Jacob Hamblin — The Vow of Non-Violence and Divine Impression
Published August 31, 2026 at 1:28 AM
During the early conflicts between settlers and Native Americans in Utah (specifically the Walker War era), Jacob Hamblin was involved in a skirmish where he had his rifle leveled at an Indian. At that moment, he felt a powerful spiritual impression that he should not shed the man's blood. He lowered his weapon and later surmised that divine intervention had prevented a tragedy. This experience led him to make a solemn vow to God that he would never again shed the blood of an Indian if his own life could be spared. This event served as the foundation for his lifelong mission as a peacemaker and the prophetic promise he received that he would never fall by the hand of the Lamanites.
In Their Own Words
“In the spring of 1853, I was living in Tooele Valley. The Indians were very troublesome, and the settlers were much annoyed by them. A company of men was raised to go out and punish them for their depredations. I was one of the number. We went out, and after some time, we came upon a party of Indians. We had a skirmish with them, and I had my rifle leveled at one of them, intending to shoot him. Just as I was about to pull the trigger, a feeling came over me that I should not shed the blood of the Indian. I lowered my rifle, and the Indian escaped. I felt that it was a manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord, and I then and there made a vow that I would never again shed the blood of an Indian, if my own life could be spared. I have kept that vow, and I have never had occasion to regret it. In my subsequent reflections, it appeared evident to me that a special providence had been over us, in this and the two previous expeditions, to prevent us from shedding the blood of the Indians.”
— Jacob Hamblin, as recorded in 'Jacob Hamblin: A Narrative of His Personal Experience'
Sources & References
John A. Hamblin (grandson), 'Jacob Vernon Hamblin,' DUP History Collection; James A. Little, 'Jacob Hamblin: A Narrative of His Personal Experience' (1881); Washington County Historical Society (wchsutah.org/people/jacob-hamblin.php). (research confidence: high) Full first-person account: James A. Little, 'Jacob Hamblin: A Narrative of His Personal Experience' (1881), pp. 27-28 https://www.gutenberg.org/files/48284/48284-h/48284-h.htm
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