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May 19, 2026

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Jenee LindnerNovember 4, 2020

Judge Elias Higbee was my 3rd great uncle. Here is a story from his journey with the Prophet. We are still, at times, trying to be heard. Religious Liberty is such a precious gift to us. Taken from Journey to Washington DC: Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, (Judge) Elias Higbee, Orrin P. Rockwell: On October 29, 1839, Joseph Smith, the 'Mormon Prophet,' wrote: "I left Nauvoo accompanied by Sidney Rigdon, (Judge) Elias Higbee and Orrin P. Rockwell...for the city of Washington to lay before the Congress of the United States, the grievances of the (LDS) Saints while in Missouri. While on the mountains some distance from Washington, our coachman stepped into a public house to take his grog, when the horses took fright and ran down the hill at full speed. I persuaded my fellow travelers to be quiet and retain their seats, but had to hold one woman to prevent her throwing her infant out of the coach. The passengers were exceedingly agitated, but I used every persuasion to calm their feelings: and opened the door, I secured my hold on the side of the coach the best way I could, and succeeded in placing myself in the coachman's seat, and reining up the horses, after they had run some two or three miles, and neither coach, horses, or passengers received any injury. My course was spoken of in the highest terms of commendation, as being one of the most daring and heroic deeds and no language could express the gratitude of the passengers when the found themselves safe and the horses quiet. There were some members of Congress with us, who proposed naming the incident to that body, believing they would reward such conduct by some public act: but on inquiring my name, to mention as the author of their safety, and finding it to be Joseph Smith, the 'Mormon Prophet,' as they called me, I heard no more of their praise gratitude, or reward." Joseph Smith

ScottHNovember 4, 2020

It's a good thing to have our idealism about what political systems can achieve humbled to reality. When we no longer see the state as a magical fairy godmother, we can better appreciate appropriate limits on political systems and governmental power.

Boanerges RubalcavaNovember 4, 2020

Although from the practical point of view what she has written is the important points, from the theological point of view, is his answer to the question the president asked him: what is the difference between your faith and all others? Joseph answer: the Gift of the Holy Ghost conferred by the laying of hands.

Chris HowellNovember 4, 2020

Praise to the man, who communed with Jehovah!

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