Phelps - - - - 109

John Corrill - - - - 110

James C. Owens - - - - 113-120

Nathaniel Carr - - - - 114

John Cleminson - - - - 114

Reed Peck - - - - 116

William W. Phelps - - - - 120

Geo. M. Hinkle - - - - 125

William Splawn - - - - 129

Thomas M. Odle - - - - 130

John Raglin - - - - 131

Allen Rathbun - - - - 131

Jeremiah Myers - - - - 131

Andrew J. Job - - - - 132

Freeburn H. Gardner - - - - 133

Burr Riggs - - - - 134

Elisha Cameron - - - - 136

Charles Bleckley - - - - 136

James Cobb - - - - 136

Jesse Kelley - - - - 137

Addison Price - - - - 137

Samuel Kimbel - - - - 138

John Whitmer- - - - - 138

James B. Turnur - - - - 139

George W. Worthington - - - 140

Joseph H. McGee - - - - 141

John Lockhart - - - - 142

Porter Yale - - - - 142

Benjamin Slade - - - - 143

Ezra Williams - - - - 143

Addison F. Green - - - - 144

John Taylor - - - - 144

Timothy Lewis - - - - 145

Patrick Lynch - - - - 145

Malinda Porter- - - - - 146

Delta F. Pine - - - - 146

Nancy Rigdon - - - - 147

Johathan W. Barlow - - - - 147

Thorit Parsons - - - - 148

Ezra Chipman - - - - 148

Arza Judd, jr. - - - - 148

Asa Cook - - - - 149

O. H. Searcy to Gen. Clark - - - - 151

Danite Constitution - - - - 101

Rigdon's "Salt Sermon" - - - - 139

Document Reference

Robert Snodgrass - - - - – Hunt – 217

George Walter ---- - - - - Hunt – 217-219

Abner Scovel ----- - - - - Hunt – 227-228
From Joseph Smith's History Vault

-SNIP-

Transcription of Avard testimony by Dale Broadhurst

Sampson Avard, a witness, produced, sworn, and examined, in behalf of the state, deposeth and saith:-- That about four months since, a band called the Daughters of Zion, (since called the Danite band,) was formed of the members of the Mormon church, the original object of which was to drive from the county of Caldwell all those who dissented from the Mormon church; in which they succeeded admirably, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. I consider Joseph Smith, jr., as the prime mover and organizer of this band. The officers of the band, according to their grades, were brought before him, at a school house, together with Hiram Smith and Sidney Rigdon; the three composing the first presidency of the whole church. It was stated by Joseph Smith, jr., that it was necessary this band should be bound together by a covenant, that those who revealed the secrets of the society should be put to death. The covenant taken by all the Danite band was as follows, to wit: They declared, holding up their right hand, "In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I do solemnly obligate myself ever to conceal and never to reveal the secret purposes of this society, called the Daughters of Zion. Should I ever do the same, I hold my life as the forfeiture." The prophet Joseph Smith, jr., together with his two counsellors, (Hiram Smith and Sidney Rigdon,) were considered as the supreme head of the church; and the Danite band feel themselves as much bound to obey them as to obey the Supreme God. Instruction was given by Joseph Smith, jr., that if any of them should get into difficulty, the rest should help him out; and that they should stand by each other, right or wrong. This instruction was given at a Danite meeting, in a public address. As for Joseph Smith, jr., and his two counsellors, the witness does not know they ever took the Danite oath.

More at link, including the "Danite Constitution"