It was then that the
president made the famous remark: "Your cause is just, but I can do nothing
for you." His meaning, no doubt, was that the president of the United
States had no right to interfere with the affairs of a state; but that all
such troubles should be settled by the state itself.
[Illustration: THE NAUVOO MANSION.]
So Joseph returned without any help. Meanwhile, Nauvoo grew into a large
city. Ten wards were laid off and organized. April 6, 1841, the corner
stone of the temple was laid. Many public buildings were erected. Good
houses were built, and beautiful gardens soon bloomed around them. On the
outskirts of the city, fields of grain stretched as far as the eye could
reach. In 1842 there were 20,000 people in the city, and Nauvoo promised to
be one of the largest cities in the West.
The fame of Joseph and the "Mormon" city spread, and many people came to
see the wonder. Missionaries were sent out to preach, the _Times and
Seasons_ published by the Church, printed many Gospel truths and much
important history. The militia was organized and the city had a
well-drilled body of men called the Nauvoo Legion. Peace and prosperity
smiled upon them for a season, and it seemed that at last there would be a
permanent stake of Zion established.
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