Joseph knew his enemies and
appreciated his friends. Upon one of my calls at his house on business, I found
him walking the floor seemingly vexed. He was talking to someone in the next
room and he was very earnest. He stopped in his walk and turning to me said,
"Brother Mace, this gospel gathers up some of the meanest of all God's
creation." After a short pause he added, "Yes, end some of the finest
fellows that ever lived." While certain rascals constantly sought his
life, his friends were constant and true and he knew it. Many, like myself,
worked on the Temple all day and stood guard through the night, traveling from
place to place to warn him of danger and protecting him from his enemies. As
general, speaking to the Nauvoo Legion, he said to us, "You have faithfully
performed your duty in preserving the lives of the people as well as mine. You
shall be called the First Elders of this Church. Your mission will be to the
nations of the earth to preach the gospel and you will gather many people to
the fastnesses of the Rocky Mountains." (Biography of Wandle Mace as toldto Rebecca E. H. Mace, his 2nd Wife, c. 1890, p. 18)
Further Reading:
Resources
on Joseph Smith’s Prophecies
