A boy’s love of adventure and a boy’s keen loyalty combined to spark a unique group that became well-known in the troubled streets of Nauvoo.
In the tumultuous early days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Prophet Joseph Smith had many devoted bodyguards, which included Porter Rockwell, John Lambert, John Lowe Butler, Joseph Bates Noble and Levi W. Hancock. These staunch, tireless brethren not only risked their lives for the Prophet’s sake, but labored to lighten the burdens of danger and uncertainty that always rested upon him.
The children, too, took delight in caring for their Prophet — the gentle man who so often stopped to help with their little cares, or even join in their games. They knew him, and they loved him — because he had first loved them. In fact, on one occasion when Joseph’s enemies were threatening, he was meeting with some of the brethren when he was informed that a group of little children, acting out of their own concern for him, had gathered together and were praying for his safety. Deeply moved, the Prophet responded, “You brethren may go to your homes. I need have no fear; I am safe” (as detailed by Jane Snyder Richards in the book “They Knew the Prophet,” from original source: Young Woman’s Journal, XVI, December 1905).
On June 7, 1844, Joseph’s most bitter enemies printed and distributed the first and only issue of the Nauvoo Expositor. It contained vulgar stories and open threats. The Saints were horrified, and the City Council, declaring it a public nuisance, took legal measures to destroy it. But this was the death knell the Prophet’s enemies hoped it would be. In less than a month, it would prove the impetus that would bring him to Carthage. From that day forth, as Mosiah Hancock expressed in his autobiography, “All the powers of the evil one seemed to be directed against the Prophet. He knew no peace from then until his death.”
The young people, especially those whose fathers worked with the Prophet or were his bodyguards, as Mosiah’s father was, felt deeply the injustice and cruelty of the men out to destroy their beloved leader.
Mosiah, son of Levi, uses the colorful speech of the period to bring to life his adventures: “I joined the whistling and whittling band. Now and then a fop or dude would go to a man’s shingle pile, and with his hat or cap cocked on one side, would sit and whittle and whistle. There was no law against that, but from what we could learn some of them were interested in taking the life of the Prophet. We kept a good watch, and were directed to keep an eye on the ‘Black Ducks.’ We really tried to do our duty.”
The boys became adept, developing keen eyes and a sixth sense that often helped them identify when danger was near. A system of whistle signals was set up and, in the worst cases, suspicious characters were strongly encouraged and, shall we say, helped along, to cross the river and get themselves out of Nauvoo:
“In extreme cases when we knew a man to be a snobber, and who still sought the life of the Prophet, we would use our rail … four boys generally knew how to manage the rail. We all had our knives and our timbers to whittle and make rails from, and we knew what tunes to whistle …."
After Joseph and Hyrum were martyred in Carthage Jail on June 27, the nightmares of persecution did not cease. The Saints had to rouse themselves from the anguished shock of their loss — gather all their senses, all their faith, all their resources — to prepare to leave their loved city.
On Jan. 24, 1845, as the new year began — for the first time without the guidance of Brother Joseph — the Nauvoo Charter was revoked, leaving an entire community without the support of organized law and virtually defenseless. But Brigham Young merely extended and redirected the incredible organization of the priesthood to function in civic capacities.
Sadly, the “Black Ducks,” or bad suspects Mosiah Hancock referred to, were still much in evidence. Brother Brigham formed a militia comprised of “quorums” of 12 men, “deacons,” acting under supervision of “bishops” to patrol the streets of the city day and night — and to act also in the capacity of bodyguards for the apostles and other church leaders. Thus the "Whistlers and Whittlers" were as much needed now as ever. Apostates raged, working the enemies of the people up to a fever pitch. There was so much work to be done, as well as the temple to be completed — thus the “boys about to become men” felt the weight of true responsibility that rested upon them.
"We whistle … and whittle … singing under our breath, signaling to each other, and watching, always watching … our eyes peeled … not one skulking scoundrel can get past us!"
The boys’ brigade was a force to be reckoned with. At times, their feet were sore. At times, their hearts were heavy. They were sometimes hungry; they were often afraid. But they carried still the fun and laughter, the light in the Prophet’s eye, the love and trust he had given them, and his words that were engraved on their memories deep enough to go all the way to the valleys of the Great Salt Lake with them.
As Mosiah Hancock wrote:
“Well do I remember the Prophet’s speech from a frame in front of his mansion … I stood on a rail of the fence. … He asked the Legions if they were not all his boys, and they shouted, ‘Yes!’ … ‘ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE FOR ME?’ ‘Yes!’ was the shout. ‘You have said you are willing to die for me’ — Then he drew his sword and cried, ‘I WILL DIE FOR YOU! If this people cannot have their rights, my blood shall run upon the ground like water.’ I was witness to these things — and when the Prophet spoke from the frame, he spoke with power, and the people loved him.”
Sources: “Mosiah Hancock Autobiography”; "Nauvoo’s Whistling and Whittling Brigade," BYU Studies, Thurmon D. Moody; “Brigham Young, An Inspiring Personal Biography,” Susan Evans McCloud; “Whistler, Guard Dog of Nauvoo,” unpublished manuscript, Susan Evans McCloud.
Susan Evans McCloud is author of more than 40 books and has published screenplays, a book of poetry and lyrics, including two songs in the LDS hymnbook. She has six children. She blogs at susanevansmccloud.blogspot.com. Email: susasays@broadweave.net