There really isn’t much timber in the
Nauvoo area, at least not enough to construct a temple. Really, the only trees that
can be found in the area are along the banks of the Mississippi River and other creeks and streams, but is not of the
variety to give long, straight cuts of stick lumber to frame a temple. So,
where did the Saints get the lumber from?
A) Heaven
B) Canada
C) Wisconsin
D) Minnesota
Yesterday’s answer:
C)
The first battle between the mob and the Mormons in Missouri
The following from Parley P. Pratt
at a time he and others traveled to Lexington, Missouri, to let a judge know
the bleak situation playing out in Jackson County with the mobs. The battle
described is the Battle of the Big Blue:
I was in Jackson
County; heard the sound of firearms, and saw the killed and wounded lying in
their blood. At this I awoke from slumber, and awaking Mr. Marsh and the family
with whom we lodged, I told them what I had seen and heard in my dream, and
that I was sure a battle had just occurred.
Next morning we pursued our journey homeward
with feelings of anxiety indescribable. Every officer of the peace had
abandoned us to our fate; and it seemed as if there was no alternative but for
men, women and children to be exterminated. As we rode on, ruminating upon
these things, a man met us from Independence, who told us there was a battle
raging when he left; and how it had terminated he knew not.
This only heightened our feelings of anxiety
and suspense. We were every instant drawing nearer to the spot where we might
find our friends alive and victorious, or dead, or perhaps in bondage, in the
hands of a worse than savage enemy.
On coming within four miles of Independence,
we ventured to inquire the distance at a certain house; this we did in order to
pass as strangers, and also, in hopes to learn some news; the man seemed
frightened, and inquired where we were from. We replied, from Lexington, Said
he, “Have you heard what has happened?” We replied, “That we had heard there
was some difficulty, but of all the participants we had not been informed.”
“Why,” said he, “the Mormons have riz, and have killed six men.”
We then passed on, and as soon as we were
out of sight we left the road and took into the woods.
Taking a circuitous route, through thickets
of hazel interwoven with grape vine, we came in sight of Independence, after
some difficulty and entanglement, and advanced towards it; but seeing parties
of armed men advancing towards us, we wheeled about, and retreating a distance,
turned again into the woods, and galloping about a half mile, reached the tents
of our friends.
But what was our astonishment when we found
our brethren without arms, having
surrendered them to the enemy!
The truth was this: The same evening that I
dreamed of the battle, a large body of the outlaws had marched to a certain
settlement, where they had before committed many outrages, and commenced to
unroof dwellings, destroy property, and
threaten and abuse women and children. While some sixty men were thus engaged,
and their horses quietly regaling themselves in the cornfields of the brethren,
about thirty of our men marched upon them, and drove them from the field.
Several were severely if not mortally wounded on both sides; and one young man
of the Church died of his wounds the next day—his name was Barber.
Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt,
pg. 118-119.
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