,,the ,,autobiography ,,of ,,parley ,,parker ,,pratt ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,twelve ,,apostles ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,jesus ,,christ ,,of ,,latter-,,day ,,saints1 ,,embracing ,,the ,,life1 ,,ministry ,,and ,,travels1 ,,with ,,extracts1 ,,in ,,prose ,,and ,,verse1 ,,from ,,his ,,miscellaneous ,,writings4 ,,edited ,,by ,,his ,,son1 ,,parley ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord from henceforth2 ,yea1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labors2 and their works do follow them4--,rev4 xiv4 #ac4 ,chicago3 ,published for ,pratt ,bros4 by ,law1 ,king ,law #ahhh ,entered according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahgd1 ,by ,parley ,p4 ,pratt1 in the ,office of the ,librarian of ,congress at ,washington4 ,preface ------------------------ ,in publishing this volume ,i am discharging a duty solemnly imposed upon me by my lamented father1 just before his departure on his last mission to the ,united ,states4 ,it affords me great pleasure to present the ,autobiography of the late ,author to his relatives1 his numerous friends1 and to the general reader4 ,the writer is well and favorably known through his ,voice of ,warning1 his ,key to ,theology1 and other productions of his pen1 as well as through his personal labors4 ,he was one of the first ,apostles of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-,day ,saints1 having been called by revelation and ordained to that office by the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery4 ,he was intimately associated with the martyrs ,joseph and ,hyrum1 with ,presidents ,b4 ,young and ,h4 ,c4 ,kimball1 and other leading men1 almost from the first rise of the ,church3 his history1 therefore1 was so interwoven with that of the ,church1 that many of the most interesting sketches of ,church history will be found therein4 ,the following pages1 which embrace his life1 ministry and travels1 and some of his best miscellaneous writings in prose and verse1 are the productions of his own pen4 ,he spared no pains to make the work a reliable record1 and one that would be acceptable to all lovers of truth4 ,it is written in the author's happiest style4 ,he was an early pioneer of the ,great ,west1 and travelled extensively in different countries4 ,his life was one of indefatigable labor1 varied and complicated1 crowded with public labors and responsibilities1 and full of strange and extraordinary events--a life mingled with the extremes of joy and sorrow--or1 in the writer's own words1 a truly eventful one4 ,with confidence and satisfaction ,i submit this work to the reader1 feeling assured that it will stand upon its own merits4 ,i also have an earnest and sincere desire that it may be the means1 through the blessing of ,god1 of accomplishing much good4 ,in editing the work ,i have been kindly assisted by the author's personal friend1 ,elder ,john ,taylor1 to whom ,i feel deeply indebted4 ,the work embraces a period of history of fifty years--from the author's boyhood to the time of his betrayal1 by apostates1 into the hands of his enemies1 and martyrdom4 ,the writer1 in his second preface to his ,voice of ,warning1 in #ahdf1 gave expression to the following sentiment3 ,should the author be called to sacrifice his life for the cause of truth1 he will have the consolation that it will be said of him1 as it was said of ,abel1 ',he being dead yet speaketh4' ,editor4 ,salt ,lake ,city1 ,dec41 #ahgc ,to the ,public ------------------------ ,the circumstances attending the death of our beloved and much esteemed ,apostle1 ,parley ,parker ,pratt1 rendered it impossible for him to complete and prepare for publication the work in which he had for many years been engaged1 which is now presented to the public4 ,the general history and incidents were recorded in various forms of manuscript1 some in book form1 some in loose leaves1 whilst others were extracts from the ,millennial ,star and other publications1 yet they needed collating and revising preparatory to their publication4 ,the deceased1 as appears above1 had laid upon his eldest son1 ,p4 ,p4 ,pratt1 the responsibility of publishing his history in case anything should happen to prevent himself from doing it4 ,at the solicitation of ,brother ,pratt ,i undertook the task of assisting to collate and revise the work preparatory to publication4 ,i found1 as ,i expected it to be1 quite an undertaking4 ,but1 as ,bro4 ,parley brought the gospel to and baptized me1 and as ,i have always entertained for him the most profound regard1 ,i esteemed it a duty1 due alike to gratitude and respect1 to assist in having him properly presented before the community4 ,in the revision the changes are very few and unimportant1 the meaning being rigidly adhered to1 and the original1 so far as possible1 preserved intact4 ,his doctrines and general views are left unchanged1 as he was always considered sound in doctrinal points4 ,the multitudinous reminiscences manifested in his eventful life exhibit a true and living faith in ,god and his religion--an honesty of purpose1 an inflexible will1 and an unflagging1 indefatigable industry and perseverance4 ,he possessed a comprehensive mind1 coupled with a sound judgment4 ,he manifested an indomitable fortitude under the most trying circumstances1 and in adversity and trials1 as well as in prosperity1 exhibited an example worthy of praise and emulation4 ,he was indeed a true ,latter-,day ,saint1 an honorable ,apostle1 a good and kind husband1 an affectionate father1 a true friend1 and an honest man4 ,from various premonitions which he had during his last visit with me in ,new ,york1 ,i was satisfied that1 when ,i took my last sad leave of him in that city1 ,i should never see his face again in the flesh4 ,these presentiments were but too speedily and sadly fulfilled4 ,he has gone--but has left a name and a fame that will live throughout time and burst forth in eternity2 and in the morning of the first resurrection1 when the opening heavens shall reveal the ,son of ,god1 and he shall proclaim1 ,i am the resurrection and the life1 when ,death shall deliver up the dead1 ,i expect to meet ,bro4 ,parley in the resurrection of just4 ,john ,taylor4 ,,contents ------------------------ ,,chapter ,i4--,parentage3--,childhood3--,youth3-- ,education3--,early ,impressions3--,journey ,westward3--,making a ,new ,farm in the ,wilderness of ,oswego4 ,,chapter ,,ii4--,thoughts on ,religion3--,join the ,baptist ,church3--,strange ,perversion of a ,scripture ,promise4 ,,chapter ,,iii4--,reverses3--,loss of our ,farm3--,strange ,resolve3--,travels ,west3--,forest ,life3--,another ,new ,farm4 ,,chapter ,,iv4--,revisit ,canaan1 ,n4 ,t43--,interesting ,meeting3-- ,marriage3--,return to my ,forest ,home4 ,,chapter ,v4--,our ,home3--,new ,sect3--,progressive ,religious ,views3--,unexpected ,meeting3--,dialogue3--,forsake ,my ,home3--,journey to ,new ,york3--,public ,ministry3--,strange ,book3--,first ,interview with a ,latter-,day ,saint4 ,,chapter ,,vi4--,interesting ,meetings3--,second ,interview with ,hyrum ,smith3--,visit to the ,church in ,seneca ,county3--,baptism1 ,confirmation and ,ordination3--,ministry ,among my ,kindred3--,baptism of my ,brother ,orson3--,wonderful ,sign in the ,heavens3--,return to ,western ,new ,york3--,first ,interview with ,joseph ,smith3--,description of his ,person and ,abilities4 ,,chapter ,,vii4--,mission to the ,western ,states3--,visit to the ,indians3--,wonderful ,success in ,kirtland1 ,ohio3--,journey ,westward3--,great ,excitement and ,anxiety to ,hear the ,fulness of the ,gospel3--,imprisonment3--,mock ,trial3-- ,escape3--,preaching3--,success3--,visit the ,wyandots3--,journey ,resumed3--,great ,hardships3--,arrival on the ,frontiers of ,missouri4 ,chapter ,,viii4--,visit the ,delawares of ,kansas3--,interview with the ,chief and ,council3--,speech and ,reply3--,great ,excitement3-- ,opposition from ,missionaries3--,compelled to ,leave the ,indian ,country3--,ministry in ,jackson ,county3--,council in ,independence3-- ,return ,eastward3--,disguise3--,hospitality of a ,family of the ,saints3--,dialogue3--,sickness3--,reuni on with ,president ,joseph ,smith3--,mission to the ,shakers3--,ministry ,among the ,churches3--,false ,spirits3--,inquire of the ,lord3--,mode of ,receiving ,revelations4 ,,chapter ,,ix4--,revelation on ,false ,spirits3--,ministry ,among the ,churches3--,remarkable ,miracle of ,healing3--,arrival of ,emigrant ,saints from ,new ,york3--,severe ,disappointment4 ,,chapter ,x4--,conference at ,kirtland3--,revelation of the ,high ,priesthood3--,ordinations to the ,same3--,appointment of ,missions through the ,western ,states3--,return ,westward1 ,accompanied by my ,brother ,orson3--,our ,success by the ,way3--,arrival at the ,frontiers3--,sickness3--,remarkable ,conversion of ,newel ,knight3--,a ,dream4 ,,chapter ,,xi4--,attend ,conference3--,instantaneous ,healing3-- ,return ,eastward3--,description of the ,inhabitants on the ,south ,side of the ,missouri ,river3--,strange ,manifestation3-- ,arrive at ,st4 ,louis3--,preaching and ,entertainment3--,arrive at ,vandalia3--,reception3--,exposure in ,crossing an ,over--flowed ,bottom3--,dialogue3--,hospitality of a ,preacher3--,deaf ,landlord3--,meet my ,wife4 ,chapter ,,xii4--,mission in ,ohio3--,start to ,western ,missouri3--,incidents by the ,way3--,discourse on ,board a ,steamer on the ,fourth of ,july3--,its ,effect3--,arrival on the ,frontiers3--,farming3--,extortion3--,mi ssion in ,missouri and ,illinois3--,treatment by ,infidels3--,great ,success in ,illinois3--,opposition from ,baptist ,ministers3--,outlines of ,mr4 ,peck's ,speech and my ,reply3--,result3--,return ,home3--,a ,voice from the ,dead4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4--,prosperity of the ,church3--,school in ,zion3-- ,revelation3--,mob3--,destruction of ,printing ,office3--,defence3-- ,prisoners3--,journey to ,lexington3--,a ,dream3--,its ,fulfilment3-- ,battle3--,defeat of the ,robbers3--,a ,miracle3--,defence ,construed into ,murder3--,gov4 ,boggs and ,militia ,join the ,mob3--,church ,driven from the ,county3--,plunderings and ,burnings3--,insurrections3--,signs in the ,heavens3--,action of the ,governor3--,attorney-,general ,driven from ,court3--,refugees ,settle in the ,north3--,a ,bandit ,chief made ,governor4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4--,labors in ,clay ,county3--,conference3--,appointment to a ,tedious ,journey3--,a ,case of ,healing3--,arrive at ,kirtland3-- ,revelation3--,travel ,eastward1 in ,company with ,president ,joseph ,smith3--,conference in ,geneseo3--,pleasing ,reminiscence3--,president ,smith and ,others ,return ,home3--,visit ,sackett's ,harbor3--,crowded ,meeting3--,requested to ,visit the ,sick3--,a ,little ,boy ,healed3-- ,baptisms1 etc43--,miraculous ,gifts3--,lying ,priests and ,rabble3-- ,visit my ,parents in ,canaan1 ,n4 ,y43--,return to ,kirtland4 ,,chapter ,,xv4--,an ,army3--,a ,long ,march3--,recruits3--,a ,voice3--,camp ,arrives in ,missouri3--,delegation to the ,governor3--,interview3--,return to ,camp3--,council3--,great ,storm and ,flood3--,a ,battle ,providentially ,prevented3--,cholera3--,army ,disbanded3--,sudden ,destruction3--,labor with my ,hands3--,journey to ,ohio3--,labor and ,ministry3--,accusations3--,repair to ,kirtland3--,interview with the ,president3--,his ,action on the ,matter3--,calling and ,ordination of a ,quorum of ,twelve ,apostles3--,my ,ordination1 ,blessing and ,charge3--,charge to the ,quorum4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4--,return to ,new ,portage3--,fire3--,return to ,kirtland3--,mob3--,journey ,eastward1 as far as ,maine3--,return to ,boston3--,removal to ,kirtland3--,a ,temple3--,school1 ,endowments1 ,prophecyings1 ,visions1 etc43--,visit from ,brother ,h4 ,c4 ,kimball and ,others3--,my ,wife ,healed and ,blessed3--,a ,remarkable ,prophecy and its ,fulfilment3--,mission to ,canada3--,falls of ,niagara3--,reflections4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4--,journey ,resumed3--,ministry3--,striking ,answer to ,prayer3--,arrival at ,toronto3--,john ,taylor3--,visit the ,religious ,ministers1 the ,sheriff1 and the ,public ,market1 ,seeking for an ,opening1 but in ,vain3--,secret ,prayer3--,about to leave the ,city--,god ,sends a ,widow to ,receive ,me3--,great ,faith3--,eyes of the ,blind ,opened3--,great ,excitement and ,gainsayings3--,public ,preaching3--,find a ,people ,prepared to ,receive the ,message4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4--,crowded ,meeting3--,discourse3--,baptize the ,people and ,organize a ,church3--,spread of the ,work3--,first ,visit to the ,country3--,opposition3--,remarkable ,success3--,return to ,kirtland3--,return with my ,wife to ,toronto3--,meetings at ,mr4 ,lamphere's3--,a ,woman ,healed and ,evil ,spirits ,rebuked3--,mr4 ,lamareux3--,a ,meeting3--,a ,challenge3--,discussion ,held in the ,open ,air3--,great ,crowd3--,opening ,propositions by ,elder ,o4 ,hyde3--,result of the ,discussion4 ,,chapter ,,xix4--,a ,vision3--,remarkable ,signs in the ,heavens3--,a ,false ,prophet3--,a ,dream3--,impression3--,prayer3--,interp retation ,given in a ,second ,dream3--,attend ,mr4 ,caird's ,meeting3--,he ,shows ,himself to be a ,railer and a ,liar3--,we ,challenge ,him to an ,investigation3--,he ,visits ,toronto3--,we ,return ,there3--,continues ,his ,opposition3-- ,refusing to ,meet ,us3--,great ,meetings3--,excitement3--,text3--,summa ry of the ,discourse ,proving ,him a ,false ,teacher3--,he ,retires to ,private ,life3--,return to ,kirtland3--,birth of ,my ,first ,born4 ,,chapter ,,xx4--,two ,items of ,prophecy3--,death of my ,wife3 ,an ,open ,vision ,forewarning ,her of ,her ,death3--,burial3 ,description of ,her ,person and ,character3--,reflections3 ,return to ,canada3--,selection for an ,english ,mission ,jarrings in the ,church3--,apostacy3--,temptation3-- ,deliverance3--,mission to ,new ,york ,city3--,the ,voice of ,warning3--,its ,success3--,english ,mission3--,remarkable ,prophecy3--,several ,instances of ,healing3--,spread of the ,work in the ,city and ,country4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4--,remove to ,missouri3--,national ,anniversary at ,far ,west3--,corner ,stone of a ,temple3--,insurrections3--,defence3--,a ttack on ,de ,witt1 ,carroll ,county3--,mob ,chaplain3--,surrender and ,flight of the ,citizens of ,de ,witt3--,action of the ,governor3--,general ,defence3--,battle of ,crooked ,river3--,death of ,colonel ,patten3--,defence ,construed into ,murder and ,treason3--,muster of ,state ,forces ,against the ,mormons1 with ,orders for ,extermination3--,general ,lucas1 with ,four ,thousand ,men1 ,menaces ,far ,west4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4--,exterminating ,order3--,betrayal and ,imprisonment of ,joseph ,smith and ,others3--,camp of the ,enemy3--,the ,howlings of the ,damned3--,the ,enemy ,boast of the ,highest ,crimes3--,secret ,inquisitory ,trial of the ,prisoners3--,sentence of ,death6--,how ,reversed3--,a ,judas3--,surrender of ,far ,west3--,attempt to ,assassinate the ,prisoners3--,farewell ,scenes3--,captives ,removed to ,jackson ,county3--,general ,clark ,demands the ,prisoners3--,refusal to ,surrender them3--,cross the ,missouri ,river3--,visitors3--,preaching in ,camp by ,president ,smith3--,arrive at ,independence3--,public ,exhibition of the ,prisoners4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4--,treatment of the ,prisoners3--,visit the ,temple ,lot3--,gain my ,freedom3--,temptation3--,voluntary ,return to ,bondage3--,leave ,independence3--,conduct of the ,guards3--,fall into the ,hands of ,col4 ,price and ,guards3--,arrive at ,richmond3-- ,chains3--,interview with ,gen4 ,clark3--,dialogue3--,inconceivable ,absurdities4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4--,massacre at ,haun's ,mill4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4--,speech of ,major--,general ,clark1 ,delivered at ,far ,west while its ,citizens were held as ,prisoners1 ,november1 #ahch4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4--,the ,prisoners3--,second ,interview with ,general ,clark3--,inquisition3--,sickness of ,elder ,rigdon3--,colonel ,price and ,guards3--,their ,conduct2--,rebuke by ,joseph ,smith3--,trial3--,similarity between ,king ,herod and ,governor ,boggs3--,judge ,austin ,a4 ,king in ,open ,court ,threatens a ,wholesale ,extermination of the ',mormons3'--,other ,prisoners ,obtained by ,stratagem3--,advice of ,general ,doniphan1 ,attorney for the ,prisoners3--,decision3--,disposal of the ,prisoners3--,flight of the ,church to ,illinois3--,conduct of the ,outlaws3--,my ,family ,visits me in ,prison4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4--,legislative ,action on the ,subject4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4--,joseph ,smith and his ,fellow ,prisoners in ,clay ,county3--,mock ,trial in the ,county of ,davies3--,final ,escape3--,their ,arrival in ,illinois4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4--,farewell ,scenes3--,departure of the ,last ,remnant of the ,exiles3--,court3--,release of ,two of the ,prisoners3--,reflections in ,prison4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4--,letter to ,judge ,austin ,a4 ,king4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4--,the ,prison3--,fare3--,conduct of the ,guards3--,a ,strange ,couple3--,my ,wife ,visits the ,prison3--,fasting and ,prayer3--,an ,important ,question3--,vision3--,a ,ministering ,spirit3--,the ,question ,answered3--,visit from ,judge ,king3--,change of ,venue3--,handcuffs3--,departure from the ,prison3--,journey3--,arrival in ,columbia1 ,boone ,county3--,enter ,another ,prison3--,treatment3--,arrival of ,friends3--,news from my ,family3--,impressions of the ,spirit3--,plan and ,preparations for ,escape3--,fourth of ,july ,celebration3--,flag3--,public ,dinner3--,now's the ,day3--,our ,friends take ,leave3--,rendezvous4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4--,description of the ,prison3--,ladies in the ,prison3--,evening of a ,public ,day3--,song3--,obstinate ,coffee ,pot3--,order of ,attack3--,escape3--,race3--,great ,excitement3--,our ,friends in the ,thicket3--,prisoners ,gain the ,thicket3--,flight3--,encounter3--,climb a ,tree3--,faint3--,prayers3--,night ,favors us at ,last3--,loss of my ,horse3--,journey on ,foot3--,reflections4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4--,dawn3--,bewildered in a ,forest3--,beautiful ,valley3--,escape of ,phelps3--,dialogue3--,his ,final ,escape and ,arrival in ,illinois3--,fate of our ,two ,friends3--,interview between my ,brother ,orson and my ,wife3--,she ,prepares for my ,reception3--,disappointment3--,exciteme nt3--,search3--,suspense3--,scenes at the ,prison3--,treatment of ,mrs4 ,phelps3--,mr4 ,follett ,retaken3--,his ,return to ,prison3--,chains3--,escape of ,mrs4 ,phelps3--,finale of ,luman and ,phila4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4--,reminiscence3--,resume my ,wanderings3--,lost ,again3--,storm3--,conversation3--,suspi cious ,characters3--,lost in a ,swamp3--,strange ,river3--,retrace my ,steps3--,cross the ,river3--,wild ,scenery3--,strange ,bedfellow3--,dawn3--,reach the ,mississippi3--,cross the ,river in a ,canoe3--,land on an ,island3--,entangled in the ,thickets3--,reembark3--,land in ,illinois3--,an ,old ,acquaintance3--,arrive at ,quincy4 ,,chapter ,,xxxv4--,opinions of the ,press3--,extracts from the ,columbia ,patriot3--,banner of ,liberty3--,boone's ,lick ,democrat3--,saturday ,news3--,missouri ,republican3--,new ,york ,sun3--,quincy ,argus3--,minutes of a ,public ,meeting in ,quincy3--,new ,york ,commercial ,advertiser3--,public ,meeting in ,new ,york3--,closing ,remarks4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4--,congratulations3--,remove to ,nauvoo3--,meet with ,president ,smith and ,other ,fellow ,sufferers3--,president ,smith's ,reproof for the ,elders3--,toils3--,start for ,england3-- ,arrival in ,detroit3--,visit my ,brother ,anson and ,parents3-- ,arrive in ,new ,york3--,visit ,philadelphia and ,washington3--,meet ,president ,smith3--,great ,meeting3--,preaching by ,s4 ,rigdon and ,president ,smith3--,success in ,new ,york3--,farewell ,song3--,sail for ,england3--,reflections4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4--,general ,conference at ,preston1 ,england3--,publishing ,committee3--,editorial ,appointment3--,first ,number of the ,millennial ,star ,issued3--,my own ,ministry in ,manchester and ,vicinity3--,new ,hymn ,book3--,action of ,congress on the ,missouri ,tragedies4 ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4--,general ,conference at ,manchester3--,ordinations and ,appointments3--,return to ,new ,york3--,meet with my ,family3--,visit to the ,state of ,maine3--,a ,dream and its ,fulfilment3--,embark ,again for ,england3--,consequence of ,looking ,back3--,safe ,arrival in ,england3--,resume the ,editorial ,duties3--,reflections4 ,,chapter ,,xxxix4--,visit and ,ministry in ,bolton3--,conduct of two ,methodist ,priests3--,arrest and ,trial3--,emigration3--,general ,conference at ,manchester3--,council of the ,twelve3--,charter the ship ,tyrean3--,philosophy of the ,resurrection3--,emigration on the ,ship ,chaos3--,visit to the ,isle of ,man3--,visit to ,norwich3--,mob4 ,,chapter ,,xl4--,notice for a ,general ,conference3--,extract of a ,letter from ,elder ,orson ,hyde in ,jerusalem3--,extracts from my ,farewell ,address4 ,,chapter ,,xli4--,vessels ,chartered3--,emigration3--,sail for ,new ,orleans on the ,emerald3--,passage3--,land in ,new ,orleans3--,charter of a ,steamer3--,historical ,letter3--,journey and ,arrival at ,nauvoo3--,mission with ,joseph ,smith3--,visit to ,chester4 ,,chapter ,,xlii4--,miscellaneous ,writings3--,mission to the ,east3-- ,impressions of the ,spirit3--,martyrdom of ,joseph and ,hyrum ,smith3--,spirit of ,exultation3--,return to ,nauvoo3--,sidney ,rigdon ,disfellowshipped4 ,,chapter ,,xliii4--,eastern ,mission3--,return3--,mobocracy3--,labor in the ,temple3--,expulsion from ,nauvoo3--,cross the ,mississippi3--,garden ,grove3--,mount ,pisga3--,council ,bluffs3--,mormon ,battalion3--,winter ,quarters3--,mission to ,england with ,elders ,orson ,hyde and ,john ,taylor3--,conference at ,manchester3--,tour through the ,kingdom4 ,,chapter ,,xliv4--,an ,apostle of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ1 of ,latter-,day ,saints1 was in the ,island of ,great ,britain for the ,gospel's sake2 and being in the ,spirit on the #bdth of ,november1 #ahdf1 addressed the following words of comfort to his dearly beloved ,wife and ,family1 dwelling in tents1 in the ,camp of ,israel1 at ,council ,bluffs1 ,missouri ,territory1 ,north ,america2 where they and twenty thousand others were banished by the civilized ,christians of the ,united ,states for the ,word of ,god and the ,testimony of ,jesus4 ,,chapter ,,xlv4--,return with ,elder ,john ,taylor to ,america3--,arrival at ,winter ,quarters3--,camp ,starts for the ,rocky ,mountains3--,meet the ,pioneers3--,arrival in ,great ,salt ,lake ,valley3--,visit to ,utah and ,great ,salt ,lake4 ,,chapter ,,xlvi4--,spring of #ahdh3--,scarcity of ,provisions3--,harvest ,feast3--,arrival of ,president ,young and ,company3--,gold ,fever3--,explore ,southern ,utah4 ,,chapter ,,xlvii4--,start on my ,pacific ,mission3--,sketch of the ,journey3--,attacked by ,indians3--,crossing the ,desert3--,arrival at ,los ,angelos4 ,,chapter ,,xlviii4--,los ,angelos3--,catholic ,celebration of ,corpus ,christi3--,arrival in ,san ,francisco3--,letter to ,president ,brigham ,young3--,family ,letter4 ,,chapter ,,xlix4--,valparaiso3--,quillota3--,lett er to ,president ,brigham ,young4 ,,chapter ,l4--,arrival in ,san ,francisco3--,return to ,salt ,lake ,city3--,second ,mission to the ,pacific3--,articles from the ,press4 ,,chapter ,,li4--,reply to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,briggs on the ,subject of the ,expediency of the ,reappointment of ,his ,excellency ,governor ,young1 of ,utah4 ,,chapter ,,lii4--,statements ,pertaining to the ,history of ,joseph ,smith3--,return to ,utah3--,home ,mission3--,attend the ,legislature at ,fillmore3--,the ,standard of ,zion3--,return to ,salt ,lake ,city4 ,,chapter ,,liii4--,journal of ,eastern ,mission4 ,,chapter ,,liv4--,family ,letters3--,my ,fiftieth ,year3--,response by ,john ,taylor4 ,,appendix ,,genealogy ,,transcriber',s ,,note ,,chapter ,i4 ------------------------ ,parentage3--,childhood3--,youth3--,educ ation3--,early ,impressions3--,journey ,westward3--,making a ,new ,farm in the ,wilderness of ,oswego4 ,parley ,parker ,pratt1 the subject and author of these sketches1 and third son of ,jared and ,charity ,pratt1 of ,canaan1 ,columbia ,county1 ,new ,york1 was born ,april #ab1 #ahjg1 in ,burlington1 ,otsego ,county1 ,n4,y499 ,footnote 99,for genealogy in full see ,appendix4 ,of my early youth ,i shall say but little4 ,my father was a hard working man1 and generally occupied in agricultural pursuits2 and1 although limited in education1 he sometimes taught school1 and even vocal music4 ,he was a man of excellent morals2 and he exerted himself diligently1 by stern example as well as precept1 to instill into the minds of his children every principle of integrity1 honesty1 honor and virtue4 ,he taught us to venerate our ,father in ,heaven1 ,jesus ,christ1 ,his prophets and ,apostles1 as well as the ,scriptures written by them2 while at the same time he belonged to no religious sect1 and was careful to preserve his children free from all prejudice in favor of or against any particular denomination1 into which the so-called ,christian world was then unhappily divided4 ,we frequently attended public worship1 with ,presbyterians1 ,baptists and ,methodists in turn1 or1 as circumstances rendered convenient--having equal respect for these several forms of worship and their adherents4 ,though my father did sometimes manifest a decided disapprobation of a hireling clergy1 who seemed1 in his estimation1 to prefer the learning and wisdom of man to the gifts and power of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,his means to educate his children were very limited2 but that excellent system of common school education early established in the ,eastern and ,middle ,states afforded to them1 in common with others1 an opportunity to learn1 and even to become familiar with the four great branches1 which are the foundation of literature and the sciences4 ,my opportunity1 even in these institutions1 was far more limited than most of the youths of my country1 on account of my time being mostly required in physical exertion to assist in sustaining the family of my father4 ,but ,i always loved a book4 ,if ,i worked hard1 a book was in my hand in the morning while others were sitting down to breakfast2 the same at noon2 if ,i had a few moments1 a book6 a ,,book6 ,a book at evening1 while others slept or sported2 a book on ,sundays2 a book at every leisure moment of my life4 ,at the age of seven years my mother gave me lessons to read in the ,scriptures2 ,i read of ,joseph in ,egypt1 his dreams1 his servitude1 his temptation and exaltation2 his kindness and affection for his father and brethren4 ,all this inspired me with love1 and with the noblest sentiments ever planted in the bosom of man4 ,i read of ,david and ,goliath2--of ,saul and ,samuel2--of ,samson and the ,philistines3--all these inspired me with hatred to the deeds of evil doers and love for good men and their deeds4 ,after this ,i read of ,jesus and his ,apostles2 and ,o1 how ,i loved them6 ,how ,i longed to fall at the feet of ,jesus2 to worship him1 or to offer my life for his4 ,at about twelve years of age ,i read of the first resurrection1 as described by ,john the ,apostle1 in the #bjth chapter of his ,revelation2 how they1 martyrs of ,jesus1 and those who kept ,his commandments would live and reign with ,christ a thousand years1 while the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years were ended4 ,o1 what an impression this made on my mind2 ,i retired to rest after an evening spent in this way2 but ,i could not sleep4 ,i felt a longing desire and an inexpressible anxiety to secure to myself a part in a resurrection so glorious4 ,i felt a weight of worlds1--of eternal worlds resting upon me2 for fear ,i might still remain in uncertainty1 and at last fall short and still sleep on in the cold embrace of death2 while the great1 the good1 the blessed and the holy of this world would awake from the gloom of the grave and be renovated1 filled with life and joy1 and enter upon life with all its joys3 while for a thousand years their busy1 happy tribes should trample on my sleeping dust1 and still my spirit wait in dread suspense1 impatient of its doom4 ,i tried to pray2 but ,o1 how weak6 ,at the age of fifteen ,i was separated from my father's house1 and placed as an assistant on a farm1 with a gentleman by the name of ,william ,s4 ,herrick4 ,this gentleman and his family were exemplary members of the ,presbyterian ,church2 and better1 kinder1 or more agreeable people are seldom met with in this wicked world4 ,they treated me as if ,i had been an only son1 instead of a hired servant4 ,i was with them eight months1 during which time our mutual affection for each other increased2 and ,i felt grieved when my time expired and duty called me elsewhere4 ,during the winter following1 being in the sixteenth year of my age1 ,i boarded with one of my aunts 7my father's sister71 named ,van ,cott2 she was an excellent and kind-hearted woman1 and acted as a mother to me4 ,this winter ,i spent mostly at school1 and it was my last opportunity to improve my education by any means1 except my own unaided exertion--at least for many years4 ,in this school1 by close application1 ,i made such extraordinary progress that the teacher often spoke of me to the whole school1 and exhorted them to learn as ,parley ,pratt did2--said he 7to some of them who were more fond of mischief than of study71 if you would learn as he does1 you would become men of wisdom and talent in the world2 but if you continue the course you have done you will remain in obscurity and unknown2 while he will be known1 and fill important stations in society4 ,i do not mention these circumstances by way of boasting2 but simply because they are true4 ,how little did ,i then realize1 or even dream of the station ,i should be called to fill4 ,again the spring returned2--,i was sixteen years of age4 ,i left the school of my boyhood forever1 and commenced again a life of toil4 ,i assisted my cousin1 ,william ,pratt1 in the cultivation of the farm of my aunt 7where ,i had boarded the previous winter7 until ,september1 when ,i started a journey to the ,west1 in company with my brother ,william1 in search of some spot of ground in the wilderness which we might prepare as our future home4 ,we travelled about two hundred miles on foot1 and at length selected a spot for a farm in the woods1 about two miles from ,oswego1 a small town situated on ,lake ,ontario1 in the ,state of ,new ,york4 ,we purchased seventy acres of land1 which was covered with an immense growth of timber1 principally beech1 maple and hemlock4 ,for this we bargained with one ,mr4 ,morgan1 and agreed to pay four dollars per acre1 in four annual payments with interest--paying some seventy dollars in hand4 ,we then repaired again to the ,east1 and1 by dint of hard labor1 endeavored to earn the money4 ,wages were very low1 and at length my brother ,william entirely failed in raising his part of the money for our next installment4 ,the next spring found me in the employment of a wealthy farmer1 by the name of ,eliphet ,bristol1 in the neighborhood of my aunt ,van ,cott's4 ,here ,i experienced no kindness2 no friendship from my employer or his family4 ,i always commenced work before sunrise1 and continued till dark2 losing only three days in eight months4 ,i was then but a lad--being only seventeen years of age--and stood in need of fatherly and motherly care and comfort4 ,but they treated a laborer as a machine2 not as a human being1 possessed of feelings and sympathies in common with his species4 ,work6 ,,work6 ,,work6 you are hired to work4 ,a man that paid for his work should never be weary1 faint1 or sick2 or expect a kind look or word4 ,he agrees to work2 we agree to pay him2 that is sufficient4 ,he needs no kindness1 no affection1 no smiles1 no encouragement of any kind4 ,such was their spirit towards me during this eight months of toil4 ,i was glad when the time expired2 ,i felt like one released from prison4 ,i took my wages1 and was accompanied by my father to our place in ,oswego4 ,here ,i paid all my hard earnings to meet the yearly installment due on the land--reserving merely enough to purchase two axes4 ,we then commenced to chop and clear the heavy timber all the time that we could command1 extra of earning our board4 ,it was a cold1 snowy winter1 such as is usual in the northern part of ,new ,york4 ,but we earned our living1 and chopped and cleared ten acres during the winter and spring2 this we surrounded with a fence of rails1 and planted with wheat and ,indian corn1 being in hopes to meet the next payment with the avails of our harvest4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ------------------------ ,thoughts on ,religion3--,join the ,baptist ,church3--,strange ,perversion of a ,scripture ,promise4 ,it was during these toils in the wilderness that my mind was drawn out from time to time on the things of ,god and eternity4 ,i felt deeply anxious to be saved from my sins1 and to secure an interest in that world where the wicked cease from troubling1 and the weary are at rest4 ,i attended public worship with a society of ,baptists who had employed one ,w4 ,a4 ,scranton for their minister2 he was a scholar from ,hamilton ,seminary 7an institution where young men are educated for the ministry74 ,i said to my father one day while we were laboring together in the forest3 ,father1 how is it there is so manifest a difference between the ancient and modern disciples of ,jesus ,christ and their doctrines8 ,if1 for instance1 ,i had lived in the days of the ,apostles1 and believed in ,jesus ,christ1 and had manifested a wish to become his disciple1 ,peter or his brethren would have said to me1 ',repent and be baptized in the name of ,jesus ,christ for ,,remission ,,of ,,sins1 and you ,,shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4' ,i should then have known definitely and precisely what to do to be saved4 ,whereas1 now we go to the religious minister for instruction1 and he tells us we must experience a mysterious1 indefinite and undefinable something called religion before we can repent and be baptized acceptably4 ,but1 if we inquire how1 or by what means we are to come at this experience1 he cannot tell us definitely2 but will tell us that it is the work of ,god in the soul2 which he will accomplish in his own due time1 for his own elect2 and that we can do nothing acceptably till this is done4 ,that even our prayers and repentance1 and all our good works are sin2 so long as this work of ,god is not done within us4 ,now1 father1 said ,i1 how is this8 ,i believe in ,jesus2 ,i wish to serve him and keep his commandments2 ,i love him3 ,he has commanded all men to repent and be baptized1 and has promised to remit the sins of all those who obey the gospel ordinances1 and to pour out the ,holy ,spirit upon them4 ,yet1 if ,i apply to the ,presbyterians they will sprinkle some water in my face instead of baptizing me4 ,if ,i go to the ,methodists it is the same4 ,and if ,i go to the ,baptists they will not baptize me for remission of sins 1 that ,i may receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost2 but they will require of me to relate an experience1 and to tell of some time and place where ,i had already experienced that which ,i am only seeking for1 and have not found4 ,this1 of course1 ,i cannot do2 and1 therefore1 they will not receive me unto baptism4 ,how1 then1 can ,i observe the ordinances of ,god and keep his commandments8 ,to these inquiries my father could give no satisfactory answer2 but observed that times and circumstances had changed4 ,with this ,i was not satisfied1 of course2 for who had a right to change the ordinances1 transgress the law1 or break the covenant of the everlasting gospel8 ,such were my thoughts4 ,i still continued to ponder upon these things1 and to search the ,scriptures to learn how to be saved4 ,i found the same principles and practice throughout the history of the ,apostles1 the ,jews1 ,samaritans1 ,gentiles1 ,ephesians1 ,corinthians1 ,romans1 the ,ethiopian eunuch1 ,saul of ,tarsus1 the jailer and his household1 all were baptized when they believed in ,jesus ,christ and repented of their sins2 and this as an ordinance connected with remission of their sins and the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,what1 then1 should ,i do8 ,where find one who was commissioned from heaven1 and would administer salvation to me8 ,i could only go to the ,baptists2 but ,i lacked that experience of religion which they always required4 ,however1 ,i resolved to try4 ,i accordingly appeared before them at their monthly meeting1 or council1 and requested to be baptized2 they inquired into my experience2 ,i related to them my firm belief in ,christ1 and my wish to serve ,god without being able to tell them of any particular experience of religion4 ,they finally consulted together2 and came to the conclusion that ,i had been converted1 whether ,i knew it myself or not1 and a time was appointed for my baptism--a month or two thence4 ,here ,i again realized the difference4 ,in ancient times persons were baptized immediately on profession of their faith2 now they were subjected to a delay of weeks or months4 ,at length the time arrived1 and ,i was baptized by ,mr4 ,scranton1 and duly initiated into the ,baptist society2 being about eighteen years of age4 ,i felt some satisfaction in obeying this one ordinance2 but still ,i was aware that all was not right1--that much was wanting to constitute a ,christian1 or a ,church of ,christ4 ,i endeavored to pray much1 and to attend meetings strictly2 ,i also endeavored to keep the commandments of ,jesus as well as ,i could4 ,mr4 ,scranton came to the house where ,i boarded to preach at a certain time1 and ,i inquired of him what ,jesus meant when he said1 these signs shall follow them that believe4 ,he replied1 that it meant these signs should follow the ,apostles only4 ,this did not satisfy me2 for it was plain and manifest perversion of common sense and language easy to be understood4 ,it was as much as to say3 ,go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to the ,apostles2 and the ,apostles that believe and are baptized shall be saved2 and the ,apostles that believe not shall be damned2 and these signs shall follow the ,apostles that believe4 ,thus1 by logical consistency1 confining the whole commission and gospel to the ,apostles1 with all its benefits1 by the same rule that we would confine the promise of the signs following to them4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ------------------------ ,reverses3--,loss of our ,farm3--,strange ,resolve3--,travels ,west3--,forest ,life3--,another ,new ,farm4 ,time passed2 harvest came2 a fine crop1 but no market2 and consequently the payment came due on our land and there was no means of payment4 ,the winter rolled round2 spring came again2 and with it a prosecution on the part of ,mr4 ,morgan for money due on land4 ,the consequence was that all our hard earnings1 and all our improvements in the wilderness1 were wrested from us in a moment4 ,mr4 ,morgan retained the land1 the improvements and the money paid4 ,weary and disconsolate1 ,i left the country and my father1 who took charge of our crops and all unsettled business4 ,i spent a few months with my uncles1 ,ira and ,allen ,pratt1 in ,wayne ,county1 ,n4 ,y41 and in the autumn of #ahbf ,i resolved to bid farewell to the civilized world--where ,i had met with little else but disappointment1 sorrow and unrewarded toil2 and where sectarian divisions disgusted and ignorance perplexed me--and to spend the remainder of my days in the solitudes of the great ,west1 among the natives of the forest4 ,there1 at least1 thought ,i1 there will be no buying and selling of lands1--no law to sweep all the hard earnings of years to pay a small debt1--no wranglings about sects1 and creeds1 and doctrines4 ,i will win the confidence of the red man2 ,i will learn his language2 ,i will tell him of ,jesus2 ,i will read to him the ,scriptures2 ,i will teach him the arts of peace2 to hate war1 to love his neighbor1 to fear and love ,god1 and to cultivate the earth4 ,such were my resolutions4 ,in ,october1 #ahbf1 ,i took leave of my friends and started westward4 ,i paid most of my money in ,rochester for a small pocket ,bible1 and continued my journey as far as ,buffalo4 ,at this place ,i engaged a passage for ,detroit1 on board a steamer2 as ,i had no money1 ,i agreed to work for the same4 ,after a rough passage and many delays1 ,i was at length driven by stress of weather to land at ,erie1 in ,pennsylvania2 from whence ,i travelled by land till ,i came to a small settlement about thirty miles west of ,cleveland1 in the ,state of ,ohio4 ,the rainy season of ,november had now set in2 the country was covered with a dense forest1 with here and there a small opening made by the settlers1 and the surface of the earth one vast scene of mud and mire2 so that travelling was now very difficult1 if not impracticable4 ,alone in a land of strangers1 without home or money1 and not yet twenty years of age1 ,i became discouraged1 and concluded to stop for the winter2 ,i procured a gun from one of the neighbors2 worked and earned an axe1 some breadstuff and other little extras1 and retired two miles into a dense forest and prepared a small hut1 or cabin1 for the winter4 ,some leaves and straw in my cabin served for my lodging1 and a good fire kept me warm4 ,a stream near my door quenched my thirst2 and fat venison1 with a little bread from the settlements1 sustained me for food4 ,the storms of winter raged around me2 the wind shook the forest1 the wolf howled in the distance1 and the owl chimed in harshly to complete the doleful music which seemed to soothe me1 or bid me welcome to this holy retreat4 ,but in my little cabin the fire blazed pleasantly1 and the ,holy ,scriptures and a few other books occupied my hours of solitude4 ,among the few books in my cabin1 were ,mc,kenzie's travels in the ,northwest1 and ,lewis and ,clark's tour up the ,missouri and down the ,columbia rivers4 ,spring came on again2 the woods were pleasant1 the flowers bloomed in their richest variety1 the birds sung pleasantly in the groves2 and1 strange to say1 my mind had become attached to my new abode4 ,i again bargained for a piece of forest land2 again promised to pay in a few years1 and again commenced to clear a farm and build a house4 ,i was now twenty years of age4 ,i resolved to make some improvements and preparations1 and then return to my native country1 from which ,i had been absent several years4 ,there was one there whom my heart had long loved1 and from whom ,i would not have been so long separated1 except by misfortune4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ------------------------ ,revisit ,canaan1 ,n4 ,t43--,interesting ,meeting3-- ,marriage3--,return to my ,forest ,home4 ,it was the ,fourth of ,july1 #ahbg4 ,the morning was beautiful and gay1 the sun rose without a cloud over the pine-clad hills of my native land1 where in boyhood ,i had often toiled and sported1 just as ,i came within a mile of the farm of my good old aunt ,van ,cott1 of ,canaan1 ,columbia ,county1 after an absence of three years4 ,i had1 during this time1 exchanged the features of the bashful boy for those of the man2 and1 instead of a laughing1 careless countenance1 a forehead of marble and a cheek of rose1 stern care had marked me as her child1 and the sun had given a shade of brown to my features2 these1 added to a heavy growth of beard and whiskers1 disguised me so far that ,i could pass through the neighborhood of people1 known and familiar to me1 unnoticed and unknown4 ,with a quick step1 a beating heart1 and an intense1 indescribable feeling of joy1 sorrow1 hope1 despondency and happiness1 ,i approached the door of ,mr4 ,halsey1 and knocked2 it was opened by an aged female1 a stranger to me2 ,i entered and inquired for ,miss ,thankful ,halsey-in a moment more she had me by the hand1 with a look of welcome which showed she had not forgotten me4 ,i spent the day and evening with her2 explained to her all my losses1 my poverty and prospects1 and the lone retreat where ,i had spent the previous winter2 and the preparations ,i had made for a future home4 ,i also opened my religious views to her1 and my desire1 which ,i sometimes had1 to try and teach the red man4 ,in view of all these things1 said ,i to her1 ,if you still love me and desire to share my fortune you are worthy to be my wife4 ,if not1 we will agree to be friends forever2 but part to meet no more in time4 ,i have loved you during three years' absence1 said she1 and ,i never can be happy without you4 ,i repaired to my aunt's--found the usual welcome4 ,after visiting my mother and kindred1 for a few days1 ,i saw my old friend1 ,william ,s4 ,herrick1 where ,i had been employed five years before4 ,he was very anxious to employ me again2 and finding ,i was willing1 he discharged a hand he had already1 and gave me double wages4 ,i remained in his employ till ,october1 and found the same kind reception as formerly4 ,on the #ith of ,september1 #ahbg1 ,parley ,p4 ,pratt and ,thankful ,halsey were solemnly united in the bonds of matrimony1 by ,elder ,palmer1 ,minister of the ,baptist ,church1 in ,canaan1 ,columbia ,county1 ,n4 ,y4 ,in ,october we took leave of our friends in ,canaan and took passage for the ,west4 ,we hired a conveyance to ,albany1 and then took passage for ,buffalo on a canal boat2 and from there on board a schooner2 passing up ,lake ,erie we landed in safety at the mouth of ,black ,river1 in ,ohio1 and within ten miles of my place4 ,my wife had some money1 which we paid in for the land ,i had purchased4 ,the following spring found me #ba years of age1 married and settled in a log dwelling1 in the midst of a small clearing made with my own hands1 in the place where ,i had spent the previous winter in solitude4 ,,chapter ,v4 ------------------------ ,our ,home3--,new ,sect3--,progressive ,religious ,views3--,unexpected ,meeting3--,dialogue3--,forsake ,my ,home3--,journey to ,new ,york3--,public ,ministry3--,strange ,book3--,first ,interview with a ,latter-,day ,saint4 ,eighteen months had passed since our settlement in the wilderness4 ,the forest had been displaced by the labors of the first settlers for some distance around our cottage4 ,a small frame house was now our dwelling1 a garden and a beautiful meadow were seen in front1 flowers in rich profusion were clustering about our door and windows2 while in the background were seen a thriving young orchard of apple and peach trees1 and fields of grain extending in the distance1 beyond which the forest still stood tip in its own primeval grandeur1 as a wall to bound the vision and guard the lovely scene4 ,other houses and farms were also in view1 and some twenty children were returning from the school actually kept by my wife1 upon the very spot where two years before ,i had lived for months without seeing a human being4 ,about this time one ,mr4 ,sidney ,rigdon came into the neighborhood as a preacher1 and it was rumored that he was a kind of ,reformed ,baptist1 who1 with ,mr4 ,alexander ,campbell1 of ,virginia1 a ,mr4 ,scott1 and some other gifted men1 had dissented from the regular ,baptists1 from whom they differed much in doctrine4 ,at length ,i went to hear him1 and what was my astonishment when ,i found he preached faith in ,jesus ,christ1 repentance towards ,god1 and baptism for remission of sins1 with the promise of the gift of the ,holy ,ghost to all who would come forward1 with all their hearts1 and obey this doctrine6 ,here was the ancient gospel in due form4 ,here were the very principles which ,i had discovered years before2 but could find no one to minister in4 ,but still one great link was wanting to complete the chain of the ancient order of things2 and that was1 the authority to minister in holy things--the apostleship1 the power which should accompany the form4 ,this thought occurred to me as soon as ,i heard ,mr4 ,rigdon make proclamation of the gospel4 ,peter proclaimed this gospel1 and baptized for remission of sins1 and promised the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 because he was commissioned so to do by a crucified and risen ,saviour4 ,but who is ,mr4 ,rigdon8 ,who is ,mr4 ,campbell8 ,who commissioned them8 ,who baptized them for remission of sins8 ,who ordained them to stand up as ,peter8 ,of course they were baptized by the ,baptists1 and ordained by them1 and yet they had now left them because they did not administer the true gospel4 ,and it was plain that the ,baptists could not claim the apostolic office by succession1 in a regular1 unbroken chain from the ,apostles of old1 preserving the gospel in its purity1 and the ordinances unchanged1 from the very fact that they were now living in the perversion of some1 and the entire neglect of others of these ordinances2 this being the very ground of difference between the old ,baptists and these ,reformers4 ,again1 these ,reformers claimed no new commission by revelation1 or vision from the ,lord1 while they had not the least shadow of claim by succession4 ,it might be said1 then1 with propriety3 ,peter ,i know1 and ,paul ,i know1 but who are ye8 ,however1 we were thankful for even the forms of truth1 as none could claim the power1 and authority1 and gifts of the ,holy ,ghost--at least so far as we knew4 ,after hearing ,mr4 ,rigdon several times1 ,i came out1 with a number of others1 and embraced the truths which he taught4 ,we were organized into a society1 and frequently met for public worship4 ,about this time ,i took it upon me to impart to my neighbors1 from time to time1 both in public and in private1 the light ,i had received from the ,scriptures concerning the gospel1 and also concerning the fulfilment of the things spoken by the holy prophets4 ,i did not claim any authority as a minister2 ,i felt the lack in this respect2 but ,i felt in duty bound to enlighten mankind1 so far as ,god had enlightened me4 ,at the commencement of #ahcj1 ,i felt drawn out in an extraordinary manner to search the prophets1 and to pray for an understanding of the same4 ,my prayers were soon answered1 even beyond my expectations2 the prophecies of the holy prophets were opened to my view2 ,i began to understand the things which were coming on the earth the restoration of ,israel1 the coming of the ,messiah1 and the glory that should follow4 ,i was so astonished at the darkness of myself and mankind on these subjects that ,i could exclaim with the prophet3 surely1 darkness covers the earth1 and gross darkness the people4 ,i was all swallowed up in these things4 ,i felt constrained to devote my time in enlightening my fellow men on these important truths1 and in warning them to prepare for the coming of the ,lord4 ,my brother ,william1 who journeyed to the ,west with me in my seventeenth year1 had now been missing to the family for five years1 and was supposed to be dead4 ,about the time he disappeared and was lost sight of1 he was known to leave the city of ,new ,york1 where he had been employed1 and to pass up the ,hudson on a steamer4 ,he was heard of no more2 and1 as a notice appeared in the papers of the same date that a young gentleman by the name of ,william ,pratt was drowned in the ,hudson1 on his way up the river1 our parents and the family had given him up for lost4 ,one morning1 as ,i was absent from home on business1 about two miles distant1 ,i heard of him2 and that he was then residing about ten miles from me4 ,on hearing this ,i ran nearly the whole distance on foot1 and in about two hours had him by the hand4 ,he was much surprised1 although he had heard of a man of my name living in the neighborhood2 but could not believe it was me4 ,we had each of us taken our chance amid the hardships and toils of a new country for years1 and at last found ourselves together about six hundred miles from our starting point4 ,this was a joyful and unexpected meeting of two brothers4 ,he immediately accompanied me home1 and was introduced to my wife and our little farm in the wilderness1 where we spent some days together4 ,he admired my wife2 but above all my farm4 ,brother ,parley1 said he1 how have you done all this8 ,when we were last together you had no wife1 no farm1 no house1 no orchard1 and now you are here with everything smiling around you4 ,i replied that hard work had accomplished it all4 ,and1 continued ,i1 we are now about to leave this quiet home which we have toiled so hard to make1 and perhaps1 never see it again4 ,how so8 said he1 with much surprise1 and somewhat of disappointment4 ,i then unfolded to him the gospel and prophecies as they had been opened to me1 and told him that the spirit of these things had wrought so powerfully on my mind of late that ,i could not rest2 that ,i could no longer be contented to dwell in quiet and retirement on my farm1 while ,i had light to impart to mankind1 of which ,i knew they were in a great measure ignorant4 ,but1 said he1 if ,i had fifty acres of land1 a comfortable house1 a fine orchard1 a beautiful garden1 with meadow land1 grain1 and above all1 such beautiful flowers and so valuable a housekeeper as you have1 and all these things the work of our own hands1 ,i am sure ,i would stay and enjoy the same while ,i lived2 and the world might go on its own jog1 and its own way1 for all me4 ,besides1 how are you to get your living8 ,this is your all2 you have toiled for years to obtain it1 and why not now continue to enjoy it8 ,william1 said ,i1 ,i see plainly you know but little of my circumstances if the changes which have taken place with me since we parted five years ago1 nor how vastly wealthy ,i have become within that time4 ,why1 sir1 ,i have bank bills enough1 on the very best institutions in the world1 to sustain myself and family while we live4 ,indeed1 said he1 well1 ,i should like to see some of them2 ,i hope they are genuine4 ,certainly1 ,i replied1 there is no doubt of that4 ,they are true bills and founded on capital that will never fail1 though heaven and earth should pass away4 ,of this ,i will convince you in a moment4 ,i then unlocked my treasury and drew from thence a large pocket book1 fall of promissory notes like the following3 ,whoever shall forsake father or mother1 brethren or sisters1 houses or lands1 wife or children1 for my sake and the gospel's1 shall receive an hundred fold in this life1 and in the world to come lie everlasting4 ,if ye abide in me1 and my words abide in you1 you shall ask what you will in my name and ,i will give it you4 ,all things are possible to him that believeth4 ,now1 ,william1 said ,i1 are these the words of ,jesus ,christ1 or are they not8 ,they certainly are1 said he1 ,i always believed the ,new ,testament4 ,then you admit they are genuine bills8 ,i do4 ,is the signer able to meet his engagements8 ,he certainly is4 ,is he willing8 ,he is4 ,well1 then1 ,i am going to fulfil the conditions to the letter on my part4 ,i feel called upon by the ,holy ,ghost to forsake my house and home for the gospel's sake2 and ,i will do it1 placing both feet firm on these promises with nothing else to rely upon4 ,if ,i sink1 they are false4 ,if ,i am sustained1 they are true4 ,i will put them to the test4 ,experiment shall now establish the truth of ,christ's promises1 or the truth of infidelity4 ,well1 said he1 try it1 if you will2 but1 for my part1 although ,i always believed the ,bible1 ,i would not dare believe it literally1 and really stand upon its promises1 with no other prop4 ,we parted4 ,he to his business1 ,i to my preparations for a mission which should only end with my life4 ,in ,august1 #ahcj1 ,i had closed my business1 completed my arrangements1 and we bid adieu to our wilderness home and never saw it afterwards4 ,on settling up1 at a great sacrifice of property1 we had about ten dollars left in cash4 ,with this small sum1 we launched forth into the wide world1 determining first to visit our native place1 on our mission1 and then such other places as ,i might be led to by the ,holy ,spirit4 ,we made our way to ,cleveland1 #cj miles4 ,we then took passage on a schooner for ,buffalo1 a distance of #bjj miles4 ,we had a fair wind1 and the captain1 being short of hands1 gave me the helm1 the sails being all set1 and turned in4 ,i steered the vessel the most of the day1 with no other person on deck4 ,of course1 our passage cost us little besides my labor4 ,landing in ,buffalo1 we engaged our passage for ,albany on a canal boat1 distance #cfj miles4 ,this1 including board1 cost all our money and some articles of clothing4 ,arriving at ,rochester1 ,i informed my wife that1 notwithstanding our passage being paid through the whole distance1 yet ,i must leave the boat and her to pursue her passage to our friends2 while ,i would stop awhile in this region4 ,why1 ,i did not know2 but so it was plainly manifest by the ,spirit to me4 ,i said to her1 ,we part for a season2 go and visit our friends in our native place2 ,i will come soon1 but how soon ,i know not2 for ,i have a work to do in this region of country1 and what it is1 or how long it will take to perform it1 ,i know not2 but ,i will come when it is performed4 ,my wife would have objected to this2 but she had seen the hand of ,god so plainly manifest in ,his dealings with me many times1 that she dare not oppose the things manifest to me by ,his spirit4 ,she1 therefore1 consented2 and ,i accompanied her as far as ,newark1 a small town upwards of #ajj miles from ,buffalo1 and then took leave of her1 and of the boat4 ,it was early in the morning1 just at the dawn of day1 ,i walked ten miles into the country1 and stopped to breakfast with a ,mr4 ,wells4 ,i proposed to preach in the evening4 ,mr4 ,wells readily accompanied me through the neighborhood to visit the people1 and circulate the appointment4 ,we visited an old ,baptist deacon by the name of ,hamlin4 ,after hearing of our appointment for evening1 he began to tell of a book1 a ,,strange ,,book1 a ,,very ,,strange ,,book6 in his possession1 which had been just published4 ,this book1 he said1 purported to have been originally written on plates either of gold or brass1 by a branch of the tribes of ,israel2 and to have been discovered and translated by a young man near ,palmyra1 in the ,state of ,new ,york1 by the aid of visions1 or the ministry of angels4 ,i inquired of him how or where the book was to be obtained4 ,he promised me the perusal of it1 at his house the next day1 if ,i would call4 ,i felt a strange interest in the book4 ,i preached that evening to a small audience1 who appeared to be interested in the truths which ,i endeavored to unfold to them in a clear and lucid manner from the ,scriptures4 ,next morning ,i called at his house1 where1 for the first time1 my eyes beheld the ,,book ,,of ,,mormon-- that book of books--that record which reveals the antiquities of the ,new ,world back to the remotest ages1 and which unfolds the destiny of its people and the world for all time to come2--that ,book which contains the fulness of the gospel of a crucified and risen ,redeemer2--that ,book which reveals a lost remnant of ,joseph1 and which was the principal means1 in the hands of ,god1 of directing the entire course of my future life4 ,i opened it with eagerness1 and read its title page4 ,i then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its being found and translated4 ,after this ,i commenced its contents by course4 ,i read all day2 eating was a burden1 ,i had no desire for food2 sleep was a burden when the night came1 for ,i preferred reading to sleep4 ,as ,i read1 the spirit of the ,lord was upon me1 and ,i knew and comprehended that the book was true1 as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists4 ,my joy was now full1 as it were1 and ,i rejoiced sufficiently to more than pay me for all the sorrows1 sacrifices and toils of my life4 ,i soon determined to see the young man who had been the instrument of its discovery and translation4 ,i accordingly visited the village of ,palmyra1 and inquired for the residence of ,mr4 ,joseph ,smith4 ,i found it some two or three miles from the village4 ,as ,i approached the house at the close of the day ,i overtook a man who was driving some cows1 and inquired of him for ,mr4 ,joseph ,smith1 the translator of the ,book of ,mormon 4 ,he informed me that he now resided in ,pennsylvania2 some one hundred miles distant4 ,i inquired for his father1 or for any of the family4 ,he told me that his father had gone a journey2 but that his residence was a small house just before me2 and1 said he1 ,i am his brother4 ,it was ,mr4 ,hyrum ,smith4 ,i informed him of the interest ,i felt in the ,book1 and of my desire to learn more about it4 ,he welcomed me to his house1 and we spent the night together2 for neither of us felt disposed to sleep4 ,we conversed most of the night1 during which ,i unfolded to him much of my experience in my search after truth1 and my success so far2 together with that which ,i felt was lacking1 viz3 a commissioned priesthood1 or apostleship to minister in the ordinances of ,god4 ,he also unfolded to me the particulars of the discovery of the ,book2 its translation2 the rise of the ,church of ,latter-day ,saints1 and the commission of his brother ,joseph1 and others1 by revelation and the ministering of angels1 by which the apostleship and authority had been again restored to the earth4 ,after duly weighing the whole matter in my mind ,i saw clearly that these things were true2 and that myself and the whole world were without baptism1 and without the ministry and ordinances of ,god2 and that the whole world had been in this condition since the days that inspiration and revelation had ceased--in short1 that this was a new dispensation or commission1 in fulfillment of prophecy1 and for the restoration of ,israel1 and to prepare the way before the second coming of the ,lord4 ,in the morning ,i was compelled to take leave of this worthy man and his family--as ,i had to hasten back a distance of thirty miles1 on foot1 to fulfil an appointment in the evening4 ,as we parted he kindly presented me with a copy of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,i had not yet completed its perusal1 and was glad indeed to possess a copy of my own4 ,i travelled on a few miles1 and1 stopping to rest1 ,i commenced again to read the book4 ,to my great joy ,i found that ,jesus ,christ1 in his glorified resurrected body1 had appeared to the remnant of ,joseph on the continent of ,america1 soon after his resurrection and ascension into heaven2 and that he also administered1 in person1 to the ten lost tribes2 and that through his personal ministry in these countries his gospel was revealed and written in countries and among nations entirely unknown to the ,jewish apostles4 ,thus revealed1 written1 handed down and preserved1 till revealed in this age by the angels of ,god1 it had1 of course1 escaped the corruptions of the great and abominable church2 and been preserved in purity4 ,this discovery greatly enlarged my heart1 and filled my soul with joy and gladness4 ,i esteemed the ,book1 or the information contained in it1 more than all the riches of the world4 ,yes2 ,i verily believe that ,i would not at that time have exchanged the knowledge ,i then possessed1 for a legal title to all the beautiful farms1 houses1 villages and property which passed in review before me1 on my journey through one of the most flourishing settlements of western ,new ,york4 ,surely1 thought ,i1 ,jesus had other sheep1 as he said to his ,apostles of old2 and here they were1 in the wilderness of the world called new4 ,and they heard the voice of the ,good ,shepherd of ,israel2 and he brought them to his fold4 ,truly1 thought ,i1 he was not sent 7in person7 save to the lost sheep of the house of ,israel1 as he told the woman of ,canaan2 and here were a portion of them4 ,truly1 thought ,i1 the angels sung with the spirit and with the understanding when they declared3 ,we bring you glad tidings of great joy1 which shall be to ,,all ,,people4 ,in his mortal tabernacle he confined his ministry and that of his ,apostles to the land of ,judea2 but afterwards1 released from the bonds of mortal life1 or rather death1 and clothed with an immortal body1 and with organs strong and lasting as the immortal mind1 he possessed all power in heaven and on earth2 he was then enabled to extend his ministry to heaven1 earth or hell4 ,he could take the wings of the morning1 and1 with the speed of light1 make his way to the ,heaven of ,heavens2 and converse and counsel among the sons of ,god2 or receive counsel from his ,father in ,heaven2 or1 leaving again the starry worlds1 he could descend to the dark and gloomy abodes of the spirits in prison and preach to them the gospel--bursting off their shackles and unlocking their prison doors2 while these once dark abodes were now brilliant with light1 and1 instead of prison groans1 were heard joyful acclamations of deliverance to the captive1 and the opening of the prison to them that are bound2 or coming again to visit the earth1 he could soar away beyond the waves and tempests1 which had before set bounds to the geographical knowledge of man1 and stood up as an impregnable barrier to the intercourse of nations2 and there1 in other tribes and tongues1 make known the riches of his grace1 and his triumph over death4 ,and when ages had passed1 and nations slumbered in the dust--when cruelty and bloodshed had blotted almost every trace of priesthood and apostleship from the earth2 when saints had been worn out and overcome times1 laws and ordinances changed2 the ,bible itself robbed of its plainness2 and all things darkened and corrupted2 a pure and faithful record of his ministry to other nations is forthcoming from among the archives of the dead1 to reveal the mystery of iniquity2 to speak1 as with a voice of thunder1 in rebuking the evil and revealing the fullness of the gospel4 ,such was the ,book of ,mormon--much its effect upon the startling nations4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ------------------------ ,interesting ,meetings3--,second ,interview with ,hyrum ,smith3--,visit to the ,church in ,seneca ,county3--,baptism1 ,confirmation and ,ordination3--,ministry ,among my ,kindred3--,baptism of my ,brother ,orson3--,wonderful ,sign in the ,heavens3--,return to ,western ,new ,york3--,first ,interview with ,joseph ,smith3--,description of his ,person and ,abilities4 ,having rested awhile and perused this sacred book by the roadside1 ,i again walked on4 ,in the evening ,i arrived in time to fill my appointment4 ,i met a crowded house1 and laid before them many interesting truths1 which were listened to with deep interest4 ,the next evening ,i had another appointment1 and the people came out in great numbers1 and were filled with the spirit of interest and inquiry4 ,they urged me very much to continue my discourses among them2 but ,i felt to minister no more till ,i had attended to some important duties for myself4 ,i had now found men on earth commissioned to preach1 baptize1 ordain to the ministry1 etc41 and ,i determined to obey the fullness of the gospel without delay4 ,i should have done so at the first interview with ,elder ,hyrum ,smith2 but these two appointments were already out1 and thirty miles' travel required all the time ,i had4 ,i now returned immediately to ,hyrum ,smith's residence1 and demanded baptism at his hands4 ,i tarried with him one night1 and the next day we walked some twenty-five miles to the residence of ,mr4 ,whitmer1 in ,seneca ,county4 ,here we arrived in the evening1 and found a most welcome reception4 ,this was the family1 several of whose names were attached to the ,book of ,mormon as witnesses--,mr4 ,joseph ,smith having translated much of the book in ,whitmer's chamber4 ,i found the little branch of the ,church in this place full of joy1 faith1 humility and charity4 ,we rested that night1 and on the next day1 being about the #ast of ,september1 #ahcj1 ,i was baptized by the hand of an ,apostle of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ1 by the name of ,oliver ,cowdery4 ,this took place in ,seneca ,lake1 a beautiful and transparent sheet of water in ,western ,new ,york4 ,a meeting was held the same evening1 and after singing a hymn and prayer1 ,elder ,cowdery and others proceeded to lay their hands upon my head in the name of ,jesus1 for the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,after which ,i was ordained to the office of an ,elder in the ,church1 which included authority to preach1 baptize1 and minister the sacrament1 administer the ,holy ,spirit1 by the laying on of hands in the name of ,jesus ,christ and to take the lead of meetings of worship4 ,i now felt that ,i had authority in the ministry4 ,on the next ,sabbath ,i preached to a large concourse of people1 assembled at the house of a ,mr4 ,burroughs4 ,the ,holy ,ghost came upon me mightily4 ,i spoke the word of ,god with power1 reasoning out of the ,scriptures and the ,book of ,mormon4 ,the people were convinced1 overwhelmed in tears1 and four heads of families came forward expressing their faith1 and were baptized4 ,my work was now completed1 for which ,i took leave of my wife and the canal boat some two or three weeks previous4 ,i now took leave of the little branch of the church with which ,i had been associated1 and pursued my journey to the land of my fathers and of my boyhood4 ,i found my wife in health and spirits1 enjoying herself with her friends4 ,i also found my father and mother1 friends and kindred1 and1 among others1 my good old aunt and cousins1 at the old homestead1 where ,i always found a welcome reception4 ,this was a pleasant and retired mountain valley1 consisting of a beautiful farm and a small and convenient house1 out-buildings1 orchard1 meadow1 etc41 encircled on the south1 west and north with a curve of hills1 consisting of farming lands and pasture1 and their summits and bosoms partially clothed with a beautiful forest of pine and chestnut2 while the scene opened to the southeast in a descending landscape to a beautiful vale of some miles in extent1 filled with flourishing farms and dwellings1 and watered by a winding stream2 while far beyond stretched other hills and pine-clad mountains1 and the spire of a church and a small town were seen nestling among the hills at two miles distance4 ,this was the residence of my aunt ,van ,cott1 and the place where ,i had spent some of the happiest seasons of my youth4 ,my aunt had three children--an only son1 and two daughters4 ,these were now in the bloom of early youth1 and were fast advancing to a state of maturity4 ,her husband had died at an early day1 after an illness of seven years2 and here lived the widow and orphans1 surrounded with peace and plenty1 blooming with health1 and smiling with innocence and joy4 ,retired from the throng of busy1 boisterous life1 and strangers to most of its woes1 ills and corruptions1 the stranger who happened there was welcome2 the hungry were fed1 the naked were clothed1 and1 above all1 the kindred found a hearty reception4 ,in short1 it was a spot1 in all respects1 adapted to retirement and contemplation1 where the poet and the novelist would find a thousand things to please the imagination1 and to swell their favorite volumes4 ,in this visit to my native place1 there was one family greatly missed by me4 ,i felt keenly the disappointment at not seeing them--that of my old employer1 ,wm4 ,s4 ,herrick4 ,he had moved to the ,west1 and his house was occupied by strangers4 ,i now commenced my labors in good earnest4 ,i addressed crowded audiences almost every day1 and the people1 who had known me from a child1 seemed astonished--knowing that ,i had had but little opportunity of acquiring knowledge by study2 and while many were interested in the truth1 some began to be filled with envy1 and with a lying1 persecuting spirit4 ,my father1 mother1 aunt ,van ,cott1 and many others1 believed the truth in part2 but my brother ,orson1 a youth of nineteen years1 received it with all his heart1 and was baptized at that time1 and has ever since spent his days in the ministry4 ,it was during my labors in these parts1 in the autumn of #ahcj1 that a very singular and extraordinary sign was shown in the heavens1 which ,i will here describe4 ,i had been on a visit to a singular people called ,shakers1 at ,new ,lebanon1 about seven miles from my aunt ,van ,cott's1 and was returning that distance1 on foot1 on a beautiful evening of ,september4 ,the sky was without a cloud2 the stars shone out beautifully1 and all nature seemed reposing in quiet1 as ,i pursued my solitary way1 wrapt in deep meditations on the predictions of the holy prophets2 the signs of the times2 the approaching advent of the ,messiah1 to reign on the earth1 and the important revelations of the ,book of ,mormon2 my heart filled with gratitude to ,god that ,he had opened the eyes of my understanding to receive the truth1 and with sorrow for the blindness of those who lightly rejected the same1 when my attention was aroused by a sudden appearance of a brilliant light which shone around me1 above the brightness of the sun4 ,i cast my eyes upward to inquire from whence the light came1 when ,i perceived a long chain of light extended in the heavens1 very bright1 and a deep fiery red4 ,it at first stood stationary in a horizontal position2 at length bending in the center1 the two ends approached each other with a rapid movement1 so as to form an exact square4 ,in this position it again remained stationary for some tame1 perhaps a minute1 and then again the ends approached each other with the same rapidity1 and again ceased to move1 remaining stationary1 for perhaps a minute1 in the form of a compass2 it then commenced a third movement in the same manner1 and closed like the closing of a compass1 the whole forming a straight line like a chain doubled4 ,it again retained stationary for a minute1 and then faded away4 ,i fell upon my knees in the street1 and thanked the ,lord for so marvelous a sign of the coming of the ,son of ,man4 ,some persons may smile at this1 and say that all these exact movements were by chance2 but1 for my part1 ,i could as soon believe that the letters of the alphabet would be formed by chance1 and be placed so as to spell my name1 as to believe that these signs 7known only to the wise7 could be formed and shown forth by chance4 ,renewed in spirit and filled with joy ,i now pursued my way1 and arrived at my aunt ,van ,cott's1 not weary1 but refreshed with a long walk1 and deep communion with myself and ,god4 ,having lifted a warning voice to multitudes in all this region of country1 ,i now took leave1 and repaired again to the western part of ,new ,york1 and to the body of the ,church4 ,on our arrival1 we found that brother ,joseph ,smith1 the translator of the ,book of ,mormon1 had returned from ,pennsylvania to his father's residence in ,manchester1 near ,palmyra1 and there ,i had the pleasure of seeing him for the first time4 ,he received me with a hearty welcome1 and with that frank and kind manner so universal with him in after years4 ,on ,sunday we held meeting at his house2 the two large rooms were filled with attentive listeners1 and he invited me to preach4 ,i did so1 and afterwards listened with interest to a discourse from his own mouth1 filled with intelligence and wisdom4 ,we repaired from the meeting to the water's edge1 and1 at his request1 ,i baptized several persons4 ,president ,joseph ,smith was in person tall and well built1 strong and active1 of a light complexion1 light hair1 blue eyes1 very little beard1 and of an expression peculiar to himself1 on which the eye naturally rested with interest1 and was never weary of beholding4 ,his countenance was ever mild1 affable1 beaming with intelligence and benevolence2 mingled with a look of interest and an unconscious smile1 or cheerfulness1 and entirely free from all restraint or affectation of gravity2 and there was something connected with the serene and steady penetrating glance of his eye1 as if he would penetrate the deepest abyss of the human heart1 gaze into eternity1 penetrate the heavens1 and comprehend all worlds4 ,he possessed a noble boldness and independence of character2 his manner was easy and familiar2 his rebuke terrible as the lion2 his benevolence unbounded as the ocean2 his intelligence universal1 and his language abounding in original eloquence peculiar to himself--not polished--not studied--not smoothed and softened by education and refined by art2 but flowing forth in its own native simplicity1 and profusely abounding in variety of subject and manner4 ,he interested and edified1 while1 at the same time1 he amused and entertained his audience2 and none listened to him that were ever weary with his discourse4 ,i have even known him to retain a congregation of willing and anxious listeners for many hours together1 in the midst of cold or sunshine1 rain or wind1 while they were laughing at one moment and weeping the next4 ,even his most bitter enemies were generally overcome1 if he could once get their ears4 ,i have known him when chained and surrounded with armed murderers and assassins who were heaping upon him every possible insult and abuse1 rise up in the majesty of a son of ,god and rebuke them1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 till they quailed before him1 dropped their weapons1 and1 on their knees1 begged his pardon1 and ceased their abuse4 ,in short1 in him the characters of a ,daniel and a ,cyrus were wonderfully blended4 ,the gifts1 wisdom and devotion of a ,daniel were united with the boldness1 courage1 temperance1 perseverance and generosity of a ,cyrus4 ,and had he been spared a martyr's fate till mature manhood and age1 he was certainly endued with powers and ability to have revolutionized the world in many respects1 and to have transmitted to posterity a name associated with more brilliant and glorious acts than has yet fallen to the lot of mortal4 ,as it is1 his works will live to endless ages1 and unnumbered millions yet unborn will mention his name with honor1 as a noble instrument in the hands of ,god1 who1 during his short and youthful career1 laid the foundation of that kingdom spoken of by ,daniel1 the prophet1 which should break in pieces all other kingdoms and stand forever4 ,but ,i will not forestall the reader4 ,i have yet to speak of him in my history1 under many and varying circumstances1 in which ,i have necessarily been associated with him1 up to the latest year of his life4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ------------------------ ,mission to the ,western ,states3--,visit to the ,indians3--,wonderful ,success in ,kirtland1 ,ohio3--,journey ,westward3--,great ,excitement and ,anxiety to ,hear the ,fulness of the ,gospel3--,imprisonment3--,mock ,trial3-- ,escape3--,preaching3--,success3--,visit the ,wyandots3-- ,journey ,resumed3--,great ,hardships3--,arrival on the ,frontiers of ,missouri4 ,it was now ,october1 #ahcj4 ,a revelation had been given through the mouth of this ,prophet1 ,seer and ,translator1 in which ,elders ,oliver ,cowdery1 ,peter ,whitmer1 ,ziba ,peterson and myself were appointed to go into the wilderness1 through the western ,states1 and to the ,indian territory4 ,making arrangements for my wife in the family of the ,whitmers1 we took leave of our friends and the church late in ,october1 and started on foot4 ,after travelling for some days we called on an ,indian nation at or near ,buffalo2 and spent part of a day with them1 instructing them in the knowledge of the record of their forefathers4 ,we were kindly received1 and much interest was manifested by them on hearing this news4 ,we made a present of two copies of the ,book of ,mormon to certain of them who could read1 and repaired to ,buffalo4 ,thence we continued our journey1 for about two hundred miles1 and at length called on ,mr4 ,rigdon1 my former friend and instructor1 in the ,reformed ,baptists ,society4 ,he received us cordially and entertained us with hospitality4 ,we soon presented him with a ,book of ,mormon1 and related to him the history of the same4 ,he was much interested1 and promised a thorough perusal of the book4 ,we tarried in this region for some time1 and devoted our time to the ministry1 and visiting from house to house4 ,at length ,mr4 ,rigdon and many others became convinced that they had no authority to minister in the ordinances of ,god2 and that they had not been legally baptized and ordained4 ,they1 therefore1 came forward and were baptized by us1 and received the gift of the ,holy ,ghost by laying on of hands1 and prayer in the name of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the news of our coming was soon noised abroad1 and the news of the discovery of the ,book of ,mormon and the marvelous events connected with it4 ,the interest and excitement now became general in ,kirtland1 and in all the region round about4 ,the people thronged us night and day1 insomuch that we had no time for rest and retirement4 ,meetings were convened in different neighborhoods1 and multitudes came together soliciting our attendance2 while thousands flocked about us daily2 some to be taught1 some for curiosity1 some to obey the gospel1 and some to dispute or resist it4 ,in two or three weeks from arrival in the neighborhood with the news1 we had baptized one hundred and twenty-seven souls1 and this number soon increased to one thousand4 ,the disciples were filled with joy and gladness2 while rage and lying was abundantly manifested by gainsayers2 faith was strong1 joy was great1 and persecution heavy4 ,we proceeded to ordain ,sidney ,rigdon1 ,isaac ,morley1 ,john ,murdock1 ,lyman ,wight1 ,edward ,partridge and many others to the ministry2 and1 leaving them to take care of the churches and to minister the gospel1 we took leave of the saints and continued our journey4 ,fifty miles west of ,kirtland1 we had occasion to pass through the neighborhood where ,i first settled in the wilderness1 after my marriage4 ,we found the people all excited with the news of the great work we had been the humble instruments of doing in ,kirtland and vicinity4 ,some wished to learn and obey the fullness of the gospel--were ready to entertain us and hear us preach4 ,others were filled with envy1 rage and lying4 ,we had stopped for the night at the house of ,simeon ,carter1 by whom we were kindly received1 and were in the act of reading to him and explaining the ,book of ,mormon1 when there came a knock at the door1 and an officer entered with a warrant from a magistrate by the name of ,byington1 to arrest me on a very frivolous charge4 ,i dropped the ,book of ,mormon in ,carter's house1 and went with him some two miles1 in a dark1 muddy road2 one of the brethren accompanied me4 ,we arrived at the place of trial late in the evening2 found false witnesses in attendance1 and a ,judge who boasted of his intention to thrust us into prison1 for the purpose of testing the powers of our apostleship1 as he called it2 although ,i was only an ,elder in the ,church4 ,the ,judge boasting thus1 and the witnesses being entirely false in their testimony1 concluded to make no defense1 but to treat the whole matter with contempt4 ,i was soon ordered to prison1 or to pay a sum of money which ,i had not in the world4 ,it was now a late hour1 and ,i was still retained in court1 tantalized1 abused and urged to settle the matter1 to all of which ,i made no reply for some time4 ,this greatly exhausted their patience4 ,it was near midnight4 ,i now called on brother ,petersen to sing a hymn in the court4 ,we sung1 ,o how happy are they4 ,this exasperated them still more1 and they pressed us greatly to settle the business1 by paying the money4 ,i then observed as follows3 ,may it please the court1 ,i have one proposal to make for a final settlement of the things that seem to trouble you4 ,it is this3 if the witnesses who have given testimony in the case will repent of their false swearing1 and the magistrate of his unjust and wicked judgment and of his persecution1 blackguardism and abuse1 and all kneel down together1 we will pray for you1 that ,god might forgive you in these matters4 ,my big bull dog pray for me1 says that ,judge4 ,the devil help us1 exclaimed another4 ,they now urged me for some time to pay the money2 but got no further answer4 ,the court adjourned1 and ,i was conducted to a public house over the way1 and locked in till morning2 the prison being some miles distant4 ,in the morning the officer appeared and took me to breakfast2 this over1 we sat waiting in the inn for all things to be ready to conduct me to prison4 ,in the meantime my fellow travellers came past on their journey1 and called to see me4 ,i told them in an undertone to pursue their journey and leave me to manage my own affairs1 promising to overtake them soon4 ,they did so4 ,after sitting awhile by the fire in charge of the officer1 ,i requested to step out4 ,i walked out into the public square accompanied by him4 ,said ,i1 ,mr4 ,peabody1 are you good at a race8 ,no1 said he1 but my big bull dog is1 and he has been trained to assist me in my office these several years2 he will take any man down at my bidding4 ,well1 ,mr4 ,peabody1 you compelled me to go a mile1 ,i have gone with you two miles4 ,you have given me an opportunity to preach1 sing1 and have also entertained me with lodging and breakfast4 ,i must now go on my journey2 if you are good at a race you can accompany me4 ,i thank you for all your kindness--good day1 sir4 ,i then started on my journey1 while he stood amazed and not able to step one foot before the other4 ,seeing this1 ,i halted1 turned to him and again invited him to a race4 ,he still stood amazed4 ,i then renewed my exertions1 and soon increased my speed to something like that of a deer4 ,he did not awake from his astonishment sufficiently to start in pursuit till ,i had gained1 perhaps1 two hundred yards4 ,i had already leaped a fence1 and was making my way through a field to the forest on the right of the road4 ,he now came hallowing after me1 and shouting to his dog to seize me4 ,the dog1 being one of the largest ,i ever saw1 came close on my footsteps with all his fury2 the officer behind still in pursuit1 clapping his hands and hallooing1 stu-boy1 stu-boy--take him--watch--lay hold of him1 ,i say--down with him1 and pointing his finger in the direction ,i was running4 ,the dog was fast overtaking me1 and in the act of leaping upon me1 when1 quick as lightning1 the thought struck me1 to assist the officer1 in sending the dog with all fury to the forest a little distance before me4 ,i pointed my finger in that direction1 clapped my hands1 and shouted in imitation of the officer4 ,the dog hastened past me with redoubled speed towards the forest2 being urged by the officer and myself1 and both of us running in the same direction4 ,gaining the forest1 ,i soon lost sight of the officer and dog1 and have not seen them since4 ,i took a back course1 crossed the road1 took round into the wilderness1 on the left1 and made the road again in time to cross a bridge over ,vermilion ,river1 where ,i was hailed by half a dozen men1 who had been anxiously waiting our arrival to that part of the country1 and who urged me very earnestly to stop and preach4 ,i told them that ,i could not then do it1 for an officer was on my track4 ,i passed on six miles further1 through mud and rain1 and overtook the brethren1 and preached the same evening to a crowded audience1 among whom we were well entertained4 ,the ,book of ,mormon1 which ,i dropped at the house of ,simeon ,carter1 when taken by the officer1 was by these circumstances left with him4 ,he read it with attention4 ,it wrought deeply upon his mind1 and he went fifty miles to the church we had left in ,kirtland1 and was there baptized and ordained an ,elder4 ,he then returned to his home and commenced to preach and baptize4 ,a church of about sixty members was soon organized in the place where ,i had played such a trick of deception on the dog4 ,we now pursued our journey for some days1 and at length arrived in ,sandusky1 in the western part of ,ohio4 ,here resided a tribe1 or nation of ,indians1 called ,wyandots1 on whom we called1 and with whom we spent several days4 ,we were well received1 and had an opportunity of laying before them the record of their forefathers1 which we did4 ,they rejoiced in the tidings1 bid us ,god speed1 and desired us to write to them in relation to our success among the tribes further west1 who had already removed to the ,indian territory1 where these expected soon to go4 ,taking an affectionate leave of this people1 we continued our journey to ,cincinnati4 ,in this city we spent several days1 and preached to many of the people1 but without much success4 ,about the #bjth of ,december we took passage on a steamer for ,st4 ,louis4 ,in a few days we arrived at the mouth of the ,ohio1 and finding the river blocked with ice1 the boat did not proceed further4 ,we therefore landed and pursued our journey on foot for two hundred miles1 to the neighborhood of ,st4 ,louis4 ,we halted for a few days in ,illinois1 about twenty miles from ,st4 ,louis1 on account of a dreadful storm of rain and snow1 which lasted for a week or more1 during which the snow fell in some places near three feet deep4 ,although in the midst of strangers1 we were kindly entertained1 found many friends1 and preached to large congregations in several neighborhoods4 ,in the beginning of #ahca we renewed our journey2 and1 passing through ,st4 ,louis and ,st4 ,charles1 we travelled on foot for three hundred miles through vast prairies and through trackless wilds of snow--no beaten road2 houses few and far between2 and the bleak northwest wind always blowing in our faces with a keenness which would almost take the skin off the face4 ,we travelled for whole days1 from morning till night1 without a house or fire1 wading in snow to the knees at every step1 and the cold so intense that the snow did not melt on the south side of the houses1 even in the mid-day sun1 for nearly six weeks4 ,we carried on our backs our changes of clothing1 several books1 and corn bread and raw pork4 ,we often ate our frozen bread and pork by the way1 when the bread would be so frozen that we could not bite or penetrate any part of it but the outside crust4 ,after much fatigue and some suffering we all arrived in ,independence1 in the county of ,jackson1 on the extreme western frontiers of ,missouri1 and of the ,united ,states4 ,this was about fifteen hundred miles from where we started1 and we had performed most of the journey on foot1 through a wilderness country1 in the worst season of the year1 occupying about four months1 during which we had preached the gospel to tens of thousands of ,gentiles and two nations of ,indians2 baptizing1 confirming and organizing many hundreds of people into churches of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,this was the first mission performed by the ,elders of the ,church in any of the ,states west of ,new ,york1 and we were the first members of the same which were ever on this frontier4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ------------------------ ,visit the ,delawares of ,kansas3--,interview with the ,chief and ,council3--,speech and ,reply3--,great ,excitement3--,opposition from ,missionaries3--,compelled to ,leave the ,indian ,country3--,ministry in ,jackson ,county3--,council in ,independence3--,return ,eastward3--,disguise3--,hospitality of a ,family of the ,saints3--,dialogue3--,sickness3--,reuni on with ,president ,joseph ,smith3--,mission to the ,shakers3--,ministry ,among the ,churches3--,false ,spirits3--,inquire of the ,lord3--,mode of ,receiving ,revelations4 ,two of our number now commenced work as tailors in the village of ,independence1 while the others crossed the frontier line and commenced a mission among the ,lamanites1 or ,indians4 ,passing through the tribe of ,shawnees we tarried one night with them1 and the next day crossed the ,kansas river and entered among the ,delawares4 ,we immediately inquired for the residence of the principal ,chief1 and were soon introduced to an aged and venerable looking man1 who had long stood at the head of the ,delawares1 and been looked up to as the ,great ,grandfather1 or ,sachem of ten nations or tribes4 ,he was seated on a sofa of furs1 skins and blankets1 before a fire in the centre of his lodge2 which was a comfortable cabin1 consisting of two large rooms4 ,his wives were neatly dressed1 partly in calicoes and partly in skins2 and wore a vast amount of silver ornaments4 ,as we entered his cabin he took us by the hand with a hearty welcome1 and then motioned us to be seated on a pleasant seat of blankets1 or robes4 ,his wives1 at his bidding1 set before us a tin pan full of beans and corn boiled tip together1 which proved to be good eating2 although three of us made use alternately of the same wooden spoon4 ,there was an interpreter present and through him we commenced to make known our errand1 and to tell him of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,we asked him to call the council his nation together and give us a hearing in full4 ,he promised to consider on it till next day1 in the meantime recommending us to a certain ,mr4 ,pool for entertainment2 this was their blacksmith1 employed by government4 ,the man entertained us kindly and comfortably4 ,next morning we again called on ,mr4 ,anderson1 the old chief1 and explained to him something of the ,book4 ,he was at first unwilling to call his council2 made several excuses1 and finally refused2 as he had ever been opposed to the introduction of missionaries among his tribe4 ,we continued the conversation a little longer1 till he at last began to understand the nature of the ,book4 ,he then changed his mind2 became suddenly interested1 and requested us to proceed no further with our conversation till he could call a council4 ,he despatched a messenger1 and in about an hour had some forty men collected around us in his lodge1 who1 after shaking us by the hand1 were seated in silence2 and in a grave and dignified manner awaited the announcement of what we had to offer4 ,the chief then requested us to proceed2 or rather1 begin where we began before1 and to complete our communication4 ,elder ,cowdery then commenced as follows3 ,aged ,chief and ,venerable ,council of the ,delaware nation2 we are glad of this opportunity to address you as our red brethren and friends4 ,we have travelled a long distance from towards the rising sun to bring you glad news2 we have travelled the wilderness1 crossed the deep and wide rivers1 and waded in the deep snows1 and in the face of the storms of winter1 to communicate to you great knowledge which has lately come to our ears and hearts2 and which will do the red man good as well as the pale face4 ,once the red men were many2 they occupied the country from sea to sea--from the rising to the setting sun2 the whole land was theirs2 the ,great ,spirit gave it to them1 and no pale faces dwelt among them4 ,but now they are few in numbers2 their possessions are small1 and the pale faces are many4 ,thousands of moons ago1 when the red men's forefathers dwelt in peace and possessed this whole land1 the ,great ,spirit talked with them1 and revealed ,his law and ,his will1 and much knowledge to their wise men and prophets4 ,this they wrote in a ,book2 together with their history1 and the things which should befall their children in the latter days4 ,this ,book was written on plates of gold1 and handed down from father to son for many ages and generations4 ,it was then that the people prospered1 and were strong and mighty2 they cultivated the earth2 built buildings and cities1 and abounded in all good things1 as the pale faces now do4 ,but they became wicked2 they killed one another and shed much blood2 they killed their prophets and wise men1 and sought to destroy the ,book4 ,the ,great ,spirit became angry1 and would speak to them no more2 they had no more good and wise dreams2 no more visions2 no more angels sent among them by the ,great ,spirit2 and the ,lord commanded ,mormon and ,moroni1 their last wise men and prophets1 to hide the ,book in the earth1 that it might be preserved in safety1 and be found and made known in the latter day to the pale faces who should possess the land2 that they might again make it known to the red man2 in order to restore them to the knowledge of the will of the ,great ,spirit and to ,his favor4 ,and if the red man would then receive this ,book and learn the things written in it1 and do according thereunto1 they should cease to fight and kill one another2 should become one people2 cultivate the earth in peace1 in common with the pale faces1 who were willing to believe and obey the same ,book1 and be good men and live in peace4 ,then should the red men become great1 and have plenty to eat and good clothes to wear1 and should be in favor with the ,great ,spirit and be his children1 while he would be their ,great ,father1 and talk with them1 and raise up prophets and wise and good men amongst them again1 who should teach them many things4 ,this ,book1 which contained these things1 was hid in the earth by ,moroni1 in a hill called by him1 ,cumorah1 which hill is now in the ,state of ,new ,york1 near the village of ,palmyra1 in ,ontario ,county4 ,in that neighborhood there lived a young man named ,joseph ,smith1 who prayed to the ,great ,spirit much1 in order that he might know the truth2 and the ,great ,spirit sent an angel to him1 and told him where this ,book was hid by ,moroni2 and commanded him to go and get it4 ,he accordingly went to the place1 and dug in the earth1 and found the ,book written on golden plates4 ,but it was written in the language of the forefathers of the red man2 therefore this young man1 being a pale face1 could not understand it2 but the angel told him and showed him1 and gave him knowledge of the language1 and how to interpret the ,book4 ,so he interpreted it into the language of the pale faces1 and wrote it on paper1 and caused it to be printed1 and published thousands of copies of among them2 and then sent us to the red men to bring some copies of it to them1 and to tell them this news4 ,so we have now come from him1 and here is a copy of the ,book1 which we now present to our red friend1 the chief of the ,delawares1 and which we hope he will cause to be read and known among his tribe2 it will do them good4 ,we then presented him with a ,book of ,mormon4 ,there was a pause in the council1 and some conversation in their own tongue1 after which the chief made the following reply3 ,we feel truly thankful to our white friends who have come so far1 and been at such pains to tell us good news1 and especially this new news concerning the ,book of our forefathers2 it makes us glad in here--placing his hand on his heart4 ,it is now winter1 we are new settlers in this place2 the snow is deep1 our cattle and horses are dying1 our wigwams are poor2 we have much to do in the spring--to build houses1 and fence and make farms2 but we will build a council house1 and meet together1 and you shall read to us and teach us more concerning the ,book of our fathers and the will of the ,great ,spirit4 ,we again lodged at ,mr4 ,pool's1 told him of the ,book1 had a very pleasant interview with him1 and he became a believer and advocate for the ,book1 and served as an interpreter4 ,we continued for several days to instruct the old chief and many of his tribe4 ,the interest became more and more intense on their part1 from day to day1 until at length nearly the whole tribe began to feel a spirit of inquiry and excitement on the subject4 ,we found several among them who could read1 and to them we gave copies of the ,book1 explaining to them that it was the ,book of their forefathers4 ,some began to rejoice exceedingly1 and took great pains to tell the news to others1 in their own language4 ,the excitement now reached the frontier settlements in ,missouri1 and stirred up the jealousy and envy of the ,indian agents and sectarian missionaries to that degree that we were soon ordered out of the ,indian country as disturbers of the peace2 and even threatened with the military in case of non-compliance4 ,we accordingly departed from the ,indian country1 and came over the line1 and commenced laboring in ,jackson ,county1 ,missouri1 among the whites4 ,we were well received1 and listened to by many2 and some were baptized and added to the ,church4 ,thus ended our first ,indian ,mission1 in which we had preached the gospel in its fullness1 and distributed the record of their forefathers among three tribes1 viz3 the ,catteraugus ,indians1 near ,buffalo1 ,n4 ,y41 the ,wyandots of ,ohio1 and the ,delawares west of ,missouri4 ,we trust that at some future day1 when the servants of ,god go forth in power to the remnant of ,joseph1 some precious seed will be found growing in their hearts1 which was sown by us in that early day4 ,it was now the #adth of ,february1 #ahca4 ,the cold north wind which had blown for several weeks1 accompanied with very severe weather1 had begun to give place to a milder breeze from the south2 and the deep snows were fast settling down1 with every prospect of returning spring4 ,elders ,cowdery1 ,whitmer1 ,peterson1 myself1 and ,f4 ,g4 ,williams1 who accompanied us from ,kirtland1 now assembled in ,independence1 ,jackson ,county1 ,missouri1 and came to the conclusion that one of our number had better return to the church in ,ohio1 and perhaps to headquarters in ,new ,york1 in order to communicate with the ,presidency1 report ourselves1 pay a visit to the numerous churches we had organized on our outward journey1 and also to procure more books4 ,for this laborious enterprise ,i was selected by the voice of my four brethren4 ,i accordingly took leave of them1 and of our friends in that country1 and started on foot4 ,in nine days ,i arrived at ,st4 ,louis1 distance three hundred miles4 ,it was now the latter part of ,february2 the snow had disappeared1 the rivers were breaking up1 and the whole country inundated as it were with mud and water4 ,i spent a few days with a friend in the country1 at the same place we had tarried on the way out2 and then took a steamer in ,st4 ,louis bound for ,cincinnati1 where ,i landed in safety after a passage of one week4 ,from ,cincinnati ,i travelled on foot to ,strongville1 ,ohio1 forty miles from ,kirtland4 ,this last walk consisted of some two hundred and fifty miles1 over very bad1 muddy road2 and for some days ,i had found myself much fatigued1 and quite out of health4 ,hearing of some brethren in ,strongville1 ,i determined to inquire them out1 and try their hospitality to a sick and weary stranger without making myself known4 ,i accordingly approached the house of an old gentleman by the name of ,coltrin1 about sundown1 and inquired if they could entertain a weary stranger who had no money4 ,the old gentleman cast his eyes upon me1 and beheld a weary1 weather-beaten traveller2 soiled with the toil of a long journey2 besmeared with mud1 eyes inflamed with pain1 long heard1 and a visage lengthened by sickness and extreme fatigue4 ,after a moment's hesitation he bade me welcome1 and invited me into his house4 ,several ladies were at tea4 ,i addressed them as a stranger who had come to partake of their hospitality for the night4 ,they received me with a smile of welcome1 and immediately insisted on my sitting down to tea1 during which something like the following conversation took place3 ,stranger1 where are you from8 ,you certainly look weary2 you must have travelled a long distance6 ,yes2 ,i am from beyond the frontiers of ,missouri2 a distance of twelve hundred miles4 ,ah1 indeed6 ,did you hear anything of the four great prophets out that way8 ,prophets6 ,what prophets8 ,why1 four men--strange men--who came through this country and preached1 and baptized hundreds of people2 and1 after ordaining ,elders and organizing churches1 they continued on westward1 as we suppose1 to the frontiers on a mission to the ,indians2 and we have never heard from them since4 ,but the great work commenced by them still rolls on4 ,it commenced last fall in ,kirtland1 and has spread for a hundred miles around2 thousands have embraced it1 and among others ourselves and many in this neighborhood4 ,but what did they preach8 ,and why do you call them prophets8 ,why they opened the ,scriptures in a wonderful manner2 showed the people plainly of many things to come2 opened the doctrine of ,christ1 as we never understood it before2 and1 among other things1 they introduced a very extraordinary ,book1 which1 they said1 was an ancient record of the forefathers of the ,indian tribes4 ,how were they dressed1 and in what style did they travel8 ,they were dressed plainly and comely1 very neat in their persons1 and each one wore a hat of a drab color1 low round crown and broad brim1 after the manner of the ,shakers1 so it is said2 for we had not the privilege of seeing them ourselves4 ,however1 these fashioned hats were not a peculiarity of this people2 but were given to each of them by the ,shakers1 at the time they passed through this country2 so they wore them4 ,as to their style of travelling1 they sometimes go on foot1 sometimes in a carriage1 and sometimes1 perhaps1 by water2 but they provide themselves with neither purse nor scrip for their journey1 neither shoes nor two coats apiece4 ,well1 from your description of these four men ,i think ,i have seen them on the frontiers of ,missouri4 ,they had commenced a mission in the ,indian territory2 but were compelled by the ,united ,states agents1 influenced1 no doubt1 by missionaries1 to depart from the ,indian country1 although well received by the ,indians themselves4 ,you saw them1 then8 ,i did4 ,were they well8 ,i believe they were all in good health and spirits4 ,will they return soon8 ,o1 who would not give the world to see them6 ,well1 ,i am one of them1 and the others you may1 perhaps1 see4 ,you one of them6 ,god bless you4 ,what is your name8 ,my name is ,parley ,p4 ,pratt1 one of the four men you have described1 but not much of a prophet2 and as to a sight of me in my present plight1 ,i think it would not be worth half a world4 ,the rest of the conversation ,i cannot write1 for all spoke1 all laughed1 and all rejoiced at once4 ,the next morning ,i found myself unable to rise from my bed1 being severely attacked with the measles4 ,i came near dying1 and was confined for one or two weeks among them1 being scarcely able to raise my head4 ,i was watched over night and day1 and had all the care that a man could have in his father's house4 ,as ,i recovered in part1 being still very weak1 ,i was provided with a horse1 on which ,i arrived at ,kirtland4 ,hundreds of the saints now crowded around to welcome me1 and to inquire after my brethren whom ,i had left in ,missouri4 ,here also ,i again met ,president ,joseph ,smith1 who had1 during our absence1 come up from the ,state of ,new ,york4 ,i found the churches in ,ohio had increased to more than a thousand members1 and those in ,new ,york to several hundred4 ,i also heard from my wife1 from whom ,i had been absent about six months4 ,the news was that the whole ,church in the ,state of ,new ,york1 including herself 7for she had joined during my absence71 was about to remove to ,ohio in the opening spring4 ,i1 therefore1 was advised to proceed no farther eastward1 but to await their arrival4 ,after visiting the saints a few days1 ,i commenced to labor with my hands2 but the ,lord would not suffer me to continue long in this occupation4 ,some time in ,march1 ,i was commanded of the ,lord1 in connection with ,s4 ,rigdon and ,l4 ,copley1 to visit a people called the ,shakers299 and preach the gospel unto them4 ,footnote 99,see ,book of ,doctrine and ,covenants1 section #fe4 ,we fulfilled this mission1 as we were commanded1 in a settlement of this strange people1 near ,cleveland1 ,ohio2 but they utterly refused to hear or obey the gospel4 ,after this ,i paid a visit to the churches round about ,kirtland4 ,as ,i went forth among the different branches1 some very strange spiritual operations were manifested1 which were disgusting1 rather than edifying4 ,some persons would seem to swoon away1 and make unseemly gestures1 and be drawn or disfigured in their countenances4 ,others would fall into ecstacies1 and be drawn into contortions1 cramp1 fits1 etc4 ,others would seem to have visions and revelations1 which were not edifying1 and which were not congenial to the doctrine and spirit of the gospel4 ,in short1 a false and lying spirit seemed to be creeping into the ,church4 ,all these things were new and strange to me1 and had originated in the ,church during our absence1 and previous to the arrival of ,president ,joseph ,smith from ,new ,york4 ,feeling our weakness and inexperience1 and lest we should err in judgment concerning these spiritual phenomena1 myself1 ,john ,murdock1 and several other ,elders1 went to ,joseph ,smith1 and asked him to inquire of the ,lord concerning these spirits or manifestations4 ,after we had joined in prayer in his translating room1 he dictated in our presence the following revelation3--7,each sentence was uttered slowly and very distinctly1 and with a pause between each1 sufficiently long for it to be recorded1 by an ordinary writer1 in long hand4 ,this was the manner in which all his written revelations were dictated and written4 ,there was never any hesitation1 reviewing1 or reading back1 in order to keep the run of the subject2 neither did any of these communications undergo revisions1 interlinings1 or corrections4 ,as he dictated them so they stood1 so far as ,i have witnessed2 and ,i was present to witness the dictation of several communications of several pages each4 ,this inquiry was made and the answer given in ,may1 #ahca47 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ------------------------ ,revelation on ,false ,spirits3--,ministry ,among the ,churches3--,remarkable ,miracle of ,healing3--,arrival of ,emigrant ,saints from ,new ,york3--,severe ,disappointment4 ,hearken1 ,o ye ,elders of my ,church1 and give ear1 to the voice of the living ,god2 attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you1 according as ye have asked and are agreed1 as touching the ,church1 and the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth4 ,behold1 verily ,i say unto you1 that there are many spirits which are false spirits1 which have gone forth in the earth1 deceiving the world2 and also ,satan hath sought to deceive you1 that he might overthrow you4 ,behold1 ,i1 the ,lord1 have looked upon you1 and have seen abominations in the ,church that possess my name2 but blessed are they who are faithful and endure1 whether in life or in death2 for they shall inherit eternal life4 ,but woe unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites1 for1 thus saith the ,lord1 ,i will bring them to judgment4 ,behold1 ,i say unto you1 there are hypocrites among you1 who have deceived some1 which has given the adversary power2 but1 behold1 such shall be reclaimed2 but the hypocrites shall be detected and cut off1 either in life or in death1 even as ,i will2 and woe unto them who are cut off from my ,church1 for the same are overcome of the world2 wherefore1 let every man beware1 lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me4 ,and now come1 saith the ,lord1 by the ,spirit1 unto the ,elders of ,his ,church1 and let us reason together1 that ye may understand3 ,let us reason--even as a man reasoneth--one with another1 face to face2 now1 when a man reasoneth1 he is understood of man1 because he reasoneth as a man2 even so will ,i1 the ,lord1 reason with you1 that you may understand3 wherefore1 ,i1 the ,lord1 asketh you this question1 unto what were ye ordained8 ,to preach my gospel by the ,spirit1 even the ,comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth2 and then received ye spirits which ye could not understand1 and received them to be of ,god1 and in this are ye justified8 ,behold1 ye shall answer this question yourselves2 nevertheless1 ,i will be merciful unto you2 he that is weak among you1 hereafter1 shall be made strong4 ,verily1 ,i say unto you1 he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the ,comforter1 in the spirit of truth1 doth he preach it by the spirit of truth1 or some other way8 ,and if it be by some other way1 it be not of ,god4 ,and1 again1 he that receiveth the word of truth1 doth he receive it by the spirit of truth1 or some other way8 ,if it be some other way1 it be not of ,god2 therefore1 why is it that ye cannot understand1 and know that he that receiveth the word by the spirit of truth1 receiveth it as it is preached by the spirit of truth8 ,wherefore1 he that preacheth and he that receiveth1 understandeth one another1 and both are edified and rejoice together2 and that which doth not edify1 is not of ,god1 and is darkness2 that which is of ,god is light1 and he that receiveth light and continueth in ,god1 receiveth more light2 and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day4 ,and1 again1 verily ,i say unto you1 and ,i say it that you may know the truth1 that you may chase darkness from among you2 for he that is ordained of ,god and sent forth1 the same is appointed to be the greatest1 notwithstanding he is least1 and the servant of all2 wherefore1 he is possessor of all things1 for all things are subject unto him1 both in ,heaven and on the earth2 the life and the light1 the spirit and the power sent forth by the will of the ,father through ,jesus ,christ1 ,his ,son2 but no man is possessor of all things1 except he be purified and cleansed from all sin2 and if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin1 ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of ,jesus1 and it shall be done2 but1 know this1 it shall be given you what you shall ask1 and as ye are appointed to the head1 the spirits shall be subject unto you4 ,wherefore1 it shall come to pass1 that if you behold a spirit manifested that you cannot understand1 and you receive not that spirit1 ye shall ask of the ,father in the name of ,jesus1 and if he give not unto you that spirit1 that you may know that it is not of ,god2 and it shall be given unto you power over that spirit1 and you shall proclaim against that spirit with a loud voice1 that it is not of ,god2 not with railing accusation1 that ye be not overcome2 neither with boasting1 nor rejoicing1 lest you be seized therewith2 he that receiveth of ,god1 let him account it of ,god1 and let him rejoice that he is accounted of ,god worthy to receive1 and by giving heed and doing these things which ye have received1 and which ye shall hereafter receive1 and the kingdom is given you of the ,father1 and power to overcome all things which is not ordained of ,him2 and1 behold1 verily ,i say unto you1 blessed are you who are now hearing these words of mine from the mouth of my servant1 for your sins are forgiven you4 ,let my servant1 ,joseph ,wakefield1 in whom ,i am pleased1 and my servant1 ,parley ,p4 ,pratt1 go forth among the churches and strengthen them by the word of exhortation2 and also my servant1 ,john ,corrill1 or as many of my servants as are ordained unto this office1 and let them labor in the vineyard2 and let no man hinder them of doing that which ,i have appointed unto them2 wherefore1 in this thing1 my servant1 ,edward ,partridge1 is not justified2 nevertheless1 let him repent and he shall be forgiven4 ,behold1 ye are little children1 and ye cannot bear all things now2 ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth4 ,fear not1 little children1 for you are mine1 and ,i have overcome the world1 and you are of them that my ,father hath given me2 and none of them that my ,father hath given me shall be lost2 and the ,father and ,i are one4 ,i am in the ,father and the ,father in me2 and1 inasmuch as ye have received me1 ye are in me and ,i in you2 wherefore1 ,i am in your midst1 and ,i am the good ,shepherd 7and the stone of ,israel2 he that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall71 and the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me1 and know that ,i am4 ,watch1 therefore1 that ye may be ready2 even so4 ,amen4 ,in obedience to the foregoing1 ,joseph ,wakefield and myself visited the several branches of the ,church1 rebuking the wrong spirits which had crept in among them1 setting in order things that were wanting2 ordaining ,elders and other officers2 baptizing such as believed and repented of their sins2 administering the gift of the ,holy ,ghost by the laying on of hands1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ2 laying hands on little children and blessing them2 praying for the sick1 and comforting the afflicted1 etc4 ,on some occasions we assembled fifty or sixty little children in one circle1 in the midst of the assembly of the saints1 and laid our hands upon them all1 and prayed for them1 and blessed them in the name of ,jesus4 ,thus my time passed sweetly and swiftly away for some weeks4 ,i was sometimes in the society of ,president ,smith1 in ,kirtland1 and of the saints in that place1 and sometimes in the branches abroad4 ,about this time a young lady1 by the name of ,chloe ,smith1 being a member of the ,church1 was lying very low with a lingering fever1 with a family who occupied one of the houses on the farm of ,isaac ,morley1 in ,kirtland4 ,many of the ,church had visited and prayed with her1 but all to no effect2 she seemed at the point of death1 but would not consent to have a physician4 ,this greatly enraged her relatives1 who had cast her out because she belonged to the ,church1 and who1 together with many of the people of the neighborhood1 were greatly stirred up to anger1 saying1 these wicked deceivers will let her lie and die without a physician1 because of their superstitions2 and if they do1 we will prosecute them for so doing4 ,now these were daily watching for her last breath1 with many threats4 ,under these circumstances1 ,president ,smith and myself1 with several other ,elders called to see her4 ,she was so low that no one had been allowed for some days previous to speak above a whisper1 and even the door of the log dwelling was muffled with cloths to prevent a noise4 ,we kneeled down and prayed vocally all around1 each in turn2 after which ,president ,smith arose1 went to the bedside1 took her by the hand1 and said unto her with a loud voice1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ arise and walk6 ,she immediately arose1 was dressed by a woman in attendance1 when she walked to a chair before the fire1 and was seated and joined in singing a hymn4 ,the house was thronged with people in a few moments1 and the young lady arose and shook hands with each as they came in2 and from that minute she was perfectly restored to health4 ,some time in ,may1 #ahca1 the ,church arrived with their families from the ,state of ,new ,york1 to settle in ,kirtland2 but1 to my inexpressible disappointment1 my wife had not come with them1 but had gone to spend the summer in the ,east with her friends4 ,it was now too late to go to her1 as the time was near when ,i was in duty bound to return to my fellow laborers in ,missouri4 ,to be so long absent from her1 and then undertake a second journey without seeing her1 was a severe trial1 but ,god gave me grace to overcome my feelings1 for his sake and the gospel's4 ,,chapter ,x4 ------------------------ ,conference at ,kirtland3--,revelation of the ,high ,priesthood3--,ordinations to the ,same3--,appointment of ,missions through the ,western ,states3--,return ,westward1 ,accompanied by my ,brother ,orson3--,our ,success by the ,way3--,arrival at the ,frontiers3--,sickness3--,remarkable ,conversion of ,newel ,knight3--,a ,dream4 ,on the sixth of ,june1 #ahca1 a general conference was convened at ,kirtland1 consisting of all the ,elders1 far and near1 who could be got together4 ,in this conference much instruction was given by ,president ,smith1 who spake in great power1 as he was moved by the ,holy ,ghost2 and the spirit of power and of testimony rested down upon the ,elders in a marvelous manner4 ,here also were some strange manifestations of false spirits1 which were immediately rebuked4 ,several were then selected by revelation1 through ,president ,smith1 and ordained to the ,high ,priesthood after the order of the ,son of ,god1 which is after the order of ,melchizedek4 ,this was the first occasion in which this priesthood had been revealed and conferred upon the ,elders in this dispensation1 although the office of an ,elder is the same in a certain degree1 but not in the fullness4 ,on this occasion ,i was ordained to this holy ordinance and calling by ,president ,smith4 ,after these things1 and the business of the conference was over1 myself and ,orson ,pratt were appointed by revelation to perform a mission together1 through the ,western ,states1 and to meet the brethren ,i had left in ,jackson ,county1 ,missouri2 and many others also who were sent in a similar manner1 two and two through the ,western ,states1 and who were all appointed to meet in ,jackson ,county1 ,missouri1 and hold the next conference499 ,footnote 99,see revelation1 ,book of ,doctrine and ,covenants1 ,section #ff4 ,soon after the conference my brother and myself commenced our journey without any means to bear our expenses4 ,we travelled through the ,states of ,ohio1 ,indiana1 ,illinois and ,missouri1 in the midst of the heat of summer on foot1 and faithfully preached the gospel in many parts of all these ,states4 ,we suffered the hardships incident to a new and1 in many places1 unsettled country1 such as hunger1 thirst1 fatigue1 etc4 ,we arrived in upper ,missouri in ,september1 having baptized many people and organized branches of the ,church in several parts of ,ohio1 ,illinois and ,indiana4 ,on our arrival we found a considerable settlement of the brethren from ,ohio1 who had immigrated during the summer and taken up their residence in ,jackson ,county4 ,president ,smith1 and many of the ,elders1 had been there and held a conference1 and1 having organized a ,stake of ,zion1 pointed out and consecrated certain grounds for a city and temple1 they had again returned to the ,east4 ,with them1 the brethren whom ,i had left there the previous winter1 had also returned4 ,i felt somewhat disappointed in not meeting with the brethren2 but was consoled with the reflection that ,i had been diligent in preaching the gospel on my journey1 while others had hurried through the country1 perhaps1 without tarrying to do much good4 ,i was now taken sick with the fever and ague1 owing to the exposures of the climate through which we had travelled4 ,i suffered extremely for several months2 being brought very low with fever1 and with other afflictions4 ,i tarried mostly with a branch of the ,church commonly called the ,colesville branch4 ,they had removed from ,colesville1 in the ,state of ,new ,york1 and settled on the borders of a fertile prairie1 about twelve miles west of the village of ,independence1 and near the boundaries which divide the ,state of ,missouri from the ,indian ,territory4 ,they consisted of about sixty souls1 and were under the presidency of a faithful and zealous ,elder by the name of ,newel ,knight--an account of whose miraculous conversion we here record1 as extracted from the life of ,joseph ,smith1 published in the ,millennial ,star1 ,vol4 #d1 p4 #aaf3 ,during this month of ,april1 ,i 7,joseph ,smith7 went on a visit to the residence of ,mr4 ,joseph ,knight1 of ,colesville1 ,broom ,county1 ,n4,y41 with whom and his family ,i had been previously acquainted1 and whose name ,i have above mentioned as having been so kind and thoughtful towards us while translating the ,book of ,mormon4 ,mr4 ,knight and his family were ,universalists2 but were willing to reason with me upon my religious views1 and were1 as usual1 friendly and hospitable4 ,we held several meetings in the neighborhood2 we had many friends and some enemies4 ,our meetings were well attended1 and many began to pray fervently to ,almighty ,god that ,he would give them wisdom to understand the truth4 ,among those who attended our meetings regularly was ,newel ,knight1 son of ,joseph ,knight4 ,he and ,i had many serious conversations on the important subject of man's eternal salvation4 ,we were in the habit of praying much at our meetings1 and ,newel had said that he would try and take up his cross and pray vocally during meeting2 but when we again met together he rather excused himself4 ,i tried to prevail upon him1 making use of the figure1 supposing that he should get into a mud hole would he not try to help himself out8 ,and that we were willing now to help him out of the mud hole4 ,he replied1 'that provided he had got into a mud hole through carelessness1 he would rather wait and get out himself than have others to help him1 and so he would wait until he should get into the woods by himself and there he would pray4' ,accordingly he deferred praying until next morning1 when he retired into the woods1 where1 according to his own account afterwards1 he made several attempts to pray1 but could scarcely do so--feeling that he had not done his duty1 but that he should have prayed in the presence of others4 ,he began to feel uneasy1 and continued to feel worse both in mind and body until1 upon reaching his own house1 his appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much4 ,he requested her to go and bring me to him4 ,i went and found him suffering very much in his mind1 and his body acted upon in a very strange manner4 ,his visage and limbs distorted and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to imagine2 and finally1 he was caught up off the floor of the apartment and tossed about most fearfully4 ,his situation was soon made known to his neighbors and relatives1 and in a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had got together to witness the scene4 ,after he had thus suffered for a time1 ,i succeeded in getting hold of him by the hand1 when almost immediately he spoke to me1 and with very great earnestness requested of me that ,i should cast the devil out of him2 saying1 'that he knew that he was in him1 and that he also knew that ,i could cast him out4' ,i replied1 'if you know that ,i can it shall be done1' and then1 almost unconsciously1 ,i rebuked the devil1 and commanded him in the name of ,jesus ,christ to depart from him' when immediately ,newel spoke out and said1 'that he saw the devil leave him and vanish from his sight4'99 ,footnote 99,this was the first miracle which was done in this ,church1 or by any member of it1 and it was not done by man nor the power of man1 but it was done by ,god1 and by the power of godliness2 therefore1 let the honor and the praise1 the dominion and the glory1 be ascribed to the ,father1 ,son and ,holy ,spirit1 for ever and ever4 ,amen4 ,the scene was now entirely changed2 for as soon as the devil had departed from our friend his countenance became natural2 his distortions of body ceased2 and almost immediately the ,spirit of the ,lord descended upon him1 and the visions of eternity were opened to his view4 ,he afterwards related his experience as follows3 ',i now began to feel a most pleasing sensation resting upon me1 and immediately the visions of ,heaven were opened to my view4 ,i felt myself attracted upward1 and remained for some time enrapt in contemplation1 insomuch that ,i knew not what was going on in the room4 ,by-and-by ,i felt some weight pressing upon my shoulder and the side of my head1 which served to recall me to a sense of my situation1 and ,i found that the ,spirit of the ,lord had actually caught me up off the floor1 and that my shoulder and head were pressing against the beams4' ,all this was witnessed by many1 to their great astonishment and satisfaction1 when they saw the devil thus cast out and the power of ,god and ,his ,holy ,spirit thus made manifest4 ,so soon as consciousness returned1 his bodily weakness was such that we were obliged to lay him upon his bed and wait upon him for some time4 ,as may be expected1 such a scene as this contributed much to make believers of those who witnessed it2 and1 finally1 the greater part of them became members of the ,church4 ,this ,colesville branch was among the first organized by ,joseph ,smith1 and constituted the first settlers of the members of the ,church in ,missouri4 ,they had arrived late in the summer1 and cut some hay for their cattle1 sowed a little grain1 and prepared some ground for cultivation1 and were engaged during the fall and winter in building log cabins1 etc4 ,the winter was cold1 and for some time about ten families lived in one log cabin1 which was open and unfinished1 while the frozen ground served for a floor4 ,our food consisted of beef and a little bread made of corn1 which had been grated into coarse meal by rubbing the ears on a tin grater4 ,this was rather an inconvenient way of living for a sick person2 but it was for the gospel's sake1 and all were very cheerful and happy4 ,we enjoyed many happy seasons in our prayer and other meetings1 and the ,spirit of the ,lord was poured out upon us1 and even on the little children1 insomuch that many of eight1 ten or twelve years of age spake1 and prayed1 and prophesied in our meetings and in our family worship4 ,there was a spirit of peace and union1 and love and good will manifested in this little ,church in the wilderness1 the memory of which will be ever dear to my heart4 ,it was during my long illness in this dreary winter that ,i had the following dream or vision3 ,i thought ,i saw myself dressed in a clean and beautiful linen robe1 white as snow1 and extending from the neck downward in beautiful folds4 ,on either breast were lines of golden writing1 in large ,roman letters1 about a third of an inch in length1 and the lines extending from the center of the breast on each side six or eight inches long4 ,the upper line on each side appeared larger and more beautiful or conspicuous than the others2 one of these lines was3 ,,holy ,,prophet1 and the other was3 ,,new ,,jerusalem4 ,on awaking from this dream ,i immediately called to mind the words of the ,saviour to ,john the ,revelator3 ,he that overcometh will ,i make a pillar in the temple of my ,god1 and he shall go no more out2 and ,i will write upon him the name of my ,god1 and the name of the ,city of my ,god1 which is ,new ,jerusalem4 ,this dream certainly encouraged me1 and enabled me to bear my sickness1 privation and long absence from my wife and former friends more patiently4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ------------------------ ,attend ,conference3--,instantaneous ,healing3-- ,return ,eastward3--,description of the ,inhabitants on the ,south ,side of the ,missouri ,river3--,strange ,manifestation3-- ,arrive at ,st4 ,louis3--,preaching and ,entertainment3--,arrive at ,vandalia3--,reception3--,exposure in ,crossing an ,over-- flowed ,bottom3--,dialogue3--,hospitality of a ,preacher3-- ,deaf ,landlord3--,meet my ,wife4 ,some time in ,february1 #ahcb1 a ,conference was held by ,bishop ,partridge and the ,elders remaining in this part of the country4 ,to this ,conference ,i was determined to go1 though very feeble and almost unable to sit up4 ,i was assisted on to a horse1 and rode twelve miles4 ,i kept my bed during the ,conference2 but at the close1 several ,elders being about to take their journey to ,ohio1 ,i determined to go with them4 ,i requested the ,elders1 therefore1 to lay their hands on me and pray4 ,they did so4 ,i was instantly healed1 and the next morning started in company with ,elder ,levi ,hancock1 a journey of twelve hundred miles on foot4 ,i gained strength at every step1 and the second evening1 after wading through the snow about six inches deep for some ten miles1 ,i was enabled to address a congregation for the first time in several months4 ,i now parted with ,levi ,hancock1 and had ,john ,murdock for a fellow traveller4 ,we passed down the south side of the ,missouri river1 among a thin settlement of people--mostly very ignorant but extremely hospitable4 ,some families were entirely dressed in skins1 without any other clothing2 including ladies young and old4 ,buildings were generally without glass windows1 and the door open in winter for a light4 ,we preached1 and warned the people1 and taught them as well as we could4 ,while ministering in these settlements1 and exposed to a heavy snow storm1 brother ,john ,murdock was taken sick with a heavy fever2 this caused us to stop early in the day among strangers1 in a small log cabin consisting of one room2 we held a meeting in the evening1 and then had a bed made down on the floor1 before the fire4 ,before morning brother ,murdock was much better1 but ,i was seized with a most dreadful chill1 followed by a heavy turn of fever2 morning found me unable to rise or speak4 ,as the bed was in the way1 they lifted it by the four corners1 with me on it1 and placed it in the back part of the room1 on another bed4 ,here ,i lay1 entirely helpless with a burning fever1 during which ,i distinctly heard a dialogue between ,john ,murdock and the lady of the house2 she upbraiding us as impostors thrown upon them at this inclement season1 while they were out of milling and of wood1 and but illy prepared for such a burden2 that one was sick the night before1 and now the other was taken down2 that it was six miles to the next house1 deep snow and no road broke1 and we would probably be on their hands for weeks4 ,to these inhospitable remarks brother ,murdock mildly replied1 trying to soothe the woman2 reasoning with her1 and telling her that brother ,parley would soon be better1 and then we would go our way4 ,this dialogue gave me such a sense of unwelcome1 and ,i pitied brother ,murdock to that degree for having to stay with such spirits on my account1 that ,i felt ,i could endure it no longer4 ,with the utmost effort ,i roused myself sufficiently to call brother ,murdock to my bed1 whispering to him to lay hands on me unobserved1 so as not to be seen or overheard4 ,he did so2 ,i then asked him to give me a drink of water4 ,the effort had been too much1 ,i swooned away while he was gone for the water2 he could hardly arouse me sufficiently to drink of it2 it was like waking from the dead4 ,i drank of it1 bounded on my feet1 dressed myself1 put on my shoes and hat1 and told him ,i was ready to start4 ,the family all marvelled2 one exclaimed1 what a strange disease2 it could not be fever1 and then be cured in an instant4 ,we gave no explanations1 but started on our journey up a steep hill1 in the deep snow1 in the midst of their urgings to stay to breakfast1 or at least have a cup of coffee4 ,i said nothing1 but thought to myself3 ye hypocrites1 to murmur as you have1 and then ask me to stay and eat4 ,we travelled on for some miles nearly in silence--,i waiting all the while for brother ,murdock to make some remarks referring to our inhospitable treatment1 and the dialogue with the mistress of the house4 ,at last ,i broke silence4 ,said ,i1 ,brother ,murdock1 how did you feel to be talked to by that woman8 ,i thought you bore it with great patience1 and ,i pitied you from my heart1 or ,i never should have had faith and courage to be thus healed and start my journey4 ,he replied that no such conversation had occurred between him and the lady1 nor had she uttered one word indicative of any such inhospitable feeling4 ,well1 said ,i1 ,i heard it articulated in plain ,english by some two persons perfectly imitating her voice and yours2 it was no imagination1 or raging delirium of a fever4 ,i can swear ,i heard a conversation to that effect for a length of time4 ,if it was not the lady and yourself1 then it was something from an invisible world1 which clearly revealed to me the spirit of our hostess4 ,we reached the next house2 ,i was a well man2 found good quarters1 and we were kindly and hospitably entertained for some days4 ,pursuing our journey1 we arrived at ,st4 ,louis1 were kindly received by some citizens of that place1 and held meeting with them4 ,they conveyed us over the ,mississippi free of charge1 and we continued our journey1 preaching by the way4 ,we arrived at length at ,vandalia1 the then capital of ,illinois4 ,here we were invited to a hotel1 where we sojourned free of charge1 and preached to a good audience in the ,presbyterian meeting house4 ,next morning resuming our journey1 we crossed the ,okah river on a bridge1 but the bottoms for two or three miles were overflowed to various depths1 from six inches to three or four feet1 and frozen over1 except in the main channels1 with a coat of ice1 which we had to break by lifting our feet to the surface at every step4 ,this occupied some hours and called into requisition our utmost strength1 and sometimes we were entirely covered with water4 ,at length we got through in safety and came to a house where we warmed and dried our clothes and took some whiskey4 ,our legs and feet had lost all feeling1 became benumbed1 and were dreadfully bruised and cut with the ice4 ,on the next day we had to cross a plain fifteen miles in length1 without a house1 a tree1 or any kind of shelter2 a cold northwest wind was blowing1 and the ground covered with snow and ice4 ,we had made two or three miles into the plain when ,i was attacked with a severe return of my old complaint1 which had confined me so many months in ,jackson ,county1 and from which ,i had recovered by a miracle at the outset of this journey--,i mean the fever and ague4 ,i travelled and shook1 and shook and travelled1 till ,i could stand it no longer2 ,i vomited severely several times1 and finally fell down on the snow1 overwhelmed with fever1 and became helpless and nearly insensible4 ,this was about seven or eight miles from the nearest house4 ,brother ,john ,murdock laid his hands on me and prayed in the name of ,jesus2 and1 taking me by the hand1 he commanded me with a loud voice1 saying3 ,in the name of ,jesus of ,nazareth arise and walk6 ,i attempted to arise1 ,i staggered a few paces1 and was about falling again when ,i found my fever suddenly depart and my strength come4 ,i walked at the rate of about four miles per hour1 arrived at a house1 and was sick no more4 ,we continued our journey1 preaching by the way1 and crossing the ,wabash at ,vincennes1 we stopped in that vicinity for several days1 drawing crowded houses4 ,here we met with ,elders ,dustin and ,bebee1 who left ,jackson ,county1 ,missouri1 when we did1 and for the same purpose4 ,well1 brethren1 how do you do8 said we to them4 ,tolerably well2 only we have spent ten dollars each which was given us by the ,bishop when we started1 and we have sold books and spent the avails of them2 and besides this we have been compelled to borrow money in a certain branch of the ,church1 and have spent that also2 and we think it hard to travel for the public good and this at our own charges4 ,ah6 said ,i1 and how is this8 we have not yet spent the first cent since we left the ,church in ,jackson ,county2 nor shall we have any occasion for any spending money for weeks to come4 ,where did you stay last night8 ,in the large village of ,washington4 ,did you preach to the people8 ,yes2 in the ,court ,house4 ,did they charge you for your keeping8 ,yes4 ,a dollar and a quarter4 ,well1 we are going there tonight1 and1 although entire strangers1 we shall be well entertained free of charge1 preach or no preach4 ,how do you do it8 said they4 ,o1 we hold up our heads like honest men2 go to the best houses1 call for the best they have1 make known our calling1 pray with1 or preach to them1 ask for their bill on taking leave1 but they will take nothing from us2 but always invite us to call again4 ,well1 they will not treat you so in ,washington tonight2 you will have to pay a good round sum4 ,well1 we shall see4 ,we took leave of them and of the good people where we had been preaching1 having first sent an appointment by the mail carrier1 that if the inhabitants of ,washington would get together we would address them that evening4 ,we entered the town at dark1 stopped at a hotel1 called for lodging and supper and a room for ourselves2 and asked the landlord if a meeting had been got up for us4 ,he said the mail carrier brought the news of our appointment1 but he believed it had been neglected to be given out2 was very sorry1 made many apologies1 and still offered to have the bell rung and the people assembled if we wished4 ,we told him we were glad of an opportunity to rest1 and did not wish a meeting at so late an hour4 ,we retired to our room and made no further acquaintance4 ,next morning on taking leave1 we asked what was to pay4 ,he answered1 not anything1 said we were welcome to his hospitality at any time1 and bid us call again4 ,leaving ,washington1 we were next entertained by a very hospitable preacher of the ,christian order1 whose name ,i have forgotten4 ,we tarried at his house a week or two1 and preached to crowded congregations in all the region2 he frequently going with us to introduce us and open the way4 ,while here1 having a little leisure between appointments1 ,i went alone and on foot to the town of ,madison1 about nine miles from his house4 ,my design was to get out an appointment and preach1 which came to pass the same evening in the following ,manner3 ,i stepped into a hotel1 they were all at dinner1 ,i placed the ,book of ,mormon on a public table and sat down to read a newspaper2 soon the boarders came out1 and one by one looked at the ,book1 and inquired whose it was2 soon the landlord came out1 who ,i learned was so very deaf that one could only be heard by placing mouth to ear and shouting at the very top of the voice4 ,he caught up the ,book and inquired1 ,whose is this8 ,i arose1 placed my arm round his neck1 and my mouth close to his ear1 and shouted1 ,,it ,,is ,,mine1 ,,and ,i ,,have ,,come ,,to ,,preach66 ,this was so loud that it almost alarmed the town4 ,he welcomed me to entertainment free of charge1 had the ,court ,house opened1 the town notified1 and evening found me in the judge's seat1 a reporter in the clerk's desk1 and a crowded audience4 ,i had good liberty and all seemed much interested4 ,after a few days we resumed our journey1 and in ,may arrived in ,kirtland1 where ,i again met my wife after an absence of one year and seven months4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ------------------------ ,mission in ,ohio3--,start to ,western ,missouri3-- ,incidents by the ,way3--,discourse on ,board a ,steamer on the ,fourth of ,july3--,its ,effect3--,arrival on the ,frontiers3-- ,farming3--,extortion3--,mission in ,missouri and ,illinois3-- ,treatment by ,infidels3--,great ,success in ,illinois3--,opposition from ,baptist ,ministers3--,outlines of ,mr4 ,peck's ,speech and my ,reply3--,result3--,return ,home3--,a ,voice from the ,dead4 ,i shall not attempt to describe our feelings or our joy2 these things are known by experience1 not by language4 ,i found her health much impaired1 and she had long suffered from complaints of the nature of consumption2 but she was now reduced still further by her anxious solicitude about my long absence4 ,when she found herself once more in the quiet enjoyment of my society1 she gradually resumed her wonted cheerfulness1 and began to enjoy better health2 but still she was far from being well4 ,after spending a few weeks at home1 ,i performed a short mission in the southeastern part of ,ohio1 and again returned1 having travelled on foot in the heat of summer about three hundred miles4 ,in this mission ,i met with no success in the ministry1 owing to the prejudice1 ignorance and bigotry of the people1 who either would not hear at all1 or else heard in a careless manner1 and went away with the same indifference as they came4 ,i now determined to take my wife and our little effects and remove to ,western ,missouri4 ,to bear the expenses of this long journey my wife had some sixty dollars1 which she brought with her from the ,east1 and certain men also put into my hands sums of money to be expended in lands and improvements in that country4 ,with brother ,joseph's counsel and blessing ,i bade farewell to ,kirtland4 ,we took a stage coach for the ,ohio ,river1 thence by steamer to ,st4 ,louis1 and again by steamer up the ,missouri4 ,i took a steerage passage among the poorer class1 and was dressed more like a laborer than a public minister4 ,however1 the throng of passengers on the boat learned by some means that ,i was a preacher1 and on the #dth of ,july they pressed me very hard to address them in the cabin in honor of our national anniversary4 ,i refused for awhile2 but at length complied1 on conditions that steerage passengers1 boat hands1 firemen1 and all classes1 black or white1 should have the privilege of assembling in the cabin to hear the discourse4 ,this was readily complied with1 and very soon a large assembly was convened and in waiting1 consisting of ladies and gentlemen1 lawyers1 merchants1 farmers1 servants1 waiters and colored gentlemen4 ,i presented myself before this motley assembly in a plain coat of gray satinet1 and bowed respectfully4 ,all tried to be grave1 but a smile1 a sneer1 a look of contempt would now and then escape from some of the more genteel portion of the assembly1 as if they would say1 ,can any good thing come out of ,nazareth1 or1 in other words1 can so plain a man be possessed of knowledge sufficient to entertain such an assembly on so important an occasion as the #dth of ,july1 and this1 too1 without preparing a discourse beforehand8 ,i read a chapter2 all was serious attention4 ,i offered up a prayer2 all was deep interest4 ,i commenced a discourse1 and nearly all were in tears4 ,i introduced the ,book of ,mormon as a record of ancient ,america2 ,i dwelt upon its history and prophetic declarations1 now being verified by the erection of free institutions in this great country1 and their growing influence4 ,i spoke of the general prosperity and resources of the country1 acknowledging the hand of ,providence in the same2 warned them against national pride1 ambition1 and injustice2 exhorted them1 in common with all citizens1 to use the utmost diligence to preserve the general peace and the pure influence of our national institutions2 and to improve in light1 intelligence and love1 without which we1 too1 might be brought down to destruction like the ,israelites and ,nephites of old2 and our bones and ruined cities and monuments alone be left to other people1 as theirs were left to us1 as a testimony of our greatness which would have passed away4 ,i also showed them from the ,book of ,mormon that we were destined to remain forever as a blessed and free people on this land1 on conditions of keeping the commandments of ,jesus ,christ1 and that our settlements and commerce would soon extend to the vast shores of the ,pacific ocean1 and our ensign stand out to the nations as a standard inviting them to a banquet of freedom1 peace and plenty4 ,after meeting ,i was pressed upon to come into the cabin for the rest of the passage4 ,and even when we changed boats at ,louisville1 such was the influence of my fellow passengers1 that the gentlemen's and also the ladies' cabin and board was free to me without money or price4 ,one gentleman offered as high as ten dollars for a copy of the ,book of ,mormon2 but1 unluckily1 ,i had none with me4 ,arriving at the ,colesville branch1 on the western boundaries of the ,state 7where ,i had spent the previous winter in sickness and poverty71 about the #ast of ,august1 #ahcb1 we commenced cutting hay1 building1 purchasing and planting land1 and making every preparation to receive those who had sent funds for this purpose4 ,during the months of ,august and ,september ,i had1 with a little help1 secured about fifteen tons of hay1 and put into the ground fifteen acres of wheat1 besides building a log house and doing something at fencing1 etc4 ,these exertions in the heat of the season brought on a severe illness1 in which ,i was nigh unto death2 but ,i was again restored in a few days by the laying on of hands and prayer in the name of ,jesus4 ,about this time ,lewis ,abbott arrived with his family from ,kirtland1 and having sent some money by me1 partly to aid in my expenses1 and partly for the purpose of making improvements1 he became dissatisfied and demanded the utmost farthing4 ,this took everything ,i had done2--my wheat on the ground1 my hay1 my cows all but one1 and left me entirely destitute1 after all my laborious exertions4 ,at this brother ,abbott seemed satisfied1 and thought he had got quite rich1 and turned his money to good advantage2 but the curse of ,god rested upon all his property as was soon manifest4 ,the next winter ,i took a mission in company with ,elder ,william ,e4 ,mc,lellin down through the ,state of ,missouri and into ,illinois1 crossing the ,mississippi at ,clarksville4 ,as we approached ,clarksville1 we were told by several of the inhabitants near1 not to attempt a meeting or any religious instruction there1 for they were a hardened and irreclaimable set of blasphemers and infidels1 given to gambling1 drinking and cursing1 etc42 and that many different orders of the clergy had attempted in vain to reclaim them1 or even to get a hearing4 ,before entering the town we ascended a mountain and cried mightily unto the ,lord that ,he would open our way1 and move upon the hearts of the people to receive us and hear the ,word4 ,we then entered the town and called at a hotel4 ,we told the landlord that we had come in the name of ,jesus ,christ to preach the gospel to the people1 being sent by him without purse or scrip4 ,well1 said he1 you are welcome to my house and such fare as we have2 and we will meet together and hear your religion1 and if it proves to be better than ours we will embrace it2 for we confess that our religion is to fiddle and dance1 and eat and drink1 and be merry1 and gamble and swear a little2 and we believe this is better than priestcraft4 ,we replied that we would try them anyhow4 ,so a meeting was convened2 we preached1 had good attention1 and much of a candid spirit of inquiry was manifest1 and we were treated with hospitality and friendship1 and even ferried over the river free2 and this was more than those religious sectaries would do1 who had warned us against them4 ,passing over the river1 the next day we came to ,green ,county1 ,illinois2 and as the day drew to a close we began to circulate an appointment as we travelled along a thick settlement of thrifty farmers1 for preaching in a school house in the neighborhood that evening4 ,as we sat by the highway side to rest ourselves1 an old farmer rode past on horseback1 and halted to ask if we were travellers4 ,we replied that we were travelling to preach the gospel1 and had an appointment that evening at the school house just ahead1 and invited him to come and hear4 ,no1 said he1 ,i have not attended a religious meeting this five years2 ,i have long been disgusted and tired of priestcraft and religious ignorance and division1 and have concluded to stand aloof from it all4 ,well1 we are as much opposed to these things as you can be1 and1 therefore1 have come to preach the gospel1 and show the knowledge of ,god in its ancient purity1 being instructed and sent of ,him without purse or scrip4 ,so come and hear us4 ,o6 indeed1 if that is the case1 ,i will4 ,so he came2 the house was crowded with ,baptists1 ,methodists1 ,universalists1 ,non-professors1 ,infidels1 etc4 ,we preached4 ,after meeting1 a ,baptist minister by the name of ,john ,russell1 a very learned and influential man1 invited us to tarry in the neighborhood and continue to preach2 he said his house should be our home1 and he called a vote of the people whether they wished us to preach more4 ,the vote was unanimous in the affirmative4 ,we tarried in the neighborhood some two months1 and preached daily in all that region to vast multitudes1 both in town and country1 in the grove1 and in school houses1 barns and dwellings4 ,all parties were our hearers and friends1 and contributed liberally to our wants2 and the old farmer1 whose name was ,calvin1 who had not been to meeting before for five years1 became a constant hearer1 and opened his house for our home4 ,he was very wealthy1 and bade us welcome to shoes1 clothing1 or anything we needed2 many ,infidels1 ,universalists1 etc41 did the same4 ,in this neighborhood there lived a ,baptist minister by the name of ,dotson1 who opposed us with much zeal1 from time to time1 both in public and in private1 and from house to house4 ,he said the ,book of ,mormon was a fable2 a silly1 foolish mixture of matter1 possessing no interest1 and that he could write a better book himself4 ,however1 his principal objection was1 that ,god could give no new revelation--the ,new ,testament contained all the knowledge that ,god had in store for man1 and there was nothing remaining unrevealed4 ,we asked him to open the ,new ,testament and read to us the history and destiny of the ,american continent and its inhabitants1 and the origin and lineage of the same2 also1 the history of the ten tribes of ,israel1 and where they now were4 ,we also asked him to read to us from that book his own commission1 and that of other ministers of this age to preach the gospel4 ,but he could do none of these things2 but still insisted that there was no subject worthy of new revelation1 and that no revelation could be given4 ,said ,i1 ,mr4 ,dotson1 relate to me your experience and call to the ministry4 ,well1 he replied1 ,i will do so1 seeing that it is you1 friend ,pratt2 for you are able to bear it1 and to comprehend something about it2 but ,i have never told it to my own members2 and ,i dare not1 for they would not believe me4 ,well1 ,mr4 ,dotson1 be particular on the manner and means by which you were called to the ministry4 ,why1 sir1 said he1 ,i was called by a vocal voice from ,heaven4 ,well1 ,mr4 ,dotson1 there is one exception to your general rule4 ,we come to you with a new revelation1 and you reject it1 because there can be no new revelation2 and yet you profess to have a new revelation1 ,god having spoken from the heavens and called you1 and commissioned you to preach eighteen hundred years after the ,new ,testament was written1 and all revelation finished6 ,how is this8 ,the ,new ,testament no where calls you by name2 neither makes mention of you as a minister of the gospel2 but new revelation does1 if we are to believe you4 ,and yet you would teach your hearers and us1 and all the world1 to disbelieve all modern revelation merely because it is new4 ,consequently1 we are all bound by your own rule to reject your call to the ministry1 and to believe it is a lie4 ,he could say no more4 ,at another time he was at ,mr4 ,russell's with us1 and1 in presence of ,mr4 ,r4 and others1 was opposing the ,book of ,mormon with all his power4 ,we asked him to listen while we read a chapter in it4 ,he did so1 and was melted into tears1 and so affected and confounded that he could not utter a word for some time4 ,he then1 on recovering1 asked us to his house1 and opened the door for us to preach in his neighborhood4 ,we did so1 and were kindly entertained by him4 ,but after this1 he again hardened his heart1 and finding his opposition all in vain1 he wrote a letter to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,peck1 of ,rock ,spring1 some sixty miles distant1 informing him that the ,mormons were about to take ,green ,county1 and requesting his immediate attendance4 ,this ,mr4 ,peck was a man of note1 as one of the early settlers of ,illinois1 and one of its first missionaries4 ,he had labored for many years in that new country and in ,missouri1 and was now ,editor of a paper devoted to ,baptist principles4 ,this gentleman1 was soon forthcoming1 and commenced his public addresses among the people1 to try to convince them of the great errors we had taught4 ,he said there were no antiquities in ,america2 no ruined cities1 buildings1 monuments1 inscriptions1 mounds1 or fortifications1 to show the existence of such a people as the ,book of ,mormon described4 ,he also said1 that there were no domestic animals such as the cow the ox1 or the horse1 found here when ,europeans first discovered the country4 ,he then inquired how these animals became extinct since the destruction of the ,nephites4 ,he said further1 that the fortifications and mounds of this country were nothing more than the works of ,nature4 ,he then warned the people against the study of the prophetic parts of the ,old and ,new ,testaments1 observing that these mysterious prophecies were directly calculated to lead them into delusion and bewilderment2 that the best way to read and understand prophecy was1 to read it backwards--that is to say1 after it is fulfilled2 that it was never designed to be understood before it came to pass4 ,he also taught that the ,millennium was already commenced1 and that ,jesus ,christ would not come1 in person1 till the great and last judgment2 and that the ,millennium must first continue a year for each day of the thousand years1 spoken of by ,john the ,revelator1 etc4 ,a meeting was held for the purpose of replying to him2 the people came out in great numbers4 ,i then replied in substance as follows3 ,my hearers3--,the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,peck is a great man4 ,he is a man of age and varied experience and learning4 ,i am but a youth1 inferior to him in all these respects4 ,i reverence his gray hairs2 ,i respect his learning2 ,i admire his talents and ingenuity2 and ,i feel a delicacy in replying to him2 and nothing but a love for the truth and a hatred of error and falsehood1 could induce me to come in contact with him before the public2 but where truth and salvation are at stake ,i cannot shrink from duty1 in consideration of age or talent2 ,i cannot spare the man1 even if he were my father4 ,to do away the ,book of ,mormon1 we are called upon to believe that the temples1 statues1 pyramids1 sculptures1 monuments1 engravings1 mounds and fortifications1 now in ruins on the ,american continent1 are all the works of ,nature in her playful moments2 that the bones of slumbering nations were never clothed upon with flesh1 and that their sleeping dust was never animated with life4 ,this is too monstrous2 it is too marvelous1 too miraculous for out credulity2 we can never believe that these things are the works of ,nature1 unaided by human art2 we are not so fond of the marvelous4 ,again1 we are told that no cows or oxen were here when ,europeans first came to the country4 ,i would ask what the wild buffalo are1 if they are not the cattle of the ancient inhabitants8 ,i would ask how horse tracks came to be imbedded in the petrified rock of ,kentucky1 without a horse to make them8 ,and if no race of animals could become extinct1 which once existed here1 ,i would ask ,mr4 ,peck either to produce a living mammoth1 or annihilate his bones4 ,but1 perhaps1 the reverend gentleman would say that those bones1 too1 were the works of ,nature1 and that the huge animal they seem to represent never existed4 ,again1 my hearers1 we are warned against the study of prophecy4 ,we are told that a careful perusal of the prophecies1 which the reverend gentleman is pleased to call 'mysterious' is a principal cause of our delusion and blindness2 and that the prophecies were only designed to be read and understood after they were fulfilled4 ,we will apply this rule1 and learn its workings by practical experience4 ,the people at the time of the flood adopted this rule1 all save eight souls4 ,mr4 ,peck's theology was then almost catholic4 ,the universal world 7save eight7 were disposed to remain in ignorance as to the meaning of prophecy till after its fulfillment4 ,the result was that they knew not until the flood came and swept them all away2 then they could understand4 ,the people of ,sodom were all of ,mr4 ,peck's faith--all save ,lot and his family2 they also perished unawares4 ,the ,jews also were of this same school--,i mean those who perished in the siege of ,jerusalem1 in fulfillment of the prophecy of ,jesus ,christ1 recorded in the #bast chapter of ,luke4 ,and permit me here to remind my hearers that this ancient system of theology1 will certainly prevail to an almost universal extent at the time of the coming of the ,son of ,man4 ,for ,jesus himself testified that1 as it was in the days of ,noah and in the days of ,lot1 so should it be in the days of the coming of the ,son of ,man4 ,i would here pause and congratulate my reverend friend on the glorious and popular prospects before him4 ,certain it is that most of the world will1 at some future day1 be of his faith in this respect2 they will let the prophecies of the ,holy ,scriptures alone1 and not attempt to understand them until after their fulfilment4 ,but we are of another school4 ,we believe in ,jesus1 who said 'search the ,scriptures2' we believe with ,peter1 that we have a more sure word of prophecy1 unto which we do well to take heed1 as unto a light shining in a dark place2 until the day dawn1 and the day star arise in our hearts4 ,we believe the ,apostle when he says that1 'whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our profit and learning2 that1 we through patience and comfort of the ,scriptures1 might have hope4' ,we wish to be children of the light and not of darkness2 that that day come not upon us unawares4 ,in short we wish1 like ,timothy of old1 to understand the ,scriptures from our very childhood2 considering that they are able to make us wise unto salvation1 through faith in ,christ ,jesus4 ,again1 we are told that the world is in the enjoyment of the ,millennium1 or thousand years of rest1 spoken of by ,john1 the ,revelator4 ,of course then ,satan is bound1 and does not tempt any man4 ,the martyrs of ,jesus1 and those who kept ,his commandments are raised from the dead1 and are now present on the earth reigning with ,jesus ,christ4 ,the nations learn war no more1 none are in ignorance1 none in darkness1 the knowledge of ,god covers the earth as the waters do the seas4 ,the cow and the leopard1 the kid and the bear1 the wolf and the lamb1 the lion1 the serpent and the little child1 all dwell together in peace4 ,for such events the prophets have described in connection with the ,millennium4 ,but the great announcement of all--the most important communication made to us by ,mr4 ,peck is concerning the time of the second coming of ,jesus ,christ4 ,it was now ascertained by him to be postponed till the great and last day2 and that we are to have a ,millennium of three hundred and sixty-five thousand years first1 before ,christ comes4 ,only think6 'three hundred and sixty-five thousand6' ,why1 according to this calculation the world is yet in its infancy2 we are early in the morning of creation4 ,the great day of the existence of the world has only dawned2 a long and glorious race is yet before the generations of man4 ,what is the age of ,adam or ,methuselah6 ,what the few fleet years of the earth's existence1 compared to the time yet to come before its end6 ,o1 ye holy prophets and saints of old1 had you been in possession of the knowledge of the astounding facts now announced by this reverend gentleman1 you would never have warned mankind so repeatedly to be ready for the great day of the ,lord1 for it was soon at hand4 ,and had ,jesus ,christ known this fact1 he would never have warned the world of the danger of that day coming on them unawares4 ,he and ,his ,apostles would have said3 it is yet far--very far off4 ,the ,millennium must first dawn1 and then continue three hundred and sixty-five thousand years2 and then1 behold1 ,i will come to judge the world4 ,but1 my hearers1 please read the prophet ,zechariah on this subject1 chapter #ad4 ,we were there informed that ',jesus ,christ will come1 and all the saints with him1'--that he will 'set his feet on the ,mount of ,olives2' that he will 'deliver the ,jews and ,jerusalem from their enemies2' that he will 'destroy those who are in the siege against that city2' and that he will 'reign as a king over all the earth1 from that time forth2 and there shall be one ,lord and his name one4' ,now1 if he comes and all the saints with him1 it cannot be his first coming4 ,if he comes to fight for the ,jews and overthrow their enemies1 it cannot be his first coming4 ,if the ,mount of ,olives rends in twain at the same time1 and opens so as to form a great valley in the place thereof1 it has no connection with his first coming4 ,again1 if he comes to reign as a ',king over all the earth 1' it can have no allusion to the last judgment1--the end of the earth4 ,consequently1 if ,zechariah has told the truth1 we are to expect the coming of ,jesus ,christ distinct from his first coming2 unconnected with the last judgment at the very commencement of his reign of a thousand years1 which we call the ,millennium2 but which1 ,mr4 ,peck says1 has commenced1 entirely independent of any such event4 ,but what can we expect of a man when he comments upon the prophecies1 while at the same time he contends that none can understand them until after their fulfillment4 ,of course1 my hearers1 he himself acts upon the principle which he lays down to others2 and if he does1 he never studies1 never searches the prophecies1 acknowledges himself in darkness on all subjects connected with unfulfilled prophecy2 expects to remain so1 and expects his hearers to do the same4 ,o1 my beloved friends1 have the people of this western country been led in darkness for so many years by learned and reverend gentlemen8 are they willing to remain in darkness now1 when the veil is withdrawn1 and his folly made manifest before all the people1 and this too by his own words1 uttered in presence of you all8 ,if so1 follow him1 and cleave to him as your teacher4 ,but if not1 we exhort you to hold fast the truth as we have delivered it to you2 come forward this day1 and obey the ordinances of ,god2 seek for the ,holy ,spirit to guide you into all truth1 and continue to search the ,scriptures for more light1 and ,god will bless you forever4 ,amen4 ,after this meeting some of the ,baptists and others came forward and were baptized1 and joined the ,church of the ,saints2 and the people in general remained steadfast in the faith1 and were unmoved by the exertions of ,messrs4 ,peck and ,dotson4 ,this filled them with envy1 and they soon began to manifest a lying and abusive spirit to such a degree that all the people could see and distinguish plainly between the spirits of truth and error4 ,mr4 ,peck soon took leave and retired home1 and we continued our mission4 ,hundreds of the people were convinced of the truth1 but the hearts of many were too much set on the world to obey the gospel2 we1 therefore1 baptized only a few of the people1 and organized a small ,society1 and about the first of ,june took leave and returned home4 ,having rested myself a few days1 ,i now commenced again to cultivate the earth4 ,i plowed about six acres of ground for wheat1 and was busy from day to day in the woods1 preparing timber to fence the same1 when the following dream1 or night vision1 was given me3 ,a man came to me and called me with a loud voice3 ,parley1 ,parley4 ,i answered1 ,here am ,i4 ,said he1 ,cease splitting rails1 for the ,lord has prepared you for a greater work4 ,i answered1 ,whereby shall ,i know that this message is from the ,lord8 ,he replied1 ,follow me1 and ,i will show you4 ,i followed him for some distance along a long path1 and at last came to a place of ancient sepulchres1 where many of the ,nephites of old had been buried4 ,one of these opened--the flesh of the man withered away2 he became like a skeleton1 and passed down into the grave4 ,i understood and knew by the spirit1 that this signified that it was the voice of one from the dead which had spoken to me4 ,i therefore exclaimed1 ,it is enough2 ,i know the message is of the ,lord2 return unto me1 that we may converse together4 ,he then came forth out of the grave1 was again clothed upon with a body like a man1 and he talked with me1 and told me many things4 ,i awoke the next morning1 and thought of my dream1 but ,i was necessitated1 as ,i thought1 to finish my fence and sow my crop before ,i ceased to labor with my hands4 ,i1 therefore1 continued to make and haul rails from the woods4 ,i perfected my fence and sowed my crop1 but ,i never reaped2 ,i never saw the wheat after it was more than three inches high4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ------------------------ ,prosperity of the ,church3--,school in ,zion3-- ,revelation3--,mob3--,destruction of ,printing ,office3--,defence3-- ,prisoners3--,journey to ,lexington3--,a ,dream3--,its ,fulfilment3-- ,battle3--,defeat of the ,robbers3--,a ,miracle3--,defence ,construed into ,murder3--,gov4 ,boggs and ,militia ,join the ,mob3--,church ,driven from the ,county3--,plunderings and ,burnings3--,insurrections3-- ,signs in the ,heavens3--,action of the ,governor3--,attorney-,general ,driven from ,court3--,refugees ,settle in the ,north3--,a ,bandit ,chief made ,governor4 ,it was now the summer of #ahcc4 ,immigration had poured into the ,county of ,jackson in great numbers2 and the ,church in that county now numbered upwards of one thousand souls4 ,these had all purchased lands and paid for them1 and most of them were improving in buildings and in cultivation4 ,peace and plenty had crowned their labors1 and the wilderness became a fruitful field1 and the solitary place began to bud and blossom as the rose4 ,they lived in peace and quiet2 no lawsuits with each other or with the world2 few or no debts were contracted2 few promises broken2 there were no thieves1 robbers1 or murderers2 few or no idlers2 all seemed to worship ,god with a ready heart4 ,on ,sundays the people assembled to preach1 pray1 sing1 and receive the ordinances of ,god4 ,other days all seemed busy in the various pursuits of industry4 ,in short1 there has seldom1 if ever1 been a happier people upon the earth than the ,church of the ,saints now were4 ,in the latter part of summer and in the autumn1 ,i devoted almost my entire time in ministering among the churches2 holding meetings2 visiting the sick2 comforting the afflicted1 and giving counsel4 ,a school of ,elders was also organized1 over which ,i was called to preside4 ,this class1 to the number of about sixty1 met for instruction once a week4 ,the place of meeting was in the open air1 under some tall trees1 in a retired place in the wilderness1 where we prayed1 preached and prophesied1 and exercised ourselves in the gifts of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,here great blessings were poured out1 and many great and marvelous things were manifested and taught4 ,the ,lord gave me great wisdom1 and enabled me to teach and edify the ,elders1 and comfort and encourage them in their preparations for the great work which lay before us4 ,i was also much edified and strengthened4 ,to attend this school ,i had to travel on foot1 and sometimes with bare feet at that1 about six miles4 ,this ,i did once a week1 besides visiting and preaching in five or six branches a week4 ,while thus engaged1 and in answer to our correspondence with the ,prophet1 ,joseph ,smith1 at ,kirtland1 ,ohio1 the following revelation was sent to us by him1 dated ,august1 #ahcc3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 my friends1 ,i speak unto you with my voice1 even the voice of my ,spirit2 that ,i may show unto you my will concerning your brethren in the land of ,zion2 many of whom are truly humble1 and are seeking diligently to learn wisdom and to find truth2 verily1 verily ,i say unto you1 blessed are such for they shall obtain2 for ,i1 the ,lord1 showeth mercy unto all the meek1 and upon all whomsoever ,i will1 that ,i may be justified when ,i shall bring them into judgment4 ,behold1 ,i say unto you1 concerning the school in ,zion1 ,i the ,lord am well pleased that there should be a school in ,zion2 and also with my servant1 ,parley ,p4 ,pratt1 for he abideth in me2 and inasmuch as he continueth to abide in me1 he shall continue to preside over the school in the land of ,zion until ,i shall give unto him other commandments2 and ,i will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings in expounding all ,scriptures and mysteries to the edification of the school and of the ,church in ,zion1 and to the residue of the school ,i1 the ,lord1 am willing to show mercy2 nevertheless1 there are those that must needs be chastened1 and their works shall be made known4 ,the axe is laid at the root of the trees1 and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit1 shall be hewn down and cast into the fire2 ,i1 the ,lord have spoken it4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 all among them who know their hearts are honest1 and are broken1 and their spirits contrite1 and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice2 yea1 every sacrifice which ,i1 the ,lord1 shall command1 they are all accepted of me1 for ,i1 the ,lord will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land1 by a pure stream that yieldeth much precious fruit4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 that it is my will that an house should be built unto me in the land of ,zion1 like unto the pattern which ,i have given you2 yea1 let it be built speedily by the tithing of my people2 behold1 this is the tithing and the sacrifice which ,i1 the ,lord1 require at their hands2 that there may be an house built unto me for the salvation of ,zion1 for a place of thanksgiving for all saints1 and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices1 that they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry in theory1 in principle1 and in doctrine in all things pertaining to the kingdom of ,god on the earth1 the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you4 ,and inasmuch as my people build an house unto me in the name of the ,lord1 and do nor suffer any unclean thing to come into it that it be not defiled1 ,my glory shall rest upon it2 yea1 and my presence shall be there2 for ,i will come into it1 and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see ,god2 but if it be defiled ,i will not come into it1 and my glory shall not be there for ,i will not come into unholy temples4 ,and now behold1 if ,zion do these things she shall prosper and spread herself and become very glorious1 very great1 and very terrible2 and the nations of the earth shall honor her and shall say1 surely ,zion is the city of our ,god2 and surely ,zion cannot fall1 neither be moved out of her place2 for ,god is there1 and the hand of the ,lord is there1 and ,he hath sworn by the power of ,his might to be her salvation and her high tower2 therefore1 verily thus saith the ,lord1 let ,zion rejoice1 for this is ,zion1 ,,the ,,pure ,,in ,,heart2 therefore let ,zion rejoice while all the wicked shall mourn2 for behold1 and lo6 vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungodly as the whirlwind1 and who shall escape it8 ,the ,lord's scourge shall pass over by night and by day1 and the report thereof shall vex all people2 yet it shall not be stayed until the ,lord come2 for the indignation of the ,lord is kindled against their abominations and all their wicked works2 nevertheless1 ,zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever ,i have commanded her2 but if she observes not to do whatsoever ,i have commanded her1 ,i will visit her1 according to all her works1 with sore affliction2 with pestilence2 with plague2 with sword2 with vengeance2 with devouring fire2 nevertheless1 let it be read this once in their ears1 that ,i1 the ,lord1 have accepted of their offering2 and if she sin no more none of these things shall come upon her1 and ,i will bless her with blessings1 and multiply a multiplicity of blessings upon her and upon her generations forever and ever1 saith the ,lord your ,god4 ,amen4 ,this revelation was not complied with by the leaders and ,church in ,missouri1 as a whole2 notwithstanding many were humble and faithful4 ,therefore1 the threatened judgment was poured out to the uttermost1 as the history of the five following years will show4 ,that portion of the inhabitants of ,jackson ,county which did not belong to the ,church1 became jealous of our growing influence and numbers4 ,political demagogues were afraid we should rule the county2 and religious priests and bigots felt that we were powerful rivals1 and about to excel all other societies in the ,state in numbers1 and in power and influence4 ,these feelings1 and the false statements and influences growing out of them1 gave rise to the organization of a company of outlaws1 whose avowed object was to drive the ,church of the ,saints from the county4 ,these were composed of lawyers1 magistrates1 county officers1 civil and military2 religious ministers1 and great numbers of the ignorant and uninformed portion of the population1 whose prejudices were easily aroused4 ,they commenced operations by assembling in great numbers1 destroying a printing office and its materials2 demolishing dwellings and stores1 and plundering the contents and strewing them in the street2 cutting open feather beds1 breaking furniture1 destroying fences and crops1 whipping1 threatening and variously abusing men1 women and children1 etc4 ,the saints submitted to these outrages for a time in all patience1 without defence or resistance of any kind1 supposing that the public authorities would of course put a stop to them1 as in duty bound4 ,but they were soon convinced to the contrary1 and were compelled to take up arms for defence2 and also to make the most vigorous exertions to prosecute according to law4 ,we assembled in small bodies in different neighborhoods1 and stood on guard during the nights1 being ready to march in a moment to any place of attack4 ,i had the command of about sixty men who were thus assembled in the ,colesville branch2 and rendezvoused in some log buildings during a very rainy time4 ,it was evening4 ,i was out in the act of posting guards a short distance from the dwellings1 when two men assailed us1 armed with guns and pistols2 and supposing it against our principles to make any defence1 they attacked the guards4 ,i was without arms1 but stepped forward to interfere between them1 when one of them drew his gun backwards1 and1 with both hands1 struck the barrel of it across the top of my head4 ,i staggered back1 but did not fall2 the blood came streaming down my face1 and ,i was for an instant stunned by the blow2 but1 recovering myself1 ,i called help from the house and disarmed them1 and put them under guard till morning4 ,their arms were then restored1 and they let go in peace4 ,the taking of these two men proved a ,preventive against an attack that night4 ,they were the advance of a party of men who were about to come upon the settlement1 but were disconcerted by this means4 ,on the next day1 about sunset1 myself and a ,mr4 ,marsh set out on horseback to visit the ,circuit ,judge at ,lexington1 a distance of some forty miles4 ,we were under the necessity of travelling the most private paths across the country1 in order to avoid our enemies2 but we had a most faithful pilot1 an old resident of the country1 who knew every crook and turn of the different paths4 ,we had ridden but a few miles when it became so excessively dark that we could not see each other1 or distinguish any object4 ,our pilot dismounted several times and tried to feel his way4 ,we were at last compelled to halt for some time1 until it cleared and became a little lighter2 but the rain began to fall in torrents1 and continued all the latter part of the night4 ,we soon became drenched1 and every thread about us perfectly wet2 but still we dare not stop for any refreshment or shelter1 until day dawned1 when we found ourselves forty miles from home and at the door of a friend1 where we breakfasted and refreshed ourselves4 ,we then repaired to ,lexington1 and made oath before ,judge ,ryland of the outrages committed upon us1 but were refused a warrant4 ,the ,judge advised us to fight and kill the outlaws whenever they came upon us4 ,we then returned to the place where we breakfasted1 and1 night coming on1 we retired to bed4 ,having been without sleep for the three previous nights1 and much of the time drenched with rain1 this1 together with the severe wound ,i had received1 caused me to feel much exhausted4 ,no sooner had sleep enfolded me in her kind embrace than a vision opened before me4 ,i was in ,jackson ,county2 heard the sound of firearms and saw the killed and wounded lying in their blood4 ,at this ,i awoke from slumber1 and awaking ,mr4 ,marsh and the family with whom we lodged1 ,i told them that ,i had seen and heard in my dream1 and that ,i was sure a battle had just occurred4 ,next morning we pursued our journey homeward with feelings of anxiety indescribable4 ,every officer of the peace had abandoned us to our fate2 and it seemed as if there was no alternative but for men1 women and children to be exterminated4 ,as we rode on1 ruminating upon these things1 a man met us from ,independence1 who told us there was a battle raging when he left2 and how it had terminated he knew not4 ,this only heightened out feelings of anxiety and suspense4 ,we were every instant drawing nearer to the spot where we might find our friends alive and victorious1 or dead1 or perhaps in bondage1 in the hands of a worse than savage enemy4 ,on coming within four miles of ,independence1 we ventured to inquire the distance at a certain house2 this we did in order to pass as strangers1 and also1 in hopes to learn some news2 the man seemed frightened1 and inquired where we were from4 ,we replied1 from ,lexington4 ,said he1 ,have you heard what has happened8 ,we replied1 ,that we had heard there was some difficulty1 but of all the participants we had not been informed4 ,why1 said he1 the ,mormons have riz1 and have killed six men4 ,we then passed on1 and as soon as we were out of sight we left the road and took into the woods4 ,taking a circuitous route1 through thickets of hazel interwoven with grape vine1 we came in sight of ,independence1 after some difficulty and entanglement1 and advanced towards it2 but seeing parties of armed men advancing towards us1 we wheeled about1 and retreating a distance1 turned again into the woods1 and galloping about a half mile1 reached the tents of our friends4 ,but what was our astonishment when we found our brethren without arms1 having surrendered them to the enemy6 ,the truth was this3 ,the same evening that ,i dreamed of the battle1 a large body of the outlaws had marched to a certain settlement1 where they had before committed many outrages1 and commenced to unroof dwellings1 destroy property1 and threaten and abuse women and children4 ,while some sixty men were thus engaged1 and their horses quietly regaling themselves in the cornfields of the brethren1 about thirty of our men marched upon them1 and drove them from the field4 ,several were severely if not mortally wounded on both sides2 and one young man of the ,church died of his wounds the next day--his name was ,barber4 ,in the battle brother ,philo ,dibble1 of ,ohio1 was shot in the body through his waistband2 the ball remained in him4 ,he bled much inwardly1 and1 in a day or two his bowels were so filled with blood and so inflamed that he was about to die1 or1 rather1 he had been slowly dying from the time he was wounded4 ,the smell of himself had become intolerable to him and those about him4 ,at length ,elder ,newel ,knight administered to him1 by the laying on of hands1 in the name of ,jesus2 his hands had scarcely touched his head when he felt an operation penetrating his whole system as if it had been a purifying fire4 ,he immediately discharged several quarts of blood and corruption1 among which was the ball with which he had been wounded4 ,he was instantly healed1 and went to work chopping wood4 ,he remained an able bodied man1 a hard worker1 and even did military duty for many years after4 ,he is still living in ,davis ,county1 ,utah4 ,the next morning1 ,nov4 #e1 armed men were assembled in ,independence from every part of the county4 ,these joined the outlaws1 and called themselves militia1 and placed themselves under the command of ,lieutenant-,governor ,boggs and a colonel by the name of ,pitcher4 ,thus organized1 manned and officered1 they were a formidable band of outlaws2 capable of murder1 or any other violence or outrage which would accomplish their purpose2 which was to drive the people of the ,church from the county1 and plunder their property and possess their lands4 ,very early the same morning1 several volunteers united their forces from different branches of the ,church and marched towards ,independence1 in order to defend their brethren and friends4 ,when within a short distance from the town they halted1 and were soon informed that the militia were called out for their protection2 but in this they did not place confidence2 for they saw that the armed body congregated had joined with the mobbers and outlaws1 and were one with them to carry out their murderous purposes4 ,on communicating with the leaders1 ,boggs and ,pitcher1 it was found that there was no alternative but for the ,church to leave the county forthwith1 and deliver up their arms1 and certain men to be tried for murder1 said to have been committed in the battle the previous evening4 ,rather than have submitted to these outrageous requirements the saints would willingly have shed their blood2 but they knew that if they resisted this mob1 the lies of the designing and the prejudice of the ignorant would construe their resistance into a violation of law1 and thus bring certain destruction upon them2 therefore1 they surrendered their arms and agreed to leave the county forthwith4 ,the men who were demanded as prisoners were also surrendered and imprisoned1 but were dismissed in a day or two without trial4 ,a few hours after the surrender we arrived at the camp of our brethren on our return from ,lexington4 ,the struggle was now over1 our liberties were gone1 our homes to be deserted and possessed by a lawless banditti2 and all this in the ,united ,states of ,america4 ,the sun was then setting1 and twelve miles separated me from my family2 but ,i determined to reach home that night4 ,my horse being weary ,i started on foot1 and walked through the wilderness in darkness2 avoiding the road lest ,i should fall into the hands of the enemy4 ,i arrived home about the middle of the night1 and furnishing my wife with a horse1 we made our escape in safety4 ,when night again overtook us we were on the bank of the ,missouri ,river1 which divided between ,jackson and ,clay ,counties4 ,here we camped for the night1 as we could not cross the ferry till morning4 ,next morning we crossed the river1 and formed an encampment amid the cottonwoods on its bank4 ,while we thus made our escape companies of ruffians were ranging the county in every direction2 bursting into houses without fear1 knowing that the people were disarmed2 frightening women and children1 and threatening to kill them if they did not flee immediately4 ,at the head of one of these parties appeared the ,rev4 ,isaac ,mc,coy 7a noted ,baptist missionary to the ,indians71 with gun in hand1 ordering the people to leave their homes immediately and surrender everything in the shape of arms4 ,other pretended preachers of the gospel took part in the persecution--speaking of the ,church as the common enemies of mankind1 and exulting in their afflictions4 ,on ,tuesday and ,wednesday nights1 the #eth and #fth of ,november1 women and children fled in every direction4 ,one party of about one hundred and fifty fled to the prairie1 where they wandered for several days1 mostly without food2 and nothing but the open firmament for their shelter4 ,other parties fled towards the ,missouri ,river4 ,during the dispersion of women and children1 parties were hunting the men1 firing upon some1 tying up and whipping others1 and some they pursued several miles4 ,thursday1 ,november #g4 ,the shore began to be lined on both sides of the ferry with men1 women and children2 goods1 wagons1 boxes1 provisions1 etc41 while the ferry was constantly employed2 and when night again closed upon us the cottonwood bottom had much the appearance of a camp meeting4 ,hundreds of people were seen in every direction1 some in tents and some in the open air around their fires1 while the rain descended in torrents4 ,husbands were inquiring for their wives1 wives for their husbands2 parents for children1 and children for parents4 ,some had the good fortune to escape with their families1 household goods1 and some provisions2 while others knew not the fate of their friends1 and had lost all their goods4 ,the scene was indescribable1 and1 ,i am sure1 would have melted the hearts of any people on the earth1 except our blind oppressors1 and a blind and ignorant community4 ,next day our company still increased1 and we were principally engaged in felling cottonwood trees and erecting them into small cabins4 ,the next night being clear1 we began to enjoy some degree of comfort4 ,about two o'clock the next morning we were called up by the cry of signs in the heavens4 ,we arose1 and to our great astonishment all the firmament seemed enveloped in splendid fireworks1 as if every star in the broad expanse had been hurled from its course1 and sent lawless through the wilds of ether4 ,thousands of bright meteors were shooting through space in every direction1 with long trains of light following in their course4 ,this lasted for several hours1 and was only closed by the dawn of the rising sun4 ,every heart was filled with joy at this majestic display of signs and wonders1 showing the near approach of the coming of the ,son of ,god4 ,all our goods1 were left behind2 but ,i obtained some of them afterwards at the risk of my life4 ,but all my provisions for the winter were destroyed or stolen1 and my grain left growing on the ground for my enemies to harvest4 ,my house was afterwards burned1 and my fruit trees and improvements destroyed or plundered4 ,in short1 every member of the society was driven from the county1 and fields of corn were ravaged and destroyed2 stacks of wheat burned1 household goods plundered1 and improvements and every kind of property destroyed4 ,one of this banditti afterwards boasted to one of the brethren that1 according to their own account of the matter1 the number of houses burned was two hundred and three4 ,the ,saints who fled took refuge in the adjoining counties1 mostly in ,clay ,county1 which received them with some degree of kindness4 ,those who fled to the county of ,van ,buren were again driven and compelled to flee2 and those who fled to ,lafayette ,county were soon expelled1 or the most part of them1 and had to move to wherever they could find protection4 ,when the news of these outrages reached the ,governor of the ,state1 courts of inquiry1 both civil and military1 were ordered by him1 but nothing effectual was ever done to restore our rights1 or to protect us in the least4 ,it is true the ,attorney-,general1 and a military escort under ,colonel1 afterwards ,general ,doniphan1 and our witnesses went to ,jackson ,county and demanded indictments2 but the court refused to do anything in the case1 and the military1 ,attorney-,general and witnesses were mobbed out of the county2 and thus that matter ended4 ,the ,governor also ordered them to restore the arms of which they robbed us1 but they never were restored4 ,even our lands were robbed of their timber1 and either occupied by our enemies for years or left desolate4 ,soon after ,jackson ,county had rebelled against the laws and constitution of the ,general and ,state governments1 several of the adjacent counties followed the example1 by justifying her proceedings1 and by opposing the ,saints in settling among them4 ,the counties of ,clay1 ,ray1 ,clinton and various others1 held public meetings1 the tenor of which was to deprive the members of our society of the rights of citizenship1 drive them from among them1 and to compel them to settle only in such places as these outlaws should dictate2 and even at that time some of their proceedings went so far as to publicly threaten to drive the whole society from the ,state4 ,the excuses they offered for these outrages were3 ,first3 ,the society were guilty principally of being eastern or northern people4 ,secondly3 ,they were guilty of some slight variations in manners and language from the other citizens of the ,state1 who were mostly from the ,south4 ,thirdly3 ,their religious principles differed in some important particulars from most other societies4 ,fourthly3 ,they were guilty of immigrating rapidly from the different ,states1 and of purchasing large quantities of land1 and of being more enterprising and industrious than their neighbors4 ,fifthly3 ,some of them were guilty of poverty--especially those who had been driven1 from time to time1 and robbed of their all4 ,and1 ,lastly3 ,they were said to be guilty of believing in the present ,government administration of ,indian affairs1 viz3 that the land west of the ,mississippi1 which ,government had deeded in fee simple to the immigrating tribes1 was destined by ,providence for their permanent homes4 ,all these crimes were charged upon our society1 in the public proceedings of the several counties1 and were deemed sufficient to justify their unlawful proceedings against us4 ,the reader may smile at this statement1 but the public journals of ,upper ,missouri in #ahce1 actually printed charges and declarations against us1 of the tenor of the foregoing4 ,by these wicked proceedings our people were once more compelled to remove1 at a great sacrifice of property1 and were at last permitted to settle in the north of ,ray ,county1 where1 by the next legislature1 they were organized into the counties of ,caldwell and ,daviess4 ,here again they exercised the utmost industry and enterprise1 and these wild regions soon presented a more flourishing aspect than the oldest counties of the ,state4 ,in the meantime1 the majority of the ,state so far countenanced these outrages that they actually elected ,lilburn ,w4 ,boggs 7one of the oldest actors in the scenes of ,jackson ,county1 who had assisted in murder and plunder1 and the expulsion of twelve hundred citizens1 in #ahcc7 for ,governor of the ,state1 and placed him in the executive chair1 instead of suspending him by the neck1 between the heavens and the earth1 as his crimes justly merited4 ,this movement may be said to have put an end to liberty1 law and government in that ,state4 ,about this time1 ,colonel ,lucas1 a leader of the banditti1 was elected ,major-,general1 instead of being hung for treason and murder4 ,and ,moses ,wilson1 another leader of the mob1 was elected ,brigadier-,general and others were advanced accordingly4 ,these all very readily received their commissions from their accomplice1 ,governor ,boggs1 and thus corruption1 rebellion and conspiracy had spread on every side1 being fostered and encouraged by a large majority of the ,state2 and thus the treason became general4 ,in the meantime1 our society had greatly increased by a rapid immigration1 and having long felt the withering hand of oppression from so corrupt an administration1 they had endeavored to organize themselves1 both civil and military1 in the counties where they composed the majority1 by electing such officers as they thought would stand for equal rights1 and for the laws and ,constitution of the country4 ,in this way they hoped to withstand the storm which had so long beaten upon them1 and whose black clouds now seemed lowering in awful gloom1 preparing to burst with overwhelming fury upon all who dared to stand for liberty and law4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ------------------------ ,labors in ,clay ,county3--,conference3--,appointment to a ,tedious ,journey3--,a ,case of ,healing3--,arrive at ,kirtland3--,revelation3--,travel ,eastward1 in ,company with ,president ,joseph ,smith3--,conference in ,geneseo3--,pleasing ,reminiscence3--,president ,smith and ,others ,return ,home3--,visit ,sackett's ,harbor3--,crowded ,meeting3--,requested to ,visit the ,sick3--,a ,little ,boy ,healed3--,baptisms1 etc43--,miraculous ,gifts3--,lying ,priests and ,rabble3--,visit my ,parents in ,canaan1 ,n4 ,y43--,return to ,kirtland4 ,as the history of this horrible persecution of the ,church was interwoven with my own1 ,i have traced it for a few years in connection2 in which ,i have of necessity digressed from the main thread of my own personal narrative1 to which ,i mast return4 ,after making our escape into the county of ,clay--being reduced to the lowest poverty--,i made a living by day labor1 jobbing1 building1 or wood cutting1 till some time in the winter of #ahcd1 when a general ,conference was held at my house1 in which it was decided that two of the ,elders should be sent to ,ohio1 in order to counsel with ,president ,smith and the ,church at ,kirtland1 and rake some measures for the relief or restoration of the people thus plundered and driven from their homes4 ,the question was put to the ,conference3 ,who would volunteer to perform so great a journey8 ,the poverty of all1 and the inclement season of the year made all hesitate4 ,at length ,lyman ,wight and myself offered our services1 which were readily accepted4 ,i was at this time entirely destitute of proper clothing for the journey2 and ,i had neither horse1 saddle1 bridle1 money nor provisions to take with me2 or to leave with my wife1 who lay sick and helpless most of the time4 ,under these circumstances ,i knew not what to do4 ,nearly all had been robbed and plundered1 and all were poor4 ,as we had to start without delay1 ,i almost trembled at the undertaking2 it seemed to be all but an impossibility2 but to him that believeth all things are possible4 ,i started out of my house to do something towards making preparation2 ,i hardly knew which way to go1 but ,i found myself in the house of brother ,john ,lowry1 and was intending to ask him for money2 but as ,i entered his miserable cottage in the swamp1 amid the low1 timbered bottoms of the ,missouri river1 ,i found him sick in bed with a heavy fever1 and two or three others of his family down with the same complaint1 on different beds in the same room4 ,he was vomiting severely1 and was hardly sensible of my presence4 ,i thought to myself1 well1 this is a poor place to come for money1 and yet ,i must have it2 ,i know of no one else that has got it2 what shall ,i do8 ,i sat a little while confounded and amazed4 ,at length another ,elder happened in2 at that instant faith sprung up in my heart2 the ,spirit whispered to me1 is there anything too hard for the ,lord8 ,i said to the ,elder that came in3 ,brother1 ,i am glad you have come2 these people must be healed1 for ,i want some money of them1 and must have it4 ,we laid hands on them and rebuked the disease2 brother ,lowry rose up well2 ,i did my errand1 and readily obtained all ,i asked4 ,this provided in part for my family's sustenance while ,i should leave them4 ,i went a little further into the woods of the ,missouri bottoms1 and came to a camp of some brethren1 by the name of ,higbee1 who owned some horses2 they saw me coming1 and1 moved by the ,spirit1 one of them said to the other1 there comes brother ,parley2 he's in want of a horse for his journey--,i must let him have old ,dick2 this being the name of the best horse he had4 ,yes1 said ,i1 brother1 you have guessed right2 but what will ,i do for a saddle8 ,well1 says the other1 ,i believe ,i'll have to let you have mine4 ,i blessed them and went on my way rejoicing4 ,i next called on ,sidney ,a4 ,gilbert1 a merchant1 then sojourning in the village of ,liberty--his store in ,jackson ,county having been broken up1 and his goods plundered and destroyed by the mob4 ,well1 says he1 brother ,parley1 you certainly look too shabby to start a journey2 you must have a new suit2 ,i have got some remnants left that will make you a coat1 etc4 ,a neighboring tailoress and two or three other sisters happened to be present on a visit1 and hearing the conversation1 exclaimed1 ,yes1 brother ,gilbert1 you find the stuff and we'll make it up for him4 ,this arranged1 ,i now lacked only a cloak2 this was also furnished by brother ,gilbert4 ,brother ,wight was also prospered in a similar manner in his preparations4 ,thus faith and the blessings of ,god had cleared up our way to accomplish what seemed impossible4 ,we were soon ready1 and on the first of ,february we mounted our horses1 and started in good cheer to ride one thousand or fifteen hundred miles through a wilderness country4 ,we had not one cent of money in out pockets on starting4 ,we travelled every day1 whether through storm or sunshine1 mud1 rain or snow2 except when our public duties called us to tarry4 ,we arrived in ,kirtland early in the spring1 all safe and sound2 we had lacked for nothing on the road1 and now had plenty of funds in hand4 ,president ,joseph ,smith and the ,church in ,kirtland received us with a hospitality and joy unknown except among the ,saints2 and much interest was felt there1 as well as elsewhere1 on the subject of our persecution4 ,the ,president inquired of the ,lord concerning rite matter1 and a further mission was appointed us499 ,in fulfillment of which we continued our journey eastward1 in connection with ,president ,joseph ,smith1 ,s4 ,rigdon1 ,hyrum ,smith1 ,frederick ,g4 ,williams1 ,orson ,hyde and ,orson ,pratt4 ,footnote 99,see ,revelation1 ,book of ,doctrine and ,covenants1 ,section #aja4 ,we journeyed two and two in different routes visiting the churches and instructing the people as we travelled4 ,president ,joseph ,smith and myself journeyed together4 ,we had a pleasant and prosperous mission among the churches1 and some very interesting times in preaching to the public4 ,we visited ,freedom1 ,catteraugus ,county1 ,n4 ,y42 tarried over ,sunday1 and preached several discourses1 to which rite people listened with great interest2 we were kindly and hospitably entertained among them4 ,we baptized a young man named ,heman ,hyde2 his parents were ,presbyterians1 and his mother1 on account of the strength of her traditions1 thought that we were wrong1 and told me afterwards that she would much rather have followed him to an earthly grave than to have seen him baptized4 ,soon afterwards1 however1 herself1 her husband1 and the rest of the family1 with some thirty or forty others1 were all baptized and organized into a branch of the ,church--called the ,freedom branch --from which nucleus the light spread and souls were gathered into the fold in all the regions round4 ,thus mightily grew the word of ,god1 or the seed sown by that extraordinary personage1 the ,prophet and ,seer of the nineteenth century4 ,as we journeyed day after day1 and generally lodged together1 we had much sweet communion concerning the things of ,god and the mysteries of ,his kingdom1 and ,i received many admonitions and instructions which ,i shall never forget4 ,arriving in ,geneseo1 we met with the other ,elders who had started from ,kirtland on the same mission1 and with others who were local1 and held a general ,conference4 ,among those whose hospitality we shared in that vicinity was old father ,beeman and his amiable and interesting family4 ,he was a good singer and so were his three daughters2 we were much edified and comforted in their society1 and were deeply interested in hearing the old gentleman and brother ,joseph converse on their early acquaintance and history4 ,he had been intimate with ,joseph long before the first organization of the ,church2 had assisted him to preserve the plates of the ,book of ,mormon from the enemy1 and had at one time had them concealed under his own hearth4 ,at this ,conference we had an interesting time2 public meetings were convened2 multitudes assembled to hear1 and ,presidents ,joseph ,smith and ,s4 ,rigdon addressed the crowds in great plainness of speech with mighty power4 ,at the close of this ,conference we again parted company1 ,president ,smith and most of the ,elders returned home to ,kirtland4 ,i then journeyed in connection with a young ,elder1 named ,h4 ,brown1 as far as ,henderson ,county1 in northern ,new ,york1 where lived ,elder ,brown's father1 and where there was quite a branch of the ,church4 ,i visited with them for a few days1 resting from my toils and ministering among them4 ,taking leave of these friends1 ,i went to ,sackett's ,harbor1 where all were yet strangers to the fullness of the gospel4 ,leaving an appointment at a hotel that ,i would return in a few days thence1 and address the people wherever they saw fit to assemble1 ,i crossed over the bay to a country neighborhood1 called ,pillar ,point4 ,in this neighborhood there had been some preaching by our ,elders2 but no branch of the ,church organized1 though there had been one or two instances of healing1 and some few were believing4 ,here ,i appointed a meeting for evening in a school house2 it was crowded full of people2 indeed1 all could not get in4 ,as the meeting closed a man named ,william ,cory stepped forward1 and earnestly begged of me to go home with him and minister to his wife1 as she was lying at the point of death in consequence of a lingering sickness1 not having risen up in her bed for six days without swooning or going into fits4 ,he further said that he was worn out by being up with her every night1 and that his neighbors were weary with watching1 and it was doubted whether she could survive through the night without relief4 ,the ,spirit would not suffer me to go with him that night1 but ,i promised to call in the morning4 ,at this many voices were heard1 saying3 ,yes1 yes1 there's a case in hand2 let him heal her and we'll all believe4 ,others exclaimed3 ,i wonder if she'll be at his meeting tomorrow6 ,we shall see1 and if so1 we'll all believe4 ,expressions like these1 joined with my own weakness1 only tended to dampen my courage and confidence in the case4 ,i went home with a friend who invited me to partake of his hospitality for the night4 ,as we entered his house1 we found one of his children very sick with a violent pain in the head1 to which it had been subject from its birth1 and which came at regular periods1 and was never relieved till it gathered and broke at his ear--so said his parents4 ,the little fellow was rolling from side to side in his bed1 an screeching and screaming with pain4 ,i stepped to the bedside1 and laid my hands upon his head in the name of ,jesus ,christ2 he was instantly made whole and went to sleep4 ,next morning he got up well1 and continued so2 he said that the pain all left him as soon as my hands touched his head4 ,in the morning1 before ,i arose1 ,i had a vision1 as follows3 ,i saw a log house1 and entered it through a door at the northwest corner2 in the northeast corner lay a woman sick in bed2 in the southeast corner was a small door opening into an adjoining room1 and near it a stairway1 where stood a ladder2 the fireplace being in the south end4 ,as ,i entered the house and laid my hands on the woman1 she rose up and was made whole2 the house being crowded1 she took her seat near the fire and under the ladder1 or near by it1 and she praised ,god with a shout of glory1 clapping her hands for joy and exclaimed3 ,thank ,god1 ,i'm every whit whole4 ,i awoke from my vision and related the same to the family where ,i stayed4 ,the man harnessed his horses1 and with seven or eight persons in the wagon1 including myself1 we started for meeting1 intending to call and see ,mrs4 ,cory on our way1 as ,i had appointed the previous evening4 ,on alighting at her house ,i saw it was the same that ,i had seen in the vision2 there were the doors1 the stairway1 ladder1 fireplace1 bed1 and sick woman1 just as ,i had seen and described4 ,i laid my hands upon the woman1 and said3 ,in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 be thou made whole this instant4 ,i then commanded her to arise and walk4 ,her husband burst into tears2 the people looked surprised2 but the woman arose and walked to the fire1 and happened to take her seat near the ladder1 as ,i had related in the vision before ,i saw her4 ,she then clapped her hands for joy1 gave a shout of ,glory to ,god in the highest1 and testified that she was every whit whole4 ,we invited her to accompany us to the meeting2 she immediately made ready1 walked out1 helped herself into the wagon1 and rode some two miles over a very rough road4 ,she then got out of the wagon1 and walked with a strong and quick step into the meeting1 where she sat till the discourse was over2 when she arose and testified what the ,lord had done for her4 ,she then rode home1 and was baptized in connection with several others1 who came forward and obeyed the fullness of the gospel4 ,we afterwards laid our hands on them for the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 when it fell upon them in great power1 insomuch that all in the room felt its power and influence and glorified ,god2 some spake in tongues1 others prophesied and bore testimony to the truth4 ,the next evening ,i went over to ,sackett's ,harbor in order to preach2 many of the people from ,pillar ,point1 who had witnessed these things1 went with me1 and1 among others1 ,mr4 ,cory with his wife1 who had been so miraculously healed4 ,a great rabble came out to hear1 or rather to disturb the meeting2 and among others1 some half dozen clergymen of different orders1 who were loud in their challenges and calls for miracles2 give us a miracle--we want a miracle--heal the sick--raise the dead1 and then we'll believe4 ,the lying1 rage1 and confusion excited by these wicked spirits1 broke up the meeting1 and ,i had much ado to get out of the crowd without being stoned or torn to pieces4 ,after tarrying a few days in this region1 ,i took leave and continued my journey as far as ,columbia ,county1 east of the ,hudson4 ,i arrived at my ,aunt ,van ,cott's1 and found them all well2 paid a visit to my father and mother2 gave them money sufficient to enable them to remove to ,kirtland1 ,ohio1 and then commenced my return4 ,i had started from the frontiers of ,missouri and ridden on horseback fifteen hundred miles4 ,as ,i returned towards the ,west1 ,i came to the town of ,freedom1 ,catteraugus ,county1 ,n4 ,y41 where ,president ,joseph ,smith and myself had preached on our outward journey1 a few weeks previously1 and where we had baptized a young man by the name of ,heman ,hyde1 as the first fruits in that place4 ,as ,i called for the night1 ,i found that a large church had been gathered during my absence1 consisting of some forty members or more1 principally through the labors of my brother ,orson4 ,the new members1 and the people in general1 rejoiced to see me1 and aided me on my journey2 and ,heman ,hyde accompanied me to ,kirtland1 where we arrived the latter part of ,april1 and were kindly and hospitably entertained by ,president ,joseph ,smith4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ------------------------ ,an ,army3--,a ,long ,march3--,recruits3--,a ,voice3--,camp ,arrives in ,missouri3--,delegation to the ,governor3--,interview3--,return to ,camp3--,council3--,great ,storm and ,flood3--,a ,battle ,providentially ,prevented3--,cholera3--,army ,disbanded3--,sudden ,destruction3--,labor with my ,hands3--,journey to ,ohio3--,labor and ,ministry3--,accusations3--,repair to ,kirtland3--,interview with the ,president3--,his ,action on the ,matter3--,calling and ,ordination of a ,quorum of ,twelve ,apostles3--,my ,ordination1 ,blessing and ,charge3--,charge to the ,quorum4 ,it was now the first of ,may1 #ahcd1 and our mission had resulted in the assembling of about two hundred men at ,kirtland1 with teams1 baggage1 provisions1 arms1 etc41 for a march of one thousand miles1 for the purpose of carrying some supplies to the afflicted and persecuted ,saints in ,missouri1 and to reinforce and strengthen them2 and1 if possible1 to influence the ,governor of the ,state to call out sufficient additional force to cooperate in restoring them to their rights4 ,this little army was led by ,president ,joseph ,smith in person4 ,it commenced its march about the first of ,may1 passing through ,ohio1 ,indiana1 and ,illinois1 it entered ,missouri some time in ,june4 ,i was chiefly engaged as a recruiting officer1 and1 not being much with the camp1 can give but little of its history4 ,i visited branches of the ,church in ,ohio1 ,indiana1 ,illinois and ,missouri1 and obtaining what men and means ,i could1 fell in with the camp from time to time with additional men1 arms1 stress and money4 ,on one occasion1 ,i had travelled all night to overtake the camp with some men and means1 and having breakfasted with them and changed horses1 ,i again started ahead on express to visit other branches1 and do business to again overtake them4 ,at noon ,i had turned my horse loose from the carriage to feed on the grass in the midst of a broad1 level plain4 ,no habitation was near2 stillness and repose reigned about me2 ,i sank down overpowered with a deep sleep1 and might have lain in a state of oblivion till the shades of night had gathered about me1 so completely was ,i exhausted for want of sleep and rest2 but ,i had only slept a few moments till the horse had grazed sufficiently1 when a voice1 more loud and shrill than ,i have ever before heard1 fell on my ear1 and thrilled through every part of my system2 it said3 ,parley1 it is time to be up and on your journey4 ,in the twinkling of an eye ,i was perfectly aroused2 ,i sprang to my feet so suddenly that ,i could not at first recollect where ,i was1 or what was before me to perform4 ,i related the circumstance afterwards to brother ,joseph ,smith1 and he bore testimony that it was the angel of the ,lord who went before the camp1 who found me overpowered with sleep1 and thus awoke me4 ,arriving in the ,allred settlement1 near ,salt ,river1 ,missouri1 where there was a large branch of the ,church1 the camp rested a little1 and despatched ,elder ,orson ,hyde and myself to ,jefferson ,city1 to request of ,his ,excellency1 ,governor ,daniel ,dunklin1 a sufficient military force1 with orders to reinstate the exiles1 and protect them in the possession of their homes in ,jackson ,county4 ,we had an interview with the ,governor1 who readily acknowledged the justice of the demand1 but frankly told us he dare not attempt the execution of the laws in that respect1 for fear of deluging the whole country in civil war and bloodshed4 ,he advised us to relinquish our rights1 for the sake of peace1 and to sell our lands from which we had been driven4 ,to this we replied with firmness1 that we would hold no terms with land pirates and murderers4 ,if we could not be permitted to live on lands which we had purchased of the ,united ,states1 and be protected in our persons and rights1 our lands would1 at least1 make a good burying ground1 on which to lay out bones2 and1 like ,abraham's possession in ,canaan1 we should hold on to our possessions in the county of ,jackson1 for this purpose1 at least4 ,he replied that he did not blame us in the least1 but trembled for the country1 and dare not carry out the plain1 acknowledged and imperative duties of his office4 ,we retired1 saying to ourselves3 ,that poor coward ought1 in duty1 to resign2 he owes this1 morally at least1 in justice to his oath of office4 ,we returned to the camp1 which was then on the march1 somewhere below the county of ,ray4 ,president ,joseph ,smith1 his brother ,hyrum1 ,l4 ,wight and others1 repaired with us into a solitary grove1 apart1 to learn the result of our mission4 ,after hearing our report1 the ,president called on the ,god of our fathers to witness the justice of our cause and the sincerity of our vows1 which we engaged to fulfill1 whether in this life or in the life to come4 ,for1 as ,god lives1 truth1 justice and innocence shall triumph1 and iniquity shall not reign4 ,pursuing our journey1 we arrived at ,fishing ,river1 ,ray ,county1 and encamped for the night on a hill between its forks4 ,this stream was then about six inches deep in each of its branches where the road crossed it4 ,we had but just camped1 when there arose such a storm as has been seldom witnessed on our earth2 the wind blew1 the vivid lightning flashed1 the thunder rolled1 the earth trembled1 and the floods descended in a manner never before witnessed by us4 ,our tents were blown down1 and some of us lay six or eight inches deep in water4 ,there was a large meeting house there with the door open1 into which many of us gathered for shelter1 after being nearly drowned4 ,next morning the fords of ,fishing ,river were said to be twenty to forty feet deep4 ,we afterwards learned that an army of outlaws were in our neighborhood1 and would have attacked us that night but for the storm2 the floods in the river each side of us prevented a hostile meeting1 until certain citizens made the acquaintance of our leaders1 and learned their intentions4 ,thus the excitement was allayed1 and the outlaws finally disbanded4 ,about this time1 owing to some murmurings and insubordination in the camp1 the cholera broke out among them1 in fulfillment of the word of the ,lord1 by the mouth of ,his servant ,joseph1 and resulted in the death of some fifteen or twenty of the camp1 or of others connected with the ,saints4 ,finally1 the camp was by the word of the ,lord1 disbanded1 some remained as settlers in that country1 and others returned to their homes and families in ,ohio4 ,i left the camp at ,fishing ,river1 and arrived home in ,clay ,county1 where my family resided1 late in ,july4 ,i found my wife still afflicted1 and on account of long sickness1 reduced greater poverty than before1 and ,i was somewhat embarrassed with debts on account of her board1 etc41 while ,i was absent4 ,about the time of the arrival of the camp at ,fishing ,river1 the mob of ,jackson ,county sent a committee to twelve of their leaders1 to confer with the authorities of the exiled ,church in ,clay ,county1 to make proposals for the settlement of the whole matter1 by purchasing the lands from which they had been driven4 ,the ,saints would not sell their lands to their murderers and the land pirates who had driven and plundered them2 therefore the mob's representatives were unsuccessful4 ,as this committee of twelve returned1 and were crossing the ,missouri ,river at evening1 their boat sank in an instant in the middle of the stream1 and only about half of the committee ever reached the shore alive4 ,brother ,joseph said it was the angel of the ,lord who sank the boat4 ,having no means of support except by the labor of my hands1 ,i now commenced again to exert myself at hard labor4 ,in this ,i continued till ,october of the same year1 when1 being counselled by the ,presidency to remove to ,ohio1 ,i started a journey of one thousand miles with my wife1 in a wagon drawn by two horses4 ,we had not a single dollar in money1 but we trusted in ,god1 and lacked for nothing4 ,during this journey my wife continued in a very feeble state of health4 ,after a journey of near one thousand miles1 we arrived at ,new ,portage1 fifty miles from ,kirtland1 early in the winter1 and finding a large society of the ,saints who welcomed us among them1 we stopped for the winter4 ,i now commenced to preach1 both in that place and in all the region round1 to multitudes who turned out to hear the ,word4 ,many embraced the gospel1 and enjoyed the gifts of ,god2 instances of healing were of almost daily occurrence1 and the people waxed strong in the faith and in the gifts and power of ,god4 ,i also labored with my hands with all diligence1 when time would permit2 thus the winter passed away4 ,while laboring here1 letters were received from ,w4 ,w4 ,phelps1 then ,president of the ,church in ,missouri1 suspending my papers because ,i had gone away in debt2 which debt had been contracted in behalf of my sick wife while ,i had been away in the service of the ,conference1 as recorded in the previous chapter4 ,i had once offered the money on the same1 but the person to whom it was due1 in view of my public services1 refused to take it2 nevertheless1 ,president ,phelps now censured me severely1 observing in his letter that such conduct was not the way of the pure in heart4 ,under this censure ,i ceased to officiate1 at which both the ,church and people in general in and about ,new ,portage were much grieved4 ,in the fore part of ,february1 #ahce1 ,i repaired to ,kirtland1 laid the case before ,president ,smith1 with my defence in writing1 in which is stated the true circumstances4 ,i proceeded to plead the injustice of the accusation1 when the ,president arose to his feet1 lifted his hand to heaven1 and with a voice1 and energy1 and power of the ,holy ,spirit which thrilled the inmost soul1 and would have raised the dead1 he exclaimed3 ,brother ,parley1 ,god bless you1 go your way rejoicing1 preach the gospel1 fill the measure of your mission1 and walk such things under your feet2 it was a trick of ,satan to hinder your usefulness2 ,god ,almighty shall be with you1 and nothing shall stay your hand4 ,i was comforted1 encouraged1 filled with new life1 thanking ,god that there was one noble spirit on the earth who could discern justice equity1 appreciate the labors of others1 and had boldness of soul to judge and act accordingly4 ,in accordance with one of the early revelations to the ,church concerning the calling and ordination of ,twelve ,apostles199 this ,quorum was now being filled4 ,among those chosen for this high and holy calling was my brother ,orson and myself4 ,he being still absent1 and the other members having been already ordained1 a meeting was convened at ,kirtland1 and very numerously attended1 in which1 on the #bast day of ,february1 #ahce1 ,i took the oath and covenant of apostleship1 and was solemnly set apart and ordained to that office2 and as a member of that quorum under the hands of ,joseph ,smith1 ,oliver ,cowdery and ,david ,whitmer2 the minutes of which in the ,church ,history are as follows3 ,footnote 99,see ,revelation1 ,book of ,doctrine and ,covenants1 ,section #dc4 ,kirtland1 ,february #bast1 #ahce4 ,pursuant to adjournment1 a meeting of the ,church was held1 and1 after prayer by ,president ,david ,whitmer1 and a short address by ,president ,oliver ,cowdery to the congregation1 ,elder ,parley ,p4 ,pratt was called to the stand1 and ordained one of the ,twelve by ,president ,joseph ,smith1 ,jr41 ,david ,whitmer and ,oliver ,cowdery4 ',o1 ,lord1 smile from heaven upon this thy servant2 forgive his sins1 sanctify his heart1 and prepare him to receive the blessing4 ,increase his love for thee and for thy cause2 increase his intelligence1 communicate to him all that wisdom1 that prudence and that understanding which he needs as a minister of righteousness1 and to magnify the apostleship whereunto he is called4 ,may a double portion of that ,spirit which was communicated to the disciples of our ,lord and ,saviour1 to lead them to all truth1 rest down upon him1 and go with him where he goes1 that nothing shall prevail against him2 that he may be delivered from prisons1 from the power of his enemies1 and from the adversary of all righteousness4 ,may he be able to mount up on wings as an eagle2 to run and not be weary1 to walk and not to faint2 may he have great wisdom and intelligence1 and be able to lead thine elect through this thorny maze4 ,let sickness and death have no power over him2 let him be equal with his brethren in bringing many sons and daughters to glory1 and many nations to a knowledge of the truth4 ,great blessings shall rest upon thee2 thy faith shall increase1 thou shalt have great power to prevail4 ,the veil of the heavens shall be rolled up1 thou shalt be permitted to gaze within it1 and receive instructions from on high4 ,no arm that is formed and lifted against thee shall prosper1 no power shall prevail1 for thou shalt have power with ,god1 and shalt proclaim ,his gospel4 ,thou wilt be afflicted1 but thou shalt be delivered1 and conquer all thy foes4 ,thine office shall never be taken from thee1 thou shalt be called great1 angels shall carry thee from place to place4 ,thy sins are forgiven1 and thy name written in the ,lamb's ,book of ,life2 even so4 ,amen4' ,,charge ,,given ,,by ,,oliver ,,cowdery ,,to ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt ,i am aware1 dear brother1 that the mind naturally claims something new2 but the same thing rehearsed frequently profits us4 ,you will have the same difficulties to encounter in fulfilling this ministry that the ancient ,apostles had4 ,you have enlisted in a cause that requires your whole attention2 you ought1 therefore1 to count the cost2 and to become a polished shaft1 you must be sensible1 requires the labor of years1 and your station requires a perfect polish4 ,it is required not merely to travel a few miles in the country1 but in distant countries2 you must endure much toil1 much labor1 and many privations to become perfectly polished4 ,your calling is not like that of the husbandman1 to cultivate a stinted portion of the planet on which we dwell1 and when ,heaven has given the former and the latter rain1 and mellow autumn ripened his fruits1 gather it in1 and congratulate himself for a season in the remission of his toils1 while he anticipates his winter evenings of relaxation and fireside enjoyments4 ,but1 dear brother1 it is far otherwise with you4 ,your labor must be incessant1 and your toil great2 you must go forth and labor till the great work is done4 ,it will require a series of years to accomplish it2 but you will have this pleasing consolation1 that your ,heavenly ,father requires it2 the field is ,his2 the work is ,his2 and ,he will not only cheer you1 animate you1 and buoy you up in your pilgrimage1 in your arduous toils2 but when your work is done and your labor o'er1 he will take you to himself4 ,but before this consummation of your felicity1 bring your mind to bear upon what will be imperiously required of you to accomplish the great work that lies before you4 ,count well the cost4 ,you have read of the persecutions and trials of ancient days4 ,has not bitter experience taught you that they are the same now8 ,you will be dragged before the authorities for the religion you profess2 and it were better not to set out than to start1 look back1 or shrink when dangers thicken upon1 or appalling death stares you in the face4 ,i have spoken these things1 dear brother1 because ,i have seen them in visions4 ,there are strong dungeons and gloomy prisons for you4 ,these should not appall you4 ,you must be called a good or bad man4 ,the ancients passed through the same4 ,they had this testimony1 that they had seen the ,saviour after he rose from the dead4 ,you must bear some testimony1 or your mission1 your labor1 your toil will be in vain4 ,you must bear the same testimony that there is but one ,god1 one ,mediator2 he that has seen ,him will know ,him1 and testify of ,him4 ,beware of pride2 beware of evil2 shun the very appearance of it2 for the time is coming when1 if you do not give heed to these things1 you will have a fall4 ,among your many afflictions you will have many blessings also2 but you must pass through many afflictions in order to receive the glory that is in reserve for you4 ,you will see thousands who then they first see you1 will know nothing about salvation by ,jesus ,christ2 you shall see a nation born in a day4 ,a great work lies before you1 and the time is near when you must bid farewell to your native land cross the mighty deep1 and sound the tocsin of alarm to other nations kindreds1 tongues and people4 ,remember1 that all your hopes of deliverance from danger and from death will rest upon your faithfulness to ,god2 in ,his cause you must necessarily serve ,him with a perfect heart and a willing mind4 ,avoid strife and vain glory2 think not yourself better than your brethren1 but pray for them as well as for yourself2 and if you are faithful1 great will be your blessings4 ,but if you are not1 your stewardship will be taken from you and another appointed in your stead4 ,elder ,pratt gave his hand to ,president ,o4 ,cowdery1 and said he had received ordination1 and should fulfil the ministry according to the grace given him2 to which the ,president replied3 ',go forth1 and angels shall bear thee up1 and thou shalt come forth at the last day1 bringing many with thee4' ,thomas ,b4 ,marsh and ,orson ,pratt were absent on a mission4 ,elder ,marsh returned to ,kirtland on the #beth of ,april1 and ,elder ,pratt on the #bfth1 and received their ordinations and blessing4 ,the following charge was given to the ,twelve by ,president ,o4 ,cowdery3 ,dear ,brethren3 ,previous to delivering the charge1 ,i shall read a part of a revelation4 ,it is known to you that1 previous to the organization of this ,church1 in #ahcj1 the ,lord gave revelations1 or the ,church could not have been organized4 ,the people of this ,church were weak in faith compared with the ancient4 ,those who embarked in this cause were desirous to know how the work was to be conducted4 ,they read many things in the ,book of ,mormon concerning their duty1 and the way the great work ought to be done2 but the minds of men are so constructed that they will not believe without a testimony of seeing or hearing4 ,the ,lord gave us a revelation that1 in process of time1 there should be twelve men chosen to preach ,his gospel to ,jew and ,gentile4 ,our minds have been on a constant stretch to find who these twelve were1 when the time should come we could not tell2 but we sought the ,lord by fasting and prayer to have our lives prolonged to see this day2 to see you2 and to take a retrospect of the difficulties through which we have passed2 but1 having seen the day1 it becomes my duty to deliver to you a charge2 and first1 a few remarks respecting your ministry4 ,you have many revelations put into your hands2 revelations to make you acquainted with the nature of your mission2 you will have difficulties by reason of your visiting all the nations of the world4 ,you will need wisdom in a ten-fold proportion to what you have ever had2 you will have to combat all the prejudices of all nations4 ,he then read the revelation and said3 ,have you desired this ministry with all your hearts8 ,if you have desired it1 you are called of ,god1 not of man1 to go into all the world4 ,he then read again from the revelation what the ,lord said to the ,twelve4 ,brethren1 you have your duty presented in this revelation4 ,you have been ordained to the holy priesthood2 you have received it from those who have their power and authority from an angel2 you are to preach the gospel to every nation4 ,should you in the least degree come short of your duty1 great will be your condemnation2 for the greater the calling the greater the transgression4 ,i1 therefore1 warn you to cultivate great humility1 for ,i know the pride of the human heart4 ,beware1 lest the flatterers of the world lift you up2 beware1 lest your affections are captivated by worldly objects4 ,let your ministry be first4 ,remember1 the souls of men are committed to your charge1 and1 if you mind your calling1 you shall always prosper4 ,you have been indebted to other men in the first instance for evidence2 on that you have acted2 but it is necessary that you receive a testimony from ,heaven for yourselves2 so that you can bear testimony to the truth of the ,book of ,mormon1 and that you have seen the face of ,god4 ,that is more than the testimony of an angel4 ,when the proper time arrives1 you shall be able to bear this testimony to the world4 ,when you bear testimony that you have seen ,god1 this testimony ,god will never suffer to fall1 but will bear you out2 although many will not give heed1 yet others will4 ,you will1 therefore1 see the necessity of getting this testimony from ,heaven4 ,never cease striving till you have seen ,god face to face4 ,strengthen your faith2 cast off your doubts1 your sins1 and all your unbelief1 and nothing can prevent you from coming to ,god4 ,your ordination is not full and complete till ,god has laid ,his hands upon you4 ,we require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone before us2 ,god is the same4 ,if the ,saviour in former days laid his hands on his disciples1 why not in latter days8 ,with regard to superiority ,i mast make a few remarks4 ,the ancient ,apostles sought to be great2 but lest the seeds of discord be sown in this matter1 understand particularly the voice of the ,spirit on this occasion4 ,god does not love you better or more than others4 ,you are to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints4 ,jacob1 you know1 wrestled till he obtained4 ,it was by fervent prayer and diligent search that you have obtained the testimony you are now able to bear4 ,you are as one2 you are equal in bearing the keys of the kingdom to all nations4 ,you are called to preach the gospel of the ,son of ,god to the nations of the earth2 it is the will of your ,heavenly ,father that you proclaim ,his gospel to the ends of the earth1 and the islands of the sea4 ,be zealous to save souls4 ,the soul of one man is as precious as the soul of another4 ,you are to bear this message to those who consider themselves wise2 and such may persecute you2 they may seek your life4 ,the adversary has always sought the life of the servants of ,god2 you are1 therefore1 to be prepared at all times to make a sacrifice of your lives1 should ,god require them in the advancement and building up of ,his cause4 ,murmur not at ,god4 ,be always prayerful2 be always watchful4 ,you will bear with me while ,i relieve the feelings of my heart4 ,we shall not see another day like this2 the time has fully come2 the voice of the ,spirit has come to set these men apart4 ,you will see the time when you will desire to see such a day as this1 and you will not see it4 ,every heart wishes you peace and prosperity2 but the scene with you will inevitably change4 ,let no man take your bishopric2 and beware that you lose not your crowns4 ,it will require your whole souls2 it will require courage like ,enoch's4 ,the time is near when you will be in the midst of congregations who will gnash their teeth upon you4 ,this gospel must roll1 and will roll until it fills the whole earth4 ,did ,i say congregations would gnash upon you8 ,yea1 ,i say nations will gnash upon you2 you will be considered the worst of men4 ,be not discouraged at this4 ,when ,god pours out ,his ,spirit the enemy will rage2 but ,god1 remember1 is on your right hand and on your left4 ,a man1 though he be considered the worst1 has joy1 who is conscious that he pleases ,god4 ,the lives of those who proclaim the true gospel will be in danger2 this has been the case ever since the days of righteous ,abel4 ,the same opposition has been manifest whenever men came forward to publish the gospel4 ,the time is coming when you will be considered the worst by many1 and by some the best of men4 ,the time is coming when you will be perfectly familiar with the things of ,god4 ,this testimony will make those who do not believe your testimony seek your lives2 but there are whole nations who will receive your testimony4 ,they will call you good men4 ,be not lifted up when you are called good men4 ,remember you are young men1 and you shall be spared4 ,i include the other three4 ,bear them in mind in your prayers2 carry their cases to a throne of grace2 although they are not present1 yet you and they are equal4 ,this appointment is calculated to create an affection in you for each other stronger than death4 ,you will travel to other nations2 bear each other in mind4 ,if one or more is cast into prison1 let the others pray for him1 and deliver him by their prayers4 ,your lives shall be in great jeopardy2 but the promise of ,god is1 that you shall be delivered4 ,remember you are not to go to other nations till you receive your endowment4 ,tarry at ,kirtland until you are endowed with power from on high4 ,you need a fountain of wisdom1 knowledge and intelligence1 such as you never had4 ,relative to the endowment1 ,i make a remark or two1 that there be no mistake4 ,the world cannot receive the things of ,god4 ,he can endow you without worldly pomp or great parade4 ,he can give you that wisdom1 that intelligence and that power which characterized the ancient saints1 and now characterizes the inhabitants of the upper world4 ,the greatness of your commission consists in this3 ,you are to hold the keys of this ministry2 you are to go to the nations afar off2 nations that sit in darkness4 ,the day is coming when the work of ,god must be done4 ,israel shall be gathered4 ,the seed of ,jacob shall be gathered from their long dispersion4 ,there will be a feast to ,israel1 the elect of ,god4 ,it is a sorrowful tale1 but the gospel must be preached1 and ,god's ministers rejected2 but where can ,israel be found and receive your testimony and not rejoice8 ,nowhere6 ,the prophecies are full of great things that are to rake place in the last days4 ,after the elect are gathered out1 destruction shall come on the inhabitants of the earth2 all nations shall feel the wrath of ,god1 after they have been warned by the saints of the ,most ,high4 ,if you will not warn them others will1 and you will lose your crowns4 ,you must prepare your minds to bid a long farewell to ,kirtland1 even till the great day come4 ,you will see what you never expected to see2 you will need the mind of ,enoch or ,elijah1 and the faith of the brother of ,jared2 you must be prepared to walk by faith1 however appalling the prospect to human view2 you1 and each of you1 should feel the force of the imperious mandate1 ',son1 go labor in my vineyard1' and cheerfully receive what comes2 but in the end you will stand while others will fall4 ,you have read in the revelation concerning ordination3 ',beware how you ordain1 for all nations are not like this nation2 they will willingly receive the ordinances at your hands to put you out of the way4 ,there will be times when nothing but the angels of ,god can deliver you out of their hands4' ,we appeal to your intelligence1 we appeal to your understanding1 that we have so far discharged our duty to you4 ,we consider it one of the greatest condescensions of our ,heavenly ,father in pointing you out to us1 you will be stewards over this ministry2 you have a work to that no other men can do2 you must proclaim the gospel in its simplicity and purity1 and we commend you to ,god and the word of ,his grace4 ,you have our best wishes1 you have our most fervent prayer1 that you may be able to bear this testimony1--that you have seen the face of ,god4 ,therefore1 call upon ,him in faith and mighty prayer till you prevail2 for it is your duty and privilege to bear such testimony for yourselves4 ,we now exhort you to be faithful to fulfil your calling1--there must be no lack here2 you must fulfil in all things1 and permit us to repeat1 all nations have a claim on you2 you are bound together as the three witnesses were2 you notwithstanding1 can part and meet1 and meet and part again1 till your heads are silvered o'er with age4 ,he then took them separately by the hand1 and said1 ,do you with full purpose of heart take part in this ministry1 to proclaim the gospel with all diligence1 with these your brethren according to the tenor and intent of the charge you have received8 ,each of whom answered in the affirmative4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ------------------------ ,return to ,new ,portage3--,fire3--,return to ,kirtland3--,mob3--,journey ,eastward1 as far as ,maine3--,return to ,boston3--,removal to ,kirtland3--,a ,temple3--,school1 ,endowments1 ,prophecyings1 ,visions1 etc43--,visit from ,brother ,h4 ,c4 ,kimball and ,others3--,my ,wife ,healed and ,blessed3--,a ,remarkable ,prophecy and its ,fulfilment3--,mission to ,canada3--,falls of ,niagara3--,reflections4 ,after this solemn ordinance was completed1 together with the blessings1 charges and instructions connected therewith1 ,i was instructed to prepare for a mission in the coming spring1 in connection with my brethren of the quorum4 ,i now returned home to ,new ,portage1 and began to make preparations for my mission1 but the state of my affairs was such that it seemed almost impossible for me to leave home2 my wife was sick1 my aged mother had come to live with me1 and looked to me for support--age and infirmity having rendered my father unable to do for himself or family4 ,i was also engaged in building a house1 and in other business1 while at the same time ,i was somewhat in debt1 and in want of most of the necessaries of life4 ,under these embarrassed circumstances1 ,i hesitated for a while whether to attempt to perform the mission assigned me1 or stay at home and finish my building and mechanical work4 ,while ,i pondered these things1 with my mind unsettled1 and continued my work1 with a feeling of hesitation whether it was a duty to sacrifice all the labor and expense to which ,i had been in my preparations and unfinished work1 or whether it was a duty to stay and complete it1 ,i was called very suddenly to administer to a brother by the name of ,matthews1 who was taken suddenly and dangerously ill4 ,i found him writhing and groaning in the utmost agony1 being tramped and convulsed in a horrible manner1 while the family were in great consternation1 and weeping around him4 ,i kneeled down to pray1 but in the midst of my prayer we were interrupted by the cry of fire6 fire66 fire666 ,we sprang from our knees1 and ran towards my house1 which was all in a blaze1 being an unfinished1 two story frame building1 open to the fresh breeze and full of shavings1 lumber1 shingles1 etc41 while a family occupied a small apartment of the same1 and no water near4 ,our utmost exertions barely accomplished the removal of the family and their goods2 the building1 tools1 boards1 shingles1 building materials1 all were consumed in a few moments4 ,thus closed all my hesitation2 my works of that nature were now all completed1 and myself ready to fill my mission4 ,one gave me a coat2 another a hat2 a third1 house room2 a fourth1 provisions2 while a fifth forgave me the debts due to them2 and a sixth bade me ,god speed to hasten on my mission4 ,taking an affectionate leave of my family and friends in ,new ,portage1 ,i repaired to ,kirtland1 ready to accompany my brethren4 ,while they made ready ,i paid a visit to an adjoining township called ,mentor2 and visiting from house to house1 ,i attempted to preach to them2 but they were full of lying and prejudice1 and would not hear the ,word4 ,i then appointed a meeting in the open air1 on the steps of a meeting house owned by a people called ,campbellites1 one ,mr4 ,alexander ,campbell being their leader2 they having refused to open the house to me4 ,some came to hear1 and some to disturb the meeting2 and one ,mr4 ,newel soon appeared at the head of a mob of some fifty men and a band of music4 ,these formed in order of battle and marched round several times near where ,i stood1 drowning my voice with the noise of their drums and other instruments4 ,i suspended my discourse several times as they passed1 and then resumed4 ,at length1 finding that no disturbance of this kind would prevent the attempt to discharge my duty1 they rushed upon me with one accord at a given signal1 every man throwing an egg at my person4 ,my forehead1 bosom1 and most of my body was completely covered with broken eggs4 ,at this ,i departed1 and walked slowly away1 being insulted and followed by this rabble for some distance4 ,i soon arrived in ,kirtland1 and was assisted by my kind friends in cleansing myself and clothes from the effects of this ,christian benevolence4 ,all things being in readiness1 and the spring fairly opened1 the ,twelve took their journey down ,lake ,erie1 and landed at ,dunkirk1 in the neighborhood of which we had appointed to hold a conference4 ,the members of the ,church assembled from the region round1 and the people turned out in great numbers4 ,we addressed them in several interesting discourses1 and had good time2 many seemed to receive the ,word with joy1 and some were baptized and added to the ,church4 ,from thence we continued our journey through the ,eastern ,states1 holding conferences in every place where branches of the ,church had been organized1 ordaining and instructing ,elders and other officers2 exhorting the members to continue in prayer and in well doing2 ministering to the sick and instructing the ignorant4 ,we also preached the ,word1 and baptized such as desired to be obedient to the faith2 confirming them by the laying on of hands and prayer in the name of ,jesus ,christ2 thus the ,holy ,ghost and the gifts thereof were shed forth among the people1 and they had great joy4 ,the month of ,august #ahce1 found us in the ,state of ,maine1 and the mission completed4 ,we now returned to ,boston1 and from thence home to ,kirtland1 where we arrived sometime in ,october4 ,after spending a few days in the society of the ,saints in ,kirtland1 ,i repaired to ,new ,portage1 where ,i found my wife and mother in usual health1 and was received with joy by them and the ,saints4 ,i now made preparation and removed to ,kirtland1 in order to be with the body of the ,church at headquarters2 and to improve every opportunity of obtaining instruction4 ,a portion of the ,temple at ,kirtland was now finished1 and schools were opened in several apartments4 ,the ,presidency of the ,church1 the ,twelve1 and many others were organized into a school for the purpose of studying the ,hebrew language4 ,this study1 and the meetings of the several quorums for instruction and endowment1 occupied most of the winter4 ,the ordinances of the priesthood were revealed to a greater extent than had been known among men since the prophets and ,apostles of old fell asleep2 and many were anointed to their holy calling1 and were instructed in principles which were great and glorious in themselves1 and calculated to enlarge the mind and prepare the chosen servants of ,god for the great work before them4 ,many great and marvelous things were prophesied1 which ,i am not at liberty to record1 and many of which have since been fulfilled to the very letter4 ,many persons were carried away in the visions of the ,spirit1 and saw and heard unspeakable things2 and many enjoyed the ministering of angels1 and the gift of healing and of speaking in tongues4 ,spring at length returned1 and the ,elders prepared to take leave of each other1 and to go on their several missions4 ,as to myself1 ,i was deeply in debt for the expenses of life during the winter1 and on account of purchasing a lot1 and building thereon4 ,i1 therefore1 knew not what to do1 whether to go on a mission or stay at home1 and endeavor by industry to sustain my family and pay my debts4 ,it was now ,april2 ,i had retired to rest one evening at an early hour1 and was pondering my future course1 when there came a knock at the door4 ,i arose and opened it1 when ,elder ,heber ,c4 ,kimball and others entered my house1 and being filled with the spirit of prophecy1 they blessed me and my wife1 and prophesied as follows3 ,brother ,parley1 thy wife shall be healed from this hour1 and shall bear a son1 and his name shall be ,parley2 and he shall be a chosen instrument in the hands of the ,lord to inherit the priesthood and to walk in the steps of his father4 ,he shall do a great work in the earth in ministering the ,word and teaching the children of men4 ,arise1 therefore1 and go forth in the ministry1 nothing doubting4 ,take no thoughts for your debts1 nor the necessaries of life1 for the ,lord will supply you with abundant means for all things4 ,thou shalt go to ,upper ,canada1 even to the city of ,toronto1 the capital1 and there thou shalt find a people prepared for the fullness of the gospel1 and they shall receive thee1 and thou shalt organize the ,church among them1 and it shall spread thence into the regions round about1 and many shall be brought to the knowledge of the truth and shall be filled with joy2 and from the things growing out of this mission1 shall the fullness of the gospel spread into ,england1 and cause a great work to be done in that land4 ,you shall not only have means to deliver you from your present embarrassments1 but you shall yet have riches1 silver and gold1 till you will loath the counting thereof4 ,this prophecy was the more marvelous1 because being married near ten years we had never had any children2 and for near six years my wife had been consumptive1 and had been considered incurable4 ,however1 we called to mind the faith of ,abraham of old1 and judging ,him faithful who had promised1 we took courage4 ,i now began in earnest to prepare for the mission1 and in a few days all was ready4 ,i took an affectionate leave of my wife1 mother and friends1 and started for ,canada in company with a brother ,nickerson1 who kindly offered to bear my expenses4 ,after a long and tedious passage in a public coach 7the roads being very bad and the lake not open71 we arrived at the ,falls of ,niagara sometime in the month of ,april1 #ahcf4 ,as this was my first visit to this place it made a deep and awful impression on my mind4 ,we halted a short time to view this wonder of nature1 and to adore that ,god who had formed a world so sublimely grand4 ,the leaping of a mighty river of waters over a perpendicular fall of one hundred and sixty feet1 the foaming and dashing of its white spray upon the rocks beneath2 the rising cloud of mist with its glittering rainbow1 the yawning gulf with its thousand whirlpools2 all conspired to fill the contemplative mind with wonder and admiration1 and with reverence to the ,great ,author of all the wonders of creation2 while its everlasting roar which may be heard for many miles distant1 seemed a lively emblem of eternity4 ,while musing on this spot1 ,i fell into the following train of reflection3 ,o1 ,niagara6 ,generations may pass in long succession2 ages may roll away and others still succeed2 empires may rise and flourish1 and pass away and be forgotten2 but still thy deafening1 thy solemn and awful voice is heard in one eternal roar4 ,the temples of marble may moulder to dust1 the monuments of the great may crumble to decay1 the palaces of kings fall to ruin and their very place become unknown1 their history forgotten in the almost countless ages of antiquity2 and still thy sound is heard in everlasting moan1 as if mourning over the ruins of by-gone years4 ,with deepest eloquence thou seemest to speak in awful pride1 saying3 ,before ,abraham was1 ,i am2 and with mingled feelings of pity and contempt thou seemest to inquire3-- ,where now is ,nimrod's mighty tower8 ,where the ,majestic walls1 the warlike battlements1 ,the splendid palaces1 the hanging gardens ,of ,babylon8 ,where the proud ,nebuchadnezzar1 who1 with ,golden sceptre1 swayed the world1 and made ,the nations tremble8 ,where the proud ,nineveh1-- ,the strong ,thebes1 with its hundred gates8 ,the golden ,tyre1 the splendid ,athens1 the ,majestic ,rome1 with all their works of art-- ,their monuments of fame1 once the pride ,and glory of the world8 ,where the mighty ,pharaoh's1 the terrible ,alexanders1 the invincible ,cesars1 ,the warlike ,hannibal8 ,tyrants in turn4 ,where now the gifted poets1 the splendid ,orators1 the profound philosophers ,of ,greece and ,rome1 whose mighty genius ,hurled royal tyrants headlong from their thrones1-- ,made senates weep or laugh at will1 and ruled ,the nations8 ,they are swept away by time2 ,their beauty1 like the morning flower1 is withered ,their pride and glory gone like leaves of autumn2-- ,their grandest works are fast decaying1 ,mouldering to ruin1 soon to be forgotten4 ,but still my store house is unexhausted1 ,my fountain full and overflowing--my ,solid munitions of rocks stand secure4-- ,my voice as mighty as when the beauteous ,colors of the rainbow first sported in ,the sunbeams3-- ,as when the intelligences of olden worlds ,first gazed with admiration upon my ,expanded waters2 or1 animated at ,the music of my voice joined in the chorus1 ,and all the sons of ,god shouted for joy4 ,but1 boast not1 ,o proud ,niagara6 ,though ,thou mayest withstand the ravages of time1-- ,while countless millions1 swept away with all ,their mighty works1 are lost in following years4-- ,yet there is a voice to speak1 long and loud2 ',tis ,michael's trump1 whose mighty blast shall rend ,thy rocks1 and bow thy lofty mountains in the dust1 ,before whose awful presence thy waters ,blush in retiring modesty2 and in ,respectful silence thou shalt stand in listening ,wonder1 and admire1 while thunders roll ,majestic round the sky1 the lightnings play1-- ,the mountains sink--the valleys rise--till ,earth1 ,restored to its original1 receives ,its final test1 and groans and sighs no more4 ,till then1 weep on1 and let thy voice ascend ,in solemn music to the skies--'tis like ,a funeral dirge--'tis fit to weep o'er the miseries ,of a fallen world in anguish deep4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ------------------------ ,journey ,resumed3--,ministry3--,striking ,answer to ,prayer3--,arrival at ,toronto3--,john ,taylor3--,visit the ,religious ,ministers1 the ,sheriff1 and the ,public ,market1 ,seeking for an ,opening1 but in ,vain3--,secret ,prayer3--,about to leave the ,city--,god ,sends a ,widow to ,receive ,me3--,great ,faith3--,eyes of the ,blind ,opened3--,great ,excitement and ,gainsayings3--,public ,preaching3--,find a ,people ,prepared to ,receive the ,message4 ,leaving our journey for a day or two on foot1 and as the ,sabbath approached we halted in the neighborhood of ,hamilton1 and gave out two or three appointments for meetings4 ,brother ,nickerson now left me to fill these appointments1 and passed on to his home1 in a distant part of the province4 ,i preached to the people1 and was kindly entertained till ,monday morning1 when ,i took leave and entered ,hamilton1 a flourishing town at the head of ,lake ,ontario2 but my place of destination was ,toronto1 around on the north side of the lake4 ,if went by land ,i would have a circuitous route1 muddy and tedious to go on foot4 ,the lake had just opened1 and steamers had commenced plying between the two places2 two dollars would convey me to ,toronto in a few hours1 and save some days of laborious walking2 but ,i was an entire stranger in ,hamilton1 and also in the province2 and money ,i had none4 ,under these circumstances ,i pondered what ,i should do4 ,i had many times received answers to prayer in such matters2 but now it seemed hard to exercise faith1 because ,i was among strangers and entirely unknown4 ,the ,spirit seemed to whisper to me to try the ,lord1 and see if anything was too hard for him1 that ,i might know and trust ,him under all circumstances4 ,i retired to a secret place in a forest and prayed to the ,lord for money to enable me to cross the lake4 ,i then entered ,hamilton and commenced to chat with some of the people4 ,i had not tarried many minutes before ,i was accosted by a stranger1 who inquired my name and where ,i was going4 ,he also asked me if did not want some money4 ,i said yes4 ,he then gave me ten dollars and a letter of introduction to ,john ,taylor1 of ,toronto1 where ,i arrived the same evening4 ,mrs4 ,taylor received me kindly1 and went for her husband1 who was busy in his mechanic shop4 ,to them ,i made known my errand to the city1 but received little direct encouragement4 ,i took tea with them1 and then sought lodgings at a public house4 ,in the morning ,i commenced a regular visit to each of the clergy of the place1 introducing myself and my errand4 ,i was absolutely refused hospitality1 and denied the opportunity of preaching in any of their houses or congregations4 ,rather an unpromising beginning1 thought ,i1 considering the prophecies on my head concerning ,toronto4 ,however1 nothing daunted1 ,i applied to the ,sheriff for the use of the ,court ,house1 and then to the authorities for a public room in the market place2 but with no better success4 ,what could ,i do more8 ,i had exhausted my influence and power without effect4 ,i now repaired to a pine grove just out of the town1 and1 kneeling down1 called on the ,lord1 bearing testimony of my unsuccessful exertions2 my inability to open the way2 at the same time asking ,him in the name of ,jesus to open an effectual door for ,his servant to fulfil his mission in that place4 ,i then arose and again entered the town1 and going to the house of ,john ,taylor1 had placed my hand on my baggage to depart from a place where ,i could do no good1 when a few inquiries on the part of ,mr4 ,taylor1 inspired by a degree of curiosity or of anxiety1 caused a few moments delay1 during which a lady by the name of ,walton entered the house1 and1 being an acquaintance of ,mrs4 ,taylor's1 was soon engaged in conversation with her in an adjoining room4 ,i overheard the following3 ,mrs4 ,walton1 ,i am glad to see you2 there is a gentleman here from the ,united ,states who says the ,lord sent him to this city to preach the gospel4 ,he has applied in vain to the clergy and to the various authorities for opportunity to fulfil his mission1 and is now about to leave the place4 ,he may be a man of ,god2 ,i am sorry to have him depart4 ,mrs4 ,walton3 ,indeed6 ,well1 ,i now understand the feelings and spirit which brought me to your house at this time4 ,i have been busy over the wash tub and too weary to take a walk2 but ,i felt impressed to walk out4 ,i then thought ,i would make a call on my sister1 the other side of town2 but passing your door1 the ,spirit bade me go in2 but ,i said to myself1 ,i will go in when ,i return2 but the ,spirit said3 go in now4 ,i accordingly came in1 and ,i am thankful that ,i did so4 ,tell the stranger he is welcome to my house4 ,i am a widow2 but ,i have a spare room and bed1 and food in plenty4 ,he shall have a home at my house1 and two large rooms to preach in just when he pleases4 ,tell him ,i will send my son ,john over to pilot him to my house1 while ,i go and gather my relatives and friends to come in this very evening and hear him talk2 for ,i feel by the ,spirit that he is a man sent by the ,lord with a message which will do us good4 ,the evening found ,brother ,pratt quietly seated at her house1 in the midst of a number of listeners1 who were seated around a large work table in her parlor1 and deeply interested in conversation like the following3 ,friends3 ,mr4 ,pratt1 we have for some years been anxiously looking for some providential event which would gather the sheep into one fold2 build up the true church as in days of old1 and prepare the humble followers of the ,lamb1 now scattered and divided1 to receive their coming ,lord when ,he shall descend to reign on the earth4 ,as soon as ,mrs4 ,taylor spoke of you ,i felt assured1 as by a strange and unaccountable presentiment1 that you were a messenger1 with important tidings on these subjects2 and ,i was constrained to invite you here2 and now we are all here anxiously waiting to hear your words4 ,pratt3 ,well1 ,mrs4 ,walton1 ,i will frankly relate to you and your friends the particulars of my message and the nature of my commission4 ,a young man in the ,state of ,new ,york1 whose name is ,joseph ,smith1 was visited by an angel of ,god1 and1 after several visions and much instruction1 was enabled to obtain an ancient record1 written by men of old on the ,american continent1 and containing the history1 prophecies and gospel in plainness1 as revealed to them by ,jesus and his messengers4 ,this same ,joseph ,smith and others1 were also commissioned by the angels in these visions1 and ordained to the apostleship2 with authority to organize the ,church1 to administer the ordinances1 and to ordain others1 and thus cause the full1 plain gospel in its purity to be preached in all the world4 ,by these ,apostles thus commissioned1 ,i have been ordained as an ,apostle1 and sent forth by the word of prophecy to minister the baptism of repentance for remission of sins1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ2 and to administer the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 to heal the sick1 to comfort the mourner1 bind up the broken in heart1 and proclaim the acceptable year of the ,lord4 ,i was also directed to this city by the ,spirit of the ,lord1 with a promise that ,i should find a people here prepared to receive the gospel1 and should organize them in the same4 ,but when ,i came and was rejected by all parties1 ,i was about to leave the city2 but the ,lord sent you1 as a widow1 to receive me1 as ,i was about to depart2 and thus ,i was provided for like ,elijah of old4 ,and now ,i bless your house1 and all your family and kindred in ,his name4 ,your sins shall be forgiven you2 you shall understand and obey the gospel1 and be filled with the ,holy ,ghost2 for so great faith have ,i never seen in any of my country4 ,mrs4 ,walton3 ,well1 ,mr4 ,pratt1 this is precisely the message we were waiting for2 we believe your words and are desirous to be baptized4 ,pratt3 ,it is your duty and privilege1 said ,i1 but wait yet a little while till ,i have an opportunity to teach others1 with whom you are religiously connected1 and invite them to partake with you of the same blessings4 ,after conversing with these interesting persons till a late hour1 we retired to rest4 ,next day ,mrs4 ,walton requested me to call on a friend of hers1 who was also a widow in deep affliction1 being totally blind with inflammation in the eyes2 she had suffered extreme pain for several months1 and had also been reduced to want1 having four little children to support4 ,she had lost her husband1 of cholera1 two years before1 and had sustained herself and family by teaching school until deprived of sight1 since which she had been dependent on the ,methodist ,society2 herself and children being then a public charge4 ,mrs4 ,walton sent her little daughter of twelve years old to show me the way4 ,i called on the poor blind widow and helpless orphans1 and found them in a dark and gloomy apartment1 rendered so by having every ray of light obscured to prevent its painful effects on her eyes4 ,i related to her the circumstances of my mission1 and she believed the same4 ,i laid my hands upon her in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 and said unto her1 ,your eyes shall be well from this very hour4 ,she threw off her bandages2 opened her house to the light2 dressed herself1 and walking with open eyes1 came to the meeting that same evening at sister ,walton's1 with eyes as well and as bright as any other person's4 ,the ,methodist ,society were now relieved of their burden in the person of this widow and four orphans4 ,this remarkable miracle was soon noised abroad1 and the poor woman's house was thronged from all parts of the city and country with visitors2 all curious to witness for themselves1 and to inquire of her how her eyes were healed4 ,how did the man heal your eyes8 ,what did he do8--tell us1 ,were questions so oft repeated that the woman1 wearied of replying1 came to me for advice to know what she should do4 ,i advised her to tell them that the ,lord had healed her1 and to give ,him the glory1 and let that suffice4 ,but still they teased her for particulars1 ,what did this man do8 ,how were your eyes opened and made well8 ,he laid his hands upon my head in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 and rebuked the inflammation1 and commanded them to be made whole and restored to sight2 and it was instantly done4 ,well give ,god the glory2 for1 as to this man1 it is well known that he is an impostor1 a follower of ,joseph ,smith1 the false prophet4 ,whether he be an impostor or not1 ,i know not2 but this much ,i know1 whereas ,i was blind1 now ,i see6 ,can an impostor open the eyes of the blind8 ,perhaps1 then1 you intend to be his disciple1 to join the ',mormons8' ,he said nothing to me about joining the ',mormons1' but taught me the gospel1 and bore testimony that ,god had restored its power to the earth4 ,would you like to be partakers thereof8 ,or why do you inquire so earnestly about my eyes being healed8 ,oh1 we are ,john ,wesley's disciples4 ,we are the ,christian ,church4 ,we know ,john ,wesley1 but as to this man1 we know not whence he is4 ,how is this that you know not whence he is1 and yet he hath opened my eyes8 ,did ,john ,wesley open the eyes of the blind8 ,can an impostor do it8 ,ah1 we see how it is4 ,you are determined to forsake the ,christian ,church1 the good old way1 for the sake of these fools1 these weak impostors the ,mormons4 ,well1 farewell4 ,but remember1 you will have no more support from our society1 no more encouragement of any kind2 you shall not even teach a school for us4 ,how then will you live8 ,such contentions and discouragement as these1 poured into the ears of a poor mother from day to day1 together with railings1 lyings1 and various sophistry and slander1 soon caused her to waver1 and like thousands of other poor1 weak mortals1 she shrank back into the net of sectarian delusion1 and was seen by the ,saints no more4 ,in the meantime our meetings commenced at ,mrs4 ,walton's4 ,at first very few attended1 but they gradually increased till her rooms1 and sometimes her yard1 were well filled with attentive hearers4 ,sunday at length arrived1 and1 not wishing to show opposition1 or to set up a separate standard without cause1 ,i appointed no meeting1 but accompanied a friend who invited me to hear a preacher in a certain chapel4 ,after the discourse1 ,i was introduced to the speaker by my friend1 who invited us both to dine at his house4 ,after much interesting conversation1 ,i was invited to accompany them to another meeting1 held at the residence of a ,mr4 ,patrick1 a wealthy1 aristocratic gentleman1 who held an office in the government4 ,in a large apartment1 well furnished1 was soon convened a solemn1 well dressed1 and1 apparently1 serious and humble people1 nearly filling the room4 ,each held a bible1 while ,mr4 ,patrick presided in their midst1 with a bible in his hand and several more lying on the table before him4 ,with one of these ,i was soon furnished1 as was any other person present who might lack this1 apparently1 necessary article4 ,in this manner these people had assembled twice each week for about two years1 for the professed purpose of seeking truth1 independent of any sectarian organization to which any of them might nominally belong4 ,here had assembled ,john ,taylor1 his wife1 ,mrs4 ,walton and some others who now knew me1 although to the president and most of the congregation ,i was entirely unknown1 and1 from my appearance1 was supposed to be some farmer from the country who had dropped in by invitation4 ,meeting was soon opened by singing and prayer in a fervent manner1 after which each one was at liberty to introduce such subject of investigation as he might think proper4 ,john ,taylor arose1 and read in the ,new ,testament the account of ,philip going to ,samaria and preaching the gospel1 and what followed4 ,closing the book1 he remarked that the ,samaritans received the ,word with joy2 and were then baptized1 both men and women2 after which the two ,apostles1 ,peter and ,john1 came from ,jerusalem1 and laid their hands on them in the name of ,jesus1 and prayed that they might receive the ,holy ,ghost2 and they received it1 and spake with tongues1 and prophesied4 ,now1 said he1 where is our ,philip8 ,where is our receiving the ,word with joy1 and being baptized when we believed 8 ,where is our ,peter and ,john8 ,our apostles8 ,where is our ,holy ,ghost by the laying on of hands8 ,where are our gifts of the ,holy ,ghost8 ,echo answers1 where8 ,is this the pattern of the ,christian ,church1 the model for the organization in all after times8 ,if so1 we1 as a people1 have not the ministry1 the ordinances1 the gifts which constitute the ,church of ,jesus ,christ4 ,we are told that we were sprinkled in our infancy1 but this was not baptism2 and if it was1 we neither believed nor rejoiced at the time1 nor did we act in the matter at all1 but were acted upon4 ,how different from the ,samaritans1 who were baptized when they believed1 and received the ,word with joy4 ,again1 ,peter and ,john were commissioned as ,apostles1 and they ministered the ,holy ,spirit by the laying on of hands in the name of ,jesus4 ,instead of which1 we have had ministers commissioned by the ,king and ,parliament of ,england1 or by ,john ,wesley and his successors1 without any pretence of a word from the ,lord or his angels to commission them4 ,again1 the ,samaritans had spiritual gifts4 ,we have none4 ,if1 then1 we differ entirely from the pattern in all things1 what claim have we1 or any of the ,christian world1 to be considered the ,church of ,christ8 ,if we are not members of the ,church of ,christ1 wherein do we differ from the heathen1 whom we affect to despise or pity8 ,we even shudder for nations or individuals grown up without baptism1 while at the same time it would appear that we are all without it1 that we are all heathen1 so far as the ,christian ,church is concerned1 as we have not even the shadow of anything according to the pattern4 ,we cannot boast of even an approach to a base resemblance or counterfeit4 ,what say you to this1 my brethren8 ,the subject now opened gave rise to a most candid investigation4 ,several spoke to the point4 ,some were of the opinion that the principles1 being lost1 were never to be restored4 ,others suggested that it was their privilege to pray that the heavens might be opened and men commissioned by new revelation4 ,others1 again1 hinted that the ,lord might1 perhaps1 have commissioned men already in some part of the world2 and1 if so1 why not pray that he would send them to us4 ,nothing definite was concluded on when the old preacher who invited me arose and said3 ,there is a stranger present who1 perhaps1 might wish to speak4 ,the chairman observed that he was not aware of the presence of a stranger1 but if such was the case he was at liberty1 as were all persons in these meetings1 to make remarks4 ,i arose1 and observed that ,i was a stranger from the ,united ,states2 but not a stranger to the great principles under investigation in this meeting4 ,i was prepared to speak on the subject at some length2 but should not do so then1 as the time had been well occupied and the people edified4 ,my credentials were then presented to the meeting through the chairman1 and a special appointment given out for me at evening4 ,however they might differ as to the means of restoration of the ,christian ,church1 certain it is that they appeared at the close to unite1 with one voice1 in acknowledgment of their destitution4 ,o ,lord1 said the chairman1 in his closing prayer1 we have neither apostles1 visions1 angels1 revelations1 gifts1 tongues1 ordinances1 nor a ,christian ministry2 we acknowledge that we are destitute of everything like the pattern of the true ,church1 as laid down in thy holy ,word1 and we pray thee to send whom thou wilt4 ,at this all seemed to say ,amen1 while tears and sobs attested their sincerity4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ------------------------ ,crowded ,meeting3--,discourse3--,baptize the ,people and ,organize a ,church3--,spread of the ,work3--,first ,visit to the ,country3--,opposition3--,remarkable ,success3--,return to ,kirtland3--,return with my ,wife to ,toronto3--,meetings at ,mr4 ,lamphere's3--,a ,woman ,healed and ,evil ,spirits ,rebuked3--,mr4 ,lamareux3--,a ,meeting3--,a ,challenge3--,discussion ,held in the ,open ,air3--,great ,crowd3--,opening ,propositions by ,elder ,o4 ,hyde3--,result of the ,discussion4 ,in the evening ,mr4 ,patrick's large rooms were crowded to excess with anxious listeners4 ,i then addressed them on the subject they had been investigating4 ,the following is an outline of the discourse1 which occupied from two to three hours3 ,friends1 ,i am aware that the subject now under consideration is one of the most vital importance to the ,christian world1 and1 though it may seem to be new to most persons1 it is familiar to me4 ,i have traced it in all its bearings1 weighed it in every possible light1 and am prepared to impart to others that which1 ,i trust1 will satisfy and enlighten the inquiring mind4 ,it appears from our text1 as well as from the general tenor of the ,new ,testament1 that certain definite principles existed1 which1 acted upon and enjoyed1 constituted the ,christian ,church1 or body of ,christ1 viz3 ,first4 ,an inspired priesthood or apostleship1 authorized to administer salvation in the name of ,jesus4 ,second4 ,faith in their words and testimony on the part of those who heard them4 ,third4 ,reformation of life4 ,fourth4 ,obedience to certain ordinances1 as baptism and the laying on of hands in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 in order to the remission of sins and the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,fifth4 ,the spiritual gifts imparted to the body thus organized1 in order to its edification1 growth and perfection4 ,it may be presumed that every portion of the professed ,christian ,church1 without any exception--,i mean those who admit the ,scriptures to be a record of things as they existed--will readily agree1 that the five principles just named did exist1 and did constitute the ,christian church or body of ,christ4 ,this1 then constitutes the model or pattern of the object of our present search4 ,we have only to compare modern pretenses with this ancient model1 in order to judge of them at once4 ,either the same principles would be required to constitute the body of ,christ in all succeeding ages1 or else the ,new ,testament must cease to be a standard1 and be superseded by a dispensation of later origin2 claiming power to nullify or make void the dispensation of ,jesus ,christ and his ,apostles1 and to introduce another order of things in its stead4 ,this last alternative none are so bold as to claim4 ,all agree that the gospel was a perfect system1 an unchangeable and everlasting covenant1 never to be changed or altered by the ,lord1 and only perverted or altered by man under a severe penalty--a dreadful anathema4 ,in physical matters men are not easily deceived or duped2 for instance1 a man sees or hears an exact description of a human body as existing in the days of ,socrates or ,plato2 it has head1 eyes1 ears1 mouth1 arms1 hands1 legs1 feet1 etc4 ,can an impostor impose upon that man in this age8 ,can he introduce a wild beast1 a fowl1 a serpent1 a man dismembered of his head1 eyes1 ears1 hands1 or feet8 ,could he pass any of these upon his fellow men as constituting the human body2 the model or pattern answering to the former description8 ,no1 he could not4 ,he would be considered out of his senses1 and would be laughed to scorn for attempting such a thing4 ,why1 then1 are we at a loss in judging of the various systems which1 in modern times1 claim to be the church of ,christ8 ,why do we not compare them with the model1 and reject or receive at once8 ,perhaps you will say that such a course leads to consequences and conclusions so awful1 that it opens truths so unwelcome1 that it is natural to shrink from the view2 and1 like the ostrich in the desert1 when pursued too closely1 hides the head and eyes in a false covering1 while the body is exposed to certain destruction4 ,says one1 'if the ancient model or pattern is the standard1 then the veil of modern ,christendom is thrown off1 and the entire world unchristianized--for we nowhere find such a pattern4' ,well1 admit then that there is no ,christian church in existence among men1 and that there has not been for many ages4 ,what then8 is it a truth8 ,if so1 truth will not harm anybody4 ,if the whole world has been for ages wrapped in mystery and deception1 is it not better to find it out now than to continue in ignorance until ,jesus reveals it at the judgment day1 and sinks us in a moment from the highest pinnacle of hope and expectation to despair1 rendered a thousand-fold more painful by a sudden reverse8 ,but suppose1 on opening our eyes to this great discovery1 we search and find our observations and conclusions warranted by the whole tenor of prophetic writ8 ,suppose ,jesus ,christ and his ,apostles and prophets all agree in bearing testimony1 and foretelling the very order of things which we find to exist2 also1 its final end or termination1 and the restoration of his ,church and the reign of his ,saints8 ,would not our own observations of what actually exists1 confirmed by the prophetic declarations of such a host of witnesses1 all testifying that it would be so1 be a double assurance that we had opened our eyes to a snare in time to escape1 and cause us to leap forward with a thrill of joy and faith to that which is to come8 ,we could then exclaim1 in viewing the trumpery1 pomp1 splendor and greatness of ,catholicism1 or the scarcely less false and glaring systems of absurdity and priestcraft under the name of ,protestantism1 in their various forms1 ,o1 thou mystery of iniquity6 thou are at least revealed1 thou who deceivest all nations with thy sorcery1 and with whom the kings of the earth and the nobles and great men have committed fornication1 and lived deliciously2 thy covering is removed1 and the people shall see thy nakedness and abhor thee2 and many shall be ready when the proclamation is made1 ',come out of her1 my people4' ,but suppose1 on the other hand1 we shut our eyes to these truths1 and hug to our bosoms those systems of falsehood and error1 which claim to be of ,christ1 but are not8 ,the result will be a continuance on our part to build up that which the ,lord purposes in due time to tear down1 and to oppose that which the ,lord will send into the world to accomplish his purposes4 ,we would in this case be his enemies1 and be found fighting against him4 ,let us look at the ,jews in the glass of prophecy4 ,our own dear selves not being in the scale1 perhaps we can the more readily discern the equity of the balance1 and afterwards venture to be weighed in the same1 even though both ,jew and ,gentile should be found wanting4 ,for nearly two thousand years we behold the ,jews without a prophet1 inspired priest1 king1 ruler or teacher1 to lead them to light1 to freedom1 or to ,god4 ,no voice form the burning bush2 no thunderings upon ,sinai2 no still small voice whispering of right and salvation2 no call from the eternal throne2 no vision1 angel or dream to light them on their pathway as they wander and are oppressed amid the darkness of ,gentile dominion4 ,their temple is in ruins2 their sacrifices have ceased2 their priesthood is powerless2 while their very city and country is desolate1 or trodden under foot4 ,we say to the ,jew1 why all this8 ,is it not possible that your fathers have rejected the ,messiah and his holy ,apostles and prophets2 and these things been withheld from them in the anger of the ,almighty8 ,o1 no1 says the ,jew1 we are the true church and people of ,god2 revelations1 prophets1 visions1 angels and gifts were only given at first to establish the church of ,israel1 and the canon of ,scripture being complete1 there was no further need of these things2 therefore1 they ceased4 ,now1 you know that this ,jew is mistaken4 ,you pity him4 ,you wonder at his ignorance4 ,you know that when in the days of ,samuel's childhood there was no open vision from the ,lord2 it was because the priesthood1 the proper communication between ,god and the people1 was in transgression4 ,the priests of the house of ,eli were robbing the sacrifices for their own aggrandizement2 and were committing whoredoms with the very women who came there to worship4 ,you also know that when ,king ,saul was no longer favored with revelation1 when the heavens were shut against him1 and the ,lord answered him not1 neither by vision1 angel1 dream1 ,urim and ,thummim1 nor prophet2 it was because the ,lord had forsaken him and had rent the kingdom from him1 and had given it to ,david1 dooming him to destruction1 and withdrawing ,his spirit from him1 abandoning him to a spirit of murder and persecution towards the chosen instruments of the ,almighty4 ,you also know that1 when1 before ,christ1 these gifts had ceased in the ,jewish church 7say from ,malachi to ,john the ,baptist71 there were a multitude of sects1 none of which were right4 ,all had to come on a level and repent1 and be baptized by ,john1 in order to prepare the way of the ,lord4 ,you also know that the ,jews were no longer favored with apostles and inspired men after they had rejected ,christ and his ,apostles1 because they were rejected of the ,lord2 and the kingdom1 according to the words of ,jesus1 was taken from them and given to a people who should bring forth the fruits of the same4 ,you also know that the reason why a ,jew to this day is without these things is1 because his fathers1 eighteen hundred years ago1 rejected them4 ,but the ,jew knows none of these things4 ,he is blinded with the vain and delusive thought that his race1 being the chosen of the ,lord1 must forever remain in favor1 whether they do iniquity or not4 ,why6 exclaims the ,jew1 we dare not for a moment look at things in the light you suggest2 it would disfranchise the whole nation for eighteen centuries1 and count them as aliens from the covenant of their fathers1 and form the commonwealth of ,israel4 ,well1 what if it does8 ,is it not better for them to know the worst in time to mend8 ,now1 let us turn to the ,gentile church4 ,they1 by the ministration of the ,apostles1 received the kingdom of ,god1 and enjoyed its fruits4 ,the natural branches were broken off1 and they were grafted in2 'take heed1' says ,paul1 'for it ,god spared not the natural branches1 take heed1 lest he spare not thee4' ,when the ,gentile church received the kingdom1 and became such1 they were everywhere blessed with the ministry of inspired men1 and were favored with revelations1 visions1 angels and prophets1 as the ,new ,testament bears witness4 ,what became of these things8 ,under what circumstances1 and in fulfillment of what ,scriptures did they cease from among the ,gentiles8 ,the prophet ,daniel1 had foretold of the several powers which would arise and bear rule in the earth4 ,but the ,roman1 the most terrible power of all1 should 'destroy the mighty and the holy people4' ,this power should change the times and the laws1 and wear out the ,saints of the ,most ,holy1 until the end1 when the ,saints should take the kingdom under the whole ,heaven1 and possess it4 ,such in substance is ,daniel's testimony4 ,john1 in his revelations1 bears the same testimony4 ,he predicts that a certain power under the figure of a woman upon a beast1 with ,mystery written upon her forehead1 should have dominion among all nations2 have to do with all kings2 and that all nations should be deceived by her1 and their kings live deliciously with her1 while she would be drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of ,jesus4 ,paul also predicts a time when men 'would not endure sound doctrine1 but would turn away their ears form the truth1 and be tuned unto fables1 heaping to themselves1 teachers4' ,that they would 'have a form of godliness and deny the power4' ,paul also bears testimony that the ,gentiles1 if they abide not in faith1 shall meet with a similar fall as did the ,jews4 ,jesus ,christ speaks of a time when the times of the ,gentiles shall be fulfilled3 their dominion come to an end with great judgment1 and ,jerusalem no longer be trodden under foot by them4 ,now the summary of these things is this3 ,the ,gentiles killed the ,apostles and inspired men4 ,the ,gentiles ceased to bring forth the fruits of the kingdom4 ,the ,gentiles became drunken with the blood of the saints4 ,the ,gentiles destroyed the mighty and holy people4 ,the ,gentiles changed the times1 and laws1 and ordinances of ,god4 ,the ,gentiles turned away their ears from the truth1 and were turned unto fables4 ,the ,gentiles would not endure sound doctrine1 but heaped to themselves teachers4 ,the ,gentiles maintained a form of godliness without its miracles and powers4 ,the ,gentiles were 'full of names of blasphemy1' and mystery was written as a frontispiece on all their institutions4 ,the ,gentiles deceived all nations1 and drew kings and great men into the wake of their mysterious abominations and religious mummeries4 ,the ,gentiles continue to bear rule by these means till the judgments of the ,almighty sweep them from the earth1 and put an end to their dominion2 and ,god restores ,israel and ,jerusalem1 and gives the dominion to his ,saints4 ,how often the ,lord may have restored the priesthood and ordinances1 the true ,church and its gifts to the earth1 among the humble1 is not known4 ,but this much we know1 there would be no peace nor security for men professing such institutions2 they would be either hunted down and destroyed1 or driven to the necessity of secluding themselves in the most secret recesses1 where their history would never come down to us4 ,as ,protestants1 we can make no pretenses to a successive line of apostleship2 for this would imply that we were never ,roman ,catholics2 therefore1 what need of protestation or dissent from that to which we never had belonged8 ,nothing short of a new dispensation--a new revelation to commission apostles as at the first1 could give any religious body a claim1 or a shadow of claim1 to be the ,church of ,jesus ,christ1 or entitle them to the spiritual gifts4 ,such1 my friends1 is the deplorable picture of ,gentile ,christianity as presented before us1 whether we look with the naked eye on facts around us1 or1 aided by the glass of prophecy and history1 review the dim vista of successive generations in the mighty past4 ,yet in the midst of the reign of error and blood there have always been many individuals who desired to know and serve the ,lord4 ,they have desired to see the triumph of truth2 but the time had not come2 they died without the sight2 but they will arise again to enjoy the triumph2 they with us will rejoice when error is overthrown and the ,saints possess the kingdom4 ,i have now reviewed the past1 my friends1 and have shown by what means the ,jews and ,gentiles have lost the peculiar blessings which characterize the ,church of ,god4 ,i have detained you long1 and am1 as yet1 only on the threshold of the great subject before me4 ,in another discourse ,i might draw a brighter picture by setting before you the great and precious promises which ensure to the world a new dispensation in which all these things will be restored1 and the ,church of the ,saints grow1 flourish and triumph in the earth4 ,i must now close by blessing this people who have opened their hearts to listen with such attention4 ,may the blessings of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ and his spirit rest upon you1 that you may receive and know the truth4 ,amen4 ,as ,i finished speaking the unanimous voice was for another meeting1 which was finally given out for the next evening4 ,evening came again4 ,crowds assembled4 ,i then went into detail with a chain of prophecy1 beginning with ,moses and the prophets1 and ending with ,john's revelation2 showing that the latter-day glory was to be ushered in by a new dispensation revealed from heaven2 by the ministration of angels1 and sustained by the marvelous power and gifts of ,god2 till it resulted in the overthrow of all mystery1 darkness1 ignorance and corruption1 and the ushering in of the universal reign of peace and truth4 ,this prophetic review occupied some two or three hours more4 ,i then closed by saying that had ,i time ,i would give them the details of the commencement of this restoration by a new dispensation revealed from the heavens by the angels of ,god1 and in exact and detailed fulfillment of some of the prophecies which ,i had been reviewing4 ,all cried out for another meeting1 which was appointed for the next night4 ,in the third evening ,i related the visions1 manifestations and many of the details of the organization and movements of the ,church of the ,saints4 ,the truth was now plainly before this people1 who had been in so wonderful a manner prepared for its reception1 as predicted by brother ,kimball on my head before leaving home4 ,the man of the house now rejected me1 and the meeting of seekers after truth left his house1 and came and were baptized and held their meetings at the house of the widow ,walton1 who had received me1 and who was now baptized with all her household1 who were of sufficient age to receive the gospel4 ,john ,taylor and his wife1 whose house ,i first entered in ,toronto1 are also baptized4 ,he soon became an assistant in the ministry4 ,this is that same ,john ,taylor who is now one of the ,twelve ,apostles4 ,the work soon spread into the country and enlarged its operations in all that region2 many were gathered into the ,church1 and were filled with faith and love1 and with the ,holy ,spirit1 and the ,lord confirmed the ,word with signs following4 ,my first visit to the country was about nine miles from ,toronto1 among a settlement of farmers1 by one of whom ,i had sent an appointment beforehand4 ,john ,taylor accompanied me--this was before he was baptized--we rode on horseback4 ,we called at a ,mr4 ,joseph ,fielding's1 an acquaintance and friend of ,mr4 ,taylor's4 ,this man had two sisters1 young ladies1 who seeing us coming ran from their house to one of the neighboring houses1 lest they should give welcome1 or give countenance to ,mormonism4 ,mr4 ,fielding stayed1 and as we entered the house he said he was sorry we had come1 he had opposed our holding meeting in the neighborhood2 and1 so great was the prejudice1 that the ,methodist meeting house was closed against us1 and the minister refused1 on ,sunday1 to give out the appointment sent by the farmer4 ,ah6 said ,i1 why do they oppose ,mormonism8 ,i don't know1 said he1 but the name has such a contemptible sound2 and1 another thing1 we do not want a new revelation1 or a new religion contrary to the ,bible4 ,oh6 said ,i1 if that is all we shall soon remove your prejudices4 ,come1 call home your sisters1 and let's have some supper4 ,did you say the appointment was not given out8 ,i said1 sir1 that it was not given out in the meeting house1 nor by the minister2 but the farmer by whom you sent it agreed to have it at his house4 ,come then1 send for your sisters1 we will take supper with you1 and all go over to meeting together4 ,if you and your sisters will agree to this1 ,i will agree to preach the old ,bible gospel1 and leave out all new revelations which are opposed to it4 ,the honest man consented4 ,the young ladies came home1 got us a good supper1 and all went to meeting4 ,the house was crowded2 ,i preached1 and the people wished to hear more4 ,the meeting house was opened for further meetings1 and in a few days we baptized brother ,joseph ,fielding and his two amiable and intelligent sisters1 for such they proved to be in an eminent degree4 ,we also baptized many others in that neighborhood1 and organized a branch of the ,church1 for the people there drank in truth as water1 and loved it as they loved life4 ,after ministering in and about ,toronto for about two months ,i found it necessary to return home1 as some of my debts were pressing1 and we needed a supply of our printed works to circulate among the people4 ,i accordingly gave out word1 in a meeting in ,toronto one ,sun day evening1 that ,i should take boat for home next morning4 ,now all this time ,i had asked no man for money1 nor had ,i explained my circumstances4 ,however1 on shaking hands at the close of the next meeting1 several bank bills were secretly shaken into my hands1 amounting in all to several hundred dollars--including subscriptions for books1 periodicals1 etc4 ,i thanked the ,lord ,god of ,israel for the fulfillment of the first instalment of brother ,kimball's prophecy1 and went on my way rejoicing4 ,on my arrival in ,kirtland ,i was enabled to meet my most urgent debts1 and to get time on the remainder4 ,i found my wife had been healed of her seven years' illness from the time ,brother ,kimball had ministered unto her1 and ,i began to realize more fully that every word of his blessing and prophecy upon my head would surely come to pass4 ,after a pleasant visit with the ,saints1 ,i took my wife with me and returned again to ,toronto1 in ,june1 #ahcf4 ,the work ,i had commenced was still spreading its influence1 and the ,saints were still increasing in faith and love1 in joy and in good works4 ,there were visions1 prophesyings1 speaking in tongues and healings1 as well as the casting out of devils and unclean spirits4 ,one remarkable circumstance1 among many1 ,i will relate in detail3 ,there was living within a short day's journey of ,toronto1 in a certain neighborhood where ,i ministered every two weeks 7for the circuit of my labors had now so much enlarged that ,i had to travel continually from branch to branch and neighborhood to neighborhood71 a man named ,lamphere1 who was noted for being the most irreligious man in all the country2 he and the family were hardly ever known to attend a religious meeting2 they would work on the ,sabbath1 and swear1 curse1 etc4 ,this man and his family were so wrought upon by the power of truth that he opened his house for stated meetings1 which ,i held there regularly every two weeks4 ,he and the family always entertained me with every kindness and every demonstration of hospitality in their power4 ,the people of the neighborhood always turned out to hear1 and seemed to receive the ,word with faith and joy1 but as yet none of them had been baptized1 or joined the ,church of the ,saints4 ,all noticed the change in the ,lamphere family1 and all rejoiced1 and even marvelled at so sudden a reformation in a family so gospel hardened1 as they called it1 though in truth none of them had ever heard the gospel in its power and fullness till my visits commenced there4 ,now there was living in that neighborhood a young man and his wife1 named ,whitney2 he was a blacksmith by trade2 their residence was perhaps a mile or more from this ,lamphere's1 where ,i held my semi-monthly meetings4 ,his wife was taken down very suddenly about that time with a strange affliction4 ,she would be prostrated by some power invisible to those about her1 and1 in an agony of distress indescribable1 she would be drawn and twisted in every limb and joint1 and would almost1 in fact1 be pulled out of joint4 ,sometimes1 when thrown on to the bed1 and while four or five stout men were endeavoring to hold her1 she would be so drawn out of all shape as to only touch the bed with her heels and the back part of her head4 ,she would be bruised1 cramped and pinched1 while she would groan1 scream1 froth at the mouth1 etc4 ,she often cried out that she could see two devils in human form1 who were thus operating upon her1 and that she could hear them talk2 but1 as the bystanders could not see them1 but only see the effects1 they did not know what to think or how to understand4 ,she would have one of these spells once in about twenty-four hours1 and when a period of these spells were over she would lie in bed so lame1 and bruised1 and sore1 and helpless that she could not rise alone1 or even sit up1 for some weeks4 ,all this time she had to have watchers both night and day1 and sometimes four and five at a time1 insomuch that the neighbors were worn out and weary with watching4 ,mr4 ,whitney sent for me two or three times1 or left word for me to call next time ,i visited the neighborhood4 ,this1 however1 ,i had neglected to do1 owing to the extreme pressure of labors upon me in so large a circuit of meetings--indeed1 ,i had not a moment to spare4 ,at last1 as ,i came round on the circuit again1 the woman1 who had often requested to see the man of ,god1 that he might minister to her relief1 declared she would see him anyhow1 for she knew she could be healed if she could but get sight of him4 ,in her agony she sprang from her bed1 cleared herself from her frightened husband and others1 who were trying to hold her1 and ran for ,mr4 ,lamphere's1 where ,i was then holding meeting4 ,at first1 to use her own words1 she felt very weak1 and nearly fainted1 but her strength came to her1 and increased at every step till she reached the meeting4 ,her friends were all astonished1 and in alarm1 lest she should die in the attempt1 tried to pursue her1 and they several times laid hold of her and tried to force or persuade her back4 ,no1 said she1 let me see the man of ,god2 ,i can but die1 and ,i cannot endure such affliction any longer4 ,on she came1 until at last they gave up and said1 ,let her go1 perhaps it will be according to her faith4 ,so she came1 and when the thing was explained the eyes of the whole multitude were upon her4 ,i ceased to preach1 and1 stepping to her in the presence of the whole meeting1 ,i laid my hands upon her and said1 ,sister1 be of good cheer1 thy sins are forgiven1 thy faith hath made thee whole2 and1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i rebuke the devils and unclean spirits1 and command them to trouble thee no more4 ,she returned home well1 went about her housekeeping1 and remained well from that time forth4 ,her neighbors watched to see if the trouble would return upon her1 but1 after a few days they gave up all their fears1 and gave glory to ,god1 saying that the ancient gospel had truly been restored4 ,about seven miles from this place lived a merchant by the name of ,lamareux1 who was a man of extended thought and general information2 he sometimes preached or lectured to the people4 ,this man1 on hearing the strange reports of what was going on1 sent for me4 ,i visited him on a day appointed2 he had shut up his store1 suspended all business1 dressed in his best1 and prepared a dinner1 while at the same time a general meeting of the people was convening in his large barn4 ,he received us cordially1 and after dinner accompanied us to the barn1 where there was1 indeed1 a crowd of some hundreds of anxious listeners4 ,we preached2 after which the old merchant exclaimed to the meeting1 that if this was ,mormonism he was a ,mormon4 ,he pressed us to tarry a few days1 or rather go with him1 to which we consented4 ,so1 next morning he furnished a horse and saddle for himself1 and another for me4 ,we mounted--he leading the way4 ,we travelled through a fine settled country of villages and farms1 where ,i had never been before1 and where they were strangers to ,mormonism and to me1 but well acquainted with him4 ,as we went1 he preached1 saying to every man he met1 and even crying aloud to those at a distance1 and as we halted in each little village3 ,hear ye1 my friends1 the kingdom of ,heaven is restored again to man1 with the gospel in its ancient fullness and power4 ,turn out and hear this stranger who is with me1 and do not gainsay him1 for ,i testify to you that the sick are healed1 the eyes of the blind are opened1 and devils are cast out under his hand in the name of ,jesus4 ,and if you do not believe it we can give you names and particulars1 and prove it by scores and hundreds of witnesses4 ,the more ,i tried to keep him still the more he proclaimed these things4 ,leaving a chain of appointments1 we travelled as far as ,scarborough1 and1 preaching there1 we returned the next day and filled the chain of appointments given out the day before4 ,the excitement now became general1 and a very learned clergyman1 a ,mr4 ,browning1 of the ,presbyterian order--announced himself as the people's chosen champion to meet us in public debate and put us down1 or receive our doctrine1 according as truth might appear on investigation4 ,a public discussion was at last agreed upon1 to be held a few weeks thence in the open air1 as no building would hold the people4 ,the preliminaries were as follows3 ,the ,bible to be recognized as a standard of truth4 ,we were to have the opening speech1 in which we were to set forth our principles2 when the reverend gentleman was to have a certain length of time to reply1 and so on alternately4 ,the meeting at length came off4 ,thousands attended1 and listened with patience4 ,elder ,orson ,hyde1 who had now arrived from the ,states to my assistance1 took up the matter1 as ,i was unavoidably engaged elsewhere4 ,a large platform had been erected for the speakers1 and while ,elder ,hyde sat almost alone before that vast assemblage1 the reverend gentleman had five or six other clergymen beside him as helps4 ,in the opening speech ,elder ,hyde laid down the following principles1 viz3 ,a true ,church of ,christ is composed of apostles1 prophets1 elders1 teachers and members1 who have been baptized 7immersed7 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 and who have received his spirit by the laying on of hands of his apostles1 or authorized servants4 ,a true ,church of ,christ believed in visions1 angels1 spirits1 prophesyings1 revelations1 healings and miracles of every kind1 as described in the ,new ,testament4 ,any creed or religious body differing from this ,new ,testament pattern could not be considered the ,church of ,christ1 however sincere they might be4 ,having laid down these premises1 he demanded of his opponent a positive admission or denial of the premises1 before he would allow himself to be drawn to a second question or point of debate4 ,this took his opponents all aback2 they had sense enough to see that if they affirmed these premises there was an end of ,presbyterianism1 and all other sectarian forms which have set aside these powers4 ,on the other hand1 if they denied the premises laid down by ,elder ,h41 it would be denying the ,bible standard1 by which both parties agreed to abide4 ,for these reasons the party of the opposition utterly refused to either affirm or deny4 ,attempts were made in every possible form to draw ,elder ,h4 to other points of debate2 but all in vain4 ,slanderous reports from the press1 pamphlets and newspaper abuse1 were offered in abundance2 but were not suffered to be introduced into the discussion1 because both parties had agreed to abide by the ,bible as a standard4 ,thus1 after a few hours of shuffling and trickery on the part of the opposition1 and a few vain attempts to introduce the poisonous slanders which so often prevail in blinding the public mind1 they were utterly silenced4 ,elder ,hyde then proceeded to address the vast assemblage at considerable length1 congratulating them on the triumph of truth1 and exhorting them to obey the gospel1 and thus avail themselves of its blessings1 after which the discussion closed2 but the truth grew and prevailed4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ------------------------ ,a ,vision3--,remarkable ,signs in the ,heavens3--,a ,false ,prophet3--,a ,dream3--,impression3-- ,prayer3--,interpretation ,given in a ,second ,dream3--,attend ,mr4 ,caird's ,meeting3--,he ,shows ,himself to be a ,railer and a ,liar3--,we ,challenge ,him to an ,investigation3--,he ,visits ,toronto3--,we ,return ,there3--,continues ,his ,opposition3-- ,refusing to ,meet ,us3--,great ,meetings3--,excitement3-- ,text3--,summary of the ,discourse ,proving ,him a ,false ,teacher3--,he ,retires to ,private ,life3--,return to ,kirtland3-- ,birth of ,my ,first ,born4 ,in ,july1 #ahcf1 while lodging at the house of brother ,joseph ,fielding1 the voice of the ,lord came unto me in a dream1 saying3 ,parley6 ,and ,i answered3 ,here am ,i2 for ,i was in a vision of the ,spirit and knew that it was the ,lord who spake unto me4 ,and he said3 ,when did ,i ever reveal anything unto you in a dream and it failed to come to pass8 ,and ,i answered3 ,never1 ,lord4 ,well1 then1 ,he continued1 go unto the people and cry unto them with a mighty voice that they repent1 lest ,i smite them with a curse and they die2 for1 notwithstanding the present fruitfulness of the earth1 there shall be a famine in the land2 and not only a famine for bread1 but a famine for the ,word of the ,lord2 for ,i will call my servants out from their midst and send them to the nations afar off4 ,having heard these words ,i took courage1 and ,i continued to lift up my voice in the congregations1 both in town and country1 testifying of the gospel and warning the people of things to come4 ,many repented and were baptized1 while many hardened their hearts and were filled with a contentious and lying spirit4 ,but the ,saints were filled with faith1 joy1 and love2 and they met together oft1 and had great union and peace1 and were happy in the society of each other4 ,in the autumn of the same year--,i think in ,september--,i had preached on ,sunday in the chapel1 on the subject of the coming of the ,son of ,man and the signs which would precede his coming4 ,i prophesied that they would see signs in the heavens very soon1 such as were spoken of by ,jesus ,christ in the ,new ,testament2 and that when they should begin to see them they might know for themselves that ,his coming was nigh at hand4 ,after thus preaching ,i returned in the evening to the house of brother and sisters ,fielding1 at the hour of #i p4m42 we sat up for an hour or two conversing on these important things and rejoicing1 when1 on going out at the door and looking abroad1 we beheld a most wonderful scene in the heavens1 and1 as it continued for some time1 we finally went to some of the nearest neighbors and called them out to behold it4 ,a wave of white light extended like a rainbow from east to west over the entire horizon1 a little south of the meridian4 ,it was in appearance about twenty feet wide1 and seemed agitated in its motions like a wave of the sea2 at length it removed like the motions of a great swell of the sea towards the south and disappeared2 when lo6 another similar light appeared immediately in the place of the former1 and1 after remaining stationary with agitated motions for some time1 it rolled away to the south and disappeared like the former1 and was replaced by a third4 ,thus the same scene was renewed and continued for hours4 ,we finally all retired to rest1 while it yet continued to be exhibited4 ,after spending the season in continued labors1 and organizing the ,church in many places1 ,i was about to return in ,october to ,kirtland1 ,ohio1 to my home4 ,now1 there was a man named ,caird1 who1 previous to my visit to ,canada1 had been over from ,england as a preacher1 who pretended to be sent of ,god by revelation4 ,he had preached many things1 and told the people that ,god had raised up apostles in ,england1 and organized the true church1 and was sending preachers from thence into all the world1 to prepare the way for the coming of the ,son of ,man4 ,this man held to the sprinkling of infants1 which he called baptism4 ,he also held that the church of which he was a representative and messenger1 included the national ,church of ,england2 and all others who had been baptized 7sprinkled71 whether ,catholic or ,protestant4 ,this great1 universal church was the true church1 only needing the restoration of apostles and gifts which had now commenced to be restored4 ,this man had great influence in ,canada on his former visit1 and he had long been looked for to return to ,toronto on his second visit4 ,the people were all expectation1 and very anxious that he should arrive in time to meet me before ,i should return home2 for many persons greatly wondered that there should arise about the same time one church in ,america and another in ,england1 both professing apostolic power and universal jurisdiction4 ,some of those who had heard both of us1 tried to think that both systems were one and would run together4 ,others said they would wait and see which serpent swallowed the other before they would join either4 ,some affirmed that ,mr4 ,caird would never shrink from the investigation of anything1 therefore1 he must embrace ,mormonism 2 for it has only to be investigated to be appreciated4 ,others equally affirmed that ,mr4 ,pratt never shrank from investigation1 and1 therefore1 they must meet each other2 must come to an understanding2 must become one1 or else one of their systems must be shown to be very erroneous2 for these men have neither of them ever found his master in any of the sects here in ,canada at any rate4 ,such is a specimen of the sayings and feelings of an excited public1 in view of the meeting of two such men4 ,on my own part1 although ,i knew his system was erroneous and not founded in truth1 yet ,i had formed a very favorable opinion of the man1 and had made up my mind to meet a fearless champion who would not shrink one moment from a full and free investigation4 ,believing this1 ,i felt in high hopes that he would be an instrument in the hands of ,god to receive and spread the truth4 ,this man still lingered at ,kingston1 two hundred miles distant1 and did not come up to ,toronto as expected4 ,to satisfy the anxiety of the people1 ,i at length proposed in our meeting one ,sabbath1 that ,i would take steamer the next morning and go down to ,kingston1 and see this strange man4 ,that same night ,i had a dream1 as follows3 ,i thought ,i was in a vast wilderness of wild beasts of every description1 among which was a species of elephant so large that its trunk reached nearly to the tops of the tall trees1 and when he walked the earth trembled2 the beasts of the field fled from before him1 and the trees were swayed on either side of him as slender reeds4 ,at this ,i was afraid1 and ,i wafted myself up by the power of the ,spirit1 and sat in the top of a tall tree4 ,as he approached1 ,i reflected as follows3 ,why should such a man as ,i fear8 ,i have any amount of power given me of ,god1 ,i will1 therefore1 descend to earth before him2 for he can never harm me4 ,i accordingly descended4 ,he considered this a defiance on my part1 so he boasted that ,i had no power1 and that ,i could not stand before him4 ,at this ,i put forth my hand and caught him by the trunk1 and lifting him from the ground by the power of the ,spirit1 ,i dashed him to the ground a number of times2 at this he seemed to dwindle down to about the size of a suckling calf1 and finally turned into a serpent and swelled out to the length of about a hundred feet1 and half the size of a man's body4 ,he then spoke great swelling words in defiance of my power2 said it was not the power of ,god1 but only the power of a man2 and he continued to mock and defy me1 saying1 ,if you have the great power of ,god1 why do you not pull me in pieces8 ,at this ,i saw a great white stone1 smooth and round at the top1 in the shape of the half of an egg1 and about six feet in diameter4 ,the serpent coiled himself around this stone1 and professed to be fastened to it4 ,and he said3 ,now ,i will remain fast to this rock1 and give you a fair chance to pull me to pieces4 ,i answered1 you are not fastened to the rock1 but will slip from it the moment ,i pull4 ,nay1 said he1 try me1 and see4 ,i laid hold of him1 and the same power came on me as before1 but as ,i began to pull he slipped from the rock4 ,i then tried to fasten him to some weeds or some rubbish which was near1 but the moment ,i pulled he would slip from them2 ,i could not1 therefore1 fasten him to anything4 ,i said to him1 you will not remain fastened to anything2 how then can ,i pull you to pieces8 ,being a little at loss to know what to do1 ,i turned to ,elder ,orson ,hyde1 who seemed to stand by1 and said1 ,brother ,orson1 see those wide jaws and that small neck2 it is an excellent hold2 seize him by the neck and hold him fast1 and1 in the name of ,jesus1 ,i will give an almighty pull4 ,he did so1 and ,i pulled2 the serpent then dwindled down to the size of a small snake half a yard in length1 and crawled off and hid among the grass4 ,i awoke under the strong impression that the great beast and the serpent represented ,mr4 ,caird2 and that the rock was the true gospel1 to which he pretended to be fast4 ,this impression was so different from the opinion ,i had formed of the man1 that ,i felt greatly disappointed4 ,i was not willing to believe the vision2 ,i exclaimed in the bitterness of sorrow and disappointment3 ,is it possible that this is ,mr4 ,caird1 so beloved1 so revered as a great and good man8 ,i hardly dare believe it4 ,o ,lord1 if this vision is of thee and its application1 please show me the interpretation of it in plainness1 that ,i may not err4 ,i immediately fell asleep again and dreamed as follows3 ,i thought ,i took a steamer and arrived in ,kingston at early dawn4 ,i thought ,i took up one of the principal streets1 directly northward from the water1 and put up at a house of entertainment4 ,i then inquired for ,mr4 ,caird1 and was told that he was in the same street near to me4 ,i saw him1 and tried to tell him of the glorious fullness of the gospel4 ,he immediately rejected1 and refused to hear me1 and commenced to speak reproachfully of me and the cause4 ,i replied to him in the language of the ,new ,testament3 ,doth our law judge a man before it hear him8 ,he answered with a sneer3 ,i am perfectly willing to judge ,mormonism without hearing it2 ,i would not break my shins to hear it anyhow4 ,i awoke a second time1 feeling satisfied in regard to ,mr4 ,caird4 ,i arose next morning and told the people that ,i now knew ,mr4 ,caird2 that he was false1 and would bitterly and utterly refuse to investigate or hear the truth4 ,i told them ,i had no desire to go to see him1 for the ,lord had shown him to me in a dream1 and ,i knew more about him than all of them4 ,this1 however1 they could not realize2 they assured me that he was no such man2 and1 as they had found me the means to go and see him1 and had chosen a man to go with me1 they rather insisted on my going4 ,well1 said ,i1 ,i will go1 but you will find the matter just as ,i tell you4 ,so ,i went1 accompanied by a ,mr4 ,goodson4 ,we landed in ,kingston at early dawn1 went up the street as ,i had dreamed1 took lodgings1 and then inquired for ,mr4 ,caird1 and was answered that he was near us on the same street4 ,i wrote him a line seeking an interview4 ,no answer was returned4 ,we waited all day1 and then attended his meeting at evening4 ,he preached well1 and showed great intelligence4 ,i could detect nothing to condemn4 ,as he was about closing1 ,i prayed the ,lord to cause him to show himself1 that ,i might discern his spirit4 ,on a sudden he broke off from his subject1 and commenced railing against ,mormonism at a most horrible rate4 ,he said he had that day received a line from one of these impostors1 calling him brother1 and professing to be of the new church1 which had been lately organized in ,england by the spirit of revelation2 by this false profession1 he said1 they had deceived some of his friends in ,toronto4 ,now all these things were lies4 ,i arose in the meeting and asked to speak1 but did not obtain privilege4 ,i1 however1 told the people that ,mr4 ,caird had lied2 he had received no line from an ,elder of the ,church of the ,saints calling him brother1 or professing to be of his new church1 organized in ,england2 ,i defied him to produce such a line4 ,all the answer the multitude returned to this was to hiss1 and to cry1 ,gold ,bible6 ,gold ,bible6--,new ,revelation6 etc4 ,next morning we published a printed handbill with a statement of his lying1 a copy of the line ,i had really sent to him1 and a statement of our doctrine as ,latter-day ,saints4 ,this we circulated freely in his next meeting1 challenging him to refute the charge1 or to meet us in debate4 ,we could draw no answer from him4 ,we circulated the handbills in the streets by hundreds1 and then sent plenty of them by mail to our friends in ,toronto4 ,the bill was headed3 ,doth our law judge a man before it hear him8 ,our friends in ,toronto were astonished above measure at the confirmation of the dream1 in which ,god by his servant had revealed a man's spirit1 and clearly exposed the heart of a wicked man whom his best acquaintances were unable to discern4 ,mr4 ,caird1 on being exposed at ,kingston1 fled to ,toronto1 and there commenced preaching to crowds in the ,court ,house2 but there the news boys met him in the face1 and circulated the handbills which we had sent1 showing him to be a liar1 and he utterly unable to refute or gainsay it4 ,he threatened persecution2 but the boys1 nothing daunted1 continued to offer the bills gratis in his face to those who went in to hear4 ,we returned to ,toronto1 and his old friends urged him to meet me2 but he could not be prevailed on to do so1 although his discourses were full of opposition1 and misrepresentation of the principles of the ,saints4 ,i now applied to ,wm4 ,lyon ,mc,kenzie1 a printer and editor1 in ,king street1 for some large public halls or rooms of his1 which would hold hundreds of people4 ,he gave us the use of them1 and we put out a bill1 advertising two meetings1 and pledging to the public that we would prove to a demonstration that ,mr4 ,caird1 who was now preaching in this city1 was a false teacher1 whom ,god had never sent1 and that no believer in the ,bible1 who listened with attention1 should go away unconvinced of that fact1 or the truth of the doctrine of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,in the handbill ,mr4 ,caird was again invited to attend4 ,long before the hour of the first appointment had arrived the house as thronged to that degree that ten dollars was in vain urged upon any one who would vacate their seat1 even on the stairs which led to the hall4 ,i took for a text the saying of the ,apostle ,john3 ,whosoever transgresseth1 and abideth not in the doctrine of ,christ1 the same hath not ,god4 ,i then reviewed the doctrine of ,christ and of ,his ,apostles1 in detail1 showing what were the ordinances1 gifts1 powers1 precepts1 promises1 and commandments of ,jesus ,christ1 as contrasted with the public teachings and doings of this man1 ,caird4 ,the people were astonished at the review and contrast1 and were apparently all satisfied that we had fulfilled the pledge to a demonstration4 ,the next evening the house was as crowded as the first2 all listened with profound attention4 ,we opened the ,scriptures of the prophets1 and many were enlightened4 ,in these two meetings ,elder ,hyde was present1 and presided as chairman4 ,thus was fulfilled to the letter this strange and wonderful double dream4 ,and thus the truth prevailed over the counterfeit1 while the people's minds were settled as to which was the ,moses and which was the magician4 ,mr4 ,caird retired from the country1 returned home to ,scotland1 where ,i found him ten years afterwards living in private life and of no notoriety4 ,the truth had now triumphed in ,canada1 as was predicted on my head on starting from ,kirtland1 ,ohio4 ,several branches of the ,church had been organized1 and ,elders had been ordained to take care of the flocks and to continue the work4 ,i took an affectionate leave of my friends in that country1 and1 with my wife1 returned home4 ,where ,i had labored1 the ,lord had opened the hearts of the ,saints sufficiently to pay up my debts1 as had been predicted2 and at the turn of the season1 less than a twelvemonth from the date of brother ,kimball's prophecy1 my wife bore me a son1 and we called his name ,parley4 ,he was born early in the morning of ,march #beth1 #ahcg4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ------------------------ ,two ,items of ,prophecy3--,death of my ,wife3 ,an ,open ,vision ,forewarning ,her of ,her ,death3--,burial3 ,description of ,her ,person and ,character3--,reflections3 ,return to ,canada3--,selection for an ,english ,mission ,jarrings in the ,church3--,apostacy3--,temptation3-- ,deliverance3--,mission to ,new ,york ,city3--,the ,voice of ,warning3--,its ,success3--,english ,mission3--,remarkable ,prophecy3--,several ,instances of ,healing3--,spread of the ,work in the ,city and ,country4 ,there were but two points in this extraordinary prophecy which now remained unfulfilled4 ,one of these was that from the results of this ,canada ,mission the work should spread into ,england1 and a great work there would be the consequence4 ,the other was that ,i should eventually be so rich and have so much money that ,i would loath the counting thereof4 ,my dear wife had now lived to accomplish her destiny2 and when the child was dressed1 and she had looked upon it and embraced it1 she ceased to live in the flesh4 ,her death happened about three hours after birth of this child of promise4 ,a few days previous to her death she had a vision in open day while sitting in her room4 ,she was overwhelmed or immersed in a pillar of fire1 which seemed to fill the whole room as if it would consume it and all things therein2 and the ,spirit whispered to her mind1 saying3 ,thou art baptized with fire and the ,holy ,ghost4 ,it also intimated to her that she should have the privilege of departing from this world of sorrow and pain1 and of going to the ,paradise of rest as soon as she had fulfilled the prophecy in relation to the promised son4 ,this vision was repeated on the next day at the same hour1 viz3--twelve o'clock4 ,she was overwhelmed with a joy and peace indescribable1 and seemed changed in her whole nature from that time forth4 ,she longed to be gone1 and anticipated the time as a hireling counts the days of his servitude1 or the prisoner the term of his imprisonment4 ,she was buried in the churchyard near the ,temple in ,kirtland1 ,many hundreds attended the funeral and wept sorely1 for she was extensively known4 ,her trials1 for the gospel's sake1 while her husband had been absent from time to time on distant missions1 her lingering sickness of years1 her barrenness1 her miraculous cure1 her conception of the promised child1 were all matters of note in the ,church far and near4 ,but she had gone behind the veil to rest1 where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest2 while ,i was left to toil and struggle alone4 ,my grief1 and sorrow1 and loneliness ,i shall not attempt to describe4 ,my son was put to nurse on the breast of a sister ,allen1 who had just then lost an infant4 ,for the satisfaction of our posterity ,i will here attempt some description of my wife's person and qualities4 ,she was tall1 of a slender frame1 her face of an oval form1 eyes large and of a dark color1 her forehead lofty1 clear complexion1 hair black1 smooth and glossy4 ,she was of a mild and affectionate disposition and full of energy1 perseverance1 industry and cheerfulness when not borne down with sickness4 ,in order1 neatness and refinement of taste and habit she might be said to excel4 ,she was an affectionate and dutiful wife1 an exemplary ,saint1 and1 through much tribulation1 she has gone to the world of spirits to meet a glorious resurrection and an immortal crown and kingdom4 ,farewell1 my dear ,thankful1 thou wife of my youth1 and mother of my first born2 the beginning of my strength--farewell4 ,yet a few more lingering years of sorrow1 pain and toil1 and ,i shall be with thee1 and clasp thee to my bosom1 and thou shalt sit down on my throne1 as a queen and priestess unto thy lord1 arrayed in white robes of dazzling splendor and decked with precious stones and gold1 while thy queen sisters shall minister before thee and bless thee1 and thy sons and daughters innumerable shall call thee blessed1 and hold thy name in everlasting remembrance4 ,in the spring of #ahcg1 soon after the death of my wife1 ,i returned to ,canada1 to visit the ,saints1 and to confer on the subject of a mission to ,england4 ,several of the ,saints in ,canada were ,english1 who had friends in ,england4 ,letters had already been sent to them with information of the rise of the ,church1 and of its principles4 ,several of the ,canadian ,elders felt a desire to go on a mission to their friends in that country4 ,at length1 ,joseph ,fielding1 ,isaac ,russell1 ,john ,goodson and ,john ,snider1 of the ,canada ,elders1 were selected for a mission to ,england4 ,elders ,h4 ,c4 ,kimball and ,orson ,hyde1 of the quorum of the ,twelve1 were selected to go at the head of the mission1 and ,elder ,willard ,richards was appointed to accompany them4 ,about this time1 after ,i had returned from ,canada1 there were jarrings and discords in the ,church at ,kirtland1 and many fell away and became enemies and apostates4 ,there were also envyings1 lyings1 strifes and divisions1 which caused much trouble and sorrow4 ,by such spirits ,i was also accused1 misrepresented and abused4 ,and at one time1 ,i also was overcome by the same spirit in a great measure1 and it seemed as if the very powers of darkness which war against the ,saints were let loose upon me4 ,but the ,lord knew my faith1 my zeal1 my integrity of purpose1 and he gave me the victory4 ,i went to brother ,joseph ,smith in tears1 and1 with a broken heart and contrite spirit1 confessed wherein ,i had erred in spirit1 murmured1 or done or said amiss4 ,he frankly forgave me1 prayed for me and blessed me4 ,thus1 by experience1 ,i learned more fully to discern and to contrast the two spirits1 and to resist the one and cleave to the other4 ,and1 being tempted in all points1 even as others1 ,i learned how to bear with1 and excuse1 and succor those who are tempted4 ,late in ,july ,i arrived in the ,city of ,new ,york1 on a mission1 took lodgings1 and commenced to preach and write4 ,my first production in that city was a book of upwards of two hundred pages1 entitled the ,voice of ,warning4 ,the first edition of this work consisted of four thousand copies2 it has since been published and re-published in ,america and ,europe1 till some forty or fifty thousand copies have not been sufficient to supply the demand4 ,thousands date their conversion to the fullness of the gospel to the reading of that book4 ,while ,i was thus engaged1 the ,english mission1 under brothers ,kimball and ,hyde1 began to prosper exceedingly4 ,it first commenced in ,preston1 where some of the friends of the ,canada ,elders had already had some information of it by letters from ,canada4 ,from this beginning it spread1 till now1 #ahed1 it shows for itself whether brother ,kimball's prophecy was fulfilled1 which said to me the year before1 that a great work should be done in ,canada under my hand1 and that from thence it should spread into ,england1 and a great work should be done there4 ,thus is completed1 all but one item1 a chain of prophecy1 which may1 perhaps1 be set down as one among the most extraordinary in the annals of history4 ,it is extraordinary1 whether we look at the varied scenery1 the wide and complicated field of action1 the clearness and precision of its numerous items and specifications1 the lack of natural probability of its fulfillment1 or the precision and exactness with which it was progressively fulfilled in every item4 ,having thus proved the merits of brother ,kimball as a prophet1 ,i look for the time when ,i shall possess great riches1 and even handle money till the counting thereof will be a burthen4 ,i look for this with all the certainty with which any person can anticipate anything in the future4 ,but to return to my own narrative4 ,of all the places in which the ,english language is spoken1 ,i found the ,city of ,new ,york to be the most difficult as to access to the minds or attention of the people4 ,from ,july to ,january we preached1 advertised1 printed1 published1 testified1 visited1 talked1 prayed1 and wept in vain4 ,to all appearance there was no interest or impression on the minds of the people in regard to the fullness of the gospel4 ,there was one member of the ,church of the ,saints living there1 whose name was ,elijah ,fordham2 he was an ,elder1 and assisted me4 ,we had baptized about six members1 and organized a little branch1 who were accustomed to meet in a small upper room in ,goerck street2 sometimes two or three others met with us4 ,we had hired chapels and advertised1 but the people would not hear1 and the few who came went away without being interested4 ,so we had been forced to give them tip1 after spending our money and strength in vain4 ,we had retired to our private room up stairs with the few members we had1 to hold a last prayer meeting1 as ,i was about taking leave for ,new ,orleans4 ,we had prayed all round in turn1 when1 on a sudden1 the room was filled with the ,holy ,spirit1 and so was each one present4 ,we began to speak in tongues and prophesy4 ,many marvelous things were manifested which ,i cannot write2 but the principal burthen of the prophesyings was concerning ,new ,york ,city1 and our mission there4 ,the ,lord said that ,he had heard our prayers1 beheld our labors1 diligence1 and long suffering towards that city2 and that ,he had seen our tears4 ,our prayers were heard1 and our labors and sacrifices were accepted4 ,we should tarry in the city1 and go not thence as yet2 for the ,lord had many people in that city1 and ,he had now come by the power of ,his ,holy ,spirit to gather them into ,his fold4 ,his angels should go before us and cooperate with us4 ,his ,holy ,spirit should give the people visions and dreams concerning us and the work of the ,lord2 and ,he would make bare his arm to heal the sick and confirm the ,word by signs following2 and from that very day forward we should have plenty of friends1 money to pay our debts with the publishers2 means to live1 and crowds to hear us4 ,and there should be more doors open for preaching than we could fill2 crowds1 who could not get in1 should stand in the streets and about the entrance to try to hear us2 and we should know that the ,almighty could open a door and no man could shut it4 ,as these things were manifested in power and the demonstration of the ,spirit1 we could not doubt them4 ,so we gave up going to ,new ,orleans1 and concluded to stay2 but we were almost ready to say in our hearts1 like one of old3 ,if the ,lord should make windows in ,heaven could these things be8 ,now there was in this little meeting a man named ,david ,rogers1 whose heart was touched4 ,he1 being a chair-maker1 fitted up a large room1 and seated it with the chairs of his ware house1 and invited us to preach in the same4 ,this room was crowded4 ,he then joined with one of our members1 who was a joiner1 and rented a small place1 and seated it for a regular place of meeting2 this was generally crowded4 ,in the meantime1 a ,methodist clergyman came to hear me1 whose name was ,cox4 ,he invited me to his house to preach1 near ,east ,river2 he and household were obedient to the faith1 with many of the members of his society4 ,while preaching1 a lady solicited me to preach in her house in ,willett street2 for1 said she1 ,i had a dream of you and of the new ,church the other night4 ,another lady wished me to preach in her house1 in ,grand street4 ,in the meantime ,i was invited by the ,free ,thinkers to preach1 or give a course of lectures1 in ,tammany ,hall4 ,in short1 it was not three weeks from the delivery of the prophecies in the upper room till we had fifteen preaching places in the city1 all of which were filled to overflowing4 ,we preached about eleven times a week1 besides visiting from house to house4 ,we soon commenced baptizing1 and continued doing so almost daily during the winter and spring4 ,one lady1 who had been four years under the doctor's care with a crippled leg1 arose and walked1 with her leg instantly restored whole1 even as the other4 ,her physician was immediately dismissed1 and was very angry1 because we had spoiled his patronage4 ,he even threatened to sue us4 ,another lady1 who had lain in her bed four years with the dumb palsy1 arose and walked4 ,she had not1 previous to our laying hands on her1 been able to stir a finger1 or a toe1 on her right side for about four years2 so said the family1 and so she herself testified4 ,in this case her physician1 and also some religious ministers1 who called to see her1 glorified ,god1 acknowledged ,his hand1 and exhorted her to persevere in the faith4 ,a child of ,mr4 ,wandle ,mace1 of ,no4 #ac ,bedford street1 was healed of brain fever in the last stage1 when the doctors had given it over1 and the kindred and neighbors had gathered in to see it die4 ,i laid my hands on it1 in the presence of them all1 and it was healed1 and in a few hours took nourishment1 and commenced to play and run about the floor4 ,in the same house1 in an upper chamber1 lay a woman1 by the name of ,dexter1 sick1 who had not left her room1 nor scarcely her bed1 for some six months2 she was at the point of death1 and her babe also1 who had taken the disease from her4 ,her mother1 who had the care of her1 was present when the child was healed1 and she ran up stairs and told the woman that there were men below who healed the sick1 as in days of old1 by the laying on of hands in the name of ,jesus4 ,the woman exclaimed3 ,thank ,god1 then ,i can be healed4 ,she sent for us1 and was from that hour restored to health1 and the child also4 ,she walked about two miles to the ,east ,river and was baptized1 and then walked home again--it being a very wet day with snow and rain1 and the sidewalks about shoe deep in snow and mud4 ,after these three miracles of healing had been witnessed in that house in ,bedford street1 six persons who witnessed them were baptized1 viz3 ,wandle ,mace and wife1 ,theodore ,curtis and wife1 and the sick woman and her mother1 before named4 ,during our stay in ,new ,york ,i made frequent visits to the country1 and to other towns4 ,branches of the ,church were formed at ,sing1 and in ,jersey1 and also in ,brooklyn and various other parts of ,long ,island4 ,some members were also baptized in ,holiston1 ,mass4 ,on ,may #ith ,i received the hand of ,mary ,ann ,frost1 daughter of ,aaron ,frost1 of ,bethel1 ,oxford ,county1 ,maine1 in marriage4 ,she was the widow of ,nathan ,stearns1 and had one daughter1 about four years of age4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ------------------------ ,remove to ,missouri3--,national ,anniversary at ,far ,west3--,corner ,stone of a ,temple3--,insurrections3--,defence3--,a ttack on ,de ,witt1 ,carroll ,county3--,mob ,chaplain3--,surrender and ,flight of the ,citizens of ,de ,witt3--,action of the ,governor3--,general ,defence3--,battle of ,crooked ,river3--,death of ,colonel ,patten3--,defence ,construed into ,murder and ,treason3--,muster of ,state ,forces ,against the ,mormons1 with ,orders for ,extermination3--,general ,lucas1 with ,four ,thousand ,men1 ,menaces ,far ,west4 ,in ,april1 #ahch1 ,i took leave of ,new ,york1 and1 with a small colony1 emigrated once more to ,missouri4 ,we settled in ,caldwell ,county in ,may4 ,here ,i again commenced anew2 built a house and made a farm4 ,i also devoted much of my time to the ministry2 ,i visited many different neighborhoods1 and was everywhere received with hospitality1 and listened to with interest and attention4 ,on the #dth of ,july1 #ahch1 thousands of the citizens who belonged to the ,church of the ,saints assembled at the ,city of ,far ,west1 the county seat of ,caldwell1 in order to celebrate our nation's birth4 ,we erected a tall standard1 on which was hoisted our national colors1 the stars and stripes1 and the bold eagle of ,american liberty4 ,under its waving folds we laid the corner stone of a ,temple of ,god1 and dedicated the land and ourselves and families to ,him who had preserved us in all our troubles4 ,an address was then delivered by ,s4 ,rigdon1 in which was portrayed in lively colors the oppression which we had suffered at the hands of our enemies4 ,we then and there declared our constitutional rights as ,american citizens1 and manifested our determination to resist1 with our utmost endeavors from that time forth1 all oppression1 and to maintain our rights and our freedom1 according to the holy principles of liberty1 as guaranteed to every person by the ,constitution and laws of our country4 ,this declaration was received with shouts of hosannah to ,god and the ,lamb1 and with many long cheers by the assembled thousands1 who were determined to yield their rights no more1 unless compelled by superior power4 ,soon after these things the war clouds began again to lower with dark and threatening aspect4 ,those who had combined against the laws in the adjoining counties1 had long watched our increasing power and prosperity with jealousy1 and with greedy and avaricious eyes4 ,it was a common boast that1 as soon as we had completed our extensive improvements1 and made a plentiful crop1 they would drive us from the state1 and once more enrich themselves with the spoils4 ,accordingly1 at an election held in ,daviess ,county1 a portion of these bandits undertook to prevent the members of the ,church of the ,saints from voting--forcing them from the poll box1 and threatening to kill whoever should attempt to vote4 ,as some voters were attacked they defended themselves1 knocked down several of their opponents1 gained the victory1 and cast in their votes4 ,this was a pretext for a general rising of the insurrectionists in all the adjoining counties4 ,they were alarmed for fear the ,mormons1 as they called them1 should become so formidable as to maintain their rights and liberties1 insomuch that they could no more drive and plunder them4 ,public meetings were held in ,carroll1 ,saline1 and other counties2 in which resolutions were passed and published1 openly declaring the treasonable and murderous intention of driving the citizens belonging to the ,church from their counties1 and1 if possible1 from the state4 ,resolutions to this effect were published in the journals of upper ,missouri1 and this without a single remark of disapprobation4 ,nay1 more3 this murderous gang1 when assembled in arms and painted like ,indian warriors1 and when openly committing murder1 robbery1 house burning1 and every crime known to the laws1 were denominated citizens1 whites1 etc41 in most of the journals of the ,state4 ,while those who stood firm to the laws of the land1 and only defended themselves1 and their homes and country1 were denominated ,mormons1 in contradistinction to the appellation of citizens1 whites1 etc41 as if we had been some savage tribe1 or some colored race of foreigners4 ,in pursuance of the resolutions thus passed and published1 a formidable banditti were soon assembled under arms1 to the amount of several hundred1 and rendezvoused in ,daviess ,county4 ,here they commenced firing upon our citizens1 plundering1 and taking peaceable citizens prisoners4 ,the people of the ,church made no resistance1 except to assemble on their own ground for defense4 ,they also made oath before the ,district ,judge1 ,austin ,a4 ,king1 to the above outrages4 ,one thousand men were then ordered into service1 under the command of ,major-,general ,atchison1 and ,brigadier-,generals ,parks and ,doniphan4 ,these marched to ,daviess ,county and remained in service thirty days4 ,but1 judging from the result1 they had no intention of coming in contact with the mob1 but only to make a show of defending one neighborhood1 while the mob were allowed to attack another4 ,the gang now withdrew from ,daviess ,county and proceeded to ,de ,witt1 ,carroll ,county4 ,here they laid siege for several days1 and subsisted by plunder and robbery1 watching every opportunity to fire upon our citizens4 ,at this time they had one or more pieces of artillery1 in addition to small arms and ammunition in abundance4 ,a ,presbyterian priest1 ,rev4 ,sashel ,woods1 served as chaplain to the gang1 and said prayers in the camp evening and morning4 ,they succeeded in killing a number of citizens in and about ,de ,witt4 ,they also turned a gentleman1 named ,smith ,humphrey1 and his wife and children out of doors1 when sick1 and setting fire to the house1 burned it to ashes before their eyes4 ,at length they succeeded in driving every citizen from the place1 at the sacrifice of everything which they could not take with them4 ,this happened during a cold1 stormy time in ,october2 and1 as many of the citizens were sickly1 and robbed of shelter and everything comfortable1 they came near perishing4 ,some of them1 in fact1 did perish before they arrived in ,caldwell1 a distance of sixty miles4 ,here the survivors were hospitably taken in by their brethren4 ,the militia1 under ,general ,parks1 made some show of trying to prevent these outrages2 but all in vain4 ,at length the ,general informed the citizens that his forces were so small1 and many of them so much in favor of the insurrectionists1 that it was useless to look any longer to them for protection4 ,several messages were also sent to the ,governor1 ,lilburn ,w4 ,boggs1 the old mob-leader1 imploring protection4 ,but he was utterly deaf to everything which called for the protection of the ,mormons1 as he called us4 ,but1 on the contrary1 he harkened to the insinuations of the mob which were without shadow of foundation4 ,at one time he called out an army1 and put himself at their head to march against the ,mormons4 ,but1 as he approached the upper country with this formidable force of several thousand men1 he was officially notified that the ,mormons were not in a state of insurrection1 but were the victims of those who were so1 and that they needed his help4 ,his ,excellency then disbanded his forces1 and returned to ,jefferson ,city1 to await till the mobs should compel the ,mormons to some act that might be considered illegal1 which would give him some pretext for driving them from the ,state4 ,after the evacuation of ,de ,witt1 when our citizens were officially notified that they must protect themselves1 and expect no more protection from any department of the ,state ,government1 they assembled in ,far ,west to the number of one thousand men1 or thereabout1 and resolved to defend their rights to the last4 ,a call was made upon every person who could bear arms to come forward in defense of our houses1 homes1 wives and children1 and the cause of our country and our ,god4 ,in the meantime the bandits1 elated with success and emboldened by the negligence of every department of the ,state ,government1 were increasing in numbers daily4 ,they were concentrating in ,daviess ,county1 with artillery and military stores1 with open threats that they would now drive the citizens from ,daviess and ,caldwell ,counties4 ,in their marauding expeditions they took a number of citizens prisoners4 ,among these was ,mr4 ,amasa ,lyman1 a minister of the gospel1 and an excellent citizen of ,caldwell ,county4 ,they kept him prisoner for a number of days1 while his family was in suspense and knew not his fate4 ,they abused him in various ways1 and held frequent consultations to kill him2 but at length he was set at liberty4 ,the people of ,daviess ,county assembled several hundred men for defense4 ,several parties of the banditti were met1 disarmed and dispersed4 ,a detachment under ,colonel ,d4 ,w4 ,patten1 marched against their main body with a posse of about one hundred men1 met and dispersed them1 with the loss of their artillery and some military stores4 ,another party were dispersed and disarmed by the sheriff of ,caldwell ,county and his posse1 as they were on the march through that county to reinforce the banditti of ,daviess4 ,while these transactions were going forward1 small parties of the enemy were busily engaged among the settlements1 in plundering and burning houses2 driving women and children from their homes to perish with hunger and cold1 and robbing them of beds1 bedding1 furniture1 wearing apparel1 etc41 etc4 ,hundreds were thus compelled to flee to the cities and strongholds4 ,many women and children came in at the dead hours of the night1 and in the midst of dreadful storms of rain and snow1 in which they came near perishing4 ,while these things were transpiring in ,daviess1 ,caldwell was threatened from every quarter4 ,her citizens were driven from her frontiers1 and came pouring into the town of ,far ,west1 from day to day1 with women1 children1 goods1 provisions1 etc42 in short1 with everything moveable which they had time to bring4 ,lands and crops were abandoned to the enemy4 ,the citizens were under arms from day to day1 and a strict military guard was maintained every night4 ,men slept in their clothes1 with arms by their sides1 and ready to muster at a given signal at any hour of the night4 ,during this state of alarm guns were fired and the signal drum beat in the middle of a dark and gloomy night of ,october4 ,the citizens came running together with arms in hand4 ,an express had arrived from the south part of the county1 stating that a party of the enemy were plundering houses1 carrying off prisoners1 killing cattle1 and ordering families out of their houses1 on pain of having them burned over their heads4 ,a portion of the militia1 under ,captain ,durphy1 went with a deputy sheriff to the scene of the riot4 ,i was one of the posse1 the whole consisting of about sixty men4 ,this company was soon under way1 having to ride through extensive prairies a distance of some twelve miles4 ,the night was dark1 the distant plains far and wide were illuminated by blazing fires1 immense columns of smoke were seen rising in awful majesty1 as if the world was on fire4 ,this scene of grandeur can only be comprehended by those acquainted with scenes of prairie burning2 as the fire sweeps over millions of acres of dry grass in the fall season1 and leaves a smooth1 black surface divested of all vegetation4 ,the thousand meteors1 blazing in the distance like the camp-fires of some war host1 threw a fitful gleam of light upon the distant sky1 which many might have mistaken for the ,aurora ,borealis4 ,this scene1 added to the silence of midnight1 the rumbling sound of the tramping steeds over the hard and dried surface of the plain1 the clanking of swords in their scabbards1 the occasional gleam of bright armor in the flickering firelight1 the gloom of surrounding darkness1 and the unknown destiny of the expedition1 or even of the people who sent it forth2 all combined to impress the mind with deep and solemn thoughts1 and to throw a romantic vision over the imagination1 which is not often experienced1 except in the poet's dreams1 or in the wild imagery of sleeping fancy4 ,in this solemn procession we moved on for some two hours1 when it was supposed we were in the neighborhood of danger4 ,we were then ordered to dismount and leave our horses with a guard4 ,this done1 we proceeded on foot for a mile or two in search of the enemy4 ,we had not proceeded far when1 as we entered the wilderness1 we were suddenly fired upon by an unknown enemy in ambush4 ,one of our little number fell at the first fire1 being mortally wounded2 his name was ,obanyon4 ,at a short distance we could now behold the camp-fires of the enemy4 ,it was now dawn of day in the eastern horizon1 but darkness still hovered over the scenes of conflict4 ,orders were issued to form in the brush1 and under cover of the trees1 which was instantly done4 ,the fire now became general on both sides1 and the whole wilderness seemed one continued echo of the report of the deadly rifle4 ,after a few rounds of discharges1 orders were given to charge the enemy in the camp4 ,as we rushed upon them the strife became deadly1 and several fell on both sides4 ,at this instant a ball pierced the brave ,colonel1 ,david ,patten1 who was then at my side1 and ,i saw him fall4 ,being on the eve of victory1 ,i dared not stop to look after his fate1 or that of others1 but rushed into the enemy's camp4 ,this was located on the immediate banks of ,crooked ,river1 which was here several rods wide1 and not fordable4 ,the enemy1 being hard pushed1 flung themselves into the stream1 and struggled for the other shore4 ,those who reached it soon disappeared4 ,the firing now ceased1 and the wilderness resounded with the watchword1 ,god and ,liberty4 ,our little band1 which had been thrown into some disorder1 were instantly formed1 and their pieces reloaded4 ,this done1 a detachment surveyed the field1 to look after the wounded4 ,i turned to ,gideon ,carter1 who was lying on his face1 and saw him die4 ,his face was so marred and disfigured with wounds and blood that ,i did not recognize him then1 but learned afterwards that we had mistaken him for one of the enemy1 and left him on the ground in mistake4 ,i next found ,david ,patten1 whom1 a few minutes previously1 ,i had seen fall4 ,he could speak1 but was lying on his side1 pale and almost dying1 a ball having pierced the lower part of his body4 ,many others were wounded1 and some dangerously4 ,the enemy had left their horses1 saddles1 camp and baggage1 in the confusion of the flight4 ,we harnessed some of their horses and placed them before a wagon1 arranged blankets therein1 on which we laid those who were not able to mount a horse2 this done1 our whole troop mounted the horses we had taken and formed in front and rear of the wagon which bore the wounded4 ,we then moved slowly back to the guard and horses we had left4 ,here we halted and readjusted the wounded4 ,it was an awful sight to see them pale and helpless1 and hear their groans4 ,there were about six of our men wounded1 and one left dead on the ground4 ,the enemy suffered a similar loss1 besides their camp1 and many of their arms and military stores4 ,we ascertained from the prisoners whom we rescued1 that the enemy consisted of about sixty marauders1 headed by a ,methodist preacher1 named ,bogart4 ,our posse who were actually engaged1 could not have been more than fifty4 ,at the commencement of the engagement there were three of our fellow citizens held as prisoners in their camp2 they had been kidnapped from their peaceful homes the day previous4 ,two of these made their escape at the commencement of the engagement2 the third was shot through the body in attempting to run to our lines1 but fortunately recovered4 ,having now arranged everything to the best advantage for the wounded1 we made slowly on towards ,far ,west4 ,when we came within five miles of the city our express had reached there with the news of the battle1 and we were met by a surgeon and others for our relief4 ,among those who met us here was the wife of the pale and dying ,patten4 ,our wounded were now taken into a house1 and their wounds dressed4 ,as ,mrs4 ,patten entered the room1 and cast her eyes upon the pale and ghastly features of her husband1 she burst into tears1 exclaiming3 ,o ,god6 ,o my husband6 ,how pale you look6 ,he was still able to speak1 but he died that evening in the triumphs of faith4 ,the young ,obanyon also died about the same time4 ,the others recovered of their wounds1 but one of them named ,hendrix is still a cripple4 ,patten and ,obanyon were buried together1 under military honors2 a whole people1 as it were1 followed them to the grave4 ,all wept1 whose feelings were not too intense to find vent in tears4 ,he was the only member of the ,quorum of the ,twelve who had as yet found a martyr's grave4 ,he was a great and good man1 and one who chose to lay down his life for the cause of truth and right2 for this privilege he had diligently sought and prayed2 for1 said he1 ,i had rather die than live to see it thus in my country4 ,but1 to return to the main thread of my narrative3 having conveyed the wounded to their place of hospitality1 the posse hastened to ,far ,west1 and delivered the spoils of the enemy to the colonel of the regiment1 who afterwards delivered them to the higher civil or military authorities of the ,state4 ,these several defeats of the insurrectionists in ,daviess ,county1 as well as in ,caldwell ,county1 checked for a time their ruinous ravages4 ,they saw that it was impossible to conquer a people who were fighting for their homes1 their wives and children1 as well as for their country and conscience1 unless they could come against them with some show of authority2 for it had become an established fact that the people of the ,saints never resisted authority1 however abused4 ,the next exertion of the enemy was to spread lies and falsehoods of the most alarming character4 ,all our acts of defense were construed into insurrection1 treason1 murder and plunder4 ,in short1 the public were deceived by bigotry1 priestcraft1 and a corrupt press1 and made to look upon all our acts of defense precisely as they would look upon the same acts performed1 without cause or provocation1 upon peaceable citizens4 ,murderous gangs were construed into peaceable militia in the ,state service1 and to resist them was1 on the part of the ,saints1 murder1 treason and robbery4 ,and1 finally1 the whole was treated abroad as the ,mormon insurrection1--,mormon war1 etc4 ,and1 as if this were not enough1 parties set fire to their own houses1 or that of their neighbors1 and then laid it to the ,saints4 ,whole neighborhoods were falsely alarmed1 or rather really alarmed1 by the doings of these bandits2 and in their fright they fled to more distant places of security1 and clamored loudly to the ,state authorities for protection from the ,mormons1 whom they represented as burning1 plundering1 and destroying all before them4 ,while they were simply standing on their own ground and maintaining the defensive1 and this1 too1 in the last extreme1 and not till they were abandoned by every department of the ,state ,government4 ,this flame was greatly assisted by several dissenters from the ,church through fear1 or for love of power and gain4 ,these dissenters became even more false1 hardened1 and bloodthirsty than those who had never known the way of righteousness4 ,many of them joined the enemy1 and were the leaders in all manner of lying1 murder and plunder4 ,the ,governor and ex-mobber1 ,lilburn ,w4 ,boggs1 who had long sought some opportunity to destroy us1 and drive us from the ,state1 now issued an order for some ten thousand troops to be mustered into service and marched to the field against the ,mormons4 ,he gave the command of this formidable force to ,general ,clark1 who lived1 perhaps1 a hundred and fifty miles or more from the scene of trouble4 ,the order was expressly to exterminate the ,mormons1 or drive them from the ,state4 ,it said nothing of criminals2 it made no allusion to punishing crime and protecting innocence2 it was sufficient to be called a ,mormon4 ,a peaceable family just emigrating1 or passing through the country2 a missionary going or coming on his peaceable errand of mercy2 an aged soldier of the ,american revolution on his death bed1 or leaning on his staff in the chimney corner2 a widow with her babes2 the tender wife1 or helpless orphan2 all were included in this order of wholesale extermination or banishment4 ,it was enough that they believed as ,mormon did2 or that they were members of the ,church of the ,saints4 ,so did the order read1 and so it was construed by the officers and soldiers entrusted with its execution4 ,on the other hand1 all the bandits1 murderers1 robbers1 thieves1 and house burners who had mobbed our people for the five years previous1 were now converted into orderly1 loyal1 patriotic ,state militia1 and mustered into service under pay1 or suffered to murder people of every age and sex1 and plunder them on their own hook wherever they chose1 provided they were considered ,mormons4 ,while ,general ,clark was mustering his forces for this wholesale murder and treason1 ,major ,general ,d4 ,lucas and ,brigadier ,general ,moses ,wilson1 who were well known as the old leaders of the former outrages in ,jackson ,county1 under this same ,boggs--being nearer the scene of action1 and wishing to share the plunder and immortalize their names--put themselves at the head of all the old mobbers of ,jackson ,county they could muster1 and all those bandits who had more lately infested the counties of ,carroll1 ,daviess and ,caldwell1 and such other militia as they could muster1 and marched directly for the city of ,far ,west1 where they arrived while ,general ,clark and his forces were several days' journey from the scene of action4 ,the army of ,lucas1 thus mustered and marched1 consisted of some three or four thousand men4 ,in the meantime the ,governor's orders and these military movements were kept an entire secret from the citizens of ,caldwell and ,daviess1 who were suffering all this oppression from lawless outrages2 even the mail was withheld from ,far ,west4 ,we had only heard that large bodies of armed men were approaching from the south1 and we had sent a hundred and fifty men with a flag of truce to make inquiries4 ,while they were absent on this mission an alarm came to town that the whole county to the south was filled with armed men1 who were murdering1 plundering1 and taking peaceful citizens prisoners in their own houses4 ,on the receipt of this intelligence every man flew to arms for the protection of our city4 ,it was now towards evening1 and we had heard nothing from the reconnoitering company who went south in the morning4 ,while we stood in our armor1 gazing to the south in anxious suspense1 we beheld an army of cavalry with a long train of baggage wagons advancing over the hills1 at two miles distance4 ,at first we conjectured it might be our little troop with the flag of truce2 but we soon saw that there were thousands of them4 ,our next thought was that it might be some friendly troops sent for our protection2 and then again we thought it might be a concentration of all the bandit forces combined for our destruction4 ,at all events1 there was no time to be lost2 for1 although our force then present did not exceed five hundred men1 yet we did not intend that they should enter the town without giving some account of themselves4 ,we accordingly marched out upon the plains on the south of the city and formed in order of battle4 ,our line of infantry extended near half a mile4 ,a small company of horses was posted on our right wing on a commanding eminence1 and another small company in the rear of our main body1 intended as a kind of reserve4 ,by this time the sun was near setting1 and the advance of the unknown army had come within plain view1 at less than one mile distant4 ,on seeing our forces presenting a small but formidable front1 they came to a halt1 and formed along the borders of a stream called ,goose ,creek4 ,both parties sent out a white flag1 which met between the armies4 ,our messenger demanded to know who they were1 and what were their intentions8 ,the reply was3 ,we want three persons out of the city before we massacre the rest6 ,this was a very alarming and unexpected answer4 ,but they were soon prevailed on to suspend hostilities till morning1 by which time we were in hopes to receive some further and more satisfactory information4 ,the enemy1 under the command of ,major ,general ,d4 ,lucas1 of ,jackson ,county mob memory1 then commenced their encampment for the night4 ,our troops continued under arms during the night4 ,the company of a hundred and fifty soon returned from the south1 informing us that they had been hemmed in by the enemy during the day1 and only escaped by their superior knowledge of the ground4 ,we also sent an express to ,daviess ,county1 and by morning were reinforced by quite a number of troops1 under the command of ,colonel ,l4 ,white4 ,in the meantime a noted company of banditti1 under the command of ,cornelius ,gillum1 who had long infested our borders1 and been notorious for their murders and daring robberies1 and who painted themselves as ,indian warriors1 came pouring in from the ,west to strengthen the camp of the enemy4 ,another company of murderers came in from ,carroll ,county1 and were taken into the ranks of ,lucas1 after murdering some eighteen or twenty of our citizens 7men1 women and children7 at ,haun's ,mill1 of which particulars will be given hereafter4 ,thus both parties were considerably reinforced during the night4 ,the citizens of ,far ,west being determined1 if attacked1 to defend their homes1 wives and children to the last1 spent the night in throwing up a temporary breastwork of building timber1 logs1 rails1 floor plank1 etc4 ,in the morning the south side of the city was thus fortified1 and also a considerable portion of the east and west sides--the whole line extending a mile and a half4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ------------------------ ,exterminating ,order3--,betrayal and ,imprisonment of ,joseph ,smith and ,others3--,camp of the ,enemy3--,the ,howlings of the ,damned3--,the ,enemy ,boast of the ,highest ,crimes3--,secret ,inquisitory ,trial of the ,prisoners3--,sentence of ,death6--,how ,reversed3--,a ,judas3--,surrender of ,far ,west3--,attempt to ,assassinate the ,prisoners3--,farewell ,scenes3--,captives ,removed to ,jackson ,county3--,general ,clark ,demands the ,prisoners3--,refusal to ,surrender them3--,cross the ,missouri ,river3--,visitors3--,preaching in ,camp by ,president ,smith3--,arrive at ,independence3--,public ,exhibition of the ,prisoners4 ,october #ca1 #ahch4--;,in the afternoon we were informed that the ,governor had ordered this force against us1 with orders to exterminate or drive every ,mormon from the ,state4 ,as soon as these facts were ascertained we determined not to resist anything in the shape of authority1 however abused4 ,we had now nothing to do but to submit to be massacred1 driven1 robbed or plundered1 at the option of our persecutors4 ,colonel ,george ,m4 ,hinkle1 who was at that time the highest officer of the militia assembled for the defense of ,far ,west1 waited on ,messrs4 ,j4 ,smith1 ,s4 ,rigdon1 ,hyrum ,smith1 ,l4 ,wight1 ,george ,robinson and myself1 with a request from ,general ,lucas that we would repair to his camp1 with the assurance that as soon as peaceable arrangements could be entered into we should be released4 ,we had no confidence in the word of a murderer and robber1 but there was no alternative but to put our lives into the hands of such monsters1 or to have the city attacked1 and men1 women and children massacred4 ,we1 therefore1 commended ourselves to the ,lord1 and voluntarily surrendered as sheep into the hands of wolves4 ,as we approached the camp of the enemy ,general ,lucas rode out to meet us with a guard of several hundred men4 ,the haughty general rode up1 and1 without speaking to us1 instantly ordered his guard to surround us4 ,they did so very abruptly1 and we were marched into camp surrounded by thousands of savage looking beings1 many of whom were dressed and painted like ,indian warriors4 ,these all set up a constant yell1 like so many bloodhounds let loose upon their prey1 as if they had achieved one of the most miraculous victories that ever graced the annals of the world4 ,if the vision of the infernal regions could suddenly open to the mind1 with thousands of malicious fiends1 all clamoring1 exulting1 deriding1 blaspheming1 mocking1 railing1 raging and foaming like a troubled sea1 then could some idea be formed of the hell which we had entered4 ,in camp we were placed under a strong guard1 and were without shelter during the night1 lying on the ground in the open air1 in the midst of a great rain4 ,the guards during the whole night kept up a constant tirade of mockery1 and the most obscene blackguardism and abuse4 ,they blasphemed ,god2 mocked ,jesus ,christ2 swore the most dreadful oaths2 taunted ,brother ,joseph and others2 demanded miracles2 wanted signs1 such as3 ,come1 ,mr4 ,smith1 show us an angel4 ,give us one of your revelations4 ,show us a miracle4 ,come1 there is one of your brethren here in camp whom we took prisoner yesterday in his own house1 and knocked his brains out with his own rifle1 which we found hanging over his fireplace2 he lays speechless and dying2 speak the word and heal him1 and then we will all believe4 ,or1 if you are apostles or men of ,god1 deliver yourselves1 and then we will be ,mormons4 ,next would be a volley of oaths and blasphemies2 then a tumultuous tirade of lewd boastings of having defiled virgins and wives by force1 etc41 much of which ,i dare not write2 and1 indeed1 language would fail me to attempt more than a faint description4 ,thus passed this dreadful night1 and before morning several other captives were added to our number1 among whom was ,brother ,amasa ,lyman4 ,we were informed that the general officers held a secret council during most of the night1 which was dignified by the name of court martial2 in which1 without a hearing1 or1 without even being brought before it1 we were all sentenced to be shot4 ,the day and hour was also appointed for the execution of this sentence1 viz43 next morning at #h o'clock1 in the public square at ,far ,west4 ,of this we were informed by ,brigadier-,general ,doniphan1 who was one of the council1 but who was so violently opposed to this cool blooded murder that he assured the council that he would revolt and withdraw his whole brigade1 and march them back to ,clay ,county as soon as it was light1 if they persisted in so dreadful an undertaking4 ,said he1 ,it is cold blooded murder1 and ,i wash my hands of it4 ,his firm remonstrance1 and that of a few others1 so alarmed the haughty murderer and his accomplices that they dare not put the decree in execution4 ,thus1 through a merciful providence of ,god our lives were spared through that dreadful night4 ,it was the common talk1 and even the boast in the camp1 that individuals lay here and there unburied1 where they had shot them down for sport4 ,the females they had ravished2 the plunder they had taken2 the houses they had burned2 the horses they had stolen2 the fields of grain they had laid waste1 were common topics2 and were dwelt on for mere amusement1 or1 as if these deeds were a stepstone to office2 and it is a fact that such deeds were so considered4 ,no pen need undertake to describe our feelings during that terrible night1 while there confined not knowing the fate of our wives and children1 or of our fellow ,saints1 and seeing no way for our lives to be saved except by the miraculous power of ,god4 ,but1 notwithstanding all earthly hopes were gone1 still we felt a calmness indescribable4 ,a secret whispering to our inmost soul seemed to say3 ,peace1 my sons1 be of good cheer1 your work is not yet done2 therefore ,i will restrain your enemies1 that they shall not have power to take your lives4 ,while thus confined1 ,wm4 ,e4 ,mc,lellin1 once my fellow laborer in the gospel1 but now a ,judas1 with hostile weapon in hand to destroy the ,saints1 came to me and observed3 ,well1 ,parley1 you have now got where you are certain never to escape2 how do you feel as to the course you have taken in religion8 ,i answered1 that ,i had taken that course which ,i should take if ,i had my life to live over again4 ,he seemed thoughtful for a moment1 and then replied3 ,well--,i think1 if ,i were you1 ,i should die as ,i had lived2 at any rate1 ,i see no possibility of escape for you and your friends4 ,next morning ,gen4 ,lucas demanded the ,caldwell militia to give up their arms1 which was done4 ,as soon as the troops who had defended the city were disarmed1 it was surrounded by the enemy and all the men detained as prisoners4 ,none were permitted to pass out of the city--although their families were starving for want of sustenance2 the mills and provisions being some distance from the city4 ,the brutal mob were now turned loose to ravage1 steal1 plunder and murder without restraint4 ,houses were rifled1 women ravished1 and goods taken as they pleased4 ,the whole troop1 together with their horses1 lived on the grain and provisions4 ,while cattle were shot down for mere sport1 and sometimes men1 women and children fared no better4 ,on the third morning after our imprisonment we were placed in a wagon1 in order for removal4 ,many of the more desperate then crowded around1 cocked their rifles1 and singling us out presented them to our breasts1 and swore they would blow us through4 ,some guns were snapped1 but missed fire1 and the rest were in a small degree restrained by the officers1 and we still lived4 ,we were now marched to ,far ,west1 under the conduct of the whole army2 and while they halted in the public square1 we were permitted to go with a guard for a change of linen and to take final leave of our families1 in order to depart as prisoners to ,jackson ,county1 a distance of sixty miles4 ,this was the most trying scene of all4 ,i went to my house1 being guarded by two or three soldiers2 the cold rain was pouring down without1 and on entering my little cottage1 there lay my wife sick of a fever1 with which she had been for some time confined4 ,at her breast was our son ,nathan1 an infant of three months1 and by her side a little girl of five years4 ,on the foot of the same bed lay a woman in travail1 who had been driven from her house in the night1 and had taken momentary shelter in my hut of ten feet square--my larger house having been torn down4 ,i stepped to the bed2 my wife burst into tears2 ,i spoke a few words of comfort1 telling her to try to live for my sake and the children's2 and expressing a hope that we should meet again though years might separate us4 ,she promised to try to live4 ,i then embraced and kissed the little babes and departed4 ,till now ,i had refrained from weeping2 but1 to be forced from so helpless a family1 who were destitute of provisions and fuel1 and deprived almost of shelter in a bleak prairie1 with none to assist them1 exposed to a lawless banditti who were utter strangers to humanity1 and this at the approach of winter1 was more than nature could well endure4 ,i went to ,gen4 ,moses ,wilson in tears and stated the circumstances of my sick1 heart-broken and destitute family in terms which would have moved any heart that had a latent spark of humanity yet remaining4 ,but ,i was only answered with an exultant laugh1 and a taunt of reproach by this hardened murderer4 ,as ,i returned from my house towards the troops in the square1 ,i halted with the guard at the door of ,hyrum ,smith1 and heard the sobs and groans of his wife1 at his parting words4 ,she was then near confinement1 and needed more than ever the comfort and consolation of a husband's presence4 ,as we returned to the wagon we saw ,s4 ,rigdon taking leave of his wife and daughters1 who stood at a little distance1 in tears of anguish indescribable4 ,in the wagon sat ,joseph ,smith1 while his aged father and venerable mother came up overwhelmed with tears1 and took each of the prisoners by the hand with a silence of grief too great for utterance4 ,in the meantime1 hundreds of the brethren crowded around us1 anxious to take a parting look1 or a silent shake of the hand2 for feelings were too intense to allow of speech4 ,in the midst of these scenes orders were given1 and we moved slowly away1 under the conduct of ,gen4 ,wilson and his whole brigade4 ,a march of twelve miles brought us to ,crooked ,river1 where we camped for the night4 ,here ,gen4 ,wilson began to treat us more kindly2 he became very sociable2 conversing very freely on the subject of his former murders and robberies committed against us in ,jackson4 ,he did not pretend to deny anything2 but spoke upon the whole as freely as if he had been giving the history of other ages or countries1 in which his audience had no personal concern4 ,said he3 ,we ,jackson ,county boys know how it is2 and1 therefore1 have not the extremes of hatred and prejudice which characterize the rest of the troops4 ,we know perfectly that from the beginning the ,mormons have not been the aggressors at all4 ,as it began in '#cc in ,jackson ,county1 so it has been ever since4 ,you ,mormons were crowded to the last extreme1 and compelled to self-defense2 and this has been construed into treason1 murder and plunder4 ,we mob you without law2 the authorities refuse to protect you according to law2 you then are compelled to protect yourselves1 and we act upon the prejudices of the public1 who join our forces1 and the whole is legalized1 for your destruction and our gain4 ,is not this a shrewd and cunning policy on our part1 gentlemen8 ,when we drove you from ,jackson ,county1 we burned two hundred and three of your houses2 plundered your goods2 destroyed your press1 type paper1 books1 office and all--tarred and feathered old ,bishop ,partridge1 as exemplary an old man as you can find anywhere4 ,we shot down some of your men1 and1 if any of you returned the fire1 we imprisoned you1 on your trial for murder1 etc4 ,damn'd shrewdly done1 gentlemen2 and ,i came damn'd near kicking the bucket myself2 for1 on one occasion1 while we were tearing down houses1 driving families1 and destroying and plundering goods1 some of you good folks put a ball through my son's body1 another through the arm of my clerk1 and a third pierced my shirt collar and marked my neck4 ,no blame1 gentlemen2 we deserved it4 ,and let a set of men serve me as your community have been served1 and ,i'll be damn'd if ,i would not fight till ,i died4 ,it was repeatedly insinuated1 by the other officers and troops1 that we should hang you prisoners on the first tree we came to on the way to ,independence4 ,but ,i'll be damn'd if anybody shall hurt you4 ,we just intend to exhibit you in ,independence1 let the people look at you1 and see what a damn'd set of fine fellows you are4 ,and1 more particularly1 to keep you from that ,g--damn'd old bigot of a ,gen4 ,clark and his troops1 from down country1 who are so stuffed with lies and prejudice that they would shoot you down in a moment4 ,such was the tenor of the conversation addressed by ,gen4 ,wilson to his prisoners4 ,indeed1 it was now evident that he was proud of his prey1 and felt highly enthusiastic in having the honor of returning in triumph to ,independence with his prisoners1 whom his superstition had magnified into something more than fellow citizens--something noble or supernatural1 and worthy of public exhibition4 ,as we arose and commenced our march on the morning of the #c;d of ,november1 ,joseph ,smith spoke to me and the other prisoners1 in a low1 but cheerful and confidential tone2 said he3 ,be of good cheer1 brethren2 the word of the ,lord came to me last night that our lives should by given us1 and that whatever we may suffer during this captivity1 not one of our lives should be taken4 ,of this prophecy ,i testify in the name of the ,lord1 and1 though spoken in secret1 its public fulfillment and the miraculous escape of each one of us is too notorious to need my testimony4 ,in the after part of the day we came to the ,missouri ,river1 which separated us from ,jackson ,county4 ,here the brigade was halted and the prisoners taken to a public house1 where we were permitted to shave1 change our linen1 and partake of some refreshment4 ,this done1 we were hurried to the ferry and across the river with the utmost haste in advance of the troops4 ,this movement was soon explained to us4 ,the truth was1 ,gen4 ,clark had now arrived near the scene of action1 and had sent an express to take us from ,gen4 ,wilson and prevent us from going to ,jackson ,county--both armies being competitors for the honor of possessing the wonderful1 or1 in their estimation1 royal prisoners4 ,clark and his troops1 from a distance1 who had not arrived in the city of ,far ,west till after our departure1 were desirous of seeing the strange men whom it was said had turned the world upside down and of possessing such a wonderful trophy of victory1 or of putting them to death themselves4 ,on the other hand1 ,wilson and his brigade were determined to exhibit us through the streets of ,independence as a visible token of their own achievements4 ,therefore1 when demanded by ,gen4 ,clark's express1 they refused to surrender us2 and hurried us across the ferry with all possible despatch4 ,marching about a mile1 we encamped for the night in the wilderness1 with about fifty troops for our guard--the remainder not crossing the ferry till the next morning4 ,some of the neighboring citizens visited us next morning--it being ,sunday4 ,one of the ladies came up and very candidly inquired of the troops which of the prisoners the ,mormons worshipped8 ,one of the guards pointing to ,mr4 ,smith with a significant smile1 said1 ,this is he4 ,the woman1 then turning to ,mr4 ,smith1 inquired whether he professed to be the ,lord and ,saviour8 ,do not smile1 gentle reader1 at the ignorance of these poor innocent creatures1 who1 by the exertions of a corrupt press and pulpit1 are kept in ignorance and made to believe in every possible absurdity in relation to the ,church of the ,saints4 ,mr4 ,smith replied1 that he professed to be nothing but a man1 and a minister of salvation1 sent by ,jesus ,christ to preach the gospel4 ,after expressing some surprise1 the lady inquired what was the peculiar nature of the gospel1 as held by himself and his ,church8 ,at this the visitors and soldiers gathered around1 and ,mr4 ,smith preached to them faith in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 repentance towards ,god1 reformation of life1 immersion in water1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 for remission of sins1 and the gift of the ,holy ,ghost by the laying on of hands4 ,all seemed surprised1 and the lady1 in tears1 went her way1 praising ,god for the truth1 and praying aloud that the ,lord would bless and deliver the prisoners4 ,at ten o'clock the brigade had all crossed the river1 and come up with us4 ,we were then marched forward in our carriages1 while the troops were formed into a front and rear guard1 with quite a martial appearance4 ,as we passed along through the settlements hundreds of men1 women and children flocked to see us4 ,general ,w4 often halted the whole brigade to introduce us to the populace1 pointing out each of us by name4 ,many shook us by the hand1 and1 in the ladies at least1 there appeared some feelings of human compassion and sympathy4 ,in this way we proceeded till we arrived at ,independence4 ,it was now past noon1 and in the midst of a great rain2 but hundreds crowded to witness the procession1 and to gaze at us as we were paraded in martial triumph through the principal streets1 the bugles sounding a blast of triumphant joy4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ------------------------ ,treatment of the ,prisoners3--,visit the ,temple ,lot3--,gain my ,freedom3--,temptation3--,voluntary ,return to ,bondage3--,leave ,independence3--,conduct of the ,guards3--,fall into the ,hands of ,col4 ,price and ,guards3--,arrive at ,richmond3-- ,chains3--,interview with ,gen4 ,clark3--,dialogue3--,inconceivable ,absurdities4 ,this ceremony being finished1 a vacant house was prepared for our reception1 into which we were ushered through the crowd of spectators which thronged every avenue4 ,the troops were then disbanded4 ,in the meantime we were kept under a small guard1 and were treated with some degree of humanity1 while hundreds flocked to see us day after day4 ,we spent most of our time in preaching and conversation1 explanatory of our doctrines and practice4 ,much prejudice was removed1 and the feelings of the populace began to be in our favor1 notwithstanding their former wickedness and hatred4 ,in a day or two we were at liberty to walk the streets without a guard4 ,we were finally removed from our house of confinement to a hotel1 where we boarded at the public table1 and lodged on the floor1 with a block of wood for a pillow4 ,we no longer had any guard2 we went out and came in when we pleased--a certain keeper being appointed merely to watch over us1 and look to our wants4 ,with him we walked out of town to the westward1 and visited the desolate lands of the ,saints1 and the place which1 seven years before1 we had dedicated for the building of a ,temple4 ,this was a beautiful rise of ground1 about half a mile west of ,independence center4 ,when we saw it last it was a noble forest1 but our enemies had since robbed it of every vestige of timber1 and it now lay desolate1 or clothed with grass and weeds4 ,o1 how many feelings did this spot awaken in our bosoms6 ,here we had often bowed the knee in prayer1 in bygone years4 ,here we had assembled with hundreds of happy ,saints in the solemn meeting1 and offered our songs1 and sacraments1 and orisons4 ,but now all was solemn and lonely desolation4 ,not a vestige remained to mark the spot where stood our former dwellings4 ,they had long since been consumed by fire1 or removed and converted to the uses of our enemies4 ,while at ,independence we were once or twice invited to dine with ,general ,wilson and some others1 which we did4 ,while thus sojourning as prisoners at large1 ,i arose one morning when it was very snowy1 and passed silently and unmolested out of the hotel1 and as no one seemed to notice me1 or call me in question1 ,i thought ,i would try an experiment4 ,i passed on eastward through the town2 no one noticed me4 ,i then took into the fields1 still unobserved4 ,after travelling a mile ,i entered a forest2 all was gloomy silence1 none were near1 the heavens were darkened and obscured by falling snow1 my track was covered behind me1 and ,i was free4 ,i knew the way to the states eastward very well1 and there seemed nothing to prevent my pursuing my way thither2 thoughts of freedom beat high in my bosom2 wife1 children1 home1 freedom1 peace1 and a land of law and order1 all arose in my mind2 ,i could go to other ,states1 send for my family1 make me a home and be happy4 ,on the other hand1 ,i was a prisoner in a ,state where all law was at an end4 ,i was liable to be shot down at any time without judge or jury4 ,i was liable to be tried for my life by murderous assassins1 who had already broken every oath of office and trampled on every principle of honor or even humanity4 ,hands already dripping with the blood of aged sires1 and of helpless women and children1 were reaching out for my destruction4 ,the battle of ,crooked ,river had already been construed into murder on the part of the brave patriots who there defended their lives and rescued their fellow citizens from kidnappers and land pirates1 while the pirates themselves had been converted into loyal militia4 ,to go forward was freedom1 to go backward was to be sent to ,general ,clark1 and be accused of the highest crimes1 with murderers for judge1 jury and executioners4 ,go free6 whispered the tempter4 ,no6 said ,i1 never1 while ,brother ,joseph and his fellows are in the power of the enemy4 ,what a storm of trouble1 or even of death1 it might subject them to4 ,i turned on my heel1 retraced my steps1 and entered the hotel ere they had missed me4 ,as ,i shook the snow off my clothes the keeper and also ,brother ,joseph inquired where ,i had been4 ,i replied1 just out for a little exercise4 ,a walk for pleasure in such a storm gave rise to some pleasantries on their part1 and there the matter ended4 ,there was one thing which buoyed up our spirits continually during our captivity3 it was the remembrance of the word of the ,lord to ,brother ,joseph1 saying1 that our lives should all be given us during this captivity1 and not one of them should be lost4 ,i thought of this while in the wilderness vacillating whether to go or stay1 and the thought struck me3 ,he that will seek to save his life shall lose it2 but he that will lose his life for my sake shall find it again1 even life eternal4 ,i could now make sure of my part in the first resurrection1 as ,i had so intensely desired when about eleven years old4 ,but1 ,o1 the path of life6 ,how was it beset with trials6 ,at length1 after repeated demands1 we were sent to ,general ,clark1 at ,richmond1 ,ray ,county4 ,generals ,lucas and ,wilson had tried in vain for some days to get a guard to accompany us4 ,none would volunteer1 and when drafted they would not obey orders2 for in truth1 they wished us to go at liberty4 ,at last a colonel and two or three officers started with us1 with their swords and pistols1 which were intended more to protect us than to keep us from escaping4 ,on this journey some of us rode in carriages and some on horseback4 ,sometimes we were sixty or eighty rods in front or rear of our guards1 who were drinking hard out of bottles which they carried in their pockets4 ,at night1 having crossed the ,missouri ,river1 we put up at a private house4 ,here our guards all got drunk1 and went to bed and to sleep1 leaving us their pistols to defend ourselves in case of any attack from without1 as we were in a very hostile neighborhood4 ,next morning we rode a few miles1 and were met by an express from ,general ,clark1 which consisted of one ,colonel ,sterling ,price and a guard of soldiers4 ,this company immediately surrounded us with poised pieces1 in regular military order1 as if we had been ,bonaparte and staff on the way to ,st4 ,helena2 thinking1 perhaps1 that if we should escape1 the whole ,united ,states and all ,europe would be immediately overthrown4 ,in this manner we were escorted to ,richmond1 the headquarters of ,general ,clark and his army of three or four thousand men4 ,here1 as usual1 we had to endure the gaze of the curious1 as if we had been a caravan of animals for exhibition4 ,troops were paraded to receive us1 which1 as we approached1 opened to the right and left1 thus forming a long avenue1 through which we passed into a block house1 and were immediately put in chains1 under a strong guard1 who stood over us continually with poised pieces1 cocked and primed4 ,colonel ,price continued in the superintendence of the prisoners and the guards4 ,general ,clark at length called to see us4 ,he seemed more haughty1 unfeeling1 and reserved than even ,lucas or ,wilson had been when we first entered their camp4 ,we inquired of the general what were his intentions concerning us4 ,i stated to him that we had now been captives for many days1 and we knew not wherefore1 nor whether we were considered prisoners of war or prisoners of civil process1 or prisoners of hope4 ,at the same time remarking1 that all was wrapped in mystery2 for1 as citizens of the ,united ,states and of ,missouri1 in time of peace1 we could in nowise be considered as prisoners of war2 and1 without civil process1 we were not holden by civil authority2 and as to being prisoners of hope1 there was not much chance to hope1 from our present appearances6 ,he replied that we were taken to be tried4 ,tried8 ,by what authority8 ,by court martial4 ,what6 ,ministers of the gospel tried by court martial6 ,men who sustain no office in military affairs1 and who are not subject by law to military duty2 such men to be tried by court martial6 ,and this in time of peace1 and in a republic where the constitution guaranteed to every citizen the right of trial by jury8 ,yes4 ,this is in accordance with the treaty of stipulations entered into at ,far ,west at the time of the surrender1 and as agreed to by ,colonel ,hinkle1 your commanding officer4 ,colonel ,hinkle1 our commanding officer6 ,what had he to do with our civil rights8 ,he was only a colonel of a regiment of the ,caldwell ,county ,militia4 ,why6 was he not the commanding officer of the fortress of ,far ,west1 the headquarters of the ,mormon forces8 ,we had no 'fortress' or ',mormon forces1' but were part of the ,state militia4 ,at this the general seemed surprised1 and the conversation ended4 ,we were astonished above measure at proceedings so utterly ignorant and devoid of all law or justice4 ,here was a ,major-,general1 selected by the ,governor of ,missouri1 and sent to banish or exterminate a religious society4 ,and then1 to crown the whole with inconceivable absurdity1 aid religious society is converted by this officer and his associates into an independent government1 or foreign nation4 ,and last1 and equally absurd1 the ,state of ,missouri assumed her independence of the federal government so far as to treat with this imaginary ,mormon ,empire1 or foreign nation4 ,a colonel of militia1 subordinate to the general then in the field1 is converted into a foreign minister1 an envoy extraordinary1 in behalf of the ,mormon ,empire1 to enter into treaty stipulations with his ,missouri majesty's forces1 under ,generals ,lucas1 ,wilson and ,clark6 ,the city of ,far ,west1 the capital of ,mormonia1 is the ,ghent1 where this treaty of peace is ratified4 ,the standing army of the conquered nation stack their arms1 which are carried in triumph to ,richmond4 ,preachers of the gospel are converted into noble or royal prisoners1 chained to the car of the victorious champions to be led captive as sport for the ,philistines1 or to be shot or hung at pleasure1 while the residue of the inhabitants of the fallen empire--men1 women and children--are to have their real estate and all other goods confiscated1 and themselves banished the state on pain of death4 ,a few1 however1 are selected from among these exiles to be imprisoned or executed at the mere dictation of a ,nero or a ,nicholas4 ,was this in ,america1 in the nineteenth century8 ,were these scenes transacted in a constitutional republic8 ,yes1 verily1 and worse--a tale of horror1 of woe1 of long years of lawless outrage and tyranny is yet to be told1 of which this is a mere stepping stone or entering wedge4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ------------------------ ,,massacre ,,at ,,haun',s ,,mill4 ,we here introduce the testimony of ,joseph ,young1 an eye witness of one of the most awful scenes which ever stained the annals of history in any age or country4 ,the following is a short history of my travels to the ,state of ,missouri1 and of a bloody tragedy enacted at ,haun's ,mill1 on ,shoal ,creek1 ,october #cj1 #ahch3 ,on the #fth of ,july last ,i started with my family from ,kirtland1 ,ohio1 for ,missouri--the county of ,caldwell1 in the upper part of the ,state1 being the place of my destination4 ,on the #acth of ,october ,i crossed the ,mississippi at ,louisiana1 at which place ,i heard vague reports of the disturbances in the upper country1 but nothing that could be relied on4 ,i continued my course westward till ,i crossed ,grand ,river1 at a place called ,compton's ,ferry1 where ,i heard for the first time that if ,i proceeded any further on my journey ,i would be in danger of being sped by a body of armed men4 ,i was not willing1 however1 while treading my native soil and breathing republican air1 to abandon my object1 which was to locate myself and family in a fine1 healthy country1 where we could enjoy the society of our friends and connections4 ,consequently1 ,i prosecuted my journey till ,i came to ,whitney's ,mills1 situated on ,shoal ,creek1 in the eastern part of ,caldwell ,county4 ,after crossing the creek and going about three miles we met a party of the mob1 about forty in number1 and with rifles and mounted on horses1 who informed us that we could go no further west1 threatening us with instant death if we proceeded any further4 ,i asked them the reason of this prohibition1 to which they replied that we were ',mormons1' and that every one who adhered to that religious faith would have to leave the ,state within ten days1 or renounce their religion4 ,accordingly1 they drove us back to the mills above mentioned4 ,here we tarried three days1 and on ,friday1 the #bfth1 we recrossed the creek1 and1 following up its banks1 we succeeded in eluding the mob for the time being1 and gained the residence of a friend in ,myers' ,settlement4 ,on ,sunday1 ,october #bh1 we arrived at ,haun's ,mill1 where we found a number of our friends collected1 who were holding a council and deliberating upon the best course for them to pursue to defend themselves against the mob who were collecting in the neighborhood under the command of ,colonel ,jennings1 of ,livingston1 and threatening them with house burning and killing4 ,the decision of the council was that the neighborhood should put itself in a state of defense4 ,accordingly about twenty-eight of our men armed themselves1 and were in constant readiness for an attack1 if any small body of mobbers might come upon them4 ,the same evening1 for some reason best known to themselves1 the mob sent one of their number to enter into a treaty with our friends1 which was accepted on the condition of mutual forbearance on both sides1 and that each party1 as far as their influence extended1 should exert themselves to prevent any further hostilities4 ,at this time1 however1 there was another mob collecting on ,grand ,river1 at ,william ,mann's1 which was threatening us2 consequently1 we remained under arms on ,monday1 the #bith1 which passed away without molestation from any quarter4 ,on ,tuesday1 the #cjth1 that bloody tragedy was enacted1 the scenes of which ,i shall never forget4 ,more than three fourths of the day had passed in tranquility as smiling as the preceding one4 ,i think there was no individual of our company that was apprised of the sudden and awful fate which hung over our heads like an overwhelming torrent1 and which was to change the prospects1 the feelings and sympathies of about thirty families4 ,the banks of ,shoal ,creek1 on either side1 teemed with children sporting and playing1 while their mothers were engaged in domestic employments4 ,fathers or husbands were either on guard about the mills or other property1 or employed in gathering crops for winter consumption4 ,the weather was very pleasant1 the sun shone clearly all was tranquil1 and no one expressed any apprehension of the awful crisis that was near us1 even at our doors4 ,it was about #d o'clock1 p4m41 while sitting in my cabin with my babe in my arms1 and my wife standing by my side1 the door being open ,i cast my eyes on the opposite bank of ,shoal ,creek1 and saw a large body of armed men on horses directing their course towards the mills with all possible speed4 ,as they advanced through the scattering trees that bordered the prairie they seemed to form themselves into a three square position1 forming a vanguard in front4 ,at this moment1 ,david ,evans1 seeing the superiority of their numbers 7there being two hundred and forty of them1 according to their own account71 gave a signal and cried for peace4 ,this not being heeded they continued to advance1 and their leader1 a man named ,comstock1 fired a gun1 which was followed by a solemn pause of about ten or twelve seconds2 when all at once they discharged about one hundred rifles1 aiming at a blacksmith's shop1 into which our friends fled for safety4 ,they then charged up to the shop1 the crevices of which1 between the logs1 were sufficiently large to enable them to aim directly at the bodies of those who had there fled for refuge from the fire of their murderers4 ,there were several families rented in the rear of the shop whose lives were exposed1 and1 amid showers of bullets1 fled to the woods in different directions4 ,after standing and gazing at this bloody scene for a few minutes1 and finding myself in the uttermost danger1 the bullets having reached the house where ,i was living1 ,i committed my family to the protection of ,heaven2 and1 leaving the house on the opposite side1 ,i took a path which led up the hill1 following in the trail of three of my brethren that had fled from the shop4 ,while ascending the hill we were discovered by the mob1 who immediately fired at us1 and continued so to do till we reached the summit4 ,in descending the hill ,i secreted myself in a thicket of bushes1 where ,i lay till #h o'clock in the evening4 ,at this time ,i heard a voice calling my name in an undertone4 ,i immediately left the thicket and went to the house of ,benjamin ,lewis1 where ,i found my family--who had fled there in safety--and two of my friends1 mortally wounded1 one of whom died before morning4 ,here we passed the painful night in deep and awful reflections on the scenes of the preceding evening4 ,after daylight appeared some four or five men1 with myself1 who had escaped with our lives from this horrid massacre1 repaired as soon as possible to the mills to learn the condition of our friends1 whose fate we had but too truly anticipated4 ,when we arrived at the house of ,mr4 ,haun1 we found ,mr4 ,merrick's body lying in the rear of the house2 ,mr4 ,mc,bride's in front1 literally mangled from head to foot4 ,we were informed by ,miss ,rebecca ,judd1 who was an eye witness1 that he was shot with his own gun after he had given it up1 and then cut to pieces with a corn cutter by a man named ,rogers1 of ,daviess ,county1 who keeps a ferry on ,grand ,river1 and who has since repeatedly boasted of this act of savage barbarity4 ,mr4 ,york's body we found in the house4 ,after viewing these corpses we immediately went to the blacksmith's shop1 where we found nine of our friends1 eight of whom were already dead--the other1 ,mr4 ,cox1 of ,indiana1 in the agonies of death1 who soon expired4 ,we immediately prepared and carried them to the place of interment4 ,this last office of kindness due to the remains of departed friends was not attended with the customary ceremonies nor decency2 for we were in jeopardy1 every moment expecting to be fired on by the mob1 who1 we supposed1 were lying in ambush1 waiting the first opportunity to dispatch the remaining few who were providentially preserved from the slaughter of the preceding day4 ,however1 we accomplished without molestation this painful task4 ,the place of burial was a vault in the ground1 formerly intended for a well1 into which we threw the bodies of our friends promiscuously4 ,among the slain ,i will mention ,sardius ,smith1 son of ,warren ,smith1 about nine years old1 who1 through fear1 had crawled under the bellows in the shop1 where he remained till the massacre was over1 when he was discovered by one ,glaze1 of ,carroll ,county1 who presented a rifle near his head and literally blew off the upper part of it4 ,mr4 ,stanley1 of ,carroll ,county1 told me afterwards that ,glaze boasted of this fiendlike murder and heroic deed all over the country4 ,the number killed and mortally wounded in this wanton slaughter was eighteen or nineteen1 whose names1 as far as ,i can recollect1 were as follows3 ,thomas ,mc,bride1 ,levi ,merrick1 ,elias ,benner1 ,josiah ,fuller1 ,benjamin ,lewis1 ,alexander ,campbell1 ,warren ,smith1 ,sardius ,smith1 ,george ,richards1 ,mr4 ,napier1 ,mr4 ,harmer1 ,mr4 ,cox1 ,mr4 ,abbott1 ,mr4 ,york1 ,wm4 ,merrick 7a boy eight or nine years old71 and three or four others whose names ,i do not recollect1 as they were strangers to me4 ,among the wounded who recovered were ,isaac ,laney1 ,nathan ,k4 ,knight1 ,mr4 ,yokum1 two brothers by the name of ,myers1 ,tarlton ,lewis1 ,mr4 ,haun and several others4 ,miss ,mary ,stedwell1 while fleeing1 was shot through the hand1 and1 fainting1 fell over a log1 into which they shot upwards of twenty balls4 ,to finish their work of destruction1 this band of murderers composed of men from ,daviess1 ,livingston1 ,ray1 ,carroll and ,chariton ,counties1 led by some of the principal men of that section of the upper country 7among whom1 ,i am informed1 were ,mr4 ,ashby1 from ,chariton1 member of the ,state ,legislature2 ,col4 ,jennings1 of ,livingston ,county2 ,thos4 ,o',bryon1 ,clerk of ,livingston ,county2 ,mr4 ,whitney1 ,dr4 ,randall and many others71 proceeded to rob the houses1 wagons and tents of bedding and clothing2 drove off horses and wagons leaving widows and orphans destitute of the necessaries of life1 and even stripped the clothing from the bodies of the slain6 ,according to their own account they fired seven rounds in this awful butchery2 making upwards of sixteen hundred shots1 at a little company of men about thirty in number4 ,i hereby certify the above to be a true statement of facts1 according to the best of knowledge4 ,joseph ,young4 ,,state ,,of ,,illinois1 ,county of ,adams4 ,i hereby certify that ,joseph ,young this day came before me1 and made oath in due form of law1 that the statements contained in the foregoing sheets are true1 according to the best of his knowledge and belief4 ,in testimony whereof ,i have hereunto set my hand1 and affixed the seal of the ,circuit court at ,quincy1 this fourth day of ,june in the year of our ,lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine4 ,c4 ,m4 ,,woods1 ,clerk of ,circuit ,court of ,adams1 ,co41 ,ill4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ------------------------ ,speech of ,major--,general ,clark1 ,delivered at ,far ,west while its ,citizens were held as ,prisoners1 ,november1 #ahch4 ,gentlemen3 ,you1 whose names are not on this list1 will now have the privilege of going to your fields to obtain grain for your families--wood1 etc4 ,those that compose the list will go from thence to prison1 to be tried1 and receive the due demerits of their crimes4 ,but you are now at liberty1 all but such as charges may hereafter be preferred against4 ,it now devolves upon you to fulfil the treaty that you have entered into--the leading items of which ,i now lay before you4 ,the first of these items you have already complied with--which is1 that you deliver up your leading men to be tried according to law4 ,second1 that you deliver up your arms--this has been attended to4 ,the third is1 that you sign over your property to defray the expenses of the war2 this you have also done4 ,another thing yet remains for you to comply with2 that is3 that you leave the ,state forthwith2 and1 whatever your feelings concerning this affair1 whatever your innocence1 it is nothing to me4 ,general ,lucas1 who is equal in authority with me1 has made this treaty with you4 ,i am determined to see it executed4 ,the orders of the ,governor to me1 were1 that you should be exterminated1 and not allowed to remain in the ,state4 ,and had your leaders not been given up1 and the treaty complied with before this1 you and your families would have been destroyed and your houses in ashes4 ,there is a discretionary power resting in my hands1 which ,i shall try to exercise for a season4 ,i did not say that you must go now1 but you must not think of stopping here another season1 or of putting in crops2 for the moment you do the ,,citizens ,,will ,,be ,,upon ,,you4 ,i am determined to see the ,governor's orders fulfilled1 but shall not come upon you immediately4 ,do not think that ,i shall act as ,i have done any more2 but if ,i have to come again because the treaty which you have made is not complied with1 you need not expect any mercy1 but extermination2 for ,i am determined that the ,governor's order shall be executed4 ,as for your leaders1 do not think1 do not imagine for a moment1 do not let it enter your mind that they will be delivered1 or that you will see their faces again1 for their fare is fixed1 their die is cast1 their doom is sealed4 ,i am sorry1 gentlemen1 to see so great a number of apparently intelligent men found in the situation that you are4 ,and1 oh6 that ,i could invoke the ,spirit of the unknown ,god to rest upon you1 and deliver you from that awful chain of superstition1 and liberate you from those fetters of fanaticism with which you are bound4 ,i would advise you to scatter abroad and never again organize with bishops1 presidents1 etc41 lest you excite the jealousies of the people1 and subject yourselves to the same calamities that have now come upon you4 ,you have always been the aggressors2 you have brought upon yourselves these difficulties by being disaffected1 and not being subject to rule2 and my advice is1 that you become as other citizens1 lest by a recurrence of these events you bring upon yourselves inevitable ruin4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ------------------------ ,the ,prisoners3--,second ,interview with ,general ,clark3--,inquisition3-- ,sickness of ,elder ,rigdon3--,colonel ,price and ,guards3--,their ,conduct2--,rebuke by ,joseph ,smith3--,trial3--,similarity between ,king ,herod and ,governor ,boggs3--,judge ,austin ,a4 ,king in ,open ,court ,threatens a ,wholesale ,extermination of the ,mormons3--,other ,prisoners ,obtained by ,stratagem3--,advice of ,general ,doniphan1 ,attorney for the ,prisoners3--,decision3--,disposal of the ,prisoners3--,flight of the ,church to ,illinois3--,conduct of the ,outlaws3--,my ,family ,visits me in ,prison4 ,i must not forget to state that when we arrived in ,richmond as prisoners there were some fifty others1 mostly heads of families1 who had been marched from ,caldwell on foot 7distance #cj miles71 and were now penned up in a cold1 open1 unfinished court house1 in which situation they remained for some weeks1 while their families were suffering severe privations4 ,the next morning after our dialogue with ,general ,clark he again entered our prison and informed us that he had concluded to deliver us over to the civil authorities for an examining trial4 ,he was then asked why he did not do away with the unlawful decree of banishment1 which was first ordered by ,general ,lucas1 in compliance with the ,governor's order1 and which compelled thousands of citizens to leave the ,state4 ,or upon what principle the military power aided the civil law against us1 while at the same time it caused our families and friends to be murdered1 plundered and driven1 contrary to all law8 ,he replied that he approved of all the proceedings of ,general ,lucas1 and should not alter them4 ,i make this statement because some writers have commended ,clark for his heroic1 merciful1 and prudent conduct towards our society1 and have endeavored to make it appear that ,clark was not to be blamed for any of the measures of ,lucas4 ,the ,court of ,inquiry now commenced1 before ,judge ,austin ,a4 ,king4 ,this continued from the #aath to #bhth of ,november1 and our brethren1 some fifty in number1 were penned up in the cold1 dreary court house4 ,it was a very severe time of snow and winter weather1 and we suffered much4 ,during this time ,elder ,rigdon was taken very sick1 from hardship and exposure1 and finally lost his reason2 but still he was kept in a miserable1 noisy and cold room1 and compelled to sleep on the floor with a chain and padlock round his ankle1 and fastened to six others4 ,here he endured the constant noise and confusion of an unruly guard1 the officer of which was ,colonel ,sterling ,price1 since ,governor of the ,state4 ,these guards were composed generally of the most noisy1 foul mouthed1 vulgar1 disgraceful rabble that ever defiled the earth4 ,while he lay in this situation his son-in-law1 ,george ,w4 ,robinson1 the only male member of his family1 was chained by his side4 ,thus ,mrs4 ,rigdon and her daughters were left entirely destitute and unprotected4 ,one of his daughters1 ,mrs4 ,robinson1 a young and delicate female1 with her little infant1 came down to see her husband1 and to comfort and take care of her father in his sickness4 ,when she first entered the room1 amid the clank of chains and the rattle of weapons1 and cast her eyes on her sick and dejected parent and sorrow worn husband1 she was speechless1 and only gave vent to her feelings in a flood of tears4 ,this faithful lady1 with her little infant1 continued by the side of her father till he recovered from his sickness1 and till his fevered and disordered mind resumed its wonted powers4 ,in one of those tedious nights we had lain as if in sleep till the hour of midnight had passed1 and our ears and hearts had been pained1 while we had listened for hours to the obscene jests1 the horrid oaths1 the dreadful blasphemies and filthy language of our guards1 ,colonel ,price at their head1 as they recounted to each other their deeds of rapine1 murder1 robbery1 etc41 which they had committed among the ,mormons while at ,far ,west and vicinity4 ,they even boasted of defiling by force wives1 daughters and virgins1 and of shooting or dashing out the brains of men1 women and children4 ,i had listened till ,i became so disgusted1 shocked1 horrified1 and so filled with the spirit of indignant justice that ,i could scarcely refrain from rising upon my feet and rebuking the guards2 but had said nothing to ,joseph1 or any one else1 although ,i lay next to him and knew he was awake4 ,on a sudden he arose to his feet1 and spoke in a voice of thunder1 as the roaring lion1 uttering1 as near as ,i can recollect1 the following words3 ,,silence1 ye fiends of the infernal pit4 ,in the name of ,jesus ,christ ,i rebuke you1 and command you to be still2 ,i will not live another minute and bear such language4 ,cease such talk1 or you or ,i die ,,this ,,instant6 ,he ceased to speak4 ,he stood erect in terrible majesty4 ,chained1 and without a weapon2 calm1 unruffled and dignified as an angel1 he looked upon the quailing guards1 whose weapons were lowered or dropped to the ground2 whose knees smote together1 and who1 shrinking into a corner1 or crouching at his feet1 begged his pardon1 and remained quiet till a change of guards4 ,i have seen the ministers of justice1 clothed in magisterial robes1 and criminals arraigned before them1 while life was suspended on a breath1 in the courts of ,england2 ,i have witnessed a ,congress in solemn session to give laws to nations2 ,i have tried to conceive of kings1 of royal courts1 of thrones and crowns2 and of emperors assembled to decide the fate of kingdoms2 but dignity and majesty have ,i seen but once1 as it stood in chains1 at midnight1 in a dungeon in an obscure village of ,missouri4 ,in this mock court of inquiry the ,judge could not be prevailed on to examine the conduct of murderers and robbers who had desolated our society1 nor would he receive testimony except against us4 ,by the dissenters and apostates who wished to save their own lives and secure their property at the expense of others1 and by those who had murdered and plundered us from time to time1 he obtained abundance of testimony1 much of which was entirely false4 ,our ,church organization was converted by such testimony into a temporal kingdom1 which was to fill the whole earth and subdue all other kingdoms4 ,this court of inquisition inquired diligently into our belief of the seventh chapter of ,daniel concerning the kingdom of ,god1 which should subdue all other kingdoms and stand forever4 ,and when told that we believed in that prophecy1 the court turned to the clerk and said3 ,write that down2 it is a strong point for treason 4 ,our lawyer observed as follows3 ,judge1 you had better make the ,bible treason4 ,the court made no reply4 ,these texts and many others were inquired into with all the eagerness and apparent alarm which characterized a ,herod of old in relation to the babe of ,bethlehem1 the ,king of the ,jews4 ,the ancient ,herod1 fearing a rival in the person of ,jesus1 issued his exterminating order for the murder of all the children of ,bethlehem from two years old and under1 with a view to hinder the fulfillment of a prophecy which he himself believed to be true4 ,the modern ,herod 7,boggs71 fearing a rival kingdom in the people of the ,saints of the ,most ,high1 issued his exterminating order for the murder of the young children of an entire people1 and of their mothers as well as fathers1 while this court of inquisition inquired as diligently into the one prophecy as his predecessor did into the other4 ,these parallel actions go to show a strong belief in the prophecies on the part of the actors in both cases4 ,both believed1 and feared1 and trembled2 both hardened their hearts against that which their better judgment told them was true4 ,both were instigated by the devil to cause innocent blood to be shed4 ,and marvelously striking is the parallel in the final result of the actions of each4 ,the one slew many young children1 but failed to destroy the infant ,king of the ,jews4 ,the other slew many men1 women and children1 but failed to destroy the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the one found a timely refuge in ,egypt4 ,the other in ,illinois4 ,jesus ,christ fulfilled his destiny1 and will reign over the ,jews1 and sit on the throne of his father1 ,david1 forever4 ,the ,saints are growing to power amid the strongholds of the mountains of ,deseret1 and will surely take the ,kingdom1 and the greatness of the ,kingdom1 under the whole ,heaven4 ,who can withstand the ,almighty1 or frustrate his purposes8 ,herod died of a loathsome disease1 and transmitted to posterity his fame as a tyrant and murderer4 ,and ,lilburn ,w4 ,boggs is dragging out a remnant of existence in ,california1 with the mark of ,cain upon his brow1 and the fear of ,cain within his heart1 lest he that findeth him shall slay him4 ,he is a living stink1 and will go down to posterity with the credit of a wholesale murderer4 ,the court also inquired diligently into our missionary operations4 ,it was found1 on investigation1 that the ,church had sent missionaries into ,england and other foreign countries4 ,this1 together with our belief in the ,bible1 was construed into treason against the ,state of ,missouri1 while every act of defense was set down as murder1 etc4 ,the ,judge1 in open court1 while addressing a witness1 proclaimed1 that if the members of the ,church remained on their lands to put in another crop they should be destroyed indiscriminately1 and their bones be left to bleach on the plains without a burial4 ,yes1 reader1 the cultivation of lands held patents issued by the ,united ,states land office1 and signed by the ,president of the ,republic1 was1 by ,judge ,austin ,a4 ,king1 in open court1 pronounced a capital offense1 for which a whole community were prejudged and sentenced to death4 ,while those who should be the instruments to execute this sentence were called by the dignified name of citizens1 and these good citizens afterwards elected that same ,judge for ,governor of the ,state4 ,the ,judge inquired of the prisoners if they wished to introduce any witnesses for the defense4 ,a list of names was supplied by the prisoners1 when1 who should be selected to go to ,far ,west to obtain and bring them before the court1 but the identical bandit1 ,bogart1 and his gang1 who were defeated by us in the ,battle of ,crooked ,river1 after they had become famous for kidnapping1 plundering and murdering6 ,of course1 every man in ,caldwell would flee from such a gang if they could2 but he succeeded in capturing a few of our friends1 whose names were on the list1 and bringing them before the court1 when1 instead of being sworn1 they were immediately ordered to prison to take their trial4 ,others were sent for1 and1 as far as found1 shared the same fate4 ,this manoeuvre occupied several days1 during which the court was still in session1 and the fate of the prisoners suspended4 ,at length the ,judge exclaimed to the prisoners3 ,if you have any witnesses bring them forward2 the court cannot delay forever--it has waited several days already4 ,a member of the ,church1 named ,allen1 was just then seen to pass the window4 ,the prisoners requested that he might be introduced and sworn4 ,he was immediately called in and sworn4 ,he began to give his testimony1 which went to establish the innocence of the prisoners1 and to show the murders1 robberies1 etc41 committed by their accusers4 ,but he was suddenly interrupted and cut short by cries of ,put him out2 ,kick him out2 ,g-d d--n him1 shoot him2 ,kill him1 d--n him1 kill him2 ,he's a d--d ,mormon4 ,the court then ordered the guard to put him out1 which was done amid the yells1 threats1 insults and violence of the mob who thronged in and around the court house4 ,he barely escaped with his life4 ,mr4 ,doniphan1 attorney for the defense1 and since famed as a general in the ,mexican war1 finally advised the prisoners to offer no defense2 for1 said he1 though a legion of angels from the opening heavens should declare your innocence1 the court and populace have decreed your destruction4 ,our attorney offered no defense1 and thus the matter of our trials was finally submitted4 ,by the decision of this mock ,court some twenty or thirty of the accused were dismissed1 among whom was ,amasa ,lyman ,gibbs1 ,darwin ,chase1 ,norman ,shearer and myself and themselves and bail both forced to leave the ,state1 thus forfeiting the bail bonds1 while ,joseph ,smith1 ,hyrum ,smith1 ,sidney ,rigdon1 ,lyman ,wight1 ,caleb ,baldwin and ,alexander ,mc,ray 7all heads of families7 were committed to the jail of ,clay ,county on the charge of treason2 and ,morris ,phelps1 ,luman ,gibbs1 ,darwin ,chase1 ,norman ,shearer and myself were committed to the jail of ,richmond1 ,ray ,county1 for the alleged crime of murder1 said to be committed in the act of dispersing the bandit1 ,bogart1 and his gang4 ,this done1 the civil and military authorities dispersed1 and the troubled waters became a little more tranquil4 ,as our people were compelled by the memorable ,treaty of ,far ,west to leave the ,state by the following spring1 they now commenced moving by hundreds and by thousands to the ,state of ,illinois1 where they were received in the most humane and friendly manner by the authorities1 and by the citizens in general4 ,in the meantime bands of murderers1 thieves and robbers were roaming unrestrained among the unarmed and defenseless citizens1 committing all manner of plunder1 and driving off cattle1 sheep and horses1 abusing and insulting women4 ,my wife and children soon came to me in prison1 and spent a portion of the winter in the cold1 dark dungeon1 where myself and fellow prisoners were frequently insulted and abused by our dastardly guards1 who often threatened to shoot us on the spot1 and who made murder1 robbery and whoredoms with negro slaves their daily boast4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ------------------------ ,,legislative ,,action ,,on ,,the ,,subject4 ,the ,state ,legislature were soon in session2 and from this body1 so high in responsibility1 we had hoped for some redress and protection4 ,memorials and petitions from those aggrieved1 and others1 were addressed to the legislature1 praying for an investigation of the whole matter1 and for redress and protection against the criminal proceedings of the ,governor and his troops1 in seizing our property1 murdering our citizens1 kidnapping our leaders and others1 and driving us from the ,state4 ,yes1 in fact1 ,american citizens petitioned a republican legislature for the privilege of occupying and cultivating their own lands1 purchased of the ,government of the ,united ,states1 and for the privilege of dwelling in the houses built by their own hands1 on their own real estate4 ,how strange6 ,how incredible1 in the nineteenth century6 ,who can realize it8 ,and yet it must stand on record1 and go down to posterity as a fact1 a stubborn1 undeniable public fact4 ,the following extract of a petition addressed to the legislature of ,missouri1 dated ,dec4 #aj1 #ahch1 ,far ,west1 ,caldwell ,county1 ,missouri1 and signed by a committee appointed by the citizens1 will show for itself the foregoing to be true4 ,it was signed by ,,edward ,,partridge1 ,,john ,m4 ,,burk1 ,,heber ,c4 ,,kimball1 ,,brigham ,,young1 ,,john ,,taylor1 ,,isaac ,,morley1 ,,theodore ,,turley1 ,,george ,w4 ,,harris1 ,,john ,,murdock4 ,it read as follows3 ,the last order of ,governor ,boggs1 to drive us from the ,state or exterminate us1 is a thing so novel1 unlawful1 tyrannical and oppressive that we have been induced to draw up this memorial and present this statement of our case to your honorable body1 praying that a law may be passed rescinding the order of the ,governor to drive us from the ,state2 and also1 giving us the sanction of the ,legislature to inherit our lands in peace4 99 99 99 ,in laying our case before your honorable body we say that we are willing1 and ever have been1 to conform to the ,constitution and laws of the ,united ,states and of this ,state4 ,we ask1 in common with others1 the protection of the laws4 ,we ask for the privilege guaranteed to all free citizens of the ,united ,states and of this ,state to be extended to us1 that we may be permitted to settle and live where we please1 and worship ,god according to the dictates of our conscience without molestation4 ,and while we ask for ourselves this privilege1 we are willing all others should enjoy the same4 ,if the necessity for such a petition seems strange1 how much more strange appears the fact1 that such petition was denied by the ,legislature of a ,state8 ,and to crown the whole1 all investigation was utterly refused2 nay more1 the ,legislature itself became accessory to these crimes1 by appropriating two hundred thousand dollars to pay the murderers and robbers for committing these crimes4 ,this last act of outrage sealed with eternal infamy the character of the ,state of ,missouri4 ,she fell to rise no more4 ,she should be looked upon by her sister ,states as a star fallen from the ,american constellation2 a ruined and degraded outcast from the family of ,states4 ,the whole civilized world will detest and abhor her as the most infamous of tyrants4 ,nay1 tyranny itself will blush to hear her deeds mentioned in the annals of history4 ,the most cruel persecutors of the ,christians or ,reformers in pagan or papal ,rome will start with astonishment from their long slumbers1 and1 with a mixture of envy and admiration1 yield to her the palm4 ,as a ,state she has acted the part of a pirate1 a wholesale murderer and robber4 ,every department--civil1 military1 executive and legislative--tramples all law under foot1 and plunges into crime and blood4 ,many of the ,state journals have tried to hide the iniquity of the ,state by throwing a covering of lies over her atrocious deeds4 ,but1 can they hide the ,governor's cruel order for extermination or banishment8 ,can they conceal the fact of the disgraceful treaty of the generals with a portion of their own officers and men at ,far ,west8 ,can they conceal the fact that ten or twelve thousand citizens1 of all ages and of both sexes1 have been banished from the ,state without trial or condemnation8 ,can they conceal the fact that the ,state ,legislature appropriated two hundred thousand dollars to pay the criminals for committing these crimes2 and this while the petitions of the sufferers lay on the table before them1 praying for investigation1 redress and protection8 ,can they conceal the fact that citizens have been kidnapped and imprisoned for many months1 while their families1 friends and witnesses have been driven from the ,state8 ,can they conceal the blood of the murdered husbands and fathers1 or stifle the cries of widows and orphans8 ,nay1 the rocks and the mountains may cover them in unknown depths2 the awful abyss of the fathomless deep may swallow them up1 and still their horrid deeds will stand forth in the broad light of day1 for the wondering gaze of angels and of men--they cannot be hid4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ------------------------ ,joseph ,smith and his ,fellow ,prisoners in ,clay ,county3--,mock ,trial in the ,county of ,davies3--,final ,escape3--,their ,arrival in ,illinois4 ,this chapter is an extract from the statement of ,hyrum ,smith1 one of the prisoners1 given under oath1 before the ,municipal ,court of the city of ,nauvoo1 ,illinois1 in the summer of #ahdc4 ,the next morning after the close of this mock court 7held at ,richmond1 ,judge ,austin ,a4 ,king presiding71 a large wagon drove up to the door of our prison house1 and a blacksmith entered with some chains and handcuffs4 ,he said his orders from the ,judge were to handcuff and chain us together4 ,he informed us that the ,judge made out a mittimus and sentenced us to jail for treason2 he also said that the ,judge had stated his intention to keep us in jail until all the ,mormons were driven from the ,state2 and that the ,judge had further stated that if he let us out before the ,mormons had left the ,state there would be another d--d fuss kicked up4 ,i also heard the ,judge say myself1 while he was sitting in his pretended court1 'that there was no law for us1 or any of the ,mormons in the ,state of ,missouri2 that he had sworn to see then exterminated1 and to see the ,governor's order executed to the very letter1 and he would do so4' ,however1 the blacksmith proceeded to put the irons upon us4 ,we were then ordered into the wagon and drove off for ,clay ,county4 ,as we journeyed along the road1 we were exhibited to the inhabitants4 ,this public exhibition lasted until we arrived at the town of ,liberty1 ,clay ,county4 ,there we were thrust into prison again1 and locked up2 and were held there in confinement for the space of six months4 ,our place of lodging was the square side of hewed white oak logs1 and our food was anything but good and decent4 ,poison was administered to us three or four times4 ,the effect it had upon our systems was1 that it vomited us almost to death1 and then we would lay some two or three days in a torpid1 stupid state1 not even caring or wishing for life4 ,the poison would inevitably have proved fatal had not the power of ,jehovah interposed in our behalf to save us from their wicked purpose4 ,we were also subjected to the necessity of eating human flesh for the space of five days1 or go without food1 except a little coffee or a little cornbread4 ,i chose the latter alternative4 ,none of us partook of the flesh except ,lyman ,wight4 ,we also heard the guard which was placed over us1 making sport of us1 saying that 'they had fed us upon ,mormon beef4' ,i have described the appearance of this flesh to several experienced physicians1 and they have decided that is was human flesh4 ,we learned afterwards through one of the guards that it was supposed that such acts of cannibalism as feeding us with human flesh would be considered a popular deed4 ,but those concerned1 on learning that it would not take1 tried to keep it secret2 but the fact was noised abroad before they took that precaution4 ,while we were incarcerated in prison we petitioned the ,supreme ,court of the ,state of ,missouri for habeas corpus twice1 but we were as often refused by ,judge ,reynolds1 who is now ,governor of that state4 ,we also petitioned one of the county judges for a writ of habeas corpus4 ,this was granted in about three weeks afterwards2 but we were not permitted to have any trial4 ,we were only taken out of jail1 and kept out for a few hours1 and then reprimanded back again4 ,in the course of three or four days after that time ,judge ,turnham came into the jail in the evening1 and said he had permitted ,mr4 ,rigdon to get bail2 but said he had to do it in the night1 and had also to get away in the night1 and unknown to any of the citizens1 or they would kill him2 for they had sworn to kill him if they could find him4 ,and1 as to the rest of us1 he dare not let us go for fear of his own life1 as well as ours4 ,he said it was hard to be confined under such circumstances1 for he knew we were innocent men1 and the people also knew it2 and that it was only persecution and treachery1 and the scenes of ,jackson ,county acted over again1 for fear we would become too numerous in that upper country4 ,he said1 'the plan was concocted from the ,governor down to the lowest judge1 and that wicked ,baptist priest1 ,riley1 was riding into town every day to watch the people--stirring up the minds of the people against us all he could--exciting them1 and stirring up their religious prejudices against us1 for fear they would let us go4' ,mr4 ,rigdon1 however1 got bail and made his escape to ,illinois4 ,the jailor1 ,samuel ,tillory1 told us also 'that the whole plan was concocted from the ,governor down to the lowest judge in that upper country early the previous spring2 and that the plan was more fully matured at the time ,general ,atchison went down to ,jefferson ,county with ,generals ,wilson1 ,lucas and ,gillum4' ,this was sometime in ,september1 when the mob was collected at ,de ,witt4 ,he also said that the ,governor was now ashamed enough of the whole transaction1 and would be glad to set us at liberty if he dared to do it2 'but1' said he1 'you need not be concerned1 for the ,governor has laid a plan for your release4' ,he also said that ,mr4 ,birch1 the ,state's ,attorney1 was appointed to be ,circuit ,judge in the district including ,daviess ,county1 and that he 7,birch7 was instructed to fix the papers so that we would be clear from any encumbrance in a very short time4 ,sometime in ,april we were taken to ,daviess ,county1 as they said1 to have a trial2 but when we arrived at that place1 instead of finding a court or a jury1 we found another ,inquisition2 and ,birch1 who was the ,district ,attorney1 the same man who was one of the 'court martial' when we were sentenced to death1 was now the ,circuit ,judge of that pretended court1 and the ,grand ,jury that were impanelled were at the massacre at ,haun's ,mill1 and lively actors in that awful1 solemn1 disgraceful1 cold-blooded murder4 ,all the pretense they made of excuse was 'they had done it because the ,governor ordered it done4' ,the same jury sat as a jury in the day time1 and were over us as a guard by night4 ,they tantalized and boasted over us of their great achievements at ,haun's ,mill and at other places2 telling us how many houses they had burned1 and how many sheep1 cattle and hogs they had driven off belonging to ',mormons1' and how many rapes they had committed1 etc4 99 99 99 ,these fiends of the lower region boasted of these acts of barbarity and tantalized our feelings with them for ten days4 ,we had heard of these acts of cruelty previous to this time2 but we were slow to believe that such acts had been perpetrated4 ,this ,grand ,jury constantly celebrated their achievements with grog and glass in hand1 like the ,indian warriors at the war dances1 singing and telling each of their exploits in murdering the ' ,mormons1' in plundering their houses1 and carrying off their property4 ,all this was done in the presence of ,judge ,birch1 who had previously said in our hearing3 ',that there was no law for the ,mormons in the ,state of ,missouri4' ,after all these ten days of drunkenness we were informed that we were indicted for 'treason6 murder6 arson6 larceny6 theft and stealing66' ,we asked for a change of venue from that county to ,marion ,county2 but they would not grant it4 ,but they gave us a change of venue from ,daviess to ,boone ,county1 and a mittimus was made out by the pretended ,judge ,birch1 without date1 name or place4 ,they fitted us out with a two horse wagon and horses1 and four men1 besides the ,sheriff1 to be our guard--there were five of us4 ,we started from ,gallatin1 the sun about two hours high1 p4m41 and went as far as ,diahman that evening1 and stayed till morning4 ,there we bought two horses of the guard1 and paid for one of them in clothing which we had with us1 and for the other we gave our note4 ,we went down that day as far as ,judge ,morin's--distance of some four or five miles4 ,there we stayed until morning1 when we started on our journey to ,boone ,county1 and travelled about twenty miles4 ,there was bought a jug of whiskey1 of which the guard drank freely4 ,while there the ,sheriff showed us the mittimus1 before referred to1 without date or signature1 and said that ,judge ,birch told him never to carry us to ,boone ,county1 and to show the mittimus2 and1 said he1 ,i shall take a good drink of grog and go to bed1 and you may do as you have a mind to4 ,three others of the guard drank pretty freely of whiskey sweetened with honey2 they also went to bed and were soon asleep4 ,the other guard went with us and helped us to saddle our horses4 ,two of us mounted the horses and the other three started on foot1 and thus we took our change of venue for the ,state of ,illinois4 ,in the course of nine or ten days we arrived safely in ,quincy1 ,adams ,county1 where we found our families in a state of poverty1 although in good health--they having been driven out of the state previously by the murderous militia under the exterminating order of the ,executive of ,missouri4 ,and now the people of that state1 or a portion of them1 would be glad to make the people of this state believe that my brother ,joseph has committed treason1 and this they seek to do for the purpose of keeping up their murderous and hellish persecution4 ,they seem to be unrelenting in thirsting for the blood of innocence1 for ,i do know most positively that my brother ,joseph has committed no treason1 nor violated one solitary item of law or rule in the ,state of ,missouri4 ,but ,i do know that the ,mormon people1 en masse1 were driven out of that ,state1 after being robbed of all they had1 and that he barely escaped with his life4 ,and all this in consequence of the exterminating order of ,governor ,boggs2 the same being confirmed by the ,legislature of that ,state4 ,and ,i do know1 so does this ,court and every rational man who is acquainted with the circumstances1 and every man who shall hereafter become acquainted with the particulars thereof1 will know that ,governor ,boggs and ,generals ,clark1 ,lucas1 ,wilson and ,gillum1 also ,austin ,a4 ,king1 have committed treasonable acts against the citizens of ,missouri1 and did violate the ,constitution of the ,united ,states1 and also the ,constitution and laws of the ,state of ,missouri1 and did exile and expel1 at the point of the bayonet1 some twelve or fourteen thousand inhabitants of the ,state1 and did murder some three or four hundred of men1 women and children in cold blood in the most horrid and cruel manner possible4 ,and the whole of it was caused by religious bigotry and persecution1 and because the ,mormons dared to worship ,almighty ,god according to the dictates of their own conscience and agreeably to ,his ,divine ,will1 as revealed in the ,scriptures of eternal truth2 and had turned away from following the vain traditions of their fathers and would not worship according to the dogmas and commandments of those men who preach for hire and divine for money1 and teach for doctrines the commandments of men1 expecting that the ,constitution of the ,united ,states would have protected them therein4 ,but1 notwithstanding the ,mormon people1 had purchased upwards of two hundred thousand dollars' worth of land1 most of which was entered and paid for at the ,land ,office of the ,united ,states1 in the ,state of ,missouri1 and although the ,president of the ,united ,states has been made acquainted with these facts and the particulars of our persecutions and oppressions by petitions to him and to ,congress1 yet they have not even attempted to restore the ,saints to their rights1 or given any assurance that we may hereafter expect redress from them4 ,and ,i do also know1 most positively and assuredly1 that my brother1 ,joseph ,smith1 ,junior1 has not been in the ,state of ,missouri since the spring of the year #ahci4 ,and further this deponent saith not4 ,,hyrum ,,smith4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ------------------------ ,farewell ,scenes3--,departure of the ,last ,remnant of the ,exiles3--,court3--,release of ,two of the ,prisoners3-- ,reflections in ,prison4 ,on the #agth of ,march1 #ahci1 my wife took leave of the prison with her little children1 and1 with a broken heart returned to ,far ,west1 in order to get passage with some of the brethren for ,illinois4 ,she tarried in ,far ,west a month4 ,all the society had gone from the ,state1 but a few of the poor and widows1 and the committee who tarried behind to assist them in removing4 ,about the middle of ,april a gang of robbers entered ,far ,west armed1 and ordered my wife1 and the committee1 and the others to be gone by such a time1 or they would murder them4 ,this gang destroyed much furniture and other property4 ,thus my wife was driven away according to the ,governor's previous order1 while ,i was still detained in a filthy dungeon4 ,my family were conveyed to ,quincy1 ,illinois1 distance two hundred and eighty miles1 by ,david ,w4 ,rogers1 of ,new ,york1 who is a descendant of the celebrated martyr1 ,john ,rogers1 of ,smithfield celebrity1 ,england4 ,on the #bjth of ,april1 #ahci1 the last of the ,society departed from ,far ,west4 ,thus had a whole people1 variously estimated at from ten to fifteen thousand souls1 been driven from houses and lands and reduced to poverty1 and had removed to another ,state during one short winter and part of a spring4 ,the sacrifice of property was immense--including houses1 lands1 cattle1 sheep1 hogs1 agricultural implements1 furniture1 household utensils1 clothing1 money and grain4 ,one of the most flourishing counties in the ,state and part of several others were reduced to desolation1 or inhabited only by marauding gangs of murderers and robbers4 ,on the #bdth of ,april our cases came before the ,grand ,jury of the county of ,ray2 which ,grand ,jury1 the reader is aware1 would be naturally composed of our persecutors and their accessories2 and at whose head was the same ,judge ,king who had presided in the former mock trial and inquisition which committed us to prison4 ,darwin ,chase and ,norman ,shearer were dismissed1 after being imprisoned near six months4 ,this release happened just as ,mr4 ,shearer came to visit his son for the last time before he left the country4 ,he came into the prison and took an affectionate leave of his son1 who wept as if his heart would break2 but while he yet lingered in town his son was called before the ,court1 and1 together with ,mr4 ,chase1 was told that he might go at liberty4 ,the father and son then embraced each other1 almost overcome with joy1 and departed4 ,at the same time my brother1 ,orson ,pratt1 whom ,i had not seen for a year1 came from ,illinois to see me1 but was only permitted to visit me for a few moments1 and then was ordered to depart4 ,mrs4 ,phelps1 who had waited in prison for some days1 in hopes that the ,court would release her husband1 now parted with him1 overwhelmed with sorrow and tears1 and1 with her infant1 went away to remove to ,illinois4 ,thus our families wander in a strange land1 without protection1 being robbed of house and home4 ,o ,lord6 how long8 ,our number in prison were now reduced to four--one having been added about the middle of ,april4 ,his name was ,king ,follett2 he was dragged from his distressed family just as they were leaving the ,state1 being charged with robbery1 which meant that he was one of a posse who took a keg of powder from a gang of ruffians who were out against the ,mormons4 ,thus1 of all the ,mormon prisoners first kidnapped1 only two remained in the ,state--,mr4 ,gibbs having denied the faith to try and regain his liberty--these were ,morris ,phelps and myself4 ,all who were liberated on bail were forced to leave the ,state1 together with those who bailed them1 thus forfeiting many thousands of dollars to the coffers of the ,state4 ,is it possible6 ,have ,i been recording the history of realities as the scenes transpired in the broad light of the nineteenth century--in the boasted land of liberty--and in the most renowned republic now existing on the globe8 ,alas6 it is too true2 would to ,god it were a dream--a novel1 a romance that had no existence save in the wild regions of fancy4 ,but the prison door yet grating on its hinges1--the absence of my wife and little ones--the gloom of the dungeon where ,i yet repose1--these and ten thousand other things cause me to think that my almost incredible narrative is no fiction1 but an awful reality--a fact more truly distressing than my feeble tongue or pen can find words to set forth4 ,how often in my sleeping visions ,i see my beloved wife1 or my playful children surrounded with the pleasures of home in my sweet little cottage1 or walk with them in some pleasant grove or flowery field1 as in years past4 ,how often ,i see myself surrounded with listening thousands1 as in bygone years1 and join with them in the sacred song and prayer1 or address them with the sound of the everlasting gospel4 ,but1 alas6 ,i soon awake1 and1 to my inexpressible grief and sorrow1 find myself still in my lonely dungeon4 ,o ,liberty6 ,o sound once delightful to every ,american ear6 ,o sacred privilege of ,american citizenship6 ,once sacred2 now trampled under foot4 ,when shall ,i and my injured family and friends again enjoy thy sweets8 ,when shall we repose beneath thy bower1 or bask in thy boundless ocean of felicity8 ,when shall we sit again under our vine and under our fruit trees1 and worship our ,god1 with none to molest or make us afraid8 ,awake1 ,o ,americans6 ,arise1 ,o sons and daughters of freedom6 ,restore a persecuted and injured people to their rights1 as citizens of a free republic4 ,down with tyranny and oppression1 and rescue your liberties from the brink of ruin4 ,redeem your much injured country from the awful stain upon its honor2 and let the cries of helpless orphans and the tears of the sorrowing widow cease to ascend up before the ,lord for vengeance upon the heads of those who have slain1 plundered1 imprisoned and driven the ,saints4 ,and let the news go forth to the wondering nations that ,columbia still is free4 ,o tell it not in ,britain2 nor let the sound be heard in ,europe that ,liberty is fallen2 that the free institutions of our once happy country are now destroyed1 lest the sons and daughters of ,britannia rejoice and laugh us to scorn2 lest the children of monarchy triumph and have us in derision4 ,o freedom must thy spirit now withdraw ,from earth1 returning to its native heaven1 ,there to dwell1 till1 armed with sevenfold vengeance1 ,it comes again to earth with ,king ,messiah1 ,and all ,his marshaled hosts1 in glory bright1 ,to tread the winepress of ,almighty ,god1 ,and none escape8 ,ye powers of ,heaven1 forbid2 ,let freedom linger still on shores of time1 ,and in the breasts of thine afflicted saints1 ,let it find a peaceful retirement-- ,a place of rest1 till o'er the troubled earth1 ,mercy1 justice and eternal truth1 ,while journeying hand in hand to exalt the humble ,and debase the proud2 shall find some nation1 ,poor1 oppressed1 afflicted and despised2 ,cast out and trodden under foot of tyrants ,proud2 the hiss1 the byword1 and the scorn of knaves-- ,and there let freedom's spirit wide prevail1 ,and grow and flourish 'mid the humble poor-- ,exalted and enriched by virtue1 ,knowledge1 temperance and love2 till o'er the earth ,messiah comes to reign2 the proud consumed1 ,no more oppress the poor1 ,let freedom's eagle then 7forthcoming1 like ,the dove from ,noah's ark7 on lofty pinions soar1 ,and spread its wide domain from end to end1 ,o'er all the vast expanse of this wide earth2 ,while freedom's temple rears its lofty spires ,amid the skies1 and on its bosom rests ,a cloud by day and flaming fire by night6 ,but stay my spirit1 though thou fain would'st soar ,on high1 'mid scenes of glory1 peace and joy2 ,from bondage free1 and bid thy jail farewell4 ,stop--wait awhile--let patience have her perfect work1 ,return again to suffering scenes1 through which ,the way to glory lies1 and speak of things ,around thee--,thou'rt in prison still6 ,but spring has now returned2 the wintry blasts ,have ceased to howl through prison crevices ,the soft and gentle breezes of the ,south ,are whistling gaily past1 and incense sweet1 ,on zephyr's wing1 with fragrance fills the air1 ,wafted from blooming flowerets of the spring2 ,while round my lonely dungeon oft is heard ,melodious strains1 as if the birds of spring1 ,in anthems sweet1 conspired to pity and ,console the drooping spirits there confined4 ,all things around me show that days1 and weeks1 ,and months have fled1 although to me not mark'd ,by ,sabbaths1 and but faintly marked by dim ,and sombre rays of light1 alternate 'mid ,the gloom of overhanging night1 which still ,pervades my drear and solitary cell4 ,where now those helpless ones ,i left to mourn8 ,have they perished8 ,no4 ,what then6 ,has some ,elijah call'd and found them in the last ,extreme1 and multiplied their meal and oil8 ,yes1 verily2 the ,lord has filled the hearts ,of his poor saints with everlasting love1 ,which1 in proportion to their poverty1 ,increased with each increasing want1 till all ,reduced unto the widow's mite1 and then1 ,like her1 their living they put in2 and thus ,o'erflowed the treasury of the ,lord with more ,abundant stores than all the wealth of kings4 ,and thus supported1 fed and clothed1 and moved ,from scenes of sorrow to a land of peace1 ,they live6 and living still1 they do rejoice ,in tribulation deep-- ,well knowing their redemption draweth nigh4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ------------------------ ,,letter ,,to ,,judge ,,austin ,a4 ,,king4 ,,richmond ,,prison1 ,may #acth1 #ahci1 ,hon4 ,sir--,having been confined in prison near seven months1 and the time having arrived when a change of venue can be taken in order for the further prosecution of our trials1 and the time when ,i can speak my mind freely1 without endangering the lives or liberties of any but myself1 ,i now take the liberty of seriously objecting to a trial anywhere within the bounds of this ,state1 and of earnestly praying to your honor and to all the authorities1 civil and military1 that my case may come within the law of ,,banishment6 enacted by ,governor ,boggs1 and so vigorously enforced upon from ten to fifteen thousand of our society1 including my wife and little ones1 together with all my witnesses and friends4 ,my reasons are obvious1 and founded upon notorious facts which known to you1 sir1 and to the people in general of this republic1 and1 therefore1 need no proof2 some of them are as follows3 ,first3 ,i have never received any protection by law1 either of my person1 property or family1 while residing in this ,state1 to which ,i first emigrated in #ahca4 ,secondly3 ,i was driven by force of arms from ,jackson ,county1 wounded and bleeding1 in #ahcc1 while my house was burned1 my crops and provisions robbed from me or destroyed1 and my land and improvements kept from me until now1 while my family was driven out1 without shelter1 at the approach of winter4 ,thirdly3 ,these crimes still go unpunished1 notwithstanding ,i made oath before the ,hon4 ,judge ,ryland1 then acting ,district ,judge1 to foregoing outrages1 and afterwards applied in person to his excellency1 ,daniel ,dunklin1 then ,governor of the ,state1 for redress and protection of myself and friends1 and the restoration of more than a thousand of our fellow citizens to our homes4 ,fourthly3 ,my wife and children have now been driven from our house and improvements in ,caldwell ,county1 and banished the state on pain of death1 together with about ten thousand of our ,society1 including all my friends and witnesses1 and this by the express orders of his excellency1 ,lilburn ,w4 ,boggs1 ,governor of the ,state of ,missouri1 and by the vigorous execution of this order by ,generals ,lucas and ,clark1 and followed up by murders1 rapes1 plunderings1 thefts and robberies of the most inhuman character1 by a lawless mob who had1 from time to time1 for more than five years past1 trampled upon all law and authority1 and upon all the rights of man4 ,fifthly3 ,all these inhuman outrages and crimes go unpunished1 and are unnoticed by you1 sir1 and by all the authorities of the ,state4 ,nay1 rather1 you are one of the very actors4 ,you1 yourself1 threatened in open court the extermination of the ',mormons' if they should ever be again guilty of cultivating their lands4 ,sixthly3 ,the ,legislature of the ,state has approved of and sanctioned this act of banishment1 with all the crimes connected therewith1 by voting an appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars1 for the payment of troops engaged in this unlawful1 unconstitutional and treasonable enterprise4 ,in monarchial governments the banishment of criminals after their legal trial and condemnation has been frequently resorted to1 but the banishment of innocent women and children from house1 and home1 and country1 to wander in a strange land1 unprotected and unprovided for1 while their husbands and fathers are retained in dungeons1 is an action unknown in the annals of history1 except in this single instance1 in the nineteenth century1 when it has actually transpired in a republican ,state1 where the ,constitution guarantees to every man the protection of life1 liberty and property1 and the right of trial by jury4 ,these1 sir1 are outrages which would put monarchy to the blush1 and from which the most despotic tyrants of the dark ages would turn away with shame and disgust4 ,in these proceedings1 sir1 ,missouri has enrolled her name on the list of immortal fame4 ,her transactions will be handed down the stream of time to the latest posterity1 who will read with wonder and astonishment the history of proceedings which without a parallel in the annals of time4 ,why should the authorities of the ,state strain at a gnat and swallow a camel8 ,why be so strictly legal as to compel me to pass through all the forms of a slow and pretended legal prosecution 7previous to my enlargement71 out of a pretense of respect to the laws of the ,state1 which have been openly trampled upon and disregarded towards us from first to last8 ,why not include me in the general wholesale banishment of our society1 that ,i may support my family1 which are now reduced to beggary in a land of strangers8 ,but1 sir1 when the authorities of the ,state shall redress all these wrongs1 shall punish the guilty according to law1 and shall restore my family and friends to all our rights1 and shall pay all the damages which we1 as a people1 have sustained1 then ,i shall believe them sincere in their professed zeal for law and justice2 then shall ,i be convinced that ,i can have a fair trial in the ,state4 ,but until then ,i hereby solemnly protest against being tried in this ,state1 with the full and conscientious conviction that ,i have no just grounds to expect a fair and impartial trial4 ,i therefore1 most sincerely pray your honor1 and all the authorities in the ,state1 to either banish me without further persecution1 or ,i freely consent to a trial before the ,judiciary of the ,united ,states4 ,with sentiments of consideration and due respect1 ,i have the honor to subscribe myself1 ,your prisoner1 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ------------------------ ,the ,prison3--,fare3--,conduct of the ,guards3--,a ,strange ,couple3--,my ,wife ,visits the ,prison3--,fasting and ,prayer3--,an ,important ,question3--,vision3--,a ,ministering ,spirit3--,the ,question ,answered3--,visit from ,judge ,king3--,change of ,venue3-- ,handcuffs3--,departure from the ,prison3--,journey3--,arrival in ,columbia1 ,boone ,county3--,enter ,another ,prison3--,treatment3--,arrival of ,friends3--,news from my ,family3--,impressions of the ,spirit3--,plan and ,preparations for ,escape3--,fourth of ,july ,celebration3--,flag3--,public ,dinner3--,now's the ,day3--,our ,friends take ,leave3--,rendezvous4 ,the four following chapters are extracted from the ,millennial ,star1 published in ,liverpool1 ,england1 ,numbers #i1 #aj and #aa1 ,vol4 ,,viii4 ,i give them in full1 with some little revision1 although they contain a repetition of some of the things recorded in the foregoing chapters3 ,at the end of this extraordinary mock trial or inquisition1 which lasted over two weeks1 ,i was unchained from ,joseph and ,hyrum ,smith1 and the others1 and being separated from them1 was conducted to a gloomy1 dark1 cold and filthy dungeon in ,richmond1 ,ray ,county1 where ,i was doomed to spend the winter and spring1 and await a further trial2 while they shared a similar fate in a place called ,liberty1 in ,clay ,county4 ,when ,i first entered the dungeon there were some twenty men1 mostly heads of families1 who had been torn from their families in those awful times1 and thrust into prison4 ,it was not only crowded to suffocation1 without a chair1 stool1 bench1 bed1 furniture or window light1 but just then completely filled with smoke by a fire which was lighted in a stove without a pipe1 or any conductor for the smoke to pass out1 except at the crevices between the timbers1 where the winter storm was passing in4 ,when my guard conducted me to the door of this miserable cell it grated on its huge hinges and opened like the pit yawning to receive me2 a volume of thick smoke issued forth and seemed to forbid my entrance2 but1 urged in my rear by bayonets and loaded pistols in the hands of savage beings1 ,i endeavored to enter1 but was forced to retreat again outside of the door to breathe for a moment the free air4 ,at this instant several pistols were cocked and presented at my head and breast1 with terrible threats and oaths of instant death if ,i did not go in again4 ,i told them to fire as soon as they pleased1 for ,i must breathe a moment or die in the attempt4 ,after standing a few moments1 ,i again entered the prison1 and threw myself down1 my face to the floor1 to avoid the smoke4 ,here ,i remained for some time1 partly in a state of insensibility2 my heart sickened within me1 and a deathlike feeling came over me1 from which ,i did not wholly recover for several days4 ,i arose1 however1 as soon as ,i was able1 and began to speak to and recognize my fellow prisoners--most of whom were my neighbors and acquaintances4 ,the door was now locked1 bolted and barred1 and several guards placed before it4 ,the fire died away1 and the smoke gradually cleared away from the dungeon2 but the floor formed a hard and cold winter lodging4 ,in a few days all those in our prison1 except five1 were released on bail1 and themselves and bail banished from the ,state1 with the rest of the ,society2 thus compelling them to forfeit their bail bonds1 which amounted in all to many thousand dollars4 ,the five who remained were ,morris ,phelps1 ,darwin ,chase1 ,norman ,shearer1 ,luman ,gibbs and myself4 ,two of these were finally dismissed--being boys scarcely out of their teens4 ,but another was soon added by the name of ,king ,follett4 ,this made our final number four4 ,one of this number1 viz43 ,luman ,gibbs1 denied the faith and turned a traitor to the others2 becoming their most inveterate enemy4 ,this was in order to save his life and gain his liberty4 ,however1 he was still kept in prison as a spy upon us1 lest it should be said that it was wholly a religious persecution2 but he was treated very well1 and went out to dine with the ,sheriff or others1 or to spend a day with his wife whenever it pleased him to do so4 ,our food was the most unwholesome kind1 and scant at that2 consisting of bones remnants of meat1 coarse corn bread1 and sometimes a little coffee4 ,we generally partook of our meals in a standing position1 using our fingers instead of knives1 forks or plates4 ,a tin cup served us for our coffee4 ,we were guarded very strictly1 both by night and day1 by two or three men with loaded pistols4 ,these consisted of the most unprincipled1 profligate villains that could be found anywhere4 ,they would swear1 drink1 gamble1 and sing the most obscene and disgusting songs4 ,they would boast of shooting the ,mormons2 mobbing and plundering them2 committing rapes1 etc4 ,they would also insult every female slave or black woman who might happen to come within hearing1 and then boast of their criminal connections with them4 ,the blasphemy2 the noisy grumbling2 the blackguard chit chat2 doleful lullaby and vulgar songs of these guards grating daily upon our ears1 seemed like the howls and wailings of the damned1 or like wandering spirits and demons hovering around to torment us4 ,what greatly added to our affliction1 as if to complete our hell1 the old apostate1 ,gibbs1 became very quarrelsome and noisy--not only to us1 but with his wife also1 who sometimes came into the prison to spend a few days with him4 ,he was a hard faced1 ill formed man1 of about fifty years of age2 full of jealousy1 extremely selfish1 very weak minded1 and withal1 a little love cracked2 and1 ,i may say1 that he seemed not to possess one redeeming quality4 ,his wife was about the same age1 and withal1 a coarse1 tall1 masculine looking woman1 and one of whom he had no reason to complain or be jealous4 ,true1 she did not love him for no female could possibly do that2 but then no one else would love her1 nor was she disposed to court their affections4 ,however1 he was jealous of her1 and1 therefore1 abused her2 and this kept a constant and noisy strife and wrangling between them whenever she was present4 ,whole nights were spent in this way1 during which no one in or about the prison slept4 ,after a quarrel of some two or three days and nights between them1 he would attempt to regain her love1 and a conversation like the following would ensue4 ,luman1 drawing down his face and drawling his words with a loud and doleful tone1 commenced as follows3 ,now1 ,phila1 won't you love me8 ,come2 here's my watch1 and here's all the money ,i've got6 ,then turning to us1 he would exclaim3 ,boys1 ,i'll tell you all about it2 the fact is1 she never did love me2 she only married me out of pity--we being members of the ,baptist church together in ,vermont4 ,then again addressing his wife3 ,come now1 ,phila2 won't you love me8 ,o1 that ,i had been born a rich man6 ,i would give you a dollar a minute to love me4 ,phila would then laugh and call him a silly old fool4 ,whereupon he would turn away in a rage1 and exclaim3 ,go along away1 you -----1 you6 ,nobody wants your love1 no how6 ,on one occasion they had quarrelled and kept us awake all night1 and just at break of day we heard a noise like a scuffle and a slamming against the wall2 next followed a woman's voice1 half in laugh and in exultation3--,te-he-he-he1 ,luman1 what's the matter8 ,what's the matter1 ,luman8 ,then a pause1 and afterwards a man's voice in a grum1 sorry1 and rather a whining tone was heard at a distance from the bed1 exclaiming3 ,now1 ,i swan1 ,phila1 that's tu bad4 ,the truth of the matter was this3 ,she had braced her back against the wall1 and with both her feet placed against his body1 had kicked him out of bed1 and landed him upon the opposite side of the room4 ,such scenes as these and all the folly of the guards served to enhance the misery of imprisonment1 and to render our sufferings complete4 ,we tried to keep them quiet1 but tried in vain4 ,neither threats nor persuasion1 coaxing nor reasoning had any influence over them4 ,this miserable specimen of humanity was a peculiar favorite of the ,sheriff and guards1 and other citizens of ,richmond4 ,he was considered by them as the only honest1 good1 deserving man in the prison4 ,they often expressed pity for him1 and wished he was at liberty4 ,he1 in turn1 watched our movements closely1 and was ready to betray us on the least show1 on our part1 of any meditated plan of escape4 ,under these painful circumstances we spent a long and dreary winter4 ,our whole community1 who were not in prison1 were forced out of the ,state1 with the loss of homes1 property1 and many lives4 ,they fled thousands to ,illinois4 ,my wife visited me several times in prison2 but at length the period expired that the ,state authorities had stipulated for every ,mormon to be gone1 and my wife and children1 and a few others who remained behind1 were obliged to fly or be exterminated1 as bands of armed men were roaming amid the deserted settlement1 robbing1 plundering1 destroying property and threatening all who remained4 ,my fellow prisoners1 who had been separated from me and sent to prison at ,liberty1 had also effected their escape1 and had fled to ,illinois to join their families4 ,in short1 all were gone1 except ,king ,follett1 ,horns ,phelps and myself1 and the old apostate1 who was left to torment us4 ,alone in a ,state which was wholly governed by an open banditti of murderers and robbers1 we seemed abandoned to our fate1 and doomed to suffer that full weight of vengeance and fury which seemed in reserve an entire people2 but that people were now beyond their reach2 all the fury of the storm1 therefore1 seemed now to beat upon our heads4 ,we were daily threatened with assassination1 without the form of a trial2 and repeatedly told that we never should escape alive from the ,state4 ,our guards were doubly vigilant1 while the ,sheriff took every possible precaution4 ,luman1 the apostate1 was also in constant watchfulness1 and busy in forming plans for escape2 then accusing us and pretending to reveal wonderful things to our keepers in regard to our plans2 which1 in fact1 only existed in his lying brain4 ,this increased the severity of our confinement1 and seemed to preclude the possibility of escape4 ,to be tried without friends or witnesses1 or even with them1 by a set of ,gadianton robbers and murderers1 who could drive out and murder women and children1 was but to be condemned and executed2 to tarry there and drag out a miserable life1 while our wives and children wandered abroad in a land of strangers1 without the protection of husbands and fathers1 was worse than to die ten thousand deaths4 ,under these circumstances1 and half way between hope and despair1 ,i spent several days in fasting and prayer1 during which one deep and all absorbing inquiry1 one only thought1 seemed to hold possession of my mind4 ,it seemed to me that if there was a ,god in ,heaven who ever spake to man on earth ,i would know from him the truth of this one question4 ,it was not how long shall ,i suffer2 it was not when or by what means ,i should be delivered2 but it was simply this3 ,shall ,i ever1 at any time1 however distant it may be1 or whatever ,i may suffer first2 shall ,i ever be free again in this life1 and enjoy the society of my dear wife and children1 and walk abroad at liberty1 dwell in society and preach the gospel1 as ,i have done in bygone years8 ,let me be sure of this and ,i care not what ,i suffer4 ,to circumnavigate the globe1 to traverse the deserts of ,arabia1 to wander amid the wild scenes of the ,rocky ,mountains to accomplish so desirable an object1 would seem like a mere trifle if ,i could only be sure at last4 ,after some days of prayer and fasting1 and seeking the ,lord on the subject1 ,i retired to my bed in my lonely chamber at an early hour1 and while the other prisoners and the guard were chatting and beguiling the lonesome hours in the upper apartment of the prison1 ,i lay in silence1 seeking and expecting an answer to my prayer1 when suddenly ,i seemed carried away in the spirit1 and no longer sensible to outward objects with which ,i was surrounded4 ,a heaven of peace and calmness pervaded my bosom2 a personage from the world of spirits stood before me with a smile of compassion in every look1 and pity mingled with the tenderest love and sympathy in every expression of the countenance4 ,a soft hand seemed placed within my own1 and a glowing cheek was laid in tenderness and warmth upon mine4 ,a well known voice saluted me1 which ,i readily recognized as that of the wife of my youth1 who had for near two years been sweetly sleeping where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest4 ,i was made to realize that she was sent to commune with me1 and answer my question4 ,knowing this1 ,i said to her in a most earnest and inquiring tone3 ,shall ,i ever be at liberty again in this life and enjoy the society of my family and the ,saints1 and preach the gospel as ,i have done8 ,she answered definitely and unhesitatingly3 ,,yes6 ,i then recollected that ,i had agreed to be satisfied with the knowledge of that one fact1 but now ,i wanted more4 ,said ,i3 ,can you tell me how1 or by what means1 or when ,i shall escape8 ,she replied3 ,,that ,,thing ,,is ,,not ,,made ,,known ,,to ,,me ,,yet4 ,i instantly felt that ,i had gone beyond my agreement and my faith in asking this last question1 and that ,i must be contented at present with the answer to the first4 ,her gentle spirit then saluted me and withdrew4 ,i came to myself4 ,the doleful noise of the guards1 and the wrangling and angry words of the old apostate again grated on my ears1 but ,heaven and hope were in my soul4 ,next morning ,i related the whole circumstance of my vision to my two fellow prisoners1 who rejoiced exceedingly4 ,this may seem to some like an idle dream1 or a romance of the imagination2 but to me it was1 and always will be1 a reality1 both as it regards what ,i then experienced and the fulfilment afterwards4 ,in order to show some pretense of respect for some of the forms of law1 ,judge ,austin ,a4 ,king now entered our prison and took our testimony1 preparatory to a change of venue4 ,i shall never forget this interview4 ,there stood our ,judge1 face to face with those who1 by his cruelty and injustice1 had lived a cold half year in a dungeon4 ,he refused to look us in the eye2 hung his head and looked like a culprit before his betters about to receive his doom4 ,the looks of guilt and misery portrayed in his countenance during that brief interview bespoke more of misery than we had suffered during our confinement4 ,i actually pitied him in my heart4 ,with an extraordinary effort and a voice scarcely audible1 he administered the oaths and withdrew4 ,by means of this change we were finally to be removed one hundred miles down the country1 and confined in the prison at ,columbia1 ,boone ,county1 to await a final trial4 ,a long1 dreary winter and spring had now passed away1 and the time drew near for our removal4 ,we looked forward to the change with some degree of hope and expectation1 for it could not be for the worse1 and might1 perhaps1 be for the better4 ,at any rate1 the journey would give us a chance to leave our dark and loathsome dungeon1 and look upon the light of day1 the beauties of nature1 and to breathe the untainted air4 ,the morning of the departure at length arrived4 ,mr4 ,brown1 the ,sheriff1 entered our prison with a fierce and savage look1 and1 bidding us hold out our hands1 coupled us together in pairs1 with irons locked on our wrists1 and marched us out2 and1 amid a throng of people1 placed us in a carriage4 ,accompanied with four other guards on horseback1 with loaded pistols1 we bid farewell to ,richmond4 ,it was a pleasant morning in early summer1 when all the freshness and beauty of spring seemed blended in rich profusion1 with the productions peculiar to the season as it advanced towards maturity4 ,the leaves on the trees were full grown1 and the forest presented a freshness of beauty and loveliness which reminded me of ,paradise4 ,the plains were covered with a coat of green1 and the wild flowers of the prairie1 blooming in all their variety1 sent forth a perfume which mingled with every zephyr1 and wafted sweet odors on every breeze4 ,to prisoners who had breathed only a tainted air for half a year the very ground itself seemed to send forth a sweetness which was plainly perceptible to the senses4 ,we enjoyed our ride through that delightful country more than any being could who had never been confined for weary months in a dreary dungeon4 ,the day at length closed2 and we were taken into a house and stretched upon our backs on the floor1 all fastened together with wrist and ankle irons in such a manner that we could not turn nor change our position4 ,the doors and windows were then made fast1 and the sentinels on duty guarded us by turns until morning4 ,this was our night's rest after forty miles travel4 ,the next day proved extremely rainy1 with heavy thunder2 but still we travelled4 ,in the course of the day we came to a stream which was swollen by the rains to that degree that we had to swim over it and stem a swift current4 ,this hindered us for some hours--in crossing over with horses1 wagons1 baggage1 etc42 and as all of us were engaged in this business1 our chains were taken off for the time4 ,when we had crossed over1 put on our clothes1 and replaced the baggage1 saddles1 arms1 etc41 ready for a start1 it was night1 and we were very weary and hungry1 having had no refreshments during the day4 ,the rain was also pouring in torrents1 and the night setting in extremely dark4 ,four miles of wild country1 partly covered with forests and underwoods1 still lay between us and the nearest house4 ,through the hurry of the moment1 or for some other reason1 they neglected to replace our irons1 and our limbs were free4 ,the carriage drove through a thick forest during the extreme darkness1 and was several times on the eve of upsetting4 ,this caused us to assume a position for saving ourselves by rising upon our feet1 ready to jump out in case of the carriage upsetting4 ,the ,sheriff and guards seeing this1 rode close on each side1 and1 cocking their pistols1 swore they would shoot us dead if we attempted to leave the carriage1 and that if it upset they would shoot us anyhow1 for fear we might attempt to escape4 ,after two days more of rain1 hail and travel1 we arrived at ,columbia1 where we were immediately thrust into a gloomy dungeon filled with darkness1 filth and cobwebs2 the naked floor was our lodging4 ,we had travelled hard1 through rain and fatigue1 for several days1 and on the last day had rode till sundown without refreshment4 ,we were extremely hungry and weary1 but received no refreshment1 not even a drink of water1 till late in the evening1 when our new keeper1 ,mr4 ,john ,scott1 visited us with some buttermilk and bread2 but we were now too much exhausted and too low spirited to eat4 ,we thanked him for his kindness1 and sank down exhausted on the floor1 where we rested as well as we could till morning4 ,we saw no more of ,sheriff ,brown or his guards1 and will now take final leave of them1 merely observing that they made it a point to insult every black woman they met on the way1 frequently turning aside with them into the woods and fields4 ,on returning to the company they would boast and glory in their criminal intercourse with them4 ,after spending one night in our new dungeon we were called on by the ,sheriff to come up into a more comfortable apartment1 and were treated with some degree of humanity4 ,we were no longer troubled with guards1 and even ,luman and ,phila behaved much better4 ,we had been in our new situation something like a month1 when we were visited by some friends from ,illinois1 from whom we learned the fate of our families and friends4 ,the wife of ,mr4 ,phelps rode one hundred and sixty miles on horseback1 accompanied by her brother1 a young man named ,clark4 ,they arrived in ,columbia and paid us a visit in prison about the #ast of ,july4 ,my brother ,orson also arrived on horseback about the same time4 ,with friends we had a good visit for some days--they being permitted to stay in the prison with us4 ,they also brought a letter from my wife1 by which ,i learned that she made her escape from ,far ,west to ,quincy1 ,illinois1 with her children and some of her goods1 by the aid of ,mr4 ,david ,rogers1 of ,new ,york4 ,during this journey they were much exposed to hardships and trouble1 having to camp by the way1 in company with other women and children who were in a like condition4 ,on crossing a swollen stream1 ,mrs4 ,pratt had left the carriage to cross on a foot bridge1 leaving the children to ride through it4 ,she had just crossed over and turned to look back1 to see whether the carriage came through in safety1 when she discovered a little girl's bonnet floating down the stream1 and1 on examination1 as the carriage rose the bank1 her daughter1 a girl of six years old1 was missing from the carriage4 ,the next moment she saw her floating down the swift current4 ,she gave the alarm to ,mr4 ,rogers1 the driver1 who instantly dropped the reins and sprang after her into the stream4 ,at this instant the horses1 being high spirited and active1 began to run1 and would probably have dashed themselves and the carriage1 goods1 and the other child to pieces but for the timely interference of a large prong of a tree1 which caught the carriage with such a strong hold that all was brought to a stand4 ,in the meantime ,mr4 ,rogers succeeded in rescuing the child and bringing her safe to shore4 ,she had1 as she stated1 pitched head foremost out of the carriage into the water4 ,one of the wheels ran over her1 and crushed her fast into the mud at the bottom of the stream2 but as it rolled over she caught the spokes with her hands1 and by this means the same weight that crushed her down brought her to the surface and saved her life4 ,on examination the marks of the wheel were distinctly seen on both her thighs1 which were seriously injured and nearly broken4 ,after a wearisome journey and various toils and dangers1 they at length arrived at ,quincy1 ,illinois1 where ,mrs4 ,pratt rented a small house1 and by the sale of a few books1 with the use of her two cows1 which some of the brethren had brought from ,missouri for her1 she was making shift to live from day to day4 ,she still expressed some faint hopes of seeing her husband again in a land of liberty1 although at present there was little ground to hope1 and she was sometimes nearly in despair4 ,such was the news brought us by the arrival of our friends in the prison at ,columbia on the #ast of ,july1 #ahci1 after eight months of weary confinement4 ,previous to their arrival the ,lord had shown me in a vision the night the manner and means of escape4 ,and1 like ,pharaoh's dream1 the thing had been doubled--that is shown to me on two occasions in the same manner4 ,mrs4 ,phelps had the same thing shown to her in a vision previous to her arrival2 my brother1 ,orson ,pratt1 also came to us with a firm impression that we were about to be delivered4 ,he even predicted that we should go to ,illinois1 when he should return there4 ,as we sat pondering upon these things1 and comparing our visions and manifestations of the spirit on this subject1 my brother ,orson opened the ,book of ,mormon1 when the first sentence that caught his eye was the words of ,ammon to ,king ,lamoni3 ,behold1 my brother and my brethren are in prison1 in the land of ,middoni1 and ,i go to deliver them6 ,this was indeed a similar instance to ours4 ,ammon1 on that occasion had an own brother in prison1 and also brethren in the ministry1 and did deliver them4 ,our case was exactly similar1 not in ,middoni1 but in ,missouri4 ,and1 what was still more strange1 in a book of six hundred pages1 this was the only sentence which would have fitted our case4 ,he now began in earnest to make arrangements for our escape4 ,if there had been no strong bolts and bars to overcome1 still there was one serious obstacle which a miracle alone could immediately remove1 which was this3 ,i was then very sick and scarcely able to stand on my feet1 or to go up and down from the upper room1 where we were in the day time1 to the dungeon where we slept4 ,it was the second of ,july1 and our friends could only make an excuse for staying to spend the great national holiday with us 7the #dth7 before they must leave or excite the suspicions and ill will of the people2 and1 as that day had been a lucky one for our fathers and our nation1 we had determined on that time as the proper one to bid farewell to bondage and gain our liberty4 ,in short1 we had determined to make that notable day a jubilee to us1 or perish in the attempt4 ,we1 therefore1 prayed earnestly to the ,lord1 that if he had determined to favor our plan1 he would heal and strengthen me1 and give us all courage to act well our part4 ,through the ministration of the ordinance appointed for healing1 ,i was instantly healed1 and from that moment began to feel as strong and fearless as a lion4 ,our plan was this3 ,my brother1 ,orson ,pratt1 was to wait on the ,judge and ,attorney1 and obtain various papers and arrangements for summoning witnesses from ,illinois to attend our trial1 which had just been adjourned for some months to come4 ,he was also to procure an order from the court to take affidavits in ,illinois1 in case the witnesses should object to come to the state from which they had been banished1 in order to attend rite trials4 ,these active preparations on our part to defend our case1 together with engaging a lawyer or two1 and paying a part of their fees beforehand1 served as a sufficient blindfold to cover our real intentions4 ,this done1 and the papers all prepared in the hands of my brother1 he and ,mrs4 ,phelps and her brother were to stay with us until the #dth1 and after celebrating the day with a dinner in the prison 7which we obtained leave to do71 he and the young ,mr4 ,clark were to take leave with their horses1 and also with the horse and saddle on which ,mrs4 ,phelps had ridden1 on pretence of taking him home with them to ,illinois1 while she stayed with her husband a few weeks in the prison2 in the meantime engaging her board in the family of the keeper1 who occupied part of the building in connection with the prison4 ,this measure1 on the part of ,mrs4 ,phelps1 served the double purpose of lulling them into serenity1 and also of furnishing a third horse2 as there were three of us4 ,these three horses were to be stationed in a thicket1 or forest1 about half a mile from the prison1 and there the two friends were to await1 in readiness for us to mount1 should we be so fortunate as to reach the thicket alive4 ,sundown1 on the evening of the fourth1 was the moment agreed upon1 and if we did not then appear they were to give us up for lost1 and make the best of their way to ,illinois and inform our friends that we had gone to ,paradise in attempting to come to them4 ,the reason for appointing this hour was this3 ,our door would be opened at sundown to hand in our supper1 and we must then make the attempt as our only chance2 for it was customary to lock us up in the lower dungeon as soon as the shades of evening began to appear4 ,this plan all matured1 and the arrangements completed with the court and the lawyers1 the fourth of ,july dawned upon us with hope and expectation4 ,while the town and nation were alive with the bustle of preparation for the celebration of the ,american ,jubilee1 and while guns were firing and music sounding without1 our prison presented a scene of scarcely less life and cheerfulness2 for we were also preparing to do proper honors to the day4 ,we had prevailed on the keeper to furnish us with a long pole1 on which to suspend a flag1 and also some red stripes of cloth4 ,we then tore a shirt in pieces1 and took the body of it for the groundwork of a flag1 forming with the red stripes of cloth an eagle and the word ,liberty1 in large letters4 ,this rude flag of red and white was suspended on the pole from the prison window1 directly in front of the public square and court house1 and composed one of the greatest attractions of the day4 ,hundreds of the people from the country1 as well as villagers who were there at the celebration1 would come up and stare at the flag1 and reading the motto1 would go swearing or laughing away1 exclaiming1 ,liberty6 ,liberty6 ,what have the ,mormons to do with celebrating liberty in a damned old prison8 ,in the meantime active preparations were in progress for our public dinner2 and with the contributions of our friends who were to partake with us1 and a portion served from the public table of the citizens of the town1 we had a plentiful supply4 ,and1 as we considered it was to be a day of release1 we partook of our feast with much cheer1 and with thankful as well as social feelings1 which ,i think have been seldom if ever surpassed4 ,o ye sons of ,columbia1 at home and abroad6 ,think back to the fourth of ,july1 #ahci2 call to mind your feast in honor of national freedom1 and ask yourselves the question1 whether in all your pomp and show of joy and social glee1 you felt anything compared with our feelings1 or the interest excited during that feast4 ,eight months and four days we had been deprived of the sweets of that liberty which a whole nation was then engaged in celebrating2 and we felt that3 ,now's the day1 and now's the hour1 ,to trample on a tyrant's power2 ,to burst at once the prison's gloom1 ,or find a martyr'd hero's tomb4 ,the dinner over1 our brethren took a final leave of us and our prison1 loaded with love1 respects1 compliments and messages to our families and friends in ,illinois4 ,all these1 together with the goodbyes and farewells1 were heard and witnessed by the keeper's family1 and served the purpose for which they were intended1 viz3 ,to lull them into security1 and to remove all possible ground of suspicion as to our intentions4 ,after riding out of town a mile or two in the forest1 on the road towards ,illinois1 they turned off into the thick leaved wilderness1 and made their way in secret1 as best they could1 to the thicket agreed upon1 within about half a mile of the prison2 where1 with horses saddled and bridle reins in hand1 they awaited in anxious suspense the slow progress of the setting sun4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ------------------------ ,description of the ,prison3--,ladies in the ,prison3--,evening of a ,public ,day3--,song3--,obstinate ,coffee ,pot3--,order of ,attack3--,escape3--,race3--,great ,excitement3--,our ,friends in the ,thicket3--,prisoners ,gain the ,thicket3--,flight3--,encounter3--,climb a ,tree3--,faint3--,prayers3--,night ,favors us at ,last3--,loss of my ,horse3--,journey on ,foot3--,reflections4 ,the prison at ,columbia was situated in the same square with the courthouse1 being on the north edge of the town4 ,between it and the wilderness1 where our friends held the horses in waiting1 there were several fields and fences1 say for the distance of half a mile1 consisting of meadow and pasture land1 and all in full view of the town4 ,the prison consisted of a block house1 two stories high1 with two rooms below and two above4 ,the keeper and his family occupied one end1 and the other was used as the prison--the only entrance being through the lower room of the dwelling part1 which was occupied by the family1 and then up a steep flight of stairs1 at the head of which was a heavy oaken door1 ironed1 locked and bolted as if to secure a ,bonaparte or a ,samson4 ,on the inside of this was still another door1 which was but slender1 with a square hole near the top1 of sufficient size to hand in the food and dishes of the prisoners4 ,the large1 heavy door had always to be opened when food1 drink1 or other articles were handed in2 and while open1 the inner door served as a temporary guard to prevent prisoners from escaping1 and was not always opened on such occasions1 the food being handed through the hole in the top of the door1 while the door itself remained locked4 ,however1 as a fortunate circumstance for us1 the coffee pot when filled would not easily slip through the hole in the door1 and1 rather than spill the coffee and burn his fingers1 the keeper would sometimes unlock and open the inner door1 in order to set in this huge and obstinate pot2 and once in1 the door would immediately close1 and the key be turned1 while the outer door would perhaps stand open till the supper was finished1 and the dishes handed out4 ,now1 our whole chance of escape depended on the question1 whether the inner door would be opened that evening1 or the coffee pot squeezed in at the hole in the top4 ,mrs4 ,phelps and ,mrs4 ,gibbs were in the upper room of the keeper's apartment1 near the head of the stairs1 and only a log or timber partition between us and them1 and several open crevices in the same1 so that we could easily communicate with them4 ,one of them was waiting the issue of the great scene about to be enacted with almost breathless interest and feverish anxiety1 as on the good or ill success of that moment depended her future hopes through life1 while the other was totally ignorant of the whole affair4 ,in a far corner of our prison sat ,luman1 the old apostate1 entirely ignorant of the whole plan1 and with no other anxiety than a slight wish for the sun to go down1 that he might enjoy his supper and the society of his dear ,phila in his curtained bed in the upper room1 while we were locked in the dungeon below to sleep on an oak floor1 amid cobwebs and filth4 ,the citizens of the town were now some of them gathering in small groups outside of their doors to enjoy the quiet of a summer evening1 to smoke a cigar or chat over the merits of the celebration2 while others were on horseback1 to enjoy an evening's ride or to return to their homes4 ,bands of music1 or rather an occasional beat of the drum1 or blast of the bugle1 was still to be heard in the distance2 while a few soldiers1 or rather militia in uniform1 were hurrying to and fro4 ,groups of boys were playing about the square1 and last1 though not least1 our flag was still on high1 with ,liberty and the eagle in bold colors waving to the night breeze4 ,this had so attracted the attention of the little fellows that once and again they begged of us to make them a present of it2 but we told them we could not spare it till the next morning--the fact is1 we were not willing to surrender our castle before the time1 or till we made good our retreat4 ,as the sun began to decline behind the long range of forest which bounded the western horizon1 and the lengthened shadows of the tall trees were thrown over our prison1 we called upon the ,lord to prosper us and open our way1 and then sang aloud the following lines3 ,lord1 cause their foolish plans to fail1 ,and let them faint or die3 ,our souls would quit this poor old jail1 ,and fly to ,illinois-- ,to join with the embodied ,saints1 ,who are with freedom blest3 ,that only bliss for which we pant1 ,with them awhile to rest4 ,give joy for grief--give ease for pain1 ,take all our foes away2 ,but let us find our friends again ,in this eventful day4 ,these lines were sung several times over1 with the spirit and with the understanding also1 and very loud and distinct--being heard by the old apostate and his wife1 and by the keepers of the prison2 but the doctrine of spiritualizing had become so prevalent that neither this1 nor the flag of liberty1 nor any other ,scripture seemed to them to have any literal meaning1 till they found too late the true interpretation by the fulfillment4 ,the sun was now setting1 and the footsteps of the old keeper were heard on the stairs--the key turned1 the outer door grated on its huge hinges1 while at the same moment we sprang upon our feet1 hats and coats on 7rather an unusual dress for a hot day in ,july--for1 by the bye1 my hat proved to be a fur cap1 which ,i wore when first taken in ,november previous71 and stood by the door to act the part of waiters in receiving the dishes and food for supper1 and placing them on the table4 ,dish after dish was handed in through the small aperture in the door1 and duly received and placed upon the table by us1 with as much grace and as calm countenances as if we thought of nothing else but our suppers4 ,and ,i will now venture to say that famishing men never watched the movements of a coffee pot with more anxiety than we did on this occasion4 ,at length the other dishes all being handed in1 the huge pot made its appearance in the hole in the top of the door1 but one of us cried out to the keeper--,colonel1 you will only spill the coffee by attempting to put it through1 besides1 it burns our fingers2 it will be more convenient to unlock and hand it in at the door4 ,with this it was lowered again1 and the key turned on the inner door4 ,in this1 as in most other fields of battle1 where liberty and life depend on the issue1 every one understood the part assigned to him and exactly filled it4 ,mr4 ,follett was to give the door a sudden pull1 and fling it wide open the moment the key was turned4 ,mr4 ,phelps being well skilled in wrestling was to press out foremost1 and come in contact with the jailer2 ,i was to follow in the centre1 and ,mr4 ,follett1 who held the door1 was to bring up the rear while sister ,phelps was to pray4 ,no sooner was the key turned than the door was seized by ,mr4 ,follett with both hands2 and with his foot placed against the wall1 he soon opened a passage1 which was in the same instant filled by ,mr4 ,phelps1 and followed by myself and ,mr4 ,follett4 ,the old jailer strode across the way1 and stretched out his arms like ,bunyan's ,apollion1 or like the giant ,despair in ,doubting ,castle1 but all to no purpose4 ,one or two leaps brought us to the bottom of the stairs1 carrying the old gentleman with us headlong1 helter skelter1 while old ,luman sat and laughed in his corner of the prison1 and ,mrs4 ,phelps exclaimed1 ,o ,lord ,god of ,israel1 thou canst help4 ,old ,mrs4 ,gibbs looked on in silent amazement1 while the jailer's wife acted the part of the giant ,despair's wife1 ,diffidence1 and not only assisted in the scuffle1 but cried out so loud that the town was soon alarmed4 ,in the meantime we found ourselves in the open air1 in front of the prison and in full view of the citizens1 who had already commenced to rally1 while ,mr4 ,phelps and the jailer still clinched fast hold of each other like two mastiffs4 ,however1 in another instant he cleared himself1 and we were all three scampering off through the fields towards the thicket4 ,by this time the town was all in motion4 ,the quietness of the evening was suddenly changed into noise and bustle1 and it was soon evident that the thrilling scenes of the great drama of the #dth of ,july1 and of the ,columbian celebration of liberty were yet to be enacted4 ,the streets on both sides of the fields where we were running were soon thronged with soldiers in uniform1 mounted riflemen1 footmen with fence stakes1 clubs1 or with whatever came to hand1 and with boys1 dogs1 etc41 all running1 rushing1 screaming1 swearing1 shouting1 bawling and looking1 while clouds of dust rose behind them4 ,the cattle also partook of the general panic and ran bellowing away1 as if to hide from the scene4 ,the fields behind us also presented a similar scene4 ,fences were leaped or broken down with a crash2 men1 boys and horses came tumbling over hedge and ditch1 rushing with the fury of a whirlwind in the chase2 but we kept our course for the thicket1 our toes barely touching the ground1 while we seemed to leap with the fleetness of a deer1 or as the young hart upon the mountains4 ,our friends who had stood waiting in the thicket1 had watched the last rays of the sun as they faded away1 and had observed the quiet stillness of the evening as it began to steal over the distant village where we were confined2 and had listened with almost breathless anxiety for the first sound which was to set all things in commotion1 and which would say to them in language not to be misunderstood1 that the struggle had commenced4 ,for some moments after the last golden beam had disappeared they listened in vain4 ,the occasional lowing of a cow as she came home from the woodland pasture1 impatient for her calf and the milkmaid to ease her of her rich burthen2 the mingled sound of human voices in the distance in common conversation1 the merry laugh of the young beaux and their sweethearts1 the quiet song of the whippoorwill1 mingled with the merry notes of the violin1 the thrill of the bugle1 or the soft and plaintive notes of the flute1 stole upon the silence of the evening1 and were occasionally interrupted by the clatter of hoofs1 as a few of the citizens were retiring from the enjoyments of a public day to their own peaceful homes in the country4 ,these1 and the beatings of their anxious and almost bursting hearts1 were the only sounds which fell upon their ear1 till suddenly they heard a rumbling and confused noise1 as of footsteps rushing down the stairs of a prison1 then a shrill cry of alarm from ,mrs4 ,diffidence1 the giantess1 and soon followed by the shouts and rush of men1 dogs1 horses and prisoners towards the spot where they were located4 ,they then sprang forward to the edge of the fields and ran back again to the horses1 and again returned1 as if the using of their own limbs would serve to add nimbleness to those of the prisoners1 and to quicken their speed4 ,as soon as the prisoners drew near1 they were hailed by their friends1 and conducted to the horses4 ,they were breathless and nearly ready to faint2 but in a moment they were assisted to mount1 and a whip and the reins placed in their hands1 while the only words interchanged were--,fly quickly1 they are upon you6 ,which way shall we go8 ,where you can2 you are already nearly surrounded4 ,but what will you do8 ,they will kill you if they cannot catch us4 ,we will take care of ourselves2 fly1 fly1 ,i say1 instantly4 ,these words were exchanged with the quickness of thought1 while we were mounting and reining our horses2 in another instant we were all separated from each other1 and each one was making the best shift he could for his own individual safety4 ,i had taken about the third jump with my horse when ,i encountered a man rushing upon me with a rifle1 and1 taking aim at my head1 he said1 ,g--d d--n you1 stop1 or ,i'll shoot you4 ,he was then only a few paces from me1 and others were rushing close in his rear1 but ,i turned my horse quickly in another direction1 and rushed with all speed into the thickest of the forest1 followed for some minutes by him and his dog2 but ,i soon found myself alone1 while ,i could only hear the sound of distant voices1 the rushing of horsemen in every direction1 with the barking of dogs4 ,what had become of my companions or our friends1 ,i knew not4 ,i rode on at full speed for a mile or more1 when the woods terminated1 and no alternative was left for me but to go either to the right or to the left into one of the public highways where ,i would be every moment exposed to my pursuers1 or go over the fence and pass through the open fields to the wilderness beyond1 or1 on the other hand1 to turn back into the heart of the forest1 partly towards the town and prison from whence ,i had escaped4 ,as horses' feet and men's voices were already heard along the highways which lay on each side of me1 ,i determined upon the latter4 ,i1 therefore1 changed my course1 took my back track1 and plunged into the depth of the forest4 ,i then dismounted1 tied my horse in a thicket1 walked some distance from him and climbed a tree--intending to wait in this situation amid the concealment of the thick foliage till the darkness of evening would enable me to proceed with safety4 ,seating myself in one of its forked branches1 and placing my arms in two other similar forks1 ,i was supported from falling1 although in a moment after ,i had ceased my exertions ,i fainted away4 ,in this situation ,i remained for sometime1 without the least power to change my position or help myself2 my breath was gone through over exertion1 and my mouth and throat parched with a burning thirst1 my stomach sickened1 and as ,i began to breathe ,i was seized with vomiting1 and threw up nearly all the food which my stomach contained4 ,i then gradually recovered my strength till ,i could speak1 when ,i began to call on the ,lord1 saying1 ,o ,lord1 strengthen me this once1 deliver me from my persecutors and bring me in safety to a land of liberty1 and ,i will praise thy name and give thee all the glory1 and the remnant of my days shall be wholly devoted to thy service2 for surely my life is now at stake1 and if preserved1 it is thy gift1 therefore ,i shall owe it all to thee4 ,the darkness of evening was now fast setting in1 and every moment seemed to increase my safety and security from immediate discovery1 although ,i could still hear the distant sound of tramping horses1 and the voices of men and dogs in pursuit1 and sometimes so near that ,i could distinguish some of their words4 ,it was a dark and moonless evening1 the sky was only lighted by the glimmer of a few stars partly obscured by the clouds1 and the thick foliage of the forest increased the gloom1 and served to render the darkness nearly complete4 ,i now came down from the tree and felt my way to the place where ,i had tied my horse1 but as good or ill luck would have it1 he had loosed himself and gone1 leaving me to my fate4 ,i then groped my way amid the dark shades of the forest to a small stream of warm1 muddy water1 and1 stooping down1 partly quenched my thirst4 ,i then made my way to the highway and commenced my journey on foot1 carefully watching on either hand lest ,i should be surprised and taken4 ,i was an entire stranger to the country--having no guide but the polar star4 ,my road lay nearly northward1 and upwards of a hundred miles of a wild country1 peopled only by enemies1 still lay between me and a ,state where the principles of freedom yet prevailed in a sufficient degree to insure my safety4 ,if ,i could make my way through this wilderness of enemies1 on foot1 after the weakness and debility caused by eight months' confinement1 and after the fatigues of my evening's race1 and neither inquire the way nor make my appearance at any house for entertainment and refreshment1 then ,i should still have the great ,mississippi ,river to ferry over1 and be liable to be discovered and retaken in the act1 while in sight of liberty4 ,the thoughts of these dangers the inquiries of my mind as to what had become of my fellow prisoners and friends1 which ,i had no means of satisfying1 and the hopes and expectations of soon meeting my family and friends in a land of liberty1 alternately occupied my mind as ,i slowly pursued my solitary way during that dark and1 to me1 eventful night4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ------------------------ ,dawn3--,bewildered in a ,forest3--,beautiful ,valley3--,escape of ,phelps3--,dialogue3--,his ,final ,escape and ,arrival in ,illinois3--,fate of our ,two ,friends3--,interview between my ,brother ,orson and my ,wife3--,she ,prepares for my ,reception3--,disappointment3--,exciteme nt3--,search3--,suspense3-- ,scenes at the ,prison3--,treatment of ,mrs4 ,phelps3--,mr4 ,follett ,retaken3--,his ,return to ,prison3--,chains3--,escape of ,mrs4 ,phelps3--,finale of ,luman and ,phila4 ,at length the morning began to dawn1 but it proved to be a cloudy day2 no mark was left in the heavens to determine the point of compass1 while at the same time my road became every moment more obscure1 and finally terminated in a deer path1 which wound along among the hills and vales of a dense and entirely unsettled forest1 and finally disappeared4 ,it was now broad day4 ,the wild forest extended around far and wide1 and no sign of human existence or occupation4 ,i still wandered slowly on1 not knowing whether ,i was every moment travelling nearer to friends1 and home1 and liberty1 or to the place of dreary confinement4 ,the deer and wild turkey occasionally started up before me1 and the howl of the wolf was heard in the distance4 ,at length ,i came to a beautiful clear stream1 which seemed to wind through a fine valley4 ,the wild flowers blooming in richest variety sent forth sweet odors1 and the birds of the forest were pouring forth in profusion their morning songs4 ,i now sat down in safety1 and took a small biscuit from my pocket which ,sister ,phelps had kindly provided1 and which was my only store of food for the journey4 ,with a hearty drink from the crystal stream and this biscuit ,i made my first breakfast1 after my imprisonment1 as a free son of ,columbia4 ,i recollect that while ,i sat enjoying this solitary meal1 far from friends and home1 surrounded with a scenery strange and wild1 and without any guide or any knowledge where ,i should claim the next refreshment1 ,i thought of the sweets of liberty ,i now enjoyed1 and with a thankful and joyous heart ,i exclaimed aloud1 ,thank ,god for this hour1 it is the happiest of my life2 ,i am free1 although lost in the wilderness1 and if ,i cannot find myself1 thank ,god nobody else can find me4 ,in this happy valley the reader may leave me to rest awhile if he chooses1 while he looks after the fate of the other prisoners and our two friends1 and also1 ,mrs4 ,phelps and the affairs of the prison2 bearing in mind at the same time that he must return again and accompany me through the whole dangers1 toils and incidents of my journey to a land of liberty4 ,at the time we were separated in the heat of the pursuit1 ,mr4 ,phelps made his escape much in the same manner as myself4 ,he was at first closely pursued1 but at length he out distanced them all1 and1 once out of their sight1 he struck directly into the road1 and rode on toward ,illinois4 ,he had proceeded a few miles on his way1 when he was suddenly surrounded in the darkness of the night by a company of horsemen who were out in pursuit of the prisoners4 ,they immediately hailed him1 and cried out1 ,say1 stranger1 ,g--d damn you1 what is your name8 ,he replied in the same rough and careless manner1 ,you damned rascals1 what is yours8 ,on finding he could damn as well as themselves1 they concluded he could not be a ,mormon1 while his bold and fearless manner convinced them that he was not a man who was fleeing for his life4 ,they then begged his pardon for the rough manner in which they had accosted him1 ,oh1 you are one of the real breed4 ,by ,g--d1 no damned ,mormon could counterfeit that language1 you swear real natteral2 hurrah for old ,kentuck4 ,but whar mought you live1 stranger8 ,he replied1 just up here2 you mout a kno'd me1 and then agin you moutn't4 ,i think ,i've seed you all a heap o' times1 but ,i've been so damned drunk at the fourth of independence1 ,i hardly know myself or anybody else1 but hurrah for old ,kentuck2 and what about the damn'd ,mormons8 ,what about 'em8 egad1 you'd a know'd that without axin'1 if you'd a seed 'em run4 ,what6 they are not out of prison1 are they8 ,out of prison6 ,yes1 the damn'd rascals raised a flag of liberty in open day1 and burst out1 and down stars right in the midst of the public celebration1 out rassling the damn'd jailer1 and outrunning the whole town in a fair foot race4 ,they reached the timber jist as they war overtaken1 but afore we could cotch 'em they mounted their nags1 and the way they cleared was a caution to ,crockett4 ,we tuk one on 'em1 and seed the other two a few feet distant1 rushin' their nags at full speed1 but we couldn't cotch 'em nor shoot 'em either2 ,i raised my new ,kentucky rifle1 fresh loaded and primed1 with a good percussion1 and taking fair aim at one of their heads only a few yards distant1 ,i fired1 but the damn'd cap burst1 and the powder wouldn't burn4 ,well1 now1 stranger1 that's a mighty big story and seems enemost onpossible4 ,did you say you cotched one on 'em8 ,why ,i'd a tho't you'd a kilt him on the spot2 what have you done with him8 ,they tuk him back to prison1 ,i suppose1 but it was only the old one4 ,if it had been one o' them tother chaps we would a skinn'd 'em as quick as ,crockett would a coon1 and then eat 'em alive without leaving a grease spot4 ,this interview over1 the horsemen withdrew and left ,phelps to puruse his way in peace4 ,he rode on during the night without further molestation2 but when day appeared he found himself in rather an awkward fix for a traveller1 having lost his hat in the race the preceding day2 he was1 therefore1 bareheaded1 besides1 his face was somewhat bruised and scratched in the scuffle2 however1 he concluded to make the best of it1 and trust to ,providence for the issue4 ,riding up to a farm house to call for breakfast and to have his horse fed1 he began to banter the host to sell him an old straw hat2 ,for1 said he1 ,i got such a power of drink last evening at the big doings that ,i couldn't ride straight1 and tumbled off my horse once or twice1 and finally lost my hat4 ,judging from his manner1 and the dirt and scratches on his face1 they readily believed his tale1 and furnished him with an old wide-brimmed1 miserable looking hat1 which served as a very good disguise during the remainder of the journey4 ,himself and horse refreshed1 he renewed his journey1 and finally arrived in ,illinois in safety1 having reached the ferry before his pursuers1 and before the news of the escape had spread so far4 ,by his arrival the news soon spread far and wide that we had made our escape from prison1 and that we might be looked for soon4 ,this news was received with a general joy1 and produced a lively sensation1 not only throughout the ,society1 but among the public1 generally--for all parties had looked upon us as martyrs1 doomed to suffer the vengeance of a set of blood-thirsty outlaws and murderers4 ,my brother1 ,o4 ,pratt1 and the young ,mr4 ,clark1 who furnished us with the horses1 must now be looked after4 ,when we parted in the thicket1 as has been before described1 they had only time to flee a few paces1 when they found themselves completely surrounded on every hand1 and no possibility left them of escape by running2 they1 therefore1 dropped down into a small ravine which had been made by the water during some former freshet1 and there lay as close to the earth as a young quail when its nest is disturbed4 ,the enemy passed close by them a number of times1 and so very near that they dared not to make the least motion--not even to look up to see whether they were discovered4 ,at length night came on2 the pursuers retired1 and they arose and pursued their journey on foot1 and arrived safely in ,illinois soon after the arrival of ,mr4 ,phelps4 ,my brother immediately repaired to the residence of my wife and children1 who were waiting his return in anxious suspense1 in hopes to hear some news from me1 whom they considered still in prison--not having as yet heard any news of the escape4 ,as he entered the door ,mrs4 ,p4 raised her anxious and sorrowful eyes1 and eagerly inquired3 ,have you seen my husband8 ,i have4 ,is he yet alive8 ,yes4 ,is he well8 ,he is4 ,o1 thank ,god for that6 ,is there any prospect that he will ever get free and return alive8 ,well1 ,i hope so2 for the last time ,i saw him he was astride a horse in the woods1 and headed towards home on a gallop4 ,i shall not attempt to describe her feelings at that moment1 as the reader can best imagine them2 but suffice it to say1 after her first transports were over he sat down and related to her the whole affair which had transpired up to the time he last saw me4 ,she was now full of hope and expectation--although mingled with fear and anxiety indescribable4 ,if ,i eluded the pursuit of my enemies and arrived in safety it was now time to look for my arrival2 but if1 on the other hand1 ,i was taken back and chained down in a dungeon2 or if ,i was shot down and left without a burial to be a prey to wolves and turkey buzzards1--,oh1 dreadful thought6 ,oh1 horrible suspense6 ,oh1 the hope1 joy1 sorrow1 anguish1 misery1 happiness1 frenzy1 and feelings undefined which agitate and distract the bosom of a wife and mother at such a moment6 ,if man--hardhearted1 unfeeling man--could read the heart of a woman on such an occasion1 he would never more drive1 imprison or kill his fellow man4 ,she soon set about preparing for the reception of her husband1 in case he should arrive1 faint and exhausted with hunger and fatigue4 ,the table was spread1 and food placed upon it2 the house was illuminated through the night1 during which her anxious and beating heart would not suffer her for one moment to sleep4 ,she watched during the entire night1 and on several occasions opened the door and looked abroad2 but still the morning dawned and he came not4 ,surely1 thought she1 he is slain or again confined in a dungeon1 loaded with chains1 and kept for a sure prey to glut the vengeance of a furious mob who have been disappointed of the rest of their victims4 ,the excitement now became general2 friends crowded in to inquire the news and to sympathize with her1 and to endeavor1 if possible to keep up her hopes4 ,they argued that the same ,god who had delivered him from prison1 and strengthened him in the chase1 and the same ,god who prevented the powder from taking fire when the deadly rifle was aimed at him1 would also stand by him1 and bring him safely to his friends and home4 ,this1 in some measure1 still kept her spirits from sinking in despair4 ,armed men were now despatched in various directions along the river1 and into ,missouri1 to endeavor1 if possible1 to meet with him and protect him home4 ,another day and night at length passed away in the same suspense1 no tidings having been heard from him nor from any of those who had gone in search4 ,the pursuers1 however1 were known to beat the ferry on the other side of the river1 watching his arrival4 ,the same precaution was taken by them at all the public ferries for some distance up and down the river4 ,the suspense and anguish of her aching bosom now became intolerable2 in vain they continued to assure her that he would be preserved and return in safety4 ,she could plainly see that1 while they sought to comfort her with hope1 they themselves were half in doubt and beginning to despair of his deliverance4 ,another long day passed and another night set in1 and still no news--except that the ferries on the ,missouri side were all strictly guarded1 and the entire people on the lookout to take him dead or alive4 ,she had now kept her table spread both day and night1 and had watched for three entire nights without sleep4 ,he cannot be alive and free1 exclaimed she1 or ,i know he would fly to meet the fond welcome of his wife and children1 and relieve their aching hearts4 ,we must now return with our readers to the prison at ,columbia1 and take a glance at the scenes which followed our departure1 and learn the fate of ,mr4 ,follett and ,mrs4 ,phelps4 ,as soon as the prisoners had cleared from the jailer1 and were fairly under way1 ,mrs4 ,phelps1 who was still an inmate of the dwelling1 became the particular object of their spite and rage4 ,the old jailer and his wife commenced to rail and curse her as the author of all the mischief4 ,they threatened her with instant death1 and finally turned her out of doors in the dusk of the evening1 and in the midst of a mob who had gathered in great numbers around the prison and raging like so many tigers disappointed of their prey4 ,being a stranger and without money1 friends1 or acquaintances in the place1 she knew not where to go or what to do4 ,she finally sat down in the open air in the midst of the mob1 by whom she was assailed1 cursed1 insulted1 threatened1 and abused in the most unfeeling manner for some time4 ,but she still remained on the spot1 and scarcely noticed the slang and abuse of the raging rabble1 so intent was she upon the issue of the race--not knowing from one moment to the other whether her husband would be shot down1 or whether he would be taken and brought back in triumph4 ,at length1 after a watchful glance towards the wilderness1 she heard the shout of triumph amidst the hosts of the enemy1 and next was re-echoed from crowd to crowd1 amid vollies of oaths1 curses and exulting laughs1 ,we've catched one of the damn'd ,mormons and we'll roast him alive over a slow fire1 damn him4 ,they now rallied around her in great numbers1 exulting and threatening1 and boasting that they had taken her husband and would kill him on the spot4 ,while they were thus abusing her she saw another crowd coming and a prisoner in the midst1 on whom they were venting their rage1 as if he would be torn to pieces4 ,as they approached nearer it proved to be ,mr4 ,follet1 on ,mrs4 ,phelps' horse and side-saddle4 ,he had been surrounded1 overpowered and taken at the time we were each separated from the other4 ,he was finally rescued from the mob1 and thrust alive into the lower dungeon and chained down to the floor4 ,he remained in this doleful situation for a few days1 till the wrath of the multitude had time to cool a little1 and then he was unchained by the sheriff and again brought into the upper apartment and treated with some degree of kindness4 ,they now laughed with him about his adventure1 praised him for his bravery1 and called him a good fellow4 ,the truth of the matter was1 they had no great desire to take the lives of any but those whom they had considered leaders2 and since they had discovered that ,mr4 ,follett and ,mr4 ,phelps were not considered religious leaders among our society1 they were in no great danger1 except they should happen to be killed in the heat of excitement or passion4 ,we now leave him in his lonesome prison1 with no other society than the old apostate1 ,luman1 and his dear ,phila1 while we get ,sister ,phelps out of the trouble she was in4 ,after the fate of the prisoners seemed determined1 she sank down exhausted on a block of wood in the open air amid the surrounding darkness4 ,here she was still mocked and insulted by the unfeeling rabble1 till a certain young man1 more feeling than the others1 declared that he was not accustomed to see a female treated thus in ,america1 and that if she had no home his father and mother would receive her kindly and give her protection under their roof till she could return to ,illinois4 ,he then went home1 and in a few minutes returned with his mother1 by whom she was kindly invited to their dwelling4 ,on arriving there she was treated in the kindest manner for about two weeks1 during which time her horse was kept from her and rode in search of the prisoners4 ,they finally restored her horse and saddle to her1 and she rode home in peace1 where she eventually met her husband1 and rejoiced that she had been1 in some measure1 the means of his deliverance4 ,and here ,i might as well inform the anxious reader of the final liberation of the two remaining prisoners4 ,mr4 ,follett remained in confinement for several months1 and finally was dismissed and sent home to ,illinois1 where he met his family1 who had been expelled from the ,state of ,missouri1 in common with others1 during his confinement4 ,and1 last of all1 the old apostate came out by fair acquittal4 ,and should any of our readers have the curiosity to see the charming couple1 whose singular courtship and history run through and make a principal thread of our narrative1 they will call at the little town of ,augusta1 a few miles from ,fort ,madison1 ,iowa ,territory1 and inquire for ,luman and ,phila1 who were living there in quiet at the last accounts4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ------------------------ ,reminiscence3--,resume my ,wanderings3-- ,lost ,again3--,storm3--,conversation3--,suspi cious ,characters3-- ,lost in a ,swamp3--,strange ,river3--,retrace my ,steps3--,cross the ,river3--,wild ,scenery3--,strange ,bedfellow3--,dawn3--,reach the ,mississippi3--,cross the ,river in a ,canoe3--,land on an ,island3--,entangled in the ,thickets3--,reembark3--,land in ,illinois3--,an ,old ,acquaintance3--,arrive at ,quincy4 ,i suppose by this time the reader has either forgotten the circumstances in which he took leave of myself1 or else is somewhat weary with the winding of the narrative and impatient for it to come to a close4 ,the only apology ,i have to offer for the many digressions and wanderings through which he has been led is1 that ,i consider it impolite and disrespectful to get myself out of a bad place until ,i have first seen my friends all safely out4 ,true1 ,i did not strictly observe this rule of good breeding in the escape itself2 therefore it becomes me to take the more care to observe it now1 when there is no danger1 excepting that of being deserted by some of my readers before ,i am safely out4 ,however1 if you still wish to accompany me in all the windings of my wearisome and dangerous adventure we will now turn to the happy valley1 where you recollect leaving me on the morning of the fifth of ,july in the act of breakfasting on a small biscuit1 while1 to all appearances1 ,i was lost to myself and to all mankind4 ,after resting a few minutes ,i arose and travelled onward1 without any way to determine the course ,i was travelling4 ,after some miles1 ,i came to a house in the woods1 and ventured to inquire of the woman the way to ,columbia1 and what course it lay from there4 ,by this means ,i learned that ,i was fourteen miles distant from the prison in a northerly direction4 ,i then took a course directly opposite to her directions1 and soon found myself among settlements1 and in a kind of road1 but very indirect and winding among fields and woods1 or in the language of that county1 among clarens and timber4 ,i paid but little respect to the road1 but rather wandered around among the forests1 and made my course as well as ,i could without being seen4 ,at last the clouds thickened and it began to rain4 ,in the meantime ,i had again plunged into the depths of an unknown forest1 and lost all idea of the true point of the compass4 ,the air now became dense with thick clouds and mist1 and the rain was pouring in torrents4 ,at first ,i thought that rather than expose myself by another inquiry1 ,i would sit down at the bottom of a large oak and wait patiently for the clouds to break away1 so that ,i could see the sun1 and thus determine my course1 as to travel in uncertainty would exhaust my strength for naught4 ,i accordingly sat down2 but after waiting for a length of time1 ,i found there was no prospect of seeing the sun1 moon1 or stars for some days to come4 ,in the meantime ,i was becoming wet and cold1 lame and stiff jointed from the effects of my exertions the night previous4 ,i was also aware that hunger would soon be preying upon me1 as ,i already felt very much in need of refreshment4 ,i1 therefore1 arose and wandered on till ,i saw another house in the distance4 ,i there ventured another inquiry1 by which ,i was enabled to make my way through the windings of the forest1 and finally to enter upon a vast prairie or untimbered plain without inhabitants4 ,through this plain there was a direct road to a place called ,paris1 which was now some twenty miles distant and directly on my way4 ,here ,i could travel in solitude1 and have no difficulty in finding my way either by night or day2 and should ,i chance to meet a traveller in pursuit1 ,i could see him for some miles distant in the day time1 and have time to leave the road and hide myself in the grass before he could be near me4 ,it was now drawing towards evening1 and the rain was still pouring in torrents1 while the wind blew almost to a tempest4 ,i was weary exhausted with fatigue and hunger1 and chilled and benumbed with rain and wind which had drenched me for some hours4 ,it had been intention to travel through the night1 but ,i now saw it was impossible4 ,i would be obliged to rest my weary limbs somewhere2 and to sit or lie down without shelter in such a tempest1 and benumbed as ,i then was1 would be death2 or at least it would be what ,i could not endure2 and to lodge at any house would expose me to be discovered and taken by pursuers4 ,as night approached ,i hesitated for some time whether to continue to brave the tempest and to pass the night in the rain1 or to run the risk of being taken by turning off the road and going a mile or two through the wet grass to a settlement which was in sight1 in the borders of the wilderness1 on the left of my road4 ,at last ,i was compelled by the severity of the storm to choose the latter4 ,i accordingly made for a house2 but how was ,i to account for being a traveller1 and on foot--as nearly all men in that country travel on horseback8 ,however1 my ingenuity soon prepared me a way to account for this suspicious circumstance4 ,as ,i drew near the house the owner stood in the door looking out upon the tempest and watching my approach--it being rather strange to see a person from the open plain amid such a tempest4 ,as ,i drew near1 all wet and dripping1 ,i cried out very sociably1 saying3 ,sir1 can you entertain a drowning man here this terrible night8 ,the answer was1 ,i reckon we mout3 come in1 stranger1 you seem in a mighty bad fix4 ,i hobbled in as well as ,i could1 being very lame with walking1 as well as benumbed with the storm2 and without giving time for any more inquiry1 ,i began to complain of the fatigue of walking1 and how it had lamed me2 at the same time observing that my horse had played a very bad trick with me2 he had got away from me and strayed into the timber1 where ,i could not find him4 ,ah1 said he1 how did you happen to lose him8 ,why1 said ,i1 ,i am from ,indiana1 and have been out in your wild woods back here looking for land4 ,i had been in the habit of letting my horse bait a little occasionally1 as he never seemed inclined to leave till1 last evening1 he of a sudden wandered out of my sight in the woods1 and dark coming on1 ,i could not track him1 and finally lost him2 and1 what is worse1 he carried off my clothing and all the fixings ,i had with me1 even to my shooting irons and ammunition4 ,i shall now have to go clear to ,paris on foot1 and remain there a few days till ,i can advertise him and obtain him again4 ,oh6 exclaimed he1 it's a pity you should have such a heap of trouble4 ,where did you stay last night8 ,i replied the devil himself could hardly answer that2 for in hunting my horse ,i got benighted1 and lost myself instead of finding him2 however1 ,i made my way out to the first cottage ,i could find1 and took up with very curious fare1 ,i assure you4 ,what part of ,indiana are you from8 continued he4 ,from near ,terre ,haute1 replied ,i4 ,what is the price of land in that country now8 he inquired4 ,i replied that it had risen very much since the completion of the great national road2 indeed1 said ,i1 as a specimen of the rise of property ,i could now take twenty-five dollars per acre for my little place in the backwoods1 which a few years ago only cost me three dollars and seventy-five cents1 so thought ,i would just mount my nag and ride west here1 and take a look in ,illinois and ,missouri1 and if ,i could suit myself ,i would go home and sell out1 and come out here and purchase4 ,well1 said he1 ,i reckon you must do a heap better here than there1 as we've a smart chance of land here that's very cheap1 besides1 continued he1 we can make corn here so easy2 and then1 agin1 there's a power of range for cattle and horses4 ,in this kind of conversation the evening passed off very sociably4 ,after eating a hearty supper ,i retired to bed4 ,in the morning ,i awoke much refreshed1 and found the storm had subsided1 and the sun shining in his strength4 ,i tarried to breakfast1 which consisted of a good cup of coffee and a fowl1 with some corn bread or dodger4 ,after breakfast ,i vented my spite once more1 with angry and impatient words about my poor horse2 grumbled sorely at being so lame1 and regretted very much at having to go on foot all the way to ,paris2 and1 said ,i1 ,i get so hungry and faint in walking over these lonesome plains1 where the houses are a dozen miles apart1 ,i believe1 with your leave1 ,i'll just pocket the remainder of the dodger and chicken4 ,o1 yes1 said the good woman1 take it and welcome4 ,you mout want it1 and then agin you mout not2 and although its coarse fare1 yet we've seen a heap o' times in this new country that we couldn't get as good4 ,i thanked her1 and then settled my bill with her husband1 and making her a present of a quarter of a dollar1 ,i took leave1 and soon found my way back to the road ,i had left the evening before4 ,on arriving at the road ,i found a fresh horse track had been made since the rain1 and immediately concluded one of my pursuers had passed in pursuit1 which ,i afterwards learned to be the fact4 ,i would here remark that some persons will perhaps be disposed to censure me for saying that which was not strictly true in all its points1 in order to avoid discovery1 and make good my escape4 ,but ,i can say1 from the bottom of my heart1 that ,i feel perfectly justified in so doing1 not only because it accomplished a good object1 and seemed according to wisdom1 but we have numerous instances in ,scripture where ,god's prophets and people acted in a similar way for a similar end4 ,for instance1 the ,new ,testament justifies ,rahab1 and even commends her1 and includes her in the sum of the faithful1 because she hid the spies under the flax and deceived their pursuers by stating that they had left the city and fled to the mountains2 and thus she became an accomplice1 or an aider and abettor of the people and purposes of ,god4 ,david also1 who was the ,lord's anointed1 and a man after his own heart1 dissembled a number of times to save his life4 ,at one time he deceived the national priest1 and thus obtained both bread and armor1 under pretense of being on the king's errand1 while he was in fact an outlaw1 then in the act of fleeing for his life from that same ,saul4 ,and ,jesus himself mentions this to the ,jews1 and justifies it4 ,at another time he feigned himself insane1 by figuring on the wall and letting his spittle drizzle down on his beard1 in order to escape the ,philistine judges4 ,oh1 yes1 says one1 but he was the ,lord's anointed1 and1 therefore1 had a right to save his life at all hazards to fulfil ,god's purposes4 ,to this ,i reply1 that ,i am also ,god's anointed1 and have a greater reason for living and a more worthy object to accomplish than he had4 ,that may be1 says the objector1 but who believes it8 ,i answer1 one hundred people believe me in the days of my trouble and humility where one believed ,david4 ,and well they may2 for ,i have a greater work to accomplish than he ever had4 ,but the world may blame unjustly4 ,i care not a straw for their judgment4 ,i have one only that ,i serve1 and him only do ,i fear4 ,the hypocrite who censures me may yet be placed under similar circumstances1 and then judge ye how he would act4 ,but1 to drop the argument and resume the history2 ,i now pursued my way until ,i entered upon a public road called the ,louisiana road1 as it was connected with a ferry on the ,mississippi at a place called by that name4 ,i had traveled that road before1 and ,i was not a little rejoiced to find myself on ground ,i was so well acquainted with that ,i could travel by night without any danger of missing my way4 ,i was now in a part of the ,state which was comparatively thickly inhabited1 and1 therefore1 considered it unsafe to proceed in the daytime1 as the news of our escape must by this time have spread far and wide4 ,i1 therefore1 spent the day either in concealment among the thickets1 or in slowly progressing on my journey with much caution and many deviations from the road1 in order to shun plantations and houses2 but at night ,i pursued my way with all the strength ,i had4 ,on the third or fourth day after my escape from prison ,i found myself in the neighborhood of a settlement where ,i had formed some acquaintances years before1 and where once lived a small branch of the ,church1 but they had all moved ,west1 and1 as ,i supposed1 were driven out of the ,state with the others4 ,but ,i recollected a family by the name of ,ivy1 who would still be living on the road1 and who had been members1 but were now dissenters4 ,i was now very hungry and wanted a friend1 but was in doubt whether they would befriend or betray me1 as they had once been my friends1 and not only so1 but their near kindred had suffered in the general persecution1 and had shared the common banishment4 ,i hesitated1 prayed1 and at length came to the conclusion that ,i would venture past their door in open day1 and if no one discovered or recognized me ,i would take it as a ,providence1 and conclude it was wisdom in ,god1 as ,i would not be safe with them2 but if1 on the other hand1 ,i was saluted by them1 then ,i would think it a sign which ,providence had given me as a witness that ,i could trust to them4 ,i accordingly walked past their dwelling on ,sunday evening1 about two hours before sundown4 ,as ,i got nearly past1 the little children who were playing in the front door yard discovered me and cried out with surprise and joy1 there is brother ,pratt6 ,at this a young man came running out to me1 who proved to be one of my acquaintances1 who was still a member of the ,church1 and who had been driven from the upper country2 but1 instead of going to ,illinois with the rest1 he had come back and settled in his old neighborhood4 ,i asked him where ,mr4 ,ivy1 the man of the house1 was4 ,he replied that he and his wife had gone to a neighbor's1 two or three miles distant1 on a visit2 and1 continued he1 ,i also am here on a visit at the same time1 and by this means ,i have very unexpectedly met with you2 and ,i am very glad1 for the news has just reached here that the prisoners had escaped1 and that they burst a cap at one1 and took another and carried him back to prison4 ,the other two have not been found4 ,this was the first news ,i had heard either of myself or the others4 ,i then requested him to go and charge the children strictly not to mention that they had seen me1 and then come with me into the woods4 ,he did so4 ,i then told him ,i was very hungry1 faint and weary2 and not only so1 but so lame ,i could hardly move2 besides1 my feet were blistered1 skinned and bloody4 ,he said that his brother1 who was also a member1 and had been driven with him from the upper country1 lived in an obscure place in the woods1 some two miles distant1 and that his brother's wife and children were as true and genuine ,mormons as ever lived4 ,he then took me on his horse and conducted me through a pathless wild for two miles1 and1 coming in sight of his brother's house1 ,i dismounted and hid myself in a deep valley1 whose sides were nearly perpendicular and formed of craggy rock1 while he went to reconnoitre the house1 and to get something ready for me to eat4 ,he soon returned1 informing me that his brother was out1 and would not be in till dark2 but the family wished very much that ,i would come in1 as the children would hold their tongues1 and it was thought to be perfectly safe4 ,i declined1 however1 for the present1 and he brought me out some bread1 milk and cream1 on which ,i refreshed myself till they prepared a more substantial supper4 ,as evening came on1 being pressed to come in1 ,i finally consented4 ,on entering1 ,i was received with joy by the family1 and sat down to supper4 ,one of their neighbors1 a young man soon determined to tarry till the arrival of the man of the the house1 as he had some errand with him4 ,this embarrassed me very much1 for ,i was fearful that he would arrive and salute me as an old acquaintance1 and call my name in the presence of the young man4 ,but the children 7bless their souls7 took good care for that matter1 they watched very narrowly for the arrival of their papa1 and when they saw him they whispered to him that brother ,p4 was there1 and being just out of prison1 he must not know him till ,mr4 ----- had gone4 ,the man came in1 and ,i looked up1 with a vacant stare1 or rather with a strange and distant air1 and inquired if he was the man of the house8 ,he nodded coolly in the affirmative4 ,i then inquired of him if he had seen any stray nags in his neighborhood8 ,i then went on to describe my horse which had strayed from me1 and observed that ,i was out in search of him1 and1 being weary and hungry1 ,i had stopped to get some refreshment with him4 ,he said ,i was welcome to his house1 and to such fare as he had2 but he did not seen any nags1 except what was owned in the neighborhood4 ,the young man soon did his errand and withdrew4 ,we then shook each other by the hand most heartily1 and1 with a burst of joy and smiles1 inquired after each other's welfare4 ,i told him ,i was well nigh exhausted and worn out1 and1 withal1 very lame1 but still ,i had some hopes of making my escape out of the ,state1 and of living to see my friends once more in a land of liberty4 ,i then begged of him to exchange with me1 and take my cap and give me a hat in its stead1 which he did and then saddled his horse with a side saddle1 and placing me on horseback1 he ran before and by my side on foot1 to take me on my journey4 ,in this way we traveled till twelve o'clock at night1 when ,i dismounted1 and he bid me farewell1 in order to reach his home again before the neighbors would arise and find him missing4 ,he had given me directions which would lead to the ,mississippi ,river much nearer than the ,louisiana ferry1 and also more in the direct course towards my family who resided at ,quincy1 and1 besides all these advantages1 the route was more obscure1 and1 therefore1 safer for me4 ,i now pursued my course the remainder of the night with renewed courage and strength1 although so very lame1 foot sore1 and so much exhausted that1 in lying down to refresh myself1 ,i could not again rise and put myself in motion short of extraordinary and repeated exertion1 sometimes having to crawl on my hands and knees till ,i could get sufficiently limbered to arise and walk1 and frequently staggering and falling in the attempt4 ,at length the day began to dawn1 and ,i must soon be under the necessity of hiding in the thickets1 or making deviations from the road1 in order to avoid discovery in passing the settlements4 ,i1 therefore1 wished to push my way with all speed while it was yet too early for people to be stirring2 but sleep now completely overpowered me4 ,as ,i was walking along the road ,i could scarcely open my eyes for a moment to look my way for a few rods ahead1 and they would then close in sleep in spite of all my powers4 ,i would then proceed a few paces in my sleep till ,i stumbled1 or till ,i had need to take another look at the road before me2 then ,i would open my eyes and take one glance1 and the lids would fall again as powerless as if ,i had no life4 ,in this way ,i walked on1 alternately sleeping and waking1 till1 ,i presume1 ,i had more than fifty naps without ceasing to walk2 and each time ,i opened my eyes and came to my senses ,i firmly resolved to keep them open and run no further risk2 but while this resolution was still passing in my mind sleep would again steal over me1 not exactly unawares1 for ,i realized it each time1 but had no power to prevent it4 ,at length the twilight gave place to the full blaze of the morning2 the sons of the earth were again in motion2 ,i therefore retired1 like the owl1 to the thicket1 and took a morning rest4 ,when ,i awoke the sun was high in the heavens1 and1 feeling somewhat refreshed1 ,i arose from the ground and wandered slow and solitary amid the wilds of oak1 interspersed with hazel and underwood--sometimes stopping to pick and eat a few unripe blackberries1 and sometimes resting beneath the shade of a spreading tree4 ,i had now great hopes of having to pass but one more night in the land of enemies1 as ,i could easily reach a small town in the course of the day1 which was then only two or three miles distant2 and then1 if ,i could by any means get on to the right track before night1 ,i would only have about eight or ten miles' travel for the whole night1 which would bring me to a small town on the ,mississippi4 ,i wandered on amid the wilds1 but at length about half a mile of open plain or prairie intervened between me and the town4 ,to pass this in a public road1 in open day1 would be running a great venture1 and to wait for the cover of darkness would perhaps keep me wandering another night1 for the want of being started in the right road from the town before me to the landing on the river4 ,i1 therefore1 concluded to venture across the plain1 along the public highway1 in the day time1 and should ,i be discovered ,i would sell my life as dear as possible sooner than be taken back to prison4 ,i1 therefore1 walked boldly on4 ,i had proceeded about to the middle of the plain1 when1 on a sudden turn of the road1 two men appeared on horseback1 each with a rifle on his shoulder4 ,they were then too near for me to retreat1 or to make any other shift than to meet them4 ,as soon as they discovered me they both halted as if surprised1 and one said to the other1 there he is now4 ,they then rode on towards me1 and ,i expected every moment that they would hail and attempt to stop me4 ,in such a case ,i felt determined to seize one of their rifles1 and overpower or frighten them1 or die in the struggle4 ,i at length passed between them in the middle of the road1 and ,i looked as calm and unconcerned as if ,i hardly knew they were there4 ,either from this circumstance or some other1 unaccountable to me1 they never spoke to me at all1 but rode on1 and ,i saw them no more4 ,i soon passed the plain1 and made my way into a small thicket of trees which lay adjoining the little town4 ,i then crept up near the court house1 which occupied a public square in the centre1 and endeavored1 without being discovered or noticed by any person1 to ascertain as well as ,i could1 by my own judgment1 which of all the roads would seem to lead off towards the river4 ,after reconnoitering the town and the various bearings of the roads1 ,i retreated back into the wilderness1 with the satisfaction that ,i had not yet been discovered by the citizens2 ,i had also the satisfaction of seeing the highlands and the hilly1 broken country which evidently bordered on the ,mississippi4 ,the river1 therefore1 could be but a few miles distant1 and as it was yet several hours to sundown ,i concluded that ,i could take my course1 and1 without any particular regard to roads1 reach some spot on the river that evening1 as nothing was to be so much dreaded as a public ferry--for there ,i knew my enemies would set their traps4 ,i immediately took my course1 and after wandering for an hour or two1 with great fatigue1 among thickets of brush1 briars and vines almost impassable1 ,i at length descended a steep decline of perhaps two hundred feet1 and then came down to what is called in that country the river bottom1 covered with the growth of thick forest1 and appearing in some places somewhat swampy and gloomy2 but still ,i pushed on with all speed supposing ,i was not many miles from the river ,mississippi4 ,after travelling for some distance in this disagreeable and swampy wild1 what was my surprise and disappointment1 when on a sudden ,i came to a dark1 deep1 and muddy looking river1 some forty rods wide1 and rolling with a swift and turbulent current4 ,this surely could not be the ,mississippi2 and yet it was something that intervened between me and that great river1 and seemed to present an impassable barrier4 ,i then heaved a deep sigh1 and feeling exhausted and almost discouraged1 ,i exclaimed to myself half aloud1 how long shall ,i wander and find no rest8 ,it does seem as though enchanted ground lay between me and liberty4 ,i turned round1 with the little strength that then remained ,i made my way back to the town4 ,when ,i arrived again in sight of the town the sun was setting1 and another wearisome night was approaching1 in which ,i must reach the river1 or ,i would probably be exhausted with hunger and fatigue1 so as to be entirely disabled4 ,i now resolved to venture boldly into a public highway1 and to ascertain the right road before it would be too dark to find my way or choose my course4 ,there would not only be danger of exposure by inquiring1 but although ,i knew there was a little town on the ,mississippi1 near the place ,i was then in1 yet ,i had never heard the name of it2 and to appear like a stranger who did not know the country1 and yet be on foot and without a parcel or valise1 or anything which travellers are accustomed to carry1 and withal a beard near a week old1 together with sweat and dirt over my clothes from lying and tumbling on the ground1 would altogether make me seem like a very suspicious character2 but yet ,i must venture an inquiry1 which ,i determined to do the first providential opportunity which occurred4 ,i walked along the edge of the town and struck into a public highway which seemed to lead the right course4 ,i had not travelled far when ,i came to a branch of the same river which ,i had encountered in the swampy bottom4 ,on one side of the road a mill was situated on its bank1 and on the other side a dwelling house4 ,several persons were about the mill1 and it was not yet dark4 ,i was now determined to pass by boldly1 and if anyone passed near me to speak to them and inquire the way1 and then pass on so quick that they would have no time to have suspicion or to question me4 ,just as ,i was passing between the house and the mill1 ,i said1 ,good evening1 sir4 ,how do you cross this river8 ,he replied1 that the teams and horsemen ford it1 but a footman may chance to cross it on the mill dam1 yonder4 ,said ,i1 is this the right road to--to--what the plague is it you call that little town yonder--your nearest landing on the river what is its name2 ,i can seldom think of it8 ,oh1 ,saverton--,saverton1 replied he4 ,oh1 yes2 ,saverton1 ,i repeated4 ,yes1 said he1 this is the direct road to it4 ,i replied1 ,thank you1 sir4 ,how far is it8 ,nine miles1 said he4 ,by this time ,i was some distance past him1 and in another moment ,i was balancing my clumsy and worn out body on the edge of the dam1 while the waters were roaring and foaming beneath me4 ,i got safely over1 and now pursued my way with increasing hope and certainty4 ,however1 ,i had not gone to exceed half a mile before ,i came to another fork of the river1 larger and swifter than the one ,i had just crossed1 and1 withal1 neither dam nor bridge4 ,i soon forded boldly into it1 determined either to sink1 swim1 or ford it4 ,it proved to be about a yard deep1 with a strong current1 and several yards wide2 but ,i forded it in safety1 and still pursued my way4 ,after wandering for a mile or two along the bottom lands1 ,i ascended a high bluff of several hundred feet1 and thus entered upon the high1 rocky and unsettled wilds which intervened between the bed of the river and the great ,mississippi4 ,it was now dark1 and ,i was fairly under way for my night's journey1 which at most could not exceed seven or eight miles1 and feeling extremely exhausted and also at leisure1 ,i stepped aside from the road and laid me down at the foot of a tree1 with a block of wood for a pillow1 where ,i intended to sleep for an hour or two4 ,it was a wild scene in which to slumber2 no human abode was near1 no voice or sound stole upon the stillness of the evening4 ,the stars shone forth in unwonted splendor in the heavens1 while wild and grassy hills1 and rocky steeps pierced with deep vales and chasms1 extended far and wide on all sides1 as if reposing in eternal and undisturbed quiet and loneliness4 ,ah6 thought ,i1 as ,i lay in silent meditation and contemplated the scene1 here is peace1 here is rest1 here is a solitude of grand and sacred repose1 scarcely polluted by bloodthirsty dwellers upon the degraded earth4 ,and were it not for the ties of wife1 children1 and duties which bind me to society1 how gladly would ,i seek a lone cavern or some unknown retreat amid these romantic wilds1 and never more feel the ills and suffer the evils which now distract and disturb the peace of a poor1 miserable world4 ,as ,i had finished these meditations and was about to fall asleep ,i turned to my side and made a slight movement in adjusting my wooden pillow1 when ,i heard the well known rattle of a rattlesnake 7eez1 eez1 eez17 close by my side1 as if disturbed in his repose1 or as if ,i had more than my portion of the bed4 ,i then recollected the old proverb1 that travelling makes strange bedfellows1 and also the scripture which says1 ,if two lie together there is heat1 but how can one be warm alone8 ,said ,i1 old friend1 ,i'll not argue with you as my first mother did with your venerable ancestor1 and rather than quarrel or keep you awake1 we will part4 ,with this1 ,i arose and very condescendingly sought out another bed1 where ,i was so fortunate as to remain in undisturbed possession till the chill of the night air admonished me to be again on the move4 ,i then arose1 and1 after much exertion1 became at length able to use my limbs1 and thus continued my journey4 ,early dawn found me standing on a height which overlooks the little village of ,saverton and the broad river1 which was the only barrier between me and safety from my enemies4 ,as the rays of the morning began to expand with increasing light1 the dark outlines of the wooded bottoms of ,illinois were distinctly visible4 ,i had now seen with my eyes the land of peace1 and a land which contained family1 friends1 and all that was dear to me2 but oh1 if ,i should be intercepted at the ferry1 and thus lose at once my labor and my hope6 ,i now knelt down and prayed fervently to ,god for deliverance1 and thanked ,him for the past1 and for ,his mercy and providence which had preserved me thus far4 ,i then descended from the height and entered the town1 the people yet being rapt in repose4 ,i examined the shore and soon convinced myself that no public ferry was kept there4 ,i was extremely glad to learn this fact being fully aware that by this time all the ferries would be watched4 ,i next tried to find some road or path up the river bank1 so as to pass along and obtain the use of some chance canoe1 but this was impossible4 ,huge rocks and mountainous steeps1 with alternate ditches or patches of mire1 rendered it impossible1 even for a footman1 to pass up the bank of the river4 ,i then made my way down along the sandy beach which lay before the town1 and just as the people were beginning to stir1 ,i left the town and continued down along the river for some five miles1 sometimes climbing steep and rocky spires of the bluffs1 and sometimes wading through mire and marsh4 ,at length ,i came to a dwelling on the banks of the river1 and saw several canoes lying in the water before it4 ,i entered the house and inquired of the lady whether ,i could get a passage over the river in a canoe4 ,she replied that her husband sometimes set people across1 but owing to the swift current1 and a large island several miles in length1 which lay the middle of the river1 it was a tedious job1 for which he never charged less than a dollar2 but1 however1 he was very busy in the harvest field1 about a mile distant1 and owing to the hurry of the harvest1 she did not think he could be prevailed on to do it at any price4 ,i was now ready to faint from extreme heat1 and exertion1 and hunger1 and to walk another mile and back upon an uncertainty was altogether to which it would subject me4 ,i cast my eyes towards the canoes and they looked very tempting1 and ,i know not but ,i might have been tempted to charter one without the leave of the owner1 but just then ,i saw a boy of ten or twelve years of age playing about the water4 ,i asked him if he was accustomed to paddling a canoe4 ,he replied1 yes4 ,i then offered him a good price if he would set me across the river4 ,he refused to do this1 saying that his parents would whip him for so doing4 ,but1 said he1 ,i will set you over on to yon big island1 which is one mile from here2 you can then walk a mile or two through the woods and come to the opposite shore of it1 and then shout and make signs to the people on the ,illinois shore1 who will come across their half of the river and take you from the island4 ,he observed that people had often crossed over in this way4 ,i hardly believed him1 but still ,i thought an uninhabited island was preferable to staying another minute in ,missouri4 ,the boy soon set me over and left me on the shore of the island1 pointing out my course as well as he could4 ,i paid him well1 and then commenced my overland journey1 among nettles1 flies1 mosquitoes and heat4 ,i was soon entangled in thickets of hazel1 thorn and grape vines1 which made my progress very slow1 as well as extremely laborious and difficult4 ,these1 however1 were soon intersected with sloughs of mire and water1 which could only be crossed with the utmost difficulty1 by picking my way on old logs and wood1 and sometimes wading in mire and water4 ,after crossing several of these ,i at length came to one much larger1 which ,i judged was navigable for a steamboat1 and ,i now found1 to my inexpressible horror and disappointment1 that he had deceived me4 ,i had now no alternative left but to make my way back through the same difficulties ,i had just passed1 and to the shore where he had just left me1 and then ,i should have no other chance but to call and make signs to the ,missouri shore1 which ,i had just left with so much joy1 and1 as ,i hoped1 forever4 ,this was at length accomplished1 and ,i had the inexpressible joy of seeing my sign answered by the same boy1 who soon came paddling to me4 ,as soon as his canoe touched the island ,i bounded into it1 and said to him with a determined tone and manner1 you have deceived me my boy1 so now you have to go to the opposite shore if you never went before1 and ,i will then pay you another dollar1 which will pay you1 even if your parents chasten you for going4 ,we now headed up the current1 and1 after a painful and laborious exertion of an hour or two1 we doubled the cape at the head of the island1 and shot off across the river at a rapid rate4 ,we soon landed in the woods in a low bottom1 with no signs of inhabitants1 although while crossing ,i had seen some houses on the shore a mile or two below4 ,i now paid the boy his dollar1 and he pushed off and commenced his way back exceedingly well pleased4 ,i immediately stepped a few paces into the woods1 and1 kneeling down1 kissed the ground as a land of liberty1 and then poured out my soul in thanks to ,god4 ,i then arose and made my way down the river for some two miles through woods and swamps1 and finally came to a house4 ,i entered it1 determined to call for something to eat2 no one was in but a little boy1 but he said his mother would be in two or three minutes4 ,i asked him for some milk1 and he gave me a vessel which was full1 probably containing between one and two quarts4 ,i intended only to taste of it to keep me from fainting1 and then wait till the woman came1 and ask her leave to drink the remainder1 as it was all she had2 but once to my famishing mouth it never ceased to decrease till it was all swallowed2 ,i now felt somewhat abashed and mortified at what ,i had done1 but concluded money would pay all damages4 ,hearing the footsteps of the woman at the door1 ,i was fixing my mouth for an awkward apology1 when ,i heard a sudden scream2 on looking up1 ,mrs4 ,sabery ,granger stood before me1 with both hands lifted up in an ecstacy of amazement4 ,i said to her1 be not afraid--handle me and see1 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have4 ,she exclaimed1 why1 good ,lord1 is that you8 ,why all the world is hunting you--both friends and enemies2 they had almost given you up4 ,she then flew around1 scolded the children1 talked to the ducks and chickens to keep out of the house and out of the garden1 and not stray off4 ,she washed my feet1 gave me some clean stockings1 got me some dinner1 told me a thousand things about our friends1 asked five hundred questions1 laughed1 cried and again scolded the children and chickens4 ,this over and dinner eaten1 she on with her bonnet and accompanied me to her husband1 who was clearing a small spot of land nearby4 7,i had forgotten to say that this woman had been one of our nearest neighbors in ,ohio for several years47 ,her husband now dropped his work1 and accompanied me as a guide for five miles across a wet1 low1 untimbered bottom1 covered mostly with high grass and stagnant water1 and entirely destitute of shade or refreshment of any kind4 ,the air was now extremely sultry1 and the sun poured in scorching beams1 while we could get no water to drink1 nor any rest or retreat for a moment4 ,to sit down the tall grass under these scorching rays1 without a breath of wind1 would be overwhelming4 ,i had not proceeded more than a mile or two before ,i became so weak and faint that ,i could hardly speak or stand1 and parched with a burning thirst4 ,i was upon the point of lying down in the hot and stagnant water1 but he took me by the arm and partly supported me1 and drew me along for some distance1 exhorting and begging of me to try my utmost to hold up a little longer4 ,in this way ,i finally reached the upland and the shade of a fence1 within about half a mile of a settlement of the ,saints and other citizens1 which extended along the bluff4 ,i dropped down under the shade of this fence1 and fainted entirely away2 the man ran to the house of a ,brother ,brown and got some cool spring water and a little camphor1 and was returning with it ,sister ,brown1 who had never seen me1 came running before him to my relief2 while they were yet distant ,i had partly come to1 and feeling a dreadful faintness at my stomach1 and a raging thirst which knew no bounds1 ,i made an effort to arise and run towards them1 at the same time making signs for them to hasten2 ,i staggered a few paces like a drunken man1 and again fell to the earth4 ,this singular appearance1 and my dirty clothes and long beard so frightened the woman that1 instead of hurrying1 she halted till the man came up with her1 and then she exclaimed1 ,it cannot be ,elder ,pratt1 of whom ,i have heard so much--it must be some old drunkard4 ,but the man assured her it was me1 and they then came on together4 ,they bathed my temples and wrists in cold water and camphor1 and finally gave me a spoonful or two at a time to drink4 ,in about half an hour ,i was so far revived as to be able to arise and be led to the house4 ,i then shaved and washed myself1 and borrowed a change of linen1 and got into a comfortable bed4 ,next morning ,i felt quite refreshed1 and1 after resting through the day1 ,i was so far recruited as to be able to mount a horse at evening and ride towards ,quincy1 which was still twenty-five miles distant4 ,brother ,brown furnished me a good horse and saddle1 and himself another1 and we started for ,quincy in high spirits just as the sun was setting4 ,we rode on at a brisk rate1 and arrived in ,quincy at about two o'clock the next morning4 ,riding up to the dwelling which 7from the partial recollection of ,mr4 ,brown1 as well as from the fact of my two ,missouri cows lying before it quietly chewing their cud7 we judged was my wife's residence1 we dismounted and gave a gentle knock at the door4 ,she had watched for four successive nights and most of the fifth1 and had now just lain down and given up all for lost4 ,on hearing the knock she sprang from bed and opened the door1 and in another instant ,i had clasped her in my arms4 ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ------------------------ ,opinions of the ,press3--,extracts from the ,columbia ,patriot3--,banner of ,liberty3--,boone's ,lick ,democrat3--,saturday ,news3--,missouri ,republican3--,new ,york ,sun3--,quincy ,argus3--,minutes of a ,public ,meeting in ,quincy3--,new ,york ,commercial ,advertiser3--,public ,meeting in ,new ,york3--,closing ,remarks4 ,extract of a letter from ,a4 ,w4 ,turner1 member of the ,legislature of ,missouri1 dated ,city of ,jefferson1 ,november #cast1 #ahch1 originally published in the ,columbia 7,missouri7 ,patriot 3 ,the ,mormon war is the most exciting subject before the ,legislature or the community2 it involves an inquiry the most critical of any ever presented to the ,legislature of this country2 one in which the rights of a portion of the free citizens of the ,state is concerned1 on the one side1 and the rights of another portion of the same citizens on the other4 ,upon the decision of this subject the character of the ,state is suspended4 ,if1 upon full investigation1 it is found 7and reported by the committee to the ,legislature7 that the ,mormons are not the aggressors1 and that some of them have been murdered1 others driven from the ,state by military force1 and others imprisoned by order of the ,executive1 then our character will be established as the most lawless invaders of religious and civil rights4 ,will the public believe that1 with the foregoing view of the subject1 the ,legislature avoided an investigation8 ,the following is from a ,missouri paper1 printed in ,callaway ,county1 entitled ,the ,banner of ,liberty3 ,the ,governor of ,missouri has negotiated a ,state loan with the ,bank of ,missouri1 of three hundred and forty thousand dollars4 ,of this sum1 two hundred thousand dollars are to go towards paying the expense of the troops called out to drive the ,mormons from the ,state4 ,the following is taken from the ,boone's ,lick ,democrat1 a ,missouri paper1 under date of ,january #i1 #ahci3 ,a letter under date of the #bith of ,november1 #ahch1 has been written by ,michael ,arthur1 of ,clay ,county1 to the delegation from that county in the ,general ,assembly now in session1 from which the following is an extract3 ',humanity to an injured people prompts me at present to address you this4' ',you were aware of the treatment to some extent before you left home1 received by that unfortunate race of beings called ,mormons1 from devils in the form of human beings2 inhabiting ,daviess1 ,livingston and part of ,ray ,counties4 ',not being satisfied with a relinquishment of their rights1 as citizens and human beings1 in the treaty forced upon them by ,general ,lucas1 of giving up their arms and throwing themselves upon the mercy of the ,state and their fellow citizens generally 7hoping thereby to gain protection of their lives and property72 they are now receiving treatment from those demons which makes humanity shudder1 and the cold chills run over any man not entirely destitute of humanity4 ',these demons are now strolling up and down ,caldwell ,county in small companies armed1 insulting the women in any and every way1 and plundering the ,mormons of all the means of sustenance 7scanty as it was7 left them1 driving off their cattle1 horses1 hogs1 etc41 and rifling their houses and farms of everything thereon2 taking beds1 bedding1 wardrobes1 and such things as they see they want--leaving the ,mormons in a starving and naked condition4 ,these are facts ,i have from authority that cannot be questioned1 and can be maintained and substantiated at any time4' ,the following appeared in the ,st4 ,louis 7,mo47 ,saturday ,news 4 ,the reader may draw his own contrast between the two statements3 ,,the ,,mormons3--,that self-afflicted class of people who has chosen the fancy name of ,mormons has elicited some sympathy and well intended compassion from some of our charitable citizens1 and two meetings have been called to devise means of relieving their present wants4 ,although many of the ,mormons deserve hanging1 as an atonement for their criminal proceedings and corrupt intentions1 they are truly objects of charity4 ,but if this intrinsically vagrant race 7the ,mormons7 would relieve themselves from the humiliating necessity of asking charity1 they should mind their own business1 99 99 abandon abolition1 and apply themselves to hard labor1 as those do who are actively engaged in attempting their relief4 ,no attempt should be made to retain a single ,mormon within the boundaries of ,missouri4 ,a colonization society might find advantageous employment in sending them all off to ,botany ,bay4 ,the following resolves were adopted at a public meeting of the people of ,daviess ,county1 ,missouri1 and published in one of the journals of the ,state3 #ast4 ,resolved1 ,that we esteem the laws of our country our great bulwark1 and the only safe refuge to protect us in this and every other emergency4 #b;d4 ,resolved1 ,that we highly approve of the course of the ,executive in placing ,gen4 ,clark in command of the forces ordered out ,,against ,,the ,,mormons1 and that his orders to ,,exterminate ,,and ,,drive ,,them ,,from ,,the ,,state was dictated by the imperious duty of his office as ,governor of the ,state4 ,the following is from the ,missouri ,republican1 published at ,st4 ,louis3 ,to show our readers the amount of injury which is now inflicted on the character of our ,state1 and which there is no means of repelling 7the ,legislature having refused to inquire into the matter71 we copy the following from the proceedings of a public meeting held in ,quincy1 ,illinois1 as published in the ,quincy ,whig of the #b;d4 inst3 ',mr4 ,sidney ,rigdon rose and read the memorial which his people had presented to the ,legislature of ,missouri1 and other documents1 going to show the absence of all law and justice in the course the ,missouri authorities had pursued toward them1 from ,governor ,boggs down to the lowest grade of officers4' ,after another had addressed the meeting the same account says3 ',mr4 ,rigdon again took the floor1 and in a very eloquent and impressive manner related the trials1 sufferings and persecutions which his people have met with at the hands of the people of ,missouri4 ,we saw the tears standing in the eyes of many of his people while he was recounting their history of woe and sorrow1 and1 in fact1 the gentleman himself was so agitated at different periods of his address that his feelings would hardly allow him to proceed4' ,we are satisfied that his address will have a lasting and good effect1 sustained1 as it was1 by the public documents which he produced4 ',we will not attempt to follow him through the cold blooded murder1 by the mob of ,missouri1 of ,mormon men and children1 the violation of females1 the destroying of property1 the burning of houses1 etc4 ,in vain may the press in ,missouri protest against these representations4 ,in vain may we declare that ,rigdon and his followers were doing injustice1 misrepresenting and slandering our people1 their institutions and officers1 etc41 the public abroad will judge us by the course of our ,legislature4 ,we have made our bed and must lie down on it4 ,a friend1 residing in ,lafayette ,county1 a few days since called our attention to reports in circulation in ,new ,york seriously affecting the character of the ,state1 growing out of this subject1 and requesting us to contradict them4 ,most cheerfully would we undertake the task1 but we know it is hopeless4 ,the following is from the ,new ,york ,sun4 ,after giving some extracts from ,st4 ,louis papers1 showing the outrages of the people of ,missouri against the ,mormons1 the editor proceeds thus3 ,that ,captain ,bogart must be very much like a blackguard and a coward1 if he is not a decided candidate for both titles4 ,he was one of those who started the horrible stories of the 'cutting up of ,missourians1 fifty at a hatch1 by the ,mormons4' ,probably he ran away from his company1 and imagined the horrible stories he carried4 ,the shooting down of a flag staff bearing a flag of truce is characteristic of the bravery of a coward1 when backed by #c1jjj men against #gjj4 ,they must have a primitive mode of administering justice in ,missouri4 ,these ,mormons are as much citizens as the others1 and yet1 without trial1 upon the ex parte testimony of the persons who had provoked the ,mormons to retaliation1 the ,governor issues orders1 if we understand the case1 for the expulsion of the ,mormons from the ,state of ,missouri4 ,the ,emperor of ,russia1 the ,shah of ,persia1 or the ,sultan of ,turkey could not embrace in his own person more legislative1 judicial and executive power than is here assumed4 ,legislative1 in the enactment and promulgation of an edict of banishment4 ,judicial--extra judicial--in sentencing them to banishment under it4 ,executive1 in summoning the force of the ,state to put in force his own judgment upon his own edict4 ,well done1 ,governor ,boggs6 ,we are sorry to hear of the massacre of the ,mormons by the armed mob2 however1 this violence1 being the natural promptings of infuriated men1 is positively less culpable than the cool ignorance and impudent1 illegal assumption of the ,governor of ,missouri4 ,from the ,quincy 7,ill47 ,argus1 ,march #af1 #ahci3 ,we give in today's paper the details of the recent bloody tragedy acted in ,missouri--the details of a scene of terror and blood unparalleled in the annals of modern1 and1 under the circumstances of the case1 in ancient history2 a tragedy of so deep and fearful1 and absorbing interest that the very life blood of the heart is chilled at the simple contemplation4 ,we are prompted to ask ourselves if it be really true that we are living in an enlightened1 a humane and civilized age1 in an age and quarter of the world boasting of its progress in everything good and great1 honorable1 virtuous and high minded2 in a country1 of which1 as ,american citizens1 we could ask whether we are living under a ,constitution and laws1 or have not rather returned to the ruthless times of the stern ,atilla--to the times of the fiery ,hun--when the sword and flame ravaged the fair fields of ,italy and ,europe1 and the darkest passions held full revel in all the revolting scenes of unchecked brutality and unbridled desire8 ,we have no language sufficiently strong for the expression of our indignation and shame at the recent transaction in a sister state1 and that state ,missouri1 a state of which we had long been proud1 alike for her men and history1 but now so fallen1 that we could wish her star stricken out from the bright constellation of the ,union4 ,we say we know of no language sufficiently strong for the expression of our shame and abhorrence of her recent conduct4 ,she has written her own character in letters of blood1 and stained it by acts of merciless cruelty and brutality that the waters of ages cannot efface4 ,it will be observed that an organized mob1 aided by many of the civil and military officers of ,missouri1 with ,governor ,boggs at their head1 have been the prominent actors in this business1 incited too1 it appears1 against the ,mormons by political hatred1 and by the additional motives of plunder and revenge4 ,they have but too well put in execution their threats of extermination and expulsion1 and fully wreaked their vengeance on a body of industrious and enterprising men1 who had never wronged or wished to wrong them1 but1 on the contrary1 had ever comported themselves as good and honest citizens1 living under the laws and having the same rights with themselves1 to the sacred immunities of life1 liberty and property4 ,,public ,,meeting3 ,wednesday1 ,feb4 #bg1 #ahci1 #f ,p4,m4 ,the members of the ,democratic ,association1 and the citizens of ,quincy generally1 assembled in the court house1 to take into consideration the state and condition of the people called ',the ,latter-day ,saints1' and organized the meeting by appointing ,gen4 ,leach1 chairman1 and ,james ,d4 ,morgan1 secretary4 ,mr4 ,whitney1 from the committee appointed at a former meeting1 submitted the following report3 ,the select committee1 to whom the subject was referred1 of inquiring into and reporting the situation of the persons who have recently arrived from ,missouri2 and whether their circumstances are such that they would need the aid of the citizens of ,quincy and its vicinity1 to be guided by what they might deem the principles of an expanded benevolence1 have attended to the duties assigned them1 and have concluded on the following3 ,,report3 ,the committee believe that their duties at this time and on this occasion1 are all included within the limits of an expanded benevolence and humanity1 and which are guided by that charity which 'never faileth4' ,from the facts already disclosed1 independent of the statement furnished by the committee1 they feel it their duty to recommend to this association that they adopt the following resolutions3 ,resolved1 ,that the strangers recently arrived here from the state of ,missouri1 known by the name of ,the ,latter-day ,saints1 are entitled to our sympathy and kindest regard2 and that we recommend to the citizens of ,quincy to extend to them all the kindness in their power to bestow1 as to persons who are in affliction4 99 99 99 ,resolved1 ,that the committee last aforesaid be instructed to use their utmost endeavors to obtain employment for all these people who are able and willing to labor2 and also to afford them all needful1 suitable and proper encouragement4 99 99 99 ,all of which is submitted4 ,j4 ,w4 ,,whitney1 ,chairman4 ,,quincy1 ,february #bg1 #ahci4 ,mr4 ,rigdon then made a statement of the wrongs received by ,mormons from a portion of the people of ,missouri1 and of their present suffering condition4 ,on motion of ,mr4 ,bushnell the report and resolutions were laid upon the table till to-morrow evening4 ,on motion of ,mr4 ,bushnell1 the meeting adjourned to meet at this place on tomorrow evening at seven o'clock4 ,thursday evening1 ,feb4 #bh4 ,met1 pursuant to adjournment4 ,the meeting was called to order by the chairman4 ,on motion of ,mr4 ,morris1 a committee of three was appointed to take up a collection2 ,messrs4 ,j4 ,t4 ,holmes1 ,whitney and ,morris were appointed4 ,the committee subsequently reported that #dh4be cents had been collected4 ,on motion the amount was paid over to the committee on behalf of the ,mormons4 ,on motion of ,mr4 ,holmes1 a committee of three1 consisting of ,s4 ,holmes1 ,bushnell and ,morris1 was appointed to draw up subscription papers and circulate them among the citizens1 for the purpose of receiving contributions in clothing and provisions4 ,on motion1 six were added to that committee4 ,on motion of ,j4 ,t4 ,holmes1 ,j4 ,d4 ,morgan was appointed a committee to wait on the ,quincy ,grays1 for the purpose of receiving subscriptions4 ,mr4 ,morgan subsequently reported that #bj had been subscribed1 by that company4 ,the following resolutions were then offered by ,j4 ,t4 ,holmes3 ,resolved1 ,that we regard the rights of conscience as natural and inalienable1 and the most sacred guaranteed by the ,constitution of our free ,government4 ,resolved1 ,that we regard the acts of all mobs as flagrant violations of law1 and those who compose them individually responsible1 both to the laws of ,god and man1 for every depredation committed upon the property1 rights1 or life of any citizen4 ,resolved1 ,that the inhabitants upon the western frontier of the state of ,missouri1 in their late persecutions of the class of people denominated ,mormons1 have violated the sacred rights of conscience1 and every law of justice and humanity4 ,resolved1 ,that the ,governor of ,missouri in refusing protection to this class of people1 when pressed upon by a heartless mob1 and turning upon them a band of unprincipled militia1 with orders encouraging their extermination1 has brought a lasting disgrace upon the ,state over which he presides4 ,the resolutions were supported in a spirited manner by ,messrs4 ,holmes1 ,morris and ,whitney4 ,on motion1 the resolutions were adopted4 ,on motion1 the meeting then adjourned4 ,,samuel ,,leach1 ,chairman4 ,j4 ,d4 ,,morgan1 ,secretary4 ,from the ,new ,york ,commercial ,advertiser4 ,,meeting ,,in ,,behalf ,,of ,,the ,,mormons4 ,last evening1 pursuant to public notice1 a large meeting assembled at ,national ,hall1 to listen to the recital of the wrongs and sufferings of the ,mormons1 and to devise means for the relief of their women and children4 ,the meeting was organized by placing ,mr4 ,charles ,king in the chair1 and ,mr4 ,marcus ,spring as ,secretary4 ,the ,chairman having briefly stated the object of the meeting1 and read the circular letter signed by ,governor ,carlin1 of ,illinois2 ,senator ,young1 from that ,state1 and other residents1 vouching for the trustworthiness of ,mr4 ,green1 who is deputed by this people to make their case known to the country1 the ,chairman introduced ,mr4 ,green to the meeting4 ,mr4 ,green proceeded to give a plain1 unadorned1 and1 as is believed1 unexaggerated narrative of the settlement of the ,mormons in ,missouri1 of the constant outrages to which they were subjected1 and the series of persecutions which were only ended by their forcible expulsion from the ,state2 and the surrender1 without compensation1 of the lands and houses they had acquired by their own money1 or built with their own hands4 ,mr4 ,green was himself an actor and witness in many of the scenes he described1 and he related them without any attempt at ornament or appeal to passion4 ,when ,mr4 ,green took his seat1 ,joseph ,blunt1 ,esq41 addressed the meeting with ability and great effect1 and offered the resolutions that will be found below4 ,he was eloquently followed and seconded by ,hiram ,ketchum1 ,esq4 ,the resolutions were further supported by several speakers1 among whom were ,dr4 ,d4 ,m4 ,reese and ,w4 ,l4 ,stone1 ,esq42 when the question was taken on them separately1 and they were carried almost without a dissenting voice4 ,upon a suggestion from the ,chair1 that as the wants of the sufferers were urgent1 good might arise from some immediate contributions--a mechanic in his working jacket stood up1 saying that having often witnessed the good effects of example on such occasions1 he proposed1 although1 as he added1 the sum he could give was humble1 if nine others would do likewise1 to give five dollars1 and immediately walked up to the table and deposited the money4 ,the challenge was accepted by several others1 and a sum exceeding fifty dollars was collected on the spot4 ,the meeting then adjourned1 it being understood that1 the committee named to receive and distribute contributions would at once enter upon their duties4 ,resolved1 ,that as ,americans1 we have heard with shame and indignation the narrative given by ,mr4 ,green of the persecutions1 sufferings and lawless violence of which a body of ,american citizens have been the subjects and the victims1 for no other apparent cause than that without hinderance to others1 or violation of any law of the land1 they had acted upon the right guaranteed them by the ,constitution of the ,united ,states of a free exercise of religion4 ,resolved1 ,that1 without meaning to express any opinion whatever as to the religious views or practices of the ,mormons as a sect1 we condemn and desire to bear our testimony against mob law1 lynch law and all other forms of outrage and violence where an excited populace becomes at once jury1 judge and executioner4 ,resolved1 ,that the ,mormons1 as wronged1 persecuted1 exiled and defrauded ,americans1 are entitled to the sympathy and support of their countrymen2 and that especially in behalf of the women and children1 driven from their homes at the point of the bayonet1 we appeal to the known benevolence of our fellow citizens at large for pecuniary aid4 ,resolved1 ,that the ,chairman and ,secretary be a committee1 with power to add to their numbers1 to obtain subscriptions in aid of the women and children of the ,mormons2 such subscriptions to be applied after due investigation by the committee themselves4 ,resolved1 ,that these resolutions be signed by the ,chairman and ,secretary1 and published in the newspapers4 ,,charles ,,king1 ,chairman4 ,,marcus ,,spring1 ,secretary4 ,from the foregoing numerous extracts the public can see that my horrible tale of woe is not a fiction2 but an awful reality4 ,i might fill a volume with similar quotations from the public journals of every part of the ,union1 but ,i forbear1 with the full conviction that the foregoing are sufficient to show that an impartial public1 who stand entirely unconnected with our ,society1 as religionists1 bear out my narrative in its awful tale of woe and suffering2 and ,i now submit the subject to the perusal of all people1 willing to meet my statements in the foregoing at the bar of ,him who knows all secret things1 and who judges righteously4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ------------------------ ,congratulations3--,remove to ,nauvoo3--,meet with ,president ,smith and ,other ,fellow ,sufferers3--,president ,smith's ,reproof for the ,elders3--,toils3--,start for ,england3--,arrival in ,detroit3--,visit my ,brother ,anson and ,parents3--,arrive in ,new ,york3--,visit ,philadelphia and ,washington3--,meet ,president ,smith3--,great ,meeting3--,preaching by ,s4 ,rigdon and ,president ,smith3--,success in ,new ,york3--,farewell ,song3--,sail for ,england3--,reflections4 ,being once more at liberty1 and in the enjoyment of the society of family and friends1 ,i spent a few days in rest and refreshment1 and in receiving the congratulations of my friends and fellow citizens4 ,my house was thronged from day to day1 not only with my old acquaintances and fellow exiles1 but with strangers of every sect and party1 all anxious to see a martyr1 as it were1 who had been so wonderfully and miraculously delivered from bondage and death in their most terrible forms4 ,after a few days spent in this way1 we removed to ,nauvoo1 a new town1 about fifty miles above ,quincy4 ,here lived ,president ,joseph ,smith and many of the refugees who had survived the storm of persecution in ,missouri4 ,it had been already appointed as a gathering place for the scattered ,saints1 and many families were on the ground1 living in the open air1 or under the shade of trees1 tents1 wagons1 etc1 while others occupied a few old buildings1 which they had purchased or rented4 ,others1 again1 were living in some old log buildings on the opposite side of the ,mississippi1 at a place called ,montrose1 and which had formerly served the purpose of barracks for soldiers4 ,the hardships and exposures consequent on the persecutions1 caused a general sickness4 ,here and there1 and in every place1 a majority of the people were prostrated with malignant fevers1 agues1 etc4 ,when we first arrived we lived in the open air1 with out any other shelter whatever4 ,here ,i met brother ,joseph ,smith1 from whom ,i had been separated since the close of the mock trial in ,richmond the year previous4 ,neither of us could refrain from tears as we embraced each other once more as free men4 ,we felt like shouting hosannah in the highest1 and giving glory to that ,god who had delivered us in fulfilment of ,his word to ,his servant ,joseph the previous autumn1 when we were being carried into captivity in ,jackson ,county1 ,missouri4 ,he blessed me with a warmth of sympathy and brotherly kindness which ,i shall never forget4 ,here also ,i met with ,hyrum ,smith and many others of my fellow prisoners with a glow of mutual joy and satisfaction which language will never reveal4 ,father and ,mother ,smith1 the parents of our ,prophet and ,president1 were also overwhelmed with tears of joy and congratulation2 they wept like children as they took me by the hand2 but1 ,o1 how different from the tears of bitter sorrow which were pouring down their cheeks as they gave us the parting hand in ,far ,west1 and saw us dragged away by fiends in human form4 ,after the gush of feelings consequent on our happy meeting had subsided1 ,i accompanied ,joseph ,smith over the ,mississippi in a skiff to visit some friends in ,montrose4 ,here many were lying sick and at the point of death4 ,among these was my old friend and fellow servant1 ,elijah ,fordham1 who had been with me in that extraordinary work in ,new ,york ,city in #ahcg4 ,he was now in the last stage of a deadly fever4 ,he lay prostrate and nearly speechless1 with his feet poulticed2 his eyes were sunk in their sockets2 his flesh was gone2 the paleness of death was upon him2 and he was hardly to be distinguished from a corpse4 ,his wife was weeping over him1 and preparing clothes for his burial4 ,brother ,joseph took him by the hand1 and in a voice and energy which would seemingly have raised the dead1 he cried3 ,,brother ,,fordham1 ,,in ,,the ,,name ,,of ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,,arise ,,and ,,walk4 ,it was a voice which could be heard from house to house and nearly through the neighborhood4 ,it was like the roaring of a lion1 or the heavy thunderbolt4 ,brother ,fordham leaped from his dying bed in an instant1 shook the poultices and bandages from his feet1 put on his clothes so quick that none got a chance to assist him1 and taking a cup of tea and a little refreshment1 he walked with us from house to house visiting other sick beds1 and joining in prayer and ministrations for them1 while the people followed us1 and with joy and amazement gave glory to ,god4 ,several more were called up in a similar manner and were healed4 ,brother ,joseph1 while in the ,spirit1 rebuked the ,elders who would continue to lay hands on the sick from day to day without the power to heal them4 ,said he3 ,it is time that such things ended4 ,let the ,elders either obtain the power of ,god to heal the sick or let them cease to minister the forms without the power4 ,after these things ,i joined with brother ,kimball in purchasing some land in the contemplated city of ,nauvoo1 which was then a wilderness and both of us went to work together with our own hands to build us a log house each4 ,after toiling a few days in this manner ,i sold out my improvement and prepared for a mission to ,england1 as our quorum were now appointed to visit that country4 ,on the #bith of ,august1 #ahci1 ,i took leave of my friends in ,nauvoo and started for a foreign land4 ,i was accompanied by my wife and three children 7having obtained my son ,parley from his nurse1 ,mrs4 ,allen71 and ,elders ,orson ,pratt and ,hiram ,clark4 ,we journeyed in our own private carriage1 drawn by two horses4 ,our route lay through the wild and but partially inhabited countries of ,illinois1 ,indiana and ,michigan1 for about five hundred and eighty miles1 to ,detroit1 the capital of the ,state of ,michigan1 situated at the head of ,lake ,erie4 ,the first day we rode seventeen miles through a beautiful plain1 or prairie4 ,our route was a most delightful one4 ,on all sides1 as we turned our eyes1 we beheld a boundless field of grass and flowers1 with here and there a small grove of timber2 the landscape was level or diversified with gentle swells2 the surface smooth as a garden2 the soil extremely rich2 and1 although there was no road marked by art1 yet our carriage rolled as smoothly and easily as if it had been on a railway4 ,most of this delightful prairie was without inhabitants1 and could1 probably1 have been purchased for one dollar and a quarter per acre4 ,it is well calculated for the purposes of agriculture1 producing in richest profusion1 when cultivated1 almost every kind of grain and grass1 and every vegetable suited for the climate4 ,after travelling seventeen miles through this delightful scenery1 we arrived in ,carthage1 a flourishing village4 ,here we stopped for the night with a member of our ,society1 who received us kindly2 and at evening preached in a large court room to an attentive audience4 ,next day we rode some twenty-five miles through a similar country1 and at evening arrived at a fine village called ,macomb4 ,here we were kindly entertained over ,sabbath by a brother ,miller4 ,we preached in the court house4 ,my brother ,orson and brother ,clark went still ahead about thirty miles1 where they preached on ,sunday4 ,on ,monday morning we started and rode thirty miles through a delightful country4 ,sometimes we were in the midst of flourishing farms and villas1 and sometimes the wild deer would startle from their grazing at our approach1 and go bounding over the wild expanse till lost in the distance4 ,in the evening we arrived at the house of my brother1 ,wm4 ,pratt1 where we found brothers ,orson ,pratt and ,clark4 ,we preached at a neighboring house1 which was crowded by an attentive congregation4 ,next morning we rode eight miles to ,canton1 and found some ,saints who persuaded us to stay till morning4 ,we consented2 and in the evening preached to the people who crowded the house and yard1 and who seemed very anxious to hear more4 ,continuing our journey we came next day to ,peoria1 thirty miles2 a flourishing town on the ,illinois ,river4 ,here we tarried with one of the members of the ,church1 and were kindly entertained4 ,next day made thirty miles1 and1 providentially1 stopped for the night at the house of the only member of our ,society in that region4 ,when he learned who we were he welcomed us1 and finally prevailed upon us to stay two or three days1 after which we blessed him and his household and departed4 ,we then journeyed about thirty-three miles every day for four weeks1 and at length found ourselves within part of a day's journey of ,detroit4 ,here we found several small branches of the ,church2 and being worn down with our journey1 we tarried with them six days1 during which we ministered the gospel4 ,brother ,o4 ,pratt1 in particular1 preached in several towns to large and attentive audiences4 ,taking leave of the brethren1 we rode to ,detroit1 where ,i found my brother ,anson ,pratt and family2 whom ,i had not seen for many years1 and also my aged father and mother1 who were now living with him4 ,my father was now about seventy years of age1 and was on his death bed with a heavy fever4 ,we tarried with them two weeks2 during which ,i preached in the ,city ,hall at ,detroit1 and superintended some printing and publishing matters4 ,while here we sold our horses and carriage1 and at length took leave of our kindred and a last farewell of our sick father1 and took passage on a steamboat down ,lake ,erie to ,buffalo2 distance three hundred miles4 ,previous to our departure from ,detroit brothers ,o4 ,pratt and ,clark took leave of us1 and passed down the lake into ,ohio2 intending to meet us again at ,new ,york4 ,after landing safe in ,buffalo1 we took the ,erie ,canal and railroad to ,albany--distance three hundred and fifty miles2 thence to ,new ,york by steamer down the ,hudson ,river--distance one hundred and fifty miles4 ,here we arrived in safety after a journey of about one thousand four hundred miles4 ,we were received by the ,saints in ,new ,york almost as one of the old saints risen from the dead4 ,i had been absent nearly two years during which time ,i had lain eight months in prison4 ,brother ,adison ,everett1 a ,high ,priest of the ,church in that city and one of the first members ,i had baptized there1 related to me that the ,church in that city were assembled in prayer for me on the evening of the #dth of ,july previous1 that ,i might be delivered from prison and from my enemies in ,missouri4 ,when1 on a sudden1 the spirit of prophecy fell on him1 and he arose and declared to the ,church that they might cease their prayers on that subject2 ,for1 said he1 on this moment brother ,parley goes at liberty4 ,we found the ,church in ,new ,york strong in the faith1 and rejoicing in the truth4 ,they had become numerous in the city and in several parts of the country around4 ,in this city ,i resided with my family some six months1 during which ,i preached most of the time in the city1 and also superintended the printing and publishing of several of our books4 ,i also performed occasional missions in the country2 ,i visited ,long ,island1 ,new ,jersey1 ,philadelphia and the ,city of ,washington4 ,in the latter place ,i published an address in a printed circular to each member of ,congress1 and to the ,president of the ,united ,states and his ,cabinet1 setting forth our principles in plainness1 and bearing testimony of the truth2 while1 at the same time1 our petitions for redress were pending before them--,president ,joseph ,smith and others having visited them in person1 with an earnest appeal for investigation and redress of our grievances in ,missouri4 ,in ,philadelphia ,i had the happiness of once more meeting with ,president ,smith1 and of spending several days with him and others1 and with the ,saints in that city and vicinity4 ,during these interviews he taught me many great and glorious principles concerning ,god and the heavenly order of eternity4 ,it was at this time that ,i received from him the first idea of eternal family organization1 and the eternal union of the sexes in those expressibly endearing relationships which none but the highly intellectual1 the refined and pure in heart1 know how to prize1 and which are at the very foundation of everything worthy to be called happiness4 ,till then ,i had learned to esteem kindred affections and sympathies as pertaining solely to this transitory state1 as something from which the heart must be entirely weaned1 in order to be fitted for its heavenly state4 ,it was ,joseph ,smith who taught me how to prize the endearing relationships of father and mother1 husband and wife2 of brother and sister1 son and daughter4 ,it was from him that ,i learned that the wife of my bosom might be secured to me for time and all eternity2 and that the refined sympathies and affections which endeared us to each other emanated from the fountain of divine eternal love4 ,it was from him that ,i learned that we might cultivate these affections1 and grow and increase in the same to all eternity2 while the result of our endless union would be an offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven1 or the sands of the sea shore4 ,it was from him that ,i learned the true dignity and destiny of a son of ,god1 clothed with an eternal priesthood1 as the patriarch and sovereign of his countless offspring4 ,it was from him that ,i learned that the highest dignity of womanhood was1 to stand as a queen and priestess to her husband1 and to reign for ever and ever as the queen mother of her numerous and still increasing offspring4 ,i had loved before1 but ,i knew not why4 ,but now ,i loved--with a pureness--an intensity of elevated1 exalted feeling1 which would lift my soul from the transitory things of this grovelling sphere and expand it as the ocean4 ,i felt that ,god was my ,heavenly ,father indeed2 that ,jesus was my brother1 and that the wife of my bosom was an immortal1 eternal companion2 a kind ministering angel1 given to me as a comfort1 and a crown of glory for ever and ever4 ,in short1 ,i could now love with the spirit and with the understanding also4 ,yet1 at that time1 my dearly beloved brother1 ,joseph ,smith1 had barely touched a single key2 had merely lifted a corner of the veil and given me a single glance into eternity4 ,while visiting with brother ,joseph in ,philadelphia1 a very large church was opened for him to preach in1 and about three thousand people assembled to hear him4 ,brother ,rigdon spoke first1 and dwelt on the ,gospel1 illustrating his doctrine by the ,bible4 ,when he was through1 brother ,joseph arose like a lion about to roar2 and being full of the ,holy ,ghost1 spoke in great power1 bearing testimony of the visions he had seen1 the ministering of angels which he had enjoyed2 and how he had found the plates of the ,book of ,mormon1 and translated them by the gift and power of ,god4 ,he commenced by saying3 ,if nobody else had the courage to testify of so glorious a message from ,heaven1 and of the finding of so glorious a record1 he felt to do it in justice to the people1 and leave the event with ,god4 ,the entire congregation was astounded2 electrified1 as it were1 and overwhelmed with the sense of the truth and power by which he spoke1 and the wonders which he related4 ,a lasting impression was made2 many souls were gathered into the fold4 ,and ,i bear witness1 that he1 by his faithful and powerful testimony1 cleared his garments of their blood4 ,multitudes were baptized in ,philadelphia and in the regions around2 while1 at the same time1 branches were springing up in ,pennsylvania1 in ,jersey1 and in various directions4 ,among the ,elders who were instrumental in doing a good work in those regions1 ,i would make honorable mention of ,benjamin ,winchester1 of ,philadelphia1 since fallen from the faith2 and ,lorenzo ,barnes1 who labored and did a great work in ,chester ,county1 ,penn41 and afterwards laid down his life while on a mission in ,england4 ,soon after my arrival in ,new ,york ,city1 ,elders ,o4 ,pratt and ,clark who left us at ,detroit1 arrived1 having performed a mission through some of ,ohio and ,new ,york4 ,elders ,turley1 ,john ,taylor1 and ,wilford ,woodruff1 had also arrived from the ,west on their way to ,england4 ,brother ,clark and two ,elders soon sailed for ,liverpool4 ,brothers ,taylor1 ,woodruff1 and ,turley1 sailed a few weeks afterwards4 ,brother ,o4 ,pratt labored in the country around ,new ,york with good success4 ,elders ,brigham ,young1 ,heber ,c4 ,kimball1 ,george ,a4 ,smith1 and ,r4 ,hedlock1 also arrived in ,new ,york ,city late in the winter1 after performing a long and important journey and mission through the ,states of ,illinois1 ,indiana1 ,ohio1 and ,new ,york4 ,finding ourselves together once more1 after all our trials and sufferings1 we rejoiced exceedingly and praised ,god for all ,his mercies to us4 ,during the few days that we were together in ,new ,york we held many precious meetings in which the ,saints were filled with joy1 and the people more and more convinced of the truth of our message4 ,near forty persons were baptized and added to the ,church in that city during the few days of our brethren's stay there4 ,we held a general ,conference1 in the ,columbian ,hall1 previous to our departure1 in which the following song1 composed by myself1 was written expressly for that occasion and sung by those present3 ,when shall we all meet again8 ,when shall we our rest obtain8 ,when our pilgrimage be o'er-- ,parting sighs be known no more2 ,when ,mount ,zion we regain1 ,there may we all meet again1 ,we to foreign climes repair2 ,truth1 the message which we bear2 ,truth1 which angels oft have borne2 ,truth to comfort those who mourn4 ,truth eternal will remain1 ,on its rock we'll meet again4 ,now the bright and morning star ,spreads its glorious light afar1 ,kindles up the rising dawn ,of that bright ,millennial morn2 ,when the ,saints shall rise and reign1 ,then may we all meet again4 ,when the sons of ,israel come1 ,when they build ,jerusalem2 ,when the house of ,god is reared1 ,and ,messiah's way prepared2 ,when from ,heaven he comes to reign1 ,in the clouds we'll meet again4 ,when the earth is cleansed by fire2 ,when the wicked's hopes expire2 ,when in cold oblivion's shade1 ,proud oppressors all are laid2 ,long will ,zion's ,mount remain1 ,there we all may meet again4 ,on the #ith of ,march1 #ahdj1 we embarked on board the ship ,patrick ,henry1 for ,liverpool1 ,england4 ,we were accompanied to the water by my family1 and by scores of the congregation1 of both sexes4 ,we bade them farewell amid many tears1 and taking a little boat were soon on board ship--which lay at anchor a short distance from the shore4 ,from there we could still see the crowd of our friends on the shore1 while a wave of their hats and handkerchiefs in the air bid us a last adieu4 ,at twelve o'clock we were under way1 being towed by a steamer for some distance until the sails were all unfurled before a fair breeze4 ,the steamer now bade us farewell with three cheers1 and we found ourselves fairly under way on the broad expanse of ocean4 ,the sun was soon setting behind a distant promontory1 which looked like a dark cloud on the bosom of the ocean3 while to the north the distant shores of ,long ,island were still in view4 ,next morning we found ourselves tossing upon a rough sea before the wind with no land in sight4 ,we had a rough passage of twenty-eight days1 and on the sixth of ,april landed in ,liverpool1 ,england4 ,brother ,kimball had been there before2 but it was the first time that the other brethren and myself had set our feet on the shores of the old world4 ,we soon found brother ,taylor1 who had raised the standard of truth in ,liverpool1 and had already baptized about thirty4 ,from him we learned that all those who had sailed before us had arrived in safety1 and had commenced their missions in various parts with good success4 ,we soon called a general ,conference in ,preston1 where we were enabled to rejoice together with most of our brethren in the ministry4 ,thus1 through the mercy of ,god1 we have been enabled to fulfil ,his commands thus far1 and have accomplished a journey of five thousand miles under circumstances which would have discouraged any except such as were upheld by the arm of ,jehovah4 ,when we take into consideration the persecution1 imprisonment1 and banishment1 together with the robbing and plundering which has been inflicted upon our people in the ,west1 and the consequent sickness1 poverty1 and distress to which ourselves1 families and friends were reduced1 previous to our undertaking this mission--when we consider that it has been opposed by persecution1 sword1 flame1 dungeons1 chains1 sickness1 hunger1 thirst1 poverty1 by death and hell1 by men and devils1 and all the combined powers of darkness--it would have been no marvel1 if1 like ,paul1 we had failed to accomplish the mission at present1 and had addressed an epistle to the ,church in ,england1 saying1 ,we would have come unto you once and again1 but ,satan hindered us4 ,but this could not take place with us1 as it did with ,paul1 because our mission to ,europe was by express command of the ,almighty1 and therefore it had to be accomplished in spite of men and devils4 ,one might suppose1 from the opposition that it met with1 that ,satan was aware that if once accomplished1 it would result in the ultimate overthrow of his kingdom1 and the enlargement of the kingdom of ,god--which may ,god grant for ,christ's sake4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ------------------------ ,general ,conference at ,preston1 ,england3--,publishing ,committee3--,editorial ,appointment3--,first ,number of the ,millennial ,star ,issued3--,my own ,ministry in ,manchester and ,vicinity3--,new ,hymn ,book3--,action of ,congress on the ,missouri ,tragedies4 ,on the #aeth of ,april1 #ahdj1 a general conference was convened in the ,temperance ,hall1 ,preston1 ,lancashire1 in which thirty-three branches of the ,church were represented1 including a total of near two thousand members4 ,in this conference1 ,elders ,brigham ,young1 ,heber ,c4 ,kimball and myself were appointed a publishing committee for the ,church4 ,i was also appointed editor and publisher of a monthly periodical1 to be called the ,millennial ,star4 ,while the residue of the committee travelled in the ministry1 ,i repaired to ,manchester and commenced preparing to fulfill my new appointments4 ,the first number of the ,star was issued in ,may4 ,the following hymn was written by myself expressly for the introduction of this periodical1 and originally appeared on its cover3 ,the morning breaks1 the shadows flee2 ,lo6 ,zion's standard is unfurled6 ,the dawning of a brighter day ,majestic rises on the world4 ,the clouds of error disappear ,before the rays of truth divine2 ,the glory1 bursting from afar1 ,wide o'er the nations soon will shine4 ,the ,gentile fullness now comes in1 ,and ,israel's blessings are at hand2 ,lo6 ,judah's remnant1 cleans'd from sin1 ,shall in their promised ,canaan stand4 ,jehovah speaks6 ,let earth give ear1 ,and ,gentile nations turn and live6 ,his mighty arm is making bare1 ,his covenant people to receive4 ,angels from heaven1 and truth from earth ,have met1 and both have record born2 ,thus ,zion's light is bursting forth1 ,to bring her ransomed children home4 ,while engaged in editing and publishing the ,star ,i also preached the gospel continually to vast congregations in and about ,manchester1 and the spirit of joy1 and faith and gladness was greatly increased1 and the number of the ,saints was multiplied4 ,i also assisted my brethren in selecting1 compiling and publishing a hymn book4 ,in this work was contained nearly fifty of my original hymns and songs1 composed expressly for the book1 and most of them written during the press of duties which then crowded upon me4 ,in the third number of the ,star1 page #fe1 is published the final action of the ,congress of the ,united ,states1 on the subject of the outrages committed by the ,state of ,missouri1 upon the ,church of the ,saints4 ,it reads as follows3 ,,twenty ,,sixth ,,congress1 ,,first ,,session4 ,in ,senate of the ,united ,states1 ,march #d1 #ahdj4 ,submitted1 laid on the table1 and ordered to be printed4 ,mr4 ,wall made the following report3 ,the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 to whom was referred the ,memorial of a ,delegation of the ,latter-day ,saints1 report3 ,the petition of the memorialists sets forth1 in substance1 that a portion of their sect commenced a settlement in the ,county of ,jackson1 in the ,state of ,missouri1 in the summer of #ahca2 that they bought lands1 built houses1 erected churches and established their homes1 and engaged in all the various occupations of life2 that they were expelled from that county in #ahcc by a mob1 under circumstances of great outrage1 cruelty and oppression1 and against all law1 and without any offence committed on their part2 and to the destruction of property to the amount of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars2 that the society thus expelled amounted to about twelve thousand souls2 that no compensation was ever made for the destruction of their property in ,jackson ,county2 that after their expulsion from ,jackson1 they settled in ,clay ,county1 on the opposite side of the ,missouri ,river1 where they purchased lands1 and entered others at the land office1 where they resided peaceably for three years1 engaged in cultivation and other useful and active employments1 when the mob again threatened their peace1 lives and property1 and they became alarmed1 and finally made a treaty with the citizens of ,clay ,county1 that they should purchase their lands1 and the ,saints should remove1 which was complied with on their part1 and the ,saints removed to the ,county of ,caldwell1 where they took up their abode1 and reestablished their settlement1 not without having pecuniary losses and other inconveniences2 that the citizens of ,clay ,county never paid them for their lands1 except for a small part4 ,they remained in ,caldwell from #ahcf until the fall of #ahch2 and1 during that time1 had acquired by purchase from the government1 the settlers and pre-emptionists1 almost all the lands in the ,county of ,caldwell1 and a portion of the lands in ,daviess and ,carroll ,counties--the former county being almost entirely settled by the ,saints1 and they were rapidly filling up the two latter counties4 ,those counties1 where the ,saints first commenced their settlements1 were for the most part wild and uncultivated1 and they had converted them into large and well improved farms1 well stocked4 ,lands had risen in value to ten1 and even twenty-five dollars per acre2 and those counties were rapidly advancing in cultivation and wealth4 ,that in ,august1 #ahch1 a riot commenced1 growing out of an attempt of a ,saint to vote1 which resulted in creating great excitement1 and the perpetration of many scenes of lawless outrage1 which are set forth in the petition4 ,that they were finally compelled to fly from those counties1 and on the #aath of ,october1 #ahch1 they sought safety by that means1 with their families1 leaving many of their effects behind4 ,that they had previously applied to the constituted authorities of ,missouri for protection1 but in vain4 ,they allege that they were pursued by the mob1 that conflicts ensued1 deaths occurred on each side2 and1 finally1 a force was organized under the authority of the ,governor of the ,state of ,missouri1 with orders to drive the ,saints from the ,state1 or to exterminate them4 ,the ,saints thereupon determined to make no further resistance2 but to submit themselves to the authorities of the ,state4 ,several of the ,saints were arrested and imprisoned1 on a charge of treason against the ,state2 and the rest1 amounting to about fifteen thousand souls1 fled into other ,states principally in ,illinois1 where they now reside4 ,the petition is drawn up at great length1 and sets forth with feeling and eloquence the wrongs of which they complain2 justifies their own conduct1 and aggravates that of those whom they call their persecutors2 and concludes by saying that they see no redress1 unless it is obtained of the ,congress of the ,united ,states1 to whom they make their solemn1 last appeal1 as ,american citizens1 as ,christians1 and as men2 to which decision they say they will submit4 ,the committee has examined the case presented by the petition1 and heard the views urged by their agent with care and attention2 and1 after full consideration1 unanimously concur in the opinion1 that the case presented for their investigation1 is not such a one as will justify or authorize any interposition by this government4 ,the wrongs complained of are not alleged to have been committed by any of the officers of the ,united ,states1 or under the authority of its government1 in any manner whatever4 ,the allegations in the petition relate to the acts of the citizens1 and inhabitants1 and authorities of the ,state of ,missouri1 of which ,state the petitioners were1 at the time1 citizens or inhabitants4 ,the grievances complained of in the petition are alleged to have been done within the territory of the ,state of ,missouri4 ,the committee1 under these circumstances1 have not considered themselves justified in enquiring into the truth or falsehood of the facts charged in the petition4 ,if they are true1 the petitioners must seek relief in the courts of judicature of the ,state of ,missouri2 or of the ,united ,states1 which has the appropriate jurisdiction to administer full and adequate redress for the wrongs complained of2 and1 doubtless1 will do so fairly and impartially2 or the petitioners may1 if they see proper1 apply to the justice and magnanimity of the ,state of ,missouri2 an appeal which the committee feels justified in believing will never be made in vain by the injured or oppressed4 ,it can never be presumed that a ,state either wants the power1 or lacks the disposition1 to redress the wrongs of its own citizens1 committed within her own territory2 whether they proceed from the lawless acts of her officers1 or any other persons4 ,the committee therefore reports1 that they recommend the passage of the following resolution3 ,resolved1 ,that the committee on the ,judiciary be discharged from the further consideration of the memorial in this case2 and that the memorialists have leave to withdraw the papers which accompany their memorial4 ,the action of the general government on this momentous subject1 establishes the precedent that there is no power in the government to carry out the principles of its own ,constitution4 ,fifteen thousand citizens of the ,united ,states can be murdered1 robbed1 plundered1 driven from their lands1 or disinherited1 while the ,constitution guarantees to them liberty and protection1 and yet there is no power to protect or reinstate them4 ,congress only mocks them by referring them to their murderers for redress4 ,it seems almost superfluous to say that the ,saints appealed to a higher tribunal--even the throne of ,god1 where the case is yet pending2 and that the ,congress of the ,united ,states is charged with being accessory to these highest crimes known to the laws of ,god and man4 ,they hold in fellowship this guilty partner--,missouri--after knowing her to be a wholesale murderer and land pirate4 ,as the case is yet pending before the court of ,heaven1 we will drop the subject and proceed with our own history4 ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ------------------------ ,general ,conference at ,manchester3-- ,ordinations and ,appointments3--,return to ,new ,york3--,meet with my ,family3--,visit to the ,state of ,maine3--,a ,dream and its ,fulfilment3--,embark ,again for ,england3--,consequence of ,looking ,back3--,safe ,arrival in ,england3--,resume the ,editorial ,duties3-- ,reflections4 ,on the #fth of ,july1 #ahdj1 a general conference was convened at ,manchester1 in the ,carpenter's ,hall1 a building which would seat near five thousand people4 ,there were present of the ,twelve ,apostles3 ,brigham ,young1 ,h4 ,c4 ,kimball1 ,wilford ,woodruff1 ,john ,taylor1 ,willard ,richards1 ,george ,a4 ,smith and myself4 ,of other officers3 ,high ,priests1 #e2 ,elders1 #ai2 ,priests1 #ae2 ,teachers1 #aa2 and ,deacons1 #c4 ,at this conference ,parley ,p4 ,pratt was unanimously chosen ,president2 and ,william ,clayton1 ,clerk4 ,two thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven members were represented1 including #bed officers4 ,the publishing committee had just completed the new hymn book1 which was presented to the conference1 and accepted by them by unanimous vote4 ,three persons were then ordained to the high priesthood1 viz43 ,thomas ,kington1 ,alfred ,cordon and ,thomas ,smith2 also ,john ,albertson1 ,john ,blezord1 ,william ,berry1 ,john ,sanders1 ,john ,parkinson1 ,james ,worsley1 and ,john ,allen were ordained elders2 seven individuals were ordained to the lesser ,priesthood4 ,many elders were also selected and appointed to labor in the ministry in various parts4 ,there was a variety of business transacted1 and much instruction given by ,brigham ,young and others1 after which1 conference was adjourned to the #fth of ,october1 at the same place4 ,during this conference ,i received a letter from my family in ,new ,york1 informing me that they were dangerously ill of scarlet fever4 ,i1 therefore1 by advice of the other members of the quorum1 concluded to cross the ocean once more and bring them to ,england1 where ,i was likely to remain for several years rather in a stationary position as an editor and publisher4 ,i accordingly repaired immediately to ,liverpool and embarked for ,new ,york4 ,i was thirty-seven days confined on this dreary passage1 without any friends or associates who cared for me or the cause of truth4 ,i then landed in ,new ,york1 found my wife and children recovered from their sickness1 for which ,i felt truly thankful4 ,they were agreeably surprised at seeing me so soon and so unexpectedly1 and so were the ,saints in that city and vicinity4 ,after several joyful meetings among them1 ,i went to the ,state of ,maine on a visit with my wife and children to her parents and kindred4 ,they lived in ,bethel1 ,oxford ,county1 about sixty miles from ,portland1 the seaport where we landed4 ,the day before our arrival my wife's sister1 a ,mrs4 ,bean1 prophesied to her husband that ,brother ,pratt and family would arrive there the next evening1 and she actually changed the bedding and prepared the best room for our reception1 as if she had received notice of our coming4 ,at this her husband and friends laughed in derision2 for1 said they1 our brother-in-law is in ,england and his family in ,new ,york2 how1 then1 will he be here to-night8 ,but she still persisted1 and made ready the room and all things for our reception1 assuring them that ,i would arrive that night with my family4 ,night came1 the deep shades of evening gathered around1 a dark and gloomy night set in1 and still no signs of us4 ,they still laughed her to scorn for her superstition1 and she still persisted in her anticipations of our momentary arrival4 ,at length1 as they were about to retire to rest1 we knocked at the door and were joyfully received--it being the first time that any of my wife's kindred there had seen my face4 ,mrs4 ,bean had a dream a few days previous to our arrival1 in which she dreamed that ,i came to her and gave her a key to the ,bible4 ,as she related the dream to me1 ,i presented her with my ,voice of ,warning4 ,it seemed to her and her husband as they read it as if it was indeed a key to the doctrine and prophecies of the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,they rejoiced with exceeding joy1 and promised to be baptized1 and to gather to ,nauvoo if ,god would only open their way to sell their farm4 ,my father-in-law1 ,aaron ,frost1 and household1 and all our kindred and many others in that region1 received me with joy and hospitality1 and ,i preached several times in their churches4 ,i finally took leave of them and returned to ,new ,york1 accompanied by my wife's sister1 ,olive ,frost1 a young lady of some twenty years of age1 who accompanied us to ,england to help us in the family4 ,we soon embarked1 and after a long and tedious passage we arrived again in ,england in ,october1 #ahdj4 ,my family then consisted of my wife and wife's sister1 and my wife's daughter1 ,mary ,ann ,stearns1 and my sons1 ,parley and ,nathan4 ,i now again resumed the editorial duties in ,manchester1 and assisted in the publishing department and in the presidency of the ,manchester ,conference1 and the general presidency of the work in that country4 ,the ,star had1 during my absence1 been edited and published by ,elders ,young and ,richards4 ,my brother-in-law1 ,samuel ,bean1 soon sold out1 according to his desires1 and started with his family to remove to ,nauvoo4 ,he arrived in ,portland1 ready to embark1 when he heard some lying tales about the ,mormons1 as is usual1 and being darkened in mind he turned back and bought a farm in ,maine1 and soon afterwards died without ever obeying the gospel or gathering with the ,saints4 ,his wife and children were left as a widow and orphans to drag out a lonely existence on a farm which was not saleable1 and without means to gather with the ,saints1 and without opportunity to obey the gospel--a solemn warning to all persons not to delay or neglect a strict and punctual obedience to their convictions4 ,on the #fth of ,october1 a general conference convened at ,manchester1 according to adjournment4 ,i had hoped to land from ,america in time to attend it1 but was disappointed by contrary winds4 ,the following members of my quorum were present1 viz3 ,brigham ,young1 ,orson ,pratt1 ,wilford ,woodruff1 ,john ,taylor1 ,willard ,richards1 ,h4 ,c4 ,kimball and ,g4 ,a4 ,smith2 other officers1 viz43 ,high ,priests1 #e2 ,elders1 #ai2 ,priests1 #bh2 ,teachers1 #d2 and ,deacons1 #b4 ,in this conference1 ,elder ,orson ,pratt was called to the chair1 and ,elder ,george ,walker chosen clerk4 ,a general representation showed a great increase since the ,july conference1 and a spread of the work into many parts4 ,many ordinations took place2 much instruction was given2 and many additional missionaries were sent out4 ,in a few days after this conference1 ,i landed in safety with my family1 and again repaired to ,manchester1 and resumed the editorial duties2 and1 in connection with ,elder ,young1 superintended the publishing department4 ,the ,october number of the ,star contains much cheering news of the spread of the work in various parts of the ,united ,states1 ,england1 ,scotland and ,isle of ,man1 and an interesting account of ,elder ,orson ,hyde's appointment on a mission to ,jerusalem1 in connection with ,elder ,john ,e4 ,page4 ,may the ,almighty speed ,his work1 and bless the believers with signs following1 and with grace and wisdom to escape all the judgments which await the wicked1 and to stand before the coming of the ,son of ,man2 for ,christ's sake4 ,amen4 ,thus closed the year #ahdj with us and our labors4 ,an eventful year it had been to us1 and to the ,church of the ,saints4 ,it was the first mission of the ,twelve modern apostles1 as a quorum1 to a foreign country4 ,it had been undertaken under circumstances which would have deterred men of a less holy and sacred calling and responsibility4 ,it had overcome chains and dungeons1 and gloomy cells1 and perils of robbers and of death4 ,it had triumphed over poverty and sickness1 and perils by sea and land4 ,and it had triumphed and been crowned with a success unparalleled1 even by the history of the ancient ,apostles4 ,it was the hand of ,god that performed it1 and to his name be ascribed honor and majesty1 and power and glory1 forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,,chapter ,,xxxix4 ------------------------ ,visit and ,ministry in ,bolton3--,conduct of two ,methodist ,priests3--,arrest and ,trial3--,emigration3--,general ,conference at ,manchester3--,council of the ,twelve3--,charter the ship ,tyrean3--,philosophy of the ,resurrection3--,emigration on the ,ship ,chaos3--,visit to the ,isle of ,man3--,visit to ,norwich3--,mob4 ,on the #aith of ,january1 #ahda1 ,i visited ,bolton for the first time2 found an interesting society there consisting of about one hundred and thirty members1 including some small branches in the vicinity4 ,they appeared to be dwelling together in truth and love1 and zealously united in the cause of ,god and godliness4 ,their presiding officer is an aged minister by the name of ,crooks1 formerly of ,stockport2 through whose labors the ,society there has grown from a small handful to its present flourishing condition4 ,the meetings are crowded to excess1 and scores of people are pressing forward and uniting with the ,church by repentance and baptism4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is poured out into their souls1 and its fruits are manifested in their gifts and blessings4 ,on ,wednesday evening1 the #bjth1 ,i attended one of their meetings1 and had the privilege of addressing a full and attentive audience4 ,the subject was confined to a few scriptural observations1 in which the precepts and promises of ,christ were clearly set forth1 as contained in the written word of the ,new ,testament4 ,these were contrasted with the systems of ,christianity as they now exist1 and the difference was so manifest that the people saw clearly that the religion of ,christ was one thing 1 and modern sectarianism another4 ,this so exasperated some craftsmen who were present1 viz43 a ,mr4 ,james ,pendlebury1 professedly a ,primitive ,methodist preacher1 and ,mr4 ,thomas ,balsham1 of the ,new ,connection1 that they could no longer hold their peace4 ,for while the sermon was proceeding1 the said ,pendlebury arose and began speaking so loud that the speaker paused and requested the interruption to cease2 but was not heeded1 for the intruder with stentorian voice continued to cry out1 saying3 ,this is a new doctrine1 and we cannot believe it without miracles2 here is a blind man1 heal him2 here is a blind man1 heal him6 ,you have preached a new doctrine--a new doctrine1 sir1 and we want the proof--we want the proof6 ,by this time the house was all confusion1 everyone endeavoring to act as moderator4 ,we endeavored from the pulpit to command silence1 and expressed our surprise that the ,new ,testament doctrine should be a new doctrine2 but we found that it was a new doctrine to him1 as was manifest in his behavior4 ,indeed1 the doctrines of common law and civilization were to him equally as strange and new as the doctrine of ,christ1 for he still continued to disturb the meeting4 ,the ,saints commenced singing1 and finally closed the meeting4 ,but while this was proceeding the riot grew more and more violent1 till at length a form was broken1 and some other damage done4 ,while the civil part of the people were retiring from the room they were variously insulted by him and his comrades1 some crying out1 ,he hath a devil1 some challenging to debate1 and some calling for a miracle4 ,at length a policeman arrived and took this brave champion into custody1 and his associate1 ,t4 ,balsham4 ,these were handcuffed1 marched away1 and finally held to bail4 ,next morning they had a warrant served on them for a breach of the peace1 and were brought before ,james ,arrowsmith1 ,esq41 ,mayor1 and five magistrates4 ,an able plea was made by ,attorney ,john ,taylor1 ,esq41 and a laborious attempt on the part of the prisoners to justify themselves by the introduction of several witnesses belonging to several different orders of ,methodists1 whose testimony was more calculated to throw a false coloring over our doctrine than anything else4 ,at length ,pendlebury was found guilty of a breach of the peace1 had to pay for the form and make good the damages and costs of suit2 and was bound in the penal sum of ten pounds to keep the peace for six months4 ,it is to be hoped that these prompt measures will put a stop to similar disturbances in our public worship1 and also prove a warning to other priests not to turn infidels against the doctrines of the ,new ,testament1 and then use such vile measures against the truth4 ,since this affair we have heard verbally from ,bolton1 that many are embracing the truth and coming to the waters of baptism4 ,may the ,lord shed forth ,his ,spirit upon the people of ,bolton1 and cause a great work to be done among them4 ,during ,february1 about two hundred and forty of the ,saints embarked at ,liverpool for ,america1 intending to settle with the ,saints at ,nauvoo4 ,an edition of the ,book of ,mormon1 consisting of #e1jjj copies1 was issued by us at ,liverpool during this month4 ,on the #fth of ,april1 #ahda1 the ,council of the ,twelve assembled at ,manchester1 in the ,carpenter's ,hall1 for the first time to transact business as a quorum1 in the presence of the ,church in a foreign land1 being the first day of the twelfth year of the rise of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,nine of the quorum were present1 viz43 ,brigham ,young1 ,heber ,c4 ,kimball1 ,orson ,hyde1 ,parley ,p4 ,pratt1 ,orson ,pratt1 ,wilford ,woodruff1 ,willard ,richards1 ,john ,taylor1 and ,george ,a4 ,smith4 ,president ,young having called the house to order and organized the ,conference1 then opened by prayer4 ,elder ,thomas ,ward was then chosen ,clerk4 ,the president then made some introductory remarks relative to the organization of the ,church in the house of the ,lord in ,america2 in reference to the different quorums2 in their respective orders and authorities in the ,church4 ,the representations of the ,churches and conferences throughout the kingdom were then called for4 ,the total numbers of which were as follows3 #e1had members2 #acf ,elders2 #cjc ,priests2 #afi ,teachers2 and #fh ,deacons1 besides about #hjj souls who had emigrated to ,america during the year1 who were not included in this representation4 99 99 ,eleven persons were chosen and ordained to the high priesthood during this conference1 and twelve persons were ordained elders4 ,several new conferences were also organized1 and presidents were appointed for each conference in the kingdom4 ,the names of the several conferences1 with their respective presidents1 were as follows3 ,manchester1 ,p4 ,p4 ,pratt2 ,edinburgh1 ,g4 ,d4 ,watt2 ,liverpool1 ,j4 ,greenhouse2 ,london1 ,lorenzo ,snow2 ,macclesfield1 ,j4 ,galley2 ,staffordshire1 ,a4 ,cordon2 ,birmingham1 ,j4 ,riley2 ,glasgow1 ,j4 ,mc,auley2 ,gadfield ,elm1 ,thomas ,richardson2 ,preston1 ,p4 ,melling2 ,brampton1 ,j4 ,sanders2 ,garmay1 ,levi ,richards2 ,clitheroe1 ,thomas ,ward2 ,froomes ,hill1 ,william ,kay4 ,the business of the conference being accomplished1 several appropriate discourses were delivered by different members of the quorum in relation to the duties of the officers in their respective callings1 and in relation to the duties and privileges of the members1 also on the prosperity of the work in general4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,elders ,young and ,miller then sang the hymn1 ,adieu1 my dear brethren1 etc41 and ,president ,young blessed the congregation and dismissed them4 ,this conference closed the mission of the ,twelve for the present in ,england1 and as they were about to take their departure for ,america1 all save myself1 an epistle was addressed by them to the ,saints in the ,british ,isles4 ,it was written by my own hand1 under the direction of the president of the quorum1 and signed by each of the nine members present in that country4 ,it was dated at ,manchester1 ,april #ae1 #ahda499 ,footnote 99,see ,millenial ,star1 ,april1 #ahda4 ,in the month of ,september1 #ahda1 ,brother ,amos ,yielding and myself chartered a large new ship called the ,tyrean1 ,captain ,jackson1 master1 for ,new ,orleans4 ,on which we sent two hundred and seven passengers of our society bound for ,nauvoo4 ,our chartered ship1 the ,tyrean1 sailed with two hundred and seven passengers on the morning of the #bast of ,september4 ,on going out of the dock the previous day1 many hundreds crowded around to witness a ship load of the sons and daughters of ,zion depart from their native shore for the promised land4 ,they moved slowly out into the river1 singing3 ,lovely native land1 farewell6 ,glad ,i leave thee--,glad ,i leave thee-- ,far in distant lands to dwell4 ,next morning they weighed anchor about ten o'clock1 and hoisted sail before a fair wind2 moving away under the flag of liberty--the ,american ,stars and ,stripes4 ,the emigrants were all on deck1 and in good spirits2 and as our little boat came off with three hearty cheers1 they were singing the favorite hymn3 ,how firm a foundation1 ye ,saints of the ,lord1 ,is laid for your faith in ,his excellent word6 ,the last lines which we heard1 as their voices were lost in the distance1 were as follows3 ,when through the deep waters ,i call thee to go1 ,the rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'er flow4 ,hats and handkerchiefs were still waving in view as a last token of farewell4 ,soon all was a dim speck upon the ocean2 a few moments more and they vanished from view in the wide expanse and lost in the distance4 ,may ,god speed them onward in their course1 and land them safely in their destined port4 ,the ,star for ,october1 #ahda1 contains several other communications of interest2 giving cheering accounts of the spread of the work in various places1 but we will not record them here4 ,the ,november number opens with an editorial on ,the ,philosophy of the ,resurrection1 from which we extract the following3 ,the mysterious works of ,god in the formation1 progress1 changes1 and final destiny of creation1 are all wonderful and miraculous in one sense4 ,the formation of the natural body in embryo1 or even of a plant or flower1 is as much a miracle as the creation or reorganization of a world or the resurrection of the body4 ,each effect has its cause1 and each cause its effect2 and the light1 spirit or truth which proceeds from ,deity is the law of life and motion2 the great governing principle of the whole machinery of the universe1 whether natural or spiritual1 temporal or eternal4 ,it is the cause of causes2 the main spring of nature's time piece4 ,by it we live2 in it we move and have a being4 ,let man be placed upon a lofty eminence surrounded with the original elements of uncreated worlds2 let him contemplate the confused and chaotic mass of unorganized existence2 let him hear the voice of truth and power as its first sentence rolls in majesty of wisdom from the lips of ,deity2 let him behold the first movement of chaos as it begins to come to order4 ,let him contemplate its various workings till the heavens and earth1 and man and beast1 and plant and flower startle into conscious being in all the beauty of joyous existence2 let him observe every minute particular of its progress through time in all its various changes2 let him contemplate the changing seasons as they roll in hours and days1 and months1 and years2 let his thoughts reach to the starry heavens and view them in all their motions and revolutions2 the sun in its daily course2 the planets in their annual revolutions2 the blazing comet as it moves afar in the wilds of ether1 and returns from its journey of a hundred or a thousand years2 let him return to earth and view the vegetable kingdom as it blooms and ripens and falls again to decay in the revolving seasons2 the time-worn oak of a thousand years1 as it braves the tempest1 or the modest flower whose life is but a day2 let him view the animal creation in all its variety1 as it appears and passes in turn from the stage of action2 let him contemplate man from his infant formation through all the changes of his various life till he returns to dust2 let him view the laborious revolutions of the groaning earth and its various inhabitants through all their temporal career1 till wearied ,nature sinks to rest1 and1 worn by slowly rolling years1 the earth itself shall die2 and lastly1 let him contemplate all ,nature regenerated1 renewed1 and starting into being1 while death itself shall conquered be and immortality alone endure4 ,the vision ended4 ,man6 what hast thou seen8 ,nothing out of the ordinary course2 all ,i beheld was nature moving in perfect accordance with the law of its existence2 not one single deviation or shadow of turning from the immutable laws of truth4 ,but hast thou seen no miracle8 ,yes1 it was all miraculous2 it was all achieved by the law of light1 which was the immediate power of ,god2 but it was all upon the most natural1 easy1 simple and plain principles of nature in its varied order1 and which to call the most miraculous ,i know not1 whether it was the creation of a world1 the blossoming of a flower1 the hatching of a butterfly1 or the resurrection of the body1 and the making of new heavens and a new earth4 ,all these were so many displays of the power of ,god4 ,all these were miraculous4 ,all these were natural4 ,all these were spiritual4 ,all these were adapted to the simplest capacity1 aided by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,all these were too sublime for an archangel to comprehend by his own capacity1 without the spirit of revelation4 ,on ,sunday1 ,october #ag1 #ahda1 the ,manchester ,conference convened at the ,carpenter's ,hall4 ,twelve branches were represented1 consisting of one thousand1 five hundred and eighty-one members1 with appropriate officers4 ,many were called to the ministry1 and ordained to their respective offices4 ,instructions were given in relation to the duties of the officers1 members1 etc41 and they were particularly exhorted to abstain from intoxicating drinks1 together with tobacco1 snuff and all other evil habits4 ,after the ordinations1 the ,saints present partook of the ,lord's ,supper1 and sung and rejoiced together4 ,several interesting and useful addresses were delivered at evening1 and the meeting concluded with a spirit of joy and satisfaction4 ,the number of officers present at this conference was about one hundred1 and members not far from one thousand4 ,some hundreds had emigrated from this conference1 and still it numbered near one thousand1 five hundred members1 all of whom had been gathered in about two years1 and that from an obscure beginning in a small basement in ,oldham ,road1 being the first place where the fullness of the gospel was preached within the bounds of what now comprises the ,manchester ,conference4 ,on the #hth of ,november we sent out the ship ,chaos1 with about one hundred and seventy passengers of the ,saints4 ,cheerfulness and satisfaction seemed to pervade every heart as they bid farewell to their native shores1 and set sail for the land of promise4 ,several interesting communications were received during the month of ,november1 from various parts of the country1 the purport of which was that the sick were healed1 the lame walked1 the old men dreamed dreams1 the young men saw visions1 and the ,lord's servants and handmaidens spake in tongues and prophesied1 while the ,lord was showing wonders in heaven above1 and signs in the earth beneath--blood1 fire and vapor of smoke4 ,in the meantime1 the wicked rage1 and the people imagine a vain thing2 the priests take counsel together against the ,lord and against ,his hinted ones4 ,the most artful falsehoods ever inspired by ,satan continues to flood the country1 both from the press and pulpit1 and reiterated those who profess to be followers of ,jesus4 ,we went on a short mission to the ,isle of ,man of late1 and after preaching to vast multitudes the plain truth of the scriptures1 they would mock and make light of the ,bible1 and everything quoted from it4 ,the priests too were busy in church and chapel1 in lying against and perverting the written ,word1 and thus inspiring the people with violence1 hatred and every cruel work2 yet we found the ,saints rejoicing in the truth1 and the honest in heart disposed to inquire into it4 ,we have just returned from a visit to ,middlewich and ,norwich4 ,in the former place we had a very candid hearing in the magistrate's room1 which was filled4 ,in the latter place many hundreds of people assembled at our meeting house1 among which were a large number of ,association ,methodists and other professors1 with one ,thompson at their head1 who came possessed of the devil to make disturbance4 ,these made all manner of noises1 such as whooping1 shouting1 laughing1 whistling1 mocking1 etc4 ,they openly hissed and mocked the written word of ,jesus and ,his apostles1 and made such a noise as to finally break up the meeting2 after which they began to rush among the people1 and to bellow like bulls1 and to run over1 and knock down1 and trample under foot all who came in their way4 ,we narrowly escaped1 but finally got out of their midst4 ,mr4 ,thompson then addressed them1 justifying and applauding their conduct4 ,the lights were at length extinguished1 and the room cleared1 but not until some persons were wounded1 and some forms broken4 ,,chapter ,,xl4 ------------------------ ,notice for a ,general ,conference3--,extract of a ,letter from ,elder ,orson ,hyde in ,jerusalem3--,extracts from my ,farewell ,address4994 ,footnote 99,see ,millenial ,star1 ,october1 #ahdb4 ,the following appointment for a general conference for the ,british ,isles appeared in the ,march number of the ,star3 ,the several conferences of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints1 in the ,united ,kingdom of ,great ,britain1 are hereby informed that a general conference will be held in ,manchester1 to commence on ,sunday1 the #aeth day of ,may next1 and to continue for several days1 or until all the business is completed4 ,each conference is requested to appoint one or more delegates to present them in the general conference1 and to assist in such business as may be necessary for the general welfare and prosperity of the cause of truth4 ,it is very desirable that a full representation should be made of all the conferences1 branches1 and members of this realm4 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt1 ,president4 ,,thomas ,,ward1 ,clerk4 ,in the ,star for ,march1 #ahdb1 the following editorial introduces an extract of a letter from ,elder ,hyde in ,jerusalem3 ,we have lately received two lengthy and highly interesting letters from ,elder ,orson ,hyde1 dated at ,trieste1 ,january #a and #ah1 containing a sketch of his voyages and travels in the ,east2 his visit to ,jerusalem2 a description of ancient ,zion2 the pool of ,siloam1 and many other places in ,holy ,writ2 with several illustrations of the manners and customs of the ,east as applicable to scripture texts2 and several conversations held between himself and some of the ,jewish missionaries1 etc41 in ,jerusalem2 together with a masterly description of a terrible tempest and thunder storm at sea1 with a variety of miscellaneous reflections and remarks1 all written in an easy1 elegant and masterly style2 partaking of the eloquent and sublime1 and breathing a tone of that deep feeling1 tenderness and affection so characteristic of his mission and the spirit of his holy and sacred office4 ,elder ,hyde has1 by the grace of ,god1 been the first proclaimer of the fullness of the gospel both on the ,continent and in far off ,asia1 among the nations of the ,east4 ,in ,germany1 ,turkey1 ,egypt and ,jerusalem he has reared1 as it were1 the ensign of the ,latter-day glory1 and sounded the trump of truth2 calling upon the people of those regions to awake from their thousand years slumber and to make ready for their returning ,lord4 ,in his travels he has suffered much1 and has been exposed to toils and dangers2 to hunger1 pestilence and war4 ,he has been in perils by land and sea1 in perils among robbers1 in perils among heathens1 ,turks1 ,arabs and ,egyptians2 but out of all these things the ,lord has delivered him1 and has restored him in safety to the shores of ,europe1 where he is tarrying for a little season for the purpose of publishing the truth in the ,german language--having already published it in ,french and ,english in the various countries of the ,east4 ,and we humbly trust that his labors will be a lasting blessing to ,jew and ,gentile4 ,being about to return to ,america1 ,i published in the ,october number of the ,star1 #ahdb1 my ,farewell ,address1 from which ,i here give a few extracts3 ,,farewell ,,address ,,to ,,our ,,readers ,,and ,,patrons ,brethren and ,friends3--,as ,i am about to take leave of the ,,star1 and give it to the management of others1 ,i feel it necessary to make a few remarks suited to the occasion4 ,this publication was undertaken two years and six months since4 ,since that time ,i have labored diligently1 as far as a pressure of other duties would admit1 to render it a useful and interesting periodical4 ,i have published the principles of the ,latter-day ,saints1 together with a choice selection of the most interesting items of news in relation to the progress of these principles among men4 ,i have also endeavored at all times to defend the cause of truth1 and to ward off the arrows of envy and slander which have been hurled at the children of light by the strong arm of thousands who speak evil of things they understand not4 ,i feel great satisfaction in a review of my editorial course2 ,i feel my conscience clear1 and a secret whispering within1 that ,i have done my duty faithfully before ,god4 ,i also feel to rejoice in the success which has attended the efforts of the servants of ,god in this country in the publication of truth4 ,at the commencement of the ,,star1 the ,saints in ,europe numbered less than two thousand1 they now number near ten thousand1 besides thousands who have emigrated to a distant land4 ,this1 surely1 is a great triumph of the truth1 when we take into consideration the prejudice and opposition which we have had to encounter4 ,surely the ,,star has stood forth as a beacon on a hill1 as a lonely lamp amid surrounding darkness1 to light the weary pilgrim on his toilsome journey1 and to kindle up the dawn of a day of glory when the effulgent beams of the sun of righteousness shall shine forth as the morning1 and dispel the misty vapors which1 like a gloomy cloud1 have for ages hovered over the pathway of mortals4 ,dear ,brethren and ,sisters--,though ,i now take leave of the editorial department1 and withdraw from the shores of ,europe1 yet ,i have the satisfaction of leaving the ,,star to shine among you in its full glory1 being conducted by one who has a willing heart and a ready pen1 and one who1 ,i hope1 will be so aided by his patrons and by ,divine favor as to be able to conduct it with effect1 till its feeble rays shall be lost amid the effulgence of the rising morn4 ,i now return my sincere thanks to all our agents and patrons1 and to all who have in any way contributed to our assistance in this great and good work2 and ,i pray that the blessings of ,god may rest upon them and upon the thousands who may hereafter peruse this work4 ,i must now take leave of you for a season1 as duty calls me home4 ,i have labored among you in the ministry between two and three years1 and for the last eighteen months 7since the departure of the rest of the ,twelve7 ,i have had the more particular presidency of the ,church in ,europe1 and as one of old said1 in some measure the care of all the churches4 ,in this highly responsible trust ,i have endeavored so to serve you in all things1 both temporal and spiritual1 and to go in and out among you in the fear of ,god1 exercising judgment1 mercy1 and charity according to the ability which ,god has given me4 ,i have endeavored to teach the ignorant1 to reclaim the transgressor1 and to warn the wicked2 to comfort the feeble-minded1 to bind up the broken hearted1 and to administer to the poor4 ,i recommend and appoint ,elder ,thomas ,ward as my successor in the office of the ,general ,presidency of the ,church in ,europe1 in connection with ,elders ,lorenzo ,snow and ,hiram ,clark4 ,to these persons ,i commit the care and government of the ,church in this country for the present1 trusting that they will conduct and counsel in all things according to the mind of the ,spirit1 and according to the counsel which shall be given them from ,nauvoo1 from time to time1 by the quorum of the ,twelve1 or the first ,presidency4 ,on taking leave of you for a season ,i take this opportunity to assure you before ,god1 to whom we are all accountable1 that the fullness of the gospel is true1 that the ,book of ,mormon is true1 and that the everlasting covenant is true1 and will stand when heaven and earth shall pass away4 ,i now take a pleasing farewell of the ,saints1 with a firm conviction that ,i have labored diligently and done my duty thus far1 and ,i have nothing to regret but my own weaknesses and imperfections1 which ,i trust you will all be willing to forgive1 and that ,god will forgive also4 ,please remember me in your prayers1 and may the ,lord ,almighty bless you all1 and preserve us faithful to the end1 that we may meet again with joy4 ,amen4 ,,chapter ,,xli4 ------------------------ ,vessels ,chartered3--,emigration3--,sail for ,new ,orleans on the ,emerald3--,passage3--,land in ,new ,orleans3--,charter of a ,steamer3--,historical ,letter3--,journey and ,arrival at ,nauvoo3--,mission with ,joseph ,smith3--,visit to ,chester4 ,between the middle of ,september and my own embarkation in ,october1 ,i chartered three vessels for ,new ,orleans1 and filled them with the emigrating ,saints1 viz3 ,the ,sidney1 with one hundred and eighty souls2 the ,medford1 two hundred and fourteen souls2 and the ,henry1 with one hundred and fifty-seven4 ,i next chartered the ,emerald1 on which ,i placed about two hundred and fifty passengers1 including myself and family4 ,having finished my present mission in ,england and taken an affectionate leave of the ,saints and friends there1 ,i embarked on the ,emerald1 and sailed on the #bith of ,october4 ,we had a tedious passage of ten weeks1 and some difficulties1 murmurings and rebellions2 but the ,saints on board were called together1 and chastened and reproved sharply1 which brought them to repentance4 ,we then humbled ourselves and called on the ,lord1 and he sent a fair wind1 and brought us into port in time to save us from starvation4 ,we landed in ,new ,orleans early in ,january1 #ahdc4 ,here ,i chartered a steamer called the ,goddess of ,liberty1 and took passage with the company for ,st4 ,louis4 ,running up the river for about a week1 ,i landed with my family in ,chester1 ,illinois--eighty miles below ,st4 ,louis4 ,the company continued on to ,st4 ,louis4 ,my reason for landing here was1 ,i would not venture into ,missouri after the abuses ,i had experienced there in former times4 ,here ,i wrote the following historical letter1 which appeared in the ,star of ,april #a1 #ahdc4 ,,chester1 ,,state ,,of ,,illinois1 ,january #ba1 #ahdc4 ,,dear ,,brother ,,ward--,i take this opportunity of communicating a few items of news which may be of use to your readers4 ,i arrived here two weeks since with my family4 ,we are all well1 except my eldest daughter1 ,olivia1 who has the whooping cough4 ,we are living here a few weeks1 waiting for the river to open for ,nauvoo4 ,we are comfortably situated1 a few yards from the landing1 in a stone house in a small village1 eighty miles below ,st4 ,louis1 and three hundred from ,nauvoo4 ,provisions are cheaper than ever2 ,indian corn is #bj cents per bushel2 wheat1 #dj cents2 flour #c #a_/b dollars per barrel2 oats1 #ae cents per bushel2 pork and beef1 from #b to #c cents per lb42 butter1 #aj cents2 sugar1 #e cents2 chickens1 #h cents each4 ,cows1 from #h to #aj and #ab dollars per head2 good horses1 from #be to #ej dollars2 land1 from #a #a_/d to #d dollars per acre4 ,we were ten weeks on the ,emerald1 and one in coming up the river4 ,the weather was very fine until the day before we landed1 when it became extremely cold and snowy2 but after a week of severe weather1 it became suddenly warm and pleasant1 and it remains so yet--all ice and snow have disappeared1 and the weather is like ,may4 ,i have not heard from ,nauvoo1 except by the public prints4 ,from these ,i learn that ,brother ,joseph ,smith gave himself up to the authorities of ,illinois1 agreeably to the governor's writ of last fall to attempt to deliver him to the ,state of ,missouri4 ,he was brought by habeas corpus before the ,judge of the ,supreme ,court of the ,united ,states1 and after a trial at ,springfield1 the seat of government for ,illinois1 he was honorably discharged--the ,judge deciding that he must not be delivered to the ,missouri authorities1 according to the demand of the governors of the two ,states4 ,thus1 one more malicious lawsuit has terminated in which the rulers have been disappointed and bloodthirsty men have lost their prey the prophet of the ,lord having found protection under the wings of the eagle4 ,brother ,william ,smith1 ,joseph's brother1 is a member of the legislature of ,illinois1 which is now in session4 ,they have introduced two bills for the purpose of taking away all our ,nauvoo charters1 but they have both been lost without becoming a law1 and the charters still stand good4 ,the first was a bill for the repealing of all city charters in the ,state 7for the avowed object of getting rid of ,nauvoo71 this bill was lost by a majority of one4 ,next a bill was introduced to repeal the ,nauvoo charter alone4 ,this was too barefaced to be countenanced1 and was lost by an overwhelming majority2 but not until some warm debating on ,mormonism had occupied the house for some time4 ,the fact is1 it grieves the enemies of the ,saints very much to see them enjoying political privileges in common with others1 and every exertion is made to hinder the progress of a people and of principles which they consider as already becoming too formidable to be easily trampled under foot4 ,i have now been here two weeks1 and have minded my own affairs as a private man1 in no way seeking to be public1 or even to be known4 ,i have spent my time in providing for my family1 getting wood for fire1 bringing water1 etc41 together with reading papers1 educating my children1 etc41 and have not mentioned ,mormonism1 or any other ism1 or principle1 till it was first mentioned to me4 ,mrs4 ,pratt and ,i attended a ,presbyterian meeting last ,sabbath1 and listened in silence to a dry sermon4 ,but after all my endeavors to be quiet1 it is noised abroad1 through all parts of the town and surrounding country for twenty-five miles1 that a ,mormon is here4 ,all parties are on tiptoe to hear him preach2 the citizens have sent the postmaster to me with a request to hear me1 and have opened their chapel for tomorrow where we heard the ,presbyterian last ,sabbath4 ,i have consented1 and commence my public ministry tomorrow4 ,in the meantime ,i have lent and sold several books1 ,voice of ,warning1 ,book of ,mormon1 etc41 and these are having the desired effect4 ,the people here were greatly prejudiced against something called ,mormonism2 they knew not what1 having never read or heard any of the ,saints2 indeed they had not the most distant idea of our holding to ,christianity in any shape4 ,yesterday a brother called here1 from twenty-five miles in the country2 he had heard of my coming and came to see me4 ,he is a rich farmer1 being two hundred acres of land well improved4 ,he informed me of a small branch of the ,church in his neighborhood1 and made an appointment for me to go to ,george ,town 7sixteen miles distant71 on ,monday next1 and another to his own house1 nine miles further1 for ,tuesday evening1 so you see ,i am getting into business fast4 ,this man brought me two ,nauvoo ,wasps1 the latest of which was printed ,january #gth4 ,from these ,i learned that all was peace1 industry and prosperity2 a fine hard winter had set in so early that none of our ships' companies which had sailed this season had been able to get up the river to ,nauvoo2 they are scattered from ,new ,orleans to ,st4 ,louis1 and are waiting to swarm ,nauvoo in the spring4 ,from the weather1 ,i judge that the river is about opening that far2 it is now open above ,st4 ,louis4 ,no one landed here with me but ,sister ,mary ,aspen1 and my family4 ,sister ,a4 is with us now1 she is well and much pleased with the country2 most of our passengers went to ,st4 ,louis4 ,january #bfth--,last ,sunday1 preached twice to an attentive audience4 ,monday1 walked sixteen miles2 preached in ,george ,town2 good attention4 ,tuesday1 rode ten miles2 preached twice among the ,saints4 ,wednesday1 baptized two young men2 held confirmation meeting1 then rode twenty-five miles to this place4 ,the river is now open1 and is twelve feet higher than it was last week1 the weather is like ,may4 ,i start for ,nauvoo on horseback tomorrow1 my family will follow in two weeks by water4 ,i shall write again soon4 ,yours truly1 in ,christ1 ,p4,p4 ,,pratt4 ,january #bgth1 #ahdc1 ,i started for ,nauvoo on horseback1 and after a ride of some eight days ,i arrived there in safety--a distance of some two hundred and eighty miles4 ,i was astonished to see so large a city all created during my absence1 and ,i felt to rejoice4 ,i visited my brothers ,orson and ,william and their families1 by whom ,i was hospitably entertained4 ,i also visited ,president ,smith and family1 who received me with the usual welcome and ,god bless you1 ,bro4 ,parley4 ,while on this visit to ,nauvoo ,i was invited to ,shockoquon1 a small town up the river1 a few miles above ,nauvoo1 in company with ,president ,smith1 ,elder ,o4 ,hyde and others4 ,we started ,february #aeth2 stayed over night at a ,mr4 ,russel's4 ,on the next day we dined at ,mc,queen's ,mills2 visited ,shockoquon and returned to the said mills at evening4 ,here ,president ,smith spoke for about two hours4 ,the crowded congregation seemed deeply interested--most of them being strangers to ,mormonism4 ,after a few days ,i returned to my family in ,chester ,county on horseback4 ,the weather being extremely cold the ,mississippi did not open till very late in the spring4 ,i at length sent my family per steamer to ,st4 ,louis1 and stopped at a hotel myself on the opposite side of the river1 in ,illinois ,town4 ,in this situation we still had to remain for several days awaiting the opening of the river above4 ,a small steamer arrived1 commanded by ,captain ,dan ,jones1 and was finally chartered for ,nauvoo1 and filled with ,saints1 including my family4 ,i passed by land to ,alton1 and there went on board4 ,captain ,jones was a good and kind hearted ,welshman1 and was much interested in the fullness of the gospel4 ,he soon joined the ,church1 and was finally ordained and appointed a mission to ,wales1 where he preached the fullness of the gospel and gathered thousands into the ,church4 ,april #abth we landed in ,nauvoo1 and were kindly welcomed by ,president ,smith and scores of others1 who came down to the wharf to meet us4 ,my time1 from my arrival until the last of the year1 was spent in the ministry1 and in building1 travelling1 etc4 ,,chapter ,,xlii4 ------------------------ ,miscellaneous ,writings3--,mission to the ,east3-- ,impressions of the ,spirit3--,martyrdom of ,joseph and ,hyrum ,smith3--,spirit of ,exultation3--,return to ,nauvoo3--,sidney ,rigdon ,disfellowshipped4 ,january #a1 #ahdd4 ,in the opening of this year ,i completed a number of miscellaneous works1 some of which were published in pamphlet form4 ,among these were ,an ,appeal to the ,state of ,new ,york1--,immortality of the ,body1--,fountain of ,knowledge1--,intelligence and ,affection1 and ,the ,angel of the ,prairies4 ,this last work was a curious and extraordinary composition1 in the similitude of a dream4 ,it was designed as a reproof of the corruptions and degeneracy of our government1 in suffering mobs to murder1 plunder1 rob and drive their fellow citizens with impunity1 etc4 ,it also suggested some reforms4 ,it was read in the presence of ,president ,joseph ,smith and a general council1 and was highly applauded2 but never appeared in print4 ,in the spring ,i went to ,boston as a missionary1 and on business4 ,i proclaimed the gospel1 as usual1 while on this journey1 on steamers on the lakes and rivers2 in the cities of the ,atlantic1 and in whatever village or neighborhood ,i had opportunity4 ,visiting ,north ,bridge1 a short distance from ,boston1 and having a day's leisure1 ,i wrote a dialogue entitled ,joe ,smith and the ,devil 1 which was afterwards published in the ,new ,york ,herald 1 and in various papers in ,america and ,europe4 ,it was finally published and republished in pamphlet form1 and had a wide circulation2 few persons knowing or mistrusting who was the author4 ,president ,b4 ,young1 and most of the members of the ,quorum of the ,twelve1 were then on a mission through the ,eastern ,states1 as well myself4 ,while on this mission1 on the #bgth of ,june1 #ahdd1 a mob murdered the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith1 and his brother ,hyrum1 in a jail at ,carthage1 ,illinois1 while ,governor ,ford had pledged the faith of the ,state for their protection4 ,a day or two previous to this circumstance ,i had been constrained by the ,spirit to start prematurely for home1 without knowing why or wherefore2 and on the same afternoon ,i was passing on a canal boat near ,utica1 ,new ,york1 on my way to ,nauvoo4 ,my brother1 ,william ,pratt1 being then on a mission in the same state 7,new ,york71 happened1 providentially1 to take passage on the same boat4 ,as we conversed together on the deck1 a strange and solemn awe came over me1 as if the powers of hell were let loose4 ,i was so overwhelmed with sorrow ,i could hardly speak2 and after pacing the deck for some time in silence1 ,i turned to my brother ,william and exclaimed--,brother ,william1 this is a dark hour2 the powers of darkness seem to triumph1 and the spirit of murder is abroad in the land2 and it controls the hearts of the ,american people1 and a vast majority of them sanction the killing of the innocent4 ,my brother1 let us keep silence and not open our mouths4 ,if you have any pamphlets or books on the fullness of the gospel lock them up2 show them not1 neither open your mouth to the people2 let us observe an entire and solemn silence1 for this is a dark day1 and the hour of triumph for the powers of darkness4 ,o1 how sensible ,i am of the spirit of murder which seems to pervade the whole land4 ,this was ,june #bg1 #ahdd1 in the afternoon1 and as near as ,i can judge1 it was the same hour that the ,carthage mob were shedding the blood of ,joseph and ,hyrum ,smith1 and ,john ,taylor1 near one thousand miles distant4 ,my brother bid me farewell somewhere in western ,new ,york1 he being on his way to a conference in that quarter1 and passing on to ,buffalo ,i took steamer for ,chicago1 ,illinois4 ,the steamer touched at a landing in ,wisconsin1 some fifty or sixty miles from ,chicago1 and here some new passengers came on board and brought the news of the martyrdom of ,joseph and ,hyrum ,smith4 ,great excitement prevailed on board1 there being a general spirit of exultation and triumph at this glorious news1 as it was called1 much the same as generally shown on the first receipt of the news of a great national victory in time of war4 ,many passengers now gathered about me and tauntingly inquired what the ,mormons would do now1 seeing their prophet and leader killed4 ,to these taunts and questions ,i replied1 that they would continue their mission and spread the work he had restored1 in all the world4 ,observing that nearly all the prophets and apostles who were before had been killed1 and also the ,saviour of the world1 and yet their death did not alter the truth nor hinder its final triumph4 ,at this reply many of them seemed astonished1 and some inquired who would succeed him1 and remarked to me3 ,perhaps you will be the man who will now seek to be leader of the ,mormons in his stead--who are you1 sir8 ,i replied3 ,i am a ,,man1 sir2 and a ,,man never triumphs and exults in the ruin of his country and the murder of the innocent4 ,this was said in the energy of my soul1 and by constraint of the ,spirit1 and a powerful and peculiar accent was thrown upon the word ,,man each time it occurred in the sentence4 ,this served as a sufficient rebuke1 and all were silent4 ,landing in ,chicago ,i found great excitement1 and the press had issued extras announcing the triumph of the murderous mob in killing the ,smiths4 ,i now hastened on to ,peoria1 and1 staying over night1 started next day on foot across the country to ,nauvoo--distance #aje miles4 ,during the two or three days ,i spent in travelling between ,chicago and ,peoria ,i felt so weighed down with sorrow and the powers of darkness that it was painful for me to converse or speak to anyone or even to try to eat or sleep4 ,i really felt that if it had been my own family who had died1 and our beloved ,prophet been spared alive1 ,i could have borne it1 and the blow would have fallen on me with far less weight4 ,i had loved ,joseph with a warmth of affection indescribable for about fourteen years4 ,i had associated with him in private and in public1 in travels and at home1 in joy and sorrow1 in honor and dishonor1 in adversity of every kind4 ,with him ,i had lain in dungeons and in chains2 and with him ,i had triumphed over all our foes in ,missouri1 and found deliverance for ourselves and people in ,nauvoo1 where we had reared a great city4 ,but now he was gone to the invisible world1 and we and the ,church of the ,saints were left to mourn in sorrow and without the presence of our beloved founder and ,prophet4 ,as ,i walked along over the plains of ,illinois1 lonely and solitary1 ,i reflected as follows3 ,i am now drawing near to the beloved city2 in a day or two ,i shall be there4 ,how shall ,i meet the sorrowing widows and orphans8 ,how shall ,i meet the aged and widowed mother of these two martyrs8 ,how shall ,i meet an entire community bowed down with grief and sorrow unutterable8 ,what shall ,i say8 or how console and advise twenty-five thousand people who will throng about me in tears1 and in the absence of my ,president and the older members of the now presiding council1 will ask counsel at my hands8 ,shall ,i tell them to fly to the wilderness and deserts8 ,or1 shall ,i tell them to stay at home and take care of themselves1 and continue to build the ,temple8 ,with these reflections and injuries ,i walked onward1 weighed down as it were unto death4 ,when ,i could endure it no longer1 ,i cried out aloud1 saying3 ,o ,lord6 in the name of ,jesus ,christ ,i pray ,thee1 show me what these things mean1 and what ,i shall say to ,thy people8 ,on a sudden the ,spirit of ,god came upon me1 and filled my heart with joy and gladness indescribable2 and while the spirit of revelation glowed in my bosom with as visible a warmth and gladness as if it were fire4 ,the ,spirit said unto me3 ,lift up your head and rejoice2 for behold6 it is well with my servants ,joseph and ,hyrum4 ,my servant ,joseph still holds the keys of my kingdom in this dispensation1 and he shall stand in due time on the earth1 in the flesh1 and fulfil that to which he is appointed4 ,go and say unto my people in ,nauvoo1 that they shall continue to pursue their daily duties and take care of themselves1 and make no movement in ,church government to reorganize or alter anything until the return of the remainder of the ,quorum of the ,twelve4 ,but exhort them that they continue to build the ,house of the ,lord which ,i have commanded them to build in ,nauvoo4 ,this information caused my bosom to burn with joy and gladness1 and ,i was comforted above measure2 all my sorrow seemed in a moment to be lifted as a burden from my back4 ,the change was so sudden ,i hardly dared to believe my senses2 ,i1 therefore1 prayed the ,lord to repeat to me the same things the second time2 if1 indeed1 ,i might be sure of their truth1 and might really tell the ,saints to stay in ,nauvoo1 and continue to build the ,temple4 ,as ,i prayed thus1 the same spirit burned in my bosom1 and the ,spirit of the ,lord repeated to me the same message again4 ,i then went on my way rejoicing1 and soon arrived in ,nauvoo1 and delivered this message both to the people and friends individually1 and in the great congregation4 ,in confirmation that the message was right1 ,i found them already renewing their labors on the ,temple1 under the direction of ,john ,taylor and ,willard ,richards1 who were members of our quorum1 and were in jail with the prophets when they were murdered ,taylor being wounded with four bullets1 and ,richards escaping uninjured4 ,we then1 being the only members of the quorum now present in ,nauvoo1 united in daily councils at ,bro4 ,taylor's1 who was confined by his wounds1 and counseled for the good of the ,church4 ,we were enabled to baffle all the designs of aspiring men1 such as ,rigdon and others who strove to reorganize and lead the ,church1 or divide them1 and to keep the ,church in a measure of union1 peace and quiet till the return of ,president ,young and the other members of the ,quorum4 ,elder ,rigdon arrived from ,pittsburgh soon after my arrival1 and with the aid of ,elder ,marks1 local ,president of the ,nauvoo ,stake1 and others1 attempted to worm himself in as ,president of the whole ,church4 ,a public meeting was actually called and appointed for that purpose1 the call being made and the day appointed by ,president ,marks on the public stand4 ,president ,w4 ,richards was present when this appointment was announced4 ,on being informed of this untimely and underhanded attempt1 ,i called upon ,elder ,rigdon to meet with us--that is1 the three of the ,twelve then in the city1 at the house of ,brother ,taylor1 who was still confined with his wounds1 and there we expostulated with him1 and showed our reasons for being opposed to such a course4 ,i finally told him that no such meeting should be held1 nor any such business attempted in the absence of the general authorities of the ,church4 ,and that1 if any such meeting was attempted1 ,i should be there and oppose it1 and show my reasons1 and then dismiss the congregation and take my hat and walk away4 ,he finally assured us that no business of the kind should be attempted1 and that the meeting should only be the usual prayer meeting4 ,we likewise forbade ,president ,marks from attempting any general business till the return of the general authorities4 ,about this time1 ,president ,marks joined with the widow of the martyred ,joseph and some others1 in a council in the upper room of ,brother ,joseph's house1 to try to nominate and appoint a trustee in trust for the whole ,church4 ,i entered this council and heard ,mrs4 ,emma ,smith plead in relation to this matter1 the great importance and absolute necessity of immediate action on this subject1 as delay would endanger much property of a public and private character1 and perhaps cause a loss of scores of thousands4 ,i arose and protested against any action of the kind1 telling them plainly that the appointment of a trustee in trust was the business of the whole ,church1 through its general authorities1 and not the business of the local authorities of any one stake of the ,church1 and that1 therefore1 it could not be done till the remainder of the quorum returned4 ,to this it was replied that by this delay much property would be lost4 ,i again repeated that dollars and cents were no consideration with me1 when principle was at stake1 and if thousands or even millions were lost1 let them go4 ,we could not and would not suffer the authorities and principles of the ,church to be trampled under foot1 for the sake of pecuniary interest4 ,the council finally broke up without accomplishing anything4 ,at length the day for ,mr4 ,rigdon's great meeting arrived1 when the remainder of the quorum1 or a majority1 with ,president ,young at their head1 arrived in time to be present4 ,mr4 ,rigdon was frustrated in his ambitious schemes1 and with his adherents1 including ,president ,marks1 soon left the place1 being disfellowshipped by the ,church4 ,president ,brigham ,young was unanimously chosen and upheld in the ,presidency of the whole ,church2 the keys of which he held by virtue of his apostleship1 being the senior and ,president of the highest quorum of the ,church then living in the flesh4 ,october #fth4--,the half yearly ,conference was held at ,nauvoo1 which ,i attended4 ,,chapter ,,xliii4 ------------------------ ,eastern ,mission3--,return3--,mobocracy3--,labor in the ,temple3--,expulsion from ,nauvoo3--,cross the ,mississippi3-- ,garden ,grove3--,mount ,pisga3--,council ,bluffs3--,mormon ,battalion3-- ,winter ,quarters3--,mission to ,england with ,elders ,orson ,hyde and ,john ,taylor3--,conference at ,manchester3--,tour through the ,kingdom4 ,december #b;d4 ,having been appointed by the ,president and others of the ,twelve to go ,east1 and take charge of churches in the ,atlantic ,states1 ,i this day bade farewell to home1 family and the ,city of ,saints and started on this journey4 ,i rode to ,quincy2 stayed over night at ,brother ,haywood's1 and next morning took boat and soon arrived in ,st4 ,louis4 ,i was accompanied by ,elders ,e4 ,t4 ,benson and ,p4 ,brown1 who were sent to assist me in this eastern mission4 ,nothing worthy of note transpired on the passage4 ,we arrived in ,new ,york towards the close of the year4 ,i appointed brother ,benson to take charge of ,boston and vicinity1 and ,brother ,brown to the charge of ,philadelphia and vicinity4 ,january #ast1 #ahde4--;,i sent forth a proclamation in a ,new ,york paper1 called the ,prophet1 edited and published by ,samuel ,brannan1 and professedly devoted to the interests of the ,church of the ,saints499 ,footnote 99,see ,star1 ,no4 #aj1 vol4 #e1 page #adi4 ,as we gradually became acquainted with circumstances pertaining to the ,church in these parts1 we found that ,elders ,william ,smith1 ,g4 ,j4 ,adams1 ,s4 ,brannan and others1 had been corrupting the ,saints by introducing among them all manner of false doctrine and immoral practices1 by which many of them had stumbled and been seduced from virtue and truth4 ,while many others1 seeing their inquiry1 had turned away from the ,church and joined various dissenting parties4 ,we1 therefore1 in accordance with the instructions of the ,holy ,spirit in ,president ,young before he left home1 directed ,william ,smith and ,g4 ,j4 ,adams to return to ,nauvoo1 where1 in process of time1 they were cut off from the ,church4 ,we also warned ,brother ,brannan and others to repent speedily of all such evil practices or we would withdraw fellowship from them4 ,they promised faithfully to repent and lead a new life1 and therefore we bore with them4 ,we also taught the ,church to beware of all impure and wicked doctrines and practices1 and not to receive any elder or minister who sought to seduce them by any false teachings4 ,with these exertions and the continual labors of ,elders ,benson1 ,brown1 ,grant and many others1 with myself1 we succeeded in setting in order the churches and reestablishing pure gospel principles4 ,there were1 however1 many who would not believe us1 nor hearken to our advice1 but continued in their abominations and dissensions4 ,elder ,brannan was at length disfellowshipped at ,nauvoo1 as appeared in the official organ of the ,church there4 ,on seeing this notice ,i called his attention to it1 and urged him to repair immediately to the authorities there2 acknowledge and frankly repent of his faults1 and seek restoration to his standing4 ,he did this1 and returned in full fellowship4 ,but1 as it finally proved1 this was only to disgrace himself and the cause still more in a wider and more responsible career in ,california1 where he1 under our instruction1 soon after repaired with a colony of ,saints in the ship ,brooklyn4 ,he was a corrupt and wicked man1 and had the ,church and myself been less long suffering and merciful1 it would have saved the ,church much loss1 and1 perhaps1 saved some souls which were corrupted in ,california1 and led astray and plundered by him4 ,i have always regretted having taken any measures to have him restored to fellowship after he was published in ,nauvoo as cut off from the ,church4 ,however1 if ,i erred1 it was on the side of mercy4 ,i devoted the winter in the presidency of the eastern churches1 to writing for the ,prophet and in visiting the churches in ,boston1 ,lowell1 ,philadelphia1 ,long ,island and various other places1 and preaching the gospel among them4 ,the following pieces from my pen are found in the above periodical1 under their appropriate dates and titles3 ,materiality2 ,new ,proverbs4 ,i continued writing for this periodical in ,new ,york1 which had1 however1 changed its name1 and was now published as the ,new ,york ,messenger4 ,from my numerous editorials and communications in that paper1 ,i select the following as worthy of record3 ,heaven4 ,july #bjth1 #ahde1 ,i published an address to those under my charge4 ,soon after the publication of the foregoing1 ,i took leave of the ,saints and friends in the ,eastern ,states1 and returned to ,nauvoo by way of the ,erie ,canal and the lakes1 journeying from ,chicago to ,nauvoo by land1 by private conveyance1 accompanied by a few of the ,saints from the ,east4 ,we arrived in ,nauvoo sometime in ,august4 ,i found my family mostly in health1 and was rejoiced to meet them4 ,from the time of my arrival home until the end of the year1 ,i was engaged in the cares of my family1 in finishing my house1 and in my official duties4 ,in autumn the mobs recommenced their murders1 robbings1 house and grain burnings1 and driving families away from their lands and homes in the borders of our county1 and elsewhere4 ,the sheriff of the ,county called out several posses and dispersed them1 killing some and arresting others4 ,this bold and energetic execution of the sworn duties of ,sheriff ,backinstafs did not seem to be quite congenial to the spirit of the government and citizens of the ,state of ,illinois--they being to a great extent in favor of mob violence1 murder1 plunder and house burning4 ,therefore1 ,sheriff ,backinstafs was arrested to answer to the charge of murder1 and another sheriff was imposed on the county1 unlawfully1 entirely independent of the ballot box4 ,backinstafs1 however1 was afterwards discharged by the ,court1 who justified his killing some of the mob1 pronouncing it an official act in perfect conformity with his duties as an officer4 ,the ,governor sent troops to our county1 on pretence of aiding the law1 but1 in reality1 to aid the mob to escape justice and carry out their expressed resolutions of driving every member of the ,saints1 and their families1 from the ,state4 ,general ,hardin and ,major ,warren1 who had the command of this expedition1 joined their advice with ,judge ,s4 ,a4 ,douglass and others1 some of them citizens of ,quincy1 and meeting with ,president ,young and our other leaders in council1 advised and urged us strongly to yield to the mob1 and abandon our houses1 forms1 cities1 villages and ,temple to this wholesale banditti1 who were engaged against us1 and sell them for what we could get1 and remove out of the country4 ,but very little of the real estate was ever sold4 ,to these extravagant counsels we finally yielded assent1 and agreed to move ,west in the spring1 and to advise others of our society so to do1 as fast as we could sell4 ,we continued1 however1 our work on the ,temple1 a portion of which was finished and dedicated4 ,it was the first specimen of a new order of architecture1 introduced by ,president ,joseph ,smith1 and was the most beautiful building in the ,western ,states1 erected at a cost of a million dollars4 ,the mob subsequently set fire to it1 the light of which was visible for thirty miles4 ,as winter approached1 ,president ,young1 myself1 the quorum1 and many others were daily engaged in the ,temple1 administering in the holy ordinances of ,endowment1 to many hundreds of people4 ,thus closed the year #ahde4 ,january #ast1 ,a4,d4 #ahdf1 ,i continued to minister in the ,temple night and day1 with my ,president and the rest of the ,twelve1 until early in ,february4 ,soon after these things the ministrations in the ,temple ceased2 and ,president ,young1 with the rest of the quorum and many others1 bade farewell to their homes in the beloved city of ,nauvoo1 and crossed the ,mississippi ,river1 with their families and such teams and wagons as they could get4 ,they formed an encampment on ,sugar ,creek1 in the ,state of ,iowa4 ,february #adth1 ,i crossed the river with my family and teams1 and encamped not far from the ,sugar ,creek encampment1 taking possession of a vacant log house1 on account of the extreme cold4 ,this encampment was about seven miles from ,nauvoo4 ,in leaving home at this inclement season1 ,i left a good house1 lot and out buildings1 worth about seven thousand dollars1 and several lots and houses of less value1 besides a farm in the country worth near two thousand4 ,but ,i was much in debt4 ,i1 therefore1 left ,mr4 ,bickford as my agent1 authorized to sell the property1 settle up my business1 and take care of such of my family or friends as might be left it his care1 including my aged mother1 and the father1 mother and sister of my wife4 ,i was intending1 when things were settled1 to place the surplus1 if any1 at the disposal of the ,church or its agents1 in aid of the removal of such as were not able to remove without assistance4 ,while we lay encamped1 some one hundred and twenty miles west of ,nauvoo1 ,president ,young coming up with the main body of the camps1 formed an encampment a few miles in the rear1 and sent for me and the members of the ,twelve1 who were with me1 and ,george ,miller1 to meet with the council at his camp4 ,his letter censured us on account of some of our moves1 and as heavy rains had swollen the small streams which intervened between the two encampments 7so that they could only be passed by swimming71 and myself being sick on account of exposure in the storms1 we did not immediately attend the council1 as requested4 ,however1 we found means to cross after a little delay1 and were proceeding to his camp when an express met us with another letter front the ,president1 censuring us still more severely4 ,we hastened on and met in council4 ,the ,president then reproved and chastened us severely for several things1 among which was our drawing off from the council and main body of the camp and going ahead4 ,he said there was manifestly a spirit of dissension and of insubordination manifested in our movements4 ,i could not realize this at the time1 and protested that in my own heart1 so far as ,i was concerned1 ,i had no such motive2 that ,i had been actuated by the purest motives1 merely seeking to sustain the teams and people1 and to make what progress we could with that end in view4 ,however1 the sequel soon proved that it was the true ,spirit which reproved and chastened us4 ,for ,bishop ,miller1 who was a leading and active member of our camp1 has since left us and gone his own way1 having refused to be led by the counsels of the ,presidency1 and removed to ,texas4 ,and here ,i would observe that1 although my own motives were pure1 so far as ,i could know my own heart1 yet ,i thank ,god for his timely chastisement2 ,i profited by it1 and it caused me to be more watchful and careful ever after4 ,all things being harmonized and put in order1 the camps moved on4 ,arriving at a place on a branch of ,grand ,river we encamped for a while1 having travelled much in the midst of great and continued rains1 mud and mire4 ,here we enclosed and planted public farm of many hundred acres and commenced settlement1 for the good of some who were to tarry and of those who should follow us from ,nauvoo4 ,we called the place ,garden ,grove4 ,it is in ,iowa1 perhaps one hundred and fifty miles from ,nauvoo4 ,after assisting to fence this farm and build some log houses1 ,i was dispatched ahead by the ,presidency with a small company to try to find another location4 ,crossing this branch of ,grand ,river1 ,i now steered through the vast and fertile prairies and groves without a track or anything but a compass to guide me--the country being entirely wild and without inhabitants4 ,our course was west1 a little north4 ,we crossed small streams daily1 which1 on account of deep beds and miry banks1 as well as on account of their being swollen by the rains1 we had to bridge4 ,after journeying thus for several days1 and while lying encamped on a small stream which we had bridged1 ,i took my horse and rode ahead some three miles in search of one of the main forks of ,grand ,river1 which we had expected to find for some time4 ,riding about three or four miles through beautiful prairies1 ,i came suddenly to some round and sloping hills1 grassy and crowned with beautiful groves of timber2 while alternate open groves and forests seemed blended in all the beauty and harmony of an ,english park4 ,while beneath and beyond1 on the west1 rolled a main branch of ,grand ,river1 with its rich bottoms of alternate forest and prairie4 ,as ,i approached this lovely scenery several deer and wolves1 being startled at the sight of me1 abandoned the place and bounded away till lost from my sight amid the groves4 ,being pleased and excited at the varied beauty before me1 ,i cried out1 this is ,mount ,pisga4 ,i returned to my camp1 with the report of having found the long sought river1 and we soon moved on and encamped under the shade of these beautiful groves4 ,it was now late in ,may1 and we halted here to await the arrival of the ,president and council4 ,in a few days they arrived and formed a general encampment here1 and finally formed a settlement1 and surveyed and enclosed another farm of several thousand acres4 ,this became a town and resting place for the ,saints for years1 and is now known on the map of ,iowa as a village and post-office named ,pisga4 ,june #a4 ,we crossed the river1 and1 travelling one mile1 encamped2 next day we travelled nine miles1 and the third day twenty miles4 ,passing on from day to day1 we at length came to a large river which could not be forded1 called the ,nishnihotany4 ,here was the home of the ,pottowatamie ,indians who were very friendly and civil to us4 ,we tarried here some days and built a large bridge1 over which the camps were enabled to cross4 ,in ,july we arrived at the ,missouri ,river1 near ,council ,bluffs4 ,there we encamped for several weeks2 opened a trade with upper ,missouri1 exchanging wagons1 horses1 harness and various articles of furniture1 cash1 etc41 for provisions1 oxen1 cows1 etc4 ,in the meantime we built a ferry boat1 fixed landings1 made dugways1 etc41 and commenced ferrying over the ,missouri4 ,the ferry ran night and day for a long time1 and still could not complete the crossing of the camps till late in the season4 ,while we tarried here ,i returned on the road as far as ,pisga--being sent on a mission to the camps and settlements in the rear--distance1 in going and returning1 two hundred miles4 ,in this journey ,i came near drowning1 in attempting to swim a branch of the ,nishnihotany on horseback4 ,my horse refused to swim1 reared on his hind feet to try to touch bottom1 and caused me to slide off behind him in the middle of a very strong current with all my clothes on1 including hat1 coat and boots1 and a large parcel under my arm4 ,the parcel contained letters and important documents4 ,i1 therefore1 clung to it and to my hat also1 and stemming the current with the other hand1 swam to shore1 a distance of several rods4 ,passing on a mile or two1 ,i came to a camp of the ,saints and dried my letters and clothing4 ,as ,i returned from this mission ,i met ,president ,young and others1 who were going down to ,pisga and to intermediate camps to try to raise five hundred men1 who had just been called for by the ,united ,states as recruits for the ,mexican war4 ,these troops were soon raised by the united exertions of ,president ,young and ,council1 and were mustered into service by ,lieutenant-,colonel ,allen1 and called the ,mormon ,battalion4 ,this is that famous battalion which marched through more than two thousand miles of a trackless waste on foot1 and helped to take and maintain ,california--some of the members of which first discovered the gold mines of that country1 and thus turned the world the other side up4 ,the lateness of the season1 the poverty of the people1 and1 above all1 the taking away of five hundred of our best men1 finally compelled us to abandon any further progress westward till the return of another spring4 ,the camps1 therefore1 began to prepare for winter4 ,the place for winter quarters was finally selected on the west bank of the ,missouri ,river1 in what is since known as the territory of ,nebraska4 ,this was a beautiful town site4 ,the land sloping up from the immediate banks of the river sufficiently high to be secure from high water1 and then stretching away in an unbroken plain to the hills1 which swelled up at less than half a mile distant in beautiful rounded grassy points1 or in rising benches1 one above another4 ,vast quantities of hay was cut and secured1 and some seven hundred log cabins and one hundred and fifty dugouts 7cabins half under ground7 were built in the course of the autumn and winter4 ,other large settlements were also formed on the other side of the river1 and back into the country4 ,president ,young also caused the erection of a good flouring mill on a small stream which here entered the river4 ,this city1 which was known by the name of ,winter ,quarters1 is ,florence1 and is becoming a thriving place in ,nebraska4 ,while the camps lay in these parts1 and soon after ,i had1 with my teams and family1 crossed the ,missouri1 ,presidents ,orson ,hyde1 ,john ,taylor and myself were appointed a mission to ,england4 ,the reason for this mission under the present distressing circumstances was this3 ,elder ,r4 ,hedlock1 who was then presiding in ,england1 was in transgression1 and was engaged in a wild scheme of financing1 by which he obtained vast sums of money from the ,church in a kind of joint stock organization1 which professedly had for its object the emigration of the ,saints to ,america1 while in reality the money was squandered by himself and others in any and every way but to do good4 ,our mission was for the purpose of breaking up this scheme of fraud1 and displacing him and regulating all the affairs of the ,church in the ,british ,isles4 ,july #ca4--;,i bid a solemn farewell to my family and friends1 then dwelling in tents and wagons on the west side of the ,missouri ,river1 and started for ,england4 ,i met ,elders ,hyde and ,taylor as agreed upon1 and we took passage down the river in an open scow1 or flat boat1 in company with a family of ,presbyterian missionaries who had been residing on the ,loupe fork of the ,platte ,river1 among the ,pawnee ,indians1 and who were now bound for ,st4 ,joseph1 ,missouri4 ,we floated or pulled the oars for some days1 tying up and sleeping on shore at night4 ,arriving at ,st4 ,joseph1 the missionaries landed and sold the boat to us4 ,we then continued down the river to ,leavenworth1 where we found the ,mormon ,battalion1 who were just receiving money for clothing1 etc41 preparatory to their long march thence to ,california4 ,we visited with them a day to two1 and they contributed several hundred dollars to aid us on our mission to ,england4 ,they also made up a purse of between five and six thousand dollars for their families and friends at the ,bluffs1 and furnishing me a horse1 it was finally agreed by my two brethren that ,i should return to the ,bluffs with this money4 ,accordingly1 ,i took leave of ,elders ,hyde and ,taylor and the brethren of the battalion1 and started on horseback for the camp of the ,saints4 ,i rode with all speed1 and in less than three days reached home--distance one hundred and seventy miles4 ,unexpected as this visit was1 a member of my family had been warned in a dream1 and had predicted my arrival and the day1 and my family were actually looking for me all that day4 ,i delivered the money to ,president ,young and ,council1 with the list of subscribers1 and of the persons for whom it was sent1 and again prepared for my departure4 ,obtaining a light buggy1 ,i harnessed my horse before it1 and started for ,chicago1 ,illinois1 by land--distance five hundred and fifty miles4 ,i performed this journey in safety in eleven days1 averaging fifty miles per day4 ,arriving in ,chicago towards evening1 ,i immediately sold my horse and buggy1 and then took steamer the same evening across ,lake ,michigan1 thence by railroad to ,boston2 thence to ,new ,york1 where ,i arrived a day or two sooner than the day agreed upon4 ,i was hindered a little1 being at a loss for funds to pay my passage2 but one ,elder ,badlam kindly assisted me1 and ,i soon embarked in the cabin of a splendid ship1 and set sail for ,liverpool4 ,on this same ship was ,franklin ,d4 and ,samuel ,richards1 and ,m4 ,martin1 on a mission to the same country4 ,we had a long passage1 and arrived in ,liverpool ,october #ad1 in good health and spirits4 ,we found ,elders ,hyde and ,taylor there all well1 and were kindly received and entertained by the ,saints4 ,a ,general ,conference was convened in ,manchester ,october #ag2 an account of which will be found in the ,star1 ,no4 #g1 ,vol #h4 ,in this ,conference it was agreed that ,president ,hyde should edit the ,star1 and attend to all business in the publishing office at ,liverpool1 while ,president ,taylor and myself should visit the different conferences in the ,british ,isles4 ,we1 therefore1 published our appointments beforehand in the ,star1 and so commenced our winter's mission4 ,i will not detain the reader with a detail of our journeyings1 visits and meetings in pursuance of this arrangement2 but1 suffice it to say1 we travelled from conference to conference by railway1 coaches1 steamers1 etc41 visiting nearly all the principal towns in ,england and ,scotland4 ,we were everywhere received and treated with the utmost hospitality1 and with demonstrations of joy and gladness not soon to be forgotten4 ,the ,saints and others convened from far and near at the sessions of our several conferences1 and vast crowds of strangers1 as well as ,saints1 listened to us4 ,public feasts1 tea parties1 public dinners and all kinds of demonstrations of joy and welcome greeted us as we visited from place to place4 ,so that our sojourn was more like a triumphal procession than like a dreary pilgrimage4 ,we preached the gospel1 set in order the churches1 directed the labors of the elders1 comforted the ,saints1 and reproved and corrected the abuses introduced by ,president ,hedlock and others in relation to the joint stock companies1 etc4 ,hedlock fled at our approach1 leaving many debts unpaid and finally lived incog4 in ,london with a vile woman--he being severed from the ,church4 ,it was during my travels in ,england on this mission that ,i wrote the following letter in blank verse to my family1 whom ,i had left at ,council ,bluffs1 on the ,missouri ,river4 ,it was published in ,england at the time1 on a beautiful sheet with a handsome border1 and designed to be put in a frame as a household ornament2 and is frequently seen to this day 7#ahef7 as a memorial in the parlors of the ,saints on both sides of the ,atlantic4 ,may it be handed down to posterity as a monument of suffering and self-denial of women and children for the gospel's sake4 ,,chapter ,,xliv4 ------------------------ ,,an ,,apostle ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,jesus ,,christ1 ,,of ,,latter-,,day ,,saints1 ,was in the ,island of ,great ,britain for the gospel's sake2 and being in the ,spirit on the #bdth of ,november1 #ahdf1 addressed the following words of comfort to his dearly beloved wife and family1 dwelling in tents1 in the camp of ,israel1 at ,council ,bluffs1 ,missouri ,territory1 ,north ,america2 where they and twenty thousand others were banished by the civilized ,christians of the ,united ,states for the word of ,god and the testimony of ,jesus3 ,,my ,,dearest ,,wife1 ,thy kindly soul and all ,thine acts of love to him1 thy chosen head1 ,are treasured deep in memory's archives4 ,and when1 amid the busy throng of towns1 ,i pass unheeded1 or wander lonely ,in some country lane1 or graveled highway1 ,lined with hawthorn hedge--or turn aside ,from the busy walks of men in meadows green1 ,or wander 'mid the solitary grove ,at twilight hour1 where silence reins1 and the ,fading tints of autumn tell of time's flight1 ,and the low murmur of the whispering breeze ,steals o'er the senses like a funeral dirge1-- ,or flying swift o'er country hedge and ditch ,in flaming chariot2 while hills and vales-- ,and towns1 and villas1 farms1 plains1 and woods ,are swiftly whirled behind--or musing in ,the midnight hour in lonely solitude ,upon my bed--',tis then ,i think of thee4 ,sweet thoughts steal gently o'er the memory2 ,and my spirit wanders o'er the wide sea ,and far away o'er ,alleghany's heights1 ,and down the broad ,ohio1 from its source ,to where it mingles its limpid waters ,with the dark waves of ,missouri's current2 ,and onward still1 with lightning speed it flies1 ,till towns and cries all are left behind2 ,and the last trace of ,gentile dwelling fades ,from view1 and disappears in the far east4 ,at length the long sought vision bursts to view ,and stays my spirit in its onward flight4 ,towering bluffs2 deep indented vales2 wide spread ,prairies2 boundless plains and beauteous groves ,expand to view2 all clad in green1 and deck'd ,in summer's richest livery of flowers2 ,or with the grey tints of fading autumn ,crown'd--emblem of ,nature's dissolution4 ,there one eternal silence seems to reign1 ,and slumb'ring ,nature rests in solitude4 ,there peace prevails2 the ,sabbath rules the year2 ,and1 in its own primeval innocence1 ,uncursed by man's polluted touch1 the earth ,seems resting in sacred1 sublime repose4 ,no ,gentile tyrant sways his sceptre there2 ,no pris'ners groan in solitary cells4 ,there freedom dwells2 no superstitious creed ,enslaves the mind of man2 no ,christian mobs ,to drive him from his home or shed his blood4 ,o sacred solitude1 divinely blest-- ,zion's retreat2 where dwell the great and good4 ,there1 with delight my spirit lingers still1 ,and would prolong the heavenly vision4 ,i love thee1 for thyself1 ,o land of ,zion6 ,the beauty of thy landscape1 thy flowers1 ,thy boundless immensity of green fields1 ,mingling with the with expanse of ,heaven's ,blue arch2 thy star-bespangled firmament ,have charms for me4 ,the mellow moonlight ,gently stealing o'er thy sacred forests2-- ,the fading tints of twilight painted on ,your evening sky2--the soft and plaintive voice ,of the autumnal cricket1 as he sings ,the funeral knell of expiring insects1 ,or sounds a requiem to the closing year-- ,all these steal o'er my senses with delight1 ,and wake the memory to scenes afar3 ,they whisper to the lonely exile1 ,and tell of youth1 and friends1 and native clime4 ,yet not for these charms alone ,i love thee2 ,nor yet for peace1 or freedom sweet1 or rest1 ,or sacred ,sabbath of sublime repose4 ,all these1 though dear to me1 are worthless toys1-- ,mere baubles1--compared to that precious gem ,which yet remains to beautify my verse1 ,and swell the music of my joyous theme4 ,there dwell my family1--my bosom friends1-- ,the precious lambs of my ,redeemer1--my ,best of ,heaven's gifts to man1--my germs of ,life and immortality1--my hope of ,heaven1-- ,my principality on earth began1-- ,my kingdom in embryo1 big with thrones ,of endless power and wide dominion4 ,ye kindred spirits from worlds celestial6 ,offsprings of ,deity2--,sons and daughters ,of eternity2--,ye nobles of ,heaven ,whose dwellings were of old among the ,gods ,in the everlasting mansions1 and who stood ,in the councils of the ,high and lofty ,one1 ere chaos sprang to order1 or the ,foundations of the everlasting hills ,were laid3 ,why came ye to this world of woe8 ,why this disguise8--,this painful sojourn in ,a land of death8-- ,why wander far from ,heaven's eternal fold ,and from the bosom of your ,father there8 ,had ,he no love8 ,no fond affection for ,his own1 that you are banished thus1 and left ,as exiles wandering in some dreary waste8 ,and if thus fallen1 and forsaken quite1 ,like evil spirits thrust from ,heaven1 to ,return no more2--why that latent spark of ,heaven's pure love still glowing in your breast8 ,why does your bosom swell with hope and joy1 ,and fire celestial kindle in your eye8 ,o heavenly gift6 ,the key of knowledge ,restored to man1 the mystery unfolds ,of ,god's elect--their final destiny4 ,you are here because your ,father loved you2 ,because in ,heaven ye kept your first estate1 ,and firm remained when angels did rebel1 ,and ,lucifer drew a third of ,heaven's host ,from ,god2 and with them sunk in dark despair4 ,you are here for further proof and trial2-- ,for a second estate2 which if ye keep ,as ye did the first1 will purify your souls1 ,and fit you for a ,heaven celestial4 ,you came to the earth to be born of flesh1 ,to fashion and perfect your earthly house1-- ,to live1 to love1 to suffer and to die1-- ,to rise and reign in immortality4 ,to form your kindred ties with kindred souls1-- ,to blend your sympathies by mutual acts ,of kindly charity3-- ,to love and serve ,each other in ten thousand nameless ways2 ,and thus give exercise to mutual love1 ,and qualify yourselves for union endless ,in that world of bliss4 ,o ye beings of noble birth6 ye lambs ,of celestial origin1 to ,zion bound6 ,i know ye now2 and knowing1 can but love4 ,o my ,father in heaven8 ,thine they were1 ,and ,thou gavest them to me3--,precious gifts6 ,endear'd by long acquaintance in the heavens1 ,by the soul's best affections on the earth1 ,by mutual love and sympathy of soul1 ,by all the kindred ties which twine around ,the heart in sacred1 inexpressible ,delight--,made nigh by a ,savior's blood3-- ,seal'd by the ,holy ,ghost1 and secur'd ,by the spirit and power of ,elijah-- ,by which the hearts of the fathers are turn'd ,to the children3 ,enliven'd by the hope ,of endless union in that world of life ,where all is pure3-- ,thrones1 principalities1 ,powers1 majesty1 might and dominion1 ,as a mutual reward6 ,who can but love8 ,o precious kindred6 my loveliest1 best6 ,are motives wanting still to prompt my love1 ,and kindle my soul's affection to its ,highest1 purest flame8 sweet memory dwells ,on all the past--,your sufferings with me2 ,your sacrifices for the ,gospel's sake4 ,for me and truth you gladly left your home1 ,your native clime1 your father1 mother1 and friends1 ,and kindred dear1 and wandered far away ,o'er mountain1 seas1 and continents4 ,the wide ,expanse of ocean--its waves and tempests ,could not quench your love1 or cool your courage3-- ,towering mountains rose before you2 rivers ,intervened to check you on your journey-- ,wide lakes1 gloomy forests1 and desert plains ,forbid your further progress1 but in vain4 ,truth was the prize you sought2 and love impell'd ,you onward4 ,these overcome1 a host ,of fiends assailed you next1 with lying tongues ,to flatter1 frown1 to pity or deceive2 ,to coax1 or drive you from your chosen course4 ,when slander1 rage1 and lies1 and pity fail'd1 ,then came the deadly strife6--,the fires consum'd2 ,the sword devour'd2--,widows and orphans mourn'd2 ,hell's artillery bellow'd2 ,martyrs bled2 ,the world exulted2--,devils hugely grinn'd2-- ,heaven wept2 saints prayed2 ,justice stood aghast2-- ,mercy1 retiring1 dropped a tear of blood2-- ,angels startling1 half drew their glittering swords2 ,and the ,gods1 in solemn council decreed ,a just ,,vengeance6 ,amid these awful scenes ye firmly stood ,for truth1 and him you loved2 ,and leaving house ,and home again behind1 in poverty ,ye fled2 and pitch'd your humble tent amid ,the storms of winter3 ,and wandering o'er the ,wide1 unsheltered plain1 ye braved the tempest ,many a weary month without a murmur-- ,without a murmur6 ,nay more--,ye smiling ,stood1 amid the awful storms1 and hail'd the ,tempest welcome4 ,the solitary wilds ,reverb'rated with freedom's joyful songs1 ,while there you fondly pressed your infant to ,your bosom1--smil'd on your lord1--receiv'd his ,smile in turn1 and realized your freedom4 ,supremely blest with heaven's approving smile1 ,with peace and friendship1 liberty and love2 ,and with the daily presence of your lord1-- ,whose best affection sweeten'd every care2 ,ye still were happy in your low estate1 ,nor sighed for more4 ,one only sacrifice remained for us ,to make1 to further test our depth of love ,for ,god and truth2--'twas all that ,heaven could ask4 ,with you1 my lambs1 be left alone1 to spend ,another winter in this dreary wild1 ,while him you love shall wander far away ,beyond the sea1 for truth and ,zion's sake8 ,your pulse beat quick2 your bosom heav'd a sigh2 ,your heart swell'd with emotion2 a big tear ,gush'd forth1 and stole in silence down your check2 ,while your spirit said3 ,if ,i must1 ,i will6 ,the ,recording ,angel smil'd2 ,heaven approv'd1 ,and said3 ,it is enough1 record the same1 ,and with it ,our decree3 ,they are ,elect6 ,eternal life is theirs3 ,they shall be ,,one1 ,,while ,,endless ,,ages ,,roll6 ,,parley ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,chapter ,,xlv4 ------------------------ ,return with ,elder ,john ,taylor to ,america3--,arrival at ,winter ,quarters3--,camp ,starts for the ,rocky ,mountains3--,meet the ,pioneers3--,arrival in ,great ,salt ,lake ,valley3--,visit to ,utah and ,great ,salt ,lakes4 ,early in ,january1 #ahdg1 having completed our mission in the ,british ,isles1 ,brother ,john ,taylor and myself went to ,liverpool1 preparatory to our return1 with a few of the ,saints1 who were accompanying us as emigrants4 ,here we soon made arrangements for passage to ,new ,orleans1 chartering the second cabin of a large new ship1 called ,america4 ,we bid adieu to our warm hearted and affectionate friends in ,england1 and embarked on this ship4 ,our company consisted of fourteen persons in all1 composed of returning elders and a few families or individuals who were emigrating with us4 ,we were very comfortable in our own little cabin1 where we had our own provisions1 and set our own table1 hiring the ship's cook to do our cooking4 ,we sailed ,january #aith1 but we soon met a gale of wind1 which was directly contrary to us4 ,this gale continued for nine days1 without any cessation or abatement1 during which time we were beating in a land-locked channel between ,ireland and ,england1 without gaining fifty miles on our course1 being in imminent danger of being cast away on a lee shore4 ,during all this time our ,captain lay sick in his berth with a fever on the brain1 and much of the time in a state of mental derangement4 ,we frequently watched with him1 and in his rational moments he would converse a little4 ,he said his family lived in ,america1 and he much wished to get to them1 but was very positive he should never see them more1 having been for many days oppressed with a sure and certain presentiment that he should never reach ,america alive4 ,we1 in reply1 allowed that presentiments of that kind were possible1 and sometimes true1 and to be depended on1 but not always4 ,and ,brother ,taylor and myself assured him1 as men of ,god1 that his present presentiment was false1 and that both him and his vessel would reach ,america in safety4 ,this we assured him over and over again1 from day to day4 ,after nine days of severe struggle with the wind and waves1 the mate and supercargo becoming discouraged1 and the men worn out1 they counselled with us and concluded to put back into the port of ,liverpool1 which was accordingly done after some difficulty and delay4 ,here the ,captain1 who was still dangerously ill1 went on shore1 and under proper medical aid1 recovered1 and afterwards landed in ,america per steamer1 where he reached his family in safety4 ,our mate was sworn in captain1 and we again put to sea1 after visiting our friends on shore1 and recruiting our stock of provisions4 ,on taking this second farewell of our friends in the ,british ,isles ,i sent forth through the columns of the ,star the following farewell address3 ,,to ,,the ,,saints ,,in ,,great ,,britain ,beloved ,brethren3--,having been so crowded with business and care on my late departure from your shores for my home in the distant wilds of western ,america1 ,i had no time to say farewell 1 or to leave my blessing with you in a formal manner as a whole1 although expressed frequently in our farewell meetings4 ,i have1 therefore1 providentially returned to your midst1 after nine days of seafaring life1 in order to take a fair start1 and to say farewell through the medium of the ,star4 ,i feel the most perfect satisfaction with the manner of our reception and entertainment among you as men of ,god4 ,i also feel that we have1 as far as time would permit1 accomplished the work for which we came1 and that the utmost success and prosperity has attended our labors4 ,the ,church universally has manifested a spirit of confidence and obedience to the instructions we had to impart1 and the measures we were sent to purpose for their prosperity and deliverance1 both temporally and spiritually4 ,we have also been received and entertained in the most kind and hospitable manner in every place we have been permitted to visit4 ,we have been lodged1 fed1 comforted and cheered as if we had been angels of glad tidings1 and we feel the utmost satisfaction in expressing our most grateful thanks for all the kindness and assistance rendered unto us while in your midst2 and1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 and by authority of the ,holy ,priesthood and ,apostleship vested in us1 we bless the congregations of the ,saints throughout this land1 with all the officers and members thereof1 with the blessings of time and eternity in all their fullness4 ,we also bless the ,queen1 ministers1 magistrates1 and people of this realm1 while they continue to administer equal justice for the protection of every subject1 without respect of persons2 and we pray that ,heaven's choicest blessings may rest upon the ,saints1 and upon all that fear ,god and work righteousness in this land4 ,ye sons and daughters of ,zion1 be of good cheer2 for ,god will deliver you in due time1 and gather in one the children of ,god4 ,pray for us and for the camp of the ,saints in the wilderness4 ,farewell4 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,liverpool1 ,january #bi1 #ahdg4 ,elder ,hyde did not sail with us1 but stayed a few days longer to complete the business in the office4 ,soon after we set sail ,elder ,joseph ,cain1 returning missionary1 was married on board to ,miss ,elizabeth ,whittaker4 ,it was a fine affair1 and we had a good dinner on the occasion4 ,the wind was now fair continually1 and we were only thirty-five days in coming to anchor off the port of ,new ,orleans--having sailed some seven or eight thousand miles4 ,here we were delayed a day or two by a dense fog1 but as the weather cleared1 a tug steamer soon got hold of us1 and took us into port4 ,here1 as soon as we could get clear of the custom house1 we took a steamer1 and1 in about six days1 arrived in ,st4 ,louis4 ,here ,i left ,brother ,taylor to pass up the ,missouri ,river on a steamer1 with the company and baggage1 while ,i took a horse and rode through the northwestern portion of ,missouri1 and into ,iowa1 by land4 ,i went incog4 for fear of my old enemies in that ,state4 ,i struck the wagon trail we had made the year before1 near ,garden ,grove1 and tarried there with the ,saints one day4 ,it was then quite a flourishing place the farms which ,i helped to open and enclose the previous year having yielded abundance of provisions1 and other farms having been opened4 ,being a little refreshed ,i passed on to ,mount ,pisga1 where ,i found another flourishing settlement of the ,saints1 and stayed over night4 ,thence ,i passed on to the ,missouri ,river1 finding ,saints to entertain me every night4 ,in making the journey from ,st4 ,louis to ,missouri ,river1 near ,winter ,quarters1 ,i had probably travelled near four hundred and fifty miles on horseback4 ,i crossed over the ferry at noon of a fine ,april day1 and came suddenly upon my friends and family4 ,this was ,april #h1 #ahdg4 ,i found my family all alive1 and dwelling in a log cabin4 ,they had1 however1 suffered much from cold1 hunger and sickness4 ,they had oftentimes lived for several days on a little corn meal1 ground on a hand mill1 with no other food4 ,one of the family was then lying very sick with the scurvy--a disease which had been very prevalent in camp during the winter1 and of which many had died4 ,i found1 on inquiry1 that the winter had been very severe1 the snow deep1 and1 consequently1 that all my horses 7four in number7 were lost1 and ,i afterwards ascertained that out of twelve cows ,i had but seven left1 and out of some twelve or fourteen oxen only four or five were spared4 ,president ,young and ,council1 with a company of pioneers1 were then encamped on the ,elk ,horn ,river1 twenty miles west1 ready to start for the mountains4 ,some of them1 however1 returned to ,winter ,quarters on business1 and ,i had an interview with them4 ,i then gave a relation of our ,european mission1 and delivered to them an account of our hundred and sixty-nine sovereigns in gold1 collected in ,england as tithing1 which had crossed the sea in my charge1 and was then in charge of ,elder ,taylor on the ,missouri ,river1 and might be expected soon4 ,this small sum proved a very acceptable and timely relief in aiding the ,presidency to relieve some of the distress1 and to fit out as pioneers for the mountains4 ,the ,president and ,council seemed well pleased with our mission and management4 ,they expressed an earnest wish for me to accompany them on the pioneer trip to the mountains2 but my circumstances seemed to forbid1 and they did not press the matter4 ,after a few days' rest ,i began to prepare for journeying to the mountains with my family4 ,my wagons were overhauled and put in order1 tires reset1 chains repaired1 yokes and bows arranged in order1 wagon bows made or mended1 etc41 etc4 ,this occupied most of my time till ,june4 ,early in ,june ,i loaded my goods and family into my wagons1 and1 obtaining a few more cattle1 started for the ,rocky ,mountains2 or rather for the ,elk ,horn ,river1 where we expected to form a rendezvous1 and establish a ferry and wait the arrival of others1 and the organization of companies for the purpose of mutual safety in travelling4 ,arriving at ,elk ,horn ,river with a small company1 we made a ferry of a raft of dry cotton-wood timber1 and rafted over our own company of about fifty wagons4 ,we then organized for herding and grazing purposes1 continued to aid others in crossing and organizing until five hundred and sixty-six wagons were finally crossed and organized ready for a march4 ,in the final organization of this vast company ,father ,isaac ,morley and ,bishop ,whitney assisted1 or rather took the oversight--being a committee appointed for that purpose by the ,presidency before they left4 ,as ,brother ,taylor and myself were present1 we were appointed and invited to take a general superintendency of this emigration4 ,the organization consisted of companies of tens1 fifties and hundreds1 with a captain over each1 and the whole presided over by a president and two counselors1 a marshal1 etc4 ,president ,john ,young was called to preside--having been nominated by the ,presidency before their departure4 ,john ,van ,cott was appointed marshal4 ,this organized1 this large company moved on up the ,platte about the ,fourth of ,july4 ,there were some difficulties and jealousies during the first few days1 on account of some misunderstanding and insubordination in the order of travel4 ,this at length became so far developed that it was found necessary to call a general halt on the ,platte ,river1 and hold a council of the principal officers1 in which things were amicably adjusted and the camp moved on4 ,arriving at the ,loupe ,fork of ,platte ,river1 we continued up it quite a distance above the trail the pioneers had made1 as we could not ford the river in their track4 ,we at length found a ford1 and with some difficulty on account of quicksands1 forded the river and made our way over to the ,main ,platte1 re-entering the pioneer trail4 ,as we passed up the ,platte on this trail the companies in front had frequently to halt and build bridges1 etc4 ,on one occasion ,peregrine ,sessions1 who was captain of our company of fifty1 and myself found two horses which had probably strayed from some former travellers1 and which1 after several unsuccessful attempts by different parties1 ,brother ,taylor succeeded in driving into camp1 he and ,i captured them4 ,we were at the time ahead of the company1 following up a stream to try and find a ford4 ,this was a very timely providence to me1 as ,i had lost all my horses the previous winter1 and was now pioneering for the company without any horse1 and on foot4 ,after journeying for several hundred miles up the ,platte1 we at length met two messengers from the pioneers under ,president ,young1 from ,salt ,lake ,valley4 ,these were ,p4 ,rockwell and ,e4 ,t4 ,benson2 who had been sent out to try to find us and report our progress and circumstances4 ,having visited all the camps1 they returned to the valley1 or rather to where they met the ,president and pioneers1 on their way back to ,winter ,quarters on the ,missouri4 ,i accompanied them back nearly one day's ride on the way1 and then bid them ,god speed1 and returned to my own camp4 ,soon after this our fifty met the ,president and company of pioneers and camped with them one day4 ,a council was called1 in which ,i was highly censured and chastened by ,president ,young and others4 ,this arose in part from some defect in the organization under my superintendence at the ,elk ,horn1 and in part from other misunderstandings on the road4 ,i was charged with neglecting to observe the order of organization entered into under the superintendence of the ,president before he left the camps at ,winter ,quarters2 and of variously interfering with previous arrangements4 ,in short1 ,i was severely reproved and chastened4 ,i no doubt deserved this chastisement2 and ,i humbled myself1 acknowledged my faults and errors1 and asked forgiveness4 ,i was frankly forgiven1 and1 bidding each other farewell1 each company passed on their way4 ,this school of experience made me more humble and careful in future1 and ,i think it was the means of making me a wiser and better man ever after4 ,after bidding farewell to the ,president and pioneers1 and to my own brother1 ,orson ,pratt1 who was one of them1 we continued our journey2 and after many toils1 vexations and trials1 such as breaking wagons1 losing cattle1 upsetting1 etc41 we arrived in the ,valley of ,great ,salt ,lake late in ,september1 #ahdg4 ,here we found a fort commenced and partly built by the pioneers1 consisting of an enclosure of a block of ten acres with a wall1 or in part of buildings of adobes or logs4 ,we also found a city laid out and a public square dedicated for a ,temple of ,god4 ,we found also much ground planted in late crops1 which1 however1 did not mature1 being planted late in ,july2 although there were obtained for seed a few small potatoes1 from the size of a pea upward to that of half an inch in diameter4 ,these being sound and planted another year produced some very fine potatoes1 and1 finally1 contributed mainly in seeding the territory with that almost indispensable article of food4 ,after we had arrived on the ground of ,great ,salt ,lake ,city we pitched our tents by the side of a spring of water2 and1 after resting a little1 ,i devoted my time chiefly to building temporary houses1 putting in crops1 and obtaining fuel from the mountains4 ,having repented of our sins and renewed our covenants1 ,president ,john ,taylor and myself administered the ordinances of baptism1 etc41 to each other and to our families1 according to the example set by the ,president and pioneers who had done the same on entering the valley4 ,these solemnities took place with us and most of our families1 ,november #bh1 #ahdg4 ,some time in ,december1 having finished sowing wheat and rye1 ,i started1 in company with a ,brother ,higby and others1 for ,utah ,lake with a boat and fish net4 ,we travelled some thirty miles with our boat1 etc41 on an ox wagon1 while some of us rode on horseback4 ,the distance brought us to the foot of ,utah ,lake1 a beautiful sheet of fresh water1 some thirty-six miles long by fifteen broad4 ,here we launched our boat and tried our net1 being probably the first boat and net ever used on this sheet of water in modern times4 ,we sailed up and down the lake shore on its western side for many miles1 but had only poor success in fishing4 ,we1 however1 caught a few samples of mountain trout and other fish4 ,after exploring the lake and valley for a day or two the company returned home1 and a ,brother ,summers and myself struck westward from the foot of the lake on horseback1 on an exploring tour4 ,on this tour we discovered and partly explored ,cedar ,valley1 and there crossed over the west mountain range and discovered a valley beyond2 passing through which we crossed a range of hills northward1 and entered ,tooele ,valley4 ,passing still northward1 we camped one night on a bold mountain stream1 and the next day we came to the southern extreme of ,great ,salt ,lake1 and passing round between it and the west mountain we journeyed in an eastern course1 and1 crossing the ,jordan1 arrived in ,salt ,lake ,city--having devoted nearly one week to fishing1 hunting and exploring expedition4 ,during all this time we had fine weather and warm days2 but the night we arrived home was a cold one1 with a severe snow storm4 ,and thus closed the year #ahdg4 ,,chapter ,,xlvi4 ------------------------ ,spring of #ahdh3--,scarcity of ,provisions3--,harvest ,feast3--,arrival of ,president ,young and ,company3--,gold ,fever3-- ,explore ,southern ,utah4 ,january #ast1 #ahdh4 ,the opening of the year found us and the community generally in good1 comfortable1 temporary log or adobe cabins1 which were built in a way to enclose the square commenced by the pioneers1 and a portion of two other blocks of the city plot4 ,here life was as sweet and the holidays as merry as in the ,christian palaces and mansions of those who had driven us to the mountains4 ,in ,february we again commenced to plough for spring crops1 while ,i had the happiness to behold the tender blade of my wheat and rye clothing a few acres with a beautiful green1 pleasingly contrasted with the gray1 wild1 wormwood and other traits of our dreary solitude2 while similar pleasing sights stretched away in the distance1 marking the bounds of agriculture as possessed by my neighbors4 ,march #beth--,my oldest son ,parley celebrated his birthday with a family party--being then eleven years of age4 ,after dinner1 in presence of the assembled family1 ,i related the circumstances of his being a promised child1 with an account of his birth1 his history1 and the death of his mother4 ,i reminded him that he was my first born--my heir1 both to estate and priesthood4 ,i exhorted him to prepare to walk in my footsteps1 and to do good and serve ,god and his fellow men by a well ordered life1 and by laying hold of knowledge and a good education4 ,i rehearsed to him my own sufferings1 and the sufferings of my family1 and of the ,church while in the ,states--telling him of the murder of our prophets and ,saints1 and how we had been driven to the mountains1 robbed and plundered of a very large amount of property and possessions4 ,the day was spent most pleasantly and profitably by all4 ,i continued my farming operations1 and also attended to my ministry in the ,church4 ,devoting my ,sabbaths and leisure hours to comforting and encouraging the ,saints1 and urging them to faith and persevering industry in trying to produce a first harvest in a desert one thousand miles from the nearest place which had matured a crop in modern times4 ,we had to struggle against great difficulties in trying to mature a first crop4 ,we had not only the difficulties and inexperience incidental to an unknown and untried climate1 but also swarms of insects equal to the locusts of ,egypt1 and also a terrible drought1 while we were entirely inexperienced in the art of irrigation2 still we struggled on1 trusting in ,god4 ,during this spring and summer my family and myself1 in common with many of the camp1 suffered much for want of food4 ,this was the more severe on me and my family because we had lost nearly all our cows1 and the few which were spared to us were dry1 and1 therefore1 we had no milk to help out our provisions4 ,i had ploughed and subdued land to the amount of near forty acres1 and had cultivated the same in grain and vegetables4 ,in this labor every woman and child in my family1 so far as they were of sufficient age and strength1 had joined to help me1 and had toiled incessantly in the field1 suffering every hardship which human nature could well endure4 ,myself and some of them were compelled to go with bare feet for several months1 reserving our ,indian moccasins for extra occasions4 ,we toiled hard and lived on a few greens and on thistle and other roots4 ,we had sometimes a little flour and some cheese1 and sometimes we were able to procure from our neighbors a little sour skimmed milk or buttermilk4 ,in this way we lived and raised our first crop in these valleys4 ,and how great was our joy in partaking of the first fruits of our industry4 ,on the #ajth of ,august we held a public feast under a bowery in the center of our fort4 ,this was called a harvest feast2 we partook freely of a rich variety of bread1 beef1 butter1 cheese1 cakes1 pastry1 green corn1 melons1 and almost every variety of vegetable4 ,large sheaves of wheat1 rye1 barley1 oats and other productions were hoisted on poles for public exhibition1 and there was prayer and thanksgiving1 congratulations1 songs1 speeches1 music1 dancing1 smiling faces and merry hearts4 ,in short1 it was a great day with the people of these valleys1 and long to be remembered by those who had suffered and waited anxiously for the results of a first effort to redeem the interior deserts of ,america1 and to make her hitherto unknown solitudes blossom as the rose4 ,during this autumn our little colony was reinforced by the arrival of ,president ,young and family1 accompanied with large trains of emigrants1 amounting in all to several thousands4 ,under his wise counsels city lots were given out1 and people began to build on them and vacate the forts4 ,i obtained some lots south of the ,temple square1 and built a temporary adobe house1 where ,i soon removed with most of my family4 ,here1 in our new habitation1 we spent the remainder of the year4 ,january #ast1 #ahdi--,our city now began to take form and shape1 and to be dotted here and there with neat little cottages1 or small temporary buildings1 composed of adobes or logs4 ,the roofs were generally of poles or timbers covered with earth4 ,saw mills were now in operation1 and a few boards were obtained for floors1 doors1 etc4 ,our happy new year passed off merrily1 and we were probably as happy a people as could be found on the earth4 ,february #abth--,i met in council with the ,first ,presidency and members of the ,twelve1 in which certain vacancies in our quorum were filled4 ,we were then instructed to assist in reorganizing the different quorums here1 and in establishing righteousness4 ,we accordingly met with the ,presidency almost daily1 and proceeded to organize and ordain the ,presidency of the ,high ,priests quorum1 the ,presidency of the ,stake at ,salt ,lake ,city1 with its ,high ,council1 and to divide the city and county into wards and ordain a bishop over each4 ,in these and similar duties1 and in meeting with my quorum and teaching and preaching in the several branches of the ,church my time was chiefly spent until spring4 ,march #aeth--was appointed by a ,general ,convention as one of a committee of ten to draft a constitution for the ,provisional ,state of ,deseret4 ,march #ahth--,the committee reported1 and the ,convention unanimously adopted the constitution4 ,i devoted the fore part of the summer to farming2 but1 my crop failing1 ,i commenced in ,july to work a road up the rugged canyon of ,big ,canyon ,creek4 ,i had the previous year explored the canyon for that purpose1 and also a beautiful park199 and passes from ,salt ,lake ,city to ,weber ,river eastward1 in a more southern and less rugged route than the pioneer entrance to the valley4 ,emigrants now came pouring in from the ,states on their way to ,california to seek gold4 ,money and gold dust was plenty1 and merchandise of almost every description came pouring into our city in great plenty4 ,footnote 99,since called ,parley's ,park4 ,i soon so far completed my road as to be able to obtain a large amount of fuel and timber4 ,in ,november ,i ceased operations in the canyon and broke up my mountain camp and returned to the city4 ,i now received a commission from the ,governor and ,legislative ,assembly of the ,state of ,deseret to raise fifty men1 with the necessary teams and outfit1 and go at their head on an exploring tour to the southward4 ,this company was soon raised1 armed1 equipped1 and ready for a march into the dreary and almost unknown regions of ,southern ,utah4 ,i will here give the list of names composing the company1 and also a short summary of the report that ,i gave in to the ,legislative ,assembly on our return4 ,,parley ,p4 ,,pratt1 ,president4 ,w4 ,w4 ,,phelps1 ,d4 ,,fulmer1 ,counselors2 ,,robert ,l4 ,,campbell1 ,clerk4 ,february #gth1 #ahej3 ,,first ,,ten3 ,isaac ,c4 ,haight1 ,captain4 ,parley ,p4 ,pratt1 ,william ,wadsworth1 ,rufus ,allen1 ,chauncey ,west1 ,dan4 ,jones1 ,hial ,k4 ,gay1 ,george ,b4 ,mabson1 ,samuel ,gould1 ,wm4 ,p4 ,vance4 ,,second ,,ten3 ,joseph ,matthews1 ,captain4 ,john ,brown1 ,nathan ,tanner1 ,sterling ,g4 ,driggs1 ,homer ,duncan1 ,wm4 ,matthews1 ,schuyler ,jennings1 ,john ,h4 ,bankhead1 ,john ,d4 ,holiday1 ,robert ,m4 ,smith4 ,,third ,,ten3 ,joseph ,horn1 ,captain4 ,wm4 ,brown1 ,george ,nebiker1 ,benjamin ,f4 ,stewart1 ,alexander ,wright1 ,james ,farrer1 ,henry ,heath1 ,seth ,b4 ,tanner1 ,alexander ,lemon1 ,david ,fulmer4 ,,fourth ,,ten3 ,ephraim ,green1 ,captain4 ,wm4 ,w4 ,phelps1 ,charles ,hopkins1 ,sidney ,willis1 ,andrew ,blodgett1 ,wm4 ,henry1 ,peter ,dustin1 ,thomas ,ricks1 ,robert ,campbell1 ,isaac ,h4 ,brown4 ,,fifth ,,ten3 ,josiah ,arnold1 ,captain1 ,jonathan ,packer1 ,christopher ,williams1 ,stephen ,taylor1 ,isaac ,b4 ,hatch1 ,john ,c4 ,armstrong1 ,dimick ,b4 ,huntington4 ,our company had #ab wagons2 #a carriage2 #bd yokes of cattle2 #g beeves2 number of horses and mules1 #ch4 ,average in flour1 #aej lbs4 to each man2 besides crackers1 bread and meal4 ,one brass field piece2 firearms2 ammunition in proportion4 ,at ,captain ,john ,brown's1 on ,cotton ,wood1 #bc;d of ,november1 #ahdi1 at #b ,p4,m41 a meeting of the company for exploring the south was convened4 ,called to order by ,p4 ,p4 ,pratt1 who gave instructions relative to the necessity of peace1 order and good feelings being preserved during this expedition4 ,supported in this by ,w4 ,w4 ,phelps and ,david ,fulmer4 ,voted1 ,that ,parley ,p4 ,pratt be ,president of the company4 ,that ,w4 ,w4 ,phelps and ,david ,fulmer be his ,counselors2 carried unanimously4 ,voted1 ,that ,john ,brown be ,captain of ,fifty2 carried unanimously4 ,voted1 ,that ,w4 ,w4 ,phelps act as ,topographical ,engineer2 carried unanimously4 ,voted1 ,that ,ephraim ,green be ,chief ,gunner2 carried unanimously4 ,during our exploring expedition we encountered severe weather1 deep snows1 and many hardships and toils incident to such an undertaking4 ,we explored the best portions of the country south from ,great ,salt ,lake ,city to the mouth of ,santa ,clara1 on the ,rio ,virgin1 which is a principal branch of the ,rio ,colorado4 ,our distance in going and returning was 7counting the direct traveled route as afterward opened71 between seven or eight hundred miles4 ,in much of this distance we made the first track2 and even the portion which had before been penetrated by wagons was so completely snowed under that we seldom found the trail4 ,it was during these toils1 and perils1 and amid the snows of these regions1 that ,i composed the song1 beginning1 ,o1 come1 come away1 from northern blasts retiring1 which became a favorite with the singers in camp1 and seemed to beguile the tedious winter evenings around our camp fires4 ,i here give a few extracts from my journal while on our return trip3 ,january #bast--,having been on our homeward journey for some twenty days1 and it snowing severely1 we remained in camp4 ,this day ,i was taken very sick of a bilious attack1 and was confined to my bed4 ,we held a council1 and finding that our provisions would only sustain half of our company till spring1 and traveling with the wagons was impossible1 we decided upon leaving half the company to winter there with the wagons and cattle1 and the other half1 with some of the strongest mules and horses1 should attempt to reach ,provo--the southern frontier--distance upwards of one hundred miles4 ,the company that remained were mostly young men without families4 ,my counselor1 ,david ,fulmer1 being placed in command4 ,it was in a country of shrub cedars1 which would afford some shelter for the animals1 and richly clothed in bunch grass1 and some portions of the hill sides where the snow had blown off being nearly bare1 the cattle could live4 ,january #bb;d--,in the morning ,i was still sick1 but about noon bid farewell to those who stayed1 mounted a mule1 and1 with upwards of twenty men and animals1 we commenced our wallowing in the snow4 ,we made about nine miles1 and camped in a cedar thicket4 ,being unable longer to sit on my mule1 or stand on my feet1 the snow was shoveled away1 some blankets spread1 and ,i lay down4 ,i had not eaten one mouthful for a day or two1 but vomited many times very severely4 ,wednesday1 #bc;d--,i was better1 and we again started1 the snow being from three to four feet deep on a level4 ,the men went ahead on foot1 the entire company1 men and animals1 making but one track4 ,the person breaking the track would tire out in a few moments1 and1 giving place to another1 would fall into the rear4 ,this day we made nine or ten miles1 and camped in a mountain pass1 thirteen miles south of the ,sevier ,river4 ,thursday1 #bdth--,it was long after night when we wallowed into camp1 waist deep in snow2 and1 shoveling away the snow1 we made fires1 spread our blankets1 and sank down to rest1 being entirely exhausted--our animals either tied to cedar bushes without food1 or wallowing up the hills in search of bare spots of bunch grass4 ,friday1 #beth--,we were obliged to leave several of our animals which gave out4 ,we passed through ,round ,valley1 made about ten miles1 camped on the heights1 some four miles south of the ,sevier4 ,it was still snowing2 our animals found some bunch grass on the hill sides4 ,saturday1 #bfth--,in the morning we found ourselves so completely buried in snow that no one could distinguish the place where we lay4 ,some one rising1 began shoveling the others out4 ,this being found too tedious a business1 ,i raised my voice like a trumpet1 and commanded them to arise2 when all at once there was a shaking among the snow piles1 the graves were opened1 and all came forth6 ,we called this ,resurrection ,camp4 ,passing on1 we forded the ,sevier1 and camped on the heights1 six or seven miles north of the same1 the snow this day being much less4 ,sunday1 #bgth--,our provisions being nearly exhausted1 ,chauncey ,west and myself volunteered to take some of the strongest animals and try to penetrate to ,provo1 which was still some fifty miles distant1 in order to send back provisions to the remainder1 who were to follow slowly4 ,we started at daylight1 breaking the way on foot1 and leading the mules in our track1 and sometimes riding them4 ,traveled all day1 averaging about knee deep in snow4 ,camped at eleven at night on ,summit ,creek1 extremely hungry and feet badly frozen4 ,we built a small fire1 it being the coldest night we had ever experienced1 and after trying in vain to thaw out our frozen shoes1 stockings and the bottoms of our drawers and pants1 we rolled ourselves in our blankets1 and lay trembling with cold a few hours4 ,monday1 #bhth--,arose long before day2 bit a few mouthfuls off the last black frozen biscuit remaining4 ,saddled up our animals1 and1 after another laborious day1 living on a piece of biscuit not so large as our fist1 we entered ,provo at dark2 raised a posse of men and animals1 with provisions1 and sent back same night4 ,these picked up one of our men1 whose name was ,taylor1 who had wandered off ahead of the rest1 and had reached within some eight miles of ,provo4 ,they found him sunk down in the snow1 in a helpless condition1 his horse standing by him1 and both nearly frozen to death4 ,he lived1 but in a measure lost the use of his limbs4 ,this relief company met those we had left behind somewhere in the southern end of ,utah ,valley1 some twenty miles from ,provo4 ,they were entirely out of food and very faint and weary4 ,they were plentifully supplied and safely conducted to the settlement4 ,i rested a day or two in ,provo and then started again for home4 ,after riding thirty-six miles on a mule1 ,i took supper with a friend in ,cottonwood1 and1 leaving the mule1 started at sundown and walked the other ten miles which brought me once more to my home4 ,this was about the first of ,february1 #ahej4 ,the company we had left with the wagons and oxen wintered themselves and cattle very well1 and finally arrived home in safety in ,march following4 ,after my return from my southern exploring expedition ,i re-entered the ,legislature and continued my duties as a member of that body until its annual adjournment4 ,some time in this month ,i again commenced work on my road in ,big ,canyon ,creek1 and in getting out timber and wood from the same4 ,i continued this operation during the remainder of the season--obtaining much building and fencing timber and a large quantity of poles4 ,in ,july ,i had so far completed the road as to open it for the ,california emigration4 ,the amount of toll taken this first season was about one thousand five hundred dollars4 ,the following winter1 being re-elected to the ,legislative ,assembly of the ,state of ,deseret1 ,i devoted much of the time in the duties thereof4 ,i also continued in the duties of my ,priesthood4 ,and1 lest any time should run to waste1 ,i filled up the interstices not otherwise occupied1 in the study of the ,spanish language4 ,during this winter ,i was called by the ,first ,presidency and set apart to take charge of a ,general ,mission to the ,pacific4 ,i composed a song1 which was sung before the congregation in the ,tabernacle1 on the occasion of our departure on this mission1 commencing ,holy1 happy1 pure and free1 etc4 ,i now close this chapter of my history by saying that my life up to this date has been an eventful one1 somewhat hurried and laborious2 and1 if variety is the spice of life1 ,i think it may truly be called a spicy one--which circumstance will account for the imperfect sketch ,i have written of it4 ,,chapter ,,xlvii4 ------------------------ ,start on my ,pacific ,mission3--,sketch of the ,journey3-- ,attacked by ,indians3--,crossing the ,desert3--,arrival at ,los ,angelos4 ,march #afth1 #ahea4 ,i left ,great ,salt ,lake ,city for the ,pacific1 on a mission to its islands and coasts1 being commissioned and set apart for that work by the ,first ,presidency of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-,jay ,saints4 ,passing through various settlements1 and visiting the brethren1 ,i arrived at ,fort ,utah1 and assisted the ,presidency to organize a stake of ,zion1 with its ,high ,council and other officers1 and to ordain and set them apart4 ,friday1 #bast--,i took leave of my friends and pursued my journey on horseback1 twenty-eight miles to ,peteetneet1 where ,i overtook my teams1 and spent ,saturday in organizing the company with which we journeyed4 ,their outfit consisted of about one hundred and fifty wagons4 ,most of the company were emigrating with ,c4 ,c4 ,rich and ,a4 ,lyman to ,southern ,california4 ,my own party of missionaries consisted of the following elders1 viz43 ,john ,murdock1 ,rufus ,allen1 ,wm4 ,perkins1 ,s4 ,woodbury1 ,f4 ,h4 ,hammond1 ,p4 ,b4 ,wood1 ,mr4 ,hopkins and ,morris ,miner4 ,mr4 ,perkins1 ,mr4 ,woodbury1 ,mr4 ,hammond and ,mr4 ,hopkins were accompanied by a wife each1 as well as myself4 ,monday1 #bdth--,we commenced our journey from ,peteetneet organized in companies of tens1 fifties and one hundred--fifty journeying together4 ,our fifty1 commanded by ,captain ,seely1 traveled six miles to ,summit ,creek4 ,tuesday1 #beth--,i took a walk in the morning about three miles and ascended a beautiful height1 which afforded a fair view 7with a telescope7 of the head of ,utah ,lake and the valley of ,salt ,creek1 which enters the lake through an extensive meadow at the head of the lake1 forming at its junction a beautiful harbor and a convenient beach of sand4 ,the depth of water not known1 but its deep blue color intimated sufficient depth for small crafts4 ,about two miles west of an encampment on ,summit ,creek ,i discovered a beautiful and inexhaustible stone quarry of blue lime1 which1 both for building and lime1 will be very useful and convenient to the settlement which will soon grow up on that beautiful site4 ,returning to camp1 we journeyed eleven miles to ,willow ,creek the country being rich in grass1 and watered by ,salt ,creek1 a stream of one and a half rods wide1 and several large springs running north into ,utah ,lake4 ,friday1 #bhth--,i ascended a ridge of mountains1 and obtained a view of an extensive country to the west1 composed of desert plains1 hills1 and confused fragments of broken mountain chains1 without fertility or anything to redeem or enliven this landscape except the windings of the ,sevier ,river and narrow1 grassy bottoms4 ,and even this scene soon loses itself amid the black and barren hills of the dreary waste4 ,this day we passed through about ten miles of waste country1 with some grassy spots and cedar groves1 and encamped on the ,sevier ,river4 ,saturday1 #bith--,we passed the ford1 three feet deep and one hundred and fifty feet wide--a smooth and sluggish current--and encamped on its southern bank4 ,the weather bad1 with squalls of snow and cold winds4 ,the hills afford some scattered bunch grass1 which is very good4 ,monday1 #cast--,we traveled thirteen miles through a pass where the hills were very rich in grass and fuel1 and full of fine stone quarries4 ,this pass was five miles from the river4 ,thence through a valley rich in grass and soil1 beautiful and extensive1 and abundantly supplied with fuel on its borders1 but destitute of living streams1 although the melting snows of its bordering mountains supply some streams which run a short distance at certain seasons of the year1 and then sink4 ,april #ast--,camp divided for convenience of travel1 and ,general ,rich and myself1 with twenty-three wagons1 traveled thirteen and encamped at a beautiful spring brook1 among grassy hills1 interspersed with cedar1 like an orchard4 ,our road to-day led through a pass in the mountains by a gradual assent for about three miles1 and then down very gradually for ten miles among hills1 plains and little vales1 more rich in bunch grass and cedar fuel1 and more varied and beautiful than any other country ,i ever beheld4 ,every high hill1 every dell1 every vale or nook seemed richly coated with a living green of rich grass1 and set about with cedars from twelve to twenty-five feet high1 like an old orchard4 ,its northern bounds1 limited by a rocky and barren range of high mountains through which we had passed4 ,its eastern limit was a snowy and timbered range1 which divides between the valley where we were and the ,sevier ,river1 which heads in the south1 near the rim of the ,great ,basin1 in a beautiful salmon trout lake1 surrounded with lofty pines and cedars1 and runs in a northerly direction1 till it sweeps round to the west and southwest1 and forms a lake which is in view from our camp1 and appears like a silver mirror at some thirty or forty miles distance4 ,i arose in the morning1 and with my large telescope viewed from an eminence the vast country before me4 ,on the east the high mountain chains at several miles distance appears snowy and timbered1 and pierced with gorges accessible for roads to be made to the timber2 and giving rise to several streams which meander though this vast valley on our south and west1 and enter the lakes or sinks in their own rich alluvials4 ,to our southwest and northwest the view is almost boundless2 consistent of a vast valley interspersed with fertile meadows1 desert spots1 known by their darker hues2 lakes1 rivulets1 distinguished by the yellow meadow grasses and red willow streaks2 and hills here and there dotted with cedars1 and the whole bounded1 in the vast and dim distance1 by dark mountains not very high4 ,beyond which1 at the distance of perhaps a hundred miles1 appear other and more lofty peaks white with snow1 and looking up like distant white clouds on the horizon4 ,here are resources for farming1 stock raising1 fuel1 etc41 in sight of present encampment1 probably more than sufficient to sustain the present population of ,rhode ,island2 and yet1 not a domestic animal1 except those of the passing traveller1 or a human being1 save the occasional savage in his wanderings1 occupies any portion of this wide domain4 ,crossing several streams in the same large valley1 all bordered by lands1 we at length left the valley and journeyed two miles over a hilly country1 well supplied with cedar and shrub pines for fuel1 and bunch grass for feed1 but not well watered4 ,thence a few miles over a worthless country to the ,beaver ,river4 ,this is a large stream1 swift and clear1 running in several branches through a large and fertile bottom2 the soil of which appears rich1 but highly impregnated with saleratus1 and the table lands1 which surround it1 barren or nearly destitute of pasturage4 ,however1 ,i think the place worthy of settlement1 and1 probably1 containing eight or ten thousand acres of land which may be watered and cultivated4 ,leaving this place1 we passed another long stretch of upland1 destitute of all resources1 except grass and fuel1 which were abundant in places4 ,we were at length met by ,g4 ,a4 ,smith and others1 from ,little ,salt ,lake settlement2 and accompanied by them1 we all arrived on ,red ,creek1 in the same valley4 ,here the camp found water and grass to refresh themselves after so wearisome a journey4 ,april #ajth4--,same evening ,i arrived in the fort1 accompanied by the citizens1 who came out to meet us4 ,i found the inhabitants all well1 and the settlement in a truly flourishing condition4 ,hundreds of acres of grain had been sown1 gardens planted1 etc41 and the farming land nearly enclosed2 together with a most substantial saw mill1 and many houses of wood and of sun dried brick1 built and in progress4 ,building materials consisting of timber of the finest quality1 viz43 pine1 fir and cedar1 together with good building stone and brick1 were scattered in profusion in every direction4 ,water ditches were flowing for mills and irrigation purposes in many directions4 ,mechanics' shops were in operation2 such as joiners1 carpenters millwrights1 coopers1 blacksmiths1 shoemakers1 etc4 ,all this was the work of two or three months1 in winter and early spring2 not to mention a large enclosure of pickets in the center of the fort--a council house of hewn timber1 and a bastion of the same material4 ,the number of men composing the settlement and performing all this work1 did not exceed one hundred and twenty all told including old men1 boys and ,indian servants1 just being tamed and initiated into the first rudiments of industry4 ,all the camps moved from ,red ,creek and encamped near the fort1 where we tarried a few days4 ,april #abth4--,celebrated my birthday by a feast jointly provided by us and ,g4 ,a4 ,smith1 at his house4 ,ten or twelve persons sat down to a sumptuous repast4 ,april #adth4--,we removed to ,summit ,creek--distance seven miles4 ,here we tarried one week1 in course of which the rear camp1 headed by ,amasa ,lyman1 arrived in good condition4 ,sunday1 #bjth4--,all met in a general assembly1 to worship ,god and to edify one another2 being joined by the people from the fort1 we had a good time4 ,the ,spirit was poured out upon us4 ,g4 ,a4 ,smith and others spake with power in the ,spirit and testimony of ,jesus2 rebuking iniquity1 worldly mindedness1 unbelief1 profanity1 and all manner of iniquity1 and exhorting the people to obey the servants of the ,lord in all righteousness4 ,as the meeting was about to close ,p4 ,b4 ,lewis1 who lived in this settlement1 was set apart by prayer1 prophecy and the laying on of hands of the four ,apostles present1 as one of the ,pacific missionaries4 ,he had already moved into camp with his wife and teams1 etc41 to accompany us4 ,we travelled eight miles to a stream called ,coal ,creek4 ,encamped and built a bridge across the deep and narrow channel1 about four feet wide1 and tarried here next day for the remainder of our company1 some of whom had failed to obtain their animals the day before4 ,this encampment was about ten miles below the crossing of the same stream on the old road4 ,i had1 however1 looked out a new route1 which would save some eight or ten miles4 ,this stream forms a rich meadow bottom1 of about fifteen miles long and two broad4 ,abundance of cedar fuel and rich pasturage is found on the table lands which border this bottom2 and iron ore abounds a few miles to the southwest1 not to mention a large cottonwood grove in the upper part of the meadow1 and a canyon opening into the mountains1 from which the stream issues4 ,taken all together1 this place combines materials for a large settlement4 ,wednesday1 #bc;d1 we travelled twenty miles without water1 over hills and plains1 and among forests of cedar1 and encamped after dark at a spring1 having regained the old road a few miles before encamping4 ,while the cattle were feeding ,i ascended an eminence1 and1 with my telescope1 viewed the largest valley ,i had ever seen in the great basin4 ,it might have been seventy miles from south to north1 and thirty miles from east to west4 ,some signs of water and rich and fertile spots appeared in the dim distance2 but1 generally speaking1 it was a cheerless monotony1 without water1 and clothed in the leaden hue of the desert4 ,we travelled several miles over a fine table land1 on east of said valley1 which still stretched away some thirty miles to the west1 and was finally bounded by a low range of mountains on its south and west1 and these again were backed by a still higher range and white with snow4 ,their lofty peaks1 at fifty or sixty miles distance1 peeping up from behind the nearer hills like distant clouds on the far off horizon4 ,after passing a few miles of very hilly road we came down upon a small stream1 which heads in numerous spring meadows near the rim of the basin1 on the divide between it and the ,colorado4 ,here we camped to rest on ,saturday and ,sunday4 ,this little mountain paradise was1 by the present road1 three hundred and eleven miles from the ,great ,salt ,lake ,city1 and was altogether the most beautiful place in all the route4 ,some thousand or fifteen hundred acres of bottom1 or meadow lands1 were spread out before us like a green carpet richly clothed with a variety of grasses1 and possessing a soil both black1 rich and quick--being a mixture of sand1 gravel and clayey loam1 and the decayed visitations of ages4 ,it was everywhere moistened with springs1 and would produce potatoes1 vegetables and the smaller grains in abundance without watering4 ,the surrounding hills were not abrupt1 but rounded off1 presenting a variety of beauteous landscapes1 and everywhere richly clothed with the choicest kind of bunch grass1 and bordered in their higher eminences with cedar and nut pine sufficient for fuel4 ,afar off1 behind the hills in the east1 could be seen from the eminence high1 snowy mountains1 black in places with tall timber1 plainly distinguishable with the telescope1 probably from ten to twenty miles distance4 ,may #acth--,we encamped at a large spring1 usually called the ,vegas--having travelled nearly two hundred miles since the foregoing was written4 ,the country through which we have passed is a worthless desert1 consisting of mountains of naked rock and barren plains1 with the exception of here and there a small stream1 with feed sufficient for our cattle4 ,the longest distance without water is about fifty miles1 which we passed on ,saturday and ,sunday last1 and arrived here safe and without much suffering4 ,we have as yet lost no cattle through hunger1 thirst1 or fatigue4 ,two cows were stolen from us by the ,indians on the ,rio ,virgin4 ,the place where we now are is about two hundred and fifty miles from the coast settlements on the ,pacific4 ,it is well watered1 abundance of grass1 and would admit of a small settlement--say one or two hundred families--has a good soil1 good water and fuel1 but no building timber4 ,the same remarks would apply to the last stream1 fifty-three miles from this1 called the ,muddy4 ,the ,indians already raise wheat and corn there4 ,wednesday1 #bast--,we encamped at a place called ,resting ,springs1 where we arrived on the #aith after dark4 ,this is a fine place for rest and recruiting animals being a meadow of rich grass and sufficiently extensive to sustain thousands of cattle4 ,the water is sufficient for all travelling purposes1 although the stream is small4 ,since leaving the ,vegas we have travelled seventy-five miles through a most horrible desert1 consisting of mountain ridges and plains of naked rock1 or sand and gravel1 and sometimes clay1 destitute of soil or fertility1 except a few small springs and patches of grass4 ,the weather1 contrary to our expectations1 has been universally cool since we left the ,muddy2 thick vests1 and sometimes coats1 have been worn in the noon of a sunny day1 and the sun has been sought rather than the shade4 ,the nights have all been cool1 and some of them as cold in the middle or latter part of ,may as the nights usually are in ,march and ,april in ,great ,salt ,lake ,city4 ,twenty miles from the ,vegas1 our camp was assailed in the evening1 ten o'clock by a shower of arrows from the savage mountain robbers2 some of which passed near men's heads and all fell promiscuously among men1 women1 children and cattle1 but did no injury4 ,our men mustered and returned the fire without effect4 ,afterwards1 in the same place1 a savage1 single handed1 made his way among the cattle1 in open day1 while they were under the care of armed herdsmen and shot an ox and a mule2 one was wounded in the hip1 and the other in the leg2 but they are both doing well4 ,friday1 #bc;d4--,provided with water and hay we travelled on fourteen miles4 ,road heavy1 up hill and sandy2 day hot4 ,arrived at ,salt ,spring gold mines towards evening2 water brackish2 but answered for stock and use4 ,after resting for a few hours we started on in the evening and travelled all night1 with the exception of short intervals of rest4 ,the hot day and heavy road had so harassed the cattle that we made but little progress4 ,next morning we continued to travel1 finding no grass nor water4 ,the road was up hill for ten or twelve miles1 and rough2 the day rather cool4 ,long before night our hay and water were consumed1 and the camp in a suffering condition4 ,some cattle had given out entirely2 and fifteen or twenty miles still intervened between us and water1 and without grass sufficient to feed a goat4 ,six or eight miles of the way was still up hill4 ,this was the most trying time of all4 ,at dark1 about fourteen miles from water1 our ten was behind1 and my two wagons were the rear of all2 and some of my oxen had already failed4 ,we still rolled slowly1 resting every few minutes4 ,we soon found the different portions of the camp ahead1 halted1 and lost in slumber--every man and beast1 by common consent1 sunk in profound slumber1 and probably dreaming of water and feed ahead4 ,we1 viz41 our ten1 with some exceptions1 slipped quietly past them1 and resting often and a few minutes at a time continued to roll4 ,the night was cool1 and a miraculous strength seemed to inspire the cattle4 ,at sunrise next morning we arrived at the ,bitter ,springs2 the water of which was about as palatable as a dose of salts4 ,the other camps followed us in1 and by ten o'clock all were in1 except three oxen left by the way1 and two wagons with their loads1 left twenty miles back4 ,men and animals were so exhausted that1 after digging and improving the water1 and a general watering1 it was ten hours or more before the cattle were driven to what little feed there was1 a mile or two distant4 ,i rode back ten miles and carried water and feed to two animals1 and tried in vain to drive them in4 ,in this desert we had travelled1 without much intermission1 two days and two nights2 during which we had no feed nor water1 excepting that which we carried with us1 and the ,salt ,springs1 and the ,bitter ,springs1 and a little dry feed to refresh upon after this toil women and children1 young and old1 and old men walked on foot day and night4 ,it was certainly the hardest time ,i ever saw2 but we cried unto ,god1 and in the name of ,jesus ,christ asked ,him to strengthen us and our teams1 and ,he did so in a miraculous manner1 and we were saved from the horrors of the desert4 ,wednesday1 #bhth4 ,we arrived on the ,mohave ,river in the evening1 in an exhausted condition2 having travelled thirty-one miles without water or much rest4 ,the day had been warm and some two or three cattle gave out1 and were left by the way4 ,at this camp we found plenty of water1 timber1 soil and grass4 ,those appointed to the ,pacific mission 7with the exception of ,brother ,hopkins1 who said he should not fill the mission71 now took leave of ,brother ,rich and company1 and travelled twelve miles up the ,mohave1 and encamped in a pleasant place1 with water1 feed and fuel4 ,june #ast4--,rested ,sunday4 ,at two o'clock had a prayer meeting in the shade of some trees4 ,all the members of the mission offered themselves in prayer1 acknowledging their faults and imperfections2 seeking the remission of the same2 renewing their covenants with ,god and with each other2 and giving thanks to ,him for deliverance from the perils of the desert1 and praying that ,god would graciously open the way for the further prosecution of the appointed mission4 ,all seemed renewed in spirits1 faith and union1 and felt blessed of the ,lord4 ,passing on our journey over one hundred miles we came to a fine farm1 which had wheat and other grain1 gardens1 and even bearing fruit trees1 etc4 ,we also found a member of our society by the name of ,crisman1 who1 with his family resided on the place4 ,we were kindly received1 and after resting a few days1 obtained a team1 and ,brother ,wood went to ,los ,angeles1 thirty miles1 to obtain supplies to send back4 ,we sent a load of supplies to the companies on the ,mohave ,river1 and then moved our camp to brother ,crisman's1 where we arrived at noon1 and were received with welcome2 and all rejoiced that our desert and toilsome journey was at an end4 ,having rested the last week1 every man who was with me as a fellow missionary accompanied me to the lone hills1 about one mile from camp1 where in solitude we joined in prayer with all the energy we possessed2 praying in turn1 and asking our ,father in ,heaven1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 to open our way1 to guide us in wisdom in our duties1 to give us the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 bind to supply us with means to proceed on our journey in ,his own way1 and in ,his own time4 ,we also remembered our families before the ,lord1 and all the authorities and interests of the kingdom of ,god4 ,selling some of our cattle and one wagon1 we journeyed seventeen miles and encamped on a small stream near some hills of wild oats1 which served us for feed4 ,we also pulled several bundles to fill our beds1 and to take with us to ,los ,angeles1 where we arrived in the evening of the #afth of ,june4 ,several ,americans called on us1 conversed in a friendly manner1 and seemed much interested in the ,mormon settlement about to be made4 ,more particularly as to the additional security this population would afford to the peace and order of a distracted country4 ,,chapter ,,xlviii4 ------------------------ ,los ,angelos3--,catholic ,celebration of ,corpus ,christi3--,arrival in ,san ,francisco3--,letter to ,president ,brigham ,young3--,family ,letter4 ,los ,angeles is a fertile1 well watered1 and delightful valley of vineyards and orchards1 with a fine old ,spanish town--a mixture of ,american1 ,european1 ,spanish and ,indian population--and has been cultivated for eighty years4 ,thursday1 #aith4--,i attended the ,catholic celebration of ,corpus ,christi1 and witnessed perhaps five hundred people of all ages1 sexes and colors1 the ,indian blood prevailing--three priests at their head--performing the various ceremonies4 ,the ladies in the finest dresses ,i ever beheld in any country1 consisting of silks and satins of various figures and extreme costliness2 white muslin1 cambric1 etc41 made in full dresses1 together with costly silk and satin shawls worn over the head and enclosing the shoulders1 bosom and waist1 leaving only the face in view2 while all other portions of their persons were buried beneath the rich and ample folds of costly apparel4 ,in these costly robes every female knelt or sat on the filthy floor of earth in the old church for hours6 ,no seats1 carpets1 or spreads of any kind2 while various images were exhibited in turn1 and were worshipped in humble postures1 and with low chants1 amid the discharges of cannon and crackers1 the beating of drums1 and the tinkling of bells4 ,clouds of incense rose before each image1 and perhaps one hundred candles were burning at midday4 ,all the men were also dressed in their best and knelt in a devout manner1 or stood in a reverent posture with hats off4 ,not one changed place1 or was seen to leave the church1 although the services lasted for hours1 without one seat or other convenience whereon to rest4 ,this ended1 all formed in procession and moved around the public square1 beneath the beautiful arches richly decorated1 and the walk lined on each side with green branches4 ,at proper distances were placed images amid costly decorations1 before which all fell upon their knees1 and remained for a length of time prostrated in the thick dust with all their finery1 chanting hymns1 praying and worshipping1 while crackers were discharged in profusion4 ,even all the spectators must stand in the broiling sun in the roads uncovered1 or give great offense4 ,in a few days ,brother ,wood returned from the rear camps where he and ,brother ,allen had been with provisions4 ,reported all well and prosperous4 ,brothers ,lyman and ,rich also paid us a visit1 and some others4 ,brothers ,hammond1 ,perkins1 ,wood and ,murdock with their baggage1 etc4 started for the landing at ,san ,pedro4 ,the remainder tarried to complete their sales4 ,sunday1 #bith4--,i preached in the court house in ,los ,angeles to some forty attentive persons1 mostly ,american gentlemen4 ,monday1 #cjth4--,i sold my last wagon and moved down to the ,port at ,san ,pedro4 ,found that portion of the brethren well who went down before1 and camped with them on the beach4 ,july #gth4--,we embarked on board the steamship ,ohio1 and set sail for ,san ,francisco1 at #d o'clock ,p4 ,m4 ,after four days' rather rough passage1 we arrived in ,san ,francisco on the #aath inst4 at eleven o'clock1 ,a4 ,m4 ,found some good brethren who rendered us assistance in various ways4 ,rented a house the same day1 and all moved into it together4 ,brothers ,lyman and ,rich arrived per steamer ,goliah4 ,we visited and received visits4 ,sunday1 #bjth4--,i preached at eleven ,a4 ,m4 in a large room1 a goodly number of persons out to hear1 and good attention4 ,next morning we repaired to the water and baptized eight persons1 and the same evening met at the house of ,brother ,winner and organized a branch of the ,church1 confirming the above persons4 ,i was chosen president of this branch1 and ,philo ,b4 ,wood1 clerk4 ,the remainder of the week devoted to writing and instructing inquirers who called4 ,i wrote the following letter to ,elder ,addison ,pratt1 ,society ,isles3 ,,san ,,francisco1 ,july #bf1 #ahea4 ,,dear ,,brother ,,pratt3 ,my long contemplated mission to the ,pacific has at length become a reality4 ,i am here1 having left home in ,march last4 ,eight of us are here1 and will go to the ,sandwich ,islands and elsewhere as the way opens and the ,spirit directs4 ,brother ,p4 ,b4 ,lewis and wife would have sailed for your islands with letters1 etc41 but ,brothers ,clark and ,thompkins having arrived1 we concluded to send no more laborers to that part of the vineyard at present4 ,i hold the presidency of all the islands and coasts of the ,pacific1 under the direction of the ,first ,presidency of the ,church--to open the door to every nation and tongue1 as fast as the way is prepared and the ,lord directs1 for the preaching of the gospel of salvation4 ,as president of that part of the vineyard you will preach the gospel to every people as fast as possible4 ,send men to the ,friendly ,isles1 or to any other groups where the way may be open1 and as circumstances will permit1 as you are led by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,if you need more laborers send to me at this place4 ,i am well known here1 and making some progress4 ,also make your report to me from time to time1 and ask such counsel as you may need4 ,elder ,philip ,b4 ,lewis will sail for the ,sandwich ,islands1 accompanied by his wife1 ,brother ,hammond and wife1 and ,brother ,woodbury and wife4 ,he will have the presidency of those islands4 ,it would be well if you would correspond with him4 ,the work is prospering wonderfully in ,deseret1 ,england1 ,wales1 ,scotland1 ,switzerland1 ,italy1 ,denmark1 ,sweden1 ,norway1 etc4 ,several young men are with me who will go to ,chili and ,peru in due time4 ,bishop ,murdock will also go soon to the ,english ,colonies in ,new ,zealand1 ,van ,dieman's ,land1 or ,new ,holland1 if the ,lord will4 ,our instructions to the elders abroad1 everywhere1 are to seek the ,spirit and gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 by humble prayer and faith and good works4 ,also1 to take no part in government matters1 except to uphold and obey the authorities and laws of every nation where they may labor1 and teach others to do so4 ,the laws of the country we are in will govern us in all things consistent with liberty of conscience1 freedom of speech1 etc4 ,with sentiments of love and good will ,i subscribe myself1 ,your brother in the gospel1 ,,parley ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,san ,,francisco1 ,july #bf1 #ahea4 ,to ,his ,majesty ,,king ,,kamahamaha and the ,people of the ,sandwich ,isles4 ,,greeting3 ,i beg leave to introduce to the favorable notice of your ,majesty and subjects1 and to commend to your protection1 hospitality and kind consideration the following persons1 who go out as missionaries and residents to your country3 ,elders ,p4 ,b4 ,lewis1 ,francis ,a4 ,hammond and ,stillman ,woodbury1 with their wives4 ,these persons are from ,great ,salt ,lake ,city1 ,utah ,territory1 ,u4 ,s41 and have been selected by the ,presidency of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints to fulfil a mission to the ,pacific4 ,mr4 ,hammond is a former resident and artisan of your kingdom1 and we trust is favorably known to your ,majesty and some of his fellow citizens4 ,we can confidently recommend these gentlemen as men of good character1 and men who bring good news1 peace and good will to man4 ,with sentiments of high consideration and esteem for your ,majesty and the people of your realm1 ,i have the honor to subscribe myself1 ,your humble servant and the friend of man1 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt1 ,president of the ,pacific ,mission of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,i here give a few extracts from a letter to ,president ,brigham ,young3 ,,san ,,francisco1 ,august #bh1 #ahea4 ,,president ,,young4 ,dear ,brother3 ,i am well1 or rather so as to be able to perform my daily duties1 although not in good health4 ,i arrived in this place some time in ,july1 together with those who accompanied me on the mission4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,if the ,presidency wishes to make any communication on any subject1 letters addressed to me at ,san ,francisco1 ,california1 will be forwarded to me to ,chili1 or elsewhere1 as ,i shall not leave this place without appointing an agent to receive and forward all papers and communications4 ,the ,sandwich ,islands are at peace1 and enjoy a free government4 ,we have sent to those islands three additional missionaries who sailed on the sixth day of ,august for the ,port of ,honolulu4 ,p4 ,b4 ,lewis is appointed to preside over that mission4 99 99 99 99 ,since ,i have arrived here ,i have been diligent in the duties of my calling every hour1 and have called upon ,god for ,his ,spirit to help me with all the energy ,i possessed1 and without ceasing4 ,the result is1 the ,spirit of the ,lord ,god has been upon me continually1 in such light1 and joy1 and testimony as ,i have seldom experienced4 ,brothers ,a4 ,lyman and ,c4 ,c4 ,rich have been here with me some of the time2 we have called together the old members and others1 and preached repentance and reformation of life4 ,we have re-baptized many of them1 and have re-organized the ,church4 ,several new members are being added--some of whom are young people of the old members1 and others are strangers from different countries4 ,we are upwards of fifty members in number4 ,we have preaching twice a day on ,sundays in a large theatre in the center of the city1 and prayer meetings on ,sunday and ,thursday evenings4 ,strangers give good attention4 ,the members feel well1 and are full of faith and the good ,spirit1 and the ,spirit is poured out till our hearts are full4 ,i expect to leave this country soon for ,south ,america1 unless ,i should be able to go to ,new ,york1 via the ,isthmus1 to get some books printed4 ,i am studying ,spanish with all diligence1 and will1 ,i trust1 master it in the course of a few months4 ,now1 my dear brethren of the ,presidency1 accept this manifestation of my remembrance1 good wishes and determinations1 and rest assured you are always upheld by my prayers and good wishes4 ,i want your prayers--your continued confidence1 and your good wishes and fellowship4 ,i want the ,spirit of ,god and ,his angels to be with me2 and ,i fear not earth1 nor hell1 nor men1 nor devils1 nor death4 ,i desire power to do good continually1 and to bring about the restoration of ,his people4 ,i glory in my calling4 ,i would not exchange it for any other position or calling on this earth4 ,i hope to come home by and by and see you all1 and see the preparations for the ordinances and powers of ,heaven in your midst in state of forwardness2 such as peace1 union and diligence can alone produce4 ,so farewell4 ,with my best wishes and prayers1 ,your brother and laborer in the truth1 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,during my stay in ,san ,francisco ,i wrote a proclamation of the gospel addressed to the people of the coasts and islands of the ,pacific1 which was afterwards published by ,elder ,wandell in ,australia4 ,i also commenced the book entitled ,key to ,theology 4 ,at a public meeting of the ,saints1 ,elder ,george ,k4 ,winner was unanimously chosen and set apart to preside over the ,san ,francisco branch--myself being honorably discharged from the duties of the same1 with a view of a mission to ,chili4 ,i then spoke of my duties to other parts of the ,pacific2 was honorably discharged from the presidency of the branch with a vote of thanks1 and a sum of money1 amounting in all to fourteen hundred and ten dollars1 was then and afterwards subscribed to assist me on my mission4 ,sept4 #e4--;,i sailed for ,valparaiso1 ,chili1 on board the bark ,henry ,kelsey4 ,after a tedious and disagreeable passage of sixty-four days1 arrived safe in ,valparaiso1 ,nov4 #hth1 accompanied by my wife and ,elder ,rufus ,allen1 all in tolerable health4 ,found the country in a state of civil war1 and most kinds of business at a dead stand--men's hearts failing them for fear4 ,i then finished the following letter which ,i had commenced on the sea3 ,,ship ,,henry ,,kelsey1 ,,pacific ,,ocean1 ,lat4 #bd ,n41 lon4 #aae ,w41 ,sept4 #ae1 #ahea4 ,dear ,family--,here we are on the deep1 bound for ,chili1 ,s4 ,a4--self1 ,phebe and ,r4 ,allen4 ,we sailed from ,san ,francisco on the #eth inst4 ,have had fine weather1 excepting three days1 in which we were becalmed2 and have sailed more than eleven hundred miles4 ,we are now running before the wind seven miles an hour4 ,we have all been sea sick1 and have not yet recovered in full4 ,we are the only passengers1 and have the cabin to ourselves1 except at meals4 ,we study ,spanish every day4 ,it is a beautiful language1 and wonderfully adapted to the simplicity of the ,lamanites4 ,i hope to master it during the passage and a few months' residence among the ,chileans4 ,we pay sixty dollars for passage in the cabin1 and found4 ,we expect to be two months in going4 ,well1 dear ones1 six months have passed1 and their events been recorded in the records of eternity since we parted2 all this time ,i have had not one lisp from you4 ,oh1 how lonesome6 ,just imagine the monotony4 ,sky and sea6 ,sea and sky6 ,night and day6 ,day and night6 ,infinitude of space6 ,boundless waste6 ,emblem of eternal silence6 ,eternal banishment6 ,eternal loneliness1 where the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride are not heard4 ,where the holy music of children's voices1 in joyous merriment1 falls not on the ear2 where no changing or varied landscape relieves the eye2 where no vegetation1 or leafy bower1 or sweet blooming flower cheers the senses1 where no birds tune their soft notes of praise announce the dawn1 or sound the requiem of the closing day4 ,even the fierce and ravenous beast of the desert 7which1 in his native solitude1 announces with doleful and prolonged howls the midnight hour1 or wakes the weary traveller at early dawn1 and gives the signal for another day of thirst1 and toil1 and suffering7 is lacking here4 ,on this boundless waste of waters there is seldom anything to break the monotony of eternal silence1 or1 rather1 of the roar of the waves as they break in increasing foam upon each other1 or against the vessel's side4 ,thanks for that promise1 ,there shall be no more sea4 ,thanks for the hope that all the elements of nature will one day be adapted to the enjoyment or occupation of intellectual life1 or social and sympathetic existence4 ,just imagine sundown1 twilight1 the shades of evening1 the curtains of the solitary night gathering in silent gloom and lone melancholy around a father who loves his home and its inmates2 his fireside and the family altar6 ,behold him standing leaning over the vessel's side as it glides over the waters of the lone and boundless ,pacific1 gazing for hours in succession into the bosom of its dark abyss1 or watching its white foam and sparkling spray6 ,what ate his thoughts8 ,can you divine them8 ,behold1 he prays6 ,for what does he pray8 ,for every wife1 for every child1 for every near and dear friend he has on earth1 he prays most earnestly6 most fervently6 ,he calls each by name over and over again1 before the altar of remembrance4 ,and when this is done for all on earth1 he remembers those in ,heaven2 calls their names2 communes with them in spirit2 wonders how they are doing2 whether they think of him4 ,he calls to mind their acts and sufferings in life1 their death and the grave where sleeps their precious dust4 ,this done1 he prays for ,zion1 ,jerusalem1 ,judah1 ,israel1 the ,church1 the ,holy ,priesthood1 the resurrection of the just1 the kingdom and coming of ,messiah1 the end of war1 and sin1 and death1 and wrong1 and oppression1 and sorrow1 and mourning1 and tears2 and for earth1 and ,heaven1 and ,god1 angels and men1 to be joined forever in the bonds of eternal peace1 and love and truth4 ,this done1 he commends himself1 the vessel and his all on board to ,god1 and to the guardianship of his good angel4 ,amen4 ,walks the deck a few minutes1 examines the sails1 the speed of the vessel1 the course of the wind1 and then retires to rest to dream of home4 ,october #eth4--,coast of ,peru1 ,s4 ,a41 lat4 #c deg4 #cj m4 ,s4 ,a month passed on the ocean2 much head wind1 some calms1 and more or less sickness has attended us by turns until the present4 ,we have not been able to read1 write1 or study much1 therefore the time has passed off very tediously indeed4 ,we have a miser for a captain1 who thinks more of a sixpence than he does of our lives or even of his own4 ,he will not suffer the steward to cook potatoes1 bread1 pies1 puddings or any other wholesome food1 but keeps us on hard1 mouldy bread1 full of bugs and worms1 and on salt beef and pork--the pork being rotten4 ,he has flour1 potatoes and good pork1 but will not allow it to be used2 thus you will readily perceive that we ate truly in unpleasant circumstances4 ,last evening we came near a shipwreck1 having run near the land without knowing it1 and it fell calm4 ,the ship became unmanageable1 and was drifting on to the shore1 but we cast anchor and awaited the light of morning1 when we got under weigh with much labor1 and stood again to sea4 ,,french ,,hotel1 ,valparaiso1 ,chili1 ,s4 ,a41 ,november #ith4 ,dear ,friends3 ,after a most disagreeable and tedious passage of sixty-four days we have at length arrived in port1 in tolerable health4 ,we landed yesterday at noon1 and took lodgings and board at a ,french ,hotel1 where we have a great variety of good eating1 and a front parlor to ourselves--price four dollars per day for three of us4 ,the proprietor speaks ,french1 the clerk ,french1 with a little ,english1 the landlady ,german1 the waiter ,spanish1 and ourselves ,english1 with a little ,spanish4 ,so you see we have a little ,babel of our own1 independently of ,nimrod or the great tower4 ,we find the country in the midst of revolution and civil war4 ,two persons and their adherents fighting for power and rule4 ,business is dull1 living high1 and doubt and uncertainty characterizing every transaction in the various business departments4 ,on ,sunday we attended a meeting in a very large building4 ,we saw thousands of both sexes1 and of all classes and ages1 throng the place1 bow down on their knees and worship certain images and paintings with much apparent devotion4 ,no instructions were given in any language1 no music1 no voice or sound1 except a low1 plaintive voice in the far end of the room1 not addressed to the people1 neither sufficiently loud or distinct to be understood by them4 ,the worshippers were dressed in a variety of degrees of neatness or of its opposite4 ,some of them wore very costly apparel1 and others were very neatly clad4 ,all seemed full of zeal and devotion4 ,all bowed down on their knees in silent1 solemn attitudes4 ,all their faces seemed disfigured with a painful and awe-stricken solemnity4 ,all made certain signs and motions1 while they said nothing audible1 and the impression of a strange observer would be that the image1 to which every eye was turned with long and supplicating gaze and imploring look1 had no ears to hear1 but was deeply versed in the science of physiognomy1 and also acquainted with the deaf and dumb alphabet4 ,on inquiry1 we were informed that this kind of worship prevailed throughout ,spanish ,america and various other countries1 and that it is called by the dignified name of ,christianity1 and that it is very ancient4 ,from all which circumstances ,i infer that it must have been instituted soon after the ,church of ,jesus ,christ became extinct in the ,roman world1 and1 by some unaccountable blunder1 borrowed its name from those institutions1 which it does not even resemble in the least in any one feature save the name4 ,sunday1 ,november #afth4 ,dear friends3--,during the past week we have rented a house1 purchased furniture and commenced housekeeping4 ,we devote almost our entire time to the ,spanish language4 ,our house is in the rear of a block of buildings which fronts a large and beautiful street1 called ,victoria street4 ,it opens into a large yard1 surrounded with high walls and with other buildings1 and filled with beautiful trees1 such as orange1 fig1 peach1 pear1 etc41 together with pinks and a variety of other flowers and shrubs4 ,its walks and pavements are neatly swept1 and the houses around it occupied with widows1 orphans1 etc41 of a good class of ,spanish or ,chilanoes1 and their kind and sociable young people and little children4 ,we divide our time between reading and studying our ,spanish lessons1 and chatting1 visiting1 reading ,spanish1 hearing them read1 and playing with the little ones1 etc41 all of which pleases them much1 and causes us to advance in the language with a rapidity which is almost astonishing to ourselves and to them4 ,truly ,providence has ordered our footsteps and cast our lot in pleasant circumstances1 when we were strangers in a strange land1 and among a people of a strange tongue4 ,truly ,he has opened our way to learn that tongue1 and we can learn it if we are diligent4 ,rents are high here1 provisions and fuel dear4 ,strawberries1 oranges1 lemons1 etc41 are in market1 as well as green peas1 and other vegetables1 and melons4 ,it is1 in fact1 a state of advanced spring or early summer4 ,the peaches1 pears and figs are perhaps one-third their size on the trees1 while the flowers are in full bloom4 ,,november ,,in ,,chili ',tis the spring of the year1 all the fountains are full1 ,all nature is pregnant with life and with love2 ,a chorus of voices ascend from each pool1 ,a myriad of songsters enliven the grove4 ,to her nest in the ,andes1 the condor retires1 ,the winds from magellan no longer prevail1 ,and ,sol1 with the north breeze returning1 inspires ,new life on the zephyr1 and love on the gale4 ,the forest is clad in its robes of fresh green-- ,where the dove sings an anthem1 his mate to decoy4 ,the orchard is dressed as a holiday queen1 ,and the rosebud is bursting with fullness of joy4 ,the orange1 the olive1 the fig and the vine ,are clothed as in ,eden1 with innocent bloom2 ,the earth is an altar of incense divine1 ,exhales a sweet odor of richest perfume4 ,the young of the flock bound exulting away ,while their dams nip the blade1 'mid the dewdrops of morn1 ,and groups of young children are sportive and gay2 ,yet my heart1 'mid this gladness1 is sad and forlorn4 ,i sigh for the storms of ,november to come1 ,the frost1 and the snow-drifted plain ,i would see2 ,the bleak1 wintry blasts of my own mountain home1 ,and the storm-beaten glaziere are dearer to me4 ,the chime of the sleigh-bell again ,i would hear1 ,the low moaning tempest in harmony roll-- ,it would speak of my country and kindred so dear2 ,oh6 this would be music indeed to my soul4 ,with sentiments of the most endearing affection1 ,i remain yours1 etc41 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,chapter ,,xlix4 ------------------------ ,valparaiso3--,quillota3--,letter to ,president ,brigham ,young4 ,january #ai1 #aheb4 ,we have continued to reside in ,valparaiso1 and to study ,spanish diligently until this day4 ,we make much progress1 being already able to understand in part that which we read in the ,spanish ,scriptures1 and in the daily papers1 as well as in history4 ,we have also gathered much general information of the countries of ,spanish ,america1 their manners1 customs1 laws1 constitutions1 institutions--civil1 religious1 etc4 ,revolutions have been in progress more or less in nearly all ,spanish ,america during the past year4 ,in ,chili the present revolution has ended with the loss of many thousand lives1 and without success4 ,in ,buenos ,ayres it still rages1 and a great battle is soon expected between the combined armies of ,brazil and ,montevideo on the one part1 and ,buenos ,ayres on the other--the two armies amounting to near twenty-five thousand men each1 as reported4 ,priestcraft reigns triumphant in all these countries1 as by law established2 and by law paid and supported--by marriages and christening fees1 forgiving sins1 etc4 ,in ,chili the charges are as follows3 ,twenty-five dollars for a marriage1 and one dollar for christening4 ,for forgiveness of sins there are various prices to suit the circumstances of the customers4 ,we departed from ,valparaiso in a cart drawn by oxen1 and arrived on the morning of the twenty-fifth at ,quillota--a small town situated in a beautiful and fertile valley on a river thirty-six miles from ,valparaiso4 ,here we have hired a house and live with a widow and two daughters1 young ladies of fifteen and seventeen2 they are very sociable1 and much pleased with us4 ,they can read ,spanish1 and they take every possible pains to teach us the language4 ,they are very frank and friendly1 and seem a much void of guile as little children4 ,i read to them in the ,spanish ,testament1 which pleases them much1 as they have never read it4 ,the people in this town seem to be a neat1 plain1 loving and sociable people2 very friendly1 frank1 and easy to become acquainted with4 ,they are mostly white1 intelligent1 and good looking2 very plain and simple in dress and manners4 ,the houses are mostly neat and comely1 and are situated on a line with the mud walls which separate the streets from the gardens and vineyards4 ,the houses are built of sun dried brick1 plastered and whitewashed outside and inside2 with brick floors and tiled roofs4 ,many of them1 however1 have no floors except the earth1 and but few of them have glass windows4 ,the streets are straight1 and cross at right angles4 ,a clear1 cool stream runs in the center of each street1 and of tall stately poplars1 as well as fruit trees and vines adorn the entire vale1 both in town and country4 ,a mountain or round hill1 perhaps #ejj feet in height1 rises in the midst of the town1 and is surrounded on all sides by the level of the fertile1 well watered and well cultivated plain4 ,this hill is near our residence1 easy of access1 and commands a view of the whole valley with its farms1 orchards1 vineyards1 towns1 streets1 river and water ditches1 fertile as ,eden and stretching away till lost in the dim distance2 or bounded by lofty hills and mountain chains1 whose lower swells are checked with fences and houses1 and covered with flocks and herds1 while their bosoms are rugged with rocky precipices1 and checkered by dark ravines1 or mantled with clouds2 while the rugged summits repose in solemn grandeur on the bosom of the clear blue sky1 unobscured by clouds or any of the gloomy shadows of the lower world4 ,the land of this valley is extremely fertile1 and easily irrigated by small canals from the river4 ,the whole taken in at one view from the summit of the center hill1 presents one of the most beautiful scenes ,i ever beheld in the old or new world4 ,on the top of this mountain is a place for retirement and prayer1 which ,i intend to use every evening about sunset or twilight4 ,figs1 plums1 pears1 peaches1 apples1 oranges1 grapes1 and1 indeed1 most kinds of fruit are very plentiful here4 ,a quarter of a dollar will purchase enough for three of us to eat in one day4 ,the figs and plums are sweet as honey1 and will melt in the mouth4 ,there is not much need of other food4 ,the grapes1 peaches and apples are not generally ripe yet4 ,having dwelt in ,quillota one month we returned to ,valparaiso1 and on the #b;d of ,march embarked on board the ship ,dracut for ,san ,francisco2 weighed anchor on the #eth of ,march1 and sailed out of port with a light breeze4 ,the following is the copy of a letter written to ,president ,young during the voyage from ,chili to ,san ,francisco3 ,,ship ,,dracut1 ,,pacific ,,ocean4 lat4 #ah4 ,march #ac1 #aheb4 ,,president ,,young4 ,dear ,brother--,we are well4 ,elder ,rufus ,allen1 myself and wife1 sailed from ,san ,francisco1 ,september #e1 #ahea1 for ,chili1 ,s4 ,a41 and arrived in ,valparaiso1 ,november #h--passage sixty-three days4 ,from that time to the present has been devoted to the study of the ,spanish language and the laws1 constitutions1 geography1 history1 character1 religion1 manners1 customs1 revolution1 and events of ,chili and ,peru in particular1 and of ,spanish ,america in general4 ,by intense application ,i soon became able to read with a degree of understanding and interest in that language4 ,i have already read through the ,spanish ,testament2 while1 in the same language1 ,i have copied in writing many of its most important passages1 and have read them over perhaps twenty times--committing some of them to memory4 ,i have also read a small work1 on ,natural ,history of ,chili1 near three times through1 in which are many curious and important facts in relation to the wars with that brave and patriotic nation freemen called ,arraucanians4 ,these have maintained their liberty and independence unimpaired for #cjj years against the combined powers of old ,spain and of all her colonies1 sustaining a defensive war1 with but little cessation1 for near #bjj years1 without firearms or other modern means of defense4 ,some of their history ,i hope to translate and publish hereafter4 ,i have also read the ,spanish school geography of ,chili1 and some other works1 while a constant perusal of their newspapers1 and those of ,peru and ,buenos ,ayres1 have given me a general insight into their governments1 laws1 politics1 religion1 revolutions1 hopes1 feelings and prospects4 ,the civil wars1 and my own pecuniary circumstances1 but more particularly the want of language1 prevented my travelling much in the country1 or even visiting the ,arraucanians4 ,i1 however1 visited a small town in the interior1 forty miles1 and lived there one month4 ,on the second day of ,march we embarked on this ship bound for ,san ,francisco1 without a sufficiency of the language to turn the keys of the ,gospel as yet to these nations4 ,we stayed till all our means were exhausted and sought and prayed diligently for our way to open2 but we could neither speak the language sufficiently to preach the gospel nor find any way to earn our living1 so we found it necessary to return to ,california while we still study the language on board4 ,we have one fine young man in the cabin who is very useful to us4 ,he is a native ,chilean1 reads and converses fluently in ,spanish1 is conversant with the ,scriptures1 which we read together and converse upon4 ,he has borrowed the ,spanish ,bible of me and is reading it by course4 ,i have told him of our doctrine1 baptism1 ,church persecution1 settlement in the mountains1 and of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,also of the evils of adultery1 drunkenness1 gambling1 and other sins1 and the wickedness of the ,catholic abominations4 ,he has taken the whole in good part1 and talks of going to the mountains with us4 ,what is very remarkable for a ,chilean1 he neither smokes nor drinks4 ,he has some means1 and is going to ,california to make more4 ,we pray much in secret that ,god will open his heart and give him to us for a help in the ministry4 ,the ,chileans are a mixed race of ,spanish and ,indian blood--say four-fifths ,indian--consequently coarse features1 black hair and eyes1 low foreheads1 high cheek bones1 broad faces1 and in most cases copper color in its various shades and degrees1 whilst a few are white and even fair and beautiful4 ,in general they are ignorant and devoted ,catholics4 ,probably more than one-half of them can neither read nor write4 ,their knowledge of arts and industry is extremely limited4 ,in manners they are simple1 frank1 and extremely sociable and apparently affectionate but subject to a small low meanness in their dealings1 and to trifling thefts4 ,there are1 however1 many honorable exceptions to those faults or evil habits4 ,the ,bible is not in general use among them1 being prohibited by their religion2 but ,i found many who had read it1 and all1 so far as ,i tried the experiment1 seemed willing to hear it read4 ,some said they could understand it better when ,i read it than when it was read by their own natives4 ,i spoke freely to many against their priestcraft and errors2 showed them the true mode of baptism1 etc41 which very seldom gave offense4 ,they frequently told me of the abominations of their priests1 and how they administered all the ordinances for money1 at so much per head4 ,the constitution establishes the ,roman ,catholic religion1 supports it out of the treasury1 and prohibits all others4 ,there is1 notwithstanding this prohibition1 a ,church of ,england and an ,american ,congregational ,church in ,valparaiso4 ,the latter ,i visited and conversed with the minister4 ,he said there was no difficulty in landing religious books or papers and circulating the same1 although the press is not free to print or publish any religion but the ,catholic4 ,he had imported and distributed ,bibles in ,spanish1 and had placed them for sale in the book stores4 ,foreign books are landed free of duty4 ,the revolution which raged so violently this season in ,chili professed to be in favor of universal suffrage1 and of absolute liberty of conscience1 of speech1 and of the press4 ,the masses1 so far as ,i am able to judge1 are warm revolutionists1 but they don't like to fight4 ,the revolution cost some #e1jjj lives1 and ended in a general amnesty1 without any alteration of the ,government4 ,but the people are sanguine in their hope--they think to accomplish their liberties in a few years4 ,in the provinces of ,buenos ,ayres a long civil war has raged1 which is now about terminating in favor of the more liberal party1 aided by ,brazil4 ,peru is tranquil4 ,the public prints of ,lima1 its capital1 have interested me much--they are in ,spanish1 and ,i have spent days in their perusal4 ,the ,government of ,peru is much influenced by ,england and the ,united ,states4 ,its constitution guarantees liberty of the press1 of speech1 and of worship4 ,but it seems to have remained a dead letter on these points till the present year1 in which the ,congress ,peruana has made a special law to carry out these general principles of liberty1 making special provision for the liberty of other worship1 and for ,protestants to officiate in the holy sacraments of matrimony and of burial1 which is a step ahead of even ,protestant ,england 7where all must go to the ,national ,church for these things74 ,peru has also made a special treaty with ,great ,britain1 in which all these liberties are guaranteed to ,british subjects there4 ,these liberal measures have alarmed ,his ,holiness1 the ,pope of ,rome1 to such an extent that he has issued his letter of disfellowship of the ,government ,peruana1 in which he denounces all these liberal measures as anti-,catholic1 un-,christian and heretical4 ,this official document1 in the hands of the ,archbishop of ,peru and of his clergy1 was brought to bear with considerable power against the liberal proceedings of the ,government2 but1 in the meantime1 a very learned and talented man 7,i suppose a clergyman71 called ,dr4 ,vigel1 and many other writers come out against the ,pope in the columns of the public prints4 ,they denounce him in no measured terms as a usurper of more power than ,peter of old1 who1 they say1 meddled not with governments1 wealth1 or any other thing1 but to preach the ,gospel and catch fish4 ,they boldly inquire of ,his ,holiness where's ,peter's salary6 crown6 title6 palace1 etc48 where his dictations of political government8 ,they then inform him that ,peru is a free and independent sovereignty1 and will not be dictated to by any foreign power whatsoever4 ,they refer ,his ,holiness to ,simon ,magus1 who wished to purchase the gift of ,god with money4 ,remind him and the public how much it has cost certain other governments to purchase remission of sins for similar offenses1 and inquire how much poor erring ,peru will have to pay to ,his ,holiness for the remission of the great sins she has committed in giving her citizens the liberty to worship as they please2 and to marry1 die and be buried in such manner as seemeth to them good4 ,such writings have a wide circulation in ,peru1 and are popular1 but are also opposed by lengthy replies and defenses on the part of the more orthodox clergy4 ,all these things go to show that the press1 as well as the mind1 is beginning to exert its freedom in the countries where1 for three centuries1 all intellect has slept1 and all freedom of thought been crushed--buried--under the incubus of the horrid institutions of the great ,mother of ,abominations4 ,should ,peru sustain her liberties1 a field is opened in the heart of ,spanish ,america1 and in the largest1 best informed and most influential city and nation of ,south ,america1 for the ,bible1 the ,book of ,mormon1 and the fullness of the ,gospel to be introduced4 ,four-fifths1 or perhaps nine-tenths of the vast population of ,peru1 as well as of most other countries of ,spanish ,america1 are of the blood of ,lehi4 ',tis true they are degraded4 ,civilization is at a low ebb2 and modesty and virtue1 in the sense they are understood among the more polished nations1 may hardly exist among them1 even in idea4 ,yet ,jesus came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance4 ,the whole need no physicians1 but those who are sick4 ,new ,granada has also revolutionized in favor of the same great principles of liberty2 while the revolution in ,northern ,mexico1 and other movements of a like nature in other parts1 all go to show that a door is opening more wide than can be filled very soon in the ,spanish language1 unless ,god shall raise up 7as in ,england7 thousands of native teachers of the fullness of the ,gospel4 ,i had much desire to go to ,peru at this time2 but an empty purse and imperfect tongue1 which has only barely begun to stammer in that language1 together with the want of books or the means to print them1 with other circumstances1 all combined to cause me to wait a little till ,i could study the language more fully2 while1 in the meantime1 ,i return to where ,i can communicate more fully with the ,church at home1 with the various missions on the islands and with my family1 for whom ,i must do something as speedily as possible1 if ,god will open my way4 ,i feel as though the ,book of ,mormon and some cheap publications should be translated into ,spanish and printed1 and then the key be turned to these nations while a living ,priesthood is accompanied by something for them to read--even those writings which have the promises of ,god1 the prayers and faith of the ancients1 and the power and ,spirit of ,god to work with them in restoring the house of ,israel4 ,it is in my heart to translate the ,book of ,mormon and some other works1 and to print the same in ,spanish as soon as ,i have the language sufficiently perfect4 ,as printing is very expensive in all parts of the ,pacific1 it may be wisdom1 to go to ,england and get some printing1 and1 perhaps1 some stereotyping done2 and also1 to bring out two or three elders from there with ,english passports 1 etc4 to assist in ,spanish ,america4 ,as these contemplated labors would be1 under the blessing of ,god a furtherance of the great work of laying the foundation for the restoration of unnumbered millions of the house of ,israel and of ,joseph--even of many nations extending over a large and important portion of the earth--,i feel to labor with patience1 and to take time to prepare the way before me and before those who will1 in due time1 be sent unto them in power2 knowing that ,god1 who has said certain things1 will cause those things to be performed in due time4 ,if before half these things are accomplished ,i should return to the valley and sit in council with you and my brethren1 or even do the translation there1 ,i hope ,i shall not be counted a slothful servant2 for ,i assure you that ,i do all in my power1 with all diligence1 and with all the prayer of faith ,i possess2 and my earnest desire is to be counted worthy to labor for the restoration of ,israel until it be accomplished4 ,i study the language all day and think of it1 and even dream and talk it aloud in my sleep1 in which ,i sometimes learn more than in the day4 ,but it is no small work to become familiar with the entire grammar1 words and style of a language1 so as to write for publication4 ,if the ,twelve ,apostles will divide the ,european languages between them1 and each become thoroughly versed in one1 so as to translate the fullness of the ,gospel and turn the keys of the same1 it will be one great step towards the consummation2 for a host of fellow laborers would soon be raised up in each to cooperate with them1 and these languages command the influence and keys of communication with most of the nations1 tribes and languages of the earth4 ,i trust and hope1 also1 that they will soon be introduced into our ,university1 and among the elders of ,israel1 in preference to the dead languages1 or of those of less consequence4 ,,pacific ,,ocean1 lat4 #c deg4 ,n4 ,march #bg1 #aheb4 ,dear ,brother--,we have now sailed for twenty-three days and made nearly half the passage4 ,we are well1 and the wind is generally fair1 but now and then a calm4 ,brother ,allen and myself still study the language with diligence1 and still talk with the ,chilian1 who is also reading diligently in our ,spanish ,bible4 ,the ,book of ,mormon1 ,voice of ,warning1 etc41 have been the rounds1 and been read by the captain and mates2 but they will not believe in them1 nor in the testimony of men or angels4 ,however1 there is one intelligent1 sober young man1 who is interested much4 ,april #bith1 lat4 #bg deg4 ,n4--,fifty-five days have passed like a dreary imprisonment to us1 with but little to eat4 ,we live on a little poor1 hard bread1 probably baked some two or three years ago1 and some beans1 and very poor damaged salt beef and pork4 ,we have no flour1 potatoes1 sugar1 molasses1 rice1 or other comforts1 although we pay a good price for cabin passage4 ,we have not had one day of good sailing in a month2 it is either calms or light head winds4 ,we seldom sail more than from thirty to fifty miles in twenty-four hours4 ,we are hungry1 and weary1 and lonesome1 and disconsolate4 ,but1 after praying much for a fair wind and speed1 we find our prayers are not answered1 and we have given it up1 and have asked our ,heavenly ,father to give us patience and reconciliation to ,his will4 ,we are now some eight or nine hundred miles from port1 and our provisions 7poor as they are7 must fail us soon4 ,but live or die we trust in ,god and try to serve ,him4 ,there is no one on board who fears ,god or regards man1 as far as we know1 except one of the sailors and ourselves4 ,the most horrid blasphemies resound in our ears every day in the cabin and on deck1 from captain and mate together1 with gambling and blackguardism4 ,we are shunned and hated because of our testimony1 and because our example is a reproof4 ,but we mind our own business1 and study language and the ,scriptures every day4 ,the young man of which ,i speak is a ,mr4 ,howard1 from the ,united ,states1 who is well educated1 and has read our books with much interest during the passage1 and has requested to be baptized and join the ,church as soon as we land4 ,he is not accustomed to a seafaring life1 and wishes to go to the mountains with us4 ,he has been brought up at school and in clerking4 ,i think his calling is to preach the ,gospel1 but ,i have not yet even hinted this to him4 ,brethren1 ,i want to see you all with a desire above all other times of my life4 ,i feel as though ,i wanted to sit down with you and seek the powers and gifts of ,god and the powers of ,heaven1 even that which shall be shed forth for the restoration of the house of ,israel4 ,oh1 when will the time come8 ,when shall the veil be rent and the full powers of the apostleship be permitted to be exercised on the earth8 ,it must be before long or no flesh be saved--for the powers of darkness prevail abroad to that degree that it can even be felt physically4 ,there are none who know the ,lord2 none who seek after the truth2 none who appreciate it when found2 none who incline to cease from sin4 ,i had like to have said to be found abroad in the earth4 ,to find one is like lighting a candle and searching diligently for food among of dungeons of darkness1 death and famine4 ,adieu till we land4 ,your brother1 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,chapter ,l4 ------------------------ ,arrival in ,san ,francisco3--,return to ,salt ,lake ,city3--,second ,mission to the ,pacific3--,articles from the ,press4 ,after a long and tedious passage of seventy-nine days we landed in ,san ,francisco on the #bast of ,may1 having suffered severely for the last forty days for the want of proper food4 ,after resting and recuperating for a few days1 my time was again devoted to the ministry in the ,church at ,san ,francisco and ,san ,jose1 and in visiting1 studying language1 writing to the other missionaries1 and in the preparations for our homeward journey1 until near the end of ,july2 and ,i would here add1 that1 through the kindness of my brethren and friends1 near twelve hundred dollars in money1 mules and a wagon was contributed to assist me in my mission and for my journey home1 being given at various times after my arrival from ,chili4 ,i found the ,saints in the above named places possessed of some faith and kindness1 benevolence and charity4 ,they were also endeavoring to serve the ,lord1 and to set good examples of life1 and they met often to worship and edify each other and as many as came to their meetings4 ,many attended their meetings and listened with interest1 and some were baptized and added to the ,church4 ,i urged the principles of the gathering with all the energy of the gift of ,god within me1 but seemingly almost in vain4 ,the world and the gain thereof seemed to have a strong hold and influence over them4 ,after a trial for months1 ,i only obtained three men to go with me1 for ,deseret1 besides brother ,allen4 ,these were ,wm4 ,follett1 ,thomas ,dual and ,elisha ,hyatt2 with these ,i started on the steamer ,sea ,bird about the last of ,july4 ,we landed in ,st4 ,pedro after three days1 and on the #adth day of ,august we arrived all safe in ,san ,barnardino1 where we were kindly received by ,brother ,amasa ,lyman and the ,saints in general1 whom we found well and prosperous4 ,we camped near ,sister ,rich's1 and were entertained by them very hospitably4 ,sunday1 #aeth4--,met with the ,saints for worship and preached to them4 ,it was a meeting full of interest1 well attended by both sexes2 good singing1 good instruction1 the sacrament1 and in the afternoon a ,sabbath school4 ,their meeting house is large and commodious1 and is used for school purposes every day4 ,august #bjth4--,brother ,c4 ,c4 ,rich arrived in good health from ,salt ,lake ,city with seventeen men1 making their journey in twenty-two days without loss or accident1 having six wagons4 ,reports well of the grass and water4 ,tells of much rain on the desert and in ,deseret4 ,brings good news of all things there1 and letters from my family1 who were all alive and well4 ,sunday1 #bb;d4--,had a joyful meeting with ,brother ,amasa ,lyman1 ,c4 ,c4 ,rich and the ,church4 ,after meeting we three of the ,twelve met and appointed certain young men to study the ,spanish language1 with a view to a mission hereafter1 and ,brother ,stout to teach a class in ,spanish1 in this place1 to consist of such young men4 ,september #dth4--,attended a harvest feast in the bowery1 or meeting house4 ,the entire people made this feast1 and assembled to enjoy it4 ,the room was richly and tastefully ornamented and set off with evergreens1 specimens of grains1 vegetables1 etc4 ,meeting opened by prayer and singing1 and a few remarks from myself and others1 after which the entire day and evening was spent in feasting1 dancing and speaking4 ,every variety almost which the earth produced1 or skill could prepare1 was spread out in profusion and partaken of by all--citizens1 strangers1 ,spaniards or ,indians--with that freedom and good order which is characteristic of the ,saints4 ,the dances were conducted with decorum and propriety4 ,old and young1 married and single1 grandsire and child1 all mingling in the dance so far as they chose1 without a jarring spirit to mar their peace4 ,with an address from ,a4 ,lyman1 a few words from ,c4 ,c4 ,rich and myself1 and benediction1 we closed1 about nine ,p4,m41 one of the most interesting assemblies of the ,saints in this place4 ,tuesday1 #adth4--,all being ready1 we took leave of the ,saints in ,san ,barnardino1 and commenced our journey at nine o'clock1 ,a4,m4 ,brothers ,rich and ,lyman1 with several other friends1 accompanied us a few miles1 and ox teams and teamsters accompanied us for three days1 to haul us over the ,cajon ,pass1 where we took leave of them1 and at evening organized our company as follows3--,p4 ,p4 ,pratt and wife1 ,rufus ,allen1 ,william ,follett1 ,clark ,ames1 ,samuel ,gould1 ,andrew ,calhoun and wife1 ,elisha ,hyatt wife and child1 ,thomas ,dowel1 ,john ,hyatt1 ,john ,green1 ,george ,clark4 ,john ,green was appointed captain of the guard4 ,in all1 eleven men1 four women and one child4 ,we were soon joined by five ,spaniards1 who had near forty animals1 mostly horses1 who accompanied us for some hundreds of miles1 and joined us in guarding1 etc4 ,their animals being poor and unshod1 we left them on the ,rio ,virgin4 ,we met a company of twenty-four emigrants near the ,salt ,spring4 ,on the ,muddy our camp was thronged with near sixty ,indians1 in a state of nudity1 bringing with them green corn1 melons1 and dressed skins for sale1 or exchange for clothing4 ,they were all good natured and glad to see us2 some of them accompanied us twenty-five miles1 held our horses1 guns1 etc41 and assisted us up the hills4 ,after twenty days we all arrived in safety at ,santa ,clara1 about one hundred miles from the settlement in ,iron ,county4 ,october #gth4--,all arrived in safety in the settlement in ,iron ,county1 ,utah1 and were kindly received and entertained by the ,saints4 ,i called on ,sister ,robinson in the twilight of evening1 and asked for the dinner which ,i had spoken for one and a half years before4 ,we were kindly received by her and others4 ,we tarried three days in ,parowan ,fort and preached to the ,saints4 ,taking leave of the ,saints we resumed our journey4 ,nothing worthy of note transpired during the rest of the journey1 which was two hundred and fifty miles1 mostly among the settlements1 where we were kindly entertained4 ,on the #ahth1 near midnight1 ,i arrived home4 ,i found my family in usual health4 ,on my arrival home ,i found my wife1 ,mary ,ann ,frost1 and my two children1 ,olivia and ,moroni1 who had arrived from ,maine1 where they had been for several years4 ,the two children were glad to see me1 but their mother had for several years been alienated from me4 ,i1 however1 supported her until the following spring1 when she applied for and obtained a bill of divorce2 after which1 with the two children1 she removed to ,utah ,county4 ,i spent the remainder of the autumn in the ministry1 and in overseeing and assisting in farming1 fencing1 etc4 ,i was also chosen a member of the ,legislative ,council1 to which ,i devoted forty days1 commencing in ,december1 #aheb4 ,occupied with these duties1 and with the study of ,spanish1 the year #aheb was brought to a close4 ,january1 #ahec4-,this month was mostly occupied in the legislative councils4 ,april #fth4--,i attended a ,general ,conference1 on which occasion the corner stones of the ,salt ,lake ,temple were laid by the ,first ,presidency1 ,twelve and others4 ,the ,temple ,block is forty rods square1 the lines running north and south1 east and west1 and contains ten acres4 ,the center of the ,temple is one hundred and fifty-six feet six inches due west from the center of the east line of the block4 ,the length of said house1 east and west1 is one hundred and eighty-six and a half feet1 including towers1 and the width ninety-nine feet4 ,on the east end there are three towers1 as also on the west4 ,draw a line north and south1 one hundred and eighteen and a half feet1 through the center of the towers1 and you have the north and south extent of ground plan1 including pedestal4 ,i devoted the remainder of the season to the ministry1 and to farming1 building1 etc41 not wholly neglecting the study of ,spanish4 ,at the ,august election ,i was returned to the ,legislative ,council by unanimous vote1 and in ,december following ,i attended its session till the end of the year4 ,january1 #ahed4--,still in legislative session1 which adjourned the latter part of this month4 ,the remainder of the winter was spent in the ministry2 in the active duties of a ,regent of the ,university of ,deseret 7being one of a ,committee on the ,deseret ,alphabet and a ,new ,system of ,orthography72 in teaching a class in the ,spanish language2 in ministering in the ordinances of the endowments in the house of the ,lord2 and in studying1 writing1 etc4 ,at a ,general ,conference1 held on the #fth day of ,april1 ,i was appointed to a second mission to ,california4 ,donations were contributed to aid me in said mission4 ,may #eth4--,i took leave of my family and friends in ,salt ,lake ,city and started on my second mission to ,california4 ,brother ,thurston1 a young man who had a mission to the isles1 accompanied me4 ,we had a small wagon1 drawn by two mules4 ,at ,provo we joined ,governor ,young and train on their trip south1 and travelled with them as far as ,cedar ,city4 ,at ,parowan we were joined by ,elders ,silas ,smith and ,brother ,west1 who had also been selected by the conference as missionaries to the islands4 ,at this place ,brother ,young gave me the parting hand and blessed me2 and also ,brother ,kimball rose up and blessed me1 and1 as he gave me the parting hand1 promised many good things4 ,he said ,i should be blest1 and my posterity forever4 ,here we parted--,brother ,young and company on their return1 while ,i and my company proceeded on our ,pacific ,mission4 ,near ,cedar ,city we were joined by other missionaries1 and our company now consisted of twenty-four men and one woman4 ,nothing of particular note occurred on our journey1 and on ,june #ith we arrived safely and in good health and spirits at ,san ,barnardino1 and were kindly entertained by ,elders ,c4 ,c4 ,rich and ,a4 ,lyman4 ,after resting a few days ,i here left the main company and started with ,brother ,j4 ,w4 ,stewart in a carriage for the port of ,san ,pedro--distance1 eighty-five miles4 ,the road was good1 and we camped out two nights and arrived on the #adth1 and were kindly received by ,messrs4 ,alexander ,co41 who kept the warehouse4 ,here ,i unexpectedly met with a company of ,saints from ,australia1 under the direction of ,elder ,william ,hyde1 and we mutually rejoiced in meeting friends4 ,i set sail on the steamer ,southerner for ,san ,francisco on ,june #bdth1 and had kind treatment and passage free in cabin4 ,we had head winds and were driven back three times1 being five days longer than usual on the passage1 arriving there on the #b;d of ,july in safety4 ,in a few days ,i went to ,san ,jose ,valley1 and at ,brother ,cheeney's ,i found my wife ,elizabeth1 in very poor health--she having come on business a few months previous4 ,we rested a few days at ,brother ,cheeney's and were kindly entertained4 ,we then returned to ,san ,francisco1 and about the #ajth of ,july the other missionaries arrived from ,san ,barnardino4 ,i met ,brothers ,tanner and ,mc,bride1 who had been on a mission to the ,sandwich isles and had returned4 ,brother ,tanner had purchased a vessel in order to transport the ,elders both ways and to emigrate the ,saints2 but we could not pay for it and fit it for sea1 notwithstanding ,i ran in debt to help him1 so we had to sell it at a great loss4 ,we now commenced holding meetings1 circulating books1 tracts1 and in every way we could1 to notify and warn the people4 ,i devoted the time ,i could spare from the ministry to writing my history and for the press4 ,some time in ,august1 ,elders ,george ,q4 ,cannon1 ,j4 ,hawkins1 ,bigler and ,farran1 of the ,island ,mission1 landed1 and ,brother ,cannon assisted me some forty days in copying my autobiography4 ,about the last of ,august the following was published in a weekly paper1 called the ,chronicle1 of ,san ,francisco3 ,a ,,prophet ,,is ,,among ,,us4 ,mr4 ,parley ,p4 ,pratt1 of ,salt ,lake notoriety1 is among us1 and we knew it not4 ,he has just addressed a letter to ,mr4 ,j4 ,s4 ,hittell1 whose proposed course of lectures against ,christianity appears to have caught the ,prophet's attention4 ,as ,mr4 ,pratt's letter1 which is written on the blank leaf of a printed ,latter-day ,saint's circular1 is curious and characteristic1 we give a copy of it4 ,we also give a copy of the circular itself4 ,to enable the reader to understand ,mr4 ,pratt's allusions in the letter1 he had better first glance over ,mr4 ,hittell's advertisement in another column4 ,one would scarcely have thought that ,mr4 ,pratt could seriously expect to make converts to his faith in this desperately wicked ,california--the very hell on earth of the ,mormons4 ,but so it seems to be4 ,we give him and his cause all the publicity we can1 by publishing his circular gratuitously4 ,,san ,,francisco1 ,september #ast1 #ahed4 ,,mr4 ,,jno4 ,s4 ,,hittell4 ,sir--,what do you mean by the term ,christianity8 ,if you mean the system taught by ,christ and ,his ,apostles1 as recorded in the ,new ,testament1 you need give yourself or the public no uneasiness1 for no such system has troubled the earth for the last thousand years at least1 so far as we have any knowledge1 except in the single instance of its restoration in the ,united ,states by the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith2 and even this has been misnamed ,mormonism1 and driven to the mountains of ,utah4 ,in short1 this ,christianity of the ,new ,testament is a system of visions1 angels1 revelations1 prophesyings1 gifts1 miracles1 etc4 ,such system you can never oppose--it speaks and acts for itself2 its votaries know what they experience1 see1 hear and feel4 ,as to the modern systems--the forms without power1 they are not worth opposing2 they are dying of themselves before the power and intelligence of truth made manifest by ,mormonism4 ,i am happy to subscribe myself ,the friend of truth and man1 ,,parley ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,circular4 ,repent6 ye people of ,california4 ,for know1 assuredly1 the ,kingdom of ,god has come nigh unto you4 ,mr4 ,pratt1 missionary from ,salt ,lake1 will impart instruction on the fullness of the ,gospel to individuals1 families1 or congregations who may desire it4 ,having authority of ,jesus ,christ he will also baptize by immersion in water for remission of sins1 and administer the gift of the ,holy ,spirit by the laying on of hands to all penitent believers in ,christ who will covenant to cease from sin1 and serve ,god with all their hearts4 ,mr4 ,pratt will accept1 with pleasure1 any invitations from his fellow citizens to preach in their houses1 halls or churches1 without respect to party or sect4 ,when not otherwise engaged1 he will hold public meetings at his residence on each ,sunday1 at the usual hours2 also1 prayer meetings on ,thursdays1 at two ,p4 ,m4 ,the following appeared in the ,christian ,advocate of ,san ,francisco1 ,september #bb3 ,,case ,,of ,,defamation4 ,p4 ,p4 ,pratt1 an ,apostle of ,mormonism1 takes us to task in no measured terms for our unregenerate temerity1 in daring to quote from the ,richmond ,despatch ,dr4 ,ferris's account of the ,mormon community at ,salt ,lake4 ,to have a man possessed of divine authority1 and capable of raising the dead1 threaten us so1 is truly awful4 ,men have pursued us with bludgeons and revolvers before1 but this thing of being sent straight down to the bottom of the bad place1 is a sprinkle more terrific than carnal weapons4 ,we are half inclined to repent1 as much as we can1 without doubting a word of ,dr4 ,ferris's description4 ,our readers will rejoice to know1 from an apostle of ,joe ,smithism1 that all lyings1 and deceivings1 and priestcrafts and whoredoms shall be done away4 ,here is the letter3 ,woe to you1 priests1 editors1 hypocrites6 ,you love to publish lies to destroy the innocent4 ,you condemn the just1 and he doth not resist you4 ,read your ,christian ,advocate of ,september #ae1 headed ,the ,mormons1 and tremble2 for ,god will not suffer such lies to be published with impunity4 ,for1 thus saith the ,lord3 all lyings1 and deceivings1 and priestcrafts and whoredoms shall be done away1 and whosoever will not repent and come unto my beloved ,son1 will ,i cut off from among the people1 and ,i will execute vengeance and fury upon them1 even as upon the heathen1 such as have not heard4 ,now1 ,messrs4 ,heath1 ,taylor1 ,blain and ,philips1 you know in your own hearts that you have published lies enough about the ,mormons to sink you and those who patronize your publications to the lowest hell with murderers4 ,you know the people of ,salt ,lake to be an innocent community1 therefore1 repent quickly1 or your damnation is sealed1 and your hands will be found dripping with innocent blood4 ,yours etc41 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt ,a few more such will cause us to retire to private life4--,eds4 ,a ,,challenge ,editor's ,chronicle3--,i perceive by the tone of the press that politicians1 moralists and religionists are in trouble about ,utah and ,polygamy4 ,war6 war6 blood6 and destruction to the poor heathen ,mormons6 ,but1 thanks to the pious ,methodists1 the ,mormons are going to be converted first4 ,missionaries are going to be sent to them4 ,it is the right of the ,president of the ,united ,states to appoint a ,governor1 and to send troops to ,utah4 ,the citizens of that territory know this1 and have no objections4 ,but suppose a ,governor and troops went there to interfere with the rights and liberties of the people and trample on the laws1 why then1 of course1 the aggressors1 in common with all others are amenable to the civil courts1 and are liable to fine1 imprisonment or execution1 according to their crimes4 ,even if they only threaten1 they might be bound over to keep the peace4 ,the courts of ,utah have never yet been found remiss in the execution of the laws4 ,what is the particular crime alleged against the ,governor and citizens of ,utah1 for which they are threatened with destruction or conversion8 ,we will be told it is ,polygamy4 ,well1 sin1 says the ,apostle1 is the transgression of law4 ,we should greatly prefer conversion to murder1 and here permit me to suggest a plan for a wholesale conversion1 without a drop of blood or even the trouble of a journey to ,utah4 ,i am here in ,california as an official member and representative of the ,church in ,utah1 for which ,i can produce credentials4 ,i am willing to meet a convention of the ablest lawyers and clergy to be found in our country1 and ,i hereby pledge my honor that ,i will publicly renounce ,polygamy1 and that the church ,i represent will do the same1 on the following conditions1 viz3 ,the ,old and ,new ,testaments1 the ,constitution and laws of the ,united ,states1 and the laws of ,utah ,territory shall be their standard2 and if in all this wide range one item of law can be found wherein ,god1 angels1 men1 prophets1 apostles1 the ,son of ,god or the ,holy ,spirit have made plurality of wives a crime1 a transgression of law or an immorality1 then1 on these conditions1 we will renounce ,polygamy4 ,but till this is done we shall hold the law of ,god on the subject of matrimony1 including a plurality of wives1 as a most sacred institution1 binding on our own consciences1 in the free exercise of which we claim the protection so freely and fully guaranteed by the constitution of our common country4 ,if editors in general throughout the country will please publish this1 it may tend to investigation and enlightenment1 either of the poor1 ignorant ,mormons1 or of those who think them so far out of the way4 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,santa ,,clara1 ,november #bb;d1 #ahed4 ,december #fth4--,i returned to ,san ,francisco1 and on the second evening attended a discussion at the ,mercantile ,library ,association1 on the subject of ,governor ,young1 the ,utah ,mormons and the general government4 ,spoke several times1 and was appointed to make the opening speech in one week from that time on the same subject1 and to be answered by ,rev4 ,mr4 ,briggs4 ,,from ,,the ,,daily ,,alta ,,california ,mr4 ,parley ,p4 ,pratt1 for whom we have considerable respect as a man and as a teacher1 coupled with as much admiration of his talent as the doctrines which he employs to defend it will admit of1 ,mr4 ,parley ,p4 ,pratt appears to have walked into the temples of our money changers in this city1 and fairly put to flight all reason and philosophy by the boldness of his attack upon the ,christian ,church4 ,our readers will remember ,mr4 ,pratt as the self-confessed ,apostle of ,polygamic ,mormonism in ,california1 and its last exploit was to draw up on him the fire of a room full of debaters in the ,san ,francisco ,mercantile ,library ,association1 and then commenced a bombardment of the citadel of their reason1 and silenced or rendered useless every gun6 ,for several weeks ,mr4 ,pratt has been wheeling and charging his squadron of polygamic arguments in full sight of all our church doors and lecture rooms1 and even advanced in person to the foot of our pulpits to proclaim himself the defender of a new faith1 flinging the glove even into the minister's desk4 ,up to the present time1 we believe1 no ,david has gone forth against this ,philistine to meet him on either point of law1 morality or religion1 which he declares himself ready to engage an enemy upon4 ,we naturally ask1 why is this8 ,in a city with so many well supported churches and able divines1 can no one be found to match this champion of the ,mormons8 ,or are the abhorrence and contempt of such doctrines1 and scorn of their advocates so great as to stifle the power of expression among our worthy controversialists8 ,either of these causes1 we consider fallacious and bad4 ,passion should play no part in the impulses of ,christian minds1 and we much doubt the propriety of condemning a doctrine because of its low origin1 or despising argument because it may not present a respectable exterior4 ,missionaries are sent to the heathen2 and why should discussion be denied heathenistic doctrines when they are brought to our own very doors8 ,we have very worthy and respectable street preachers in ,san ,francisco1 and we do not see how a religious discussion with a ,mormon would profane the walls of any one of our churches1 or taint the reputation of any of our ministers of the gospel4 ,mr4 ,pratt seems to have the best of the law on his side so far as the situation of the ,salt ,lake people is concerned2 under our territorial regulations there really appears to be no law to prevent ,polygamy4 ,december #ith4--,returned to ,santa ,clara by steamer and stage1 and found all well4 ,sunday1 #ajth4--,preached twice to an attentive and somewhat numerous audience in a large and commodious hall4 ,visited and wrote history the four following days1 and instructed such as sought me4 ,friday1 #aeth4--,repaired again to ,san ,francisco in company with some five of my friends1 and at evening attended the discussion4 ,the place was crowded1 and ,god gave me ,his ,spirit1 and truth triumphed4 ,,chapter ,,li4 ------------------------ ,,reply ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,mr4 ,,briggs ,,on ,,the ,,subject ,,of ,,the ,,expediency ,,of ,,the ,,reappointment ,,of ,,his ,,excellency ,,governor ,,young1 ,,of ,,utah4 ,my friend1 ,mr4 ,briggs1 in the fullness of his charity as a peacemaker1 the other evening kindly1 gently1 and in a ,christian-like manner merely suggested a few pious ideas concerning myself such as theft1 robbery1 murder1 etc41 being considered no crime by me and the ,mormons1 provided these crimes were committed on the ,gentiles1 and in favor of the ,church treasury1 etc4 ,this puts me in mind of the good1 peaceable ,quaker who said to a poor dog which he wanted killed1 ,i will not kill thee1 but ,i will give thee a bad name4 ,so he cried1 ,mad dog6 ,mad dog6 ,and on hearing this cry the people soon despatched the poor animal4 ,perhaps my friend thinks to get the ,mormons killed off in the same pious and ,christian-like manner4 ,even should he succeed in his peaceful1 pious purposes1 it would not be the first time that the blood of martyrs has stained our soil through the influence of such ,christian benevolence4 ,i am truly sorry to see so worthy a fellow citizen--so pious a man--one so full of charity and benevolence--so uninformed1 so utterly at fault on the most familiar subjects of ,bible history and morality1 or of right and wrong1 as to insinuate that there is no difference between ,polygamy and adultery2 between a house full of wives and children and a house full of harlots4 ,he takes ,polygamy1 adultery1 theft and murder1 and compounds them all together as crime6 ,and then seems to infer that a man would steal1 commit adultery1 etc41 simply from the fact that he has a house full of wives and children6 ,and even my good friend the learned and candid ,mr4 ,hittell1 although very just in the main drift of his argument1 the other evening seemed to recognize no very clear distinction between ,polygamy and adultery1 or between a man having his own wife1 or robbing a neighbor of his wife4 ,sir1 in justice to myself and the cause ,i represent1 and in charity to those whose judgments are so warped by tradition and custom2 whose otherwise keen perceptions are so blunted by ,roman superstitions and ,puritan littleness1 ,i must call the attention of these gentlemen to the recognized standard of all ,christian nations--,the law and ,testimony--and give them a lesson on the first principles of right and wrong1 or of virtues and vices1 according to the laws of ,god and nature4 ,i will state the question direct1 as inferred or inquired1 by my friend the peace maker4 ,what is the difference between a house full of wives and children or a house of ill fame1 or of harlots8 ,sir1 ,i will tell you4 ,the one leads to life and the other to death--,i mean literally--or1 in plainer language1 one rightly conducted1 under the blessings and law of ,god1 multiplies1 preserves and trains our species in the highest order of physical1 moral and intellectual endowment the world with cities2 gives rise to nations2 and has given to the world its principal rulers1 kings1 prophets1 apostles1 and1 finally1 its ,messiah1 and is the lineage and order through and in which all nations shall be blessed4 ,the other perverts the order of nature2 prostitutes the most holy principles and affections to the vilest of purposes2 checks the reproduction of our species2 spreads disease and death as a sweeping pest through the world2 degenerates the race2 and if it fills the world fills it with a mean1 grovelling1 sickly1 puny1 lustful1 deformed and miserable race of beings1 whose misfortune is that they were born at all4 ,such were the people of the flood2 the people of ,sodom and the ,canaanites1 who were so far degenerated that the ,lord in mercy interfered1 and doomed them to utter destruction1 that nations and races degenerate should no longer propagate their species3 and then1 by his own holy laws of marriage1 repeopled those same countries with a better race4 ,as polygamists ,abraham and ,jacob were the friends of ,god2 worthy to converse with ,him1 and to receive ,his blessing on themselves and their wives and children2 worthy of associating with angels from ,heaven1 and of being filled with the holy and pure spirit of prophecy and of revelation2 while1 for their sakes1 kings were reproved1 saying1 touch not mine own anointed1 and do my prophets no harm4 ,as a polygamist ,jacob gave twelve tribes to the world instead of two1 which was the number born by his first intended1 his beloved ,rachel4 ,while1 on the other hand1 his sons visited a whole city with the sword1 because its ruler had seduced their sister ,dinah4 ,as a polygamist ,moses beheld the face of ,god1 and was filled with ,his glory to that degree that his face shone like that of an angel4 ,as an adulterist1 a prince of ,israel1 named ,ziniri1 was killed in the very act by ,phineas the priest1 the grandson of ,aaron2 which act of justice so pleased the ,lord that he stayed the plague which was consuming the camp on account of their whoredoms4 ,the law of ,god regulating and sanctioning ,polygamy was thundered from ,mount ,sinai in awful majesty1 from the mouth of the ,god of ,israel1 although it had existed before1 and also among the eternal and unchangeable principles of morality1 virtue and purity4 ,while1 on the other hand1 the same ,god1 in a voice of thunder1 proclaimed1 ,thou shalt not commit adultery1 nor covet thy neighbor's wife1 or anything that is thy neighbor's4 ,as a bigamist1 ,elkanah1 who had two wives1 became the father of ,samuel1 the ,prophet2 he being a child of promise1 obtained by the fervent prayer of ,hannah1 his mother1 in the ,holy ,temple1 and by her vows devoted to the service of the ,temple from his childhood4 ,while1 on the other hand1 had he been a child of whoredoms1 instead of a child of bigamy1 he would have been excluded from the house of the ,lord1 and his children after him1 for ten generations4 ,the first revelation ever given to this child of bigamy rebuked the priests1 the sons of ,eli1 ,hophni and ,phineas1 for their whoredoms and other sins1 and revealed their dooms4 ,in fulfillment of his words these two fornicators fell in battle while bearing the very ,ark of ,god4 ,as a polygamist1 ,david1 the anointed ,king and ,prophet of ,israel1 was called a man after ,god's own heart2 and ,god ,himself expressly declares1 by the mouth of ,nathan the ,prophet1 that he gave him his wives4 ,while1 as an adulterer with the wife of ,uriah1 and the murderer of her husband1 he is reproved by the word of the ,lord2 and1 although he sorely repented1 yet the child of his adultery died2 and his punishment was1 that the sword should not depart from his house2 that his wives should be taken from him and given to another2 and his own salvation was suspended for ages--the ,apostle ,peter himself declaring1 in his day1 that the patriarch1 ,david1 had not yet ascended into ,heaven4 ,as polygamists1 ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob are approved and commended by ,jesus ,christ1 who expressly declares that1 many shall come from the east1 and from the west1 and from the north1 and from the south2 and shall set down with ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob in the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,while1 at the same time1 he declares that1 those wicked and adulterous persons1 who1 in that age1 considered themselves the children of the kingdom1 should be thrust out4 ,i sincerely hope my mistaken friends here will learn1 ere that eventful day1 to distinguish between a house of ,polygamy and a crowd of adulterers2 but they might by mistake consider the kingdom of ,god a house of ill fame1 and go with the wrong crowd4 ,sir1 the ,apostle ,paul sets forth ,abraham1 the polygamist1 as the father of the faithful2 worthy of all imitation1 as heir of the eternal covenants and promises2 in whose seed all nations shall be blessed4 ,he shows1 most clearly1 that the gospel introduces us into the family of polygamists2 makes us children of ,abraham1 and heirs to the same covenants4 ,on the other hand1 this same ,apostle declares that adulterers and fornicators shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god4 ,again1 sir1 ,john the ,revelator describes the eternal ,jerusalem of ,heaven1 the ,royal ,city of our ,god1 as peopled and governed by the great family of polygamists2 which1 in its lineage1 includes ,jesus and the holy prophets and apostles of all ages4 ,the pearly gates are embellished with the names of twelve polygamists1 the sons of four women by one man4 ,while1 on the other hand1 this same ,john expressly declares1 that the place for all liars1 sorcerers1 whoremongers and adulterers is outside2 and that there shall in no wise enter into the city anything that defileth or maketh a lie4 ,now to come to ,utah4 ,there1 sir1 the law of ,god is honored 2 by it we determine what is virtue and what is vice4 ,here1 sir1 if nowhere else in ,christendom1 our virtuous wives and children1 given us by the law of ,god1 are our glory2 our crown of rejoicing2 our kingdom in embryo1 big with thrones of power and immortality4 ,there1 sir1 the local administration carries out the principles of the glorious ,constitution and laws of our common country--even to the protection of prophets and apostles1 who have dared to restore the ,laws of ,god1 and to organize and regulate their household by the same4 ,and-- ,sir1 ,i have yet to learn by what constitutional or moral right a local state sovereignty makes a crime of that which1 rightly conducted1 never has been recognized as a crime by ,god1 or angels1 prophets or apostles1 or even by the ,saviour of the world4 ,i have yet to learn by what right a ,state of this ,union dooms a man to prison for a conscientious act1 in embracing the everlasting covenant1 made with ,abraham and the fathers2 while1 at the same time1 a fornicator1 who by the law of ,god1 is worthy of death 1 runs at large1 or1 at most1 pays a fine for his damnable deeds of seduction1 and then is at liberty to repeat them1 while his purse will hold out to pay the repeated fines and damages4 ,i have yet to learn that a ,state has the constitutional right to deprive a ,mormon1 a ,jew1 or even a ,mahomedan or ,pagan of his most sacred rights of conscience in regard to marriage relations or family ties2 while they are regulated by the recognized laws of the ,bible1 or of most civilized nations of ancient and modern times4 ,now1 sir1 let me say that1 on account of the corrupt institutions1 and the prevalence of whoredoms in modern ,christendom1 the race is degenerated2 the cities and nations are corrupted till earth groans2 the heavens weep2 the sun will1 ere long1 veil his face in shame2 the moon be arrayed in crimson blushes2 the starry heavens tremble2 the planets be thrown from their orbits1 and tremble for very anguish2 while plagues1 earthquakes1 storms and tempests sweep the earth1 and famine and the sword devour the wicked2 while fire consumes the mystic ,babel1 the great whore of all the earth4 ,then will prevail the kingdom of our ,god1 and the power of his ,christ2 and the saints shall possess the kingdom and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven1 while the meek inherit the earth2 and the house of ,israel1 under the new and everlasting covenant of eternal matrimony1 blossom and bear fruit1 and fill the face of the world with cities4 ,men1 brethren and fathers3 ,it is for the hope of ,israel the eternal laws1 promises and covenants of ,god made to the fathers1 that myself and the ,mormons are called in question4 ,we believe the prophets1 sir1 and1 therefore1 expect the wreck of nations2 the casting down of thrones2 the crash of states1 and the winding up of all mere human institutions2 while a new dynasty1 as a universal ,theocracy1 shall succeed and stand forever4 ,the nucleus of this kingdom1 sir1 is formed2 this grain of mustard seed is planted and has sprung up1 and is beginning to grow and flourish in the heart of our country1 under the fostering care and constitutional guarantee of the very best human government now existing on this earth4 ,sir1 ,god raised up the ,united ,states and influenced her constitutional institutions for the very purpose of shielding and protecting the ,church in the wilderness1 and all men in their liberties1 and of throwing a guard around ,his embryo kingdom till ,he should come1 whose right it is to reign and subdue all enemies under his feet4 ,his kingdom1 sir1 when organized1 in the ,united ,states1 is a constitutional kingdom of ,god4 ,it has the perfect liberty and right1 guaranteed by our institutions1 to organize itself under the administration of prophets and apostles1 and to receive the ministrations of angels1 and of visions and revelations from ,heaven4 ,sir1 one of the strongest reasons ,i urge for the reappointment of ,governor ,young is1 that as a polygamist1 civilian and an ecclesiastic1 he has given the strongest proof of his skill in the science of government1 whether of ,family1 ,church or ,state4 ,sunday1 #ag4--,met with the ,saints twice1 and preached to them1 and were truly blessed2 and partook of the ordinance of bread and wine1 in remembrance of our ,lord4 ,next day ,i repaired to ,oakland and met the ,lyceum1 and made arrangements for discussing polygamy on the next evening2 and1 according to appointment 7,tuesday1 #ai71 met the ,lyceum and a large assembly of both sexes1 and discussed the law of marriages till eleven o'clock at night4 ,truth was triumphant1 and my adversaries confounded4 ,on the last of the month we convened a ,general ,conference at ,santa ,clara1 of two days1 during which five branches were represented--in all about one hundred and twenty members4 ,we had a joyful time1 much good teaching1 and many out to hear4 ,,chapter ,,lii4 ------------------------ ,statements ,pertaining to the ,history of ,joseph ,smith3--,return to ,utah3--,home ,mission3--,attend the ,legislature at ,fillmore3--,the ,standard of ,zion3--,return to ,salt ,lake ,city4 ,february #bdth4 ,i sat for a large likeness1 taken in daguerreotype1 as a keepsake for my family1 being forty-seven years ten months and twelve days old4 ,i presented this to my son ,parley1 to be handed down from generation to generation1 as long as it will last4 ,in ,march a ,council was held at my office1 and it was concluded to remove the ,conference of the #fth of ,april next from ,santa ,clara to ,san ,francisco1 where ,i also moved my wife and made my home during the remainder of my mission4 ,april #abth4--,this is my birthday4 ,i am forty-eight years old4 ,i wrote letters for home today and sent a set of books1 viz3 ,book of ,mormon1 ,doctrine and ,covenants1 ,hymn ,book1 ,voice of ,warning1 ,harp of ,zion1 etc41 to each of my wives and to ,parley1 ,olivia and ,moroni1 my elder children2 also1 books to my younger children1 ,alma1 ,nephi1 ,helaman1 ,julia1 ,lucy1 ,agatha1 ,belinda and ,abinadi1 ,cornelia and ,malona1 and small presents and candies for the little ones1 ,phebe1 ,hannahette1 ,mary1 ,lehi and ,moroni ,w41 all as a birthday present or memorial4 ,in ,may ,i received a letter from ,president ,young counselling me to return home this coming summer4 ,june #hth4--,the sad news reached us today of ,brother ,silas ,beckwith being murdered and buried4 ,this ,beckwith was one of the ,mormon ,battalion in the ,mexican ,war1 and was1 at the time of his death1 a worthy member and teacher in the ,san ,juan branch4 ,i visited his widow and orphans1 and spent some hours in the house of mourning4 ,on my second visit ,i gained and wrote down the following statements pertaining to the history of ,joseph ,smith3 ,mrs4 ,eunice ,corinthia ,beckwith1 formerly ,mrs4 ,lawn 7whose father's name was ,joshua ,twitchell71 was the widow of ,john ,lawn1 captain of a company of ,illinois ,militia1 of ,mc,donough ,county1 who guarded ,joseph and ,hyrum ,smith in ,carthage ,jail until the morning of the day they were martyred1 when himself and company were disbanded by order of ,governor ,ford1 and started for home1 leaving the prisoners in the hands of the ,carthage ,greys4 ,on taking leave of the prisoners he gave his hand1 received ,joseph's blessing1 and heard him say most solemnly3 ,farewell1 ,captain ,lawn2 when you and your men leave me my life guard is gone4 ,previous to this1 however1 ,joseph had read to him the fifty-fifth ,psalm1 and told him to remember that chapter and read it to his friends when he arrived home4 ,one of the ,carthage ,greys also read in reply the sixty-first ,psalm4 ,captain ,lawn and his troops had marched about twelve miles towards home when the news reached them of the martyrdom6 ,at this he exclaimed3 ,o that ,i had known of this massacre1 so soon to transpire6 ,i would have remained1 and1 when the first ball was fired at the ,smiths1 ,i would have fired the second through the body of the villain who fired it or died in the attempt4 ,a man named ,townsend1 living in ,iowa1 near ,fort ,madison1 was one of the mob who assaulted and forced in the jail door4 ,the pistol discharged by ,joseph ,smith wounded him in the arm1 near the shoulder1 and it continued to rot without healing until it was taken off and even then it would not heal4 ,about six months after he was shot ,mrs4 ,lawn saw his arm and dressed it4 ,he was then gradually rotting and dying with the wound4 ,he stayed over night with ,mrs4 ,lawn's father1 and groaned through the night without sleeping4 ,he asked the old gentleman what he thought of ,joseph ,smith being a ,prophet8 ,he replied that he did not know4 ,well1 said ,townsend1 ,i know he was a ,prophet of ,god 6 ,and1 oh1 that ,i had stayed at home and minded my own business1 and then ,i would not have lost my life and been tormented with a guilty conscience1 and with this dreadful wound1 which none can heal6 ,he died two or three months afterwards1 having literally rotted alive6 ,james ,head1 of ,mc,comb1 was also one of the murderers at the ,carthage ,jail2 he was heard by ,captain ,lawn and others to boast of it afterwards1 and ,captain ,lawn drew a pistol and chased him2 but he ran away4 ,he was always gloomy and troubled from the time he helped to murder the ,smiths1 and frequently declared that he saw the two martyrs always before him6 ,he had no peace4 ,a colonel of the ,missouri mob1 who helped to drive1 plunder and murder the ,mormons1 died in the hospital at ,sacramento1 #ahdi4 ,beckwith had the care of him2 he was eaten with worms a large black headed kind of maggot--which passed through him by myriads1 seemingly a half pint at a time6 ,before he died these maggots were crawling out of his mouth and nose6 ,he literally rotted alive6 ,even the flesh on his legs burst open and fell from the bones6 ,they gathered up the rotten mass in a blanket and buried him1 without awaiting a coffin6 ,a ,mr4 -----1 one of ,missouri mob1 died in the same hospital about the same time1 and under the care of ,mr4 ,beckwith4 ,his face and jaw on one side literally rotted1 and half of his face actually fell off6 ,one eye rotted out1 and half of his nose1 mouth and jaw fell from the bones6 ,the doctor scraped the bones1 and unlocked and took out his jaw from the joint round to the center of the chin4 ,the rot and maggots continued to eat till they ate through the large or jugular vein of his neck1 and he bled to death6 ,he1 as well as ,townsend1 stank so previous to their death that they had to be placed in rooms by themselves1 and it was almost impossible to endure their presence1 and the flies could not be kept from blowing them while alive6 ,wm4 ,t4 ,head1 an officer in ,captain ,lawn's company1 and tarrying in ,carthage1 testified that he saw a certain man raise a large knife to strike off the head of ,joseph1 when1 all at once1 and in the midst of a clear day1 with no cloud in sight1 a terrible clap of thunder rolled heavily1 and forked lightnings flashed in the face of the murderers1 and perfectly paralyzed a number of them4 ,the ruffian1 who had raised his knife and had sworn with a dreadful oath to take the head off ,joseph1 stood perfectly paralyzed1 his arm uplifted with the knife suspended in air1 and could not move a limb4 ,his comrades carried him off1 and all fled in terror from the scene4 ,these particulars1 and many others1 were related to me by brother ,beckwith previous to his death1 and afterwards by his widow and father-in-law1 and others who were conversant with them1 and are believed to be correct4 ,at a ,general ,conference1 held ,june #af--;being the eve of my departure--it was the unanimous voice of the meeting to give me a letter of commendation and fellowship from the ,conference to the ,presidency of the ,church in ,utah4 ,elder ,j4 ,crosby was set apart as ,president of the ,san ,francisco ,conference1 under my hands and others4 ,i gave them a few words of farewell and blessing1 and returned them my sincere thanks for their many marks of kindness and hospitality to me and my wife while we sojourned with them2 and ,i shall long remember the many brethren who have generously assisted me with means whereby ,i am enabled to puruse my journey home4 ,while on this mission ,i have been diligent in preaching1 teaching1 baptizing1 visiting and ministering to the sick1 and writing for the press4 ,i feel the ,saints have rejoiced under my teachings1 and a goodly number have been added to the ,church4 ,june #bjth4--,i took leave of the ,saints and friends at ,san ,francisco and started at noon1 with my team1 for my home in ,utah2 crossed the ferry at ,oakland ten miles on a steamer1 and drove twenty-five miles and stopped after sundown at ,brother ,naile's1 near ,san ,jose4 ,after resting a few days1 and all being ready1 we started from ,dr4 ,mc,intyre's at nine o'clock ,a4 ,m41 with a company composed of seven men1 two women and one child1 five wagons and sixteen animals4 ,i thanked ,god that1 after thirteen months and a few days' absence1 ,i was now ready to return to my home in the peaceful valley of the ,great ,salt ,lake4 ,august #ahth4--,after a long and wearisome journey of some eight hundred miles we arrived safely home1 and rejoiced to find all well4 ,sunday1 #aith4--,i met the great congregation twice in the ,tabernacle and bowery2 heard ,orson ,pratt and ,president ,b4 ,young preach1 and spoke a few words myself4 ,in the evening met with1 the ,quorum of the ,twelve for prayer1 as usual4 ,on ,monday ,i visited my wife ,sarah1 and her two children1 ,julia and ,teancum1 who resided on my farm2 and1 from this date until the ,conference of ,october #fth1 my time was engaged in the care and labors of my family1 and other duties1 although ,i attended ,sabbath meetings1 and sometimes preached4 ,the ,conference appointed my brother ,orson1 and brother ,woodruff1 and myself1 with upwards of twenty others1 to a home mission in ,utah ,territory4 ,after ,conference ,i spent my time mostly in the ,house of the ,lord1 in administering in the endowments1 until the #bjth of ,october4 ,october #aeth1 ,monday4--,agreeable to instructions from ,president ,young ,i called a meeting of a few of the ,twelve1 and others concerned in the mission1 and divided the territory into missionary districts1 and assigned to each his labor1 appointing ,conferences1 or general meetings in each district4 ,saturday1 #bjth4--,commenced my home mission by riding seventeen miles to attend a general meeting in company with ,o4 ,pratt1 ,w4 ,woodruff and others1 at ,farmington1 ,davis ,county4 ,good attendance and spirited preaching on this day three times4 ,tarried at ,sister ,haight's4 ,sunday1 #bast4--,at half past eight o'clock1 ,a4 ,m41 held a council of the missionaries of the district1 and appointed the next quarterly meeting for the districts1 to be held in ,bishop ,stoker's ward on the #ahth of ,november next1 and the second to be held ,december #aeth1 at ten o'clock1 in ,bishop ,kay's ward4 ,this day we held three meetings1 which were well attended1 and greatly blessed with the spirit and power of ,god4 ,monday1 #bb;d4--,returned home and found all well4 ,november #ast4--,started with my carriage1 accompanied by my wife ,belinda and child1 my brother ,orson ,pratt and ,w4 ,woodruff1 and arrived at ,ogden on the following day at eleven o'clock1 ,a4 ,m41 and put up at ,president ,farr's4 ,preached in the meeting house three times4 ,the night following a dreadful wind arose1 which did some damage4 ,after travelling and preaching through the northern settlements nearly two weeks to large assemblies1 who listened with good attention1 we returned home and found all well4 ,saturday1 #agth4--,rode ten miles in my carriage with my wife ,mary1 and brethren ,o4 ,pratt and ,w4 ,woodruff1 to ,p4 ,sessions'1 and met with the ,saints in a ,quarterly ,conference4 ,sunday1 #ahth4--,met a crowd out of doors1 on the south side of the school-house1 at ,bishop ,stoker's4 ,i preached in the forenoon1 and brothers ,joseph ,young and ,erastus ,snow in the afternoon4 ,many were out and the good spirit prevailed4 ,next morning returned home and found all well4 ,december #c;d4--,bid farewell to my family and started in my carriage with ,agatha1 my wife1 and ,o4 ,pratt and ,w4 ,w4 ,phelps as passengers1 for the city of ,fillmore1 to attend the ,legislative ,assembly4 ,friday1 #gth4--,arrived at ,fillmore at #a ,p4,m4 in a heavy snow storm4 ,put up with ,brother ,bridges4 ,sunday1 #ith4--,attended meeting twice4 ,preached in the morning and listened to ,o4 ,pratt in the afternoon4 ,monday1 #ajth4--,attended the council of the ,legislature and witnessed the organization1 and was unanimously elected chaplain of the council4 ,accepted and was sworn1 and entered upon my duties1 being charged by the ,president1 ,hon4 ,h4 ,c4 ,kimball1 to instruct and exhort the members and others in their duties4 ,i prepared an address on the laws of marriage and morals1 which was delivered to the council on the twenty-first4 ,this was so favorably received that the ,governor and ,president called for the reading of it before the joint session4 ,it was accordingly read by the clerk on the thirty-first of ,december4 ,on motion1 it was unanimously voted to have it printed in the ,deseret ,news2 and1 on motion1 a vote of thanks was carried unanimously4 ,january #ast1 #ahef4 ,wrote a letter to the ,new ,york ,herald1 and1 in the evening1 attended a dance in the ,legislative ,hall4 ,it was a fine party1 where old and young engaged in the dance till near midnight4 ,from this time till the adjournment of the ,legislative ,assembly nothing worthy of record transpired4 ,,the ,,standard ,,of ,,zion ,o1 ,saints1 have you seen1 o'er yon mountain's proud height1 ,the day star of promise so brilliantly beaming8 ,its rays shall illumine the world with its light1 ,and the ensign of ,zion1 exultingly streaming1 ,all nations invite to walk in its light1 ,and join to maintain the proud standard of right-- ,the ,standard of ,zion1 ,o long may it wave ,o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave6 ,our motto is peace1 and the triumph of right2 ,and we joyfully hail the ,millennia dawning1 ,when man can emerge from a long dreary night ,and bask in the sunbeams of ,zion's bright morning4 ,the white flag so rare1 still floating in air1 ,proclaims 'mid the mountains that peace is still there4 ,let the ,standard of ,zion eterally wave ,o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave4 ,though earth and its treasures should melt in the fire-- ,the planets be riven with the trumpets' loud thunder1 ,the sunlight of ,heaven wax dim and expire1 ,and the veil of eternity parted asunder1 ,yet firm and unshaken the truth shall remain1 ,and the heirs of the ,priesthood forever shall reign1 ,and the ,standard of ,zion eterally wave ,o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave4 ,,fillmore ,,council ,,chamber1 ,january #h1 #ahef4 ,tuesday1 #aeth4--,i attended a festival of the ,legislature in the ,state ,house1 where all were treated to abundance of oysters1 fruits1 wines1 etc41 by the ,hon4 ,secretary ,babbitt4 ,friday1 #ahth4--,the ,legislature adjourned and all started for home4 ,we travelled about forty-five miles--some of the distance in about eight inches of snow--and camped at night in a point of cedars4 ,the cold was extreme1 but we emptied our carriage and kept a constant fire in the stove4 ,sat up through the night1 as there was not room for all to lie down1 and thus we passed the night4 #aith4--,rode twenty miles to breakfast2 arrived in ,nephi about ten o'clock1 nearly frozen2 but a good breakfast and three hours' rest revived us1 and we started again at #a ,p4,m4 and rode to ,payson1 a distance of twenty-five miles1 and were kindly received by ,brother ,donich4 #bjth4--,started at ten ,a4,m4 ,rode to ,provo and dined at ,brother ,stewart's4 ,rode ten miles more1 and were entertained by ,bishop ,walker1 of ,pleasant ,grove4 #bast4--,rode thirty-five miles and dined at the ,bishop's1 ,unionville1 and arrived home at sundown2 found all my family in tolerable health except my little daughter ,isabel1 who had been sick with a fever and cold on the lungs4 ,i ministered to her and she speedily recovered4 ,friday1 #beth4--,spent the day with my family1 and in a meeting with a chartered company1 called the ,deseret ,road and ,express ,company1 of which ,i was a member4 ,saturday1 #bfth1 and from thence to ,february #adth was spent with my family1 and in preaching occasionally in the ,tabernacle and in the different wards in the city4 ,also in the office of juryman on the ,grand ,jury of the ,united ,states ,court4 ,tuesday1 ,march #dth4--,attended at the ,president's office in the duty as a ,regent of the ,university4 ,next day attended at the ,president's office as a ,committee of the ,regency in raising school books4 ,thursday1 #fth4--,myself and family fasted and attended meeting in the ,fourteenth ward school-house1 and at evening visited at ,brother ,southworth's1 and attended another meeting in the ward4 ,having been elected a delegate of ,salt ,lake ,county to a ,convention called by the people of the ,territory of ,utah1 to form a ,constitution for the ,state of ,deseret1 ,i attended the daily sessions of the ,convention for ten days1 ending ,march #bg1 #ahef4 ,my time1 after the adjournment of said ,convention1 was devoted to laboring on the farm1 garden1 and administering in the various duties of my calling1 writing history1 etc41 until the ,annual ,conference1 which convened ,april #fth and closed on the #hth4 ,this ,conference was held under a bowery adjoining the ,tabernacle1 and was attended by six or eight thousand people4 ,at this ,conference several hundred persons were called to go on missions to the ,united ,states1 ,england1 ,australia1 the ,sandwich ,islands and other parts of the earth4 ,the ,presidency enjoined upon me the duty of setting apart and ordaining those who were called for their several missions1 in which ,i was assisted by the rest of the ,twelve and some of the ,presidents of ,seventies4 ,about this period1 or immediately after ,conference1 ,i was taken sick with a fever and came nigh unto death1 which sickness continued about two weeks4 ,may #bfth4--,accompanied by ,elder ,gates ,i started on a mission of preaching1 visiting and instructing the ,saints in the southern part of the ,territory2 during which tour we held meetings at ,union ,fort1 ,american ,fork1 ,pleasant ,grove1 ,provo1 ,payson1 ,summit1 ,nephi1 ,fillmore1 ,beaver1 ,paragona1 ,parowan1 ,cedar ,city and ,harmony4 ,on my return to ,salt ,lake ,city called and preached at the different towns and settlements on the route1 arriving home ,june #bg1 #ahef4 ,while at home my time was occupied in attending meetings1 instructing and speaking words of comfort and encouragement to the ,saints1 and writing my history1 assisted by my wife ,kezia1 as copyist4 ,,chapter ,,liii4 ------------------------ ,,journal ,,of ,,eastern ,,mission4 ,during the summer1 after my return from the ,south1 ,i performed several home missions or preaching tours through ,davis1 ,weber and ,box ,elder ,counties1 and in ,september received an appointment to take a mission to the ,states1 for which ,i received the following letter of appointment3 ,,utah ,,territory1 ,,president',s ,,office1 ,,great ,,salt ,,lake ,,city1 ,sept4 #aj1 #ahef4 ,,elder ,,parley ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,dear ,brother--,as you are about to leave on your mission to the ,states1 we feel to give you a word of counsel for your guidance4 ,we expect that your principal occupation will be to travel and preach the gospel in different places1 as you shall be led by the spirit of the ,lord4 ,we are informed that there is quite a large number of ,saints in the southwestern part of ,virginia1 which it is our wish you shall visit and instruct in the principles of the gospel4 ,owing to the extra duties of delegate being placed upon ,brother ,john ,taylor1 it is suggested that you also aid him in writing for ,the ,mormon1 and such other duties as may devolve upon you by the united counsel of brethren now in charge on that mission4 ,as you are expected to return the ensuing season1 we do not consider that it would be wisdom for you to have the burden of the mission to rest upon you1 but rather that you should aid the brethren for the brief period which you will remain with them4 ,if ,brother ,snow should be able to resume ,the ,luminary1 we should be pleased to have you assist him also in writing for that publication4 ,we believe that1 by thus devoting your time during the ensuing winter1 you will render the brethren now upon that mission effective aid1 and be a comfort and consolation to the brethren and ,saints who shall have the pleasure of your ministerial administrations1 and be blessed with your society in this your short visit to the ,saints in the ,states2 and that the ,lord will bless you abundantly with ,his spirit1 and enable you to perform your mission with honor and satisfaction to yourself1 and ,his divine acceptance1 is the prayer of ,your brethren in the ,gospel of ,christ1 ,,brigham ,,young1 ,,heber ,c4 ,,kimball1 ,j4,m4 ,,grant1 ,first ,presidency of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,after receiving the foregoing appointment my time was employed chiefly in settling up my business and preparing for the journey eastward4 ,september #g1 #ahef4 ,i preached my farewell discourse in the ,tabernacle1 in which ,i bore testimony to the ,book of ,mormon and of the calling of ,joseph ,smith1 and of his ,presidency and ,apostleship4 ,at noon1 the same day1 gave instructions and strict charge to my son1 ,parley ,p41 concerning my business1 and the duties that would devolve upon him in my absence4 ,at #e ,p4,m4 met with my quorum in prayer1 in which ,president ,young and others laid their hands upon my head and set me apart for my mission to the ,states--confirming and sealing upon my head all the keys and powers of the eternal priesthood1 so far as they were held upon the earth--and that ,i should always be numbered among those that were faithful to the priesthood1 both in this life1 in the world of spirits and in the resurrection4 ,september #aa4 ,bid farewell to my family and friends and started on my eastern mission in company with several elders and friends1 who were going to the ,states4 ,we met1 on the journey across the plains1 several companies1 chiefly from ,europe4 ,some of them were companies traveling with ox teams1 and several hand cart companies4 ,the first hand cart company we met was near ,green ,river1 which consisted of two hundred and thirty men1 women and children4 ,these had crossed the plains from ,iowa ,city--some #a1bjj miles--the women as well as men drawing hand carts and the children walking4 ,they had travelled twenty miles a day and sometimes more4 ,their faces were much sun-burnt and their lips parched2 but cheerfulness reigned in every heart1 and joy seemed to beam on every countenance4 ,the company gathered around us and ,i tried to address them1 observing that this was a new era in ,american as well as ,church history2 but my utterance was choked1 and ,i had to make the third trial before ,i could overcome my emotions4 ,we had passed on1 nothing worthy of note occurring until we arrived at ,fort ,kearney4 ,october #ag4--,we arrived at ,fort ,kearney2 here the death of ,a4 ,w4 ,babbitt1 and others with him was confirmed4 ,the commanding officer of the fort came to me and said he had an account of ,babbitt's death from the ,indians themselves2 and that he had obtained his papers and accounts1 which he would deliver to ,babbitt's wife1 if she would come4 ,we pursued our long and wearisome journey through ,iowa and ,illinois4 ,on the way we saw ,nauvoo and the ruins of the temple in the distance4 ,this called up reflections which ,i will not attempt to describe4 ,i thought of the temple and city in their glory2 of the twenty thousand ,saints once busy there2 of the vast congregations once assembled there in prayer and praise2 of the martyred prophets and ,saints2 of the wholesale murder and plunder perpetrated by ruthless mobs4 ,i thought of my once happy but now fallen country4 ,i greatly desired relief by tears1 but tears would not come to my relief4 ,i felt too deeply2 but ,i felt some relief in assuring myself that at last justice would triumph and righteousness reign4 ,november #ah4--,we landed in ,st4 ,louis after a long and toilsome journey of over two months4 ,here ,i remained1 attending public meetings with the ,saints2 visiting1 instructing1 writing history1 and writing for ,the ,mormon1 then published by ,elder ,john ,taylor in ,new ,york2 visiting and preaching at several places in ,missouri and ,illinois1 until the #afth of ,december1 when ,i left ,st4 ,louis for ,new ,york--travelling by railroad4 ,i stopped at ,cincinnati1 where ,i arrived at #d ,a4,m4 on the #agth4 ,here ,i found some ,saints1 who took me and my baggage1 and extended to me the hospitality of their homes4 ,i remained in ,cincinnati1 preaching1 conversing with the ,saints and others1 writing correspondence for ,the ,mormon1 history1 etc41 until the #bb;d1 when ,i took leave of the ,saints and started by railway for ,philadelphia1 where ,i arrived on the #bdth--meeting there ,president ,john ,taylor and other brethren1 who kindly greeted me4 ,here ,i remained preaching1 visiting1 conversing1 writing history1 corresponding with ,the ,mormon1 etc41 until the #cast1 when ,i took the #aj ,a4,m4 train for ,new ,york1 where ,i safely landed the same day--thus closing another year of my changeful1 varied and eventful life4 ,it leaves me among strangers1 and yet in my own native state--a pilgrim and almost a stranger in the very city where1 twenty years ago1 ,i labored1 toiled1 prayed1 preached1 wrote and published the message of eternal truth4 ,oh1 how darkness prevails6 ,how ignorant1 blind and impenetrable are the minds of men6 ,my ,father in ,heaven1 ,thy will be done4 ,as a blank of another year of my life is about to commence to be filled up1 ,i will close the volume of the book ,i have been writing1 commending myself to ,god and the guardianship of his angels2 asking1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 that my sins and follies1 up to this date1 may be blotted out1 and that my labors and records may be accepted2 then ,i will retire to rest with a conscience void of offense1 and with a calm and resigned confidence in my ,heavenly ,father4 ,if ,i am privileged to awake in the morning of a new year1 ,i will commence a new book or volume of my life4 ,january #ast1 #aheg4 ,thank ,god for a new year and for the reservation of my life and health4 ,spent the day in visiting with ,president ,taylor and others1 and at #e ,p4,m4 repaired to the ,latter-day ,saints' ,hall1 where ,i met with some four hundred persons1 mostly members of the ,church1 in a public party4 ,judge ,appleby called the meeting to order2 ,i opened by prayer4 ,president ,taylor made a few remarks1 after which there were songs1 recitations1 speeches1 and amusements of various kinds1 refreshments1 etc41 which lasted till eleven o'clock1 after which ,i addressed them1 bearing testimony of the restoration of the priesthood and gospel by ,joseph ,smith2 was followed by ,presidents ,smith and ,taylor4 ,while in this party we received news of the safe landing of two hundred and twenty ,saints from ,europe on the ,columbia4 ,my time was occupied in visiting the ,saints1 meeting in council with the brethren1 writing1 etc41 until the #eth1 when ,i met in the evening with ,brothers ,taylor1 ,smith1 ,snow and ,appleby in council at ,brother ,taylor's residence4 ,after opening by prayer ,i was chosen to preside1 and ,brother ,appleby acted as clerk4 ,brother ,snow made a statement in relation to the financial condition of the emigration under his agency4 ,we agreed to make this a matter of prayer1 and to solicit and influence means into that channel as far as possible4 ,at #g ,p4,m4 ,brother ,taylor having furnished an upper room in his residence1 the before-named persons1 five in number1 met in a room for prayer1 in which we humbled ourselves and called on the ,lord for remission of our sins and the light of the ,spirit of ,god to guide us in our several duties4 ,we also asked for means1 and for our way to be opened up to enable us in all things to magnify our callings2 dedicating ourselves renewedly to the service of ,god4 ,after this we continued in council until a late hour4 ,january #fth4 ,i visited ,mr4 ,george ,w4 ,pratt1 ,no4 #hi ,gold ,street1 on the subject of genealogy--he being the son of ,zadoc ,pratt1 ex-member of ,congress1 and descended from the same parentage as myself1 our progenitors being among the early settlers of the ,new ,england ,colonies4 ,i conversed with him very agreeably for half an hour1 and learned that he was in correspondence with ,brother ,orson1 in ,liverpool1 on the subject of our ancestry in ,england4 ,january #gth--,i was in council all day at ,brother ,taylor's residence with the brethren of the ,twelve4 ,we resolved to concentrate our energies this year in forming settlements on or near the ,platte ,river1 on the route of our emigration1 according to the instructions of ,president ,young4 ,we voted that ,the ,mormon be continued1 and that it is not expedient for ,brother ,snow to resuscitate the ,luminary at present4 ,next day bid farewell to the brethren1 and took the train for ,trenton1 ,n4 ,j4 ,here ,i was kindly received by ,brother ,hurdley and family1 where ,i remained for two days1 the weather being very cold4 ,saturday1 #ajth4--,joseph ,asay came with a carriage and conveyed me about four miles into the country to his house4 ,this day ,i completed a communication for ,the ,mormon on spiritual communication in modern times4 ,sunday1 #aath4--,preached to a small congregation in a school house1 and returned with ,brother ,asay and spent the evening in instruction--several of the ,saints from ,trenton being there4 ,spent the time writing1 visiting and conversation with the friends here until the #adth1 when ,i took leave of my kind friends in ,trenton2 taking the cars for ,tacony1 where ,i arrived at noon1 went to ,sister ,conrad's1 where ,i was received with every conceivable kindness4 ,after dinner preached to them and read the revelation on marriage4 ,god blessed me to open their understandings1 teaching things of the kingdom4 ,here ,i wrote a communication for ,the ,mormon called the ,looking-glass2 conversed with and instructed the family on many things4 ,saturday1 #agth4-,returned to ,philadelphia and stayed at ,brother ,harmer's2 received this evening letters from home1 dated ,november #dth1 at which time several of my family were sick4 ,i invoked the blessing of ,god upon them that they might be healed and comforted4 ,sunday #ahth4--,though the wind was very high and extremely cold1 attended with a severe snow storm1 ,i repaired to meeting and preached to a few in the morning1 and at night attended meeting again in our own hall1 the ,spirit of ,god being among the ,saints in the meeting4 ,monday1 #aith4--,still being very snowy1 cold and windy1 remained at the house of ,brother ,harmer and wrote to my family4 ,sunday1 #bjth4--,railroad travel being obstructed by drifts of snow1 ,i visited at ,peter ,rensimer's2 stayed all night and talked to him1 his wife and others1 till a late hour4 ,on the next day wrote a poem on ,my ,fiftieth ,year1 which was responded to by ,john ,taylor1 both of which were published in the ,mormon at ,new ,york499 ,returned to ,tacony in the evening and repaired to the house of ,sister ,conrad2 the family came together and ,i taught them the gospel4 ,next day visited with the family1 taught them and some of their friends who came in1 the principles of the gospel4 ,footnote 99,these poems will be found in the latter part of this work4 ,thursday1 #bdth4--,bade farewell to my kind friends in ,tacony1 took the train for ,philadelphia1 where ,i arrived at half past nine4 ,attended the ,saints' meetings at ,washington ,hall three times this day2 addressed the people morning and evening2 communed with them2 heard their testimony in the afternoon4 ,we were blessed through the day with the ,spirit of ,god and had much joy4 ,february #ast4 ,attended meetings three times in ,washington ,hall1 ,philadelphia4 ,preached in the morning repentance to the ,saints and preparation for the great restoration4 ,in the evening preached on the ,resurrection to a crowded house1 and bid the ,saints farewell4 ,tuesday1 #c;d4 ,wrote1 visited sister ,fenton1 and there spent the evening in an agreeable company of some fifteen of the ,saints4 ,we sang and prayed1 feasted and rejoiced1 and taught them as we were led by the ,spirit4 ,elder ,angus ,m4 ,cannon being with me in this and nearly all my visitings and meetings in this city4 ,a happier companion is seldom found4 ,wednesday1 #dth4 ,spent the evening at a tea party2 at ten o'clock we sang1 ,when shall we all meet again8 etc4 ,knelt down and prayed4 ,this was my farewell of ,philadelphia and the ,eastern ,states4 ,i then took a final leave of the ,saints1 and1 accompanied by ,elder ,cannon1 started for the railway4 ,here ,i met with ,brother and ,sister ,beers1 and some others who had come to see me off4 ,i took the train for ,pittsburg1 where ,i safely arrived ,february #e1 at #b3cj ,p4,m4 ,took the train at three for ,mansfield1 ,ohio1 where ,i landed safely at #a3cj next morning4 ,stayed at a hotel1 and on the #fth took train at #ab ,p4,m4 and arrived at ,hannover1 ,huron ,county1 ,ohio1 at #d ,p4,m4 ,here a neighbor volunteered to carry me half a mile to my brother1 ,nelson ,pratt's4 ,we were overjoyed to see each other after twenty-one years' absence4 ,he had a wife and three children living1 viz3 a son1 ,edwin ,delano ,pratt1 aged twenty years2 and two daughters1 ,helen ,orisa1 aged fourteen1 ,aurelia ,fenetto1 aged twelve years4 ,remained and visited with my brother and family2 talked1 read1 reasoned1 etc41 until the #aath1 when ,i had a call from a young school teacher named ,pratt1 perhaps a distant relative1 who had a spirit of inquiry and was teachable4 ,we conversed much1 and ,i lent him some books4 ,as he and others were soliciting a meeting1 ,i finally consented to appoint one for ,thursday evening at the school house near my brother's4 ,in fulfilment of this appointment ,i preached to a large congregation in a capacious school house4 ,friday1 #acth4--,at noon took leave of my brother ,nelson and his family1 who accompanied me to the railroad station1 and bid me an affectionate farewell4 ,this night1 about eight o'clock1 the locomotive ran over and killed a horse1 and was thrown off the track with a number of cars1 some of which were broken4 ,by this accident we were hindered some six hours1 during which time we sat in the cars and slept as best we could4 ,arrived in ,columbus1 ,ohio1 at #d ,a4,m4 ,here we stopped and slept at a hotel until #i ,a4,m4 ,at #a ,p4,m41 started for ,cincinnati1 where ,i arrived at dark1 and was kindly received by ,brother ,meriweather and family4 ,sunday1 #aeth4--,met with the ,saints three times2 taught them repentance and reformation of life3 stayed at brother ,walker's4 ,monday1 #afth4--,in the evening ,mr4 ,alberger and ,dr4 ,darling called to see me1 and spent the evening in conversation on the various phenomena of ,spiritualism4 ,mr4 ,alberger related to me the circumstances of the introduction of a secret order1 called the ,patriarchal ,order1 which order1 he said1 was introduced by spirits in ,cincinnati a short time previously by means of a stone1 with a new alphabet and a key to read the same4 ,he also made me a present of the stone1 or rather a pattern of the same in plaster of ,paris1 with the alphabet thereon and key to read the same4 ,also a printed pamphlet containing the ceremonies of the ,patriarchal ,order1 and the forms of initiation of members into the same1 with a request that ,i would take them to ,salt ,lake and exhibit them to the ,council there4 ,the following day1 wrote an article for the ,cincinnati ,gazette1 in defense of ,utah4 ,in the evening met with the ,saints1 and preached at ,thos4 ,shore's4 ,the next day was very rainy2 visited at ,brother ,meriweather's1 and found ,brother ,geo4 ,a4 ,smith there1 just arrived from ,virginia4 ,he had spent some time in ,washington ,city1 in company with ,john ,taylor1 who was one of the delegation1 but as no encouragement was given for the admission of ,utah at the present session1 the petition was withdrawn4 ,friday1 #bjth4--,wrote for ,the ,mormon1 visited with ,brother ,smith1 etc4 ,my communication to the ,cincinnati ,gazette in defense of ,utah1 appeared in this day's paper4 ,we mailed several copies of the paper to the members of ,congress1 and to ,the ,mormon4 ,sunday1 #bb;d4--,attended at ,melodian ,hall at #aj3cj ,a4,m41 and heard an excellent discourse from ,elder ,g4 ,a4 ,smith4 ,at #b3cj ,p4,m4 ,i preached on first principles1 and in the evening met the ,saints at ,brother ,shore's1 and reorganized the ,cincinnati ,branch4 ,elder ,joseph ,bean was unanimously chosen to preside1 and was ordained a high priest under the hands of ,g4 ,a4 ,smith and myself4 ,brother ,benjamin ,e4 ,styles was reappointed clerk4 ,at ten o'clock we sung ,when shall we all meet again4 ,we appointed and set apart ,brother ,d4 ,o4 ,ridout to a mission in southwestern ,virginia4 ,we blessed and administered to several4 ,a man named ,james ,raliston came to us and expressed his faith in the gospel as he had heard us preach it the day before4 ,many of the ,saints now gathered in to see us1 and contributed means to help us1 and manifested their love in every way that was in their power4 ,we bid them farewell about #b ,p4,m41 and took the train for ,st4 ,louis1 at which place we arrived safely about midnight4 ,tuesday1 #bdth4--,called and stayed at ,brother ,boardman's4 ,here1 for the first time1 heard of the sudden and unexpected death of ,president ,j4 ,m4 ,grant1 who died in ,salt ,lake ,city1 in ,november last4 ,he was a great and good man1 called away in the full vigor of manhood4 ,he has gone to his rest1 but we are left to mourn4 ,wednesday1 #beth4--,on repairing to the office found letters from home1 also one from ,sister ,ruth ,sayers1 who crossed the plains with us on our outward trip from ,salt ,lake ,city4 ,i also read in the ,western ,standard1 a paper published by ,george ,q4 ,cannon in ,california1 a confirmatory account of the death of ,president ,j4 ,m4 ,grant4 ,we found the ,saints in ,st4 ,louis well and prosperous4 ,after spending some time in the office in council ,i repaired to brother ,restell's1 and was kindly received by ,sister ,restell and ,sister ,pollard4 ,this night ,i was taken very sick4 ,march #ast1 #aheg4--;,i found myself quite well again1 and1 being ,sunday1 ,i met with the ,saints three times and had good attendance4 ,i preached in the forenoon1 and ,erastus ,snow and others in the afternoon4 ,we had sacrament1 and the gift of the ,holy ,ghost was upon us4 ,brother ,snow spake by it in great wisdom4 ,the spirit of reformation is abroad in the ,st4 ,louis branch1 but the adversary also has a great hold there4 ,monday1 #b;d4--,we met with the ,saints and assisted ,president ,snow to confirm twenty-nine souls1 who were baptized in the font there4 ,at #g ,p4 ,m4 the same evening met with the brethren in council4 ,much instruction was given to the elders by ,presidents ,snow1 ,smith and myself4 ,tuesday1 #c;d4--,assisted ,president ,snow at the office1 on the ,deseret alphabet1 etc4 ,the above is the last extract from the journal of ,president ,parley ,p4 ,pratt4 ,,chapter ,,liv4 ------------------------ ,family ,letters3--,my ,fiftieth ,year3--,response by ,john ,taylor4 ,,new ,,york1 ,january #c;d1 #aheg4 ,,my ,,dear ,,son ,,parley3 ,i am well2 how are you8 ,please write and let me know4 ,i long to see and hear from you4 ,i am getting along very comfortably4 ,you will see by the enclosed how ,mormonism keeps printers and editors busy4 ,give my best love to all the family1 and especially to the children4 ,remember me to ,olivia and ,moroni4 ,do the best you can for me and my family1 and try to get a good education2 and try by prayer and doing right to cultivate an acquaintance with the ,spirit of the ,lord4 ,read the enclosed letter to the family1 and then have it carefully laid away as a part of my history4 ,now1 my son1 farewell4 ,god bless you4 ,amen4 ,your affectionate father1 ,p4,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,new ,,york1 ,january #c;d1 #aheg4 ,,my ,,dear ,,family3 ,a happy ,new ,year to each of you4 ,i am well4 ,i spent ,christmas in ,philadelphia in a public party of the ,saints--say #cjj persons-- assembled in a large hall neatly furnished and lighted4 ,there were prayers1 hymns1 songs1 recitations1 comic1 tragic1 sublime and ridiculous4 ,there was some music and dancing1 merry making1 eating and drinking till midnight4 ,i did not dance1 but ,i preached and bore testimony4 ,on the following ,sunday ,i preached twice in the same hall1 some #ejj persons being present4 ,on ,wednesday1 ,december #cast1 ,i arrived in this city and put up with ,president ,john ,taylor4 ,this closed the year #ahef4 ,january #ast1 #aheg4--;,i attended a public party of the ,saints here from #e ,p4,m4 till midnight4 ,it was like the one in ,philadelphia--only there was no dancing4 ,about #djj persons were present4 ,during this party the news arrived of the landing of #bbj ,saints at ,castle ,garden direct from ,europe1 all in good health and spirits4 ,these we visited next day in company with ,presidents ,taylor1 ,g4 ,a4 ,smith1 and ,e4 ,snow1 who are here now1 and we shall hold a council4 ,the ,saints here are mostly emigrants from ,europe and very poor4 ,i am now well clothed1 and ,god has opened my way to obtain sufficient funds for travelling expenses4 ,a letter from my ,brother ,nelson announces that all is well there1 and they are overjoyed to hear that ,i am to visit them4 ,he is trying to sell and go to the valley4 ,brother ,orson writes to me that all is well with him4 ,i have gone as far ,east as ,i intend to go4 ,i hope soon to commence to return westward1 visiting my brother ,nelson as ,i go4 ,the darkness which broods over this country can be felt--it is no place for me4 ,i feel like going to the frontiers and fitting out as soon as grass grows4 ,the whole country is being overwhelmed with the most abominable lying1 mockery1 and hatred of the ,saints1 and with all manner of corruption4 ,the legions of spirits are let loose and are working wonders4 ,all things are ripening for a universal overthrow of all human power in this land4 ,i am almost an intruder wherever ,i go4 ,i am a stranger and the world knows me not4 ,there are a few of the ,saints and others who will hear us1 and not exactly demand a vote of thanks1 although some of them would think it a great condescension for which we ought to thank them4 ,o1 ,god1 let me retire from such a generation into dens1 caves1 deserts1 mountains--anywhere4 ,but ,i will say no more about them4 ,i feel for my family and pray for them continually4 ,i hope they with me may have grace to endure to the end1 and be saved in the kingdom of ,god4 ,my history is mostly completed4 ,it will probably not be published in my day4 ,should anything happen to me1 and the record be preserved1 ,i wish it carefully compiled1 copied1 and taken care of4 ,my feelings1 and the affections of my heart1 ,i will not attempt to describe1 but will express them in person when ,i return4 ,should ,i never return1 be assured they are as warm and as tender as ever1 and ,i think a little more so4 ,i hope you will not be cast down or borrow any trouble about me because ,i admit an if1 as to my safe return4 ,i have no doubt but that ,i shall return in safety and live to a good old age4 ,but still ,i must acknowledge that ,i do anticipate with a great deal of pleasure the change of worlds4 ,and1 every day that ,i work on my history1 ,i naturally think that the word finis will soon be added to the end4 99 99 99 99 ,write when you can via ,california and ,panama4 ,now ,god bless and preserve you all1 even to little ,mathoni4 ,amen4 ,yours ever1 ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,to my wife ,,hannahette and others4 ,,my ,,fiftieth ,,year ,i am fifty years old6 ,i have lived to see ,seven times seven and a ,jubilee4 ,that period famed in the days of yore ,as a grand release for the humble poor2 ,when the pledg'd estate was again restor'd1 ,and the bondman free'd from his tyrant lord4 ,when man his fellow was bound to forgive1 ,and begin anew to think and to live4 ,the nations have hail'd the year of my birth ,as a ,jubilee to the groaning earth499 ,the triumphs of steam over land and sea ,have stamp'd the age of my ,jubilee4 ,i have mark'd its progress at ev'ry stride1 ,from the day it was launch'd on the ,hudson's tide ,till it conquer'd the ocean--grasp'd the land1 ,and join'd the world in a common band4 ,i have liv'd to behold the lightnings yield ,to the mandate of man1 and take the field1 ,as a servant-runner to bear the news ,in an instant1 where its lord might choose4 ,footnote 99,the first steamboat was launched in #ahjg1 on the ,hudson river1 by ,robert ,fulton4 ,and1 scarce less strange1 ,i have liv'd to behold ,a ,mormon ,sage1 with his wand of gold1 ,overturn the world1 and toss it up ,as a teller of ,fortunes would his cup499 ,all these are facts2 but of little worth1 ,compared with a ,prophet restored to earth4 ,i have seen his day and have heard his voice ,which enraged a world1 while the meek rejoice4 ,i have read the fate of all earthly things3 ,the end of thrones1 and the end of kings4 ,i have learned that truth alone shall stand1 ,and the ,kingdom of ,god fill every land4 ,i have seen that ,kingdom rolling along1 ,and taking its seat 'mid the mountains strong2 ,while the nations wondered1 but could not tell ,to what these wondrous things would swell4 ,i have wandered far1 over land and sea1 ,to proclaim to the world its destiny-- ,to cry to the nations1 repent and live1 ,and be ready the bridegroom to receive4 ,footnote 99,an ,american soldier1 of the ,mormon ,battalion1 discovered the gold mines in ,california in #ahdg4 ,i have wandered far--,i have wandered wide1 ,from ,maine to the wild ,missouri's tide2 ,and over the ,atlantic's sea-girt isles ,full many a weary thousand miles4 ,i have trampled the desert's burning sands ,and the snow-clad mountains of unknown lands4 ',mid the crystal waters of ,deseret ,i have pulled the oar and cast the net4 ,i have climbed the steeps 'mid the golden ore1 ,and roamed o'er the lone ,pacific shore4 ,i have ploughed its bosom many a day ,to visit the nations far away4 ,i have stood on ,chili's distant shore1 ,where the ,polar ,star is seen no more4 ,i have gazed on the ,andes' heights of snow1 ,and roamed 'mid the flowery plains below4 ,i have toiled with the great in freedom's cause1 ,and assisted to give to a ,state its laws4 ,i have lain in a dungeon1 bound in chains1 ,and been honored in ,courts where ,justice reigns4 ,in a thousand joys1 and a thousand fears ,i have struggled on through my fifty years4 ,and now1 by the law of ,god1 ,i am free2 ,i will seek to enjoy my ,jubilee4 ,i will hie me home1 to my mountain dell1 ,and will say to the ,christian world--farewell6 ,i have served ye long--2 'twas a thankless task2 ,to retire in peace is all ,i ask4 ,another fifty years will fully prove ,our message true1 and all our motives love4 ,then shall an humble world in reverence bow1 ,and hail the ,prophets so rejected now4 ,kings shall revere1 and nations incense bring ,to ,zion's temple and to ,zion's ,king4 ,i shall be there and celebrate the day ',till twice ten fifties shall have passed away4 ,a ,,response ,,to ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt',s ,,fiftieth ,,year ,,by ,,john ,,taylor ,thou art fifty years old--,i am glad to see ,that thou now canst hope for a ,jubilee4 ,go rest thee1 my friend1 for weary and long ,thou hast faithfully striven with a wayward throng2 ,with a world environed with error's chain ,thou hast wrestled and struggled1 but not in vain4 ,on thy native shore and on foreign land ,thou hast battled for truth with a master hand1 ,and their cities1 and towns1 and hamlets have rung ,with the sound of truth1 with the voice of song1 ,and thousands in ,zion do now rejoice1 ,who've read thy works or heard thy voice1 ,and millions have seen thy bosom swell ,with celestial truths thou lov'st so well4 ,let drivelling sycophants bow the knee ,to that chameleon shrine1 popularity1 ,and with honey'd lips1 bound with mammon's spell ,and with wheedling1 whining1 canting tongue1 ,daub o'er the deeds of a hellish throng4 ',twas thine the mask from their loathsome face ,to rend1 and exhibit their foul disgrace4 ,thou hast grappled with sages in error rife1 ,thou hast taught to the erring the way of life2 ,with flaming words and a burning pen ,thou hast bearded gaunt priestcraft in his den1 ,and said ,baal's grizzly priests1 avaunt6 ,i dare you in your dark1 ghastly haunt4 ,and the canting1 craving minions fled ,at the truths thou penned and the words thou said4 ,with ,elijah's faith and ,elijah's rod1 ,thou despised their power and defied their god1 ,and made the canting hirelings cower ,beneath the truth's keen withering power4 ,thou show'd them their systems were doom'd to fall ,that ,upharsin was written on ,babel's wall4 ,thou hast spent 'midst their hordes a busy life2 ,thou art leaving the den of their ,babel strife4 ,let others know now 'mid the nations roam1 ,and hie thee away to thy mountain home4 ,if1 sleeping at night1 the weary may ,forget the cares and toils of day2 ,and if by ,god to man is given ,a day of rest in every seven2 ,if the pledged possession could be restored1 ,on the grand release by ,jehovah's word2 ,if the debtor's bonds could then be broke1 ,and the slave be freed from a master's yoke1 ,and the very land a partaker be ,of the general jubilant ,jubilee2 ,if all bonds were broken on that day1 ,and chains and manacles thrown away2 ,if throughout the land1 by every tongue1 ,all joined in the joyous ,jubilee song2 ,if debtors and slaves and earth were free1 ,thou oughtest to have a ,jubilee4 ,if a wish from a sincere friendly heart ,can to thee any comfort or joy impart2 ,if a fervent prayer to the ,god of grace ,could smooth thy path in thy onward race1 ,that prayer would be1 may grace be given ,to wend thy onward course to ,heaven4 ,may'st thou abound in corn and wine1 ,and the blessings of plenty now be thine2 ,may thy family all be free from care1 ,and a husband's and father's plenty share2 ,may thy sun go down with glory rife1 ,and dying may'st thou burst into life2 ,and1 when sleeping among the silent dead1 ,have the blessings of millions on thy head2 ,and living with ,god1 may'st thou be free1 ,and partake of an endless ,jubilee4 ,,finis4 ,,appendix ------------------------ ,soon after the last extract from his journal1 ,president ,p4 ,p4 ,pratt left ,st4 ,louis for ,arkansas1 where he was followed by three bloodthirsty wretches1 who had previously declared their intention to kill him4 ,to aid them in their sanguinary designs they preferred fictitious charges against him1 from which he was honorably discharged by a ,united ,states ,court at ,van ,buren4 ,these assassins then followed him and murdered him in cold blood1 near ,van ,buren1 ,arkansas1 ,may #ac1 #aheg4 ,we extract the following1 in relation to his death1 from ,the ,mormon of ,may #cj1 published in ,new ,york1 ,john ,taylor1 ,ed43 ,,assassination ,,of ,,president ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,our readers will doubtless be startled with the above announcement2 our heart is deeply pained to say it1 but we have no reason for doubting the sad intelligence that has reached us1 though1 as yet1 only by the way of the public press4 ,a few days ago we were advised of his apprehension near ,fort ,gibson2 and1 close upon the receipt of that information1 we learned1 by telegraphic despatch1 that he had been assassinated near ,van ,buren1 ,arkansas1 ,may #ac4 99 99 99 ,as we have not the space this week that we require to enter into details1 and may1 before another issue1 receive additional information on the subject1 we shall only say1 for the benefit of those who are interested1 that his assassins followed him some twelve miles from the place of trial1 and1 taking advantage of his lonely position1 shot him4 ,though we deeply deplore the loss to the ,church of such a great and upright man1 and the bereavement to his family1 yet we mourn not4 ,his life has been one of honor and faithfulness2 his days have been well spent in the service of his ,god2 his name is revered by thousands and tens of thousands1 and will be honored by millions yet unborn2 while that of his cowardly assassins1 and those who have cheered them on to this damning deed1 and who now rejoice over their crime1 will be loathsome1 and a stink in the nostrils of ,god and good men4 ,the following is extracted from the ,millennial ,star of ,july #d1 #aheg1 and written by his brother1 ,orson ,pratt1 who was then ,editor of the ,star3 ,,biographical ,,sketch ,,of ,,parley ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,this great ,apostle and martyr of the nineteenth century was born on the #abth day of ,april1 #ahjg1 in ,burlington1 ,otsego county1 ,state of ,new ,york4 ,he was the third son of ,jared and ,charity ,pratt2 ,jared was the son of ,obadiah and ,jemima ,pratt2 ,obadiah was the son of ,christopher and ,sarah ,pratt2 ,christopher was the son of ,william and ,hannah ,pratt2 ,william was the son of ,joseph ,pratt2 ,joseph was the son of ,lieutenant ,william and ,elizabeth ,pratt1 who were found among the first settlers of ,hartford1 ,connecticut1 in the year #afci4 ,they are supposed to have accompanied the ,rev4 ,thomas ,hooker and his congregation1 about one hundred in number1 from ,newtown1 now called ,cambridge1 ,massachusetts1 through a dense wilderness1 inhabited only by savages and wild beasts1 and became the first founders of the colony at ,hartford1 in ,june1 #afcf4 ,this ancient pilgrim1 ,william ,pratt1 was a member of the ,legislature for some twenty-five or thirty sessions2 and the ,general ,court gave him one hundred acres of land in ,saybrook1 ,connecticut1 for service performed as lieutenant in the ,pequot war2 he was one of the judges of the first ,court in ,new ,london ,county4 ,parley ,p4 ,pratt is a lineal descendant1 of the seventh generation1 from that distinguished pilgrim and humble pioneer to the new world4 ,the youthful days of ,parley ,p4 ,pratt were characterized by the soberness and thoughtfulness of manhood4 ,though from adverse circumstances his education was extremely limited1 yet he displayed1 even in youth1 an originality of mind seldom exhibited4 ,in ,september1 #ahcj1 he1 being led by the ,spirit of the ,lord from his home in the ,state of ,ohio1 came several hundred miles eastward1 where he fortunately obtained a copy of one of the most remarkable works of modern times--the ,book of ,mormon4 ,he read the same1 was convinced of its divine authenticity1 and traveled in search of the highly favored men of ,god who had seen angels and heard the voice of the ,almighty4 ,he soon succeeded in finding some of them1 from whom he learned that about five months previous the first ,church of ,jesus ,christ of the ,latter-,day ,saints had been organized4 ,he requested baptism1 and was immediately thereafter ordained an ,elder4 ,the same month he visited ,canaan1 ,columbia ,county1 ,new ,york--the county where he had spent many of his youthful days--and after preaching a few times in different neighborhoods1 and baptizing ,orson ,pratt1 his brother1 he returned to ,seneca ,county4 ,receiving a revelation through ,joseph the ,prophet1 he1 in company with three or four others1 performed a mission1 some fifteen hundred miles1 to the western boundaries of the ,state of ,missouri1 and was among the first of the ,saints to stand upon that choice land where the ,city of ,zion is hereafter to be built1 preparatory to the second advent of our ,saviour4 ,in the spring of #ahca he returned to the northern part of ,ohio1 where he met ,joseph the ,prophet4 ,in the summer he again performed a mission through ,ohio1 ,indiana1 ,illinois and ,missouri1 preaching1 baptizing and building up the ,church4 ,in the autumn of #ahcc he and about twelve hundred men1 women and children were driven by a murderous1 furious mob from their own houses and lands in ,jackson ,county1 ,missouri4 ,two hundred houses were burned1 cattle shot1 hay stacks and grain burned1 many whipped until their bowels gushed out2 others killed1 and the afflicted remnant driven across the river into ,clay ,county4 ,soon after this ,elder ,pratt performed a long journey of about fifteen hundred miles east1 preaching repentance and strengthening the ,saints4 ,in #ahcd he again returned to ,clay ,county1 ,missouri1 officiating in his holy calling wherever he went4 ,in ,february1 #ahce1 having returned to the northern part of ,ohio1 he was chosen and ordained one of the ,twelve ,apostles of this last dispensation1 and the same year performed a lengthy journey through ,pennsylvania1 ,new ,york1 and several of the ,new ,england ,states1 and returned again to ,ohio4 ,in #ahcf he visited ,canada1 and established a large branch of the ,church in ,toronto1 and other branches in adjoining towns4 ,in #ahcg he visited ,new ,york ,city1 where he founded a large branch of the ,church4 ,in #ahch he removed to ,caldwell ,county1 in the western boundaries of ,missouri2 and in the same year another dreadful persecution commenced against the ,saints1 and they were again driven from their own houses and inheritances1 and their property to the amount of millions was destroyed2 some scores of defenseless men1 women and children were murdered2 some scores of others were incarcerated in dungeons1 among whom was ,p4 ,p4 ,pratt2 the balance1 about fifteen thousand1 were exterminated from the ,state1 and found refuge in ,illinois4 ,elder ,pratt was kept in prison1 without trial1 about eight months1 when1 by the kind providence of ,god1 he made his escape on ,july #d1 #ahci4 ,immediately after gaining his liberty he published a history of the ,missouri persecution1 written while in prison4 ,the first edition appeared in ,detroit in #ahci4 ,in #ahdj he1 in company with others of the ,twelve1 came to ,england1 and in the city of ,manchester commenced the publication of a periodical entitled the ,millennial ,star1 which has continued until the present time--this being the forty-eighth volume 7#ahhf74 ,in #ahda he was appointed the ,president over all the ,british ,conferences1 and remained in this high and honorable station until the autumn of #ahdb1 during which he edited the ,star1 superintended the ,saints' emigration1 and published several small but interesting works4 ,the following winter he returned to ,illinois1 where he continued laboring in the ministry for one or two years4 ,about the beginning of the year #ahde he was appointed the ,president over all the ,churches in the ,new ,england and ,middle ,states1 his headquarters being at ,new ,york ,city1 where he published a periodical entitled ,the ,prophet4 ,in the summer he returned to ,nauvoo4 ,in ,february1 #ahdf1 he was again driven from his home by a ruthless mob4 ,some fifteen or twenty thousand ,saints were also driven from the ,united ,states about the same time1 with the loss of houses1 and lands1 and an immense amount of property1 which the mob are in the unmolested possession of until the present day4 ,after wading through unparalleled sufferings with his family1 he and the suffering ,saints succeeded in reaching the ,indian country at ,council ,bluffs1 and being called by the ,holy ,ghost1 through the ,prophet ,brigham ,young1 to go to ,england1 he left his family upon the broad prairie1 without house or scarcely any food1 to comply with the word of the ,lord4 ,he arrived in ,england1 assisted in setting the ,churches in order1 and in strengthening the ,saints throughout the ,british islands4 ,in the spring of #ahdg he returned to his family and brethren2 and in the summer and autumn of that year he removed to ,great ,salt ,lake ,valley1 and suffered incredible hardships until the harvest of #ahdh4 ,he assisted in forming a ,constitution for the ,provisional ,government of ,deseret1 and was elected a member of the ,senate in the ,general ,assembly2 and was afterwards elected to the ,legislative ,council when ,utah became a ,territory of the ,united ,states4 ,the year #ahea he was sent on a mission to the ,pacific islands and to ,south ,america4 ,in the summer of #ahee he returned over the ,sierra ,nevada mountains to his home1 and occupied a part of his time in preaching in the various settlements of ,utah1 and at other times laboring with his own hands in the cultivation of his farm4 ,the following winter he officiated as chaplain in the ,legislative ,council at the ,state ,house in ,fillmore ,city4 ,in the autumn of #ahef he accompanied about twenty missionaries across the plains to the ,states4 ,during the winter and part of the following spring he visited the ,saints at ,st4 ,louis1 ,philadelphia1 ,new ,york and other places1 preaching1 writing and publishing the glad tidings of the kingdom of ,god4 ,and finally1 on the #acth of ,may1 #aheg1 he fell a noble martyr for the cause of truth1 which he had advocated with such untiring perseverance for nearly twenty-seven years4 ,among the numerous writings of this martyred ,apostle may be mentioned first1 the ',voice of ,warning1' printed in ,new ,york in #ahch1 and which has since passed through many editions1 and been translated into several foreign languages2 second1 his ',history of the ,missouri ,persecutions2' third1 his ',poems2' fourth1 his ',key to ,theology2' a masterly production1 lately published4 ',the ,history of his ,life1' up to near the time of his martyrdom1 was written by himself1 and is now about ready for the press2 this will doubtless prove to be one of the most interesting works proceeding from his pen4 ,o1 how pleasant is the death of a righteous person6 he lays down his body with a sure and certain hope of coming forth from the tomb in the morning of the first resurrection1 to reign as a mighty ,king and ,priest of the ,most ,high ,god1 to sit enthroned in eternal glory1 ruling with power and dominion for ever and ever4 ,o1 kind hearted1 affectionate brother6 how dearly we loved thee in life ,i how joyous to our soul were the words of life which flowed from thy mouth by the pure spirit of inspiration6 how lovely still is our remembrance of thee6 ,we weep not for thy death1 for it was glorious6 ,thou hast left us only for a short moment1 and we shall soon embrace thee again6 ,thy fiftieth year had but just rolled away1 and now thy ,jubilee has come6 ,rest in thy ,father's house1 with all the noble martyrs of the nineteenth century1 until the ,jubilee of the earth shall also come2 then shalt thou return and reign triumphantly with all the redeemed of ,adam's race4 ,from the following letter1 written only about four months prior to his martyrdom1 he plainly indicates that his pilgrimage and personal history in this world1' were near their close3 ,new ,york1 ,united ,states1 ,january #b;d1 #aheg4 ,dear ,brother ,orson--,i received your kind letter on the #cjth ,december1 #ahef4 ,i was thereby glad to hear from you and of your welfare4 ,i am well2 ,i spent about a month in ,st4 ,louis2 ,i then came on to ,cincinnati and stayed four days1 drawing full houses4 ,i arrived in ,philadelphia the day before ,christmas--was present next day at a grand party in that city in ,washington ,hall4 ,it was a fine time4 ,sunday last ,i preached three times to a full house4 ,i arrived here on ,wednesday last2 found ,presidents ,taylor and ,smith as well as usual4 ,yesterday ,i attended a party here1 in the ,saints' ,hall2 it was an interesting affair1 some four hundred persons being present4 ,we were entertained with songs1 prayers1 preaching1 praying1 recitations1 eating1 drinking1 etc4 ,in the midst of our evening's enjoyment the news arrived of the arrival of the ,columbia1 with a ship load of ,saints from ,england4 ,to-day we accompanied brother ,taylor to see them4 ,all well1 but a rough passage2 no deaths4 ,the weather is mild here1 and the winter so far very fine4 ,i have not yet seen the ,pratt family1 of whom you speak1 but ,i think ,i will visit them in a day or two4 ,you ask how long ,i will stay in the ,states4 ,i answer1 till spring4 ,i will then go home1 if ,god will1 if ,i have to go with a hand cart4 ,this country is no place for me2 the darkness is so thick ,i can literally feel it4 ,i cannot obtain the least assistance here for my family2 a tight match to obtain travelling expenses4 ,i have heard nothing from home since ,october #ast1 but ,i hope to hear soon4 ,i congratulate you on the marriage of your first born1 and hope you will soon become a grandfather4 ,now1 dear brother ,orson1 be of good courage--our pilgrimage will soon be over1 and our personal history in this world will naturally come to the word ,,finis4 ,as to my history1 ,i have it now complete from my birth up to to-day4 ,it will contain about as much reading as the ,book of ,mormon4 ,i would publish it1 in part or in full1 if gold was plentiful4 99 99 99 ,i have written to ,nelson ,pratt and received an answer2 he is well4 ,i am going there soon1 if all is well4 ,i am to start from ,st ,louis for home just as early in the spring as the weather will permit4 ,farewell6 ,god bless you4 ,i am your own brother1 ,p4 ,p4 ,pratt4 ,,genealogy ------------------------ ,the following correspondence1 extracted from a letter from my brother1 ,orson ,pratt1 ,sen41 dated at ,washington1 ,d4 ,c1 ,march #ajth1 #ahec1 throws a clear light upon our ancestry1 back as far as the earliest settlements of the ,pilgrim ,fathers in ,saybrook and ,hartford1 ,conn4 ,my dear brother ,parley--,i embrace the present opportunity to write a few lines to you4 99 99 99 ,it affords me much joy to be able to inform you that ,i have obtained the names and some knowledge of our ancestors back for many generations4 ,the genealogy runs thus3 ,our father1 ,jared ,pratt1 was the son of ,obadiah1 who was the son of ,christopher1 who was the son of ,william ,pratt1 who was the son of ,joseph ,pratt1 who was the son of ,lieutenant ,william and ,elizabeth ,pratt1 who is supposed to have come with his brother1 ,john ,pratt1 from ,essex ,county1 ,england1 about the year #afcc1 who were found among the first settlers of ,hartford1 ,connecticut1 in the year #afci4 ,they are supposed to have accompanied the ,rev4 ,thomas ,hooker and his congregation1 about one hundred in number1 from ,newton1 now called ,cambridge1 ,massachusetts1 through a dense wilderness1 inhabited only by savages and wild beasts1 and became the first founders of the colony at ,hartford1 ,connecticut1 in ,june1 #afcf1 and thence to ,saybrook about the year #afde4 ,the way ,i came by this information is as follows3 ,seeing a short editorial in some of my exchange papers1 that there was an attempt being made to search out the lineal descendants of ,lieutenant ,wm4 ,pratt1 and that the ,rev4 ,frederick ,w4 ,chapman1 of ,south ,glastenbury1 ,conn41 was engaged in that work1 ,i immediately addressed a letter to him1 giving him the names of ,jared1 ,obadiah and ,christopher1 and asking him for all the information he was in possession of in relation to our ancestors4 ,he immediately sent me a letter and two printed circulars4 ,the following is a copy of the letter3 ,south ,glastenbury1 ,march #eth1 #ahec4 ,dear ,sir--,i have just received your favor4 ,it affords me pleasure to be able to show you the connecting links between your grandfather1 ,obadiah ,pratt1 and the first settler1 ,william ,pratt1 who came with the company that located at ,hartford1 ,conn4 ,he received a portion of land in the first distribution in ,february1 #afci4 ,he married ,elizabeth ,clark1 daughter of ,john ,clark1 of ,milford1 ,connecticut1 about the same time4 ,he had eight children4 ,of these1 two were born in ,hartford4 ,he removed to ,saybrook in #afde4 ,his third child1 ,joseph ,pratt1 born at ,saybrook1 ,august #ast1 #afdh4 ,,second ,,generation4 ,joseph ,pratt ,sarah ,chapman1 ,married ,september1 #afhf4 ,thirteen children--five by a former wife4 ,william one of the children4 ,,third ,,generation4 ,william ,pratt ,hannah ,hough1 ,married ,october #h1 #agjj4 ,six children1 viz3 ,joseph1 born ,april #ac1 #aajc4 ,ephraim1 born ,april #a1 #agje ,margaret1 born ,april #a1 #agjh ,christopher1 born ,nov4 #d1 #agab ,elizabeth1 born ,jan4 #bj1 #agag ,experience1 born ,sept4 #bh1 #agbj ,,fourth ,,generation ,christopher ,pratt1 ,sarah ,pratt1 ,married ,june #ad1 #agci ,children3 ,stephen1 born ,june #cj1 #agdj1 at ,saybrook4 ,obadiah1 born ,sept4 #ad1 #agdb1 at ,saybrook4 ,sarah1 born ,march #bh1 #agde4 ,hannah1 born ,aug4 #f1 #agdg4 ,chalker1 born ,feb4 #ad1 #agej4 ,samuel ,i want very much to get all the descendants of the last six4 ,your letter was the first clue to any of them which ,i have received4 ,it is more difficult to trace the descendants of ,joseph than any other of the six children of ,william ,pratt4 ,in fact1 they seem to have disappeared from ,saybrook about a century ago4 ,i have already collected about two thousand of the descendants of ,william ,pratt4 ,there are probably not less than five thousand4 ,robert ,chapman1 my ancestor1 was married about two years after ,william ,pratt4 ,i have collected over five thousand of his descendants1 and the work--a volume of three hundred to three hundred and fifty pages--is nearly ready for the press4 ,i shall be able to collect most of the descendants of ,william if those whom ,i address will answer my letters and lend a helping hand4 ,may ,i rely on you to aid me in collecting the descendants of ,christopher ,pratt8 ,is your father living8 ,if so1 he may be able to inform you where the brothers and sisters of his grandfather1 ,christopher resided--or1 perhaps1 give the post-office address of one of the descendants of each family4 ,he can1 of course1 give me some account of his uncles and aunts4 ,please write immediately and inform me4 ,i want the marriage of ,stephen1 when and to whom--and of ,obadiah1 when and to whom1 and the names of their children--dates of birth2 and so of ,sarah and the others4 ,you can1 of course1 give me a list of your grandfather's children4 ,also give the name of your mother1 and date of your father's marriage1 with a list of all his children4 ,i enclose two circulars4 ,there is a ,pratt1 ex-,governor of ,maryland2 ,i know not his address2 if you can ascertain1 please forward one4 ,let me hear from you soon4 ,respectfully yours1 ,frederick ,w4 ,chapman4 ,now1 my dear brother ,parley1 when ,i received the foregoing letter ,i wept like a little child2 ,i was so overjoyed that ,i could not refrain from weeping4 ,there are none among all the descendants of our ancestor1 ,lieutenant ,william ,pratt1 who have so deep an interest in searching out his descendants as ourselves4 ,we know that the ,god of our fathers has had a hand in all this4 ,he it was who brought our ancestor ,william from ,england1 and established him in this choice land of promise1 given to us by virtue of the covenant made with our ancient father1 ,joseph1 the son of ,jacob4 ,the ,lord ,god of our fathers has multiplied them in this land1 and made them almost a nation within a nation4 ,blessed be the name of our ,god1 for ,he remembereth his covenants forevermore4 ,he has wrought upon the hearts of his servants1 our relations1 though unknown to them1 to inquire out the genealogy and history of our fathers upon the promised land4 ,yea1 blessed be the name of the ,lord ,god of ,joseph and of ,israel1 for he hath given into our hands the keys of the priesthood and the doctrines of salvation1 that we might stand as saviors upon ,mount ,zion1 in behalf of our ancestors and their lineal descendants4 ,let us1 my dear brother ,parley1 take hold of this matter in earnest and assist our kindred in the laudable enterprise which they have undertaken4 ,i have no records with me and my memory is weak4 ,therefore1 ,i hope you will search up all the family records1 and all the verbal information within your reach--with names1 dates1 births1 places1 marriages and deaths1 and forward without delay4 ,does our father's sister1 aunt ,lovina ,van ,cott1 or yourself know anything about the descendants of ,stephen1 ,sarah and others1 the brothers and sisters to our grandfather1 ,obadiah8 ,how shall we get a clue to them8 ,is ,it possible to find out any descendant of either of the brothers or sisters of ,christopher ,pratt1 of ,saybrook1 our great-grandfather8 ,who and when did our grandfather1 ,obadiah1 marry8 ,how many children had ,obadiah8 ,whom did they marry1 and when8 ,how many children had each of our uncles and aunts1 the brothers and sisters of our father8 ,and how many children and grandchildren has each of these cousins8 ,in short1 all the descendants of our great-grandfather1 ,christopher1 are wanting4 99 99 99 ,send all the information you can gather to ,mr4 ,chapman4 ,it might not be amiss to send him your ',history of the ,persecution1' your ',voice of ,warning1' and such other works as you may be the author of2 and also1 if you see proper1 a biographical sketch of your life ,i have forwarded to him all of my works4 99 99 99 ,i have also sent him all the information in my power concerning our kindred4 99 99 ,i sent a letter last evening proposing to take some fifty or a hundred dollars worth of the records as soon as published4 ,these will supply myself and brothers and our rising families4 ,i also proposed to search out1 if possible1 the ancestors of ,william ,pratt1 in ,england4 ,i expect to visit ,england in ,april or ,may1 and shall probably be absent two or three months4 ,this from your younger brother1 ,orson ,pratt4 ,after receiving the foregoing1 ,i gathered the little information ,i could1 in so new a country as ,utah ,territory1 and adding it to that which ,i knew myself1 the result or summary of the whole is as follows--for a portion of which ,i am indebted to the family records of my aunt ,lovina ,van ,cott1 and to her memory1 she being still living1 and near my residence in ,salt ,lake ,city4 ,our great-grandfather1 ,christopher ,pratt1 of ,saybrook1 ,conn41 had six children1 as follows1 viz3 ,stephen1 born ,june #cj1 #agdj1 at ,saybrook4 ,obadiah1 born ,sept4 #ad1 #agdb1 at ,saybrook4 ,sarah1 born ,march #bh1 #agde4 ,hannah1 born ,aug4 #f1 #agdg4 ,chalker1 born ,feb4 #ad1 #agej4 ,samuel ,our grandfather1 ,obadiah ,pratt1 son of ,christopher and ,sarah ,pratt1 born in ,saybrook1 ,conn41 ,september #ad1 #agdb1 received in marriage ,jemina ,tolls1 born in ,new ,haven1 ,conn41 ,august #aath1 #aged4 ,date of marriage not known4 ,he died in ,canaan1 ,columbia ,county1 ,new ,york4 ,march #b1 #agig4 ,his wife died in ,washington1 ,dutchess ,county1 ,new ,york1 ,nov #bd1 #ahab4 ,eleven children1 as follows3 ,jared1 born in ,canaan1 ,columbia ,county1 ,n4 ,y41 ,november #be1 #agfi4 ,barnabas1 ,march #d1 #agga4 ,samuel1 ,february #b1 #aggc4 ,rhoda1 ,may #cj1 #agge4 ,william1 ,may #ba1 #aggg4 ,sarah1 ,september #c1 #agha4 ,obadiah1 ,july #cj1 #aghd4 ,lovina1 ,august #f1 #aghg4 ,ira1 ,october #aj1 #aghi4 ,ellis1 ,twin sister of ,ira1 lived five days4 ,october #aj1 #aghi4 ,allen1 born in ,canaan1 ,columbia ,county1 ,n4 ,y41 ,may #c1 #agic4 ,our father1 ,jared ,pratt1 son of ,obadiah and ,jemima ,pratt1 received in marriage ,mary ,carpenter1 daughter of ,samuel ,carpenter1 of ,new ,lebanon1 ,n4 ,y4 ,she bore him one daughter1 named ,mary1 and afterwards died4 ,this daughter married a ,mr4 ,brown1 of ,new ,lebanon1 and bore one son1 named ,jerome ,brown4 ,she afterwards lost her husband1 and was married to ,samuel ,bigalow1 of ,new ,lebanon2 they may be still living at that place4 ,our father1 ,jared1 afterwards received in marriage ,charity ,dickison1 daughter of ,samuel ,dickison1 of ,bolton1 ,n4 ,y4 ,i remember seeing him once 7,dickison7 when a small boy4 ,our father1 ,jared1 died at ,detroit1 ,michigan1 of a fever1 ,november #e1 #ahci1 being near seventy years of age4 ,he died in the house of his eldest son1 ,anson1 who buried him some three or four miles north or northeast from ,detroit1 in ,michigan4 ,our mother1 ,charity1 died of cholera in the house of her son ,anson1 at ,st4 ,joseph1 ,missouri1 ,may #bj1 #ahdi1 and was buried in the graveyard of that town1 and a tombstone erected to her memory4 ,their children1 five in number1 were as follows3 ,anson1 born ,january #i1 #ahja1 died ,may #bf1 #ahdi4 ,william ,d41 born ,september #c1 #ahjb1 ,town of ,wooster1 ,new ,york1 died ,september #ae1 #ahgj1 ,salt ,lake ,city4 ,parley ,p41 born ,april #ab1 #ahjg1 in ,burlington1 ,otsego ,county1 ,new ,york4 ,orson1 born ,september #ai1 #ahaa1 in ,hartford1 ,washington ,go4 ,new ,york4 ,nelson1 born ,may #bf1 #ahae4 ,transcriber's ,note ------------------------ ,this text was prepared by ,tom ,nysetvold1 based on public-domain materials including a text available from the ,book of ,abraham ,project and text and scans available from ,archive4org4 ,it is intended to reproduce the #ahhh ,chicago edition4 ,email tomnysetvoldgmail4com with corrections or to participate in proofreading of similar early books of ,the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-,day ,saints4