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diff --git a/old/20110219-35333.txt b/old/20110219-35333.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a01a45 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/20110219-35333.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17174 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Life of Heber C. Kimball, an Apostle, by Orson F. Whitney + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: Life of Heber C. Kimball, an Apostle + The Father and Founder of the British Mission + +Author: Orson F. Whitney + +Release Date: February 19, 2011 [EBook #35333] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL *** + + + + +Produced by the Mormon Texts Project, +http://bencrowder.net/books/mtp. Volunteers: Hilton +Campbell, Byron Clark, Ben Crowder, Meridith Crowder, +Cameron Dixon, Brian Jarvis, Ted Lee. + + + + + + + + + LIFE OF + HEBER C. KIMBALL, + AN APOSTLE; + THE FATHER AND FOUNDER OF THE BRITISH MISSION. + +---- + +BY ORSON F. WHITNEY. + +---- + +It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy +in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who, in the +midst of the crowd, keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of +his character.--_Emerson_. + +---- + +PUBLISHED BY THE KIMBALL FAMILY, + +SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. + + +PRINTED AT THE JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE. + +1888. + + + + + TO THE MEMORY OF + My GRANDFATHER; + AND TO THE GREAT + Cause of Truth, + _For which he lived and died; and to all who love that + Memory and that Cause, + This Volume is reverently Dedicated by_ + THE AUTHOR. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +In presenting this work to the public, I not only fulfill the desires +of my own heart and those of my kindred who have undertaken to publish +what is here written and compiled, but likewise, I am persuaded, the +wish of our departed ancestor. Laying the foundation for such a work +while living (as the copious selections from his own writings will +testify), he left its bringing forth as a sacred legacy to his +posterity. + +For many years this duty, unenjoined in words, but accepted by all in +the light of a behest, was permitted to lie dormant. The death of +President Kimball, on the 22nd of June, 1868, was a calamity so sudden +and heavy in its effect upon his family, as to almost paralyze thought +and effort. Though trained to independence and self-reliance, under +his wise government, and never pampered in ease and luxury, they had +ever looked to him for guidance and support, and had never known the +weight of responsibility resting upon him as their parent and +provider, only as from time to time he had taken certain ones into his +confidence and permitted them to share his burdens. + +In his absence they were as sheep that had lost their shepherd. "Who +will provide for us now, and what shall we do to earn a livelihood?" +Such were the thoughts presented to their minds, and the questions +asked of their secret souls, as they looked around upon their temporal +situation. The division of the parental estate had left them +comfortable, though far from rich, None of his sons had trades, but +all had been brought up to work. Realizing that a city life was no +longer their lot, they resolved to separate, and, following the +example of their ancestors for generations, go forth and colonize new +regions. Some moved north, and others south, but few remaining in the +city of their birth, and at the expiration of fifteen years, many had +become almost as strangers to each other. + +About the year 1883 a spirit of inquiry commenced to manifest itself +among the members of the Kimball family, causing them to "feel after" +and evince more interest in each other's welfare. This sentiment +increasing, some of the elder members at length opened a +correspondence on the subject of a family reunion. By many this was +deemed impracticable, owing to their scattered condition; some living +in Idaho, some in southern Arizona, and others in California; and +nearly all in circumstances which, it was thought, would hardly +justify the necessary outlay. But the desire to meet and mingle with +each other finally grew so urgent and so general among them--as though +some unseen power were at work in their midst, with this object in +view--that it was determined to hold the reunion, no matter what +sacrifice it entailed. + +During the summer of 1886, a number of the family met and appointed a +Committee on Reunion, selecting for the day, June 14th, 1887, (the +eighty-sixth anniversary of their father's birth) and as the place of +meeting, Fuller's Hill Gardens, Salt Lake City. There came together on +that memorable occasion, fully three hundred members and relatives of +the Kimball family, with others who had been invited to take part in +the celebration. A programme, previously arranged, consisting of +speeches, recitations, readings, vocal and instrumental music, etc., +was carried out to the satisfaction and enjoyment of all, and the +remainder of the time spent in amusement, festivity and recreation. A +spirit of peace and union, powerful and indescribable, pervaded the +assembly and permeated the whole occasion, causing every heart to +swell with love, and many an eye to glisten with tears of gratitude +and joy. As though, indeed, the spirits of the departed were there, +bringing with them the sweet influences of the celestial world, to +weld anew, as links of a broken chain, the souls of those so long +separated. It was, in truth, a day never to be forgotten. + +There were present, of the family of President Kimball, nineteen sons, +six daughters, and several of his widows, besides grand-children, and +many other relatives, near and remote. + +One of the features of the programme was a sketch of the life of Heber +C. Kimball, written for the occasion and read by his grandson, the +author of this work. This incident determined and united the family on +a project mooted by its members and partly executed several years +before. It was the publication of the life of Heber C. Kimball. On the +evening of the day of reunion the male members of the family met and +appointed a committee of five on publication. Several thousand dollars +of undivided property, still in the estate, was devoted to the +purpose, and the author hereof solicited, and by unanimous voice +chosen and engaged to write the history. + +Such, in brief, were the immediate causes of the coming forth of this +volume. + +In the execution of my task, I have felt strongly moved upon by the +spirit of my grandsire, and verily believe that his presence, though +unseen, has hovered near me. + +This book is written from the standpoint of a Latter-day Saint. It +makes no apology for the honest expression of views, which, however +false or fanatical they may seem to others, are in the opinion of the +author only such as ought to be entertained by every sincere believer +and defender of the faith. It is issued with the humble and earnest +hope that it may go forth as a messenger of Truth to help prepare the +way for greater things that shall glorify God and redeem Zion. The +life of a man like Heber C. Kimball, with its lessons of faith and +humility, of virtue, courage and devotion, cannot fail, if prayerfully +read, to do something in this direction. + +Wherever possible, I have allowed the subject to speak for himself. In +lieu of converting facts found of record in his Journal into "original +matter," I have presented them mostly in all their freshness and +simplicity; as flowers of the field, with the dew and fragrance of +their native meadow yet clinging to them. This has been done, not only +out of deference to the wishes of his relatives, who desired that much +of what their father had written should be incorporated in the book of +his life, but because I have deemed it best to thus project upon the +reader's mental vision, by means of the most superior process, the +portrait of the man and his mission as painted by himself. + +I cannot close this introductory without expressing my deep sense of +indebtedness to the kind friends who have aided and encouraged me in +the bringing forth of this, my first book. Their name is legion, but +limited space will only permit the mention of a few. To President +Wilford Woodruff and others of the Apostles I am indebted for kind +words and encouragement, and for the appointment of a committee, at my +request, to read the manuscript and pass upon it critically, as to +doctrinal and historical points, before placing it in the hands of the +printer; to Elder George Reynolds, for his intelligent advice and +labors as one of said committee; and to Edward W. Tullidge Esq., the +veteran author, for a collection of facts relating to my subject, +gathered during his extensive experience as historian and biographer. +Last, but not least, in this limited reference, I am under obligations +of gratitude to my uncle, Solomon F. Kimball, the chief promoter of +this work, who first approached me on the subject of writing his +father's life, and who, in all the toils incident to such an +undertaking, has proved my staunch and faithful friend. + +My labor, I need hardly say, in conclusion, has been one of love and +duty. I have fulfilled, imperfectly I know, conscientiously I am as +certain, what I considered a sacred trust; the result of which I now +lay at the feet of an indulgent public. + + ORSON F. WHITNEY. + +NOVEMBER, 1888. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + + A Pre-existent Glimpse--God's Noble and Great Ones--Heber C. Kimball + a Predestined Prophet--Opening of the Last Dispensation--Heber's + Birth and Parentage--Early Incidents of His Life--Clouds and + Sunshine + +CHAPTER II. + + A Romantic Episode--Heber's Marriage with Vilate Murray--A Soldier + and a Free Mason--His Stern Arraignment of the Ancient Order--Death + of Heber's Father and Mother + +CHAPTER III. + + Heber's Poetic Nature--A Rough Diamond--Early Religious + Experience--Joins the Baptist Church--"Signs in the Heavens + Above"--Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young--The Everlasting Gospel + +CHAPTER IV. + + Heber Embraces Mormonism--A Baptism of Fire--Death of Miriam + Young--Vilate Kimball a Mother to the Orphans--Heber Ordained an + Elder--Resolves to Visit Kirtland + +CHAPTER V. + + The Land of Shinehah--Arrival of Heber and Brigham in + Kirtland--Their First Meeting with the Prophet--The Kimballs and + Youngs Remove to Ohio--Vexatious Suits and Mob Violence--Fallen on + Perilous Times + +CHAPTER VI. + + The Gathering of the Titans--Heber's Testimony of Joseph and the + Twelve--Their Mighty Mission--The Test of Faith--Zion's Camp + +CHAPTER VII. + + The Redemption of Zion--Enoch's City to Return--Object of The United + Order--Cause of the Jackson County Expulsion--The Wheat from the + Chaff + +CHAPTER VIII. + + The Zion's Camp Expedition--Joseph as a Prophet General--Finding of + the Bones of Zelph, the Ancient--Rebellion in the Camp--Joseph + Predicts a Scourge--Heber's Failure as a Launderer--Zion's Camp + Saved by a Storm + +CHAPTER IX. + + The Fishing River Revelation--Why Zion was not Redeemed--The Cholera + in Camp--The Test of Faith Complete--The Shadow of a Coming Event + +CHAPTER X. + + Building the Temple--Joseph and Heber Working in the Quarry--The + Theological School--A Lesson on Faith--Call of the Twelve--Heber C. + Kimball Ordained an Apostle + +CHAPTER XI. + + First Mission of the Twelve--Heber Revisits the Scenes of his + Childhood--Mobbing an Abolitionist--"The Accuser of the + Brethren"--Days of Repentance and Reformation + +CHAPTER XII. + + Heber's Description of the Temple--Its Dedication--Angels + Administer--The "Beloved Disciple" John Seen--The Solemn + Assembly--The Elders Endowed with Power from on High--Heber's Lone + Mission + +CHAPTER XIII. + + The Worship of Mammon--The Temporal Above the Spiritual--The + Kirtland Bank--Financial Disasters--Apostasy--Heber Sorrows Over the + Degeneracy of the Times + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Zion's Ship Among the Breakers--"Something New Must be Done to Save + the Church."--Heber C. Kimball Appointed to Open the British + Mission--Spiritual Things to the Front--Righting the Ship--Heber's + Prophecy to Willard Richards--"Yea, in the Name of the Lord, Thou + Shalt Go With Me"--The Departure for England + +CHAPTER XV. + + Farewell to Native Land--"Upon the Wide, Wide Sea"--Heber's Dream of + Joseph--A Ship Out of Her Reckoning--A Dying Child Healed--Apostle + Hyde Preaches on Board--Arrival at Liverpool--The Elders Leap Ashore + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Strangers in a Strange Land--The Elders Led by the Spirit to + Preston--"Truth Will Prevail"--The Reverend James + Fielding--Wonderful Fulfillment of Heber's Prophecies--A People + Prepared for the Gospel--The Elders Preach in Preston + +CHAPTER XVII. + + Satan Alarmed--The Powers of Evil Conspire Against the + Elders--Chapels and Churches Closed Against Them--The Reverend Mr. + Fielding in his Real Colors--The Work Continues to Spread--An Army + of Demons Attack the Elders--The Dawn and Victory + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + The Reverend Mr. Fielding Forbids the Elders to Baptize their + Converts--Apostle Kimball's Answer: "They are of Age and Can Act for + Themselves"--Premier Gladstone and Secretary Evarts--Free Agency and + Unrighteous Dominion--Heber C. Kimball Baptizes in the River + Ribble--A Miracle + +CHAPTER XIX. + + The Elders Separate for the Better Prosecution of Their + Work--Jennetta Richards--The Preston Branch Organized--Heber Goes to + Walkerfold--Another Minister's "Craft in Danger"--More of Heber's + Prophecies--"Willard, I Baptized Your Wife To-day." + +CHAPTER XX. + + The Mission of Elias--The Symbolism of the Universe--The Past + Preparatory to the Present and Future--The Way Prepared for the + Fullness of the Gospel--The "Lesser Lights" of England--Fielding, + Matthews and Aitken--The Stars Paling Before the Sun + +CHAPTER XXI. + + The Temperance Reform in Preston--A Work Preparatory to the + Gospel--Preaching in the "Cock Pit"--Heber Writes Home an Account of + His Mission--The Work in Cumberland--Episode of Mary Smithies--"She + Shall Live to Become a Mother in Israel." + +CHAPTER XXII. + + Heber Writes to Willard in Bedford--The Elders Become Licensed + Preachers--The "Milk" and "Meat of the Word"--Rapid Spread of the + Work--Miracles--Heber's Dream of the Bull and Field of Grain--A + Disappointed Mob + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + The Voice of the Good Shepherd--Heber Converts Whole Villages--The + Spirit of the Master Upon His Servant--The Christmas Conference in + Preston + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + The Work of God not Dependent upon Man--Humility a Source of + Power--Every Man Chosen and Fitted for his Sphere--Example of Paul + the Apostle--Heber "Hits the Rock" in Longton--The Apostles Visit + the Branches Prior to Returning to America + +CHAPTER XXV. + + Condition of the Church at Home--Pruning off the Dead Branches--A + Day of Choosing--Apostates Conspire to Overthrow the Church--Flight + of the Prophet from Kirtland--Fall of Oliver Cowdery and other + Apostles--"Show Unto us Thy Will, O Lord, concerning the Twelve!" + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + Heber's Farewell to Chatburn--An Affecting Scene--His Sympathy for + the Poor of England--The April Conference in Preston--Two Thousand + Saints Assemble--Joseph Fielding Appointed to Preside over the + British Mission + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + Departure for Liverpool--Heber's Letter to the Saints in Chatburn + and Downham--His Prediction concerning Thomas Webster--Its Strict + Fulfillment + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + The Elders Sail for Home--A Storm at Sea--How Heber Found Favor with + the Steward--Arrival at New York--The "Garrick" again + Victorious--Journey to Kirtland--On to Far West--Happy Meeting with + Joseph and the Brethren + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + The Land where Adam Dwelt--The Saints Impelled Toward their + Destiny--Persecution Revives--Adam-ondi-Ahman--The Altar of the + Ancient of Days + +CHAPTER XXX. + + Times that Tried Men's Souls--The Mob Gathering Against Far + West--Battle of Crooked River--Death of David W. Patten Days of + Darkness and Disaster + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + The Fall of Far West--Joseph and his Brethren Betrayed to the + Enemy--Heber Facing the Traitors--His Fearless Denunciation and Firm + Testimony--Atrocities of the Mob--Heber's Prophecy of + Retribution--He Visits the Prophet in Richmond Jail + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + Memorial to the Missouri Legislature--A Chapter of Infamy--How + Missouri Redressed the Wrongs of the Suffering Saints--Brigham and + Heber Setting in Order the Church--Arranging for the Exodus + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + The First Presidency Instruct the Apostles--Brigham Young Chosen + President of the Twelve--The Exodus Begun--Heber Tarries in Missouri + to Minister to his Imprisoned Brethren--His Faithful but Fruitless + Efforts for their Release--The Lord Speaks to Heber + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + A Word for the Fallen--Only God Knoweth the Wherefore and Why--Orson + Hyde's Repentance and Return to the Church--Heber C. Kimball and + Hyrum Smith his Champions--Isaac Russell's Apostasy--Heber Writes to + the Church in England + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + The Brethren in Liberty Jail--Judge King's Coup D'Etat--The Mob + Again Threaten Far West--Fiends in Human Form--The Prophet Regains + His Freedom--The Apostles Fulfill Revelation--First Conference of + the Church in Illinois + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + Nauvoo the Beautiful--Heber's Prediction Over the Fated City--Elder + Rigdon's Alarm--Heber's Second Encounter with Evil Spirits--Parley + P. Pratt Escapes from Prison, Fulfilling Heber's Prophecy + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + An Epidemic of Disease--Joseph Heals the Multitude--Brigham and + Heber Start on their Mission to England--Sickness by the Way--Heber + Poisoned--His Life Saved by Brigham + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + On to Kirtland--Miraculously Supplied with Money--Condition of + Affairs at the Old Church Headquarters 281 + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + The Apostles Sail for England--Growth of the British Mission During + Heber's Absence--Labors of Elders Woodruff and Taylor--First Council + of the Twelve Among the Nations--Willard Richards Ordained an + Apostle + +CHAPTER XL. + + Heber Visits the Branches Raised up During His Former Mission--His + Report of their Condition and Standing--First General Conference at + Manchester + +CHAPTER XLI. + + Founding the London Conference--Apostles Kimball, Woodruff and Smith + Chosen for the Work--Seeking for a Man with the Spirit of God--The + First Convert--The Elders Hold Open-air Meetings in Tabernacle + Square + +CHAPTER XLII. + + Father Corner Baptized--The Apostles Visit the Reverend Robert + Aitken--Heber Attacked with Cholera--The Work in other Parts--Second + Conference at Manchester--Brigham Accompanies Heber to + London--Conversion of the Rev. James Albion + +CHAPTER XLIII. + + Opening of the Year 1841 in London--Encouraging Success of the + Elders--Heber C. Kimball Blesses the Queen of England--The Woolwich + Branch Organized--Organization of the London Conference--The + Prospect of War Between Great Britain and the United States Hastens + the Return of the Apostles to America + +CHAPTER XLIV. + + Heber Organizes the Birmingham Conference--Meeting of the Apostles + in Manchester Prior to Returning to America--Orson Hyde Present on + his way to Palestine--The Extensive Work of One Year + +CHAPTER XLV. + + The Apostles Sail for Home--Arrival at New York--Heber's Letter to + the "Millennial Star"--Happy Meeting With the Prophet and the Saints + at Nauvoo--Labors Spiritual aid Temporal--Heber's Phrenological + Chart + +CHAPTER XLVI. + + Revelation of Celestial Marriage--Secrecy the Price of Safety-- + Joseph Tests Heber and Makes him his Confidant--How Vilate Kimball + was Converted--Heber and Vilate give their Daughter Helen to the + Prophet in Celestial Marriage + +CHAPTER XLVII. + + John C. Bennett's Apostasy--Heber and the Twelve sent out to Refute + his Slanders--Heber's Famous Sermon: "The Clay in the Hands of the + Potter"--Inception of the Relief Society--Vilate's Vow and Heber's + Prayer + +CHAPTER XLVIII. + + Heber's Last Mission to the Gentiles--Joseph Smith a Candidate for + the Presidency of the United States--The Apostles his + Electioneerers--The Martyrdom--Return of the Twelve to Nauvoo + +CHAPTER XLIX. + + Choice of Joseph's Successor--A Miracle--The Mantle of Joseph Falls + Upon Brigham Young--Heber C. Kimball his Right Hand Man + +CHAPTER L. + + The Work Moves on in Spite of Persecution and Apostasy--The Nauvoo + Temple Finished and Dedicated--The Saints Prepare for their Removal + to the Rocky Mountains + +CHAPTER LI. + + The Exodus--Heber's Prophecy Fulfilled--Evacuation of Nauvoo--The + Camp of Israel on Sugar Creek--Brigham and Heber Lead the Church + Westward--Arrival at the Missouri River + +CHAPTER LII. + + Destination of the Saints--The Call for the Mormon Battalion Heroic + Response of the Exiles--Brigham, Heber and Willard as Recruiting + Sergeants--Departure of the Battalion--The Camp of Israel Goes into + Winter Quarters--The Fall of Nauvoo + +CHAPTER LIII. + + The Word and Will of the Lord Concerning the Camp of Israel--The + Pioneers Start for the Rocky Mountains--Names of the + Heroes--Incidents of the Journey West + +CHAPTER LIV. + + Arrival at Grand Island--The Pioneer Buffalo Hunt--Heber Kills his + First Bison--The Spirit of Levity Rebuked--The Pioneers Reach Fort + Laramie + +CHAPTER LV. + + The Pioneers Cross the Platte--Governor Boggs and the + Missourians--Col. Bridger--"A Thousand Dollars for a Bushel of + Wheat"--The Pioneers' First Glimpse of the Valley of the Great Salt + Lake + +CHAPTER LVI. + + The Pioneers Enter the Valley--Exploring and Colonizing--A Renewal + of Covenants--Selection of Inheritances--Return of the Leaders to + Winter Quarters + +CHAPTER LVII. + + The First Presidency Reorganized--Heber Attains to "The Honor of the + Three"--Second Journey to the Mountains--Sickness and + Distress--Heber's Character as a Colonizer + +CHAPTER LVIII. + + The Cricket Plague--Saved by the Gulls--Heber's Famous + Prophecy--"States Goods" Sold in Great Salt Lake City Cheaper than + in New York + +CHAPTER LIX. + + Heber C. Kimball Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of + Deseret--In the Legislature--Laying the Corner Stones of the Salt + Lake Temple--Heber's Consecration Prayer--His Prophecy in Relation + to the Temple--He Predicts Another Famine + +CHAPTER LX. + + The Famine of '56--Heber a Second Joseph--A Savior to his + People--Vilate a Ministering Angel--A Strange Piece of + Counsel--President Kimball's Letters Descriptive of the Famine to + His Son William, in England + +CHAPTER LXI. + + The Hand-cart Emigration--Perishing in the Snow--Heroic Conduct of + William II. and David P. Kimball--President Kimball's Plea and + Exertions in Behalf of the Sufferers--The Utah War--The Great + Rebellion + +CHAPTER LXII. + + Some of Heber's Family History--A Patriarchal Household--Names of + his Wives and Children--Episode of Abram A. Kimball--Peter, the + Child of Promise--Heber at Family Prayers--David H. Kimball's + Story--Heber P. and Solomon F. Kimball in the Black Hawk War + +CHAPTER LXIII. + + Anecdotes and Reminiscences of Heber C. Kimball--The Man as Others + Knew him--Golden Grains from the Sands of Memory + +CHAPTER LXIV. + + Gems from the Words of Heber--Spirit Rappings--Address at the + Funeral of Mary Fielding Smith--Love, Unity and the Courage of the + Righteous--Joseph and the Keys of the Kingdom--Cultivation of + Spirits--Heaven and Hell--Administration of Angels and the Spirits + of the Ancients--The Resurrection--The Spirit World--The Clay and + the Potter--A Cause of Apostasy--A Miraculous Cane--The Church in + Heaven + +CHAPTER LXV. + + Gems from Heber's Words Continued--His Striking View of Time and + Eternity--His Words and Works at the Last Conference Preceding his + Death--His Last Sermon + +CHAPTER LXVI. + + Death of Vilate, the Wife of Heber's Youth--President Brigham Young + Preaches her Funeral Sermon--His Feeling Tribute to her + Memory--Heber Prophesies of his Own Death + +CHAPTER LXVII. + + Death of Apostle Kimball--All Israel Mourns--Expressions in Honor of + the Illustrious Dead + +CHAPTER LXVIII. + + Obsequies of President Kimball--Tributes and Testimonies of his + Brother Apostles--"He was a man of as Much Integrity as Any Man who + Ever Lived"--Earth Returns to Earth and the Spirit Unto God Who Gave + it + +APPENDIX. + + A Glimpse of the Great Beyond--Thrilling Experience of David Patten + Kimball--Lost in the Desert--Communing with the Spirits of the + Departed--David Predicts his own Death and the Death of Four + Others--The Fulfillment + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +A PRE-EXISTENT GLIMPSE--GOD'S NOBLE AND GREAT ONES--HEBER C. KIMBALL A +PREDESTINED PROPHET--OPENING OF THE LAST DISPENSATION--HEBER'S BIRTH +AND PARENTAGE--EARLY INCIDENTS OF HIS LIFE--CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE. + + +Men like Heber C. Kimball are not accidents. They are emphatically and +in the truest sense, children of destiny. If we seek their origin, and +would know their truth, we must not halt beside the humble cradle +which "lulled their infant cares to rest." We must rise on spirit +wings above the mists and vapors of mortality, and survey them in the +light of an eternal existence, a life without beginning or end. Says +one of old: + + "Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that + were organized before the world was; and among all these there + were many of the noble and great ones; and God saw these souls + that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he + said, 'These I will make my rulers'; for he stood among those that + were spirits, and he saw that they were good, and he said unto me, + Abraham, thou art one of them, thou wast chosen before thou wast + born." + +Again, unto Jeremiah: + + "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou + camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained + thee a prophet unto the nations." + +What is true in this respect of ancient prophets, is true also of +modern prophets, for verily are their origin, their mission and their +destiny the same. + +It devolved upon the subject of this writing to come forth at a time +which has no parallel in all the ages of the past. The day of God's +power and of Zion's glory was about to dawn. The Sun that set in blood +behind Judea's hills was soon to rise o'er Zion's mountain-tops and +flood the world with light. The latter-day dispensation was opening. +All things in Christ were to be gathered in one. The curtain of +history had risen on the last act of the tragedy of Time. + +Would God leave the world without "great and noble ones" at such an +hour? + +---- + +Heber Chase Kimball was born into this life June 14th, 1801. The same +soil produced him that in colonial times brought forth an Ethan Allen, +the hero of Ticonderoga, and in later years the wondrous twain of +spirits known to the world as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. + +A far greater work than the capture of a British fortress was in the +future of this Mormon triad of "Green Mountain boys," who went forth +"in the name of the great Jehovah" to invade the strongholds of Satan, +and plant the banner of gospel truth above the ramparts of his +conquered citadels. + +Heber's birthplace was the town of Sheldon, Franklin County, Vermont, +ten miles from the shores of Lake Champlain. He was the fourth child +and second son in a family of seven, the order of whose birth was as +follows: Charles Spaulding, Eliza, Abigail, Heber Chase, Melvina, +Solomon and Daniel Spaulding, the last named of whom died in infancy. +These were all born in Sheldon. + +His father's name was Solomon Farnham Kimball, a native of +Massachusetts, where he was born in the year 1770. He was "a man of +good moral character," and, though he professed no religion, taught +his children correct principles. His mother's maiden name was Anna +Spaulding; she was a strict Presbyterian, lived a virtuous life, and, +according to her best knowledge, reared her family in the ways of +righteousness. She was the daughter of Daniel and Speedy Spaulding, +and was born in Plainfield, New Hampshire, on the banks of the +Connecticut river. + +The Kimballs were of Scotch descent, their ancient name, it is +believed, being Campbell. Heber's grandfather and a brother came from +England, in time to assist in gaining the independence of the +colonies. In America his ancestors and those of the Prophet Joseph +Smith were related by marriage. + +Heber derived his given name from a Judge Chase, of Massachusetts, by +whom his father was reared from a boy, and who chanced to visit his +former protege soon after his son was born. The judge himself proposed +the christening, and the parents being nothing loth, Heber Chase +Kimball became the infant's name. + +This Judge Chase, though presumably "learned in the law," like many of +his class in those primitive, common sense days was not above +following the humbler pursuits of life. He was a blacksmith, and +taught Heber's father that trade, and when he had married, helped him +to establish his smithy in the town of Sheldon. + +"At the close of the Revolutionary War," says Heber, "my father was +thirteen years old, and I can remember his rehearsing to me some of +the scenes of the war. + +"He was captain of a company of militia in Sheldon, and wore a cocked +hat of the old English style, a straightbodied coat, and short +breeches with a knee buckle, long stockings, and Suwarrow boots with a +pair of tassels. + +"He was partly bald, had dark-brown hair, blue eyes, sandy whiskers +and light complexion; he was five feet, eleven inches high, and +weighed two hundred pounds and upwards. + +"He engaged in farming and clearing land, burning the wood into coal +and ashes; he had also a forge and trip-hammer, in the manufacture of +wrought iron. + +"About the time of the embargo, before the last war with England, my +father lost his property, as it was invested in salts, potash and +pearlash; the embargo, having shut down the gate of commerce between +the United States and England, left his property in his hands without +much value." + +In February, 1811, the Kimballs migrated from Vermont, and settled in +West Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York, five hundred miles from +their former home, where the head of the family reengaged in his +occupations of farmer and blacksmith, to which he now added that of +builder. He was aided in his new venture by Judge Towsley, of Scipio, +Cayuga County, who had employed him for several months as foreman in a +blacksmith shop. + +Heber thus describes the journey from Sheldon to West Bloomfield, with +incidents of their subsequent experience in that then new country: + +"My father took my mother and six children in a sleigh, with one span +of horses, a change of clothing for each of us, and some blankets to +wrap us in; when we reached St. Albans, my father bought each of his +boys a hat, which was the first hat I ever had on my head. We traveled +on Lake Champlain, on the ice, and the wind being very high, my hat +was blown off and lost. + +"We traveled on the ice up to Whitehall, a distance of one hundred and +ten miles, where, spring being open, he traded his sleigh for a wagon +and proceeded to West Bloomfield. + +"He built an academy in West Bloomfield, also two tavern stands and +several private dwellings; he made nearly all of the edge tools, such +as scythes, augers, axes, knives, etc., also plow-shares and +agricultural implements, for the country around, to a distance of +fifty or sixty miles; and sometimes he had eight forges employed at +once. + +"He continued living in West Bloomfield during the 'last war' with +England, which place was on the thoroughfare between Albany and +Buffalo, on what was called 'the public turnpike,' and on which the +soldiery passed during the war (1812-15). It was flourishing times, +there being plenty of business and money, and most men in business +became involved, so that when the war closed bankruptcy became common, +as every merchant, tavern-keeper and grog-shop had a banking +establishment, and issued 'shin-plasters' from one cent up to five +dollars. + +"My father lost the greater portion of his property, which broke him +up in that place. He then moved two and one-half miles east, half way +between East and West Bloomfield, where he bought a farm of a Mr. +Stewart, near a small lake called Stewart's Pond; on this farm there +was a little improvement. Here he established blacksmithing, built a +large tavern stand, barns and other out-houses, and once more set out +an orchard of various kinds of fruit trees. + +"This was in the year 1816, which was called the cold season; the same +year that the black spot was seen on the sun. The following year we +had little to subsist upon; for some three weeks we gathered milk +weeds, and boiled and ate them, not having salt to put on them. It was +with difficulty that bread could be procured." + +Evidently the elder Kimball was a man of force and energy, qualities +which his son Heber inherited, and in turn transmitted to his +posterity. The Kimballs, with scarcely an exception, are, in this +respect, of just such sterling stuff as their sire and grandsire, and +invariably "show the mettle of their pasture," as colonizers, wherever +their lot is cast. + +The limited amount of schooling that Heber received in these days of +his childhood and early youth, extended from his fifth to his +fourteenth year, and was of the quality usually found in the primitive +village schools of the day. He was not an ardent lover of books, but +drew his lessons from life and nature in all their multiplied and +varied phases. It was "about the time of the great eclipse in 1806" +that he commenced going to school. The eclipse he "remembered well," +as his father was about starting on a journey, but was obliged to wait +on account of the darkness. + +At the age of fourteen he was put to work in his father's blacksmith +shop, and acquired a knowledge of that useful trade. When he was +nineteen, his father having met with further reverses, he was thrown +entirely upon his own resources, and now began to taste the first +bitter experience of his life. + +He was a singular compound, in his nature, of courage and timidity, of +weakness and strength; uniting a penchant for mirth with a proneness +to melancholy, and blending the lion-like qualities of a leader among +men, with the bashfulness and lamb-like simplicity of a child. + +He was not a coward; a braver man probably never lived than Heber C. +Kimball. His courage, however was not of that questionable kind which +"knows no fear." Rather was it of that superior order, that +Christ-like bravery, which feels danger and yet dares to face it. He +had all the sensitiveness of the poet--for he was both a poet and a +prophet from his mother's womb--and inherited by birthright the power +to feel pleasure or suffer pain, in all its exquisiteness and +intensity. + +Hear his own pathetic story of his early hardships: + +"At this time, I saw some days of sorrow; my heart was troubled, and I +suffered much in consequence of fear, bashfulness, and timidity. I +found myself cast abroad upon the world, without a friend to console +my grief. In these heart-aching hours I suffered much for want of food +and the comforts of life, and many times when two or three days +without food to eat, being bashful and not daring to ask for it. + +"After I had spent several weeks in the manner before stated, my +oldest brother, Charles, hearing of my condition, offered to teach me +the potter's trade. I immediately accepted the offer, and continued +with him until I was twenty-one. + +"While living with my brother, he moved into the town of Mendon, +Monroe, County, New York, six miles north of Bloomfield, towards the +city of Rochester, where he again established the potter's business." + +Here Heber finished learning his trade and commenced working for +wages. Six months later he purchased his brother's business and set up +in the same line for himself, in which he prospered for upwards of ten +years. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +A ROMANTIC EPISODE--HEBER'S MARRIAGE WITH VILATE MURRAY--A SOLDIER AND +A FREE MASON--HIS STERN ARRAIGNMENT OF THE ANCIENT ORDER--DEATH OF +HEBER'S FATHER AND MOTHER. + + +Meanwhile, the sun of love dawned on his horizon. In one of his rides +he chanced to pass, one warm summer day, through the little town of +Victor, in the neighboring County of Ontario. Being thirsty, he drew +rein near a house where a gentleman was at work in the yard, whom he +asked for a drink of water. As the one addressed went to the well for +a fresh bucketful of the cooling liquid, he called to his daughter +Vilate, to fetch a glass from the house, which he filled and sent by +her to the young stranger. + +Heber was deeply impressed with the beauty and refined modestly of the +young girl, whose name he understood to be "Milaty," and who was the +flower and pet of her father's family. Lingering as long as propriety +would permit, or the glass of water would hold out, he murmured his +thanks and rode reluctantly away. + +How suggestive this incident, of Whittier's pretty tale, "Maud +Muller:" + + "Thanks" said the Judge, "a sweeter draught + From a fairer hand was never quaffed." + +It was not long before he again had "business" in Victor, and again +became thirsty (?) just opposite the house where the young lady lived. +Seeing the same gentleman in the yard whom he had accosted before, he +hailed him and asked him for a cup of water. This time the owner of +the premises offered to wait upon him in person, but Heber, with the +blunt candor for which he was noted, nearly took the old gentleman's +breath by saying, "if you please, sir, I'd rather My-Laty would bring +it to me." + +"Laty," as she was called in the house, accordingly appeared and did +the honors as before, and returned blushing to meet the merriment and +good-natured badinage of her sister and brothers. + +She, however, was quite as favorably impressed with the handsome young +stranger, as he with her. More visits followed, acquaintance ripened +into love, and on the 7th of November, 1822, they were married. + +Vilate Murray--for that was her name--was the youngest child of +Roswell and Susannah Murray. She was born June 1st, 1806, in Florida, +Montgomery County, New York. At the time of her marriage she was only +in her seventeenth year. + +The Murrays, like the Kimballs, were of Scotch descent, and came to +America during the Seven Years' War. As a race they were gentle, +kind-hearted, intelligent and refined. Through many of them ran a vein +of poetry. Vilate herself wrote tender and beautiful verses. She was +an ideal wife for a man like Heber C. Kimball, by whom she was ever +cherished as the treasure that she was. + +Heber was now past twenty-one, and fast developing into as fine a +specimen of manhood as one might wish to behold. Tall and powerful of +frame, with piercing black eyes that seemed to read one through, and +before whose searching gaze the guilty could not choose but quail, he +moved with a stateliness and majesty all his own, as far removed from +haughtiness and vain pride, as he from the sphere of the upstart who +mistakes scorn for dignity, and an overbearing manner as an evidence +of gentle blood. + +Heber C. Kimball was a humble man, and in his humility, no less than +his kingly stature, consisted his dignity, and no small share of his +greatness. It was his intelligence, earnestness, simplicity, sublime +faith and unwavering integrity to principle that made him great, not +the apparel he wore, nor the mortal clay in which his spirit was +clothed. Nevertheless, nature had given him a noble presence in the +flesh, worthy the godlike stature of his spirit. + + "A combination and a form, indeed, + Where every God did seem to set his seal + To give the world assurance of a man." + +The son and grandson of a soldier, he had early enrolled in an +independent horse company of the New York State militia. Under Captain +Sawyer, of East Bloomfield, and his successor in command, he trained +fourteen years; one year more would have exempted him from further +military service. He remarks, with honest pride, that he was never +brought before a court martial or found delinquent in his duty. + +Heber was also a Free Mason. In 1823 he received the first three +degrees of masonry in the lodge at Victor. The year following, himself +and five others petitioned the chapter at Canandaigua, the county seat +of Ontario County, for the degrees up to the Royal Arch. The petition +was favorably considered, but before it could be acted upon the Morgan +anti-mason riot broke out, and the Masonic Hall, where the chapter +met, was burned by the mob and all the records consumed. + +Says Heber, "There are thousands of Masons who lived in those days, +who are well aware of the persecution and unjust proceedings which +were heaped upon them by the anti-Masons; not as many as three of us +could meet together, unless in secret, without being mobbed. + +"I have been as true as an angel from the heavens to the covenants I +made in the lodge at Victor. + +"No man was admitted into a lodge in those days except he bore a good +moral character, and was a man of steady habits; and a man would be +suspected for getting drunk, or any other immoral conduct. I wish that +all men were masons and would live up to their profession; then the +world would be in a much better state than it is now." + +Commenting on the degeneracy of the Ancient Order--the old, old story +of the persecuted becoming persecutors--he continues: + +"I have been driven from my houses and possessions, with many of my +brethren belonging to that fraternity, five times, by mobs led by some +of their leading men. Hyrum Smith received the first three degrees of +masonry in Ontario County, New York. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were +Master Masons, yet they were massacred through the instrumentality of +some of the leading men of that fraternity, and not one soul of them +has ever stepped forth to administer help to me or my brethren +belonging to the Masonic Institution, or to render us assistance, +although bound under the strongest obligations to be true and faithful +to each other in every case and under every circumstance, the +commission of crime excepted." + +Yes, Masons, it is said, were even among the mob that murdered Joseph +and Hyrum in Carthage Jail. Joseph, leaping the fatal window, gave the +masonic signal of distress. The answer was the roar of his murderers' +muskets and the deadly balls that pierced his heart. + +Heber continued to prosper in business, working in his pottery in +summer, and at his forge in winter. He purchased land, built houses, +planted orchards, and otherwise "situated himself to live comfortably." + +In the spring of 1825, he gave his father a home with him in Mendon. +The old gentleman was now a widower, his wife, Heber's mother, having +died in February, 1824, at West Bloomfield, of consumption. Her +husband survived her a little over a twelve-month, when he, too, fell +a victim to the same malady. + +It is a coincidence worthy of note that the deaths of Heber and Vilate +were also about one year apart, she passing away first, and he, like +his father, following soon the footsteps of his beloved partner to the +spirit land. + +We have traced his life's record through its initial stages. He was +now fairly on the threshold of his remarkable career. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +HEBER'S POETIC NATURE--A ROUGH DIAMOND--EARLY RELIGIOUS +EXPERIENCE--JOINS THE BAPTIST CHURCH--"SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS +ABOVE"--HEBER C. KIMBALL AND BRIGHAM YOUNG--THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL. + + +Heber's temperament was religious and poetical. Sociable as he was, +and even bubbling over with mirth, at times, his soul was essentially +of a solemn cast. He loved solitude, not with the selfish spirit of +the misanthrope, but for the opportunities it gave of communing with +his own thoughts--a pleasure that only poet minds truly feel--and of +listening to the voice of God and nature, expressed in all the +countless and varied forms of life. + +He was capable of sensing fully--though probably he had never seen or +heard--those sublime words of the poet: + + "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; + There is a rapture on the lonely shore; + There is society, where none intrudes, + By the deep sea, and music in its roar. + I love not man the less, but nature more, + From these our interviews; in which I steal + From all I may be, or have been before, + To mingle with the universe and feel + What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal." + +True, he was a diamond in the rough, but a diamond, nevertheless, for +all of its incrustations. Unlettered and untaught, save in nature's +school, the university of experience, where he was an apt and profound +scholar, he was possessed of marvelous intuition, a genius God-given, +which needed no kindling at a college shrine to prepare it for the +work which providence had designed. + +Not but that education would have polished the gem, causing it to +shine with what the natural eye would deem a brighter lustre; but the +fact remains that Heber C. Kimball, as he was, not as he might have +been, was best adapted for the divine purpose, the career marked out +for him by the finger of Deity. + +It is not strange that a nature of this kind, solemn, thoughtful and +inspirational, should have been led early to seek "an anchor for the +soul," a knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. But his +search for many years was in vain; he found not among the sects of +Christendom the precious pearl which an honest soul will sell all that +it hath to obtain. + +"From the time I was twelve years old," says he, "I had many serious +thoughts and strong desires to obtain a knowledge of salvation, but +not finding anyone who could teach me the things of God, I did not +embrace any principles of doctrine, but endeavored to live a moral +life. The priests would tell me to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, +but never would tell me what to do to be saved, and thus left me +almost in despair. + +"During the time I lived in Mendon, I mostly attended the meetings of +the Baptist church, and was often invited to unite myself with them. I +received many pressing invitations to unite with different sects, but +did not see fit to comply with their desires, until a revival took +place in our neighborhood. I had passed through several of their +protracted meetings and had been many times upon the anxious bench to +seek relief from the 'bands of sin and death.' But no relief could I +find until the meetings were passed by. + +"At this time I concluded to put myself under the watch-care of the +Baptist church and unite myself to them; as soon as I had concluded to +do this, the Lord administered peace to my mind, and accordingly, the +next day I went, in company with my wife, and we were baptized by +Elder Elijah Weaver; and we partook of the sacrament on that day for +the first and also the last time with them." + +Such was his initiation into religion, as pertaining to a Christian +sectarian church. Though not in accord with the Baptist faith in all +its teachings, it seemed to him to be nearest right according to the +Bible; probably from the stress laid upon baptism by immersion, +manifestly the Bible mode, and the only true way of being "born of the +water." Besides, he deemed it wise to put a "guard" upon himself, to +"keep him from running into evils." + +The peace of mind that he experienced, as the sanction of the Holy One +upon a prudent and conscientious act, was but the prelude and prophecy +of far greater things to follow. The heavens were bestirring +themselves. The invisible world was up in arms. Truth and Error were +taking the field. The latter-day conflict had begun. The signs of the +coming of the Son of Man were showing themselves in the heavens. + +It was the eventful night of September 22nd, 1827. Says Heber C. +Kimball: + +"I had retired to bed, when John P. Greene, who was living within a +hundred steps of my house, came and waked me up, calling upon me to +come out and behold the scenery in the heavens. I woke up and called +my wife and Sister Fanny Young (sister to Brigham Young), who was +living with us, and we went out-of-doors. + +"It was one of the most beautiful starlight nights, so clear that we +could see to pick up a pin. We looked to the eastern horizon, and +beheld a white smoke arise toward the heavens; as it ascended it +formed itself into a belt, and made a noise like the sound of a mighty +wind, and continued southwest, forming a regular bow dipping in the +western horizon. After the bow had formed, it began to widen out and +grow clear and transparent, of a bluish cast; it grew wide enough to +contain twelve men abreast. + +"In this bow an army moved, commencing from the east and marching to +the west; they continued marching until they reached the western +horizon. They moved in platoons, and walked so close that the rear +ranks trod in the steps of their file leaders, until the whole bow was +literally crowded with soldiers. We could distinctly see the muskets, +bayonets and knapsacks of the men, who wore caps and feathers like +those used by the American soldiers in the last war with Britain; and +also saw their officers with their swords and equipage, and the +clashing and jingling of their implements of war, and could discover +the forms and features of the men. The most profound order existed +throughout the entire army; when the foremost man stepped, every man +stepped at the same time; I could hear the steps. When the front rank +reached the western horizon a battle ensued, as we could distinctly +hear the report of arms and the rush. + +"No man could judge of my feelings when I beheld that army of men, as +plainly as ever I saw armies of men in the flesh; it seemed as though +every hair of my head was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, +until it began to disappear. + +"After I became acquainted with Mormonism, I learned that this took +place the same evening that Joseph Smith received the records of the +Book of Mormon from the angel Moroni, who had held those records in +his possession. + +"John Young, sen., and John P. Greene's wife, Rhoda, were also +witnesses. + +"My wife, being frightened at what she saw, said, 'Father Young, what +does all this mean?' + +"'Why, it's one of the signs of the coming of the Son of Man,' he +replied, in a lively, pleased manner. + +"The next night similar scenery was beheld in the west by the +neighbors, representing armies of men who were engaged in battle." + +A wonderful foreshadowing, truly, of the warfare to be waged between +the powers of good and evil, from the time Truth sprang from earth and +Righteousness looked down from heaven upon the boy Joseph, predestined +to bring to light the buried records of the past. + +In Mendon began the intimacy and friendship of Heber C. Kimball with +his life-long colleague, Brigham Young. The Youngs and Greenes, like +the Kimballs, were from Vermont, and had moved into Mendon a few +months prior to the event just related. In religion they were Reformed +Methodists, but, being in lowly circumstances, were looked down upon +by the proud members of the flourishing church to which they belonged. +They had suffered greatly from sickness, and had seen much sorrow and +affliction. + +Heber's generous heart and that of his noble wife were touched with +sympathy and compassion for their situation. Says he: "To them my +heart was united, because a principle had existed in my breast from +earliest childhood, to plead the cause of suffering innocence, to go +on the side of the oppressed at all times; neither do I remember to +have ever varied from this fixed principle at any time in my life; I +have many times turned aside from the company of those who were highly +esteemed in the world, and sought the society of the poor and humble, +those who loved the ways of the Lord better than the praise of the +world." + +He found in these families, which were related, congenial associates, +for they too were seekers after truth, and truth they were all +destined, ere many days, to find. + +Sometime in the fall or winter of 1831, about three weeks after Heber +and his wife had joined the Baptist church, five Elders of the Church +of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came from Pennsylvania to Victor, +five miles from Mendon, and tarried at the house of Phineas H. Young. +They were Eleazer Miller, Elial Strong, Alpheus Gifford, Enos Curtis +and Daniel Bowen. Hearing of these men, Heber was prompted by +curiosity to visit them, "when," says he, "for the first time I heard +the fullness of the everlasting gospel." + +The glorious news of a restored gospel and a living priesthood, +commissioned of and communicating with the heavens; the promise of the +Holy Ghost with signs following the believer, as in days of old; the +wondrous declaration of angels revisiting the earth, breaking the +silence of ages, bringing messages from another world;--all this fell +upon the heart of this God-fearing man, and on the hearts of his +friends and companions, like dew upon thirsty ground. As the voice of +a familiar spirit, it seemed an echo from the far past--something they +had known before. + +To hear, with Heber, was to believe. He was convinced that they taught +the truth, and was constrained to receive their testimony. He saw, +more clearly than ever, that he had embraced but a portion of the +truth in the Baptist faith; that the creeds of Christendom, the +religions of the world, were but remnants of the everlasting gospel, +broken off fragments of that grand Rock of Ages, the same in all +generations; mixtures of truth and error; lesser lights at best in the +broad firmament of human faith; and that now, when the Sun had once +more arisen, the stars that lit the night must pale away. + +Both Heber and Brigham received the word gladly, and were impelled to +testify of its divinity. Then the power of God fell upon them. + +"On one occasion," says Heber, "Father John Young, Brigham Young, +Joseph Young and myself had come together to get up some wood for +Phineas H. Young. While we were thus engaged we were pondering upon +those things which had been told us by the Elders, and upon the saints +gathering to Zion, when the glory of God shone upon us, and we saw the +gathering of the saints to Zion, and the glory that would rest upon +them; and many more things connected with that great event, such as +the sufferings and persecutions that would come upon the people of +God, and the calamities and judgments that would come upon the world. + +"These things caused such great joy to spring up in our bosoms that we +were hardly able to contain ourselves, and we did shout aloud +'Hosannah to God and the Lamb.'" + +This heavenly vision, vouchsafed as the reward of faith and pure +desires, only made them eager to know more of the "marvelous work and +wonder" which the God of Israel had set His hand to perform, in +fulfillment of the words of His ancient prophets. The Holy Ghost had +fallen upon them, as on Cornelius of old, before baptism. They had +plucked from the Tree of Life, from branches overhanging the wall, +luscious fruit, whose sweetness and flavor made them long to enter the +garden and more fully satisfy the desire of their souls. + +Heber, accordingly, proposed a journey to Pennsylvania, the state from +whence the Elders came, where several branches of the Church were +established. It was winter; January, 1832. Putting his horses to the +sleigh, he and his companions set off upon the journey, a distance of +one hundred and twenty-five miles. The party consisted of Heber C. +Kimball, Brigham Young, Phineas Young and the wives of the two latter. +The branch they visited was in Columbia, Bradford County; that from +which the Elders came, in Rutland, Tioga County. + +They tarried about six days, attending the meetings of the Church, +witnessing the manifestations of the gifts of the spirit, such as +speaking in tongues, interpretations and prophecy, and learning more +of the nature and mission of the great latter-day work. They returned +home rejoicing, praising God, and bearing testimony by the way. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +HEBER EMBRACES MORMONISM--A BAPTISM OF FIRE--DEATH OF MIRIAM +YOUNG--VILATE KIMBALL A MOTHER TO THE ORPHANS--HEBER ORDAINED AN +ELDER--RESOLVES TO VISIT KIRTLAND. + + +Heber, be it remembered, was a potter, and, though fairly well-to-do +in the world, continued to labor at his trade for a livelihood. + +One day in April, of the spring following his visit to Pennsylvania, +as he was working in his shop, in the act of forming a vessel on the +wheel, Alpheus Gifford entered. This Elder was then on his second +mission to those parts, in company with others of his brethren. The +conversation turning on the subject of the gospel, Heber said: +"Brother Alpheus, I am ready to go forward and be baptized." + +What followed is thus graphically told. Says Heber: "I arose, pulled +off my apron, washed my hands and started with him, with my sleeves +rolled up to my shoulders, and went a distance of one mile, where he +baptized me in a small stream in the woods. After I was baptized I +kneeled down and he laid his hands upon my head and confirmed me a +member of the Church of Jesus Christ, and said unto me, 'In the name +of Jesus Christ, and by the authority of the holy Priesthood, receive +ye the Holy Ghost;' and before I got up off my knees he wanted to +ordain me an Elder; but I plead with him not to do it, for I felt +myself unworthy of such a calling, and such an office." + +This event, so important to Heber C. Kimball and his posterity, took +place on Monday, the fifteenth of April, 1832. Brigham Young had been +baptized the day before, by Elder Eleazer Miller. Two weeks later, +Heber's wife, Vilate, was baptized by Joseph Young. + +A branch was raised up in Mendon numbering over thirty souls; its +members were as follows: + +John Young, sen., and Mary his wife, +Brigham Young and Miriam his wife, +Phineas H. Young and Clarissa his wife, +Joseph Young, +Lorenzo D. Young and Persis his wife, +John P. Greene and Rhoda his wife and their children, +Joel Sanford and Louisa his wife, +William Stillson and Susan his wife, +Fanny Young, +Isaac Flummerfelt, wife and children, +Ira Bond and his wife Charlotte, +Heber C. Kimball and Vilate his wife, +Rufus Parks, +John Morton and Betsey his wife, +Nathan Tomlinson and his wife, +Israel Barlow with his mother, brothers and sisters. + +The reception of the Holy Ghost was to Heber a veritable "baptism of +fire." He thus describes his remarkable experience: + +"Under the ordinances of baptism and the laying on of hands, I +received the Holy Ghost, as the disciples did in ancient days, which +was like a consuming fire. I felt as though I sat at the feet of +Jesus, and was clothed in my right mind, although the people called me +crazy. + +"I continued in this way for many months, and it seemed as though my +body would consume away; at the same time the scriptures were unfolded +to my mind in such a wonderful manner that it appeared to me, at +times, as if I had formerly been familiar with them." + +Thus did the Comforter, the spirit of truth, bringing things past to +remembrance and showing things to come, move upon the heart of this +"mighty man of valor," whom the Lord was raising up for a marvelous +future work. One of the weak things of earth, through whom the +Omnipotent would yet thresh the nations by the power of His Spirit. + +The branch in Mendon began to nourish, and the gifts of the spirit +were poured out upon its members. This branch is reputed to have been +the second in the Church to receive the gift of tongues; one of the +branches in Pennsylvania being the first in which that gift was +manifested. + +Such a pentecostal renewal could scarcely take place without a +corresponding movement of opposition on the part of the powers of +darkness. The inevitable was at hand. Satan commenced to rage, and the +Saints were annoyed and persecuted. Heber's former friends turned +against him. His creditors combined to push him to the wall. During +one week five or six executions were taken out against him. His +brother Solomon was the only one outside the Church, willing to lend +him a helping hand in his financial troubles, resulting from the +inimical actions of his neighbors and old-time associates. His brother +Charles, who had formerly befriended him, was dead. But the Lord +opened his way, much to the chagrin of his persecutors, and he +obtained money to meet his liabilities, so that none of his property +was sold at auction. + +In September following the organization of the branch in Mendon, +Brigham Young's wife, Miriam, died. She had been feeble for months, +but in her expiring moments, filled with a supernatural vitality, she +clapped her hands and praised God, calling upon all around to join her +in so doing. She continued in this happy state until she breathed her +last, moving her lips in prayer when her voice could no longer be +heard. Heber remarks that the death-bed scene of this zealous and +devoted Saint was to him another testimony of the truth and power of +the everlasting gospel. Vilate Kimball took charge of Miriam's two +little daughters, and, thenceforth, until after they removed from +Mendon, the families of Brigham and Heber were as one. + +In the meantime, the latter had been ordained an Elder, under the +hands of Joseph Young, and labored with him and Brigham in the +ministry. They visited Genesee, Avon and Lyonstown, baptizing many and +building up branches of the Church. The following incident, related by +Heber, shows how powerfully the Holy Ghost wrought through him in his +ministrations: + +"Brother Ezra Landon preached in Avon and Genesee, baptized eighteen +or twenty, and being afraid to confirm them and promise the Holy +Ghost, he requested me to confirm them, which I did according to the +best of my knowledge, pronouncing but a few words on the head of each +one, and invariably saying, 'receive ye the Holy Ghost in the name of +Jesus Christ.' Immediately the Holy Ghost fell upon them, and several +commenced speaking in tongues before they arose from their knees, and +we had a joyful time. Some ten or twelve spoke in tongues, neither of +whom had ever heard any person speak in tongues before, they being the +first baptized in that place." + +The region in which he was laboring is thus interestingly described: + +"From the time Father Bosley located near Avon, he found and plowed up +axes and irons, and had sufficient to make his mill irons, and had +always abundance of iron on hand without purchasing. + +"In the towns of Bloomfield, Victor, Manchester, and in the regions +round about, there were hills upon the tops of which were +entrenchments and fortifications, and in them were human bones, axes, +tomahawks, points of arrows, beads and pipes, which were frequently +found; and it was a common occurrence in the country to plow up axes, +which I have done many times myself. + +"I have visited the fortifications on the tops of those hills +frequently, and the one near Bloomfield I have crossed hundreds of +times, which is on the bluff of Honeyoye River, at the outlet of +Honeyoye Lake. + +"In that region there are many small deep lakes, and in some of them +the bottom has never been found. Fish abound in them. + +"The hill Cumorah is a high hill for that country, and had the +appearance of a fortification or entrenchment around it. In the State +of New York, probably there are hundreds of these fortifications which +are now visible, and I have seen them in many other parts of the +United States." + +Readers of the Book of Mormon will remember that in this very region, +according to that sacred record, the final battles were fought between +the Nephites and Lamanites. At the hill Cumorah, the Nephites made +their last stand prior to their utter extermination, A. D., 385. + +Thus was Heber preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles, above the graves +of the ancients of Israel, whose records with the fullness of that +Gospel, and the relics of their prowess and civilization, were now +"whispering from the dust." + +But another scene was about to shift in his life's drama. He had +planned to visit Kirtland, the bosom of the Church, and home of Joseph +the Prophet. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE LAND OF SHINEHAH--ARRIVAL OF HEBER AND BRIGHAM IN KIRTLAND--THEIR +FIRST MEETING WITH THE PROPHET--THE KIMBALLS AND YOUNGS REMOVE TO +OHIO--VEXATIOUS SUITS AND MOB VIOLENCE--FALLEN ON PERILOUS TIMES. + + +Kirtland, at the time arrived at in our narrative, was the +head-quarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The +home of the Prophet of God and many of the leading Elders of Israel, +it was also the spot designated by revelation where the first temple +was to be built in this dispensation. + +The Church, organized at Fayette, Seneca County, New York, on the 6th +of April, 1830, had entered on the third year of its existence, and +the Saints throughout the eastern parts had been commanded to gather +westward. Kirtland and its vicinity, or "the land of Shinehah," as it +is named in revelation, had been settled as a stake of Zion since +early in 1831, and from there, in the summer of the same year, had +gone forth a colony of Saints to purchase and occupy "the land of +Zion," in the western confines of Missouri. That region was then the +nation's frontier, bordering on a wilderness inhabited by wild beasts +and savages, and but sparsely peopled itself by whites scarcely less +ignorant and cruel. + +The Gospel, preached by the first missionaries sent westward from New +York, in October, 1830, had taken a firm hold among the +honest-in-heart of Northern Ohio. Among those who had embraced the new +faith--new, indeed, and wonderful to that generation--were Sidney +Rigdon, Edward Partridge and Newel K. Whitney. The Pratts, the +Whitmers, and other noted families were already numbered among the +followers of the "Mormon" Prophet, and it was Parley P. Pratt, Oliver +Cowdery and other Elders who had first brought the Gospel to Kirtland. + +The new branch throve so rapidly as to soon eclipse in importance all +others; an event no doubt divinely ordered, as the Saints at large, in +December, 1830, were commanded to "assemble together at the Ohio." + +Late in October, or early in November, 1832, Heber C. Kimball, in +company with Brigham and Joseph Young, arrived in Kirtland. They had +traveled by team a distance of three hundred miles. Their first +meeting with the Prophet, whom they had come so far to see, was on the +8th day of November. Joseph was felling trees in the forest when the +party approached. It is related that, on seeing Brigham, he said: +"There is a man who will yet preside over this Church." + +As to Heber, the heart of Joseph was at once knit with his, in +friendship like unto that of David and Jonathan; and this feeling of +brotherly love, like a golden chain, uniting these two noble souls, +was destined to endure unbroken through time and eternity. + +Says Heber: "We saw brother Joseph Smith and had a glorious time; +during which Brother Brigham spoke in tongues before Joseph, this +being the first time he had heard anyone speak in tongues. He rose up +and testified that the gift was from God, and then the gift fell upon +him and he spoke in tongues himself. He afterwards declared it was the +pure, or Adamic language that he spoke. Soon after this the gift of +tongues commenced in the Church at Kirtland generally. We had a +precious season and returned with a blessing in our souls." + +In the fall of 1833, Elder Kimball disposed of his possessions in +Mendon, and settled his affairs preparatory to gathering to the bosom +of the Church. He had borne faithful testimony to the inhabitants of +the place which had been his home for so many years, but, with few +exceptions, they had turned a deaf ear to his warning words. Heber was +the only one of his father's household to embrace the Gospel. His +brother Solomon, though friendly, and at one time, like Agrippa, +"almost persuaded," did not come within the fold. + +No sooner was Heber ready to start Zionward, than he was again beset +by petty persecutions. This time they were not only malicious, but of +an out and out dishonest character. Notwithstanding he had settled all +his accounts, and paid every penny that he owed--"unless it was two +cents to one man, in a case where change could not be procured"--and +left debts owing to him, uncollected, to the amount of "some hundred +dollars," attachments were issued at the instance of some of his +neighbors, and his goods seized by officers of the law. + +Rather than be delayed by a law-suit, in which, owing to religious +prejudice, he had little hope of receiving fair treatment, he settled +the unjust claims and departed. + +His family at this time consisted of himself and wife, and their two +children, William Henry and Helen Mar. Judith Marvin, an elder +daughter, and Roswell Heber, a younger son--the first and latest born +of the household--had died. Brigham Young and his two little daughters +went in the same wagon with the Kimball family to Kirtland. They +reached their destination about the last of October, or early in +November. They first occupied a house belonging to Elijah Smith, uncle +to the wife of Bishop N. K. Whitney; but Heber soon had a home of his +own, which he continued to share with his friend and brother Brigham, +until the latter procured a separate domicile. + +It is an interesting fact that Brigham was the builder of Heber's +house in Kirtland, he being a carpenter and joiner, as well as a +painter and glazier. + +"When I got to Kirtland," says Elder Kimball, "the brethren were +engaged in building the House of the Lord. The commandment to build +the House and also the pattern of it, were given in a revelation to +Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, and it +was to be erected by a stated time. The Church was in a state of +poverty and distress, in consequence of which it appeared almost +impossible that the commandment could be fulfilled. Soon after our +arrival, there was a contribution called for to finish the +school-house and printing office; I contributed the glass for the +house, and I gave Brother Hyrum Smith two hundred dollars for the +building of the temple." + +The newly arrived pilgrims had fallen on perilous times. Mobocracy was +rife and rampant; persecution was raging against the Church, both in +Ohio and in Missouri. The infernal regions seemed stirred to their +depths at the prospect of a temple, whose walls, now climbing +heavenward, gave promise of salvation and deliverance for the living +and the dead; the unlocking of prison doors, the bursting of spirit +dungeons, the smiting off of fetters from the limbs of the slave of +sin, and the ushering forth of the penitent captive into the life and +light of gospel liberty. Keys were about to be restored whereby the +heavens would be brought nearer to the earth, the prophets of the past +would minister in holy places to the prophets of the present, and the +cause of human redemption receive such an impetus as would shake the +throne of Satan to its foundations. No wonder the dominions of Sheol +were agitated. + +"Our enemies," says Heber, "were raging and threatening destruction +upon us. We had to guard night after night, and for weeks were not +permitted to take off our clothes, and were obliged to lie with our +fire-locks in our arms, to preserve Brother Joseph's life and our own. +Joseph was sued before a magistrate's court in Painesville, on a +vexatious suit. I carried him from Kirtland to Painesville, with four +or five others, in my wagon, every morning for five days, and brought +them back in the evening. We were often waylaid, but managed to elude +our enemies by rapid driving and taking different roads. Esquire +Bissell defended the Prophet and he came off victorious. + +"At this time our brethren in Jackson County, Missouri, were also +suffering great persecution; about twelve hundred were driven, +plundered and robbed, their houses burned, and some of the brethren +were killed. + +"Mobs were organized around Kirtland, who were enraged against us, +ready to destroy us." + +Such was the state of affairs with the Church of the living God, at +the close of the year 1833. Such was the nature of the action upon +which the hero of this history had entered. But he was of the gold, +not the dross of the earth, and passed through the fire, purified, yet +not consumed. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE GATHERING OF THE TITANS--HEBER'S TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH AND THE +TWELVE--THEIR MIGHTY MISSION--THE TEST OF FAITH--ZION'S CAMP. + + +Joseph, Brigham and Heber together in Kirtland! By what strange +fatality were these mighty lives thus interwoven? We have seen how +Brigham and Heber came together, and how, from thenceforth, the +currents of their lives and fortunes ran parallel. Now they were +joined with Joseph, their prophet chief, like streams that swell a +river. + +Interesting is it also, if only as a coincidence, that so many of the +leading spirits of the latter-day work should have been natives of +Vermont--a diadem for thee, proud State, and one which thou wilt prize +in coming time!--from whence scattered, ere acquaintance with the +Gospel or with each other began, to meet as co-laborers in the same +great cause, among the hills and dales of Northern Ohio. As though the +heavens had decreed their lives should thus commingle. + +And the heavens had so decreed. It was not chance, it was destiny +"shaping their ends," and fulfilling her mission in their behalf. And +though from the ends of the earth--what matter names or nativity?--it +had been the same. "He that scattered Israel will gather him." From +all nations that fated blood, when goes Jehovah's fiat forth, like the +rain-drops sprinkled upon the hills, must trickle back to the Ocean +whence it came. + +It was a coalescing of divine affinities, the relinking of a spirit +chain, which, though it often part, is never broken, and though +seemingly divided, forever inseparable. + +"Are you ever going to be prepared to see God, Jesus Christ, His +angels, or comprehend His servants, unless you take a faithful and +prayerful course?" + +"Did you actually know Joseph Smith?" + +The questions are Heber C. Kimball's, addressed in later years to a +congregation of the Saints. + +"No," he answers for them, and continues: + +"Do you know Brother Brigham? No." + +"Do you know Brother Heber? No; you do not." + +"Do you know the Twelve? You do not; if you did you would begin to +know God, and learn that those men who are chosen to direct and +counsel you, are near kindred to God and to Jesus Christ, for the +keys, power and authority of the kingdom of God are in that lineage." + +This, then, was the purpose, the divine intending, for which they were +now in conjunction; "noble and great ones," great in the heavens and +great upon the earth, ordained as "rulers" ere morning stars sang +gladsome greeting, or Sons of God shouted for joy around the cradle of +the infant world. This, the object of their descent from celestial +empires; to build up a Kingdom unto God, and prepare the world for the +coming of Him "whose right it is to reign." Jewels from Jehovah's +diadem, diamonds in the dust, unseen of saint or sinner in all their +lustre, concealed from a world unworthy of the light it could not +comprehend. + +Had Heber's inspired mind probed the secret of Joseph's thought, +expressed in his own oft-quoted words: "Would to God, brethren, I +could tell you who I am!" + +As Prophet, Seer, and Revelator to the Church of Jesus Christ, its +president and earthly head, and holder of the keys of the last +dispensation, Joseph was already in the high and holy office for which +he was predestined and fore-ordained. Not so, Brigham; not so, Heber; +not so their apostolic compeers. A trial of their faith was first +necessary, a trial now near at hand, to prove them worthy in the flesh +of the great calling whereunto they were called in the eternal +councils. + +In the month of February, 1834, came a commandment from the Almighty +unto His prophet, to "gather up the strength of His house," and "go up +and redeem Zion;" in other words, to recover from the hands of a +fierce and merciless mob the lands in Jackson County, Missouri, from +which the Saints had been driven. + +Such were the origin and object of Zion's Camp. Such, the nature of +the perilous duty laid upon them. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE REDEMPTION OF ZION--ENOCH'S CITY TO RETURN--OBJECT OF THE UNITED +ORDER--CAUSE OF THE JACKSON COUNTY EXPULSION--THE WHEAT FROM THE +CHAFF. + + +The redemption of Zion! The building of the new Jerusalem! + +Theme of the ancient prophets and glory of the latter days! + +Such was the sublime mission given to the Saints of the Most High. +Thus came the word of the Lord concerning it, March, 1831: + + "Wherefore, I, the Lord, have said, gather ye out from the eastern + lands, assemble ye yourselves together ye elders of my Church; go + ye forth into the western countries; * * + + "And with one heart and with one mind, gather up your riches that + ye may purchase an inheritance which shall hereafter be appointed + unto you, + + "And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city + of refuge, a place of safety for the Saints of the Most High God; + + "And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the + Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come + unto it, and it shall be called Zion. + + "And it shall come to pass, among the wicked, that every man that + will not take his sword against his neighbor, must needs flee unto + Zion for safety. + + "And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under + heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war + one with another. + + "And it shall be said among the wicked, let us not go up to battle + against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore + we cannot stand. + + "And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered + out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with + songs of everlasting joy." + +With this glorious object in view, this sublime motive firing their +souls and filling their hearts with holy zeal, the Saints, in the +summer of 1831, had commenced gathering upon the land of Zion--Jackson +County, Missouri, the chosen site of the great city and temple of God. +Their purpose, to fulfil prophecy, to found the modern Zion, New +Jerusalem, capital city of the kingdom of God. A counterpart of the +Zion of Enoch, sanctified of old and taken into the heavens, to return +in latter times as a leaven of righteousness, to leaven this lump of +clay, the mother earth of our mortality, and make it like unto itself, +and in due time a glorified planet, purified, redeemed, and from sin +forever free. + +To prepare the world for that supreme hour "when the Lord shall bring +again Zion," was and is the mission of the Saints of latter days. And +this that the scripture might be fulfilled, which says: + + "The Lord hath brought down Zion from above. + + "The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath. + + "The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength: + + "And truth is established in her bowels: + + "And the heavens have smiled upon her: + + "And she is clothed with the glory of her God: + + "For he stands in the midst of his people." + +The meeting of the Zions! The marriage of the worlds! Zion from +beneath, the type of truth from earth, embracing Zion from above, the +symbol of righteousness from heaven. + +"And they twain shall be one!" + +Preparatory to this miraculous event, and indeed to render it +possible, the order of Enoch, the system of divine economy whereby the +Zion of the ancients was redeemed and sanctified, had been newly +revealed to the Zion-builders of the last days. + +What says Moses of Enoch and his city? + + "And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one + heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no + poor among them." + +Oh, the sweetness of those simple words! Oh, the sublimity of the +picture they portray! Liberty, equality, fraternity! This is Zion--THE +PURE IN HEART! + +But the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, were not all that the Lord +requires of a people chosen to execute a purpose so sacred, so +sublime. "There were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and +strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by +these things they polluted their inheritances." Then was the lash of +the Philistine applied, and they were driven forth from the goodly +land. Satan hath his mission, as well as Christ. + +Be it not inferred, however, that these hapless victims of mobocratic +tyranny were utterly wicked and depraved, or that all were equally +culpable in the eyes of Him, who, to punish the transgressors, +permitted their enemies to come against them. With all their faults +they were better far than their oppressors, more than the peers, in +every Christian virtue, of the people of the world around them. Yet, +judged by the higher law, the Gospel standard, which the world had not +received, and were not under the same obligation to obey, these +"children of the Light" were found remiss in many things. + +The Kingdom of heaven is likened unto a field of grain, gathered unto +the threshing-floor. The purpose of divine punishment is to purify. +Upon the wheat and the chaff, alike, fell the iron flail of +persecution. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE ZION'S CAMP EXPEDITION--JOSEPH AS A PROPHET-GENERAL--FINDING OF +THE BONES OF ZELPH, THE ANCIENT--REBELLION IN THE CAMP--JOSEPH +PREDICTS A SCOURGE--HEBER'S FAILURE AS A LAUNDERER--ZION'S CAMP SAVED +BY A STORM. + +"Gather up the strength of my house, and go up and redeem Zion!" Such +was the burden of God's command to Joseph and his brethren in +Kirtland. Such was their interpretation of the divine message and +call. + +Bidding farewell to his family and friends, whom he hardly dared hope +he would ever meet again in the flesh, Heber enrolled himself in the +little band of heroes who set out from Kirtland early in May, 1834. +They were about one hundred strong, well armed and equipped, and were +led by the Prophet Joseph in person. Subsequently their number +increased to two hundred and five souls. But Heber will tell his own +story of that eventful pilgrimage. Says he: + +"Brother Joseph received a revelation concerning the redemption of +Zion, part of which remains to be fulfilled. He sent messengers to the +east and to the west and to the north and to the south, to gather up +the Elders, and he gathered together as many of the brethren as he +conveniently could, with what means they could spare, to go up to +Zion, to render all the assistance that we could to our afflicted +brethren. We gathered clothing and other necessaries to carry up to +our brethren and sisters who had been plundered; and putting our +horses to the wagons, and taking our firelocks and ammunition, we +started on our journey; leaving only Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and +a few aged workmen who were engaged on the temple; so that there were +very few men left in Kirtland. Our wagons were about full with +baggage, etc., consequently we had to travel on foot. + +"We started on the 5th of May, and truly this was a solemn morning to +me. I took leave of my wife and children and friends, not knowing +whether I would see them again in the flesh, as myself and brethren +were threatened both in that country and in Missouri by enemies, that +they would destroy us and exterminate us from the land. + +"There were about one hundred brethren in our company who started for +Zion. These brethren were nearly all young men, and nearly all Elders, +Priests, Teachers and Deacons. The second day we arrived at New +Portage, being about forty miles, at which place on the 7th we made +regulations for traveling, and appointed a paymaster, whose name was +Frederick G. Williams, and put all our moneys into a general fund. +Some of the brethren had considerable, and others had little or none, +yet all became equal. While here one of my horses received a kick from +another horse, which obliged me to trade away my span, and get another +span of older horses, from Jonathan Taylor. We then proceeded on our +journey twelve miles to the Chippeway River. Here we pitched our tents +under a fine grove. + +"The next day we were divided into companies of twelve each, and +captains were appointed over each company. I organized my company in +the following manner, appointing two to attend to cooking, two to see +that fires were made, two to prepare the tent at night and likewise +the bedding, and also to strike the tent each morning, two to fetch +and provide water, one to do the running, two to attend the horses, +see that the wagon was greased and everything prepared for starting. +My business was to see that the company was provided for, and that all +things were done in order. Our living generally was very good, being +able to buy bread from the bakers or inhabitants on the way through +the settled part of the country. After this we purchased flour and had +to bake our own bread. We sometimes had to live on Johnny cake and +corn dodger, and sometimes our living was scant. Every night before we +went to bed we united in our tent and offered up our prayers before +the Lord for protection. This was done by all the companies, at the +sound of a trumpet; and at the sound of a trumpet in the morning, +every man was upon his knees, each one being called upon in his turn +to be mouth in prayer. The same order was attended to in each tent. +There were general officers appointed over the company, viz: Joseph +Smith, commander; Dr. F. G. Williams, quartermaster and historian of +the camp; Zerubbabel Snow and Nathan Tanner, commissaries of +subsistence; Sylvester Smith, adjutant; and Roger Orton, captain of +the guard. + +"On the 8th we started on our journey, and on Saturday the 10th we +passed through Mansfield, and camped for the Sabbath in Richfield. On +Sunday the 11th Brother Sylvester Smith preached and the sacrament of +bread and wine was administered to the company. On Monday the 12th we +crossed over the Sandusky plains, and through the Indian settlements. +We then passed through a long range of beech woods where the roads +were very bad. In many instances we had to fasten ropes to the wagons +to haul them out of the sloughs and mud holes by hand. While passing +through the woods the brethren scattered on each side of the road and +went to hunting for wild game. We came to Belle Fontaine, where we +first discovered refractory feelings in Sylvester Smith. + +"We passed through a very pleasant country to Dayton, Ohio, where we +crossed the Miami river, which is a very beautiful stream; the water +being only about two and a half feet deep, most of the brethren waded +it. We arrived at this place on Friday the 16th. The brethren were in +good spirits, and the Lord was with us. On Saturday the 17th we passed +into Indiana, just over the line betwixt the States of Ohio and +Indiana, where we camped for the Sabbath, having traveled forty miles +that day; our feet were very sore and blistered, and our stockings +were wet with blood, the weather being very warm. I walked most of the +journey, letting the lame and footsore ride in my stead. I frequently +invited the Prophet to ride, seeing him lame and footsore. On such +occasions he would bless me and my team with a hearty good will. My +team performed the journey very well. + +"During the night a spy from the enemy attempted to get into our camp, +but was stopped by the guard. We had our sentinels or guards appointed +every night, on account of spies continually harrassing us. This +evening there was quite a difficulty between some of the brethren and +Sylvester Smith, on occasion of which Brother Joseph was called to +decide the matter. Finding quite a rebellious spirit in Sylvester +Smith, and to some extent in others, he said they would meet with +misfortunes, difficulties and hindrances, 'and you will know it before +you leave this place;' exhorting them to humble themselves before the +Lord, and become united, that they might not be scourged. A very +singular occurrence took place that night and the next day, concerning +our teams. On the following morning when we arose we found almost +every horse in the camp so badly foundered that we could scarcely lead +them a few rods to the water. The brethren then deeply realized the +effects of discord. When Brother Joseph learned the fact he exclaimed +to the brethren that for a witness that God overruled and had His eye +upon them, that all those who would humble themselves before the Lord +should know that the hand of God was in this misfortune, and their +horses should be restored to health immediately; and by twelve o'clock +the same day the horses were as nimble as ever, with the exception of +one of Sylvester Smith's which soon afterwards died. + +"May 21st we passed through Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, +where we crossed White River. The teams forded the river, and most of +the brethren crossed over the new bridge which was unfinished. We had +been threatened by our enemies that we should not go through the town, +but we passed through unmolested. Everything appeared to be in perfect +silence as we went through, although the people looked aghast as if +fear had come upon them. At night we camped on an open spot, the top +of an eminence. Here we lost one horse. + +"On Sunday, the 25th, we arrived at the edge of Illinois; we had no +meeting, but attended to washing and baking to prepare for our +journey. On the 26th we resumed our march. At night we were alarmed by +the continual threatening of our enemies. I would here remark that +notwithstanding so many threats were thrown out against us, we did not +fear, nor hesitate to proceed on our journey, for God was with us, and +angels went before us, and we had no fear of either men or devils. +This we know because they (the angels) were seen. On Tuesday we came +to the Okaw, a fork of the Kaskaskia River, where we found two canoes; +we lashed them together and they served as a kind of ferry boat. We +took our baggage out of our wagons, put it on board and ferried it +across; then took our wagons and horses, and swam them across, and +when they got to the opposite shore the brethren fastened ropes into +the tongues of the wagons and helped the horses and wagons out of the +river. Others felled trees and laid them across the river, and thus +helped themselves over. In this way we all crossed in safety. +Wednesday, the 28th, we reached the township of Decatur, where we lost +another horse. Saturday the 31st, at night, we camped one mile from +Jacksonville and prepared for the Sabbath. + +"On Sunday, June 1st, we had preaching all day, and many of the +inhabitants of the town came out to hear. Brother John S. Carter +preached in the morning. By this time the inhabitants began to flock +down in companies to hear the preaching, as they understood we were +professors of religion and had a meeting in the morning. Brother +Joseph then proposed that some of the brethren should set forth +different portions of the Gospel in their discourses. He called upon +Brother Joseph Young to preach upon the principles of free salvation. +He then called upon Brother Brigham Young to speak, who set forth +baptism as essential to salvation. He was followed by Brother Orson +Hyde, who proved by the scriptures that baptism was for the remission +of sins. Lyman E. Johnson spoke at some length upon the necessity of +men being upright in their walk, and keeping the Sabbath day holy. +Brother Orson Pratt delivered an excellent discourse on the principles +of the final restoration of all things. The services of the day were +concluded by a powerful exhortation from Eleazer Miller. His voice was +said to be heard a mile and a half. I would here remark concerning +Brother Eleazer Miller, who was one of the first that brought the +Gospel to us at Mendon, New York: when he used to retire to a little +grove near my house for secret prayer, he would get so filled with the +Spirit and the power of the Holy Ghost that he would burst out in a +loud voice so that he was heard by the surrounding inhabitants for +more than a mile. After the services were over, many strangers were in +our camp making remarks upon the preaching which they had heard. They +said that Brother Joseph Young, by his preaching, they should judge +was a Methodist. They thought Brother Brigham Young was a close +communion Baptist. Brother Orson Hyde they supposed was a Campbellite +or reformed Baptist. Brother Lyman E. Johnson they supposed was a +Presbyterian, and Brother Orson Pratt a Restorationer. They enquired +if we all belonged to one denomination. The answer was, we _were_ some +of us Baptists, some Methodists, some Presbyterians, some Cambellites, +some Restorationers, etc. + +"On Monday morning when we passed through Jacksonville, they undertook +to count us; and I heard one man say, who stood in the door of a +cabinet shop, that he had counted a little rising of five hundred, but +he could not tell how many there were. This thing was attempted many +times in villages and towns as we passed through, but the people were +never able to ascertain our number. + +"While traveling in Indiana some spies came into our camp. While we +were eating dinner on the 21st of May, three gentlemen came riding up +on very fine looking horses and commenced their enquiries of various +ones concerning our traveling in so large a body, asking where we were +from, and where we were going. The reply was as usual, some from +Maine, some from New York, some from Massachusetts, some from Ohio, +and some replied, we are from the east, and as soon as we have done +eating we shall be going to the west again. They then addressed +themselves to Dr. Williams, to see if they could find out who the +leader of the camp was. The doctor replied, we have no one in +particular. They asked if we had not a general to take lead of the +company. The reply was, no one in particular. But, said they, is there +not some one among you whom you call your captain, or leader, or +superior to the rest? He answered, sometimes one, and sometimes +another, takes charge of the company so as to not throw the burden +upon any one in particular. These same spies, who had come from the +west, passed us that same day, and the next. + +"On Monday, June 2nd, we crossed the Illinois River. The enemy had +threatened that we should not pass over, but we were ferried across +without any difficulty. Here we were counted by the ferryman and he +declared we were five hundred in number, although there were only +about one hundred and fifty of us. Our company had increased since we +started from Kirtland in consequence of many having volunteered and +joined us from the different branches of the Church through which we +had passed on our journey. We camped on the west bank of the river +until the next day. + +"On Tuesday, the 3d, several of us went up with the Prophet to the top +of a mound on the bank of the Illinois River, which was several +hundred feet above the river, and from the summit we had a pleasant +view of the surrounding country. We could overlook the tops of the +trees and the meadow or prairie on each side the river as far as our +eyes could extend, which was one of the most pleasant scenes I ever +beheld. On the top of this mound there was the appearance of three +altars, which had been built of stone, one above the other, according +to the ancient order; and the ground was strewn with human bones. This +caused in us very peculiar feelings, to see the bones of our fellow +creatures scattered in this manner,--fellow creatures who had been +slain in ages past. We felt prompted to dig down into the mound, and +sending for a shovel and hoe, we proceeded to move away the earth. At +about one foot in depth we discovered the skeleton of a man, almost +entire; and between two of his ribs we found an Indian arrow, which +had evidently been the cause of his death. We took the leg and thigh +bones and carried them to Clay County. All four appeared sound. +Brother Brigham Young has yet the arrow in his possession. It was a +common thing to find bones thus bleaching upon the earth in that +country. + +"The same day we pursued our journey. While on our way we felt anxious +to know who the person was who had been killed by that arrow. It was +made known to Joseph that he had been an officer who fell in battle, +in the last destruction among the Lamanites, and his name was Zelph. +This caused us to rejoice much, to think that God was so mindful of us +as to show these things to His servant. Brother Joseph had enquired of +the Lord and it was made known to him in a vision. + +"While we were refreshing ourselves and teams, about the middle of the +day, Brother Joseph got up in a wagon and said he would deliver a +prophecy. After giving the brethren much good advice, he exhorted them +to faithfulness and humility, and said the Lord had told him that +there would be a scourge come upon the camp in consequence of the +fractious and unruly spirits that appeared among them, and they would +die like sheep with the rot; still if they would repent and humble +themselves before the Lord, the scourge in a great measure might be +turned away; 'but, as the Lord lives, this camp will suffer for giving +way to their unruly temper;' which afterwards actually did take place +to the sorrow of the brethren. + +"The same day when we had got within one mile of the Snye, we came to +a very beautiful little town called Atlas. Here we found honey, for +the first time on our journey, that we could buy. We purchased about +two-thirds of a barrel. We went down to the Snye and crossed over that +night in a ferry boat and camped for the night on the west bank. There +was a great excitement in the country through which we had passed, and +also ahead of us; the mob threatened to stop us; guns were fired in +almost every direction through the night. + +"We pursued our journey on the 4th and camped on the bank of the +Mississippi River. Here we were somewhat afflicted, and the enemy +threatened much that we should not cross over the river out of +Illinois into Missouri. It took us two days to cross the river, as we +had but one ferry boat, and the river was one mile and a half wide. +While some were crossing others spent their time in hunting, fishing, +etc. When we had all got over we camped about one mile from the little +town of Louisiana, in a beautiful oak grove, immediately on the bank +of the river. + +"At this place there were some feelings of hostility again manifested +by Sylvester Smith, in consequence of a dog growling at him while he +was marching his company up to the camp, he being the last that came +over the river. The next morning Brother Joseph said that he would +descend to the spirit that was manifested by some of the brethren to +show them the folly of their wickedness. He rose up and commenced by +saying, 'If any man insults me, or abuses me, I will stand in my own +defence at the expense of my life; and if a dog growl at me, I will +let him know that I am his master.' At this moment Sylvester Smith, +who had just returned from where he had turned out his horses to feed, +came up, and hearing Brother Joseph make those remarks said, 'If that +dog bites me I'll kill him.' Brother Joseph turned to Sylvester and +said, 'If you kill that dog I'll whip you;' and then went on to show +the brethren how wicked and unchristian-like such conduct appeared +before the eyes of truth and justice. + +"On Friday, the 6th, we resumed our journey. On Saturday night we +camped among our brethren at Salt River, in the Allred settlement, in +a piece of woods by a beautiful spring of water, and prepared for the +Sabbath. On the Sabbath we had preaching. We remained here several +days, washing our clothes and preparing to resume our journey. Here we +were joined by Hyrum Smith and Lyman Wight, with another company. The +camp now numbered two hundred and five men, all armed and equipped. It +was delightful to see the company, for they were all young men, with +one or two exceptions, and all in good spirits. + +"We were now reorganized in the following order: Joseph Smith was +acknowledged commander-in-chief; Lyman Wight was chosen general of the +camp; then Brother Joseph chose twenty men for his life guard, I being +one of them; Brother George A. Smith was Brother Joseph's +armor-bearer; Hyrum Smith was chosen captain of the life guard; the +remainder of the camp was organized into companies as before stated. +We had twenty-five wagons, two horses on each, and on some three. One +day while we remained here our general marched us out on a large +prairie. He then proceeded to inspect us, examine our firelocks, etc. +Afterwards we were marched in platoons, and, an object being placed, +we discharged our pieces in order to try them. We were drilled about +half a day, and then returned to the camp. + +"My first attempt at washing my clothes took place at Salt River. My +shirts being extremely dirty, I put them into a kettle of water and +boiled them for about two hours, having observed that women who washed +boiled their clothes, and I supposed by so doing they boiled out the +dirt; I then took them and washed them, endeavoring to imitate a woman +washing as near as I could. I rubbed the clothes with my knuckles +instead of the palm of my hand, and rubbed the skin off so that my +hands were very sore for several days. My attempts were vain in trying +to get the dirt out of the clothes. I wondered at this considerably, +and scolded and fretted because I could not get the dirt out, and +finally gave it up, and wrung them and hung them out to dry. Having no +flat-irons to iron them, I took them to Sisters Hollbrook and Ripley +to get them ironed. When they saw them they said I had not washed my +clothes. I told them I had done my best, and although I had boiled +them two hours before washing, and had washed them so faithfully that +I had taken the skin off my knuckles, still I had not been successful +in getting the dirt out. They laughed heartily, and informed me that +by boiling before washing I had boiled the dirt into them. + +"On the 12th we again resumed our march; many of the inhabitants went +with us several miles; they seemed to have much respect for us. We +traveled about fourteen miles and camped on a large prairie. + +"We tarried in the middle of this prairie, which was about +twenty-eight miles across, on account of a rupture which took place in +the camp. Here F. G. Williams and Roger Orton received a very severe +chastisement from Brother Joseph for not obeying orders. In this place +further regulations were made in regard to the organization of the +camp. + +"A day or two after this, Bishop Partridge met us, direct from Clay +County, as we were camping on the bank of the Wacondah River, in the +woods. We received much information from Brother Partridge concerning +the hostile feelings and prejudices that existed against us in all +quarters of Missouri. It gave us great satisfaction to receive +intelligence from him, as we were in peril and threatened all the +time. I will here mention one circumstance that transpired during our +stay at this place, which was that of Brother Lyman Wight baptizing +Dean Gould, as he was not previously a member of the Church, yet had +accompanied us all the way from Kirtland. + +"We pursued our journey, following the bank of the river, for several +miles. As we left the river and came into a very beautiful prairie, +Brother William Smith killed a very large deer, which made us some +very nourishing soup, and added to our comfort considerably. + +"On Wednesday, the 18th, at night, we camped one mile from the town of +Richmond, Ray County. On Thursday, the 19th, we arose as soon as it +was light and passed through the town before the inhabitants were up. +As Luke Johnson and others were passing through before the teams came +along, Brother Luke observed a black woman in a gentleman's garden +near the road. She beckoned to him and said, 'come here massa.' She +was evidently much agitated in her feelings. He went up to the fence +and she said to him, 'there is a company of men lying in wait here who +are calculating to kill you this morning as you pass through.' This +was nothing new to us as we had been continually threatened through +the whole journey, and death and destruction seemed to await us daily. +This day we only traveled about fifteen miles. One wagon broke down +and the wheels ran off from another, and there seemed to be many +things to hinder our progress, although we strove with all diligence +to speed our way forward. Our intentions were when we started to go +through to Clay County that day; but all in vain. + +"This night we camped on an elevated piece of land between two +branches of the Fishing River. Just as we halted and were making +preparations for the night, five men rode into the camp and told us we +should see hell before morning, and such horrible oaths as came from +their lips I never heard before. They told us that sixty men were +coming from Richmond, who had sworn to destroy us, also seventy more +were coming from Clay County, to assist in our destruction. These men +were black with passion, and armed with guns, and the whole country +was in a rage against us, and nothing but the power of God could save +us. All this time the weather was pleasant. Soon after these men left +us we discovered a small black cloud rising in the west, and not more +than twenty minutes passed away before it began to rain and hail; but +we had very little hail in our camp. All around us the hail was heavy; +some of the hailstones, or rather lumps of ice, were as large as hens' +eggs. The thunder rolled with awful majesty, and the red lightnings +flashed through the horizon, making it so light that I could see to +pick up a pin almost any time through the night. The earth quaked and +trembled, and there being no cessation it seemed as though the +Almighty had issued forth his mandate of vengeance. The wind was so +terrible that many of our tents were blown down. We were not able to +hold them up; but there being an old meeting house close at hand, many +of us fled there to secure ourselves from the storm. Many trees were +blown down, and others were twisted and wrung like a withe. The mob +came to the river two miles from us, but the river had risen to that +height that they were obliged to stop without crossing over. The hail +fell so heavily upon them that it beat holes in their hats, and in +some instances even broke the stocks off their guns; their horses, +being frightened, fled, leaving the riders on the ground. Their powder +was wet, and it was evident that the Almighty fought in our defense. +This night the river raised forty feet. + +"In the morning I went to the river in company with Brother Joseph +Smith, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young and others, as we had it in +contemplation to proceed that morning to Liberty, Clay County; but we +could not continue our journey as there was no way to cross the river. +It was then overflowing its banks; and I have seen the river since and +proved that it was fully forty feet from the top of its banks to the +bottom. Previous to this rain falling, it was no more than ankle deep. +Such a time never was known by us before; still we felt calm all +night, and the Lord was with us. The water was ankle deep to us all +night, even on that eminence, so we could not sleep. + +"At this place W. W. Phelps, S. W. Denton, John Corrill and many +others from Liberty joined us; from whom we received much information +from the brethren who had been driven from Jackson County, and learned +of the fixed determination of our enemies to drive or exterminate them +from that county. + +"The next day, when we moved into the country we saw that the hail had +destroyed the crops, and we saw that it had come in some directions +within a mile and in other directions within a half mile of our camp. +After passing a short distance the ground was literally covered with +branches of the trees which had been cut off by the hail. We went a +distance of five miles on the prairie to get food for our horses and +also to get some provisions for ourselves, and to get into some secure +place where we could defend ourselves from the rage of the enemy. We +stayed there three or four days, until the rage of the people was +somewhat allayed. + +"On the 21st Colonel Sconce and two other leading men from Ray County +came to see us, desiring to know what our intentions were, 'for,' said +he, 'I see that there is an almighty power that protects this people, +for I started from Richmond, Ray County, with a company of armed men, +having a fixed determination to destroy you, but was kept back by the +storm and was not able to reach you.' When he came into camp he was +seized with such a trembling that he was obliged to sit down in order +to compose himself. When he desired to know what our intentions were, +Brother Joseph arose and began to speak; and the power of God rested +upon him. He gave a relation of the sufferings of our people in +Jackson County, and also many of our persecutions and what we had +suffered from our enemies for our religion; and that we had come one +thousand miles to assist our brethren, to bring them clothing, and to +reinstate them upon their own lands; that we had no intentions to +molest or injure any people, but only to administer to the wants of +our afflicted brethren; and that the evil reports which were +circulated about us were false, and were circulated by our enemies to +get us destroyed. + +"After he had finished speaking, the power of which melted them into +compassion, they arose and offered him their hands, and said they +would use their influence to allay the excitement which everywhere +prevailed against us. They accordingly went forth and rode day and +night to pacify the people. They wept because they saw we were an +afflicted people, and that our intentions were pure. + +"The next day the sheriff of that county, named Neil Gilliam, came to +deliver a short address to us. We formed into companies and marched +into a grove a little distance from the camp, and there formed +ourselves into a circle, and sat down upon the ground. Previous to Mr. +Gilliam's address he (Gilliam) said, I have heard much concerning +Joseph Smith, and I have been informed that he is in your camp; if he +is here I would like to see him.' Brother Joseph arose and said 'I am +the man.' This was the first time he was made known during the journey +of one thousand miles. Mr. Gilliam then arose and gave us some +instructions concerning the manners and customs of the people, their +disposition, etc., and what course we should take in order to gain +their favor and protection. + +"On the Sabbath day while we were in this place, being in want of +salt, I took it upon me to go to some of the inhabitants and get some. +Brother Cyrus Smalling took his rifle and went along with me. After +passing through a path enclosed by hazel bushes, about two miles from +the camp, I discovered a deer a little distance ahead of us standing +across the path. I made motions to Brother Smalling, and he, drawing +up his rifle over my shoulder, which served for a rest, fired and hit +the deer just behind the shoulder. It ran a few rods and fell. We cut +a pole and fastening the deer on it, got it on our shoulders and +carried it along to camp, when we dressed it and divided it among the +different companies, and had an excellent feast. + +"Here Brothers Ezra Thayer and Thomas Hayes were taken sick with the +cholera. We left them there, and also brother Joseph Hancock, who had +been taken with the cholera during the storm, and who was the first +person attacked with it. Brother Joseph called the camp together, and +told us that in consequence of the disobedience of some who had not +been willing to listen to his words, but had been rebellious, God had +decreed that sickness should come upon us, and we should die like +sheep with the rot; and said he, 'I am sorry, but I cannot help it.' +When he spake these things it pierced me like a dart, having a +testimony that so it would be." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE FISHING RIVER REVELATION--WHY ZION WAS NOT REDEEMED--THE CHOLERA +IN CAMP--THE TEST OF FAITH COMPLETE--THE SHADOW OF A COMING EVENT. + + +Here, while the Camp rested on Fishing River, the Lord made further +known His will concerning the redemption of Zion. The revelation was +given on the 22nd of June, the same day that the Prophet repeated his +warning in relation to the coming scourge. The points most pertinent +to our narrative are here given: + + "Behold I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my + people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they + might have been redeemed even now; + + "But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things + which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of + evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to + the poor and afflicted among them, + + "And are not united according to the union required by the law of + the celestial kingdom; + + "And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the + law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise I cannot receive her unto + myself. + + "And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, + if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer. * * * * * * + + "Therefore, in consequence of the transgression of my people, it + is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little + season for the redemption of Zion. * * + + "But inasmuch as there are those who have hearkened unto my words, + I have prepared a blessing and an endowment for them, if they + continue faithful. * * * + + "I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and + it is expedient in me, that they should be brought thus far for a + trial of their faith." + +Those who had families in the east were then told that they might +return, while the rest were required to remain in Missouri. The Saints +were instructed to observe wisdom and humility, and "lift up an ensign +of peace" to their enemies and to all the world, while awaiting the +day of God's power and of Zion's redemption. + +The real purpose of the Almighty in relation to this important event +was foreshadowed in a revelation given February 24th, 1834, the one +calling for the organization of Zion's Camp. Therein the Lord says: + + "Behold I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come by + power; + + "Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead + them like as Moses led the children of Israel, + + "For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham, + and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a + stretched out arm: + + "And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the + redemption of Zion be." + +While there is no doubt that, had the Lord's people been prepared, +they might have been redeemed according to His word, it is also +evident that the times were not then ripe for that event. This will be +shown more plainly as we proceed. + +Continuing his narrative, Heber says; + +"On Monday, June 23rd, a council of high priests met, according to +revelation, to choose some of the first Elders to receive their +endowments; being appointed by the voice of the spirit, through Joseph +Smith the Prophet. Edward Partridge was called and chosen to go to +Kirtland and receive his endowments, with power from on high, and to +also stand in his office as a bishop to purchase land in Missouri. +Also W. W. Phelps, Isaac Morley, John Whitmer, David Whitmer, Algernon +S. Gilbert, Peter Whitmer, Simeon Carter, Newel Knight, Thomas B. +Marsh, Lyman Wight, Parley P. Pratt, Christian Whitmer, and Solomon +Hancock were severally called and chosen to receive their endowments +in Kirtland with power from on high. + +"On the morning of the 24th we started for Liberty, Clay County, where +our brethren were residing who had been driven from Jackson County, +taking our course round the head of Fishing River, in consequence of +high water. When we got within five or six miles of Liberty, General +Atchison and several other gentlemen met us, desiring that we would +not go to Liberty, as the feelings of the people in that place were +much enraged against us. Changing our course and bearing to the left, +we pursued our way across a prairie; then passing through a wood we +came to Brother Sidney Gilbert's where we camped on the bottom of Rush +Creek, in a field belonging to Brother Burgett. + +"The destroyer came upon us as we had been warned by the servant of +God. About 12 o'clock at night we began to hear the cries of those who +had been seized. Even those on guard fell with their guns in their +hands, and we had to exert ourselves considerably to attend to the +sick, for they were stricken down on every hand. Thus it continued +until morning when the camp was separated into several little bands, +and dispersed among the brethren. + +"I was left at the Camp in company with Joseph B. Noble, John D. +Parker, Luke Johnson and Warren Ingalls, in care of those who were +sick. We stayed with, and prayed for them, hoping they would recover, +but all hope was lost, for about six o'clock in the morning John S. +Carter expired. When the cholera first broke out he was the first who +came forward to rebuke it; when he was immediately seized by it, and +was the first to die. In about thirty minutes after Seth Hitchcock +died, and it seemed as though we must all sink under the power of the +destroyer. + +"We were not able to obtain lumber to make them coffins, but were +under the necessity of rolling them up in their blankets and burying +them in that manner. We placed them on a sled, which was drawn by a +horse about half a mile, and buried them in a little bluff by the side +of a small branch of Rush Creek. This was accomplished by dark. Our +hopes were that no more would die, but while we were uniting in prayer +with uplifted hands to God, we looked at our beloved brother, Eber +Wilcox, who was gasping his last. At this scene my feelings were +beyond expression. Those only who witnessed it can realize anything of +the extent of our sufferings; and I felt to weep and pray to the Lord, +that he would spare my life that I might behold my dear family again. +I felt to covenant with my brethren and my God never to commit another +sin while I lived. We felt to sit and weep over our brethren, and so +great was our grief that we could have washed them with our tears. To +realize that they had traveled a thousand miles through so much +fatigue to lay down their lives for their brethren, increased our love +for them. + +"Brothers Brigham and Joseph Young came from Liberty and assisted us +to bury Brother Wilcox. Their presence gave us much consolation. About +12 o'clock at night we placed Brother Wilcox on a small sled which we +drew to the place of interment with one hand on the rope and the other +bearing our firelocks for defense. While two were digging the grave +the others stood with their arms to defend them. + +"While Brother Luke Johnson was digging, the cholera attacked him with +cramping and blindness. Brother Brigham laid hold of him and pulled +him out of the grave, and shook him about, talked to and prayed for +him, and exhorted him to jump about and exercise himself, when it +would leave him for a few moments, then it would attack him again; and +thus we had the greatest difficulty to keep the destroyer from laying +us low. Soon after we returned another brother was taken from our +little band; thus it continued until five out of ten were taken away. + +"After burying these five brethren I was seized by the hand of the +destroyer, as I went in the woods to pray. I was instantly struck +blind, and saw no way whereby I could free myself from the disease, +only by jumping and thrashing myself about, until my sight returned to +me and my blood began to circulate in my veins. I started and ran some +distance, and by this means, through the help of God, I was enabled to +extricate myself from the grasp of death. This circumstance took place +in a piece of woods behind Brother Gilbert's house. + +"On the 26th Algernon Sidney Gilbert, keeper of the Lord's storehouse, +signed a letter to the governor, in connection with others, which was +his last public act, for he had been called to preach and he said he +would rather die than go forth and preach the Gospel to the wicked +Gentile nations. The Lord took him at his word; he was attacked with +the cholera and died about the 29th. + +"Brothers Erastus Budd and Jesse Johnson Smith, a cousin of the +Prophet, died at Brother Gilbert's about the same time. + +"While we were here, the brethren being in want of some refreshment, +Brother Luke Johnson went to Brother Burgett to get a fowl, asking him +for one to make a broth for Elder Wilcox and others; but Brother +Burgett denied him it, saying, 'In a few days we expect to return back +into Jackson County, and I shall want them when I get there.' When +Brother Johnson returned he was so angry at Burgett for refusing him, +he said, 'I have a great mind to take my rifle and go back and shoot +his horse.' I told Luke to never mind; that such actions never fail to +bring their reward. + +"Judge how we felt, after having left the society of our beloved +families, taking our lives in our hands and traveling about one +thousand miles through scenes of suffering and sorrow, for the benefit +of our brethren, and after all to be denied of a small fowl to make a +little soup for brethren in the agonies of death. Such things never +fail to bring their reward, and it would be well for the Saints never +to turn away a brother who is penniless and in want, or a stranger, +lest they may one day or other want a friend themselves. + +"I went to Liberty, to the house of Brother Peter Whitmer, which place +I reached with difficulty, being much afflicted with the disease that +was among us. I stayed there until my return home, receiving great +kindness at the hands of the brethren. + +"The destroyer having afflicted us four days, ceased. Sixty-eight were +attacked by the disease, of which number fourteen members of Zion's +Camp died. + +"June 30th I started for home in company with Lyman Sherman, Sylvester +Smith, Alexander Badlam, Harrison Burgess, Luke Johnson and Zera Cole. +They elected me their captain. + +"We proceeded on our journey daily, the Lord blessing us with strength +and health. The weather was very hot, but we traveled from thirty-five +to forty miles a day, until about the 26th of July, when we arrived in +Kirtland; having been gone from home about three months, during which +time, with the exception of four nights, I slept on the ground. + +"On my arrival home I found my family well, and I felt to rejoice in +the Lord that He had preserved my life through so many dangers. +Concluding that I had finished my mission to which the Lord had called +me, after resting a few days, I established my pottery and began +business." + +Thus ended that remarkable expedition; remarkable for its object, for +the issues involved, for its tragic episodes, examples of heroism and +miraculous manifestations of divine power. What had it achieved? some +may ask. Nay, might not many be tempted to query, Was not the mission +of Zion's Camp a failure? + +"What have you accomplished?" was the sneering taunt of the apostate +and of those weak in faith, met by the remnant of the little band on +their return to Kirtland. "Just what we went for;" the meek, though +firm reply of such men as Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young. + +And they were right. To them it was no failure. The trial of their +faith was complete. Their offering, like Abraham's, had been accepted. +They had been weighed in the eternal balance, and were not found +wanting. + +But what of Zion and her redemption? + +Let the word of the Lord, the God of Enoch, the God of Joseph give +answer: + +"THE REDEMPTION OF ZION MUST NEEDS COME BY POWER." + +Power dwells in unity, not in discord; in humility, not pride; in +sacrifice, not selfishness; obedience, not rebellion. + +Zion's Camp, if it failed at all in fulfilling its mission, failed for +precisely similar reasons to those which had caused the expulsion of +the Saints from Jackson County; reasons which, in ancient times, kept +Israel wandering for forty years in the wilderness, within sight of +their coveted Canaan, which they were not permitted in that generation +to possess. Like Moses, these modern pilgrims beheld, as from Pisgah's +top, their promised land: like Moses, on account of transgression, +they were not permitted to "cross over." No doubt there were Calebs +and Joshuas in the Camp, who were worthy. But the great event, in the +wisdom of the Highest, was not then destined to be. + +It was left for a future generation and its Joshua to go up in the +might of the Lord and redeem Zion. + +Yet not alone upon Zion's Camp must rest the responsibility of their +failure to redeem Zion. It bears with at least equal weight upon those +whom they came to succor. + +What said the Lord concerning them? + + "Behold, they have not learned to be obedient, * * * but are full + of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as + becometh Saints, to the poor and afflicted among them." + +Is not the episode of the fowl, related by Heber, a tell-tale straw +before the wind in this connection? Can a people honey-combed with +selfishness build up Zion? + + "And are not united according to the union required by the law of + the celestial kingdom;"-- + +Again that injunction of unity, the secret of Zion's redemption. +"Except ye are one ye are not mine." + + "And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the + law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise I cannot receive her unto + myself." + +Wonderful revealing, this. What is it but to say that the United +Order, the Order of Enoch, the Order of Zion, is the order of the +celestial worlds, where the Gods, a divine brotherhood, have "all +things common?" + + "Therefore it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for + a little season, for the redemption of Zion." + +Is it marvelous that this should be; that a work of such magnitude +should require preparation; that Zion, city of holiness, should be +built up only by the pure in heart? Ah, reader, the redemption of Zion +is more than the purchase or recovery of lands, the building of +cities, or even the founding of nations. It is the conquest of the +heart, the subjugation of the soul, the sanctifying of the flesh, the +purifying and ennobling of the passions. Greater is he who subdues +himself, who captures and maintains the citadel of his own soul, than +he who, misnamed conqueror, fills the world with the roar of drums, +the thunder of cannon, the lightning of swords and bayonets, overturns +and sets up kingdoms, lives and reigns a king, yet wears to the grave +the fetters of unbridled lust, and dies the slave of sin. + +In her children's hearts must Zion first be built up and redeemed; +"every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things +with an eye single to the glory of God." When the fig-tree of Israel's +faith puts forth such leaves, then know that the summer is nigh. + + "And this cannot be brought to pass, until mine elders are endowed + with power from on high." + +And yet were these same elders, unendowed, sent forth to redeem Zion? +Surely the Lord did not design it then to be. Else, would he not have +endowed them before-hand? This admitted, and what becomes of their +"failure?" + +Ah, there are many such failures in a sublime success. They are but +steps in the stairway of triumph and victory. + +What did Zion's Camp achieve? It cast the shadow of a coming event; +struck the spark that shall kindle to a flame; fixed on the horizon of +history a shining star, the herald of a glory yet to come. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +BUILDING THE TEMPLE--JOSEPH AND HEBER WORKING IN THE QUARRY--THE +THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL--A LESSON ON FAITH--CALL OF THE TWELVE--HEBER C. +KIMBALL ORDAINED AN APOSTLE. + + +The work now engaging, almost exclusively, the attention of the Church +in Kirtland, was the building of the Temple. This edifice was begun in +June, 1833. The walls were partly reared when, in the year following, +the expedition for the relief of the Missouri Saints took from +Kirtland nearly all the able-bodied men whose means and energies, +otherwise, would have been employed upon the Lord's House. + +But the sacred enterprise was not suffered to languish. The elders +left in charge were untiring in their efforts to promote the work. The +brethren labored day and night, and the sisters--among the foremost, +as ever, in a good cause--were not one whit behind. Says Heber: + +"Our women were engaged in knitting and spinning, in order to clothe +those who were laboring at the building; and the Lord only knows the +scenes of poverty, tribulation and distress which we passed through to +accomplish it. My wife had toiled all summer in lending her aid +towards its accomplishment. She took a hundred pounds of wool to spin +on shares, which, with the assistance of a girl, she spun, in order to +furnish clothing for those engaged in building the temple; and +although she had the privilege of keeping half the quantity of wool +for herself, as a recompense for her labor, she did not reserve even +so much as would make a pair of stockings, but gave it for those who +were laboring at the house of the Lord. She spun and wove, and got the +cloth dressed and cut and made up into garments, and gave them to the +laborers on the temple. Almost all the sisters in Kirtland labored in +knitting, sewing, spinning, etc., for the same purpose; while we went +up to Missouri to endeavor to reinstate our brethren on the lands from +which they had been driven. + +"Elder Rigdon, when addressing the brethren upon the importance of +building this house, spake to this effect: That we should use every +effort to accomplish this building by the time appointed; if we did +the Lord would accept it at our hands; and on it depends the salvation +of the Church, and also of the world. Looking at the sufferings and +poverty of the Church, he frequently went upon the walls of the +building, both by night and day, and wept, crying aloud to the +Almighty to send means whereby we might accomplish the building. + +"After we returned from our journey to the West, the whole Church +united in this great undertaking, and every man lent a helping hand. +Those who had not teams went to work in the stone quarry and prepared +the stones for drawing to the house. + +"The Prophet, being our foreman, would put on his tow frock and tow +pantaloons and go into the quarry. The Presidency, High Priests and +Elders all alike assisting. Those who had teams assisted in drawing +the stone to the house. These all laboring one day in the week, +brought as many stones to the house as supplied the masons through the +whole week. We continued in this manner until the walls of the house +were reared. The committee who were appointed by revelation to +superintend the building were Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon and Jared +Carter. They used every exertion in their power to forward the work." + +During the winter of 1834-5, Heber attended the theological school +established in Kirtland. Here originated the lectures on faith, +contained in the book of Doctrine and Covenants. It was the custom, at +these meetings, to call upon a certain number to speak for the +edification of the others. Heber, on one occasion, was invited to +address them on the subject of faith. Every passage of scripture +bearing on the theme having been quoted by previous speakers, and not +wishing to repeat what they had said, he was left to depend entirely +upon the Spirit. He began by relating the following anecdote, the +incident of which had occurred in his own family: + +"My wife, one day, when going out on a visit, gave my daughter Helen +Mar charge not to touch the dishes, for if she broke any during her +absence she would give her a whipping when she returned. While my wife +was absent my daughter broke a number of the dishes by letting the +table leaf fall, and then she went out under an apple tree and prayed +that her mother's heart might be softened, that when she returned she +might not whip her. Her mother was very punctual when she made a +promise to her children, to fulfill it, and when she returned she +undertook, as a duty, to carry this promise into effect. She retired +with her into her room, but found herself powerless to chastise her; +her heart was so softened that it was impossible for her to raise her +hand against the child. Afterwards, Helen told her mother she had +prayed to the Lord that she might not whip her." + +Heber paused in his simple narrative. Tears glistened in the eyes of +his hearers; the Prophet Joseph was weeping like a child. He told the +brethren that that was the kind of faith they needed; the faith of a +little child, going in humility to its Parent, and asking for the +desire of its heart. He said the anecdote was well-timed. + +A grammar school was opened in Kirtland the same winter, taught by +Sidney Rigdon and William E. McLellin. Most of the Elders, including +the Prophet, attended this school. Some of them were very apt pupils +and made rapid headway. Heber's progress, however, was only moderate. +Grammar, as a study, afforded him little delight. The mysteries of +syntax seemed to elude his mental grasp, as the will-o'-the-wisp the +eye and hand of its pursuer. A lover of choice language, and, when +loftily inspired, a user of much that was beautiful and sublime; a +never-failing fountain of poetic thought and imagery; the +technicalities of his mother tongue nevertheless seemed to baffle him. +His forte lay elsewhere. He was a philosopher, rather than an orator. +Many excelled him in speaking, but few, as thinkers, were his equals. +If, in the gift of speech, the power of expression, he fell below many +of his confreres, he had thoughts, ideas, inspirations, toward which, +as eagles toward the sun, their loftiest oratory soared in vain. His +words, though humble, were as sparks of prophecy from the Spirit's +flaming forge; his inspired utterances, casual as they sometimes +seemed, were like oracles and decrees of fate. + +"I used to tell Brother Heber I never wanted him to say anything but +good of me," an Apostle once remarked, significantly, in the hearing +of the writer. + +Some six weeks after the establishment of the grammar school, a +meeting of the Camp of Zion was called to assemble, to receive what +was termed "a Zion's blessing." At this meeting it was announced by +the Prophet that "those who went to Zion with a determination to lay +down their lives, if necessary, it was the will of God that they +should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard +for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh--even +fifty-six years should wind up the scene." + +Foremost of these evangelists, were to be chosen twelve men, to be +known as the Twelve Apostles. + +The calling of the Twelve had been revealed to Joseph as early as +June, 1829. In the same revelation it was given to Oliver Cowdery and +David Whitmer--whose calling, the Lord said, was the same as that of +the Apostle Paul--to "search out the Twelve," and make known to them +their mission. + +Little thought Heber that he was to be one of them, and would live to +make his name illustrious as a bearer of glad tidings to the nations. +It is doubtful that he even knew, at that time, of the intention to +choose the Apostles. The revelations were not published then, as now, +and few had access to the manuscripts in those early days. + +The day set for the choosing of the Twelve was Saturday, February +14th, 1835. The meeting having been duly organized, an expression was +taken whereby the Elders present signified their willingness and +"anxious desire" to have the Spirit of the Lord dictate in the choice +of the Apostles. The three witnesses--Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer +and Martin Harris, each in turn then offered prayer. They were blessed +under the hands of the First Presidency, and then proceeded to call +forth the Twelve. + +The first three chosen were Lyman E. Johnson, Brigham Young and Heber +C. Kimball. They were called into the stand, and, after expressing +themselves in relation to the holy calling about to be conferred upon +them, were ordained under the hands of the First Presidency and the +Three Witnesses. "These brethren," says Heber, "ordained us to the +Apostleship." Here is a copy of his ordination blessing: + + "Heber C. Kimball shall be made like unto those who have been + blessed before him, and he shall be favored with the same + blessing; that he may receive visions, the ministration of angels, + and hear their voices, and even come into the presence of God. + That many millions may be converted by his instrumentality, that + angels may waft him from place to place, and that he may stand + unto the coming of our Lord; that he shall be made acquainted with + the day when Christ shall come; that he shall be made perfect in + faith; that the deaf shall hear, the lame shall walk, the blind + shall see, and greater things than these shall he do; and that he + shall have boldness of speech before the nations, and great + power." Etc. + +The next day Orson Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke S. Johnson, William E. +McLellin, John F. Boynton and William Smith were chosen in like +manner. The remaining three of the Twelve were Parley P. Pratt, Orson +Pratt and Thomas B. Marsh, who were absent at the time of choosing. +Parley was ordained an Apostle on February 21st, Thomas B. Marsh on +the 25th or 26th of April, and Orson Pratt on the 26th of that month. + +No history of this important event would be complete without the +famous "Charge to the Twelve," delivered by President Oliver Cowdery. +It was as follows: + + "DEAR BRETHREN:--Previously to delivering the charge I shall read + a part of a revelation. It is known to you that previous to the + organization of this Church in 1830, the Lord gave revelations or + the Church could not have been organized. + + "The people of this Church were weak in faith compared with the + ancients. Those who embarked in this cause were desirous to know + how the work was to be conducted. They had read many things in the + Book of Mormon concerning their duty and the way the great work + ought to be done; but the minds of men are so constructed that + they will not believe without a testimony of seeing or hearing. + The Lord gave us a revelation that in process of time there should + be twelve chosen to preach His Gospel to Jew and Gentile. Our + minds have been on a constant stretch to find who these twelve + were. + + "When the time should come, we could not tell, but we sought the + Lord by fasting and prayer, to have our lives prolonged to see + this day, to see you, and to take a retrospect of the difficulties + through which we have passed. But having seen the day, it becomes + my duty to deliver to you a charge. And first, a few remarks + respecting your ministry. You have many revelations put into your + hands, revelations to make you acquainted with the nature of your + mission. You will have difficulties by reason of your visiting all + the nations of the world. You will need wisdom in a two-fold + proportion to what you have ever had. You will have to combat all + the prejudices of all nations." He then read the revelation and + proceeded to say, "Have you desired this ministry with all your + hearts? If you have desired it, you are called of God, not of man, + to go into all the world." He read again from the revelation, what + the Lord said to the twelve brethren. "You have your duty + presented in revelation. You have been ordained to the Holy + Priesthood. You have received it from those who had their power + and authority from an angel. You are to preach the Gospel to every + nation. Should you in the least degree come short of your duty, + great will be your condemnation, for the greater the calling, the + greater the transgression. I, therefore, warn you to cultivate + great humility, for I know the pride of the human heart. Beware + lest the flatterers of the world lift you up. Beware lest your + affections are captivated by worldly objects. + + "Let your ministry be first. Remember the souls of men are + committed to your charge, and if you mind your calling you shall + always prosper. You have been indebted to other men in the first + instance for evidence, on that you have acted. But it is necessary + that you receive a testimony from Heaven for yourselves, so that + you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and + that you have seen the face of God; that is more than the + testimony of an angel. When the proper time arrives, you shall be + able to bear this testimony to the world. When you bear testimony + that you have seen God, this testimony God will never suffer to + fall, but will bear you out, although many will not give heed, yet + others will. You will therefore see the necessity of getting this + testimony from Heaven. Never cease striving until you have seen + God face to face. Strengthen your faith, cast off your doubts, + your sins and all your unbelief, and nothing can prevent you from + coming to God. Your ordination is not full and complete till God + has laid His hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as + did those who have gone before us. God is the same. If the Savior + in former days laid His hands on His disciples, why not in the + latter days? + + "With regard to superiority I must make a few remarks. The ancient + Apostles sought to be great; but, brethren, lest the seeds of + discord be sown in this matter, understand the voice of the Spirit + on this occasion, God does not love you better or more than + others. You are to contend for the faith once delivered to the + Saints. Jacob, you know, wrestled till he obtained. It was by + fervent prayer and diligent search that you have obtained the + testimony that you are now able to bear. You are as one. You are + equal in bearing the keys of the kingdom to all nations. + + "You are called to preach the Gospel of the Son of God to the + nations of the earth. It is the will of your Heavenly Father that + you proclaim His Gospel to the ends of the earth and the islands + of the sea. Be zealous to save souls. The soul of one man is as + precious as the soul of another. You are to bear this message to + those who consider themselves wise, and such may persecute you; + they may seek your life. The adversary has always sought the lives + of the servants of God. You are, therefore, to be prepared at all + times to make a sacrifice of your lives, should the Lord require + them in the advancement and building up of His cause. Murmur not + at God. Be always prayerful, be always watchful. You will bear + with me while I relieve the feelings of my heart. We shall not see + another day like this. The time has fully come. The voice of the + Spirit has come to set these men apart. You will see the time when + you will desire to see such a day as this, and you will not see + it. Every heart wishes you peace and prosperity, but the scene + with you will inevitably change. Let no man take your Bishopric, + and beware that you lose not your crowns. It will require your + whole souls. It will require courage like Enoch's. The time is + near when you will be in the midst of congregations who will gnash + their teeth upon you. This Gospel must roll and will roll till it + fills the whole earth. + + "Did I say congregations would gnash upon you? Yea, I say nations + will gnash upon you. You will be considered the worst of men. Be + not discouraged at this. When God pours out His Spirit the enemy + will rage, but God, remember, is on your right hand and on your + left. A man, though he may be considered the worst, has joy who is + conscious that he pleases God. The lives of those who proclaim the + true Gospel will be in danger. This has been the case ever since + the days of righteous Abel. + + "The same opposition has been manifest whenever men came forward + to publish the Gospel. The time is coming when you will be + considered the worst by many, and by some the best of men. The + time is coming when you will be perfectly familiar with the things + of God. This testimony will make those who do not believe your + testimony, seek your lives. But there are whole nations who will + receive your testimony. They will call you good men. Be not lifted + up when you are called good men. Remember you are young men, and + you shall be spared. I include the other three. Bear them in mind + in your prayers, carry their cares to a throne of grace. Although + they are not present yet you and they are equal. + + "This appointment is calculated to create an affection in you, for + each other, stronger than death. You will travel to other nations. + Bear each other in mind. If one or more is cast into prison, let + the others pray for him and deliver him by their prayers. + + "Your lives shall be in great jeopardy, but the promise of God is + that you shall be delivered. Remember you are not to go to other + nations till you receive your endowment. Tarry at Kirtland until + you are endowed with power from on high. You need a fountain of + wisdom, knowledge and intelligence such as you never had. Relative + to the endowment, I make a remark or two, that there be no + mistake. The world cannot receive the things of God. He can endow + you without worldly pomp or great parade. He can give you that + wisdom, that intelligence and that power which characterized the + ancient Saints and now characterizes the inhabitants of the upper + world. The greatness of your commission consists in this; you are + to hold the keys of this ministry. You are to go to the nations + afar off; nations that sit in darkness. The day is coming when the + work of God must be done. Israel shall be gathered. The seed of + Jacob shall be gathered from their long dispersion. There will be + a feast to Israel the elect of God. It is a sorrowful tale, but + the Gospel must be preached and His (God's) ministers be rejected, + but where can Israel be found, and receive your testimony and not + rejoice? Nowhere. The prophecies are full of great things that are + to take place in the last days. After the elect is gathered out, + destruction shall come on the inhabitants of the earth. All + nations shall feel the wrath of God after they have been warned by + the Saints of the Most High. If you will not warn them others will + and you will lose your crowns. You must prepare your minds to bid + a long farewell to Kirtland, even till the great day come. You + will see what you never expected to see. You will need the mind of + Enoch or Elijah and the faith of the brother of Jared. You must be + prepared to walk by faith, however appalling the prospect to human + view. You, and each of you should feel the force of the imperious + mandate. Son, go labor in my vineyard, and cheerfully receive what + comes, but in the end you will stand while others will fall. You + have read in the revelation concerning ordination. Beware how you + ordain, for all nations are not like this nation. They will + willingly receive the ordinances at your hand to put you out of + the way. There will be times, when nothing but the angels of God + can deliver you out of their hand. We appeal to your intelligence, + we appeal to your understanding, that we have so far discharged + our duty to you. We consider it one of the greatest condescensions + of our Heavenly Father in pointing you out to us. You will be + stewards over this ministry. + + "We have work to do that no other men can do. You must proclaim + the Gospel in its simplicity and purity, and we commend you to God + and the word of His grace. You have our best wishes, you have our + most fervent prayers that you may be able to bear this testimony, + that you have seen the face of God. Therefore call upon Him in + faith and mighty prayer till you prevail, for it is your duty and + your privilege to bear such testimony for yourselves. We now + expect you to be faithful, to fulfill your calling, there must be + no lack here. You must fulfill in all things, and permit us to + repeat, all nations have a claim on you. You are bound together as + the three witnesses were, you, notwithstanding can part and meet + and meet and part again till your heads are silvered o'er with + age." + +He then took them separately by the hand and said: "Do you with full +purpose of heart take part in this ministry, to proclaim the Gospel +with all diligence with those your brethren, according to the tenor +and intent of the charge you have received." Each of them answered in +the affirmative. + +Thus were chosen the first Twelve Apostles of the last dispensation. +The first quorum of Seventies, their co-laborers in the ministry, was +called into existence about the same time, its members being selected, +as the Twelve had been, from the survivors of Zion's Camp, whose faith +and integrity had been tried and proven. + +The Apostles assembled from time to time to receive instructions from +the Prophet, and strengthen each other in the Lord. One evening when +they had met together for this purpose, the grand revelation on +Priesthood (now forming the first half of Section 107 of the book of +Doctrine and Covenants) was given. + +Sunday, April 5th, 1835. Says Heber: "The Twelve had not all, as yet, +been together, and as the time drew near that we should travel to the +east, we appointed this day to bear our testimony unto our brethren +and friends. We were all assembled together with the exception of +Brother Orson Pratt, who had not yet been with us. We proceeded to +speak according to our ages, the oldest speaking first. This day +Brothers Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young and Heber C. +Kimball spoke. Sunday, 12th, Brothers Orson Hyde, William E. McLellin, +Parley P. Pratt, and Luke S. Johnson spoke. Sunday, 19th, Brothers +William Smith, John F. Boynton and Lyman E. Johnson spoke, closing the +testimony of the Twelve Apostles to the people in Kirtland at that +time. Sunday, 26th, Brother Orson Pratt entered the house while we +were opening the meeting and praying and wishing for his arrival. He +was ordained an apostle, and we received our charge from Joseph Smith, +the Prophet." + +The eldest of the Apostles, Thos. B. Marsh, thus became president of +the quorum; though the Twelve were all equal in authority. This order +was agreeable to the will of Heaven. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +FIRST MISSION OF THE TWELVE--HEBER REVISITS THE SCENES OF HIS +CHILDHOOD--MOBBING AN ABOLITIONIST--"THE ACCUSER OF THE +BRETHREN"--DAYS OF REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION. + + +The Apostles started on their first mission, May 4th, 1835. They +traveled through the eastern states and Upper Canada, preaching, +baptizing, setting in order the branches of the Church, counseling the +Saints to gather westward, and collecting means for the purchase of +lands in Missouri and the completion of the Lord's House in Kirtland. +Like the Apostles anciently, they went forth two by two, traveling +"without purse or scrip," and preaching by the way. Heber's first +companion was William Smith, brother to the Prophet. + +Separating at Dunkirk, New York, on the 5th of May, the Apostles met +in conference on the 9th, at Westfield, Chautauqua County. Here they +sat in council upon the first case brought before them for +adjudication. A local traveling Elder named Joseph Rose had been +teaching erroneous doctrine and perverting the word of God, in that he +spiritualized the literal promise of the Savior; that before His +second coming the sun should be darkened and the moon turned to blood. +Rose asserted that the Jewish church was the sun, darkened, and the +Gentile church, the moon, which should be turned to blood. He was +shown his error and reproved sharply, whereupon he humbly acknowledged +his fault. + +At Mendon, his former home, Heber and his companion, Elder Orson Hyde, +were confronted by a Baptist priest named Fulton, who withstood them +harshly. Says Heber: "He called us false prophets, and, rejecting our +testimony, advised us to go home. We declared unto him that we should +go forth preaching the Gospel, and no power should stay us. I told him +if he did not repent of his sins and be baptized for the remission of +them, he would be damned; which made him angry. We then passed on +until we came to a pure stream of water, and there cleansed our feet, +bearing testimony against him, as the Lord commanded." + +At the Lyonstown conference, on the 6th of June, it was Heber's turn +to preside; the Twelve having been instructed by the Prophet to +preside in turn at their meetings according to their ages. From here +Elder Kimball traveled in company with Elder Luke Johnson towards +Pillowpoint, the place of the next conference. In the town of Rose +they were cordially received, but in Hewton were turned away from +twelve houses, where they had solicited entertainment. At midnight +they put up at an inn, retiring supperless to bed, as they had but one +shilling with which to pay for their lodging. A walk of six miles +before breakfast next morning brought them to Esquire David +Ellsworth's where they were warmly welcomed and hospitably +entertained. The Apostles blessed the kind souls who thus administered +to their wants, and who, on bidding them farewell, gave them money, +wished them God-speed and wept at their departure. About one year +later the whole family embraced the Gospel. + +At Pillowpoint, Jefferson County, a conference was held on the 19th of +June. Here the council tried John Elmer, a member of the Church, for +holding views and doctrines opposed to the principles of truth. "When +called upon, he stated that he had had many visions and revelations, +and that the Lord had revealed to him of a certainty that He would +make His second appearance within fifteen years; also that the Spirit +of God often came upon him and threw him down, and caused him to +disfigure himself, or die the death of the righteous, or of the +wicked, and then come to life again in the presence of others, to +convince them that he was a man of God and had great power. He also +stated that in one of his visions the Lord Jesus appeared personally +and laid His hands upon him and sanctified him, both soul and body, +and that he was now immortal or changed, so that he would never die. +He stated that he could hold red-hot iron or live coals of fire in his +hands without receiving any injury; together with other curious +notions and vagaries, ascribing them all to the power of God; and that +he never would deny them, although the Council and whole Church should +decide against him. The Council endeavored to show him that he was +deceived by the adversary, but to no effect. He said he would rather +be expelled from the Church than give up any of his views or say they +were not of God. Consequently the Church lifted their hands against +him." + +While at Sackett's Harbor, Heber received a letter from his wife, +apprising him of the birth of his son, Heber P., at Kirtland, on the +1st of June. His joy found vent in a characteristic burst of humor. He +propounded the following riddle to the brethren: "I have three +children now, and have not seen one of them." This was quite a puzzle +to them, until he explained that the _one_ he referred to was the +infant born since he left home. + +He next visited his native state, Vermont, and remained several days +among the scenes of his childhood, visiting and preaching to his +relatives and acquaintances, and wherever opportunity arose. Some +believed, but did not obey the Gospel. A false prophet named Davison +had gone through the country some time before, deceiving the people +with pretended miracles. They were therefore prejudiced against the +true faith, with its new and strange promises of spiritual gifts and +blessings. + +Crossing over the Green Mountains, taking a bypath through a lonely +and densely timbered wilderness, his only companions the wild animals +and screech-owls inhabiting those solitudes, he arrived at St. +Johnsbury, and met in council with his brethren on the 17th of July. +They held their meetings in a large barn belonging to a Mr. Snow. It +was in this neighborhood that the Snow, Farr, Badger and Bingham +families embraced the Gospel. Apostle Erastus Snow was born at St. +Johnsbury, November 9th, 1818. + +With sore and blistered feet, Heber now traveled alone down the +Connecticut river into New Hampshire, visiting the town of Plainfield, +where his mother was born. He met with considerable opposition, even +among his own kindred. At Bradford the Twelve sat in council and tried +Elder Gladden Bishop for teaching false doctrine. He was suspended +from fellowship. Heber next visited Boston, in company with Apostles +Thomas B. Marsh and Brigham Young, and after spending several days +with the Saints in that city, where each was presented with a new suit +of clothes by Sisters Fanny Brewer, Polly Voce and others, they went +northward to the state of Maine. On the way they stopped at Dover, and +were shown through a large cotton factory, the work-hands all +suspending operations and gazing with much curiosity at the "Mormon +Apostles." + +The last conference of the year 1835 was held at Farmington, Maine, on +the 28th of August. Having fulfilled their mission, the Apostles +agreed to return to Kirtland, and separated with that understanding, +after appointing a day and hour to meet upon the steamboat wharf in +Buffalo. + +At Concord, New Hampshire, under date of September 3rd, Heber writes +thus in his journal: "Here I understood an Abolitionist named Davis +was going to deliver a lecture at the Court House. I went with the +other stage passengers to hear his principles. After waiting some time +for the gentleman, instead of seeing his person as we anticipated, we +beheld an uproar among the people, and our ears were saluted with the +howls of three or four hundred demons in human shape who were in +search of the Abolitionist; and not finding him in the State House, or +streets, they commenced demolishing a building and searching others. +After a little while the peace officers prevailed on them to desist. +They then prepared an effigy, which they carried through the streets +on a rail for some time; then forming an assembly before the State +House, had an oration delivered on the subject and burned the effigy, +while the men of the city dared not open their mouths or say ought to +them. They then went to a place where they had three pieces of cannon, +which they continued firing until daylight. This was a night of +peculiar feeling; reflecting upon the night when my brethren were +driven from their homes in Jackson County, Missouri, by a similar mob, +and also considering that the time might come when I might fall into +the hands of a like band of ruffians, my cry to the Lord was, Save the +man from the hands of these foul monsters. There was such an uproar in +the city next morning, that it took five men to hold the horses while +the passengers got into the stage. This man was one of the first +lecturers on Abolitionism in that country, and it was then very +unpopular." + +At Plainfield, Heber tarried two days with his cousin, Charles +Spaulding, in the house where his mother was born and reared. From him +he received a legacy of seven dollars, left him by his aunt, Speedy +Spaulding, who had died a short time before. This money enabled him to +pursue his journey. By way of Albany, New York, Palmyra and the hill +Cumorah, he proceeded to Canandaigua, where lived his sister Melvina +(Mrs. James M. Wheeler) and to Byron, the home of his sister Abigail +(Mrs. Jesse Mum). Thence he rode on to Buffalo, the stage arriving +just one hour ahead of the appointed time. His brethren, the Apostles, +were all there awaiting him. + +Taking passage on board the steamer "United States," they had gone as +far as Dunkirk when the vessel struck a rock and sprung a leak. She +made for Erie, but reached there with difficulty, being obliged to run +upon a sand-bar to keep from sinking. Hailing a passing boat, the +Apostles left the disabled steamer, and on board the other arrived at +Fairport, from which point they had sailed nearly five months before. +Here they hired wagons and drove on to Kirtland, reaching home on the +25th of September. + +While the Apostles were absent upon this mission, the "accuser of the +brethren" had been busy sowing discord, with a view to causing +coldness and estrangement between the First Presidency and the Twelve. +Two of the Apostles, Orson Hyde and William E. McLellin, had been +suspended during their absence and called home for trial, and, so +great was the influence brought to bear by misrepresentation upon the +minds of the Presidency, they had been led to mistrust the fidelity of +others. + +The charge against Elders Hyde and McLellin was for speaking and +writing disrespectfully of President Rigdon, in his manner of +conducting the Kirtland school. The charge was substantiated, and the +brethren confessed their fault and were restored to fellowship. + +The accusations against the Twelve were more serious. It was said that +they had sought to be independent of the presiding quorum of the +Church, and had failed to fulfill their mission, in not preaching, at +the Freedom conference, the gathering to Zion, or the collection of +means for the Kirtland Temple and the purchase of lands in Missouri. +Both charges were proved to be groundless. + +At the council, where the Apostles laid their grievances before the +Presidency, and "all things were reconciled," the Prophet Joseph, it +is said, made a covenant with the Twelve that never again would he +entertain a charge against them on one-sided testimony, or pass +judgment upon them even in thought, without first giving them an +opportunity of being heard in their own defense. + +If this noble, just, and charitable resolve had always been adhered to +by the Saints of God, in whom, if in any people, such a principle +should find its exponents and exemplars, how many bitter +heart-burnings might have been spared; how many reputations remained +unblasted, enmities unaroused, wounds uninfected! Had the idle gossip, +the malicious slanderer, the toadying, truckling tale-bearer, who +oscillates, pendulum-like, between man and man, seeking occasion +against his brother, making him "an offender for a word," coloring all +he hears, and pouring into oft too willing ears his insidious tale of +derogations and detractions;--had such characters invariably been +required to face those whom they accused and to prove their +assertions, who can say that the cause of Zion, the unity and +purification of God's people, would not have been subserved rather +than injured thereby? Are we not too prone to heed the tale-bearer, +the secret enemy, who, striking unawares with "the shaft that flies in +darkness," perchance seeks to build up his own, upon the ruins of his +brother's reputation; and too slow to remember justice and the law of +God--that in the mouths of two or three witnesses, and these not +enemies of the accused, shall every word be established? + +Well might Solomon say, and well may it be believed, that among the +things which "the Lord doth hate," are "a false witness that speaketh +lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." + +The men who had caused the trouble between the Presidency and the +Apostles, or those whom Heber held responsible, were Warren Cowdery, +Jared Carter and others, who, using Oliver Cowdery and other +influential Elders near the person of the Prophet, as conduits of +their ill-will, wrought injury to their brethren who were far away, +unable, because absent, to defend themselves. + +"I will here remark," says Heber, "that every individual who used an +influence against the Twelve on their mission, apostatized and went +out of the Church; and this should remain an everlasting warning to +all others. In those days there was a continual itching in certain +individuals to destroy the union existing between the Twelve and the +First Presidency, and the union in the First Presidency, which thing +they did at last effect, which broke up the Church for a time; for +Oliver Cowdery, Warren Cowdery, Jared Carter, Frederick G. Williams, +and six of the Twelve became disaffected, and turned against Joseph +and those of the Twelve who sustained him." + +As, in the end, good comes of evil, and from the compost-heap springs +forth the flower of fragrance and beauty, so from the unhappy event +related, issued good and glad results. From the time the +reconciliation took place between the Presidency and the Twelve, a +reformation commenced in the Church. "Those meetings," says Heber, "of +humiliation, repentance, and confessing of sins, were truly the +beginning of good days to us, and they continued through the +endowment." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +HEBER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE--ITS DEDICATION--ANGELS +ADMINISTER--THE "BELOVED DISCIPLE" JOHN SEEN--THE SOLEMN ASSEMBLY--THE +ELDERS ENDOWED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH--HEBER'S LONE MISSION. + + +The Kirtland Temple was dedicated on the 27th of March, 1836. It was +yet in an unfinished state, but for some time had been used for +meetings and councils of the Priesthood. From Heber's pen we have the +following description of the edifice and the ceremonies of its +dedication: + +"This building the Saints commenced in 1833, in poverty, and without +means to do it. In 1834 they completed the walls, and in 1835-6 they +nearly finished it. The cost was between sixty and seventy thousand +dollars. A committee was appointed to gather donations; they traveled +among the churches and collected a considerable amount, but not +sufficient, so that in the end they found themselves between thirteen +and fourteen thousand dollars in debt. This house was 80 x 60 feet, +and 57 feet high to the eaves. It was divided into two stories, each +22 feet high and arched overhead. Ten feet were cut off from the front +by a partition, and used as an entry or outer court, which also +contained the stairs. This left the main room 55 x 65 feet in the +clear, both below and above. In each of these rooms were built two +pulpits, one in each end. Each pulpit consisted of four different +apartments; the fourth standing on a platform raised a suitable height +above the floor; the third stood directly behind and elevated a little +above the fourth; the second in rear of and elevated above the third; +and in like manner the first above the second. Each of these +apartments was just large enough and rightly calculated to seat three +persons, and the breastwork in front of each of these three last +mentioned was constituted of three semicircles joining each other, and +finished in good style. The fourth or lower one, was straight in +front, and had an elegant table leaf attached to it, that could be +raised at pleasure for the convenience of administering the sacrament, +etc. These pulpits were alike in each end of the house. One was for +the use of the Melchisedek or High Priesthood, and the other for the +Aaronic or lesser Priesthood. The first or highest apartment was +occupied by the First Presidency over the whole Church; the second +apartment by the Melchisedek High Priesthood; the third by the +President of the High Priest's Quorum; and the fourth by the President +of the Elders and his two counselors. The highest apartment of the +other pulpit was occupied by the Bishop of the Church and his two +counselors; the next by the President of the Priests and his two +counselors; the third by the President of the Teachers and his two +counselors; and the fourth by the President of the Deacons and his two +counselors. + +"Each of these apartments had curtains hanging from the ceiling over +head down to the top of the pulpit, which could be rolled up or +dropped down at pleasure; and when dropped down would completely +exclude those within the apartment from the sight of all others. The +room itself was finished with slips and seats so calculated that by +slipping the seats a little the congregation could change their faces +toward either pulpit they chose; for in some cases the high Priesthood +would administer, and in other cases the lesser Priesthood would +administer. The room was also divided into four compartments by means +of curtains or veils hanging from the ceiling over head down to the +floor, which could be rolled up at pleasure, so that the house could +be used all in one or divided into four rooms and used for different +purposes. Thus the house was constructed to suit and accommodate the +different quorums of the Priesthood and worship peculiar to the +Church. The first story or lower room was dedicated for divine worship +alone. The second story was finished similar in form to the first, but +was designed wholly for instructing the Priesthood, and was supplied +with tables and seats instead of slips. In the attic, five rooms were +finished for the convenience of schools and for different quorums of +the Church to meet in. There was no baptismal font in this temple, the +ordinance of baptism for the dead not having been revealed. + +"At the time of dedication the first story was finished, also the +attic, but the second story was in an unfinished condition. + +"At the dedication an address was delivered by Elder Rigdon, from +Matthew 8th chap., 18th, 19th and 20th verses--more particularly the +20th. He spoke two hours and a half. The tenor of his discourse went +to show the toils, sufferings, privations, and hardships the brethren +and sisters had to endure while building this house, and compared it +with the sufferings of the Saints in the days of the Savior. After the +address the voice of the assembly was taken in reference to receiving +and upholding the several presidents of the different quorums in their +standing. The vote was unanimously in the affirmative in every +instance. A hymn was sung, and then we had an interesting address from +President Joseph Smith, and closed with a dedication prayer written by +the Prophet. + +"During the ceremonies of the dedication, an angel appeared and sat +near President Joseph Smith, sen., and Frederick G. Williams, so that +they had a fair view of his person. He was a very tall personage, +black eyes, white hair, and stoop shouldered; his garment was whole, +extending to near his ankles; on his feet he had sandals. He was sent +as a messenger to accept of the dedication. The Priesthood was +organized according to the proper order. During the whole of the +dedication each quorum was placed in its respective station. +Everything was conducted in the best of order, and profound silence +maintained." + +The Temple having been dedicated, the Apostles and Elders received +their endowments, according to the promise of the Lord in Missouri. +Says Heber: + +"We had been commanded to prepare ourselves for a solemn assembly. At +length the time arrived for this assembly to meet; previous to which +the Prophet Joseph exhorted the Elders to solemnize their minds, by +casting away every evil from them, in thought, word and deed, and to +let their hearts become sanctified, because they need not expect a +blessing from God without being duly prepared for it, for the Holy +Ghost would not dwell in unholy temples. This meeting took place soon +after the house of the Lord had been dedicated. * * * + +"When the Prophet Joseph had finished the endowments of the First +Presidency, the Twelve and the Presiding Bishops, the First Presidency +proceeded to lay hands upon each one of them to seal and confirm the +anointing; and at the close of each blessing the whole of the quorums +responded to it with a loud shout of Hosanna! Hosanna! etc. + +"While these things were being attended to the beloved disciple John +was seen in our midst by the Prophet Joseph, Oliver Cowdery and +others. After this all the quorums arose in order, together with the +three Presidencies; and the Twelve then presented themselves +separately and individually before the First Presidency, with hands +uplifted towards heaven, and asked of God whatever they felt to +desire; and after each individual petition the whole of the quorums +answered aloud Amen! Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! To God and the Lamb, +forever and ever, amen and amen! + +"The 6th day of April being the day appointed for fasting and prayer, +all the Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons, numbering about four +hundred, met together in the House of the Lord to attend to further +ordinances; none being permitted to enter but official members who had +previously received their washings and anointings. Water being +provided, the First Presidency, after girding themselves with towels, +proceeded to wash the feet of the Twelve. After they got through the +Twelve girded themselves and washed the feet of the Seventies. They +then took their seats, each quorum seating themselves in their +respective places and continued in fasting and prayer, prophesying and +exhortation until evening. A sufficient quantity of bread having been +provided to feed this whole assembly, it was broken by the First +Presidency of the Church and Twelve, after which the congregation +knelt while a benediction was pronounced upon it by the First +Presidency; and afterwards the Twelve took it and administered to the +congregation. Then wine, also being provided, was blessed by the First +Presidency and in like manner served to the congregation by the +Twelve. This order of things is similar to that which was attended to +by the Savior, amongst His disciples, previous to His ascension. The +meeting continued on through the night; the spirit of prophecy was +poured out upon the assembly, and cloven tongues of fire sat upon +them; for they were seen by many of the congregation. Also angels +administered to many, for they were also seen by many. + +"This continued several days and was attended by a marvelous spirit of +prophecy. Every man's mouth was full of prophesying, and for a number +of days or weeks our time was spent in visiting from house to house, +administering bread and wine, and pronouncing blessings upon each +other to that degree, that from the external appearances one would +have supposed that the last days had truly come, in which the Spirit +of the Lord was poured out upon all flesh, as far as the Church was +concerned, for the sons and daughters of Zion were full of +prophesying. In this prophesying great blessings were pronounced upon +the faithful, and also great cursings upon the ungodly, or upon those +who had smitten us. During this time many great and marvelous visions +were seen, one of which I will mention which Joseph the Prophet had +concerning the Twelve. His anxiety was and had been very great for +their welfare, when the following vision was manifested to him, as +near as I can recollect: + +"He saw the Twelve going forth, and they appeared to be in a far +distant land. After some time they unexpectedly met together, +apparently in great tribulation, their clothes all ragged, and their +knees and feet sore. They formed into a circle, and all stood with +their eyes fixed upon the ground. The Savior appeared and stood in +their midst and wept over them, and wanted to show Himself to them, +but they did not discover Him. He (Joseph) saw until they had +accomplished their work, and arrived at the gate of the celestial +city; there Father Adam stood and opened the gate to them, and as they +entered he embraced them one by one and kissed them. He then led them +to the throne of God, and then the Savior embraced each one of them +and kissed them, and crowned each one of them in the presence of God. +He saw that they all had beautiful heads of hair and all looked alike. +The impression this vision left on Brother Joseph's mind was of so +acute a nature, that he never could refrain from weeping while +rehearsing it." + +"I continued through the winter," says Heber, "some of the time going +to school, and the residue laboring with my hands, until May, 1836, +when I enquired of the Prophet Joseph if I should go on a mission to +preach, or go to school; he replied I might do either, for the Lord +would bless me in the course I should pursue. Accordingly, on the 10th +of May I left Kirtland and proceeded to Fairport, where I took +steamboat and arrived in Buffalo the next day. From that place I +passed on to the northeast, preaching where doors were open, and +baptizing for the remission of sins such as believed. + +"June 13th, I arrived at Sackett's Harbor. I had the pleasure of +meeting Brothers Luke Johnson and Orson Pratt, who were laboring with +all their might for the cause of God in that region. + +"From that place I went on the steamer _United States_ to Ogdensburg, +St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and from thence passed on about three miles +from the village, when I was stopped by a shower of rain, which drove +me into the house of Mr. Chapin for shelter, and making known my +calling, the people immediately desired a meeting, and called in their +neighbors, when I preached to them for about an hour. Many staid until +midnight, and before I was up the next morning they called upon me +requesting I should preach again that day in the school house, which I +did, and at night it was again thronged with those who were eager to +hear. The second morning they likewise called on me, and would not let +me go until they knew the truth of my testimony, for by this time the +country round was in an uproar of excitement. On the fourth morning I +was called out of bed, and baptized three. I remained seven days +preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, and baptized and +confirmed seven. The promise was fulfilled, for those who believed +spoke in tongues, and the sick were healed. A woman named Davis had +been confined to her bed for five years, not able to do anything +during that time, and scarcely able to sit up, who was given up to die +by the doctors. I baptized and confirmed her a member of the Church, +and at the same time prayed for her, and rebuked the disease, and +commanded it to depart from her in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. +She began to amend from that very hour, and in less than one week she +was performing her usual household duties, walked into the streets and +attended meetings, to the astonishment of the people. Sister Chapin +and others were also healed of their infirmities. Sister Davis' +husband was considered a staunch Universalist. He was convinced and +baptized." + +Thence I journeyed to Plattsburg, where I staid all night with a Mr. +Mansfield, who was very friendly to me. I then went in a steamer to +St. Albans, Vt., and visited my friends in Sheldon and Bakersfield, +traveled through various parts of Vermont, visited Wright's settlement +on the top of the Green Mountains, where some were believing. I met +Elder Solon Foster at Potsdam, preaching there once, and eight or nine +bore testimony to the truth of the Gospel. + +"After an absence of about five weeks I returned to Ogdensburg, met +the brethren whom I had baptized, and they rejoiced at my return. When +I got to the house of Brother Heman Chapin, he was grinding his scythe +and fixing his cradle to commence cutting his wheat. I proposed to him +if he would furnish me a tow frock and pantaloons to put on, and a +rake, I would go into the field and rake and bind all he could cut. He +declared there was no man living could do it. Said I, 'never mind, +Brother Chapin, its nearly as easy for me to do it as to say it.' The +next morning after the dew had passed off we went into the field, +commencing at a piece of wheat which he said had three acres in it. +Said I, 'go ahead, Brother Heman, we'll cut down this piece before +dinner.' About the time he took the last clipp of the three acres I +had it bound in a bundle before he had hardly a chance to look round, +and about that time the horn blew to call us to dinner. We started +back to his house; he never spoke or said one word to me, appearing +rather confounded. The next Sabbath such a congregation of hearers I +had never seen in the United States; for priests and people had come +for twenty-five miles distance, to see and hear that "Mormon" who had +performed a thing that had never before been done in that country, for +Brother Chapin had proclaimed this occurrence unknown to me. I tarried +several days in those regions, preaching and baptizing. + +"August 25th, while we were assembled for a meeting our hearts were +filled with joy by the arrival of Joseph Smith, Sen., the patriarch, +and his brother John Smith, who were on a mission to bless the +churches in the eastern states. + +"On the 27th, the church, numbering twenty, that I had baptized, came +together and received patriarchal blessings under the hands of +President Joseph Smith, Sen. + +"Sunday, 28th, Father John Smith preached at 10 a. m., and four of us +bore testimony to the Book of Mormon and the truth of the work. In the +afternoon we administered the sacrament, confirmed three and blessed +the little children of the branch. + +"Monday, 20th, we ordained Levi Chapin a Teacher and Alvin Simons an +Elder to watch over the church. I then went to Black Lake, preached +and baptized one; then preached at Potsdam and baptized another. +Returned to the township of Oswegatchie, called the church together at +Ogdensburg, which numbered twenty-eight, and bade them farewell. I +left the church rejoicing in the Lord, and many around believing the +testimony. + +"Thence I pursued my journey to Victor, Ontario County, where I met +Vilate, my wife, who was visiting her friends, and I tarried a few +days with them. Thence we pursued our journey to Buffalo. Here a +magistrate came forward and paid five dollars for our passage to +Frankfort, a distance of one hundred and eighty miles. The passengers +were chiefly Swiss emigrants. After sitting and hearing them for some +time, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and I was enabled to preach +to them in their own language. They seemed much pleased and treated us +kindly. We had a very heavy gale while going up the lake, so that +every passenger almost and some of the hands were very sick. Many were +frightened, and one woman died, she being very feeble when she came on +board. But we reached our destination without accident, and arrived in +Kirtland, October 2nd. I was gone nearly five months, visited many of +my friends, preached much, and baptized thirty. This was the first +mission I took alone. The Lord was with me and blessed me, and +confirmed the word with signs following." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE WORSHIP OF MAMMON--THE TEMPORAL ABOVE THE SPIRITUAL--THE KIRTLAND +BANK--FINANCIAL DISASTERS--APOSTASY--HEBER SORROWS OVER THE DEGENERACY +OF THE TIMES. + + + "Ill fares the land; to hastening ills a prey, + Where wealth accumulates and men decay." + +During the absence of Apostle Kimball in the east, a grievous change +had come over the Church in Kirtland. The greed of gain, the spirit of +speculation was abroad in the land. Mammon had reared his altars on +consecrated ground; the money-changer was within the temple. The love +of the things of earth had usurped, in many hearts, the love of the +things of heaven, and comparatively few were free from the +soul-destroying influence of idolatry. Idolatry? Yes; the bowing down +to the modern Baal, the worship of wealth--the god of gold--the lust +after the ways and pleasures of the world. + +The order of Christ's kingdom is the order of creation: firstly +spiritual, secondly temporal. When this order is subverted, "chaos is +come again." Sorrow is the inevitable consequence of apostasy from the +spiritual to the temporal. "To be carnally-minded is death; but to be +spiritually-minded is life and peace." Does not the fall of man +illustrate this principle? Can he descend from heaven to earth without +causing and enduring pain? + +The spiritual must sway the temporal, the earthly be ruled by the +heavenly. How else shall it be sanctified? It is the spirit in man +that moves the body, not the body the spirit. In the Church, Christ's +body, the spiritual must reign supreme. The temporal on the heart's +throne is ever the usurper; the spiritual crowned and sceptred, ruler +by right divine. + +Jacob is spiritual; Japheth is temporal. The mission of Israel and the +mission of the Gentiles are as the poles antipodal; God's ways and +man's ways, as heaven and earth apart. + +"We were very much grieved," says Heber, "on our arrival in Kirtland, +to see the spirit of speculation that was prevailing in the Church. +Trade and traffic seemed to engross the time and attention of the +Saints. When we left Kirtland a city lot was worth about $150; but on +our return, to our astonishment, the same lot was said to be worth +from $500. to $1000., according to location; and some men, who, when I +left, could hardly get food to eat, I found on my return to be men of +supposed great wealth; in fact everything in the place seemed to be +moving in great prosperity, and all seemed determined to become rich; +in my feelings they were artificial or imaginary riches. This +appearance of prosperity led many of the Saints to believe that the +time had arrived for the Lord to enrich them with the treasures of the +earth, and believing so, it stimulated them to great exertions, so +much so that two of the Twelve, Lyman E. Johnson and John F. Boynton, +went to New York and purchased to the amount of $20,000 worth of +goods, and entered into the mercantile business, borrowing +considerable money from Polly Voce and other Saints in Boston and the +regions round about, and which they have never repaid." + +The Prophet Joseph says of those times: "The spirit of speculation in +lands and property of all kinds, which was so prevalent throughout the +whole nation, was taking deep root in the Church. As the fruits of +this spirit, evil surmising, fault-finding, disunion, dissension and +apostasy followed in quick succession, and it seemed as though all the +powers of earth and hell were combining their influence in an especial +manner to overthrow the Church at once and make a final end. The enemy +abroad and apostates in our midst united in their schemes, flour and +provisions were turned towards other markets, and many became +disaffected towards me, as though I were the sole cause of those very +evils I was strenuously striving against, and which were actually +brought upon us by the brethren not giving heed to my counsel." + +During this period, the Kirtland Safety Society was organized, with a +view to controlling the prevailing sentiment and directing it in +legitimate channels. The ablest and staunchest men in Israel, +including the Prophet and most of the Apostles, were made officers and +members of the association. + +Then came the financial crash of 1837, by which so many of the banking +and business houses of the country were prostrated. Nearly all the +banks, one after another, suspended specie payment, "and gold and +silver rose in value in direct ratio with the depreciation of paper +currency." The Kirtland Bank shared a similar fate to many others, and +went down in the whirlpool of financial ruin. One of the causes +alleged for its failure was the misfeasance of some of those who were +entrusted with the funds of the Bank. Heber says that Warren Parrish, +one of the clerks, "afterwards acknowledged that he took $20,000, and +there was strong evidence that he took more. Those of integrity in the +Church replaced the stolen money at the expense of all they had." A +counterfeit, falsely reputed to have been issued by the Bank, was also +used by its enemies as a means to effect its overthrow. + +As usual the onus of responsibility was placed upon the shoulders of +the Prophet, although he had withdrawn from the institution some time +before. He was falsely accused of dishonesty and fraud, and condemned +beyond measure, by men in and out of the Church, as though he were the +sole and intentional cause of the catastrophe. + +"This order of things," continues Heber, "increased during the winter +to such an extent that a man's life was in danger the moment he spoke +in defence of the Prophet of God. During this time I had many days of +sorrow and mourning, for my heart sickened to see the awful extent +that things were getting to. The only source of consolation I had, was +in bending my knees continually before my Father in Heaven, and asking +Him to sustain me and preserve me from falling into snares, and from +betraying my brethren as others had done; for those who apostatized +sought every means and opportunity to draw others after them. They +also entered into combinations to obtain wealth by fraud and every +means that was evil. + +"At this time, I had many dreams from the Lord; one of them I will +relate. I dreamed that I entered the house of John F. Boynton, in +which there was a panther; he was jet black and very beautiful to look +upon, but he inspired me with fear; when I rose to leave the house he +stood at the door with the intention to seize on me, and seeing my +fear, he displayed his beauty to me, telling me how sleek his coat +was, and what beautiful ears he had, and also his claws, which +appeared to be of silver, and then he showed me his teeth, which also +appeared to be silver. John F. Boynton told me that if I made myself +familiar with him he would not hurt me, but if I did not he would. I +did not feel disposed to do so, and while the panther was displaying +to me his beauty, I slipped through the door and escaped, although he +tried to keep me back by laying hold of my coat; but I rent myself +from him. The interpretation of this dream was literally fulfilled. +The panther represented an apostate whom I had been very familiar +with. I felt to thank the Lord for this dream, and other intimations +that I had, which, by His assistance, kept me from falling into +snares." + +The hour was approaching when Heber C. Kimball was destined to make +his great mark as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, to perform a +work that would perpetuate his memory, and make his name "a household +word" upon the lips of tens of thousands in both hemispheres. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +ZION'S SHIP AMONG THE BREAKERS--"SOMETHING NEW MUST BE DONE TO SAVE +THE CHURCH"--HEBER C. KIMBALL APPOINTED TO OPEN THE BRITISH +MISSION--SPIRITUAL THINGS TO THE FRONT--RIGHTING THE SHIP--HEBER'S +PROPHECY TO WILLARD RICHARDS--"YEA, IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, THOU +SHALT GO WITH ME"--THE DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND. + + +At this crisis in the affairs of the Church, the Lord revealed to +Joseph that "something new" must be done for its salvation. The good +ship Zion, storm-tossed and tempest-driven, her sails rent, her +timbers sprung, a portion of her officers and crew in open mutiny, was +drifting with fearful rapidity toward the rocks and breakers of +destruction. + +Joseph was denounced as a "fallen prophet" by men who had been his +immediate friends and confidential advisers, and the divinity of his +mission was being doubted by many who had received through him a +testimony of the truth, the gift of the Holy Ghost, a knowledge of God +and Christ, whom to know is life eternal. + +"No quorum in the Church," says he, "was entirely exempt from the +influence of those false spirits who were striving against me for the +mastery. Even some of the Twelve were so far lost to their high and +responsible calling, as to begin to take sides, secretly, with the +enemy." + +What "new thing," under these circumstances, was destined to "save the +Church?" In what way was Joseph's mission, as a prophet of the living +God, to be revindicated in the eyes of the Saints and of the world? + +"On Sunday, the 4th day of June, 1837," says Heber C. Kimball, "the +Prophet Joseph came to me, while I was seated in front of the stand, +above the sacrament table, on the Melchisedek side of the Temple, in +Kirtland, and whispering to me, said, 'Brother Heber, the Spirit of +the Lord has whispered to me: 'Let my servant Heber go to England and +proclaim my Gospel, and open the door of salvation to that nation.'" + +The thought was overpowering. He had been surprised at his call to the +apostleship: now he was overwhelmed. Like Jeremiah he staggered under +the weight of his own weakness, exclaiming in self-humiliation: "O, +Lord, I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a +work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed +throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery +of religion; and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial!" + +"Feeling my weakness to go upon such an errand, I asked the Prophet if +Brother Brigham might go with me. He replied that he wanted Brother +Brigham to stay with him, for he had something else for him to do. The +idea of such a mission was almost more than I could bear up under. I +was almost ready to sink under the burden which was placed upon me. + +"However, all these considerations did not deter me from the path of +duty; the moment I understood the will of my heavenly Father, I felt a +determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me +by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I +needed; and although my family was dear to me, and I should have to +leave them almost destitute, I felt that the cause of truth, the +Gospel of Christ, outweighed every other consideration. + +"At this time many faltered in their faith; even some of the Twelve +were in rebellion against the Prophet of God. John F. Boynton said to +me, 'If you are such a fool as to go at the call of the fallen +prophet, Joseph Smith, I will not help you a dime, and if you are cast +on Van Dieman's land, I will not make an effort to help you.' Lyman E. +Johnson said he did not want me to go on my mission, but if I was +determined to go, he would help me all he could; he took his cloak +from off his back and put it on mine; which was the first cloak I ever +had. + +"Brothers Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Sen., Brigham Young, Newel K. +Whitney and others said, 'Go and do as the Prophet has told you, and +you shall prosper and be blessed with power to do a glorious work.' +Hyrum, seeing the condition of the Church, when he talked about my +mission, wept like a little child; he was continually blessing and +encouraging me, and pouring out his soul in prophecies upon my head; +he said: 'Go, and you shall prosper as not many have prospered.'" + +Elder Orson Hyde, who had had some disagreement with the authorities +and was thought to be disaffected, gave a noble proof of his integrity +by asking forgiveness of the brethren, and requesting the privilege of +accompanying Apostle Kimball on his mission to England. He was +accordingly set apart, with Elder Kimball and Priest Joseph Fielding, +for that purpose. + +Says Heber: "The Presidency laid their hands on me and set me apart to +preside over the mission, and conferred great blessings upon my head; +said that God would make me mighty in that nation in winning souls +unto Him; angels should accompany me and bear me up, that my feet +should never slip; that I should be mightily blessed and prove a +source of salvation to thousands, not only in England but America. + +"After being called on this mission, I daily went into the east room +in the attic story of the temple and poured out my soul unto the Lord, +asking His protection and power to fulfill honorably the mission +appointed me by His servants. A short time previous to starting, I was +laid prostrate on my bed with a stitch in my back, which suddenly +seized me while chopping and drawing wood for my family. I could not +stir a limb without crying out from the severeness of the pain. +Joseph, hearing of it, came to see me, bringing Oliver Cowdery and +Bishop Partridge with him; they prayed for and blessed me, Joseph +being mouth, beseeching God to raise me up; he then took me by the +right hand and said, 'Brother Heber, I take you by your right hand in +the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and by virtue of the Holy +Priesthood vested in me I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to +arise, and be thou made whole.' I arose from my bed, put on my +clothes, and started with them and went up to the temple, and felt no +more of the pain afterwards." + +Though amazed and overwhelmed at his call to this duty, the voice of +the Spirit in his own heart had long since told him that he would some +day be required to perform just such a work. As with all men of +destiny, the mountain of his mission loomed before him dimly in the +distance, casting its shadow athwart his soul, and there were times +when, worn and wearied with life's common cares, he sought within that +shade shelter and repose from the noontide's heat and toil. Thus doth +the ideal subserve the real, of which, what is it but the prophecy? + +Some months prior to his appointment, in a conversation with Willard +Richards in the streets of Kirtland, soon after the latter was +baptized, Heber, filled with the spirit of prophecy, had predicted for +himself a mission to the shores of Europe. + +"Shall I go with thee?" enquired Willard. + +"Yea, in the name of the Lord, thou shalt go with me when I go," Heber +replied. + +But Willard was now in the eastern states, on a special business +mission, and the day of Heber's departure was drawing near. Just one +day before he left for England, Elder Richards returned, and was +reminded by the Apostle of the prediction he had uttered five months +before. Willard, being involved in business, and not having received a +formal call, did not see how he could go. But, on consulting with the +First Presidency, and obtaining their consent, and his partner in +business, Brigham Young, agreeing to take charge of their affairs in +his absence, he was enabled to fulfill his covenant with Heber, and +was set apart the same evening to accompany the mission to England. + +Heber received the following letter of recommendation from the First +Presidency: + + "At a conference of the Elders of the Church of Latter-day Saints, + held in Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, on the fourth day of June, + in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and + thirty-seven, Elder Heber C. Kimball, the bearer of this, was + unanimously appointed, set apart and ordained to go at the head of + this mission to England, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to + the people of that nation, as it is believed and practiced by us. + From the long acquaintance which we have had with this our worthy + brother, his integrity and zeal in the cause of truth, we do most + cheerfully and confidently recommend him to all candid and upright + people as a servant of God and faithful minister of Jesus Christ. + We do furthermore beseech all people who have an opportunity of + hearing this our brother declare the doctrine believed by us, to + listen with attention to the words of his mouth. + + "JOSEPH SMITH, + "SIDNEY RIGDON, + "HYRUM SMITH, + + "_Presiding Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day + Saints_." + +The day of departure came; Tuesday, June 13th, 1837. The solemn scene +of Heber's parting with his family cannot be more tenderly or +graphically told than in the words of Elder Robert B. Thompson, who +thus describes it: + +"The day appointed for the departure of the Elders to England having +arrived, I stepped into the house of Brother Kimball to ascertain when +he would start, as I expected to accompany him two or three hundred +miles, intending to spend my labors in Canada that season. + +"The door being partly open, I entered and felt struck with the sight +which presented itself to my view. I would have retired, thinking that +I was intruding, but I felt riveted to the spot. The father was +pouring out his soul to that + + 'God who rules on high, + Who all the earth surveys: + That rides upon the stormy sky, + And calms the roaring seas,' + +that he would grant him a prosperous voyage across the mighty ocean, +and make him useful wherever his lot should be cast, and that He who +'careth for sparrows, and feedeth the young ravens when they cry' +would supply the wants of his wife and little ones in his absence. He +then, like the patriarchs, and by virtue of his office, laid his hands +upon their heads individually, leaving a father's blessing upon them, +and commending them to the care and protection of God, while he should +be engaged preaching the Gospel in a foreign land. While thus engaged +his voice was almost lost in the sobs of those around, who tried in +vain to suppress them. The idea of being separated from their +protector and father for so long a time was indeed painful. He +proceeded, but his heart was too much affected to do so regularly. His +emotions were great, and he was obliged to stop at intervals, while +the big tears rolled down his cheeks, an index to the feelings which +reigned in his bosom. My heart was not stout enough to refrain; in +spite of myself I wept, and mingled my tears with theirs. At the same +time I felt thankful that I had the privilege of contemplating such a +scene. I realized that nothing could induce that man to tear himself +from so affectionate a family group, from his partner and children who +were so dear to him,--nothing but a sense of duty and love to God and +attachment to His cause." + +In order to realize the situation so touchingly described, it must be +remembered that in those early days, ere the age of steamships and +railways had fairly arrived, a mission to Europe, comparatively easy +now, seemed almost like a voyage to another world. + +Heber continues: + +"At 9 a. m., I bade adieu to my family and friends, and in company +with Elders Orson Hyde, Willard Richards, and Priest Joseph Fielding, +started without purse or scrip on my mission, this being the first +foreign mission of the Church of Christ in the last days. We arrived +at Fairport on Lake Erie that afternoon, and about an hour after took +passage on a steamboat for Buffalo. + +"We were accompanied by Brothers Brigham Young, John P. Greene, Levi +Richards, and Sisters Vilate Kimball, Rhoda Green, Mary Fielding, and +others, to Fairport. Sister Mary Fielding gave me five dollars, with +which I paid my passage and Brother Hyde's to Buffalo; we were also +accompanied to Buffalo by R. B. Thompson and wife, who were on their +way to Canada, where he intended to labor in the ministry. After a +pleasant voyage we reached Buffalo the next day, where we expected to +receive some funds from Canada to assist us on our journey, but were +disappointed, as Brothers Goodson, Russell and Snyder did not meet us +there according to promise. + +"From Buffalo we went down by the canal towards Lyonstown. While +walking on its bank I found an iron ring about one and one-fourth +inches in diameter, which I presented to Elder Richards, saying, 'I +will make you a present of this; keep it in remembrance of me; for our +friendship shall be as endless as this ring.' We had but very little +means, but determined to prosecute our journey, believing that the +Lord would open our way. We accordingly took passage in a line boat on +the Erie Canal to Utica, a distance of 250 miles; from thence on the +railroad to Albany, where our party divided. + +"From Albany I went with Brother Richards about 30 miles, to his +father's, in Richmond, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, where we +arrived on the 20th, and obtained forty dollars from his brother +William which he was owing to him. This enabled us to prosecute our +journey. We bade them a last farewell, as Willard's father and mother +and sister died a short time afterwards. The next day we returned to +Albany and took passage in a steamboat to New York, where we arrived +on the evening of June 22nd, and again met Orson Hyde and Joseph +Fielding. We also met with Brothers John Goodson, Isaac Russell and +John Snyder, who had come by the way of Canada to join the mission. + +"We found a vessel ready to sail, but not having sufficient means, we +were obliged to wait until we could obtain funds to pay our passage, +and procure an outfit for the voyage. We found Elder Elijah Fordham, +the only member of the Church in that city, who having no house of his +own, we lodged at Mrs. Fordham's, Elijah's sister-in-law. Being short +of funds, we hired a small room in an unfinished store-house of +Brother Fordham's father, who was very wealthy, as he owned many +storehouses and buildings, but never invited us into his house to +sleep or eat, though he did invite us to assist him two days in +raising a building, as a compensation for lying on his store-house +floor. + +"Brother Fordham seemed to be mute in relation to Mormonism. I told +him if he was faithful and remained in New York, there would be a +branch of the Church raised up before we returned. + +"Sunday, 25th, we fasted, prayed, administered the sacrament, held +council for the success of the mission, and had a joyful time. In the +afternoon two sectarian priests came in, to find fault, but they were +soon confounded, and left. + +"On the 28th we deposited 180 of Orson Hyde's "Timely Warnings," in +the New York post office, addressed to the priests and ministers of +different denominations in the city. We also distributed many to the +citizens, and at the same time conversed with them on the subject of +the Gospel. Our sojourn in the city opened the door for Brothers +Parley and Orson Pratt to introduce the Gospel there. Many persons who +subsequently came into the Church have referred to the "Timely +Warnings" which they had read. We spent considerable time in prayer to +our Heavenly Father for His guidance and protection; to make our way +plain before us; to bless us with a prosperous voyage across the +mighty ocean; make us a blessing to each other, and the captain and +crew with whom we should sail. + +"In New York we were subject to many inconveniences; had to lay amid +straw and blankets upon the ground; to buy our victuals; yet we did +not feel discouraged; believing that the Lord would open up our way +and guide us to our destination. + +"Brother Fordham made me a present of ten dollars, and concluded to +accompany us on our mission, but upon mature consideration, we thought +it best for him to stay there; believing that the Lord had a people in +that city, and that there would be a church built up there before our +return. + +"Having obtained sufficient money to pay our passage across the +Atlantic, eighteen dollars each, we laid in a stock of provisions, and +went on board the new packet ship _Garrick_, of 900 tons, bound for +Liverpool." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +FAREWELL TO NATIVE LAND--"UPON THE WIDE, WIDE SEA"--HEBER'S DREAM OF +JOSEPH--A SHIP OUT OF HER RECKONING--A DYING CHILD HEALED--APOSTLE +HYDE PREACHES ON BOARD--ARRIVAL AT LIVERPOOL--THE ELDERS LEAP ASHORE. + + + "Adieu, adieu, my native shore + Fades o'er the waters blue; + The night-winds sigh, the breakers roar, + And shrieks the wild sea-mew. + Yon sun that sets upon the sea + We follow in his flight; + Farewell, awhile, to him and thee, + My native land--Good night!" + +At ten o'clock on the morning of July 1st, 1837, the _Garrick_ weighed +anchor, and, being towed down the river by a steamer as far as Sandy +Hook, set sail oceanward. A few hours later Heber lost sight of his +native land. Say he: + +"I had feelings which I cannot describe, when I could no longer behold +its shores, and when I bade adieu to the land of my birth, I felt to +exclaim: + + 'Yes, my native land, I love thee: + All thy scenes I love them well: + Friends, connections, happy country, + Can I bid you all farewell? + Can I leave you, + Far in distant lands to dwell?' + +"However, when I reflected on the causes which had induced me to leave +it for awhile, and the work which depended upon me, I could likewise +say: + + "I go, but not to plough the main, + To ease a restless mind." + +"I was actuated by a different motive than either to please myself, or +gain the riches and applause of the world; it was a higher +consideration than these that induced me to leave my home. It was +because a dispensation of the Gospel had been committed to me; and I +felt an ardent desire that my fellow creatures in other lands might +hear the sound of the everlasting Gospel, obey its requisitions, +rejoice in the fullness and blessings thereof, and escape the +judgments which will come upon the ungodly." + +Only souls where sentiment and feeling dwell, who have been upon the +mighty waters, floating like an insect on a leaf amid the immensity of +the liquid waste, can realize that awful loneliness, that sense of +helplessness and utter dependency upon a power superior to man's. +Atheism, thy home is not the boundless deep! Ocean, thou art +religious, thou art worshipful, and throwest heavenward the thoughts +of man as though they were thy spray! + +Especially was it so with Heber and his companions, God-fearing men, +upon whom rested the burden of a mission fraught with salvation to +thousands. The solemnities of eternity encompassed them. They felt as +little children in the presence of the Infinite. And children they +were in their humility. Not in their own strength went they forth, but +in the strength of Him who made the seas, and who holdeth their waters +in the hollow of His hand. + +"Angels shall accompany thee and bear thee up!" + +Were they not even now upon the vessel, in mid-ocean, guiding it +unerringly toward its destiny? Aye, lest at any time that fated bark +should "dash its foot against a stone." + +"While crossing the sea," says Heber, "I dreamed that the Prophet +Joseph came to me while I was standing upon the forecastle of the +ship, and said, 'Brother Heber, here is a rod (putting it into my +hands), with which you are to guide the ship. While you hold this rod +you shall prosper, and there shall be no obstacles thrown before you +but what you shall have power to overcome, and the hand of God shall +be with you.' After this I discovered every kind of obstruction was +placed before the ship to stop its progress; but the bow being sharp, +the obstacles were compelled to move out on either side; and when the +ship would come to a mountain, it would plow its course straight +through, as though it was in water. This rod which Joseph gave me was +about three and a half feet in length. His appearance was just as +natural as I ever beheld him in the flesh. He blessed me and +disappeared." + +It is a singular fact that during fifty years, the period covered by +the history of Mormon emigration from the nations abroad, not a +ship-load of Latter-day Saints, not a vessel bearing the Elders of +Israel to or from foreign shores, has ever been lost at sea. Even +rough captains and sailors have learned to regard this with feelings +akin to reverential awe, and to accept as a good omen, an assurance of +a safe and prosperous voyage, the presence of Mormon Elders or +emigrants among their ship's passengers. + +In such a light, Heber's dream of Joseph and the rod wherewith he was +to "guide the ship," takes on added interest and significance. + +Remarkable, too, that this same ship, the _Garrick_, now on its first +voyage, after twice ploughing the Atlantic with Apostles Kimball and +Hyde on board--for on this vessel they returned to America--was +doomed, on almost its very next voyage, to go down at sea, in the year +1841. + +Heber continues his narrative: + +"During the voyage we were hailed by a large vessel throwing up a +signal of distress. Our captain hauled to, and with his speaking +trumpet enquired what was wanted. The answer was, 'we are bound for +Quebec, but are lost, having lost our reckoning.' Our captain took an +observation, and through his speaking trumpet gave them the latitude +and longitude, and the course for them to steer, showing them that +they were about a thousand miles from the American shore. They replied +that they thought they were close to the shore and were afraid of +running on the reefs for several days past. This reminded me that when +a person has lost his course, or is out of the way, it is necessary to +apply to the Lord, through a Prophet, Seer and Revelator, to put him +right. + +"Our passage was very agreeable, the winds for the most part being +favorable. On the banks of Newfoundland we saw several large fish, +called by some, whales, and by others, finners; also many porpoises +and different species of fish. We were kindly treated by the officers +and crew; their conduct was indeed praiseworthy. Had we been their own +relatives, they could not have behaved more kindly, or treated us +better. Thus the Lord answered our prayers, for which I desire to +praise His holy name. + +"The Lord also gave us favor in the eyes of the passengers, who +treated us with the greatest respect. During the voyage, a child +belonging to one of the passengers was very sick, and given up by the +doctor to die; consequently its parents had given up all hopes of its +recovery, and expected to have to commit their little one to the +ocean. Feeling a great anxiety for the child, I went to its parents +and reasoned with them, and laid before them the principle of faith, +and told them that the Lord was able to restore their child, +notwithstanding there was no earthly prospect of its recovery. To +which they listened with great interest. Shortly after, having an +opportunity to secretly lay hands upon the child, I did so, and in the +name of Jesus Christ rebuked the disease which preyed upon its system. +The spirit of the Lord attended the administration, and from that time +the child began to recover, and in two or three days after it was +running about, perfectly well. Afterwards I informed the parents that +I had laid hands on their child, and they acknowledged that it was +healed by the power of the Almighty. + +"Our health, while on the water, was good, with the exception of +Brothers Richards and Fielding, who were sick a day or two. + +"Sunday, July 16th, I went to the captain and asked the privilege for +one of us to preach on board. He very obligingly agreed, and appointed +1 o'clock, p. m., when it would be most suitable for himself and the +crew to attend. I requested Elder Hyde to speak, and notified the +captain, crew and passengers of the intended meeting for preaching on +the aft quarter deck. At the time appointed there was a congregation +of between two and three hundred persons assembled, who listened, with +great attention and deep interest, to the discourse. I think I never +heard Brother Hyde speak with such power and eloquence. He spoke on +the subject of the resurrection, which was necessarily condensed, the +time being limited on account of the duties of the crew. The +congregation was composed of persons of different faiths, and from +different nations, English, Irish, Scotch, French Germans, etc.,--both +Jews and Christians. A great feeling was produced upon the minds of +the assembly, who had never heard the subject treated in like manner +before; and from the conversation we had afterwards with several of +them, I believe that good was done. The congregation appointed a +committee who came to us and returned thanks for the favor conferred +on them. + +"On the 18th, the captain sent a man up to the masthead to look for +land. He had not been up long before he cried out, "land," which was +the Irish shore. It caused joy and gratitude to arise in my bosom to +my heavenly Father for the favorable passage so far, and the prospect +of soon reaching our destination. We sailed up the Irish Channel, +having Ireland on our left and Wales on our right. The scenery was +very beautiful and imposing. + +"At daybreak, on July 20th, we arrived in the river Mersey, opposite +Liverpool, being eighteen days and eighteen hours from our departure +from the anchorage at New York. The packet ship _South America_, which +left New York at the same time we did, came in a few lengths behind, +thus losing a wager of ten thousand dollars which had been made the +day of starting. She had been seen daily during the voyage, but never +passed us. The sight was very interesting to see these two vessels +enter port with every inch of canvas spread. + +"When we first sighted Liverpool I went to the side of the vessel and +poured out my soul in praise and thanksgiving to God for the +prosperous voyage, and for all the mercies which He had vouchsafed to +me, and while thus engaged, and contemplating the scene presented to +my view, the spirit of the Lord rested down upon me in a powerful +manner, and my soul was filled with love and gratitude. I felt humble, +while I covenanted to dedicate myself to God, and to love and serve +Him with all my heart. + +"Immediately after we anchored, a small boat came along-side, when +several of the passengers, with Brothers Hyde, Richards, Goodson and +myself got in and went to shore. When we were within six or seven feet +of the pier, I leaped on shore, followed by Elders Hyde and Richards, +and for the first time in my life I stood on British ground, among +strangers, whose manners and customs were different from my own. My +feelings at that time were peculiar, particularly when I realized the +importance and extent of my mission; the work to which I had been +appointed and in which I was shortly to be engaged. However, I put my +trust in God, believing that He would assist me in publishing the +truth, give me utterance, and be a present help in time of need. + +"Elders Hyde, Richards, and myself, being without purse or scrip, +wandered in the streets of Liverpool, where wealth and luxury abound, +side by side with penury and want. I there met the rich attired in the +most costly dresses, and the next minute was saluted with the cries of +the poor with scarce covering sufficient to screen them from the +weather. Such a wide distinction I never saw before. Looking for a +place to lodge in, we found a room belonging to a widow in Union +Street, which we engaged for a few days." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND--THE ELDERS LED BY THE SPIRIT TO +PRESTON--"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL"--THE REVEREND JAMES FIELDING--WONDERFUL +FULFILLMENT OF HEBER'S PROPHECIES--A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE +GOSPEL--THE ELDERS PREACH IN PRESTON. + + +After landing on this foreign shore, Heber's mind for a season was +overshadowed with gloom. Among strangers and without money--for he had +not a penny in his pocket--and reflecting on the wretched state of +affairs in far away Kirtland, where the Prophet of God, whom he loved +as his own soul, was surrounded by enemies, and his own family in +lowly circumstances in the midst of persecution, his spirits were much +depressed. It was then that he had the following night vision. Says +he: + +"I was in a great water, swimming, and had swam away, trying to make +land, although I saw no land, until I had become weary and tired, when +I began to sink; then an angel came to me and placed his hand under my +chin, for some time keeping me from sinking, until I had rested and +gained strength; he blessed me and said, 'Brother Heber, you shall now +have strength to swim ashore.' I again began to swim, and it appeared +as though every time I stretched forth my arms and feet, I would move +rods at each stroke, and continued doing so until I reached land." + +This dream, coming as such dreams generally do, in a season of deep +depression, was as a spring of pure water in the desert to the parched +lips of the weary traveler. As a promise of success, it was amply +verified in the subsequent experience of the father and founder of the +British mission. "Rods at a stroke" is indeed a strikingly appropriate +figure, illustrating the labors in the vineyard of this faithful and +mighty servant of the Lord. + +"The time we were in Liverpool," he continues, "was spent in council, +and in calling on the Lord for direction. While thus engaged, the +Spirit of the Lord was with us and we felt greatly strengthened. Our +trust was in God, who could make us as useful in bringing down the +kingdom of Satan, as He did the ram's horns in bringing down the walls +of Jericho; and in gathering out a number of precious souls, who were +buried amid the rubbish of tradition, and who had no one to show them +the way of truth." + +"Go to Preston," said the Spirit of the Lord, and to Preston they went +accordingly. The place indicated was a large manufacturing town in +Lancashire, thirty-one miles from Liverpool. They arrived there about +four o'clock in the afternoon of July 22nd. + +It was election day in Preston. Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, who had +ascended the throne just three days before the landing of the Elders +on her dominions, had ordered a general election for members of +Parliament. In the very midst of this busy and interesting scene, +Heber and his companions alighted from the coach. He thus describes +the spectacle: + +"I never witnessed anything like it in my life. Bands of music +playing. Flags flying in all directions. Thousands of men, women and +children parading the streets, decked with ribbons characteristic of +the politics of the several candidates. Anyone accustomed to the +peaceable and quiet manner in which the elections in America are +conducted, can scarcely have any idea of an election as carried on in +England. One of the flags was unrolled before us, nearly over our +heads, the moment the coach reached its destination, having on it the +following motto: 'TRUTH WILL PREVAIL,' in large gilt letters. It being +so very seasonable, and the sentiment being so very appropriate to us +in our situation, we cried aloud, 'Amen! Thanks be to God, TRUTH WILL +PREVAIL!'" + +The Elders took a room in Wilfred Street, in a house belonging to a +widow. Joseph Fielding, in the meantime, went in quest of his brother, +the Reverend James Fielding, who was pastor of a church in Preston. +Returning shortly, he was the bearer of a polite message from the +reverend gentleman, inviting the Elders to visit him that evening. +Accordingly, Apostles Kimball and Hyde and Elder Goodson went, and +were kindly received by Mr. Fielding and his brother-in-law, Mr. +Watson, a minister from Bedford. They conversed upon the subject of +the Gospel until a late hour. Next morning the Elders received from +Mrs. Watson a slight testimonial of her appreciation of their visit, +in the shape of a half crown piece. + +The Reverend James Fielding, who was destined to be an instrument of +Providence for the establishment of Mormonism in Preston--its first +foreign foothold--was a brother to Miss Mary Fielding, the same who, +with others, accompanied Heber from Kirtland to Fairport, when he +started on his mission to England. She subsequently became the wife of +Hyrum Smith, the martyr, and mother of Joseph F. Smith, the Apostle. + +At this juncture, it will be well to refer to an extraordinary +prophecy of Heber C. Kimball's, uttered in the spring of 1836, which +connects itself in an interesting manner with the mission he was now +about to fulfill. Apostle Parley P. Pratt, over whom the prediction +was made, narrates the incident as follows: + +"It was now April; I had retired to rest one evening at an early hour, +and was pondering my future course, when there came a knock at the +door. I arose and opened it, when Elder Heber C. Kimball and others +entered my house, and being filled with the spirit of prophecy, they +blessed me and my wife, and he prophesied as follows: + +"'Brother Parley, thy wife shall be healed from this hour, and shall +bear a son, and his name shall be Parley; 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 father. He shall do a great work in the earth +in ministering the word and teaching the children of men. Arise, +therefore, and go forth in the ministry, nothing doubting. Take no +thought for your debts, nor the necessaries of life, for the Lord will +supply you with abundant means for all things. + +"'Thou shalt go to Upper Canada, even to the city of Toronto, the +capital, and there thou shalt find a people prepared for the fullness +of the gospel, and they shall receive thee, and thou shalt organize +the Church among them, and it shall spread thence into the regions +round about, and many shall be brought to the knowledge of the truth +and shall be filled with joy; and from the things growing out of this +mission shall the fullness of the Gospel spread into England, and +cause a great work to be done in that land.' + +"This prophecy was the more marvelous because, being married near ten +years, we had never had any children; and for near six years my wife +had been consumptive, and had been considered incurable. However, we +called to mind the faith of Abraham of old, and judging him faithful +who had promised, we took courage." + +Both these prophecies, the one relating to the birth of his son, and +the other to his Canadian mission, were literally and marvelously +fulfilled. Parley P. Pratt, jun., was born March 25th, 1837, eleven +months after the event was thus foretold. Among the "people prepared +for the fullness of the Gospel" whom Parley the Apostle found "in the +city of Toronto," in strict accordance with Heber's inspired words, +was John Taylor, afterwards an Apostle and the President of the +Church, and a powerful champion of Mormonism in the British Isles; +also Joseph Fielding, Heber's fellow missionary, and his sisters, Mary +and Mercy, who had lately emigrated from England. The Fieldings of +Canada wrote to their reverend brother in Preston an account of the +rise and progress of the latter-day work, and thus prepared him for +the advent of the Elders upon British shores. He, in turn, told his +congregation and exhorted them to pray to the Lord to send His +servants unto them. Obedient to his counsel, the worthiest and most +pious members of his flock commenced praying for the coming of the +Elders from America. Their faith shook the heavens, and in dreams and +visions many were shown the very men whom the Lord was about to send +into their midst. Heber C. Kimball, especially, on his arrival in +Preston was recognized by persons who had never until then beheld him +in the flesh. + +Thus, "from things growing out of this mission" to Canada, had the +fullness of the Gospel "spread into England," according to Heber's +prediction. Thus, like Parley in the city of Toronto, had Heber found +in Preston, souls who were prepared to receive his message. The angels +of God had been before him, and left their foot-prints upon the +people's hearts. + +The day after their arrival in Preston, being the Sabbath, the +brethren, on the invitation of Mr. Fielding, repaired to Vauxhall +Chapel, where he held forth from his own pulpit. "We sat before him," +says Heber, "praying to the Lord to open up the way for us to preach." +At the close of the service, the reverend gentleman, of his own +accord--for no one had requested it--gave notice that an Elder of the +Latter-day Saints would preach in his chapel at 3 o'clock in the +afternoon. The news spread rapidly, and a large congregation assembled +at the appointed hour, to hear the Elders from America. + +The first speaker was Heber C. Kimball. Says he: "I declared that an +angel had visited the earth, and committed the everlasting Gospel to +man; called their attention to the first principles of the Gospel; and +gave them a brief history of the nature of the work which the Lord had +commenced on the earth; after which Elder Hyde bore testimony to the +same, which was received by many with whom I afterwards conversed; +they cried 'glory to God,' and rejoiced that the Lord had sent His +servants unto them. Thus was the key turned and the Gospel +dispensation opened on the first Sabbath after landing in England." + +Another appointment was given out for the brethren in the evening, +when Elder Goodson preached, and Joseph Fielding bore testimony, and +still another for the Wednesday night following, when Apostle Hyde +held forth and Elder Richards added his testimony. The chapel was +filled to overflowing, and many were "pricked in their hearts," being +convinced of the truth, "and began to praise God and rejoice +exceedingly." + +Thus was the first opening made for the preaching of the Gospel in the +British Isles and on the continent of Europe. Thus it was--to use the +Reverend Fielding's famous phrase--that "Kimball bored the holes, +Goodson drove the nails, and Hyde clinched them." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +SATAN ALARMED--THE POWERS OF EVIL CONSPIRE AGAINST THE ELDERS--CHAPELS +AND CHURCHES CLOSED AGAINST THEM--THE REVEREND MR. FIELDING IN HIS +REAL COLORS--THE WORK CONTINUES TO SPREAD--AN ARMY OF DEMONS ATTACK +THE ELDERS--THE DAWN AND VICTORY. + + +Meanwhile, the powers of darkness had taken counsel against these +servants of the Lord. Not without a struggle would Satan loose his +hold, and permit the gates of salvation to open for the eastern, as +they had already opened for the western hemisphere. The evil one had +seen that the Church in America was trembling on the verge of +dissolution. To give it fresh impetus, and infuse new life into the +seemingly sinking system, was the object of the Apostles' mission to +the shores of Albion. The opening of that mission it was Satan's fell +purpose to thwart, and for which he was now gathering, far and near, +the embattled hosts of hell. + +The Elders might be said to have "stolen a march" on the Adversary, in +securing, already, three hearings at Vauxhall Chapel, with the +favorable results before noted. This much could not be retrieved, but +the enemy of righteousness hoped to prevent a repetition of such +scenes, and to hinder those who believed, from obeying the Gospel by +going down into the waters of baptism. For know, O reader--if thou art +a stranger to this truth--that Satan is well satisfied with their +condition who "only believe" in Jesus, if they are not "born of the +water" according to His righteous example and holy will. + +[Illustration: Vauxhall Chapel, 1875.] + +Acting on the principle, it may be presumed, that a thing to be +recovered should first be sought for where it was lost, the evil one +determined to use for his purpose the Reverend James Fielding, the +very man who had befriended the Elders, and given them their first +public opportunity of declaring the message they had been sent to +deliver. Strange enough after what had passed--though sufficiently +frequent, in similar phases, since those days, to be no longer a cause +of wonderment--he found that reverend gentleman in precisely the mood +best suited to his dark design. Like all who fear man more than they +love the Lord, preferring the praise and honors of the world to the +approval of a good conscience and the favor of their Maker, the +Reverend James Fielding, when he had noticed the marvelous effect of +the Elders' preaching, and contemplated the present and prospective +results, in the leading away of his flock to drink at other fountains +and browse in other pastures, shrank back appalled from the picture +presented to his view. Willing to sate his appetite for the new and +marvelous, and even obey a doctrine which promised worldly honors and +emoluments, he was not willing to humble himself "even as a little +child" and seek the kingdom of God at the sacrifice of every earthly +consideration. + +Had he forgotten the text which, perchance, he had a hundred times +preached glibly from: "He that taketh not his cross and followeth +after Me, is not worthy of Me"? Or, like many other Christian divines, +"having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof," was he +satisfied to believe that those words had lost their meaning for this +generation? Be it as it may, here is the record that will meet him at +the day of judgment: + +"The Rev. James Fielding, who had so kindly invited us to preach in +his chapel, learning that a number of his members believed our +testimony, and that some had requested to be baptized, shut his doors +against us and would not suffer us to preach in his chapel any more; +alleging for an excuse that we had preached the doctrine of baptism +for the remission of sins, contrary to our arrangement with him. + +"I need scarcely assure my friends that nothing was said to him from +which any inference could be drawn that we should suppress the +doctrine of baptism. We deem it too important a doctrine to lay aside +for any privilege we could receive from mortals. Mr. Fielding had been +apprised of our doctrines before we saw him, having received several +communications from his brother Joseph, and his two sisters, Mary and +Mercy, who wrote to him from Canada, in which letters our doctrines +were clearly laid down. We likewise conversed with him on the subject +at our interview. He, having been traditioned to believe in infant +baptism, and having preached and practised the same a number of years, +saw the situation he would be placed in if he obeyed the Gospel; that +notwithstanding his talents and standing in society, he would have to +come into the sheepfold by the door, and after all his preaching to +others, have to be baptized himself for the remission of sins by those +who were ordained to that power. These considerations no doubt had +their weight upon his mind, which caused him to act as he did; and +notwithstanding his former kindness he soon became one of our most +violent opposers. + +"However, his congregation did not follow his example, they having +some time been praying for our coming, and having been assured by Mr. +Fielding that he could not place more confidence in an angel than he +did in the statements of his brother Joseph, respecting this people; +consequently they were in a great measure prepared for the reception +of the Gospel, probably as much so as Cornelius was anciently. + +"Having now no public place to preach in, we began to preach at night +in private houses, which were opened in every direction, when numbers +came to hear and believed the Gospel." + +Thus was Satan unsuccessful in stopping the spread of the work. The +smoking flax was bursting into flame, and all his efforts could not +quench it. Chapels and churches he might close, for of them he held +the keys, but the hearts of the humble and pure were in God's keeping, +and to these sacred temples His servants had ready access. + +Then came the stroke climacteric; the _dernier ressort_ of satanic +hostility. + +"Saturday evening," says Heber C. Kimball, "it was agreed that I +should go forward and baptize, the next morning, in the river Ribble, +which runs through Preston. + +"By this time the adversary of souls began to rage, and he felt +determined to destroy us before we had fully established the kingdom +of God in that land, and the next morning I witnessed a scene of +satanic power and influence which I shall never forget. + +"Sunday, July 30th, about daybreak, Elder Isaac Russell (who had been +appointed to preach on the obelisk in Preston Square, that day,) who +slept with Elder Richards in Wilfred Street, came up to the third +story, where Elder Hyde and myself were sleeping, and called out, +'Brother Kimball, I want you should get up and pray for me that I may +be delivered from the evil spirits that are tormenting me to such a +degree that I feel I cannot live long, unless I obtain relief.' + +"I had been sleeping on the back of the bed. I immediately arose, +slipped off at the foot of the bed, and passed round to where he was. +Elder Hyde threw his feet out, and sat up in the bed, and we laid +hands on him, I being mouth, and prayed that the Lord would have mercy +on him, and rebuked the devil. + +"While thus engaged, I was struck with great force by some invisible +power, and fell senseless on the floor. The first thing I recollected +was being supported by Elders Hyde and Richards, who were praying for +me; Elder Richards having followed Russell up to my room. Elders Hyde +and Richards then assisted me to get on the bed, but my agony was so +great I could not endure it, and I arose, bowed my knees and prayed. I +then arose and sat up on the bed, when a vision was opened to our +minds, and we could distinctly see the evil spirits, who foamed and +gnashed their teeth at us. We gazed upon them about an hour and a half +(by Willard's watch). We were not looking towards the window, but +towards the wall. Space appeared before us, and we saw the devils +coming in legions, with their leaders, who came within a few feet of +us. They came towards us like armies rushing to battle. They appeared +to be men of full stature, possessing every form and feature of men in +the flesh, who were angry and desperate; and I shall never forget the +vindictive malignity depicted on their countenances as they looked me +in the eye; and any attempt to paint the scene which then presented +itself, or portray their malice and enmity, would be vain. I perspired +exceedingly, my clothes becoming as wet as if I had been taken out of +the river. I felt excessive pain, and was in the greatest distress +for some time. I cannot even look back on the scene without feelings +of horror; yet by it I learned the power of the adversary, his enmity +against the servants of God, and got some understanding of the +invisible world. We distinctly heard those spirits talk and express +their wrath and hellish designs against us. However, the Lord +delivered us from them, and blessed us exceedingly that day." + +Elder Hyde's supplemental description of that fearful scene is as +follows, taken from a letter addressed to President Kimball: + +"Every circumstance that occurred at that scene of devils is just as +fresh in my recollection at this moment as it was at the moment of its +occurrence, and will ever remain so. After you were overcome by them +and had fallen, their awful rush upon me with knives, threats +imprecations and hellish grins, amply convinced me that they were no +friends of mine. While you were apparently senseless and lifeless on +the floor and upon the bed (after we had laid you there), I stood +between you and the devils and fought them and contended with them +face to face, until they began to diminish in number and to retreat +from the room. The last imp that left turned round to me as he was +going out and said, as if to apologize, and appease my determined +opposition to them, 'I never said anything against you!' I replied to +him thus: 'It matters not to me whether you have or have not; you are +a liar from the beginning! In the name of Jesus Christ, depart! He +immediately left, and the room was clear. That closed the scene of +devils for that time." + +Years later, narrating the experience of that awful morning to the +Prophet Joseph, Heber asked him what it all meant, and whether there +was anything wrong with him that he should have such a manifestation. + +"No, Brother Heber," he replied, "at that time you were nigh unto the +Lord; there was only a veil between you and Him, but you could not see +Him. When I heard of it, it gave me great joy, for I then knew that +the work of God had taken root in that land. It was this that caused +the devil to make a struggle to kill you." + +Joseph then related some of his own experience, in many contests he +had had with the evil one, and said: "The nearer a person approaches +the Lord, a greater power will be manifested by the adversary to +prevent the accomplishment of His purposes." + +An answer this, for the unbelieving and sophistical, who argue, with +the shallow reasoning of Job's comforters, that they have sinned most +who suffer most, and are ever ready to ascribe spiritual +manifestations, good or evil, to madness, drunkenness or imbecility. +It is needful, we are told, to experience opposites, to be enabled to +choose intelligently between them; and to those who have this +experience, and who "take the Holy Spirit for their guide," the way to +judge is as plain "as the daylight from the dark night." + + 'Tis Contrast sways unceasing sceptre + O'er vast Appreciation's realm; + E'en Gods, through sacrifice descending, + Triumphant rise to overwhelm. + +So was it with the Apostles and Elders in Preston, after their +terrible encounter with the powers of evil, at Sunday day-break, July +30th, 1837. The Spirit of the Lord, with peace and joy that "passeth +understanding," dawned with the Sabbath sun upon their souls. They had +tasted of the bitter, and would thenceforth more fully know the sweet; +encompassed about by "the horror of darkness," they hailed with +ecstacy till then unknown, the glory of the golden morn. + +Referring to the morning of his contest with the demons, Apostle +Kimball says: + +"Notwithstanding the weakness of my body from the shock I had +experienced, I had the pleasure, about 9 a. m, of baptizing nine +individuals and hailing them brethren and sisters in the kingdom of +God. These were the first persons baptized into the Church in a +foreign land, and only the eighth day after our arrival in Preston." + +"A circumstance took place which I cannot refrain from mentioning, for +it will show the eagerness and anxiety of some in that land to obey +the Gospel. Two of the male candidates, when they had changed their +clothes at a distance of several rods from the place where I was +standing in the water, were so anxious to obey the Gospel that they +ran with all their might to the water, each wishing to be baptized +first. The younger, George D. Watt, being quicker of foot than the +elder, outran him, and came first into the water." + +"The circumstance of baptizing in the open air being somewhat novel, a +concourse of between seven and nine thousand persons assembled on the +banks of the river to witness the ceremony. It was the first time +baptism by immersion was administered openly, as the Baptists in that +country generally have a font in their chapels, and perform the +ordinance privately." + +"In the afternoon Elder Russell preached in the market place to a +congregation of about five thousand persons, numbers of whom were +pricked to the heart. + +"I had visited Thomas Walmesley's house, whose wife was sick of the +consumption and had been for several years; she was reduced to skin +and bones, a mere skeleton; and was given up to die by the doctors. I +preached the Gospel to her, and promised her in the name of the Lord +Jesus Christ if she would believe, repent and be baptized, she should +be healed of her sickness. She was carried to the water, and after her +baptism began to amend, and at her confirmation she was blest, and her +disease rebuked, when she immediately recovered, and in less than one +week after she was attending to her household duties." + +Sister Walmesley, the subject of this episode, is still living. She +resides in Bear Lake County, Idaho, and though far advanced in years, +at last accounts was hale and hearty. + +Thus was a miracle wrought that day, and nine souls initiated into the +kingdom of God; the first fruits of the Gospel in a foreign land. The +names of those baptized were George D. Watt, ------ Miller, Thomas +Walmesley, Ann Elizabeth Walmesley Miles Hodgen, George Wate, Henry +Billsbury, Mary Ann Brown and Ann Dawson. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE ELDERS SEPARATE FOR THE BETTER PROSECUTION OF THEIR WORK--JENNETTA +RICHARDS--THE PRESTON BRANCH ORGANIZED--HEBER GOES TO WALKERFOLD-- +ANOTHER MINISTER'S "CRAFT IN DANGER"--MORE OF HEBER'S PROPHECIES-- +"WILLARD, I BAPTIZED YOUR WIFE TO-DAY." + + +Having gained a foothold in Preston, and lifted the ensign of the +latter-day work, around which the ransomed of the Lord were beginning +to rally, the Elders decided to separate and carry the Gospel into +other counties. They met in council the day after the first baptisms +in the River Ribble, and "continued in fasting and prayer, praise and +thanksgiving until two o'clock in the morning." Elders Richards and +Goodson were appointed to go on a mission to the city of Bedford, and +Brothers Russell and Snyder to Alston, in Cumberland. Apostles Kimball +and Hyde, with Priest Fielding, were to remain and labor in and around +Preston. A day or two later the brethren departed for their fields of +labor. + +The second important step in the founding of the British mission was +now taken. + +"On Wednesday, August 2nd," says Elder Kimball, "Miss Jennetta +Richards, a young lady, the daughter of a minister of the Independent +Order, who resided at Walkerfold, about fifteen miles from Preston, +came to the house of Thomas Walmesley, with whom she was acquainted. +Calling in to see them at the time she was there, I was introduced to +her, and we immediately entered into conversation on the subject of +the Gospel. I found her very intelligent. She seemed very desirous to +hear the things I had to teach and to understand the doctrines of the +gospel. I informed her of my appointment to preach that evening, and +invited her to attend. She did so; and likewise the evening following. +After attending these two services she was fully convinced of the +truth. + +"Friday morning, 4th, she sent for me, desiring to be baptized, which +request I cheerfully complied with, in the river Ribble, and confirmed +her at the water side, Elder Hyde assisting. This was the first +confirmation in England. The following day she started for home, and +wept as she was about to leave us. I said to her, 'Sister, be of good +cheer, for the Lord will soften the heart of thy father, that I will +yet have the privilege of preaching in his chapel, and it shall result +in a great opening to preach the Gospel in that region.' I exhorted +her to pray and be humble. She requested me to pray for her, and gave +me some encouragement to expect that her father would open his chapel +for me to preach in. I then hastened to my brethren, told them of the +circumstances and the result of my visit with the young lady, and +called upon them to unite with me in prayer that the Lord would soften +the heart of her father, that he might be induced to open his chapel +for us to preach in." + +While awaiting the issue of this event, the brethren continued their +ministerial labors. The record resumes: + +"Sunday, 6th, Elder Hyde preached in the marketplace to a numerous +assemblage, both rich and poor, who flocked from all parts 'to hear +what these dippers had to say.' After he was through with his +discourse I gave an exhortation, and when I had concluded a learned +minister stepped forth to oppose the doctrines we advanced, but more +particularly the doctrine of baptism, he being a great stickler for +infant baptism. The people thinking that he intended to offend us, +would not let him proceed, but seemed determined to put him down, and +undoubtedly would have done so had not Brother Hyde interposed and +begged permission for the gentleman to speak; telling the congregation +that he was prepared to meet any arguments he might advance. This +appeased the people, who listened to the remarks of the reverend +gentleman, after which Brother Hyde spoke in answer to the objections +which had been offered, to the satisfaction of nearly all present, and +the minister appeared somewhat ashamed. Some of the people hissed at +him and told him not to do the like again. One individual came up and +asked him what he now thought of his baby baptism; when another took +him by the hand and led him out of the throng." + +It was now deemed advisable to confirm all who had been baptized and +organize them into a branch, twenty-eight persons having been baptized +in Preston, but only one confirmed. The converts were accordingly +requested to meet at the house of Sister Ann Dawson, where the Elders +had their lodgings. It was the evening of the third Sabbath they had +spent in England. The meeting having convened, after some preliminary +remarks by the Elders, they confirmed twenty-seven members and +organized the Preston branch, the first branch of the Church of Jesus +Christ of Latter-day Saints in a foreign land. While attending to +these sacred duties, the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon them +in a powerful manner, causing them to rejoice exceedingly. + +And now came the fulfillment of Heber's prophecy to Jennetta Richards, +daughter of the minister of Walkerfold. The early part of the week +brought two letters to Elder Kimball, one from Miss Richards, and the +other from her father. The latter read as follows: + + _Mr. H. C. Kimball,_ + + Sir:--You are expected to be here next Sunday. + You are given out to preach in the forenoon, afternoon and + evening. Although we be strangers to one another, yet, I hope we + are not strangers to our blessed Redeemer, else I would not have + given out for you to preach. Our chapel is but small and the + congregation few,--yet if one soul be converted it is of more + value than the whole world. + + "I remain, in haste, + "JOHN RICHARDS." + +Taking coach from Preston on the following Saturday afternoon, a +little before dark Heber arrived at the door of the Revered John +Richards, in Walkerfold. On entering the house he was warmly greeted +by Mr. Richards, who said: "I understand you are the minister lately +from America?" Heber replied in the affirmative. The reverend +gentleman then bade him welcome and exclaimed: "God bless you!" +Refreshments were served and conversation ensued until a late hour, to +the satisfaction of the whole family. + +"Next morning," says Heber, "I accompanied the reverend gentleman to +his chapel at the hour appointed. He gave out the hymns and prayed, +and I preached to an overflowing congregation on the principles of +salvation. I likewise preached in the afternoon and evening, and they +seemed to manifest great interest in the things which I laid before +them. Nearly the whole congregation were in tears. After I had +concluded the services of the day Mr. Richards gave out another +appointment for me to preach on Monday evening, which I attended to. +By request of the congregation I likewise preached on Wednesday +evening. A number believed the doctrines I advanced, and on Thursday, +17th, six individuals, all members of Mr. Richards' church, came +forward for baptism. James Smithies and his wife Nancy were two of the +number." + +This result was more than the good pastor had anticipated. He had +listened with deep interest to, and had been willing for his +congregation to hear, the simple yet powerful testimony of the Mormon +Apostle, who, fired with the Holy Ghost, and all unmindful of the +studied arts and graces of pulpit oratory, spake, like his Master of +yore, "as one having authority." But conversions of this kind he had +not counted upon. Fearful of losing his entire flock, and also his +salary, if any more such preaching were to be heard in his chapel, he +informed Elder Kimball that he would be obliged to close his pulpit +against him. Unlike Mr. Fielding, however, he manifested no bitterness +of spirit, but after denying him this privilege, continued to treat +his Mormon guest with great kindness and hospitality. + +Heber's mind had been prepared for the change. "One night," says he, +"while at Mr. Richards' house, I dreamed that an elderly gentleman +came to me and rented me a lot of ground, which I was anxious to +cultivate. I immediately went to work to break it up; and observing +young timber on the lot, I cut it down. There was also an old building +at one corner of the lot which appeared ready to fall. I took a lever +and endeavored to place the building in a proper position, but all my +attempts were futile, and it became worse. I then resolved to pull it +down, and with the new timber build a good house on a good foundation. +While thus engaged, the gentleman of whom I had rented the place came +and found great fault with me for destroying his young timber, etc. + +"This dream was fulfilled in the following manner: After Mr. Richards +let me preach in his chapel, I baptized all of his young members, as I +had before baptized his daughter. He then reflected upon himself for +letting me have the privilege of his chapel; told me that I had ruined +his church, and had taken away all his young members. I could not but +feel pity for the old gentleman, but I had a duty to perform which +outweighed all other considerations." + +Heber now began to preach in private houses, which were opened in the +neighborhood, and "ceased not to declare the glorious tidings of +salvation." Among his interested auditors, still, was the Reverend +John Richards. His daughter Jennetta was very sorrowful over the turn +affairs had taken, and wept much at his refusal to allow Elder Kimball +to preach in his chapel. Heber told her to be of good cheer, for he +believed that the Lord would soften her father's heart, and cause him +to reopen his chapel. + +The fulfillment is noted as follows: + +"Sunday, 27th, I went along with him to his meeting, feeling a desire +to hear him preach. After he had finished his discourse, I was +agreeably surprised to hear him give out another appointment for me to +preach in his chapel. I accordingly preached in the afternoon and +evening. The words were with power. The effect was great upon the +people, for they were in tears, and the next day I baptized two more, +both of them members of Mr. Richards' church. Although he had preached +in that parish upwards of thirty years, and his members, as well as +the inhabitants of the place and vicinity, were very much attached to +him, yet when the fulness of the Gospel was preached, the people, +notwithstanding their attachment to and regard for their venerable +pastor, when convinced of their duty came forward and followed the +footsteps of the Savior, by being buried in the likeness of His +death." + +While laboring in this neighborhood, Heber had a dream in which +Willard Richards appeared to him and said: "You are wanted at Preston, +and we cannot do without you any longer." + +"The next morning," says he, "I started for Preston where I found that +I was anxiously expected by the brethren, who had received a letter +from Brother Richards, and one from Brother Russell, giving an account +of their proceedings since they left Preston. There was also a letter +from my wife, which contained many precious items of news from +Kirtland. Elder Hyde praised the Lord on seeing me. Brother Goodson +had likewise returned from Bedford, where he and Brother Richards had +labored; he gave us an account of their mission and success in raising +up a little branch of nineteen." + +Another of Heber's prophecies--one of those seemingly casual though +fateful utterances for which he was famous--must here be mentioned. + +"Willard, I baptized your wife to-day," were his words addressed to +Elder Richards just after Jennetta Richards joined the Church. Willard +and Jennetta had not yet seen each other. The sequel is in Willard's +own words, taken from his diary. Time: March, 1838: + +"I took a tour through the branches, and preached. While walking in +Thornly I plucked a snowdrop, far through the hedge, and carried it to +James Mercer's and hung it up in his kitchen. Soon after, Jennetta +Richards came into the room, and I walked with her and Alice Parker to +Ribchester, and attended meeting with Brothers Kimball and Hyde at +Brother Clark's. + +"While walking with these sisters, I remarked, 'Richards is a good +name; I never want to change it; do you, Jennetta.' 'No; I do not,' +was her reply, 'and I think I never will.'" + +"Sept. 24th, 1839, I married Jennetta Richards, daughter of the Rev. +John Richards, independent minister at Walkerfold, Chaigley, +Lancashire. Most truly do I praise my Heavenly Father for His great +kindness in providing me a partner according to His promise. I receive +her from the Lord, and hold her at His disposal. I pray that He may +bless us forever. Amen!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE MISSION OF ELIAS--THE SYMBOLISM OF THE UNIVERSE--THE PAST +PREPARATORY TO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE--THE WAY PREPARED FOR THE +FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL--THE "LESSER LIGHTS" OF ENGLAND--FIELDING, +MATTHEWS AND AITKEN--THE STARS PALING BEFORE THE SUN. + + +The mission of Elias is the mission of preparation, the lesser going +before the greater, opening up the way. The day-star heralding the +dawn. The wedge of truth piercing the wall of prejudice, cleaving the +ranks of error, creating the gap through which shall ride on victory's +flaming wheels, the chariot of Righteousness. + +"Behold I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before +me." + +What Christ is to the Father, Elias is to the Son; messenger and +symbol of His Majesty. And hath not Elias also his fore-runner? The +mantle of Elias falls on many shoulders; the shadow of that mantle on +many more. + +Life, the universe, is one vast symbolism. Earth fore-shadows heaven. +The stars, the worlds on high, are of higher worlds typical; a climax +of constellations, a ladder of light, a burning stairway of immortal +glories. + + "System on system, countless worlds and suns, + Linked in division, one yet separate, + The silver islands of a sapphire sea, + Shoreless, unfathomed, undiminished, stirred + With waves which roll in restless tides of change." + +Planet above planet, step by step, lustre upon lustre "until thou come +nigh to Kolob;" Kolob, lord of light, king of kokaubeam, nearest unto +the throne of God. + +And shall it not be seen when all history is written, on earth as in +heaven, where it exists as a prophecy; when all secrets are revealed +and hidden things made known; that Time with all its ages is a chain, +a climax, an ascending scale of dispensations, merging in each other, +and all into one, like rills and rivers mingling with the ocean; that +men and nations from the beginning have carved out the way for other +men and nations; that human lives and human events, like sections of +machinery turned by the enginery of Omnipotence, have fitted into and +impelled each other, under the controlling, guiding master mind and +hand that "doeth all things well?" + +Was not the past all preparatory to the present? Does not the present +foreshadow the future? Are not influences at work, even now; doctrines +being taught, truths put forth by pulpit, play and press; discoveries +made in art and science; antiquities unveiled and mysteries brought to +light, that are surely paving the way for the revelations of Jesus +Christ, past, present and to come? Is not the knowledge now possessed +by the Saints, glorious though it be, but a foretaste, the antepast of +a greater feast of knowledge yet to follow? + +The mission of Elias is the mission of preparation, the lesser going +before the greater, opening up the way. + +The mantle of Elias falls on many shoulders; the shadow of that mantle +on many more. + +### + +In America, it was Sidney Rigdon, Alexander Campbell and other orators +and divines, who prepared the way before Joseph Smith and the fullness +of the everlasting gospel. In England, the Fieldings, the Matthews, +the Aitkens and other lights, shed the lustre of advanced thought over +the path-way soon to be brightened by the beams of eternal truth. +Receiving not the light themselves, they nevertheless bore witness of +its approach, and unknowingly made ready the minds of many for its +acceptance. The more lustrously they shone, the greater their measure +of power, the higher, wider, deeper, more advanced and more liberal +their doctrines, the nearer they approximated, although they knew it +not, to what the world terms "Mormonism," what men in other ages +called "Christianism," but what the Gods in eternity have glorified as +the Gospel of life and salvation. + +This preparatory work, like the work which was to follow, was both +spiritual and temporal. In America, the sword of a Washington, the pen +of a Jefferson had carved out the legend of liberty, "All men are +equal," ere the Gospel trump was heard again proclaiming, to high and +low, rich and poor, "Peace on earth, good will to men." In England, +Victoria had ascended the throne, and the spirit of reform, in church +and state, was rolling, a billow of victory, over the land. Society +was moved to its center. Old institutions were crumbling. The +iconoclast was abroad. Steam and electricity had begun their miracles; +science was exploding superstition; tyrant's thrones were tottering; +Liberty's upheaval in the west had shaken the very pillars of the +east; the "former things" were passing away; He that "sat upon the +throne" was making "all things new." + +Thus had God prepared the way for the advent of the everlasting +Gospel. + +As we have seen, the man chosen to pioneer the work on Europe's +shores, to lead the assault on Satan's strongholds in the old world, +and wave back over the Atlantic to his chief the signal of truth +triumphant among the nations, was Heber C. Kimball. + +Speaking of those "lesser lights" who went before him and his brethren +and unwittingly helped them to establish Mormonism in the British +Isles, Heber says, referring now to the mission of Elders Richards and +Goodson to the city of Bedford: + +"A minister by the name of Timothy R. Matthews, a brother-in-law to +Joseph Fielding, received them very kindly, and invited them to preach +in his church, which was accepted, and in it they preached several +times, when a number, amongst whom were Mr. Matthews and his lady, +believed their testimony, and the truths which they proclaimed. Mr. +Matthews had likewise borne testimony to his congregation of the truth +of these things, and that they were the same principles that were +taught by the Apostles anciently; and besought his congregation to +receive the same. Forty of his members went forward and were baptized, +and the time was appointed when he was to be baptized. In the +interval, however, Brother Goodson, contrary to my counsel and +positive instructions, and without advising with any one, read to Mr. +Matthews the vision seen by President Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, +which caused him to stumble, and darkness pervaded his mind; so much +so, that at the time specified he did not make his appearance, but +went and baptized himself in the river Ouse; and from that time he +began to preach baptism for the remission of sins. He wrote to Rev. +James Fielding saying that his best members had left him." + +"Mr. Matthews was a gentleman of considerable learning and talent. He +had been a minister in the established church of England, but seeing +many things in that church contrary to truth and righteousness, and +feeling that an overturn was nigh at hand, and that the church was +destitute of the gifts of the Spirit, and was not expecting the Savior +to come to reign upon the earth, as had been spoken by the prophets; +he felt led to withdraw from that body, and gave up his prospects in +that establishment. He then began to preach the things which he verily +believed, and was instrumental in raising up quite a church in that +place." + +This of the Reverend Mr. Fielding, in Preston: + +"Mr. James Fielding had been a minister in the Methodist Church, but +for some of the above causes had withdrawn from that society, and had +collected a considerable church in Preston. Those gentlemen, with +their congregations at the time we arrived were diligently contending +for that faith which was once delivered to the saints; but they +afterwards rejected the truth. Notwithstanding they did not obey the +Gospel, the greater portion of their members received our testimony, +obeyed the ordinances we taught, and are now rejoicing in the +blessings of the new and everlasting covenant." + +Of the Rev. Robert Aitken, the most famous of these reform ministers, +Tullidge, our local historian, says: + +"He seems to have been almost a Whitefield in his eloquence and +magical influence over the people. He was emphatically the most +popular 'new light' of the period in England. For years he had been +preaching very successfully against 'the corruptions of the +established church.' His mission had been quite a crusade against the +English Episcopacy, and he had established many flourishing chapels in +Liverpool, Preston, Manchester, Burslem, London and elsewhere. In the +metropolis he founded 'Zion's chapel' and what is interesting in the +case was that his themes on the ancient prophecies and their +fulfillment in 'these latter days' were very like what might have been +heard from Alexander Campbell or the eloquent Sidney Rigdon, before as +well as after he became a Mormon Elder. The Rev. Robert Aitken was +also powerful in his 'warnings to the Gentiles,' and his sermons were +often glorious outbursts of inspiration, when he dwelt upon the +prospect of a latter-day church rising in fulfillment of the +prophets." + +But the power and influence of this brilliant star were about to wane. +A greater luminary had arisen--the very Latter-day Church of which he +had spoken--before whose rays the light of "Zion's Chapel" must pale +as pales the starlight before the morn. + +Concerning this celebrated expounder of the Bible, and _pounder_ of +the Book of Mormon--for such it seems he literally was--Apostle +Kimball writes: + +"Soon after our arrival in England, many of the Aitkenites embraced +the Gospel, which caused considerable feeling and opposition in the +ministers belonging to that sect. Having lost quite a number of +members, and seeing that more were on the eve of being baptized, the +Rev. Robert Aitken came to Preston, and gave out that he was going to +put down Mormonism, expose the doctrines, and overthrow the Book of +Mormon. He made a very long oration on the subject, was very vehement +in his manner, and pounded the Book of Mormon on the pulpit many +times. He then exhorted the people to pray that the Lord would drive +us from their coast; and if the Lord would not hear them in that +petition, that He would smite the leaders. + +"The next Sunday Elder Hyde and myself went to our meeting room, read +the thirteenth chapter of first Corinthians, and strongly urged upon +the people the grace of charity which is so highly spoken of in that +chapter, and made some remarks on the proceedings of the Reverend +Robert Aitken, who had abused us and the Book of Mormon so very much. +In return for his railing we exhorted the Saints to pray that the Lord +would soften his heart and open his eyes that he might see that it was +hard to 'kick against the pricks.' This discourse had a very good +effect, and that week we had the pleasure of baptizing fifty into the +kingdom of Jesus, a large number of whom were members of Mr. Aitken's +church." + +Thus did the sheep of Israel, straying in Idumean pastures, continue +flocking back into the Master's fold. They knew the voice of their +Shepherd when He called, and a stranger they would no longer follow. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE TEMPERANCE REFORM IN PRESTON--A WORK PREPARATORY TO THE +GOSPEL--PREACHING IN THE "COCK PIT"--HEBER WRITES HOME AN ACCOUNT OF +HIS MISSION--THE WORK IN CUMBERLAND--EPISODE OF MARY SMITHIES--"SHE +SHALL LIVE TO BECOME A MOTHER IN ISRAEL." + + +One of the great movements in England, commenced just prior to the +landing of the Elders, was the temperance reform. Undoubtedly this was +a work preparatory to the advent of the Gospel, and one recognized as +such, not only by the Elders, but by their converts connected with the +temperance cause. + +"In almost every place we went," says Elder Kimball, "where there was +a temperance hall, we could get it to preach in, many believing that +we made men temperate faster than they did; for as soon as any obeyed +the Gospel they abandoned their excesses in drinking; none of us drank +any kind of spirits, porter, small beer, or even wine; neither did we +drink tea, coffee or chocolate." + +It is an interesting fact that this temperance movement began in +Preston, where later was first proclaimed in Britain the glad tidings +of the Gospel. Very fitting and appropriate, and quite in keeping with +our theme, that the lesser movement should thus precede the greater, +and from the same starting-point go forth preparing the way. + +Herein, too, is sound Gospel philosophy. The spirit of the Lord and +the demon of alcohol are essentially antagonistic. That which corrupts +the body or darkens the mind, has nothing in common with Mormonism. +The Holy Ghost dwelleth not in unclean tabernacles. To be ready for +the reception of that spirit which maketh manifest the things of God, +and retain its light within the lamp of the soul, the heart must be +pure, the mind unclouded, the body clean and undefiled. + +On the first Sunday in September, 1837, the Saints in Preston +commenced holding meetings in what was known as the "Cock Pit." It was +a large and commodious place, capable of seating eight hundred +persons, and situated in the center of the town. It had formerly been +used by the sporting fraternity for the purpose indicated by its name, +but recently had been converted into a temperance hall. Says Heber, +describing this unique, historic edifice: + +"The space for cock-fighting was an area of about twelve or fifteen +feet in the center, around which the seats formed a circle, each seat +rising about a foot above another, till they reached the walls of the +building. When we leased it the area in the center was occupied by the +singers, and our pulpit was the place where the judges formerly sat, +who awarded the prizes at cockfights. We had to pay seven shillings +per week for the use of it, and two shillings per week for lighting; +it being beautifully lit up with gas. The building was about +twenty-five feet from 'the Old Church,' probably the oldest in +Lancashire." + +On the 6th of September Elder Kimball paid a visit to the little +branch in Walkerfold, where the Saints were suffering much +persecution. Some had been driven from their homes, and otherwise ill +treated for the cause of Christ, by their own fathers and mothers. The +sight of Heber's face revived their sinking spirits, and they again +rejoiced in the Lord. Later in the month he again visited the branch +at Longridge and Walkerfold, and found it prospering. Several more +were added to the Church during his stay. He next visited and preached +at Barshe Lees and Ribchester, baptizing two persons at the former +place, and then returned to Preston. + +About this time Heber wrote a letter to his wife, in Kirtland, giving +some account of his mission. In it the following passages occur: + +"You stated in your letter that some of the Twelve were coming to +England next spring, calculating to bring their wives with them. This +I have no objections to, but if they do they had better bring money to +support them. They had better take Brother Joseph's advice and leave +their wives at home, for if they bring them here they will repent the +day they did so. I do not wish to bring my wife to this country to +suffer. If they could see the misery that I do they would not think of +such a thing. The Savior says, 'he that is not willing to leave father +and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, +for my sake and the Gospel, is not worthy of me.' We have hired our +lodgings since we have been here and bought our own provisions. We eat +but one meal a day at home, for the brethren invite us to dinner and +supper with them, and they frequently divide their last loaf with us. +They do all in their power, and I feel to bless them in the name of +the Lord. There are 55 baptized in Preston, and it is as much as they +can do to live, and there are but two or three that could lodge us +over night if they should try; in fact there are some that have not a +bed to sleep on themselves. The Lord says 'take no thought for the +morrow,' and this is the way I feel for the present. I commit myself +into His hands, that I may always be ready to go at His command. I +desire to be content with whatsoever situation I am placed in. + +"I feel contented about you. I know the Lord will take care of you, +and preserve you until I come home, and feed you and clothe you, and +the children. Give me your prayers and you shall have mine. Be +faithful, my dear companion; our labors will soon be over, when we +shall meet to part no more forever." + +Thus, it appears, the work in England was beginning to attract the +attention of the Church at home, and stirring a desire in the breasts +of the Apostles to "thrust in their sickles and reap" where the field +was so "white unto the harvest." Heber's practical advice about +leaving their wives at home while they went forth in the ministry, had +its effect upon the minds of the brethren, and the custom has +prevailed from that day to this, almost universally throughout the +foreign missions of the Church. + +In the meantime how fared it with the brethren in the north, Elder +Russell and Priest Snyder, who had been sent with the Gospel into +Cumberland? + +"Brother Snyder returned from the north where he had traveled in +company with Brother Russell. He stated that they met with +considerable opposition while preaching the gospel, that they had +baptized about thirty, and that others were investigating. After +spending a few days with us," says Elder Kimball, "he and brother +Goodson took their leave for America. Brother Goodson pretended to +have business of importance which called him home. He had over 200 +books of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants which he refused to let me +have, although I proffered to pay him the money for them on my return +to America. He carried them back, and on arriving in Iowa Territory he +burned them, at which time he apostatized and left the Church. + +"Although we were deprived of the labors of Brothers Goodson and +Snyder, the work of the Lord continued to roll forth with great power, +for those of us who remained received greater strength. Calls from +all quarters to come and preach were constantly sounding in our ears, +and we labored night and day to satisfy the people, who manifested +such a desire for the truth as I never saw before. We had to speak in +small and very crowded houses, and to large assemblies in the open +air. Consequently our lungs were often very sore, and our bodies worn +down with fatigue. Sometimes I was guilty of breaking the priestly +rules. I pulled off my coat and rolled up my sleeves and went at my +duty with my whole soul, like a man reaping and binding wheat, which +caused the hireling priests to be very much surprised. They found much +fault with us, and threatened us continually, because we got all of +their best members. We told them all we wanted was the wheat; they +could keep the rest." + +Next comes an interesting incident in Heber's ministry, relating +closely to one branch of his numerous family. Says he: + +"I will mention a circumstance in relation to the first child born in +the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Great Britain, +which was on the 7th of October, 1837, at Barshe Lees. She was the +daughter of James and Nancy Smithies, formerly Nancy Knowles. After +she was born her parents wanted to take her to the church to be +sprinkled, or christened, as they call it. I used every kind of +persuasion to convince them of their folly; it being contrary to the +scriptures and the will of God; the parents wept bitterly, and it +seemed as though I could not prevail on them to omit it. I wanted to +know of them why they were so tenacious. The answer was, 'if she dies +she cannot have a burial in the churchyard.' I said to them, 'Brother +and Sister Smithies, I say unto you in the name of Israel's God, she +shall not die on this land, for she shall live until she becomes a +mother in Israel, and I say it in the name of Jesus Christ and by +virtue of the Holy Priesthood vested in me.' That silenced them, and +when she was two weeks old they presented the child to me; I took it +in my arms and blessed it, that it should live to become a mother in +Israel. She was the first child blessed in that country, and the first +born unto them." + +The child's name was Mary Smithies. She grew to womanhood, emigrating +with her parents to America, and became Heber's wife, and the mother +of five of his children. + +Apostle Kimball next took a tour through some villages south of +Preston, in company with Brother Francis Moon. The people "flocked in +crowds" to hear him. At Longridge five preachers were among the large +congregation of interested listeners. At Eccleston he had the +privilege--a rare one--of preaching in a Methodist chapel. During this +journey he baptized ten persons, two of whom were Methodist preachers. + +By this time the Church in Preston had become numerous, and it was +found necessary to organize them into five branches, which was +accordingly done on the 8th of October. Priests and Teachers were +ordained to take charge of the branches. Thursday evenings were set +apart for prayer meetings in various places, and on the Sabbath the +whole body assembled at the main hall to partake of the sacrament, and +receive general instructions. The greatest harmony and love prevailed, +and "as little children" the Saints rejoiced in doing the will of God. +Heber spent the principal part of his time in the country, "leaving +Preston Monday mornings, and returning on Saturday evenings." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +HEBER WRITES TO WILLARD IN BEDFORD--THE ELDERS BECOME LICENSED +PREACHERS--THE "MILK" AND "MEAT OF THE WORD"--RAPID SPREAD OF THE +WORK--MIRACLES--HEBER'S DREAM OF THE BULL AND FIELD OF GRAIN--A +DISAPPOINTED MOB. + + +Feeling some anxiety about the work in Bedford, where Elder Richards +was still laboring, Heber wrote to him as follows: + + "PRESTON, OCT. 12th, 1837. + + "_Dear Brother Richards:_ + + "With pleasure I take my pen in hand to let you know that + I have not forgotten you. Brother Hyde and myself have labored all + the time, night and day, so that we have not had much time to + sleep. There are calls on the right and left. In Preston there + are about one hundred and sixty members. At Walkerfold I have + built up one branch; one in Barshe Lees, in Yorkshire; one in + Ribchester; one in Penwortham, and one in Thornley. We have built + up those branches besides laboring in Preston nearly all the time; + so you can judge whether or no we have been idle. There are ten + calls where we can only fill one. Have had a very bad cold on my + lungs, so that I have had to hold up for a few days, to recruit my + health. Our congregations have been so large that our lungs have + failed to make all the people hear. Brother Fielding has been with + me part of the time; he has not preached much, but has baptized, + and visited from house to house. + + "The harvest is ripe and many are thirsting for the word of life. + May God give you energy to go forth in His name, and cry aloud and + spare not; and I say unto you, Brother Richards, if you stay in + that place much longer there will contentions arise, until the + little branch will be broken up and scattered to the four winds. + And I say this in the name of the Lord: go forth into the country + without purse or scrip, as God has commanded, and if you should + leave the branch two or three weeks the Saints will take no harm, + and the Lord will bless you in so doing. Go fifteen or twenty + miles; cry repentance, and let the big things alone; for this is + the way that the hearts of the people are closed up in Bedford, by + Elder Goodson preaching those things he was commanded to let + alone. I have scarcely meddled with the prophecies; I have only + preached the first principles of the Gospel to the people, doing + the same that I teach you to do. The churches in the country I + stay with a few days, and then leave them two or three weeks; they + are praising the Lord and are glad to see me when I visit them. + + "Brother Richards, I am not forgetful of your kindness to me and + the brethren while with us; but I have a godly jealousy over you + for your welfare and prosperity in the cause of Christ. + + "HEBER C. KIMBALL." + +Willard, it appears, had been praying to receive the mind and will of +the Lord through his brethren, the Apostles, to direct him in his +labors. His prayer being answered, he went forth with renewed energy, +preaching and baptizing, laboring diligently and with success, until +March, 1838, when he returned to Preston. + +Heber continues: "The effect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ now began +to be apparent, not only in the hearts of believers, but likewise in +the hearts of those who rejected it. Our meeting in Preston being +disturbed by the Methodist ministers, we got our hall licensed, and +two gentlemen named Joseph Brown and Arthur Burrows, who were +policemen, proffered their services to preserve the peace, and protect +us from any further disturbance; which they continued to do as long as +we stayed in that land. Many began to persecute us for preaching +without a license from the authority of the nation. This idea of +obtaining a license from the secular authority was somewhat novel to +us; but after consulting our friends, amongst whom was Mr. John +Richards' son, an attorney practising in Preston, we found it was +according to the laws of England. Brothers Hyde and I therefore made +application to the Quarter Sessions and obtained licenses, by the +assistance of Mr. Richards; and for which service he refused +compensation. + +"The following is a copy of my license: + + "'LANCASHIRE TO WIT. } This is to certify that at the General + Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held by adjournment at Preston in + and for said county, the eighteenth day of October, in the first + year of the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, Heber Chase + Kimball came before the Justices present, and did then and there + in open court, take the oaths appointed to be taken, instead of + the oaths of allegiance and supremacy; and also the abjurgation + oath; and subscribed his name thereto, pursuant to the several + laws in that behalf made and provided. + + "'E. GORST, + "'Deputy Clerk of the Peace in and + for said county.' + +"Having now obeyed the requisitions of the law, we felt ourselves +tolerably secure, knowing that our enemies could not lawfully harm us. +I wrote to Brother Richards that I had taken the oath to be true to +Her Majesty and see that the laws were executed, also the abjurgation +oath provided for foreigners who were not naturalized, and obtained a +license as a preacher of the Gospel; and recommended him to do the +same at Bedford: but they made him take the oath of allegiance before +they granted him his license to preach. After we had obtained our +licenses, to our surprise we found there were only a few licensed +preachers in Preston; and when they abused me I told them if they did +not cease their abuse I would see the laws put in force according to +the oaths I had taken; and this generally silenced them. + +"Although we had many persecutors who would have rejoiced at our +destruction, and who felt determined to overthrow the work of the +Lord, yet there were many who were friendly, who would have stood by +us under all circumstances, and would not have been afraid to hazard +their lives in our behalf. The church in Preston now numbered two or +three hundred souls, with more being added continually. + +"November 14th, I wrote to Willard Richards, exhorting him to teach +the first principles of the Gospel only; telling him that if the +people would not receive them they would not receive anything else; +the more simple he could be, the better it would be for his hearers, +Brother Goodson having left about 20 Books of Mormon in his +possession, I told him to sell all that he could, either to saint or +sinner; to get him some clothes, and to make himself warm and +comfortable." + +The wisdom of the Apostle's counsel to give first the "milk of the +word" to those who were infants in faith, reserving the "meat" for +such as became strong, is self-evident. No vessel can contain beyond +its capacity. Food, in kind and quantity, must ever keep pace with the +growth, and be suited to the condition of the one to whom it is +administered. + +It is human nature to oppose that which is new. The pride of man +revolts at the idea of admitting himself in error, and his +preconceived notions to be false, or even defective. The flesh, +naturally inert, dislikes change that brings toil and study, even for +the soul's salvation. Self-interest pleads in various ways, in favor +of the old, and against the new. Thus hoary tradition, antique error, +sits warmed and comforted, a welcome guest, alike in palace and in +hovel, while Truth, a pilgrim, hungry and cold, without stands +shivering in the frosty air. + +All truth may be new to the ignorant, though old as eternity to the +Gods, and whom the Gods make wise. Much that is true, is not +expedient. The Prophet Joseph could not tell all he knew, even to the +Elders; nor the Elders all they knew to the people, Paul, caught up +unto "the third heaven;" Joseph, unto "the seventh heaven," saw and +heard things unspeakable, things "unlawful to be uttered." The +mysteries of God's kingdom are not for the world, nor for novices in +the faith until it is wisdom in the Lord, "lest they perish." + +The effect of Elder Goodson's folly in reading to the Reverend Mr. +Matthews the vision of the triple glories, when his mind was just +beginning to grasp the Gospel's first principles--sufficiently novel +and far enough advanced to test his neophyte faith to the utmost--is +only one of many like instances in Mormon missionary experience. +Prudence demands that truth be inculcated by gradual degrees. "Cry +nothing but repentance to this generation," is a word of supreme +wisdom to the Lord's servants, laboring in His vineyard among the +tender vines and fragile flowers of humanity. Eagles build their nests +in strong and high places. Truth is loftier and mightier than many +eagles. + +The Apostle's record continues: + +"Having an appointment to preach in the village of Wrightington, while +on the way I stopped at the houses of Brothers Francis Moon and Amos +Fielding, when I was informed that the family of Matthias Moon had +sent a request for me to visit them, that they might have the +privilege of conversing with me on the subject of the Gospel. +Accordingly Brother Amos Fielding and I paid them a visit that +evening. We were very kindly received by the family, and had +considerable conversation on the subject of my mission to England, and +the great work of the Lord in the last days. They listened with +attention to my statements, but at the same time they appeared to be +prejudiced against them. We remained in conversation until a late +hour, and then returned home. On our way Brother Fielding observed +that he thought our visit had been in vain, as the family seemed to +have considerable prejudice. I answered, 'be not faithless but +believing; we shall yet see great effects from this visit, for I know +that some of the family have received the testimony, and will shortly +manifest the same;' at which remark he seemed surprised. + +"The next morning I continued my journey to Wrightington and Hunter's +Hill. After spending two or three days in that vicinity preaching, I +baptized seven of the family of Benson, and others, and organized a +branch. + +"I returned by the way of Brother Fielding's, with whom I again +tarried for the night. The next morning I started for Preston, but +when I got opposite the lane leading to Mr. Moon's, I was forcibly led +by the Spirit of the Lord to call and see them again. I therefore +directed my steps to the house. On my arrival I knocked at the door. +Mrs. Moon exclaimed, 'come in! come in! You are welcome here! I and +the lassies (meaning her daughters) have just been calling on the +Lord, and praying that He would send you this way.' She then informed +me of her state of mind since I was there, and said she at first +rejected my testimony, and endeavored to think lightly on the things I +had advanced, but on trying to pray, the heavens seemed to be like +brass over her head, and it was like iron under her feet. She did not +know what was the matter, saying, 'certainly the man has not bewitched +me has he?' and upon inquiring she found it was the same with the +lassies. They then began to reflect on the things I told them, and +thinking it possible that I had told them the truth, they resolved to +lay the case before the Lord, and beseech Him to give them a testimony +concerning the things I had testified of. She then observed that as +soon as they did so light broke in upon their minds; they were +convinced that I was a messenger of salvation; that it was the work of +the Lord, and they had resolved to obey the Gospel. That evening I +baptized Mr. Moon and his wife, and four of their daughters. + +"The same night I went to Leyland, and stayed with Francis Moon, and +the next morning I went to Preston where I stayed about three weeks +with Brother Hyde. + +"During this time our enemies were not idle; they heaped abuse upon us +with an unsparing hand and issued torrents of lies concerning us, +which I am thankful to say did not injure us. Among those most active +in publishing falsehoods against us and the truth were many of the +clergy, who were afraid to meet us face to face in honorable debate, +although particularly requested so to do. We only asked three days' +notice of the time of discussion, so as to notify the people. But they +sought every opportunity to try to destroy our characters, and +propagate their lies concerning us, thus showing that they loved +darkness rather than light. We frequently called upon the ministers of +various denominations, who had taken a stand against us, to come +forward and investigate our religion before the world, in an honorable +manner, and bring forth their strong reasons to disprove the things we +taught, and convince the people by sound argument and the word of God, +if they could, that we did not preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This +they declined. They kept at a respectful distance, and only came out +when they knew we were absent, with misrepresentations and abuse. It +is true we suffered some from the statements which they thought proper +to make, when we could not get an opportunity to contradict them; but +generally their reports were of such a character as carried their own +refutation with them. + +"I visited Mr. Moon again, and baptized the remainder of his family, +consisting of thirteen souls, the youngest of whom was over twenty +years of age. They received the Gospel as little children, and +rejoiced exceedingly in its blessings. The sons were very good +musicians, and the daughters excellent singers. When they united their +instruments and voices in the songs of Zion, the effect was truly +transporting. + +"Before I left England there were about thirty of that family and +connections baptized, five of whom, Hugh, John, Francis, William and +Thomas Moon, were ordained to be fellow laborers with us in the +vineyard, and I left them rejoicing in the truths they had embraced. + +"In all my labors I was greatly assisted by the Spirit of the Lord, +and my soul was comforted exceedingly; for the sick were healed, the +lame walked, and in several cases where persons had lain upon their +beds in a consumptive state for many years and were not able to sit +up, they would be taken in a carriage, perhaps a mile, to the water, +where I baptized, laid my hands upon them and confirmed them, that +they might receive the Holy Ghost, and rebuked their disease in the +name of Jesus Christ, and said unto them 'be thou made whole,' and +they would leap and shout glory to God, and begin to mend from that +hour. This was a common occurrence on our first mission to England. +Many scores of persons were healed by our sending a handkerchief to +them. + +"I was instrumental in building up churches in the following places, +viz.; Eccleston, Wrightington, Askin, Dauber's Lane, Exton, Chorley, +Whittle, Hunter's Hill, and Leyland Moss, after laboring about four +weeks, and baptizing in the neighborhood of two hundred persons, which +caused me to rejoice that I had not labored in vain. More loving and +affectionate Saints I never saw before; they were patterns of +humility. All the above villages are within a short distance of each +other, and near to Preston. + +"After my return from those places I took a tour to the northeast of +Preston, in company with Brother Joseph Fielding, where we labored a +short time with considerable success, and raised up churches in +Ribchester, Thornley, Stoney Gate Lane, and at Clithero, a market town +containing several thousand inhabitants. At Clithero I baptized a +preacher named Thomas Smith and six members of the Methodist Church, +immediately after I had preached the first time. + +"One night while at the village of Ribchester I dreamed that in +company with another person I was walking, and we saw a very extensive +field of wheat; more so than the eye could reach; such a sight I had +never witnessed. The wheat appeared perfectly ripe and ready for +harvest. I was very much rejoiced at the glorious sight which +presented itself; but judge of my surprise, when on taking some of the +ears and rubbing them in my hands, I found nothing but smut; not any +sound grain could I find. I marveled exceedingly and felt very +sorrowful, and exclaimed 'what will the people do for grain! Here is a +great appearance of plenty, but there is no sound wheat.' + +"While contemplating the scenery, I looked in another direction, and +saw a small field in the form of the letter L, which had the +appearance of something growing in it. I immediately directed my steps +to it, and found that it had been sown with wheat, some of which had +grown up six inches high, other parts of the field not quite so high, +and some had just sprouted. This gave me some encouragement to expect +that at the harvest there would be some good grain. While thus +engaged, a large bull, looking very fierce and angry, leaped over the +fence, ran through the field, and stamped down a large quantity of +that which had just sprouted, and after doing considerable injury he +leaped over the fence and ran away. I felt very much grieved that so +much wheat should be destroyed when there was such a prospect of +scarcity. + +"When I awoke next morning the interpretation was given me. The large +field with the great appearance of grain, so beautiful to look upon, +represented the nation in which I then resided; which had a very +pleasing appearance and a good show of religion; which made great +pretensions to piety and goodness, and consequently of the gifts of +the Spirit. The small field I saw, clearly represented the region of +country where I was laboring, and where the word of truth had taken +root, which was in the shape of the letter L, and it was growing in +the hearts of those who had the gospel, some places having grown a +little more than others. The village I was in was that part of the +field where the bull did so much injury; for during my short visit +there, most of the inhabitants were believing, but as soon as I +departed, a clergyman belonging to the Church of England came out and +violently attacked the truth, made a considerable noise, crying, +"False Prophet! Delusion!" and after trampling on truth and doing all +the mischief he could before I returned, he took shelter in his +pulpit. + +"However he did not destroy all the seed, for after my return I was +instrumental in building up a branch in Ribchester. A mob of Catholics +had combined, that when I went to baptize any persons they would pelt +me with stones. I made arrangements with each of the candidates to go +singly to the place of baptism, and about the time the last one got +there I started quickly, got to the place and baptized them all. As I +was baptizing the last one the mob came up and were disappointed in +their vengeance, for I came out of the water, and they did not know +how many I had baptized." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE VOICE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD--HEBER CONVERTS WHOLE VILLAGES--THE +SPIRIT OF THE MASTER UPON HIS SERVANT--THE CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE IN +PRESTON. + + +"My sheep know my voice, and a stranger they will not follow." So said +the Shepherd of Israel. + +The test is true in all time. How many in these latter days bear +witness, that, until Mormonism came, they had no religion, and desired +none, but were instantly converted on first hearing it proclaimed. +Again, how many wandered in quest of it, from church to church, from +creed to creed, scarce knowing what they sought, yet conscious of "an +aching void" which nothing else could fill, and only happy when at +last it was supplied. + +"My sheep know my voice, and a stranger they will not follow." + +A remarkable instance of this truth now occurred in Heber's ministry. +Says he: + +"Having mentioned my intention of going to Downham and Chatburn, to +several of the brethren, they endeavoured to dissuade me from going, +informing me there could be no prospect of success whatever, as +several ministers of different denominations had endeavored in vain to +raise churches in these places, and had frequently preached to them, +but to no effect, as they had resisted all the efforts and withstood +the attempts of all sects and parties for the last thirty years, who, +seeing all their attempts fail, had given them up to hardness of +heart. I was also informed they were very wicked places. However this +did not discourage me, believing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ could +reach the heart, when the gospels of men proved abortive; I +consequently told those brethren that these were the places I wanted +to go to, for that it was my business not to call the righteous but +sinners to repentance. + +"The next day we received a very pressing invitation to preach in +Chatburn, but having given out an appointment to preach in Clithero +that evening, I informed them that I would not be able to comply with +their request that night; this did not satisfy them, they continued to +solicit me with the greatest importunity, until I was obliged to +consent to remain with them, and requested Elder Fielding to attend to +the appointment at Clithero; there was a feeling of reluctance on his +part to go, as he feared the rabble might break up his meeting; but +seeing the importunity of the people that I should stay with them in +Chatburn, he consented to go to Clithero alone. As he feared it might +be, so it was; his meeting was broken up. + +"In Chatburn I was cordially received by the inhabitants, who turned +out in great numbers to hear me preach. They procured a large tithing +barn, placing a barrel in the center, upon which I stood. I preached +to them the first principles of the Gospel, spoke in simplicity upon +the principles revealed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the +conditions of pardon for a fallen world and the blessings and +privileges of those who embraced the truth; I likewise said a little +on the subject of the resurrection. My testimony was accompanied by +the Spirit of the Lord, and was received with joy, and these people +who had been represented as being hard and obdurate, were melted into +tenderness and love. I told them that, being a servant of the Lord +Jesus Christ, I stood ready at all times to administer the ordinances +of the Gospel, and explained what was necessary to prepare them for +baptism; that when they felt to repent of and forsake their sins, they +were ready to be baptized for the remission of sins, like the jailor +and his household, and Cornelius and his house. When I concluded I +felt someone pulling at my coat, exclaiming, 'Maister, Maister,' I +turned round and asked what was wanted. Mrs. Elizabeth Partington +said, 'Please sir, will you baptize me?' 'And me?' And me?' exclaimed +more than a dozen voices. Accordingly I went down into the water and +baptized twenty-five. I was engaged in this duty, and confirming them +and conversing with the people until after midnight." + +The next morning I returned to Downham, and baptized between +twenty-five and thirty in the course of the day. + +"The next evening I returned to Chatburn. The congregation was so +numerous that I had to preach in the open air, and took my stand on a +stone wall, and afterwards baptized several. These villages seemed to +be affected from one end to the other; parents called their children +together, spoke to them on the subjects which I had preached about, +and warned them against swearing and all other evil practices, and +instructed them in their duty. + +"We were absent from Preston five days, during which time Brother +Fielding and I baptized and confirmed about 110 persons; organized +branches in Downham, Chatburn, Waddington and Clithero; and ordained +several to the lesser Priesthood, to preside. This was the first time +the people in those villages ever heard our voices, or saw an +American. + +"I cannot refrain from relating an occurrence which took place while +Brother Fielding and myself were passing through the village of +Chatburn on our way to Downham: having been observed approaching the +village, the news ran from house to house, and immediately the noise +of their looms was hushed, and the people flocked to their doors to +welcome us and see us pass. More than forty young people of the place +ran to meet us; some took hold of our mantles and then of each others' +hands; several having hold of hands went before us singing the songs +of Zion, while their parents gazed upon the scene with delight, and +poured their blessings upon our heads, and praised the God of heaven +for sending us to unfold the principles of truth and the plan of +salvation to them. The children continued with us to Downham, a mile +distant. Such a scene, and such gratitude, I never witnessed before. +'Surely,' my heart exclaimed, 'out of the mouths of babes and +sucklings thou hast perfected praise.' What could have been more +pleasing and delightful than such a manifestation of gratitude to +Almighty God; and from those whose hearts were deemed too hard to be +penetrated by the Gospel, and who had been considered the most wicked +and hardened people in that region of country." + +"A rare scene, indeed, and a suggestive one, for the parallel of which +the mind must leap backward nigh two thousand years: + + "On the next day, much people that were come to the feast, when + they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. + + "Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and + cried, Hosanna; Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the + name of the Lord. + + "The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye + prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him." + +So was it with this servant of Christ, this brother of Jesus in the +British Isles. The hireling priests, the pharisees of Christendom, +prevailed nothing. The "world went after him," whole villages at a +sweep, singing praises, and shouting in tones of rapture: "Blessed is +he that cometh in the name of the Lord." + +There was divine harmony in all this. In Heber, his character, manner +and methods--we say it reverently--there was much of the Christ; the +might of the lion, with the meekness of the lamb. His, also, was the +Savior's lineage; in his heart a kindred spirit, in his veins the +self-same blood. Where causes are similar, should there not spring +similar results? + +And is it not truly a Christ-like sentiment, with which he concludes +his description of that wonderful scene: + +"In comparison to the joy I then experienced, the grandeur, pomp and +glory of the kingdoms of this world shrank into insignificance, and +appeared as dross, and all the honor of man aside from the Gospel as +vanity. The prayer of my heart was, 'O Lord do thou bless this people, +save them from sin, and prepare them for Thy celestial kingdom, and +that Thy servant may meet them round Thy throne; and grant, O Lord, +that I may continue to preach the Gospel of Christ, which shall cause +the hearts of the poor to rejoice, and the meek to increase their joy +in the Lord; which shall comfort the hearts of the widows and cheer +the soul of the orphan; and that I may be an instrument in Thy hands +of bringing them to Zion, that they may behold Thy glory and be +prepared to meet the Savior when He shall descend in the clouds of +heaven." + +On Christmas a special conference was held in Preston by the Apostles. +About three hundred of the Saints assembled, delegates being present +from the various branches in and around Preston, extending some thirty +miles. Joseph Fielding was ordained an Elder, and ten Priests and +seven Teachers were ordained and set apart to take charge of the +several branches where they resided. + +At this conference, the Word of Wisdom, the temperance revelation of +the Church, was first publicly taught in Great Britain. The Elders had +taught it more by example than precept heretofore. It became almost +universally observed among the brethren. In the "Cock Pit," where this +conference was held, had first been lifted the standard of temperance +reform. It was the motto on one of the banners of this movement, +"Truth will Prevail," which greeted the Elders so opportunely, as an +omen of success now verified, on their arrival in Preston from +Liverpool, five months before. Says Apostle Kimball: + +"The Spirit of the Lord was with us; and truly the hearts of the +Elders were rejoiced beyond measure when we contemplated the glorious +work which had been done, and we had to exclaim, 'Blessed be the name +of the Lord, who has crowned our labors with such success!' During the +conference we confirmed fourteen members and, blessed about one +hundred children." + +One hundred little children blessed in Preston, Christmas, 1837! + +A beautiful and fitting celebration of that blessed day of days, when +"unto us a Child was born" to take away the sins of the world; when +God descended from His throne and took upon Him flesh, exchanging +crown for cross, and sceptred rule for martyrdom, in the cause of +man's redemption. Shine out, ye blazing stars, and sun and moon give +forth your warmth and lustre! Ye cannot dim the glory, nor vie the +matchless love, of Him who set you there to light and cheer, on, +onward to celestial heights the world He died to save! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE WORK OF GOD NOT DEPENDENT UPON MAN--HUMILITY A SOURCE OF +POWER--EVERY MAN CHOSEN AND FITTED FOR HIS SPHERE--EXAMPLE OF PAUL THE +APOSTLE--HEBER "HITS THE ROCK" IN LONGTON--THE APOSTLES VISIT THE +BRANCHES PRIOR TO RETURNING TO AMERICA. + + +Preaching the Gospel and converting sinners unto Christ never yet +depended for success upon man's learning or the music of oratory. The +unlettered fishermen of Galilee, proclaiming in simple words "Christ +crucified," were far more powerful in winning souls from error's ways +and melting the hearts of the multitude, than would all the orators +have been; the Herods, Ciceros, or Demosthenes, of Judea, Greece and +Rome. + +The reason is not, as some suppose, that learning and oratory are +valueless in the cause of Christ, or necessarily a hindrance, as was +Saul's armor upon youthful David. The example of the eloquent and +erudite Paul suffices to disprove such a fallacy. The secret is simply +this: that God had chosen those humble fishermen, and not the learned +orators of the age, for that especial work, and endowed them with +power from on high. No man, learned or unlearned, can build up God's +Kingdom, except He be with him, and the Holy Ghost work through him. +God is the doer of His work, not man, and no flesh can glory in His +presence. It was the Holy Ghost in Paul, as it was the Holy Ghost in +Peter, not the learning or illiteracy of either, that wrought the +wonders of which they were capable. + +The Holy Ghost dwells only in hearts that are pure and humble. +Humility, next to virtue, is the one grand requisite of a servant of +God. Pride and vanity are synonyms of weakness; humility, another name +for strength. Men of learning and language, whom nature and education +have made "spokesmen," need not be any less humble--though men of +little learning and much language are very apt to be. Pride, in rags +or in purple, is the offspring of ignorance; while learning is the +parent of humility. + +The eloquent and learned man, humble and filled with the Holy Ghost, +is manifestly more capable, in his sphere, and more successful, than +one without his advantages would be. But turn the tables, reverse the +conditions, and, in his sphere, the unlearned man, intelligent, +God-fearing and inspired, looms a giant, where his more polished +brother might seem a pigmy by comparison. The faculty of adapting self +to circumstances is invaluable for the missionary to possess. In +saying that he was "all things to all men," the brave and faithful +Paul did not brand himself a hypocrite. Rather, did he not mean he +could accommodate himself to his surroundings; enter into the feelings +and sympathies of "all men:" the high, the low, the rich, the poor, +the learned and the illiterate; at home in palace or in hovel; +feasting in gratitude at luxury's board, or sharing thankfully the +crust of poverty; holding spell-bound by his oratory the charmed sages +of Athens, or melting his jailor's heart with the simple pathos of his +tale. + +Such was Paul, the eloquent and learned Apostle; a vessel formed and +fashioned, like all others, for his work. It was his mission to be +"brought before Caesar"; the mission of most of his brethren to +preach, like their Master, "the Gospel to the poor." It will yet fall +to the lot of God's servants to stand before kings and rulers, as did +Elijah, Nathan and Daniel of old. But in the days of Heber, of Joseph, +and of Brigham, the Gospel was chiefly to the poor and humble, who +received it gladly and rejoiced in the God of their salvation. + +Returning now to the Apostles in Preston: + +"Immediately after the conference," wrote Heber, "Elder Hyde and I +went to a village near the sea shore called Longton, where we +published to the listening crowds the glad tidings of salvation. +Brothers Hyde and Goodson had preached several discourses there, and +numbers were believing, but none had been baptized. The people asked +Brother Hyde why he did not 'bring Kimball down, to hit the rock a +crack with his big sledge and let the water flow out.' I preached from +Hebrews 6th chapter, 1st verse: 'Therefore not leaving the principles +of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying +again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith +toward God.' I preached a plain and simple discourse, and according to +my calling I taught them to repent and be baptized, that they might be +saved, and if they did not they would be damned. Elder Hyde bore +testimony. After meeting I baptized ten, and in the morning after, +several more. It being very cold weather--the streams all frozen +over--we had to repair to the sea to administer the ordinance. + +"January 24th, I left Preston and went to Longton with Brother Hyde. +We preached once each, and baptized ten; from thence returned to +Preston and stayed two or three days. Then I started on a mission to +Eccleston and other places, visiting six branches and strengthening +them. I was absent about eighteen days and baptized fifteen; the +weather being so cold that many dared not go into the water. Returned +to Preston and stayed three days. On the Sabbath Elder Hyde and +myself administered the sacrament and confirmed twelve. From thence +went to Longton and baptized three, ordained one priest, one teacher, +and one deacon, and blessed about thirty children. Again returned to +Preston. From thence went to Whittle; preached once, and baptized +five; and returned to Preston February 23rd. + +"From this time to our departure from England we were continually +engaged in the work of the ministry, proclaiming the everlasting +Gospel in all the regions round, and baptizing all who believed and +repented of their sins. The Holy Ghost, the comforter, was given to us +and abode with us in a remarkable manner." + +"The time when we expected to return to our native land being near at +hand, it was considered best for us to spend the short time we had to +remain in visiting and organizing the branches; placing such officers +over them, and giving such instructions as would be beneficial to them +during our absence. Accordingly Brothers Hyde, Fielding and myself +visited a branch nearly every day, and imparted such instructions as +the Spirit directed. We first visited the branches south of Preston, +and after spending some time in that direction we journeyed to the +north, accompanied by Brother Willard Richards, who had returned from +Bedford March 7th, where he had been proclaiming the Gospel. In +consequence of sickness his labors had not been so extensive as they +otherwise would have been, and were confined within a short distance +of the city of Bedford, where he raised up two small branches of about +forty members, which he set in order, and ordained James Lavender an +Elder, and other officers to preside. He had labored under +considerable difficulty in consequence of the conduct of Elder +Goodson, who taught many things which were not in wisdom, and which +proved a barrier to the spread of the truth in that region. His health +being poor, he was not able to preach much. + +"While we were attending to our duties in that section we received a +very pressing invitation from a Baptist church, through the medium of +their deacon, to pay them a visit, stating that the society were +exceedingly anxious to hear from our lips the wonderful things we had +proclaimed in the regions round about. We endeavored to excuse +ourselves from going, as our engagements were such that it would +require the short time we had to stay to attend them. They seemed +determined not to take a denial and pleaded with such earnestness that +we could not resist their entreaties, and we finally consented to go +and preach once. Having arrived at the village, which was between +Downham and Burnley, we found a large congregation already assembled +in the Baptist chapel, anxiously waiting our arrival. The minister +gave out the hymns and Elder Hyde spoke on the resurrection with great +effect, after which the minister gave out another hymn, which was sung +by the assembly, and then he requested me to address them. I spoke +briefly on the first principles of the Gospel. During the services the +congregation was overjoyed, tears ran down their cheeks, and the +minister could not refrain from frequently clapping his hands for joy, +while in the meeting. After the service was over he took us to his +house where we were very kindly entertained. After partaking of his +hospitality, he with some more friends accompanied us to our lodgings, +where we remained in conversation until a very late hour. The next +morning while we were preparing to depart we were waited upon by +several of the citizens who requested us to preach again that day, +stating that great interest was felt by the inhabitants, many of whom +were in tears, fearing they should hear us no more, and that a number +of influential men had suspended operations in their factories to +allow their workmen the privilege of hearing us preach; but we were +obliged to deny them, as it was necessary to attend to the +appointments we had previously made. We could scarcely go away from +them, and when we did so they wept like little children. Such a desire +to hear the Gospel I never saw equalled before. + +"After commending them to the grace and mercy of God, we went to +Downham, where we preached in the afternoon, after which we baptized +several and confirmed forty. In the evening we called the churches of +Chatburn, Downham, Clithero and Waddington together, and after +confirming some, we ordained Priests, Teachers and Deacons to preside +over the branches. + +"From thence we went to Preston, and after a short stay visited +Penwortham and Longton, and organized the churches in those places, +which numbered about fifty members each." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +CONDITION OF THE CHURCH AT HOME--PRUNING OFF THE DEAD BRANCHES--A +DAY OF CHOOSING--APOSTATES CONSPIRE TO OVERTHROW THE CHURCH-- +FLIGHT OF THE PROPHET FROM KIRTLAND--FALL OF OLIVER COWDERY AND +OTHER APOSTLES--"SHOW UNTO US THY WILL, O LORD, CONCERNING THE +TWELVE!" + + +While the Apostles are setting in order the Church in England, +preparatory to their departure for America, let us fly before them +over the sea and note some of the changes which have taken place since +they left Kirtland. + +The Church had suffered terribly from the ravages of apostasy. At no +time in its history has it seemed so near destruction, as in the early +part of 1837, the period of the opening of the British Mission. The +causes are noted elsewhere in these pages, and deserve a niche in the +temple of memory for all time. The Ohio mobbings, the Missouri +persecutions, the martyrdom, the exodus, nor all that Zion's cause has +suffered since, have imperilled it half so much as when mammon and the +love of God strove for supremacy in the hearts of His people, and the +Saints, for a time forgetful of their high calling, laid aside their +spiritual mission and went groveling after "the beggarly elements of +the world." + +Only once in the history of the work, has its almighty Author found it +necessary to reveal that "something new must be done for the salvation +of the Church." + +That "something new," as we have seen, was a great spiritual movement, +to counteract the tendency to carnal or temporal things, which was +resting like the sleep of death upon the drooping eyelids of the Zion +of God. + +To root out the deadly Upas-tree, rouse Zion from her slumber beneath +its pestilential shade, and prune off the withered branches from the +Tree of Life, was the first care of the Prophet after despatching the +Elders for England. + +A conference assembled "in committee of the whole Church" at Kirtland, +on Sunday, September 3rd, 1837. At this conference the various quorums +of the Priesthood were presented to the people for their action. + +President Sidney Rigdon presented the name of Joseph Smith, junior, to +the Church, to know if they still looked upon him as the President of +the whole Church, and would receive and sustain him in that position. +The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. + +President Smith then presented Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. +Williams as his counselors, and to constitute with himself the three +first Presidents of the Church. Elder Rigdon was sustained +unanimously, but the motion failed as to F. G. Williams. President +Smith then put in nomination Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith, senior, +Hyrum Smith, and John Smith, as assistant counselors; these four, +together with the first three, to be considered the heads of the +Church. Carried unanimously. + +It was voted that Newel K. Whitney continue to hold his office as +Bishop in Kirtland, and that Reynolds Cahoon and Jared Carter continue +to act as the Bishop's counselors. + +The Twelve Apostles were then presented, one by one, when Thomas B. +Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, +Parley P. Pratt, William Smith and William E. McLellin, were received +and unanimously sustained in their Apostleship. Luke Johnson, Lyman +Johnson and John F. Boynton were rejected and cut off, though given +the privilege of confessing and making satisfaction. The cause of the +difficulty with Elders Boynton and Johnson was their "leaving their +calling to attend to other occupations." + +Five members of the High Council were also objected to by the people, +and new ones chosen in their stead. John Gaylord, James Forster, +Salmon Gee, Daniel S. Miles, Joseph Young, Josiah Butterfield and Levi +Hancock were retained in office as Presidents of the Seventies, while +John Gold was rejected. + +A similar conference was held at Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri, +then the head-quarters of the Church in that region, on the 7th of +November 1837, and another on the 5th of February, 1838. The +Priesthood was reorganized and the Church set in order, in the same +manner as had been done in Kirtland. Hyrum Smith was sustained, in +lieu of Frederick G. Williams, as one of the three First Presidents, +in which office he had before been acting. Elder Boynton and the two +Elders Johnson were reinstated in the Quorum of the Twelve, though +later they again fell away. Bishops Edward Partridge, Isaac Morley and +Titus Billings were retained in office; while Presidents William W. +Phelps and John Whitmer were severed from the Church; the former +afterwards returned. + +Against these brethren "Elder Lyman Wight stated that he considered +all other accusations of minor importance, compared to their selling +their lands in Jackson County; that they had set an example which all +the Saints were liable to follow. He said that it was a hellish +principle, and that they had flatly denied the faith in so doing." + +Thus was the line of demarcation being drawn. Thus were "the +inhabitants of Zion" commencing to "judge all things pertaining to +Zion." There had been a day of calling; a day of choosing now had +come, and they who were "not Apostles and Prophets" were beginning to +be known. + +During the absence of the Prophet and Elder Rigdon in Missouri, +whither they had gone to superintend the work of purification, Warren +Parrish, John F. Boynton, Luke Johnson, Joseph Coe, and others, in +Kirtland, dissented from the Church and combined together for its +overthrow. They were encouraged and assisted by apostates and +prominent Elders of the Church in Missouri. These dissenters called +themselves "the Church of Christ," the "old standard," openly +renouncing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and +denouncing the Prophet Joseph and all who adhered to him, as heretics. + +So bitter became the apostate and mobocratic spirit in Kirtland, that +they who raised their voices in defense of the Prophet of God, at once +endangered their lives. Apostle Brigham Young, who stood firm and +immovable at Joseph's side, was forced to flee to save himself from +the fury of the enemy, who were enraged at his bold, outspoken stand +in favor of the Prophet, and against his foes and traducers. Three +weeks later, on January 12th, 1838, the Prophet and President Rigdon +also fled from Kirtland, for Missouri, followed by human blood-hounds, +armed and thirsting for their lives, a distance of two hundred miles. + +Kirtland was now no longer a fit abiding place for the Saints. The +faithful of the body of the Church commenced migrating to Missouri, +where the work of purification went on. + +At Far West, in April, 1838, Presidents Oliver Cowdery and David +Whitmer were excommunicated from the Church. The charges sustained +against the former were for urging vexatious law-suits against the +brethren, slandering President Joseph Smith, contempt of the Church in +not attending meetings, leaving his calling in which God had appointed +him by revelation, for the sake of filthy lucre, and turning to the +practice of law; disgracing the Church by being connected in the bogus +business, dishonesty, and, finally, for "leaving or forsaking the +cause of God, and returning to the beggarly elements of the world, and +neglecting his high and holy calling, according to his profession." + +President Whitmer was charged with not observing the Word of Wisdom; +neglecting meetings and possessing the same spirit as the dissenters, +writing letters to the dissenters in Kirtland, unfavorable to the +cause of God and the character of His Prophet, neglecting the duties +of his calling and separating himself from the Church, and signing +himself President of the Church of Christ, after being cut off from +the Presidency, in an insulting letter to the High Council. + +On the same day Apostle Lyman E. Johnson was excommunicated, and soon +after Apostle William E. McLellin fell away. + +On the 8th of July, 1838, at Far West, the Prophet Joseph and the +remainder of the Twelve met in solemn council and unitedly besought +the Throne of Grace for guidance, light and help. + +"Show unto us Thy will, O Lord, concerning the Twelve!" + +Such was the burden of their prayer, to which the Lord made answer as +follows: + + "Verily, thus saith the Lord, let a conference be held + immediately, let the Twelve be organized, and let men be appointed + to supply the place of those who are fallen. Let my servant Thomas + remain for a season in the Land of Zion, to publish my word. Let + the residue continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do + this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long + suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will + provide for their families, and an effectual door shall be opened + for them, from henceforth; and next spring let them depart to go + over the great waters, and there promulgate my Gospel, the + fullness thereof, and bear record of my name. Let them take leave + of my Saints in the city Far West, on the 26th day of April next, + on the building spot of my house, saith the Lord. Let my servant, + John Taylor, and also my servant John E. Page, and also my servant + Wilford Woodruff, and also my servant Willard Richards, be + appointed to fill the places of those who have fallen, and be + officially notified of their appointment." + +John Taylor and John E. Page were ordained Apostles December 19th, +1838, and Wilford Woodruff on the 26th of the following April. Willard +Richards received his ordination in Preston, England, after the +arrival there of the Apostles in April, 1840. George A. Smith was +added to the quorum the same day that Wilford Woodruff was ordained, +to fill a vacancy caused by the fall of another of the Twelve. All, +save John E. Page, who fell from grace a few years later, have won +immortal fame in Israel, and left to posterity the legacy of a +spotless name. + +Let us now return to the Apostles and their work in England. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +HEBER'S FAREWELL TO CHATBURN--AN AFFECTING SCENE--HIS SYMPATHY FOR THE +POOR OF ENGLAND--THE APRIL CONFERENCE IN PRESTON--TWO THOUSAND SAINTS +ASSEMBLE--JOSEPH FIELDING APPOINTED TO PRESIDE OVER THE BRITISH +MISSION. + + +We left Apostles Kimball and Hyde, with their associates in the +ministry, visiting the various branches of the mission they had +founded, preparatory to taking farewell leave of the Saints and +sailing for America. They agreed to hold a general conference in +Preston on the 8th of April, the day before their departure. + +"In the interval," writes Heber, "I went and visited the branches in +the regions of Clithero and Chatburn, and on the morning when I left +Chatburn many were in tears, thinking they should see my face no more. +When I left them, my feelings were such as I cannot describe. As I +walked down the street I was followed by numbers; the doors were +crowded by the inmates of the houses to bid me farewell, who could +only give vent to their grief in sobs and broken accents. While +contemplating this scene I was constrained to take off my hat, for I +felt as if the place was holy ground. The Spirit of the Lord rested +down upon me and I was constrained to bless that whole region of +country. I was followed by a great number to Clithero, a considerable +distance from the villages, who could then hardly separate from me. My +heart was like unto theirs, and I thought my head was a fountain of +tears, for I wept for several miles after I bid them adieu. I had to +leave the road three times to go to streams of water to bathe my +eyes." + +"Who can read this," says Tullidge, beautifully, "without a feeling of +profound veneration for the great and good man whose memory is +enshrined in the hearts of the British Saints as their spiritual +father? That touching scene is enough to immortalize the character of +Heber C. Kimball as a true apostle of Christ; and the pathos is +actually heightened when he is seen alone by the wayside weeping, or +by the streams washing away those sacred tears." + +Heber C. Kimball was indeed a true apostle of Christ, one of the +called and chosen; a prophet and a servant of God, in nature as well +as name. + +The Prophet Joseph told him in after years that the reason he felt as +he did in the streets of Chatburn was because the place was indeed +"holy ground," that some of the ancient prophets had traveled in that +region and dedicated the land, and that he, Heber, had reaped the +benefit of their blessing. + +It being known that the Elders were about to leave England, great +numbers flocked to hear them, and many were baptized. Their labors +were consequently very arduous. Says Elder Kimball: + +"Some days we went from house to house, conversing with the +people on the things of the kingdom, and would sometimes be +instrumental in convincing many of the truth: and I have known as +many as twenty persons baptized in one day, who have been +convinced on such occasions. I have had to go into the water to +administer the ordinance of baptism six or seven times a day, and +frequently after having come out of the water and changed my +clothes, I have had to turn back to the water before I reached my +lodgings; this, too, when the weather was extremely cold, the ice +being from twelve to fourteen inches thick. The weather continued +so about twelve weeks, during which time I think there were but ten +days in which we were not in the water baptizing. The harvest was +indeed plenteous, but the laborers were few." + +The following passage of reflections on the poor of England is worthy +of the great philanthropic heart of Heber C. Kimball: + +"This was very extraordinary weather for that country, as I was +informed that some winters they had scarcely any frost or snow, and +the oldest inhabitants told me that they never experienced such a +winter before. In consequence of the inclemency of the weather, +several manufacturing establishments were shut up, and several +thousands of men, women and children were thrown out of employment, +whose sufferings during that time were severe; and I was credibly +informed, and verily believe, that many perished from starvation. Such +sufferings I never witnessed before. The scenes which I daily beheld +were enough to chill the blood in my veins. The streets were crowded +with men, women and children who begged from the passengers as they +walked along. Numbers of those poor, wretched beings were without +shoes or stockings, and scarcely any covering to screen them from the +inclemency of the weather; and daily I could discover delicate females +walking the streets gathering up the animal refuse, and carrying it to +places where they could sell it for a penny or half-penny. And thus +they lived through the winter. At the same time there were hundreds +and thousands living in wealth and splendor. I felt to exclaim, O +Lord, how long shall these things exist! How long shall the rich +oppress the poor, and have no more care or interest for them than the +brutes of the field, nor half so much! When will distress and poverty +cease, and peace and plenty abound! When the Lord Jesus shall descend +in the clouds of heaven, then the rod of the oppressor shall be +broken. Hasten the time, O Lord, was frequently the language of my +heart when I contemplated the scenes of wretchedness and woe which I +daily witnessed. + +"Great numbers were initiated into the Kingdom of Heaven; those who +were sick were healed; those who were diseased flocked to us daily; +and truly their faith was great, such as I hardly ever witnessed +before, consequently many were healed of their infirmities. We were +continually employed day and night, some nights hardly closing our +eye-lids. The task was almost more than we could endure; but realizing +the circumstances of this people, their love of the truth, their +humility and unfeigned charity, caused us to use all diligence and +make good use of every moment, for truly our bowels yearned over +them." + +Touching the prospects of the missionary work in England, he adds: + +"The work kept spreading; the prospect of usefulness grew brighter and +brighter, and the field opened larger and larger; while the cries of +'Come, and administer the words of life unto us,' were more and more +frequently sounding in our ears. I do not remember during the last six +months I was in England of retiring to my bed earlier than midnight, +which was also the case with Brothers Hyde and Fielding. + +"Sunday, April 8th, the day of the conference, came. The Saints began +to assemble at an early hour. By nine o'clock there were from six to +seven hundred present from various parts of the country. After the +meeting was opened by singing and prayer, we had a representation of +the following branches, viz.: Preston, Penwortham, Walkerfold, +Thornley, Ribchester, Chatburn, Clithero, Barshe Lees, Waddington, +Leyland Moss, Leyland Lane, Eccleston, Hunter's Hill, Euxton, Whittle, +Dauber's Lane, Bamber Bridge, Longton, Southport, Downham, Burnley, +Bedford, Alston, Brampton, Bolton, Chorley. The total number of Saints +represented were about two thousand, which, with the exception of the +branches in Preston, Bedford and Cumberland, were principally raised +up by my own labors, as I spent my time in the branches, except on +Sundays, when I preached in Preston. The branch in Preston numbered +about four hundred, that in Bedford forty, and the branch in +Cumberland sixty." + +All this was the work of only eight months. Two thousand had been +baptized and enough branches organized to form the base work of three +or four conferences, incorporating in the missionary work about that +number of the counties of England. Thus the work had already widely +spread, yet only three or four Elders had been out in the ministry. +Heber C. Kimball himself had converted in eight months about one +thousand five hundred souls. He continues: + +"We gave instructions to the official members, reminding them of their +several duties and callings, and the responsibilities which rested +upon them; pressing upon them the necessity of being humble and +faithful in the discharge of their duties, so that by patience, +meekness and love unfeigned, they might commend themselves to God, and +the Church of Jesus Christ, over whom the Holy Ghost had made them +guardians. + +"Feeling it necessary for the good of the kingdom to leave someone in +authority over the whole church, I nominated Joseph Fielding to +preside, with Willard Richards as his first counselor, and William +Clayton his second counselor. The nominations met with the approbation +of the whole assembly, who agreed to hearken to their instructions and +uphold them in their offices. These brethren were then ordained to the +High Priesthood, and set apart to preside over the Church in England. +Eight Elders, several Priests, Teachers and Deacons, were set apart +and ordained to the several offices to which they were called. One of +the brethren ordained was going to Manchester, and another to the city +of London." + +"We then confirmed forty individuals, after which about one hundred +children were blessed. The same day twenty persons were baptized for +the remission of sins. We then proceeded to administer the sacrament +to the numerous assembly, and gave some general instructions to the +whole church respecting their duty to God and to each other, which +were listened to with great attention. + +"At this conference we were favored with the company of Elder Willard +Richards, also Elder Russell, who had returned from Cumberland. He met +with considerable opposition from his own kindred, as well as from +ministers of the different denominations, who sought every opportunity +to destroy his influence. Notwithstanding the great opposition he was +instrumental in bringing upwards of sixty souls into the kingdom of +God, and left them rejoicing in the truth, under the watchcare of +Elder Jacob Peart. Thus the great work was commenced in three places, +Preston, Bedford and Alston, which forcibly reminds me of the parable +of the leaven which the woman hid in the three measures of meal." + +The conference closes with another of those almost dramatic pictures +with which this eventful history abounds. + +"At 5 p. m.," says the Apostle, "we brought the conference to a close, +having continued without interruption from 9 a. m., and appointed 7 +o'clock the same evening to deliver our farewell addresses. At the +appointed time we repaired to the 'Cock Pit' which was crowded to +excess. Brother Hyde and myself spoke to them concerning our labors in +that land, the success of the ministry, and the kindness we had +experienced at their hands, and told them we expected before long to +see them again, after we had visited the Church and our families in +America. When we spoke of our departure their souls were melted; they +gave vent to their feelings and wept like little children, and broke +out in lamentations like the following: 'How can we part with our +beloved brethren!' 'We may never see them again!' 'O, why must you +leave us!' I could not restrain my feelings, and they found vent in a +flood of tears. It would have been almost an impossibility for us to +have left this affectionate people, if we had not had the most +implicit confidence in the brethren who had been appointed to preside +over them in our absence; but knowing they had the confidence of the +Church, we felt that affairs would be conducted in righteousness. + +"Immediately after dismissing the congregation we met the official +brethren, about eighty, and instructed them in their duties, and +dismissed at 1 o'clock the next morning." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +DEPARTURE FOR LIVERPOOL--HEBER'S LETTER TO THE SAINTS IN CHATBURN AND +DOWNHAM--HIS PREDICTION CONCERNING THOMAS WEBSTER--ITS STRICT +FULFILLMENT. + + +At nine o'clock on the morning of April 9th, Elders Kimball, Hyde and +Russell left Preston for Liverpool. Through the kindness of the +Saints, many of whom assembled to bid them farewell, they were +provided with means to take them back to Kirtland. With tearful eyes +they were gazed at by the multitude until the coach was lost to view. + +"Notwithstanding the variegated scenery of the country," says Heber, +"which in England is very beautiful, my mind reverted back to the time +when I first arrived in that country, and the peculiar feelings that +possessed me when I traveled from Liverpool to Preston eight months +before. Then I was a stranger in a strange land, and had only to rely +upon the kindness and mercy of that God who had sent me there. While I +mused on these things, my soul was humbled within me, for I had now +hundreds of brethren to whom I was united in bonds the most endearing +and sacred, and who loved me as their own souls, and whose prayers +would be continually offered up for my welfare and prosperity. + +"After a ride of about four hours we arrived at Liverpool, and +ascertaining that the ship in which we intended to sail would not +leave port as early as expected, in consequence of a great storm, in +which several vessels had been wrecked and many lives lost, we took +lodgings for a few days until the vessel should depart. + +"We were accompanied by Elders Fielding and Richards, who felt +desirous to obtain all the information they could respecting the +government of the Church, as our opportunities of instruction had been +limited while in Preston, it being almost impossible to have much +private intercourse, as there were so many who wished to converse with +us on the subject of the Gospel, etc. But in this they were +disappointed, for as soon as it was known in Preston and other places +that our departure was delayed, Elder Clayton and numbers of the +brethren came to visit us in Liverpool. + +"I wrote the following farewell to the Church of Latter-day Saints in +Chatburn and Downham: + + "'LIVERPOOL, April 15, 1838. + + "'_Beloved Brethren_: + + "'Having given all diligence to make known unto you + the common salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which ye have so + joyfully received from my lips, I feel now to write to you a few + words for your consolation, and the confirming of that hope which + is possessed by you, that ye may be steadfast and immovable, + always abounding in the work of the Lord, that it may be made + manifest unto all men that our labors have not been in vain. + + "'Be kind and affectionate one towards another, manifesting your + faith by your works--doing as well as saying. If there is any one + among you destitute of daily food, feed him; if any one be naked, + clothe him; if any one be cast down, raise him up; if any among + you are sick, send for the Elders, or Priests, that they may come + and pray for you, and lay their hands upon you, and the prayer of + faith shall heal the sick; therefore, brethren, let your faith be + centered in God, for He is able to do all things, to forgive sins + and heal the sick, for you know this, that God has said _these + signs shall follow them that believe_. + + "'Now, brethren, I exhort you in the name of my Master, to contend + for that faith which was once delivered to the Saints; for the + same faith will produce the same effects; for God has not changed, + neither has His word changed; heaven and earth shall pass away, + but there shall not one jot or tittle of His word fail; all shall + be fulfilled, whether it be by His own voice or the voice of His + servants, it is all the same; therefore, brethren, do not live by + bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth forth from the + mouth of God. + + "'Dear brethren and sisters, be patient, be humble, be prayerful, + visit your secret places. Pray in your families morning and + evening, ye who are heads of families, and neglect not the + assembling of yourselves together; but speak often one to another + concerning the things of the kingdom, and diligently follow after + every good thing, remembering that the diligent hand maketh rich. + Let these things be and abound with you, and ye shall be neither + barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of God. Let your eyes be + single, and your bodies shall be filled with light. + + "'Now, to you, brethren, who have been ordained to watch over the + flock, I would say, stand in your places and magnify the offices + which ye have received of the Lord Jesus, to feed His sheep. Feed + the lambs; watch over the flock in all things; be not partial to + any one; remember these things, and the blessing of God shall + attend you in all things. + + "'Dear brethren and sisters, I give you the gratitude of my heart + for the kindness which you have bestowed upon me and my brethren; + for when I was hungry, ye fed me; when I was naked, ye clothed me; + when I was destitute, ye gave me money; when I was a stranger, ye + took me in and lodged me; and, as ye have done these things to me + and my brethren in our necessities, my heavenly Father shall + minister unto you in your necessities; for I am not forgetful of + those things and I do ever remember you in my prayers, praying my + heavenly Father to sustain you, and enable you to walk worthy of + the holy vocation unto which ye have been called, unto the end. + Amen. + + "'Finally, brethren and sisters, farewell. Pray for me and my + brethren; and may the God of all grace sanctify you wholly, and + bring you into my Father's kingdom. + + "'Adieu. This from your beloved brother in Christ, + + "'HEBER C. KIMBALL.'" + +One more incident remains to be told, ere with the Elders we take +leave of England. At Liverpool, April 13th, "Good Friday," Apostle +Kimball penned the following: + + "_Dear Brothers and Sisters in Preston_: + + "It seemeth good unto us and also unto + the Holy Spirit to write you a few words which cause pain in our + hearts, and will also pain you when they are fulfilled before you; + yet you shall have joy in the end. Brother Webster will not abide + in the Spirit of the Lord, but will reject the truth, and become + the enemy of the people of God, and expose the mysteries which + have been committed to him, that a righteous judgment may be + executed upon him, unless he speedily repent. + + "When this sorrowful prediction shall be fulfilled, this letter + shall be read to the Church, and it shall prove a solemn warning + to all to beware. + + "Farewell in the Lord." + +This letter, signed by the two Apostles, Heber C. Kimball and Orson +Hyde, was sealed in the presence, and committed to the care, of Elders +Joseph Fielding and Willard Richards. These brethren, on returning to +Preston, had Elder William Clayton and Deacon Arthur Burrows examine +the sealed missive critically, and placed marks and dates upon it, in +order to be able to testify, if necessary, that it had not been +opened. + +The fulfillment of the prediction was most accurate. Thomas Webster, +the individual referred to in the epistle, was a member of the Preston +branch, a man of promise and ability, quite popular with the Saints, +and his integrity at the time unquestioned. Desiring that he should +prosper. Presidents Fielding and Richards watched over and prayed for +him, and "he continued to grow in the knowledge of the kingdom, and +spoke with power for some months." A change then came over him; he +became dissatisfied, and preferred certain charges against the +presiding Elders. These charges were proven to be false, or of no +account, and Webster was required to acknowledge his error, or cease +acting in his office. He refused to do either. On the following +Sunday, in a private house, he administered the sacrament to six of +his followers, one of whom had been excommunicated from the Church, +while another had not even been baptized. For this offense Webster was +deprived of his membership. + +The letter of the Apostles was then opened and read to the Church, +Brothers Clayton and Burrows first testifying publicly that the seal +had never been broken. It was feared that Webster's popularity would +draw many after him, but the reading of the prediction concerning him +utterly destroyed his influence, and more fully confirmed the Saints +in their faith. + +Webster, ambitious to create a following, and well aware of his +popularity, applied for permission to come before the Church and +publicly plead his cause, which request was wisely denied, as he had +refused to appear, when required, the Sabbath before. Soon after +placards were posted up in different parts of Preston reading as +follows; "A lecture will be delivered at Mr. Giles' chapel, to expose +the mysteries of Mormonism, by Thomas Webster." This announcement he +fulfilled, though with little effect, thus making good in strictest +detail the prophecy of Heber C. Kimball, uttered six months before. + +Return we now to the Apostles and Elder Russell, in Liverpool, about +to take passage on board the _Garrick_, bound for New York. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +THE ELDERS SAIL FOR HOME--A STORM AT SEA--HOW HEBER FOUND FAVOR WITH +THE STEWARD--ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK--THE "GARRICK" AGAIN VICTORIOUS-- +JOURNEY TO KIRTLAND--ON TO FAR WEST--HAPPY MEETING WITH JOSEPH AND THE +BRETHREN. + + +Homeward bound! + +Sheathed the sword and furled the banner. + +The battle won, the fortress stormed and taken. + +For a little season, rest and change, ere again the trumpet sounds, +and the warrior is resummoned to the fray. + +It was indeed a campaign of victory from which the Elders were +returning. The laurel wreath was theirs, bravely and fairly earned. + +Yet not for worldly honors and applause had they been striving. These, +to the true servant of Christ, are ever the last consideration. The +praise of man they neither expected nor desired. Their reward was with +them, a reward never wrongly bestowed; the approval of a good +conscience and the favor of their Maker; meed only of worthy motives, +and of duty well performed. + +Again on board the _Garrick_, upon the bosom of the heaving main. + +It was on the 20th of April, 1838, that the Elders embarked for home. + +"Soon after we left Liverpool," says Heber, "a great storm came on, +with a head wind, which continued without cessation for several days, +and did considerable damage to the vessel; the bowsprit was broken +twice, by the force of the wind, with only the jib sail set; the boom +likewise came down with great force, near where the captain was +standing, but he fortunately escaped; several other parts of the +rigging were much torn and injured. During the continuance of the +storm, Brothers Hyde and Russell were very sick. After this we had +more favorable weather. + +"When we had been on the water two weeks, I asked permission of the +captain for one of us to preach, which request was cheerfully complied +with, and the second cabin was prepared for the occasion. Brother +Russell preached, after which Brother Hyde made some observations; +they were listened to with great attention, and the congregation +appeared very much satisfied. + +"The Lord gave us favor in the eyes of the captain and passengers, who +treated us with respect and kindness. One reason for obtaining this +universal favor of the ship's company was, the steward of the ship had +charge of a fine Durham cow, which was larger than the medium size of +our oxen; the cow became sick and the steward was very sorry, because +she was their only dependence to supply the cabin passengers with +milk. I went and looked at the cow and discovered that she could not +raise her cud. I told the steward to cut for me a half dozen slices of +fat pork, as large as my hand, which he did; and I gave them to the +cow, when she soon got well. From that time forth the steward sent us +turtle soup, wine, and every luxury the ship afforded, and made us +many presents. + +"May 12th, we came in sight of New York, and in the evening secured a +landing, after a passage of twenty-two and a half days." + +It will be remembered that the _Garrick_, on its first voyage, bearing +these Elders to England, won a wager of ten thousand dollars, arriving +at Liverpool a few lengths ahead of the packet ship _South America_, +both vessels having left New York at the same time, and keeping in +sight of each other during the whole of the way. Another victory was +now scored by the _Garrick_ in arriving at the port of New York. + +Was it because these Mormon Apostles were again on board, returning +themselves from a great spiritual contest, in which God had given them +the victory? Judge, reader, for yourself. Here is the Apostle Heber's +record of the event: + +"There was a wager made at Liverpool whether the _New England_ or the +_Garrick_ would arrive in port first. When we passed Sandy Hook the +_New England_ was four or five miles ahead of us; some of our officers +remarked she would go in before us, but I told them she would not, as +I had said at Liverpool we would go in first. At this time neither of +the ships were sailing more than three knots an hour, when suddenly +the wind left the sails of the _New England_, and a fair wind struck +our sails, and we ran in one hour ahead of her." + +Continuing, the prophet Heber says: + +"We landed and went into the city of New York with several of the +passengers, who purchased some refreshments, and after we returned, +bade us partake with them, and we all rejoiced together; we then bowed +before the Lord and offered up the gratitude of our hearts for all His +mercies, in prospering us on our mission, and bringing us safely +across the mighty deep, to behold once more the land of our nativity, +and the prospect of soon embracing our families and friends. + +"Sunday, 13th, we went in search of Brother Fordham, whom we found +after some trouble. He was glad to see us, and immediately took us to +the house of Brother Wandel Mace, where we were glad to see our +beloved brother Orson Pratt, who was then laboring in that city, and +who, with his brother Parley P. Pratt, had been instrumental in +bringing many into the kingdom there. And now I had the pleasure of +witnessing the fulfillment of the prophecy I delivered to Brother +Fordham when I started for England. + +"We accompanied Brother Orson Pratt to the house where the Saints +assembled to worship. We found about eighty persons assembled, all of +whom had recently joined the Church. After singing and prayer, I was +requested to give an account of our mission to England, which I did. +In the evening Elders' Russell and Hyde preached; afterwards some came +forward and offered themselves as candidates for baptism. The short +time we were in New York was spent very agreeably with the Saints. + +"On the 14th we bade adieu to the brethren, and continued our journey +by steamboat, railroad and canal, and arrived at Kirtland May 22nd, +having been absent eleven months and nine days. + +"I found my family in good health, and as comfortably situated as I +could expect; our joy was mutual. The Saints likewise welcomed us +home, for which I felt thankful to my heavenly Father. + +"But my journey was not yet ended; for soon after my arrival in +Kirtland I commenced making preparations to move my family to the +State of Missouri, where Brother Joseph and the greater part of the +authorities of the Church, and almost all the members who had any +faith in Mormonism, had already removed. The cause of their removal to +the west was the persecutions to which they were subject in Kirtland. +The brethren who yet resided there, although very kind and +affectionate, were weak in the faith, in consequence of trials and +temptations. This caused us to grieve exceedingly, and we resolved to +cheer them up as much as we possibly could. We preached in the house +of the Lord a few times, recounted our travels and the great success +that had attended our labors; also the marvelous work which the Lord +had commenced in England. They began to take courage, their confidence +increased, their faith was strengthened, and they again realized the +blessings of Jehovah. + +"About the 1st of July I commenced my journey with my family, +accompanied by Elders Orson Hyde, Erastus Snow and Winslow Farr, two +brothers by the name of Badger, and the widow Beeman, with their +families, numbering about forty souls. We took wagons to Wellsville, +on the Ohio River, about a hundred and thirty miles; then took +steamboat to St. Louis, also thence to Richmond on Missouri River. +Elder Hyde stayed at Richmond several days. We there procured wagons +and went to Far West, where we arrived in safety on the twenty-fifth +of July, and had a happy meeting with Joseph, Hyrum and Sidney, some +of the Twelve, and numbers of our friends and brethren, some of whom +were so glad to see us, that tears started in their eyes when we took +them by the hand. + +"During our journey from Kirtland to Missouri, the weather was +extremely warm, in consequence of which I suffered very much, my body +being weakened by sickness, and I continued very feeble for a +considerable length of time. + +"Sunday, July 20th, I met Joseph, Sidney and Hyrum on the public +square, as they started for Adam-Ondi-Ahman. Joseph requested me to +preach to the Saints and give them a history of my mission, saying, +'It will revive their spirits and do them good,' which I did, although +I was scarcely able to stand. I related many things respecting my +mission and travels, which were gladly received by them, whose hearts +were cheered by the recital, while many of the Elders were stirred up +to diligence, and expressed a great desire to accompany me when I +should return to England." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE LAND WHERE ADAM DWELT--THE SAINTS IMPELLED TOWARD THEIR +DESTINY--PERSECUTION REVIVES--ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN--THE ALTAR OF THE +ANCIENT OF DAYS. + + +The land where Adam dwelt. The site of the Garden of Eden. The place +where the Ancient of Days shall sit, and the God of heaven shall again +visit His people. As saith the prophet Daniel: + + "I beheld till the thrones were cast down and the Ancient of Days + did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head + like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his + wheels as burning fire. + + "A fiery stream issued and come forth from before him: thousand + thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand + stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. + * * * + + "I saw in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of man + came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, + and they brought him near before him. + + "And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that + all people, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion + is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his + kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. * * * * * * + + "I beheld and the same horn made war with the Saints, and + prevailed against them; + + "Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the + Saints of the Most High; and the time came that the Saints + possessed the kingdom." + +Here, in this most ancient region, where, parallel with the stream of +Time, the great river of mortal life arose, had pitched their tents +the Saints of latter days. + +Here dwelt Adam and Eve in the world's infancy; here they tasted of +the fruit forbidden, and were driven forth from Eden, their fall +predestined that mortal man might be. Here the great sire of mankind +built altars unto God, offering sacrifice unto the Father in +commemoration of the atonement of the Son. Here fell the first martyr; +here righteous Abel's blood was spilt; here burst the awful thunders +of heaven's awakened wrath upon the guilty head of earth's first +murderer. Here Adam, bowed with age, blessed the righteous residue of +his seed, and predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity to the +latest generation. + +All this ere the days of Peleg, in whose days "was the earth divided;" +ere Enoch's city rose to heaven, or the ark of Noah floated over a +wave-buried world. Ere Babel's towering folly mocked the skies; ere +wrecked was language on confusion's strand; ere the great river of +humanity, dividing into rills, went forth to water with the streams of +life the soil of every land. + +Here, in the times of restitution, when all things in Christ are +gathered in one, Adam, Michael, the great Prince, Ancient of Days, is +to come in power and glory, revisiting the scenes of his earthly +pilgrimage. + +America, the old world, not the new! Cradle of man, mother of nations, +grave of empires! + +Unto Missouri, land of promise; the ancient, the chosen, the favored +above all other lands, had the Lord's Prophet, Joseph, led His +covenant people. + +Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri, one of the settlements of the +Saints in this region, had been renamed by revelation, +Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said the Lord, "it is the place where Adam +shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as +spoken of by Daniel the Prophet." + +Verily were the Saints of the Most High being driven toward their +destiny. The "horn" that made war with them and "prevailed against +them," was surely pushing them on to final victory. Was it not +destiny, too, that they should thus retrace the steps of their great +ancestor, who, driven forth from Eden,[A] dwelt in Adam-ondi-Ahman? + +[Footnote A: Jackson County, Missouri, from whence the Saints were +driven, is reputed to be the ancient site of the Garden of Eden.] + +Heber was now with his people at Far West, in "the land where Adam +dwelt," ready to perform his part of the labor in preparing the +kingdom of the Son of God for the coming of the Ancient of Days. + +"Soon after my arrival," says he, "Bishop Partridge gave me a lot and +sufficient lumber to build a house. Charles Hubbard made me a present +of forty acres of land, and another brother gave me a cow. All the +brethren were remarkably kind in contributing to my necessities. About +the last of August, after I had spent much labor, and nearly finished +my house, I was obliged to abandon it to the mob, who again commenced +persecuting the Saints, driving off their cattle and destroying their +property." + +The origin of this persecution was much the same as that of the +Jackson County trouble, five years before. The thrift and enterprise +of the Saints, with their growing power and influence, had aroused the +jealous fears of their Gentile neighbors, and what the scheming +villainy of political demagogues left undone, the malice of sectarian +priests accomplished, in kindling the wrath of the ignorant and +fanatical against them. + +An election riot in Gallatin, Daviess County, on the 6th of August, +1838, where a combined effort was made to prevent the Mormons from +voting, and several of the brethren were under the necessity of using +force to defend themselves against their bullying assailants, was made +the pretext for further outrages against the community to which they +belonged. The Saints in that locality being helplessly in the +minority, were at the mercy of the mob which now rose against them. + +One of the methods employed by the leaders of the lawless banditti to +enlist sympathy for their own cause, and arouse the public mind +against their victims, was to destroy property belonging to +non-Mormons, their own followers in some instances, and then ride +through the country advertising it as the work of Mormons, against +whom any tale, however false or atrocious, was readily believed. Some +of the mob even fired upon a church while its occupants were +worshiping on the Sabbath day, and then spread the alarm that the +Mormons had "riz" and were destroying property, demolishing churches +and interfering with free religious worship. + +These atrocious falsehoods, worthy only of fiends incarnate, bore +legitimate fruit in deeds equally devilish and appalling. The people +rose _en masse;_ the Saints were driven from their homes, their houses +plundered and burned, their fields laid waste, and men, women and +children fled for their lives in all directions, pursued by their +merciless oppressors. + +What followed, Heber's record thus relates: + +"After hearing of the mobbing, burning and robbing in Gallatin, +Daviess Co., and the region round about, the brethren of Caldwell went +directly to Adamondi-Ahman, which is on the west fork of Grand River. +Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young, myself, Parley P. +Pratt and John Taylor amongst the number. When we arrived there we +found the Prophet Joseph, Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon, with hundreds +of others of the Saints preparing to defend themselves from the mob +who were threatening the destruction of our people. Men, women and +children were fleeing to that place for safety from every direction; +their houses and property were burnt and they had to flee half naked, +crying, and frightened nigh unto death, to save their lives. + +"While there we laid out a city on a high elevated piece of land, and +set the stakes for the four corners of a temple block, which was +dedicated, Brother Brigham Young being mouth; there were from three to +five hundred men present on the occasion, under arms. This elevated +spot was probably from two hundred and fifty to five hundred feet +above the level of Grand River, so that one could look east, west, +north or south, as far as the eye could reach; it was one of the most +beautiful places I ever beheld. + +"The Prophet Joseph called upon Brother Brigham, myself and others, +saying, 'Brethren, come, go along with me, and I will show you +something.' He led us a short distance to a place where were the ruins +of three altars built of stone, one above the other, and one standing +a little back of the other, like unto the pulpits in the Kirtland +Temple, representing the order of three grades of Priesthood; 'There,' +said Joseph, 'is the place where Adam offered up sacrifice after he +was cast out of the garden.' The altar stood at the highest point of +the bluff. I went and examined the place several times while I +remained there." + +An episode of peace in time of war. A glimpse of heaven's blue through +a rift in the gathering storm. + +A fiery ordeal was before the Saints. The Church, tried with poverty +and tempted by the prospect of wealth, had survived and maintained its +integrity. It had also withstood the world's scorn, the wrath and +ridicule of the ungodly. Nor had fiery trials been wanting, whereby +the faith of some had been proven, the supposed faith of others +weighed in the balance and found wanting. A general test was now to be +applied. The faith and integrity of the whole Church were about to +pass through the fierce flames of affliction; between the upper and +nether millstones of official tyranny and mob violence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +TIMES THAT TRIED MEN'S SOULS--THE MOB GATHERING AGAINST FAR +WEST--BATTLE OF CROOKED RIVER--DEATH OF DAVID W. PATTEN--DAYS OF +DARKNESS AND DISASTER. + + +The fall and winter of 1838 was one of the darkest periods in Church +history. Mobocracy on one hand, and apostasy on the other, dealt the +cause of God cruel blows, such as no human work could hope to +withstand. The tempest of persecution, briefly lulled, burst forth +with tenfold fury; no longer a city or county--a whole state rose in +arms against God's people, bent upon their destruction. "The dogs of +war" were loosed upon the helpless Saints, and murder and rapine held +high carnival amid the smoking ruins of peaceful homes and ravaged +fields. + +Then fell the mask from the face of hypocrisy. Treason betrayed +itself. Apostles, Presidents, and Elders fell from the faith and +joined hands with the robbers and murderers of their brethren. Satan +laughed! The very mouth of hell seemed opening to engulf the Kingdom +which He who cannot lie has sworn shall stand forever. + +Truly, those were "times that tried men's souls." + +Like a rock in mid-ocean, facing the storm, unmoved by wind or wave, +stood Heber C. Kimball; among the truest true, among the bravest +brave. + +Referring to the time of his visit to Adam-ondi-Ahman, he says: + +"In a few days an express came with the news that the mob was +gathering in every part of Missouri to come against the Saints in Far +West. We therefore returned to Caldwell County. + +"Thomas B. Marsh left the day previous to the rest of the Twelve, +pretending there was something very urgent at home, and when we +arrived at Far West, October 22nd, we learned that he and Orson Hyde +had left the city. Brother Hyde was sick when we went to Diahman. + +"The Saints, tenacious of their liberties and sacred rights, resisted +the unlawful designs of the mob, and with courage worthy of them +guarded their families and their houses from their aggressions. But +not without the loss of several lives, among whom was my much esteemed +and lamented friend David W. Patten, who fell a sacrifice to the +spirit of persecution and a martyr to the cause of truth. The +circumstances of his death I will briefly relate. + +"It being ascertained that a mob had collected on Crooked River, led +by the Rev. Samuel Bogard, a Methodist preacher, a company of +sixty or seventy persons immediately volunteered in Far West to watch +their movements, and if necessary repel their attacks. They chose +Elder Patten for their leader, and commenced their march about +midnight, and came up to the mob at the dawn of October 25th. As the +brethren were marching quietly along the road near the top of the +hill, they were fired upon, when young O'Banyon reeled out of the +ranks, and fell mortally wounded. Thus the work of death commenced, +when Captain Patten ordered his men to charge the mob, who proved to +be on the creek below. It was yet so dark that little could be seen, +looking to the west; but the mob could see Captain Patten and his men +in the dawning light, when they fired a broadside and three or four of +the brethren fell. Captain Patten ordered the fire returned, giving +the watchword, 'God and Liberty.' The brethren charged the camp, when +the mob were soon put to flight and crossed the river at the ford. One +of the mob fired from behind a tree, and shot Captain Patten, who +instantly fell mortally wounded, the ball having pierced his abdomen. + +"Immediately on receiving the intelligence that Brother Patten was +wounded, I hastened to see him and found him in great pain, but still +he was glad to see me; he was conveyed about four miles to the house +of Brother Stephen Winchester; during his removal his sufferings were +so excruciating that he frequently desired us to lay him down that he +might die; but being desirous to get him out of the reach of the mob, +we prevailed upon him to let us carry him among his friends. We +carried him on a kind of bier, fixed up from poles. + +"Although he had medical assistance, his wound was such that there was +no hope entertained of his recovery, and this he was perfectly aware +of. In this situation, while the shades of time were lowering, and +eternity with all its realities opening to his view, he bore a strong +testimony to the truth of the work of the Lord, and the religion he +had espoused. He was perfectly sensible and collected until he +breathed his last, which occurred at about ten o'clock in the evening. +Stephen Winchester, Brother Patten's wife, Bathsheba W. Bigler, with +several of her father's family were present at David's death. + +"The principles of the Gospel which were so precious to him before, +afforded him that support and consolation at the time of his +departure, which deprived death of its sting and horror. Speaking of +those who had fallen from their steadfastness he exclaimed, 'O that +they were in my situation! For I feel that I have kept the faith, I +have finished my course, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown, +which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me.' Speaking to his +beloved wife, he said, 'whatever you do else, O do not deny the +faith.' He all the time expressed a great desire to depart. I said to +him 'Brother David, when you get home, I want you to remember me.' He +replied, 'I will.' At this time his sight was gone. A few minutes +before he died, he prayed as follows, 'Father, I ask Thee in the name +of Jesus Christ, that Thou wouldst release my spirit, and receive it +unto Thyself.' And he then said to those who surrounded his dying bed, +'Brethren, you have held me by your faith, but do give me up, and let +me go, I beseech you.' We accordingly committed him to God, and he +soon breathed his last, and slept in Jesus without a groan. + +"This was the death of one who was an honor to the Church and a +blessing to the Saints; and whose faith, virtues and diligence in the +cause of truth will be had in remembrance by the Church of Jesus +Christ from generation to generation. It was a painful way to be +deprived of the labors of this worthy servant of Christ, and it cast a +gloom upon the Saints; yet the glorious and sealing testimony which he +bore of his acceptance with heaven and the truth of the Gospel was a +matter of joy and satisfaction, not only to his immediate friends, but +to the Saints at large. + +"I took Dr. Avard with me to Far West, a distance of three miles, to +Elder Rigdon's house, where we found Brother Patrick O'Banyon, who was +wounded in nearly the same manner as Brother Patten. He also died in a +short time, firm and steadfast in the faith. He was perfectly calm and +composed, and bore a strong testimony to the truth of Mormonism. + +"Gideon Carter, who was also a faithful Saint, was shot in the head, +and left dead on the ground, so defaced that the brethren did not at +first know him. + +"This was a gloomy time!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +THE FALL OF FAR WEST--JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN BETRAYED TO THE +ENEMY--HEBER FACING THE TRAITORS--HIS FEARLESS DENUNCIATION AND FIRM +TESTIMONY--ATROCITIES OF THE MOB--HEBER's PROPHECY OF RETRIBUTION--HE +VISITS THE PROPHET IN RICHMOND JAIL. + + +The thunder-cloud of war now rolled upon the doomed city of Far West. +Heber's narrative continues: + +"On the 30th we discovered several thousand of the mob coming to Far +West, under pretence of being government troops; they passed through +our corn and wheat fields, making a complete desolation of everything +they came across. + +"Brother Brigham and I were appointed captains of fifty, in a hurry, +and commanded to take our position, right in the thoroughfare on which +the mob was advancing to the city, momentarily anticipating the awful +tragedy of a bloody massacre. Joseph was with us giving counsel. + +"The army came up to within good rifle shot, and halted; seeing our +temporary fortifications, which we had thrown up the night previous, +by pulling down some of our houses, and fixing up our wagons; they +dared not approach nearer, but retreated to Goose Creek, about +three-fourths of a mile, screaming, hallooing and screeching; the +devils in hell could not have made a more hideous howling. The mob +declared there were fifteen hundred of us; but to my certain knowledge +there were only about one hundred and fifty in that line. + +"The word came to us that Joseph Smith and several others were to be +given up, otherwise they would massacre every man, woman and child. In +order to prevent this horrible threat from being executed, Joseph gave +himself up, with Elders Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, +and George W. Robinson, they having been betrayed into the mob camp by +Col. George M. Hinkle and other apostates, on the 31st of October. + +"November 1st, the mob, professing to be the regular militia of the +state of Missouri, numbering about 7,000, surrounded Far West, we were +all taken prisoners and then marched a short distance into a hollow, +where Col. Lucas had previously pointed his cannon, in full range, so +that if we had not laid down our arms, he could easily sweep us into +eternity, which was his design. We were then formed into a hollow +square, and commanded by Col. Lucas to ground arms and deliver up our +weapons of war, although they were our own private property. We were +then marched back a short distance, on the public square in Far West, +where we were again formed into a hollow square, near the house of +Brother Beeman. + +"The mob then commenced plundering the citizens of their bedding, +clothing, money, wearing apparel, and everything of value they could +lay their hands upon; and also attempting to violate the chastity of +the women in sight of their husbands, pretending they were hunting for +prisoners and fire-arms. + +"The most of us had not had any food for twenty-four hours, not having +time to go to our houses to get it. When these troops surrounded us, +and we were brought into a hollow square, the first persons that I +knew were men who had once professed to be beloved brethren, and they +were the men who piloted these mobs into our city, namely William +McLellin and Lyman E. Johnson, two of the twelve; John Whitmer and +David Whitmer, two of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon; William W. +Phelps and scores of others, hail fellows well met. A portion of the +troops were painted like Indians, and looked horrible, led by Neil +Gillium, who styled himself 'The Delaware Chief;' who, with many +others cocked their guns upon us and swore they would blow our brains +out, although we were disarmed and helpless. + +"William E. McLellin wanted to know where Heber C. Kimball was. Some +one pointed me out to him as I was sitting on the ground. He came up +to me and said: 'Brother Heber, what do you think of the fallen +prophet now? Has he not led you blindfolded long enough? Look and see +yourself, poor, your family stripped and robbed, and your brethren in +the same fix; are you satisfied with Joseph?' I replied, 'Yes, I am +more satisfied with him a hundred fold than ever I was before, for I +see you in the very position that he foretold you would be in; a Judas +to betray your brethren, if you did not forsake your adultery, +fornication, lying and abominations. Where are you? What are you +about? You, and Hinkle, and scores of others; have you not betrayed +Joseph and his brethren into the hands of the mob, as Judas did Jesus? +Yes, verily, you have; I tell you Mormonism is true, and Joseph is a +true prophet of the living God; and you with all others that turn +therefrom will be damned and go to hell, and Judas will rule over +you.' + +"Soon after this, when things began to be a little more quiet, I +desired to go to my home to get something to eat as I had not eaten +anything for many hours. I asked some of the mob standing near, if I +could not have the privilege to go to my house, a little distance off; +they referred me to their captain, who was Bogard, the Methodist +preacher. I went to him and told him what I wanted. He first spoke of +sending some one with me, as I would be liable to be shot if found +alone. In a short time says he, 'I will go with you.' He went down to +my house; my wife prepared some dinner, and he ate with me; then we +returned, and I took my seat on the ground with my brethren who were +under guard. + +"The next day, 2nd, I was permitted to return to my house, but was +told not to leave the city, as it was surrounded by a strong guard to +prohibit anyone leaving the place; they were engaged in taking every +man who seemed to have any influence, and putting them in chains to +stand a trial. They were pointed out by the apostate allies of the +mob. + +"We were brought up at the point of the bayonet and compelled to sign +a deed of trust, transferring all our property to defray the expenses +of this war made on us by the State of Missouri. This was complied +with, because we could not help ourselves. When we walked up to sign +the deeds of trust to pay these assassins for murdering our brethren +and sisters, and their children; ravishing some of our sisters to +death; robbing us of our lands and possessions and all we had on +earth, and other similar "services," they expected to see us cast down +and sorrowful, but I testify as an eye witness that the brethren +rejoiced and praised the Lord, for His sake taking joyfully the +despoiling of their goods. Judges and magistrates, Methodist, +Presbyterian, Campbellite and other sectarian priests stood by and saw +all this going on, exulting over us, and it seemed to make them more +angry that we bore our misfortunes so cheerfully. Judge Cameron said, +with an oath, 'See them laugh and kick up their heels. They are +whipped, but not conquered.' + +"On the 6th, Gen. Clark delivered his noted extermination speech, and +read over the names of the brethren who were made prisoners, to await +a trial for something, they knew not what, and placed under a strong +guard. In order that the tyrant may not be forgotten I insert a +portion of his speech: + + "Gentlemen, you whose names are not attached to this list of + names, will now have the privilege of going to your fields and of + providing corn, wood, etc., for your families. Those who are now + taken will go from this to prison, be tried and receive the due + demerit of their crimes. But you (excepting such as charges may be + hereafter preferred against) are at liberty as soon as the troops + are removed that now guard the place, which I shall cause to be + done immediately. It now devolves upon you to fulfill the treaty + that you have entered into, the leading items of which I shall now + lay before you. + + "The first requires that your leading men be given up to be tried + according to law; this you have complied with. + + "The second is that you deliver up your arms--this has also been + attended to. The third stipulation is that you sign over your + properties to defray the expenses that have been incurred on your + account; this you have also done. Another article yet remains for + you to comply with, and that is, that you leave the State + forthwith; and whatever may be your feelings concerning this, or + whatever your innocence is, it is nothing to me. General Lucas + (whose military rank is equal to mine) has made this treaty with + you, and I approve of it. I should have done the same had I been + here, and am therefore determined to see it executed. + + "The character of this State has suffered almost beyond + redemption, from the character, conduct and influence that you + have exerted; and we deem it an act of justice to restore her + character by every proper means. + + "The order of the Governor to me was that _you should be + exterminated_, and not allowed to remain in the State. And had not + your leaders been given up, and the terms of the treaty complied + with before this time, _your families would have been destroyed + and your houses in ashes_. + + "There is a discretionary power vested in my hands, which, + considering your circumstances, I shall exercise for a season. You + are indebted to me for this clemency. I do not say that you shall + go now, but you must not think of staying here another season, or + of putting in any crops; for the moment you do this the citizens + will be upon you; and if I am called here again, in case of + non-compliance with the treaty made, do not think I shall act as I + have done now. You need not expect any mercy, but _extermination, + for I am determined the Governor's order shall be executed_. + + "As for your leaders, do not think, do not imagine for a moment, + do not let it enter your minds that they will be delivered and + restored to you again, for their _fate is fixed, the die is cast, + their doom is sealed_. + + "I am sorry, gentlemen, to see so many apparently intelligent men + found in the situation that you are; and oh! if I could invoke + that great Spirit of the unknown God to rest upon and deliver you + from that awful chain of superstition, and liberate you from those + fetters of fanaticism with which you are bound--that you no longer + do homage to a man. + + "I would advise you to scatter abroad and never again organize + yourselves with Bishops, Priests, etc., lest you excite the + jealousies of the people and subject yourselves to the same + calamities that have now come upon you. + + "You have always been the aggressors, you have brought upon + yourselves these difficulties, by being disaffected, and not being + subject to rule, and my advice is, that you become as other + citizens, lest by a recurrence of these events you bring upon + yourselves irretrievable ruin." + + "He also said: 'You must not be seen as many as five together, if + you are, the citizens will be upon you and destroy you, but you + should flee immediately out of the state. There is no alternative + for you but to flee, you need not expect any redress; there is + none for you.'" + +"I was present," continues Heber, "when that speech was delivered, and +I can truly say 'he is a liar and the truth is not in him,' for not +one of us had made any such agreement with Lucas, or any other person; +what we did was by compulsion in every sense of the word, and as for +Gen. Clark and his 'unknown God,' they had nothing to do with our +deliverance, but it was our Father in heaven, the God of Abraham, of +Isaac, and of Jacob, in whom we trust, who liveth and dwelleth in the +heavens, and the day will come when our God will hold him in derision +with all his coadjutors." + +"Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman +Wight, Amasa Lyman and George W. Robinson were marched off for +Independence, Jackson County. It was rumored that all of the men who +were in the Crooked River battle would be taken prisoners, therefore +many of them fled to the north, before the guards were placed around +the city. + +"I have no doubt that I would also have been taken a prisoner, for +every means was adopted by Hinkle to have me taken, but he could not +remember me. The mob had not become acquainted with Brother Brigham, +as he lived three or four miles from the city on Mill Creek; and I had +not been there over three weeks when the mobbing commenced, and was +only known by the brethren, and many of them I had not seen since my +arrival." + +Heber's wonderful influence over men, that power of controlling and +subduing their passions which won for him from the Prophet Joseph the +surname of "peace-maker," here found an opportunity for its exercise. + +"One afternoon," says he, "I sent my son William on an errand, a short +distance, when one of the guards drew up his rifle and threatened to +blow out his brains if he stepped one inch further towards the house. +Through the agency of some of my brethren I was notified of it. I went +to the man and spoke to him in a friendly manner, and conversed with +him about the beautiful country, it being more beautiful than England +and the nations I had been traveling in. He became very much +interested; in a short time I pointed out my son William; says I, +'that is my son.' He said, 'if that is one of your sons, he may pass, +he may go home;' afterwards the man came to my house several times and +became very friendly. + +"I merely mention this, to show the perils we were in, men, women and +children; death and destruction waiting on us; and this spirit aroused +by apostates such as Hinkle, who sold Joseph and his brethren, and +actually received money for betraying them. + +"The murders, house-burnings, robberies, rapes, drivings, whippings, +imprisonments, and other sufferings and cruelties inflicted upon the +people of God, under the illegal orders of Missouri's Executive, have +only in part been laid before the world, and form a page in history +unsurpassed and unparalleled in the history of religious +persecution--that foulest of all crimes. This historic page alone can +credit Lilburn W. Boggs and his minions with feeding the ministers of +the proscribed religion on the flesh of their murdered brethren; the +odium of which is fully shared by the ministers of different +denominations who participated in these vile atrocities. If hell can +furnish a parallel where is it? + +"I have not the ability to write what I saw and felt and realized, but +will leave it to eternity to reveal the scenes of those days. I can +say before God, angels, heaven and earth, that I am innocent of +violating any law of the state of Missouri, and my brethren are +equally innocent and virtuous, true to their God and their country. + +"The measure they meted to the Latter-day Saints shall be measured to +them again, and upon all those who had a hand in our persecution and +expulsion, and those who consented to it, four-fold, full, running +over, and pressed down; and AS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY LIVETH, I SHALL +LIVE TO SEE IT COME TO PASS![A] + +[Footnote A: During the great Civil War (1861-65) this region was +literally baptized in fire and blood.] + +"After the mob departed, I accompanied Brother Brigham to Richmond +jail, to see our brethren. We found Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney and others +chained together in one room, and others confined in other places, +amongst the most dissolute associations. We scarcely had the privilege +of speaking to our brethren more than to say, 'how do you do,' every +eye being upon us in suspicion. We put up at a public house for the +night, and I bear testimony, from our feelings and the spirit +manifested in that house, that there were legions of devils present; I +do not remember that either of us slept any that night. + +"November 29th, the brethren were removed to Liberty Jail, in Clay +County, and put in close confinement." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +MEMORIAL TO THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE--A CHAPTER OF INFAMY--HOW +MISSOURI REDRESSED THE WRONGS OF THE SUFFERING SAINTS--BRIGHAM AND +HEBER SETTING IN ORDER THE CHURCH--ARRANGING FOR THE EXODUS. + + +The brethren who retained their liberty addressed a memorial to the +Missouri Legislature, setting forth the wrongs that the Saints had +suffered in that state, and humbly petitioning for redress of +grievances. As a concise statement of the Missouri persecutions, with +much of which the history of Heber C. Kimball is identified, and +himself being one of the signers of the document, it is here given a +place in this volume: + + "We, the undersigned petitioners and inhabitants of Caldwell + County, Missouri, in consequence of the late calamity that has + come upon us, taken in connection with former afflictions, feel it + a duty we owe to ourselves and our country to lay our case before + your honorable body for consideration. + + "It is a well known fact, that a society of our people commenced + settling in Jackson County, Missouri, in the summer of 1831, where + they, according to their ability, purchased lands and settled upon + them, with the intention and expectation of becoming permanent + citizens in common with others. + + "Soon after the settlement began, persecutions began; and as the + society increased persecution also increased, until the society at + last was compelled to leave the county; and although an account of + these persecutions has been published to the world, yet we feel + that it will not be improper to notice a few of the most prominent + items in this Memorial. + + "On the 20th of July, 1833, a mob convened at Independence, a + committee of which called upon a few of the men of our Church + there, and stated to them that the store, printing office, and + indeed all other mechanic shops must be closed forthwith and the + society leave the county immediately. + + "These propositions were so unexpected that a certain time was + asked for to consider the subject, before an answer should be + returned, which was refused, and our men being individually + interrogated, each one answered that he could not consent to + comply with their propositions. One of the mob replied that he was + sorry, for the work of destruction would commence immediately. In + a short time the printing office, which was a two-story building, + was assailed by the mob and soon thrown down, and with it much + valuable property destroyed. Next they went to the store for the + same purpose; but Mr. Gilbert, one of the owners, agreeing to + close it, they abandoned their design. Their next move was the + dragging of Bishop Partridge from his house and family to the + public square, where, surrounded by hundreds, they partially + stripped him of his clothes, and tarred and feathered him from + head to foot. A man by the name of Allen was also tarred at the + same time. This was Saturday and the mob agreed to meet the + following Tuesday, to accomplish their purpose of driving or + massacreing the society. + + "Tuesday came, and the mob came also, bearing with them a red flag + in token of blood. Some two or three of the principal men of the + society, offered their lives if that would appease the wrath of + the mob, so that the rest of the society might dwell in peace upon + their lands. The answer was that unless the Society would leave + _en masse_, every man should die for himself. Being in a + defenseless situation, to save a general massacre, it was agreed + one half of the society should leave the county by the 1st of + January, and the remainder by the first of the following April. A + treaty was entered into and ratified and all things went on + smoothly for awhile. But some time in October, the wrath of the + mob began again to be kindled, insomuch that they shot at some of + our people, whipped others, and threw down their houses and + committed many other depredations; indeed the society of Saints + were harassed for some time both day and night, Their houses were + brick-batted and broken open, women and children insulted, etc. + + "The store-house of A. S. Gilbert and Co. was broken open, + ransacked and some of the goods strewed in the streets. + + "These abuses, with many others of a very aggravated nature, so + stirred up the indignant feelings of our people, that when a party + of them, say about thirty, met a company of the mob of about + double their number, a skirmish took place, in which some two or + three of the mob, and one of our people were killed. This raised, + as it were, the whole country in arms, and nothing would satisfy + them but the immediate surrender of the arms of our people, and + they forthwith to leave the county. Fifty-one guns were given up, + which have never been returned or paid for, to this day. + + "The next day parties of the mob, from fifty to seventy, headed by + priests, went from house to house, threatening women and children + with death if they were not off before they returned. This so + alarmed them that they fled in different directions: some took + shelter in the woods, while others wandered on the prairies till + their feet bled. In the meantime, the weather being very cold, + their sufferings in other respects were very great. + + "The society made their escape to Clay County as fast as they + possibly could, where the people received them kindly and + administered to their wants. After the society had left Jackson + County, their buildings, amounting to about two hundred, were + either burned or otherwise destroyed; and much of their crops, as + well as furniture, stock etc., which if properly estimated would + make a large sum, for which they have not as yet received any + remuneration. + + "The Society remained in Clay County nearly three years, when at + the suggestion of the people there, they removed to that section + of the country known now as Caldwell County. Here the people + purchased out most of the former inhabitants, and also entered + much of the wild land. Many soon owned a number of eighties, while + there was scarcely a man that did not secure to himself at least a + forty. + + "There we were permitted to enjoy peace for a season; but as our + society increased in numbers and settlements were made in Daviess + and Carroll Counties, the mob spirit spread itself again. + + "For months previous to our giving up our arms to General Lucas' + army, we heard little else than rumors of mobs collecting in + different places, and threatening our people. It is well known + that the people of our Church, who had located themselves at De + Witt, had to give up to a mob, and leave the place, + notwithstanding the militia were called out for their protection. + + "From De Witt the mob went towards Daviess County, and while on + their way there took two of our men prisoners and made them ride + upon the cannon, and told them they would drive the Mormons from + Daviess to Caldwell and from Caldwell to hell, and that they would + give them no quarter, only at the cannon's mouth. The threats of + the mob induced some of our people to go to Daviess to help to + protect their brethren, who had settled at Diahman on Grand river. + The mob soon fled from Daviess County; and after they were + dispersed and the cannon taken, during which time no blood was + shed, the people of Caldwell returned to their homes, in hope of + enjoying peace and quiet; but in this they were disappointed, for + a large mob was soon found to be collecting on the Grindstone + forks of Grand River, from ten to fifteen miles off, under the + command of Cornelius Gillium, a scouting party of which came + within four miles of Far West and drove off stock belonging to our + people in open day light. + + "About this time word came to Far West, that a party of the mob + had come into Caldwell County to the south of Far West, and were + taking horses and cattle, burning houses and ordering inhabitants + to leave their homes immediately; and that they had then actually + in their possession three men prisoners. This report reached Far + West in the evening and was confirmed about midnight. A company of + about sixty men went forth under the command of David W. Patten + to disperse the mob as they supposed. A battle was the result, in + which Captain Patten and two of his men were killed and others + wounded. Bogart, it appears, had but one killed and others + wounded. Notwithstanding the unlawful acts committed by Captain + Bogart's men previous to the battle, it is now asserted and + claimed that he was regularly ordered out as a militia captain to + preserve the peace along the line of Ray and Caldwell Counties. + That battle was fought four or five days previous to the arrival + of General Lucas and his army. About the time of the battle with + Captain Bogart a number of our people who were living near Haun's + mills, on Shoal Creek, about twenty miles below Far West, together + with a number of emigrants who had been stopped there in + consequence of the excitement, made an agreement with the mob + which was about there, that neither party should molest the other, + but dwell in peace. Shortly after this agreement was made a mob + party of from two to three hundred, many of whom are supposed to + be from Chariton County, some from Daviess, and also those who had + agreed to dwell in peace, came upon our people there, whose number + in men was about forty, at a time when they little expected any + such thing and without any ceremony, notwithstanding they begged + for quarter, shot them down as they would tigers or panthers. Some + few made their escape by fleeing, eighteen were killed and a + number more were severely wounded. + + "This tragedy was conducted in the most brutal and savage manner. + An old man, after the massacre was partially over, threw himself + into their hands and begged for quarter when he was instantly shot + down; that not killing him they took an old corn cutter and + literally mangled him to pieces. A lad of ten years of age, after + being shot down also begged to be spared, when one of them placed + the muzzle of his gun to his head and blew out his brains. + + "The slaughter of these not satisfying the mob they then proceeded + to rob and plunder. + + "The scene that presented itself after the massacre to the widows + and orphans of the killed is beyond description. It was truly a + time of weeping, of mourning and of lamentation. + + "As yet we have not heard of any being arrested for these murders, + notwithstanding there are men boasting about the county that they + did kill on that occasion more than one "Mormon;" whereas all our + people who were in the battle with Captain Patten against Bogart, + that can be found, have been arrested, and are now confined in + jail to await their trial for murder. + + "When General Lucas arrived near Far West and presented the + Governor's order, we were surprised greatly, yet we felt willing + to submit to the authorities of the state. We gave up our arms + without reluctance. We were then made prisoners and confined to + the limits of the town for about a week, during which time the men + from the country were not permitted to go to their families many + of whom were in a suffering condition for the want of food and + firewood, the weather being very cold and stormy. Much property + was destroyed by the troops in town during their stay there, such + as burning house logs, rails, corn cribs, boards, etc., the using + of corn and hay, the plundering of houses, the killing of cattle, + sheep, and hogs and also the taking of horses not their own; and + all this without regard to owners or asking leave of anyone. In + the meantime men were abused, women insulted and abused by the + troops--and all this while we were kept prisoners. + + "Whilst the town was guarded we were called together by the order + of General Lucas, and a guard placed close around us, and in that + situation were compelled to sign a deed of trust for the purpose + of making over our individual property, all holden as they said, + to pay all the debts of every individual belonging to the Church, + and also to pay for all damages the old inhabitants of Daviess may + have sustained in consequence of the late difficulties in that + county. + + "General Clark now arrived and the first important move made by + him was collecting of our men together, on the square, and + selecting out about fifty of them' whom he immediately marched + into a house and confined close. This was done without the aid of + the sheriff or any legal process. The next day forty six of those + taken were driven, like a parcel of menial slaves, off to + Richmond, not knowing why they were taken, or what they were taken + for. After being confined in Richmond more than two weeks, about + one half were liberated. The rest, after another week's + confinement, were most of them required to appear at court and + have since been let to bail. + + "Since General Clark withdrew his troops from Far West, parties of + armed men have gone through the county, driving off horses, sheep + and cattle and also plundering houses. The barbarity of General + Lucas' troops ought not to be passed over in silence. They shot + our cattle and hogs merely for the sake of destroying them, + leaving them for the ravens to eat. + + "They took prisoner an aged man named Tanner, and without any + reason for it, he was struck on the head with a gun, which laid + his skull bare. Another man by the name of Carey was also taken + prisoner by them and without any provocation had his brains dashed + out by a gun. He was laid in a wagon and there permitted to remain + for the space of twenty-four hours, during which time no one was + permitted to administer to him comfort or consolation; and after + he was removed from that situation, he lived but a few hours. + + "The destruction of property at and about Far West is very great. + Many are stripped bare as it were and others partially so. + Indeed, take us as a body, at this time we are a poor and + afflicted people, and if we are compelled to leave the state in + the spring, many, yes a large portion of our society, will have to + be removed at the expense of the state, as those who might have + helped them are now debarred that privilege in consequence of the + deed of trust we are compelled to sign, which deed so operated + upon our real estate that it will sell for little or nothing at + this time. + + "We have now made a brief statement of some of the most prominent + features of the troubles that have befallen our people since our + first settlement in the state, and we believe these persecutions + have come in consequence of our religious faith, and not for + immorality on our part. That instances have been, of late, when + individuals have trespassed upon the rights of others and thereby + broken the laws of the land, we will not attempt to deny; but yet + we do believe that no crime can be substantiated against any of + the people who have a standing in our Church of an earlier date + than the difficulties in Daviess County. + + "And when it is considered that the rights of this people have + been trampled upon from time to time with impunity, and abuses + heaped upon them almost innumerable, it ought in some degree to + palliate for any infraction of the law which may have been made on + the part of our people. + + "The late order of Governor Boggs to drive us from this state, or + exterminate us, is a thing so novel, unlawful, tyrannical and + oppressive, that we have been induced to draw up this memorial, + and present this statement of our case to your honorable body, + praying that a law may be passed, rescinding the order of the + Governor to drive us from the state, and also giving us the + sanction of the Legislature to inherit our lands in peace. + + "We ask an expression of the Legislature, disapproving of the + conduct of those who compelled us to sign a deed of trust, and + also disapproving of any man or set of men taking our property in + consequence of that deed of trust, and appropriating it to the + payment of damage sustained in consequence of trespasses committed + by others. + + "We have no common stock; our property is individual property and + we feel willing to pay our debts as other individuals do. But we + are not willing to be bound for other peoples' debts also. The + arms which were taken from us here, which we understand to be + about six hundred and thirty, besides swords and pistols, we care + not so much about, as we do the pay for them, only we are bound to + do military duty, which we are willing to do, and which we think + was sufficiently manifested by the raising of a volunteer company + last fall at Far West, when called upon by General Parkes to raise + troops for the frontier. + + "The arms given up by us we consider were worth between twelve and + fifteen thousand dollars; but we understand they have been greatly + damaged since taken, and at this time probably would not bring + near their former value. And as they were both here and in Jackson + County, taken by the militia, and consequently by the authority of + the state, we therefore ask your Honorable Body to cause an + appropriation to be made by law, whereby we may be paid for them, + or otherwise have them returned to us and the damages made good. + The losses sustained by our people in leaving Jackson County, are + so situated that it is impossible to obtain any compensation for + them by law, because those who have sustained them are unable to + prove those trespasses upon individuals. That the facts do exist + that the buildings, crops, stock, furniture, rails, timber, etc., + of the society, have been destroyed in Jackson County, is not + doubted by those who are acquainted in this upper country; and + since trespasses cannot be proven upon individuals, we ask your + Honorable Body to consider this case and if in your liberality and + wisdom you can conceive it to be proper to make an appropriation + by law to these sufferers, many of whom are still pressed down + with poverty in consequence of their losses, would be able to pay + their debts, and also in some degree be relieved from poverty and + woe; whilst the widow's heart would be made to rejoice, and the + orphan's tears measurably dried up and the prayers of a grateful + people ascend on high, with thanksgiving and praise to the author + of our existence for that beneficent act. + + "In laying our case before your Honorable Body, we say that we are + willing, and ever have been, to conform to the Constitution and + laws of the United States, and of this state. We ask in common + with others the protection of the laws. We ask for the privilege + guaranteed to all free citizens of the United States and of this + state, to be extended to us, that we may be permitted to settle + and live where we please, and worship God according to the + dictates of our conscience without molestation. And while we ask + for ourselves this privilege we are willing all others should + enjoy the same. + + "We now lay our case at the feet of your Legislature, and ask your + Honorable Body to consider it, and do for us, after mature + deliberation, that which your wisdom, patriotism and philanthropy + may dictate. + + "And we as in duty bound will ever pray. + + "A committee appointed by the citizens of Caldwell County, to + draft this memorial and sign it in their behalf. { + + EDWARD PARTRIDGE, + HEBER C. KIMBALL, + JOHN TAYLOR, + THEODORE TURLEY, + BRIGHAM YOUNG, + ISAAC MORLEY, + GEORGE W. HARRIS, + JOHN MURDOCK, + JOHN M. BURK. + + "Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri, + Dec. 10, 1838." + +The only recognition given by the Legislature to this pathetic appeal, +this soul-harrowing recital of "bitter, burning wrongs," enough to +melt a heart of stone, + + "To stir a fever in the blood of age, + And make the infant's sinews strong as steel," + +was the appropriation of the paltry sum of two thousand dollars, to be +distributed among the people of Daviess and Caldwell Counties, "_the +Mormons not excepted_." + +O lavish generosity! Two thousand dollars for a city sacked and +pillaged, fields and farms laid waste, and homes given to the flames; +not to mention murders, rapes, expulsions and other outrages nameless +for their enormity, committed upon a helpless people by a ruthless +mob, in the sovereign name of the state of Missouri! + +"THE MORMONS NOT EXCEPTED!" + +O world-wide philanthropy! Magnanimity unparalleled! As though the +Mormons had not been the main, and well-nigh only sufferers from this +horrible and hellish invasion. Indeed, the only other losses +sustained--barring those inflicted by the oppressed people in sheer +self-defense--were from depredations by the mobocrats themselves upon +their own sympathizers, committed in such a way as to seem the work of +Mormons, who were falsely accused of the devilish deeds and the public +mind thus inflamed against them. + +And then, the manner of distributing this princes' ransom! Surely the +tactics of the average Indian agent and post-trader there had their +origin. The notorious Judge Cameron had charge of the distribution; a +wretch whose unpitying gaze had surveyed complacently the wrongs and +cruelties heaped upon the helpless Saints, his serene equanimity of +temper being disturbed only by the patience and superhuman +cheerfulness of the brethren when compelled at the point of the +bayonet to sign away their property to pay the expenses of the war +waged against them. He was assisted by a man named McHenry. + +Says Heber C. Kimball: + +"Judge Cameron drove in the hogs belonging to the brethren (many of +which were identified) shot them down in the streets, and, without +further bleeding they were half-dressed, cut up and distributed by +McHenry to the poor, charging four or five cents per pound; which, +together with a few pieces of refuse calicoes, at double and treble +price, soon consumed the appropriation." + +And thus did the great state of Missouri redress the wrongs of ten +thousand innocent people, robbed and trampled on without provocation +by its mob militia, led on and fired to their deeds of blood and +plunder by political demagogues and hireling priests of Christendom. +And this in the broad daylight of the nineteenth century, in a land of +religious liberty, on soil consecrated by the blood of patriots-- +ancestors of the people thus trampled on and despoiled--and in the +presence of American judges, magistrates and priests, affecting the +calling, but disgracing the name, of Christian! + +Brigham and Heber, in the absence of their fellow Apostles--the +remainder of the Twelve who had not gone over to the enemy, being in +prison for the Gospel's sake, or away on missions--proceeded to set in +order the Church at Far West, which was more or less scattered and +demoralized from the effects of the recent persecution. They were +obliged to move secretly and with the utmost caution, their lives and +liberties being in jeopardy from apostate spies and prowling +mobocrats. They reorganized the High Council, "expressed their +fellowship with all who desired to do right," and filled the vacancies +occasioned by the absence of brethren who had fled out of the state to +save their lives. + +On the nineteenth of December, they ordained John Taylor and John E. +Page to the apostleship. + +The next step of the Apostles was to arrange for the exodus of the +Saints _en masse_, from this land of tyrants, traitors and mobocrats, +the blood-stained soil of Missouri. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +THE FIRST PRESIDENCY INSTRUCT THE APOSTLES--BRIGHAM YOUNG CHOSEN +PRESIDENT OF THE TWELVE--THE EXODUS BEGUN--HEBER TARRIES IN MISSOURI +TO MINISTER TO HIS IMPRISONED BRETHREN--HIS FAITHFUL BUT FRUITLESS +EFFORTS FOR THEIR RELEASE--THE LORD SPEAKS TO HEBER. + + +From Liberty Jail, January 16th, 1839, the First Presidency addressed +the following letter of instructions to the Apostles: + + "BROTHERS H. C. KIMBALL AND B. YOUNG: + + "_Joseph Smith Jun., Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith, + prisoners for Jesus' sake, send greeting:_ + + "In obedience to your request in your letter, we say to you as + follows: It is not wisdom for you to go out of Caldwell with your + families yet for a little season, until we are out of prison, + after which you may act at your pleasure; but though you take your + families out of the State, it will be necessary for you to return, + and leave as before designed, on the 26th of April. + + "Inasmuch as we are in prison, for a little season, if need be, + the management of the affairs of the Church devolves on you, that + is the Twelve. + + "The gathering of necessity is stopped; but the conversion of the + world need not stop, but under wise management can go on more + rapidly than ever. + + "Where churches are built, let them continue where they are, until + a door is open to do otherwise, and let every Elder occupy his own + ground, and when he builds a church, let him preside over it, and + let not others run in to trouble him; and thus let every man prove + himself unto God that he is worthy. If we live, we live; and if we + die for the testimony of Jesus, we die; but whether we live or + die, let the work of God go on. + + "Let the churches in England continue there till further + orders--till a door can be opened for them, except they choose to + come to America and take their chance with the Saints here. If + they will do that let them come; and if they choose to come, they + would do well to send their wise men before them, and buy out + Kirtland, and the regions round about, or they may settle where + they can till things may alter. + + "It will be necessary for you to get the Twelve together, ordain + such as have not been ordained, or at least such of them as you + can get, and proceed to regulate the Elders as the Lord may give + you wisdom. We nominate George A. Smith and Lyman Sherman to take + the places of Orson Hyde and Thomas B. Marsh. + + "Brethren, fear not, but be strong in the Lord and in the power of + His might. What is man that the servant of God should fear him, or + the son of man, that he should tremble at him. Neither think it + strange concerning the fiery trials with which we are tried, as + though some strange thing had happened unto us. Remember that all + have been partakers of like afflictions. Therefore, rejoice in + your afflictions, by which you are perfected and through which the + Captain of our Salvation was perfected also. Let your hearts and + the hearts of all the Saints be comforted with you, and let them + rejoice exceedingly, for great is our reward in heaven, for so the + wicked persecuted the prophets which were before us. America will + be a Zion to all that choose to come to it, and if the churches in + foreign countries wish to come, let them do so. Say to Brother P. + P. Pratt that our feelings accord with his; he is as we are, and + we as he. May peace rest upon him in life and in death. + + "Brethren, pray for us, and cease not till our deliverance comes, + which we hope may come. We _hope_, we say, for our families' sake. + + "Let the Elders preach nothing but the first principles of the + Gospel, and let them publish our afflictions--the injustice and + cruelty thereof, upon the house tops. Let them write it and + publish it in all the papers where they go. Charge them + particularly on this point. + + "Brethren we remain yours in hope of eternal life, + + "SIDNEY RIGDON. + "JOSEPH SMITH, JR. + "HYRUM SMITH. + + "N. B. Appoint the oldest of those of the Twelve, who were first + appointed, to be the president of your quorum. + + "J. S. + "S. R. + "H. S." + +Agreeable to the instruction contained in the postscript of this +letter, Brigham Young was sustained by the Apostles as president of +their quorum. There were but two, it will be remembered, of the +original Twelve, who were his seniors. One of these, Thomas B. Marsh, +had apostatized, and the other, the lamented David W. Patten, was now +filling a martyr's grave. + +"On February 7th," says Apostle Kimball, "I accompanied Brother +Brigham to Liberty to visit Joseph and the brethren in prison. We had +the privilege of going in to see and converse with them; stayed at +Liberty over night. Next morning we were permitted to visit the +prisoners again while they were at breakfast, and returned during the +day to Far West. When we left there Lyman Sherman was somewhat unwell. +In a few days after our return he died. We did not notify him of his +appointment. + +"I fitted up a small wagon, procured a span of ponies, and sent my +wife and three children in company with Brother Brigham Young and his +family, with several others, who left Far West, Feb. 14th. Everything +my family took with them out of Missouri could have been packed on the +backs of two horses: the mob took all the rest. + +"Being a stranger there, I was requested by Joseph, Brigham and +others, to tarry and assist in getting the brethren and families out +of Missouri, and to wait upon those brethren who were in prison. + +"I went to Liberty almost every week to visit the brethren; generally +the only way I had to communicate with them was through the grates of +their prison. Many times, after I had traveled forty or fifty miles to +see them, I was denied the privilege by the jailor and the guards. + +"I sent one hundred dollars by Brother Stephen Markham to Joseph, and +also various sums at different times by other individuals. + +"March 15th, the Prophet Joseph and others petitioned Judge Tomkins, +or either of the Supreme Judges of the state of Missouri, for a +state's writ of _habeas corpus_, that he and his brethren might be +brought before either of those judges, that justice might be +administered. I was requested by Joseph to go to Jefferson City and +present the petition. Theodore Turley was appointed to accompany me. +We took copies of the papers by which the prisoners were held, with +the petition to the Supreme Judges, and immediately started a distance +of 300 miles; visited the judges, and laid the whole matter before +them individually, according to our best abilities; neither of them +would take any action in the case, although they appeared friendly, +and acknowledged that the brethren were illegally imprisoned. We also +presented a petition to the Secretary of State, the Governor being +absent. He appeared very kind, but like the other officers he had no +power to do good! + +"We immediately returned to Liberty, where we arrived on the 30th and +made Joseph and the rest of the prisoners acquainted with the result +of our mission, through the grate of the dungeon, as we were not +permitted to enter the prison. Joseph told us to be of good cheer, for +the Lord would deliver him and his brethren in due time; he also told +us to tell the brethren to be of good cheer, and get all the Saints +away as fast as possible. + +"In company with Brother Turley, I visited Judge Austin A. King, who +was angry with us for presenting his illegal papers to the Supreme +Judges. He treated us very roughly. I returned to Far West, April 5th. + +"My family having been gone about two months, during which time I +heard nothing from them; our brethren being in prison; death and +destruction following us everywhere we went; I felt very sorrowful and +lonely. The following words came to my mind, and the Spirit said unto +me, 'write,' which I did by taking a piece of paper and writing on my +knee as follows: + + "FAR WEST, April 6th, 1839. + + "_A word from the Spirit of the Lord to my servant, Heber C. + Kimball:_ + + "Verily I say unto my servant Heber, thou art my son, in whom I am + well pleased; for thou art careful to hearken to my words, and not + transgress my law, nor rebel against my servant Joseph Smith, for + thou hast a respect to the words of mine anointed, even from the + least to the greatest of them; therefore thy name is written in + heaven, no more to be blotted out for ever, because of these + things; and this Spirit and blessing shall rest down upon thy + posterity for ever and ever; for they shall be called after thy + name, for thou shalt have many more sons and daughters, for thy + seed shall be as numerous as the sands upon the sea shore; + therefore, my servant Heber, be faithful, go forth in my name and + I will go with you, and be on your right hand and on your left, + and my angels shall go before you and raise you up when you are + cast down and afflicted; remember that I am always with you, even + to the end, therefore be of good cheer, my son, and my spirit + shall be in your heart to teach you the peaceable things of the + kingdom. Trouble not thyself about thy family, for they are in my + hands; I will feed them and clothe them and make unto them + friends; they never shall want for food nor raiment, houses nor + lands, fathers nor mothers; brothers nor sisters; and peace shall + rest upon them forever; if thou wilt be faithful and go forth and + preach my gospel to the nations of the earth; for thou shalt be + blessed in this thing: thy tongue shall be unloosed to such a + degree that has not entered into thy heart as yet, and the + children of men shall believe thy words, and flock to the water, + even as they did to my servant John; for thou shalt be great in + winning souls to me, for this is thy gift and calling; and there + shall be no gift withheld from thee, if thou art faithful. + Therefore, be faithful, and I will give thee favor in the eyes of + the people; be humble and kind and you shall obtain kindness; be + merciful and you shall obtain mercy; and I will be with you even + unto the end. Amen." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +A WORD FOR THE FALLEN--ONLY GOO KNOWETH THE WHEREFORE AND WHY--ORSON +HYDE'S REPENTANCE AND RETURN TO THE CHURCH--HEBER C. KIMBALL AND HYRUM +SMITH HIS CHAMPIONS--ISAAC RUSSELL'S APOSTASY--HEBER WRITES TO THE +CHURCH IN ENGLAND. + + +"Be merciful and you shall obtain mercy." The word of the Lord unto +His servant Heber. The word of the Lord unto His disciples in days of +old. The voice of universal charity, breathing forth the spirit of +Christ upon a weak, a sinful and a fallen world. + +"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." + +Why should we rail at the fallen? Why not rather weep, when a brother +or a sister sins? Why hate them for what is their misfortune? The +heavens wept over fallen Lucifer, and even Michael, the archangel, +contending with him for the body of Moses, "durst not bring against +him a railing accusation?" + +None but the tempted know what trials are; none but the fallen what +the fallen suffer, or how they endured ere they fell. None but God can +fully know the why and wherefore of their fall. + + "We see but half the causes of our deeds, + Seeking them wholly in the outer life." + +What we deem chance, may be destiny; what we term accident, design. A +greater knowledge than man's, the knowledge of a God, can alone +elucidate the mystery of mortal actions, as seen by the dim uncertain +light of the flickering lantern of human wisdom. + +He who is the Judge; who "putteth down one and setteth up another;" +who is angry with none save with those who will not in all things +acknowledge and obey Him; who bringeth order out of chaos, light out +of darkness, strength from weakness, life from death, and victory from +seeming failure and defeat; He only can entirely tell why some succeed +where others fail, why some are weak and some are strong, why false +and true are found together; why "there must needs be an opposition +all things;" why demons as well as angels are essential; why sun and +shadow cross each other; why joy and sorrow, sweet and bitter, wine +and wormwood, are in life's cup commingled; why the beacon lights the +breaker's foam; why the stranded wreck, and the bark safely anchored, +each must tell its tale and point its moral for the welfare of future +generations. + +"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." + +"To err is human; to forgive divine." + +"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest +of these is charity." + +"About this time," says Heber, "Orson Hyde came to me feeling very +sorrowful for the course he had pursued the past few months; he said +it was because of fear (Brother Hyde was sick just before the Far West +troubles commenced), and now lamented his folly and asked me what he +should do. I told him to give up his school, remove his family and +gather with the Church. He wanted to know if I thought the brethren +would forgive him. I said, 'Yes.' He then asked, 'Will you defend my +case?' And I promised him I would." + +Heber was as good as his word, and through his mediation Brother Hyde +was forgiven, after a humble confession, and restored to fellowship. +He was also reinstated in his Apostleship, which he thenceforth +magnified unto the end of his days. + +Heber enlisted as his fellow champion of the cause of Brother Hyde, +President Hyrum Smith, great-hearted and merciful as himself, and +when, at the next conference of the Church, Joseph presented the name +of Orson Hyde to the congregation for their action, Hyrum and Heber +pleaded for him so earnestly that the Prophet said: "If my brother +Hyrum and Heber C. Kimball will defend Orson Hyde, I will withdraw my +motion." + +Thus did the voice of mercy, the voice of God, in two of His noblest +sons, plead and not in vain for the fallen. + +And what of Oliver, and David, and Sidney, and scores of others who +fell from grace, but many of whom, penitent at life's eleventh hour, +returned to lay the offering of a broken heart and a contrite spirit +upon the altar of God's infinite love? Will they not find mercy, and +meet a judgment more just, than we in our narrow charity know how to +mete out to the erring? + +Verily they will; and more joy will there ever be in the mansions of +our Father, over the returning prodigal, the soul that was lost and is +found, than in the steadfast faith of the righteous multitude, whose +reward is that they need no repentance. + +Another Elder who fell away during this time of trouble, was Isaac +Russell, Heber's fellow missionary to England. About thirty families +followed him, accepting him as their leader. Viewing with sorrow the +fall of such men, his former faithful companions in the ministry, +Heber's mind turned with some solicitude to the church in England, +which they, with himself, had been instrumental in founding. He wrote +to Joseph Fielding, President of the Church in that land, as follows: + + "I have only received two letters from you since I came here. If + you knew the feelings I have for the welfare of that people your + pen would not be so idle. May God stir you up to diligence to feed + His sheep; for they are children of my begetting through the + Gospel. Think it not strange that I speak thus; for you know the + feelings that a father has for his children. + + "Now, brethren, be faithful and visit the churches, and exhort the + Saints to be faithful in all things, and not lay down their watch + for a moment; for there is great danger of falling beneath the + powers of darkness. Don't think hard of me, brethren, for my + plainness, for I am a plain man, and God requires it of me, and + the same of you. Don't keep the Saints in ignorance of those + things I have made you acquainted with--that is, our sufferings, + for they will know them when I come, and they will have to pass + through similar scenes. Don't be selfish; for it will not + impoverish you to tell them all that I tell you. + + "Your sister Mary left here about eight weeks ago, also the rest + of the wives of the prisoners, thinking that they would be out in + a few days. There are ten in prison; they are all well and in good + spirits. I am going to see them to-morrow if the Lord will. + + "Mobs are common in this country; it is getting so that there is + no safety anywhere in this land. Prepare yourselves for trouble + wherever you go, for it awaits you and all others that love the + Lord and keep His commandments. + + "Brethren, I want you to go to the north where Brother Russell + labored, and see what situation the Saints are in, for I have some + fears about them. Go and strengthen them in the name of the Lord, + for I think that Russell is leading them astray.[A] + + [Footnote A: This letter preceded, only by a few weeks, an epistle + from Isaac Russell to the Saints in Alston, England, of a nature + "calculated to deceive and lead astray."] + + "Brethren, I can truly say that I have never seen the Church in a + better state since I have been a member of it. What there are left + are firm and steadfast, full of love and good works. + + "They have lost all their earthly goods, and are now ready to _go + and preach the Gospel to a dying world!_ + + "We have ordained about one hundred Elders into the Seventies. + There are about one hundred and fifty who have gone into the + vineyard this winter to preach the Gospel, and many more will go + in the spring, and several will come to England with me in the + summer or fall. + + "Elder Rigdon was bailed out of prison, and has left Missouri. + About ten thousand had gathered to this state. By the first of + May, next, there will not be one left who has any faith. Not + one-fourth part had any teams to move with, and we had two hundred + miles to travel before we could get out of the state. I think + their deliverance is a great miracle." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +THE BRETHREN IN LIBERTY JAIL--JUDGE KING'S COUP D'ETAT--THE MOB AGAIN +THREATEN FAR WEST--FIENDS IN HUMAN FORM--THE PROPHET REGAINS HIS +FREEDOM--THE APOSTLES FULFILL REVELATION--FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE +CHURCH IN ILLINOIS. + + +Joseph and his brethren were still in the hands of the enemy, but the +hour of their deliverance was drawing nigh. They had suffered severely +in their confinement from the cruelty of their captors, but most of +them had borne up bravely. Elder Rigdon, whose faith was beginning to +fail under the terrible tension of trial, rashly exclaimed in a moment +of despair: "Jesus Christ was a fool to me in suffering." Soon after, +he was released on bail and set at liberty. The others were destined +to tarry in chains a little longer. + +Judge King now ordered the removal of the prisoners from Liberty to +Daviess County, fearing a change of venue might be obtained to some +other place where the feeling against them was less intense, and the +prospect for a fair trial more favorable. + +Heber C. Kimball and another of the brethren were appointed to visit +Judge Hughes, a friend of Joseph's, and get him to attend the sitting +of the court in Daviess County. + +"The Judge," says Heber, "who had formerly been an Indian agent, and +was a very rough man in his language, cursed the judges, the governor, +and everybody else who would not step forward and help the brethren +out of the hands of their persecutors, for he did not believe they +were guilty of any of the crimes alleged against them; he said there +was no proof that they had committed any crime worthy of imprisonment +or death, and that the Mormons had been meanly treated in Missouri. + +"There were several men in Liberty who were very friendly to the +brethren. I called on them when I went there, and they treated me with +great civility. General Doniphan and General Atchison and several of +the foremost men of the town were among them. + +"Those I have mentioned and several others, revolted at the scenes +enacted against the Mormons, and would have liberated the brethren had +it not been for 'outside pressure,'--that is, the strong prejudice +against us by the people, and their bloodthirstiness to kill the +prophets." + +Meanwhile, the mob, not content with the ruin they had wrought, +continued to threaten the few Saints who remained in Far West, +evidently determined to carry out the order of their chief, Governor +Boggs, to "exterminate the Mormons, or drive them from the state." The +main body of the Church, numbering from ten to twelve thousand souls, +had already left the state, and were beyond the reach of Missourian +mobs, encamped upon the hospitable shores of Illinois. + +"On the 14th of April, 1839," continues Heber, "the committee who had +been left to look after the wants of the poor, removed thirty-six of +the helpless families into Tenney's grove, about twenty-five miles +from Far West. I was obliged to secrete myself in the corn-fields and +woods during the day and only venture out in the evening, to counsel +the committee and brethren in private houses. + +"On the morning of the 18th, as I was going to the committee room to +tell the brethren to wind up their affairs and be off, or their lives +would be taken, I was met on the public square by several of the mob. +One of them asked, with an oath, if I was a Mormon. + +"I replied, 'I am a Mormon.' + +"With a series of blasphemous expressions, they then threatened to +blow my brains out, and also tried to ride over me with their horses, +in the presence of Elias Smith, Theodore Turley and others of the +committee. + +"It was but a few minutes after I had notified the committee to leave, +before the mob gathered at the tithing house, and began breaking +clocks, chairs, windows, looking-glasses and furniture, and making a +complete wreck of everything they could move, while Captain Bogart, +the county judge, looked on and laughed. A mobber named Whittaker +threw an iron pot at the head of Theodore Turley and hurt him +considerably, when Whittaker jumped about and laughed like a madman; +and all this at the time when we were using our utmost endeavors to +get the Saints away from Far West. The brethren gathered up what they +could, and fled from Far West in one hour. The mob staid until the +committee left, and then plundered thousands of dollars worth of +property which had been left by the brethren and sisters to assist the +poor to remove. + +"One mobber rode up, and, finding no convenient place to fasten his +horse to, shot a cow that was standing near, while a girl was milking +her, and while the poor animal was struggling in death, he cut a strip +of her hide from the nose to her tail, to which he fastened his +halter. + +"During the commotion of this day, a great portion of the records of +the committee, accounts, history, etc., were destroyed or stolen. + +"Hearing that Joseph and the brethren had escaped from their guard +while they were on their way from Daviess to Boone County, to which +place they had obtained a change of venue, I called upon Shadrach +Roundy, with whom I started immediately towards Quincy. + +"On reaching Keetsville, I stopped at the house of Col. Price. The +Colonel, hearing of my arrival, came directly into the house, and +discovering who I was, said, 'Joseph and Hyrum Smith and the other +prisoners have escaped.' I enquired what he knew about them. He +answered, 'their guard took breakfast here this morning; they have +turned back, saying they were going to Richmond, by way of Tenney's +Grove. I know that the guard has been bribed, or they would evince +more interest by pursuing them.' After we had partaken of refreshment, +Brother Roundy and I pursued our course towards Quincy about fourteen +or fifteen miles. + +"Being thoroughly satisfied that the prisoners had escaped, we turned +back towards Far West. When we arrived at Tenney's Grove a man came to +me and presented an order drawn on me by Joseph Smith for $500, saying +it was for horses furnished him. I immediately raised $400, which I +paid him, when he proceeded to Richmond, Ray County, where he paid out +some of the money to secure lands that we had been driven from. + +"Brother Roundy and myself started a few hours after for Richmond, +being on our way to Far West, for the purpose of visiting Parley P. +Pratt and others, in jail. On our arrival at Richmond, I went directly +to the prison to see Parley, but was prohibited by the guard, who said +they would blow my brains out if I attempted to go near him. In a few +minutes Sister Morris Phelps came to me in great agitation, and +advised me to leave forthwith, as Parley P. Pratt had told her that a +large body of men had assembled with tar, feathers and a rail, who +swore they would tar and feather me, and ride me on a rail, suspecting +I was the one who assisted Joseph and the other prisoners to escape. I +immediately informed Brother Roundy, we jumped on our horses and fled +towards Far West, which was distant; we rode all night, and reached +Far West about the break of day, expecting Brother Brigham Young and +the Twelve to arrive there that day." + +April 26th, 1839, was the day appointed by revelation for the Apostles +to take leave of Far West on the building spot of the Lord's House. As +usual, when times and seasons are given--for foreknowledge is power, +with evil spirits as well as good--Satan had diligently sought to make +the word of God of no effect. The mob, with their apostate allies who +had betrayed to them the secrets of the kingdom, had sworn that this +revelation should not be fulfilled; and having driven the Saints from +their homes, leaving only a few scattered families in and around Far +West, and imprisoned the Church leaders, they flattered themselves +that their wicked oath had been verified. + +Little knew they the men they were dealing with, still less that God +whose word they had vainly sought to falsify; Him who hath said: +"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away." + +Heber continues: "I kept myself concealed in the woods, and passed +round the country, notifying the brethren and sisters to be on hand at +the appointed time for the laying of the corner stone. + +"April 25th. This night, which was a beautiful, clear moonlight, +Elders Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, John E. Page, John Taylor, Wilford +Woodruff, George A. Smith, and Alpheus Cutler, arrived from Quincy, +Illinois, and rode into the public square early on the morning of the +26th. All seemed still as death. + +"April 26th, we held a conference at the house of Brother Samuel +Clark, cut off 31 persons from the Church, and then proceeded to the +building spot of the Lord's house, where, after singing, we +recommenced laying the foundation, agreeably to the revelation given +July 8th, 1838, by rolling a stone, upwards of a ton weight, upon or +near the south-east corner. + +"In company with Brother Brigham Young, we ordained Wilford Woodruff +and George A. Smith (who had been previously nominated by the First +Presidency, accepted by the Twelve, and acknowledged by the Church at +Quincy) members of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and Darwin Chase +and Norman Shearer, (who were liberated from Richmond prison on the +24th inst, where they had been confined about six months for the cause +of Christ) Seventies. They sat on the south-east corner stone while we +ordained them. + +"The Twelve then individually called upon the Lord in prayer, kneeling +on the corner stone; after which 'Adam-ondi-Ahman' was sung. + +"The brethren wandered among our deserted houses, many of which were +in ruins, and saw the streets in many places grown over with weeds and +grass. + +"We went to Father Clark's, breakfasted, and before sunrise departed. +I accompanied my brethren, riding thirty miles that day. We continued +our journey to Quincy, where I found my family well and in good +spirits, on the 2nd of May. + +"On reading the words of inspiration which I had written, my wife bore +record to the truth of that part which says, 'trouble not thyself +about thy family for they are in my hands; I will feed them and clothe +them, and make unto them friends; for they never shall want for food +nor raiment.' I learned from her that my family continued with Brother +Brigham until they crossed the Mississippi, to the town of Atlas, in +Illinois, where, through the instrumentality of George Pitkin, my wife +got introduced to a widow Ross, who let her have a very nice +comfortably fitted up room, and who was as kind to her as an own +mother or sister; here my wife tarried seven weeks. At the end of that +time John P. Greene took his horses and wagon and carried my family up +to Quincy, forty miles, and rented a good house, where I found her on +my leaving Missouri. She had had no lack of friends, and had every +comfort bestowed on her that she could have had among her own kindred. +And I can say in my heart, God bless them all, and my Brother Brigham +for his great kindness in assisting them into Illinois. In relation to +that part which said I should have many sons and daughters, she rather +doubted that, as the thought had never entered into her head, or mine, +that the Lord would establish in this Church the doctrine of plurality +of wives, in my day; still I believed it would be restored to the +earth in some future time. + +"May 3rd, I went in company with Elder Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, +John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith, and rode four miles +to Mr. Cleveland's to visit Joseph and Hyrum, who were as glad to see +us as we were to see them, once more enjoying their liberty. I spent +the day with them, and it was one of the greatest days of rejoicing in +my life, to once more have the privilege of conversing with the +Prophet, in freedom. + +"May 4th, I attended a general conference of the Church near Quincy, +at which the Saints from all the regions round about assembled. It was +a time which will long be remembered by the Saints, being the first +conference held after their expulsion. The cases of Brothers William +Smith and Orson Hyde were brought up. The conference granted them the +privilege of appearing personally before the next conference of the +Church to give an account of their conduct, but in the meantime they +were suspended from exercising the functions of their office. The +conference sanctioned the proceedings of the Twelve on the Temple +block at Far West, and also sanctioned the intended mission of the +Twelve to Europe. + +"The meetings continued for three days. Elder Rigdon was appointed +delegate to go to Washington and lay the grievances of the Saints +before the general government. It was also resolved that a number of +Elders should accompany the Twelve on their mission to Europe." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +NAUVOO THE BEAUTIFUL--HEBER'S PREDICTION OVER THE FATED CITY--ELDER +RIGDON'S ALARM--HEBER'S SECOND ENCOUNTER WITH EVIL SPIRITS--PARLEY P. +PRATT ESCAPES FROM PRISON, FULFILLING HEBER'S PROPHECY. + + +The scene now changes to Commerce, afterwards named Nauvoo, the famous +gathering place of the Saints in Illinois. Situated in a graceful bend +on the east bank of the Mississippi, on an eminence commanding a noble +view of the broad river and beyond, Nauvoo, even as the site of the +lovely city it soon became, well merited its appellation of "the +Beautiful." + +It was forty miles above Quincy, in which hospitable town the exiled +Saints had found a resting place and kindly welcome, after their +expulsion from Missouri. + +In this region the Saints had commenced gathering, and, having +purchased lands, were now busily engaged building up the new stake of +Zion. The Church had been purified by its baptism of fire, and much of +its human dross "burnt and purged away." Most of its members that +remained were of the pure gold, refined by suffering, and throughout +the community a better feeling prevailed than ever before. + +Heber's first visit to Commerce was on Sunday the 12th of May. On the +25th he again went up the river, with several others of the Twelve, +and spent the day in council with Joseph and the brethren. While on +the water, standing by the railing of the boat, gazing in admiration +at the beautiful site of Nauvoo, Heber observed: "It is a very pretty +place, but not a long abiding home for the Saints." + +This remark was carried to the ears of Elder Rigdon and his family, +who were comfortably quartered in a nice stone house built by Dr. +Isaac Galland, from whom the Saints had purchased some of their lands. +Heber's reputation as a prophet was by this time pretty well +established in Israel, and Sidney, who had had about as much +persecution as he could stand, and was in nowise hankering after a +repetition of the Missouri scenes, was considerably alarmed at his +words, dreading their prophetic potency. At the council, which was +held at the house of the Prophet Joseph, Sidney remarked that he had +some feelings against Elder Kimball, and then, referring to the +prediction of the latter in relation to the city of the Saints, said, +petulantly: + +"I should suppose that Elder Kimball had passed through sufferings and +privations and mobbings and drivings enough, to learn to prophesy good +concerning Israel." + +With a mixture of meekness and humor, Heber replied: + +"President Rigdon, I'll prophesy good concerning you all the time--if +you can get it." + +The retort amused Joseph, who laughed heartily with the brethren, and +Elder Rigdon yielded the point. + +Joseph now advised the Apostles, such as had not done so already, to +move their families up to Commerce. Says Heber: + +"I immediately went and moved my family up in a wagon, to a place +belonging to Brother Bozier, about one mile from Commerce, where I +pulled down an old stable, and laid up the logs at the back end of the +Bozier house, putting a few shakes on to cover it; but it had no floor +nor chinking; and in this condition I moved my family into it; +whenever it rained, the water stood near ankle deep on the ground. +There were some half dozen families in the Bozier house. + +"One night I was awakened out of my sleep by my wife making a noise as +if choking; I asked what was the matter; she replied that she had +dreamt that a personage came and seized her by the throat and was +choking her. I immediately lit a candle, and saw that her eyes were +sunken and her nose pinched in, as if she was in the last stage of the +cholera. I laid my hands upon her and rebuked that spirit in the name +of Jesus and by the power of the holy Priesthood, and commanded it to +depart. In a moment afterwards I heard some half a dozen children in +different parts of the Bozier House crying as if in great distress; +the cattle began to bellow and low; the horses neighed and whinnied; +the dogs barked, and hogs squealed; the hens cackled, and the roosters +crowed, and everything around was in great commotion. In a few minutes +afterwards I was sent for to lay hands on Sister Bentley, formerly the +wife of David W. Patten, who was seized in a similar manner to my +wife. My wife continued quite feeble for several days from the shock. + +"One day while visiting Joseph, he took me a walk by the river side, +when he requested me to relate the occurrence at Brother Bozier's. +After I had done so, I also told him of our vision of the evil spirits +in England, on the opening of the Gospel to that people. He then gave +me a relation of many contests that he had had with Satan, and his +power that had been manifested from time to time since the +commencement of bringing forth the Book of Mormon. I will relate one +circumstance that took place at Far West, in a house that Joseph had +purchased, which had been formerly occupied as a public house by some +wicked people. A short time after he got into it, one of his children +was taken very sick; he laid his hands upon the child, when it got +better; as soon as he went out of doors, the child was taken sick +again; he again laid his hands upon it, so that it again recovered. +This occurred several times, when Joseph inquired of the Lord what it +all meant; then he had an open vision, and saw the devil in person, +who contended with Joseph, face to face, for some time. He said it was +his house, it belonged to him, and Joseph had no right there. Then +Joseph rebuked Satan in the name of the Lord, and he departed and +touched the child no more. + +"July 2nd, I went with Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney and others, over the +river to Montrose; rode four miles and looked out the site of the town +of Zarahemla. We dined at Brother Woodruff's. After dinner we all went +to Brigham Young's, when Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith were +blessed as two of the Twelve Apostles; and Theodore Turley was blessed +as a Seventy. Brother Hyrum gave the Twelve some good advice on the +nature of their mission; to practice prudence and humility in their +preaching, and to strictly hold on to the authority of the Priesthood. +Brother Joseph taught many glorious and important principles to +benefit and bless them on their mission; teaching them to observe +charity, wisdom, and a fellow feeling for each other, and love one +towards another, in all things, and under all circumstances, unfolding +keys of knowledge, to detect Satan, and preserve us in the favor of +God." + +Some time before Heber had written to Elder Parley P. Pratt, who was +still in prison in Missouri, giving him the particulars of the +conference at Far West, on the 26th of April, with the resolution of +the Priesthood that the Twelve should have their shackles stricken +off, and go forth preaching the Gospel to the world, leaving their +families to be provided for, in their absence, by the Bishops. He +added: + +"The Presidency feel well towards you. They say you must come out of +that place, and so I say; for I do not feel as though I can go to +England until I take you by the hand. When this takes place my joy +will be full. Be of good cheer, brother; a few days now, and you shall +see the salvation of God; and I shall see you in other lands, +publishing peace to the captives. My determination is to be a man of +God, and to try to save souls from their sins, let others do as they +may. I will try to keep my eye on the mark, that is, Christ, the Son +of the living God, His grace assisting me. The Twelve have all left +Quincy. Your brother Orson is about twenty-five miles from here. +Whatever you do, do quickly! + +"July 10th," continues the prophet Heber, "Elder Parley P. Pratt +arrived from his imprisonment in Missouri. When I heard that he was in +Quincy I went there and assisted him and Orson Pratt up to Commerce. +His escape caused much rejoicing among the Saints. A few days +afterwards he and I purchased five acres each, of woodland, from Hyrum +Kimball. They lay adjoining each other, one mile from the river. He +and I went to work to cut each a set of logs fourteen by sixteen feet +in length, which we cut in one day. We then invited some of the old +citizens, viz., Brother Bozier, D. H. Wells, Lewis Robison and others +to come and assist us to put them up; as our people were mostly +prostrate by sickness. We drew them and put them up the next day. I +got a man to assist me to hew puncheon for the floor, and to make some +shakes to cover the roof, which were similar to a shingle, or a stave +for a barrel. I drew the rock and built a chimney, and just got to the +ridge of the house, when I was taken down prostrate by the chills and +fever. My wife was also laid prostrate. In the meantime Brother Orson +Pratt moved his family into the little shanty with me." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +AN EPIDEMIC OF DISEASE--JOSEPH HEALS THE MULTITUDE--BRIGHAM AND HEBER +START ON THEIR MISSION TO ENGLAND--SICKNESS BY THE WAY--HEBER +POISONED--HIS LIFE SAVED BY BRIGHAM. + + +Twelve months had elapsed since the word of the Lord came for the +Apostles to depart and "go over the great waters" to promulgate the +Gospel. They had fulfilled the revelation in so far as to take leave +of the Saints in Far West, at the time and place appointed, but the +toils and trials incident to settling their new home had unavoidably +delayed their departure from America. + +One of these trials was an epidemic which swept over Nauvoo and the +neighboring towns, prostrating many of the inhabitants with sickness; +partly due, no doubt, to the moist, malarial nature of the soil in and +around the lower portions of the new settlement, but greatly enhanced +by the physical weakness of the Saints, resulting from their recent +privations and sufferings in Missouri. So general and widespread was +the sickness that scarcely a family in Nauvoo or the vicinity entirely +escaped the scourge. + +[Illustration: Joseph Smith] + +[Illustration: Hyrum Smith] + +But this unhappy condition of affairs--rendered doubly disheartening +from following so closely upon the Missouri troubles--was not without +its recompense. It was the occasion of a marvelous and miraculous +display of divine power in behalf of the Lord's afflicted people. +Heber thus describes the event: + +"July 22nd, the Prophet Joseph arose from his bed of sickness, when +the power of God rested upon him, and he went forth administering to +the sick. He commenced with the sick in his own house, then visited +those who were camping in tents in his own dooryard, commanding the +sick in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to arise from their beds and +be whole; when they were healed according to his words. He then went +from house to house, and from tent to tent, upon the bank of the +river, healing the sick by the power of Israel's God, as he went among +them. He did not miss a single house, wagon or tent, and continued +this work up to 'the upper stone house,' where he crossed the river in +a boat, accompanied by Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John E. Page, +John Taylor and myself, and landed at Montrose. He then walked into +the cabin of Brother Brigham Young, who was lying very sick, and +commanded him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to arise and be +made whole. He arose, healed of his sickness, and then accompanied +Joseph and his brethren of the Twelve, and went into the house of +Brother Elijah Fordham, who was insensible, and considered by his +family and friends to be in the hands of death. Joseph stepped to his +bedside, looked him in the eye for a minute without speaking, then +took him by the hand and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to +arise from his bed and walk. Brother Fordham immediately leaped out of +his bed, threw off all his poultices and bandages, dressed himself, +called for a bowl of bread and milk, which he ate, and then followed +us into the street. We then went into the house of Joseph B. Noble, +who was also very sick, and he was healed in the same manner. + +"Joseph spoke with the voice and power of God. + +"When he had healed all the sick by the power given unto him he went +down to the ferry boat, when a stranger rode up almost breathless, and +said that he had heard that Joseph Smith was raising the dead, and +healing all of the sick, and his wife begged him to ride up and get +Mr. Smith to go down and heal her twin children, about three months +old. Joseph replied, 'I cannot go, but will send some one.' In a few +minutes he said to Elder Woodruff, 'You go and heal those children, +and take this pocket handkerchief, and when you administer to them, +wipe their faces with it, and they shall recover.' Brother Woodruff +did as he was commanded, and the children were healed. + +"The mob spirits, when they saw men whom they thought were dying, +arise from their beds, and pray for others, stood paralyzed with fear; +yet those same men would have killed Joseph and his brethren if they +had had an opportunity. Joseph recrossed the river to his own home and +I returned to mine, rejoicing in the mercies and goodness of God. This +was a day never to be forgotten by the Saints; nor by the wicked; for +they saw the power of God manifest in the flesh." + +"August 4th, being Sunday, the Saints met to partake of the sacrament, +and received an exhortation from the Prophet Joseph, impressing upon +them the necessity of being righteous and clean of heart before the +Lord. He also commanded the Twelve to go forth without purse or scrip, +according to the revelations of Jesus Christ. + +"During the night of August 23rd, my son, David Patten, was born in +Commerce, in the log cabin I had put up at the end of the Bozier +house. We had a heavy thunderstorm that night, but the hand of the +Lord was over us. As soon as my wife was able I moved my family into +the new log house that I had built." + +September came, and the Apostles prepared to take leave of their +families and friends and depart on their mission to Europe. Again the +evil one laid his plans to circumvent them. As he once afflicted +righteous Job, striving to overthrow his trust in God, he now sought +by similar means to undermine the faith and integrity of these +latter-day servants of the Lord. But his efforts were unavailing; he +had the same class of spirits to contend with as in days of old; men +who could say with the patient man of Uz, though bowed in sorrow and +humiliation: "I know that my Redeemer liveth," and "though He slay me, +yet will I trust in Him." + +"September 14th," says Heber, "President Brigham Young left his home +at Montrose to start on the mission to England. He was so sick that he +was unable to go to the Mississippi, a distance of thirty rods, +without assistance. After he had crossed the river he rode behind +Israel Barlow on his horse to my house, where he continued sick until +the 18th. He left his wife sick with a babe only three weeks old, and +all his other children were sick and unable to wait upon each other. +Not one soul of them was able to go to the well for a pail of water, +and they were without a second suit to their backs, for the mob in +Missouri had taken nearly all he had. On the 17th Sister Mary Ann +Young got a boy to carry her up in his wagon to my house, that she +might nurse and comfort Brother Brigham to the hour of starting. + +"September 18th, Charles Hubbard sent his boy with a wagon and span of +horses to my house; our trunks were put into the wagon by some +brethren; I went to my bed and shook hands with my wife who was then +shaking with a chill, having two children lying sick by her side; I +embraced her and my children, and bade them farewell. My only well +child was little Heber P., and it was with difficulty he could carry a +couple of quarts of water at a time, to assist in quenching their +thirst. + +"It was with difficulty we got into the wagon, and started down the +hill about ten rods; it appeared to me as though my very inmost parts +would melt within me at leaving my family in such a condition, as it +were almost in the arms of death. I felt as though I could not endure +it. I asked the teamster to stop, and said to Brother Brigham, 'This +is pretty tough, isn't it; let's rise up and give them a cheer.' We +arose, and swinging our hats three times over our heads, shouted: +'Hurrah, hurrah for Israel.' Vilate, hearing the noise, arose from her +bed and came to the door. She had a smile on her face. Vilate and Mary +Ann Young cried out to us: 'Good bye, God bless you.' We returned the +compliment, and then told the driver to go ahead. After this I felt a +spirit of joy and gratitude, having had the satisfaction of seeing my +wife standing upon her feet, instead of leaving her in bed, knowing +well that I should not see them again for two or three years. + +"We were without purse or scrip, and were carried across the prairie, +about fourteen miles, to a shanty near the railway, where Brother O. +M. Duel lived. We were unable to carry our small trunks into the +house; Sister Duel seeing our feeble condition, assisted the boy to +carry them in. + +"Sep. 19th, Brother Duel took us in his wagon to Lima, about twelve +miles. When he left us he gave each of us a dollar. Brother Bidwell +then carried us in his wagon to John A. Mickesell's, near Quincy, +about twenty miles. The fatigue of this day's journey was too much for +our feeble health; we were prostrated, and obliged to tarry a few days +in Quincy. + +"Sep. 25th, we left Quincy about 11 a. m., as we felt considerably +better. My sorrow was great, to see so many of our brethren sick and +dying, in consequence of being driven, and exposed to hunger and cold. +Brother Lyman Wight took us in a one horse wagon and carried us to +Brother C. C. Rich's at Burton, where we slept through the night. +Brother Wight predicted many things, and left his blessings with us +when he bade us farewell. + +"Sep. 26th, Brother Rich carried us to Brother Wilber's; while on the +road the chills came on me again, and I suffered much pain and +fatigue. + +"Sep. 27th, Brother Wilber took us in a buggy about twenty-five miles +to the house of James Allred, in Pittsfield. + +"Sep. 28th, Father Allred carried us to the place where Brother Harlow +Redfield lived. There we preached to a small branch of the Church, on +Sunday, 29th. + +"Sep. 30th, Brother Rodgers carried Brother Brigham to Brother +Decker's, and myself to Mr. Roswell Murray's; they were living within +a few rods of each other, near Winchester in Scott County. + +"Here we also found a few brethren in the Church, who had been smitten +and robbed of their property in Missouri; who were once more in +comfortable circumstances, rejoicing in the Lord. + +"Oct. 1st, we were carried to Lorenzo D. Young's, a brother of Brigham +Young, where we stayed and recruited our strength until the 4th, when +he carried us to Jacksonville, where we stayed the night. + +"Oct. 5th, a sister in the Church hired a horse and buggy to carry us +to Springfield, and Brother Babcock drove us there, a distance of +thirty-five miles, where we were gladly received by the brethren and +nursed. Brother Brigham was confined to his bed by sickness. Brother +Libius T. Coon, who was practicing medicine, attended upon him. Here +we found Brothers G. A. Smith, Turley, and R. Hedlock. + +"I went from house to house, strengthening the brethren and teaching +them the things of the kingdom. I was so far recovered that I preached +on the Sabbath. They got a two horse wagon and harness, for which they +paid fifty-five dollars, and collected thirty-five dollars in money, +for the company. + +"Judge Adams, one of the judges of the Supreme Court, took me to his +house; I stayed with him three nights and the most part of three days. +He gave me five dollars when I left. My father-in-law, Roswell Murray, +went with us on a visit to his friends in the East. + +"Oct. 11th, resumed my journey in company with Brothers Young, Turley, +Smith, Hedlock and Murray. The brethren exchanged horses in +Springfield, and with the assistance we received from the brethren +living there, we succeeded in obtaining one horse and a two-horse +wagon, in which the sisters fitted up a bed for Brother Brigham to +ride on, as he was unable to sit up. We traveled eight miles with the +three-horse team, and put up at the house of Father Baker. When we +went into the house, Brother George A. Smith, while stooping down to +warm him at the fire, dropped a small flask bottle, containing tonic +bitters, out of his pocket, on the hearth, and broke it; at this +occurrence Father Baker was very much astonished, and said, 'You're a +pretty set of Apostles, to be carrying a bottle of whisky with you.' +We explained to him that the bottle contained some bitters which the +brethren at Springfield had prepared for George A. because of his +sickness; this appeased his righteous soul, so that he consented to +allow us to stay through the night. + +"Oct. 12th, we pursued our journey towards Terre Haute; traveled all +day; most of the brethren being very sick I walked most of the way; at +night I slept in the wagon with my father-in-law and Brother Hedlock, +and caught cold; the next morning I had to go until twelve o'clock +before I had anything to eat, and then it was transparent pork and +corn dodger. My health again began to fail; the wagon broke down +twice, and the chills came on me about two in the afternoon, and held +me till night; then the fever held me all night. I had the chills and +fever three days, and lost my appetite. The third chill was so severe +that it seemed as though I could not live till night. We arrived at +Terre Haute about dusk on the 17th; Brother Young and I put up at Dr. +Modisett's. In the evening I became very ill. The doctor said he could +give me something that would do me good, that would relieve me of my +distress, and I would probably get a nap; but the old man was so drunk +that he did not know what he did, and he gave me a tablespoonful of +morphine; his wife saw him pour it out, but dared not say a word, +although she believed it would kill me. In a few minutes after I took +it, I straightened up in my chair, complaining of feeling very +strange, and felt as though I wanted to lie down. On my attempting to +go to the bed, I reeled and fell to the floor. There was hardly a +breath of life in my body. Brother Brigham rolled me over on my back, +put a pillow under my head, and inquired of the doctor what he had +given me, and then learned that he had given me morphine. I lay there +for a long time; when I came to, Brother Brigham was attending to me +with a fatherly care, and manifesting much anxiety in my behalf. I +told him, 'Don't be scared, for I sha'n't die.' In a short time after +he had got me on the bed, I commenced vomiting, and continued doing so +most of the night. It was through the closest attention of Brother +Young and the family that my life was preserved through the night. In +the morning Brothers Smith, Turley, Hedlock and Murray came to see us. +They laid their hands on me and prayed for me. When they left they +wept. Father Murray felt very sorrowful; said he, 'we shall never see +Heber again; he will die.' I looked up at them and said, 'Never mind, +brethren, go ahead, for Brother Brigham and I will reach Kirtland +before you will.' Brother Brigham gave them all the money we had +except five dollars, and told them to take good care of the team, and +make all possible speed to Kirtland. They started the same day. In +about an hour after they departed I arose from my bed." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +ON TO KIRTLAND--MIRACULOUSLY SUPPLIED WITH MONEY--CONDITION OF AFFAIRS +AT THE OLD CHURCH HEADQUARTERS. + + +Having partly recovered from the effects of this narrow escape from +death, Heber and his fellow Apostle resumed their journey to Kirtland. +The record continues: + +"October 23rd, Brother James Modisett took us in his father's carriage +twenty miles, to the house of Brother Addison Pratt. From thence we +were carried by Dr. Knight to Pleasant Garden, and put up with Brother +Jonathan Crosby. We found a few brethren who were well and in good +spirits. We remained there three days, preaching to the few brethren, +and those who wished to hear. Dr. Knight and some others gave us some +money to assist us on our mission. + +"Oct. 25th, I received a letter from my wife, giving an account of her +sickness since I left; also of our children William and Helen. + +"Oct. 26th, Brother Babbitt took us in his buggy twelve miles, to the +house of Brother Scott; they were very glad to see us, and we tarried +with them through the night. + +"Oct. 27th, Brother Scott sent his little son John, who carried us to +Belleville, fifteen miles--several miles of the journey in a rain +storm, which obliged us to put up at an inn for the remainder of the +day and night. Brother Brigham was very sick and obliged to go to bed. +I sat up and waited upon him, and spent the evening with the landlord +and his lady, preaching to them; they received our testimony and were +very kind to us. + +"The next morning we took stage, and started on our way towards +Kirtland. While in Pleasant Garden we obtained some money, so that +with the five dollars we had left when the brethren left us on the +18th it amounted to $13.50. When we got into the stage we did not +expect to ride many miles. We rode as far as Indianapolis, paid our +passage, and found we had sufficient means to carry us to Richmond, +Indiana. + +"When we arrived at Richmond we found we had means to take us to +Dayton, to which place we proceeded and tarried over night, waiting +for another line of stages. We expected to stop here and preach until +we got means to pursue our journey. Brother Brigham went to his trunk +to get money to pay the bill, and found we had sufficient to pay our +passages to Columbus, to which place we took passage in the stage and +tarried over night. When he paid the bill he found he had sufficient +means to pay our passage to Worcester. We tarried till the after part +of the day and then took passage to Worcester. When we arrived there, +Brother Brigham went to his trunk again to get money to pay our bill, +and found sufficient to pay our passages to Cleveland. When we reached +a little town called Strongsville, about twenty miles from Cleveland, +towards evening, Brother Brigham had a strong impression to stop at a +tavern when we first came into the town; but the stage did not stop +there, so we went on. We arrived at Cleveland about 11 o'clock at +night, took lodgings, and remained till next morning. + +"Nov. 3rd, being Sunday, in the morning we went to the Episcopalian +church. While returning to the hotel we met my father-in-law, and +learned that Elders Turley, Smith and Hedlock had just arrived in +Cleveland. Father Murray was as much astonished to see me alive as +though he had seen one risen from the dead. I don't think I ever saw a +man feel better than he did when I met him in the street. We walked +with him a short distance, and met the brethren who were in good +health, compared with what they had been, and in fine spirits. We +learned that they stopped at the tavern in Strongsville, where Brother +Brigham had such strong impressions to stop the night previous. They +had picked up Elder John Taylor, at Dayton, where he was left at a +tavern very sick with the ague and fever a few days before, by Father +Coltrin, who proceeded to Kirtland. + +"Brothers Taylor and Hedlock got into the stage with us, which left +early in the afternoon; they rode as far as Willoughby. We proceeded +to Kirtland and arrived the same evening, thus fulfilling the +prediction made on my sick bed. + +"Brother Brigham had one York shilling left, and on looking over our +expenses we found we had paid out over $87.00 out of the $13.50 we had +at Pleasant Garden, which is all the money we had to pay our passages +with. We had traveled over 400 miles by stage, for which we paid from +8 to 10 cents a mile, and had eaten three meals a day, for each of +which we were charged fifty cents, also fifty cents for our lodgings. +Brother Brigham often suspected that I put the money in his trunk, or +clothes; thinking that I had a purse of money which I had not +acquainted him with; but this was not so; the money could only have +been put in his trunk by some heavenly messenger, who thus +administered to our necessities daily as he knew we needed. + +"I made my home at Dean Gould's at the house of Ira Bond. The family +were all very kind to me, and made me as comfortable as they could. I +remained with them most of the time I was in Kirtland, two days of +which I was sick with chills and fever. + +"There was a division of sentiment among the brethren in Kirtland, +many of whom had lacked the energy to move to Missouri, while some +lacked the inclination. On Sunday, Elder Taylor preached in the Temple +in the forenoon and I preached in the afternoon. I compared the people +there to a parcel of old earthen pots that were cracked in burning, +for they were mostly apostates who were living there. Martin Harris, +Cyrus Smalling and others were much offended at what I said, and asked +me whom I referred to in my comparisons. 'No one in particular,' said +I, 'but to anyone whom the coat fits.' John Moreton and others +declared I should never preach in the house again. On the Sunday +following, Brother Brigham and Brother Taylor were the speakers. + +"While we tarried, a council was held with Brothers Kellogg, Moreton +and others who took the lead in Kirtland. We proposed that some of the +Elders should remain there and preach for a few weeks. John Moreton +replied that they had had many talented preachers, and he considered +that men of such ordinary talents as were on this mission could do no +good in Kirtland. He thought probably Brother John Taylor _might_ do, +but he was not sure." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +THE APOSTLES SAIL FOR ENGLAND--GROWTH OF THE BRITISH MISSION DURING +HEBER'S ABSENCE--LABORS OF ELDERS WOODRUFF AND TAYLOR--FIRST COUNCIL +OF THE TWELVE AMONG THE NATIONS--WILLARD RICHARDS ORDAINED AN APOSTLE. + + +Journeying eastward, the Apostles arrived in New York, where they +tarried for some time, preaching the Gospel and adding new members to +the Church in that city. On the 19th of December, 1840, Apostles John +Taylor and Wilford Woodruff, with Elder Theodore Turley and others, +sailed for Liverpool on board the _Oxford_. Three months later to a +day, Apostles Young and Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, George +A. Smith and Elder Reuben Hedlock followed in their wake on board the +_Patrick Henry_. + +After a very stormy passage, they reached Liverpool on the sixth of +April, the anniversary of the organization of the Church, ten years +before. They there found Elder John Taylor with about thirty Saints +who had just received the Gospel in that place. A day or two later +they went on to Preston by railroad, where Heber and his companions +were warmly welcomed by a multitude of Saints who had assembled there +to meet them. They arrived in Preston on the anniversary of Heber's +departure in 1838. + +It will now be proper to take a brief retrospective view of the +progress of the British Mission during the two years interim between +the departure of Elders Kimball and Hyde for America, and the return +of Heber to the scene of his former successful labors. The most +important event that had taken place in this interval was the planting +of the Gospel standard in the great manufacturing town of Manchester. +This opening was made by Elder William Clayton, in October, 1838. The +branch in that place grew so rapidly as to soon rival Preston, and in +a short time it became the headquarters of the whole British Mission. + +Scotland had also been opened by Elders Mulliner and Wright, though +the work had as yet taken little root in that land. + +In and around Preston and the other towns and villages opened during +the first mission of the Elders to England, the work had gradually +spread under the presidency of Elders Fielding, Richards and Clayton. + +During the stormy period which had just spent its fierceness upon the +Saints in America, the Church in England had not escaped persecution, +though, compared with the sufferings of the former, the trials of the +British Saints were a mere bagatelle. A novel incident connected with +the death of one of the Saints--the first death that occurred in the +mission--is thus related: + +"Sister Alice Hodgin died at Preston, September 2nd, 1838, and it was +such a wonderful thing for a Latter-day Saint to die in England that +Elder Richards was arraigned before the Mayor's Court at Preston, +October 3rd, charged with 'killing and slaying the said Alice with a +black stick,' etc., but was discharged without being permitted to make +his defense, as soon as it was discovered that the iniquity of his +accusers was about to be made manifest." + +The arrival of Apostles Taylor and Woodruff at Liverpool on the 11th +of January, 1840, opened the second period of the British Mission. +They were welcomed by Mr. George Cannon, brother-in-law of Elder +Taylor and father of George Q. Cannon, the present Apostle, then a +mere youth, and not yet connected with the cause in which he was +destined to play so important a part. Sunday they spent in Liverpool, +and the next day proceeded on to Preston. + +At a council held at the house of Willard Richards, after the arrival +of these Apostles, it was arranged that Elders John Taylor and Joseph +Fielding should go to Liverpool, and lift the standard of Mormonism in +that important city; Hyrum Clark to Manchester, where Elder Clayton +was given charge of Church affairs; and Wilford Woodruff and Theodore +Turley to the Potteries in Staffordshire, and to Birmingham if the +Spirit so led. Elder Richards was to have the privilege of "moving +wherever the Spirit directed." The Elders were instructed to report to +their respective presidents. + +On the following day, January 18th, after meeting and blessing each +other, the brethren separated and departed for their various fields of +labor. + +The marvelous success of Apostle Woodruff in Staffordshire and +Herefordshire, in the latter of which counties, in a little over one +month, he converted several hundred souls, including upwards of forty +preachers of the United Brethren; with the important labors of Elder +Taylor in Liverpool and vicinity, and of Elder Turley in Birmingham, +(which town became a Mormon stronghold second only in importance to +London) would fill a volume in themselves. We can barely glance at +such achievements in following the individual history of Heber C. +Kimball. + +Immediately upon the arrival of President Young and the Apostles who +accompanied him, a council of the Twelve and a conference of the +Saints was called to convene at Preston on the 14th of April. + +At this gathering there were present of the Apostles, Brigham Young, +Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford +Woodruff and George A. Smith. Brigham Young was called to the chair, +and was unanimously sustained as the standing President of the Twelve. +Willard Richards was ordained an Apostle and added to the quorum by +unanimous voice, and according to previous appointment by revelation. + +It was moved by Heber C. Kimball and seconded by Willard Richards that +twenty of the Seventies, or more at the discretion of the President, +be sent for to assist in the work of the ministry. + +On the second day of the council Heber C. Kimball was the presiding +Apostle. The various branches of the Church in England and Scotland +were represented, showing an aggregate membership of 1671 souls, +including the Priesthood. The official numbers were as follows: +Elders, 34; Priests, 52; Teachers, 38; Deacons, 8. Total of +Priesthood, 132. President Kimball laid before the meeting the +importance and propriety of ordaining a Patriarch to give patriarchal +blessings to the Saints, and Bleazard Corbridge was accordingly chosen +for that office. + +It was decided that the Saints who wished to emigrate should receive +recommends from the Church in Britain to the Church in America, and +that no persons should receive such recommends who had money, unless +they assisted the poor according to the counsel of the Twelve. + +It was further determined that a monthly periodical be published, to +be known as _The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star_, with Parley P. +Pratt as its editor; and that a committee of three, namely, Brigham +Young, Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor be appointed to make a +selection of hymns for the use of the Saints. + +The conference closed on the 16th of April, having been in session +three days. + +The time had now come for the Apostles to separate, to go into +different parts of the Lord's vineyard. It was thought wisdom for +Elder Heber C. Kimball to visit the churches which he had built up +while in England on his former mission; for Orson Pratt to go north on +a mission to Scotland, John Taylor to continue his labors in +Liverpool, Parley P. Pratt to proceed to Manchester to begin the +publication of the _Star_, George A. Smith to go into the Potteries, +and Brigham Young and Willard Richards to accompany Elder Woodruff +into his field of labor. These arrangements were at once carried out +by the brethren, and the work spread on every hand, with redoubled +energy and multiplied success. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +HEBER VISITS THE BRANCHES RAISED UP DURING HIS FORMER MISSION--HIS +REPORT OF THEIR CONDITION AND STANDING--FIRST GENERAL CONFERENCE AT +MANCHESTER. + + +Pursuant to the appointment of his quorum at the conference, Heber +visited the Saints whom he had brought into the Church during his +former mission. Elder Willard Richards accompanied him, pending +preparations for his mission to Herefordshire. + +They first visited the branch in Walkerfold, the home of the Rev. John +Richards, whose daughter Jennetta Willard had married, in fulfillment +of Heber's prediction. They found Sister Richards in a very low state +of health, but after they had anointed and laid hands upon her, +according to the ordinance of the Church, she immediately began to +amend. + +The Reverend Mr. Richards, who was feeling very sorely the effects of +the preaching of Mormonism in his pastorate, on seeing Elder Kimball +in his house, ordered him to leave. Heber meekly complied, much to the +grief of Sister Richards and her aged mother, who wept aloud at his +departure. The Walkerfold branch, though small, had suffered more +persecution in proportion to its numbers than any other, but its +members, with scarcely an exception, had remained steadfast in the +faith. + +Heber's report continues: + +"From thence we returned to Preston, where I left Brother Richards to +prepare for his mission to Herefordshire, and proceeded from thence to +Dauber's Lane and Eggleston. We found there two branches rejoicing in +the Lord. After a short visit with them, I returned to Preston; and +after two days I started on a visit to the north. I went alone, by way +of Walkerfold, on my way to Clithero, where I held meetings on the +Sabbath, and administered the sacrament to nearly two hundred Saints. +It was a time of refreshing to them and to myself, as I had not seen +them for more than two years. It had been said there, as in other +places, that I would never return to them again; but they now saw me +again, and knew that myself and many of my fellow laborers had come; +and that our message and our zeal were the same as formerly, and +therefore I was received with greater joy than ever. I stayed at Elder +T. Smith's, where on Monday I was joined by Elder Fielding from +Preston. + +"On Wednesday we went to Chatburn and held meeting in the evening. +There was great joy in the place. The next day we went to Downham and +held meeting that evening and many came to hear. We bore testimony to +the Gospel, and of the work of the Lord in these last days. The people +were very attentive. When we had closed, a certain man wished to ask a +few questions; he appeared much agitated; in fact we were reminded of +the prediction in the Book of Mormon, that 'men would anger and +tremble because of the truth.' He demanded some evidence of the truth +of the Gospel, or message, of which we testified; but would not tell +us what evidence would satisfy him, so we could only repeat our +testimony to him, and let him go, with no other evidence than what +ourselves and tens of thousands of others had believed and were +satisfied with. The Saints had a time of rejoicing. On Saturday we +returned to Chatburn and held meeting, after which three persons were +baptized and added to the Church. On the Sabbath the meeting was held +in a large barn, no house being sufficiently large to convene the +people. There were many to hear, who were very attentive. We ordained +two Priests. In the evening four others were baptized. Some who had +left the society, wished they had been faithful, and some of them +returned by humble repentance and being re-baptized. There appears to +be something peculiar in the people of this place; others had tried in +vain to enlist them into their folds; but on hearing the first +preaching of the fullness of the Gospel they were overwhelmed in tears +of repentance, and more than twenty were immediately baptized. It is a +small village, but the number of members soon increased to about +ninety. They have mostly stood fast. We have never received anything +like an insult all the time we visited the place, and we feel bound to +bless them. + +"On Monday we returned to Clithero; after meeting five more were +baptized. On Tuesday evening two were baptized in Waddington. Since +then we have heard that eight more have been baptized, and others +ready. + +"The next day we started for Ribchester, calling at Walkerfold on our +way, where we found Sister Richards in good health. We reached +Ribchester on Friday, and held meeting in the evening; the Saints were +comforted. The next day we returned to Preston. I consider that I have +never seen the Saints in better spirits. They say it seems like old +times; they can receive their patriarchal blessings under the hand of +Brother Mellin, as he is ordained to the office of an Evangelist. Some +speak in tongues and prophesy, and others have visions, etc., as was +foretold by the Prophet Joel, concerning the last days. We can truly +say the Lord has begun to restore all things, as spoken by the +prophets. + +"After this we went to Longton, and held meeting, and the next day +started for Southport, many of the brethren accompanying us as far as +the river Astlam. There was no bridge, and to save us the trouble of +going round, a brother carried us over on his shoulders. We held one +meeting in Southport, and one in Churchtown. At Southport there was a +sister sick and not expected to live. She was healed by administering +the ordinance, and next day she went with us two miles on foot. We +ordained one Elder and one Teacher, and on our way back preached to +the Saints in Longton, exhorting them to have their lamps trimmed and +burning, ready to go forth to meet the Bridegroom. We then returned to +Preston. On Saturday we met the officers in council, and on the +Sabbath met with the Church as usual. + +"On Monday evening a number of the Saints met at Brother T. Moon's, in +Penwortham, to receive their patriarchal blessings. We were with them, +and gave them such instruction as was necessary. + +"Wednesday, I accompanied Elder Clayton to Manchester; found Elders +Young, P. P. Pratt and J. Taylor there; tarried there with them till +Saturday the 30th, when Elders Young, Taylor and myself took the train +for Liverpool; met with the Church there on the Sabbath, and had a +good time, the Saints rejoiced, and others believed. + +"A number of the Saints had taken their passage for America on board +the ship _Britannia_. We spent some time with them for several days. +June 5th we took leave of them. They were in good spirits, expecting +to move from the dock at 2 p.m. We blessed them, and commended them to +the Lord. I then took leave of Elders Young and Taylor, and returned +by train to Preston. I found Brother Fielding and the Saints rejoicing +in the Lord. At this time I can truly say that I never felt more to +rejoice than I have done in my late visits to the churches. The +Saints, in general, as they have been baptized into one body, are +partakers of one spirit, whether they be Jew or Gentile, bond or free. +I also take this opportunity to say, that I have lately received a +letter from my wife, giving us good tidings from America. The work is +moving steadily, but not slowly through that land, bearing on its way +through the states and cities of that vast continent. The Saints are +getting over their pains and sufferings, at least in a great measure, +and are enjoying health. I would say to my brethren in the ministry +that their families are well, and I feel to congratulate them on the +hope and glorious prospect of one day not far remote when we shall +rest from our labors in the kingdom of God. It is evident our labor is +not in vain in the Lord. In almost every branch I have visited the +numbers are increasing. The stone is actually growing into a mountain, +and we know that it must soon fill the whole earth. May the Lord +hasten the time. Amen." + +Heber rejoined his quorum at Manchester, where a general conference +convened on the sixth of July. The meetings were held in "Carpenter's +Hall," a building almost as famous in the history of the British +Mission as the celebrated "Cock Pit" in Preston. + +The Apostles in the mission were all present excepting Orson Pratt, +who was in Edinburgh, unable to attend on account of the great +distance, and his arduous labors in opening the Scottish Mission. +Parley P. Pratt was chosen to preside. + +The new hymn-book was introduced and received the unanimous +approbation of the meeting. A number of brethren were ordained to the +ministry and then President Young called upon those officers whose +circumstances would permit them to devote themselves entirely to the +work of the ministry, and who would volunteer to do so, to stand up, +when the following names were taken: B. Young, H. C. Kimball, John +Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, G. A. Smith, Wm. Clayton, +Reuben Hedlock, H. Clark, Theodore Turley, Joseph Fielding, Thomas +Richardson, Amos Fielding, John Parkinson, John Wytch, John Needham, +H. Royle, John Blezard, D. Wilding, Charles Price, Joseph Knowles, +William Kay, Samuel Heath, Wm. Parr, R. McBride and James Morgan. + +President Fielding and his counselors were relieved of the charge of +presiding over the mission, and several Elders were appointed to +various fields of labor in England, Scotland and Ireland. + +President Young gave administrative directions to the Elders previous +to their separation. He then blessed the congregation and the +conference adjourned. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + +FOUNDING THE LONDON CONFERENCE--APOSTLES KIMBALL, WOODRUFF AND SMITH +CHOSEN FOR THE WORK--SEEKING FOR A MAN WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD--THE +FIRST CONVERT--THE ELDERS HOLD OPEN-AIR MEETINGS IN TABERNACLE SQUARE. + + +The next notable movement determined on by the Apostles was the +founding of the London Conference. The men chosen for this work were +Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith. Leaving +Manchester on the 4th of August, Heber joined his companions in +Herefordshire, whence the three proceeded on to London, preaching and +baptizing by the way. + +They reached their destination about four o'clock in the afternoon of +the 18th, and were kindly received by a Mrs. Allgood, of No. 19, King +Street, Borough, who gave them needed refreshments and directed them +to lodgings in the neighborhood. Two days later they reported to the +_Millennial Star_ as follows: + +"We are well and in good spirits, and are going to see the people in +different parts, and see what we can do in this small world; for +London looks like a small world. Give us your prayers and direct your +letters as above." + +It was well ordered that three such characters as these, with their +indomitable will power and perseverance, added to child-like faith and +humility, were sent to break Gospel ground in the British Metropolis. +The task was no easy one. London, with all its churches and +cathedrals, its high-priced ministers and princely churchmen, its +Bibles, missions, schools, and evangelical agencies of every +description, was the devil's stronghold, nevertheless; and the +prospect might have dismayed, with its hardships, spirits less +valiant, souls less faithful, than those selected for the ordeal. + +For days the Apostles wandered through the streets of the great city, +viewing its wonderful sights, visiting its places of interest and +historic note, and all the while looking for an opportunity to deliver +their message, and for souls to receive their testimony. Among other +places they went to "Zion's Chapel" and heard the Reverend Robert +Aitken, the same great preacher from whom Heber, on his former +mission, had won so many disciples in Preston. They were profoundly +impressed with his eloquence and the sublime truths he uttered, but to +them his efforts were those of one who was "building without the +foundation." They had previously heard an Aitkenite preacher at Union +Chapel, Waterloo Road, and had also called on the Reverend J. E. +Smith, of Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, their object being to find an opening +for their ministry. + +Still following very much the example of Heber's first mission to +England, the three Elders next attended a meeting of the Temperance +Society in Temperance Hall, St. George's Row, near the Elephant +Castle. Here Elder George A. Smith was given the privilege of making a +short speech. It was the first public effort of a Mormon Elder in +London, though it was more in the nature of a temperance testimony +than the introduction of Mormonism to the metropolis. Subsequently the +brethren addressed another meeting at the same place on the subject of +temperance, and succeeded in engaging the hall for preaching purposes, +though they were not permitted to occupy it immediately. They gave out +an appointment to preach the Gospel there on the 7th of September. + +One day, as they were strolling through the streets, "to see if they +could find a man with the Spirit of God," Heber accosted an amiable +looking stranger and asked him if he was a preacher. He replied that +he was, and informed the brethren that he had been in America, and had +come to London for the purpose of going to South Australia; but had +suffered much from sickness in his family, having just buried one +child, while another was then lying at the point of death. + +"Your child shall live," said Heber C. Kimball. + +The stranger then gave them some information in regard to places for +preaching, and they parted from him. On the same day they called at +his house; he was not at home, but his child was better. + +The next day the servants of the Lord went again over the city. This +time they found the object of their search; "a man in whom was the +Spirit." His name was Corner. He lived at No. 52 Ironmonger Row, St. +Luke's Parish, near the Church. He and his household received the +testimony of the Elders and opened their doors for the preaching of +the Gospel. + +This, however, was not enough; though the brethren praised God for +this manifestation of His favor. They longed to reach the ears of the +multitude, and declare to them the message that "burned like fire in +their bones." At the expiration of twelve days, finding no immediate +prospect for an indoor opening of the kind they were in quest of, they +determined to go into the streets and lift up their voices. + +It was Sunday morning, August 30th, 1840. Wending their way through +the crowded streets and winding thoroughfares, in search of some +public place where they knew the common people were wont to assemble +on the Sabbath, to hear all sorts of harangues from all sorts of +speakers, the three Apostles, after walking three miles, stopped in +Tabernacle Square, "Old Street." A promiscuous assembly had gathered +there--men of all creeds and opinions--and an "open-air" meeting was +in progress. It was an Aitkenite preacher who was addressing them. +Mixing with the multitude, the Elders listened respectfully to what he +was saying, and gradually edged their way towards the spot where he +was standing. + +When the Aitkenite minister had concluded his discourse a Presbyterian +preacher took his place and was about to begin. + +"Sir!" exclaimed a voice in the crowd, addressing the preacher. All +eyes were turned in the direction of the sound. A man stepped forward. +It was Heber C. Kimball. "Sir," he said, "There is a preacher from +America present, who would like to speak to the assembly when you have +got through your service." + +The Presbyterian, not to be outdone in courtesy, and perhaps proud of +the honor of introducing an American preacher to a British public, +addressing the people, said: + +"I am informed that there is a minister from America present. I +propose that he shall speak first." + +The proposition was readily accepted, and the people drew near, alive +with curiosity at the novelty of hearing a preacher from America. + +Apostle George A Smith was the one selected for the occasion. He +mounted the chair resigned by the Presbyterian, and addressed the +audience for about twenty minutes. + +Next came the Presbyterian, and at the close of his remarks Heber C. +Kimball again advanced. + +"Will there be any objection to our preaching here at 3 o'clock?" he +inquired. + +"No; not at all," answered the Presbyterian. "What denomination do you +belong to?" + +"To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Heber replied. + +"Oh, I have heard of them," exclaimed the Presbyterian quickly, his +countenance and whole manner changing. "They are a bad people; they +have done much hurt; they divide churches; we don't want to hear you." + +He then mounted the chair again and said to the people: + +"I have just heard that the last man who spoke belongs to the +Latter-day Saints." And then he began to rail against the Apostles and +their faith. + +After he had thus vented himself, Elder Kimball mildly inquired: + +"Will you let me step into the chair to give out an appointment for a +3 o'clock meeting?" + +But the minister angrily refused, whereupon Heber raised his voice and +informed the people that some American preachers would preach there at +3 o'clock. + +A vast congregation assembled at the appointed hour to hear them, the +conduct of the Presbyterian and the excitement of the morning having +helped to increase it materially. + +Elder Wilford Woodruff was the first preacher. After singing and +prayer, he read from the first chapter of Paul's Epistle to the +Galatians, the 8th and 9th. verses: + + "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel + unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be + accursed. + + "As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any + other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be + accursed." + +A direct thrust at apostate Christendom, with its multitudinous +variety of "other gospels," all differing from each other and from the +great original. + +Brother Woodruff did not fail that day to hold them up a glass wherein +they might see the "inmost parts" of Paul's dread meaning, made +applicable in words of telling force to the Christian denominations of +that great city. + +Then came Heber C. Kimball with his sledge-hammer blows of testimony, +driving home the truth of the Apostle's words, as with a mallet of +mighty power. He told them of the great apostasy that had taken place +since the days of Paul, and of the restoration of the Gospel in the +latter days, closing with an earnest testimony to the divine mission +of Joseph Smith, the great Prophet whom God had raised up in the land +of America. + +The people gave good attention and seemed much interested in what they +had heard. + +After the meeting Mr. Corner, the person already noticed, invited the +three Apostles home to his house; so, withdrawing from the crowd, they +went to 52 Ironmonger Row, St Luke's Parish. + +But Heber was not yet satisfied. The inward monitor which he knew +never erred told him that his day's labor was not accomplished. Scarce +knowing why, but surrendering himself to the dictates of the Spirit, +he retraced his steps and wended his way alone back to Tabernacle +Square, leaving Elders Woodruff and Smith at "Father Corner's," +conversing on the things of the Kingdom. + +The crowd had not yet dispersed from the Square, but stood in groups +here and there, discussing eagerly the events of the day, and the +strange things told them by the American preachers. As Heber +approached he was immediately recognized--and, indeed, his was a +presence, once seen, not easily to be forgotten--and the surprised and +pleased multitude, thronging round him, besought him to speak to them +again. + +He willingly complied and addressed them long and earnestly. More +powerful than ever was his testimony. He was alone, but the Spirit was +with him, and with the Spirit Heber C. Kimball was a host. +Breathlessly they listened, and at the close several men whom he had +never seen until that afternoon, came forward and invited him home to +their houses. + +The ice was broken. His testimony had prevailed. The good seed sown by +the wayside had taken root, as it were, in the very crevices of the +stony pavements of the world's metropolis. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + +FATHER CORNER BAPTIZED--THE APOSTLES VISIT THE REVEREND ROBERT +AITKEN--HEBER ATTACKED WITH CHOLERA--THE WORK IN OTHER PARTS--SECOND +CONFERENCE AT MANCHESTER--BRIGHAM ACCOMPANIES HEBER TO LONDON-- +CONVERSION OF THE REV. JAMES ALBION. + + +The first baptism in London took place on Monday the 31st of August, +the day following the events related in the last chapter. It was +"Father Corner" who offered himself as a convert to the Elders, and it +was Heber C. Kimball who baptized him. The ceremony was performed at +the Public Baths, after which the new member was confirmed under the +hands of the three Apostles at his own house. + +Thus was laid the foundation of the London Conference. + +Leaving Elder Woodruff for several days, Heber and George A. went to +Deptford, for the purpose of establishing a branch there. While they +were gone, Brother Woodruff made the second convert--a woman. He also +obtained from the directors of a Methodist chapel permission to preach +in a school-house at Bowl Court, Shoreditch. + +Sunday morning, September 6th, the Apostles filled the appointment +made by Elder Woodruff, who preached first, followed by Elders Kimball +and Smith. These were the first gospel sermons delivered by the Elders +in a meeting house in London, though they had each addressed an +audience briefly, at Temperance Hall, on the subject of temperance. + +In the afternoon they preached again out of doors in Tabernacle +square; and in the evening returned to preach in the Methodist school +house. When they arrived, however, they discovered that a plan had +been formed by several preachers of that denomination for one of their +own number to occupy the evening, fearing lest some should receive the +testimony of these "dangerous men" from America. Already had the +Methodists of London taken the alarm. + +Discovering this ministerial intrigue against them the three Apostles +went their way, but that evening they found four persons who received +their testimony and offered themselves for baptism. + +On the Monday following, Heber and George A. visited the celebrated +Robert Aitken. He received them courteously, and acknowledged that +their doctrines were scriptural, but said he was fearful of deception. +At this period he was in a very disturbed state of mind concerning +Mormonism, for the mission which the Apostles brought from America +seemed so much like a surprise-fulfillment to him of the glowing +sermons of his own ministry. Probably Mormonism troubled Robert Aitken +more than it did any other man in England, and it is not a little +singular that soon afterwards he returned to the Orthodox Established +Church from which he had dissented, and became again one of its +ministers. + +On the evening of the day they visited the Rev. Mr. Aitken the Elders +opened their course of sermons in Temperance Hall, St. George's Road, +but they had no audience worthy the occasion. About thirty only were +said to be present; but Apostle Woodruff preached to them for over an +hour, and then Heber followed. At the close they paid "seven and +sixpence" for the hall for the evening--a large sum from the pockets +of these Evangelists at that time, yet they trusted in the Lord for +future results. + +Thus having made an opening in London, Wilford Woodruff returned a +while to superintend his former field of labor; but Heber C. Kimball +and George A. Smith remained to hold the situation. + +On the 19th of September Heber was stricken down with cholera. The +attack was so severe that it seemed as if he could not live till +morning. He rallied, however, and by the blessing of God was raised up +to continue his labors. The next morning, being the Sabbath, he went +into the water and baptized four persons. + +Meanwhile the work in other parts had been making rapid headway. After +much labor it had at length been firmly established in Scotland, under +the presidency of Orson Pratt; and had been carried into Ireland and +the Isle of Man by Apostle John Taylor. Several of the native Elders +had also penetrated Wales. President Brigham Young, in the absence of +Parley P. Pratt, who had gone to America to bring his family to +England, had been busy publishing the _Millennial Star_, the hymn book +and Book of Mormon, in which labors he was assisted by Willard +Richards. The emigration of the Saints to America had also commenced. +Thus was the good work rolling on. + +On the 6th of October, 1840, was held the second general conference at +Manchester. There were present of the Twelve, Brigham Young, Heber C. +Kimball, Willard Richards, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, and Wilford +Woodruff. Orson Pratt presided. + +It was found that twenty-seven conferences had been organized at this +period, besides many branches not then incorporated. The +representation showed an increase since the last general conference of +one thousand one hundred and thirteen members; twenty-five Elders; +ninety-six Priests; fifteen Teachers, and thirteen Deacons. Several +places of special interest may be noted as represented: London, by +Heber C. Kimball; members, eleven, Priests, two; Birmingham, four +members; Glasgow, by Elder Mulliner, one hundred and ninety-three +members, eight Elders, seven Priests, five teachers and three Deacons; +Edinburgh, by Orson Pratt, forty-three members and two Priests; +Manchester, by Brigham Young, members, three hundred and sixty-four; +Elders, four; Priests, twenty-seven; Teachers, six; and one Deacon; +Wilford Woodruff's Conferences, members, one thousand and seven; +Elders, nineteen; Priests, seventy-eight; Teachers, fifteen, and one +Deacon. Altogether three thousand, six hundred and twenty-six members +of the Church were represented, more than double the number reported +at the Conference six months before. + +After this Conference Elders Woodruff and Smith returned to London, +while Heber remained for a time with President Young in Manchester, +waiting to accompany him to the metropolis; the latter having resolved +to visit London and assist his co-laborers in the arduous work of +building up that important conference. + +The two Apostles set out upon their journey on the 25th of November, +1840. On their way they stopped at the Potteries in Staffordshire, +where they met Elder George A. Smith, who was paying a visit to his +former field of labor, having left Brother Woodruff in London. They +also went to Birmingham, where Elder Lorenzo Snow was then laboring. +On the 30th they took train for London, and arrived there the same +evening. + +They found Brother Woodruff "well and in good spirits," but with a +tale to tell of his experience since he saw them last, "whose lightest +word" was well calculated to "harrow up the soul." + +It will be remembered that Heber C. Kimball and his confreres, who +opened the British Mission in 1837, had a terrible encounter with evil +spirits on the day of the first baptisms in Preston. A similar ordeal +had been experienced by Apostle Woodruff on the night of the first +Sabbath after his return from Manchester. + +Himself and Elder Smith had held a sacrament meeting that day at +Father Corner's, with a few Saints who had gathered there, during +which "the Spirit bore testimony that there would be a great work done +in London." + +Satan, it seems, was also aware of this fact, and it displeased him +mightily. + +That night, while lying in his bed, meditating upon the mission in +that city and determining to warn its inhabitants, and "overcome the +powers of darkness," a personage appeared to the Apostle Wilford whom +he took to be the "Prince of darkness." "He made war with me," says +the Apostle, "and attempted to take my life. As he was about to +overcome me I prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ for +help. I then had power over him, and he left me, though much wounded. +Afterwards three persons, dressed in white, came to me and +administered to me, when I was immediately healed and delivered of all +my troubles." + +Such, in brief, was the thrilling tale told by Apostle Woodruff to his +fellow servants in Christ, on their arrival in the British capital. + +The next evening, December 1st, President Young preached his first +sermon in London at Barnett's Academy, 57 King's Square, Goswell Road. +Heber C. Kimball followed him. The President remained about ten days +in London, and then returned to Manchester. + +In a letter to his wife, written about this time, Heber gives somewhat +of a detailed account of the President's visit to the metropolis, and +other events that were happening in different parts of the mission: + + LONDON, December 3rd, 1840. + + MY DEAR VILATE:-- + + "I feel to rejoice to hear from you once more. Elders Young and + Woodruff and myself have been traveling all day to see some of the + sights of this great city. We visited the Tower of London. We + entered into one room 150 feet by 33; there, arranged in regular + and chronological order, were no less in number than twenty-two + equestrian figures, representing many of the most celebrated kings + of England, accompanied by their favorite lords and men of rank, + all of them, together with their horses, in the armor of the + respective periods when they flourished,--many, indeed, in the + identical suits in which they appeared while living. There were + 500,000 stands of arms, and cannon, taken from all parts of the + world, in their conflicts with other nations; and all the jewelry + and crowns of the kings and queens. I wish you could see them, + for we can see better than we can write about them. We went to see + the Thames tunnel; from thence returned home to our lodgings. Mrs. + Morgan presented me with a letter from you, dated Oct. the 11th. * + * * I felt to rejoice at hearing from you, that you are still + alive and in good spirits, and to hear of the good times that you + have in Nauvoo, and the good tidings that President Smith is + laying before the Saints; I should like to be there if it was + right in the sight of God. But I feel no liberty as yet to come + home, but I think I shall soon. I want to see you and my little + children, and I want to see Brother Joseph, Brother Rigdon and + Brother Hyrum, and all of my old friends that have gained my + affections, that have stood through thick and thin, through evil + reports as well as good; they are the ones that I wish to live + with on earth, and I believe I shall; for I have no desire for + anything else but to press forward for the celestial world. I + don't expect to find much rest this side of that, but I feel to + prepare for the worst and hope for the better. I have strong + sensations of what is coming on the earth. I shall not be + disappointed if I get home about the time to have a little sport + with my brethren. As you say, a hint to the wise is sufficient. I + am sorry to hear that some of our brethren have denied the faith, + that is, some of them that went from this country, but it is just + what I expected, and told them so; they thought they were going to + be fostered by the Church in that place; they might have known + better, for they knew the Saints had been driven, and robbed of + all their goods, and they could not expect help from them, but + rather the reverse. I don't know but they think it will hinder the + work of the Lord if they turn away; they are mistaken there, for + it will advance the work just as much for them to turn away as it + will for them to remain; so it is all the same with the Lord. The + Savior says we cannot do anything against the truth, but for it. I + have got so I feel perfectly easy about these things, for they are + the work of God and not the work of man. I know no other way than + to be subject to the powers that be. I pray my Father will give me + this disposition, for I wish to be in the hand of God as the clay + in the hands of the potter. The Lord has His own way of doing His + own work, and we have got to submit to Him instead of His + submitting to us. I feel well in mind--never felt better in my + day--but I am afflicted in body with bad colds. The weather is + cold and wet, and the smoke is so bad some of the time that they + have to light up their lamps in the middle of the day, it is so + dark. It is very unhealthy for me, and it is so for my brethren. + Times grow worse and worse in this country; the people are driven + almost to desperation; the times appear sad and gloomy. I had some + conversation with a Frenchman the other evening; he says it is + hard times in France; all lands seem to share in the same fate; + distress on all sides. + + "I will begin where I left off at Liverpool on the 31st. I stated + to you that Elder Young and myself were going to Wales. This was + on Saturday,--the distance of twenty miles, seven miles by + steamboat, and the rest by coach. Got there in the evening--at the + town of Harder. On the Sabbath we preached twice; had as many as + could hear us; it appeared that everyone believed our testimony. + We were called to pray for the sick. One young man lay sick with + the fever, and a Methodist preacher received a blessing, and one + woman. They were healed, and began to proclaim it aloud to be the + power of God. Sunday was the 1st day of November; on the 2nd we + started back to Manchester by the way of Lynn; there were some + baptized the day we left. I heard there were about thirty others + ready to go forward the first opportunity. The six Methodist + preachers that sent for us are going to be baptized if they have + not been already. There has another work broke out in Wales, + fourteen miles from the place where we went. The last news we had + from them, there were fifty-two baptized. We received a line from + Elder Pratt yesterday, stating that there were about ninety + baptized in those two places. After we got to Manchester on the + 5th, I took coach for Clithero in Yorkshire, thirty miles distant. + I preached four times in Clithero, once in Waddington, once in + Chatburn, once in Downham. I remained with them six days, and + baptized several while there. In a few weeks' time there have been + about forty baptized; these are some of them from the old + churches; the excitement seems to be as great as it was when I + first went into that place. There were scores that believed my + testimony that had formerly been much opposed to this work. The + opposition is great in that part. They collected in mobs to break + up my meetings, but did not carry their designs into execution. + The devil is mad, and the work spreads in all parts. They are + publishing pamphlets in all directions, and the papers are full of + all kinds of lies. If things continue as they have for a short + time past, we shall be driven from this country. In the places + that I have mentioned the spirit has been poured out upon them; + they speak in tongues, interpret, prophesy, dream dreams, see + visions, and there seems to be great humility. There seems to be a + revival through this land. * * * * * * + + "On the 25th of November Elder Young and myself started for + London. I felt quite feeble when we started. I will continue my + epistle from the 5th of December. The day we started we went + twenty miles to Macklesfield, and stayed all night. There is a + church of nearly one hundred members there. It is a silk + manufacturing town of about 60,000 inhabitants. The next morning + we went to the potteries; stayed two nights; preached to the + Saints; the world's people came in throngs; they acted more like + devils than like men. There are many coming into the Church in + this place. The gifts are among the Saints; this makes the devil + mad. Many are turned out of their work because of their religion. + Many go hungry and look pale for the want of a little food to eat. + When I have a penny in my pocket it goes freely. I have taken + pains to ask them; some tell me they have not half enough to + eat--and have a little child to the breast at the same time. These + things are hard. I will stop, for I cannot paint the scenes that + are before me daily; these things grow worse and worse. From + there we went to Birmingham; found Elder Snow; on Sunday evening + heard him preach for the first time. After he got through Elder + Young and myself bore testimony. The Saints felt to rejoice, and + some believed. There are 300,000 inhabitants in that city and + only eighteen Saints. + + * * * * * * * * * + + "Sunday, the 6th. I have been to St. Paul's Church this forenoon + with the brethren. It was so dark they had to light up the church + with gas. A considerable part of this letter I have written in + the day time, and have had to write by a candle. It is very + disagreeable to me, and makes me feel bad and sick. Not one of us + feels well. Brother Smith's lungs are very bad; he will not be + able to stay in this country. He is at the potteries, where he + will remain until he goes home. * * * + + "December 12th. You will think I have been lazy since I commenced + this. Elder Young left here yesterday for Herefordshire; it was + thought best for me to remain here for a short time with Elder + Woodruff. The prospect seems to be better than it has been. There + was one man baptized this week, and several more are believing. I + shall stay here about three weeks if all things go well. Now, my + dear Vilate, be of good cheer, for all things will go well; and + pray much, and hearken to counsel from those that are over you. * + * * My love to all of the Saints in Christ. Remember me to my + little children, and kiss them for me. Oh, how I want to see you + all! + + I am your husband forever, + H. C. KIMBALL." + +About this time the Reverend James Albion, an independent minister, +with his wife and daughter became favorably impressed with Mormonism. +He offered his chapel to Elders Kimball and Woodruff for them to +preach in, and told his congregation that he was a Latter-day Saint, +and should be baptized, and that they were no longer to consider him +their minister unless they followed his example and joined the Saints. +This made a great stir among his committee and congregation. + +On the evening of the closing Sunday of the year, the Elders preached +by appointment of Mr. Albion in his chapel, to the largest +congregation they had addressed in London. There were present priests +and people of many denominations. While Elder Woodruff was speaking a +Wesleyan minister arose and opposed him, "which had a good effect, for +the congregation seeing the Spirit he was of, turned against him, and +the committee refused him permission to speak there any more." Thus +ended the Apostolic labors of the year. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + +OPENING OF THE YEAR 1841 IN LONDON--ENCOURAGING SUCCESS OF THE +ELDERS--HEBER C. KIMBALL BLESSES THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND--THE WOOLWICH +BRANCH ORGANIZED--ORGANIZATION OF THE LONDON CONFERENCE--THE PROSPECT +OF WAR BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES HASTENS THE RETURN +OF THE APOSTLES TO AMERICA. + + +The new year opened auspiciously for the work of God in the great city +of London. On the first of January, the Church there numbered +twenty-one souls, and ere another day had dawned two more were added +unto the fold of Christ. + +As usual the converts were mostly of the poor and lowly classes, +willing indeed to share their last crust with the Lord's servants, who +had sacrificed so much to bring the Gospel to their doors, but unable, +in their extreme poverty, to render much assistance in a pecuniary +way. Everything was dear in London. While exercising the most rigid +economy the Elders found it impossible to subsist upon much less than +a pound per week, individually. They had hired lodgings at No 40, +Ironmonger Row, near Father Corner's, and were keeping up a regular +meeting house,--the Academy in Goswell Road. Never before were they so +straitened financially. + +But conversions and baptisms were becoming more frequent, and the +clouds of discouragement which had so long hung over them, were +beginning to clear away. + +Apostle Woodruff baptized the daughter of the Reverend James Albion, +who had been so friendly to the Elders, and soon afterwards Heber C. +Kimball baptized the minister himself. + +Heber visited Woolwich, where he preached once and converted four +persons, who immediately offered themselves for baptism. They wandered +up and down the Thames until 9 o'clock at night, seeking for a +suitable place to administer the ordinance, but were unsuccessful +owing to the mud and ice on the banks of the river. Next day Heber +brought his converts to London and baptized them at the public baths +in Tabernacle Square. Dr. William Copeland was also baptized that day. + +Concerning this time, Heber writes: + +"The waters have begun to be troubled, and I pray that they may +continue until the Lord gathers out His people from this city. I can +say I never felt a greater desire for a place than I have for London; +it is the metropolis of the world and the depot of wickedness. All +manner of debauchery that can be thought of is practiced here. + +"But the ice is broken in London, and the Gospel has got such a hold +that the devil can not root it out." + +Satan, however, continued to do all that he could in opposition to the +Elders, by stirring up the wrath of sectarian priests and bigoted +people against them. + +It seems that prior to starting on this mission, Heber had been +promised by the Prophet that he should see the Queen of England. The +fulfillment occurred as follows: On the 26th of January Victoria +opened the British Parliament. Apostles Kimball and Woodruff, with Dr. +Copeland and several other friends, started out for the purpose of +witnessing the royal pageant. Arriving at St. James' Park at 10 a.m., +they beheld an immense concourse of people, extending in two unbroken +lines from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords. It was estimated +that from three to four hundred thousand people were assembled. +Through the courtesy of one of the Queen's life-guards--and no small +favor was it on that day--Heber and his party succeeded in getting a +place in the front line, past which the grand procession was to move. +The royal cortege passed within ten feet of where they stood, so that +they obtained a fair view of Her Majesty, both going to and returning +from the Houses of Parliament. The Queen sat in a gorgeous state +carriage, drawn by eight cream colored horses, richly caparisoned. At +her left hand sat Albert, the Prince Consort. Following were six +carriages, each drawn by six horses, containing members of the royal +family, lords and nobles. + +Says Heber: "We saw her, as the Prophet Joseph had told us. She made a +low bow to us, and we returned the compliment. She looked pleasant; +small of stature; with blue eyes; an innocent looking woman. Prince +Albert is a fine looking man. All things went on pleasantly. No +accidents." + +It was on this occasion that Heber C. Kimball blessed Queen Victoria, +with the tradition of which so many of the Saints are familiar. +Passing so close to them, and seemingly bowing directly and personally +to the Apostles, Heber returned the royal salute with a hearty "God +bless you," addressed to the Queen as she passed. Her Majesty of +course is not aware of the fact that on that day she received an +Apostle's benediction, but no one who has noted in faith the prophetic +potency of Heber C. Kimball's words uttered on less occasions, will +doubt the efficacy of such a blessing, even on the head of a queen of +England. + +Baptisms continued in London, and the Elders now had good +congregations. Heber organized a branch in Woolwich of those whom he +had baptized there. + +On the 8th of February a package of the Book of Mormon was received, +when Elders Kimball and Woodruff went to Stationers' Hall and secured +the copyright of the book in the name of Joseph Smith, Jun. + +At this time there was a strong probability of war between Great +Britain and the United States, and the Elders began to think of +returning to their native land. President Young wrote to Heber and +Wilford to prepare for an early departure. + +The cause of the threatened war was the imprisonment of Mr. McLeod, a +British officer, in Lockport jail, New York, which state was trying +him for arson; and the Americans seemed resolved on executing him. The +case at issue was the burning of the _Caroline_ on Lake Erie, in 1837, +during the troubles in Canada. Great Britain maintained that he was +acting under British orders and demanded his release. + +On the 11th of February, Elder Lorenzo Snow arrived in London to take +charge of the Church there after the departure of Elders Kimball and +Woodruff. Heber and Lorenzo together visited Woolwich, which was fast +developing into an important branch, and on their return the first +London conference was held in Barnett's Academy. + +It was Sunday, February 14th, 1841. On this day the London Conference +was organized. There were present at the organization Elders Heber C. +Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, William Pitt and four +Priests. The meeting was called to order by Elder Kimball, and after +singing and prayer the President called upon the official members to +represent their respective branches. They were as follows: + +The Church at Ipswich, represented by Elder Pitt, consisting of twelve +members, one Elder, one Priest and one Teacher. + +The Church at Bedford, represented by Robert Williams, Priest, +consisting of forty-two members and one Priest; seven had moved and +two died. + +The Church at Woolwich, represented by John Griffith, Priest, +consisting of six members, one Priest. + +The Church in London, represented by Elder Kimball, consisting of +forty-six members, one Elder, two Priests; generally in good standing; +excellent prospect of a continued increase. + +James Albion was ordained an Elder; Thomas Barnes a Teacher; R. +Williams an Elder to oversee the Church at Bedford; Richard Bates a +Priest in the Church at Woolwich; John Sheffield a Teacher in the +branch at Bedford and A. Painter a Teacher at Woolwich. + +The above named persons were ordained under the hands of Elders +Kimball, Woodruff and Snow. + +It was then moved by Elder Kimball and seconded by Elder Woodruff, +that Elder Lorenzo Snow be appointed President of the London +Conference, and also to take the superintendency of the Church in +London. + +Much valuable instruction was given by Apostles Kimball and Woodruff +in relation to the duties of the official members, and the conference +then adjourned to Sunday, the 16th of May. + +Immediately after the conference Heber started for Manchester to join +President Young. He had just received a letter from his wife, Vilate, +saying that the Prophet Joseph was very anxious for the return of the +Twelve, as both countries were then in the greatest excitement over +the prospect of war. As for the Apostles themselves, they could not +but realize that their situation as American missionaries was very +precarious, and that their immigration of that year was in imminent +danger of being interrupted by the British government. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + +HEBER ORGANIZES THE BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE--MEETING OF THE APOSTLES IN +MANCHESTER PRIOR TO RETURNING TO AMERICA--ORSON HYDE PRESENT ON HIS +WAY TO PALESTINE--THE EXTENSIVE WORK OF ONE YEAR. + + +On his way to Manchester Heber tarried a few days at Bedford, +strengthening the Saints in that place, and adding new members to the +Church. He also visited Birmingham and there organized a conference. +One hundred and seven members were represented, and nine persons +ordained to the ministry. Elder Alfred Cordon was appointed president. +The Birmingham Conference became one of the largest and most important +conferences in the mission. + +On the 6th day of April, 1841, the Apostles met as a quorum in +Manchester, for the transaction of business prior to their departure +for America. The meetings, which were open to the Saints, were held in +Carpenter's Hall. The members of the quorum present were Brigham +Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, +Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, Willard Richards and George A. Smith. +Orson Hyde had lately arrived from America on his way to Jerusalem, +whither he had been sent on a mission to the house of Judah. + +The representation of the churches and conferences throughout the +mission being called for, it was found that thirty-three conferences +and branches were represented, aggregating a membership of five +thousand eight hundred and fourteen, with one hundred and thirty-six +Elders, three hundred and three Priests, one hundred and sixty-nine +Teachers, and sixty-eight Deacons. This enumeration did not include +some fifty members not connected with any branch, and nearly eight +hundred Saints who had emigrated to America during the year. + +Several ordinations were performed, and the following business was +transacted: + +"Resolved, That Manchester, Stockport, Dukinfield, Oldham, Bolton and +all the neighboring branches be organized into one conference to be +called the Manchester Conference. + +"That the church in Brampton, Alston, and Carlisle be included in one +conference; + +"That the churches of Liverpool, Isle of Man, Wales, viz., Overton, +Harding and Elsmere, be organized into one conference, to be called +the Liverpool Conference; + +"That the Macclesfield Conference include Macclesfield, Northwich, +Middlewich, and Lostock; + +"That the Edinburgh Conference include Edinburgh and vicinity, and +that the conference of Glasgow include Glasgow, Paisley, Bridge of +Weir, Johnston, and Thorny Bank. + +"Resolved, that G. D. Watt preside over the Edinburgh Conference; that +Thomas Ward preside over the Clithero Conference; that Lorenzo Snow +preside over the London Conference; that J. Gaily preside over the +Macclesfield Conference; that A. Cordon preside over the Staffordshire +Conference; that J. Riley be ordained a High Priest and preside over +the Birmingham Conference; that J. McAuley preside over the Glasgow +Conference; that Thomas Richardson preside over the Gadfield Elm +Conference; that Wm. Kay preside over the Froomes Hill Conference; +that Levi Richards have the superintendence of the Garway Conference; +that P. Melling, Patriarch, continue to preside over the Preston +Conference, and that J. Sanders preside over the Brampton Conference." + +The above resolutions were adopted unanimously. Elder J. Albertson was +then given a patriarchal blessing, under the hands of Father Melling, +after which he was himself ordained a Patriarch by the Apostles. + +During the meeting a very richly ornamented cake, a present from New +York, from a Sister Adams to the Twelve, was exhibited and then +divided among the congregation. While the distribution was going on, +several appropriate hymns were sung, and a powerful and general +feeling of delight pervaded the meeting. Under the inspiration of the +moment, Elder Parley P. Pratt composed the following lines and handed +them to the clerk who read them to the congregation: + + "When in far distant regions + As strangers we roam, + Far away from our country, + Our friends and our home; + When sinking in sorrow, + Fresh courage we'll take, + As we think on our friends, + And remember the cake." + +Several discourses were then delivered, and this memorable and happy +meeting--the first and last at which so many members of the early +Twelve met together in a foreign land, came to a close. + +The Apostles next issued their first general epistle to the Saints in +England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Isle of Man. It was a +well-worded, even eloquent document, full of wise counsel and timely +instruction. Having now set in order the affairs of the Church +throughout the mission, the Apostles, all save Orson Hyde, who was +bound for Palestine, and Parley P. Pratt, who was left to preside over +the British mission, prepared to return to America. + +A great work had been accomplished by these faithful and devoted men +of God, during the past year. The mission founded by Heber C. Kimball +and his brethren in 1837, was now established upon a broad and +permanent basis, and the mighty stream of Israel's emigration from +foreign shores set in motion. + + + + +CHAPTER XLV. + +THE APOSTLES SAIL FOR HOME--ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK--HEBER'S LETTER TO THE +"MILLENNIAL STAR"--HAPPY MEETING WITH THE PROPHET AND THE SAINTS AT +NAUVOO--LABORS SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL--HEBER'S PHRENOLOGICAL CHART. + + +On the 20th day of April, 1841, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson +Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith and Willard +Richards, with a company of Saints, sailed from Liverpool on board the +ship _Rochester_, bound for New York. They landed there on the 20th of +May, having been just one month upon the water, and remained in that +city until the 4th of June. + +In a letter to the editor of the _Millennial Star_, Heber thus relates +what followed: + +"On the 4th of June I started for home, in company with Elders Young +and Taylor. Elder O. Pratt remained in New York to republish the book +he had printed in Edinburgh, Scotland, giving a history of the coming +forth of the Book of Mormon, and of which he intended to publish 5,000 +copies. Elders G. A. Smith and Hadlock stayed in Pennsylvania, not +having the means of getting home. I had to borrow four pounds myself, +and the Saints in New York gave us some help. May the Lord bless them +fourfold. + +"We went by way of Philadephia to Pittsburg, the distance being four +hundred miles by railway and canal. We went on the swift line, for +which we paid fourteen dollars, the slow line carrying for nine +dollars. After staying four days at Pittsburg, we set sail on board +the steamboat _Cicero_ on the 12th of June, and when we had proceeded +about fifteen miles she ran on a sand bank, where we were detained +three days; in fact the boat ran aground several times, the water was +so low. We were three weeks on board before we arrived at Nauvoo. I +never experienced warmer weather at this season before, and many +persons are dying of cholera on board the steamboats on the river. I +would advise persons coming by way of the rivers to start earlier in +the spring. It will be much cheaper for the Saints to come by way of +New Orleans, the cost of which is about five pounds ten shillings, and +they will come much quicker and with greater ease. If they prefer +coming by way of New York, they will do well to go from thence by way +of Chicago, as it will be both cheaper and quicker than by way of +Philadelphia. I would advise the Saints to come in the cool part of +the season, on account of their health. + +"We landed in Nauvoo on the 1st of July, and when we struck the dock I +think there were about three hundred Saints there to meet us, and a +greater manifestation of love and gladness I never saw before. +President Smith was the first one that caught us by the hand. I never +saw him feel better in my life than he does at this time; this is the +case with the Saints in general. When we got in sight of Nauvoo we +were surprised to see what improvements had been made since we left +home. You know there were not more than thirty buildings in the city +when we left about two years ago, but at this time there are twelve +hundred, and hundreds of others in progress which will be finished +soon. On Friday last seventy Saints came to Nauvoo, led by Lorenzo +Barnes, from Chester County, Pennsylvania, in wagons, living in tents +by the way. On the next day a company came in wagons from Canada, all +in good spirits; and in two or three days after they all obtained +places to live in. They are coming in from all parts of this vast +continent daily and hourly, and the work is spreading in all of this +land, and calls for preaching in all parts. You will recollect that +when we built our houses in the woods there was not a house within +half a mile of us. Now the place, wild as it was at that time, is +converted into a thickly populated village. Our old friends who were +driven from Missouri are my neighbors; for instance, the Allreds, +Charles Hubbard, Charles Rich, and hundreds of others that I could +mention that you know. I wish you were here, if it were right. I can +say with propriety, as to the knowledge I have of things, I never knew +the Church in so good a state as at the present time; they feel well +and in good spirits, and filled with love and kindness. Most of our +English brethren have got themselves places and houses built for them, +and others building, and many of them say they never felt better in +their lives and have no desire to return to their native land, for +they have houses and land of their own, what they never before were in +possession of. They are generally enjoying good health and spirits. +There has been some sickness among them during their long journey, and +a few deaths. I will mention some names. Thomas Smith and his wife, +and his daughter Diana; she died the day I got home. Brother Smith and +his wife died before they got to St. Louis. They were from Clithero, +Lancashire. Brother Henry Nightingale. He got shot through his thigh; +it was an accident. He survived the misfortune only two weeks. His +wife was at my house this week. He died about the time I got home. He +was from Preston. John Stevenson, from Longton; also Sister Wyche, +from the Potteries; William Blacast's wife, from Longton, is dead; +also Brother Rigby's wife, from Clayton, and James Carlbridge, from +Thornby. The sickness is generally among the new comers. + +"On the 3rd of July the Nauvoo Legion was called out to celebrate our +independence. There was judged to be about 8,000 people present. There +was an oration delivered by President Rigdon to the satisfaction of +all present. We had a heavenly time; all was peace and harmony; there +was no drunkenness on that day as I discovered; there is no public +house that keeps spirits, nor grocery, and in fact none except in case +of sickness is used in the city of Nauvoo. You will not find a more +temperate people than the Latter-day Saints in this or any other +country. + +"I never saw crops look better than they do in this place at present. +The wheat is in general cut, and secured. Provisions are cheaper; +flour is $2.25 a hundred and will be less soon. Corn is brought into +the city for twenty-five cents a bushel; bacon from seven to eight +cents per pound; butter ten cents; other things in proportion. The +whole country for many miles is cultivated with corn, wheat, potatoes, +and all kinds of produce; it looks as though the blessing of God +rested upon the crops in this region, and it is noticed by the +inhabitants that come from other parts, for the crops are better here +than in other parts of the country, or counties around this place. +Most of the Saints have plenty growing to last them for a year, and to +spare; and the blessing of God rests on this people, and I know for +one that God is here, and that to bless his people, and the devil +cannot hinder, for it is the work of the great God, and it must and +will roll forth. + +"On the 4th of July, being the Sabbath day, the Saints came together +to the amount of 5,000 to hear us give a detail of our mission to +England. Then was a time of rejoicing I assure you. Our place of +meeting was in a grove close by the temple, as we have no other place +at present. There is every effort made to complete the house of the +Lord; they devote every tenth day for that purpose. The basement story +is nearly finished, which is considered to be half of the stone work. +It is going to be very magnificent. They intend to have the walls +finished this fall if possible. Elders G. A. Smith and Hadlock got +here on the 14th, both well. We found our families well, except Sister +Taylor, who was quite low. She has now recovered. + +"Elders Young and Taylor send much love to you all, and I am sure all +would if they knew that I was writing to you. Give my love to Elders +Snow, Richards and Adams, and to all of the officers and members in +that land. Please to give my respects to Sister Pratt and to Sister +Olive and to all your families. My wife joins with me in love to you +both and to Sister Olive and Mary Ann, and may the Lord bless you with +long life and good days, and keep you safe till you return to your own +country with your own family, is the wish and prayer of your brother +in Christ. Elder Orson Pratt arrived here this week; he went to +Sackett's Harbor; his wife's sister came with him. He and his family +are well. Your brother William is well. + +"As to crops that are growing in the Iowa, there is thought to be +enough to supply all the Saints in Nauvoo and Iowa for one year. Such +sights you never saw before. There is a greater improvement by one +half than there was in Far West in the same time. Our enemies begin to +threaten us, for you know they cannot bear to see us prosper. + +"I must now come to a close. There are five of the Twelve got home. We +are all well and in good spirits. We think much about you and yours, +and our brethren and sisters in that land. I hope we shall see them +all soon, and hope also that they may be faithful, and hearken unto +counsel, for they that hearken to counsel will be wise, and their +lives will be prolonged on the earth. I exhort them to observe these +things, and to be subject to the powers that be. They have my best +wishes for their welfare both temporal and spiritual. Now, fare you +well a little season, my dear brother in Christ." + +Heber's time was now more or less taken up with temporal affairs. The +work of God was growing so rapidly that the Prophet, in order to +devote more of his time to spiritual concerns, was obliged to roll +some of the burden of the public business from his own shoulders upon +those of the Twelve. At a conference held on the 16th of August, 1841, +Joseph remarked "that the time had come when the Twelve should be +called upon to stand in their place next the First Presidency, and +attend to the settling of immigrants, and the business of the Church +at the Stakes, and assist to bear off the kingdom victorious to the +nations." They were also directed to build the cities which Joseph had +designed, namely, Nauvoo, Zarahemla, Warren, Nashville and Ramus, and +while attending to these duties in person, to send missionaries into +different parts to preach the gospel. + +Brigham and Heber also served in a semi-military capacity, being made +chaplains in the Nauvoo Legion soon after their return from England. + +At intervals, while engaged in the new labors assigned them, the +Twelve continued to send their general epistles to the churches +abroad. + +At the close of the April conference of 1842, Presidents Young, +Kimball and others of the Twelve ordained two hundred and seventy-five +Elders, the largest number ordained in one day since the formation of +the Church. Thus, in labors spiritual and temporal, under the +direction of the Prophet of God, Heber and his brethren continued to +fulfill their sacred mission. + +About this time there came to Nauvoo a celebrated phrenologist of the +period, who applied to the Prophet for the privilege of examining the +heads of himself and several of his chief Apostles, designing to +publish their charts. Joseph, Brigham, Heber and Willard were chosen +for types, and their charts were incorporated in the Prophet's +history. Here is Heber's: + +_Phrenological Chart of Elder Heber C. Kimball; by A. Crane, M. D., +Professor of Phrenology_. + +PROPENSITIES. + +Amativeness.--10, large. Extreme susceptibility; passionately fond of +the company of the other sex. + +Philoprogenitiveness.--7, full. Interested in the happiness of +children; fond of their company. + +Inhabitiveness.--4, medium or small. Somewhat indifferent to places as +such; easily changes location. + +Adhesiveness.--8, f. Solicitous for the happiness of friends, and +ardent attachments to the other sex. + +Combativeness.--7, f. Great powers of exertion and sustaining under +opposition and difficulties. + +Destructiveness.--6, m. Ability to control the passions, and is not +disposed to extreme measures. + +Secretiveness.--9, l. Great propensity and ability to conceal +feelings, plans, etc. + +Acquisitiveness.--6, m. Freeness to spend money; love of it chiefly +for its uses and what it will buy. + +Alimentativeness.--7, f. A good appetite, but not excessive; +partiality for a variety of rich, hearty dishes. + +Vitativeness.--6, m. or s. Indifferent to life; views the approach of +death without fear. + +FEELINGS. + +Cautiousness.--8, f. Provision against prospective dangers and ills, +without hesitation or irresolution. + +Approbativeness.--10, l. Ambition for distinction; sense of character; +sensibility to reproach, fear of scandal. + +Self-esteem.--9, l. High-mindedness, independence, self-confidence, +dignity, aspiration for greatness. + +Concentrativeness.--7, f. Can dwell on a subject without fatigue, and +control the imagination. + +Benevolence.--9, l. Kindness, goodness, tenderness, sympathy. + +Veneration.--8, f. Religion, without great awe or enthusiasm; +reasonable deference to superiority. + +Firmness.--10, l. Stability and decision of character and purpose. + +Conscientiousness.--9, l. High regard for duty, integrity, moral +principle, justice, obligation, truth, etc. + +Hope.--7, f. Reasonable hopes, a fine flow of spirits; anticipation of +what is to be realized. + +Marvelousness.--7, f. Openness to conviction without blind credulity; +tolerable good degree of faith. + +Imitation.--10, f. A disposition and respectable ability to imitate, +but not to mimic, or to act out. + +Prepossession.--7, l. or f. Attached to certain notions; not disposed +to change them, etc. + +Ideality.--10, l. Lively imagination; fancy, taste love of poetry, +elegance, eloquence, excellence, etc. + +PERCEPTIVES. + +Admonition.--7, f. or m. Desirous to know what others are doing; ready +to counsel, and give hints of a fault or duty, etc. + +Constructiveness.--9, l. Great mechanical ingenuity, talent and skill. + +Tune.--9, v. l. or l. Great musical taste and talent; conception of +melody. + +Time.--4, s. or v. s. Forgetfulness of dates, ages, appointments, day +of the month, etc. + +Locality.--11, v. l. or l. Great memory of places and position. + +Eventuality.--10, l. Retentive memory of events and particulars. + +Individuality.--8, f. With very large causality, and comparison, great +observation, with deep thought, etc. + +Form.--8, f. Cognizance, and distinct recollection of shapes. + +Size.--5, m. s. or v. s. Inaccurate measurement of magnitude, +distance, etc. + +Weight.--11, v. l., l. or f. Knowledge of gravitation, momentum, etc. + +Color.--9, f. or m. Moderate skill in judging of colors, comparing and +arranging them. + +Language.--7, f. Freedom of expression, without fluency or verbosity; +no great loquacity. + +Order.--9, l. Love of arrangement, everything in its particular place. + +Number.--8, f. Respectable aptness in arithmetical calculations, +without extraordinary talent. + +REFLECTIVES. + +Mirthfulness.--10, l. Wit, fun, mirth, perception and love of the +ludicrous. + +Causality.--9, l. Ability to think and reason clearly, and perceive +the relations of cause and effect. + +Comparison.--10, l. A discrimination; power of illustration; ability +to perceive and apply analogies. + +This chart is not only worth preserving as a curiosity, but it is, in +many respects, an excellent index of Heber's character and +idiosyncrasies. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI. + +REVELATION OF CELESTIAL MARRIAGE--SECRECY THE PRICE OF SAFETY--JOSEPH +TESTS HEBER AND MAKES HIM HIS CONFIDANT--HOW VILATE KIMBALL WAS +CONVERTED--HEBER AND VILATE GIVE THEIR DAUGHTER HELEN TO THE PROPHET +IN CELESTIAL MARRIAGE. + + +A startling innovation, a test designed to try, as never before, the +faith and integrity of God's people now came upon them. Not in the +shape of fire and sword, nor toilsome pilgrimage, nor pestilence, nor +wealth, nor poverty. Ah! no; something far different from these, and +far more difficult to bear. + +A grand and glorious principle had been revealed, and for years had +slumbered in the breast of God's Prophet, awaiting the time when, with +safety to himself and the Church, it might be confided to the sacred +keeping of a chosen few. That time had now come. An angel with a +flaming sword descended from the courts of glory and, confronting the +Prophet, commanded him in the name of the Lord to establish the +principle so long concealed from the knowledge of the Saints and of +the world. + +That principle was the law of celestial or plural marriage! + +Well knew the youthful Prophet the danger of his task. Well knew he +the peril and penalty of disobedience. Fearing God, not man, he bowed +to the inevitable, and laid his life--aye, was it not so?--upon the +altar of duty and devotion. + +Among those to whom Joseph confided this great secret, even before it +was committed to writing, was his bosom friend, Heber C. Kimball. Well +knowing the integrity of his heart, so many times tested and found +true, he felt that he ran no risk in opening to Heber's eyes the +treasured mysteries of his mighty soul. + +But why careful, among so many friends, to select only a few as the +recipients of such a favor? Would not the Saints have died to a man in +defense of their Prophet--God's seer and revelator? Alas, none knew so +well as Joseph the frailty of man, the inherent weakness and +wickedness of the human heart. + +"Many men," said he, "will say, 'I will never forsake you, but will +stand by you at all times.' But the moment you teach them some of the +mysteries of the kingdom of God that are retained in the heavens, and +are to be revealed to the children of men when they are prepared for +them, they will be the first to stone you and put you to death. + +"It was this same principle that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, and +will cause the people to kill the Prophets in this generation." + +What! would even the Saints have so done? Did not some of those who +_were_ Saints then, so do? + +Had not Joseph said many times--are not men now living who heard him +say: "Would to God, brethren, I could tell you who I am! Would to God +I could tell you what I know! But you would call it blasphemy, and +there are men upon this stand who would want to take my life." + +"If the Church," said he, "knew all the commandments, one half they +would reject through prejudice and ignorance." + +No wonder, then, that he should choose his confidants; for their sakes +no less than his own. For these also are Joseph's words: + +"When God offers a blessing, or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to +receive it, he will be damned." + +Revelation is ever the iconoclast of tradition; and such is the +bigotry of man, his natural hatred of the new and strange, as opposed +to his personal interests or private views, that the very lives of +those whose mission is to introduce and establish new doctrines, +though designed as a blessing to humanity, are ever in danger from +those whose traditions would thus be uprooted and destroyed. + +Joseph was not a coward; it was he who said that a coward could not be +saved in the kingdom of God; but neither was he lacking in caution, +especially when warned of the Lord of the necessity for its exercise. +Therefore, was he now revealing, to a chosen few, whom God had +prepared to receive what he should tell them, one of the grand +principles of the everlasting Gospel, "unlawful to be uttered" to the +multitude, yet one day to be thundered from the house-tops in the ears +of all living, with many other mighty truths locked in the treasure +house of future time, of which eternity still holds the key. + +Before he would trust even Heber with the full secret, however, he put +him to a test which few men would have been able to bear. + +It was no less than a requirement for him to surrender his wife, his +beloved Vilate, and give her to Joseph in marriage! + +The astounding revelation well-nigh paralyzed him. He could hardly +believe he had heard aright. Yet Joseph was solemnly in earnest. His +next impulse was to spurn the proposition, and perhaps at that +terrible moment a vague suspicion of the Prophet's motive and the +divinity of the revelation, shot like a poisoned arrow through his +soul. + +But only for a moment, if at all, was such a thought, such a suspicion +entertained. He knew Joseph too well, as a man, a friend, a brother, a +servant of God, to doubt his truth or the divine origin of the behest +he had made. No; Joseph was God's Prophet, His mouth-piece and oracle, +and so long as he was so, his words were as the words of the Eternal +One to Heber C. Kimball. His heart-strings might be torn, his feelings +crucified and sawn asunder, but so long as his faith in God and the +Priesthood remained, heaven helping him, he would try and do as he was +told. Such, now, was his superhuman resolve. + +Three days he fasted and wept and prayed. Then, with a broken and a +bleeding heart, but with soul self-mastered for the sacrifice, he led +his darling wife to the Prophet's house and presented her to Joseph. + +It was enough--the heavens accepted the sacrifice. The will for the +deed was taken, and "accounted unto him for righteousness." Joseph +wept at this proof of devotion, and embracing Heber told him that was +all that the Lord required. He had proved him, as a child of Abraham, +that he would "do the works of Abraham," holding back nothing, but +laying all upon the altar for God's glory. + +The Prophet joined the hands of the heroic and devoted pair, and then +and there, by virtue of the sealing power and authority of the Holy +Priesthood, Heber and Vilate Kimball were made husband and wife for +all eternity. + +Heber's crucial test was in part over. Vilate's trial was yet to come. +The principle of celestial marriage was now known to them, so far as +their own eternal covenant was concerned, but the doctrine of +plurality of wives which it involves, was yet to be revealed. How +Heber and Vilate received and embraced this feature of the principle +is thus tenderly told by their daughter Helen: + +"My mother often told me that she could not doubt the plural order of +marriage was of God, for the Lord had revealed it to her in answer to +prayer. + +"In Nauvoo, shortly after his return from England, my father, among +others of his brethren, was taught the plural wife doctrine, and was +told by Joseph, the Prophet, three times, to go and take a certain +woman as his wife; but not till he commanded him in the name of the +Lord did he obey. At the same time Joseph told him not to divulge this +secret, not even to my mother, for fear that she would not receive it; +for his life was in constant jeopardy, not only from outside +influences and enemies, who were seeking some plea to take him back to +Missouri, but from false brethren who had crept like snakes into his +bosom and then betrayed him. + +"My father realized the situation fully, and the love and reverence he +bore for the Prophet were so great that he would sooner have laid down +his life than have betrayed him. This was one of the greatest tests of +his faith he had ever experienced. The thought of deceiving the kind +and faithful wife of his youth, whom he loved with all his heart, and +who with him had borne so patiently their separations, and all the +trials and sacrifices they had been called to endure, was more than he +felt able to bear. + +"He realized not only the addition of trouble and perplexity that such +a step must bring upon him, but his sorrow and misery were increased +by the thought of my mother hearing of it from some other source, +which would no doubt separate them, and he shrank from the thought of +such a thing, or of causing her any unhappiness. Finally he was so +tried that he went to Joseph and told him how he felt--that he was +fearful if he took such a step he could not stand, but would be +overcome. The Prophet, full of sympathy for him, went and inquired of +the Lord; His answer was, 'Tell him to go and do as he has been +commanded, and if I see that there is any danger of his apostatizing. +I will take him to myself.' + +"The fact that he had to be commanded three times to do this thing +shows that the trial must have been extraordinary, for he was a man +who, from the first, had yielded implicit obedience to every +requirement of the Prophet. + +"When first hearing the principle taught, believing that he would be +called upon to enter into it, he had thought of two elderly ladies +named Pitkin, great friends of my mother's, who, he believed, would +cause her little, if any, unhappiness. But the woman he was commanded +to take was an English lady named Sarah Noon, nearer my mother's age, +who came over with the company of Saints in the same ship in which +father and Brother Brigham returned from Europe. She had been married +and was the mother of two little girls, but left her husband on +account of his drunken and dissolute habits. Father was told to take +her as his wife and provide for her and her children, and he did +so.[A] + +[Footnote A: Heber was told by Joseph that if he did not do this he +would lose his Apostleship and be damned.] + +"My mother had noticed a change in his manner and appearance, and when +she inquired the cause, he tried to evade her questions. At last he +promised he would tell her after a while, if she would only wait. This +trouble so worked upon his mind that his anxious and haggard looks +betrayed him daily and hourly, and finally his misery became so +unbearable that it was impossible to control his feelings. He became +sick in body, but his mental wretchedness was too great to allow of +his retiring, and he would walk the floor till nearly morning, and +some times the agony of his mind was so terrible that he would wring +his hands and weep like a child, and beseech the Lord to be merciful +and reveal to her this principle, for he himself could not break his +vow of secrecy. + +"The anguish of their hearts was indescribable, and when she found it +was useless to beseech him longer, she retired to her room and bowed +before the Lord and poured out her soul in prayer to Him who hath +said: 'If any lack wisdom let him ask of God, who giveth to all men +liberally and upbraideth not.' My father's heart was raised at the +same time in supplication. While pleading as one would plead for life, +the vision of her mind was opened, and, as darkness flees before the +morning sun, so did her sorrow and the groveling things of earth +vanish away. + +"Before her was illustrated the order of celestial marriage, in all +its beauty and glory, together with the great exaltation and honor it +would confer upon her in that immortal and celestial sphere, if she +would accept it and stand in her place by her husband's side. She also +saw the woman he had taken to wife, and contemplated with joy the vast +and boundless love and union which this order would bring about, as +well as the increase of her husband's kingdoms, and the power and +glory extending throughout the eternities, worlds without end. + +"With a countenance beaming with joy, for she was filled with the +Spirit of God, she returned to my father, saying: 'Heber, what you +kept from me the Lord has shown me.' She told me she never saw so +happy a man as father was when she described the vision and told him +she was satisfied and knew it was from God. + +"She covenanted to stand by him and honor the principle, which +covenant she faithfully kept, and though her trials were often heavy +and grievous to bear, she knew that father was also being tried, and +her integrity was unflinching to the end. She gave my father many +wives, and they always found in my mother a faithful friend." + +Helen also refers in her narrative to the sensation caused in Nauvoo, +one Sabbath morning, prior to the return of the Twelve from England, +by a sermon of the Prophet's on "the restoration of all things," in +which it was hinted that the patriarchal or plural order of marriage, +as practiced by the ancients, would some day again be established, The +excitement created by the bare suggestion was such that Joseph deemed +it wisdom, in the afternoon, to modify his statement by saying that +possibly the Spirit had made the time seem nearer than it really was, +when such things would be restored. + +These facts serve to show something of the nature and extent of the +sacrifice made by the Saints in accepting this principle, and likewise +the pure, lofty, religious motives actuating both men and women who +could thus heroically embrace a doctrine against which--as is +generally the case with the gospel's higher principles--their +traditions and preconceived notions instinctively rebelled. + +Soon after the revelation was given, a golden link was forged whereby +the houses of Heber and Joseph were indissolubly and forever +joined.[A] Helen Mar, the eldest daughter of Heber Chase and Vilate +Murray Kimball, was given to the Prophet in the holy bonds of +celestial marriage. + +[Footnote A: The Prophet Joseph, I am informed, in blessing Heber C. +Kimball, told him that his inheritance in Zion should adjoin his on +the north.] + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII. + +JOHN C. BENNETT'S APOSTASY--HEBER AND THE TWELVE SENT OUT TO REFUTE +HIS SLANDERS--HEBER'S FAMOUS SERMON: "THE CLAY IN THE HANDS OF THE +POTTER"--INCEPTION OF THE RELIEF SOCIETY--VILATE'S VOW AND HEBER'S +PRAYER. + + +Without doubt, the revelation of the great principle of plural +marriage was a prime cause of the troubles which now arose, +culminating in the Prophet's martyrdom and the exodus of the Church +into the wilderness. True, the old causes remained, sectarian hatred +and political jealousies, and these were the immediate reasons for +such results. But back of all was the eternal warfare of truth and +error, battling each for the world's supremacy, and the mailed hand of +Omnipotence pushing the chosen people along the thorn-strewn, +blood-sprinkled path of a glorious destiny. + +John C. Bennett, an individual who had wormed himself into the good +graces of the Saints, like the serpent of old among the flowers of +Eden, at this juncture apostatized, not finding the Church of God, +with its pure and wholesome laws, a safe refuge for vice, or a +suitable arena for the antics of rascality. Excommunicated for his +vile practices, he at once entered the lecture field--that favorite +resort of vengeful apostates--and sought to abuse the public mind in +relation to the Latter-day Saints and their religion. His charges were +so atrocious as to half defeat their own purpose, the more intelligent +at once rejecting them for what they were--outrageous fabrications. +Many of the ignorant and fanatical, however, believed them. The +Prophet therefore called a council of leading Elders, including Heber +C. Kimball and others of the Twelve, to consider the advisability of +sending missionaries through the states to preach the gospel--the +principles which the Saints really believed and were authorized to +teach--and expose and refute the slanderous charges of the man Bennett +and other apostates. + +This council was held in the latter part of August, 1842. It was +decided to hold a special conference at once and nominate the Elders +who were to go upon this mission. Accordingly, on the 29th of August a +conference convened at Nauvoo, at which three hundred and eighty +Elders volunteered for the purpose. + +One of these was Heber C. Kimball. He, in company with Brigham Young, +George A. Smith and Amasa Lyman (who had lately been ordained an +Apostle under the hands of the other three), having been instructed by +the Prophet, set out upon this mission early in September. They held +their first meeting at Lima, where they addressed a large assembly in +a grove, in relation to the slanderous reports of John C. Bennett. +Their labors and subsequent movements were outlined as follows in a +letter to the editor of the _Times and Seasons:_ + + "DEAR BROTHER: + + "Having commenced our mission yesterday, we held our first + conference at Elder Isaac Morley's. We had a good time. The + brethren here are in good spirits. We ordained nineteen Elders and + baptized twelve. We expect next Saturday and Sunday to hold a two + days' meeting in Quincy, being the 17th and 18th instant; on the + 24th and 25th at Payson; the 1st and 2nd of October at Pleasant + Vale; the 8th and 11th of October at Pittsfield; the 15th and 16th + of October at Apple Creek, in Green County. From thence we shall + proceed to Jacksonville and Springfield. + + "If you please, notice the above in your paper, for the benefit of + those friends scattered abroad. + + "Yours in the everlasting covenant, + + BRIGHAM YOUNG, + H. C. KIMBALL. + + "MORLEY SETTLEMENT, + September 12, 1842." + +Having fulfilled their mission, Brigham and Heber returned together to +Nauvoo on the 4th of November. + +The opening of the year 1843 was a period of rejoicing to the Saints +at Nauvoo, the Prophet having been honorably discharged from his +arrest under the Missouri writ, by the U. S. District Court of +Illinois, Judge Pope presiding. Grateful for this, the Twelve issued a +proclamation to the Saints to observe the 17th of January as a day of +fasting, prayer and thanksgiving for the Prophet's deliverance. On the +next day Joseph invited his friends to a feast to commemorate the +event, Heber being one of the number. + +On the evening of March 7th a meeting was held at the house of Elder +Kimball, which was crowded. Heber addressed the assembly, taking for +his text, Jeremiah xviii, 2-5, on the figure of the clay in the hands +of the potter. Joseph was so pleased with his sermon that he deemed it +worthy of special notice in his history. This was the origin of +Heber's famous sermon--"the clay in the hands of the potter," so +familiar to the Saints, and well worthy of remembrance, not only for +the masterly way in which it was presented, but for the depth of the +doctrine therein contained. + +Probably it was Heber's early profession--it will be remembered that +he was by trade a potter--that first impressed him with this important +theme, with its train of associate thoughts and images. And herein was +shown the thoughtful, observant nature of his mind, which drew from +simplest as well as sublimest objects that wealth of simile, the rich +fund of metaphor and comparison in which his sayings were so prolific. +Thus also was evinced the poet nature of the man, though he probably +never wrote a line of verse. + +Heber's powers as a speaker--though he never sought the distinction or +claimed the title of orator--were well recognized, even at that early +day. As a persuader, not with tinkling phrases and flowery rhetoric, +to please the ear, but by simple words and the power of the Holy +Ghost, to move the heart, he had few equals. + +Some days after the meeting referred to, a petition reached Nauvoo +from Boston, signed by twelve hundred names, asking for Elders Heber +C. Kimball and Orson Hyde to come and labor in that city. A similar +petition was also sent from Salem, Massachusetts, by Elder Erastus +Snow. Before going on another mission, however, Heber, in connection +with the Prophet, took an active part in creating an organization +which has since become famous in the midst of Israel. It was no other +than the Relief Society, the preliminary meeting of which was held at +the house of Heber C. Kimball in Nauvoo. In view of the scarcely less +famous organizations which have sprung up since, known as the Young +Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations of the +Latter-day Saints, it is interesting to note that the former movement +originated among the young people, for whose welfare Heber was at that +time specially and zealously laboring. We quote from the Prophet's +history: + +A SHORT SKETCH OF THE RISE OF THE YOUNG GENTLEMEN AND LADIES' RELIEF +SOCIETY. + + "In the latter part of January, 1843, a number of young people + assembled at the house of Elder H. C. Kimball, who warned them + against the various temptations to which youth is exposed, and + gave an appointment expressly for the young at the house of Elder + Billings; and another meeting was held in the ensuing week at + Brother Farr's school-room, which was filled to overflowing. Elder + Kimball delivered addresses, exhorting the young people to study + the scriptures, and enable themselves to 'give a reason for the + hope within them,' and to be ready to go on to the stage of + action, when their present instructors and leaders had gone behind + the scenes; also to keep good company and to keep pure and + unspotted from the world. + + "The next meeting was appointed to be held at my house; and + notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, it was completely + filled at an early hour. Elder Kimball, as usual, delivered an + address, warning his hearers against giving heed to their youthful + passions, and exhorting them to be obedient and pay strict + attention to the advice and command of their parents, who were + better calculated to guide the pathway of youth than they + themselves. + + "My house being too small, the next meeting was appointed to be + held over my store. I addressed the young people for some time, + expressing my gratitude to Elder Kimball for having commenced this + glorious work, which would be the means of doing a great deal of + good, and said the gratitude of all good men and of the youth + would follow him through life, and he would always look back upon + the winter of 1843 with pleasure. I experienced more embarrassment + in standing before them than I should before kings and nobles of + the earth; for I knew the crimes of which they were guilty, and + knew precisely how to address them; but that my young friends were + guilty of none of them, and therefore I hardly knew what to say. + + "I advised them to organize themselves into a society for the + relief of the poor, and recommended to them a poor lame English + brother [Maudesley], who wanted a house built, that he might have + a home amongst the Saints; that he had gathered a few materials + for the purpose, but was unable to use them, and had petitioned + for aid. I advised them to choose a committee to collect funds for + this purpose, and perform this charitable act as soon as the + weather permitted. I gave them such advice as I deemed was + calculated to guide their conduct through life and prepare them + for a glorious eternity. + + "A meeting was appointed to carry out these suggestions, at which + William Cutler was chosen president, and Marcellus L. Bates, + clerk. Andrew Cahoon, C. V. Spencer and Stephen Perry were + appointed to draft a constitution for the society, and the meeting + adjourned to the 28th of March, when the said committee submitted + a draft of a constitution, consisting of twelve sections. The + report was unanimously adopted, and the meeting proceeded to + choose their officers. William Walker was chosen president; + William Cutler, vice-president; Lorin Walker, treasurer; James M. + Monroe, secretary; Stephen Perry, Marcellus L. Bates, R. A. + Allred, Wm. H. Kimball and Garret Ivans, were appointed a + committee of vigilance. The meeting then adjourned until the next + Tuesday evening. + + "The next meeting was addressed by Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. + Kimball and Jedediah M. Grant, whose instructions were listened to + with breathless attention." + +The Relief Society afterwards became distinctively a woman's +organization. + +Heber's next mission was through the eastern states, in company with +President Young and others, collecting means for the temple and the +Nauvoo House, which were then in course of erection. They left Nauvoo +early in June, 1843. The day before starting, Vilate Kimball penned +these tender lines and presented them as a token of love to her +husband: + + "NAUVOO, June 8th, 1843. + + "MY EVER KIND AND AFFECTIONATE COMPANION: + + "I write these few lines for you to look upon when you are far + distant from me, and when you read them remember they were penned + by one whose warm, affectionate heart is ever the same towards + you; _yea, it is fixed, firm as a decree which is unalterable_. + Therefore, let your heart be comforted, and if you never more + behold my face in time, let this be my last covenant and testimony + unto you: that I am yours in time and throughout all eternity. + This blessing has been sealed upon us by the Holy Spirit of + promise, and cannot be broken only through transgression, or + committing a grosser crime than your heart or mine is capable of, + that is, murder. + + "So be of cheer, my dearest dear, + For we shall meet again + Where all our sorrows will be o'er, + And we are free from pain. + + "V. KIMBALL." + +Heber's full heart responded as follows: + + "O God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ wilt Thou + bless her with peace and with a long life; and when Thou shalt see + fit to take her, let Thy servant go with her; and dwell with each + other throughout all eternity; that no power shall ever separate + us from each other; for Thou, O God, knowest we love each other + with pure hearts. Still, we are willing to leave each other from + time to time, to preach Thy word to the children of men. Now, O + God, hear Thy servant, and let us have the desires of our hearts; + for we want to live together, and die, and be buried, and rise and + reign together in Thy kingdom with our dear children; in the name + of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen." + +This tender interchange of affection, be it remembered, was after +Heber and Vilate had embraced the principle of plural marriage; a +point which fails to sustain the position assumed by most Christian +philosophers, as to the "brutalizing and debasing effects of Mormon +polygamy." + +Here is another little gem of Vilate's, written several years later: + +LINES WRITTEN BY VILATE KIMBALL TO HER COMPANION HEBER C. KIMBALL. + + "No being round the spacious earth + Beneath the vaulted arch of heaven, + Divides my love, or draws it thence, + From him to whom my heart is given. + + "Like the frail ivy to the oak, + Drawn closer, by the tempest riven, + Through sorrow's flood he'll bear me up + And light with smiles my way to heaven. + + "The gift was on the altar laid; + The plighted vow on earth was given; + The seal eternal has been made, + And by his side I'll reign in heaven. + + WINTER QUARTERS, + January 17, 1847." + +The last verse of this beautiful little poem delicately tells the +whole story of the sacrifice made by this noble and devoted pair, and +the reward of their fidelity in accepting the great principle whose +"seal eternal" had bound them together for time and all eternity. + +The Apostles returned from their mission to the east on the 22nd of +October, 1843. Heber's purely missionary labors were drawing to a +close. The hour of the Prophet's martyrdom was approaching, and upon +the shoulders of the Twelve, as the First Presidents of the Church, +was about to roll the burden of the kingdom of the latter days. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII. + +HEBER'S LAST MISSION TO THE GENTILES--JOSEPH SMITH A CANDIDATE FOR THE +PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES--THE APOSTLES HIS ELECTIONEERERS--THE +MARTYRDOM--RETURN OF THE TWELVE TO NAUVOO. + + +On the 21st of May of the fateful year 1844, Heber C. Kimball left +Nauvoo on his last mission to the Gentiles. He accompanied President +Brigham Young and other Apostles and Elders, about one hundred in all. +The object of their mission was unique. It was to present to the +nation the name of Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of +the United States. + +The steamer _Osprey_, on which the Elders took passage for St. Louis, +left the wharf at Nauvoo amid the cheers and acclamations of those on +shore, who shouted: "Joseph Smith, the next President of the United +States!" + +Alas! little knew those faithful souls, who went forth full of hope +and patriotism that bright May morning, that they had looked their +last upon the living features of their beloved Prophet, whom they were +thus offering as a political savior to the nation; that within six +weeks, while they were yet absent on their errand, a deed would be +done which, for cruelty and atrocity, and for fearful consequences +upon the guilty--shedders of innocent blood!--must stand without a +parallel in the annals of modern crime. + +Doubtless there was a destiny in the absence from the Prophet's side, +at such a time, of men like Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young. Of all +those about him, upon these men, as upon two pillars of power, Joseph +at that time most leaned. Of the original Twelve Apostles, according +to the Prophet's own testimony, this twain alone had never "lifted up +their heels against him." Satan knew best when to strike, and chose +the fell moment to lay his fatal snare when Brigham, Heber and others +of Joseph's wisest counselors were away. God had so ordered and +permitted. + +St. Louis was reached by the Apostles on the 22nd of May. Calling the +Church together in that city, Elders Young and Kimball instructed them +spiritually and politically. The Saints there numbered nearly seven +hundred souls. Thence, a journey of thirteen days brought them to the +capital of the nation. + +Heber C. Kimball and Lyman Wight were now traveling together. +Following is a digest of their letters to the Prophet, Elder Wight +acting as scribe: + + "We have got a petition signed, with our names attached, in behalf + of the Church, asking for a remuneration for our losses, and not + for our rights, or redress, for they would not receive such a + petition from us. It was thought by Judge Semple, Judge Douglas, + General Atchison, and Major Hughes, that our petition would carry + if it was not too late in the season. Judge Semple handed it to + the committee on public lands. He said he would do the best he + could for us. General Atchison is of the opinion if we could sue + the state of Missouri for redress of grievances, that there was + virtue enough in the state to answer our demands, 'for,' said he, + '_they are ashamed of their conduct_.' Douglas and Semple are of + the same opinion. Brother Kimball and myself spared no pains + during our stay at Washington. We left on the 11th inst. for + Wilmington, Delaware. Thence journeying to Philadelphia on the + 13th. + + "On the 21st we shall attend conference at Wilmington, and go + thence to New York and Boston, and so continue from place to place + until we shall have accomplished the mission appointed unto us. * + * * Just returned from Wilmington Conference, accompanied by + several of the brethren and sisters who went from this place. We + can truly say that this was one of the most pleasant trips in our + life. We went down on the steamer _Balloon_, and returned by + railway. + + "Our Conference commenced on Saturday, the 22nd. The brethren came + in from the adjacent country, and after much instruction from + Brothers Kimball and Wight, we took a vote to know whether they + would go whithersoever the Presidency, Patriarch and Twelve went, + should it be to Oregon, Texas or California, or any other place + directed by the wisdom of Almighty God. The Saints, numbering + about one hundred, rose to their feet and exclaimed, + 'whithersoever they go, we go,' without a dissenting voice. This + was truly an interesting meeting. We have not the least idea that + any one will back out; they are nearly all men of wealth and have + commenced this morning to offer all surplus property for sale, + that whenever you say go, they are ready. We ordained ten as + promising young Elders as we ever laid hands upon. They pledged + themselves to start this week and go through the state of Delaware + from house to house, and proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at + hand. + + "On Sabbath, the 23rd, we preached alternately to a large and + respectable congregation, and left the warmest of friends in that + place, both in and out of the Church. + + "Yours as ever, + "H. C. KIMBALL, + "LYMAN WIGHT." + +A letter from Vilate Kimball to her husband, from which we make the +following extracts, describes the scenes that were then taking place +in Nauvoo: + + "June 7th, 1844. + + "MY DEAR HUSBAND: + + "Nauvoo was never so lonesome since we lived here as it is now. I + went to meeting last Sunday for the first time since conference. + Neither Joseph, nor Hyrum, nor any of the Twelve were there, and + you may be assured that I was glad when meeting was over. * * * + + "June 11th. Nauvoo was a scene of excitement last night. Some + hundreds of the brethren turned out and burned the press of the + opposite party. This was done by order of the city council. They + had only published one paper (_Nauvoo Expositor_) which is + considered a public nuisance. They have sworn vengeance and no + doubt they will have it. + + "June 24th. Since I commenced this letter, varied and exciting + indeed have been the scenes in this city. I would have sent this + to you before this time, but I have been thrown into such + confusion I know not what to write. Nor is this all: the mails do + not come regularly, having been stopped by high water, or the + flood of mobocracy which pervades the country. I have received no + letter by mail from you since you left. + + "Nothing is to be heard of but mobs collecting on every side. The + Laws and Fosters and most of the dissenting party, with their + families, left here a day or two since. They are sworn to have + Joseph and the city council, or to exterminate us all. Between + three and four thousand brethren have been under arms here the + past week, expecting every day the mob would come upon us. The + brethren from the country are coming in to aid in the defense of + the city. Brother Joseph sent a message to the Governor, + signifying if he and his staff would come into the city he would + abide their decision; but instead of the Governor coming here he + went to Carthage, and there walked arm and arm with Law and + Foster, until we have reason to fear he has caught their spirit. + He sent thirty men from there day before yesterday to arrest + Brother Joseph, with an abusive letter, saying, if thirty men + cannot do the business thousands can, ordering the brethren who + had been ordered out to defend the city against the mob to deliver + up their arms to their men and then disperse. + + "Yesterday morning (although it was Sunday) was a time of great + excitement. Joseph had fled and left word for the brethren to hang + on to their arms and defend themselves as best they could. Some + were dreadfully tried in their faith to think Joseph should leave + them in the hour of danger. Hundreds have left; the most of the + merchants on the hill have gone. I have not felt frightened, + neither has my heart sunk within me till yesterday, when I heard + Joseph had sent word back for his family to follow him, and + Brother Whitney's family were packing up, not knowing but they + would have to go, as he is one of the city council. For a while I + felt sad enough, but did not let anybody know it, neither did I + shed any tears. I felt a confidence in the Lord that He would + preserve us from the ravages of our enemies. We expected them + here to-day by the thousands, but before night yesterday, things + put on a different aspect--Joseph returned and gave himself up for + trial. He sent a messenger to Carthage to tell the governor he + would meet him and his staff at the big mound at eight o'clock + this morning, with all that the writ demanded. They have just + passed here to meet the Governor for that purpose. My heart said, + 'Lord, bless those dear men and preserve them from those that + thirst for their blood!' What will be their fate the Lord only + knows, but I trust He'll spare them. The governor wrote that if + they did not give themselves up, our city was suspended upon so + many kegs of powder, and it needed only one spark to touch them + off. If you were here you would be sure to be in their midst, + which would increase my anxiety." + +Now fell the thunderbolt! + +On the 20th of June Joseph, feeling himself hedged around by his +enemies, had written for the immediate return of the Apostles. It was +his last communication to them in mortality. Seven days later, on the +evening of the 27th of June, 1844, Joseph and his brother Hyrum were +assassinated in Carthage Jail. + +Heber and Lyman Wight were in Salem, Massachusetts, when the dreadful +news came. It struck Heber to the heart. He tried hard not to believe. +Yet he, and the Apostles generally, traveling in different parts, on +the night of the assassination had felt a severe mental shock, for +which they could not account until the terrible news reached their +ears. + +Grief-stricken and almost crushed with sorrow, the Twelve turned their +sad steps homeward. Heber and Lyman took the cars for Boston, where +they remained during the day, and then proceeded to New York. +Returning to Boston to consult with their quorum, on the 24th of July +in company with President Brigham Young they set out for home. At +Albany they were joined by Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt and Wilford +Woodruff. They traveled night and day, and arrived at Nauvoo on the +6th of August, forty days after the martyrdom. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIX. + +CHOICE OF JOSEPH'S SUCCESSOR--A MIRACLE--THE MANTLE OF JOSEPH FALLS +UPON BRIGHAM YOUNG--HEBER C. KIMBALL HIS RIGHT HAND MAN. + + +In the death of its Prophet and Patriarch, the Church had received a +stunning blow, but with superhuman vitality it revived from the shock, +and rose up in God-like energy to renew its mission of salvation to +mankind. Mighty men were they who had fallen, but God's work rests not +upon man, and under the magic stroke of the wand of Omnipotence other +great men had risen to fulfill their destiny and perpetuate the works +and memories of the martyred slain. + +But who was now the leader of Israel? Such was the problem presenting +itself to the people. In the absence of their Prophet the Saints felt +like sheep without a shepherd. He had carried the Church, as if an +infant in arms, from the very hour of its birth, nursing it with the +milk of revelation. It was now no longer a babe, yet still, as a +little child, it had need to be led, by one in whom was the spirit and +wisdom of the heavens. + +A crisis had come. The First Presidency was no more. Death had +dissolved that quorum. Next, stood the Twelve, an independent body, +now holding the keys of the kingdom, from Joseph, its earthly founder. + +But this fact, though known to the Apostles, upon whom he had rolled +that burden and conferred that authority, was not so patent to the +people. The order of the Priesthood was not so well known then as now. +Experience had not supplemented revelation on these points, and +doubtless there were many Saints in Nauvoo, as there are many now, who +were not informed upon things which had been plainly taught them for +years. + +Besides, Sidney Rigdon, one of the three first presidents, was alive, +to press his claims to the leadership, and not a few of the Saints +openly favored his ambitious pretensions. + +Who was to decide in such a controversy, and how was the right man to +be known? + +God had provided the way. + +Elder Rigdon, on hearing of the martyrdom, had come in haste from +Pittsburgh, whither he had retired some months before from the +troubles and turmoils of persecuted Saint-life in Nauvoo, to offer +himself as the "guardian" and "great leader" whom he declared was +necessary to save Israel. Thus, the true shepherd, having "laid down +his life for the sheep," the false one returned when the wolves had +fled and the danger was thought to be over, to seize the laurels which +another's valor had won. And this, forsooth, was the comforting +message that he bore to the affrighted people: + + "The anti-Mormons have got you! You can't stay in the country! + Everything is in confusion! You can do nothing! You lack a great + leader! You want a head; and unless you unite upon that head + you're blown to the four winds. The anti-Mormons will carry the + election. A guardian must be chosen." + +Such was the situation at Nauvoo when Brigham, Heber and their +companions returned. Parley P. Pratt and George A. Smith had arrived +some time before. + +The great day came which Sidney Rigdon had set apart for the choosing +of a guardian for the Church--August 8th, 1844. Sidney had spoken, +urging his own claims as "the identical man whom all the prophets had +written and sung about" with their eyes upon that very hour and +occasion; which vain-glorious remark provoked from Parley P. Pratt the +humorous retort that he, himself, was "the identical man that the +prophets had not sung or written one word about." Brigham Young was +now addressing the vast congregation which assembled on that memorable +day, in the grove where the Prophet had so often given the word of the +Lord to Israel: + +"If the people want Brother Rigdon to lead them, they may have him," +Brigham declared. "But I say unto you, the Twelve have the keys of the +kingdom of God in all the world. The Twelve are pointed out by the +finger of God. Here is Brigham; have his knees ever faltered? Have his +lips ever quivered? Here is Heber and the rest of the Twelve, an +independent body, who have the keys of the Priesthood, the keys of the +kingdom of God to deliver to all the world; this is true, so help me +God! They stand next to Joseph, and are the First Presidency of the +Church." + +It was the voice of "one having authority." The dullest ear could +detect the difference between such tones, such words, trembling with +power, and the vain and empty babblings of the special pleader, +Sidney. Which of these men the Spirit had chosen, was already manifest +to the pure in heart among that mighty multitude. + +But a still more marvelous manifestation awaited them. As Brigham +proceeded his whole being became transfigured; his face shone like an +angel's; his form seemed to dilate and expand, as though he were being +lifted from the floor; his voice changed; his look, his very manner +was that of another. + +IT WAS JOSEPH, NOT BRIGHAM, WHO WAS SPEAKING! + +Thousands saw it and testified of its truth. The mantle of the dead +Prophet had fallen upon the shoulders of the living. Joseph, from +behind the vail, had pointed out his own successor. God spake that day +through Brigham Young, "and all the people said Amen!" + +No truer friend had Brigham Young than Heber C. Kimball.[A] "Brother +Brigham" had been his choice from the first, for he knew that he was +the chosen of the Almighty, and as he had before stood by Joseph, he +now stood firm at the side of his successor, a pillar of faith and +power not to be broken. + +[Footnote A: Heber often said that his love for Brigham exceeded his +love for any member of his own family.] + + + + +CHAPTER L. + +THE WORK MOVES ON IN SPITE OF PERSECUTION AND APOSTASY--THE NAUVOO +TEMPLE FINISHED AND DEDICATED--THE SAINTS PREPARE FOR THEIR REMOVAL TO +THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. + + +The work of God was only expedited by the efforts made for its +overthrow. The Apostles continued to send out missionaries to the +nations, and hurried on the completion of the Temple. + +Elder Rigdon, after his ineffectual attempt to seize the leadership of +the Church, had returned to Pittsburg, to nurse, as best he might, his +wounded pride and disappointed ambition. Many, like him, were +apostatizing and dividing into factions, but the main body of the +Saints, "taking the Holy Spirit for their guide," stood true to +Brigham and the Twelve. The Spirit was poured out mightily upon the +faithful, and the good work, in spite of persecution and apostasy, +went rolling on. + +[Illustration: Residences of Church leaders in Nauvoo.] + +It soon became evident to the enemy that the death of the Prophet, so +far from destroying, or even impeding Mormonism, had only given it +fresh impetus, an energy which they feared, if allowed to increase, +might prove irresistible. They therefore renewed the attack, Brigham, +Heber and the Twelve now being the especial objects of their animus. + +Does not this fact, alone, tell where lay the authority? + +The chief inciters of the opposition were the Laws, the Fosters, and +the Higbees, apostates who had betrayed and sacrificed Joseph and +Hyrum, with others who now joined them in their warfare against the +Twelve. The most strenuous efforts were made, generally under cover of +law, to get President Young into their power; and even his life, it is +said, was attempted by the midnight assassin. Knowing their fell +purpose, and remembering the fate of the martyrs, Joseph and Hyrum, +who had tested the virtue of official pledges and the protecting +majesty of the law in Illinois, Brigham and Heber wisely determined +not to be taken. + +From their secret retreats, where they were compelled to hide, at +times, from the malice of their would-be destroyers, the Apostles came +forth, on the morning of Saturday, the 24th of May, 1845, to lay the +cap-stone on the south-east corner of the Temple. The edifice was in +due time completed and dedicated, and many of the Elders and Saints +received their endowments within its sacred walls. + +The incident which gave rise to the story of "Bogus Brigham," with +which many of our readers are no doubt familiar, happened about this +time. The sheriff from Carthage was at the door of the Temple to +arrest President Young, who was inside the building. Bishop William +Miller, who resembled the President, throwing on Heber C. Kimball's +cloak, (mistaking it for Brigham's, which was of the same size and +color) sallied out and was arrested in his stead and taken to +Carthage. The _ruse_ worked so well that it was not discovered until +after their arrival at the anti-Mormon headquarters, where "Bill +Miller" was recognized, and the wrath and discomfiture of his captors +knew no bounds. The real Brigham was, of course, by that time, well +out of the way and laughing at the chagrin of his persecutors. + +In the meantime, preparations were in progress for the exodus. The +anti-Mormons were clamoring for the removal of the entire community of +Latter-day Saints from the state, and they, seeing no alternative but +to comply with this outrageous demand, or experience a repetition of +the murderous scenes of Missouri, had resolved to again sacrifice +their homes and seek a land of peace and liberty in the wilds of the +savage west. + +Before coming to the conclusion to thus expatriate themselves, the +Saints, through their leaders, had petitioned the President of the +United States, James K. Polk, and the Governors of all the states +excepting Missouri and Illinois, for aid and protection from the +efforts of those who were plotting their destruction. But the appeal +was in vain. The Church leaders then entered into negotiations with +their enemies, of the nature of which the following document will +testify: + + "NAUVOO, ILLINOIS, Oct. 1st, 1845. + + "_To Gen. J. Hardin, W. B. Warren, S. A. Douglas and J. A. + McDougal:_ + + "MESSRS:--In reply to your letter of this date, requesting us 'to + submit the facts and intentions stated by us in writing, in order + that you may lay them before the Governor and people of the + state,' we would refer you to our communication of the 24th ult. + to the 'Quincy Committee,' etc., a copy of which is herewith + enclosed. + + "In addition to this we would say that we had commenced making + arrangements to remove from the country previous to the recent + disturbances; that we have four companies, of one hundred families + each, and six more companies now organizing, of the same number + each, preparatory to a removal. + + "That one thousand families, including the Twelve, the High + Council, the trustees and general authorities of the Church, are + fully determined to remove in the spring, independent of the + contingencies of selling our property; and that this company will + comprise from five to six thousand souls. + + "That the Church, as a body, desire to remove with us, and will, + if sales can be effected so as to raise the necessary means. + + "That the organization of the Church we represent is such that + there never can exist but one head or presidency at any one time. + And all good members wish to be with the organization: and all are + determined to remove to some distant point where we shall neither + infringe nor be infringed upon, so soon as time and means will + permit. + + "That we have some hundreds of farms and some two thousand houses + for sale in this city and county, and we request all good citizens + to assist in the disposal of our property. + + "That we do not expect to find purchasers for our temple and other + public buildings; but we are willing to rent them to a respectable + community who may inhabit the city. + + "That we wish it distinctly understood that although we may not + find purchasers for our property, we will not sacrifice it, nor + give it away, or suffer it illegally to be wrested from us. + + "That we do not intend to sow any wheat this fall, and should we + all sell, we shall not put in any more crops of any description. + + "That as soon as practicable, we will appoint committees for this + city, La Harpe, Macedonia, Bear Creek and all necessary places in + the county, to give information to purchasers. + + "That if these testimonies are not sufficient to satisfy any + people that we are in earnest, we will soon give them a sign that + cannot be mistaken--WE WILL LEAVE THEM. + + "In behalf of the Council, respectfully yours, etc., + + "BRIGHAM YOUNG, President, + "WILLARD RICHARDS, Clerk." + +Agreeable to the terms of this covenant, which satisfied the +commissioners named, and for a time also satisfied the anti-Mormons +whom they represented, the Saints, trusting in God, and hoping little +from their cruel and inhuman oppressors, were now preparing for the +exodus of the Church and its pilgrimage to the Rocky Mountains--an +event foreseen and predicted by the Prophet Joseph in August, 1842. + + + + +CHAPTER LI. + +THE EXODUS--HEBER'S PROPHECY FULFILLED--EVACUATION OF NAUVOO--THE CAMP +OF ISRAEL ON SUGAR CREEK--BRIGHAM AND HEBER LEAD THE CHURCH +WESTWARD--ARRIVAL AT THE MISSOURI RIVER. + + +A spectacle sublime. An exiled nation, going forth like Israel from +Egypt, into the wilderness, there to worship, unmolested, the God of +their fathers in His own appointed way; that from their loins might +spring a people nursed in the spirit of prophecy, made stalwart by +tribulation, that should leap from the mountains in a day to come, and +roll back, an avalanche of power, to regain possession of their +promised land. + +Such was the meaning of that exodus. The future will justify the +action of the past. + +On Tuesday, February 17th, 1846, Heber C. Kimball left Nauvoo, in +company with Bishop N. K. Whitney, and, crossing the Mississippi, +joined the camp of Israel on Sugar Creek, with their faces toward the +Rocky Mountains. Heber's prediction over the fated city, which had so +alarmed Elder Rigdon seven years before, was being fulfilled; the +evacuation of Nauvoo and the exodus of the Saints from Illinois had +begun. President Young had left the city two days before, Heber, +having sent his family away on the 16th, had tarried behind with +William Clayton and Bishop Whitney, to secure and bring Church +property needed for the pioneers. Sugar Creek was the starting point. +Here, for nearly two weeks, some of the advance companies had been +anxiously awaiting the coming of their leaders. + +At half-past one, Brigham and Heber dined together in George D. +Grant's tent, on bean porridge, after which frugal meal, the +President, with Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, John +Taylor, George A. Smith and Willard Richards went up the valley east +of the camp about half a mile, and held a council. A letter was read +from Samuel Brannan, with a copy of an agreement between Elder Brannan +and Postmaster-General Benson. The matter concerned a proposition of +certain politicians at Washington and members of the government to the +Mormon leaders, to take possession of California and divide the lands +with them as a great "land grab" for these statesmen, in return for +proffered protection to the Mormons. The proposition was at once +rejected. + +On the 18th, Heber accompanied President Young and several others back +to Nauvoo, where many of the Saints still lingered, most of whom were +getting ready to join the camp as soon as possible, while others, like +those of earlier days in Kirtland and Far West, were preparing to fall +away. A number of meetings, public and private, were held in the +Temple, at the last one of which, on Sunday the 22nd, a panic was +caused by the snapping of a piece of timber in the settling of the new +floor under the weight of the multitude. Several people were seriously +injured. The same afternoon, Brigham, Heber and John Taylor returned +to camp. + +The companies were being organized and made ready to start. They +comprised about four hundred wagons, all heavily loaded, with not over +half the number of teams necessary for a rapid journey. Most of the +families were supplied with provisions for several months; but a +number, regardless of counsel, had started in a destitute condition, +and some with only provisions for a few days. + +Colonel Stephen Markham had about one hundred pioneers to prepare the +road in advance of the main body. Colonel Hosea Stout with about one +hundred men acted as police, armed with rifles. Colonel John Scott +with a hundred men accompanied the artillery. + +On the morning of Sunday, March 1st, the camp was notified to be ready +to start at noon. At half past ten Heber went to meeting and stated +that President Young was unwell, and further addressed the assembly as +follows: + + "It is the President's will that the camp should remove to some + other location, because while we are so near Nauvoo the brethren + are continually going back and neglecting their teams and + families, and running to Brother Brigham about a little property + they have here or there. No doubt many will be tried, but we shall + see the kingdom of God established and all the kingdoms of this + world become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ." He + encouraged the brethren to go forward. "The grass will start + before long. They were not going out of the world. If Nauvoo has + been the most holy place, it will be the most wicked place." He + then called upon all who meant to go ahead to say aye. The + brethren responded heartily. "No doubt you mean to have President + Young for your leader. We will do all that he says and everything + will be right. A plague came upon Zion's Camp for disobedience + when on our way to Missouri, and some of our best men fell + victims, and so it would be again under like circumstances. I want + no man to touch any of my things without my leave. If any man will + come to me and say that he wants to steal I will give him the + amount. Cease all your loud laughter and light speeches, for the + Lord is displeased with such things, and call upon the Lord with + all your might." + +Such was Heber's first pioneer address to the Camp of Israel. + +All tents were now struck, and about noon the camp began to move. They +traveled in a north-westerly direction about five miles, and at night +camped again on Sugar Creek. The ground was covered with snow, but by +dint of shoveling and scraping space was soon made for the tents, and +in a short time quite a primitive little city had sprung up as if by +magic from the frozen earth. Large fires were built in front of the +tents and wagons, corraled in circular array according to the custom +of the plains, and all were made as comfortable as possible under the +circumstances. + +Notwithstanding their hardships and privations, past, present and +prospective, a spirit of remarkable cheerfulness reigned throughout +the camp; songs were sung, jokes passed and stories told, and, in +spite of the situation and forbidding surroundings, everybody seemed +determined to "make the best of it" and be contented and happy. +Doubtless the romance of the situation helped to season it and make it +palatable; but above all was it due to the presence and sustaining +power of the Holy Spirit, the peace that "passeth understanding," +which rested upon the homeless pilgrims, causing them to rejoice, like +the Saints of old, in suffering tribulation for the truth's sake. + +At a seasonable hour the merriment was hushed. Heads were bowed in +reverent prayer. The God of Israel was invoked in behalf of His cause +and people; these whose home from henceforth was the houseless plain +and prairie, and the remnant left behind to the mercies of the mob in +the doomed city of Nauvoo. Guards were then placed, the flickering +firelight waned and died in the wintry stillness, and the Camp of +Israel, all save the watchful sentries, slept. + +Near the Chariton River, on the 27th of March, the organization of the +camp was perfected. It was divided into companies of "hundreds," +"fifties" and "tens," with captains appointed over each. The Apostles +were placed at the heads of divisions, as presidents. Commissaries +were also appointed for each company, with a Commissary General. The +camp consisted of two grand divisions, presided over respectively by +Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball; the former, as President and +General-in-Chief, directing the whole. Occasionally the President +would return and gather a council of the captains and Apostles at +Heber's encampment, and at other times Heber would go over with his +captains to Brigham's camp, for the same purpose. + +The law of the Lord was laid down in great strictness, honesty and +morality being especially enjoined. Innocent amusement and recreation +were encouraged by the leaders, in moderation, as tending to divert +the people's minds from their past troubles, and lighten their present +toils, but excess of mirth and loud laughter were deprecated and +denounced. The Church had again been cleansed of much of its dross, by +leaving it behind, and in the main it was a faithful and a pure people +that journeyed westward to find another promised land. + +The vanguard under Brigham and Heber reached the Missouri River about +the middle of June, and received a friendly welcome from the +Pottowatomie and Omaha Indians. + + + + +CHAPTER LII. + +DESTINATION OF THE SAINTS--THE CALL FOR THE MORMON BATTALION--HEROIC +RESPONSE OF THE EXILES--BRIGHAM, HEBER AND WILLARD AS RECRUITING +SERGEANTS--DEPARTURE OF THE BATTALION--THE CAMP OF ISRAEL GOES INTO +WINTER QUARTERS--THE FALL OF NAUVOO. + + + Where now shall fancy's roving pinion rest? + 'Mid barren regions of the boundless West, + Where silvery streams through silent valleys flow + From mountains crested with eternal snow; + Where reigns no creed its rival creed to bind, + Where exiled faith a resting-place shall find, + Where builds the eagle on the beetling height + And wings o'er freedom's hills unfearing flight. + +The point in view of the leaders of Israel was the Valley of the Great +Salt Lake, a portion of Mexican territory located in the tops of the +mountains, in the very heart of the American desert. Discouraging as +were all reports relating to this barren and inhospitable region, a +thousand miles farther on over trackless plains and bleak mountains +swarming with wild beasts and savages, these intrepid men resolved to +go forward, trusting in God and braving every peril. At least it was a +land of liberty, uninfested by mobs and heartless priests and +politicians, and with the wintry sky above, and the frozen earth +beneath, or in summer the burning rocks and waterless wastes around +them, they felt safer far in the society of wild Indians and savage +wolves, than in the midst of the Christian civilization they had left +behind. + + Far from the realms where civilization reigns, + Where Freedom's bastards bind her sons in chains, + They sought a home within the western wild, + And fraternized the forest's dusky child; + No fiercer found, less savage in the test, + Than priestly tyrants trampling the oppressed. + +Journeying towards the Missouri river they founded temporary +settlements, or "traveling stakes of Zion," recruiting their strength +with needed rest along the way, and putting in crops for their own use +or for their brethren to reap who came after them. Two of these +settlements were named Garden Grove and Mt. Pisgah, the latter over a +hundred miles in the rear of the vanguard now resting on the Missouri +river. + +It was the design of the leaders to leave the main body of the people +in these places, while they, with a picked band of pioneers, hastened +on to the Rocky Mountains that season. But an incident now occurred +which changed their plans and delayed the departure of the pioneers +until the following spring. + +Word was brought to head-quarters on the Missouri, that a United +States army officer with a squad of soldiers had arrived at Mt. +Pisgah, with a requisition for five hundred men, to be furnished by +the Mormons, to enter the army and march to California to take part in +the war against Mexico. + +Imagination can alone picture the surprise, almost dismay, with which +this startling news was received. What! the nation whose people had +thrust them from its borders, robbed them of their homes and driven +them into the wilderness, where it was hoped they might perish, now +calling upon them for aid? And this in full face of the fact that +their own oft reiterated appeals for help had been denied? + +It was even so; five hundred able-bodied men, the flower of the camp, +were wanted. And this in the heart of an Indian country, in the midst +of an exodus unparalleled for its dangers and hardships, when every +active man was needed as a bulwark of defense and a staff for the aged +and feeble. For even delicate women, thus far, had in some instances +been driving teams and tending stock, owing to the limited number of +men available. + +On the other hand, it was their country calling, and these sons and +daughters of the pilgrims and patriots loved their country, loved its +institutions and its laws, though the government of that country, in +the hands of self-seeking demagogues and politicians, had been as a +cruel step-mother rather than a tender parent to them. + +What was to be done? What would the leaders decide to do? Such were +the questions that flew like lightning through the camp, as these +thoughts came rushing to mind. They were not left long unanswered. + +On the 1st of July, Capt. James Allen, the recruiting officer, acting +under orders of Col. S. F. Kearney at Fort Leavenworth, having arrived +at "The Bluffs," went into council with Brigham Young, Heber C. +Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Willard Richards, George A. Smith, +John Taylor, John Smith and Levi Richards. Wilford Woodruff was at +Mount Pisgah, where he had received Captain Allen and his party a few +days before. The brethren were assured that the offer to accept the +services of a battalion of Mormon soldiers in the Mexican war, was +made by the government in kindness, and meant as a means of assistance +to the community, whose young and intelligent men might thus proceed, +at the government's expense, to the ultimate destination of their +whole people, and look out the land and prepare the way for their +brethren who came after them. This was the object, it was said, quite +as much as to enlist their services in their country's cause. + +Whether convinced or not that such was the case, the result of the +council's deliberations was a resolve to raise the troops. Brigham +Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards, in the role of +recruiting sergeants, at once set out for Mt. Pisgah, a distance of +one hundred and thirty miles, to execute the order for the Battalion. +Colonel Thomas L. Kane, that noble friend of the Mormon people, who +had arrived at the Bluffs, thus summarizes the result: "A central mass +meeting for council, some harangues at the more remotely scattered +camps, an American flag brought out from the storehouse of things +rescued, and hoisted to the top of a tree-mast, and, in three days, +the force was reported, mustered, organized and ready to march." + +The Mormon Battalion set out for the west about the middle of July. + +The project of the Pioneers, of going to the mountains that season, +was now of course abandoned, and the Camp of Israel prepared to go +into "Winter Quarters." This was the name given to their settlement on +the Missouri, the principal part of which was on the west side of the +river, five miles above Omaha of to-day. It is now known as Florence. +Seven hundred houses of log, turf and other primitive materials, +neatly arranged and laid out with streets and byways; well supplied +with workshops, mills and factories, and with a tabernacle of worship +in the midst; the whole arising from a pretty plateau overlooking the +river, and well fortified with breast-work, stockade and block-houses, +after the fashion of the frontier;--such was Winter Quarters, the +principal one of these so-called "traveling stakes of Zion." Here, in +these humble, prairie settlements, surrounded by Indians, whose savage +hearts God had wondrously softened into sympathy and friendship for +His exiled people, the Camp of Israel, the residue of twenty thousand +souls, which the Saints had numbered in Illinois, passed the winter of +1846. + +Meanwhile, in September of that year, the remnant left in Nauvoo, +between six and seven hundred souls, after a gallant defense of their +city against the mob, which, in violation of every treaty, came upon +them in overwhelming numbers, were driven from their homes at the +point of the bayonet, and thrown, men, women and children, sick, dying +and shelterless, upon the western shores of the Mississippi. And +this--shades of the patriots!--while their brethren, the heroes of the +Mormon Battalion, were marching to fight their country's battles on +the plains of Mexico! + + + + +CHAPTER LIII. + +THE WORD AND WILL OF THE LORD CONCERNING THE CAMP OF ISRAEL--THE +PIONEERS START FOR THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS--NAMES OF THE HEROES--INCIDENTS +OF THE JOURNEY WEST. + + +The "Word and Will of the Lord concerning the Camp of Israel in their +journeyings to the West," was given through President Brigham Young at +Winter Quarters on the 14th of January, 1847. It was the first written +revelation sent out to the Church since the death of the Prophet +Joseph. Agreeable to its instructions, the Saints began to prepare for +their journey to the mountains. + +Early in April the pioneers started from Winter Quarters. This famous +band numbered one hundred and forty-eight souls, including three women +and two children. The _personnel_ of the company as it left the +Missouri River, was as follows: + + 1 Brigham Young. + 2 Heber C. Kimball. + 3 Orson Pratt. + 4 Wilford Woodruff. + 5 George A. Smith. + 6 Willard Richards. + 7 Amasa Lyman. + 8 Ezra T. Benson. + 9 John S. Fowler. + 10 Jacob D. Burnham. + 11 Joseph Egbert. + 12 John M. Freeman. + 13 Marcus B. Thorpe. + 14 George Wardel. + 15 Thomas Grover. + 16 Barnabas L. Adams. + 17 Roswell Stevens. + 18 Starling Driggs. + 19 Albert Carrington. + 20 Thomas Bullock. + 21 George Brown. + 22 Jesse C. Little. + 23 Phineas H. Young. + 24 John Y. Greene. + 25 Thomas Tanner. + 26 Addison Everett. + 27 Truman O. Angell. + 28 Lorenzo D. Young. + 29 Briant Stringham. + 30 Albert P. Rockwood. + 31 Joseph S. Schofield. + 32 Luke Johnson. + 33 John G. Holman. + 34 Edmund Ellsworth. + 35 Sidney Alvarus Hanks. + 36 George R. Grant. + 37 Millen Atwood. + 38 Samuel Fox. + 39 Tunis Reppelyee. + 40 Eli Harvey Pierce. + 41 William Dykes. + 42 Jacob Weiler. + 43 Stephen H. Goddard. + 44 Tarlton Lewis. + 45 Henry G. Sherwood. + 46 Zebedee Coltrin. + 47 Sylvester H. Earl. + 48 John Dixon. + 49 Samuel H. Marble. + 50 George Scholes. + 51 William Henrie. + 52 William A. Empey. + 53 Charles Shumway. + 54 Andrew P. Shumway. + 55 Thomas Woolsey. + 56 Chancy Loveland. + 57 Erastus Snow. + 58 James Craig. + 59 William Wordsworth. + 60 William P. Vance. + 61 Simeon Heyd. + 62 Seely Owen. + 63 James Case. + 64 Artemas Johnson. + 65 William C. A. Smoot. + 66 Benjamin Franklin Dewey. + 67 William Carter. + 68 John G. Losee. + 69 Burr Frost. + 70 Datus Ensign. + 71 Benjamin Franklin Stewart. + 72 Horace Monroe Frink. + 73 Eric Glines. + 74 Ozro Eastman. + 75 Seth Taft. + 76 Horace M. Thornton. + 77 Stephen Kelsey. + 78 John S. Eldredge. + 79 Charles D. Barnham. + 80 Almon L. Williams. + 81 Rufus Allen. + 82 Robert T. Thomas. + 83 James W. Stewart. + 84 Elijah Newman. + 85 Levi N. Kendall. + 86 Francis Boggs. + 87 David Grant. + 88 Howard Egan. + 89 William A. King. + 90 Thomas P. Cloward. + 91 Hosea Cushing. + 92 Robert Byard. + 93 George P. Billings. + 94 Edson Whipple. + 95 Philo Johnson. + 96 Carlos Murray. + 97 Appleton M. Harmon. + 98 Willam Clayton. + 99 Horace K. Whitney. + 100 Orson K. Whitney. + 101 Orrin Porter Rockwell. + 102 Nathaniel Thomas Brown. + 103 Jackson Reddin. + 104 John Pack. + 105 Francis M. Pomeroy. + 106 Aaron Farr. + 107 Nathaniel Fairbanks. + 108 John S. Higbee. + 109 John Wheeler. + 110 Solomon Chamberlin. + 111 Conrad Klineman. + 112 Joseph Rooker. + 113 Perry Fitzgerald. + 114 John H. Tippitts. + 115 James Davenport. + 116 Henson Walker. + 117 Benjamin W. Rolfe. + 118 Norton Jacobs. + 119 Charles A. Harper. + 120 George Woodard. + 121 Stephen Markham. + 122 Lewis Barney. + 123 George Mills. + 124 Andrew S. Gibbons. + 125 Joseph Hancock. + 126 John W. Norton. + 127 Shadrach Roundy. + 128 Hans C. Hanson. + 129 Levi Jackman. + 130 Lyman Curtis. + 131 John Brown. + 132 Matthew Ivory. + 133 David Powell. + 134 Hark Lark (colored). + 135 Oscar Crosby (colored). + 136 Joseph Matthews. + 137 Gilburd Summe. + 138 John Gleason. + 139 Charles Burke. + 140 Alexander P. Chessley. + 141 Rodney Badger. + 142 Norman Taylor. + 143 Green Flake (colored). + + +The above names, with the exception of the first eight (the Apostles) +are given in their order, as divided into companies of tens. + +The three women who accompanied the pioneers were Ellen Sanders, one +of the wives of Heber C. Kimball; Clara Decker, a wife of Brigham +Young; and Harriet P. Young, her mother, wife of Lorenzo D. Young. The +children were Sobieski Young, son of Lorenzo, and Perry Decker, own +brother to Clara Decker Young. + +President Brigham Young was the leader of the company, which, as seen, +numbered among its members seven others of the Twelve. Apostles Parley +P. Pratt, Orson Hyde and John Taylor were absent on missions. + +The object of the pioneers, as shown, was to explore the region of the +Great Salt Lake, and if possible find a home for the Saints in the +midst of the Rocky Mountains. A few leaves from Heber's pioneer +journal will now be interesting. He writes: + +"On the 5th day of April, 1847, I started with six of my teams and +went out about four miles, where I formed an encampment with several +others of my division. The same day I returned home and remained in +Winter Quarters during the conference on the 6th. On the 7th and 8th I +was still making preparations for my journey, and called my family +together and spent some time in giving them instructions, blessing +them and dedicating and consecrating them to the Most High God." + +Horace K. Whitney, one of the pioneers and Heber's son-in-law, who was +present at this family meeting, in his own journal says: + +"Brother Kimball expressed his feelings at length. He said that any +person who attempted to come into his family and sow discord among +them, and promote disunion, and strive to alienate their minds from +him in his absence, would be cursed. 'Don't you think so, Brother +Whitney?' addressing my father. Father replied, 'Yes.' He further +observed that there was not that person living in the world in whom he +placed more confidence than he did in Bishop Whitney, and that there +was no person in the world who would have so much influence in his +(Brother K's.) absence as Bishop Whitney, and he recommended him to +them as a worthy, good and exemplary man, to counsel them in his +absence. He told his wife Vilate that if any person should presume to +come into his house and speak against him, or any member of his +family, while he was gone, to arise and command them to leave the +house, _in the name of Heber C. Kimball!_" + +"On the 8th," continues Heber, "Brother Parley P. Pratt arrived in +Winter Quarters, having returned from his mission to England. Those of +the Twelve who had departed, hearing of his arrival, returned, and in +the evening we held a council at Dr. Richard's office; and it was a +time of rejoicing with us to behold our beloved brother and companion +in tribulation. He gave us a history of his mission, and of the +success, peace and prosperity of the Saints in England. They had +annihilated the Joint Stock Company, cut Reuben Hedlock and Ward off +from the Church, who were the instigators of it, being the men we had +left to preside there, and who had called the Elders of Israel from +their duties of preaching life and salvation, and set them to +preaching up joint-stockism to get gain. Now things have changed, and +the Elders are all preaching the everlasting Gospel, and an entire +reformation has commenced, and may the Lord God of Israel roll it +forth until Israel shall be saved! + +"On the 9th the Twelve started again on their journey. My son William +carried out President Young, Bishop Whitney (who was going with us a +few miles) and myself in my carriage. The whole camp, after our +arrival, started out and went to within four miles of Pappea, being +about fourteen miles from Winter Quarters, and camped for the night. I +lodged in the wagon with President Young, as he had fitted up a wagon +for him and me to lodge together through the journey. + +"In the course of the evening Bishop Whitney and myself went some +distance upon the prairie, where we bowed down before the Lord and +both offered up our prayers to the Most High God in behalf of the +pioneers and the Twelve, that they might be protected and upheld and +sustained by the Almighty; that His angels might go before them to +lead them to a land which the Lord should designate to be a resting +place for His people Israel; also in behalf of our families, our wives +and children, and all Israel that are left behind. + +"In the forenoon of Sunday, the 11th, we arrived at the Elk Horn, +which we crossed by means of a raft that had been constructed by some +of the first pioneers that went on, at a point two and a half miles +south of its junction with the Platte. Seventy-two wagons crossed the +'Horn,' three of which afterwards returned to Winter Quarters, leaving +the others to go on with the pioneers. It was not our intention to +have encroached on the Sabbath, but the camp were in a disordered +state, some being on one side of the 'Horn,' and some on the other, +and it was thought wisdom to get them together, lest they should be +attacked by Indians and be unprepared for defense." + +Leaving the Camp to pursue its journey towards the Platte river, the +Apostles with Bishop Whitney now returned to Winter Quarters to greet +Elder John Taylor, who had just arrived from Europe, bringing with him +over two thousand dollars for the Church. From him they learned that +Elder Orson Hyde was also on his way west. On the 15th, Heber, Brigham +and others rejoined the Pioneers beyond the Elk Horn. + +The camp was now organized as a military body, into companies of +hundreds, fifties and tens, agreeable to "the word and will of the +Lord," with the following as officers: + +Brigham Young, Lieutenant-General; Stephen Markham, Colonel; John Pack +and Shadrach Roundy, Majors; Captains of companies, Wilford Woodruff, +Ezra T. Benson, Phineas H. Young, Luke Johnson, Stephen H. Goddard, +Charles Shumway, James Case, Seth Taft, Howard Egan, Appleton M. +Harmon, John Higbee, Norton Jacobs, John Brown, and Joseph Matthews. +Thomas Bullock was appointed clerk, and Thomas Tanner captain of +artillery. The "artillery" consisted of one cannon mounted on a pair +of wheels, and taken along to frighten hostile Indians into a due +regard for the rights of the pioneers, or to perform more serious +execution if found necessary. + +General Young instructed the camp as follows: The men were to travel +in a compact body, every man to keep his loaded gun in his hand, or, +if a teamster, in his wagon, ready for instant use; every man to walk +by the side of his wagon unless sent by the officer in command, and +the wagons to be formed two abreast, where practicable, on the march. +At the call of the bugle, at five A. M., the pioneers were to arise, +assemble for prayers, get breakfast, and be ready to start at the +second call of the bugle at seven. At night, at half past eight, at +the command from the bugle, each was to retire for prayer in his own +wagon, and to bed at nine o'clock. Tents were to be pitched on +Saturday nights, and the Sabbath kept. + +Thus organized and equipped, the pioneers proceeded on their way, +traveling up the north bank of the Platte. Towards the latter end of +April they found themselves in the heart of the Pawnee Indian country. + +"At one o'clock p. m. of April 21st," says Heber, "we stopped to feed +beside a long narrow lake, close by the river. As soon as the wagons +were formed in a semi-circle on the banks of the lake, a guard was +placed to watch the Indians and take care of our teams. Many of the +Indians had forded the river and followed us to where we stopped, +among the number the grand chief of the Pawnee nation, 'Shefmolun.' He +presented several certificates signed by travelers who had previously +passed through the Pawnee country, all setting forth that the Pawnee +chief was friendly and that they had made him presents of a little +flour, powder, lead, etc. His object appeared to be to obtain +something from the camp. I made him a present of some salt, some +tobacco, etc, and President Young also gave him some powder, lead, +salt and other articles. Many of the brethren also contributed a +little flour, etc. But with all this the old chief did not appear +satisfied. He seemed to intimate that he expected larger presents from +such a large company, and also said he did not like us to travel +through their country, he was afraid we would kill their buffalo and +drive them off. This was interpreted by a young man of the tribe who +could talk a little English. There was not the least appearance of +hostility, but, on the contrary, all who came appeared friendly and +pleased to shake hands with us. Brother Shumway says there are about +twelve thousand of the Pawnees in this neighborhood, and it is +reported there are as many as five thousand warriors among them. We +have no fears, however, because their only object appears to be to +plunder, and it is the calculation of the brethren to be on the alert +and well prepared by night and by day. + +"We continued our journey till half past five, and then formed the +encampment on the banks of the Loup Fork of the Platte river. The +brethren were called together and addressed by President Young in +reference to what passed at the Pawnee village, their apparent +dissatisfaction, etc., and he recommended that we have a strong guard +over our horses and around the camp through the night. He then called +for volunteers to stand guard, and about one hundred responded, and in +the number nearly all the Twelve. President Young and myself both +volunteered and stood the first part of the night, till one o'clock. +It was very cold indeed, and about the middle of the night it rained +again. + +"Thursday, 22nd. Morning fine but cool. We have not been troubled by +the Indians, and all is peace and quiet around the camp. The cannon +was unlimbered last night and placed outside the wagons, ready for +action in case of necessity. There were some merry jokes passed this +morning on account of two of the picket guard losing their guns, and +Colonel Markham losing his hat, during the night. It is reported that +they were found asleep on their posts, and those who found them took +their guns, etc., to stir up their minds by way of remembrance and to +show what the Indians might do while they were sleeping on guard. It +is easy to suppose that after the brethren have traveled twenty miles +in the day, taken care of their teams, made fires and cooked their +victuals, and stood guard night after night, that it will require some +energy to keep themselves awake." + +The Loup Fork was crossed with difficulty and considerable danger, +owing to the quicksands. Heber and others leaped into the stream, at +one time, to prevent some of the wagons being overturned. A couple of +rafts were built, and the sands packing down more firmly as the horses +continued fording, the passage was finally effected without accident +or loss. During the next few days, however, several valuable horses +were lost, two of them being killed by the accidental discharge of +guns, and the others stolen by Indians. + +Several of the brethren were shot at by Indians, while out hunting for +the stolen animals. + +The camp was quite complete in its equipment, industrial, military, +literary and otherwise. Ever and anon, as often as the wagons needed +repairs, Burr Frost the blacksmith and his assistants would put up +their portable forge and reset the tires of wheels, etc. William +Clayton and Willard Richards, scribes and historians, invented a +machine to measure the distance. This was done by driving a nail into +one of the spokes of a wagon wheel, which at every revolution was made +to strike upon a saw projecting from the wagon. The circumference of +the wheel being known, the number of its revolutions indicated the +distance. + +The country through which they were passing is thus described: "The +country is beautiful and pleasing to the eye of the traveler, +notwithstanding there is only the same kind of scenery from day to +day, namely, on the left the majestic Platte, with its muddy waters +rolling over the universal beds of quicksands, the river frequently +hid from view by the many handsome cottonwood groves; before and +behind, on the right and left, a vast level prairie, and on the right +at a distance the continued range of majestic bluffs. There is a +loveliness and beauty connected with the scenery from day to day, but +the country is not at all calculated for farming purposes, not only on +account of the scarcity of timber, but also on account of the sandy +nature of the whole surface of land." + + + + +CHAPTER LIV. + +ARRIVAL AT GRAND ISLAND--THE PIONEER BUFFALO HUNT--HEBER KILLS HIS +FIRST BISON--THE SPIRIT OF LEVITY REBUKED--THE PIONEERS REACH FORT +LARAMIE. + + +About the 1st of May the Pioneers reached Grand Island. Here the +prairies swarmed with buffalo, in herds of tens of thousands. A grand +hunt was indulged in by the brethren, most of whom had never seen a +buffalo before, and after much exciting sport, ten of the animals were +killed and brought to camp. The following sketch, descriptive of this, +the first buffalo hunt of the Pioneers, is from the graphic pen of +Horace K. Whitney: + + "Some time before we arrived here, we saw through a spy-glass + three buffalo grazing on the top of the bluff to our right, some + five or six miles. Two or three footmen went out in pursuit, also + three horsemen, viz., Porter Rockwell, Thomas Brown and Luke + Johnson. Just before we arrived here we saw a large herd some + distance in advance of us, also about five or six miles to our + right. Brother O. Pratt counted seventy-four by the aid of his + spy-glass. They are now quite visible from our present stopping + place. It is about fifty yards across the channel to Grand Island + at this place. We traveled about four miles and crossed a slough + or pond, which 'puts up' from the river, about noon. Soon after, + Porter, T. Brown and Luke Johnson returned. They had wounded, as + they supposed mortally, two buffaloes, which, however, managed to + get away from them. About one o'clock p.m., we descried, at the + distance of five or six miles to our right, on the side of the + hill or bluff, two or three herds of buffalo grazing. An immediate + halt was made. A band of ten or twelve horsemen (hunters) speedily + collected and made arrangements for the chase. They soon got ready + and started. Brother Heber soon followed. The wagons traveled + along slowly, being in full view of the chase. The horsemen took a + circuitous route, in order to head the herd, but were prevented + from doing so immediately by an unforeseen occurrence. An antelope + passing by near us was shot at by one of the brethren (a footman) + but the shot did not take effect. Directly the animal made + towards the bluff, seeing which, two dogs went off in full chase. + The three went right among the buffaloes which, alarmed at the + appearance of the dogs, began to move off. Soon after, the + horsemen made their appearance upon the brow of the hill. + + "Now commenced a scene which defies all description. Every + spy-glass that could be found in the camp was put into immediate + requisition, and the scene became one of intense interest to us + all, as spectators. As soon as the buffaloes discovered the + approach of the hunters, they increased their speed (which before + had been slow) to a full gallop, and, passing along the side of + the hill were followed by the hunters in quick and hot pursuit, + leaving a cloud of dust in their rear. Most of the hunters, by + riding in among them, succeeded in getting a fair shot, although + they did not all prove fatal, a number of the herd making their + escape that were shot through the body. Brother Heber rode in + among them, made a shot at one and brought him down. His horse, + partly alarmed at the discharge of the gun, and partly at the + sight of the animals, suddenly started and came very near throwing + him. Porter rode up to one (by way of experiment) and shot him + full in the forehead, but without making the least impression, the + hide of the skullpiece being an inch thick, besides being covered + with a large mass of coarse matted hair, as we discovered after + the animals were brought in. The chase ceased about 4 p.m. and the + hunters came up to us about 5 p.m. The fruits of the day's work + were as follows: one bull, three cows, and six calves, making ten + buffaloes. Five wagons were immediately unloaded to bring in the + game. A little after dark they returned, and the meat was + distributed, one quarter of an animal being given to each ten." + +After this day's sport, President Young cautioned the brethren not to +kill game wantonly, as it was displeasing to the Lord. Said he: "If we +slay when we have no need, we will need when we cannot slay." + +The advice was timely. A spirit of excessive levity had crept into the +camp, dancing, card-playing and other games, some of them vain and +foolish in the extreme, occupying most of the time of the brethren +when they had stopped for rest. + +Heber, noticing this tendency, reproved them and warned them of the +evil results to which such things would lead. Next day, Saturday, May +28th, President Young addressed the camp in relation to the same +subject. He sharply rebuked the offenders, and declared that he would +not go one step farther in company with such a spirit as they then +possessed. He appealed to them as men of God, to bear in mind their +high and holy calling and the noble purpose of their mission. Apostle +Orson Pratt and others also spoke, counseling the brethren to use +their spare time in reading, and storing their minds with useful +knowledge; to cease their profanity, loud laughter and excess of +mirth, and fast and pray more, that the spirit of their mission might +rest upon them. + +A general reformation was the result. The brethren repented, and, +confessing their faults, resolved to eschew the evils complained of. +They faithfully kept their word, and a better feeling prevailed in the +camp from that hour. + +On the second of June the Pioneers arrived opposite Fort Laramie, 543 +miles from Winter Quarters, which distance they had traveled in about +seven weeks. Here they were joined by a small company of Saints from +Mississippi, who had spent the winter in Pueblo. The first half of +their journey to the mountains was now over. + + + + +CHAPTER LV. + +THE PIONEERS CROSS THE PLATTE--GOVERNOR BOGGS AND THE +MISSOURIANS--COL. BRIDGER--"A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A BUSHEL OF +WHEAT"--THE PIONEERS' FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE VALLEY OF THE GREAT SALT +LAKE. + + +The pioneers now crossed the Platte, hiring a flatboat for that +purpose from Mr. Bordeaux, a Frenchman, the principal man at the fort. +From him they learned that their old enemy, Governor Boggs, of +Missouri, had recently passed over with two companies, on their way to +California. True to his instincts and traditions, Governor Boggs had +maligned the characters of the Mormons to Mr. Bordeaux, who answered +that the Mormons could not be any worse than his party, who were +quarreling and stealing all along the way. + +Prior to crossing the river the pioneers had broken a new road over +the plains for several hundred miles, along which tens of thousands of +the Saints subsequently traveled. It was known for many years as the +"old Mormon road," until the railroad came to cover it up and +obliterate almost from recollection the toils and trials of the +ox-team journeys of early days. But now the brethren were in the wake +of the Missouri companies, traveling towards the land of gold. + +At the Black Hills they were seven days in crossing the river. Having +there overtaken the Missourians, they ferried them over, also, at the +rate of $1.50 for each wagon and load, taking their pay in flour, meal +and bacon at Missouri prices. By this time their stock of provisions +was well-nigh exhausted. To have it thus replenished in the Black +Hills, and at the hands of their old enemies, the Missourians, they +regarded as little less than a miracle. + +In this locality Heber discovered a fine spring of clear, cold water, +which he named for himself, "Kimball's Spring." + +The Missourians, who traveled on Sundays, while the pioneers rested +and kept the holy day, were quarreling among themselves continually, +and, not satisfied with this, began to insult and annoy their Mormon +neighbors. One evening, as Heber and Ezra T. Benson were riding ahead +of their company to look out a camping ground, six men, dressed as +Indians, being clothed in white and blue blankets, suddenly sprang up +from the grass, about half a mile to the left of the road, and +mounting their horses started on. Seeing that the sight of their +blankets failed to terrify the Mormon scouts, who continued leisurely +on their way, one of the party left his companions and retracing a few +steps, motioned with his hand for the brethren to go back. They kept +on, however, and the pseudo savage and his comrades then scampered off +and disappeared behind a ridge some distance ahead. + +Heber and his companion rode on, and having gained the summit, were +just in time to see the six Missourians, for such they were, ride into +camp, no doubt to relate how badly they had scared the two "Mormons." +The brethren treated the matter with silent contempt, though naturally +a little indignant at the gratuitous insult offered them. + +Independence Rock on the 21st of June; South Pass on the 26th. Two +days later Colonel Bridger came into camp. In council with the Mormon +leaders, he gave them some information, mostly of a discouraging +character, in regard to the region towards which they were traveling, +and in conclusion said that he would give a thousand dollars for the +first bushel of wheat raised in Salt Lake Valley. + +On went the heroic band, nothing daunted, wading rivers, crossing +deserts and climbing mountains; trusting in God and their great +destiny. It did not desert them. On the afternoon of Saturday, July +24th, 1847, their dust-covered wagons emerged from the mouth of the +ravine now known as Emigration Canyon, and the Valley of the Great +Salt Lake burst like a vision of glory upon their enraptured view. + + Ah! marvel nothing if the eye may trace + The care-lines on each toil-worn hero's face, + Nor yet, if down his cheek in silent show, + The trickling tides of tender feeling flow; + Tears not of weakness, nor of sorrow's mood, + As when o'er vanished joys sad memories brood, + Far richer fount those fearless eyes bedewed, + They wept the golden drops of gratitude. + + Wherefore! Ask of the bleak and biting wind, + The rivers, rocks and deserts left behind, + The rolling prairie's waste of moveless waves, + A path of pain, a trail of nameless graves; + The city fair where widowed loneliness + Weeps her lost children in the wilderness; + + The river broad along whose icy bridge + Their bleeding feet red-hued each frozen ridge; + The Christian world that drove them forth to die + On barren wilds beneath a wintry sky. + + Would e'en the coldest heart forbear to say + Good cause had gratitude to weep that day? + Or censure for a flow of manly tears + That brave-souled band, immortal Pioneers? + + + + +CHAPTER LVI. + +THE PIONEERS ENTER THE VALLEY--EXPLORING AND COLONIZING--A RENEWAL OF +COVENANTS--SELECTION OF INHERITANCES--RETURN OF THE LEADERS TO WINTER +QUARTERS. + + +Heber and Brigham entered the Valley together, on the ever memorable +"Twenty-fourth," the day chosen by the Pioneers to celebrate their +advent into the chambers of the mountains. As a matter of fact, +however, Apostle Orson Pratt with Elder Erastus Snow and others, sent +on from Bear River ahead of the main company to break a road over the +mountains and through the canyons, had penetrated to and partly +explored the Valley three days before. Heber remained behind with the +President, who was ill, having contracted the mountain fever. + +Arriving at the camp of Elder Pratt, they found that the brethren had +pitched their tents beside two small streams of pure water, and were +already engaged in ploughing and putting in crops. A shower of rain +fell that afternoon. + +The next day being the Sabbath, the usual services were held and the +sacrament administered to the congregation. The speakers of the day +were George A. Smith, Heber C. Kimball, Ezra T. Benson, Wilford +Woodruff, Orson Pratt and Willard Richards. The main theme of the +discourses, naturally enough, was the "land of promise" in the +"mountains of Israel," unto which the God of Jacob had led the +vanguard of His covenant people. + +The several days ensuing were passed in exploring the land and +planning future prospects. + +"Monday July 26th," says Heber, "I rode out in company with President +Young and the Twelve, to visit some of the high hills which lie a +little north of here. We went on a high peak which President Young +named 'Ensign Peak,' and from thence had a very pleasing view of the +Valley, and a great portion of the Salt Lake. On returning, Elders +Richards, Benson and myself bathed in the Warm Springs. We found it +very pleasant and refreshing. Brother Mathews and John Brown have been +across the Valley to the mountain west, and say it is about sixteen +miles to the mountain, but there is no fresh water after leaving the +outlet." + +Next day, Tuesday the 27th, Elder Amasa Lyman, who with others had +left the pioneer camp at Fort Laramie, to meet a detachment of the +Battalion at Pueblo and lead them on to the Valley, arrived in advance +of his company with Elders Rodney Badger, Roswell Stevens and Samuel +Brannan, the last named from California. Says Heber; "I rode out again +with President Young and some others to visit the Hot Springs, and +counsel on the matter of some of the soldiers of the Battalion +accompanying Brother Brannan to San Francisco. Some of the Utah +Indians visited the camp during the day and the brethren traded with +them. They appeared poor and barely clad. Some of the brethren have +been to the mountains to get a log for a skiff. + +"Wednesday 28th: Yesterday after riding around a little, we started +for the Salt Lake and arrived in sufficient time to bathe in it. The +water is much saltier than sea water, and it is supposed it would +yield 35 per cent, of pure salt. This morning we started back to camp +and at 8 o'clock in the evening I attended a general meeting, when the +brethren were addressed by President Young on various subjects. We +have selected a place for a city about half a mile north of here, and +calculated to lay it off in ten-acre lots, each block to be divided +into 8 lots of 1 1/4 acres each, exclusive of the streets. + +"Thursday 29th. This morning I went in company with President Young to +meet the soldiers and the Pueblo company. We met them in the canyon. +The brethren seemed highly pleased to see us. We got back to camp +about five o'clock. + +"Friday 30th. This morning the Twelve met in council with the officers +of the Battalion. In the evening the soldiers were called together and +addressed by President Young. The meeting was opened by 'Hosannas,' +and closed by requesting the brethren to build a bowery to hold our +meetings under. + +"Sunday, August 1st, Brother Markham says that there are already about +fifty-three acres of land plowed and most of it planted with corn, +beans, garden seeds, etc. There have been thirteen plows and three +drags at work nearly all the week. At ten o'clock we assembled for +meeting in the bowery. It was decided to build a stockade of adobies, +and adobie houses, and a number of men were selected to commence +making adobies to-morrow. + +"We also took a vote to have all the wagons move up and form one camp +at the east end of the city." + +The foregoing excerpts from Heber's journal will suffice to show the +nature of the initial labors of the pioneers in preparing a home for +themselves and their brethren and sisters who were to follow them. + +A renewal of covenants now took place, the leaders setting the example +by being rebaptized. President Young baptized his brethren of the +Twelve who were present, confirmed them, and sealed upon them anew +their Apostleship. Heber C. Kimball then baptized and confirmed +President Young. This event took place on the sixth of August. + +In the afternoon of the day following the Apostles selected their +inheritances, Heber C. Kimball taking a block north of the Temple, +President Young a block east and running south-east, Orson Pratt a +block south, Wilford Woodruff a block cornering the Temple block and +adjoining Elder Pratt's, George A. Smith a block on the west, and the +others lots in the near vicinity. + +The same evening Heber baptized fifty-five members of the camp, in +City Creek, for the remission of their sins; and the next day, August +8th, the remainder of the camp renewed their covenants by baptism. + +At a special conference on the 22nd of August, a stake of Zion was +organized, with Father John Smith as President. It was resolved that +the city then being built should be called the City of the Great Salt +Lake. The various creeks and canyons surrounding were also christened, +and, on motion of Heber C. Kimball, the river to the west of the +settlement was named the Western Jordan. + +In the course of his remarks at this conference. Heber used the +following prophetic language: "Brother Brigham is going to be greater +than he was; he will be greater in strength, in beauty, and in glory. +Call upon God and we shall increase here. Away with the spirit of +alienation, and let us be united. This is a paradise to me. It is one +of the most lovely places I ever beheld." + +Having now established their feet, spiritually and temporally, upon +this chosen land, the leaders and pioneers, with most of the returning +members of the Battalion, harnessed their teams, and bidding farewell +to their brethren and sisters who were to tarry, set out upon the +return journey to Winter Quarters. + +Several companies were now upon the road under the captaincy of such +men as Parley P. Pratt, John Taylor, Edward Hunter, Daniel Spencer and +Jedediah M. Grant. On the 4th of September, President Young and his +company met Apostle P. P. Pratt and Captain Sessions, with their +divisions, on the Little Sandy. Here the quorum of the Twelve held a +council, and the President was under the necessity of rebuking two of +the Apostles "for undoing what the majority of the quorum had done in +the organization of the camps for traveling." Says President Woodruff +in his journal: "President Young said he felt eternity resting upon +him, and was weighed down to the earth with this work; and that +Brother Kimball felt it also, more than any other man except himself. +He should chastise any one of the quorum when out of the way. He had +done it for our good, and had been constrained to it by the power of +God. + +"Brother Kimball then addressed President Young: 'I want you, Brother +Brigham,' he said, 'to save yourself, for you are wearing down. I feel +tender towards you, to live, and if I and my brethren do wrong, tell +us of it, and we will repent.'" + +On the Sweetwater, they met Apostle Taylor and his company, and were +treated by them to a rich feast, prepared as a surprise to the +returning pioneers. + +The Indians had now commenced to be troublesome, prowling around the +camps, stealing horses and cattle, and committing other petty +depredations. An exciting though bloodless affray took place between +them and the pioneers on the morning of the 21st of September. The +brethren were just getting ready to start, when the alarm was given by +the men who had been sent out to gather up the horses, that the +Indians were "rushing" them--driving them off. The camp flew to arms, +just in time to receive the onslaught of the savages, who, emerging +from the timbers and firing their guns, charged upon them at full +speed. There were at least two hundred mounted warriors. A return +volley from the pioneers broke the Indian charge, and the brethren +then gave chase, Heber C. Kimball and Wilford Woodruff leading the +counter charge with impetuous zeal. Dashing almost alone at the +swarming savages, the sight of their daring courage spread +consternation among their foes, who broke and fled incontinently. + +The old chief who had directed the attack now shouted to his band and +proclaimed peace to the pioneers, telling them that he and his +warriors were good Sioux, and had mistaken them for Crows or Snakes, +with whom they were at war. The brethren thought it good policy to +accept the excuse, transparent though it was, and to appear satisfied +with the explanation. The chief proposed the smoking of the pipe of +peace with them, and wanted the "big chief of his Mormon brothers" to +go to his camp. This, however, was not deemed prudent, but Heber, Col. +Markham and Apostle Woodruff went instead, hoping thus to recover +their horses, eleven of which had been stolen that day, besides many +others on the Sweetwater. + +Heber and his companions were kindly received by the Indians, who were +camped about five miles away, and smoked the pipe of peace with their +leading men. Seeing some of the stolen animals in camp, Heber walked +deliberately up to them, took their ropes out of the hands of the +astonished savages, and coolly returned with them, amid the grunts and +approving nods of his swarthy admirers. They named him "the +bald-headed chief." Says he: + +"I saw quite a number of horses that were stolen from us on the +Sweetwater, but President Young suggested that we say nothing about +these for the present; but when we should get to Fort Laramie to offer +Mr. Bordeaux $100 to procure them for us; inasmuch as it was deemed +inexpedient to take them by force, numbering as they did some eight +hundred men, and their camp comprising upwards of one hundred lodges. +It was chiefly through my own exertions that we recovered the most of +the horses, and I verily believe that if I had had a few more men with +me of sufficient energy and resolution, while at their camp, I could +have secured all of the stolen horses." + +It was President Young's wise policy to placate the Indians and win +their friendship, for the sake of future emigrations. + +At Fort Laramie, President Young, Apostle Kimball and others of the +Twelve dined with Commodore Stockton, from the Bay of San Francisco, +who was eastward bound. + +Continuing on their way, the pioneers and Battalion "boys" arrived in +safety at Winter Quarters on the 31st of October. Upon the joy of +their meeting with their families and with the Saints, we need not +dwell. They found that during their absence peace and prosperity had +generally prevailed. + + + + +CHAPTER LVII. + +THE FIRST PRESIDENCY REORGANIZED--HEBER ATTAINS TO "THE HONOR OF THE +THREE"--SECOND JOURNEY TO THE MOUNTAINS--SICKNESS AND DISTRESS-- +HEBER'S CHARACTER AS A COLONIZER. + + +Another notable change in the eventful career of Heber C. Kimball. The +quorum of the First Presidency, which had remained vacant since the +death of Joseph, was now reorganized. Brigham Young, the chief Apostle +of the Twelve, was chosen President of the Church of Jesus Christ of +Latter-day Saints in all the world, with Heber C. Kimball and Willard +Richards as his counselors. + +The subject of the reorganization had been considered by the leaders +soon after their return to Winter Quarters from the Valley, but it was +not until the fifth of December that the matter assumed definite +shape. At a feast and council held on that day at the house of Elder +Orson Hyde, who had presided at Winter Quarters during the absence of +the pioneers, the question was presented to the Apostles by President +Young. Those present were then called upon, in their order, to express +their views in relation to the subject, when Heber C. Kimball, Orson +Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, George A. Smith, Amasa +Lyman, and Ezra T. Benson spoke to the question. President Young +closed. + +Orson Hyde then moved that Brigham Young be President of the Church of +Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that he nominate his two +counselors to form the First Presidency. Wilford Woodruff seconded the +motion, and it was carried unanimously. + +President Young then nominated Heber C. Kimball as his first +counselor, and Willard Richards as his second counselor, and the +nominations were unanimously sustained. + +This action of the Apostles in their council was sustained by the +Saints in general conference assembled, on the 27th of December, 1847. +The conference lasted four days and was attended by at least one +thousand people. It was held in the new log tabernacle at Winter +Quarters, a building erected especially for the purpose. The +reorganization of the Presidency was confirmed at the October +conference of the following year, in Great Salt Lake City. + +Apropos of this event:--In a patriarchal blessing upon the head of +Heber C. Kimball, given by the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, at Nauvoo, on +the 9th of March, 1842, the following language occurs: "You shall be +blest with a fulness and shall be not one whit behind the chiefest; as +an Apostle you shall stand in the presence of God to judge the people; +and as a Prophet you shall attain to THE HONOR OF THE THREE!" + +On the 24th of May, 1848, the First Presidency organized the main body +of the Saints on the Elk Horn, preparatory to the second journey to +the Rocky Mountains. The camp consisted of six hundred wagons, the +largest pioneer company that had yet set out to cross the plains. +Under Brigham and Heber they were led in safety to Zion's mountain +retreat, arriving in Salt Lake Valley in September, 1848. + +The journey, however, was one of severe trial to President Kimball and +his family. His daughter Helen, who had married Horace K. Whitney, +eldest son of Bishop Whitney, had lost by death her first babe, a +daughter, in the Spring of '47, while her husband was absent with the +pioneers; and in the journey of '48, she lost her second born, a son, +whom she considered as a little martyr. So great was the sorrow of the +poor mother over this second calamity, that she was not only brought +to death's door, but her reason was for a time overthrown. Vilate +herself was prostrated by her daughter's deep distress, and it was +only by dint of Heber's mighty faith and powerful will, that either of +them were kept alive. Again and again he administered to the +sufferers, praying that God would spare their lives, and declaring in +prophetic words to them and the whole camp that they "should not die." +Thus it was, throughout the entire journey to the mountains. That +season of dire trouble Heber and his family ever after looked back +upon as one of the extraordinary trials of his life. + +But it also brought out the noble qualities of Vilate's sister wives, +who daily administered strength and succor to the family. For Heber, +prior to this, and even before leaving Nauvoo, had taken many wives, +and like Abraham and Jacob of old, had become the head of a +patriarchal house-hold. His family, at this time, including his +adopted children and those dependent upon him for support, numbered +over one hundred souls. + +The residue of Heber C. Kimball's history is confined to the land +which his wives and children now inhabit, and where much of it that +may never be written by mortal pen is cherished as precious memories +in the hearts of tens of thousands. From here on, we are more than +ever compelled to cull from a superabundant variety of incidents the +leading events of a life which now saw some of its best and busiest +days. + +During the remaining two decades of his mortal existence, his history, +so inseparably interwoven with that of the great work to which he had +given all his energy and heart's devotion, is largely the history, for +the same period, of the development of this intermountain region. +Though leaning in his temperament to the spiritual, he was also by +nature a colonizer, with the elements of a great leader in his +composition. Next to those of Brigham Young, will the name and fame of +Heber C. Kimball live in the hearts of God's people and forever shine +in the annals of Latter-day Israel as one of the foremost of that +hardy and heroic band, who, under God, redeemed and beautified this +barren waste, "making its wilderness like Eden, and its desert like +the garden of the Lord." + + + + +CHAPTER LVIII. + +THE CRICKET PLAGUE--SAVED BY THE GULLS--HEBER'S FAMOUS +PROPHECY--"STATES GOODS" SOLD IN GREAT SALT LAKE CITY CHEAPER THAN IN +NEW YORK. + + +Now came a series of trials differing from anything the Saints had yet +experienced. Indeed, it seemed as if they were fated to literally +"endure all things," and like the Master they served, the great +Captain of salvation, be "made perfect through suffering." Hitherto +they had been warred against by the powers of evil and their +fellow-men. Now their opponents were the blind forces of nature, and +creatures of another class. + +The year 1848 was the year of the cricket plague. Myriads of these +destructive pests, an army of famine and despair, rolled in black +legions down the mountain sides and attacked the growing fields of +grain. The tender crops fell an easy prey to their fierce voracity. +They literally swept everything before them. Starvation with all its +terrors seemed staring the poor settlers in the face. + +They were saved by a miracle. In the midst of the work of destruction, +when it seemed as if nothing could stay the devastation, great flocks +of gulls suddenly appeared filling the air with their white wings and +plaintive cries, and settled down upon the half ruined fields. At +first it seemed as though they came but to destroy what the crickets +had left. But their true purpose was soon apparent. They came to prey +upon the destroyers. All day long they gorged themselves, and, when +full, disgorged and feasted again; the white gulls upon the black +crickets, like hosts of heaven and hell contending, until the pests +were vanquished and the people were saved. The heaven-sent birds then +returned to the lake islands whence they came, leaving the grateful +people to shed tears of joy at the wonderful deliverance wrought out +for them. + +[Illustration: Brigham Young] + +Still there was a season of scarcity. The surplus of the first +harvests in the Valley had barely been sufficient to meet the wants of +the emigration, which had commenced pouring in from the frontiers and +from Europe; and now that the crickets had played such havoc with the +crops, there was danger, in spite of the interposition of the gulls, +of some suffering from hunger. This was only averted by the exercise +of the highest wisdom and broadest charity, and the partial observance +of the principle of the United Order, which the Saints had before +sought to introduce, and still have it in their mission to establish. +The people were put upon rations, all sharing the same, like members +of one great family. Many, however, in order to swell their scanty +store, went out and dug roots with the Indians, or cooked and ate the +hides of animals with which they had covered the roofs of their +houses. + +It was during this time of famine, when the half starved, half-clad +settlers scarcely knew where to look for the next crust of bread or +for rags to hide their nakedness--for clothing had become almost as +scarce with them as bread-stuffs--that Heber C. Kimball, filled with +the spirit of prophecy, in a public meeting declared to the astonished +congregation that, within a short time, "States goods" would be sold +in the streets of Great Salt Lake City cheaper than in New York and +that the people should be abundantly supplied with food and clothing. + +"I don't believe a word of it," said Charles C. Rich; and he but +voiced the sentiment of nine-tenths of those who had heard the +astounding declaration. + +Heber himself was startled at his own words, as soon as the Spirit's +force had abated and the "natural man" had reasserted himself. On +resuming his seat, he remarked to the brethren that he was "afraid he +had missed it this time." But they were not his own words, and He who +had inspired them knew how to fulfill. + +The occasion for the fulfillment of this remarkable prediction was the +unexpected advent of the gold-hunters, on their way to California. The +discovery of gold in that land had set on fire, as it were, the +civilized world, and hundreds of richly laden trains now began pouring +across the continent on their way to the new El dorado. Salt Lake +Valley became the resting-place, or "half-way house" of the nation, +and before the Saints had had time to recover from their surprise at +Heber's temerity in making such a prophecy, the still more wonderful +fulfillment was brought to their very doors. The gold-hunters were +actuated by but one desire; to reach the Pacific Coast; the thirst for +mammon having absorbed for the time all other sentiments and desires. +Impatient at their slow progress, in order to lighten their loads, +they threw away or "sold for a song" the valuable merchandise with +which they had stored their wagons to cross the Plains. Their choice, +blooded, though now jaded stock, they eagerly exchanged for the fresh +mules and horses of the pioneers, and bartered off, at almost any +sacrifice, dry goods, groceries, provisions, tools, clothing, etc., +for the most primitive out-fits, with barely enough provisions to +enable them to reach their journey's end. Thus, as the Prophet Heber +had predicted, "States goods" were actually sold in the streets of +Great Salt Lake City cheaper than they could have been purchased in +the City of New York. + +Referring to this incident, in a sermon, a few years later, Heber +says: + +"The Spirit of prophecy foresees future events. God does not bring to +pass a thing because you say it shall be so, but because He designed +it should be so, and it is the future purposes of the Almighty that +the Prophet foresees. That is the way I prophesy, but I have predicted +things I did not foresee, and did not believe anybody else did, but I +have said it, and it came to pass even more abundantly than I +predicted; and that was with regard to the future situation of the +people who first came into this valley. Nearly every man was dressed +in skins, and we were all poor, destitute, and distressed, yet we all +felt well. I said, 'it will be but a little while, brethren, before +you shall have food and raiment in abundance, and shall buy it cheaper +than it can be bought in the cities of the United States.' I did not +know there were any Gentiles coming here, I never thought of such a +thing; but after I spoke it I thought I must be mistaken this time. +Brother Rich remarked at the time, 'I do not believe a word of it.' +And neither did I; but, to the astonishment and joy of the Saints, it +came to pass just as I had spoken it, only more abundantly. The Lord +led me right, but I did not know it. + +"I have heard Joseph say many times, that he was much tempted about +the revelations the Lord gave through him--it seemed to be so +impossible for them to be fulfilled. I do not profess to be a Prophet; +but I know that every man and woman can be, if they live for it." + +Though Heber did not "profess to be a Prophet," he was one +nevertheless, and manifested the gift of prophecy, as is generally +admitted, to a greater extent than any other man in the Church, +excepting the Prophet Joseph Smith. + +Brigham was in the habit of saying: "Heber is my Prophet." In a +conversation with Col. Thomas L. Kane on the occasion of the visit of +the latter to the Territory, at the time of the settlement of the +"Utah War" troubles, President Young said: "Brother Kimball said in +Nauvoo, 'If we have to leave our houses we will go to the mountains, +and in a few years we will have a better city than we have here.' This +is fulfilled. He also said, 'we shall have gold, and coin +twenty-dollar gold pieces.' We came here, founded a city, and coined +the first twenty-dollar gold pieces in the United States.[A] Seeing +the brethren poorly clad, soon after we came here, he said, 'it will +not be three years before we can buy clothing cheaper in Salt Lake +Valley than in the States.' Before the time was out, the gold-diggers +brought loads of clothing, and sold them in our city at a wanton +price." + +[Footnote A: Heber was one of the principal movers in procuring the +stamp with which these gold pieces were coined.] + + + + +CHAPTER LIX. + +HEBER C. KIMBALL CHIEF JUSTICE AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF DESERET--IN +THE LEGISLATURE--LAYING THE CORNER STONES OF THE SALT LAKE +TEMPLE--HEBER'S CONSECRATION PRAYER--HIS PROPHECY IN RELATION TO THE +TEMPLE--HE PREDICTS ANOTHER FAMINE. + + +President Kimball's experience was now more than ever of a mixed and +varied character; a natural concomitant of his position as a leader in +the settlement of a new country. As first counselor to his chief, and +only second to him in influence among the people, we find him taking +part and helping to direct in all the important movements affecting +the growth and prosperity of Zion. + +In March, 1849, the Provisional Government of the State of Deseret was +organized, pending the action of Congress on a petition for a +Territorial Government. The election, held on the twelfth of that +month, resulted in the unanimous choice of the following officers. +Brigham Young, Governor; Willard Richards, Secretary; Newel K. Whitney, +Treasurer; Heber C. Kimball, Chief Justice; John Taylor and N. K. +Whitney, Associate Justices; Daniel H. Wells, Attorney-General; Horace +S. Eldredge, Marshal; Albert Carrington, Assessor and Collector of +taxes; Joseph L. Heywood, Surveyor of highways; and the Bishops of the +several wards as magistrates. + +Heber was also Lieutenant-Governor of the Provisional State of +Deseret. + +At the October conference of 1849, his voice is heard introducing the +subject of the Perpetual Emigration Fund, for the benefit of the poor +Saints who were unable to gather to Zion. The sum of $5,000 was raised +that season by voluntary donations, and Bishop Edward Hunter +despatched to the frontier as general agent of the Church, to +superintend the emigration. + +At the session of the Legislature of Deseret, held in March, 1851, +Heber C. Kimball was President of the Council branch of the Assembly, +and, in September of the same year, a member of the Council of the +first session of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah. + +The corner stones of the Salt Lake Temple were laid on the sixth of +April, 1853, the south-east corner stone being laid by the First +Presidency, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards, +assisted by Patriarch John Smith. President Young delivered the +oration and President Kimball offered the consecration prayer. This +prayer is worth preserving in his history. It was as follows: + +"O God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Thy Son Jesus Christ of +Nazareth, we ask Thee to look upon us at this time in Thy tender +mercy. Thou beholdest that Thy servants, Brigham and his council, have +laid the corner stone of a holy house, which we are about to erect +unto Thy name. We desire to do it with clean hands and pure hearts +before Thee, and before Thine holy angels. + +"We thank Thee that we are permitted to live in the flesh, and have a +place upon Thy footstool, and partake daily of the bounties Thy hand +bestows, for Thou art our father, and Jesus Christ is our elder +brother. + +"Inasmuch, O Lord, as we desire to erect a house to Thy name, and if +it seemeth Thee good to come and take up Thine abode on the earth, +that Thou mayest have a place to lay Thy head, we pray Thee to assist +us to erect it in purity before Thee, and the heavenly hosts. + +"We ask Thee to help us so to conduct ourselves, that all the holy +Prophets, the angels of heaven, with Thee and Thy son, may be engaged +continually for our welfare, in the work of salvation and eternal +lives. Bless us in this attempt to glorify Thee. Bless this portion of +the earth we dwell upon--even these valleys of the mountains, which we +have consecrated unto Thee. Cause them to bring forth the productions +of the soil in rich abundance. Bless the seeds that are placed therein +by Thy servants and handmaidens. And inasmuch as they are disposed to +do Thy work, and erect a temple to Thy name, which is their fixed +purpose and determination, let the heavens be gentle over them. May +the earth be sanctified for their good, and the seeds they throw into +it yield to them an hundred fold in return. We pray Thee to bless such +men and women--may the blessings of the Almighty richly attend +them--and multiply them in their families, in their herds and flocks, +in strength and in health, in salvation and in eternal lives. + +"We also pray for those who do not feel favorably disposed to Thy +work--may Thy blessings not attend them, but may they go backward and +not forward, may they wither and not increase, and may the strength +that they might have received, through their faithfulness to Thy work +be multiplied and divided amongst these Thy servants who are +determined to keep Thy commandments, and sanctify their affections +unto Thee. + +"Look upon Thy servant Brigham, O Lord, and let Thy Holy Spirit rest +mightily upon him this day, and from henceforth. May he live to +dictate the erection of Thy house, see the top stone brought on with +rejoicing, and administer the keys of salvation and eternal life unto +his brethren therein. Bless his council in common with him, may they +live to a good old age, and glorify God in all their days; may they +never want for food and raiment, for fathers and mothers, for wives +and children, and for the power of Thy Spirit to inspire them, and +those Thou hast given them. + +"Pour out Thy Spirit upon Thy servants, the Twelve Apostles; may Thy +power abide upon them, to qualify them for the responsible calling +unto which Thou hast called them. Also, in connection with them, let +Thy Spirit rest upon the Quorums of the Seventies, the High Priests, +the Bishops, the High Council, the Elders, Priests, Teachers, and +Deacons; and upon every faithful member of Thy church in these valleys +of the mountains, and in all the world. + +"Now, O God, we dedicate this stone to Thee. May this spot be holy, +and all that pertaineth to it. And inasmuch as there shall be an +enemy, or a person that are evil-disposed towards Thy house, and they +shall endeavor to lay snares for the feet of Thy people, may they be +caught in their own net, be overwhelmed in their own dilemma, and have +no power nor influence in the least to hurt Thy saints from this time +henceforth forever. May the power of the Mighty God of Jacob fortify +Thy servants, enabling them to execute righteousness before Thee the +Lord our God. + +"Hear us, O Lord, for we dedicate this, the south-east corner stone +unto Thee, praying that it may sleep in peace, be preserved from +decay, for it is the chief corner-stone of the house we shall rear to +Thy name. May the same blessings attend the other three corner-stones, +and all the works Thy servants shall set their hands to do, from this +time henceforth and forever. + +"Bless the architect, the superintendent, the foremen of the various +departments, and all the laborers that shall raise a hand, or move a +thing for the erection and perfection of this Thine house; and provide +for them, their wives, their children, and all that pertains unto +them, that they may want for no good or necessary thing, while they +are engaged in Thy service, and from this time henceforth and forever. + +"We dedicate ourselves unto Thee, with our wives, our children, our +flocks, and our herds, with all the settlements and possessions that +pertain to Thy people in these valleys of the mountains. And all the +praise and glory we will ascribe to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. +Amen." + +In after years, President Kimball predicted, in relation to this +temple, that when its walls reached the square the powers of evil +would rage and the Saints would suffer persecution. The walls of the +Salt Lake Temple "reached the square" in November, 1882, eight months +after the passage by Congress of the celebrated "Edmunds law." One +year later, in November, 1883, occurred the trial of Rudger Clawson +for polygamy under the provisions of that law, in the Third District +Court of Utah Territory. This, the first gun of the campaign, was the +signal for the inauguration of an anti-Mormon crusade, which, for +bitterness and cruelty, takes rank in the history of religious +persecution with the deeds of the dark ages. Thus was fulfilled +another prediction of the prophet Heber, fifteen years after his +mortal eyes were closed in death. + +The character of those early times, the condition of the people, and +the part played by President Kimball as a public teacher, are further +shown in the following selections from his sermons, in which he deals +more or less with the temporal situation: + +In August, 1853, we find him addressing the Saints in the Tabernacle +as follows: + +"I know you will prosper and live in peace in the mountains of the +Great Salt Lake, and be perfectly independent. You will have food and +raiment, houses and lands, flocks and herds, and everything your +hearts can desire, that there is in heaven and on earth, _if you but +do as you are told_. You will live in peace and God will be your +defence.[A] * * I have said often, you may write blessings for +yourselves, and insert every good thing you can think of, and it will +all come to pass on your heads, IF YOU DO RIGHT." * * * * * + +[Footnote A: In the same spirit, a few years later, Aug. 30. 1857, +Heber uttered this stirring prophecy: "Wake up, ye Saints of the Most +High, and prepare for any emergency that the Lord our God may have +pleasure in bringing forth! We never shall leave these valleys--till +we get ready; no, never: no, never! We will live here till we go back +to Jackson County, Missouri. I prophesy that, in the name of Israel's +God." The congregation shouted "Amen," and President Young said, "It +is true."] + +"The Lord can turn the nations as I can an obedient horse. They are +governed and controlled by the Almighty as much as we are. What can +they do against us? Why, nothing whatever, but if we do not do right +they will be a scourge in the hands of God to scourge us, just as the +Indians are at this time. * * There never would have been a +disturbance if this people had done as they were told. There is not a +settlement in these mountains but were instructed by Brother Brigham +to build good forts and live in them. Have any of them built forts? * +* The Indians are now upon us, and our brethren are scattered off, +three, four and five families in a place, exposed to the Lamanites. * +* * * * * * + +"There are a few things I wanted to say. One is, TAKE CARE OF YOUR +GRAIN; for it is of more worth to you than gold and silver. I know you +will see harder times before another harvest than you have seen this +season. There is enough, and we need never want bread, but if we do +not take the right course we are _sure to see sorrow_, and THE +GREATEST YOU HAVE EVER SEEN." + +Mark the stress laid upon the subject of storing up grain for a day of +famine. This theme forms almost the staple of President Kimball's +sermons for the next three years. With the eye of faith he saw the +famine afar off, and strove with all the power of his earnest and +prophetic nature to impress this fact upon the minds of his hearers, +that they might be prepared for the gaunt spectre's coming. But they +heeded him not, to any general extent, and in due time suffered the +consequences of their neglect. + +A year later he touched on the subject of home manufactures: + +"Will the time ever be that we can make our clothing? We nearly can at +this time. I would like to see the people take a course to make their +own clothing, make their own machinery, their own knives and their own +forks, and everything else we need, for the day will come when we will +be under the necessity of doing it, for trouble and perplexity, war +and famine, bloodshed and fire, and thunder and lightning will roll +upon the nations of the earth, insomuch that we cannot get to them, +nor they to us." + +The next is a retrospective glimpse: + +"I was one of the first, in connection with President Young, who came +to this valley when it was a desolate region, and we could not even +get a chart from Fremont nor from any other man, from which to learn +the course to this place. I was one who helped to pick out the road. +When we got to the upper ferry of Platte River, half of our company +had not a mouthful of bread. I recollect one day, I believe it was on +the Platte, Brother Brigham said to me, 'Brother Heber, what do you +think about it, do you think we shall go any further?' I knew he asked +this question to try me. I replied, I wanted to go the whole journey +and find some white sandstone and see what there was in the earth. +There never was a day when I would not go with him until we found a +location. I knew there was a place somewhere, though at times the +prospect appeared dreary. But here it was on high. It is the best +country I ever saw." + +By this time the approach of the famine was beginning to be felt. In +the course of some remarks at a special conference in Provo, July +13th, 1855, President Kimball said: + +"Perhaps many feel a little sober because our bread is cut off, but I +am glad of it, because it will be a warning to us, and teach us to lay +it up in future, as we have been told. How many times have you been +told to store up your wheat against the hard times that are coming +upon the nations of the earth? When we first came into these valleys +our President told us to lay up stores of all kinds of grain that the +earth might rest once in seven years. The earth is determined to rest, +and it is right that it should. It only requires a few grasshoppers to +make the earth rest, they can soon clear it. This is the seventh year; +did you ever think of it?" + +Then came the famine, the second one in the history of the Saints, in +fulfillment of the warning words of their prophets and seers. It was +the famine of 1856. + + + + +CHAPTER LX. + +THE FAMINE OF '56--HEBER A SECOND JOSEPH--A SAVIOR TO HIS PEOPLE-- +VILATE A MINISTERING ANGEL--A STRANGE PIECE OF COUNSEL--PRESIDENT +KIMBALL'S LETTERS, DESCRIPTIVE OF THE FAMINE, TO HIS SON WILLIAM, +IN ENGLAND. + + +In this famine, which was likened unto the famine of Egypt, Heber C. +Kimball played a part like unto that of Joseph of old; feeding from +his own bins and storehouses, filled by his providence and foresight +in anticipation of the straitness of the times, the hungry +multitude--kindred, strangers and all--who looked to him for succor. +His own family were put upon short rations, to enable him to minister +more effectually to the wants of others. + +He had taken his own counsel, and stored up grain for the famine he +had predicted, and when the time of scarcity came he had on hand +thousands of bushels of wheat, with bran and shorts, corn and barley +in abundance; all of which, however, was used before the next +harvest-time. + +Several hundred bushels of wheat he lent to President Young, to help +feed those who were dependent on the President, while he himself +personally undertook to relieve hundreds of the poor of Salt Lake +City. + +The following letter from Bishop John B. Maiben forms an interesting +link in the historic chain of that period: + + "MANTI, SANPETE CO., + "January 16th, 1877. + + "_S. F. Kimball_, + "_Salt Lake City_, + + "DEAR BROTHER:--In answer to your enquiries in + relation to the flour I distributed for your father, I will say: + + "That during the early part of the year 1856, in what is known as + the "time of the famine," when a great many persons who in other + respects were esteemed well to do, were under the necessity of + eating thistle roots, sego roots and other wild plants for + sustenance of themselves and families, owing to the extreme + scarcity of breadstuff, there being none in the market at any + price; at this critical juncture President Heber C. Kimball, who + had by wise economy and prescient forethought garnered up a + quantity of surplus grain, requested my assistance to distribute + flour to the families of the Saints in small quantities adapted to + their number and necessity, charging them only $6.00 per 100 lbs, + then the standard Tithing Office price. Although there was no + flour in the market, still some individuals were selling at $25. + to $30. per 100 lbs. To the best of my recollection some 20,000 to + 30,000 lbs. of flour were thus distributed in various amounts, + varying from five to fifty lbs., according to the size of the + family. + + "This act of generosity and fatherly care on the part of the late + Heber C. Kimball was only in keeping with his general character as + a man of sterling integrity and a faithful steward before the Lord + to his fellow-men, and thus his memory is justly enshrined in the + hearts of the Saints, who fondly cherish the hope to enjoy his + society after a glorious resurrection. + + "Yours Very Truly, + "J. B. MAIBEN." + +Many are the acts of mercy and charity related of President Kimball +and his family, especially his noble and unselfish partner, Vilate, +during this time of sore distress. They kept an open house, and fed +from twenty-five to one hundred poor people at their table, daily, +besides making presents innumerable of bread, flour and other +necessaries, which were then literally worth their weight in gold.[A] + +[Footnote A: While thus feeding the poor on the best that her larder +afforded, Vilate would send her own children into the fields to dig +roots (artichokes) which she would cook for them. This, with coarse +corn bread, while her guests were served with wheaten bread, potatoes +and boiled beef, was the frequent diet of the Kimball family during +the famine of "fifty-six."] + +It was Vilate's chief delight to sally forth with a basket on her arm, +filled with nicely cooked edibles and little domestic comforts, and +seek out some poor, obscure person, in need of help, though perhaps +too proud or timid to make it known. She would often go to the houses +of such persons, on finding that they were away from home, and provide +for their needs in their absence, in order that they might meet a glad +surprise on their return, without knowing the good angel who had +visited them. + +It is related that, during this famine, a brother, sorely in need of +bread, came to President Kimball for counsel how to procure it. + +"Go and marry a wife," was Heber's terse reply, after relieving the +immediate wants of the applicant. + +Thunderstruck at receiving such an answer at such a time, when he +could hardly provide food for himself, the man went his way, dazed and +bewildered, thinking that President Kimball must be out of his mind. +But the more he thought of the prophetic character and calling of the +one who had given him this strange advice, the less he felt like +ignoring it. Finally he resolved to obey counsel, let the consequences +be what they might. But where was the woman who would marry him? was +the next problem. Bethinking himself of a widow with several children, +who he thought might be induced to share her lot with him, he mustered +up courage, proposed and was accepted. + +In that widow's house was laid up a six months' store of provisions! + +Meeting President Kimball shortly afterwards, the now prosperous man +of family exclaimed: + +"Well, Brother Heber, I followed your advice--" + +"Yes," said the man of God, "and you found bread." + +President Kimball's letters to his son William, who was then in +England, will fully tell the story of the famine, and also many of the +current events of that period: + + "GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, + "February 29, 1856. + + "TO MY DEAR SON WILLIAM, AND TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: + + "My family, with yours, are all in good health and spirits. I have + been under the necessity of rationing my family, and also yours, + to two-thirds of a pound of breadstuff per day each; as the last + week is up to-day, we shall commence on half a pound each--at the + same time they all begin to look better and fatter, and more + ruddy, like the English. This I am under the necessity of doing. + Brother Brigham told me to-day that he had put his family on half + a pound each, for there is scarcely any grain in the country, and + there are thousands that have none at all scarcely. We do this for + the purpose of feeding hundreds that have none. + + "My family at this time consists of about one hundred souls, and I + suppose that I feed about as many as one hundred besides. + + "My mill has not brought me in, for the last seven months, over + one bushel of toll per day, in consequence of the dry weather, and + the water being frozen up--which would not pay my miller. When + this drought came on, I had about seven hundred bushels of wheat, + and it is now reduced to about one hundred and twenty-five + bushels, and I have only about twenty-five bushels of corn, which + will not provide for my own family until harvest. Heber has been + to the mill to-day, and has brought down some unbolted flour, and + we shall be under the necessity of eating the bran along with the + flour, and shall think ourselves doing well with half a pound a + day at that. * * * We have some meat and perhaps about seventy + bushels of potatoes, also a very few beets and carrots; so you can + judge whether or not we can get through until harvest without + digging roots; still we are altogether better off than the most of + the people in these valleys of the mountains. There are several + wards in this city who have not over two weeks' provisions on + hand. + + "I went into the tithing office with Brother Hill and examined it + from top to bottom, and, taking all the wheat, corn, buckwheat and + oats, there were not to exceed five hundred bushels, which is all + the public works have, or expect to have, and the works are pretty + much abandoned, the men having been all turned off, except about + fifteen who are at work on Brother Brigham's house and making some + seed drills for grain, as we will be obliged to put in our grain + by drilling, on account of the scarcity, which probably will not + take over one-third of the grain it would to sow broadcast. + + "We shall probably not do anything on the public works until + another harvest. The mechanics of every class have all been + counseled to abandon their pursuits and go to raising grain. This + we are literally compelled to do, out of necessity. Moreover, + there is not a settlement in the Territory but is also in the same + fix that we are. Some settlements can go two months, some three, + some can, probably, at the rate of half a pound per day, till + harvest. Hon. A. W. Babbitt even went to Brother Hyde's provision + store the other day, and begged to get twenty or twenty-five + pounds of flour, but could not. This I was told by William Price + who is the salesman of the store. Money will not buy flour or + meal, only at a few places, and but very little at that. I can + assure you that I am harrassed constantly; I sell none for money + but let it go where people are truly destitute. Dollars and cents + do not count now, in these times, for they are the tightest that I + have ever seen in the Territory of Utah. You and your brethren + can judge a little by this. As one of the old Prophets said, + anciently, 'as with the people so with the Priest,' we all take it + together. + + "Some of the people drop many big tears, but if they cannot learn + wisdom by precept, nor by example, they must learn it by what they + suffer. + + "Now is the time for us to be like unto Joseph of old--lay up + stores for ourselves, and our children; and thousands, and + hundreds of thousands from the old world, the United States, and + North and South America will flee to this place to get down by the + side of Joseph's cribs, and granaries, and storehouses, to get + that which will sustain life from "these poor deluded creatures" + that they drove from the United States, and were not willing that + they should have shelter in the land of their birth, and the + privilege of worshiping our God and our Father who organized and + prepared this earth for His children, and those who would keep His + commandments; and killed our Prophet, our Patriarch, and Apostles, + and hundreds of others and thousands of men, women, and children, + the widows and fatherless, who died on the plains in consequence + of their oppression. Will they receive the rod in consequence of + this? Yes, I can say in truth, in the name of Israel's God, they + shall receive fourfold pressed down. I can say in my heart, I wish + to God this people would all listen to counsel, and do at the + start as they are told, and move as one man, and be one. If this + were the case, our enemies would never have any more power over + us, our granaries never would be empty, nor would we see sorrow. + There is not a good, wise, humble Saint that is filled with the + elements of eternal lives, but what knows that this is true as + well as myself. * * * * * * + + "Now, as to my own stock--cattle, horses and sheep. My sheep are + on Antelope Island. Peter Hanson is with them, and Joseph Toronto + is with Brother Brigham's, five miles beyond. Some portions of the + Island are covered with snow nearly three feet deep. The sheep + range on the tops of the mountains where the wind has blown off + the snow, and they do first rate. My cattle, sixty head of them, + were put in Cache valley with the church cattle, and those of + other individuals, numbering about two thousand five hundred head, + with some forty or fifty horses, some six or eight of which were + mine. When the snow fell in that valley about ten inches deep, + the fatter portion of the cattle broke and came over into Box + Elder and Weber valleys, and scattered hither and thither. It is + supposed that one-half of those two thousand five hundred head are + dead. Whether mine are all dead I know not. My John horse fled + out of that valley down on the Weber and died. Old Jim, Elk, Kit + and Kurley remained in Cache valley, and they were with about + forty head of other horses when last seen, but they have not been + heard of for a considerable time, and whether living or dead we + know not. The snow is about waist deep in that valley. Week before + last, Heber and some other boys started to go there, but when they + got to the divide between that valley and Box Elder, the snow was + about twelve feet deep, and they were obliged to return. Heber + found the Lize mare and your two mules on the Weber, and brought + them home. They were so poor that they almost staggered. + + "The Carr boys have lost most all of their cattle, as they were in + Cache valley. Old Daddy Stump went there also, and most of his + died. Brother Shurtliff had some ninety cows of Brother + Brigham's, and he says that they are all dead except ten or a + dozen. Brothers Hooper and Williams told me that they had lost + about seven hundred head. Mr. Kerr, a Gentile, told me that he + had six or seven hundred head, and they were all dead. Messrs. + Gilbert and Gerrish had about as many, and they are all dead, as + are also Livingston and Bell's, and, from the accounts from all + the brethren north of this place, we learn that they have lost + half of their stock, and this destruction seems to be more or less + throughout the Territory, and many cattle and horses are dying in + the city There may be more or less of these cattle living, but + they are scattered from the Malad to this place. There are some + forty head of cattle on the Island, probably living. + + "Some of the Indians have killed some cattle in Utah Valley. Judge + Drummond, being there, issued a writ for them. T---- J---- had + the writ, and summoned a posse, without consulting Brother + Brigham, and, anxious to obtain a few dimes from Uncle Sam, went + over to Cedar Valley, and came to the lodge where the Indians + were. Battest drew his rifle upon George Parish, who warded it + off on firing, and one of the brethren drew a revolver, and shot + Battest through the head, and he fell dead. In a very short time + after this three of our brethren were found dead; one of their + names was Carson. They were herd boys. Brother Hunsaker's son + has never been found yet--supposed to be dead. Last evening we + received news that two more of the brethren were dead, and one + mortally wounded, and that the horses were taken from the company + who were going to get back some of the cattle from the Indians. It + happened in the cedars, between Rush and Cedar valleys, the + brethren not expecting any Indians were anywhere about. + + "The more reckless portion of the Indians have gathered together, + and taken something over one hundred head of cattle and horses, + and the last we heard, they were making their way toward the + Sevier, taking the west side of the mountains, on the borders of + the desert. General Wells has issued orders to Gen. Cownover to + raise men and pursue them, and take away the cattle from them. We + have received no news as yet from this company. This difficulty + has arisen from our Judges, Kinney and Drummond, and some of our + foolish brethren who are ready to run at their nod. + + "There have been courts in session here for weeks and weeks, and I + suppose that one hundred and fifty or two hundred of the brethren + have been hanging around, with the council house filled to the + brim. This scenery continuing for a long time, one day Brother + Brigham sent Thomas Bullock to take their names, for the purpose + of giving them missions, if they had not anything to do of any + more importance. So Brother Brigham counseled me to make a + selection--for Los Vegas some thirty, who are ordered to sell + their possessions and go with their families as soon as the + weather will permit, for the purpose of going down on to the Rio + Virgin to raise cotton; Another company of forty-eight to go to + Green River to strengthen up that settlement, make farms, build + mills, etc., and some thirty-five or forty to go north to Salmon + River, where Thomas J. Smith is, to strengthen up that post; some + thirty to go to Carson Valley to strengthen that post; some thirty + to go into the lead business near the Los Vegas; and eight to go + to the East Indies. There are eighteen called to Europe, and seven + to Australia. + + "We left Fillmore on the day of the adjournment of the + Legislature, which took place at five o'clock A. M. We got home in + about four days. + + "The Deseret Dramatic Association are now performing on the + evenings of Wednesdays and Saturdays; "She stoops to Conquer" + comes off for the second time to-morrow night. A benefit to + Bernard Snow is to be given on Monday night, when will be played, + 'Virginius.' + + "Brother Smoot has made a selection of one hundred men, + principally young men, to go back with ox teams to fetch on the + Church goods that lie in Missouri and St. Louis, if there are + cattle enough left alive to do so. Your brother David, Brigham + Young, Jr., and George Grant's son George, will go with them. + + "Heber and Phoebe are living with Ruth and Christeen. Heber is a + very steady, good boy, and takes a great burden from my shoulders, + by waiting on the family and seeing to things. + + "You can say to the brethren that I see their wives occasionally + at the public places. They are all well so far as I know; I have + all I can do and no time to visit. Say to all the brethren that + they are most kindly remembered by me. I would be glad to write to + them all. + + "This letter is for the benefit of all, as it gives the general + news. We shall expect to see you home next season, as Brother + Brigham has sent word, which you will get before you get this. + + "God bless Brother Franklin, Brother Spencer, yourself, with all + the rest of the brethren. Your dear mother is sitting beside me + and wishes to be remembered kindly to her son William. + + "Brother Brigham and all the brethren are well and would say, if + they were present, Amen. + + "From your father in the gospel of your Lord and Savior Jesus + Christ, to his son, William H. Kimball. + + "HEBER C. KIMBALL." + +The story is continued in his letter of a later date, as follows: + + "GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, + "April 13th, 1856. + + "My Son William: + + "We have not received a line from you or Daniel since August 19th, + and all the news that we have received was from a business letter + that came from Franklin, by the last southern mail. * * * * * + + "As to matters at home, things are going on in peace, with the + exception of the disturbances with some of the Utes. They have + killed eight of our brethren in Utah, and drove away many cattle + and horses. + + "The times are said to be more close this season than they have + ever been in the valleys; and this is universal through all the + settlements. There are not more than one-half of the people that + have bread, and they have not more than one-half or one-quarter of + a pound a day to a person. A great portion of the people are + digging roots, and hundreds and thousands, their teams being dead, + are under the necessity of spading their ground to put in their + grain. There is a pretty universal break with our merchants, as + there is no one to buy their goods, and their stock are mostly + dead. My family, with yours, have only one-half a pound of + bread-stuff to a person, a day. We have vegetables and a little + meat. We are doing first rate, and have no cause but to be very + thankful; still I feed hundreds of others, a little, or they must + suffer. Brother Brigham, myself, and others have been crying unto + this people for more than three years, to lay up their grain for a + time when they would have much need of it. My family, with yours, + I can say with propriety, look more healthy, and fair, and rugged, + and athletic, than they did when they had plenty to eat. * * + + "I shall be very glad when you return home to take a little of my + burden off my shoulders, for it has been extremely hard for me and + your mother to calculate, devise and administer to near one + hundred that are dependent on us, besides hundreds of others that + are teasing us constantly for something to eat; still your father + has got a spirit in him that is like an old lion, that endures by + the help of the Almighty; but your mother is very sympathetic, and + it gives her much sorrow, not because your children and mine cry + for bread, but because of others. There was no need of my + rationing my family, but I did it for the sake of keeping hundreds + of others alive. I foresaw these times more than three years ago, + and prepared myself, more or less, for it. + + * * * * * * + + "This people have been told to build forts around their cities, + and gather up together and be one, and to build store-houses and + lay up grain to last seven years, and hundreds of other things. + Have they done it? No. What is the consequence? Eight more of our + brethren slain! No bread! No clothing except what we buy of the + ungodly, when they are universally taught to make their clothing, + so that we may be independent of any of the nations; for the + connection between us and the world will be closed, in a measure. + This you and your brethren in the old world can see through a + glass clearly, not darkly. War, death, desolation of nations, + famine and desolating sickness, are becoming prevalent throughout + the old world, and in the United States it will be more so, and + that soon, and they (the United States) will have all they can do + to attend to their own concerns at home, without troubling + themselves about the Mormons. + + "At our April conference there were about three hundred + missionaries selected for different missions; some thirty or forty + to go to Europe and the United States, and about one hundred to + Carson Valley, to try to sustain that place; a large company to + Green River, another to Los Vegas and another to Salmon River. All + business is given up for the present on the public works. Not much + of any building is going on in the city, as all mechanics are + advised to go to tilling the earth. The majority of the people + feel well; your mother's health is rather poor, still she is + about. I see Mary and Melissa and the children every day. Helen, + your sister, has just come in with the little Vilate--well, Heber, + David and all the boys, with all the family, are well, and say, + 'Give my kind love to brother William, and all the faithful + Elders.' I am still continuing my own improvements, making good + rock fence and setting out many fruit trees. + + "Now I will come to a close by saying, God bless you and Franklin, + Daniel and all in that land, and all that believe on your words. + Even so, amen. + + "HEBER C. KIMBALL." + +And thus did this father in Israel not only give to the people the +word of the Lord in time for a general provision against the day of +famine, but when it came, his patriarchal care and benevolence were +the means of preserving many from absolute want, and some perhaps from +starvation. + + + + +CHAPTER LXI. + +THE HAND-CART EMIGRATION--PERISHING IN THE SNOW--HEROIC CONDUCT OF +WILLIAM H. AND DAVID P. KIMBALL--PRESIDENT KIMBALL'S PLEA AND +EXERTIONS IN BEHALF OF THE SUFFERERS--THE UTAH WAR--THE GREAT +REBELLION. + + +The year 1856 witnessed another calamity, upon the harrowing details +of which it would indeed be painful to dwell. It was the year of the +famous hand-cart emigration, in which several hundred souls, overtaken +by winter on the plains, perished in the snows and from starvation. + +On hearing of the situation of these poor emigrants, the most +strenuous efforts were made by the authorities and the people in the +Valley to rescue them from their terrible fate. Presidents Young, +Kimball and others despatched all their teams, loaded with bedding and +provisions, to the relief of the sufferers, and prayers in public and +in private were offered up throughout the entire Territory for the +deliverance of the unfortunate companies from the destruction +impending over them. + +Among those sent out to meet the hand-carts, were two of the sons of +President Kimball, William H. and David P., the former of whom had +just arrived home from England; also Joseph A. Young, George W. Grant +and others. These brave men by their heroism--for it was at the peril +of their own lives that they thus braved the wintry storms on the +plains--immortalized themselves, and won the undying gratitude of +hundreds who were undoubtedly saved by their timely action from +perishing. + +David P. Kimball, George W. Grant and C. Allen Huntington carried +upwards of five hundred of these emigrants on their backs across the +Sweetwater, breaking the thin ice of the frozen river before them, as +they waded from shore to shore. The effects of the severe colds then +contracted by these brethren, remained with them, and finally conduced +to the death of the two former, while the survivor, Brother +Huntington, is a sufferer from the same cause to this day. + +The situation and sufferings of the emigrants were the main theme of +the Tabernacle discourses at the time. President Kimball thus refers +to them on the 2nd of November of that fatal year: + +"Some find fault with and blame Brother Brigham and his council, +because of the sufferings they have heard that our brethren are +enduring on the plains. * * But let me tell you most emphatically that +if all who were entrusted with the care and management of this year's +immigration had done as they were counseled and dictated by the First +Presidency of this Church, the sufferings and hardships now endured by +the companies on their way here would have been avoided. Why? Because +they would have left the Missouri river in season, and not have been +hindered until into September. * * Our brethren and sisters on the +plains are in my mind all the time, and Brother Brigham has given, to +those who wish it, the privilege of going back to help bring them in. +If I do not go myself I will send a team, though I have already sent +back nearly all my teams, and so has Brother Brigham. Those who have +gone back never will be sorry for or regret having done so. If +brothers Joseph A. Young, my son William H., George D. Grant, and my +son David P. had not gone to the assistance of those now on the plains +I should always have regretted it. If they die during the trip, they +will die while endeavoring to save their brethren; and who has greater +love than he that lays down his life for his friends?" + +"Were I in the situation of some of you, I would not sleep another +night before starting to the assistance of the people that are now +struggling through the snow. * * As Brother Brigham has said, I would +rather be helping in those on the plains than be here, if +circumstances and duty would permit. We offered our offering and +started to go but the Lord ordered it otherwise and we came home. But +we have done a better work than if we had gone. * * There would have +been no general stir in behalf of our brethren on the plains; but +scores and hundreds have now gone to meet them, and they have had good +weather so far, have they not?" + +The last of the hand-cart companies, the fifth one of the season, +commanded by Edward Martin, arrived in Salt Lake City about the 1st of +December. They had numbered nearly six hundred souls at starting, but +lost over one-fourth of their number by death. + +Let the curtain fall over the tragic scene. + +During the exciting period of the "Utah War," the subject of which, +treated at length, would cover the four years from 1857 to 1861, the +time of the sojourn of "Johnston's army" in the valley, Heber was one +with Brigham in the bold yet patriotic stand taken by Zion's leader in +repelling the hostile invasion. We need not dwell upon the oft-told +tale. President Kimball was a man of peace, and not of war, and, +though not lacking in courage, preferred to battle with error and the +powers of evil, than with his fellow-men. + +In the spring of 1858, when the Saints, to the number of 30,000, +abandoned their homes at the approach of the army, President Kimball +accompanied the exodus of his people south as far as Provo, whence he +returned, after peace was assured, to his home in Salt Lake City early +in July. The soldiers had marched quietly through the deserted city, +crossed the Jordan, and camped at Cedar Valley, forty miles +south-west, opposite the town of Lehi, where they founded Camp Floyd, +afterwards renamed Fort Crittenden, and occupied it until the autum of +1861, when the troops were withdrawn to take part in the war of the +Great Rebellion.[A] + +[Footnote A: General A. S. Johnston, who led this army to Utah, fell +at the battle of Shiloh, April 6th, 1862, fighting on the side of the +Confederacy. He was a brave and brilliant soldier, and one of the +recognized great generals of the war.] + +Apropos of the war:--In an old memorandum book belonging to President +Kimball, in which he sometimes noted down his thoughts, appears the +following: + + "GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, + "March 27th, 1859. + +"The word of the Lord to me, Heber C. Kimball. At 9 o'clock in the +evening the Lord said to me that division would take place between the +north and south within six years, and much blood would be spilt, and I +should live to see it." + + + + +CHAPTER LXII. + +SOME OF HEBER'S FAMILY HISTORY--A PATRIARCHAL HOUSEHOLD--NAMES OF HIS +WIVES AND CHILDREN--EPISODE OF ABRAM A. KIMBALL--PETER, THE CHILD OF +PROMISE--HEBER AT FAMILY PRAYERS--DAVID H. KIMBALL'S STORY--HEBER P. +AND SOLOMON F. KIMBALL IN THE BLACK HAWK WAR. + + +A few leaves from President Kimball's domestic life will now be in +order. His was one of the most interesting, as likewise one of the +most numerous families in the Church. Like the patriarchs and prophets +of old, whose example he religiously followed, he was the husband of +many wives and the head of a multitudinous posterity. + +Moreover, it is safe to say that no family in Israel, in its domestic +relations, better exemplified the true nature and purpose of the +polygamic principle, than the family of Heber C. Kimball. + +That much of this was due to his wise government and upright example, +none who knew him will doubt, but that it was also largely the result +of the nobility of character displayed by the true and faithful women +who honored him as husband, father and friend, there is as little room +for question. We can only regret that circumstances uncontrollable +prevent our dwelling in detail upon their heroic lives and virtues. +Only here and there an incident, by modesty reluctantly supplied, has +been furnished in response to solicitation for the purposes of this +work. + +We are enabled, however, to present in this chapter a complete list of +the members of Heber's family, the names of the wives and children +which God had given him, with whatever incidents relating to them that +have come into the author's possession. + +Reference has already been made to the fact that, before leaving +Nauvoo, Heber, like many of his brethren, had entered upon his career +as a polygamic patriarch. The story of Sarah Noon, his second wife, +has been partly told in a former chapter. The other wives we cannot +name in their order, but will speak of them in proceeding as the +course of our narrative suggests. + +VILATE MURRAY,*[A] Heber's first wife, was the mother of ten children. +Their names are as follows: + +[Footnote A: The star attached to names in this chapter signifies +deceased.] + +Judith Marvin,* +William Henry, +Helen Mar, +Roswell Heber,* +Heber Parley,* +David Patten,* +Charles Spaulding, +Brigham Willard,* +Solomon Farnham, +Murray Gould.* + +Heber's children by Sarah Noon were: + +Adelbert Henry,* +Sarah Helen,* +Heber.* + +Sarah, it will be remembered, was a widow with two little daughters +when he married her. The names of these children were Betsy and +Harriet Noon. + +After the death of the Prophet Joseph, who had also taken many wives, +most of his widows were married, for time, to Brigham, Heber and +others of the martyr's brethren. The wives of the Prophet who wedded +Heber C. Kimball were Sarah Ann Whitney,* eldest daughter of Bishop N. +K. Whitney; Lucy Walker, Prescindia Huntington, Sarah Lawrence, Mary +Houston, Martha McBride.+[A] Sylvia P. Sessions,* Nancy Maria Smith+ +and Sarah Scott.+ + +[Footnote A: Names marked thus, whether living or dead, unknown.] + +The children of the first-named are as follows: + +David,* } died in infancy +David O.,* } died in infancy +David Heber, +Newel Whitney, +Horace Heber, +Maria, +Joshua, + +Newel has fulfilled a mission to the Southern States, and is now an +acting Bishop of the Church in Logan, Cache County, Utah. + +Heber's wife Lucy bore to him:-- + +Rachel Sylvia,* +John H., +Willard H.,* +Lydia H., +Anna S., +Eliza, +Washington, +Franklin H.* + +It is related that during the illness of the boy Willard, who died in +infancy, his father and another Elder were administering to him, when +the latter began to promise life, a speedy recovery, etc., to the +little sufferer. In the midst of it Heber, seized with a sudden +inspiration, cried: "Hold!" The Elder paused, they took their hands +from off the child's head, and he died in a few minutes. + +"AUNT PRESCINDIA," who is a notable woman in Israel, with an unwritten +history of great interest, is the mother of two children by Heber, +namely: + +Prescindia Celestia,* +Joseph. + +The latter is the Bishop of Meadowville, Rich County, Utah, and has +been a member of the Territorial Legislature. + +The other widows of the Prophet who married Heber, had no children by +him. + +Among his wives when he came out of Nauvoo, were Clarissa and Emily +Cutler, sisters, both the daughters of Alpheus Cutler, who left the +Church while at Winter Quarters. When the Saints removed to the Rocky +Mountains, Clarissa and Emily remained with their father, each with an +infant son in arms. Clarissa's child was named Abram A., and Emily's, +Isaac A. Feeling impressed that their mothers would never come to the +mountains, Heber, on leaving them to go west with the pioneers, +blessed his little sons and, while his hands were upon Abram's head, +prophesied that he would some day come to the home of his people, and +would afterwards return for his brother Isaac. + +There was a fatality in his father's words, as usual. + +Fifteen years later, the mothers of both boys being dead, Abram came +to Utah and joined the Church. He was baptized by Enoch Reese, under +his father's direction. On returning to the house after his baptism, +his father confirmed him, ordained him an Elder and set him apart for +a mission to the states, to go and bring his brother to Utah, thus +resealing the blessing bestowed upon him in his childhood. Abram +fulfilled his mission and returned, bringing his brother with him. +Isaac also was baptized, and he and Abram afterwards went upon +missions to Great Britain. The latter is now Bishop of Kanosh, Millard +County, Utah. + +Another incident of a prophetic nature may here be noted. One of +Heber's wives, Mary Ellen Abel, or "Aunt Mary Ellen" as she is +familiarly known, had lived with him for fourteen years and no child +had blessed their union. Her husband prophesied that she should bear a +son, and his name should be Peter. In due time the son was born and +named, but was not destined to live to grow to manhood. This was her +only child. + +RUTH REESE, another of Heber's wives, was the mother of:-- + +Susannah R.,* +Jacob R.,* +Enoch H.* + +In memory we yet can hear the well-known voice of Grandfather Kimball, +calling to his sons in stentorian tones: "Abraham! Isaac! Jacob! Come +in to prayers!" For these names, with many others of Scriptural +origin, were all included in his family nomenclature. + +CHRISTEEN GOLDEN, who, with many others, was married to him in Nauvoo, +was the mother of:-- + +Cornelia C.,* +Jonathan Golden, +Elias Smith, +May Margaret. + +Jonathan and Elias both have been on missions to the Southern States. +The former is president of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement +Associations of Bear Lake Stake. Elias was a member of the house +branch of the Utah Legislature during its twenty-eighth session, +January, 1888. + +The Gheen sisters, Anna* and Amanda were likewise among his "honorable +women." The issue of the first marriage was as follows:-- + +Samuel H., +Daniel H., +Andrew H., } twins. +Alice, } twins. +Sarah. + +Andrew fulfilled a long and faithful mission to the Indian Territory +in 1885-6-7, and is still recognized as the president of that mission. +He is the present administrator of the Kimball estate. + +AMANDA'S children are: + +William G., +Albert H., +Jeremiah,* +Moroni. + +"Jerry" was accidentally killed by falling from a railway train, +between Fort Scott and Camas, Kansas, on the night of May 25th, 1887, +while on his way to Europe to fulfill a mission. + +The sisters Harriet and Ellen Sanders next occur to mind. The latter +has already been mentioned as one of the three women who accompanied +the pioneers from Winter Quarters to the Rocky Mountains in 1847. + +HARRIET'S offspring:-- + +Harriet,* +Hyrum H., +Eugene. + +(Hyrum fulfilled an honorable mission to the Southern States.) + +ELLEN'S:-- + +Samuel,* +Joseph S,* } twins. +Augusta,* } twins. +Jedediah, +Rosalia. + +FRANCES SWAN,* one of Heber's wives who left him, was the mother of +one child, a daughter named for herself. + +Heber also married Martha Knight,+ by whom he had one child, a son; +name unknown. + +One of his last wives was Mary Smithies,* the same whom, in her +infancy, in a far-off land, he had blessed and promised that she +should live to become "a mother in Israel." Her children are:-- + +Melvina, +James,* +Wilford, +Lorenzo, +Abbie. + +In the foregoing lists we have classed together the wives who were the +mothers of his children. Besides these there were many others, most of +them aged ladies and widows whom he merely supported, without living +with them. Following is a list of their names:-- + +Mary Fielding Smith,*[A] + +[Footnote A: Widow of Hyrum Smith, sealed to Heber for time.] + +Margaret McMinn,* +Hannah Moon,* +Dorothy Moon, +Adelia Wilcox, +Huldah Barnes, +Eliza Cravath, +Mary Ann Shefflin,* +Charlotte Chase, +Theresa Morley,* +Ruth L. Pierce, +Maria Winchester,* +Laura Pitkin,* +Abigail Pitkin,* +Ruth Wellington,* +Abigail Buchanan,* +Sophronia Harmon,* +Sarah Stiles.+ +Elizabeth Hereford,+ +Rebecca Williams,+ +Sarah Buckwater.+ +Mary Dull.+ + +Thus it will be seen that Heber C. Kimball was the husband of +forty-five wives,[A] and the father of sixty-five children. Truly a +patriarchal household. + +[Footnote A: At the funeral of his wife Vilate, Heber, pointing to the +coffin, said: "There lies a woman who has given me forty-four wives."] + +It may well be surmised that the government and support of a family of +such dimensions were no small tax upon the wisdom, patience and +provident care of even the wisest and most opulent. Forever banished +be the thought--aspersion upon reason and consistency as it is--that +self-seeking, ease-desiring human nature would take upon itself such +burdens and responsibilities from any motive less honorable and pure +than that which Mormonism maintains is the true one. Luxury and lust +go frequently hand in hand; licentiousness and honest toil but rarely. + +Heber C. Kimball was a man of industry, a man of virtue, of +self-denial, who would sooner have thought of severing his right hand +from his body, than to have cherished an unchaste sentiment, or +sacrificed a principle to sin or selfish ease. He was often heard to +declare that the plural order of marriage, with its manifold cares and +perplexities, had cost him "bushels of tears." + +Yet his was an exemplary family--as much so as any in all Israel, +polygamous or otherwise. His wives loved each other as sisters, and +dwelt together in peace and unity; while his children, especially the +males, sons of various mothers, clung together with an affection all +but clannish in its intensity. Woe betide the luckless wight, who, +even in childhood's days, imposed upon a "Kimball boy." The whole +family of urchins would resent the insult, and that, too, with +pluckiness surpassing even their numbers. + +Family prayer was an institution in the Kimball household. Morning and +evening the members were called in to surround the family altar and +offer up praise and petitions to the Throne of Grace. It is a common +remark to this day that such prayers are seldom heard as were wont to +issue from the heart and lips of Heber C. Kimball. Reverence for Deity +was one of the cardinal qualities of his nature. Nevertheless, it was +noticeable that the God to whom he prayed was a being "near at hand +and not afar off." He worshiped not as "a worm of the dust," +hypocritically meek and lowly, or as one conscious of naught but the +meanness of his nature, and the absence of merit in his cause. But in +a spirit truly humble, confessing his sins, yet knowing something of +the nobility of his soul, he talked with God "as one man talketh with +another;" and often with the ease and familiarity of an old-time +friend. + +On one occasion, while offering up an earnest appeal in behalf of +certain of his fellow-creatures, he startled the kneeling circle by +bursting into a loud laugh in the very midst of his prayer. Quickly +regaining his composure and solemn address, he remarked, +apologetically: "Lord, it makes me laugh to pray about some people." + +Heber loved his children, and was justly proud of his numerous and +noble posterity. If at times he appeared stern, and was severe in his +correction, it was not that he loved them less, but their welfare and +salvation more. He made no compromise with sin, but nipped it in the +bud, though the soil wherein it grew were the hearts of his dearest +friends and relations. His greatest desire for his family was that +they should be humble, virtuous and God-fearing. The riches, fashions, +and even culture of the world were as nothing in his eyes, compared +with honesty, morality and the treasures of eternal truth. + +Nor was he morose and sullen, because thus sober-minded and religious. +Mingling with his deeply earnest, profoundly solemn nature was a keen +sense of humor, a continuous play of mirth, like sunlight gilding the +edges of a cloud. + +One day (it was July 23rd, 1864, and a grand celebration of Pioneer +day was on the tapis) he drove down to the shop of James Lawson the +blacksmith, to have some repairing done to his carriage, a long +vehicle with seats on either side. He had about fifteen of his boys in +the carriage, all urchins ranging from ten to thirteen years. + +"James," said he, with a merry twinkle in his eye, "I have no shoes +for these boys, and I'm going to have them out in the procession +to-morrow in this carriage, so that their feet can't be seen." + +Then, with a proud glance at his youthful progeny, he added: "There is +a load of Elders; I have ordained them all myself." + +He often took his children into his confidence, giving them practical +lessons in the virtues he desired them to cultivate. His son David H. +relates the following: + +"One day President Young made a call upon father for $1,000., for some +public purpose, and not having the ready cash, he was at a loss to +know where to get it. At his suggestion we went down in the garden and +bowed ourselves in prayer, father calling upon the Lord to direct him +in the matter. We then arose and started down the street, and he +remarked that the Lord would answer our prayer and direct him aright. +When even with Godbe's corner, William Godbe came out of his store and +told him that, in looking through his safe, he had come across about +$1,000 in gold-dust, belonging to him, which his son Heber P. had left +there for him some time before, though father until then knew nothing +about it." + +In the Spring of 1866 his son, Col. H. P. Kimball, was called into +southern Utah at the head of a company of minute men, to aid in +subduing the Indians in the Black Hawk War. His son David P. was also +called, but having just returned from a mission to England, with his +brother Charles, he was honorably released, and his younger brother, +Solomon, sent in his stead. The evening before they started, Heber +called their mother, Vilate, and her children into his room, and spent +several hours with them, giving them much good counsel and explaining +to them the relationship of the Lamanites, as a branch of the house of +Israel, with the latter-day work, and the important part they were +destined to play in this dispensation. He then blessed Heber and +Solomon, and promised them in the name of the Lord that they should +not see an Indian while they were gone. + +This promise, though meant for their welfare, and, it may be added, +for the welfare of the Lamanites as well, was quite a disappointment +to the two brothers, who were anxious, not only to see the Indians, +but to have a "brush" with them. Solomon had often heard of a fight +which his brother William and others had had with the red men in +Battle Creek Canyon, some years before, in which William had the horn +of his saddle punctured by a bullet while ascending the ravine, thus +narrowly escaping being wounded or killed. Solomon had seen the +saddle, which had a romantic charm for him, and he now wanted to see +the Indians. The remainder of the story we will give in his own words: + +"We were gone ninety days and rode hundreds of miles, following the +tracks of different bands of hostile Indians, and were close upon them +a great many times. They were attacking settlements all around us, +killing the settlers and driving off stock. At one time, after the +Indians had made a raid on Round Valley (Scipio) killing one man and +running off five hundred head of stock, Col. Kimball left a part of +his command at Thistle Valley to hold the fort at that place, while he +went to intercept the Indians on the Sevier River. We had gone but a +few hours, when the Indians made a raid on the fort at Thistle Valley, +running off all their horses, killing one of the party and wounding +another. + +"After our company returned home we were drawn up in line in front of +the Court House, where President Young, my father, and others came +down to see us. Father, looking at Heber and myself, whose clothing +and countenances showed hard service, asked us if we had seen an +Indian while we were gone. Our humiliating reply was, 'No.' He laughed +and said, 'Didn't I tell you so?' and then added: 'I would rather have +them kill you, than to have one of my sons shed their blood.'" + +But a volume might be filled with incidents of like character in his +experience, and then the half remain untold. Suffice this, at present, +for his inner life and private family history. + +Preaching, colonizing, traveling through the settlements, encouraging +the Saints in their toils and sacrifices; sitting in council among the +leaders of Israel; ministering in sacred and holy places, and +otherwise laboring for and blessing the Lord's people:--so wore away +the remaining years of Heber C. Kimball on this planet. His name was +literally "a household word" in Israel. "Brother Heber" was everywhere +honored and beloved. Even the Gentiles esteemed him, admiring his +honesty and outspoken candor, let him lash as he might with the whip +of his tongue, the wrong-doer outside, or the hypocrite inside the +Church. Loved and honored as are few men in this life, he returned in +measure full to overflowing the affection of the hearts which God had +given him. + + + + +CHAPTER LXIII. + +ANECDOTES AND REMINISCENCES OF HEBER C. KIMBALL--THE MAN AS OTHERS +KNEW HIM--GOLDEN GRAINS FROM THE SANDS OF MEMORY. + + +At this point in our history we deem it proper to introduce a series +of anecdotes and reminiscences relating to President Kimball, nearly +all of which were contributed, at the author's invitation, especially +for this work. These flowers of incident culled from the gardens of +recollection, cannot fail to interest the reader, while they +illustrate, as nothing else could, the character and conduct of this +remarkable man. + +The first is from Brother N. B. Baldwin, of Fillmore, who writes as +follows: + +"My first acquaintance with Elder Kimball was in Zion's Camp, in the +Spring and Summer of 1834. The following winter the young and +middle-aged Elders, all who conveniently could, were called in to +attend school in Kirtland, Ohio. William E. McLellin was the teacher +of the grammar classes, grammar being then taught on the Kirkham plan, +by lecture and repetition. Our class consisted of Joseph Smith (who, +in the absence of the teacher at other duties, took charge of the +class), David W. Patten, Heber C. Kimball, Benjamin Winchester, Nathan +B. Baldwin and others that I do not now recollect. + +"It seemed to be very hard for Brother Kimball to memorize sentences +by hearing them repeated. One time when he was thus at fault, Joseph, +in a jocular mood, said to him; 'Repeat that correctly, or I will take +a stick and whip you as I would a little child.' + +"With his model meekness, Brother Kimball smilingly said; 'Well, you +may whip me.' + +"'Yes,' said Joseph, 'it would be just about like whipping a little +child. YOU ARE JUST AS INNOCENT AS A LITTLE CHILD.'" + +This simple anecdote furnishes not only a key to the character of +Heber C. Kimball, showing his native meekness and veneration, but also +an evidence of the estimation in which he was held by the Prophet, +even at that early day. Jesus said that "except ye become as little +children ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." + +ELDER WILLIAM B. BARTON contributes the following: + +"It was my happy privilege, while filling a mission to England in +1874-5-6 to receive my appointment to labor in the Liverpool +Conference. This conference included, among others, a few branches +that were left of the once flourishing conferences of Clithero and +Preston. I realized that I was traveling on historic ground. I found +some few Saints still in that land, who were personally acquainted +with the early Elders and Apostles who first preached and established +the gospel in Preston; and I found that while all were kindly +remembered, none had made as indelible and lasting an impression on +their minds as Brother Heber C. Kimball. They pointed out with +pleasure and reverence the places where he and others had stood forth +proclaiming the restored gospel. Among these were the Market-place, +the Cock Pit, and the Rev. James Fielding's Chapel. I was fortunate in +securing a photograph of this chapel, but had no idea at the time that +it would ever be used to illustrate a history of the founder of the +British mission. + +"This Mr. Fielding and a Mr. Aitken were two of twelve men who had +united together and made a vow that they would neither eat nor drink +until the Lord revealed to them whether he would raise up His Church +in their day. The Lord did make known to them that he had already +established His Church on the earth, and in due time His servants +would be sent with authority to preach and baptize. Brother Kimball +visited Mr. Aitken and bore a powerful testimony of the truth, and +prophesied to him that if he rejected the message of salvation, he +would lose his influence, his flock would leave him, and he would go +down; all of which was fulfilled to the very letter, with regard to +him and Mr. Fielding also. Mr. Fielding had commenced to build a more +commodious church, but he never finished it, and he himself was for a +long time an inmate of Grosvenor hospital; a place where unfortunate +and aged clergymen spent their declining years." + +"Among the early converts of Apostle Kimball in that land were the +sisters Mary Ann and Margaret Heaton Topping, whose parents were +opposed to and never joined the Church. Brother Kimball counseled them +to obey their parents, and told them that the time would come when +they would cease to object to their attending the meetings of the +Saints. Said he: 'When I say come, come, and all will be well,' which +promise was literally fulfilled. He warned one of these sisters not to +marry a young man she was engaged to, as he would apostatize and leave +the Church, and told her that her future husband was not then in the +Church, but would come in and remain faithful; and, said he, 'You +shall see the man you are going to marry at the conference that I will +notify you to attend.' These remarkable promises were all fulfilled, +and Sister Topping is alive to-day to bear witness of their truth." + + +BROTHER CHARLES HUBBARD, an old friend of Heber's, whom he mentions +repeatedly in his history, relates this incident: + +"As is well known, President Brigham Young, when he crossed the +Mississippi River from Montrose, in September, 1839, and started on +his mission to England, was very sick. He was brought to the house of +Heber C. Kimball, in Nauvoo. Brother Kimball was also sick with the +same disease (ague) but after the fever went off he climbed upon his +house and was trying to finish the roof, when his brother missionary +(Brigham) came out to walk a little to try his strength. In the effort +he fainted and fell to the ground. Brother Kimball, not having +strength to lift him, called to me, just across the river, to come and +help assist Brother Brigham into the house, where, after placing him +upon the bed, we administered to him and he recovered consciousness. +When I left, Brother Heber followed me to the door and said: + +"'Charley, I doubt very much if Brigham ever rises from that bed.' + +"But he had no sooner uttered the words, than he spoke up, as with +another voice, and said, 'He _shall_ live, and shall start upon this +mission with me to-morrow morning.' And they did start the very next +morning, on their mission to England.'" + + +ELDER JACOB HAMBLIN leaves the following on record: + +"At the April conference I, with others, was called on a mission to +the Indians in Southern Utah, in 1854. We commenced our labors at a +place we called Harmony. + +"About the end of May of that year, President B. Young, Heber C. +Kimball, P. P. Pratt and others, to the number of twenty persons, came +to visit us. President Young gave much instruction, etc. Brother +Kimball prophesied that if the brethren were united they would be +prospered and blessed, but if they permitted the spirit of strife and +contention to come into their midst, the place would come to an end in +a scene of bloodshed. + +"Previous to this meeting, President Young asked some brethren who had +been into the country south of Harmony, if they thought a wagon road +could be made down to the Rio Virgin. Their replies were very +discouraging, but in the face of this report Brother Kimball +prophesied in this meeting that a road would be made from Harmony over +the Black Ridge, and a Temple would be built on the Rio Virgin, and +the Lamanites would come from the east side of the Colorado River and +get their endowments in it. All these prophecies have been fulfilled." + + +One of the Elders laboring in the Manti Temple writes: + +"In an early day when President Young and party were making the +location of a settlement here, President Heber C. Kimball prophesied +that the day would come when a temple would be built on this hill. +Some disbelieved and doubted the possibility of even making a +settlement here. Brother Kimball said, 'Well, it will be so, and more +than that, the rock will be quarried from that hill to build it with, +and some of the stone from that quarry will be taken to help complete +the Salt Lake Temple.' On July 28th, 1878, two large stones, weighing +respectively 5,600 and 5,020 pounds, were taken from the Manti stone +quarry, hauled by team to York, the U. C. R. R. terminus then, and +shipped to Salt Lake City to be used for the tablets in the east and +west ends of the Salt Lake City Temple. + +"At a conference held in Ephraim, Sanpete County, June 25th, 1875, +nearly all the speakers expressed their feelings to have a temple +built in Sanpete County, and gave their views as to what point and +where to build it, and to show the union that existed, Elder Daniel H. +Wells said 'Manti,' George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jr., John Taylor, +Orson Hyde, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Lorenzo Young, and A. +M. Musser said 'Manti stone quarry.' I have given the names in the +order in which they spoke. At 4 p. m. that day President Brigham Young +said: 'The Temple should be built on Manti stone quarry.' Early on the +morning of April 25th, 1877, President Brigham Young asked Brother +Warren S. Snow to go with him to the Temple hill. Brother Snow says; +'We two were alone: President Young took me to the spot where the +Temple was to stand; we went to the southeast corner, and President +Young said; 'Here is the spot where the prophet Moroni stood and +dedicated this piece of land for a Temple site, and that is the reason +why the location is made here, and we can't move it from this spot; +and if you and I are the only persons that come here at high noon +to-day, we will dedicate this ground." + + +The late George Nebeker said that President Kimball told him, many +years ago, that he would live to see the kings and great ones of the +earth pass by his door. Brother Nebeker resided in the nineteenth +ward. The railway at that time was not thought of in Utah. But the +iron horse now rushes along the street immediately in front of Brother +Nebeker's family residence, and he himself lived to see such +celebrities as President Grant, the Emperor of Brazil and other royal +and great ones literally pass by his door. + + +MRS. MAMIE HOOPER JENNINGS, daughter of the late Captain Hooper, +relates: + +"Brother Kimball gave my father a half dollar, telling him that as +long as he kept it he should never want for money. Father placed faith +in the promise, and testified often that he had realized its truth; he +had never wanted for money, in any sum, from that time." + + +A FRIEND: + +"He said to me one day, taking up a small stick from the ground, 'You +see this stick. If it had remained down there you never would have +noticed that there was any dirt clinging to it. But now that I hold it +up you observe it is covered with dirt. It is just so when a man is +put into office. He may be just as clean before he gets there as those +around him, but his being lifted up above them makes his faults more +manifest, and he is far more apt to be criticised than before.'" + + +The veteran Bishop, A. H. RALEIGH, speaks thus from his exile: + +"Having fortunately been privileged with a personal acquaintance with +the late Heber C. Kimball, from the early days of Nauvoo to the time +of his decease, a period of about twenty-five years, I venture +confidently to submit that no stronger or more forcible illustration +of the peculiarity of his character can be presented than the notable +eccentricity manifested in the subdivisions of plat E. Salt Lake City, +which he fashioned by personally directing city surveyor J. W. Fox, +Sen., in laying out and platting, and myself in naming the streets, +while drafting the resolution which, when passed by the City Council, +made it a legal survey. Though it has undergone some slight changes in +the remodeling of a few lots, as also a few streets, and changing a +few of these names, with a small addition to the plat, far the most of +the original remains to be a lasting monument to his memory. The great +variety of form and size of lots, involving corners, angles, widths +and lengths of streets, together with their peculiar names, almost +exhausting the names of the fruit and vegetable kingdom, are all +characteristic of the man, familiarly called 'Brother Heber,' ever +evincing a strong desire to imitate nature in its eternal variety and +beauty; the same in his plain, easy, natural demeanor in his daily +intercourse with his fellows, either in public or private life, giving +evidence of the presence of one of nature's noblemen, one of the +noblest works of God,--an honest man." + + +FATHER J. L. HEYWOOD writes from Panguitch: + +"Brother Kimball was naturally of a jovial turn of mind. When working +at the pottery business he would sometimes use a chip to turn his +crocks, remarking that he 'did not care who stole his trade, as long +as they did not steal his tools.' + +"In relation to some protuberances on his forehead he remarked that +they were the 'horns of Joseph' with which to push the people +together, referring to his labors as an Apostle. + +"President B. Young once said that Brother Kimball could go to the +city of Washington, D.C., and build up a church, and the way he would +do it was by beginning so small." + + +ELDER JUNIUS F. WELLS: + +"One day he entered the Union Academy, taught by Dr. Doremus, and +taking off his high-crowned straw hat that he used so much to wear, +made a profound bow to the school, without saying a word. Then, while +the students were gazing at him with fixed eyes and open mouths, he +said solemnly: 'Boys; never call your father _the old man_.' With +another polite bow, and without saying another word, he turned and +left the hall. The impression made by his presence and laconic speech +was most profound." + + +ELDER CHARLES W. STAYNER: + +"President Kimball's hat blew off on Main Street, one day, and as he +was pursuing it, one of a party of men with whom he had been +conversing on the corner, laughed at him. Stopping in his chase, he +turned around and addressing that person said: 'Never mind; your hat +will blow off some day, but your head will be in it.' The man to whom +he spoke afterwards apostatized." + + +SOLOMON F. KIMBALL: + +"I heard father prophecy that a certain Elder would lose all his means +and die a poor man, because he neglected his spiritual duties to +attend to his temporal affairs. I have seen that prophecy fulfilled." + + +JAMES LAWSON'S narrative: + +"In 1855, Heber C. Kimball sent for me (I had just been married +thirteen days) and said, 'Brother James' I want you to give your wife +Betsy a divorce,' I said, 'Brother Kimball what is the matter? There +is nothing wrong with us, and we think everything of each other?' He +said, 'Nothing is the matter, but here is the divorce and I want you +to sign it.' I signed it and he told me to send her home to her mother +(Sarah Noon[A]) which I did. At the same time I asked her if she had +been making any complaints to Bro. Kimball against me. She said, +'Never, to anybody.' I did not sleep a wink that night, and no one +knows what I suffered in my feelings. I prayed frequently to the Lord +and enquired of Him what all this meant. Towards morning I received an +answer to my prayers. The Spirit said unto me, 'Be comforted, my +servant James, all will come out right.' Soon after this Brother +Kimball went to the Legislature, which was held at Fillmore, and was +absent from home about two months. When he returned he gave me a +mission to Carson Valley and told me to get Betsy and bring her to the +Endowment House with me. I did so and he sealed us for time and all +eternity. + +[Footnote A: Heber's first plural wife.] + +"After this took place I said, 'Brother Kimball what did you do that +for?' He said, 'Brother James, I did it to try you as I was tried. I +will tell you. After I had returned from my second mission to England +in 1841, the Prophet Joseph came to me one evening and said, 'Brother +Heber, I want you to give Vilate to me to be my wife,' saying that the +Lord desired this at my hands.' Heber said that in all his life before +he had never had anything take hold of him like that. He was +dumbfounded. He went home, and did not eat a mouthful of anything, nor +even touch a drop of water to his lips, nor sleep, for three days and +nights. He was almost continually offering up his prayers to God and +asking him for comfort. On the evening of the third day he said, +'Vilate, let's go down to the Prophet's' and they went down and met +him in a private room. Heber said, 'Brother Joseph, here is Vilate.' +The Prophet wept like a child, said Heber, and after he had cleared +the tears away, he took us and sealed us for time and all eternity, +and said, 'Brother Heber, take her, and the Lord will give you a +hundred fold." + + +COL. ROBERT SMITH, a veteran friend of President Kimball's, and for +many years almost like a member of his family, says: + +"In 1857, I was working for Brother Heber and asked him for some +goods, which he refused to let me have. Feeling bad over it, I went +home and laid the matter before the Lord. The next morning when I came +to work, Brother Heber called me into his room and said, 'Robert, what +have you been complaining to the Lord for, about his servant Heber? +Here are the things you asked me for, and after this don't go to the +Lord about every little thing that happens." + +"In the year 1855, he was moving a herd of sheep on to the Church +Island, with a flat boat; the water was very shallow in some places +and the boat got fastened on a sand-bar, and we could not get it off. +There were about six of us in all. After working for some time and +accomplishing nothing, Brother Heber returned to the shore, which was +but a short distance, and getting behind some grease-wood he bowed +down in prayer. Then coming back to the boat, he said, 'come boys, +let's give her another trial, she'll move now.' All took hold and +pushed and it went off the bar all right, and we arrived at the Island +that night." + +"At one time, putting his hand on his heart, he remarked that unless a +man knew that Jesus was the Christ, he could not stand in this Church. + +"He said that the Lord would allow all manner of abominations to come +to Zion, in order to purify His people. This was in 1856. + +"He saw in vision a U. S. Marshal in pursuit of one of his daughters, +who had a small babe in her arms.[A] + +[Footnote A: The heroine of this episode, which actually occurred, was +Mrs. Melvina Kimball Driggs, wife of Bishop Apollos Driggs, one of the +victims of the anti-polygamy crusade under the "Edmunds Law."] + +"He said that this government would dissolve pretty much all the laws +passed by our legislature, and that the time would come when the +government would stop the Saints from holding meetings. When this was +done the Lord would pour out His judgments." + +"At family prayers, just a little while before his death, he remarked +that the angel Moroni had visited him the night before and informed +him that his work on this earth was finished, and he would soon be +taken." + + +FATHER O. N. LLILJENQUIST once said to the author: + +"My first impression of President Kimball was far from favorable. He +was preaching in the Tabernacle, and belaboring a certain man very +severely, and I did not like his harshness. The next time I met him +was in the Endowment House, and if ever I saw a man look like a God, +and act as humble as a little child, that man was Heber C. Kimball. +All my prejudice vanished in a moment." + + +BISHOP JAMES WATSON: + +"In 1864, soon after my arrival in Utah, I went with my brother Joseph +to see President Kimball about a lot I desired to purchase. We found +him at his mill on City Creek, superintending some workmen. Being +introduced to him, I said: 'President Kimball, I wish to buy a lot +which I am informed belongs to you.' + +"Eyeing me in a very searching manner, he said: 'I have sold many lots +and never received the pay for them,' and then turned away and resumed +his directions to the workmen. + +"I was very much hurt at his abrupt manner, especially as his words +seemed to intimate that I was one who would not pay my debts, a +reputation I had not earned. 'Have you any further business with me?' +he asked, turning towards me again, after the lapse of a few moments. +'No sir,' said I sternly, and walked away. + +"Some time elapsed, and we did not meet, for I avoided him whenever I +saw him coming. One day, however, we met face to face, he on his way +to the Endowment House, and I near the Temple Block, where I was then +working. Smiling amiably and reminding me that I had avoided him +several times, he asked: 'Have you got a lot yet?' 'No sir,' I +answered, coolly, although my blood was warmed by the recollection +which his words called up. 'Well, you'll get one,' said he, 'and +you'll get it of me, too.' (I inwardly resolved that I never would.) +'Yes, you'll come and get it of me,' he repeated, and we separated. + +"Being determined that his words should not come to pass, (for I was +not at all won over by his change of manner) I went and purchased a +lot from a sister in the Church, paid her for it, and put up a house +on the land. I then asked her for the deed, but she told me she did +not have one. + +"'Well, who holds the title to the land, then?' I asked. + +"'Heber C. Kimball,' she replied. + +"I was dumb-founded. 'Well, I shall not buy it of him,' I said to +myself, but I resolved to go and get the deed for her. Brother Kimball +received me very kindly, and my feelings were somewhat softened +towards him. Almost the first question he asked was: 'Have you got a +lot yet?' 'Yes, sir,' I replied, and then told him I had come to get +sister ------'s deed. 'Why, I cannot give her a deed,' said he, 'for +she has never paid me for that lot.' I then told him what I had done, +and he said with a smile, 'I told you you would have to come to me for +a lot. Wait here a moment,' he added, and went into his office. +Returning presently, he handed me a deed for the land, made out in my +name, and said: 'There, I'll make you a present of that deed, and +you've already paid for the land; God bless you,' and we parted +friends. + +"Another incident I will relate: + +"On the morning of the 15th day of April, 1865, my wife and I were +going through the Temple block towards the Endowment House, as we had +been previously requested by our Bishop to go and get our endowments. +I was in a very thoughtful mood and prayed silently in my own mind +that the Lord would give me grace to always adhere to the truth and +have my mind quickened by the Holy Ghost, so that I might always be +able to decide between truth and error and to have courage to defend +the principles of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. + +"We overtook President H. C. Kimball and were walking leisurely along, +when Willard G. Smith overtook us and said to President Kimball, 'Have +you heard the news? President Lincoln was assassinated last night +while at the theatre in Washington. See the flags are at half mast.' +After some little conversation we entered the Endowment House. The +thought of the sad death of President Lincoln weighed heavily on my +mind, and made a deep impression on me. In going through the House +Brother Kimball gave us a very impressive lecture. Fixing his eyes on +me, he said: + +"'Do you know that you will yet be called upon to stand in front of +the enemy?' Then he paused for a reply. + +"After studying a few seconds, I answered, 'No, sir.' + +"Giving me a piercing look, he said: 'Don't you believe it.' I +answered 'No, sir.' + +"Gazing at me intently he said, 'Don't you believe what I say?' I +answered 'How can I believe, when I have no evidence or knowledge of +it?' 'You foolish man,' he said, 'If you had a knowledge you would not +require any belief.' + +"Pointing to me again, he said: 'You will yet be called upon to stand +in front of the enemy, while bullets will fly around as thick as hail. +Yet not a hair of your head shall be hurt. Do you believe that?' + +"After a little study I answered, '_No, sir_.' He seemed a little +perplexed at my obstinacy and asked, 'Why don't you believe it?' I +said, 'Because I have been in a hail-storm, and I know that it is +impossible to be in a hail-storm without being hit, and if the bullets +are to fly around me as thick as hail, I am sure I will be hit.' He +said 'Don't you think if you saw them coming you could _juke_ them?' I +said I thought I could. 'But,' said he, 'they come so quick you cannot +do it.' + +"Then fixing his eyes upon me, he said: 'The day will come when you +will stand in the front rank in face of the enemy, while the bullets +will fly around you like a hail-storm, but if you will live pure and +keep your garments clean, not one hair of your head will be hurt. _Do +you believe that?_' + +"I said: 'Brother Kimball, I believe what you say.'" + + +ELDER EDWARD STEVENSON: + +"I cheerfully contribute the following, concerning one of the greatest +prophets of the nineteenth century--Heber C. Kimball: In 1856 a little +group of friends, convened in the House of the Lord, were engaged in +pleasant conversation on the isolated condition of the Latter-day +Saints. + +"'Yes,' said Brother Heber (by which name he was so familiarly known), +'we think we are secure here in the chambers of the everlasting hills, +where we can close those few doors of the canyons against mobs and +persecutors, the wicked and the vile, who have always beset us with +violence and robbery, but I want to say to you, my brethren, the time +is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys to +that extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint from +the face of an enemy to the people of God. Then, brethren, look out +for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many +will fall; for I say unto you there is a _test_, a TEST, a TEST +coming, and who will be able to stand?' + +"The emphasis with which those words were spoken I shall never forget. + +"I was with Brother Heber on the occasion of his last meeting at +Bountiful, Davis County, Utah, just previous to his death. He seemed +full to overflowing; for over two hours he held the audience; that +meeting and the deep instructions will endure in the hearts of true +Saints while eternities roll on. + +"While working with him in the House of the Lord in 1856-7, how often +I have heard him speak against pride and covetousness and the fear of +riches, being fearful of the Lord's displeasure and consequent +judgments. Said he: 'If the Saints will repent, the Lord's wrath will +be turned away, but they will not repent until it is too late.'" + + +PRESIDENT A. O. SMOOT: + +"A short time before Brother Heber was taken ill with his last +sickness, I drove through with him from Provo to Salt Lake. He was +unusually free in his conversation, it being almost a ceaseless flow +of prophecies in relation to individuals in and out of the Church. He +foretold, with what I have since realized to be the greatest accuracy, +what would befall certain men. Some of those of whom he prophesied are +still in good standing, but many who were in good standing then, have +fallen, as he said they would." + + +PRESIDENT A. F. MCDONALD: + +"My first intimate acquaintance with President Kimball occurred in +1868, I being then in charge of the Tithing Office at Provo. He often +called into the office to do business. His public discourses about +this time were the most earnest and impressive that I had ever heard; +and on several occasions in the Provo meeting house, he clearly +foreshadowed the time of trial the Saints are now passing through, and +to a period still before us. He often used the language 'A test, a +test is coming.' + +"On one occasion, when he was stopping with us during a two days' +conference, he came into the Tithing Yard where I was busy putting up +hay, and called me towards him and said: 'Do you want me at your +house, or would you rather not have us there?' I answered that it was +a pleasure and honor to have him there. Looking intently at me, he +said: 'I want to say to you that you have seen your worst days; you +have had some hard times and trials in the past, but from this time it +will be better for you. In whatever you are called to do, or whatever +you put your hands to accomplish, you will be prospered and prevail.' +This is true so far in my experience. + +"On another occasion in 1863, during a two days' meeting in Provo, I +invited several brethren to dinner. Brother Kimball was present. +During the chat at the table, conversation turned on the number of +children I then had, being at that time six boys; hearing this reply +he said: 'Yes, and the next, the seventh, will be a boy also, and he +will be the noblest, the most talented, and the greatest you have +had.' Brother R. L. Campbell, who I remember was present, said in a +free and jocular way: 'If it should come a girl, what then?' Upon +which Brother Kimball observed; 'It will not come a girl, but a boy, +and you will see it.' One year and four days after, a boy was born, +and Brother Kimball, again attending a two days' meeting at Provo, +called to see him and directed that he be blessed and given the name +of 'Heber,' by which name he is known in our family and has grown to +manhood, as we believe to fulfill the words spoken of him. + +"On the night of Brother Kimball's accident at Provo, a short time +before his death, I was with him. I took a silk handkerchief from my +pocket and tied it over his head, and then suggested that I go and +call on President B. Young, then at the house of Bishop Wm. Miller, to +come and administer to him; but he said: 'I command _you_ to +administer to me and anoint me with oil in the name of the Lord; do +not be in the least afraid; you hold the same Priesthood and authority +from God as President Young or myself, and God hears and answers the +prayers of His humblest servants and people.' I administered to him +accordingly, and he soon revived, becoming quite free and jocular with +us, and about two o'clock in the morning at his suggestion I went +home. On the following day, myself and wife called to see him. He was +much improved and quite sociable, his conversation being original, +incisive, and a continual feast of inspiration. As we were leaving he +asked his wife (Lucy W.) to get my handkerchief that I had put on his +head the previous night, and addressing my wife he said: 'Here, Betty, +take this handkerchief, and be sure that you never wash it, but keep +it as it is, and when you have sickness in your family, exercise the +prayer of faith, and it will prove a blessing, and will be a bond +between you and me for ever!' My wife has sacredly kept that +handkerchief." + + +ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON gives a valued contribution in the following: + +"In accordance with your request I furnish you with a brief outline of +a discourse delivered by your grandfather, the late Heber C. Kimball, +in 1867. The occasion was the usual afternoon service. Whether it was +held in the Bowery or the old Tabernacle, I do not distinctly +recollect, but think it was the latter. My memory is, however, quite +distinct in relation to the subject of the discourse; especially the +prophetic part of it, with which I was specially impressed. + +"President Kimball opened by stating that there were many within +hearing who had often wished that they had been associated with the +Prophet Joseph. 'You imagine,' said he, 'that you would have stood by +him when persecution raged and he was assailed by foes within and +without. You would have defended him and been true to him in the midst +of every trial. You think you would have been delighted to have shown +your integrity in the days of mobs and traitors. + +"'Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will +have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and +plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and his work. +This Church has before it many close places through which it will have +to pass before the work of God is crowned with victory. To meet the +difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a +knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties +will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess +this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the +testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you +obtain it. If you do not you will not stand. + +"'Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them +fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to +endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light +within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand? Do you +believe it? + +"'How is it now? You have the First Presidency, from whom you can get +counsel to guide you, and you rely on them. The time will come when +they will not be with you. Why? Because they will have to flee and +hide up to keep out of the hands of their enemies. You have the Twelve +now. You will not always have them, for they too will be hunted and +will have to keep out of the way of their enemies. You have other men +to whom you look for counsel and advice. Many of them will not be +amongst you, for the same reason. You will be left to the light within +yourselves. If you don't have it you will not stand; therefore seek +for the testimony of Jesus and cleave to it, that when the trying time +comes you may not stumble and fall.' + +"The main object of the discourse was to impress the people with the +importance of having light and knowledge direct from God within +themselves. The prophetic part was given as the leading reason why +they should be in possession of an individual testimony, as it defined +to some extent the character of the trials to which the Saints would +be subjected. That Brother Kimball's predictions have been, in part, +at least, already fulfilled, must be clear to all who are familiar +with the events of the last few years. In the course of his remarks on +the occasion in point he several times said: 'You will have all the +persecution you want and more too, and all the opportunity to show +your integrity to God and truth that you could desire.' + +"The foregoing statement is probably not as absolutely correct as +could have been given immediately after the delivery of the discourse, +but it is so in substance. Probably there are many others who heard it +who will remember it when it is brought to their recollection." + + +ELDER HENRY W. NAISBITT adds this endorsement: + +"I was present on the occasion when President Heber C. Kimball +delivered the discourse described in the foregoing communication, and +the statement as therein given is correct, as I remember it." + + +WM. H. BEARD ESQ. sends the following from his home in Spiceland, +Indiana: + +"In the spring of 1884, I called at the home of your father, the late +lamented H. K. Whitney, and while there had the pleasure of viewing a +fairly executed portrait of the deceased President Kimball, and having +previously read something of him as viewed by Gentile historians, I +conceived the idea of learning from his own people, those who had +known him long and well, his religious and social standing, during +some of the most eventful periods of his life. I conversed with quite +a number of persons who claimed to have known him, and the universal +expression was 'he was a true, noble and worthy man.' In glancing over +the musty pages of a reporter's book used on that occasion I find an +account of the following interview with an old-time friend of the +deceased, written with an unsteady hand, but still legible, and marked +with conspicuous head lines. I give the report just as it appears, +thinking, perhaps, you may find in it a few facts worthy of +remembrance. + +"The gentleman who favored me with this interview, was bending beneath +the weight of accumulated years, but he seemed to possess an +extraordinarily brilliant mind, coupled with a remarkable gift of +memory. After extending the usual courtesies due a stranger, I +ventured to ask: 'Will you please tell me what you know of the late +Heber C. Kimball?' A pleasant smile lit up his face, and in a calm, +steady voice he proceeded in substance as follows. 'I have known +President Kimball for more than half a century. I knew him in his +youth, through all the changing developments of his early manhood, and +when his hair was whitened, and his cheeks furrowed by the approach of +age. He was a brave, noble and dignified man, possessing more true +virtues than the world will ever know. He was an affectionate husband, +a devoted father and a kind and generous friend. He always had +consolation for the despondent, a helping hand for the needy, and a +tear for the sorrowing and afflicted. In oratory he was not eloquent, +but his thoughts were always expressed in such a calm, pleasing and +effective manner as to deeply impress his hearers. He was strong in +his religious convictions, thoroughly familiar with every tenet of the +Mormon faith, and a fervent advocate of the right. He admired true +manliness in every relation of life, and was always found on the side +of justice and truth. He firmly believed in the ultimate triumph of +the church, and often spoke of the wrongs endured by the Latter-day +Saints in their continuous struggles for religious freedom. He was a +leading light for his oppressed people, and no one ever knew him +unfaithful to his trust, or unduly exacting in his official life. He +loved to share our sorrows, and enjoy our happiness, for he had a warm +and generous heart. His mind was broad and searching, and had he +possessed a penchant for military renown, he could have succeeded +admirably as a commander of armies. As a statesman he could have been +an honor to the republic, and had it not been for his unpopular faith +he could have filled almost any position in life to which humanity +aspires. In the death of this great man the Church has lost one of its +most valued members; but our society through all the coming years, +will remember him in their prayers, and continue to contribute sacred +tears to his memory and great moral worth.'" + + +As an appropriate ending for this chapter, we append a truthful +tribute from the pen of PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON: + +"Heber Chase Kimball was one of the greatest men of this age. There +was a certain nobility about his appearance as well as his disposition +that would have made him conspicuous in any community, and the Church +of Jesus Christ afforded ample scope for the exercise of his ability, +and the trying scenes through which he passed called into play his +best powers. + +"He was a man of commanding presence, with eyes so keen as to almost +pierce one through, and before which the guilty involuntarily quailed. +He was fearless and powerful in rebuking the wrong-doer, but kind, +benevolent and fatherly to the deserving. He possessed such wonderful +control over the passions of men, combined with such wisdom and +diplomacy, that the Prophet Joseph Smith called him 'the peace-maker.' +His great faith, zeal, earnestness, devotion to principle, +cheerfulness under the most trying circumstances, energy, perseverance +and honest simplicity marked him as no ordinary man. He possessed +great natural force and strong will power, yet in his submission to +the Priesthood and obedience to the laws of God he set a pattern to +the whole Church. His example throughout life was one of which his +posterity may ever think with pride, and which the Saints generally +will do well to follow. + +"No man, perhaps, Joseph Smith excepted, who has belonged to the +Church in this generation, ever possessed the gift of prophecy to a +greater degree than Brother Kimball. Although not at all pretentious, +he was somewhat celebrated among his acquaintances for his prophetic +inspiration. Scores of predictions were made by him and literally +fulfilled. + +"Brother Kimball was the only one of his father's family who embraced +the gospel, but now his is one of the most numerous families in the +Church. At the time of his death, he was the father of sixty-five +children, of whom thirty males and eleven females were then living. +His direct descendants now number nearly two hundred souls." + + + + +CHAPTER LXIV + +GEMS FROM THE WORDS OF HEBER--SPIRIT RAPPINGS--ADDRESS AT THE FUNERAL +OF MARY FIELDING SMITH--LOVE, UNITY AND THE COURAGE OF THE RIGHTEOUS +--JOSEPH AND THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM--CULTIVATION OF SPIRITS-- +HEAVEN AND HELL--ADMINISTRATION OF ANGELS AND THE SPIRITS OF THE +ANCIENTS--THE RESURRECTION--THE SPIRIT WORLD--THE CLAY AND THE +POTTER--A CAUSE OF APOSTASY--A MIRACULOUS CANE--THE CHURCH IN HEAVEN. + + +Before closing the record of his eventful career, we propose to +present here some gems from the public sayings of President Kimball, +as serving to show still further the spirit and character of the man, +his views of life and death, time and eternity, and likewise forming +links in the chain of his history that might otherwise be lacking. In +the hurry of his later years he kept no regular journal, as in the +earlier part of his life, thus leaving his biographer to gather +information from whatever sources were available. + +These selections cover a period of years, from 1852 down to the time +of his death. + +His first sermon published in the Journal of Discourses, happens to +touch on modern spiritualism. He says: + +"The invisible world are in trouble; they are knocking, and rapping, +and muttering; and the people are inquiring of them to know concerning +the things of God, and there is not a soul of them can tell them +anything about the end of the world. They are in a dreadful situation; +and in the city of Rochester, near where I used to live, the last +information I received from there, there were one hundred and +thirty-five spiritual writers in that city. I have a brother-in-law +there, who is a Presbyterian priest; he couldn't enquire of God about +future things, so he enquired of the spirits; but they could not tell +him anything about the dead nor the living. They are just about as +intelligent in their revelations as this world are in theirs. They are +all in commotion--what is going to be done? I will tell you--God is +going to make a short work upon the earth, and the invisible world are +troubled about it." + +His second published discourse was a funeral address in memory of Mary +Fielding Smith, the wife of Hyrum Smith, who died at his house +September 22nd, 1852. Here is his tribute to that estimable woman: + +"As regards Sister Mary Smith's situation and circumstances, I have no +trouble at all, for if any person has lived the life of a Saint, she +has. If any person has acted the part of a mother, she has. I may say +she has acted the part of a mother, and a father, and a bishop. She +has had a large family, and several old people to take care of, and +which she has maintained for years by her economy and industry. + +"One thing I am glad of, and I feel to rejoice in the providence of +God that things have been as they have. She came here sick on the +Sabbath, eight weeks ago last Sunday, for me to lay hands upon her. +She was laid prostrate upon her bed, and was not able to recover +afterwards. I felt as though it was a providential circumstance that +it so happened. She always expressed that she knew the thing was +dictated by the Lord that she should be placed in my house, though +accidentally. She probably would not have lived so long, had she been +where she could not have had the same care. On Tuesday evening, eight +weeks and two days since, she came here sick; from that time until her +death she was prayerful and humble. I have never seen a person in my +life that had a greater desire to live than she had, and there was +only one thing she desired to live for, and that was to see to her +family; it distressed her to think that she could not see to them; she +wept about it. She experienced this anxiety for a month previous to +her death. * * * I am glad I did right to Sister Mary, and took care +of her, and that my family had the pleasure of nourishing her; the +satisfaction that this gives me is worth more to me than a hundred +thousand dollars. Do I believe they know it in heaven? Yes, as much as +you do. I want to live all the time in righteousness, as I know that +God sees me and all the works of His hands." * * * * * + +A lesson on love and unity is here given: + +"The Gospel and plan of salvation that I have embraced, is music to +me; it is sweet to my body, and congenial to my spirit; and it is more +lovely than anything else I have ever seen since I have been in the +world. I love it, and that is why I love this people better than any +other people on God's earth, because there was never a better people; +that is, I am speaking of the majority of them. + +"The world considers it to be quite ridiculous for us to be of one +heart and of one mind. It is this union among those who are faithful +'Mormons,' that makes the world afraid of us. * * Jesus says, '_Except +ye are one, ye are not mine_.' There is more oneness in this people +than in any other people that ever lived upon the earth. There was not +that oneness in the days of Jesus, and I suppose there never has been +since the days of Enoch. Because there was such a oneness among the +people of Enoch, and they could not continue to be one and live with +the people in the same world, God took them and their city with a part +of the earth to Himself, and they sailed away like one ship at sea +separating from another." + +The power of unity and the courage of the righteous are thus +portrayed: + +"When Brother Brigham and myself and others left Kirtland to go to +Missouri with Joseph Smith, was there any fear in us? No. It never +entered into our hearts from the day we started to the time we +returned. I had a spirit on me as much superior to this earth, as the +earth is superior to the degraded spirits of the wicked that dwell on +its face. It was the Spirit of the Lord that stood by me, and diffused +strength into my body, and into my limbs, until the very hair of my +head felt all alive. Did they fear us in that upper country? Yes, they +ran as though they were never going to stop in the world. We felt +perfectly able to clear out that country to Nova Scotia, and we could +have done it, with two hundred and five men, if the Lord had commanded +us, as the Gideonites in days of old. Yes; two hundred and five men, +with the Spirit and power of God upon them and their faces shining +like the sun, it cannot be told what they could accomplish, neither +can we form any conception of it." + +Here is a testimony that Joseph gave the keys of the Kingdom to the +Twelve: + +"Since Brother Joseph stepped behind the vail, Brother Brigham is his +lawful successor. I bear testimony of what Brother Joseph said on the +stand at Nauvoo, and I presume hundreds here can bear witness of the +same. Said he, 'these men that are set here behind me on this stand, I +have conferred upon them all the power, Priesthood, and authority that +God ever conferred upon me.' There are hundreds present this day who +heard him utter words to that effect more than once. The Twelve had +then received their endowments. Brother Joseph gave them the +endowments, and keys and power were placed upon them by him, even as +they were placed upon him by Peter, James and John, who ordained him. +That is true, gentlemen, because they held the Apostleship last, and +had the authority to confer it upon him, or any whom the Father had +chosen. Brother Joseph called and ordained the twelve Apostles of the +last days, and placed that power upon them." + +Relative to the cultivation of spirits he says: + +"If you do not cultivate yourselves, and cultivate your spirits in +this state of existence, it is just as true as there is a God that +liveth, you will have to go into another state of existence, and bring +your spirits into subjection there. Now you may reflect upon it, you +never will obtain your resurrected bodies, until you bring your +spirits into subjection. I am not talking to this earthly house of +mine, neither am I talking to your bodies, but I am speaking to your +spirits. I am not talking as to people who are not in the house. Are +not your spirits in the house? Are not your bodies your houses, your +tabernacles or temples, and places for your spirits? Look at it; +reflect upon it. If you keep your spirits trained according to the +wisdom and fear of God, you will attain to the salvation of both body +and spirit. I ask, then, if it is your spirits that must be brought +into subjection? It is; and if you do not do that in those bodies, you +will have to go into another estate to do it. You have got to train +yourselves according to the law of God, or you will never obtain your +resurrected bodies." + +Here is a view of the location of heaven and hell: + +"You are talking about heaven and about earth, and about hell, etc.; +but let me tell you, you are in hell now, and you have got to qualify +yourselves here in hell to become subjects for heaven: and even when +you have got into heaven, you will find it right here where you are on +this earth. When we escape from this earth, we suppose we are going to +heaven. Do you suppose you are going to the earth that Adam came from? +That Eloheim came from? Where Jehovah the Lord came from? No. When you +have learned to become obedient to the father that dwells upon this +earth, to the Father and God of this earth, and obedient to the +messengers He sends--when you have done all that, remember you are not +going to leave this earth. You will never leave it until you become +qualified, and capable, and capacitated to become a father of an earth +yourselves. Not one soul of you ever will leave this earth, for if you +go to hell, it is on this earth; and if you go to heaven, it is on +this earth; and you will not find it anywhere else." + +It was the view of President Kimball that the angels are daily around +us. Says he: + +"I am now in my fifty-fourth year; I am a Latter-day Saint, full in +the faith, and not only in the faith, but I have a knowledge of the +truth of this work. I know that God lives and dwells in the heavens; +for I have asked Him scores of times, and hundreds of times, for +things, and have received them. Is not that a pretty good proof that +He hears me, when I ask him for things and get them; and is not that a +proof that He lives, and dwells in the heavens? I think it is. I +suppose He dwells there. He could not dwell anywhere else, but in what +particular portion He dwells, I do not precisely know, though He is +not so far off as many imagine. He is near by, His angels are our +associates, they are with us and around about us, and watch over us, +and take care of us, and lead us, and guide us, and administer to our +wants in their ministry and in their holy calling unto which they are +appointed. We are told in the Bible that angels are ministering +spirits to minister to those who shall become heirs of salvation." + +We have the spirits of the ancients, also, administering to the Saints: + +"Who have you now in your midst? Have you Abraham and Isaac and the +Apostles Peter, James and John? Yes, you have them right in your +midst--they are talking to you all the time." * * * * + +"Who are you to be subject to? You say you are willing to be subject +to God--to Jesus Christ. You are willing if Peter came along, to +listen to him. Well, Peter is here, John is here, Elias is here, +Elijah is here, Jesus is here, and the Father is here. What! in +person? If not in person, their authority is here, with all the power +that ever was or ever will be, to seal men and women up to +everlasting." + +Of the imperishable part of man and of the resurrection, he says: + +"So far as we are concerned, we were taken from the earth, and we may +expect to return to it again; and that portion of me which is pure, +after the dross of this mortality is separated from it, I expect will +be Brother Heber. It is that which will be resurrected; but all that +is not pure will remain; that is it will not go back into my body +again; and if there are ten parts out of the hundred which are dross +and corruption they will remain in the earth; I do not expect to take +that up again, but I expect to take up the purified element that will +endure forever; still the dross is beneficial in its place." + +* * * * * * + +"Now, will you go and pollute yourselves, and lose the right and title +to a resurrection, to dwell with the Saints, and with God the Father, +and His Son Jesus Christ, who is my brother?" + +Of the departed Willard Richards and the labors of the Elders of +Israel in the spirit world, he gives quite a broad glimpse: + +"He (Willard) has gone; and it will not be long before Brother Brigham +and Brother Heber follow after. He has gone to the world of spirits to +engage in a work he could not do if he had remained in the flesh. I do +not believe he could have done as much work for the general good of +the cause of God, had he remained in the flesh, as he can accomplish +now in the spirit; for there is a work to do there--the Gospel to +preach, Israel to gather, that they may purify themselves, and become +united in one heart and mind. + +"What! in the spirit world? Have I not told you often that the +separation of body and spirit makes no difference in the moral and +intellectual condition of the spirit? When a person, who has always +been good and faithful to his God, lays down his body in the dust, his +spirit will remain the same in the spirit world. It is not the body +that has control of the spirit, as to its disposition, but it is the +spirit that controls the body. When the spirit leaves the body the +body becomes lifeless. The spirit has not changed one single particle +of itself by leaving the body. Were I to fall into a mud-hole I should +strive to extricate myself; but I do not suppose I should be any +better, any more righteous, any more just and holy when I got out of +it than when I was in it. + +"Our spirits are entangled in these bodies--held captive as it were +for a season. They are like the poor Saints, who are for a time +obliged to dwell in miserable mud shanties that are mouldering away, +and require much patching and care to keep them from mingling with +mother earth before the time. They feel miserable in these old +decaying tabernacles, and long for the day when they can leave them to +fall and take possession of a good new house. + +"It seems natural for me to desire to be clothed upon with immortality +and eternal life, and leave this mortal flesh; but I desire to stick +to it as long as I can be a comfort to my sisters, brethren, wives and +children. Independent of this consideration I would not turn my hand +over to live five minutes. What else could give birth to a single +desire to live in this tabernacle, which is more or less shattered by +the merciless storms which have beat upon it, to say nothing of the +ravages made upon it by the tooth of time? While I cling to it I must +of necessity suffer many pains, rheumatism, head-ache, jaw-ache and +heart-ache; sometimes in one part of my body and sometimes in another. +It is all right; it is so ordained that we may not cling with too +great a tenacity to mortal flesh, but be willing to pass through the +vail and meet with Joseph, and Hyrum, and Willard, and Bishop Whitney +and thousands of others in the world of spirits. + +"Are they all together as we are to-day? I believe all Israel have to +be gathered; and to accomplish this the Elders, both in this and the +world of spirits, will go forth to preach to the spirits in prison. +Where? Down in hell. I appeal to the Elders who have been from this +place to preach the Gospel to the world, if it was not like going from +heaven to hell. It is a world of sorrow, pain, death and misery, and +you cannot make anything else of it." + +Here is something on death and the after life: + +"As for death, I do not trouble myself much about it. When the time +comes for me to depart from this life and go into what we call +eternity, to pass through the vail, it is simply to leave the body to +rest awhile, and blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for their +sleep shall be sweet unto them. Death is merely a sleep of the body, +and all the fear I have concerning it is what arises from my +conditions. I was taught in my youth that after death I had to go +directly into the bowels of hell, and go down, down, down, because +there was no bottom to it. I am not troubled about any such thing as +that, for I never expect to see any worse hell than I have seen in +this world. And those who do not the works of righteousness, and are +not worthy to be gathered with the spirits of the Saints, will go into +precisely such society, in the world of spirits, as they are now in. + +"The spirits of the Saints will be gathered in one, that is, of all +who are worthy; and those who are not just, will be left where they +will be scourged, tormented and afflicted, until they can bring their +spirits into subjection and be like clay in the hands of the potter, +that the potter may have power to mould and fashion them into any kind +of vessel, as he is directed by the Master Potter." + +In another sermon, he thus enlarges upon his favorite theme of "the +clay in the hands of the potter:"[A] + +[Footnote A: Heber's exposition of this theme was highly approved by +the Prophet Joseph, who declared it to be the true interpretation.] + +"The potter tried to bring a lump of clay into subjection, and he +worked and tugged at it, but the clay was rebellious and would not +submit to the will of the potter, and marred in his hands. Then of +course he had to cut it from the wheel and throw it into the mill to +be ground over, in order that it might become passive; after which he +takes it again and makes of it a vessel unto honor, out of the same +lump that was dishonored. * * There may ten thousand millions of men +go to hell, because they dishonor themselves and will not be subject, +and after that they will be taken and made vessels unto honor, if they +will become obedient. * * Can you find any fault with that?" + +He gives the following wise hint on one of the causes of apostasy: + +"I will give you a key which Brother Joseph Smith used to give in +Nauvoo. He said that the very step of apostasy commenced with losing +confidence in the leaders of this Church and kingdom, and that +whenever you discerned that spirit, you might know that it would lead +the possessor of it on the road to apostasy. * * + +"No man or woman can have the spirit of prophecy and at the same time +do evil and speak against their brethren; and you will find that man +or that woman barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of God, and +filled with disputations." + +Next come some reminiscent allusions, coupled with a prophecy: + +"How much would you give for even a cane that Father Abraham had used, +or a coat or ring that the Savior had worn? The rough oak boxes in +which the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum were brought from Carthage, were +made into canes and other articles. I have a cane made from the plank +of one of those boxes, so has Brother Brigham and a great many others, +and we prize them highly and esteem them a great blessing. I want to +carefully preserve my cane, and when I am done with it here I shall +hand it down to my heir, with instructions to him to do the same.[A] +And the day will come when there will be multitudes who will be healed +and blessed through the instrumentality of those canes, and the devil +cannot overcome those who have them, in consequence of their faith and +confidence in the virtues connected with them. * * * * + +[Footnote A: This cane is now in the possession of Bishop Abram A. +Kimball, who testifies that healing virtues attach to it.] + +"If I had those relics of Abraham and the Savior which I have +mentioned, I would give a great deal for them. In England when not in +a situation to go, I have blessed my handkerchief and asked God to +sanctify it and fill it with life and power, and sent it to the sick; +and hundreds have been healed by it; in like manner I have sent my +cane. Dr. Richards used to lay his old black cane on a person's head +and that person has been healed through its instrumentality, by the +power of God. I have known Joseph hundreds of times to send his +handkerchief to the sick, and they have been healed. There are persons +in this congregation who have been healed by throwing my old cloak on +their beds." + +This of the Church organization in heaven: + +"When you go into heaven, into the celestial world, you will see the +Church organized just as it is here, and you will find all the +officers down to the Deacon. Our Church organization is a +manifestation of things as they are in heaven, and you are all the +time praying that the Church here may be brought into union and set in +order as it is in heaven." + + + +CHAPTER LXV. + +GEMS FROM HEBER's WORDS CONTINUED--HIS STRIKING VIEW OF TIME AND +ETERNITY--HIS WORDS AND WORKS AT THE LAST CONFERENCE PRECEDING HIS +DEATH--HIS LAST SERMON. + + +As President Kimball advanced in years the tone of his mind seemed to +deepen, and often was displayed not only that quaint originality which +made him a marked individual throughout his life, but he frequently +flashed out thoughts at once brilliant and profound. Here, for +instance, is a philosophical spark on "Time and Eternity," struck from +his mind at the age of sixty: + +"People talk much about time and eternity, and they say they do not +care so much for eternity as they do for time. And again, others say +they do not care so much about time as they do about eternity. They do +not think for a moment what they are talking about. What is time? +(striking the pulpit.) That is all there is about it. That little +circumstance of my striking the pulpit is in eternity. It is eternity +on the right and on the left, behind and before, and the time being, +as it appears to us, is the centre of it. So we pass on from time to +eternity every day we live. We are in eternity. Civilized nations have +divided a portion of eternity into seconds, minutes, hours, days, +months and years for their own convenience, to mark their passage +through time. + +"The uncivilized or savage tribes of men, the American Indians, for +instance, have no other calendar than incidents in nature, such as the +rising and setting of the sun, hence they count by so many sleeps; the +full and dark of the moon, hence they count by so many moons. In +short, the only idea we have of time is gathered from natural +phenomena in eternity. We might introduce here a comparison of a ship +in the middle of the Atlantic. Is it not a pathless waste of waters +all around to the passengers on board, except on the frail timbers +where they stand? So it is with eternity, with this difference, +eternity is shoreless. + +"Let the brethren and sisters come to the conclusion that now is the +time to set out anew, and then continue from this time henceforth and +forever in doing right. If any of you have been in the practice of +drinking spirituous liquors to excess, cease at once the wicked and +destructive practice. If such a practice is committed, it has its +time, and makes its mark on the broad face of eternity; if you cease +the practice no time is given to it, and it cannot leave its trace on +eternity from that instant until you again commit the same wrong. This +reasoning will apply to every other wrong committed by the children of +men. + +"Let us spend time in doing right, and we shall receive in the Lord's +time right for right, grace for grace. If we do not associate with the +wicked world any more than is unavoidably necessary for the time +being, do you think they will have anything in common with us in +eternity?--or we with them? No." + +The thought that the present moment is the centre of all eternity is +worthy of a philosopher and a poet. So also is the idea that our evil +deeds, performed in time, make their mark "on the broad face of +eternity." His figure of the ship in mid-ocean with "the pathless +waste of waters all around," is decidedly beautiful. In fact, these +passages, with many others that might be quoted from his sermons and +sayings, show how largely Heber C. Kimball was endowed with those +qualities of mind known as causality and comparison. Who can doubt +that, had he been classically educated, he would have taken high rank +among profound and learned men? + +The thirty-eighth annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of +Latter-day Saints was the last conference he attended. He there spoke +several times. Of his first address the reporter says: + +"President H. C. Kimball reasoned on the principle of unity, its +growth among the Saints, and the course to be pursued by them--the +obedience, faithfulness and diligence necessary to reach that +condition of unity required of us. We look forward with anticipation +to building up the centre stake of Zion; and many are anxious for it +and will expect to be included among those called to go to Jackson +county, who realize but little of the progress they have to make +before they are prepared to do so. We have to become much more united, +to put away evil from us, to shun evil speaking, and realize the full +meaning of the injunction, 'touch not Mine anointed, and do My +Prophets no harm.' If we do wrong we must make restitution, cease all +wickedness, shun iniquity of every kind, and live to so possess the +Spirit of God that it will guide and direct us. The angels and holy +beings in the eternal worlds are interested in the work of God in +which we are engaged; they watch its progress; and they exercise care +over those who are laboring to spread truth and righteousness." + +Of his address to the Saints at a succeeding meeting of the +conference, the Church reporter continues: + +"President H. C. Kimball said if anybody wished to see a miracle they +had only to look upon the congregation before him, and look back over +the growth of the Church from the time when the entire members of it +could be seated in a small room; and we are increasing rapidly. He +urged the exercise of increasing watchcare over our growing sons and +daughters. They should all attend meetings regularly, learn the +principles of truth and grow up to be more useful. He was in favor of +ordaining the boys to the Priesthood, and watching and training them +with great care, that they might learn of the power and importance of +the blessing thus bestowed upon them. The spirit and sealing power of +Elias are with President Young, to seal together the fathers and the +children, that they may be one and that the whole people may be united +in working out salvation. We should all take a course to save our +offspring; and the man who cannot save his children--his family, +cannot save himself." + +The following is the notice of his last public speaking, which +occurred on the 7th of June, just previous to his death: + +"President H. C. Kimball spoke at some length on the power and order +of the Priesthood, instructing the congregation upon various things +connected therewith. He pointed out the blessings flowing from +obedience to the authority which the Lord has conferred upon His +servants on the earth; and the evil results which follow disobedience +and rebellion; for the Lord governs and rules in all worlds, and we +cannot, if we would, get to any place where His power is not." + +His closing words at this time were almost a prophecy of his +approaching end; being upon the subject of family training, during +which he quoted from the revelation wherein the Lord commands His +servants to set their houses in order. + + + + +CHAPTER LXVI. + +DEATH OF VILATE, THE WIFE OF HEBER'S YOUTH--PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG +PREACHES HER FUNERAL SERMON--HIS FEELING TRIBUTE TO HER MEMORY--HEBER +PROPHESIES OF HIS OWN DEATH. + + +On the 22nd of October, 1867, there was gloom in the household of +Heber C. Kimball. On that day died Vilate, the partner of his youth, +the noble and unselfish sharer of his life's joys and sorrows. In the +sixty-second year of her age, after an almost unexampled life of toil, +heroism and self-sacrifice, God called her home to a glorious rest. + +One of the immediate causes which led to her death--though for months +she had been a sufferer, and the sun of her life was visibly +setting--was the untimely end of her son, Brigham Willard Kimball, who +died on the plains while returning from a mission to England. Vilate +took the death of her son very much to heart, and her grief over the +event is supposed to have hastened the termination of her own life. + +Her loss was a heavy blow to her sorrowing husband. Heber's struggle, +in faith and prayer, to hold her to earth, was almost as great as that +of death to take her away. He related that when she first fell sick, +on going into her room to administer to her, he saw, standing at the +head of her bed, an evil spirit, a female. Kneeling down he prayed, +and then rebuked the apparition in the name of Jesus. It disappeared, +but soon returned with a host of fallen beings. + +He then called in several other Elders, and unitedly they rebuked the +evil spirits, when they departed, and he saw them no more at that +time. + +Thus he struggled on, hoping and praying to the end that she might be +spared. Sometimes, in his yearning for the continuance of their +companionship here a while longer, it seemed as though he would +prevail with the Lord. But the last hope of this at length faded, the +end came, and he bowed in resignation to the inevitable. + +"I shall not be long after her," was the sad prophecy that fell from +his quivering lips, as he followed the remains of his beloved partner +to the tomb. + +The thread of Vilate's life has been fully traced in that of her noble +husband, at whose side she stood as a helpmeet and a heroine for five +and forty years. But the record has only been traced, not told, and +angel tongues must take up the theme which mortal pen were powerless +to unfold. + +Her pure spirit took its heavenward flight at about three o'clock in +the afternoon. The funeral services over her remains were held on +Wednesday the 24th of October, at her residence in Salt Lake City. +There were present on the occasion to pay their last respects to her +sainted memory, President Brigham Young, Elders Orson Pratt, John +Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Geo. A. Smith, Geo. Q. Cannon, Joseph F. +Smith, of the Twelve Apostles; Patriarchs John Smith, John Young; +President Joseph Young; Bishops P. H. Young, Lorenzo Dow Young, John +Sharp, E. F. Sheets; many principal citizens and a vast concourse of +friends. + +After appropriate singing, and a prayer by Elder Joseph Young, +President Brigham Young pronounced the funeral address. He said that +he had not come to weep because the body of Sister Kimball was laid in +the coffin; if he wept it was because he saw his friends weeping +around him, but there was no cause for weeping, and he would say, let +us dry up our tears. He was reminded of the time when the deceased and +Brother Kimball stood by him when his first wife was taken from him. +He felt then to rejoice in the glorious hopes which the gospel had +revealed to them, and he could say of those who had died that there +was no period known to them in which they could experience so much joy +as when they had passed through the portals of death and entered upon +the glorious change into the spirit world. He had known intimately +Sister Kimball for nearly forty years, and from that time to this, if +any person ever found fault with her, it was more than he knew. Her +life, conversation, feelings, kindness to her family and to her +neighbors seemed all to come before him, and he could say of a truth +that a better woman never lived--according to her knowledge. She was +ever disposed to do good and to meet every obligation that devolved +upon her. He had been cherished and comforted by her in hours of +affliction, and knew her kindness of heart. Since he had heard of her +death, he had experienced none but joyful feelings--for she had lived +the life of a Saint--till he had come to sit beside her bier. It did +not belong to the manhood which God had given them to mourn on such +occasions, but it was through the weakness of their fallen nature that +they were overcome. Her spirit had now passed into the spirit world, +to wait with the spirits of the just the morning of the resurrection. +She had kept the faith, and with all who had partaken of the holy +Priesthood, was beyond the powers of death, and can no more be +afflicted. It was his faith that Joseph the Prophet would be the first +resurrected of the last dispensation, and that to him would be +committed the keys of the resurrection, and through him would the +powers of the resurrection be extended to others till all who had been +faithful would be resurrected in glory. He concluded with kindly words +of the deceased, reiterating affectionate sentiments, and assuring the +afflicted family and friends that her life had been as honorable as +any woman who had ever lived, and that she had secured her +resurrection with the just. + +President Young was followed by others, including President Kimball, +who spake most touchingly of the virtues of his faithful wife. + +Her remains were laid in the family burial ground. + +So closed the mortal career of one of the noblest of women, the purity +and loftiness of whose character will loom as a monument through +coming ages, while the memory of her good deeds will shine forever +like the pathway of the just. + + + + +CHAPTER LXVII. + +DEATH OF APOSTLE KIMBALL--ALL ISRAEL MOURNS--EXPRESSIONS IN HONOR OF +THE ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD. + + +The words of Heber were indeed prophetic, that he should not be long +on earth after the departure of the beloved wife of his youth. The +event for which both had earnestly prayed, that they might live and +die, and rise and reign together, was destined by the heavens to be. + +On the morning of the 22nd of June, 1868,--eight months later to a +day--death again entered the household, leveling his fatal shaft at +the mighty heart of its patriarchal head. At the age of sixty-seven +years, his mind yet unimpaired, his iron frame unbent by age, but with +health shattered by toil and trial in the service of his Maker, Heber +C. Kimball, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, the tried and trusted friend +of God, passed peacefully from earth away. + +His death was superinduced by a severe fall, sustained by him several +weeks before. He had driven from Salt Lake City to Provo, alone, +arriving there in the night. While nearing his residence in that city, +where lived his wife Lucy and her family, the wheels of his buggy went +suddenly into a ditch, throwing him over the forward wheels violently +upon the ground. After lying for some time stunned and helpless, and +chilled by the night air, he was finally discovered and assisted into +the house by his friend, Bishop A. F. Macdonald. + +This accident, though he partly recovered from its effects, was the +immediate fore-runner of his fatal sickness. + +The _Deseret Evening News_ of Monday, June 22nd, 1868, in an extended +editorial thus announced his death: + + "A prince and a great man has this day passed from among us! + President Heber Chase Kimball, who was born June 14th, 1801, fell + asleep at 20 minutes to 11 o'clock this morning, June 22nd, after + a pilgrimage on the earth of sixty-seven years and eight days. + Many of the residents of this city will be prepared to hear this + sad news; but upon the Saints throughout this Territory and in + foreign lands, it will fall unexpectedly and heavily. Two weeks + ago yesterday he preached in the new tabernacle, and those who + listened to him on that occasion could not have imagined from his + appearance that in so brief a period as has since elapsed we + should only have his lifeless remains to gaze upon. Since he was + thrown from his buggy last spring in Provo, his family and + intimate associates have noticed that his health was not so good + as it had been; but a casual observer would not have perceived any + change; he moved around and attended to his duties with his + accustomed diligence and vigor. On the 10th instant, at the mass + meeting in the new tabernacle, it was remarked that his face was + very much flushed. He complained that day of dizziness, and + torpidity of his right side; he attributed the feeling to + rheumatism, with which he was sometimes affected. The next day, + Thursday, the 11th, he went down town twice; but his family and + others noticed that in walking, he did not use his right leg with + his usual freedom. On Friday, the 12th, he arose in the morning + and dressed himself; but was compelled to return to bed. His son + Heber called upon him, and he conversed quite freely with him + about his affairs. This was the last conversation of any length + that he had with any person. It was soon plainly apparent that he + was attacked with paralysis of the right side, and from this time + until his death, he was only able to utter a sentence + occasionally, though most of the time he appeared to be fully + conscious of everything transpiring around him. When his + particular friends called upon him, especially Presidents Young + and Wells, he seemed to arouse himself to speak, and by the + pressure of their hands and the beaming of his countenance, would + signify his pleasure at seeing them. Until Saturday last it was + hoped that he would recover and be himself again. Every + indication of a change for the better was eagerly noted. Every one + was reluctant to admit that Brother Heber would not recover. If + such a thought presented itself it was immediately repelled. But + on Saturday evening it was visible to all that he was changing for + the worse. Yesterday he failed rapidly. From early in the + morning until afternoon his body suffered, though he himself + seemed unconscious of it. He was administered to by President + Young and the Twelve, and he was much relieved. Towards evening he + rallied, opened his eyes and for some time was conscious, and + appeared to recognize those who stood around him. This was the + last awakening of the faculties prior to death.[A] He relapsed + into unconsciousness, and gradually passed away without a + contortion of countenance or the slightest movement of a limb. * * + * His family and many of his friends were in the room where he + lay, and so peacefully did life leave his body, that some five + minutes had elapsed before those who were watching his countenance + were satisfied that his spirit had fled. Like a babe falling into + a gentle slumber, he passed away. It was a frequent remark of his + that he should not die. Those who stood around his bedside were + reminded of it by President Young--who saw his beloved and + faithful friend and fellow-laborer breathe his last--quoting the + remark, and adding that Brother Heber was not dead, he had gone to + sleep. Gloom and death were not there. None experienced those + undefinable feelings of dread which sometimes prevail on such + occasions. Sadness there was; but it was not mingled with doubt; + it was for the loss of the society of the loving husband, the + tender father, the steadfast friend, the wise counselor and the + undaunted leader. Yet this grief was not the only feeling. If + there can be any pleasure in contemplating the separation of the + body and spirit under any circumstances, then that chamber in + which the earthly remains of Heber C. Kimball lay this morning was + a place of joy. It was a scene of victory and triumph. A faithful, + unflinching servant of God, one who had passed through the most + severe ordeals with unyielding integrity, had met man's great + enemy, and through the atonement of the Savior and the previous + promises which he had given, had come off conqueror. What a host + of faithful ones have awaited his arrival in the spirit world! + Recall the names, beginning with Joseph, the head of the + dispensation, and what a glorious list is presented to the mind! + With what ineffable gladness will they meet and welcome him to + that happy land! Will it not be home to him when he meets those + bright ones with whom he has labored so long and so familiarly, + and who know his guileless simplicity, his truthfulness, his + unshrinking faith, his integrity and worth? + + [Footnote A: His last words, uttered distinctly the evening before + his death, were: "Truth, eternal Truth."] + + "As this news is flashed with lightning speed from one end of the + Territory to the other, profound grief will fill every heart. The + love of the Saints for Brother Heber is deep-rooted and universal. + A great people will this day mourn in learning of his departure, + and how deep will be the sorrow also of his brethren and sisters + in foreign lands! Yet it is not for him we should mourn. He is + ransomed and free. We yet remain in thralldom. The course of those + who live is not finished, the battle is not won. The supreme wish + of every heart who witnessed his departure doubtless was that + their end might be like his." + +On the same day the Mayor of the City issued the following: + + "TO THE CITIZENS OF SALT LAKE CITY.-- + + "As a token of respect to the memory of our esteemed friend and + fellow-citizen, the late HON. HEBER C. KIMBALL, whose demise took + place at his residence in this city, at 10-40 this a. m., it is + hereby requested, that all unite throughout the city in closing + their respective houses of business on Wednesday the 24th inst, + being the day appointed for the funeral obsequies of deceased. + + "DANIEL H. WELLS, Mayor. + + "MAYOR'S OFFICE, SALT LAKE CITY, + "June 22d, 1868." + +The following telegrams, sent from different parts of the Territory, +will show how universal was the respect paid to the honored dead: + + "LOGAN, 22nd. + + "PRESIDENT B. YOUNG: + + "We feel very sorry, but not without hope, respecting President + Kimball's death. + + "PETER MAUGHAN." + + + "SPRINGTOWN, 23d. + + "TO THE BISHOPS OF SANPETE CO.: + + "A great and worthy man in Israel is fallen--President Heber C. + Kimball--not by transgression, but by the providence of God. The + distance is too great for us to attend his funeral to-morrow. + This, therefore, is to request your congregations, to meet + to-morrow at two o'clock p. m., and offer up their prayers and + condolence in behalf of the bereaved family, as a tribute of + respect to the memory of the illustrious dead, thereby respecting + ourselves. + + "ORSON HYDE." + + + "ST. GEORGE, 24th. + + "PRESIDENT B. YOUNG: + + "The Saints of the south, assembled in the St George Bowery, + mingle their tears with yours in the funeral obsequies of our + lamented brother, President Heber C. Kimball. With his bereaved + family we deeply sympathize; with all Israel we mourn his loss, + and with him we rejoice that he has entered into his glory. + + "ERASTUS SNOW." + + +Here is the City's tribute to his memory: + + "At a regular meeting of the City Council of this city, on Tuesday + evening last, the 23rd inst, his Honor the Mayor, announced the + death of the Honorable Heber C. Kimball, and, on his suggestion, a + committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the + feeling of the council on the occasion. + + "Councilor Burton, on behalf of the committee, presented the + following preamble and resolution, which were read and unanimously + adopted: + + "_Whereas_, It has pleased the Almighty, in the dispensations of + His Providence, to remove from our midst by the hand of death our + esteemed fellow citizen and much beloved President, Heber C. + Kimball, who, with unwavering integrity and untiring zeal, has + ever been a faithful laborer in the cause of truth and an earnest + advocate of civil and religious liberty, and of every principle + calculated to ennoble and elevate humanity; therefore, be it + + "_Resolved_, That while we recognize the hand of the Lord in all + things, we deeply feel the loss which the community has sustained + in his death, and in common with the citizens of this city and + Territory, and the Latter-day Saints throughout the world, we most + sincerely sympathize with his family and friends in this their sad + bereavement. + + "The Council adjourned without the transaction of further + business. + + "DANIEL H. WELLS, Mayor. + "ROBERT CAMPBELL, Recorder. + + "Council Chamber, + "June 23rd, 1868." + +A full account of the funeral of President Kimball is reserved for the +next and final chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER LXVIII. + +OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT KIMBALL--TRIBUTES AND TESTIMONIES OF HIS +BROTHER APOSTLES--"HE WAS A MAN OF AS MUCH INTEGRITY AS ANY MAN WHO +EVER LIVED"--EARTH RETURNS TO EARTH AND THE SPIRIT UNTO GOD WHO GAVE +IT. + + +The day set for the funeral of President Kimball was Wednesday, the +24th of June. The place, the large Tabernacle, Salt Lake City. His own +desire, expressed many times before his death, was that it should be +held at his private residence, and with as little display as possible; +but out of deference to public sentiment, and to accommodate the great +multitude of his friends who desired to be present, it was found +necessary to hold the services in the Tabernacle. + +Throughout the city on that day, all ordinary business was suspended, +and draped flags, at half mast, swung to the breeze from the tops of +public and private buildings. It was a general time of mourning. The +very heavens seemed weeping in unison with the earth. The skies were +hung with black clouds, the solemn thunders roared, the wind sighed +and moaned, and the rain fell heavily. + +Long before the hour for the commencement of the services, thousands +were on their way to the Tabernacle to pay the last tribute of respect +to the memory of the mighty dead; one whom all Israel revered and +mourned as a father and a friend. Notwithstanding the pouring rain, +fully eight thousand people assembled within the vast auditorium. Many +of the settlements and counties throughout the Territory were +represented by their leading men. + +While the masses congregated at the Tabernacle, Presidents Brigham +Young and Daniel H. Wells, with the Apostles and many others, +representing general and local authorities in the Priesthood, repaired +to the late residence of President Kimball, where the funeral +procession formed under the personal supervision of President Young. + +The procession moved from the residence at 2 o'clock p. m., in the +following order: + +1st. Croxall's brass band, consisting of Messrs. M. Croxall, C. Evans, +R. Golightly, T. McIntyre, W. D. Williams, J. Croxall, T. Croxall, T. +Griggs, J. Cartwright, J. Currie, W. Foster, C. Sansom, B. Eardley, H. +Sadler, J. Wakeham, W. Adkins, G. Wareing, D. Evans, H. Sperry and W. +Lloyd. + +2nd. Of the High Council, Elders W. Eddington, J. L. Blythe, C. V. +Spencer, W. H. Folsom, T. E. Jeremy, J. Squires, P. Nebeker and G. W. +Thatcher. + +3rd. Of the Presidency of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, Elders D. +Spencer and G. B. Wallace. + +4th. Of the Presidency of the Seventies, Elders Joseph Young, L. W. +Hancock, A. P. Rockwood, H. S. Eldredge and J. Van Cott. + +5th. The Presidency of the High Priests, Elders John Young, S. W. +Richards and E. D. Woolley. + +6th. Presiding Bishop E. Hunter and his Counselors, L. W. Hardy and J. +C. Little. + +7th. Of the Twelve Apostles, Elders Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford +Woodruff, Geo. A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Lorenzo Snow, Geo. Q. Cannon +and Joseph F. Smith. + +8th. President Brigham Young and Counselor Daniel H. Wells. + +9th. The corpse, in a neat coffin wrapped in black broadcloth and +deeply fringed with white cashmere and black lace, borne by twelve +pall-bearers, namely, Elders R. T. Burton, T. McKean, G. W. Grant, L. +S. Hills, B. Y. Hampton, W. Calder, H. Heath, A. Dewey, H. S. Beatie, +H. P. Richards, H. Dinwoodey, and John T. Caine. + +Immediately following the remains walked the three eldest sons of +President Kimball, namely, William H., Heber P., and David P., +succeeded by his wives, the elder sons and daughters, the younger sons +and daughters, and many other relatives in the rear. The families of +Presidents Young and Wells in carriages, and a number of the most +prominent citizens on foot, terminated the procession. + +To the solemn strains of the "Dead March in Saul," from Captain +Croxall's band, the cortege, passing down East, North and West Temple +Streets, successively, to the west gate of Temple Block, entered the +Tabernacle at door No. 32, north side, and occupied reserved seats in +front of the stand. The casket with the remains was deposited on a +draped bier raised from the middle aisle. Seven elegant vases of roses +and other beautiful flowers were placed upon the coffin. During the +services a bird flew into the building and, alighting on the coffin, +remained for several minutes. + +In consonance with the solemnity of the scene, the interior of the +Tabernacle was draped in mourning. + +The assemblage was called to order by President Brigham Young. + +The choir then sang the following hymn, composed for the occasion by +Sister Eliza R. Snow: + + Be cheer'd, O Zion--cease to weep: + Heber we deeply loved: + He is not dead--he does not sleep-- + He lives with those above. + + His flesh was weary; let it rest + Entombed in mother Earth, + Till Jesus comes--when all the bless'd, + To life will be brought forth. + + His mighty spirit, pure and free + From every bond of Earth, + In realms of immortality, + Is crowned with spotless worth. + + He lives for Zion:--he has gone + To plead her righteous cause, + Before the High and Holy One-- + Let all the Saints rejoice. + + Let wives and children humbly kiss + The deep-afflicting rod: + A father to the fatherless, + God is the widow's God. + +Elder George Q. Cannon offered the opening prayer. + +The choir sang "Farewell all earthly honors," with the chorus "There +is sweet rest in heaven," and remarks were then made as follows, by +the speakers named: + + +ELDER JOHN TAYLOR. + + "Were I to give way to my feelings at the present time I should + not be able to address this congregation. I feel as, I suppose, + most of you feel--sympathy with the family of the deceased who now + lies before us. When I speak of this as being my feeling, I am + aware that I express the feeling of the generality of this people. + In this bereavement that has afflicted us, we all participate. A + wave of sorrow has rolled throughout the Territory, and feelings + of sympathy and sorrow gush up from the fountains of every heart. + We have met at this time to pay the last tribute of respect to no + ordinary personage, but to a good man who was called and chosen, + and faithful; who has spent a lifetime in the cause of God, in the + establishment of the principles of truth and in trying to upbuild + the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth; who has endeared + himself by his acts of kindness, affection, integrity, + truthfulness and probity to the hearts of thousands of Latter-day + Saints, who feel to mourn at this time with no ordinary sorrow. + + "That he is esteemed and venerated by this people as a friend, a + counselor and a father, this immense congregation, who have met on + this inauspicious occasion, is abundant testimony and proof, if + any is wanting. But his life, his acts, his services, his + self-abnegation, his devotion to the cause of truth, his + perseverance in the ways of righteousness for so many years have + left a testimony in the minds, feelings and hearts of all who feel + to mourn his departure from our midst. But we meet not at the + present time particularly to eulogize the acts of Brother Kimball, + who is one of the First Presidency, and who stands, or who has + stood as one of the three prominent men that live on the face of + the earth at the present time. + + "We do not mourn over him as over an individual in a private + capacity; neither, when we reflect on the circumstances with which + we are surrounded, and the gospel we believe in, do we mourn that + he lies there as he is. For although to us he is absent and + lifeless and inanimate, yet his spirit soars above clothed upon + with immortality and eternal life. And as he has been in + possession of the principles of eternal truth, by and bye, when + the time shall roll around, that gospel and the principles of + truth that he has so valiantly proclaimed for so many years, will + resurrect that inanimate clay, and He who, on the earth proclaimed + "I am the resurrection and the life," will cause him again to be + resuscitated, reanimated, revivified and glorified, and he will + rejoice among the Saints of God worlds without end. + + "It is not then an ordinary occasion upon which we have met at the + present time. It is not to talk particularly about our individual + feelings and bereavement, although they are keen, poignant and + afflictive; but we meet at the present time to perform a ceremony + and to pay our last respects to the departed great one who lies + before us. We do not mourn as those who have no hope; we do not + sympathise with any foolish sympathy. We believe in those + principles, that he, for so many years, has so strenuously + advocated, and believing in them, we know that he has simply + passed from one state of existence to another. It is customary + for men to say "how have the great fallen!" But he has not fallen. + It is true that he has gone to sleep for a little while. He + sleeps in peace. He is resting from his labors and is no more + beset with those afflictions with which human nature always has to + contend: he has passed from this stage of action, he has got + through with the toils, perplexities, cares and anxieties in + regard to himself, his family, and in regard to the Church with + which he was associated; and in regard to all sublunary things, + and while mortals mourn "a man is dead," the angels proclaim "a + child is born." + + "We believe in another state of existence besides this; and it is + not only a belief, but it is a fixed fact, and hence for a man of + God to bid adieu to the things of this world is a matter of + comparatively very small importance. When a man has fought the + good fight; when he has finished his course; when he has been + faithful, lived his religion and died as a man of God, what is + there to mourn for? Why should we indeed be sorrowful? There is a + church here on earth; there is a church also in the heavens. He + has migrated from one, and has passed into the other. + + "We have had leave us before, Joseph, Hyrum, David Patten, + Willard, Jedediah, and a mighty host of good, virtuous, pure, holy + and honorable men. Some have died, as it were, naturally; others + have been violently put to death. But no matter, they are each of + them moving in his own sphere. Brother Kimball has left us for a + short time that he may unite with them. And whilst we are engaged + carrying on the work of God, and advancing and maintaining those + principles which he so diligently propagated and maintained while + he was on the earth, he is gone to officiate in the heavens with + Jesus, with Joseph and others for us. We are seeking to carry out + his will, the will of our President and the will of our Heavenly + Father, that we may be found fit to associate with the just who + are made perfect, and be prepared to join with the Church + triumphant in the heavens. It is this that our religion points us + to all the time. + + "We embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he who now lies + before us was one of the first to proclaim it to thousands that + are here. And what did that teach us? To repent of our sins, and, + having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to be baptized for the + remission of our sins, to have hands laid upon us for the + reception of the Holy Ghost and to gather together to Zion that we + might be instructed in the ways of life; that we might know how to + save ourselves--how to save the living and how to redeem the dead; + that we might not only possess a hope that blooms with immortality + and eternal life; but that we might have a certainty, an evidence, + a confidence that was beyond doubt or peradventure, that we were + preparing ourselves for a celestial inheritance in the kingdom of + our God. And when a man goes to sleep as Brother Kimball has done, + no matter how, he lays aside the cares of this world; the weary + wheels of life stand still, the pulse ceases to beat, the body + becomes cold, lifeless and inanimate; yet at the same time the + spirit still exists, has gone to join those who have lived before; + who now live and will live for evermore. He has trod the path that + we have all to follow, for it is appointed to man once to die, and + after that, we are told, the judgment. We have all to pass through + the dark valley of the shadow of death, and as I said before, it + matters little which way this occurs; but it does matter a great + deal to us whether we are prepared to meet it or not; whether we + have lived the life of the righteous; whether we have honored our + profession; whether we have been faithful to our trust; whether we + are prepared to associate with the spirits of the just made + perfect, and whether when He who has said "I am the resurrection + and the life" shall sound the trump we shall be prepared to come + forth in the morning of the first resurrection. + + "Joseph Smith stands at the head of this dispensation. His brother + Hyrum Smith was associated with him. They were both assassinated. + No matter; they are gone. Brother Heber is now gone, and whilst we + mourn the loss they rejoice at meeting one with whom they were + associated before; for he was the friend of Joseph and Hyrum + Smith, and he was the friend of God, and God is his friend, and + they are his friends. And as they associated together in time so + they will in eternity. It behooves us then not to think so much + about dying, but about our living, and to live in such a way that + when we shall fall asleep, no matter when, or how it may + transpire, that our hearts may be pure before God. When I look + upon a man like Brother Kimball, I feel like saying let my last + end be like his. Let my life be as spotless, as holy and as pure, + that I may stand accepted before God and the holy angels. Our + ambition ought to be to live our religion, to keep the + commandments of God, to obey the counsel that those lips now + silent and cold have so often given to us; to honor our calling + and profession, that we may be prepared to inherit eternal lives + in the celestial kingdom of our God. May God help us to do so, in + the name of Jesus, Amen." + + +ELDER GEORGE A. SMITH. + + "The occasion which has called us together is truly one of + mourning; but our mourning is not as the mourning of those who + have no hope. Our father, our brother, our President, has fallen + asleep. He has fallen asleep according to the promise that those + who die unto the Lord should not die, but should fall asleep. + Still, the circumstances with which, we are surrounded cause us to + feel keenly, deeply this bereavement of his company, of his + counsel, of his support, of his society, and the benefit of that + wisdom which ever flowed from his lips. Short is the journey from + the cradle to the grave, and all of us are marching rapidly in + that direction; and the present occasion is certainly calculated + to inspire in our minds a desire that in all our lives and actions + we may be prepared for that coming event, that we may be prepared + to rest in peace, and in the morning of the first resurrection to + inherit eternal life and celestial exaltation. The association + which we have had with President Kimball has been of long + standing. He entered the church early after its organization. In + 1832, with President Brigham Young, he visited Kirtland, and made + himself personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph, whose bosom + friend he was from the time of their first acquaintance until the + day of his death. President Kimball was a man that seemed + embarrassed when called upon to speak in public in the early part + of his ministry. My first acquaintance with him was in 1833, when + in company with President Young he moved his family to Kirtland. + The Saints were then building the Kirtland Temple. He had but + little means, but he subscribed two hundred dollars and paid over + the money. Efforts were being made to build another house, for + school and other purposes, and he subscribed one hundred dollars + for that also, to buy the nails and glass. That was the first + public meeting at which I ever saw Heber C. Kimball. When he was + chosen one of the Twelve Apostles, and they were called into the + stand to bear their first testimony as Apostles to the Saints, + there was an embarrassment and a timidity about his appearance + that was truly humble. And when he went abroad to preach, many + felt almost afraid to have Brother Kimball preach because he had + not as great a flow of language as some others. But it turned + out, I am sorry to say, that some of those who were the most + eloquent seemed to be those who fell off by the wayside. It was a + dark hour around the Prophet in Kirtland, many having apostatized, + and some of them prominent Elders, when Brother Kimball and some + others were called upon to take a mission to England. He went + abroad when some of the first Elders were covered with darkness, + and apostasy ran rampant through the Church. He started almost + penniless, made the trip across the ocean, introduced the gospel + to England, and laid the foundation for the great work that has + since been accomplished there, accompanied by Orson Hyde, Willard + Richards and Joseph Fielding. Brothers Kimball and Hyde remained + in England about one year, and in that time 1,500 were baptized + there. It was strange, the power and influence which he had over + persons whom he had never before seen. On one occasion he went out + five days to some town which he had never visited before, and + among people whom he had never seen and who had never seen him, + yet in those five days he baptized eighty-three persons. It seemed + that there were a power and influence with him beyond that which + almost any other Elder possessed. He returned home just in time + to find the Saints in their troubles in Missouri. He had hardly + got home until the clouds of mobocracy intensified by apostasy + again gathered around the Prophet. In a short time after, Joseph + was in prison and his counselors were in prison and all were + closely guarded. + + "During this time President Kimball visited the prison, the Judges + and the governor, and exerted himself to relieve the prisoners; + and he had a peculiar influence with him, so that he could pass + among our enemies unharmed, when others were in danger. + + "When the Saints were driven from Missouri, as soon as their feet + were planted in Nauvoo, he built with his own hands a log cabin + for his family, and started again to renew his mission to Great + Britain, with President Young and others of his quorum. It is not + my intention to trace his history, but I have culled out these few + circumstances to show you his integrity, his faithfulness, and his + untiring labors to benefit mankind. + + "We are called now to mourn; but we do not mourn as those who have + no hope. Brother Kimball was a man who was the son of nature. The + literature he loved was the word of God. He was not a man to read + novels. He studied the revelations of Jesus. His heart was filled + with benevolence. His soul was filled with love; and he was always + ready to give counsel to the weakest child that came in his way. + Thousands and thousands will remember him with pleasure. + + "As we follow him to his last resting place, we must recollect + that those men who stood side by side with Joseph Smith the + Prophet, who bore with him his burdens, and shared his troubles; + who stood shoulder to shoulder with President Young while he faced + the storm of apostasy, mob power and organized priestcraft, are + rapidly passing away. Brother Kimball was foremost among them. + Joseph loved him, and truly it may be said that Brother Kimball + was a Herald of Grace. May we all so live that with our brother we + may inherit the blessings of celestial grace, is my prayer in the + name of Jesus, Amen." + + +ELDER GEORGE Q. CANNON. + + "The scene in which we are participating this day reminds us more + strongly than any language can do, how frail is mortal existence, + and how slight a tenure we all have upon this life. Two weeks ago, + to-day, he, whose lifeless remains we now surround, was moving + among us in this Tabernacle; if not in the enjoyment of perfect + health, yet in the enjoyment of such a degree of health as not to + inspire us with any apprehensions as to his life. If we had been + asked, How long is Brother Heber likely to live? the probable + answer would have been, he is as likely to live ten or twenty + years as any other period. But since then, two weeks, two brief, + short weeks, have gone, and we have assembled ourselves together + to pay our last respects to his memory. It seemed to me when I + entered the building, and sat down and looked upon the + congregation, that the greatest eloquence I could indulge in would + be silence. Yet it is due to him that our voices should be heard + in instruction to those who remain, and in testimony of his great + worth; and if possible to spread before them, the great and + glorious example which he has set for us, and which if we will but + emulate and follow, will result in the attainment of the most + glorious blessings of which mortal heart can conceive. + + "I have known Brother Heber from my childhood. To me he has been a + father. I never was with him but what he had good counsel to give + me. And when I speak this I speak what every one who was + acquainted with him might say. He was full of counsel, full of + instruction, and he was always pointed in conveying his counsel in + plainness to those to whom he imparted it. + + "Have we any cause, in reality, to mourn to-day? Have we any cause + for grief and sorrow? When I stood by his bedside and saw his + spirit take its departure there was no death there; there was no + gloom. I had seen but two persons die before, and they died by + violence; but when I watched Brother Heber I asked myself, Is this + death? Is this that which men represent as a monster, and from + which they shrink with affright? It seemed to me that Brother + Heber was not dead, but that he had merely gone to sleep. He + passed away as quietly and as gently as an infant falling asleep + on its mother's lap; not a movement of a limb; not a contortion of + his countenance; and scarcely a sigh. The words of Jesus, through + Joseph, were forcibly brought to my mind,--"they that die in me, + their death shall be sweet unto them." It was sweet with him. + There was nothing repulsive, nothing dreadful or terrible in it, + but on the contrary it was calm, peaceful and sweet. There were + heavenly influences there, as though angels were there, and no + doubt they were, prepared to escort him hence to the society of + those whom he loved and who loved him dearly. I thought of the + joy there would be in the spirit land, when Joseph, and Hyrum, and + David, and Willard, and Jedediah, and Parley would welcome him to + their midst, and the thousands of others who have gone before, and + like them have been faithful. What a welcome to their midst will + Brother Heber receive! to labor and toil with them in the spirit + world in the great work in which we are engaged. + + "It is now twenty-four years lacking three days, since Joseph and + Hyrum were taken away from us. Twenty-four years so fruitful in + labor, so abundant in toil, so rich in experience! During that + period Brother Heber has never wavered, never trembled. It may be + said of him with as much truthfulness to-day, as was said by + Brother Brigham on one occasion in Nauvoo, 'his knees never + trembled, his hands never shook.' He has been faithful to God; he + has been true to his brethren; he has kept his covenants; he has + died in the triumphs of the faith; and as the Savior has said, + 'that which is governed by law is preserved by law and perfected + and sanctified by the same;' so will it be with him. He has gone + to the paradise of God, there to await the time when this + corruption shall put on incorruption, when this mortality shall + put on immortality. + + "My brethren and sisters, here is an incentive to us to be + faithful. Contrast the death of this man with the death of the + apostate--the traitor. Contrast the future--as it is revealed to + us in the revelations of Jesus Christ--of this man, with the + future of the renegade from the truth, and the wicked and those + who love not God and who keep not His commandments. Are there any + incentives presented to us this day to be faithful? They are too + numerous for me to dwell upon or mention. There is every reason + why we should be faithful. It is easier to keep the commandments + of God than it is to break them. It is easier to walk in the path + of righteousness than it is to deviate from it. It is easier and + more pleasant to love God than it is to break His commandments. + + "Then let us be true to God. Let us walk each day so that we may + be worthy, when our life is ended, to associate with him whose + spirit inhabited this tabernacle that lies here, and with others + who have gone before, and with those who remain, that we may dwell + together with them eternally in the heavens; which may God grant, + for Christ's sake, Amen." + + +PRESIDENT D. H. WELLS. + + "It is a great calamity to humanity when a great and good man + falls. Earth needs their services. Good men are too scarce. The + loss is not so much to them as it is to us who remain--as it is to + humanity who are still left to wield an influence against the + wickedness which is on the earth, and to sustain holy and + righteous principles which the Lord has revealed from the heavens + for the guidance of man. Herein is the loss which we feel when + such men as Bro. Kimball are taken away, He has made his mark. He + has earned imperishable fame, and he will live in the hearts of + the good, the true and the faithful--in the hearts of the just; + and he will be remembered by the wicked, for he has often invaded + the realms of darkness and sustained holy and righteous principles + with all his might, power and influence, all the days of his life. + It is true, for him we need not mourn, because he has passed to + that home where Satan has no power. He has secured to himself a + crown of eternal glory and righteousness in the celestial kingdom + of our God. Not that he will come immediately unto this + exaltation. The Savior of the world, himself, did not enter into + His glory on the dissolution of His spirit and body; He went first + to minister to the spirits in prison, being clothed with the holy + Priesthood. So with our brother and beloved friend, for he is + still our friend, and, as has been remarked, he was the friend of + God and of all good men. He is not lost. He has only gone to + perform another portion of the mission which he has been engaged + in all his life, to labor in another sphere for the good of + mankind, for the welfare of the souls of men. But he has laid for + himself a foundation that is imperishable, on which a + superstructure of glory and exaltation will grow and increase + throughout all eternity. + + "I do not stand here to eulogize our friend and brother to-day, + but to satisfy my own feelings and pay a tribute of respect to his + memory, for I loved him and he loved me, and he loved this people. + He has friends also where he is gone. Who can answer the question + whether they are more numerous than those who have assembled + together to-day and those throughout this Territory? Who can say + that they are not more numerous on yonder shore? Yet it matters + not. Those who are faithful will yet be gathered with him and + others, and come with him to a celestial glory, and with him dwell + where there is no sorrow nor affliction. He rests from his labor, + from the toil which surrounded him on the earth. This is, to-day, + a source of consolation to his family and friends, to those who + were intimately connected with him. They may be assured that he + rests in peace. Let his example be followed; let his teachings be + remembered; let us all live so that we may have a reasonable hope + of meeting with him and being associated with him in a never + ending future. + + "May God help us to be faithful unto the end, as he has been; to + fight the good fight and keep the faith, that at last, with him + and those who have gone before, we may be found worthy to walk the + golden streets of that eternal city, whose builder and maker is + God: Amen." + + +PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. + + "I wish the people to be as still as possible and not to whisper. + I do not know that I can speak so that you can hear me; but if I + can I have a few reflections to lay before you. We are called here + on this very important occasion, and we can say truly that the day + of this man's death was far better to him than the day of his + birth. I will relate to you my feelings concerning the departure + of Brother Kimball. + + "HE WAS A MAN OF AS MUCH INTEGRITY, I PRESUME, AS ANY MAN WHO EVER + LIVED ON THE EARTH. + + "I have been personally acquainted with him forty-three years and + I can testify that he has been a man of truth, a man of + benevolence, a man that was to be trusted. Now he has gone and + left us. I will say to his wives and his children, that I have not + felt one particle of death in his house nor about it, and through + this scene we are now passing I have not felt one particle of the + spirit of death. He has fallen asleep for a certain purpose,--to + be prepared for a glorious resurrection; and the same Heber C. + Kimball, every component particle of his body, from the crown of + his head to the soles of his feet, will be resurrected, and he, in + the flesh, will see God and converse with Him; and see his + brethren and associate with them and they will enjoy a happy + eternity together. + + "Brother Kimball has had the privilege of living and dying in his + own house in peace; and has not been followed up by mobs and + massacred. I consider this a great consolation to his family and + friends; and it is a great comfort to me to think that Brother + Heber C. Kimball had the privilege of dying in peace. It is not a + matter of regret; it is nothing that we should mourn for. It is a + great cause of joy and rejoicing and comfort to his friends to + know that a person has passed away in peace from this life, and + has secured to himself a glorious resurrection. The earth and the + fullness of the earth and all that pertains to this earth in an + earthly capacity, is no comparison with the glory, joy and peace + and happiness of the soul that departs in peace. You may think I + have reason to mourn. Brother Heber C. Kimball has been my first + counselor for almost twenty-four years. I am happy to state, it is + a matter of great joy to me; this is the third counselor that has + fallen asleep since I have stood to counsel this people--and they + have died in the faith, full of hope; their lives were filled up + with good works, full of faith, comfort, peace and joy to their + brethren. I have looked over this matter. In the fourteen years + that Brother Joseph presided over the Church, three of the + prominent counselors he had apostatized. This was a matter of + regret. Sidney Rigdon, F. G. Williams and William Law, whom many + of this congregation knew in Nauvoo, apostatized and left Brother + Joseph. I have not been under the necessity of mourning and + lamenting over the apostasy of any one of my counselors, and I + hope I shall never have this to regret. I had rather bury them by + the score than see one of them apostatize. + + "A great deal could be said concerning Brother Kimball, whose + remains are here. He is not dead. His earthly tabernacle has + fallen asleep to be prepared for this glorious resurrection that + you and I live for. What can we say to one another? Live as he + has lived; be as faithful as he has been; be as full of good works + as his life has manifested to us. If we do so, our end will be + peace and joy, and we will fall asleep as peacefully. I held my + watch with one hand and fanned him with the other, while he + breathed his last. + + "For this family to mourn is perhaps natural; but they have not + really the first cause to do so. How would you feel if you had a + husband or a father that would lead you from the truth? I would to + God that we would all follow him in his example in our + faithfulness, and be as faithful as he was in his life. To his + wives, his children, his friends, his brethren and sisters, to + this family whom God has selected from the human family to be his + sons and daughters, I say let us follow his example. He has gone + to rest. We can say of him all that can be said of any good man. + The Lord selected him and he has been faithful and this has made + him a great man; just as you and I can become if we will live + faithful to our God and our religion. There is no man but what can + do good if he chooses; and if he be disposed to choose the good + and refuse the evil. If any man choose the evil he will dwindle, + especially if he has been called to the holy Priesthood of the Son + of God. Such a man will dwindle and falter, stumble and fall; and + instead of becoming great and good, he will be lost in + forgetfulness. + + "We pay our last respects unto Brother Kimball. I can say to the + congregation, we thank you for your attention. We are happy to see + you here. It would be a pleasure to us if it would be prudent, and + we had time, for you to see the corpse; but it would not be + prudent and we have not the time. This, perhaps, will be a matter + of regret to many of you; but you must put up with it. I want to + say to every one who wishes to see Brother Heber again, live so + that you will secure to yourselves a part in the first + resurrection, and I promise you that you will meet him and shake + hands with him. But if you do not live so, I can give you no such + promise. + + "Now, my friends, I feel to bless you; and the family, the wives + and the children of Brother Heber C. Kimball. I bless you in the + name of Jesus Christ. Will you receive the blessings which a + father and husband has placed upon your heads? If you live for + them you will enjoy them. I think he has never cursed one of his + family; but his heart was full of blessings for them. He has + blessed his brethren and sisters and neighbors and friends. His + heart was full of blessings; but he was a scourge to the wicked + and they feared him. Now, my friends, I cannot talk to you, my + sore throat will not let me. But I feel to thank you for your + kind attention here to-day, in paying our respects to the remains + of Brother Kimball, and may God bless you. Amen." + +At the close of the President's remarks, the choir sang: "O my Father, +Thou that dwellest," and Bishop Edwin D. Woolley pronounced the +benediction. + +The procession then returned, proceeding to the spot selected by +President Kimball as the final resting place of his mortal remains. +Here, beside the grave of his beloved Vilate, his body was entombed. + +And now occurred a remarkable, though purely natural phenomenon. As +the first clods of earth fell upon the coffin, the setting sun burst +forth from his cloudy covering, shedding a golden halo of glory upon +the scene, while instantaneously in the eastern horizon appeared a +rainbow, the bright and beauteous token of promise, directly spanning +the grave. It was no illusion; and as the last particles of mother +earth were gathered above the still bosom that slept below, the +rainbow dissolved. + +---- + +So passed from earth the immortal part of him whom men named Heber C. +Kimball; one of God's "noble and great ones," recalled with honor from +the toils of time to share with Him the triumphs of eternity. Freed +from his mortal prison-house of sorrow and of pain, his mission in +this life completed, he sought once more the scenes and society of +Home, in the realms of eternal rest. + + Past angels, Gods and sentinels, who guard + The gates celestial, challengeless and free, + That sovereign spirit soared unto its own; + By shouting millions welcomed back again, + With all his new-won laurels on his brow-- + The meed of valor and of victory-- + To exaltations endless as THE LIVES. + + + + +APPENDIX. + +A GLIMPSE OF THE GREAT BEYOND--THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF DAVID PATTEN +KIMBALL--LOST IN THE DESERT--COMMUNING WITH THE SPIRITS OF THE +DEPARTED--DAVID PREDICTS HIS OWN DEATH AND THE DEATH OF FOUR +OTHERS--THE FULFILLMENT. + + +The following narrative, under the caption of "A Terrible Ordeal," was +originally published in a little volume called "Helpful Visions," the +fourteenth book of the Faith-Promoting Series, issued from the office +of the _Juvenile Instructor_, in 1887. It was edited then, as now, by +the author of this work. Its relevancy to the present volume will be +apparent as we proceed. + +On the 22nd of November, 1883, David Patten Kimball, fourth son of +Heber Chase and Vilate Murray Kimball, departed this life. Nearly two +years before his death, he wrote to his sister Helen, in Salt Lake +City, the letter from which the appended extract is taken. This letter +was dated January 8th, 1882. David was then a resident of Jonesville, +or Lehi, Arizona, three miles from Mesa, where the letter was written. + +The experience related was of so remarkable a character as to meet +with dubiety on the part of some, especially those inclined to be +skeptical regarding spiritual manifestations. Some went so far as to +ascribe the sights and scenes through which the narrator claimed to +have passed, to the fevered fancy of a mind disordered by strong +drink. Nor is this surprising, when it is remembered that even the +Apostles of Jesus, on the day of Pentecost, were accused of being +"drunken with new wine," when the power of the Spirit fell upon them +and they "spake with tongues and prophesied." Skepticism is the same +in all ages. What is here presented is the plain and simple testimony +of an honest man, who firmly adhered to it till the day of his death, +which occurred in literal fulfillment of things told him "while in the +spirit." + +Here is the excerpt from David's letter. The events described took +place while he was returning home from a trip to Prescott, the capital +of Arizona, in the early part of November, 1881: + + "On the 4th of November, I took a very severe cold in a snow storm + at Prescott, being clad in light clothing, which brought on + pneumonia or lung fever. I resorted to Jamaica ginger and pepper + tea to obtain relief and keep up my strength till I could reach + home and receive proper care. On the 13th I camped in a canyon ten + miles west of Prescott, my son Patten being with me. We had a team + of eight horses and two wagons. That night I suffered more than + death. The next night we camped at Mr. McIntyre's, about twenty + miles farther on. I stopped there two nights and one day, during + which time I took nothing to drink but pepper tea. On the 16th we + drove to Black's ranch, twenty-eight miles nearer home, and were + very comfortably located in Mr. Black's house. + + "About 11 p. m. I awoke and to my surprise saw some six or eight + men standing around my bed. I had no dread of them but felt that + they were my friends. At the same time I heard a voice which + seemed to come from an eight square (octagon) clock on the + opposite side of the house. It commenced talking and + blackguarding, which drew my attention, when I was told to pay no + attention to it. At this point I heard the most beautiful singing + I ever listened to in all my life. These were the words, repeated + three times by a choir: 'God bless Brother David Kimball.' I at + once distinguished among them the voice of my second wife, Julia + Merrill, who in life was a good singer. This, of course, + astonished me. Just then my father commenced talking to me, the + voice seeming to come from a long distance. He commenced by + telling me of his associations with President Young, the Prophet + Joseph and others in the spirit world, then inquired about his + children, and seemed to regret that his family were so scattered, + and said there would be a great reformation in his family inside + of two years. He also told me where I should live, also yourself + and others, and a great many other things. I conversed freely with + father, and my words were repeated three times by as many + different persons, exactly as I spoke them, until they reached + him, and then his words to me were handed down in a like manner. + + "After all this I gave way to doubt, thinking it might be only a + dream, and to convince myself that I was awake, I got up and + walked out-doors into the open air. + + "I returned and still the spirit of doubt was upon me. To test it + further I asked my wife Julia to sing me a verse of one of her old + songs. At that, the choir, which had continued singing, stopped + and she sang the song through, every word being distinct and + beautiful. The name of the song was, 'Does He Ever Think of Me.' + + "My eyes were now turned toward the south, and there, as in a + large parquette, I beheld hundreds, even thousands, of friends and + relatives. I was then given the privilege of asking questions and + did so. This lasted for some time, after which the singing + commenced again, directly above me. I now wrapped myself in a pair + of blankets and went out-doors, determined to see the singers, but + could see nothing, though I could hear the voices just the same. I + returned to my couch and the singing, which was all communicative + and instructive, continued until the day dawned. All this time the + clock I have mentioned continued its cursing and blackguarding. + + "Mr. and Mrs. Black were up in due time and got breakfast. I arose + and made my toilet, plain as it was, and took breakfast with my + host and hostess. When my boy got ready to start, I went to pay my + bill, and to my surprise heard a voice say or communicate: 'David + Kimball has paid his bill.' When I got into the wagon, my guards, + or those who were around my bed during the night, were still with + me. My father had told me that he and President Young and others + would visit me the next night. + + "We drove on until about 11 a. m., when a host of evil spirits + made their appearance. They were determined to destroy me, but I + had power of mind to pay no attention to them, and let them curse + all day without heeding them any more than possible. Five times + they made a rush _en masse_ to come into the wagon, the last one, + where I was, but were kept off by my friends (spiritual). About 2 + p. m. I told my boy to stop and we would water our horses. We + used for this purpose barrels that we had along with us. After + this I walked to the west side of my wagons, and looking to the + east, I saw and heard the evil spirits floating in the air and + chanting curses upon Brigham Young. I saw two other groups of the + same kind, but did not hear them. Then I looked to the south, and + the whole atmosphere was crowded with fallen spirits, or those who + had not obtained bodies. Others who tried to torment me were + spirits who had lived upon the earth. Having seen so many and + being complimented by my guard for seeing so well, I became a + little timid and asked my spiritual friends if they had any help. + The answer was, 'Yes, plenty.' I now told my boy to drive on--he + was entirely oblivious of all that was taking place with me--and + soon after I was so exhausted that I fell into a troubled sleep + and must have slept quite a little while. + + "After I awoke I seemed to be left alone, and was lying on my + back, when, all at once, I saw an old man and two young girls. + This vision coming on me so suddenly, I was startled, and finding + my guard gone, I jumped out of the wagon and got up on the spring + seat beside my boy. But I could not get away from them. I was + told in a coarse, gruff voice that the devil was going to kill me, + and that he would follow me night and day until he destroyed me. I + remembered the promise father had made me the night before--that + he intended to visit me the next evening--and I nerved up and + tried to pay no attention to my persecutors, but I must confess I + was frightened. + + "We arrived at Wickenburg just at sundown. The old man and the + girls were tormenting and tantalizing me all the way, but never + coming very near to me. We got supper and I took a room at + Peeple's hotel and retired about 10 p. m. When everything was + quiet my spirit friends, eight in number, returned and my + tormentors were required to leave. Soon after, a glorious vision + burst upon me. There were thousands of the Saints presented to + me, many who had died at Nauvoo, in Winter Quarters, on the plains + and in Utah. + + "I saw Brother Pugmire and many others whom I did not know were + dead. When my mother came to me it was so real and I was so + overjoyed that I exclaimed aloud. So powerful was this vision that + I asked President Young, who seemed to be directing matters, three + times to relieve me, or I would faint. A great many others passed + in regular order; and I recognized nearly all of them, and was + told the names of all I did not know. My father sat in a chair + with his legs crossed and his hands clasped together, as we have + often seen him. Those who passed along had hidden him from my + view till then. + + "This scene vanished, and I was then taken in the vision into a + vast building, which was built on the plan of the Order of Zion. I + entered through a south door and found myself in a part of the + building which was unfinished, though a great many workmen were + busy upon it. My guide showed me all through this half of the + house, and then took me through the other half, which was + finished. The richness, grandeur and beauty of it defied + description. There were many apartments in the house, which was + very spacious, and they differed in size and the fineness of the + workmanship, according to the merits on earth of those who were to + occupy them. I felt most at home in the unfinished part, among the + workmen. The upper part of the house was filled with Saints, but I + could not see them, though some of them conversed with me, my + father and mother, Uncle Joseph Young and others. + + "My father told me many things, and I received many reproofs for + my wrong-doings. Yet he was loth to have me leave, and seemed to + feel very badly when the time came for me to go. He told me I + could remain there if I chose to do so, but I plead with him that + I might stay with my family long enough to make them comfortable, + to repent of my sins, and more fully prepare myself for the + change. Had it not been for this, I never should have returned + home, except as a corpse. Father finally told me I could remain + two years, and to do all the good I could during that time, after + which he would come for me; he mentioned four others that he would + come for also, though he did not say it would be at the same time. + + "On the 18th of November, about noon, we left Wickenburg (which is + twenty-two miles from Black's Ranch where we stopped the previous + night) on our journey home. I was exhausted from what I had + experienced, and could feel my mind fast giving away, but I had + confidence that I would reach home alive. There were no Elders to + administer to me and no kind friends to look after my wants except + my son, who had all he could do in looking after eight horses and + two wagons. As my mind wandered and grew weaker, I was troubled + and led by influences over which I had no power, and my friends, + the good spirits, had all left me. + + "We drove about twenty miles that afternoon, camping about eight + miles from water, on the Salt River desert, which is about fifty + miles across. During the fore part of the night I heard the horses + running as though they were frightened. My son was asleep, but I + got up and put my overcoat across my shoulders and went out where + they were and got them quieted down. I was about to return to the + wagon, when the same old man with gray whiskers, who had tormented + me before, stepped between me and the wagons. He had a long knife + in his hand. I was frightened and fled, he pursuing me and telling + me he was going to kill me. What I passed through I cannot + describe, and no mortal tongue could tell. I wandered two days and + three nights in the Salt River desert, undergoing the torments of + the damned, most of the time, which was beyond anything that + mortal could imagine. + + "When my mind was restored, and the fever which had raged within + me had abated, I found myself lying on a bleak hill-top, lost in + the desert, chilled, hungered, thirsty and feeble. I had scarcely + any clothing on, was barefooted, and my body full of cactus from + head to foot. My hands were a perfect mat of thorns and briars. + This, with the knowledge that no one was near me, made me realize + the awful condition I was in. I could not walk. I thought I would + take my life, but had no knife or any thing to do it with. I tried + to cut an artery in my arm with a sharp rock I had picked up, + hoping I might bleed to death, but even this was denied me. The + wolves and ravens were hovering around me, anxiously awaiting my + death. I had a long stick and I thought I would dig a deep hole + and cover myself up the best I could, so the wolves would not + devour my body until I could be found by my friends. + + "On the night of the 21st, I could see a fire about twenty-five + miles to the south, and felt satisfied that it was my friends + coming after me. I knew the country where I was; I was about eight + miles from houses where I could have got plenty of water and + something to eat, but my strength was gone and my feet were so + sore I could not stand up. Another long and dreary day passed, but + I could see nothing but wolves and ravens and a barren desert + covered with cactus, and had about made up my mind that the + promise of two years' life, made by my father, was not to be + realized. While in this terrible plight, and when I had just + about given up all hope, my father and mother appeared to me and + gave me a drink of water and comforted me, telling me I would be + found by my friends who were out searching for me and that I + should live two years longer as I had been promised. When night + came I saw another fire a few hundred yards from me and could see + my friends around it, but I was so hoarse I could not make them + hear. By this time my body was almost lifeless and I could hardly + move, but my mind was in a perfect condition and I could realize + everything that happened around me. + + "On the morning of the 23rd, at daylight, here they came, about + twenty in all, two of my own sons, my nephew William, Bishop E. + Pomeroy, John Lewis, John Blackburn, Wiley Jones and others, all + friends and relatives from the Mesa, who had tracked me between + seventy-five and one hundred miles. I shook hands with them, and + they were all overjoyed to see me alive, although in such a + pitiable plight. My own feelings I shall not undertake to + describe. I told them to be very careful how they let me have + water, at first. They rolled me up in some blankets and put me on + a buck-board and appointed John Lewis to look after me as doctor + and nurse. After I had taken a few swallows of water, I was almost + frantic for more, but they wisely refused to let me have it except + in small doses every half hour. + + "I had about seventy-five miles to ride home. We arrived at my + place in Jonesville on the afternoon of the 24th of November, when + my wife and family took charge of me and I was tenderly and + carefully nourished. In a few days I was around again. I told my + experience to President McDonald, Bishop Pomeroy, C. I. Robson and + others, and most of them believed me, but my word was doubted by + some. The report had gone out that I had been drinking and was + under the influence of liquor. This was an utterly false report. I + told them I had just two years to live, so they could tell whether + it was a true manifestation or not. + + "Now, Sister Helen, during the last twelve years I have had doubts + about the truth of 'Mormonism,' because I did not take a course to + keep my testimony alive within me. And the letter I wrote you last + August, I suppose caused you to feel sorrowful, and you prayed for + me and God heard your prayers. And our father and mother plead + with the Lord in my behalf, to whom I will give the credit of this + terrible but useful ordeal through which I have passed and only in + part described, an ordeal which but few men have ever been able to + endure and relate what I have seen and heard. + + "Now, my dear sister, you have a little of your brother David's + experience, and let who will think that I have been drinking. I + know these things were shown to me for my own good, and it was no + dream but a glorious and awful reality. My story is believed by my + brethren who have respect for me. I will console myself with the + knowledge I have obtained. Let the world wag on, and let hell and + the devil keep up their warfare against the Saints of God--I know + for myself that 'Mormonism' is true. With God's help, while I live + I shall strive to do good, and I will see you before long and tell + you all, as it never will be blotted out of my memory. + + "With kind regards, in which my wife and children join, I remain, + as ever, + + "Your affectionate brother, + "DAVID P. KIMBALL." + +---- + +ACCOUNT OF PATTEN KIMBALL AND OTHERS, REGARDING THE SEARCH FOR AND +FINDING OF HIS FATHER. + +The following is an account furnished by Solomon F. Kimball, brother +of David, who was in Mesa at the time of the occurrences described, +and thoroughly conversant with the facts: + + "On the morning of November 19th when Patten arose and missed his + father, he thought probably he had gone out to hunt for the + horses, and felt no uneasiness concerning him. He made a fire, + prepared breakfast and waited some time, but could not see or hear + him anywhere. The horses came strolling into camp and were tied + up, fed and watered. Patten then ate his meal, saddled a horse and + rode back towards Wickenburg, until he came to a small place + called Seymour on the Hassayampa, but could find out nothing of + his father's whereabouts. He went back to the wagon and hunted the + country close around camp but found nothing but his father's + overcoat, which was a few hundred yards from the wagon. It being + an old camp-ground, it was impossible to find his tracks. He + finally came to the conclusion that he had gone towards home, so + he hitched up his team and drove homeward until he came to Mr. + Calderwood's at Agua Fria (Cold Water). At this place there was a + well dug on the desert about twenty miles from Salt River. Patten + had traveled about twenty-two miles before reaching this point, + but was disappointed in not hearing anything of his father. He had + traveled all night and Mr. Calderwood was up and around when he + arrived. He related his story to him and was advised by him to + leave his team there and take the best pair of horses, and hitch + them to his buckboard and go on to the Mesa. Here he could get + help to come and hunt for the missing man. The distance was forty + miles, which would take all the rest of the day (the 20th). He + acted on the advice, however, and arrived at his destination at 9 + p. m. The news was circulated, and in less than two hours, twenty + of the best and most experienced men at Mesa and Jonesville were + on the road, taking Patten back with them. They also took a wagon + to carry water and provisions, but most of them were on the best + of horses. They had sixty miles to ride before beginning the + search, which was accomplished by daylight next morning. After + feeding their horses and eating a lunch they held a consultation + and agreed to abide by the following rule. If any one of the party + found his tracks he was to make a smoke and this would call the + others in that direction. They then started out in different + directions. They scoured the country until about noon, when Sern + Sorenson and Charles Rogers found his tracks. They supposed they + were about twelve miles from where he was lost, and about ten + miles from Agua Fria, close to the main road on the south side. + They soon gathered some brush and started a fire, putting on + plenty of green weeds, etc., to cause a smoke, and soon attracted + the attention of their comrades. His tracks were followed. They + wound round and round, going in no particular direction. Some + places he would cross his tracks eight or ten times in going one + hundred yards, which made it quite difficult to follow. + + "After spending a part of the afternoon in trailing him up, the + tracks finally took a direct course leading to the north. By this + time all the searching party were together. + + "Another meeting was held and the plan adopted was for eight + horsemen, four on each side of his tracks, to ride at a + considerable distance apart, so as to cut off the track if it + turned to the right or left, and two or three of the best trailers + to keep on the tracks, while the buckboard and wagon followed up. + These were out of sight most of the time, as very good time was + made by the trailers after this plan was adopted. The ground was + quite soft, and those on the trail would gallop their horses for + miles, but darkness soon put an end to their work for this day, a + good thing for both men and animals. + + "They had traveled upwards of one hundred miles in about twenty + hours. They were working men and had plenty of strength to carry + them through under all circumstances. They camped on the highest + ground that could be found close by, and made a large fire which + was kept up all night by those on guard. + + "As soon as it was light enough to see the tracks, every man was + at his place moving as fast as he could under the circumstances. + + "This was the morning of the 22nd. One great drawback they met + with that day was that when they would come to a deep ravine where + water had run during rainy weather, the tracks would follow up + sometimes for miles and then continue in the former direction. + Places would frequently be found in the sand where the lost one + had dug down for water with his hands. Now and then they would + find a piece of his clothing and see places where he had run into + the fox-tail cactus, cat's-claw and other thorny bushes. One place + was found where he had broken off the limb of a tree for a walking + stick. The party followed his tracks all day without stopping, + only as they were obliged to, on account of losing the trail or + from some other cause. + + "Darkness overtook them again, but nothing could be seen or heard + of the missing man. They slept on his tracks, keeping up a fire + all night as before. His sons and others could not rest, and + followed his tracks after dark by striking matches and putting + them close to the ground to see if they might possibly find him. + Some thought they could hear a sound, but it was so indistinct + they could not discern the direction from which it came. It was + indeed he who called, for they were then only a few hundred yards + from him, but he was too hoarse to make them hear. On the morning + of the 23rd at daylight his anxious friends were on his tracks, + and had gone but a short distance when Charles Peterson saw him. + He had a long staff in his hand, and had raised up as high as he + could get, being on one knee and the other foot on the ground, and + was stretching himself as far as he could and looking eagerly for + their arrival. The crowd made a rush, and in a few seconds were + with him, Bishop E. Pomeroy being the first. He was in his right + mind and knew all present, and was glad to shake them by the hand, + calling each by name. He was in good spirits and joked the boys + frequently and gave them instructions to be careful in giving him + water, etc. There was no water except in a canteen that had been + reserved for his especial use. The company suffered themselves + for want of water. They had traveled upwards of one hundred and + fifty miles in less than forty-eight hours. + + "David had dug a deep hole with his stick and had used his hands + to move the dirt. He said he was digging his own grave. He was + rolled in blankets and put on the buckboard. All drove to the + nearest houses, seven or eight miles distant, on the Hassayampa, + where they refreshed themselves with water and something to eat. + Soon they were on the road homeward. They drove to Mr. + Calderwood's, which was about thirty miles, and stayed all night. + He was very kind to them and told them to help themselves to + anything he had, such as hay, grain and food. He acted the man in + every respect. A large number of men had also left Phoenix in + search of David, among them being the U.S. Marshal, and others. + White men and Indians were riding over the desert in every + direction. Next morning the company drove to Jonesville, forty + miles distant, where they arrived about 3 p.m. + + "David was carried into his house where he was surrounded by his + loving wife and children. + + "When he recounted his experience, he said that one thing that + kept him from choking to death for want of water, was the damp + pebbles which he dug from low ravines and held in his mouth. The + Indians said that no human being could walk as far as he did and + go without water four days and five nights and live. The party + that found him said he must have walked at least seventy-five + miles, some said one hundred. + + "He testified that on the afternoon of the 22nd, his father and + mother came and gave him water and told him that his friends would + find him. His clothing was all gone except his under garments, + which were badly torn. + + "Before leaving home on his trip to Prescott, David had worked + several days fixing up his books and accounts and burning up all + useless papers, after which he told his wife that he felt + different in starting on this trip from anything that he had ever + felt before. He said it seemed to him that he should never + return. He told her that if this proved to be the case, he had + fixed his business up in such a shape that she would have no + trouble, and would know as much about it as himself. She + frequently spoke of these curious remarks, and felt considerably + worried. When the news came that he was lost, all was plain to + her, and she never expected to see him come home alive. Nothing + could comfort her, and she watched night and day until he was + brought home." + +---- + +In the fall of 1883, David came to Salt Lake City on a visit to his +sister Helen and others, to whom he confirmed with his own lips all +that his letter contained, and told other things in relation to his +marvelous experience. He declared solemnly that he was perfectly sober +when he passed through the trying ordeal related, and bore a powerful +testimony to the truth of "Mormonism." He seemed a little reticent to +most of his relatives, and talked but little of his strange +experience, feeling pained that so many doubted his word, and being +unwilling to make himself obstrusive. When he bade his friends +farewell before returning south, there was something in his manner +which seemed to say that he was taking leave of them for all time. +This visit was no doubt made with that prospect in view, for it was +almost two years from the time he was lost on the desert. He returned +home to St. David, Cochise County, Arizona, and almost the next news +that came from there was the tidings of his death. + +A letter from his nephew, Charles S. Whitney, who was then living with +him, written home on the 22nd of November, 1883, contained this: + + "Uncle David died this morning at half-past six, easily, and + apparently without a bit of pain. Shortly before he died, he + looked up and called, 'Father, father!' All night long he had + called for Uncle Heber. You remember hearing him tell how Grand-pa + came to him when he was lost on the desert, and how he plead for + two years more and was given that much longer to stay. Last + Saturday, the day he was so bad, was just two years from the day + he was lost, and to-day is just two years from the day his father + and mother came to him and gave him a drink of water, and told him + that his friends would find him and he should live two years + longer. He knew that he was going to die, and bade Aunt Caroline + good-bye day before yesterday." + +During the last two years of his life David revealed to three of his +personal friends the names of the four persons whom his father had +told him in vision that he should come for, at or near the time when +he would return for him. He exacted the promise from these friends +(who, it seems, had some doubt regarding the divine nature of his +vision, which doubt he was anxious to dispel) that they would not +divulge the names of these individuals until after their death. The +names, with respective dates of decease, are as follows: + +William H. Hooper; died December 30th, 1882. +Horace K. Whitney; died November 22nd, 1884. +Heber P. Kimball; died February 8th, 1885. +William Jennings; died January 15th, 1886. + +As will be seen, the longest interval given from the death of David P. +Kimball is two years, one month and twenty-three days. William H. +Hooper, who was the first of the four to go, preceded David by about +eleven months, while Horace K. Whitney, the second to depart, followed +him one year later to a day. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Heber C. Kimball, an Apostle, by +Orson F. Whitney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL *** + +***** This file should be named 35333.txt or 35333.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/3/3/35333/ + +Produced by the Mormon Texts Project, +http://bencrowder.net/books/mtp. 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