Joseph Smith, Jr.

“ I say I have power to call upon any portion of the Legion to resist them and keep the peace of the city, and from the good opinion I have of your excellency and the favorable reports from others of your excellencys honorable intentions for all laudable citizens, and a high minded spirit to magnify the Law and make it efficient. ”

“ With a devout calculation to magnify the law and safely confide in it, and the integrity of its executors, I, as well as the Latter day Saints generally, will be sure that the Missourians, and disaffected Illinoisans, are law breakers, aggressors and made themselves guilty before we move with counsel, and not then but for self defence. We [always] let our enemies violate law. ”