| 893 the doctrine of Rigdon, and it was marvelous to witness the "wicked spirit" of those who had turned away from the faith. I never realized before the abomination and wickedness of dissenters. They drew after them a multitude of the baser sort, who stood and delighted to hear them ridicule and slander the prophet and people of God; by which "the way of truth was evil spoken of."
The place was strewed [strewn] with Rigdon's papers and pamphlets, which, however, had a good effect upon many, for they could see the spirit by which they were written, and shun the contagion.
I had but little understanding of the wickedness, rotten heartedness, and baseness of Sidney Rigdon, till I went to the region of country, and found some of his elders, sent out to seek whom they might devour.
I am constrained to believe, that the statement made upon the stand was true:-"that Rigdon did write letters to the mob in Missouri" (as stated by Mrs. Rockwell.) and that he sought opportunity-or laid plans to destroy Br. Joseph. The wicked spirit in Rigdon's elders, and those that receive their spirit, are plain manifestations of their situation. The honest in heart need not, and cannot be deceived.
After reading the minutes of the Pittsburgh conference, to hear them talk of "righteousness," and how they will stand by each other in all righteousness, gives me peculiar feelings, and solemn sensations; especially when I reflect on the scenes past, and the experience I have had in the last thirteen years. The many that have risen up against the man of God, the servant to prune the vineyard for the last time, or more properly, the "seer that the Lord said he would bless," whom he upheld until the time appointed to finish his work: He that never turned aside after the flatteries of hypocrites, nor rejected the commands of God when the heathen raged; or when mobs assembled, whined; or when Hinkle and McLellin or others betrayed him into the hands of others for slaughter,-sianed [signed] he with his lips: no: he was true always. I was there and saw the works of those two men at Far West:-and now to hear them talk of righteousness-that McLellin will stand by Rigdon in all righteousness-it's marvellous [marvelous]!
It brings to mind what I witnessed in Jackson county, in 1833, a few months before we were driven from that place. The power of God was manifest on that land in our meetings, held by the elders. I remember in one of those meetings it was made known by prophecy and revelation, through T. B. Marsh, as the spirit gave utterance, "that McLellin would carry the things the Lord was revealing to his people, to the world, and would use his influence against the church to destroy it."
McLellin wondered why T. B. Marsh uttered words against him:-Then another arose and bore testimony to what Marsh had foretold, by the same spirit; and a third arose and testified also, and we marveled! we sorrowed! we wondered! I shall never forget the scene. It was true, and when I read the Pittsburgh papers, and saw McLellin in with Rigdon, it brought the prophetic language of 1833, to my mind, and confirmed it. McLellin goes against the church to destroy it!
The scenes I have passed through since 1832, for my candid belief in sacred things, are wonderful. I and my family, and brethren, are exiles in our own nation because we believe that God, according to the predictions of the holy scriptures by sundry prophets, has raised up a prophet and seer: that through him we have received the Book of Mormon, containing the history of a fallen people who inhabited this land before our progenitors discovered it; and also, containing the fulness [fullness] of the everlasting gospel for the salvation of the whole world.
For this belief, I have been robbed, plundered and driven from houses, goods, possessions and all, and have lost one son whose bones are now "bleaching on the plains of Quincy," together with other Saints who fell victims to the iron hand of Missouri vengeance.
We have importuned, according to the commandment, at the feet of the judge, at the feet of the governor, and at the feet of the president, yet no helping hand has been raised in our behalf to save us from such fury, but rather the rulers take counsel together to destroy us. As in the days of the Savior, we find false brethren seek to betray us unto death. But our thanks are due to God who hath so far preserved us to carry on his work, so devoutly begun by that great servant of God and man, Joseph Smith.
In the hope of the bliss that cometh after much tribulation, and through patience, I remain in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant, Your brother and friend,
DAVID PETTEGREW.
From the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette.
MORMONISM UNVEILED.
Dear Sir:-To condemn unheard, any man or set of men or their principles, on the strength of popular rumor, or the testimony of enemies, would be gross injustice. An impartial investigation should always precede condemnation
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