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Joseph Smith
Restoration

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Lyrics: 2-18 Scene
(RIGDON leaves to the left. FORD starts off right, but is met by an armed group carrying a coffin that resembles Joseph's. FORBES and ANDERSON follow them. They are strangely restrained.)
FORD
What have we here? A parade?
FORBES
A box for the ghoul.
FORD
The visionary!
FORBES
You have regained your composure.
FORD
My friends have joined me.
MOB
Old Joe is dead!
1st OF MOB
We found the Prophet Joe and bring him to you, Governor.
FORD
Into the jurisdiction of the law, into the fold of Illinois. Where did you find him?
2nd OF MOB (Pointing to FORBES and ANDERSON)
They were taking him to a secret grave.
MOB
Secret grave! Secret grave!
FORBES
Joseph is not here.
FORD
Joseph is not here! Figure of speech!
I know his soul has fled I know not where.
But now we have him crated and ready for display.
ANDERSON
For display?
(He starts toward FORD but is held back by the MOB.)
FORD
Display, my hearty one!
FORBES (To ANDERSON)
He will not believe Joseph is not here.
FORD
Joseph is here, laid out in his flesh, ready for the worms.
MOB (Hats off, mockingly)
For the worms.
FORD
How could you permit us to take him?
FORBES
We did not think you would go this far.
FORD
He was a figurehead, a show for your eccentricities!
MOB, 1st OF MOB, 2nd OF MOB
Figurehead! Figurehead! The evidence we need!
Figurehead! Break up old Joe! FORBES
What? You will not!

MOB, 1st OF MOB, 2nd OF MOB
His head on the end of a pole. Old Joe is dead!
We'll saw off his head for everyone to see.
Old Joe is dead!
ANDERSON
You monsters, try to get Joseph and I'll break your hate!
FORD
Mere threats, now that I have the majority vote.
(To the MOB)
Hold him. The Mormons must be taught meeknes.
Tear off the lid!
(Two of the mob begin their work. ANDERSON rushes in.)
ANDERSON
Joseph, Joseph! Stop them!
(He is restrained by the MOB.)
FORBES
We cannot, Brother Anderson. Joseph has fled.
ANDERSON
His body must not be desecrated!
FORBES
We have the mantle; all is right.
MOB
All is right! All is right!
ANDERSON
The mantle! The mantle!
(To FORBES)
Where is it?
FORBES (Ironically, to FORD)
Where but in the spirit of prophecy?
FORD
I cannot figure you.
You are strong. You are bright.
But you chitter mystical phrases like a dervish.
(To the MOB)
Saw his head off.
1st OF MOB
Right, Governor for display!
(They go about their work.)
FORBES
The ghoul qualifies for his work.
They are opening the box of their infamy.
ANDERSON
With what will it be filled? Books? Statues?
Poems? Mementos? Artifacts? Bills of lading?
Clocks for the millennium?

FORBES
Its contents will weigh against their consciences.
(The MOB finally open the coffin.)
1st OF MOB
Rocks! Hundreds of rocks!
2nd OF MOB, MOB
Rocks! Rocks! Only rocks!
FORD (Peering)
Rocks? Joseph is not inside?
FORBES
Joseph has fled.
ANDERSON
Joseph has fled.
FORBES
Ford, here are the rocks of your salvation.
Collect them and minister unto them.
Joseph does not fail.
ANDERSON
The spirit of prophecy...
MOB, 1st OF MOB, 2nd OF MOB
Rocks!
Nothing but rocks!
ANDERSON
...Gleams in the memory of Joseph.
FORBES (Pointing to the rocks)
Governor, spend the years of your career burying them.
Write a book, a history of Illinois. Joseph is not here.
ANDERSON
Excellent, Brother Forbes.
The stones drag them into their graves.
(Ford digs among the stones incredulously.)
FORD
Sidney, you assured me! You said you would succeed!
Joseph is not here! This is another casket than I saw!
(As FORD rails and complains, ANDERSON and FORBES leave.)
It's different!
To annoy us, they'll make many caskets!
MOB
Rocks! Rocks! Only rocks!
This is the age of miracles. Joseph is not here!
FORD
(He tears the lining of the casket out in deep frustration , as the MOB watch in horror.)
Here is my shroud! The swathing bands of my purpose!
(He wraps the cloths around him like a mantle, then wildly )
Where is the figurehead, the imposter?
(He stops in realization.)
They laughed at me!
They laughed at me!
Sidney, help me!
Dress them with your words!
Let the Church die!
They laughed at me!

(CURTAIN. End of Act 2.)

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