Morning Star (27 page)

Tom left Joseph, wondering how he could manage working at the stable days and the Mansion House nights.

As he walked back to work, Tom mused on the changes in Nauvoo. As the weather warmed, hordes of strangers were making their way to the city. It was easy to spot the visitors, Tom thought as he stepped past the group on the sidewalk. The women seemed to all have that wide-eyed expression, while the men wore a curious, half-envious one.

By now Tom had adjusted to answering questions and to seeing a trail of people moving in and out of the museum, the unfinished Nauvoo House, and the temple. He was also accustomed to seeing Joseph on the street, discoursing with gusto on any topic.

He winced, recalling the last curbside speech Joseph had made. “Seems a mite hot-winded,” Tom muttered, “comparing himself so high up, sayin' ‘Is there not one greater than Solomon here? He built his temple with his father David's money, and I've had to do my building by myself.' Joe's not countin' the hours we donated to building and the money the Saints have dished out.” He brooded for a moment and added, “Seems it's more
our
temple.”

Just before Tom entered the stable, he raised his head to look at the temple rising on the highest city hill. “Sure going to look good with all that gold leaf on the dome, isn't it?” Tom turned to greet Andy Morgan.

“And you've done a great job on it,” Tom complimented.

“We're moving as fast as possible. Joseph says we're not going to progress very fast until we get the temple done so we'll be able to move on with the endowments.”

“He's also said our salvation depends on gettin' the Nauvoo House built,” Tom added.

Andy sighed and shook his head. After a pause he added, “Saw you coming out of the store and wondered if you'd like a ride out to see the new baby. Sally and I will be leaving shortly.”

Tom was already shaking his head. “Sorry, taking on a new job. Prophet's asked me to do guard duty at the Mansion House. Lee's outta town, maybe for a month.”

“Is that so?” Andy studied Tom's face. “The job could be interesting.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh, nothing,” Andy replied hastily. “Maybe we'll get together later.”

Jenny had just started dinner when Mark arrived. She reached for his kisses and said, “Oh, I'm sorry. The baby's been fussy and I haven't started the potatoes yet.” She paused, then asked, “Would you please hold him?” Mark nodded and bent over the cradle.

“Sarah was here. She came to bring some of Aaron's clothing and some little blankets. I'd expect her to be keeping them for the next one. Strange.”

“What's strange?”

She looked startled, “Oh, it's not what she said. She just looked kinda sad when I asked if she'd like them back.”

In a moment she added, “Sarah said the temple offices are nearly complete and that Joseph and the twelve will be moving in shortly. She's been in the Nauvoo House and says it's going to be beautiful when it's finished.” Jenny paused and added, “A little bitter she was about it all.”

“Sounds like Sarah's unhappy; do you know why?” Mark asked as he carefully shifted the fussing baby on his shoulder.

“There, did you hear that? No wonder John was unhappy. Takes pa to get the bubbles out, huh?”

“Nauvoo House. Because it is so luxurious. Sarah's that way. Worried about the poor emigrants coming in.”

“It's a valid worry. But Joseph seems to think giving a good image of the Saints to the world is important.”

“Sarah told me something else. Did you hear anything about a fellow named Wiley who lives at Kinderhook digging up some ancient plates?”

Mark looked up. “News travels fast. Clayton told me a week or so ago.”

“And you didn't tell me?” Jenny wailed. “Sarah even had a newspaper clipping to show me. It says the plates prove the
Book of Mormon
is true.”

Hastily Mark said, “Honestly, I didn't have much confidence in the tale.”

“Sarah says Joseph has started to translate them.”

Mark sat down in the rocking chair and watched John chew his fist. Finally he looked up and said, “Clayton was telling me about them last week. When Joseph walked into the office he verified the finding, saying there were six of them. Wiley cleaned them up and brought them to him for translation.”

“And he's going to translate them?”

“Of course. Joseph said he'd started, and that so far he's discovered they contain the history of the person with whom they were found. Seems this fellow was a direct descendant of Ham through Pharaoh. He also said the man received his kingdom from the ruler of heaven and earth.”

Jenny glanced sharply at Mark; as he grinned she said, “You aren't taking this very seriously, are you?”

“If those potatoes aren't done, I'll eat them raw.”

“If Joseph could hear you, he'd run you out of town for an apostate.”

“He's tried. I can't imagine why he keeps me here. Probably it's his pride.”

“What do you mean?”

“He intends to humble me, make me another groveling Clayton.”

“I do know from gossip that he considers you a plum,” Jenny said slowly. “Even Orson knew of your reputation in Springfield. Do you suppose it's because Joseph is seeing how important it is to be on the good side of the governor?”

“That doesn't sound like a Saint,” Mark said slowly, studying her. “You're starting to sound like a woman with her eyes wide open.”

“Not like a good Mormon who believes God's going to drop everything in our laps, no matter what?” A thoughtful expression crossed Jenny's face, one which Mark hadn't seen for a long time. Still holding the baby, he went to kiss her.

****

On the Sabbath, the day sparkled like a jewel. When Mark drove the team out onto the road, he had difficulty holding Tupper back. “Frisky as a colt,” he said, grinning down at Jenny. “And you look prettier than any married woman with a baby has any right to be.”

“Oh, Mark, it's such a beautiful day and it's good to be out again. I can't wait to show little Mark to everyone.”

“John,” he said firmly.

“John Mark?” He studied her clear eyes and looked at the baby's blonde hair curling out from under his cap.

When they reached Nauvoo, Mark said, “Looks as if the service is going to be in the temple grove today. Shall I place the buggy under the trees, or do you want to sit down front on the benches?”

“Oh, on the benches. I want to see everyone. There's Tom. Sally and Tamara are over there.”

Mark lifted Jenny and the baby from the buggy and settled them on a front bench. As he walked back to the buggy, the women began clustering around Jenny.

Leaving the rig and mare at the stable, Mark headed back to the grove. Although it was still early, crowds of people streamed toward the grove.

As he walked down the street, he saw Clayton and Joseph Smith on the sidewalk in front of Joseph's store. A crowd was gathering, and Mark paused to listen. Joseph was saying, “While I was praying, a voice said to me that if I live to be eighty-four, I'd see the Son of Man. Right now, I don't believe the Second Coming will be sooner.”

“I've heard the Father is only spirit,” said the stranger at Mark's right.

Joseph answered, “That, brethren, is a sectarian doctrine. It is completely false. Both the Father and the Son have bodies like ours. The idea that they dwell in a man's heart is false.”

“Where does God dwell?”

“On a planet which is like crystal. There's a sea of glass before His throne.” Joseph grinned and added, “You brethren are going to be smarter than me in another minute. But that's all right. Knowledge is power. The man who seeks knowledge will have power.”

Then he added, “The earth, when it is purified, will become the same type of crystal. It will be a Urim and Thummim by which all things in regards to an inferior kingdom will be made manifest to those dwelling there. At the same time, this earth will be with Christ. Brethren, I could go on and on, but it behooves us to get to services.”

He paused to add, “The principle of intelligence we garner in this life will rise with us in the resurrection. If a person gains knowledge here through diligence and obedience, so much better for him in the next world.” Mark watched Joseph and his followers walk rapidly up the hill to the temple grove.

When Mark finally reached Jenny's side, the morning sermon was well underway. John Mark was sleeping with one pink fist curled like a rose bud. Examining the little face, Mark could not find a single feature resembling anyone he knew. He touched his finger against the tiny button of a nose, and gratitude welled up in him. That nose did not in the slightest resemble the beak of the Prophet.

Mark turned his attention to the sermon just as the Prophet said, “I want you to understand, the Holy Ghost is a personage, just as the Father and Son are personages. A man can receive all the gifts the Holy Ghost has to offer, and in addition, the Holy Ghost may descend upon a man, but will not tarry with him.”

As the people around Mark and Jenny got to their feet, Jenny said, “Sally's invited us to go home with them.”

“It may take all afternoon to get there,” Mark said with a grin. “I've never seen such a crowd. And I think you've shown this baby to them all.”

“For that, you carry him.” She deposited the blue bundle in his lap and stood to her feet. “Oh, what a beautiful day! But in another month it will be hot. Mark, why have they taken so many of the trees out of the grove?”

“They need more room. Look at the mass of people.”

“The Saints will be a multitude soon,” Jenny murmured as she walked beside Mark with her hand tucked through his arm. “Seems the prophecies are being fulfilled. We will become a multitude.”

“Sister, don't forget the rest,” the wizened man beside her grinned. “It has been given that we shall take over the state, the whole country and finally the whole world. You mark my words, this young'un will be marching triumphantly around the world for the Lord.”

Jenny watched the man limp away and said slowly, “All the war talk hits home with a different meaning when there's a baby.” She looked at Mark, and her eyes were troubled.

Chapter 27

“Mark, you can't be serious!” Jenny exclaimed. “Take a three-month-old baby on a boat?”

“My dear, this isn't just a boat. It's Joseph's
Maid of Iowa
. Joseph, Clayton, and I need to make a trip to Quincy. The fastest way to go is by boat. Joseph suggested we make a party of it. Seems everyone except you is in favor of it.”

“He won't get sunburned?” She looked anxiously at the baby in the cradle.

“Jenny, there are cabins and a big pavilion on the main deck. Joseph has invited a large group of the Saints. We're to leave early in the morning. We should arrive at Quincy with plenty of time to take care of business and allow you women to shop.”

Jenny's excitement was rising. “Oh, Mark, it does sound fun!”

The following morning when the steamboat pulled away from John D. Lee's wharf, the sun was just topping the forested hills to the east of Nauvoo.

Jenny found that the pavilion was enclosed with glass and lined with benches. The festive air was immediately apparent. Children in Sabbath best romped about the deck. Women dressed in pastel calico and printed lawn scattered like blossoms around the room. From the galley came the fragrance of spicy cider and popping corn. The freed slave, Abel, now Joseph Smith's adoring, self-appointed slave, sat on the bulkhead watching the activities.

One young matron with a bulging middle and youngsters clinging to her skirts groaned, “Popcorn this early? My young'uns will be sick before they can get sunburned.”

Several young girls began organizing games for the smaller children, and the women settled on the benches as their husbands disappeared below deck.

Mrs. Kimball grimaced. “Heber calls it work, but I saw the liquor and apple-jack they were loading. Oh, well, I suppose they'll work it off by nighttime.”

Jenny allowed herself to be pushed into one of the few comfortable deck chairs. The boat was picking up speed now. Wide-eyed youngsters clung to the rail and Jenny caught her breath as the vessel trembled and groaned. Giving a sharp three-note toot, the craft slipped into the main current of the river, and a cooling breeze filled the pavilion. With a sigh of relief, Jenny snuggled John Mark close and curled his hair around her fingers as he began to nurse.

The women were settling into cozy groups. Some sat with their heads together, and their giggles punctuated the trip. Others pulled out satchels of handwork. When Jenny lifted the sleeping baby to her shoulder, Emma Smith caught her eye.

The older woman moved close and touched John Mark's soft curls. The dreamy expression on her face caused Jenny to bite her lip. “Don't look so,” Emma said. “There will be more. I shall never give up that hope. Is there anything more comforting than the blessed weight of those soft little bodies in your arms?”

“I've waited a long time for this one,” Jenny said softly. “Yes, you are right.”

All too soon, it seemed, the boat was cutting speed. After a final bend in the river, the town of Quincy lay before them. While the women and children flocked to the rail, Jenny carried John Mark into the shelter of a cabin to change his diapers.

Mark came to the door. “The men are heading for the courthouse. Will you go with the women?”

“Yes, but tell them I'll come later. John Mark must be fed again before I join them.”

The last of the children's shouts had faded away, leaving only the gentle slap of water against the hull. As Jenny went to lay the sleeping baby on the bunk, the sharp scent of alcohol reached her. Turning quickly she found Joseph filling the doorway.