MosesClawson.com

This speech was first delivered at the Charles Moses Clawson Jr. family reunion in Sierra Vista, Arizona on July 5, 1997. It was given by proxy by Rodney E. Clawson, a great great grandson, and repeated at the Moses Clawson reunion in Shelley, Idaho on August 2, 1997. The speech is a summary of some major events of Moses Clawson's life.

I, Moses Clawson, am the son of Ebenezer and Lola Foote Clawson. I was born the 8th of October, 1801 in the town of Dryden, the state of New York. When I was but a boy at the age of 5, my father was taken with inflammation on the brain. He died on the 12th day of August. My mother was left with 6 children. I was tossed from place to place until my mother married Josiah Richardson in 1808.

At the age of 12, my stepfather and eldest brother, joined the American army, against England. For the next 2 years, I was left to do all the labor upon the farm, which was very trying upon me being very young.

In the fall of 1830, a remarkable thing happened. Up until this time I did not believe in any of the various religious sects. In the fall of that year, an old gentleman by the name of Colonel John Stevens came to my house and said to me, "Reports in the papers say there is a Golden Bible found!} This thrilled me like an electric shock! My desire was to get the book , and a few months later, it was put into my possession. I read it carefully and believed that God had again manifested himself unto men by giving them a history of the American continent. I did not meet with the Mormons again until a man by the name of Ezra Landon came and preached of the prophecies, those past and yet to be fulfilled. A year later, in 1835, 2 Elders from Kirtland, Ohio came to our settlement. Being of an inquiring mind, I invited them to come to my house. On the 2nd of March 1835, myself, my wife, and my youngest sister Lola, went into the waters of baptism. I was visited with a feeling for several days as though my whole frame was on fire ... through which I received great knowledge as pertaining to the things of God.

Persecutions raged, immediately with unabated fury! The church had been driven from Independence, Jackson, as also from Ray and Clay Counties. That summer, George Albert Smith and a cousin of his came and remained with us for a great part. I took a notion to move to Missouri the next spring. I had a valuable farm, worth $400, which I sold at a loss for $150.

I started for Missouri the 11th of May 1836. Having traveled a few days, my son, Ebenezer was thrown form the wagon while driving my horses. The wheel of the wagon ran over his body and across his head, which injured him very much by cutting the scalp several inches on the back of his head. He seemed dead. ... The news soon spread that a Mormon child was run over and killed! We were on the banks of the Genesse River when we took him downstream about a half mile to a hotel where we were furnished a room. Not knowing the power of the priesthood, as I do now, we were advised to send for a doctor. The house was soon filled with people to the Mormon boy who was supposed to be killed ... when 4 missionaries came in and said, "Don't be afraid, and don't send for a doctor." I told them we were in their hands and to do as they thought best. The elder closed the door and administered to the boy. He then told me that in a few hours we could go on our journey. After a time my son awoke and we did travel 6 miles with Ebenezer during the team part of the way and camped for the night. The would on his head healed up without ever swelling, only leaving a scar.

We then continued on to Kirtland. On the 25th of May, Old Father Smith blessed myself and my wife with a patriarchal blessing. We then continued our journey to Missouri when we were stopped on the Crooked River by the mob. While there, I took the chills and fever and was very sickly. We moved on to Caldwell County. There were but a few people, and provisions were very hard to get, (except corn of which there was tolerable plenty!) We had no mills to grind the corn, and had to grate it using a grater. I was one of the first that settled Caldwell County. Commenced on a new farm, I was blessed in my labors and accumulated property very fast.

In the spring of the 1838, the people began to be jealous of us. The prophet was living with us at the time and gave us a great amount of good counsel. On the fourth of July we assembled to celebrate and raised a liberty pole. It would see that the evil one had conspired against us, for a shaft of vivid lightning descended and the liberty pole was rent to within 3 feet of the ground. Joseph then said, "Brethren our liberty is gone!"

During the day Elder Rigdon preached a sermon, now known as "The Salt Sermon." It had a tendency to stir up both saint and sinner. Persecutions commenced. The government raised up 5,000 men to come to Far West. They stole our property and ravished our women. The mob fell upon a little company at Hauns Mill and killed quite a number, and then proceeded on to Far West. George W. Hinkle and others betrayed Joseph and his brethren into the hands of the mob. They called a military court martial, and passed sentence on Joseph and others. They were to be shot ... This did not take place. Being overpowered, we went to a hollow square of about 5,000 men and laid down our arms. They persecuted us, robbed our houses, and destroyed our property. a strong guard was set against us and they would not let us leave the city. I, along with 60 or 70 men, was arrested and taken to Richmond jail, some 40 miles distance, and there, we were thrust into prison. They dragged us through snow some 12 to 14 inches deep. We had very little provision and were well guarded. Joseph and others were taken up the river to Independence jail supposing that they would be killed there. A mock trail commenced where all manner of high crimes were brought against us. They then sent for Joseph and others and put them on trial with us. They were in another room confined by chains. After 2 weeks, I along with 24 others, were set free, while Joseph and others were taken to Liberty and thrust into prison.

The mob continued their outrages and we were not permitted to hold any public meetings. Joseph Young came to my house and wished me to go to a meeting with him. After wandering in the forest for a time we came upon a house where we found Brigham Young, Heber Kimball and others in counsel. I was ordained into the Quorum of the Seventies.

The mob ordered us to leave the state. I gathered up what little I could and got over to the state of Pike County, Illinois. I remained there until 1840, when Joseph said, "Come up to Hancock County." My family remained there while I went on a mission in the East. While there, Joseph was murdered.

The mob still continued to harass, and in 1846 myself and neighbors were all burned out and driven into Nauvoo. We remained there through the winter. The next spring of 1847, we left for Salt Lake City (Valley). We arrived in Kanesville int he summer. While there, we lost 2 of our children,... Lola Amanda and Wallace. We stayed in Winters Quarters at the request of Brigham Young to build and repair wagons for the saints until the spring of 1849, after which we left for the Salt Lake Valley. We finally arrived in the fall of 1849.

I went to England in 1850 on a mission. (In 1853) Called to preside over a ship the Ellen Marie bound for New Orleans had on board 299 Saints. I , not being a "seaman" was quite sick most of the trip ... Sarah Ann Inkley, a young convert took care of me. We arrived in New Orleans and from there chartered a steamboat for St Louis then to Keokuck, Iowa, (I) took the charge of a few wagons across to Kanesville. (I was there )Appointed captain over 56 wagons to cross the Plains ... arrived in Salt Lake after 75 days. I received word that my wife Cornelia was very ill and I went ahead to be with her. Sarah Ann Inkley was sealed to me under direction of Brigham Young on 27 September 1853. (Cornelia bore twelve children and Sarah bore thirteen children. From these children I have 135 grandchildren and over 5000 descendants not including their spouses. I have indeed been blessed.)