Ancient Testaments: Wayne Brickey on MormonTimes.com: Trick or treat in 1838

Halloween didn't get started in America until the 1840s. But something eerie happened around Oct. 31, 1838, in Far West, Mo.The survivors of Haun's Mill had just fled to the city from 15 miles away. The horror stories they told seemed unreal. Yet the trauma in their eyes and the vivid details burned into their memories proved that the \"extermination\" was serious.Whereas 250 had attacked Haun's Mill, the ruthless militia gathering around Far West numbered in the thousands. The city was under siege.The militia's commander — the chief of these real live spooks — was Gen. John B. Clark. He had put blameless leaders in chains and disarmed the community. He had forced the citizens of Far West to sign away their property rights. Now, he summoned them to the square, to hear him read the governor's astounding order. He was confident, stately in uniform, striking in profile while seated on his magnificent horse. The impressive terrorist opened his mouth. Innocent throngs waited. Then darkness filled the air. Imagine the shock of learning that they must \"leave the state forthwith.\" Or to hear his personal comment, \"Whatever may be your feelings concerning this, or whatever your innocence, it is nothing to me.\"But Clark offered a kind of \"trick-or-treat\" arrangement. They could avoid the horrific expulsion and extermination that awaited them this day. Though they faced violence against men, violation of women, travesties upon children and destruction of property, none of that would befall them if they would only accept these terms: \"Scatter abroad, and never again organize yourselves with bishops, presidents, etc.\" And of course, stop all talk of revelations and new scripture (Journal of Heber C. Kimball, Page 62).However, God, too, had made offers. The latter-times miracle was just under way. The keys for gathering had been restored. Should they abort so soon and re-scatter the church? The first lessons in priesthood were only now being learned. Should they give up bishops and presidents and have them \"never again\"?Our 6,000 friends gathered in Far West that day may not have realized that a dispensation rested upon their answer. Nor could they know that we — millions of us still in our pre-mortal waiting place — needed them to reject the offer, even if it meant to cast themselves upon the wilds and be expelled from the state.They did know that winter's sharp bite was already in the air. They knew that rejecting the offer would thrust them into its icy jaws. Yet no one stepped forward to make the deal.A group of visitors recently stood at present-day Far West, right where Clark had offered that deal in 1838. I turned to a girl of 12 and asked, \"Would you consider giving up your bishop?\"Family and friends waited, somewhat breathless, for her answer. She looked around to imagine that moment 161 years ago, then smiled and softly said, \"No.\"\"You wouldn't,\" I asked, \"not even to save your life?\"This time she spoke louder. \"I wouldn't give up my bishop.\"She reacted as Brigham Young did. He was on the square that day in 1838. He later described his reaction to Clark's offer. \"No, sir,\" he said in his heart. \"What is this world worth? ... Nothing. It is like a morning shadow ... or the flower before the pinching frosts of autumn. No, sir, I do not renounce my religion. I am looking beyond; my hope is beyond this vale of tears ... I have another life to live, and it is eternal\" (Journal of Discourses, 14:208).