Almon W. Babbitt

Almon W. Babbitt (1813-1856)

Almon W. Babbitt was the Church's legal defender. Photograph courtesy Utah State Historical Society.

Family Background

1813. October 1: Born Almon Whiting Babbitt in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Married Julia Ann Hills Johnson in 1833. They were parents of four children.

Missionary

1831. Immediately after his baptism at age eighteen, Babbitt was called to serve a mission to New York. He later served another mission to New York, as well as missions to Canada and to Indiana-Pennsylvania.

In and Out of the Church

Although Babbitt's Church commitment was evidenced by his service in Zion's Camp (1834), the First Quorum of the Seventy (1835), and as Kirtland's stake president (1841), he frequently clashed with other Church leaders.

When brought before the Kirtland High Council in 1835 for failing to keep the Word of Wisdom, Babbitt claimed that he "had taken the liberty to break the word of wisdom, from the example of President Joseph Smith, Jr., and others," whereupon the Prophet charged him with "traducing my character." Babbitt was disfellowshipped and later received back into fellowship after "confessing his error."

1839. Apparently pleased with his work on a committee to "gather up and obtain all the libelous reports and publications which have been circulated against the church," Joseph Smith appointed him Kirtland Stake president, with instructions to "do what you can in righteousness to build up Kirtland, but do not suffer yourselves to harbor the idea that Kirtland will rise on the ruins of Nauvoo."

1840. In Nauvoo, Joseph Smith charged that Babbitt had claimed members of the First Presidency were financially extravagant. These charges were eventually dropped, but in 1841 he was disfellowshipped for teaching new members of the Church to locate in Kirtland rather than Nauvoo—a "doctrine contrary to the revelation of God, and detrimental to the interests of the Church."

Two years later he was restored to fellowship and appointed presiding elder in Ramus, Illinois.

1849. Disfellowshipped in Kanesville (Council Bluffs, Iowa) for opposing Orson Hyde's use of the Frontier Guardian to support the Iowa Whig Party, he was received back into fellowship six months later.

In 1851 he was again disfellowshipped for "profanity and intemperance in the streets of Kanesville; for corrupting the morals of the people ... by giving them liquor to beguile them from the path of duty and honor."

Finally excommunicated in May, 1854.

Church Legal Defender

1844. During the troubled days prior to Joseph Smith's death, Babbitt served as legal counsel to the Prophet, recommending the actions which resulted in the destruction of the anti-Mormon Nauvoo Expositor.

After the Prophet's death, Babbitt served on a committee with Brigham Young, Willard Richards, Orson Pratt, W.W. Phelps, and John M. Bernhisel that unsuccessfully petitioned President James K. Polk to "convene a special session of Congress and furnish us an asylum where we can enjoy our rights of conscience and religion unmolested."

When the main body of Saints left Nauvoo, he remained behind to serve with Joseph Heywood and John S. Fullmer as trustee-in-trust for Church property.

Politician

1844. A member of the Council of Fifty, Babbitt was elected to the Illinois Legislature, where he argued gallantly but unsuccessfully against repeal of the Nauvoo Charter in 1845.

1849. Elected by the "General Assembly of the State of Deseret" to petition Congress for statehood. Brigham Young wrote Orson Hyde in Council Bluffs, informing him of Babbitt's selection and alluding to their differences over the Frontier Guardian: "Babbitt … is somewhat acquainted with the rules of legislation and has formed a considerable acquaintance with many of the members of Congress, especially on the other side of politics. … Brother Babbitt came here rather soured in his feelings in relation to certain differences of opinion and policy in your region. … Let the past be buried."

Hyde responded, "Brother Babbitt, I believe, is a good hand to manage a dirty law suit; but I think, for a representative, you can send a man to Washington who will do you and himself more honor than Mr. Babbitt."

Congress refused to seat Babbitt, and created the Territory of Utah instead of the State of Deseret. Thomas L. Kane advised "against returning Mr. Babbitt as your delegate." And John M. Bernhisel, Babbitt's colleague, observed, "The Senators in Congress could not comprehend how we could select such an immoral man as Babbitt for our delegate."

Babbitt took such criticism philosophically: "When I came here I was chosen their humble servant to go back, and ask for admission into the Union. I went, and did so. I laboured faithfully. I went back with all the prejudices of this people against me. I stood between the wind and the water and combatted the opposition."

1852. Established the Western Bugle at Council Bluffs. Orson Hyde editorialized in the Frontier Guardian: "We welcome Friend Babbitt to the editorial corps, and wish him every success in every undertaking except his political exertion."

In 1853 President Franklin Pierce appointed Babbitt Secretary of Utah Territory.

Ambushed by Indians

1856. Murdered by Cheyenne Indians on the Wyoming plains in late August at the age of forty-four. He had sent a government supply train from Florence, Nebraska, to Utah, but an Indian attack near Fort Kearney left only one survivor. Babbitt regrouped the train, against the advice of Porter Rockwell: "Porter, perhaps the next thing you will hear of me will be in my grave, but I must go."

The statement proved prophetic. Ambushed again, apparently by the same band of Cheyenne, Colonel Babbitt and his entire train were wiped out. It was later reported that "after the colonel had fired his double-barrelled gun and his two revolvers, one of the Indians crept behind the wagon and tomahawked the colonel. … Babbitt fought like a grizzly bear." Nothing was found of his remains "but a few bones."

"Mormon Marauders" Accused of His Death

1856. In his resignation letter as Associate Justice of Utah Territory, William W. Drummond claimed that Babbitt had been killed by a band of "Mormon marauders sent from Salt Lake City for that purpose … under direct order of the presidency of the Church of the Latter-day Saints."

Babbitt's widow, Julia Ann, wrote in the New York Herald, August 1, 1857: "I have not a shadow of suspicion that white men were any way concerned in his death—the newspaper story that he was killed by the 'Mormons' to the contrary notwithstanding."

Nevertheless, Babbitt's estrangement from Brigham Young had become so severe that President Young told a combined meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve and Salt Lake High Council on October 4, 1856: "Speaking of Babbit's [sic] death—thank God for that. I will acknowledge the hand of the Lord in that at all events."

Sources
Barrett, Gwynn W. "John M. Bernhisel—Mormon Elder in Congress." Ph.D. dissertation, Brigham Young University, 1968.
Crescent City Oracle, 22 May 1857.
Frontier Guardian, 21 February 1849, 29 April 1852.
History of the Church, 2:252; 3:346; 4:164-166, 187, 424, 276.
Millennial Star, 19:443; 17:307.
Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 January 1845.
Ridd, Jay D. "Almon Whiting Babbitt." Master's thesis, University of Utah, 1953.
Roberts, B. H. Comprehensive History, 2:524
Salt Lake City, Utah. LDS Church Archives. Brigham Young Papers. John M. Bernhisel to Brigham Young, 19 July 1851.
_____. Thomas L. Kane to Brigham Young, 24 September 1850.
_____. Brigham Young to Orson Hyde, 19 July 1849.

	A Book of Mormons Richard S. Van Wagoner and Steven C. Walker Copyright 1982, Signature Books Salt Lake City, Utah Contents


	Family Background 1813. October 1: Born Almon Whiting Babbitt in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Married Julia Ann Hills Johnson in 1833. They were parents of four children. Missionary 1831. Immediately after his baptism at age eighteen, Babbitt was called to serve a mission to New York. He later served another mission to New York, as well as missions to Canada and to Indiana-Pennsylvania. In and Out of the Church Although Babbitt's Church commitment was evidenced by his service in Zion's Camp (1834), the First Quorum of the Seventy (1835), and as Kirtland's stake president (1841), he frequently clashed with other Church leaders. When brought before the Kirtland High Council in 1835 for failing to keep the Word of Wisdom, Babbitt claimed that he "had taken the liberty to break the word of wisdom, from the example of President Joseph Smith, Jr., and others," whereupon the Prophet charged him with "traducing my character." Babbitt was disfellowshipped and later received back into fellowship after "confessing his error." 1839. Apparently pleased with his work on a committee to "gather up and obtain all the libelous reports and publications which have been circulated against the church," Joseph Smith appointed him Kirtland Stake president, with instructions to "do what you can in righteousness to build up Kirtland, but do not suffer yourselves to harbor the idea that Kirtland will rise on the ruins of Nauvoo." 1840. In Nauvoo, Joseph Smith charged that Babbitt had claimed members of the First Presidency were financially extravagant. These charges were eventually dropped, but in 1841 he was disfellowshipped for teaching new members of the Church to locate in Kirtland rather than Nauvoo—a "doctrine contrary to the revelation of God, and detrimental to the interests of the Church." Two years later he was restored to fellowship and appointed presiding elder in Ramus, Illinois. 1849. Disfellowshipped in Kanesville (Council Bluffs, Iowa) for opposing Orson Hyde's use of the Frontier Guardian to support the Iowa Whig Party, he was received back into fellowship six months later. In 1851 he was again disfellowshipped for "profanity and intemperance in the streets of Kanesville; for corrupting the morals of the people ... by giving them liquor to beguile them from the path of duty and honor." Finally excommunicated in May, 1854. Church Legal Defender 1844. During the troubled days prior to Joseph Smith's death, Babbitt served as legal counsel to the Prophet, recommending the actions which resulted in the destruction of the anti-Mormon Nauvoo Expositor. After the Prophet's death, Babbitt served on a committee with Brigham Young, Willard Richards, Orson Pratt, W.W. Phelps, and John M. Bernhisel that unsuccessfully petitioned President James K. Polk to "convene a special session of Congress and furnish us an asylum where we can enjoy our rights of conscience and religion unmolested." When the main body of Saints left Nauvoo, he remained behind to serve with Joseph Heywood and John S. Fullmer as trustee-in-trust for Church property. Politician 1844. A member of the Council of Fifty, Babbitt was elected to the Illinois Legislature, where he argued gallantly but unsuccessfully against repeal of the Nauvoo Charter in 1845. 1849. Elected by the "General Assembly of the State of Deseret" to petition Congress for statehood. Brigham Young wrote Orson Hyde in Council Bluffs, informing him of Babbitt's selection and alluding to their differences over the Frontier Guardian: "Babbitt … is somewhat acquainted with the rules of legislation and has formed a considerable acquaintance with many of the members of Congress, especially on the other side of politics. … Brother Babbitt came here rather soured in his feelings in relation to certain differences of opinion and policy in your region. … Let the past be buried." Hyde responded, "Brother Babbitt, I believe, is a good hand to manage a dirty law suit; but I think, for a representative, you can send a man to Washington who will do you and himself more honor than Mr. Babbitt." Congress refused to seat Babbitt, and created the Territory of Utah instead of the State of Deseret. Thomas L. Kane advised "against returning Mr. Babbitt as your delegate." And John M. Bernhisel, Babbitt's colleague, observed, "The Senators in Congress could not comprehend how we could select such an immoral man as Babbitt for our delegate." Babbitt took such criticism philosophically: "When I came here I was chosen their humble servant to go back, and ask for admission into the Union. I went, and did so. I laboured faithfully. I went back with all the prejudices of this people against me. I stood between the wind and the water and combatted the opposition." 1852. Established the Western Bugle at Council Bluffs. Orson Hyde editorialized in the Frontier Guardian: "We welcome Friend Babbitt to the editorial corps, and wish him every success in every undertaking except his political exertion." In 1853 President Franklin Pierce appointed Babbitt Secretary of Utah Territory. Ambushed by Indians 1856. Murdered by Cheyenne Indians on the Wyoming plains in late August at the age of forty-four. He had sent a government supply train from Florence, Nebraska, to Utah, but an Indian attack near Fort Kearney left only one survivor. Babbitt regrouped the train, against the advice of Porter Rockwell: "Porter, perhaps the next thing you will hear of me will be in my grave, but I must go." The statement proved prophetic. Ambushed again, apparently by the same band of Cheyenne, Colonel Babbitt and his entire train were wiped out. It was later reported that "after the colonel had fired his double-barrelled gun and his two revolvers, one of the Indians crept behind the wagon and tomahawked the colonel. … Babbitt fought like a grizzly bear." Nothing was found of his remains "but a few bones." "Mormon Marauders" Accused of His Death 1856. In his resignation letter as Associate Justice of Utah Territory, William W. Drummond claimed that Babbitt had been killed by a band of "Mormon marauders sent from Salt Lake City for that purpose … under direct order of the presidency of the Church of the Latter-day Saints." Babbitt's widow, Julia Ann, wrote in the New York Herald, August 1, 1857: "I have not a shadow of suspicion that white men were any way concerned in his death—the newspaper story that he was killed by the 'Mormons' to the contrary notwithstanding." Nevertheless, Babbitt's estrangement from Brigham Young had become so severe that President Young told a combined meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve and Salt Lake High Council on October 4, 1856: "Speaking of Babbit's [sic] death—thank God for that. I will acknowledge the hand of the Lord in that at all events." Sources Barrett, Gwynn W. "John M. Bernhisel—Mormon Elder in Congress." Ph.D. dissertation, Brigham Young University, 1968. Crescent City Oracle, 22 May 1857. Frontier Guardian, 21 February 1849, 29 April 1852. History of the Church, 2:252; 3:346; 4:164-166, 187, 424, 276. Millennial Star, 19:443; 17:307. Nauvoo Neighbor, 20 January 1845. Ridd, Jay D. "Almon Whiting Babbitt." Master's thesis, University of Utah, 1953. Roberts, B. H. Comprehensive History, 2:524 Salt Lake City, Utah. LDS Church Archives. Brigham Young Papers. John M. Bernhisel to Brigham Young, 19 July 1851. _____. Thomas L. Kane to Brigham Young, 24 September 1850. _____. Brigham Young to Orson Hyde, 19 July 1849.