Historical Sketch of James HENDRICKS and Drusilla DORRIS
[ Table of Contents | Prev | Next ]

Conversion to Mormonism

The Night the Stars Fell. 1833 Leonid Meteor Storm. Bilderatlas der Sternenwelt, published in 1892 by Edmund Weik, University of Vienna, Austria.

About the time the stars fell¹ I dreamed again. I thought I went out and something drew my attention to the northwest. I saw a little spot filled with compass flowers, and also had the color of the rainbow and there was gathering from all parts of the skies, flowers to this little bunch in the northwest. I stood still and gazed until the whole heavens was full of flowers." I knew not then what it meant but it made me feel happy and I have since seen that it meant the gathering of the saints.

After that I dreamed that I saw the old dragon, the Devil, and he covered the whole Eastern Horizon and his influence was felt over the whole earth, it was awful to look upon.

Soon after I had these dreams the Mormon Elders came to the locality where I had a sister living. She and her husband and my husband's brother heard them there before they came to the settlement where we lived. My husband's brother came to me and wanted me and my sister to go and hear them preach, for said he, "You have read so much that you can catch their errors in the Scriptures." Said he "I never heard men stick so close to the Scriptures in my life, but it is not in accordance with my traditions and I don't want to give up my traditions." I thought then "If I have traditions that are false I want to get rid of them." It seemed to me he wanted to catch them in their words. In a few nights they came close by where we lived to preach. Samuel Hendricks came with his wife and would not take no for an answer. We must go and hear the Mormons preach. He sent and got his large children to stay with my small ones so that I could go and as we went out at the gate I said: "What went ye out to see. A Reed shaken by the wind," and He answered, 'Yea a Prophet and much more than a prophet." We went on, the distance was about one mile. And as we went to meeting we saw wagons standing on the hind wheels with the front parts in the air. Poles and tree tops in the same manner. This was new to me, I went unprejudiced.

They sang a song that suited the times and I never forgot the lines. The first stanza follows:

Come O' ye Americans be thankful to God
For so many blessings and honors bestowed
While so many nations in bondage have laid
You have had the glorious Gospel to sound for your aid.

The Elder read a chapter and began to explain. I asked myself a question, why I had never seen it that way before, the answer came with the scripture, "How can ye hear without a preacher, and how can he preach except he be sent." Before he got through I believed and went home rejoicing and my brother-in-law was so mad he could not talk decent. I had a sister in the settlement where they first preached. She and her husband followed them up. Before we got home I went to the Elder and asked questions. Among the rest I asked what was the difference in the baptisms with the Baptists and the Latter-day Saints. Says he "I do not know what comparison to make but I will say where I had a little light as a Baptist when I was baptized with the Latter-day Saints it was like a hogshead poured out on a drop. My sister and her husband went home with us. Her husband and mine had nothing to say, they were as mute as mice. We went to bed and I prayed to the Lord to give me a dream. I fell asleep and dreamed we were as the people in the days of John the Baptist. He had baptized the people but when the Saviour came with greater light, if they did not embrace that they fell away into outer darkness, and so it was with us. We had been trying to serve God but those Elders brought the same light Jesus had in the days of John the Baptist and if we did not embrace it we would be in outer darkness.

I asked my husband next morning if I might be baptized. He said he did not want to take the agency of any one. I told him my dream and I quoted many scriptures in support of what they had preached. He went out among the neighbors and when he came back he had all manner of objections. There was another appointment to preach the next, night - we went. I had never seen disorder in church before. When the Elder would point out wicked and what would be their portion, the people would say aloud, "That is you". And when he would point out the righteous they would have nothing to say. I watched every word and every move that passed the Elder, I was so rejoiced for the Bible seemed a new book to me. He had told us what to do to be saved and it was so plain and simple. I never was so happy in my life.

When the meeting closed the people were divided in opinions and some fairly raged. My husband walked up and asked the Elder some questions and he removed all objections from his mind at this time and we went home rejoicing in the Truth. But when morning came things were overhoused and every slander that could be thought of was told to my husband. He came home as full of prejudice as he could be, which caused my heart to ache for I saw the dividing line. The Elders came to our house to talk with him, again they cleared his mind of all the objections he could raise. The Elders told my sister I was ready for Baptism, but my husband would have to have an overwhelming testimony or he would never be baptized. A month passed away and when my husband met with any one who would defame the principles of the Mormons he would defend them and vice versa, when they would defend he would defame.

Tabitha Dorris, Drusilla's sister, preceeded her in baptism by several days.

He soon found he could hold the best argument in defense of Mormonism, though he would not let me hear him speak in their favor, for by this time he had said I should not be baptized without his consent and that he would not give consent until he felt different. I knew it was of no use to ask him, I could only go by myself and ask the Lord to enlighten his mind that he might see the truth for if he did not I was undone. The Elders came again and again and removed all his objections, then he would have to take a fresh start. By this time one of my sisters² and some of the neighbors were baptized and they bore the same testimony as the Elder concerning the newness of light and the difference of testimony in the Baptist and the Latter-day Saints.

I found I had no enjoyment except with the Saints and I could not bear a separation. I then had three children and my heart felt as though it would surely break. When I went to the Baptist church every one looked down on me as though I had committed the unpardonable sin. They prayed and preached about us going to the Mormon meetings - I had sisters there, they seemed afraid of me. I went to them and tried to show my friendship, but they upbraided me for running after the Mormons. They went on with their meetings and soon became very happy, shouting, shaking hands, and singing, and my husband was one with them. I must say of all folly and foolishness I ever saw, I thought, No wonder it was called Babylon. I could not see one bit of sense to anything they said or done, it was so foolish.

The Bible seemed an unsealed book, I could see fields of light and intelligence in it. I could see if I could not be baptized into the Kingdom of God, I could not be saved for I had been born of the Spirit for surely I could see the Kingdom of God. I went home determined to not lose sight of the light. I searched the Scripture to see if these things were so. The Devil and the people imagined vain things.

There was another baptizing and we had word to go to the water, I said to the hired girl we would go. My husband asked if he should not go along and I told him to do as he pleased. He got his hat and we started. We were a little in advance of him when his nose started to bleed, and he had to stop. I knew it was the condition of his mind that caused his nose to bleed and I was glad to see it and I prayed that it might be for good. We went on and I began to think he had gone back, but he came up while the Elder was talking and took a seat close by me. I watched him and the tears dropped like rain from his eyes. It really made me glad to see him in that condition for I thought then there was hopes of better times. When the baptizing was over we all sat down on the ground, the Elder in the midst, while he preached and explained the scriptures. We all wept but mine was for joy for my husband was melted to tears and was filled with love but he wanted something tangible that he could know for himself. He had said so much, he wanted to be sure before he made a move. The Elder told him to humble himself in mighty prayer and he should have the Testimony that he wanted.

The next night my sister and a Sister Lewis³ came to stay overnight with us and Sister Lewis and my husband talked "till nearly morning". I do not think he slept any that night. He got up and made a fire and put a couple of chickens in the barrel for me, then slipped away. Sister Lewis fell asleep. My sister and I got up and she went to see my brother-in-law while I got breakfast and waited for my husband for I knew not where he had gone, but when he came he was preaching and praising God. My sister came back crying and almost broken-hearted. She had been so abused by our brother-in-law. She also had a message for my husband from his brother-in-law. If he offered himself for baptism, they would get two hundred men and tie him and the Elder to trees and give them two hundred lashes each and see if they would stand that for Christ's sake. They were all excited and I could get none of them to eat breakfast. I was calm as the summer's morning and sat down with my children and ate breakfast.

The Elders had appointed another meeting at Bro. John Buttlers⁴ which was to be their last meeting in this neighborhood. The people were trying to raise a mob to drive them off. The scriptures were now opened to my husband's view and he called for his clothes to be baptized in. I then asked if I might be baptized and he answered if I wished I could. I was in a hurry for fear something might hinder. We took our clothing and went to meeting, the house and yard was full of people.

At the close of the services the Elder asked if any wished to be baptized to come forward and give him their hand. My husband gave his hand and I followed him. We went to the water and the people all followed. I shall never forget how I felt. The Elder asked if I was willing to serve the Lord to the best of my ability. I answered yes. In March 1835 [12 March 1835]⁵ he baptized me according to the pattern laid down by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ for the Baptism of all those who wished to serve him. I arose to walk in newness of life. That fear of death and Hell was all gone from me and I was a new creature. Such a feeling of calmness pervaded me for months and my husband had the same feelings. No one came to harm the Elders or us, though the Elders went home with us. I never closed my eyes that night for our talk concerning the Ancient Saints presented as it were, panoramic views before my eyes of their persecutions, being cast into prison or into the fiery furnace and how they had to wander in sheeps and goats skins because the world was not worthy of them. I saw if we did not endure the same persecutions we could not have the same blessings. I imagined my husband killed for the testimony he had received; but I rejoiced in the Gospel and because I had made up my mind to serve God to the best of my ability. We were baptized in March, 1835 and confirmed.

Then a branch of the church was organized with 22 members and we had a meeting with the Elders to be instructed before they left us, in regard to our duties. We all felt grieved to part with the Elders whose names were James Emit⁶ and Peter Dustin. The privilege was given to any who desired to speak and some spoke in tongues while others interpreted what they said. Others spoke by the Spirit of God in their own tongue and we all praised God for we had all drank of that same Spirit. We loved one another and met together often and had good meetings and it was now that persecutions began with.

NOTES

1. The Leonids meteor shower the morning of 13 November 1833 was one of the most spectacular in history. It was witnessed throughout the United States. Parley P. Pratt wrote of the storm, "About 2 o'clock the next morning, we were called up by the cry of signs in the heavens. We arose, and to our great astonishment all the firmament seemed involved in splendid fireworks, as if every star in the broad expanse had been hurled from its course, and sent lawless through the wilds of ether. Thousands of bright meteors were shooting through space in every direction, with long trains of light following in their course. This lasted for several hours, and was only closed by the dawn of the rising sun. Every heart was filled with joy at this majestic display of signs and wonders, showing the near approach of the coming of the Son of God." (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, 1976 ed., p. 103.)

2. Drusilla's sister, Tabitha Dorris, was born 12 Jan 1804. Tabitha married John Thompson Hendricks, James Hendrick's cousin, 25 July 1818. Tabitha was baptized 10 March 1835. Neither she nor her family left Simpson County. Though her husband never converted, three of her 10 children "embraced the faith of their mother." (The Henry Hendricks and Sara Thompson Family, Carol H. Cannon, 2nd ed., pp.56-57.)

3. The Sister Lewis mentioned is probably Joannah Ryon Lewis, wife of Benjamin Franklin Lewis. Benjamin Lewis was baptized by James Emmett in March 1835. Soon afterwards he was ordained an Elder by James Emmett and John Dustin and appointed to preside over the branch of the Church organized in Simpson county at that time. Benjamin was killed at the Hauns Mill Massacre, in Caldwell County, Missouri, on October 30, 1838. Drusilla later notes that Benjamin was the only one to receive a proper burial. Joannah passed away at Nauvoo on 16 Jan. 1846. (LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 3, p.670; Heart Throbs of the West, Kate B. Carter, Vol.5, p.214. Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p.755. )

4. John Butler was born in Simpson County, Kentucky, April 8, 1808. John wrote the following: In 1832 ... I started to a place in the field where I often went to pray. I got about fifty steps from the house. My whole mental powers seemed to be drawn out to God to know the truth, and the true order of his kingdom, and if I could only know what, I would do anything, even to the laying down of my life if necessary. While in the exercise of mind, there was a voice that spoke to me saying, "Stand still and see the salvation of God and that will be truth."

   On March, the first day, 1835, when at a Baptist meeting, a word came that two Mormon elders would preach on that evening at my Uncle John Lowe's. I said I would go and hear them.

   [After hearing the Mormon elder preach] I was lying on my bed. I traveled back over my past history and was thinking from the first time that I had serious reflections up until the time that the voice spoke to me and told me to stand still and see the salvation of God and that would be truth. And the voice of the same spirit said, "This is truth that you have been hearing, now choose or refuse." ... So while I lay on my bed, I covenanted with my Eternal Father to obey the first choice. I then felt the spirit of God to rest down upon me with this testimony that it was right.

   So on the next Monday, the 9th day of March, 1835, about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, I was led into the waters of baptism by Elder James Emmett and baptized for the remission of my sins. (Autobiography of John Lowe Butler I, typescript, BYU Special Collections, pp. 5-8.)

5. "The elders appointed a confirmation meeting to be held at my home on the 12th, Thursday evening. There were nine confirmed and the Holy Ghost was poured out upon us; five spoke in new tongues, myself being one of the number. The elders continued to preach and baptize until 22 were baptized and they then organized a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ordained Benjamin Lewis an elder and myself a teacher." (Butler, p.8.)

6. Sadly, Elder James Emmet, the great missionary who baptized James and Drusilla, did not stay true to the faith that he brought to so many others. After the prophet Joseph's death he refused to follow Brigham Young and was disfellowshipped. He eventually left his wife and died in California. (Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 13, pp. 473-479; John Butler Autobiography, typescript, BYU-S, pp.29-40. Also seeTimes and Seasons, Vol.5, p.639;History of the Church, Vol.2, Ch.24, p.326;History of the Church, Vol.2, Ch.34, p.482; History of the Church, Vol.7, Ch.11, p.135; Evening and Morning Star, May 1834 and September 1834; Messenger and Advocate, Apr 1837, p.495; Our Pioneer Heritage, p. 370.)

Historical Sketch of James HENDRICKS and Drusilla DORRIS
[ Table of Contents | Prev | Next ]
Sunday, 08-Aug-2004 19:33:00 MDT