God, as revealed by Joseph Smith, His
Prophet, were willing to comply with every order, and to obey
every wish of the Priesthood.

The majority of the people, however, felt like Ananias and
Sapphira - they dare not trust all to God and His Prophet. They
felt that their money was as safe in their own possession as it
was when held by the Church authorities. A vote of the people was
had to determine - the question whether they would consecrate
their wealth to the Church, or not. The vote was taken and was
unanimous for the consecration. I soon found out that the people
had voted as I have often known them to do in Mormon meetings
since then; they vote to please the Priesthood, then act to suit
themselves. I never thought that was right or honest; men should
vote their sentiments, but they do not at all times do so. I have
been the victim of such hypocrites.

The vote, as I said, was taken. It was done by a show of hands,
but not a show of hearts. By the readiness with which all hands
went up in favor of consecration it was declared that the people
were of a truth God's children, and, as such, would be protected
by Him. The Prophet and all his Priesthood were jubilant, and
could hardly contain themselves; they were so happy to see the
people such dutiful Saints.

Sidney Rigdon on that day delivered an oration, in which he said
the Mormons were, as a people, loyal to the Government, obedient
to the laws, and as such they were entitled to the protection of
the Government in common with all other denominations, and were
justified in claiming as full protection, in their religious
matters, as the people of any other sect; that the Mormons had
suffered from mob rule and violence, but would no longer submit
to the mob or unjust treatment that had so long followed them.
Now and forevermore would they meet force with force.

"We have been driven from Kirkland," said he; "from Jackson
County, the true Zion; and now we will maintain our rights,
defend our homes, our wives and children, and our property from
mob rule and violence. If the Saints are again attacked, we will
carry on a war of extermination against our enemies, even to
their homes and firesides, until we despoil those who have
despoiled us, and give no quarter until our enemies are wasted
away. We will unfurl to the breeze the flag of our nation, and
under that banner of freedom we will maintain our rights, or die
in the attempt."

At the end of each sentence Ri