pent of their sins to God and the presidency, and arraign them for giving a false account of their money and effects they had on hand; and they said, whenever they found one guilty of these things, they were to be handed over to the 'Brothers of Gideon.'" "There was a short speech made by Joseph Smith, Jr., about carrying on the war, in which he said it was necessary to take spoils to live on. This was in reference to the dissenters, as well as to the people of Davies, where they were going." "Wight asked Smith, Jr., twice, if it had come to the point now to resist the laws. Smith replied, the time had come when he should resist all law."
A great deal of testimony was taken, disclosing a fearful catalogue of stealing, robbery, burning, &c., by the Mormons, with the sanction of their prophet.
Among the affidavits on which the prosecution was founded is one made by Thomas B. Marsh, a seceder, in which it is stated, "They have among them a company, consisting of all that are considered true Mormons, called the Danites, who have taken an oath to support the heads of the Church in all things that they say or do, whether right or wrong." "In a conversation between Dr. Avard and other Mormons, said Avard proposed to start a pestilence among the Gentiles, as he called them, by poisoning their cows, fruit, &c., and saying it was the work of the Lord; and said Avard advocated lying, for the support of their religion, and said it was no harm to lie for the Lord. The plan of said Smith, the prophet, is to take this state; and he professes to his people to intend taking the United States, and ultimately the whole world. The prophet
